TheShield_Volume70_Issue4

ISSUE 4 | NEWS

International Students Page 8

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Bishop Kenny High School Jacksonville, Fla. Volume 70, Issue 4

Travel Quiz Page 9

Florida State Parks Page 10

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THE SHIELD | MAY 2023

CONTENTS The Shield is student news magazine, published quarterly by journalism students at Bishop Kenny High School 1055 Kingman Ave., Jacksonville, Fla. 32207 phone: (904) 265-9390 fax: (904) 398-5728 The policy of The Shield is to provide a forum for student expression. If you are interested in advertising in The Shield, email newspaper@ bishopkenny.org for more information.

Letters to the editor are encouraged; submit to room 224. Names can be withheld upon request. The Shield is a member of FSPA. Editor in Chief Anna Bass Features Editor Giovanna Feitoza A & E and Opinions Editors Rheece Singletary Business Manager Gabby Nunez News Editor Gloria Gjuraj Web Manager Emily Wheldon Staff Reporters Chloe Barron, Madison Bolen, India Brophy, Lorelei Carlton, Glory Dansou, Parker Fluhr, Leah Fullerton, Sophia Gredenhag, Olivia Lacy, Claudia Laos, Serenity Mead, Allison Milonas, William Wainwright, Samantha Whitney Adviser Jessica Durbin Follow The Shield on Twitter, Instagram and online @bk_theshield www.bktoday.org

3 NEWS RECAP 4 WITH FLYING COLORS 8 FAR FROM HOME 9 DESTINATION STATION 10 HIDDEN GEMS 12 ART IN PROGRESS 14 ERAS ATTIRE 15 GLOW WITH GLO 16 KENNY KRAVINGS 17 BURNT OUT 18 SPORTS RECAP 19 ATHLETE OF THE ISSUE

NEWS RECAP ISSUE 4 | NEWS

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Miss BK

Giovanna Feitoza | Features Editor On April 21, the Carla Harris Center hosted the thirty-first annual Miss Bishop Kenny Pageant. On the day of the pageant, each girl was called for a short interview with this year’s appointed judges. Afterwards, they displayed their talent and a

formal dress of their choice.

The title of Miss BK this year was handed down from senior Anabel Macchi to junior Giovanna Bettega Feitoza.

1st Runner Up was awarded to junior Aleah Grace Gibbs, while 2nd Runner Up was awarded to junior Mary Smith.

Spring Concert India Brophy and Serenity Mead | Staff Reporter

Boosters Auction Leah Fullerton | Staff Reporter The Boosters Auction returned for its thirty-sixth year on April 20.

COVID-19 forced the auction online in 2020, but the format stuck because it is efficient and profitable.

“The online event allows an unlimited number of people to participate in the event,” Director of

Band and Chorus held the Spring Concert in the Carla Harris Center on April 27.

Chorus performed renditions of pop culture hits such as “I See the Light” from “Tangled,” “Remember Me” from “Coco” and “Baba Yetu” from the video game

“Civilization IV.” Band played “The Avengers,” “Despacito,” “Variation Overture” and “Astronomica.”

Both Chorus and Band are conducted by music teacher Michael Jenkins.

Advancement Sheila Marovich said. “The longer period of time that items are available for bid results in more active bidding and higher selling prices.”

Since its conception, the Boosters Auction has raised almost three million dollars.

All proceeds go towards funding activities and clubs.

May Crowning William Wainwright | Staff Reporter On May 12, the school community gathered for its final mass of the school year.

In the Catholic Church, the May Crowning takes place in between the holidays of Easter and Pentecost. Mary is venerated via ornate crowns

of flowers which symbolize the beauty of earth and how Mary is the recipient of all the good the world has to offer.

Principal Orlando announced Deacon de Luca’s retirement after 24 years of service to BK.

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THE SHIELD | MAY 2023

With Flying Colors

ISSUE 4 | NEWS

Looking into new drone elective Gabby Nunez | Business Manager

T

he NJROTC Department will add a drone elective called Naval Science 3 and 4: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in the 2023-2024 school year.

The course will teach the basics of aeronautics and move into the specifics of drones and being a drone remote pilot. Its curriculum, syllabus and class materials will come from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

The main components of the course include the

hands-on portion while also figuring out the physics and aerodynamics that make the drone fly.

The goals of this course will be to take and pass the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Test. Not only is the course recognized as a certificated course from Embry-Riddle but also an FAA Federal Aviation Administration Qualification.

The course is offered to juniors and seniors and will be taught by Commander

Morrill who is going to become an adjunct EmbryRiddle professor.

“I will get the qualification over the summer after I take a couple of classes, so that I can become an adjunct professor for EmbryRiddle,” Morrill said.

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ISSUE 4 | NEWS

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T R A V E L

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FAR FROM H ME

THE SHIELD | MAY 2023

International students adjusting to life in America Giovanna Feitoza | Features Editor

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community formed by many ethnicities is alive with culture, and with that, stories. International students each hold a treasure trove of stories and double-

When moving across continents, even the smallest contrasting details can stick out to you. This proved to be true for Russel Odion, who moved from Nigeria to North Florida when he was 14 years old. Adjusting to American culture in adolescence made it easier to notice subtle differences, which brought Odion’s attention to the difference in something as specific as tipping systems.

In the U.S., tipping is considered normal and encouraged, while in Nigeria it’s quite the opposite.

“Giving someone money in public is generally considered disrespectful or unprofessional,” Odion said.

Another culture shock Odion shared was about the normalization of full refunds

and the return system in American retail stores.

Apparently in Nigeria, you likely won’t have as much luck returning a top that didn’t fit.

Being part of a community in which you are the minority means sharing your individual culture. Odion feels good about being an international student and enjoys carrying a piece of Nigeria with him.

“I believe it’s a really fun experience,” Odion said.

“I get to satisfy people’s curiosity about Nigeria and its culture by answering their questions.”

Sharing that piece of yourself is what brings diversity into communities like Bishop Kenny.

lives within them. The BK community is home to some of these valuable stories and cultures, each carried and told by international students.

The “American Dream” is a staple of life in the U.S.; a land of opportunity and sanctity. That dream is what led Samuel Aguirre’s family to move to the U.S. from the Philippines 14 years ago.

Aguirre’s father lived in the Philippines when Aguirre was young, but had previously lived in Jacksonville before Aguirre was born. Given his father’s familiarity with the city, his father chose to move his family there.

“My dad…wanted to give our family an opportunity here in America rather than in the Philippines,” Aguirre said.

At four years old, Aguirre had a whole new world

to adjust to and explore.

Among the many changes, Aguirre noticed a dramatic difference in America and the Philippines’ culinary cultures.

“The food [in the U.S.] is drastically different,” Aguirre said.

Although he was young, Aguirre, like many other immigrants, grappled with the isolating feelings that come with being a foreigner from time to time.

“It wasn’t too bad,” Aguirre said.

“There is a strong Filipino community here in Jacksonville.”

DESTINATION STATION ISSUE 4 | FEATURES

Vacation spot quiz Anna Bass | Editor in Chief

MOSTLY A’S

1. What is you favorite season? a. Summer

b. Spring

c. Winter

2. What is your favorite item of food? a. Seafood

b. Pizza

c. Ramen

3. What do you like to do in your free time? a. Go to the beach

b. Shopping

c. Video games

Bahamas

4. What is the main reason you want to travel? a. See nature

b. Learn cultures

c. Adventures

5. What is your favorite type of flower? a. Hibiscus

b. Lily

MOSTLY B’S

c. Cherry Blossom

6. What is your favorite color? a. Blue

b. Green

c. Red

7. On vacation, you would most likely be found: a. Resting and relaxing

b. Sightseeing

c. Shopping

Italy

8. What is your ideal lodging situation? a. Over-water bungalow

b. Vineyard villa

c. Skyscraper

9. What drink do you prefer? a. Smoothie

b. Cappuccino

MOSTLY C’S

c. Boba Tea

10. How would you rather spend a day on vacation? a. Fishing and boating

b. Cooking class

c. Theme park

11. With whom are you traveling? a. Your family

b. Your BFF

c. By yourself

Japan

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Falling Waters

Madison Blue Spring

Weeki Wachee

f O s m e G n e d Hid State parks to visit this summer

Madison Bolen, Lorelei Carlton and Ally Milonas | Staff Reporters

ISSUE 4 | FEATURES

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Wahington Oaks Garden

Bill Baggs Cape Florida

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THE SHIELD | MAY 2023

Students create portfolio showcase for AP exam Olivia Lacy | Staff Reporter

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s the school year comes to a close, the threat of AP exams begins to loom over students’ heads. Teenagers spend hours each week cramming for upcoming exams.

However, art students face exams in a less traditional manner.

The AP Art exam takes a hands-on approach to track each student’s progress.

Instead of spending two hours filling out multiple choice and short answer questions, art students collect the works they’ve created throughout the school year and organize them into a

digital portfolio, including a written section for them to explain their creations.

At the end of the year, the themed works are showcased for both students’ and their parents’ viewing in Bishop Kenny’s art gallery.

Art teacher Lauren Doran described the works as “focused around a guiding inquiry or overall idea that the student chooses themselves,” adding a personal aspect to each final product.

Each student is given creative liberty to create pieces of art and stories to go along with them.

“Putting this portfolio together has made me notice

drastic changes in my art from the beginning of the year to now,” senior Grace Pendley said. “As I became more confident in my ideas, I became more comfortable with experimenting with new materials.”

Using a portfolio to organize works of art created over a certain time period is a way for artists to demonstrate growth and a widening skill set. Putting all of an artists’ works together into one area allows for them to share their works with colleges and companies to gain special job opportunities.

ISSUE 4 | A & E

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The concept of biological development through evolution portrayed by Grace Pendley (12).

The compulsion of symmetry and black-and-white thinking (thinking through extremes) depicted by Reagan Anderson (12).

How light was depicted in fashion—specifically in the decade of neon—portrayed by Grace Schwinn (12)

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evermore Junior Maura Madigan’s outfit was inspired by the “evermore” album, describing it as having “that same kind of cottage core vibe.”

Madigan says that “evermore” “is one of the best blends of stuff she’s done” and the “aesthetic is so gorgeous and fun.”

ERAS ATTIRE

THE SHIELD | MAY 2023

Swifties dress as favorite album for tour Emily Wheldon | Web Manager

Midnights

Sophomore Emma Gregory dressed as the album named after Swift’s birth year, 1989.

“1989 was the first concert I ever went to so it has always been one of my favorite eras…I love her style during this era and wanted to do something similar,” Gregory said. Gregory took inspiration from Swift herself in wearing white sunglasses, which Swift wore in her 1989 concert, and a white sequin dress.

Fearless “I dressed as ‘Fearless’ because I’ve always loved that era and the song ‘Fearless’ is so happy and fun,” senior Alannah Rowan said. To capture the happy feel of the album, Rowan wore a sparkly gold two piece adored with sparkly tassels.

Swift has captured the attention of hundreds of listeners with her new album, “Midnights.”

“I just love the vibe of the album as a whole.

The outfits she wears in the album are so cute and just love the overall feel of the album,” sophomore Bridget Lawrence said. Lawrence wore a dark blue dress with bejeweled Converse.”

reputation “[‘Reputation’] is one of my favorites, and I think it just reflects the whole teenage attitude of just being angry all the time. It’s fun, it’s moody and I just kind of feel like it fits well,” senior Julia Rabon said.

To capture the trademarked “Reputation” look, Rabon wore a strapless top with a newspaper pattern, a black glitter skirt and black boots.

Lover

Senior Kaelin See dressed as the “Lover” era because the album contains some of her favorite songs. She wore a sparkly pink dress and adorned her face with pink heart stickers.

“I connect with the whimsical and lightheartedness of the album, it always makes me feel happy when I listen to it,” See said.

Gl w with Glo

ISSUE 4 | A & E

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How to enhance your tan Gloria Gjuraj | Staff Reporter

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s soon as we feel the sun at school and check the weather app, we’re all excited for the upcoming weekend and to get a head start on summer.

People love vitamin D because it is said to improve immune health, boost our mood and it is anti-

inflammatory according to nih.gov. But it’s important to acknowledge that getting tan comes with a variety of risks ranging from sunburns to severe risks like skin cancer.

Harmful UV rays can cause severe sun damage, and these rays peak during the hours of 10:00 a.m. and

Sun Bum SPF Tanning

SPF 15. Even if this is applied over your regular SPF there should be no issue achieving a good tan. This retails for $20.49 on the Sun Bum website.

Oil: This brand is well known and the tanning oil has a review of 9.6/10 stars on their website. It also contains

Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub: Just like any other occasion, we have to prepare ourselves. Skin prep is vital for achieving the

Jergen’s Instant Tanner: If you are concerned with the risks and don’t feel comfortable tanning in the sun, there’s always a sunless option.

This self tanner comes in a

perfect summer tan. Make sure your skin is exfoliated and smooth for the sun to lay an even tan on your skin.

This retails for $40 on the OUAI website and has a review of 9/10 stars. But for a more affordable option,

lotion form The foam retails for $13.49 at Target and the lotion retails for $10.49. The foam has a rating of 9/10 stars and the lotion has a rating of 9.5/10 stars.

4:00 p.m., according to fda. gov. Always manage your time to avoid exposure during these times.

Lucky for you, I did my research to find the safest and speediest ways to achieve the perfect summer tan. Here are the top three items you need to get your tan on:

you may want to check out the Tree Hut scrubs which sell for $10.49.

Using a tanning oil to help accelerate your tan is necessary, but make sure you never ignore SPF in products. Stop believing that

using zero SPF will help you tan better, because that is not true. SPF helps us stay wrinkle-free and healthy.

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CAVA

With growing popularity in the media, the new restaurant CAVA is making Mediterranean food more accessible. With great reviews from everyone I know, I had

Catullo’s Italian

Authentic Italian can be hard to find outside of Italy, but sometimes it’s hiding next to the “Cleaners” on San Pablo Rd. Catullo’s was a familyowned food truck turned into a restaurant. With rumors that a line formed before the restaurant was even open, I had to try it.

I got there 15 minutes earlier, and there was already a line.

I waited for about 40 minutes before I was seated at the end of the bar.

The restaurant has around 10 tables crammed into a tiny space. But, this didn’t matter because of the smells that were coming out of the kitchen. I was eager to grab a menu, and upon receiving one, I ordered the “Shrimp Rosata.”

After I ordered, I was served hot bread. It was

THE SHIELD | MAY 2023

to try it for myself.

Spoiler Alert: there was no big deal. It was nothing more than a healthy version of Chipotle.

Walking in, it wasn’t very busy and it had open seating. You walk up to the build station and pick what you want to get, similar to the style of Chipotle. The staff was energetic and actually seemed excited about making my order.

I chose to build my own pita, which had grilled chicken, hummus and an

assortment of fresh veggies and other toppings like feta.

When I ate the pita, all I could taste was the chicken and hummus because I was given very little of everything else. The pita itself was falling apart in my hands and was difficult to eat.

I wanted the full experience so I paid the extra two dollars for some pita chips, but I wouldn’t pay an extra three dollars for hummus. Call me cheap, but that seems unreasonable.

The pita chips were tasty

crispy on the outside and soft and buttery on the inside. It’s easy to say that this was the best white bread I’ve ever eaten.

The fried mozzarella had seasoned breading and the perfect crunch.

The sauce was a standard marinara but the plating looked professional because the sticks were stacked up neatly and had nice garnishes.

Once I got the main dish, I was in awe. It is my most favorite pasta I have ever eaten in my life. I’m still craving it a week later.

The shrimp paired perfectly with the linguini pasta, which was tossed in creamy white tomato sauce. It was pure heaven.

The staff was attentive the entire time, making sure everything was good with the food and my glass was filled.

This was a great experience that portrayed authentic Italian style food. I’d give it a 10/10 if not for the limited seating, but it was definitely

Cantina Louie

Rating:

The next culture I tried was Mexican, so I went to “Cantina Louie” located in Atlantic Beach.

My first impressions of the restaurant were not great because the place smelled of cleaning chemicals and there was sauce all over the menus.

I ordered queso with the complimentary chips and salsa. The chips were warm, but they were very plain and the salsa was more liquidy than it was chunky. But the queso was amazing. It was spicy and not too thick.

The server got everything in our order right, even though she didn’t write anything down.

I only had to wait 10 minutes after ordering to receive my main dish, so that earns extra points in my book. I ordered a beef burrito, chicken taco and rice and beans.

The burrito literally just had beef, nothing else, and I was unable to pick it up because it was basically cemented to the plate and would crumble

and I was sad when they were gone. They were crispy and spicy, and almost tasted like a donut without the glaze.

If I were to go back to CAVA, I would just get the chips and dip, because it wasn’t worth the price of the pita.

Rating:

apart when I tried. The soft taco was okay, but nothing extraordinary and the rice and beans were dry and had no flavor.

Nothing really stood out enough to remember except the dessert. It was called a sopapilla, which is a fried tortilla dipped in cinnamon sugar and served with chocolate sauce. It was the best thing I ordered there. It had a great crunch on the outside, soft on the inside and the flavors mixed perfectly.

Maybe if I had ordered something else, like an enchilada or a quesadilla, my experience would’ve been better.

Rating:

ISSUE 4 | OPINIONS

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Losing passion for academic effort Anna Bass | Editor in Chief

O

nce a flame has burnt out, you can’t relight it by the same match. In the same way, once you lose your passion for something, it can be hard to get it back.

Since freshman year, I have pushed myself to take the more challenging classes.

It might not always be fun, but I believe that the effort I’m putting in now will help prepare me for a better future.

Many of my friends also take AP classes and share in the struggles that come with them, so I’ve heard the term “burnt out” more and more as high school has progressed.

When you get caught up in all the school work and studying, you can become so determined to keep going that you might never even think burning out is a possibility. However, once you get to this point, it’s like hitting a wall. Especially in the third quarter of junior year, I’m feeling the ruthless exhaustion from academic strain more than ever. Every new assignment seems pointless and my school days feel longer and longer.

I simply don’t have the motivation to keep putting in all that effort anymore.

What’s worse is that the school system almost

wants us to drive ourselves to this point of exhaustion involuntarily. Students are dropping out of or skipping courses that they find interesting to conform to the timeless scheme and hardships of AP classes.

But why do I still go on and take these classes?

The workload is intense, the grades are harsh and my free time is diminished. The factors pushing young people to pack their schedules varies, of course. For me, it’s the GPA boost and the potential college advantage. Honestly, my entire course load this year was centered around the idea that if I don’t take several AP classes, then I won’t be accepted into UF because of how competitive the application process has become.

I’m burnt out, but I still have another year left of high school and the years in college ahead. So, I have to somehow find that motivation to keep going. In a sense, I have to find my spark to relight my flame.

In order to find your own spark, you must take a step back and look at your life from a different perspective by reevaluating the relationship between your academic and personal lives. Are you

prioritizing your academics above your personal needs?

Do you make an effort to have a necessary amount of leisure time in your life? Do you find yourself sacrificing your mental health to live up to unreasonable standards?

If you’re like me, then you might think you have all the wrong answers to these questions but it’s not too late to find them.

Here’s a secret: your happiness is worth more than any number, grade or college acceptance letter. I’m not saying to just give up on school entirely, but try to find things that you enjoy to make the load a little easier to carry.

If you are interested in marine biology but you only want to take AP Biology because of the AP credit, then take marine biology and be happy.

If you find yourself becoming burnt out, don’t give up hope. Just keep going and try to find your inspiration. Even Albert Einstein, academic genius and diligent innovator, understands the importance of balance and putting in effort in his own life, which he makes clear in his famous quote “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving”.

I’ll end with lyrics from

the song “Vienna” by Billy Joel, which inspires me and perfectly encompasses the feeling of chasing academic validation.

SPORTS RECAP

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THE SHIELD | MAY 2023

Tennis

Sophia Gredenhag | Staff Reporter Both boys and girls teams qualified for districts, played at West Nassau High School over spring break.

Singles winners included senior Sofia Lopez, who won the line four match, and senior Michael Tulang, who won line three.

In doubles, seniors Emma Gredenhag and Hope

Alexander placed runner-up for line one, as well as Abby Curette and Sofia Lopez who placed second for line two.

Gredenhag had a golden match, meaning she lost no points.

The girls team advanced to play in the Regional Championships at Bolles, but fell short of placing.

Beach Volleyball Chloe Barron | Staff Reporter Partners senior Sarah Seabrooke and junior Lily Pragle celebrate after scoring a point against the Episcopal Eagles.

This season, the varsity team won districts 5-0 against Fletcher High School which let them advance to

the first stage of the state championship where they beat Leon High School 5-0.

The team made it all the way to the Sweet 16 match at Florida State University, and ended its season with a record of 18-4.

Softball

Sami Whitney | Staff Reporter

The girls softball team entered the district tournament seeded first with a record of eight wins and 12 losses. They advanced to the quarterfinals, defeating Raines High School, with a final

Baseball

Glory Dansou and Parker Fluhr | Staff Reporters Baseball took the second place title at the state championship game on May 20.

“The game ended up 4-0 against North Marion; we had lost to them early in the season,” sophomore Derek Heideman said. “During the

championship game it was a really good environment.

There were a ton of fans; it was really loud and it was really fun.”

This is the third time baseball has made it to the state championships since 2008.

score of 16 to 0. But on May 10, they took a loss to Baker County. They ended their season with a 13-13 record.

ATHLETES OF THE ISSUE ISSUE 4 | SPORTS

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Grden twins take on sports Claudia Laos | Staff Reporter

D

ue to the life changing move from Dubai to his new home in the United States, sophomore Christian Grden has learned to . Especially through the ups and downs in his sport, swimming, Grden admitted that his drive for swimming has grown from the contrast between swimming culture in the U.S. compared to in his home country.

“Moving from Dubai to the U.S. [has] shown me that here, sports are taken more seriously,” Grden said. “And definitely more competitive.”

Throughout his time on the Kenny swim team, his team has remained an important support system, he says. Grden chose to join the Bishop Kenny swim team because he was already dedicating 15 hours a week

determination and drive to improve as an athlete.

One thing that Grden did to improve in cross country was dropping swim to focus more attention on getting better at running.

Even while getting accustomed to her new life in the states, Grden practiced discipline and kept up with her game day rituals. Some of these rituals include taking an epsom salt bath two days before a race, eating pasta and drinking Liquid IV the night before a race and even draining her legs against a wall to reduce the pressure in her legs. The day of her races, she tries to eat healthy by eating bars or nuts.

“All of my game day rituals help me stay disciplined and motivated,” Grden said. “They allow me to keep a schedule, regardless of where I am at to swimming and hoped it would be a fun experience.

His favorite part, though, quickly became the ability to represent Bishop Kenny at States. Grden said his typical practice varies day to day.

“One day I can be swimming 50 repetitions and then another day I can be swimming 300 repetitions,” Grden said. “It all just depends.”

Outside of representing BK, his favorite part of his sport is the opportunity to meet new people, not just from his team, but at competitions.

Much like his twin sister, Grden values game day rituals, and one of his is to listen to music to get him “in the zone before a swim set.

Grden’s spark and interest in swimming started when

Photos courtesy of the Grdens

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eaving everything she knew behind and starting a new life in a foreign country, sophomore Stephanie Grden learned the values of discipline, drive and determination.

Grden mastered these values through her love for track and cross country.

Grden moved from Dubai to the states with her twin brother and parents, leaving the sand dunes behind to run on a new, flat turf.

“A major lesson I’ve learned from running in both Dubai and the U.S. is how running in different conditions, weather or places can make a sport easier or harder,” Grden said. “It was especially difficult when I was running up sand dunes back home.”

The stark contrast between running in both countries has given her more

Stephanie Grden keeping her pace throughout a race the time.”

Other than her interesting game day rituals Grden’s favorite part about being on the Kenny XC team is the fact that the whole team feels like a family to her. Grden says that her teams feels like family because “regardless of whether they’re on junior varsity or varsity, I feel like I

can always count on them if I need any advice or help,” Grden said.

Grden hopes to receive D1 offers to run at the collegiate level. At the moment, she is interested in several out-of-state colleges, but her top choice is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Christian Grden competes in his swim meet. he was little, “Ever since I can remember I’ve been swimming and I’ve always enjoyed doing it” Grden said.

After swimming on the Bishop Kenny varsity swim team, he hopes to get D1 offers to swim professionally in college. Due to the recruitment process for

swimming only being open to upperclassmen, Grden has not been able to talk with any of the colleges he’s interested in. Grden’s top choice is Florida State University.

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THE SHIELD | MAY 2023