The Shield: Volume 72, Issue 2

Bishop Kenny High School Jacksonville, Fla. Volume 72, Issue 2

09 Do you Duval?

Students may live in Jax, but not all are Jags fans

22 New Year, Global Cheers Learn about New Year’s customs around the world

30 College Apps

Seniors share college application tips

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Dear Reader,

It is with great joy and excitement that we write to you as the Editors-in-Chief.

After hours of producing one of our longest issues to date, we are pleased to present you with Volume 72, Issue 2 of The Shield.

Before getting into the issue, we want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and engagement with our publication. We appreciate everyone who has contributed, especially our advertisers and contributing writers from the Creative Writing class.

In a hectic time of celebrations of the holidays, we sometimes forget to slow down and remember this is a time of new beginnings.

To kick off this issue, we start with the new beginnings of our country’s political status; flip to page 4 to learn about the process of Editors-in-Chief: Chloe Barron and Madison Bolen Design and Layout Editor: Ally Milonas News Editor: Serenity Mead Features Editor: Lorelei Carlton Opinions Editor: India Brophy Social Media Editor: Sophia Gredenhag Online Editor-in-Chief: Parker Fluhr Business Manager: Glory Dansou HR/Staff Relations: William Wainwright Development Manager: Sami Whitney Writing Coach: Leah Fullerton Staff Reporters: Siena Bakkar, Maddie Benfante, Faith Cabrey, Grace Campbell, Gianna Coyle, Joey Evans, Emma Gallup, Lindy Jakab, Gracie Kuepper, Terran Lathey, Megan Matthews, Becca Moody and Kate Reichard Adviser: Jessica Durbin Mission Statement: The Shield is a student news magazine, published quarterly by journalism students at Bishop Kenny High School, dedicated to empowering and informing the student body by delivering timely, accurate and engaging stories.

We strive to uphold Bishop Kenny’s core values while fostering a sense of community, promoting critical thinking and celebrating the diverse voices and achievements within our school. Through our commitment to journalistic integrity and creativity, we aim to inspire and connect our readers, creating a culture of informed and engaged students.

2 THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2024

the presidential election and president-elect, Donald Trump.

Speaking of our country, flip to page 22, to learn more about New Year’s customs in the U.S., and other countries’ traditions as well.

One new question that has been coming up a lot especially for high school students is, “Am I Cheating?”

Two of our staff reporters explore the uses of AI, and if students (and teachers, too) are automatically cheating by using AI. Wrapping around to new beginnings, the RISE retreat just made a new record and took over 100 juniors and seniors on a Catholic retreat.

Go learn more about the experience and how you can sign up on page 6. Not a junior or senior? There’s a story about the sophomore and freshman retreat Quest

as well.

As we grow older, does our Christmas spirit begin to fade?

Go read a staff reporter’s opinion about it on page 25.

We are all growing, and with that comes the stressful situations of applying to college. Read some tips for juniors on how to “Avoid Application Overwhelm” on page 30.

Don’t skip our second ever artist spotlight on page 27, this time featuring senior Caroline Kartsonis.

Looking for some yummy treats during the holiday season? You can flip to page 24 to learn how to make reindeer food, and page 28 to read about the newest crumbl cookie pies.

We hope you enjoy reading all about it in this brand new issue of The Shield.

Editorial Policy: The policy of The Shield is to provide a forum for student expression.

Advertising: If you are interested in advertising in The Shield, email newspaper@bishopkenny.org for more information.

Questions, Comments, Concerns: Letters to the editor are encouraged; submit to room 224.

Names can be withheld upon request.

Contact Information: 1055 Kingman Ave., Jacksonville, Fla. 32207 (904) 265-9390 www.bktoday.org

Cover Designs | Madison Bolen

04 PRESIDENT ELECT

Everything you need to know about the election and more

09 DO YOU DUVAL?

Students may live in Jax, but not all are Jaguars fans

11 LETTER OF INTENT

National Letter of Intent is Abolished

13 AOTI

06

Senior Riley Clarke takes the shot to success

14 SPORTS RECAP 16 ROBOTICS

Robotics team works towards tournaments

20 MIDTERM STRESS

Top study spots, methods and pros and cons

NEW YEAR, 22 GLOBAL CHEERS

18

Learn about New Year’s customs around the world

24 CHRISTMAS RECIPE

How to make reindeer food

26 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Senior Caroline Kartsonis describes her art journey

27 KRAVINGS

Lookie lookie lookie, it’s crumbl cookie

28 HISTORIC HOMES

25

Antebellum and Victorian-era homes in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

30 COLLEGE APPS

Seniors share their college application tips

32 CONSPIRACIES

Exploring conspiracy theories concerning John F. Kennedy

ISSUE 2 | CONTENTS 3

WELCOME MR. PRESIDENT

Everything you need to know about the election Grace Campbell | Staff Reporter

POLICIES & PROMISES Quotes from Donald Trump “ We must ensure that every

American has the right to life.”

- Hickory, North Carolina on November 6, 2024​

“ We stand with Israel. I will

ensure that we have Israel’s back, especially in this time of crisis.”

- November 2024 rally in Florida​

“ We built the greatest economy

in the history of the world. We did it twice. And now we’ll do it a third time, and it’ll be better than ever.””

-April 27, 2023

“ We will seize the assets of

criminal gangs and drug cartels and use those assets to create a compensation fund for victims of migrant crime.”

- October 29, 2024

“I will always defend the right to life and support exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother.”

- May 18, 2019

“ We’re going to bring back the

greatest economy in the history of the world. Under my leadership, the U.S. economy will grow like never before.”

- November 15, 2022, in Palm Beach, Florida

“ I delivered on my

“ I am going to close the

department of education and move education back to the states.” ” - Indiana, Pennsylvania, September 23, 2024

“ We will bring down prescription

drug prices and make healthcare affordable for every American.”

- South Carolina rally on November 5, 2024

“ We’re not going to shut down our

energy industry. We’re going to bring back coal, bring back natural gas, and bring back oil.”

- Pennsylvania on June 28, 2016

promises, and I will “ We will protect the healthcare of do it again. America the American people, but we must also reform it, reduce costs, and was great, and it will make it accessible to all.”

- April 2024 rally in Georgia​ be great again.” “ We’re going to stop illegal - February 2024 rally immigration, build the wall, and deport criminals.

We will make in South Carolina​ America safe again.”

- May 2024 rally in Arizona​

“ America First means

America First. We will stop being the world’s policeman, and we will rebuild our military while focusing on securing our own borders.”

- April 27, 2016, Washington, D.C.​

“ We will have law and order

once again. We will make sure that criminals are brought to justice.”

- October 2024 rally in Texas​

“ I’m committed to providing

school choice and ensuring that every child can attend the school of their choice, including charter schools and private schools.”

- State of the Union address on February 4, 2020

“ We will support the police and law enforcement. I’ll never let our great American cities be destroyed by lawlessness.”

- Howell, Michigan, on July 26, 2021

COMMON QUESTIONS

Interview with government teacher Scott Thompson

How can a candidate win the popular vote but not the electoral vote?

This happens a lot. Typically, we see the democratic candidate win the popular vote but lose the election. This happens because states like New York and California, (which are extremely liberal), rack up tens of thousands of popular votes for the democratic candidate, but in the end, the only votes that truly count are the electoral votes each state offers.

Under what conditions would a recount take place?

It’s completely up to the state to determine whether or not a recount needs to happen.

In Florida, a recount would happen if the votes were within one tenth of a percent of each other.

When will Trump be inaugurated into office?

The election will be finalized on Jan. 6; then on Jan. 20, Trump will be inaugurated into office.

What is the Electoral College? Why do we still use it?

How can I stay informed in an unbiased way?

What makes a swing state a swing state? Why are they so important?

How are election results counted?

The Electoral College is a system created by our founding fathers that gives each state a set number of electoral votes based on their population.

In total, there are 538 electoral college votes, and for a candidate to win, they need to get the majority, 270 votes or more.

Because it’s in our Constitution the only way for us to abolish the electoral college is with an amendment, meaning two-thirds of our federal congress and three-fourths of the state government would need to vote in its favor, something so rare only 27 have happened in the last 248 years.

It’s all about the numbers. In decidedly red or blue states, when we look at the polls, it is clear who the winner will be, but with the swing states, the two candidate’s numbers are so close the state could fall either way.

The swing states typically end up being the deciding factors for the election and are important for the candidates to identify so they know where to spend their time campaigning.

The Results are in...

Harris 226

Most websites are extremely biased to a certain party.

Doing research into different cities and the information they provide is the best way to filter out bias.

A good resource for finding reliable information is a website called AllSides.com. They take different events happening around the world, find news articles about them, then categorize the articles as being left wing, right wing, or neutral.

They also have a section of their website called “Media Bias Chart,” in which they have ranked different news sources on which way they tend to lean It depends on the state, as it is their decision how they count their ballots.

In Florida, all of the ballots are scanned through machines on election night, being one of the faster methods of counting.

Some states start counting their mail in ballots early and others, like Nevada, don’t start counting their ballots until everyone has cast their vote on election night.

312 Trump

In Florida...

Trump got

56%

of the votes

Harris got

All information was found on 270towin.com

43%

of the votes ISSUE 2 | NEWS 5

RISE RENEWAL

Catholic retreat ignites faith in upperclassmen Parker Fluhr | Online Editor-In-Chief

I

n Fall of 2023, Brandon Eaves, a sophomore religion teacher, launched the first ever RISE retreat at Bishop Kenny. This retreat replaced the previous Kairos retreat. Similarly to the Kairos retreat, this retreat is aimed at juniors and seniors in helping students discover deeper faith, make new connections, and strengthen their relationship with God. The retreat is over the course of

four days and is located in Keystone Heights at North Florida Christian Camp.

The most recent retreat happened November 14-17 of this school year.

“After coming back, I gained new friendships and a boost in my faith.” senior Victoria Anderson said Each day of the retreat is scheduled.

The mornings start with mass followed by breakfast. Then there would be a morning session, where student leaders

had the opportunity to share their witness talks with everyone.

After this, students would disperse into their ‘small groups’ led by their student leader, to reflect on their thoughts thus far.

The rest of the day consisted of tourney time filled with team games and free time, where students had the opportunity to enjoy the lake, the Scream Swing, or any other activities they chose to participate in.

At the end of the day there would be dinner, followed by a night session.

During the night session, Eaves dives into scripture for an hour. Afterwards is adoration with opportunities for confessions, small group, and finally the tourney time event of the night.

“I was able to become closer to God by reading my devotional and bible every night,” junior Tripp Klima said.

Each retreat has a certain theme it follows over the course of the weekend which corresponds to what Eaves teaches. The theme of this past retreat was “One Christ, One church, One call.” which covered things like forgiveness, reconciliation, vocation, and trust.

Students were taught about the importance to “bend the knee” and the value of “denying yourself” of things for Christ.

“At Rise, I learned the difference between being a good person and being a Christian,” Anderson said.

Clockwise, from top left: Students cheer for the start of the first tourney time game.

Students come together and celebrate the last theme night of the retreat; Surfers vs.

Bikers. Junior Fabian Dominguez gives his witness talk at morning session. Senior Owen Delaney defends green team in a game of beach volleyball.

Photos courtesy of Abbey Eaves

Q

QUEST FOR GOD

Underclassmen attend retreat at Trinity Christian Camp

uest is a three-day religious retreat located in Melrose, Fla. and offered to freshman and sophomores with the mission for students to grow closer to God. This semester, the retreat was held on October 18-20. Students participated in daily mass, adoration, motivational talks and games for team bonding.

Sophomore Emily Thorwart went on Quest for the first time this fall.

“Well, it was really fun,” Thorwart said. “I got to connect with all my friends, and I got to grow closer to God because of the talks.”

When retreatants are not engaged in religious themed activities, they get the opportunity to have free time at certain points in the day and build bonds with classmates.

Freshman James Birr believes this was an “eye-opening experience.”

“I had more time for myself and God, as well as just going to mass every single day, where I have not normally had the chance to,” Birr said Religion 3 teacher Carlos Gonzalez-Chavez, often called Mr. GC, is a faculty sponsor for the Quest retreat.

“Bishop Kenny has had RISE/Kairos a long time, but there wasn’t anything for the underclassmen, like a weekend retreat,” Gonzalez-Chavez said.

The first Quest retreat was only a day long, and 30 students attended.

This semester, attendance grew to 50 participants, and Campus Ministry leaders decided to extend the retreat to the length of a weekend.

“The biggest [reason] I would say is we live in a society that is always on the move, it’s very hectic,” GonzalezChavez said. “We forget the fact that God created us to be in relationship, and relationships take time.”

Gonzalez-Chavez says that it’s important to take time away from “worldly responsibilities” to focus

Siena Bakkar | Staff Reporter

on connections and relationships with God and peers.

“Your best memories with the people you love are not frantically accomplishing work; they are just spending quality time,” Gonzalez-Chavez said.

If you have any questions about Quest, stop by Campus Ministry or classroom 504 for more information.

Clockwise, from top right: Students attend nightly adoration in the chapel. Participants engage in friendly competition, showcasing skills and camaraderie. Students take some time in silence, reflectinig in front of the statue of Mary of Guadelupe.

ISSUE 2 | NEWS 7

8

THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2024

DO YOU DUUUVAL?

Students may live in Jax, but not all are Jaguars fans Faith Cabrey | Staff Reporter

MALE OR FEMALE? Female 44% Male 56% Junior Zach Tatum is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

His favorite player, George Pickens, is on the Steelers.

“Pickens is the best player to ever play for the Steelers,” Tatum said.

Tatum continues to support the Jags, just not when they are playing the Steelers.

Sophomore Marin Joyce has been a lifelong Jags fan.

Joyce’s grandfather, Tom Coughlin, was the first head coach for the Jaguars in the team’s inaugural season in 1995.

She says she “enjoys being involved in a community with great fans.”

Senior Jacquelyn Jones is a Cincinnati Bengals fan.

Most of her family resides there and have always been Bengals fans.

“Cincinnati feels more like a home to me than Jacksonville,” Jones said.

She likes the Jags, but is a bigger fan of the Bengals.

ALUM WOLFORD IS NOW A JAG Faith Cabrey | Staff reporter

A

fter Trevor Lawrence suffered a concussion in the week 13 loss to the Houston Texans, “Lawrence’s season is now finished,” according to NFL Network Insider.

Just days after his injury, Bishop Kenny alum John Wolford was drafted as a quarterback to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice team.

Drafted in 2018, Wolford has played for multiple NFL teams, including the Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets and

GRADE Seniors 17%

Juniors 24% Sophomores 26%

MOST POPULAR TEAM Chiefs 9%

Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Now, back in his hometown, Wolford will be playing just across the river from where he made a name for himself as a “star quarterback” at Bishop Kenny.

“As I was driving over the bridge today, I saw Bishop Kenny, it all comes full circle,” Wolford said in an interview with First Coast News.

Freshmen 33%

Ravens 9%

Steelers 10% Lions 10%

Jags 62%

WHY THAT TEAM? Bandwagon 4%

No idea 11%

Hometown team 39%

Photo courtesy of Yearbook

My families favorite team 33%

My favorite player is on this team 13%

ISSUE 2 | SPORTS

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10 THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2024

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SIGNING THE BLUES

NCAA eliminates National Letter of Intent, undermines loyalty

T

he National Letter of Intent is a binding agreement between the prospective studentathlete and a member of the National College Athletes Association (NCAA).

On Oct. 9, 2024, after 62 years, this agreement was extinguished. New rules state that instead of signing the National Letter of Intent, athletes will sign financial aid or scholarship agreements to officially be committed to their school of choice.

However, this takes away the fundamentals of committing to sports: the loyalty.

Without signing the National Letter of Intent, an athlete can enter the transfer portal after just one year in university. Previously, a student athlete was not permitted to enter the transfer portal for two years.

At that point, they would have to sign a financial agreement.

This all ties back to NIL, where student athletes can make money based on their name, image, and likeness from things like advertising and ticket sales.

But what happens if an athlete is committed to a university, but not getting any scholarship money or financial aid?

The problem is that we have yet to find an answer.

Historically, when a student participates in signing day, he or she signs the National Letter of Intent. Now, these students have this meaningful event ripped away from them and replaced with a paper talking about things they would need a lawyer to even understand.

Many believe that abolishing the National Letter of Intent is a horrible idea.

“The NLI was seen as a crucial step in solidifying an athlete’s commitment to their college of choice,” according to an article from Sportsepreneur. com. “It made recruiting more predictable and structured, giving both athletes and schools a sense of security.”

The NCAA is changing its entire framework, established more than 60 years ago, all because student athletes want to transfer sooner, and make more money through advertisements.

When considering this change, it is clearly shown that this is geared towards large schools and “main” sports. But what is going to happen to smaller schools, or the sports that aren’t football? These schools are unable to even compete because they are not able to offer large scholarships, and some cannot even afford to offer their athletes NIL. As someone who hopes to sign and one day compete in college rowing, I strongly believe that smaller sports, like rowing, should be accounted for, not ignored just because they don’t generate the same amount of money as larger sports.

Gone are the days of a handshake and a promise to represent the university with pride. Now, colleges just want “money makers”: athletes who will generate revenue for them.

Why are we putting our student athletes into an ongoing financial agreement,

when most aren’t even legal adults?

“Signing periods might evolve, and the drama of ‘Signing Day’ could diminish as the process becomes less about one specific day and more of an ongoing negotiation,” according to the article “NCAA Eliminates National Letter of Intent: What It Means for College Sports.”

With the elimination of the National Letter of Intent, we are treating student athletes like employees, rather than a team of students. If a student wishes to go professional in their given sport, then they should be given that opportunity after experiencing college sports. Students who are legally still children should not have to make a costly decision like this one.

Some may argue that this change is building the new future for student athletes, but is it really a good idea to drop all ideals of signing as a

student athlete all at once?

University of Kentucky head football coach Mark Stoops said in an October interview with the Associated Press, “There’s been so much going on, so many moving pieces in the middle of our season that, quite honestly, myself and a bunch of our colleagues, we have no idea what the heck is going on.”

The fear amongst college coaches is, at large, no one knows what they are signing, and what is going to happen in three years when a student athlete realizes they don’t agree with the terms that they signed? They are stuck in a financial prison that they signed on a whim when they were 17 years old.

Moving forward, I suggest that we take a closer look at these financial agreements and protect our athletes from binding agreements that could have the power to decide their future.

ISSUE 2 | SPORTS 13

Design by Madison Crowell

Emma Gallup | Staff Reporter

12 THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2024

ATHLETE OF THE ISSUE Senior Riley Clarke Takes the Shot to Success Serenity Mead | News Editor

E

very week, Clarke practices four times a week, working on exercises to improve their skills and participating in practice matches to mimic a real game. Clarke has to condition her body to handle the weight and stress of soccer, as well as balance her education in school.

Even though Clarke has always loved her sport, there are still hardships she has to endure as an athlete. “The physical and mental strain that comes with soccer is unavoidable,” Clarke said.

After so many practices soccer starts to take a toll on her body and mind.

She works to overcome her own hardships on top of being the team captain.

Clarke has been playing soccer since she was four years old. It first started as a hobby and quickly grew into her passion.

When there is a game, Clarke says she strives to be positive and encouraging towards her teammates to keep the team strong and prepared. She pays extra attention in warm-ups to

ensure that her teammates are in the right mindset to play to their fullest ability.

Clarke strives to

portray herself the best she can in hopes that she can become her team’s backbone and support throughout the season.

Even though there are many challenges that come with being a captain like managing team conflicts and keeping morale high during

games, Clarke displays her love for her team as motivation to push through and overcome those challenges. Before each game, the captains lead the team in prayer to help the team to calm down and stay focused for the game.

As Clarke has grown up playing soccer she has had her dad to look up too.

Her dad has been her biggest supporter since she started soccer at a young age.

“He has always pushed me to reach my full potential,” Clarke said. “He always comes to my games and tournaments and supports me no matter what, which I am very thankful for.”

Having her dad as her role model has helped her be the person she is today.

Aside from

playing for Kenny, Clarke also plays for JFC (Jax Football Club). Clarke practices twice every week right after her practice at Bishop Kenny.

She competes in games and tournaments on the weekends. She feels that this strengthens and helps her be a better player.

Soccer has helped Carke grow physically and mentally as a person . On the field is where she feels the most confident. She has realized that without confidence, a player can never fully reach their full potential. Soccer has allowed Clarke to become more vocal in her actions and more determined to grow as a person. In games she works to motivate her teammates through words of reinforcement to keep them motivated.

Photo courtesy of Riley Clarke

Favorite Snack

Favorite Drink

Peanut Butter and Apples Mango Body Armor

Pregame Music

Pregame Meal

I’m So Gone

Chipotle

ISSUE 2 | SPORTS 13

Photo by Gianna Coyle

Junior Sofia Muino attacks from the back row. Varsity girls volleyball had a 23-7 record this season, making it all the way to fourth place in the class 4A finals at Polk State College. “This season we definitely faced a lot of challenges, but I think that made us grow closer as a team,” team captain Caroline Snyder said.

Photo by Lindy Jakab

CRUS

ATHLET

Photo by Gracie Kuepper

Girls Cross Country won Districts, Regionals and the State Championship, beating rivals Bolles and Episcopal each time. “We had a really great season this year.

It was super fun and on top of all the fun we are the reigning state champions for the second year in a row,” Sophomore Taylor Lawhon said.

The football team ended its season with a 9-4 record. The team fell short in the Regional Final game to #1 seeded Raines with a score of 44-15. They advanced to the third round of playoffs this season, and won the fifth district championship in program history. “This season we did really good, exceeded expectations, amd made history,” co-captain senior Andrew Clifford said.

14 THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2024

Photo by Grace Campbell

SADER

Sophomore Emily Thorwart leads crowd in a stunt. With Varsity Cheerleading sideline ending, the competition season has begun. “I am so excited for our competiton season, I think our team will get very far!” Senior captain Brooke Curry said.

Photo by Kate Reichard

TICS RECAP

Photo courtesy of Varsity Cheer

The Bishop Kenny Swimming and Diving team won two state titles and set new school records. “The team has come so far this year and everyone’s hard work has paid off. So many people have worked so hard this season and it has been so fun working alongside everybody,” junior Kyra Hashey said.

“We’re looking forward to this next half. When we come back after the new year we face three of our toughest opponents: Santa Fe, Nease, and especially Ponte Vedra,” Junior Emilio Calderon says. He plays as a midfielder for the Crusaders as pictured above.

The record is currently 7-2-1 and is preparing for the second half of their season, with upcoming playoffs.

ISSUE 2 | SPORTS 15

FROM CODING TO COMPETING Robotics team works towards tournaments Chloe Barron | Editor-in-Chief

T

here are 54 student organizations at Bishop Kenny, but only one to learn the ins and outs of building and programming robots.

“The purpose of this team is to increase teamwork, analytical and problemsolving skills through building and programming robots... Students participate in regional competitions and can qualify for competition on the state and national level,” according to bishopkenny.org.

Students are asked to attend at least one after school practice a week in the regular season, August through February. Practices for the team are three days a week for an hour in the robotics room (room 128) every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

There are around four to five meets throughout the whole year, which last an entire

Saturday. Attendance at at least two meets is mandatory.

Senior Reagan Yallaly has been a part of the robotics team since her freshman year.

“I joined the club because during the middle school science fair, one of the judges told me that I should join a robotics team,” Yallaly said. “Since my middle school didn’t have one, I waited and joined at BK.” Being one of the only girls attending the meetings, and the only to go to the meets, she considers herself really the

only girl “on the team.”

“It definitely can be very frustrating with people not

seeing you as equal, and it’s annoying when we are at meets and we need help with something and I’m the one that has to go around the gym full of teams of just guys and ask the questions,” Yallaly said.

Physics teacher and advisor Scott Thomas has been involved with the robotics club for 18 years, but has been in charge of the team for about five years. His role includes gathering the paperwork for competitions, communicating with members to find out what new equipment is needed, as well as keeping track of the budget for these things.

“Helpling to give [the students] guidance for what is feasible for our team being an afterschool club versus a course,” Thomas said.

In the league, there are 30 to 40 teams that compete alongside BK. They range from different high schools, middle schools and even homeschooled students. Some schools offer robotics as a class while others, it is still offered after school, but it’s three to four hours a day, every day, even sometimes on Saturdays.

When coding the robot, “you can usually steal things from previous years,” Thomas said. Overall, directional controls will take the team two to three hours to

complete.

Moving into multi-step directions, like extending the arm and grabbing an object,

“is a lot tougher,” Thomas said.

Building the robot itself takes roughly four to five hours, although there are aspects that take longer to ensure that the robot will work up to the team’s standards.

“The trial and error aspect of coding, it gets really frustrating when certain code doesn’t work and you have to keep trying and trying until you finally get it right,” Yallaly said.

This includes a task called wire management.

The team needs to make sure that all wires are tucked away inside the robot to prevent the robots from snagging on another, possibly interfering with how each works.

In the past, the team has 3-D printed an apparatus for their robot to help grab onto the game pieces for that year.

“Usually a couple hours to kind of design that, and then, usually it’s multiple

hours to print,” Thomas said.

“But we can leave and let [the 3D printer] run.”

Meet day happens in two parts. The first part includes robot inspection. To pass, you have to prove that the robot is able to work.

“Make sure that they can actually compete,” Thomas said. “That has gotten more stringent over the past couple of years.”

The second part is the competition in which everyone plays five games, and it is two robots against two robots. Your partner and competitor are assigned randomly and put into a master schedule.

“If you’re paired up with a robot that doesn’t do anything, chances are you’re

gonna lose,” Thomas said.

There are two fields that are set up at a time. This allows for the judges to go back and forth, from one round to another. Working at different times allows for one to be able to break down and rest while others are competing on the other.

The amount of times you win over the entire season will then determine your rank; this decides who goes on to compete at the state level.

Each year, a new game is played by the robots. This year, the overall idea is to get as many blocks that have been scattered around the field and in the middle of a metal structure into your own basket or clipped onto the rod of your color.

The first 30 seconds must be completely autonomous.

Only a button can be hit,

then the robot must do everything on its own.

Players are then given two minutes to control their own robots with gamelike controllers. Up to two people are able to have controllers for their robot.

“You program what the buttons do for your robot,” Thomas siad.

The combined number of points scored with the blocks as a pair is then compared to the number of your opponent, the highest score wins.

“Knowing how to make computers do things for us is a huge part of what the future is going to be,” Thomas said, “getting exposed to the engineering cycle… is a huge life skill.”

battle of the bots

The robot’s arm grabs one of the game pieces from the playing field.

Photos by Chloe Barron

The robot in full view is grabbing the game piece from the playing field.

Up close of the playing blocks within the middle of the playing field.

ISSUE 2 | FEATURES 17

Am I a Cheater?

Administration tackles the subject of acceptable uses of AI Gianna Coyle | Staff reporter Kate Reichard | Staff reporter

H

ave you ever grabbed your phone to solve a question on PhotoMath? More importantly, did you know that’s cheating?

For those who are not familiar with the app, it is an AI-powered service that solves math problems in an instant. While many high school students have used the app, regardless of rules, some may argue that all AI usage is unacceptable.

This is where Bishop Kenny administration steps in.

On November 30, 2022, a new form of AI launched.

ChatGPT is widely known to generate quick responses to any question.

In the schoolwide student handbook, Bishop Kenny highlights AI to emphasize that it is a form of plagiarism.

“Plagiarism is not limited to copying the exact words of another, but also includes failing to appropriately credit or cite the ideas gained from

another source, including those gained via an artificial intelligence tool,” the handbook states.

Protocols have been put in place to detect the use of AI in student submissions. One notable example is turnitin. com. Teachers use this to detect AI in writing, and the website even identifies where the student took the information from by breaking the text into small sections and checking for common AI language patterns.

Some students worry that their work will appear as plagiarized on an AI detector, even when it is original work. There are websites that students can use to check their work prior to submission, like Grammarly.

While many consider AI harmful, it doesn’t have to be harmful, if used in an ethical way.

For example, generative AI can be used positively and negatively. It can be easily taken advantage of, but a

18 THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2024

positive use is that it can generate story ideas, like this one.

Although AI can be stereotyped as cheating and an easy way out for students, everyone has to remember all the benefits it brings to the table.

BK Policy and Teacher Uses Teachers can create lesson plans and study guides for students. They simply type in the material and the AI platform will output the key points students need to study.

One platform that is used by teachers is Brisk. This can be helpful for teachers because it is fast and easy to use. These platforms also assist teachers in grading accurately, using a rubric.

Students always ask their teachers, “Is the test like the book, or like the Quizlet?”

AI is beneficial for students because it provides the exact material needed for studying.

Teachers are able to confirm which it is similar as long as they review the outputted work.

Teachers can be skeptical when uploading their work on AI websites. Education Week says, “The lack of knowledge and support is one of the top reasons why teachers say they aren’t using AI in the classroom.” AI might not provide the correct information on what the teachers are looking for. They must check the information before it is handed out to the students in order to guarantee they are studying the proper material. After students write an essay and submit it to turnitin.com, the teachers are able to have AI grade their papers based on qualities such as: grammar, sophistication, and quality of writing. One of the most popular grading apps is ZipGrade. This tool will also grade based on the rubric for the assignment, providing an overall score.

At Bishop Kenny teachers typically have more than 100 students. This is a lot of assignments to grade, especially in stressful times like midterm week or the end of each quarter. AI can be helpful while it allows teachers to focus on teaching their students rather than grading taking up all their time. Grading is not only done in the classroom, but it makes its way home in their personal life and takes away from important family time.

It is illegal to use others’ work as your own, and this behavior can result in serious consequences. AI

should only be used in a respectful and intelligent way that does not take work from others. The handbook is a notable resource to lean on when determining a respectable use of AI. As AI develops, protocols can change accordingly. Bishop Kenny has a committee of teachers focused on the use of AI, including Vice principal Michael Broach, Academic Dean Ashleigh Bradley, and journalism teacher Dawn Huskey. They can also help students find amazing resources and teach them how to ethically use them.

ISSUE 2 | FEATURES 19

STUDY SOLUTIONS Relieving stress during midterm exam week Glory Dansou | Business Manager

A

s the leaves turn and the days grow shorter, students across the country will face one of the most challenging periods of the academic year: midterm exams.

For many, this time is marked by the pressure to perform well. With mental health concerns on the rise among students, understanding and managing one’s own exam-related anxiety has never been more crucial.

Students feel mounting pressure to study and prepare to take seven midterm exams in just four days. It can feel overwhelming, but these tips can help make the midterm season stress more manageable.

TIPS for MANAGING STRESS Create a Study Schedule: Organizing study time can reduce stress by

helping students feel more in control.

“Students need to look at the exam schedule, write down their study plan and stick to it,” English teacher Heather Mark said. Breaking down material into manageable sections and setting certain times for each subject can reduce anxiety. Otherwise, we tend to procrastinate and then we panic and then we cram. Studies show that cramming is ineffective. Planning frequent and short review sessions can help create a spaced learning schedule, according to prometheanworld.com Get Enough Sleep: At times it can be tempting to try and pull all-nighters, but a lack of sleep can ruin concentration and function. Try to aim for a good seven to nine hours of sleep the night before any exam.

20 THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2024

Reach Out for Support: When it comes to school work, it might be hard to want to ask people for help. Sharing concerns that you have with teachers might help in providing relief and lead to helpful advice.

“Organizing study time can reduce stress.”

CRAMMING CAFES Top study spots for midterms Terran Lathey | Staff reporter

This local coffee shop offers cold, hot and frozen drinks with pastries and sandwiches for a little bite while you’re studying. They also have live music some nights, and offer unlimited refills on your coffee and teas. You can rent a room for $25/hr for privacy and comfort, or even sit in a sensory- friendly section with headphones you can borrow.

This coffee shop is locally owned and operated by former Jacksonville Jaguars player Arrelious Benn and his wife Mariel. The coffee shop is in the Avondale neighborhood on Herschel Street.

The menu consists of pastries, coffees and cold brews, and all products are from $1-$10.

Southern Grounds has three convenient locations around the Jacksonville area with one being walking distance from campus.

They serve a variety of hot, cold and frozen drinks. Their food ranges from cafe pastries and pancakes, to Baja Ancient Grain bowls and Korean Steak bowls. All food and drink are between $10-$20

ISSUE 2 | A&E 21

NEW YEAR, GLOBAL CHEERS

Learn about New Year’s customs around the world Lorelei Carlton | Features Editor

D

o you have a unique tradition that you look forward to celebrating as each year comes around?

New Year’s Day is a universal

AMERICA

O

n New Year’s Eve, millions of Americans gather around their television screens or watch live as the Times Square Ball drops in New York City.

According to the Times Square Official Website in their article “History of New Year’s Eve & the Times Square Ball”, the tradition of the New Year’s Eve Ball began in 1907 when the first ball descended from a flagpole. Since then, various versions of the New Year’s Eve Ball have been created.

The current ball is 12 feet in diameter, weighs around 11,875 pounds, and is covered in crystal triangles. The

ASIA

I

n Asia, New Year traditions vary widely among different countries. One of the most renowned celebrations is the Chinese New Year.

According to the Asia Society in their article “Celebrating the New Year in Asia”, the Chinese New Year begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice, falling between late January and mid-February. This festivity is not only observed in China

celebration observed across diverse regions, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds.

While people come together to welcome the upcoming

year, the customs and traditions they follow differ widely. From watching fireworks to eating specific foods or wearing particular

colors, here are some of the unique ways that various regions and cultures celebrate the new year.

celebration leading up to the ball drop usually includes live entertainment from performers and musicians, drawing millions of audience members. When the clock strikes midnight, people cheer, and loved ones share a midnight kiss, a common tradition in American society.

This tradition, according to Fox News, dates back to ancient Roman customs and the Renaissance but is commonly associated with signs of hope, love, and renewal for the New Year.

Americans also enjoy watching fireworks as part of their New Year’s celebration.

There is an extravagant

fireworks display after the ball drops in New York City, but in Jacksonville, the most popular fireworks display is over the St. Johns River in Downtown Jacksonville.

Another American New Year’s tradition, originating in South Carolina during the Civil War, is eating black-eyed peas.

According to oliversmarket. com in their article “What’s the Deal With Peas on New Years?”, black-eyed peas are a symbol of luck and prosperity because, during the Civil War, Southerners felt lucky to have black-eyed peas to help them survive the harsh winter months. Eating black-eyed peas involves

many variations of the meal, often served with collard greens or cornbread.

On New Year’s Day, a common way to celebrate the upcoming year is by participating in or watching parades. People may gather to enjoy local parades or watch national parades on television, such as the Rose Parade. According to the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the Rose Parade begins on the morning of January 1st. Millions of people will come to watch floral-covered floats travel 5.5 miles along Colorado Blvd.

but also in countries like Korea and Vietnam.

A notable tradition during the Chinese New Year is the practice of settling debts before the new year begins, as it is considered bad luck to start the year in debt. The celebration is rich with customs centered around the color red, which symbolizes good fortune.

Children receive money in red envelopes, and both adults

and children often wear red attire.

The festivities also include elaborate banquets featuring special foods imbued with symbolic meanings. For instance, fish is commonly served because the Chinese word for “fish” sounds like their word for “abundance.”

Additionally, each year is represented by a specific animal, which can sometimes

influence decisions about marital compatibility.

Another significant New Year celebration in Asia is the Japanese New Year, marked by unique traditions such as thoroughly cleaning homes and scattering dried beans in each room of the house. Bells ringing across Japan also signify the cultural significance of this celebration.

22 THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2024

EUROPE

E

uropeans celebrate the New Year with unique traditions in various countries, each adding its own special flair.

According to europeisnotdead.com in their article “European New Year Traditions,” countries such as Portugal, Spain, Scotland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Switzerland have distinct customs.

In Portugal and Spain, it is common for people to eat a dozen grapes at the stroke of midnight, a tradition that

AFRICA

T

he African New Year is distinguished by a variety of vibrant celebrations and activities.

Fireworks are not exclusive to America. In fact, the New Year in Cape Town is welcomed with spectacular fireworks displays.

According to onlyoneafrica.com in their

dates back to 1909 when an overproduction of grapes led producers to encourage consumption. Now, they eat grapes because they think it will bring them a joyful year to come.

In Portugal, children celebrate by going around town singing traditional “janeiros” or January songs from New Year’s Eve to Epiphany.

In Scotland, the tradition of “first-footing” begins after midnight, where the first person to enter a friend’s

doorway brings symbolic gifts like food to bring good luck. Scots also sing traditional songs such as “Auld Lang Syne.”

In Norway and Sweden, it is customary to eat rice pudding, sometimes hiding an almond in it. The person who finds the almond is promised prosperity in the new year. Additionally, in Norway, it is believed that the less one sleeps, the more luck they will have.

In Denmark, people smash old plates on the

doorsteps of friends and family. If one wakes up to a pile of broken plates in front of their home, it signifies being valued as a friend.

Finally, in Switzerland, young people celebrate by yodeling through the countryside and wearing headdresses and cowbells.

These celebrants, known as “Silvesterkläuse,” appear twice a year to honor their traditional New Year on January 13 and their modern New Year on December 31.

article “New Year’s Traditions in Africa,” the streets come alive with the rhythms of Malay choirs.

Interestingly, the day after New Year’s, known as the Second New Year, is celebrated even more enthusiastically by citizens.

This tradition dates back to a time when slaves were

only allowed to celebrate on January 2, after their masters had celebrated on January 1.

Ethiopia also has its own New Year celebrations, which occur in September due to their different calendar.

Despite this, they share similar traditions, such as outdoor dances and festivities. Girls gather

yellow daisies to present to their mothers, while men light torches in their homes.

Overall, New Years is an anticipated celebration for African people throughout the country.

ISSUE 2 | A&E 23

CHRISTMAS RECIPE How to make reindeer food Madelyn Benfante | Staff reporter

• • • • • • •

Ingredients 1 1/2 cups of semisweet chocolate chips 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter 5 cups Rice Chex Cereal 1 1/2 cups mini pretzels broken into pieces 2 cups powdered sugar 1 1/2 cups red and green M&Ms 1 cup mini peanut butter cups

3. In a paper grocery bag combine the cereal mixture, chocolate peanut butter mixture and shake viorously till evenly coated.

1. In a bowl combine the Rice Chex and pretzels and mix evenly.

2. Melt down the chocolate and peanut butter.

4. Combine powdered sugar and shake again. Add more pretzels, peanut butter cups, and M&Ms.

5. Shake one last time and transfer to a bowl for serving.

24 THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2024

TIRED OF THE TINSEL Does aging dim our Christmas Spirit?

Sophia Gredenhag | Social Media Coordinator

A

s kids, Christmas was the dream holiday: Presents and magic.

What more could a young girl or boy want?

Getting older, things have changed. Families have broken up, we stopped believing in Santa, we’ve had to shorten our Christmas wish lists and social media has taken over.

With these factors in mind, has the spirit of Christmas decreased? In my experience, as a 17 year old girl, Christmas is magical every year, regardless of growing up. One year my parents caught Covid, so it was my siblings and I eating a frozen dinner alone. Once I reached high school, I began to receive less presents and started to give more. While I wasn’t just on the receiving end, I was able to find joy in giving gifts. The holidays might look a little different every year, but the true meaning, Jesus’ birth, stays the same, and you can find peace in that.

I surveyed the student body, to see what their opinion on Christmas spirit is. The results showed that 85% of them thought that Christmas was more fun as a child.

“The spirit of Christmas was always greater [as a child], because I actually believed that there was Christmas magic with Santa,” freshman Matthew Nichols said.

This nostalgia that students, like Nichols, experience is researched by doctors across the world.

“Despite the fact that the past may be objectively no more positive than the present, individuals experience a positive longing, or sense of nostalgia, for the past because of the sense of pleasure of recalling an event,” Dr. Ansons from The University of Warwick said in an interview with MedicalXPress.com. The results of her

experiments show that nostalgia will make you long for a past experience, like Christmas as a child, and paint it in a good light, even if it wasn’t that special.

As we grow older, we face more stress and pressure. In turn, it can be easy to reflect on times when the holidays were filled with magic. However, during this Christmas season, it’s important to appreciate what you do have, and cherish it, because 10 years from now, you could look back at this time in your life with the same nostalgia.

And of course, materialism aside, not forgetting what the true meaning of Christmas is: the celebration of new life through Jesus’ birth. Taking each age that you gain as a “new life” can help us to gain a different perspective, and not dwell on the past.

Clockwise, from top left: Social Media Coordinator, Sophia Gredenhag, shares a picture from Christmas views as a child. Staff reporter Kate Reichard poses in front of her Christmas tree at her house in 2014.

In her yearly Christmas photo at Kuhn Flowers, Buisness manager, Glory Dansou, hugs her mom.

Editior-in-Chief, Chloe Barron, reflects on eating Christmas Eve dinner with her cousins at her great grandmother’s house in Texas.

80% of freshmen want new clothes

75% of sophomores want new clothes

60% of juniors want a car

90% of seniors want money

ISSUE 2 | A&E 25

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Senior Caroline Kartsonis describes her art journey Sami Whitney | Development Manager

H

er first experience with art was scribbling on paper as a toddler, and she’s never stopped pursuing her passion since.

Kartsonis has taken Art 1, Art 2, AP 2D Art and Design and is currently taking AP 3D Art and Design.

Her mom is her biggest inspiration in her art journey, and her talent for replicating different art pieces continues to push Kartsonis to make art as well.

“I remember when I was little…I’d come up to her and be like, ‘can you draw me a Charizard from Pokemon’ and … she would draw it and then give it to me,” Kartsonis said.

“And I would have custom coloring pages.”

One of her favorite artists is Fruit Blush, a digital artist on Instagram and X. “I really love their work,” Kartsonis said “Their composition, colors and subject matter speak to me a lot.”

Another person that has inspired her work and future career choice is paleontologist Stephan Jay Gould.

“His descriptions of different, more scientific concepts are really inspiring to me,” Kartsonis said. “And they inspire me to create images in the way that he creates words.”

However, it is not always smooth sailing when it comes to starting a piece.

Kartsonis struggles at times with art block and cannot continue with a piece due to lack of creativity and motivation. “As many pieces as I have finished, there’s probably two or three times that number that just never got to a point where I was happy with them,” Kartsonis said.

She wants to major in geological science in college and work at a university or museum as a paleontologist once she graduates. However,

26 THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2024

she still wants to incorporate art into her work by making reconstructions and scientific models.

“I like the puzzle piece aspect of looking at all the different remains and putting together what they would look like,” Kartsonis said.

However, in a world of constant change, an issue that could change this all is the rise of generative AI, specifically where computers can create images similar to human-made art which could rival the art industry as we know it. But Kartsonis has a different opinion on this potential problem. ”Machines cannot replicate that human care that gets put into every sort of piece,” Kartsonis said. “So if you feel you’re going to be replaced in the

workforce, there will always be a space for you as an artist.”

And to future artists-inthe-making, Kartsonis has this advice: “Be persistent. Be annoying. Don’t shut up about what you’re passionate about, because that’s how you get somewhere.”

kenny kravings Lookie lookie lookie, it’s crumbl cookie Ally Milonas | Design and Layout Editor

The first item I tried was the Apple Pie. This had the texture of a traditional apple pie with a gooey, sweet filling and a thin, soft crust. The flavors of this pie meshed well and I really enjoyed it.

The second item was Pumpkin Pie. The filling was sweet and soft, but had less pumpkin flavor than I’d prefer. The thick crust complemented the pie well and gave it additional textures that I liked.

The third pie was a French Silk Pie. The creamy chocolate filling tasted similar to chocolate pudding and the crumbly cookie base was very soft. While I didn’t love the lack of texture, the tastes made up for it.

The fourth was a Key Lime Pie. While I wouldn’t regularly prefer this kind of pie, the filling was a perfect mixture of sweet and sour.

The crust added a good texture to the pie, giving it more of a bite, so I enjoyed it.

The fifth pie was Pecan Pie. Similar to the Keylime, this isn’t one I’d typically reach for; the exterior was quite hard and crunchy, but the inside was gooey. It was difficult to find a good bite because of the odd textures, so I didn’t love it.

The final item was the Oreo Cream Pie. The filling was light and airy, with cookie crumbles all throughout, as well as a nice cookie crumb base as the crust. This gave a perfect texture and taste to this cookie, so I loved it.

If you liked the Pumpkin Pie, try the Cinnamon Crunch

If you liked the Apple Pie, try the Raspberry Butter Cake Cookie

If you liked the Oreo Cream Pie, try the Cookies & Cream

crumbl rating

this week is...

If you liked the French Silk Pie, try the Eggnog Tres Leches Cake

4/5 cookies ISSUE 2 | A&E 27

Historical Home Holiday

Antebellum and Victorian-era homes in Fernandina Beach William Wainwright I Business Manager- HR

A

s summer weather begins to fade, you may be questioning what you can do in Jacksonville that doesn’t involve the beach: the Fernandina Beach Historic District.

With Fernandina Beach being about 45 minutes away from campus, it makes the perfect day trip destination for a winter weekend. It’s an ideal spot to enjoy some of the meticulous preservation the town offers, with some of the most ornate Queen Anne style Victorian homes I’ve ever seen.

Over the weekend, I

scouted out some of the best preserved homes (turned bed and breakfasts) in order to give you the ideal itinerary for a weekend full of historic holiday spirit.

Fernandina Beach is known for its rich history.

For instance, eight different countries claimed it over the span of some years, making it a cultural melting pot for most of the eighteenth century, into the early nineteenth century.

The first home on the tour is the Florida House Inn, built in 1857, and later added on to in the 1880s.

28 THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2024

The home “was originally a railroad boarding house built by David Yulee,” according to floridahouse. com.

As I walked up to the porch, I could feel the southern influence on the architecture, with long porches (which functioned as air conditioning before electricity!) and breathtaking heart pine floors. When you first walk into the home, there is a formal parlor on the left, with an original, functioning fireplace. On the right, there is a functioning restaurant and bar, serving

up delicious Southern food.

In the middle, there is a long staircase, leading up to a few guest rooms. As you walk through the front hallway, there is an outdoor back porch, and a cozy front desk office. I would recommend this home for a more adventurous getaway.

I could also see the Antebellum touches throughout the home. Before the Victorian era, homes were much more simple, with rustic touches. For instance, the fireplace at the Florida House simply had brick to line the outside, whereas

“IT MAKES ME REFLECT ON HOW IT’S MY HOME.” Victorian homes tend to have more colorful stone, making more of a statement.

The next home I visited was the ultimate, high Queen Anne style home, called the Fairbanks Home.

“Built in 1885 by George Rainsford Fairbanks, lawyer, historian, and editor. Born in 1820 at Watertown, New York, Fairbanks moved to Florida in 1842 and became a major in the Confederate Army,” according to a plaque outside of the home from The General Duncan Lamont Clinch Historical Society of Amelia Island.

Aside from the history of the builder, the architecture of this home is one of the main reasons why it is preserved. Many of the architectural elements in this home are not usually found in nineteenth century Florida homes. For instance, many Victorian-era homes built in Florida have similar architectural details similar to the Florida House, with a more no-frills setting.

However, as America’s Gilded Age was ablaze in New York, a more ornate style was adopted much sooner, shown

by Fairbanks diffusing it down here. Some examples of this are the high turrets that welcome you to the home, as well as lamp posts that most likely functioned as a gasolier (a light fixture with a gas flame) in the home, since electricity did not come to North Florida in a widespread way until the twentieth century.

This home is also a bed and breakfast, and would be a great choice for a relaxing getaway, with a full pool and chic rooms.

While you are in town for the weekend, Fernandina Beach offers a chance to see Victorian culture come to life through Dickens on Centre.

With performances, movies, vendors, and delicious winter food, is it set to be the highlight of the trip. This celebration is from December 12 to December 15.

Whichever home you choose, it is set to be an adventure through history.

AVOID APPLICATION OVERWHELM Seniors share college application tips Leah Fullerton | Writing Coach

S

enior year can sound like one of the most overwhelming years of high school, but with some extra effort early on, you can definitely succeed.

Here are the most important tips to keep in mind while considering and applying to your colleges of choice.

Visit colleges When trying to narrow down your list of colleges, it helps to tour campuses and get a sense of what the atmosphere and general “vibe” is like. Schedule a visit to the university if you can, preferably on a day when students will be on campus, working and learning.

Try to figure out what you are looking for in your college experience, and see if the colleges you are thinking of meet all of your requirements. For example, it may be important to you that the campus is in a city or large town with plenty of activities, or maybe you value aesthetics and want a college that fulfills your standards.

It all depends on what you are looking for.

Brainstorm your essay A great starting-point for your college application journey is the personal essay.

A lot of students can struggle with finding a topic that speaks to them; this is why it helps a ton to brainstorm over your senioryear summer break. With the word limit being 650 words, it gives you plenty of space

to experiment with unique topics that can help the admissions office understand who you are beyond your grades and extracurriculars.

Getting creative is definitely encouraged; a friend of mine wrote about a sandwich she ate in a foreign country. Another wrote about his experience at an animal shelter. Experiment with your own life experiences to make an essay people will want to read. Be sure to tell a story, not a list of accomplishments; that’s what the resume is for.

Do your own research Unfortunately, colleges do not collaborate to make the application process easier. Especially in regards to out-of-state universities, it is important to do your own research to understand what each application requires.

Almost every college will ask for something unique of you. Some may want a SSAR—a Self-Reported Student Academic Record. Others may ask for you to submit your grades through their own personal portals. Always take note of what the specific colleges may need from you. Spreadsheets, whiteboards and charts help to keep everything in order. Looking on the colleges’ websites is the easiest way to figure

30 THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2024

out what they need. If you are still unsure, ask the admissions office for clarification.

Scoir, the school’s new college-search platform, allows you to filter for testoptional colleges. The College Board goes even further, allowing you to find colleges that match your preferred application type, admissions type, and application deadline. Platforms like these are an easy way to find colleges that fit your needs.

Take the ACT and SAT early The SAT and ACT were my biggest roadblocks during the application process.

I waited too long before actually taking my ACT, and struggled to get the score to my colleges in time for early action applications.

Design by Sophia Nunez-Salinas

“I had no idea it would take 2 weeks for the SAT and ACT scores to be sent to the colleges of my choice,” senior Rider McMurry said.

It is a great idea to take both tests during your sophomore or junior years.

This lets you get a feel for which test you perform best on, and gives you time to retake if needed.

Either test can play into your individual strengths.

For instance, I found the ACT to be more beneficial to me since I am not strong in math; the extra non-math sections let me express my other talents in the final score.

Since most colleges will allow you to superscore— taking the best scores from each test to get the best possible overall score—taking multiple tests will help bolster your chances of admission.

However, don’t forget: you will have to submit all of those tests if you want the college to

superscore it.

Beware of deadlines The most important thing to keep in mind during application season is deadlines. Just about everything during and after applications has a due date—there will likely be materials you need to submit to colleges even after you complete your initial application.

“I felt that I wasn’t prepared for all the documents,” senior Sachin Baez said. “Test scores, essays, and the SSAR in particular are super time consuming, and I feel like I underestimated them.”

Writing information down will help you a lot during this time. Personally, I filled a notebook with deadlines and information for each college. If writing by hand isn’t your thing, apps like Notion, Google Sheets, and Excel are perfect ways to stay organized. Do not rely on your memory to keep track of everything—your final year of high school will be a lot more enjoyable if you take note of deadlines and other to-dos.

The entire application process is definitely not impossible—I am just about the least organized student at my high school, and even I managed to pull it off— but you should get to work the moment your final summer break starts.

Final Thoughts Bishop Kenny offers resources to help you understand the intimidating process of applications, from SAT practice work to college resume advice.

Hiring a consultant to assist you during college applications is another option. They do just about everything with you, including reviewing your essay and resume, helping you apply to specific colleges, and giving guidance on what extracurriculars you could involve yourself in during your time as a high school student. If you feel especially lost when it comes to college applications, a consultant could be a serious help to you as an upperclassman in high school.

If you need help, do not be afraid to ask for it; college admissions faculty and your school counselors will be happy to help you on your college application journey.

ISSUE 2 | A&E 31

IS THAT REALLY WHAT HA

Exploring conspiracy theories concerning John F. Kennedy assassina Madison Bolen | Editor-in-Cheif

C

onspiracy theories, they are just theories…right?

It’s just crazy people on the internet trying to cause drama or get famous.

But then somebody finds a believable connection, and somehow all of these “rumors” piece together just enough to where people actually believe it.

Then it blows up. You can’t stop seeing the posts or hearing people whisper about these speculations. So much so that, at some point, your brain almost subconsciously starts to believe in these rumors which are classified as conspiracy theories.

And you find yourself left wondering: is that really what happened?

Conspiracies involving the FBI and Jack Ruby John F. Kennedy’s assassination was very shocking to the world because an assassination had not occurred since Abraham Lincoln. Even though John F. Kennedy’s death happened way back in 1963, much has been written to address conspiracy theories that have developed throughout the decades.

First, let’s introduce J. Edger

Hoover, who was FBI director at the time of the assassination. According to the Missouri Secretary of State, writer Mark North, there is a conspiracy that claims Hoover “concealed information about a mafia plot to assassinate Kennedy.” It was also said that Hoover had the help of Lyndon Johnson (the Vice President) to keep the whole ordeal under wraps from the Warren Commission: a group especially made to investigate the Kennedy assassination.

On November 22, 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for the assassination of Kennedy.

But that wasn’t the end for Oswald. On November 24, 1963, nightclub owner Jack Ruby shot Oswald, who died from those shots. It was later found from Ruby’s phone calls that 3 of them tied him to people part of the mafia.

But after further investigation, it was found that these phone calls were concerning Ruby’s nightclub company, and trying to eliminate some competition.

So this theory didn’t really catch my eye because the phone calls proved to be related to Ruby’s business.

Conspiracies involving Lyndon Johnson One theory that caught my eye was Lyndon Johnson’s potential involvement because it has convincing theories to back it up.

Many people have suggested that he was the only person who had the motive,

32 THE SHIELD | DECEMBER 2024

opportunity and means to assassinate JFK. Johnson wanted to become president before he got too old, according to USA Today. What easier way to do it than to get JFK assassinated, cover it up and then automatically become the president?

Also, Johnson knew many of JFK’s travel plans, so it would be easy to give others (like the mafia) details about his whereabouts.

Finally, Johnson was in a position of power to where he could have the opportunity to make a powerful assassination move, but also be able to cover it up and stay out of the spotlight.

While this theory about Kennedy’s death has some viability, there are some theories that are a level beyond this.

CIA’s potential involvement There are conspiracies that the CIA withheld information from the Warren Commision and U.S. House of Representatives Assassination Committee, according to the University of Georgia School of Law. Additionally, the CIA “stonewalled” both of the official investigations that were launched by the government. The sole fact that they stopped the investigations does not prove that the CIA had involvement.

But, it does bring up this question: were they trying to cover something up by stopping this investigation?

It just seems off to me that they would stop an investigation on an assassination, considering

that there hadn’t been an assassination at the time since Abraham Lincoln in 1865.

After the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, Kennedy fired the CIA director. This caused a lot of tension between the CIA and JFK, and caused them to have very different opinions about the future direction of the country. Kennedy is reported saying that he would “splinter the CIA into a thousand pieces and scatter it into the wind,” according to the University of Georgia School of Law. So we can infer that JFK and the CIA’s relationship was not the friendliest.

Therefore, there are theories that bring up the possibility of middle level CIA members organizing the assassination so that the higher ranking CIA members’ reputations would not be tarnished. The theories grew about the CIA due to the fact that they were no stranger to the name Lee Harvey Oswald. Oswald was an ex-United States Marine who turned himself

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over to the Soviet Union to spill American secrets. Due to this, he was under CIA watch for six months leading up to the assassination.

This makes the possibility that Oswald could be the person to assassinate JFK very odd considering he was being watched for a consistent six months leading up to the event.

Now let’s be clear, the Warren Commision and the U.S. House of Representatives Assassination Committee both declared that Lee Harvey Oswald had no connection to the CIA in any way, shape or form. However, the majority of the evidence to support this theory comes from interviews conducted that were involving people who worked for the CIA. It could be that they were forced to answer a certain way or they would lose

their jobs.

From 1959 to 1961, Oswald was seen with people who had potential ties to the CIA, which makes it probable that these people

who he was in contact with were middle men for the communication process between Oswald and the CIA. Author Jefferson Morley has a theory about a cable, which is a diplomatic telegraph, that was sent from the CIA headquarters to the office in Mexico City. Because the cable talks about how Oswald is “maturing,” Morley believes this shows a possibility that the CIA had relations to Oswald.

Why would they care if Oswald was maturing or not unless they needed him for something?

This last fact is a strong and vital piece of information about Oswald’s relationship with the CIA. A formal financial advisor stepped forward and testified to the House of Representatives Assassination Committee that he believed Oswald was being paid just like a full-time employee.

This same man also testified that he heard from another agency employee that some of the CIA’s money was going towards Oswald.

This financial advisor testified in court, a brave move because he could have been killed for saying this information outside the CIA. So, why would this person risk his life by saying this, unless it was true?

In my mind, the theories that have come out about the CIA’s involvement over the years have been too consistent to overlook, and if I had to say which one of these theories is most likely

true, then I would definitely say the theories about the CIA. Magic Bullet Theory When JFK was assassinated, there were three bullets fired but one of the bullets reported in the Warren Commission report has been classified as the “magic bullet” by the media.

Apparently, this 6.5 millimeter bullet went through both JFK and Texas governor at the time, John Connally. This means that this one bullet would have had to go through two grown men, so around 15 inches of skin, and break two bones in the process.

Additionally, the bullet would have had to make multiple 90-degree angles to create the path that the Warren Commission put in their report. This sounds absolutely absurd to me.

How can just one bullet cause that much damage to two grown men?

Even Robert Kennedy is recorded saying that this report produced by the Warren Commission was a “shoddy piece of craftsmanship,” according to nbcnews.

This is just another example of a piece of the assassination story not adding up.

The Zapruder film The Zapruder film is

arguably the most valuable 26 seconds ever recorded in history. These 15 frames captured are the only recorded evidence of JFK being assassinated. The guy who was recording, Abraham Zapruder, “sold the rights of the film to Life magazine,” according to nbcnews. But, the evident frame where you could see harm to Kennedy was not released to the public until 1975 because Zapruder did not want others to see the violent film. This film was then analyzed by people involved in the investigation of his assassination, such as the Warren Commision, which was a vital piece to their investigation.

ISSUE 2 | A&E 33