The Shield_Vol71_Issue3

Bishop Kenny High School Jacksonville, Fla. Volume 71, Issue 3

16 FALLEN STARS

19 MOODY BEAUTY

acting industry

over Sephora brands

Exploitation of children in

How preteens have taken

22 KENNY KRAVINGS Disco before dinner

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

I

t is with great joy and excitement that I write to you as the Editor-inChief of The Shield.

As we step into the third Issue of the 20232024 school year, we are thrilled to connect with you through the pages of our publication.

In a world that is constantly changing and evolving, we express our personal gratitude to you for your continued support as we strive to provide you with insightful, thoughtprovoking and informative content.

In this digital age, especially as technology advances and up-andcoming actors become familiar faces, everyone loves a good movie. At least our staff does! That’s why we set the focus of Issue 3 on the world of

Editor in Chief: Anna Bass Design Editor and A & E/Opinions Editor: Rheece Singletary Features/Sports Editor: Giovanna Bettega Feitoza News Editor: Gloria Gjuraj Business Manager: Gabby Nunez Website Editor-in-Chief: Emily Wheldon Staff Reporters: Chloe Barron, Madison Bolen, India Brophy, Lorelei Carlton, Glory Dansou, Parker Fluhr, Leah Fullerton, Sophia Gredenhag, Serenity Mead Ally Milonas, William Wainwright, Sami Whitney

2 THE SHIELD | MARCH 2024

film and Hollywood, and all the ups, downs, insides and outsides involved.

What goes better with Hollywood than a good award show? In the classic show “The Office,” Michael Scott hosts the Dundies, so we decided to have our own awards: The Kennys. We chose a variety of categories and nominated individuals for superlatives.

Speaking of shows, do you ever wonder what happened behind the scenes of your favorite Disney and Nickelodeon shows? In “Fallen Stars,” we uncover the truth behind some beloved child actors and actresses.

Additionally, in the theme of star-level productions, we have featured a behind the scenes look at some of

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.

The Shield is a member of FSPA.

the set building process for the spring musical “Mamma Mia.” Is anyone getting excited for prom? Because in these pages, you’ll find two helpful guides to plan your perfect night: a review on the best dinner options for large groups, as well as beauty tips and trends for this year.

Speaking of campus news, we cover the historic German Exchange Program visit that took place for the first time at Kenny.

In other news, the girl’s basketball team went to the Final Four again this season, BeReal is no longer a trend and 10-year-olds have taken over Sephora.

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

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.

1055 Kingman Ave., Jacksonville, Fla. 32207 (904) 265-9390 Cover Design | Rheece Singletary

CONTENTS

05 07 10 12 14 16 18 19 22

STORIES

THE SHIELD | MARCH 2024

WILLKOMMEN STUDENTEN

German teenagers experience American high school

ADVANCED ACADEMICS

AP, IB, AICE, and Early College explained

WINNING IN THE DARK

08

Discrimination against women’s sports in the media

THE KENNIES

Awarding teachers at BK with their very own Kenny

HERE WE GO AGAIN

Behind the scenes look at Mamma Mia

FALLEN STARS

Exploitation of children in Hollywood

11

BEREAL OR BEGONE?

Why popular apps disappear so quickly

MOODY BEAUTY

How preteens have taken over Sephora brands

KENNY KRAVINGS Dinner before disco

14

ISSUE 3 | INDEX 3

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WILLKOMMEN STUDENTEN German teenagers experience American high school Sophia Gredenhag | Staff Reporter

F

or the first time in Bishop Kenny history, exchange students from abroad will experience what it is like to be a Crusader.

German teacher “Frau” Carol Hollen is in affiliation with the German American Partnership Program (GAPP).

GAPP, a nonprofit which has existed for more than 75 years, partners with teachers to help facilitate and support the exchanges. The U.S. Department of State has noted the importance of GAPP in “building strong U.S.- Germany relations, and helping to encourage young people to learn more about the world.”

Frau Hollen went through many steps to get the program approved. Once

Principal Orlando and Vice Principal Broach accepted her request, she attended a seminar in Washington, D.C. to learn more.

Hollen hopes this exchange program will “break down barriers between people from different backgrounds.”

The students, aged from 15-17, are from Speyer, Germany, a town near the border of France with a population of around 50,000. They stay with a host family with BK students in German classes while they are in Jacksonville from March 9 until March 22.

Their time in America is not just to experience education but, “American life and culture as we live

it,” Hollen said. “Not like the false sense of a place that you get just by a quick trip, but by living with a family and truly experiencing the culture.”

After school and on the weekends, the students take part in typical activities that Jacksonville locals do in their

free time, with Hollen and the BK host students as their guides. As a group they will visit Hanna Park, the Jacksonville Zoo, historic St. Augustine and kayaking with Amelia Adventures. With their host families, they may explore other Jacksonville favorites like Top Golf and the St. Johns Town Center.

A farewell event for the German exchange students will take place during B mod on Friday, March 22, before they depart for the airport.

“We are more alike than we are different,” Hollen said. “And I think that’s a really cool thing to find out when you are learning about different cultures.”

ISSUE 3 | NEWS 5

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Student passes as low

ADVANCED ACADEMICS AP, IB, AICE, Early College explained Sami Whitney | Staff Reporter AP/ Advanced Placement

Ths is a flexible program that prepares students for the rigor of college work.

The majority of courses available are a one-year commitment and can be completely chosen by the students based on their interests, although this excludes

IB/International Baccalaureate

This provides consistent framework and flexibility to tailor to a student’s academic goals and aspirations.

Students can choose between a Diploma Programme or a Career-related Programme,

AICE

Advanced International Certificate of Education, was first established under Cambridge in 1997 and today, it is available in 1,600 schools in 125 countries and four Duval County high schools.

The courses are based on the Cambridge AS and A level

Early College

This blends High School and College courses together with the results being the earning of a High School Diploma and an Associates in

AP Capstone which is a two-year commitment.

At the end of the year, an exam is administered based on the course and contains a scoring scale from one to five, one being the lowest and five being the highest.

Based on the score a student receives, they may be eligible to receive AP with

Service Recognition and the AP Scholar Award which each require a 3 or higher on the exam or the AP Capstone Diploma can be received after successful completion and a passing exam of the two connected courses.

According to College Board, the results of utilizing this program includes earning

college credits, which can save money and time in college, allows students to study subjects of interest and helps boost their GPA. However, some negatives to the program are the workload and high cost of exams—$98 for a regular exam and $146 for the Capstone exam, according to College Vine.

both being a two-year commitment.

The Diploma Programme is formatted around core subject groups and a DP core, while the Career-related Programme assists in leading a student to college, apprenticeship or employment.

The curriculum consists of

a minimum of two IB Diploma courses, four core components and a career-related study.

According to IBO, the program teaches students skills of time management, self-motivation, critical thinking, strong research and writing skills, group work and leadership skills. It is also internationally

recognized.

However, according to Crimson Education, drawbacks include the length of study time, the overall exam at the end, a heavy workload following the six mandatory subjects given and less flexibility than AP due to the mandatory subjects.

class difficulty, with A being the most difficult and requiring a 2-year academic commitment.

AS is the less difficult of the two, requiring only a 1-year academic commitment, similar to the AP commitment.

The curriculum includes a core subject, a balance of math, science, language arts, humanities and an

interdisciplinary study, which is optional.

Completion of this course allows students to become eligible for Bright Futures Academic Scholars Award and the Florida Medallion Scholars Tuition Award.

AICE allows you to earn college credits, prepare you for the college workload,

scholarship opportunities and has flexible course selection.

It is also an internationally recognized program.

The negatives, while taking the A level course, include being restrained to two years of one academic subject and the rigorous curriculum that follows.

Arts or Science.

Students begin this program in 9th through 10th grade by taking a mix of normal high school classes and dual enrollment classes. In 11th through 12th grade, students

move to a nearby college such as FSCJ and enroll full time.

This program gives students the opportunity to earn at least 12 credits that can be transferred to most colleges or universities and prepares them

for the workload and helps ease the transition to college.

Although, it may not give enough credits to achieve an Associates degree and based on the state, cost may be different and affects your college GPA.

ISSUE 3 | NEWS 7

ORDER ON THE COURT Girls basketball program excellence Madison Bolen | Staff Reporter

COACH’S SPOTLIGHT William Mayer has coached for a total of 18 years, traveling up and down the east coast of the United States.

Mayer started his career up in New Jersey as the head boys basketball coach for Middletown North High School. He coached there for six years before moving down to Georgia to be head boys basketball coach for two different high schools.

When Mayer and his family first moved down to Jacksonville, Fla., he coached at Creekside for six years as head boys basketball coach.

After this, Mayer became the head girls basketball coach for Bishop Kenny.

Throughout moving from school to school, Mayer still tries to keep the same values with his teams in order to be successful.

“Obviously, you know, you change things, offenses and defenses and that kind of stuff, but the core principles of the game have changed very little, for me, over the years,” Mayer said.

Currently, Mayer is in his third year coaching the girls

8 THE SHIELD | MARCH 2024

basketball team.

“We’re really kind of focused on playing really good man defense and creating a bond amongst the players and having good chemistry for each other instead of playing for themselves,” Mayer said.

This year, Mayer’s team won district and regional championships and made it to the final four for four consecutive years, including 2024.

For the past two years, Mayer’s varsity team has made it all the way to the finals, and achieved state runner-up.

“When the season ends,

it’s going to be hard to replace those seven seniors for sure,” Mayer said.

However, he is confident about his rising players.

“We definitely have five players coming back who have some varsity experience for next year,” Mayer said. “But it’ll be kind of a younger team and we’re gonna really have to figure out who the new leaders are going to be for the upcoming season.”

E

ven though this girls basketball team runs under the radar, they have been destroying the competition game after game.

In the regular high school season, the team’s record was 234, which means it won 86% of the games they played this season.

Throughout the regular season, the team had two players reach 1,000 points in their high school career: seniors Clare Coyle and Riley Talbert.

Coyle scored her 1,000 points at a home game from the regular season, while Talbert scored her 1,000 points against San Jose Prep in a tournament hosted at Landmark Middle School.

When it was time for districts, the team was ranked number one, so they played the number four team, which was Wolfson High School.

After the 83-4 beat down of the Wolfpack, the Lady Crusaders made their way to the district finals where they would play The Bolles School.

The Bishop Kenny vs Bolles game was close right down to the second, tied until senior Clare Coyle hit a buzzer beater layup to punch Kenny’s ticket to regionals. The score was 51-49.

The Lady Crusaders won two more games to make it to the regional finals, in which the team played Rutherford High School, who

SENIORS’ SPOTLIGHT Senior Clare Coyle is 1st in Florida Division 4A in field goals made, which is 192, and is 20th in Florida as a whole. Also, Coyle is 1st in Florida Division 4A in double doubles, which is 13, and rebounds per game, which is 8.7. Along with this, Coyle is 3rd in Florida Division 4A for points per game, which is 14.2. Coyle is also 2nd in Florida Division 4A for free throws per game, which is 56, and 2nd in blocks per game, which is 0.9. was ranked just below Kenny, but the Lady Crusaders won this game with an impeccable lead of 53-39, catapulting them into the final four for the sixth year in a row.

On Thursday, February 29, the girls played SLAM from Miami, Fla., for the semifinals. This turned out to be a close game the whole time.

Going into the half the two teams were tied at 24-24.

During the last minute of the game, Kenny got a steal, and passed it all the way down the court to Coyle who scored a layup.

This shot was soon followed by a celebration of the team because they were on their way to the finals for the second year in a row.

In the past six years, the girls basketball team has made it to the finals four times: 2019, 2020, 2023 and 2024.

The Lady Crusaders ended their season going out with a fight against Lake Highland Prep High School with a final score of 58-47.

Senior Riley Talbert is 3rd in FL Divison 4A with 192 made. Also, Talbert is 12th in FL Division 4A for 3pts with 62 made.

Senior Sydney Roundtree is 3rd in Florida Division 4A for assists per game, which is 3.2, and blocks per game, which is 0.9.

Photo credits | Emily Wheldon

ISSUE 3 | SPORTS 9

WINNING IN THE DARK Discrimination against women’s sports in the media Emily Wheldon | Web Editor-in-chief

W

omen have struggled throughout history to be recognized and celebrated. Over the years women have gotten the respect they deserve in some regards, such as the right to vote in 1920. However, they are still overlooked in certain aspects.

In the sports industry, women’s sports are often forgotten about. When contrasted, women’s sporting events have lower attendance rates and viewing than men’s sports.

“Coverage is lower in technical quality and production value when compared with coverage of men’s sports,” according to Cheryl Cooky, professor of interdisciplinary studies at Purdue University who has studied sports reporting over

the past 30 years.

This difference in support also occurs on our campus.

When it comes to attending games, boys receive more support than girls, even though it’s the same sport.

According to ticket sales, boys soccer sells 140 tickets on average per game, while girls soccer sells about 135 per game.

This is only a slight difference, but a jarring difference in ticket sales can be seen in basketball games.

Girls basketball averages 140 tickets sold per game, while the average ticket sales for boys is 291 per game.

Although this is the same sport, boys have more than double the attendance rate.

The only difference between these two events is that one is played by boys and the other by girls, so

why wouldn’t the attendance be similar, like the soccer games?

“You have other supports, like parents, family and friends who come to the games and cheer you on,” senior and captain of the basketball team Sydney Roundtree said. “But it’s just a different atmosphere when the students cheer you on. Obviously it’s louder, you know, they bring signs and they make chants and stuff like that…it keeps you going.”

The difference can lead back to coverage. When it comes to Bishop Kenny home games, the students are known for dressing out in a chosen theme and cheering on the team. This support is limited to the boys games.

Students take to

Instagram to post time, date and theme for boys games, informing and encouraging students to attend. They only inform students of boys games, with no posts regarding theme or information can be found about a girls home game, no matter the sport. Students may be discouraged from attending girl games because of this lack of excitement and energy that comes along with dressing up to attend a game.

“Nobody really…I don’t want to say ‘care,’ but like, nobody really cares,” Roundtree said.

Despite viewer discrimination, Bishop Kenny ladies continued to win throughout their seasons, bringing pride to Bishop Kenny that the stands did not represent.

Title IX Legislation Explained While women in high school and on screen struggle to receive the same respect as men, there have been strides made towards equal representation.

Title IX, introduced in 1972 by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, prevents discrimination against female student athletes. Title IX ensures that no matter your sex, you will be given the same opportunities as other athletes. It also prevents teams from taking advantage of an athlete

based on his or her sex.

Furthermore, the Amendment protects both male and female athletes from being denied scholarships and opportunities to participate in their sport.

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

ATHLETE OF THE ISSUE

Senior Alexander Walker faces challenges of consistency in life, sports

Anna Bass | Editor-in-Chief

F

ailure was not an option for senior varsity tennis player Alexander Walker.

Although giving up and accepting personal defeat is far easier than putting in the work to become the best version of yourself, Walker is a testament to the success that focus and drive delivers.

Walker has played tennis for seven years and has been on the Bishop Kenny varsity team since he was a freshman. He started out as the second best player on the team, and since sophomore year, has maintained the number one spot. Walker has also played in districts for the past three years and plans on competing in the competition this year. But being successful at such a high and competitive level does not just come naturally.

“I would say consistency is one of my greatest weaknesses,” Walker said.

However, Walker does not give up. He says that he overcomes his weaknesses through persistence and practice.

His weekly schedule consists of practice five days a week and games two days a week. Practices typically last around three hours, however, he likes to put in extra time due to his desire to improve.

“After practice I usually stay longer just to hit more,” Walker said.

Outside of school and sports, Walker enjoys hanging out with his friends, going to the beach and working out. At Kenny, he is also involved in St. Vincent de Paul Club and Diversity Student Union.

Since Walker has maintained the number one spot on the team for the past three years, that means he has to compete against the best of the best from other schools.

“I don’t have to worry about it because it’s just expected of me,” Walker said. “The guys I play against are really good so that’s the expectation.”

When asked what his favorite game he has

played in, he said it was the district match that he lost.

“It was really close and the guy I was playing went on to winning states, so it was cool to play against him,” Walker said.

Walker also finds inspiration from Coach

Morgan Hale, who he says is his role model. Coach Hale coached the tennis team for two years when he worked at Kenny through the ACE program.

His lessons on work ethic and his easy going

personality left a mark on Walker.

“He would just come out in flip flops and play like a beast,” Walker said.

After high school, Walker plans to attend the University of Central Florida and pursue a degree in computer science, which he will use to start a career in AI and machine learning. This has been his goal and aspiration that he shares with his older brother, and they hope to one day create a business in which they can work with AI. Additionally, Walker has found success in finance and stocks, and he spends a lot of his free time dedicated to advancing his financial gains.

“I’m always trying to get my money up,” Walker said.

Being involved in tennis for so long comes with a lot of ups and downs for Walker, but to conquer his inconsistencies and weaknesses, he finds strength in his work ethic and leadership, as he is one of the captains of the team.

One of his favorite memories with his team is having a water balloon fight one day instead of practicing.

“It’s fun to be able to come together and bond with the team and take the pressure off,” Walker said.

ISSUE 3 | SPORTS 11

THE KEN

Awarding teachers at BK with

India Brophy | Sta

The newspaper staff played the role of Michael Scott from “The Offic

Jessica Durbin

Paul DiGeorgio

12 THE SHIELD | MARCH 2024

Diane Hollack

Nicole Hurtt and Alex Ladson

NNIES

h their very own Kenny

aff Reporter

ce” in a recreation of his Dundies and chose staff superlatives.

Berny Bakkar

Lauren Mosley

Carlos Gonzalez-Chavez

Katherine Bero

ISSUE 3 | MOVIES 13

...Here We Go Again!

Behind the scenes look at Mamma Mia William Wainwright | Staff Reporter Design | Giovanna Bettega Feitoza

H

ave you ever been sitting at a play and wondered how it all came to life?

It all starts with the set builds to depict the scenes.

Theater director Jeanie Wilks notes how the set builds are recycled production after production.

“Our walls are the COVID panels,” Wilks said. “We used them for Goosebumps, and the Orient Express, so we’ve been using them the entire time.”

Recycling and reusing are both important aspects to the team, according to Wilks.

“We are recycle queens around here!” Wilks said.

There are also certain scenes that need to be represented artistically.

“The show itself has three major scenes: jetty on the beach, Donna’s room, and the courtyard,” Wilks said.

Almost all of the art for the scenes is done by students.

Junior Andrea Kurth is a scene artist who has dedicated hours after school to painting backdrops and set pieces.

“I’m painting the shutters for one of the scenes,” Kurth said. “I also painted the gray bricks and the window. The window is my favorite.”

Kurth says she enjoys making these set builds come to life.

“I feel like art gives the play more feeling, so I try my best to make it look really realistic,” Kurth said.

But how are some of the other props made?

“Most of the props I put

together are made of wood,” campus facility manager James Nackashi said. “We have a closet/workshop backstage where everything is stored. Most of the items in this closet have been used in previous plays. After each play, we break everything down and store it for the next play.”

Nackashi goes above and beyond to build artistic and quality pieces for the productions.

“For ‘Mamma Mia,’ for example, the balcony we put together is made up

of pallets and some old 2x4’s for extra support,” Nackashi said.

The set builds also move, accommodating the three major scenes of the production.

This is Nackashi’s first year completing all of the props proprietarily for BK Theater. In the past, a third-party designer

would come in and build the props for productions such as “Murder on the Orient Express,” “Goosebumps,” and “The Addams Family” back in 2021.

“I first started helping the theater department with the assembly of this new carousel they were using for the stage,” Nackashi said. “It required many hands, and I enjoyed working with all the volunteers. I have offered my services ever since. I guess I just kept coming back.”

Although the props play a major role in the

production, the rehearsal process is equally, if not more important, to the process.

There are different types of rehearsals, with some being choreography, and some being full runs, where the cast dresses in character and performs the full production. In choreography rehearsals, the cast begins with a warm-up to get ready to do the production’s dances.

One type of warmup is where the cast goes into a circle, and plays a game where the cast says and points “zip, zap, and zop” to each other, with the goal

of creating a smaller network of players. The game goes on until there is only one player left. It’s a team building activity where actors can sharpen

quick thinking skills before rehearsal.

Then, they transition to performing pieces like “Voulez-Vous,” ultimately ending when the last syllable of the song hits, and the cast drops to the floor in an instant.

After choreography, formal rehearsal begins.

“It usually all begins with a full cast table read, where we all get a chance to understand the story and what’s going on,” junior

Marianna Hernandez said.

Hernandez plays Sophie Sheridan in the production.

“We just go scene by scene getting blocking and directions from our directors, the actors kind of figure out how they want their character to be in each scene, and the crew sets up where different props and sets should go,” Hernandez said.

Senior Mary Clare Stinneford, who plays Donna, says having a lead role as a senior made for a memorable experience.

“Though I have enjoyed all of my shows at Bishop Kenny, I think this is the show that will be the most special to me.”

Left to right: Junior Andrea Kurth paints one of the set builds ; sophomores Kyla Lynch and Kyleigh Contois move a bed to make way for another scene ; senior Giovanna Bettega-Feitoza and junior Victoria Anderson use the set builds to act out the performance.

ISSUE 3 | MOVIES 15

FALLEN STARS Exploitation of children in Hollywood Ally Milonas | Staff Reporter

R

emember your favorite childhood show; the show that you and all of your friends watched? You may have even wished you could be on the show, or be friends with its stars.

This dream of many is a deep and harsh reality.

Children acting in these shows that everyone loves have been severely exploited.

Child actors have been idolized and held in the spotlight since some of their earliest years. While this has given some children the ability to become extremely successful adults with a career they love, this is not the case for many others.

The vulnerability of children in this type of environment is often exploited, yet it goes unnoticed. Constant work and pressure causes permanent issues that are often irreversible and remain with children throughout the rest of their lives, only worsening as they grow older. The blame of issues such as drug abuse, mental health problems and lack of development through adulthood are usually placed on the individual themselves when in reality, they are a victim of the industry.

On the rise

It is easy to focus on the glitz and glam of television stars that have become successful. This is usually the view that the public chooses to take in order to avoid outing the real exploitation that occurs. People tend to use certain celebrities as proof that children do not

face toxic environments while on set. Though some of these examples may be true, most child actors do not get to have the positive, romanticized experience.

One such star, Ariana Grande, started her acting career at the age of 14 and has broadened her career and kept her name in the spotlight. Grande started with small acting gigs and worked her way up to kids’ cable network, Nickelodeon.

After her Nickelodeon years, Grande began writing music and only grew from there.

As one of the most successful pop stars, Grande has not openly acknowledged any wrongdoing she faced through her acting years.

Instead, she expressed gratitude in a social media post for all the opportunities Nickelodeon gave her.

Nickelodeon will “always hold such a tremendous place in my heart,” Grande said in an interview with cbs8.com.

Similarly, actor Zac Efron began his career at age 15 starring in different films and shows, until landing his big role as Troy in the “High School Musical” series. Efron remained content through his Disney years and went on to pursue more roles in the film industry. And like Grande, Efron still has only good things to say about his childhood, and holds strong in admitting that he owes his success to Disney.

In acceptance speeches and interviews, he has expressed his utter love for his experience as a child actor.

But Efron has still faced

16 THE SHIELD | MARCH 2024

his own struggles: he has admitted to abusing drugs.

One of the lucky few, Efron has been able to seek treatment and recover, yet he never credited his issues to his years-long career.

These are two prime examples of how the child acting industry wants to be perceived: as a comforting, loving environment that children are able to thrive in. This, unfortunately, fails to address the countless actors who have entered the industry as one person and come out completely unrecognizable.

People in Power

A main factor in issues of the business are those in power: producers and parents. Those who are supposed to advocate for and support children are often the ones exploiting them. Producers see the possibility of gaining more money, and stop at nothing to reach this. Parents see the opportunity for their children to become big stars, and push them to unreachable limits.

Producer Dan Schneider is a prime example of exploitation among children. As a producer for

Nickelodeon, Schneider participated in the making of hit television shows including “iCarly,” “Victorious,” “Sam & Cat,” “Drake & Josh,” “Zoey 101” and more. All of these shows gave kids a great opportunity to begin acting careers, but what went on behind the scenes is something that many disregard. When the cameras weren’t rolling, Schneider allegedly expressed “abuse, sexism, racism, and inappropriate dynamics,” with many of the children, according to Business Insider.

While young people may not be able to directly recognize these things going on, parents should. Distinct signs like a decline in the mental health of kids while working on a project should be noticed and addressed by those who are meant to protect their children.

However, a lot of times, this is not the case. One actress in particular, Jennette McCurdy, discusses these issues throughout interviews in her

Photo courtesy of IMDb

own book titled “I’m Glad My Mom Died.”

This harshly titled memoir discusses the traumatic things McCurdy endured due to her mother’s narcissism and lack of parenting. As McCurdy’s fame grew, her mother practiced an overbearing type of parenting, pushing her daughter more and more, not caring how she was being treated on set. She paid no regard to McCurdy being exploited and put into positions she expressed felt wrong for her.

“I was put in an uncomfortable, compromising, unfair situation,” McCurdy said.

As a child, she felt as though she had no voice to change this. A parent should have been the one to step in and help, but that was not available for McCurdy.

This type of situation can happen as a result of any issues a parent may have, from money struggles, to mental illness, to greed, can cause parents not to seek justice for their children in the media industry.

The exploitation that children faced did not go unnoticed. The docuseries titled “Quiet on Set” premiered on March 17, exposing the accusations of harsh working conditions and the abuse children endured by Schneider. The series features special guests from the cast of “All That,” plus Drake Bell and Alexa Nikolas. The actors give their accounts of their experiences with Schneider and other producers, fully exposing their actions.

On set

Another thing that plays into the issues of child stars are the situations that they are put into. Whether it is the activities they are pushed into on set, or the fact that they are on set for hours

and hours, children are not ready to be exposed to some things that they face.

Many children that grow up in the industry are not able to experience the normality of childhood. From education to socialization, these children do not get real world experience that they need for healthy development.

Actress Emma Watson discusses this topic, explaining how her acting gave her an “unusual upbringing” and her childhood was never able to be the same, according to fandomwire.com.

This is the experience of many; by spending long hours on a set, there are limited opportunities for activities that most kids participate in, and they do not get to experience the normal events that others do like football games, proms and even recess.

The fact that they are so focused on their work leaves little room for a good education. While most sets provide schooling, the quality and time spent on it is not a guarantee.

Actors in the hit shows “Victorious” and “iCarly” have said that they were pressured into underage drinking while on set. Jeanette McCurdy was told by “The Creator” (as she calls him) that she should drink on set and it would help her image, according to Business Insider.

McCurdy claims that many of the “Victorious” kids frequently drank on set.

young age, and not being given the resources to handle it, is a recipe for disaster.

Actress Demi Lovato had acted since age 7, with roles in shows including “Barney and Friends,” “As the Bell Rings,” “Camp Rock.”

Lovato admits to first trying hard drugs at age 17, while she was still working for the Disney Channel, according to glamour.com.

Eventually, Lovato became helpless and endured years of turmoil, trying to seek help.

While the actress herself hasn’t publicly acknowledged that these issues stemmed from the stress of facing fame as a child, it seems likely.

Another star, Amanda Bynes, starred in popular films such as “She’s the Man,” “Hairspray” and “What a Girl Wants.” The media has chronicled her mental health issues and run-ins with the law. Once again, Bynes has not directly stated that these issues are due to her years of work and mental strain at such a young age, yet that is what these issues seem to add up to.

All of these stars, though many do not come out to the public and say this, have faced extreme pressures because of their career.

Starting at early ages and

not learning how to deal with issues they have can lead them to seek negative solutions, like substances.

These young people collapse under the pressures and mentally feel this toll on themselves.

The exploitation and trauma that children face in Hollywood must be brought to the surface and given more serious attention.

New practices must be implemented in order to protect these children from facing dangerous things, both now and later on in life.

Then and Now

As the child actors grow into young adults, some face mental illness and even substance abuse issues.

Being put in the spotlight at a

ISSUE 3 | MOVIES 17

BEREAL OR BEGONE? Why popular apps disapear so quickly

Parker Fluhr | Staff Reporter

D

o you remember the app BeReal? What about Tumblr? Vine?

What about Musical.ly?

Do you ever wonder what happened to all of these apps?

Changing trends across social media every day have affected the life expectancy of these apps. At first, apps like these made a splash all over social media because of

their appealing purposes and features.

BeReal was all about authenticity. Tumblr was the go to place for inspiration and relations to niche interests.Vine was there to make people laugh.

However, because of social media’s lightning speed trends, that will change in a week’s time.

These apps have been almost completely forgotten.

BeReal’s users have gone from 20 million in October 2022 to just over 6 million in March 2023, according BeReal to an article “It’s fun to take a picture at a random time.” in “Vogue” by - Senior Lena Granuzzo Daisy Jones, who describes BeReal as a Vine “digital ghost “The app was really funny, but town.” it didn’t last.”

Apps like - Senior Riley Gabree these had their moment Instagram because,at “I like watching funny IG the time, they reels.” were new, fresh - Senior Giovanni and different, Gonzales but as new platforms and TikTok trends emerge, “Tiktok is very entertaining.” everyone tends - Sophomore Liam Roberts to move on and look for the next big thing.

Tumblr According “I feel that Tumblr is a to psychology, little bit more outdated people than other apps.” crave what is - Junior Terran Lathey called “novel stimulation,” Pinterest meaning that “It’s an easy way to find we enjoy the inspirations of things.” challenge - Sophomore Ella Smith of trying something

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

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18 THE SHIELD | MARCH 2024

new, but it’s not interesting enough to us for long.

There is also a business aspect to consider. If an app does not keep growing with users, it can get left behind.

Some apps get bought out, sometimes they are reinvented.

A good example of both of these is the shift from Musical.ly to TikTok. The company had a complete makeover in order to keep the app relevant in today’s society. This obviously paid off, as shown by the enormous number of TikTok accounts, reaching over 1 billion active users compared to Musical.ly’s 200 million users, according to searchlogistics.com.

The reason for these apps’ disappearances isn’t only about the content and features. Sometimes it’s the culture that surrounds the apps.

For example, when early users of the app jump ship to a new trend, the vibe of the app can change as many influencers leave, and it may not feel as relevant or cool to use anymore.

A big contributor to fast trends is the influence of Gen Z. According to an article in “Forbes” by Sophia Rascoff, “It’s never been more important for brands to understand the role trends play in their strategy and how to leverage them as a bridge between them and their Gen Z consumers.”

Gen Z was arguably the first generation that grew up with social media.

They’re basically natives to technology and the internet.

They are so immersed in social media that as soon as

something becomes popular online, it can be shared and seen by millions of people in no time. It’s a constant stream of people and things blowing up overnight.

In the end, unfortunately, it’s all about staying relevant with what users want. Apps like BeReal, Tumblr and Vine were great for their time, but they struggled to evolve and adapt to the fastpaced trends. It’s honestly a reminder to enjoy these platforms while they are around because you never know when the next shift will come and change the game all over again.

MOODY BEAUTY How preteens have taken over Sephora brands Chloe Barron | Staff Reporter

T

he last thing you want while walking into Sephora is to be bombarded by rude little girls smearing the testers everywhere, but recently, this has been the case.

“People say that there’s an ‘epidemic’ in the works, but not the infectious disease kind,” journalist Katie Camero wrote for USAToday.com.

Young girls all over North America have been ravaging Sephora stores for makeup like Summer Fridays and Rare Beauty, and skincare products like Drunk Elephant, Ordinary, Glow Recipe and Sol De Janeiro. They have destroyed products and testers and been rude and aggressive to employees.

The internet has come to label these groups of girls “Sephora Kids.”

Videos of Sephora Kids can be found all over TikTok, along with others stitching videos adding their input.

Former Sephora employee Olivia Vaphiades’ (@olivia.vaphiades) revealed in her TikTok “storytime” that a young girl asked her if the Drunk Elephant Retinol Oil was in stock. Vaphiades proceeds to tell her that they do, but would not recommend using it on her young skin due to the fact that it is such a strong serum.

The girl looked at Vaphiades and said, “I really don’t care what you think or what you say. I want it, so I am going to buy it.”

It is not just the fact that these girls are being disrespectful, but it is also how some of these products can affect them.

Dermatologists and parents have spoken out about the dangers of different products that these children have been using.

Products such as retinol, a type of vitamin A that is added to lotions, serums and creams, are considered to help prevent signs of aging and not to be used at a young age. It is recommended to start rotating retinol into your skincare routine around your 20s, according to verywellhealth.com.

“Many of these active ingredients are strong and they have side effects,” dermatologist Dr. Abby Waldman said on her TikTok page. “So you can get irritation especially from retinol and chemical exfoliants.”

Young girls are influenced by “influencers” posting their morning routines, “get ready with me” videos and skin care routines online. These types

of popular videos typically consist of someone showing and/or telling the camera what products they use.

Content creators with thousands of followers can affect young people and what they choose to buy. People listen to what influencers and celebrities have to say because of the amount of trust they have in them, and the products that they are paid to endorse can instantly blow up. For example, Kourtney Kardashian’s 11-year-old daughter, Penelope, posted a video of her skin care routine using multiple Drunk Elephant anti-aging products.

This has an impact on other young girls, and it seems like this behavior is okay.

Girls have access to the internet at such a young age, so it is inevitable for them to look up to older girls and want to be like them, but at what cost?

The use of iPhones, iPads and easy access to the internet have led to the children of Generation Alpha not being able to have the same experiences as generations before. Kids at their age should be playing board games or outside on bike rides, not worrying about how they look.

When I was their age, the most makeup I owned was an EOS lip balm and a small makeup kit from Claire’s.

There was no way I could be rude to employees because I was too shy to talk to any adult besides my parents.

These kids are skipping fundamental parts of childhood and not allowing themselves to have the dreaded ugly phase. You have to grow and develop as you age. If you are already starting grown up, where else can you go?

This generation is growing up too fast and not having the chance to experience what it feels like to be young. Having such easy access to the internet has opened up possibilities for what kids can see affecting their day to day.

Children’s parents should only allow their kids limited access to the internet at their young age to try and control this very real problem. Kids may not know better but parents definitely do.

ISSUE 3 | OPINIONS 19

PATRONS GOES HERE

20 THE SHIELD | MARCH 2024

E

very year prom approaches quicker and quicker. Dresses are ordered, dates are arranged and tickets are

bought. However, the one thing that always seems to be left aside is the dinner plans.

The issue of picking a

Carrabbas Carrabbas

place to make everyone happy is never an easy task. Hopefully, this helps to eliminate the issue with some perfect restaurant

choices for prom.

https://www.carrabbas.com/ - 8137 Point Meadows Way Many people think of Olive Garden when they want Italian, but I always think of Carrabba’s. There is a location at Jacksonville Beach and one off of 295 in Baymeadows. If you have a group that lives all away from one another, this could be a good middle ground to meet up at.

They do have catering if you decide it’s easier to get ready and eat at the same time.

But they don’t have reservations; instead, they have an online waiting list you can sign up for. Though with parties of seven or more, you must call to be added to the waitlist that day.

The service is phenomenal here. I’ve never had a bad server experience here. They always seem to be in a good mood. The food always comes out pretty quick, for an Italian restaurant.

Every pasta I’ve had here is my favorite, along with other food items like the mozzarella sticks and calamari.

Even the free bread

Kamiya 86

and oil is a personal favorite of mine. I’m never disappointed with the food I receive.

Especially on prom night I want to go to a place with great food, so this is perfect. The only downside is they don’t have a variety of options, so if anyone in your group isn’t feeling Italian, that could pose a problem. Remember though that Carrabba’s also serves chicken, steak and seafood.

The vibe of the place is quiet and calming. You have jazz music playing, and there are obviously people, but it’s not so loud that you want to leave.

https://kamiya86fl.com/ - 1286 3rd St S This phenomenal Thai, planning to take photos by Chinese and Japanese the beach, this is a perfect restaurant has something option. for everyone. From sushi, to They have large soups, to meats and salads, rooms that can seat over 7 there are diverse options. people, and other places to There is a location on accommodate a large group.

Third Street, and one in One Ponte Vedra Beach.

If your party is

There is low ambient light as well which can be nice because big LED lighting can give you a headache.

For the most part Carrabba’s is a great place for your group to go if they’re in the mood for pasta. It’s got great service and food, and it’s an elegant way to enjoy the night before the fun begins.

downside to this restaurant, though, is that they don’t accept reservations. They will, however, allow you to call ahead and check availability.

If you prefer to have dinner at someone’s house, Kamiya 86 offers online ordering and catering.

Their food is exceptional, and everything is super fresh.

I have never disliked anything I’ve ordered from Kamiya, and it’s a favorite in my book of Asian restaurants.

The service is always top tier. They are attentive and make sure we are happy with what we’ve received. They never take a long time to take our order, and the food

always comes out quickly.

On top of the wonderful food and service, it’s a great vibe. There are colorful lights everywhere and calming decor. It’s never loud, but never too quiet to where it seems awkward. Especially on prom night, I want to be in an environment where it’s not too overwhelming to enjoy the night with my friends. This place is perfect for this.

I think Kamiya 86 is great for a quick prom dinner where you can enjoy food without the worry of being late.

Kenny Kravings Dinner before disco

Rheece Singletary | Design Editor, A&E and Opinions Editor

The Cheesecake Factory

https://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/ - 10260 Mid Town Pkwy

This location at the St. Johns Town Center has been serving customers since 2005.

On prom night, like any night, this popular mall can accommodate large crowds.

Because this restaurant is known for its enormous amount of menu items and its signature cheesecake, The Cheesecake Factory is great for a group that cannot agree on a specific place to go to or agree on a type of

cuisine.

With many options like Italian, Mexican and American, there are many genres of food to choose from.

The food is, for the most part, enjoyable. There are some menu items I’ve received that aren’t my favorite such as the Four Cheese pasta. It’s honestly like a lottery: you could have one amazing pasta, and the next be subpar. So if you’re looking to have an amazing food selection, going to Cheesecake Factory may be a gamble.

They also have limits on availability. They only allow reservations through their rewards program, Cheesecake Rewards™, and only let a max of six people sign up; any group seven or more must call ahead and get on

the waitlist. Assuming your party is getting dinner a tad later, there will definitely be a wait.

This is inconvenient because of the timing of prom.

In addition to the possibility of having to wait, Town Center will likely be super busy at this time, and that can be overwhelming. But once you’re seated and past the host stand, it becomes cozy. It may be loud, but the decor is gorgeous. It’s a restaurant design you don’t see too often, with super high ceilings and designs based on Egyptian to Victorian England styles.

The service is the best it can be. You can see that the servers are

stressed; they are, for the most part, kind, but you can always tell they don’t want to be there.

The food takes forever to arrive, due to the amount of customers. Maybe choose an early time like 4 p.m., just in case it’s busy because the food takes a hot minute.

The Cheesecake Factory has its perks like the food variety, and for the most part, it’s a smart idea with a large group for prom. Just be sure to plan ahead for wait time to be seated and served.

OSCAR FAVORITES

Students answered their favorite ‘Best Picture’ Academy Award winning films through each decade Rheece Singletary | Design Editor, A&E and Opinions Editor

12.2% of students voted for “Gladiator”

4.9%

of students voted for “everything everywhere all at once”

14-15 The Kennies

Awarding teachers at BK with their very own Kenny 24 THE SHIELD | MARCH 2024

3.8% of students voted for “parasite”

Photos courtesy of IMDb