Devil's Advocate (Volume 30, Issue 2 | 2013-2014)

devil’s advocate stanton college preparatory school

your stories. your school. your voice.

Social Media AND Student Privacy As social media use increases, students are discovering the many ways their privacy is being lost.

By SPENCER NACHMAN

no. 2 | december 2013 devilsadvocatepaper.com

Want One? Visit the San Marco location TODAY! 1808 Hendricks Avenue Jacksonville, Florida (904) 399-1514

devil’s advocate

december 2013 number 2

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DIVING IN WITH CAROLINE GERHARDT In this exclusive interview with senior Caroline Gerhardt, we discuss her achievements as a member of the Stanton diving team, how she stays focused, and her future plans.

BY TAYLOR GALLOWAY

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A DIFFICULT CHOICE challenges faced, the support offered by peers and teachers, and the feeling of acceptance acheived.

BY GABI PRIOLEAU

SOCIAL MEDIA AND STUDENT PRIVACY

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Social media has been a hot topic this year, especially in regards to the administration’s right to punish students for what they post. We take a look at what this really means for students.

BY SPENCER NACHMAN

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SMASHING THE RUMORS With rumors swarming the halls of Stanton, Mrs. Glendinning took peace of mind.

BY MRS. DIANA GLENDINNING

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A LOOK AT STANTON THROUGH THE LENS We take a look at the daily life of Stanton students over the past couple months through the eye of the camera, covering all the great things that make up Stanton.

BY PHOTOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT

Editor’s Desk Remember the days of MySpace when middle schools

Taylor Galloway, Editor-in-Chief

sion was who to choose as their top eight friends for the week?

Over the years the popularity of MySpace dwindled but social media as a whole has done the complete opposite. MySpace was soon overshadowed by

Facebook in 2007; social me dia sites Twitter, Instagram, and Vine soon followed in pop ularity. Today’s teenagers have been conditioned to put their personal information online for the world to see. Despite this, teens still feel entitled to privacy in their personal lives.

In this issue of the Devil’s Advocate we examine the al leged controversy regarding student social media use and

Contributing Advocates: The Devil’s Advocate is searching for contributing writers, photographers, and artists. Contact Taylor Galloway at tgalloway00@gmail.com.

Ads and Sponsorships: The Devil’s Advocate is dependant on our advertisers and our sponsors. When you purchase an ad with us, it reaches a diverse student population that can help your business. We can also design your ads. Our prices are: $25 (1/4 page), $50 (1/2 page), $75 (insert), $100 (full page b/w), or $125 (back page color). Contact Jonathan Kemp at livetowrite@me.com, or Mr. Knight at knightl1@duvalschools.org.

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the role administrators play in monitoring their sites. In the Features section we reveal the truth about Stanton’s neighbor hood and take a look at its his tory. In the Sports section, State Champion Caroline Gerhardt is interviewed and we investigate

updates. Also ‘like’ our page on Facebook and follow us on In stagram for pictures taken by our photographers from school events. Who knows, you could be in them! Have a story that you would like to see covered in the next issue? Email us at scpnewspaper@gmail.com.

letic department.

Be sure to follow us on Twit ter, at @scpnewspaper, for school news and Stanton sports

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Adviser: Larry Knight Editor-in-Chief: Taylor Galloway Managing Editor: Jonathan Kemp Features Editor: Auvion Bradshaw Opinions Editor: Manya Goldstein Sports Editor: Savannah Mika Student Life Editor: Samantha Foss Photography Editor: Kathryn McMullen Reporters: Vanessa Han, Emily Iseley, Desirae Lee, Spencer Nachman, Gabi Prioleau, Zoe Reyes, Shanice Skyers, Nelson Thornton Photographers: Sanaa Belkaich, Ashley Hagins, Devon Leasure

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Sports

For the Love of the Team... ...from the Sideline

...from the Field

By JOSHUA BARNHART, Contributing Writer

By NELSON THORNTON, Sports Reporter

and the camaraderie. The 12th Man is not about supporting a State Championship team, but supporting a school in all aspects. Stanton has been better known for its spirit groups rather than its athletics. That is why before the 2013-2014 season started I had plans to make the 12th Man something memorable. With the help of Adam Buchannan and Hadley McLaren, together to be used by the 12th Man. I also tried something new and started doing a student led tailgate before the games. All this was not directly supporting the team, but it was my attempt to keep up the morale of the players, although sometimes it did not succeed very well.

For much of the season I felt like the football team seemed to have lost their heart for the game, which made me, and every other fan, not want to show up to the games.

However, I felt like I had a duty to show up and make sure other people showed up with me. I had to keep a sense of hope that just maybe we could put out a win, even if the next game was against an undefeated team. It is hard to keep cheering for a losing team.

A win is so much better than a loss. I have come to accept, as well as many others, a win can never be promised at Stanton. It has gotten so bad that the Stanton versus Paxon game is the game the school as a whole has come to think of as “the only game worth winning.”

The “Brain Bowl” has become the Blue Devils’ most important game every season and for it has become Stanton’s goal to out-best them in everything. Even though Paxon got lucky this year and a win did not happen this year, we stand by the chant, “It’s alright it’s okay, we still have our GPA!” Supporting the Stanton Blue Devils and being a part of the 12th Man is not about supporting a winning team but a team that tries and tries. A team that some how manages to still train and go play every Friday night with all their hearts. It is about coming to a game to be with a family, to escape the stress of classwork, to yell and chant out all the frustration Stanton offers. At the end of the night, the score board does not even matter as long as we keep our spirit for our school. The only thought that comes into my mind after a game is, “GO BLUE DEVILS!!!”

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photo by Devon Leasure

for that matter) at Stanton. I do, however, have the important memory of the fun I had supporting what I have ended up calling my second family. This attitude is what has stuck with me all throughout my years at Stanton.

Whether it be football, basketball, soccer, or baseball, losing is inevitable. Every team will not have a winning season all the time; in fact, some will disappoint its fan base at some point.

Stanton’s football team did not have a winning season in 2013, but there also wasn’t much fan support.

It is hard to want to play for a school that does not believe in you. When a team has little to no support, it is easy for them to get down on themselves when they start playing badly. When people believe in you and have faith, no matter the outcome they are always picking the team up and encouraging them.

Many teams have losing seasons and their fans still support them. For example, when the Detroit Lions went 0-16 in 2008, their fans still showed up at the home games to support the team. They came to the games to show support and did not lose faith in the team because of a losing record.

After being a member of the 2013 Stanton Blue Devils football team, I notice many people say they believe in the team, and then turn around and talk about us. Coach Rayshawn Tiller, Sr. always told us, that we were the only ones who believed we could win a game. At most of our home games we usually had decent fan turnout. Actually, when we started winning the fans really got behind us, and the team gained momentum. But once the team did one thing wrong, the fans seemed to lose interest.

What many fans did not know was that we worked hard everyday after school, practicing from 4-7 p.m. We went out on Friday nights trying our best to bring home a win for the Stanton Blue Devil fans. Many people do not realize the hard work we put in. Some people do not even come to enough of the games to be able to have their own opinions. They only go off of what they hear others say. They hear the score of the game, and jump to conclusions about the team. The conclusion usually being that the team sucks.

Most would not know that in many of the games we were one or two plays away from a win. In 2013, Stanton competed with a few of the top teams in Northeast Florida such as Ribault, Fletcher, and Baker County. We were huge underdogs and shocked many people. These were three close games we were not supposed to be in, but gave the opposing team a game they did not expect.

Fan support is important in any sport. It makes teams feel better about themselves to know that no matter how bad they are doing, their fans will always have their backs. Even NFL and college teams have bad seasons, but their fans stay behind them. They support their team at all home games and defend their teams when others try to criticize. With fans like this, teams want to play better and get wins to give back to the fans.

The Stanton Blue Devil football team will eventually improve in the coming years, as more and more athletes join. We have a good coaching staff, and the team is making strides towards being great. The fans cannot lose hope and must stay behind the team. Not everyone at Stanton has lost hope in the team. There are a few people who still have full faith in photo by Kathryn McMullen

photo by Sanaa Belkaich

To me Stanton football was never about winning or losing, or whether it was a blowout or a lucky win. In all my years at Stanton I have not looked up at the scoreboard after a game and thought, “Well, that was a waste of $7.” This year, however, it was a real struggle to stay strong and always hope that maybe my support every Friday was not in vain.

A record of 0-10 is nothing to brag about; it is more of something to wish you were not a part of. Many people have asked, “How do you support a team that, well...sucks?” I always an-

Brian Jefferson, who went to every game this season, believe the team is only a few steps away from greatness. We just need more people to feel that way.

december 2013

In the Spotlight: Caroline Gerhardt Diving in November. The Devil’s Advocate recently talked to her about her inspirtations, challenges, and plans for the future.

By TAYLOR GALLOWAY, Editor-in-Chief

What has diving taught you?

What is your biggest obstacle you’ve faced within your sport?

“Diving has taught me patience, as it takes time to get better. I learned that hard work pays off and to never give up.”

“The biggest obstacle I have faced within diving is losing focus. I went through a period of time where I did not care enough about diving and I was more concerned with other things. During this time I did not get better and considering quitting; but ultimately I decided that diving is a priority to me. But this period of time when I was going through a plateau in the sport, was the biggest obstacle I have faced.”

“It feels good knowing that all my hard work withing the last year has paid off. I have worked tremendously more than I ever had is the past; and it’s great accomplishing a goal.”

When did you start diving?

“I started diving year round for North Florida Diving the summer before freshman year, right after I quit gymastics.”

Why do you enjoy diving?

“I enjoy diving because I am able to challenge myself both physically and mentally; while pushing myself to become better and better. The best part about diving is when you know you do a dive better than you have before, and then having a desire to do it even better than that. I like knowing I have improved.”

What is your biggest accomplishment in diving and why?

“To me the best satisfaction I get from diving is improving. Getting noticeably better over the years has been my biggest accomplishment.”

What is the hardest part about diving?

“The hardest part about diving is the mental aspect, involving all

mental fears is a constant battle. Also, when during competitions it’s often hard to maintain a positive mental state, as there are always fears of not competing to your potential and letting yourself, your parents and coaches down. Overcoming the mental aspect is the hardest part.”

Do you plan to dive in college? Where?

“Yes, I plan on diving in college. So far, I am not sure where I want to dive yet. But right now I’m leaning towards staying in state at FSU, FAU, or UF.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Participates in AAU Nationals every summer since 2010 AAU All American and AAU National Finalist on 1 meter in 2012

1st place at the Gateway Conference Championship in 2013

AAU All American and AUU National Finalist on 1 meter and 3 meter in 2013

december 2013

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Sports

Where is the Money Going?

Sports Reporter

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december 2013

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december 2013

Admitting your sexuality to family, friends, and peers is one of the hardest challenges a person can face. Meet several people who overcame fear and prejudice through supportive friends, family, and organizations.

By GABI PRIOLEAU, Student Life Reporter students, such as senior Chandler Altman. often emotional process that takes a great deal of son has accepted themself for who they are, and feel comfortable enough to share that with family or friends. This process does not come without its trials and tribulations; there are people who do not accept homosexuality as a lifestyle, and often criticize the person’s choices and morals. There are even parents who are not supportive of their child’s decision or lifestyle and threaten to kick their child out. However, in many cases there are people and organizations that are completely accepting and supportive of these people. have a strong presence in our community; with organizations, scholarships, and events that reach both state-wide and national levels. For example, there are also organizations such as Equality Florida, the largest civil rights organization in the state, which is committed to educating the public on LGBT rights, and protesting against anti-LGBT legislation.

An article in The New York Times reported that Jacksonville has the largest population of LGBT families of color in the Unites States. Another organization is the Jacksonville chapter of Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays works actively in the community with over 200,000 members and cacy. This organization works closely with the youth by providing scholarships every school year for the LGBT youth that pursue a post-secondary education. Another indication that LGBT has a strong presence not only in our community, but on a national level, is the observance of October as LGBT History Month. October is most commonly referred to or observed as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, however most people do not know that October is LGBT History Month. This month long commemoration is intended to encourage openness and honesty about one’s sexuality, and was primarily established to coincide with National Coming Out Day, which is recognized on Oct. 11.

Closer to home, Stanton’s Gay-Straight Alliance embodies the same principles and goals as the state-wide and national organizations. Dr. Joel

photo by Sanaa Belkaich

former Stanton student, has shared his experience coming out. He recalls his 10th grade year and having to face the reality that the teachers and students were more supportive than his own family.

“When I was a teenager, I was kicked out of my house, and I had to essentially live with friends for part of 11th grade and most of 12th grade. So, by the time that I was 16, I was pretty independent,” said Dr. Adams. “Stanton essentially, through my friends, gave me a place to live.”

Dr. Adams also shared that when he did come out, it was not planned; he says he was in a more rebellious stage about his sexuality and came out as a cause of this. Dr. Adams was in an environmental club meeting when one of his peers used the slur ‘faggot’, to which Dr. Adams then retorted, “don’t say that.” From here the student continued antagonizing him and asked, “Why? Are you one?” Which is when

december 2013

anything else. But when I did, I didn’t receive much negativity from students or teachers, for that matter.”

Dr. Adams’s experiences, which happened over a decade ago, are similar to those of present Stanton

his sexuality, and how they were really supportive, portive.

“In the beginning, my parents thought being gay was a choice, a hardcore choice,” said Altman. “It wasn’t something that I chose. Honestly, if I did have a choice, I wouldn’t choose to be like this. It’s not something that I have a choice in, so I’ve accepted it and myself.”

Other Stanton students such as senior Gabbie Lewis, have had more strenuous reactions and experiences during her journey to coming out. She remembers the fear that overwhelmed her when thinking about telling her family and friends, especially her parents.

“It was scary; I was apprehensive about telling my parents because I thought that they would treat me differently, as well as most people,” said Lewis.

According to Lewis, she even tried to deny her sexuality to herself.

“I knew it freshman year, but I tried to ignore it, terms and accepted myself for who I am,” said Lewis, who offered some insight as to how her friends and family reacted, and what they had to say.

“Some classmates will try to preach to me about religion and my sexuality,” said Lewis. “Some people are more vocal about their opinions and it can take a toll on you. My grandma has very strict morals and is very adamant about Christianity; when I told her, she told me that homosexuality is immoral.

My parents and friends have been more supportive, and have been from the beginning.”

Despite the opposition she received from her grandmother and classmates, she learned that lov“I am who I am. Since I’ve come out, I’ve started to become more comfortable with this,” said Lewis.

Sexuality has proven to be a very sensitive subject in America, which is seen in the controversy surrounding the legalization of gay marriage. Everybody has an opinion about it and the subject is awkward for most people to talk about.

“I will say, that person by person, I have nothing wrong with gay people,” said senior Kaylee McCormmick. “But because of my religious background, I do not support the lifestyle. But that does not mean that I have any negative opinion of the person themself.”

While not everyone supports this lifestyle fully, homosexuality’s existence cannot be ignored, and refuses to be ignored, especially when there is such a strong presence of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in our community and even in our school. Coming out presents challenges that some people are able to identify with; the fear of not being accepted, the fear of being ostracized, the fear of being criticized, and the list goes on. each individual. Over the last century, the topic of homosexuality has become less of a taboo, but still Especially at Stanton, there is an added pressure with the rigorous course work, sports, and other extracurricular activities. With organizations such as the GSA at Stanton, and the Jacksonville chapter of Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or PFLAG, the challenges and burdens are lessened, and youth feel secure and safe in a supportive environment.

devil’s advocate | 9

SOCIAL MEDIA

cities around the country to monitor the social networks of -

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engage in direct communication and those old friends from elementary school can now reconnect with each other in high of current high school and college students. However, what

-

“

... attempts by cities around the country to monitor the social networks of their students are misguided, insulting, and a violation of basic human privacy.

But then again, social networks are public squares.

eration of students has led to some new policies in schools

—Dr. Joel Adams

and

Student Privacy

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deemed as either neccesary to preserve them or slowly desto-

unsettling scope of surveillance performed.

”

is not entirely true.

“As long as you are living under someone elses roof, you have no rights to privacy. Whatever is put out there is out

many American school counties such as our own are cracking

-

if there is in fact a single winner or the eternal struggle of pri-

is pressed, it is not private anymore. If evidence of a criminal “However, we usually only look into issues that a student or action.”

action has caused controversy amongst many students who feel their out-of-school

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time an Internet offense on an off-campus computer is pursued is when it is directly reported to them.

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student or parent, we are legally allowed to look into it.”

comes informed of it. Many students understand these facts and feel there is not much to fear in terms of invasion of privacy.

“I do not feel that the school monitors my social network

administration has no rationale for performing individual research on my Internet self.” investigates harmful activity reported to them, so long as it

Features Reporter a police report and the matter is investigated.”

put the students together and have them work out their differwork site for the world to see. networking is that rumors spread much faster online than in -

“ As Americans we have a right to freefor what we say online outside of school is not fair. On the other hand, they need

“As the administration plays an active role in supervising harmful social media activity, the school can provide for a safer and more learning oriented environment,” said Christovich.

log on. working sites, if the school is trying to do something positive -

times it is ridiculous.”

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invaded in some form or another, a right that, in their opinions, the school should not have.

lieve.

“In some ways it seems like social networks have revolution-

campus, where the administration has authority over students.

What are your thoughts on the way the administration at Stanton handles students and social media activity?

ness not school related or under their

I think that the impulse and motivation -- maintaining profes-

social media activity interactions, are not under the adminisand that while issues such as online harrassment are seri-

As someone who has a closer and more constant look into

said or posted otherwise should remain irrelevant.”

rights to freedom of speech. privacy and school affairs. that the administration is cracking down on our social media activity.”

Share your thoughts at www.devilsadvocatepaper.com

11

S

ocial media has brought the world closer together.

What seemed impossible in the world of communication a mere ten years ago has now become possible with the click of a button. People thousands of miles apart can now engage in direct communication and those old friends from elementary school can now reconnect with each other in

SOCIAL MEDIA

culture has embraced the advent of social media more than that of current high school and college students. However, what has become a blessing for many has quickly turned into a curse. The rise of quick communication has also given way to the loss of privacy, making both students’ lives and the adWhat has already been a shaky relationship between school authorities and students has become all the more tumultuous.

The phenomenon of social media use in the current generation of students has led to some new policies in schools a bill, HB 609, was passed after unanimous votes from both the Florida House of Representatives and Senate. This bill’s purpose was to expand the school bullying laws already set in place to include cyberbullying offenses and allow schools to discipline offenders for off-campus bullying as well, making Florida one of eleven states to include off-campus behaviors in their cyberbullying laws. This relatively new law has caused changes in how Florida’s school administration deals with cyberbullying and student Internet activity.

“Due to the new law on bullying that says the school is accountable, we have to put in more effort to monitor social

and

Student Privacy

“However, we usually only look into issues that a student or parent brings to our attention. We are legally obligated to take action.”

The Florida bill describes off-campus behavior that the school can discipline as anything that “substantially interferes

As the prominence of social media in students’ lives grows, Florida’s public schools have been cracking down on off-campus offenses to preserve student safety. This action has caused controversy amongst many students who feel their out-of-school privacy is being affected. Both sides of the story are explored as we seek to discover whether safety at the expense of privacy is truly necessary.

the services, activities, or opportunities offered by a school or substantially disrupts the education process or orderly operation of a school.” This mostly refers to online bullying offenses.

However, the administration at Stanton asserts that the only time an Internet offense on an off-campus computer is pursued is when it is directly reported to them.

“It is all a matter of reporting,” said Stanton School Reall 1600 students at Stanton and check to see what they are

By SPENCER NACHMAN, Features Reporter

a police report and the matter is investigated.” an incident is brought to the attention of an administrator is to put the students together and have them work out their differwork site for the world to see.

“The greatest change I’ve noticed from this advent of social networking is that rumors spread much faster online than in person,” said Mrs. Hemphill, who has been working in public education since 1999. “A student can vent on Twitter and since it is public anyone can see it.”

Despite the assertion that student-used social networks are only investigated during a bullying or criminal incident, some students still feel that their out of school lives are being invaded in some form or another, a right that, in their opinions, the school should not have.

“Yes I do feel that my social networks are being monitored by the school in some way, perhaps once a week, maybe even Marrero feels that “school business” is what occurs on campus, where the administration has authority over students.

He believes that anything that happens off campus, including social media activity interactions, are not under the adminisand that while issues such as online harrassment are seri-

photo by Kathryn McMullen

rights to freedom of speech.

“Social media is a medium for expression, not suppression,” said Marrero. “If there’s no serious threat, people should not get in trouble for what they say on social media. My friends that the administration is cracking down on our social media activity.” is not entirely true.

december 2013

“

... attempts by cities around the country to monitor the social networks of their students are misguided, insulting, and a violation of basic human privacy.

But then again, social networks are public squares.

—Dr. Joel Adams

”

sic human privacy. But then again, social networks are public squares.”

The world of communication has undoubtedly changed and as new lines are drawn, the blurred remnants of the old ones are still left behind and although society would like to believe that they are totally erased, simple observation alone reveals their presence. Suppresion of freedoms, especially in a country that is said to be built on freedom, has always been deemed as either neccesary to preserve them or slowly destorying them. The recently leaked documents of the National Security Agency (NSA) have revealed the large and, to some, unsettling scope of surveillance performed.

There are many people, including the leaker, Edward Snowden, who believe the surveillance to be a gross violation of rights. There are others, however, who believe the surveillance is there for the country’s own protection. Like the NSA, many American school counties such as our own are cracking down and are likely to continue doing so, but at what cost?

“As long as you are living under someone elses roof, you have no rights to privacy. Whatever is put out there is out

equally growing levels of control or if the current generation has evolved beyond the need for such control receive a multitude of answers, whether the questions be asked of world leaders, ex-contractors, or Stanton students. Only time will tell if there is in fact a single winner or the eternal struggle of privacy versus protection.

is pressed, it is not private anymore. If evidence of a criminal offense that occurred online and off campus is brought in by a student or parent, we are legally allowed to look into it.”

Reported bullying is not the only online offense a student can get in trouble for. Sexting, evidence of substance abuse, and other illegal activities can be prosecuted if the school becomes informed of it. Many students understand these facts and feel there is not much to fear in terms of invasion of privacy.

“I do not feel that the school monitors my social network

What are your thoughts on the way the administration at Stanton handles students and social media activity?

Christovich. “I am generally a rule-abiding student and the administration has no rationale for performing individual research on my Internet self.”

Christovich also believes that the way the administration investigates harmful activity reported to them, so long as it is truly harmful to the school or a particular student, can be “As the administration plays an active role in supervising harmful social media activity, the school can provide for a safer and more learning oriented environment,” said Christovich.

However, some students, despite the school’s efforts to quell rumors of excessive social media monitoring, still have the feeling of “Big Brother” bearing down on them whenever they log on.

“I do feel constantly monitored, and although I believe it’s no business of the school to look into students on social networking sites, if the school is trying to do something positive (such as bullying prevention) instead of punishing the student, there’s an extent to which monitoring students outside ams, have embraced the social network phenomenon by using popular networks such as Twitter and Facebook to interact with students and argue that the relationship between student and authority has not changed as much as some would believe.

“In some ways it seems like social networks have revolutionized the student teacher relationship,” said Dr. Adams. “ But I think that the impulse and motivation -- maintaining professional and authentic communication between both parties is quite traditional. Social networks simply make it easier and, at times, ubiquitous.”

As someone who has a closer and more constant look into student activity online than most other teachers or members of the administration at Stanton, Dr. Adams adheres to a strict philosophy on social network monitoring and the line between privacy and school affairs.

“Students are human,” said Dr. Adams. “As long as it wasn’t something that implied or expressed a desire to harm think that it is still a very fuzzy and evolving border [between student privacy and “school business”]. I think attempts by cities around the country to monitor the social networks of their students are misguided, insulting, and a violation of ba-

“ As Americans we have a right to freedom of speech and having consequences for what we say online outside of school is not fair. On the other hand, they need to monitor for bullying because kids can be aggressive and they wont do it if they know punishment will be enacted.”

—Immani Porter, 10th “ Sometimes it is necessary, and sometimes it is ridiculous.”

“Administration can take what’s online way out of proportion, especially for business not school related or under their

“The only way bullying will be stopped is if the bully is caught in the act. What is said or posted otherwise should remain irrelevant.”

—Taylor Age, 11th Share your thoughts at www.devilsadvocatepaper.com

devil’s advocate | 11

Features

A

COMMUNITY

UNCOVERED

For over 60 years, Stanton has been located in a community with a rich, previously unknown history that is now buried by the stark appearance of its current state. In this story we revisit the past, looking deeper into the community of Durkeeville, an area that once thrived.

By ZOE REYES, Features Reporter

photo by Devon Leasure

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december 2013

For over 60 years the address 1149 West 13th St. has been associated with the name Stanton; it is an address that represents a dedication to academics and a desire for success. However, it is also an address that comes with negative connotations. Durkeeville, the surrounding neighborhood, has seventy-seven sexual offenders within a one mile radius, a crime rate that is all too high and ranges from petty theft to aggravated assault, and multiple dilapidated buildings that line the streets. The only thing that separates the dangerous aspects of 13th Street from one of the best schools in the nation, a school with a 99 percent graduation rate and an average SAT score that is 300 points higher than the national average, is a six foot tall chain link fence.

This fence symbolizes the ever present distinction between students who want to excel and thrive in the world, and lence.

Stanton’s rich history dates back to 1868 when it was founded in an attempt to give the recently emancipated African Americans an opportunity to receive and education.

The school was originally opened in 1868 during a time when segregation was a prominent aspect of our society. only in Jacksonville, but in the entire state of Florida.

Named after Edwin McMasters Stanton, Secretary of War to President Abraham Lincoln, the school hoped to embody the same beliefs that he advocated, which were basic human rights and a free formal education for African American boys and girls. The original Stanton was destroyed by a from the ashes,” which some say led to the Phoenix being adopted as the second mascot of Stanton. After being rebuilt twice, the school moved to its current location in the Durkeeville area of Jacksonville. In 1981 Stanton became ceeding year a new grade was added. It set the standard characteristics of a high-school that deserves a nationwide ranking. Even though Stanton has fostered years of academic success, it continues to serve as a juxtaposition to the neighborhood in which it resides.

Mrs. Nongongoma Majova-Seane, Stanton’s principal of

hard knowing people do not get along here and there is nothing I can do about it, it is out of my control,” said Principal Majova.

She told the story of how early in November, there was a

is for the entire school to go on lockdown, teachers and students are to remain in classrooms. when we heard gunshots; we had to quickly get all the students into the auditorium and there were kids on the baseMajova. questions about student safety;there were two in the month of November alone.

december 2013

they are off campus however, they need to be careful, their safety is not guaranteed.” distant occurrences that have not actually taken place on the school campus; however, that is not always the case.

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he was planning to do, we just knew there was a man running around our campus while students were getting ready to take their AP exams,” said Dr. Norma Hayward, Stanton’s testing coordinator.

This incident and others like it serves as a reminder that most times Stanton is at the mercy of the surrounding neighborhood. pared, we take lots of precautions,” said Principal Majova.

Despite the negative attention given for the neighborhood, one positive aspect of Stanton’s location is the watchful neighbors.

They watch the cars that are parked on the street, they let us know if something is wrong,” said Dr. Hayward.

The watchful neighbors are present during the school day, watching over the students. However, at night, things are different. At the end of the day, students, teachers, and administrators get to leave Stanton and therefore, leave the boundaries of 13th Street. The people who remain, the people who live in Durkeeville, see the neighborhood during all hours, and witness the poverty and the violence present.

How did Durkeeville become the place it is today? How did the once culturally rich area fall into the tumultuous times that now plague the area? The community has deep roots that reach back to the 1930s, a time when African Americans were prohibited from living in many parts of Jacksonville. The founders of the neighborhood were middle class, working individuals. They were businessmen, lawyers, doctors, even teachers. However, the current status of the area does not bear much resemblance to the thriving community it once was. there were thriving businesses, hair salons, restaurants, primarily entrepreneurs, they had to be in order to make a living,” said Mr. Lloyd Washington, director of the Durkeville Historical Society, an organization that aims to preserve and protect the history of Durkeeville. The goal of the society is to inform and educate people about the neighborhood.

Myrtle Avenue was once the area’s commercial corridor, but now all that remains are boarded up windows and

that would further your career why would you stay? When the teachers, doctors, professionals all left, things began to get worse.”

Many of the prominent individuals relocated, and as a drugs, poverty, and urban blight then began to seep into the area and as a result the neighborhood began to suffer. In addition to growing crime, the loss of interest in the history of the neighborhood began to also have negative effects. no idea about the history, they have no clue about where lem here, the kids have no sense of self worth.”

He also attributes the current state of the neighborhood to the environment in which the kids grow up. from wrong are gone, they do not exist anymore. When you have young mothers, they are still young and learning, they cannot be mentors themselves. It is not the kids fault, it’s the parents,” said Mr. Washington.

Without mentors present, the pride in the neighborhood that was once glaringly present has now faded, people are seemingly unaware of the strides that the community of Durkeeville has made. As a result, parts of the neighborhood have crumbled. we start to focus on education, that the kids can learn more about the history and that they begin to respect themselves, that’s how we improve and move forward” said Mr. Washington.

Despite the problems that are sometimes present in Durkeeville, Stanton has been coexisting with the neighborhood for over sixty years. really anything that happens here that does not happen in poverty and violence but in Jacksonville that is in a lot of other places too.” canvassed the neighborhood in an attempt to begin forming community bonds with the local people who live here. here for the school, but I was also here for them. I wanted to make sure they understood I was trying to open doors up for communication, it will be safer for everyone that way,” Some students at Stanton have misconceptions about the location of Stanton and are unaware of the past accomplishments of Durkeeville. day after day it is hard to think about what it was like in neighborhood was so historical, I had never really thought about it.”

Senior Liz Mai also agrees that the history of the neighborhood is important, but usually unknown to students.

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building, but also the layers of history; the exposed original brick exterior of the deteriorated buildings represents what the neighborhood once was, an area that had strength and determination.

According to Mr. Washington, the community began to deteriorate with the elimination of legal discrimination.

though. Since the area has deteriorated that’s all that people are really focused on, the negative things.”

The Durkeeville neighborhood has an interesting past that has continuously been overlooked as the current state

the neighborhood because everyone left,” said Mr. Washtunities elsewhere. If you are allowed to go to someplace

Durkeeville were places that at one point in history were almost revolutionary, and to many it is important that people do not blend the present and past so much that the past is entirely forgotten.

devil’s advocate | 13

Opinions What YOU thought about Issue 1...

Crossing the Line

Gender Stereotyping in Sports

By ALLEN POON, Contributing Artist

I believe that the idea that female sports are less physically demanding than male sports is a misogynistic and unknowledgeable claim. In the last issue of the Devil’s Advocate, an article discussed the stereotypes between male and female sports and included some very controversial opinions on the subject. Contrary to common belief, female sports are

believe this matter should be taken more seriously. Stanton students are all individuals who do not deserve to be branded by the program they’ve chosen. Their uniqueness is what contributes to the diverse academic atmosphere that makes up our school.

—Gloria Li, 11th The Education “System”

sports. While certain male lacrosse players claim that girl’s lacrosse “is not even a real sport,” as junior Jarrod Darrow said, various facts disprove that statement. For one, girl’s lacrosse is much more strict and limited then guy’s lacrosse. This proves to be an obstacle for these ladies because they have to refrain from physical contact with their opponents. This is due to the fact that unlike guy’s lacrosse, they are not given equipment suitable for physical contact such as helmets.

The struggle for the equality of women has been seen since the beginning of to their limited role in modern politics. I believe that this equality is long past its due date. We Stantonians can push this movement forward by acknowledging our Lady Devils and encouraging them, reworld.”

—Hafsa Quaraishi, 11th But What About Student Behavior?

I agree with the ideas posed in the article about teacher behavior in class, but I’d like to emphasize that it’s not only the teachers who stereotype Honors and IB students because students have gotten used to doing it too. I often hear students cracking jokes about Honors or IB that could be potentially discouraging, and I

I found it interesting that the last issue of the Devil’s Advocate chose to address the role of measures of success (such as weighted GPA and standardized test scores) in the education system. The ritual deintellectualization of American education is becoming more and more prevalent, as students are encouraged not to learn for the sake of learning, but to learn to conform to the expectations of AP graders and the writers of SAT questions. Critical thinking is not valued; mastery of information is. Even the analytical skills that are taught conform to a set of well-rehearsed expectations and standards laid out by an executive committee.

A student’s capability of meeting these standards, both in conceptual knowledge and analytical ability, is usually measured by the same sort of mechanical methods: grades that are manipulated by favor, inthat can be rigged by taking extra classes over the summer; test scores that depend on a single day’s performance. These are not measures of intelligence or mental capacity, but simply evidence of how well one can grease the wheels of a long-established system. For me, extra classes and other newly developed standards emphasize how education in this country is more a “system” than ever.

—Anonymous

devil’s advocate established 1983 I Stanton College Preparatory School

2013-2014 Editorial Staff Taylor Galloway Jonathan Kemp Auvion Bradshaw Manya Goldstein Samantha Foss Kathryn McMullen Savannah Mika

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Features Editor Opinions Editor Student Life Editor Senior Photography Editor Sports Editor

The Devil’s Advocate paratory School. It is produced monthly by members of the Journalism class. The editors reserve the right to edit any material submitted to the paper for content, grammar, length, and accuracy.

The Devil’s Advocate is a public forum for student expression, which encourages free exchanges of opinions concerning controversial and non-controversial community and school related issues. The ideas and advertisements expressed within the newspaper are not necessarily those of the newspaper adviser, school administration, or the Duval County Public School Board.

The Devil’s Advocate accepts advertisements from all businesses in the Stanton community. The ad format can be given to the staff or the adviser, Mr. Larry Knight.

Students, faculty, and parents may contact the staff and adviser at (904) 630-6760 ext. 143 or at knightl1@duvalschools.org.

14 | devilsadvocatepaper.com

Student-Teacher Relationships Since students today have constant access to technology and social media, it’s nearly effortless to search for any information they want. The Internet allows students to contact their teachers outside of school at any time of the day. However, is it appropriate for students and teachers to have such relationships? Teachers should remain professional and realize that the relationships formed can have repercussions. At the same time, students need to maintain their own lives outside of school and essentially be normal teenagers. We, the Devil’s Advocate staff, believe the relationships formed between students and teachers are admissible; however, a line needs to be drawn to separate what is acceptable from what is not.

Most teachers today have Facebook or Twitter accounts and many are friends with their current and former students. Although some teachers wait until their students graduate to add them as friends on social networking sites, others end up befriending current students.

Teachers can easily reply to students’ communications on websites such as Twitter which has the possibility of causing their professionalism to be questioned. Although teachers may care for their students, it doesn’t mean they should try to get too close with them as if they were actual friends.

Students should be allowed to have a friendly relationship with their teachers but only to a certain degree. Clearly, students and teachers should not be fraternizing outside of school, but they can be acquainted enough to make the classroom into a more comfortable environment. Strong relationships built between teachers and students can allow students be more open with their teachers and feel comfortable seeking help if necessary. Often times however, students have become so comfortable with their teachers that they begin to disregard their authority and lose the respect that should exist in the classroom. Students need to realize that teachers, even if considered somewhat close to you, are still superiors and should be treated as such. more about their lives. Students feel the need to pry into their lives no matter how ordinary they may be, and social networking has made this much easier. However, there should still be some amount of mystery in what teachers do outside of school. Now, since students are post but also more aware of what students have access to in order to maintain professionalism. Online friendships may seem harmless but teachers should consider the possible consequences of opening their personal lives to students.

Not only do teachers need to be worried about what they are opening up in their lives, but students should as well. If students are friends with teachers on social networking sites, many boundaries can be crossed when they share what goes on personally in their lives.

With access to information about students’ personal lives, teachers can be put in awkward positions. For instance, if they see something inappropriate or unacceptable, they have to choose if they should tell someone or just ignore the problem. Students need to have separate lives away from their teachers as well as be aware of what they are putting up on social networking sites, realizing that there could be consequences for what they post online.

Before the Internet became largely popular, relationships between students and teachers were not as complex as they are today. Years ago, it would be strange for teachers and students to be communicating outside of school because it would mean they were together in person. But today, it has become normal for students to contact teachers whenever they like due to the Internet. This constant access into each other’s lives has complicated the relationships between teachers and students. Privacy has been jeopardized and professionalism has been threatened. Previously, students would have had to try to snoop into their teacher’s lives in person if they wished to know more about them. Because of new technologies, teachers and students are more connected than ever before.

december 2013

Barry Chefer, Broker Associate 904-613-5058 (cell) Barry.Chefer@prunet.com

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Opinions The Devil’s Advocate conducted a random survey of 200 Stanton students regarding Florida Virtual School. Below is a selection from the results.

Florida Virtual School Courses: -

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5.13% 8.97%

Devil’s Advocate -

85.9% to be less rigorous than a regular high school course. Students taking

pressive, the students themselves would have adopted little knowledge

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25.89% Yes -

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74.11% No lawmakers are able to decrease the budget, replacing classroom learnAccumulated data is demonstrating that lawmakers are moving in the

Students Speak high schools such as Stanton who pride themselves on high success rates in their AP courses. Florida needs a better educational program, not a cheaper one.

Tell us what YOU think.

Email scpnewspaper@gmail.com to share your opinion on this topic or any other covered in the newspaper for your chance to be featured in the next issue of the Devil’s Advocate.

16 | devilsadvocatepaper.com

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sessives insecure about their worth as a person and

december 2013

By MRS. DIANA GLENDINNING, Student Activities Director

As rumors run rampant around our school, Mrs. Glendinning presents the truth. photo by Devon Leasure

“Ooh, I bet you’re wondering how I knew, ‘bout you’re plans to make me blue…Oh I heard it through the grapevine, Oh and I’m just about to lose my mind. Honey, honey, yeah...” Marvin Gaye, the Prince of Motown sang that smash hit, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” in 1968.

Time and time again, Gaye’s baritone and tenor range enthralled his listeners. His grapevine was not one that bears fruit for wine making, mind you, but the grapevines that weave information from informal and sometimes, non-credible sources. Nothing is different since the days of the three-octave wonder or the days before him. People hear things and the storytelling begins.

Does anyone remember the child’s game, “Telephone?” It is a whisper game in which a word or phrase is passed is typically distorted. Telephone is “often invoked as a metaphor for cumulative error, especially the inaccuracies as rumors or gossip spread, or, more generally, for the unreliability of human recollection.” passing along information. Frankly, it doesn’t matter if the message is delivered via airwaves, emailing, blogging, texting, tweeting, Facebooking, or other social sites. Once a message is delivered that can’t be referenced with credibility, you lose your credibility.

Since the opening of school in August, a version of Telephone has been played repeatedly. The past few months, we’ve experienced changes as a Blue Devil family, but we haven’t experienced a total metamorphosis. It’s just change, I’ve checked with the experts regarding the changes, so allow me to explain them and dispel a few of the rumors.

Rumor #1: Administrators and teachers stalk me on Facebook and Twitter. In addition, they meet on early release Wednesdays to scheme ways to make student’s miserable.

Truth: Your administrators and teachers love you and surprisingly, have a life too. If posts are brought to an adult’s attention regarding bullying or inappropriate school-related things, it is dealt with accordingly.

Rumor #2: Class colors are a tradition and have been around since 1981 when we became a magnet school.

Truth: Stanton College Preparatory School colors are blue and white as opposed to the University of Georgia which green, yellow and purple.

Rumor #3: In 2017, the Blue Devil mascot will get pitched and replaced by the Phoenix.

Truth: that, SCP’s original and only mascot! The Phoenix (rising from the ashes) symbol has been used since the early class of 1984 for the class ring.

Rumor #4: (pouting senior) “We’re not going to Grad Bash this year!” (refer to second sentence in #1) Truth: Sooooo, not true. Fat chance of teacher-chaperones missing out on the fast pass!

Rumor #5: If you take the SAT more than 3 times, they average your scores.

Truth: Sorry, this is a big NO. No college or scholarship does this.

Rumor #6: Stanton’s name will get me into any college.

Truth: Because Stanton’s curriculum is challenging, and if you do well within it, your Stanton experience will go far to help you get into college. But the name alone will not do that.

Rumor #7: “I’ll never get into the University of [Fill in the Blank] because other students are applying and have better grades than I do.”

Truth: The reality is that colleges do not have a limit of students accepted per high school. They are looking to admit

Rumor #8: Since leadership is important on college applications, all I have to do is get elected (or worse, self Truth: WRONG. Leadership status is important ONLY if you do something with it. (The same is true in life.)

Rumor #9: If I take a course over again, only the higher grade will appear on my transcript.

Truth: WRONG. All attempts at all courses always appear on your transcript. So, if you made an F and repeated it on FLVS, both the F and the new grade will appear. The grades are averaged differently into the various types of GPA’s you get, but all attempts appear.

Rumor #10: I got my letter of acceptance to college. I can take the rest of 12th grade off.

Truth: That letter of acceptance states that your acceptance is contingent upon successful completion of 12th grade.

That means that the grades you earn in 12th grade must be consistent with the grades on your transcript that they used to admit you.

So, the next time you feel the urge to play the “Telephone Game” with information you hear, switch to another child’s pool. ...don’t you know I heard it through the grapevine…

december 2013

Hunger Can’t Wait for the Holidays

By VALERIE STARKS, Contributing Writer During the holiday season, most Americans are given the opportunity to gorge themselves to their heart’s content while surrounded by loved ones in the comfort of their own home. However, guilt tends to prey upon our hearts and organizations such as schools and churches encourage students or parishioners to donate items to annual food drives. Charity and benevolence are always welcome, but how do the majority of Americans manage to ignore the issue of hunger on a daily basis until certain calendar days roll around? Is it not hypocritical to express concern for the suffering of others for one moment when you are somehow able to turn a blind eye to the problem the majority of the time?

Starvation is real—and there is no way that people who expephoto by Ashley Hagins

Rumor Control

for a seasonal savior.

According to the United Nations, 842 million people around the world were underfed between 2011 and 2013.

Still, a person doesn’t have to travel halfway across the globe in order to witness famishment. The United States is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, but the fact remains that 14.5 percent of households don’t have a steady food source. dedicated to the war on hunger, “49 million Americans lived in food insecure households”in 2012. Having read that statistic, it would be natural to wonder why so many of our fellow citizens are unable to obtain one of the most basic necessities in life. In truth, food is not hard to come by in the U.S., but unfortunately, access is affected by affordability. Feeding an entire household can prove to be a challenge when a primary provider is unemployed and a plethora of other factors may increase a person’s chances of going hungry.

Truth be told, can we honestly say that food drives and ing youth about hunger? When envisioning “the hungry,” what pictures come to mind? Maybe the word “starving” conjures up images of an elderly man or woman who is doubled over and hobbling as they cart all of their belongings down the street. Whatever the case, misconceptions are prevalent even though hunger transcends the boundaries of name, face, race, and the like. Age is also irrelevant since as many as 15.9 million children in the United States don’t always know where their next meal is coming from. School-provided entrees can only do so much, and academic performance is hindered by the distractions of hunger pangs and poor nutrition. The next generation will inherit the world, and in the words of Buzz Aldrin, an astronaut who was the second man to walk on the moon, “If we can conquer space, we can conquer childhood hunger.”

Combating hunger is not an “adult problem,” and it is the facts—and don’t forget that no effort is too small. Ordithe extraordinary each and every day. Last year, for example, the Kirby-Smith National Junior Honor Society organized a spring food drive in which over 600 pounds of goods were collected in less than 3 weeks. Personally speaking, the Second Harvest Food Bank located at 1502 Jessie Street offers a hands-on experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression on those who answer the call of service. Volunteers are a hot commodity, and opportunities to assist local organizations committed to feeding Floridians are not hard to come by.

When break time is over and festivities have ceased, do not forget about citizens who continue to struggle to eat.

A great injustice is being done when Americans fail to take action until the holiday season arrives. Sugar-coating words, understating the severity of the issue of hunger, and distancing yourself from the problem is downright dangerous. Appeasing the situation temporarily and treating a long-standing issue as if it is no more than a surface wound is illogical and can no longer be tolerated. Hunger can’t wait for the holidays, so please step up to make a difference.

devil’s advocate | 17

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