Devil's Advocate (Volume 34, Issue 1, October 2017)

devil’s advocate stanton college preparatory school

HOW DIVERSE ARE WE?

By Salma Drew

number 1 | october 2017 devilsadvocatepaper.com

Stanton prides itself on its diversity, but the reality is much more complicated.

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devil’s advocate

volume xxxiv

number one

Stanton College Preparatory School

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Sports

Taking One For The Team This story looks at the culture of mutual support among the various sports teams at Stanton.

By Jake Nachman

Sports

Between Two Worlds An exploration of the balancing act student athletes at Stanton must manage on a daily basis.

By Tatyana Esquilin

Student Life

Clarifying The Difference: AP And IB This story investigates the differences between Stanton’s two academic tracks.

By Zachary Genus

Student Life

Learning The Ropes A revealing article about the struggle students face readjusting to school in the first quarter.

By Sydney Lewis

Features

How Diverse Are We? Stanton prides itself on its diversity, but the reality is much more complicated.

By Salma Drew Cover Photo By Dani Brewer

photo by Katie Stevens

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Opinions

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Opinions

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7

4

photo by Prachi Misra

Columns Contributing writers offer thoughts on the eclipse, artificial

photo by Dani Brewer

intelligence, tourism, toxic friends, education and brand-name clothing.

By Munaa Ahmed, Emily Davenport, Tatyana Esquilin, Tony Gupta, Andrea Relova and Brian Tieu

The Record Introducing the compilation of the numbers, names and

By Trystan Loustau

notions you need to know.

Photography

Exposure Photos depicting the different ways a photographer can manipulate light to create effects.

By Dani Brewer, Prachi Misra and Katie Stevens

Editor’s Letter

photo by Dani Brewer

Walker Miller Editor-in-Chief

This year marks the 34th year that the Devil’s Advocate has been in print.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this Stanton institution.

A little bit about me: I started working for the Devil’s Advocate as an intern and contributing writer in 2014. The next year, I formally joined the paper as a staff writer. I was the Features Editor from 2016–2017.

I’m so excited about this year. We lost nine fantastic staff members after last year’s graduation, but fortunately we gained ten new staff members,

bringing our total staff to 22 people.

One of the new hires is Amra Kajdic, who will serve as our first-ever Public Relations Manager, coordinating our Devil’s Advocate-sponsored events and working to maintain our advertising and brand.

Our biggest goal for the 2017–2018 school year is to increase our online presence with the “New Digital” under Digital Media Editor Chisom Ukoha, who will oversee a specialized unit to produce timely and engaging online content, including documentary-style

Contributing Advocates: The Devil’s Advocate is searching for contributing writers, photographers, artists and filmmakers.

Contact Editor-in-Chief Walker Miller at walkertmiller@gmail.com, Opinions Editor Likhita Manchikanti at likhi.2201@gmail.com or Digital Media Editor Chisom Ukoha at cukoha@gmail.com.

Ads and Sponsorships: The Devil’s Advocate is dependent 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: $35 (1/4 page), $60 (1/2 page), $75 (insert), $100 (full page b/w) or $150 (back page color). Contact Public Relations Manager Amra Kajdic at amrakajdic1@gmail.com or our adviser, Mr. Larry Knight, at knightl1@duvalschools.org.

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videography and a newly revamped website and Snapchat account.

However, we are firmly committed to maintaining the high quality of our printed editions that has characterized the Devil’s Advocate since our inception in 1983.

Be on the lookout for increased color content, especially on our photo pages. The wonderfully talented Dani Brewer is serving as our Photography Editor this year.

You also might have noticed a new page in the Opinions section

Follow Us on Social Media:

Printed at Florida Sun Printing, Callahan, Fla. Please recycle this newspaper.

called “The Record.” The brainchild of Managing Editor Trystan Loustau, this infographic brings a bit of the outside world to the pages of the Devil’s Advocate, introducing the compilation of the numbers, names and notions you need to know.

Adviser: Larry Knight Editor-in-Chief: Walker Miller Managing Editors: Mary Allison Kane, Trystan Loustau Layout and Design Editor: Liam Ngo Senior Photography Editor: Dani Brewer Digital Media Editor: Chisom Ukoha Associate Digital Media Editor: Bettina Huang Digital Media Writer: Brandon Deda Public Relations Manager: Amra Kajdic Features Editor: Rohini Kumar Opinions Editor: Likhita Manchikanti Sports Editor: Emmett Gideon Student Life Editor: Zahra Casado Staff Writers: Christa Assi, Salma Drew, Tatyana Esquilin, Zachary Genus, Phong Huynh, Sydney Lewis, Jake Nachman Photographers: Prachi Misra, Katie Stevens

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Sports

By JAKE NACHMAN, Staff Writer Throughout the year, students show up to pep rallies wearing their class colors and face paint, clutching their noisemakers and pompoms, waiting for the Blue Devil mascot to point his pitchfork towards them so they can break out in screams.

They applaud performances from the step team, the dance team and the cheerleaders. This exemplifies the strong school spirit among the student body at Stanton College Preparatory The audience contributes to the emotions felt during a School. The support for Stanton athletics is also shown by the players within these programs in a variety of ways. sporting event. When a wide receiver catches the game “When the girls’ soccer team went to the state championship winning touchdown, the crazed reactions of the fans help make the moment we all traveled down and unforgettable. If there supported them as a was no one in the stands team,” said senior Cooper reacting to the events Connelly, a midfielder on unfolding, each play might the boys’ varsity soccer not feel as significant. team. “We had been When competitors see supporting them all year small crowds and little long and even though they support, some of them didn’t get the win, it was get the feeling that no one still a great experience.” cares about their sports According to Connelly, team. These feelings can showing support for then negatively impact other athletic teams is how well they perform an important aspect of during their games. the boys’ soccer team.

“Whenever I go to a When their female game and there are only a counterparts were able few people that show up, make it to the 2017 I feel very disheartened Girls’ 3A Varsity Soccer because it makes me feel State Championship, the like nobody cares about boys were in the crowd the team,” said sophomore cheering for them. From Daniel Poorian, a his own experience defender on the junior playing, Connelly said varsity boys’ soccer team. seeing other people in To fix this problem, the audience at his own student athletes take the games, especially people time out of their own day from his own school, to go to another team’s gave him motivation while game so they can cheer playing. By attending the them on. Some sports games of other teams, he teams have developed is hoping to reciprocate agreements to go to this feeling. This strategy each other’s matches has proven to be and encourage them. successful, causing some “Baseball has a deal students to feel supported with the volleyball team to during their matches. go to each other’s home “The support brought games as a way to show on more confidence,” said support and unity for senior Avery Hatfield, a each other,” said junior forward on the girls’ varsity Chris Shami, a member soccer team. “It made us of Stanton’s junior varsity feel that, even though we boys’ baseball team. were the ones playing, Athletes show their the people who showed up to the game and From left: varsity volleyball player Kayla Witucki (12th), support at each other’s games in various ways. cheered us on became boys varsity swim captain Will Nowak (12th).

Some of them hold part of the team as well.”

While the girls’ soccer team had no shortage of support up signs that reflect their support of a specific player. from their fans at the championship game because Cheerleaders excite the crowd and pump up the players of its importance, when the stakes of the game are through their cheers and dance routines. These actions significantly lower there are less people in attendance. reflect the pride these students have for their team.

“I believe cheerleading is important because when we “The crowd at the championship game was huge in comparison to the crowd at regular season games,” show spirit and support for our football players and our said junior Isabela Brunner, a midfielder for the girls’ basketball players it directs the school to do the same varsity soccer team. “There were so many people and thing,” said senior Jaelyn Morris, a varsity cheerleader.

In addition to making appearances at games, players spend they would shout actual cheers. At the regular season games, it was just our parents mostly so they weren’t as time with each other during the sports season. A relationship hype as everyone was at the championshipship game.” is formed between these students who may not have met

each other if not for their involvement in athletic programs.

“I have captured some of my best friends from playing sports here at Stanton,” said Connelly. “During the sports season you are with those people after school from 3 to 6 p.m. nonstop. You form these bonds that can’t be broken and you gain these friendships on and off the field.”

The involvement of students at Stanton in various programs at the school creates school spirit and leads to the interconnectedness of the student body. When these

When we show spirit and support our football players and our basketball players it directs the school to do the same thing.

—Jaelyn Morris, 12th athletes are being supportive, even through something as simple as cheering, it is a reflection of the emphasis placed on cooperation and unity in the Stanton community.

photo by Katie Stevens

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photo by Larry Knight

Stanton students at the Girls 3A Varsity Soccer State Championship on Feb. 15, 2017 against Merritt Island High School.

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By TATYANA ESQUILIN, Staff Writer People have differing views on the consequences of having sports in schools. A number of people feel the devoted athletes who practice each day until they come home drenched in sweat and too exhausted for homework are unable to succeed in their academic courses. However, others suggest students can benefit from both sports and academics if they learn to find a balance between the two.

The existence of physical education and sports in school provides a constructive way to keep students healthy.

like when you’re about to present in front of your class.”

Athletes feel participating in a sport can also motivate them to become better students, as sports teams can contribute resources that help them maintain their grades. They are surrounded by colleagues who can help them effectively manage their school work.

“It helps you a lot because you learn to find people that are good at different things to help you out with your work,” said junior Jordan Bowen, member of the varsity football team. “For instance, if I’m bad at math and good at history and one of my teammates is good at math and bad at history then we can help each other out.”

“It helps you prepare for the real world in a lot of different ways,” said Coach Crider. “Being a part of a team is like being a part of the work force and having different employees that you need to get along with so the team is like a microcosm of the real world.”

However, there is an argument that sports should be eliminated from schools entirely. In a 2015 column in The New York Times titled “School Should Be About Learning, Not Sports,” writer Amanda Ripley provided examples of why there should be no sports in schools.

[Sports] help develop leadership skills, there are times when you feel uncomfortable which I think also makes you a better person.

—Coach Chris Crider Students attending Stanton believe sports give them the break they need from academics to spend time with friends and do something they enjoy. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, a 2006 study performed by the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology reported that lower levels of depression are shown in children who engage in some sort of physical activity.

“For me playing football is a big stress reliever,” said junior Favian Hamilton, member of the varsity football team. “It keeps me fit, active and happy overall. I get to play a sport that I love with the team I now call family.”

Sports do have the potential to put some stress on a student if they are unable to maintain several activities at once. However, according to some athletes the skill of time management develops as a student gets used to the amount of time that participating in a sport requires.

photo by Katie Stevens

Senior Dyllon Rhodes on an average B-day.

Taking them away could escalate the rate of obesity in children which is already hazardously high in America. In the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1-in-5 children of school age are overweight and according to the Department of Health and Human Services, some states don’t even require a physical education class after the eighth grade. Some people believe good physical health positively correlates with social health and academic performance. Sports teams often require good communication, leadership and teamwork, proficiencies that can be utilized in a classroom. “[Sports] help develop leadership skills, there are times when you feel uncomfortable which I think also makes you a better person,” said Coach Chris Crider, the Stanton College Preparatory School athletic director and junior varsity flag football coach. “You get those butterflies in your stomach before a game, I think that’s almost

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Sometimes it’s hard to find balance between school work and athletics but if you try really hard you’ll find it easier and get better at it.

—Yanna Lin, 10th “Sometimes it’s hard to find balance between school work and athletics but if you try really hard you’ll find it easier and get better at it,” said sophomore Yanna Lin, member of the 2016-2017 junior varsity basketball team.

“They [sports] are really great at motivating kids who might not otherwise be motivated to do their school work.”

Being able to balance playing a sport with academics is a way to prepare for regulating classes and activities in college. Having diversity in one’s skills can also improve the chances of a student being accepted into the college they want, helping them to become successful in whatever career path they choose.

photo by Dani Brewer

Rhodes after a blowout victory against Wolfson High School’s football team, 50-12.

She asserted that having sports in schools gives students the impression that if they are good at a sport then there is no need for them to excel in other areas. People with the same view as her believe that pep rallies, booster clubs and other activities associated with sports have too much of a role in shaping a student’s priorities.

Despite this argument, many still believe both sports and academics work towards the same goal of building the minds of students. They believe learning in a classroom and learning through sports work well as a system to prepare students for their futures in different ways. A classroom teacher can provide knowledge on core subjects such as English and mathematics but a sports coach can teach teamwork and communication skills. Sports often benefit a student’s academic career, leaving one to wonder if there is actually much of a difference between the two.

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Student Life

CLARIFYING DIFFERENCE THE

&

By ZACHARY GENUS, Staff Writer A decision to attend Stanton College Preparatory School comes with the choice of whether to enroll in the Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

Though some consider the differences between the AP and distinctions worthy of serious consideration before making

students who have been a part of them.

“Almost without fail, students that come back to Stanton will have anecdotes about how their college experience was informed by what they did at Stanton,” said Stanton IB out According to their websites, both AP and IB offer high school academic program. AP courses have been the default choice for high school students looking for a more demanding high school experience for quite some time.

The College Board reports that AP has been a part of education in the U.S. since 1955, while the IB program has more recently become more common in schools. According to the IB website, the program became a part of American education in 1971.

Both the IB and AP programs pride themselves on their ability to provide students with rigorous college-level courses which are designed to help students who excel stand out to college admissions counselors, earn college credits and build up the skills necessary to be successful undergraduate students. These similarities can cause students to wonder what makes the programs different from each other. “develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.” In addition to the focus on college preparation and admission, the IB track is designed to promote an appreciation for other cultures through foreign educational systems.

“The IB program deliberately tries to add global perspectives and cultural perspectives, so in that sense

photo by Prachi Misra

it does add an extra dimension,” said Mr. Nasrallah.

“Especially at Stanton with our teachers who have been so well trained and understand how to bring in different cultural aspects to the classes, I think it something to the curriculum.”

happen, but it does.”

Some admit that their perception of what is best for

suit them as an individual. However, some students do not and make a decision based on what they feel will be most comfortable for them.

to pick one program over the other. Depending on what electing to enroll in AP rather than IB, or vice versa, may “I think students who are STEM or science-brained tend to get a little bit more out of it [IB] because you can double up on your sciences and you

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cause dissension at schools such as Stanton that have both academic programs.

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with that,” said Mr. Nasrallah.

There is an element of division between some AP and IB students concerning the issue of which program is superior to the other. This dynamic between students can

The IB program deliberately tries to add global and cultural perspectives, so in that sense it does add an extra dimension.

—Mr. Ben Nasrallah

Fessenden, setting academic goals and pursuing the highest achievements in every area is of great importance to Stanton students trying to prepare themselves for successful adult

is AP or IB, students who are well-informed about their choice will be more certain of the success their academic futures hold.

vol. xxxiv, no. 1

Staff Writer

From left: Miriam Alrahil (9th), Kelsey Zhu (11th) and Rohan Madathil (12th).

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How Diverse Are We? Stanton prides itself on its diversity, but the reality is much more complicated.

By SALMA DREW, Staff Writer

In 1865, three years after slavery was abolished in the United States, a group of African-Americans in Jacksonville, Fla. known as the Education Society founded what became known as Stanton College Preparatory School. The organization’s members envisioned a school which provided their children with equal educational opportunities. Stanton’s namesake, General Edwin McMasters Stanton, was former President Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of War and an advocate for the rights and education of African-American students. Stanton became the first school for African-American children in Florida, and 149 years after its founding, it continues to celebrate the diversity of its students, albeit very differently from when it was first established.

According to Stanton’s mission statement, “cultural diversity increases students’ understanding and awareness of different people and cultures.” Although the faculty, staff and student body are praised for their racial and cultural diversity, the school may not be as diverse as it is made out to be, as there are discrepancies within other areas of its demographics, such as socio-economic diversity, diversity among faculty and staff and diversity within Stanton’s academic programs.

In 2017, The Washington Post ranked Stanton as the 9th most challenging high school in the United States. In addition to Stanton’s academic rigor, the school is viewed as a champion of cultural diversity and tolerance, according to its student body, faculty and staff.

“When I first came here, I met a lot of people from [many] different backgrounds,” said sophomore Delia Cuevas. “We accommodate everyone’s beliefs and the backgrounds that they come from.

Everyone is really tolerant.”

Stanton students come from all across the world, and clubs such as the Multicultural Student Association and Natural Hair Club encourage students to celebrate their diversity by embracing their own heritage and that of their peers. Stanton teachers also encourage students to love their culture and background.

“The day after the 2016 [presidential] election, and this meant so much to me, I had three Muslim students who came into my room, two of whom were not even my students. They asked if they could come in and pray in my class,” said Ms. Laureen Burke, a Pre-International Baccalaureate Spanish teacher at Stanton. “I was in tears, because they knew this was a safe place.”

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How Diverse Are We? Stanton prides itself on its diversity, but the reality is much more complicated.

By SALMA DREW, Staff Writer

In 1865, three years after slavery was abolished in the United States, a group of African-Americans in Jacksonville, Fla. known as the Education Society founded what became known as Stanton College Preparatory School. The organization’s members envisioned a school which provided their children with equal educational opportunities. Stanton’s namesake, General Edwin McMasters Stanton, was former President Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of War and an advocate for the rights and education of African-American students. Stanton became the first school for African-American children in Florida, and 149 years after its founding, it continues to celebrate the diversity of its students, albeit very differently from when it was first established.

According to Stanton’s mission statement, “cultural diversity increases students’ understanding and awareness of different people and cultures.” Although the faculty, staff and student body are praised for their racial and cultural diversity, the school may not be as diverse as it is made out to be, as there are discrepancies within other areas of its demographics, such as socio-economic diversity, diversity among faculty and staff and diversity within Stanton’s academic programs.

In 2017, The Washington Post ranked Stanton as the 9th most challenging high school in the United States. In addition to Stanton’s academic rigor, the school is viewed as a champion of cultural diversity and tolerance, according to its student body, faculty and staff.

“When I first came here, I met a lot of people from [many] different backgrounds,” said sophomore Delia Cuevas. “We accommodate everyone’s beliefs and the backgrounds that they come from.

Everyone is really tolerant.”

Stanton students come from all across the world, and clubs such as the Multicultural Student Association and Natural Hair Club encourage students to celebrate their diversity by embracing their own heritage and that of their peers. Stanton teachers also encourage students to love their culture and background.

“The day after the 2016 [presidential] election, and this meant so much to me, I had three Muslim students who came into my room, two of whom were not even my students. They asked if they could come in and pray in my class,” said Ms. Laureen Burke, a Pre-International Baccalaureate Spanish teacher at Stanton. “I was in tears, because they knew this was a safe place.”

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Features

photo obtained from 1972 Stanton yearbook

Stanton students in 1972.

According to Stanton students, all types of diversity are vital to the learning environment. Students belong to an array of political and ideological affiliations, religions, backgrounds and experiences. These are all responsible for creating an environment in which students gain knowledge from many different backgrounds, rather than only the one from which they were raised.

“If we are not diverse, then we only get information from one viewpoint,” said Jack Kelley, the junior class vicepresident. “We need to bring different viewpoints into the learning environment so we can be culturally diverse.”

If we are not diverse, then we only get information from one viewpoint. We need to bring different viewpoints into the learning environment so that we can be culturally diverse.

—Jack Kelley, 11th Statistics from the 2017–2018 District Data Report reveal that 55 percent of Stanton students are classified as belonging to a racial minority—a value not far from the Duval County Public Schools average of 65 percent. Further examination of the study shows that 45 percent of Stanton students are white, 29 percent are Asian, 14 percent are African-American, 8 percent are Hispanic and roughly 4 percent are another race, or multiracial.

In terms of race, at least, Stanton is as diverse as its clubs reflect.

Despite the racial and ethnic diversity of the school, Stanton lacks diversity in other areas of its demographics.

Students at the school are typically more socio-economically secure than students at other schools in Duval County.

Racial diversity within the International Baccalaureate program, for example, appears more uniform than that of the Honors program, as does the diversity of faculty and staff at Stanton.

According to Stanton’s 2017–2018 student data report, almost 90 percent of students in the IB program are either white or Asian. While this is fairly congruous with the demographic of the school, there is a noticeable drop in the number of African-American and Hispanic students when the demographics of the Honors

photo by Katie Stevens

Stanton students in 2017. program are compared to those of the IB program. Though the cause of this disparity is unclear, the gap challenges the perceived racial diversity of the school.

In addition to the the student body at Stanton, the majority of faculty and staff at the school are also white. Data from Stanton’s administration show that while 65 percent of faculty and staff at Stanton are white, only 27 percent are African-American, 4 percent are Hispanic and 4 percent are Asian. While this gap in the number of minority teachers may undermine Stanton’s reputation as diverse, the school’s administration regards the issue as something beyond their control. According to the administration, it is impossible to request to hire only one race to fill a quota, because it can be perceived as a form of discrimination. In the end, the administration looks to hire teachers who are best suited for the students, regardless of their race.

Socio-economically, Stanton’s population appears homogeneous as well. Data collected in 2017 from Niche, a website that allows residents to search for suitable schools and neighborhoods for themselves and their families, revealed that only 13 percent of students at Stanton are classified as economically disadvantaged. In other words, 87 percent of students do not qualify for any financial aid, such as free and reduced lunches. The results of the same report are vastly different for the majority of the district, as almost 44 percent of students are considered economically disadvantaged in Duval County.

This disparity raises the question: Why are lower-income students so underrepresented at one of the highest-ranking high schools in the U.S.?

“When you are young and financially secure, you are equipped with better learning tools from the beginning,” said junior Avery Myers. “I didn’t go a single day the first five years of my life without being read to by someone, but that was because my parents had stable enough jobs to hire a caretaker. For a lot of people, though, that is not an option.”

When you are young and financially secure, you are equipped with better learning tools from the beginning. For a lot of people, though, that is not an option.

—Avery Myers, 11th This quandary has received mixed reactions from the public regarding how to deal with it. Some people see a solution in programs intended to help minorities and lowerincome families get access to resources and quality public education. However, others argue the solution is to alter the admissions standards to enable less-advantaged students to attend the school, automatically bringing about more ethnic and socio-economic diversity.

For schools such as Stanton with reputations for having high standards, potentially lowering entry requirements creates a conflict of integrity. The lack of socio-economic diversity forces prospective students to choose between diversity of backgrounds within a learning environment and Stanton’s reputation for academic prowess.

“You can’t just give opportunities to people who are more advantaged,” said sophomore Mahmoud Elbatouty. “You have to give them to other people who are seeking those opportunities.”

Other students cite ethics as an issue, as they dislike the prospect of implementing admissions standards not based on merit. They believe the effort to create a more diverse learning environment may prevent the most qualified students from being admitted into the school.

“Yes, [Stanton] should be more diverse socio-economically, but that’s going against what Stanton really is,” said senior Aaron Portell. “We are a hard school, and if students aren’t able photo by Dani Brewer

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vol. xxxiv, no. 1

to handle it, then they shouldn’t really be here. If there is a socioeconomic problem, then we take care of that with free and reduced lunches, but I don’t think [anything] should be changed.”

Although lowering Stanton’s requirements is one potential solution to the socio-economic problem, many people believe the school’s rigor is what makes it unique. Stanton is known for its difficult academic program, and most students think it should stay that way.

For the students and faculty at Stanton, several possible solutions to the socioeconomic problem have 13 percent of Stanton students qualify for free or reduced lunch under the been proposed. Some National School Lunch Program due to their family’s annual income. students, such as junior RaeAnn Quick, feel the problem should be handled on the much broader perspective. He feels the problem needs to be tackled on the school and community levels. school level.

“Many students do not have advantages like tutors or parents that graduated from college,” said Mr. Kerr. “There are certain things we can do as a society to help less advantaged students, like Team Up and extended day and tutoring that can help students if they need a little bit of extra help.”

Several supplemental programs are available for younger children whose circumstances do not allow them to receive sufficient academic materials which enable them to succeed in school. Team Up, for example, is an after-school program established by the City of Jacksonville in which elementary and middle school students can receive help with their homework. In addition to Team Up, the Jacksonville Public Library offers homework help and educational activities for children, so that the socio-economic issue is minimized before it reaches a high-school level and disadvantaged students have the ability to not only be accepted, but to succeed in rigorous schools like Stanton.

“I believe we should make a conscious decision to help Once the students have been accepted into Stanton, [socio-economic] minorities, because there are a lot of according to the school’s administration, the staff goes out people who are more privileged and have more access [to of their way to make students comfortable and prepared to supplemental academic materials],” said Quick. “We need to succeed. The staff seeks to ensure that the environment at make it more accessible for people to get the resources that Stanton is as accommodating as possible. they need in order to become successful.”

Stanton Assistant Principal Mr. Michael Kerr sees it from a photo by Dani Brewer

You can’t just give opportunities to people who are more advantaged.

You have to give them to other people who are seeking those same opportunities.

—Mahmoud Elbatouty, 10th

infographic by Rohini Kumar

There are certain things we can do as a society to help less advantaged students.

—Mr. Michael Kerr

photo by Dani Brewer

october 2017

“Our staff is so generous that they really go all out for the students if they know [about students’ various socioeconomic issues],” said Stanton Principal Mrs. Nongongoma Majova-Seane. “Now and then, someone will come in and say, ‘you know, this student does not have a computer at home,’ and we do something about it.”

Although it varies on many levels, Stanton’s cultural diversity is undoubtedly celebrated among the students, faculty and staff at Stanton. The concept of diversity is one that must be explored through a wide range of aspects.

While Stanton is diverse in comparison to the district when it comes to race, the school is more homogenous in its socioeconomic makeup, faculty and staff and academic programs.

The question of whether or not Stanton is as diverse as it seems cannot be resolved with a simple yes or no, but the students can agree that both academic rigor and a diverse learning environment are necessary for the school’s success.

devil’s advocate | 13

Opinions On Blue Devils! iiiiiTwo years ago, in the debut issue of the Devil’s Advocate’s 32nd volume, we published a story called “New Coach on the Block,” a profile of Coach Michael Healey and his determination to turn Stanton College Preparatory School’s Varsity football program around. Stanton’s football team won one game that year, the final game of the season, ending a 33 game losing streak and indicating the start of a winning culture under the new coach. Two years later, Stanton is now on a 4-1 start to the season and has a chance to have the first winning season in many years. This feat is incredible and unprecedented in Stanton’s recent football history. The team’s success has created much excitement among the student body, leading to a greater turnout at the football games. Stanton students are also proud of the football team’s wins because it proves that Stanton can be successful in both its academic and athletic endeavors. iiiiiThese wins are a result of Coach Healey’s coaching expertise and the football team’s hard work; the team now trains all year long under Coach Healey’s reign as head coach. Coach Healey’s playbook mainly features the triple option, which utilizes the quarterback, running back and fullback to run the football. This style of play has worked fantastically, utilizing pulling blocks to open holes for the ball carrier to run through, which allows the offensive line to use both their speed and size to fend off defenders rather than using pure strength. In addition to this effective blocking system, Stanton’s roster is filled to the brim with playmakers who are effective both on the ground and through the air. Senior quarterback Laterrian Moore has been explosive this season, showing tremendous elusivity on the ground and pinpoint accuracy with his deep passes. Junior running back Jordan Webster and senior running back Warren Day have done a great job handling the brunt of the carries, with help from senior Dyllon Rhodes and junior Kerry Darelus.

Stanton students are also proud of the football team’s wins because they prove that Stanton is successful in both its academic and athletic endeavors. iiiiiWith this system, Stanton has become the most prolific running offense in Jacksonville, leading the city in rushing yards with 1,397 and placing third in average total yards per game with 454. This offense is not purely running however, as it has had many big passing plays to keep the defense honest and unable to leave defensive backs in one on one situations without consequence. The most prevalent receiving threat on the team has been senior wide receiver Andrew Snelson, who has been absolutely dominant over defensive backs during his senior stint thus far, averaging a touchdown per game.

The praise for this Blue Devil offense is well deserved, yet the offensive side of the ball is not the only effective part of the team. The defense is in the top 35 percent of teams in the city in terms of yards allowed, which does not account for the multiple goal line stands where the defense leaves teams scoreless despite driving down the field. iiiiiThis new winning culture that has been brought to Stanton by Coach Healey makes the Devil’s Advocate proud of our football players as they redeem the reputation of a football program known only a few years ago for its lack of success. As a result of this, we are highly optimistic about the rest of the Blue Devils’ football season.

devil’s advocate established 1983 I Stanton College Preparatory School

2017–2018 Editorial Board Walker Miller Mary Allison Kane Trystan Loustau Liam Ngo Chisom Ukoha Dani Brewer

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Managing Editor Layout and Design Editor Digital Media Editor Senior Photo Editor

The Devil’s Advocate serves as the official newspaper of Stanton College Preparatory 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

The “Stanton Bubble” iiiiiHere at Stanton College Preparatory School, we take considerable pride in our achievements: The Washington Post ranks us as Florida’s “Most Challenging High School.”

According to the U.S. News and World Report, we are the 36th best public high school in the United States. However, Salma Drew’s excellent cover story “How Diverse Are We?” raises several key points about our school’s singular position in Jacksonville. Stanton students exist in the “Stanton Bubble”: an affluent, elite pocket where white and Asian students from magnet schools are vastly overrepresented. Conversely, lower-income minorities from the rest of the city—the students who form the bulk of both Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) and our Durkeeville neighborhood—are almost nonexistent. iiiiiAmong local public schools, Stanton is a demographic outlier. According to Niche, only 13 percent of Stanton students are low-income, compared to 44 percent of all DCPS students. Additionally, 54 percent of DCPS students are black or Hispanic, while these two ethnicities only comprise 25 percent of Stanton’s student body. iiiiiThese disparities are more pronounced when comparing Stanton to the surrounding community. A student who lived just across the street from Stanton would be zoned for Northwestern Middle School, where 80 percent of students are low-income and a staggering 95 percent are black. Such a student would have little to no chance of landing a spot in our bubble, whose admissions lottery prioritizes feeder-school applicants. According to a 2016 survey by the Devil’s Advocate, 75 percent of Stanton students attended just three of DCPS’ 24 middle schools: James Weldon Johnson, Landon and Darnell-Cookman. iiiiiGifted testing and magnet applications offer entrance into those feeder middle schools, but this is an arduous process that begins before kindergarten. Students populating feeder schools are those whose parents skew affluent and have the time and knowledge to invest in their child’s education. Unfortunately, lower-income families who lack the necessary resources to enter such schools become underrepresented. The feeder school process also creates a detached worldview in students. Many of us have attended magnet schools since kindergarten in bubble-like environments. Used to magnet schools located in poorer neighborhoods, we never question the fact that the only time we spend in our school’s community is walking to and from our parked cars. iiiiiFortunately, there are exceptions to this attitude: Last year, several Stanton students formed the Oasis Garden Initiative (OGI) to grow vegetables on school grounds and distribute them to Durkeeville residents. iiiii“People forget Durkeeville is a very rich community and the neighborhood existed long before Stanton became a magnet,” said Ms. Tamla Simmons, OGI sponsor and Stanton Biology teacher. “Students don’t even pay attention to the neighborhood here.” iiiiiStanton’s unique status means the bubble will never fully pop. However, the school should take steps to reduce its influence. We offer admissions preference for feeder school students and siblings of current students—why can’t we do the same for Durkeeville residents? Even better, we should end magnet favoritism as a factor in admissions altogether. This would help qualified applicants from every part of Jacksonville. iiiiiBut there are simpler ways we can individually help pierce the bubble: Take a walk around the neighborhood. Become familiar with the people who live here. Educate people who mock Durkeeville or a lower-performing school. Most of all, we should realize how lucky we are to attend such a great school—and acknowledge that people from different backgrounds deserve the same opportunity.

vol. xxxiv, no. 1

Academic Privilege

Artificial Intelligence: The Key to Convenience

By TATYANA ESQUILIN, Staff Writer

By TONY GUPTA, Contributing Writer

iiiiiMy parents always tell me to “stay in school, go to college, get your education,” and I have every intention of doing so; though, I can’t help but notice that neither of them went to college and are doing just fine. They are both smart enough to succeed in their jobs and take care of our family. Education and intelligence are two separate concepts; most of us can be educated to a certain extent, as education is the process of learning skills from knowledgeable sources like teachers and parents, but intelligence is something with which we are born. iiiiiPrevious generations of my family didn’t consider education to be of the utmost importance. Additionally, money issues meant that education after high school wasn’t always an option. My dad and his siblings grew up with a lock on their fridge, so if they weren’t home for a meal they’d have to eat somewhere else. My mom was oftentimes responsible for taking care of her younger brother because her parents were at work. From a young age, my parents had to find alternative ways to care for themselves, and this is the sort of intelligence that keeps food on my table. iiiiiEven though intelligence is useful, a good education looks better on a job application because many have the false impression that all relevant knowledge is acquired through education. People who attended college are more desirable to employers because they are believed to be more qualified. photo by Prachi Misra

From a young age, my parents had to find alternative ways to care for themselves, and this is the sort of intelligence that keeps food on my table. iiiiiIn fact, a 2016 survey conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics revealed an employment rate of 69 percent among people ages 20-24 who have not gone to college compared to an employment rate of 88 percent among those who have; there’s an even lower rate of 48 percent for those who did not even complete high school.

Although people with white-collar jobs have usually received a more advanced education than people with blue-collar jobs, educated people are not necessarily better suited for such positions as many pertinent skills can be learned outside the classroom. iiiiiStanton College Preparatory School is known for having “smart” students because of its high test scores and rigorous curriculum, but are Stanton students actually smarter than other kids for getting into Stanton or are we just better educated by staying here? Teachers at other schools view Stanton as successful because of its bright students, while students at other schools attribute this to its proficient teachers. Yes, students here are more academically privileged than others, but this does not necessarily make us more intelligent. iiiiiThe problem with thinking education is equal to intelligence is that the prevalence of this belief reduces opportunities for people who haven’t received much schooling. We always want to get kids off the streets, but they can’t find jobs with sufficient incomes because their “street smarts” aren’t enough for a job application.

Having to provide for an entire family as a teenager makes one more dedicated to a job than one who didn’t have to work as hard for what they have; unfortunately, because workplaces don’t agree, many of these kids are forced to resort to more problematic methods of earning incomes. Education does not equal intelligence and there are significant consequences in believing otherwise.

october 2017

iiiiiI use Siri every day. The virtual assistant is always on standby, right behind the home button on my phone. Maybe it can’t do everything I want it to, but at least once a day I can rely on it for setting timers, getting directions or even making simple jokes. Imagine if Siri, that dedicated helper, could one day carry out complex instructions and have full conversations about anything at all. The efficiency that advanced artificial intelligence (AI) affords would create immense amounts of convenience and restore the one thing missing from contemporary life—free time. iiiiiIt’s obvious—the development of AI will increase the efficiency of tasks like driving, shopping and neural networking (including facial, vocal and biometric recognition tasks). The current goal of large tech companies like Samsung and Google is to one day create an AI that can outperform a human. This kind of AI is not thought to be far off; scientists like Google Director of Research Peter Norvig estimate that the first competent general AI will be created by 2060.

General AI, with its superhuman processing abilities, will be able to confidently handle tasks like number-crunching and some AI that are being developed will be able to compose elaborate music or write beautiful literature. iiiiiA whole new field of computer science will soon be opened up to us, and new experiments that can help us photo by Prachi Misra

understand the origins of our universe will be set into motion. The sheer amount of time these systems can give us will enable the growth of humanity. An AI-controlled car can be used as a quiet place to finish homework or to carry out conversations with friends, without the stress that normally comes with sitting behind the wheel. Arts and the humanities will flourish on a massive scale—we will be given time to think once again, and the very best of humanity can produce new art, literature and philosophy. iiiiiOf course, there are dangers to artificial intelligence.

Advanced processing and computing power can be used to enhance the capabilities of weapons, increasing the threat level of a world-ending war. Even Elon Musk, founder of electric car company Tesla, has warned against the development of artificial intelligence since 2014, as he fears such a scenario may become a reality. An AI can also develop misguided parameters in order to achieve goals; while a human may know not to run red lights and jump curbs in order to get to a place in the least amount of time, an AI might not. However, as most of these potential threats are discovered, scientists and AI developers will act and ensure that such problems are nipped in the bud. iiiiiWhen one considers the life of convenience and efficiency artificial intelligence can potentially give us, it becomes clear that the development of AI will benefit all of humanity. I wouldn’t mind coexisting with AI if all I had to do in order to get anything done was press a button and say a few words into my phone. This is the next frontier— whether or not you embrace it is up to you.

Written in the Stars

By ANDREA RELOVA, Contributing Writer iiiiiOn Aug. 21, 2017, the United States was the only country to observe totality, or when the moon fully obscures the sun, of the “Solar Eclipse of the Century.” The idea of a singularly American eclipse intrigued me, though for an arguably trivial reason: its astrological significance. iiiiiWhile I do not read daily horoscopes, which I view as arbitrary, I find other aspects of astrology to be enlightening.

Astrologers’ advice regarding the future can be sagacious when they use detailed analyses of planets’ and stars’ alignments. iiiiiMany astrologers agree that the eclipse had a profound effect on everyone, but maintain that eclipses during the time of Leo (July 22–Aug. 22) often foreshadow the downfalls of leaders. According to astrologers like the infamous Susan Miller, whose Twitter account boasts 378,000 followers, the eclipse occurred at 28 degrees Leo, meaning that the eclipse was especially significant for those whose ascendant sign is around the same degree. One’s ascendant sign is the degree of their zodiac sign that was on the eastern horizon at the time and place of their birth.

As a matter of fact, President Donald Trump’s ascendant sign is 29 degrees Leo. Additionally, President Trump was born during a lunar eclipse, which supposedly makes him more susceptible to eclipses’ influence. Other events that substantially affected the country, such as President Andrew Johnson’s 1868 impeachment, also happened around eclipse days. The last time totality was limited to photo by Dani Brewer

this country was in 1776, which implies that solar eclipses represent a time of change for America. iiiiiWhile most people, including myself, do not explicitly believe celestial bodies influence anyone’s fates, the white corona beaming in the darkness seemed to have some philosophical connotations. The eclipse unified us.

People of all backgrounds across the country gazed at the phenomenon together in awe; we were aware, if only for a few minutes, that we share such a small place in the vast universe. iiiiiIn a world afflicted with global terror, political turmoil and general nihilism, faith in America’s future is rare and consequently, I choose to take the astrologers’ advice, albeit with a grain of salt. Astrology lets me understand more about myself and feel more at ease in an uncertain world. It simultaneously removes me from everyday life and connects me to forces larger than myself. Cynics claim astrology serves as a scapegoat for actual problems and that it is easier to blame disaster on Mercury’s retrograde than on actual people. I agree it cannot be absolutely proven that stars and planets influence lives, but I still allow myself to find meaning in astrology because it helps me live a more fulfilling life. Surely an astrologer does not need to tell me to change a bad habit or explain my personality, but its validation necessitates inner reflection, which leads to a healthier relationship with myself. iiiiiIt has been over a month since the “Solar Eclipse of the Century.” It isn’t obvious if the country has experienced significant changes yet, but I believe change will come—if not from the stars, then from the people beneath them.

devil’s advocate | 15

Opinions Streetwear Renaissance

Toxic-Free

By EMILY DAVENPORT, Contributing Writer

By MUNAA AHMED, Contributing Writer

iiiiiIf the song “Fashion Killa” by A$AP Rocky teaches us anything, it’s that the very cornerstone of contemporary style is brand names. Labels like Gucci have remained staples of pop culture since their conceptions. However, we have recently seen an emergence of brands once considered “cheap” being worn by celebrities alongside their high fashion garments. A recent example is the video posted by Beyoncé on Instagram on Aug. 11, 2017; in said video, the singer-songwriter wore a Fila shirt while carrying a Louis Vuitton bag. iiiiiSo how exactly did Fila, a typically inexpensive sportswear brand, or its counterparts find themselves in high fashion circles? One could credit the recent success of “streetwear styles” to Kanye West. While not responsible for its inception, Kanye’s Yeezy 2015 Season 1 clothing line greatly affected the apparel industry. The line’s debut may have been the butt of many jokes, due to the oversized clothing and the Swiss cheese-style holes throughout, but young people—even some Stanton College Preparatory School students—took notice of the distressed tees and nude tones and adopted them into their own closets. Most of Yeezy Season 1 merchandise sold out within a day, and the Yeezy 750 Boost has the highest resale value of any sneaker. However, not everyone can spend $300 on a sweatshirt, forcing those with thinner wallets to turn to more accessible companies. iiiiiIn the years after the culture shock that was Yeezy, skate styles became a necessity for those considered fashionable, and thus cheaper brands became a novelty.

Fila and Champion were once viewed as the poor man’s alternative to Nike and Adidas but, due to their increased popularity, prices have skyrocketed. Therefore, one must wonder, what are those who relied on the low pricing supposed to do? iiiiiThis phenomenon could be described as a “gentrification of clothing.” Gentrification usually applies to the acquisition of property in a lower-income area, with the intent of “rebranding” for classically suburban types. photo by Katie Stevens

Superficially, this appears to be progress, but this causes property values to increase drastically, forcing people that have long established homes in the area to move. This expensive pattern parallels exactly what occurs in the fashion industry. Once a few fashion-savvy trendsetters like Rihanna or Zendaya are seen wearing a certain brand, a boom for that company occurs. As a response to this new market, companies switch their focus from their traditional clientele to the new demographic, which is willing to pay more for the same product. iiiiiThe world of fashion is fickle and with every season comes a new “must have” brand. One must hope that these brands make responsible decisions and remain loyal to the customers that need their product, not those who simply want the associations of the name. After all, when the prices increase, it is the poor who are left to deal with the repercussions after the fad ends.

infographic by Likhita Manchikanti

By BRIAN TIEU, Contributing Writer

photo by Katie Stevens

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photo by Katie Stevens

Ultimately, push came to shove and I realized the toll the friendship had taken on me, and I decided to end all contact with that friend to avoid any more harm.

Greetings from Niagara Falls iiiii“Welcome to Niagara Falls!” the sign proclaimed. I could finally check that off my bucket list. I would be able to feel the cool mist of the majestic falls, hear the deafening roar of the water and… watch a movie? iiiiiA billboard looked over an enormous theatre, urging all in its path to purchase tickets for “Niagara: Miracles, Myths, and Magic,” an hourlong film about people sailing over the falls in barrels.

Interesting? Maybe. Did I want to spend my time at Niagara Falls watching a movie? Absolutely not. The consumer culture was one of the most intrusive experiences we encountered during our vacation. Souvenir stores trying to make a quick buck lined the streets, each one identical to the next, all hawking the same caps, shirts and keychains emblazoned with “Niagara Falls.” This atmosphere spoiled the experience of being in a new country, with every shop ruining the allure of being in a new place. iiiiiThe entire length of the falls was crowded with vacationers, yelling at each other to move out of the way, stretching limbs and elbowing faces to get to the railing.

The view of the waterfalls was drowned out by rows upon rows of cameras and phones held in the air, attempting to recreate a photo easily found on Google Images. Nothing was more disheartening than visiting a location I had

iiiiiI often had to walk on eggshells around one of my former friends, scared she would be upset over the smallest things. Finally, I became fed up and called quits on the friendship.

Completely cutting off a friend, for whatever reason, may be difficult, especially if he or she used to play a big role in your life. However, it’s not fair to yourself to keep a friend who hinders your happiness and progress, someone who clearly does not have your best interests at heart. iiiiiIf you made a clean break from someone who only brings negativity to the table, your view on life would change to allow room for positivity. It’s such a great feeling to break away from a so-called friend who constantly wishes poor thoughts upon others. Toxic people are wired in a way where they enjoy controlling people around them; as a result, these “friends” can’t bear to see others succeed.

Therefore, toxic friends have a lot of resentment towards others. I felt as if the past was constantly used against me in my previous friendship, and in such an environment, feeling good about myself became difficult. As a result, I was prone to second guessing myself or even acting out in ways that pleased my “friend” instead of myself.

At times, I felt like my self-esteem was at an all time low due to the constant tormenting the friendship entailed.

Ultimately, push came to shove and I realized the toll the friendship had taken on me, and I decided to end all contact with that friend to avoid any more harm.

dreamed of, only to encounter pushy tourists hoping to grab a flawless Instagram photo. We are supposed to live in the moment when traveling, not saving memories to be viewed later—or never—on a digital screen; pixels cannot convey the true beauty of a scene, nor can they replicate the true essence of their surroundings. iiiiiThough souvenirs are novel and exciting, the prevalence of people centering their entire vacation around obtaining them is appalling. The real souvenirs, however cliché this may be, are the memories created. Ticket stubs and bus passes are what truly remind us of our experiences, rather than refrigerator magnets and shot glasses. How often do you actually use that Bahamas bottle opener? iiiiiThe highlight of my Canada trip wasn’t visiting tourist attractions like the falls, but walking through the local streets of Toronto and making conversation with those who had lived there their entire lives. It was an experience unlisted in brochures and coupon books, a version of the city devoid of bobbleheads and stuffed moose in maple leaf T-shirts. There I got to see the real city, instead of a weak, advertisement-laden rendition of it. These memories were far more significant than cheap souvenirs. iiiiiThrough the countless souvenir stores and gift shops we passed, I continued to encounter a single phrase, reiterated so many times on postcards, keychains and mugs until it lost all meaning— iiiii“Greetings from Niagara Falls.”

iiiiiOf course, ending a friendship or any relationship is never easy. When I went through such a situation, I had second thoughts about ending the friendship, especially when pondering over memories I shared with that certain friend. I almost felt guilty about what I had to do when thinking about the joyful and fun memories we shared.

Later on, I realized those memories were neither joyful nor fun, due to the toxic nature of the friendship. I still continued to have this dilemma over ending the friendship especially because, as much as I attempted to avoid my former friend, there was always one event, like a birthday party, the both of us attended. Not to mention that because we shared mutual friends, problems ensued as our friends struggled to pick sides or create guest lists for parties they were planning. Some of our friends felt guilty about the entire situation and resorted to lying to the both of us about hanging out with the other person; this only resulted in more disagreements and distrust among the entire friend circle. iiiiiI felt like all these issues were my doing; had I not ended that one friendship, everything and everybody would be at peace. Despite this, there was no way I could have dived back into that terrible friendship where I once felt trapped. Making a clean break from a toxic person won’t always equate to fewer problems; however, this can be said about almost any major decision and therefore isn’t a good excuse for maintaining such a harmful relationship. iiiiiThere comes a time when enough is enough and one has to take their life back from a toxic friend. Life is much healthier and more enjoyable without having to endure the critiques of a friend who is dissatisfied with almost everything. Toxic people are like handcuffs—the only way one can achieve freedom and control from them, without the help of others, is breaking out of the cuffs themselves...

vol. xxxiv, no. 1

The Record

october 2017

devil’s advocate | 17

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