Devil's Advocate (Vol. 32, Issue 1)

devil’s advocate stanton college preparatory school

And the band plays on.

By CHISOM UKOHA

number 1 october 2015 devilsadvocatepaper.com

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devil’s advocate

volume xxxii

number one

Stanton College Preparatory School

4 5 7 9 10

Sports

New Coach on the Block Stanton’s new head football coach, Mr.

Sports

O’ Captain, My Captain A look at the important responsibilities of four

By Trystan Loustau

Stanton sports captains.

Student Life

Musicians of Stanton Stanton is home to many talented soloists and

By Grace Trombley

student bands. Three students share their passions and experiences.

Student Life

Greetings from the Heggoods A look into Mr. and Mrs. Heggood’s

By Walker Miller

summer student tours, their experiences and future plans.

Features

And the Band Plays On As the band experiences change, several

By Chisom Ukoha

members are commited to moving it in a new direction.

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15 16 17 18 19

By Liam Ngo

Mike Healey, arrives on campus ready to make a difference.

Opinions

10

Editorials Two editorials from the Devil’s Advocate Editorial Board, and

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By the Editorial Board

an editorial cartoon from Stanton artist Iman Hinz.

Opinions Opinions

Columns Columns on the pros and cons of high school relationships, the importance of the band and sexism in the Marvel universe.

By Jill Responte, Micah Robinson, Chloe Giroux

Democratic Angst Senior Christian Bunker reflects on the meaning of

By Christian Bunker

democracy in America.

Photography

Homecoming Photos from Stanton’s Mardi Gras Homecoming week.

By the Devil’s Advocate Photography Department

Photography

Altered Perspective Optical illusions depicting various subjects from

By the Devil’s Advocate Photography Department

different point of views.

Editor’s Letter

Zoë Reyes Editor-in-Chief

The departure of beloved Stanton band director, Mr. Marcus Young, and the new arrival of his successor, Mr. Brian Damron, has brought change to our revered marching band.

This change in leadership has caused a number of band members to leave band, leaving the band’s future uncertain.

In this issue, we delve into those changes and examine the resilience

shown by members who decided to stay to re-build the program.

In Sports, we introduce another new member to the Stanton College Preparatory School faculty, Head Football Coach Michael Healey.

Coach Healey brings with him impressive credentials, which includes playing at the University of Florida and coaching at Georgia Southern University.

Contributing Advocates: The Devil’s Advocate is searching for contributing writers, photographers and artists. Contact Editorin-Chief Zoë Reyes at zoe.reyes@icloud.com or Technology and Media Editor Spencer Nachman at rosegate8@aol.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: $25 (1/4 page), $50 (1/2 page), $75 (insert), $100 (full page b/w) or $125 (back page color). Contact Vanessa Han at vanessa.han21@gmail.com or Mr. Knight at knightl1@duvalschools.org

october 2015

Through his dedication to the sport and his motivation to improve our team, the Blue Devils are on the road to victory.

In the Student Life section, we feature Mr. and Mrs. Heggood’s summer trips to Europe. We encourage you to learn about their endeavours and passion for travel.

In Opinions, the topic of democracy in America is discussed

Follow Us on Social Media:

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

by contributing writer, Christian Bunker.

We sincerely hope you enjoy the first issue of the 32nd publication year of the Devil’s Advocate!

Adviser: Larry Knight Editor-in-Chief: Zoë Reyes Managing Editor: Vanessa Han Layout and Design Editor: Stewart Gideon Senior Photography Editor: Amber Weitzel Technology and Media Editor: Spencer Nachman Features Editor: Sarah Page Opinions Editor: Lily Tehrani Sports Editor: Hudson Back Student Life Editor: Spencer Nachman Associate Media Editors: Shriya Gupta, Shruti Murali, Grace Trombley Reporters: Trystan Loustau. Walker Miller, Liam Ngo, Chisom Ukoha Photographers: Chloe Giroux, Mary Allison Kane, Maya Lee

devil’s advocate | 3

Sports

NEW

C O A C H

Can Coach Mike Healey be the person who spirals Stanton football into success?

ON THE BLOCK

By LIAM NGO, Sports Reporter iiiiiStanton College Preparatory School has a reputation as a formidable academic institution. However, the sports have not always been as great; particularly the football team. Despite the fact that the games have great fan turnout, and the team often puts up a fight, wins have not come for the Blue Devils.

This season, a new precedent can be set. Stanton’s former football coach of the last three years, Coach Rayshawn Tiller Sr., recently left the program and the school, creating a vacancy in the positions of head football coach and gym coach. Both of these positions have been filled by Coach Michael “Mike” Healey. iiiiiAs a player and a coach, Coach Healey is experienced in the realm of football. From 1966 to 1970 he played outside linebacker and defensive end at the University of Florida, and coached at Bishop Kenny High School from 1971 to 1980 where they lost 11 games in 10 years. He was also the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator of Georgia Southern University from 1980 to 1990, winning three NCAA Division II National Championships in a 10-year-span. This type of experience could elevate the level of play of the team, and possibly attract more students to try out for the football team. His many years of experience gives him an upper hand over past coaches; and developing players is one of Coach Healey’s strengths. iiiiiA veteran coach is in high demand for Stanton’s young football team, which has only eight seniors on its roster. Coach Healey has the ability to relate to the players, because he has been in their position before. This allows him to understand how the players feel through all the ups and downs of a football season. iiiii“I have a lot of years of experience behind me.

I’ve seen about every situation imaginable in a game,” said Coach Healey. “When you can be a player and be a coach it helps you to understand all the relationships that go on between players and coaches. It gives you a better overall view of the picture.” iiiii With an impressive resume like Coach Healey’s, the mystery for most is the reason he chose to coach at Stanton. Coach Healey does not regret this decision, and enjoys working with the Stanton players. Coaching a team which has not been successful in previous years will be a gratifying new experience for Coach Healey with his successful past. iiiii “It’s the fact that I’d be working with special students who are usually very goal-driven, intelligent, with a lot of enthusiasm. I like all of those combinations,” said Coach Healey. “I think photo by Mary Allison Kane

photo by Amber Weitzel

4 | devilsadvocatepaper.com

that the students here at Stanton are special, and so far it’s been a lot of fun working with these guys.” iiiii Coach Healey had no problem coming to Stanton, but staying might be an issue, as he is the fourth head coach of Stanton’s football program since 2010. iiiii “I want to be here long enough to establish a winning program and put Stanton on the map as far as having a winning football team, however long that will take,” said Coach Healey.

“I’m hoping it won’t be that long.” iiiii Creating a winning program, something Stanton has never seen, is not the immediate top priority for the new head coach because he emphasizes effort over results. iiiii “I expect our team to be competitive with every team that we play,” said Coach Healey. “The most important thing is not winning; it’s the effort they put into the game that counts and that’s what’s important. I won’t take anything short of great effort.” iiiii Stanton football is often thrown into a “David and Goliath” situation. The team is forced to play to their strengths in order

in Jacksonville,” said Coach Healey. “We have several players that are very athletic, however, the framework around those players has to improve in order for us to be successful. That means making football a year long sport, powerlifting, and being committed to winning.” iiiii No matter the player, Coach Healey will take them in and work to make them a productive member of the team. iiiii “We’ll take kids no matter where they are and make them better, that’s the goal,” said Coach Healey. “To take each individual player and try to develop them to their fullest potential.” iiiii Coach Healey has high hopes for the future of his football team. With his array of skills and the potential of his team, a good team is in the stars for the Blue Devils. iiiii “I think that our team has good chemistry,” said Coach Healey. “The players know each other, they like each other, they help each other.” iiiii For Coach Healey, the Stanton football program is his priority and he looks forward to building it from the ground up. With a new, seasoned football coach, more players and a student body backing them, the football program at Stanton could be turned around.

to beat insurmountable odds. However, Coach Healey is not concerned about his team’s identity as the “little guy,” in terms of reputation or in the physical spectrum. iiiii “It’s not about size, it’s about the skills you possess,” said Coach Healey. “You can develop skills, you can develop strength, and you can develop power.” iiiii The school’s football team has not earned a win in over two years, but Coach Healey has a plan.

He acknowledges the team’s weaknesses and understands what they need to work on. iiiii “The main weakness is that the team is physically weak and they have to improve their strength in order to compete

photo by Mary Allison Kane

vol. xxxii, no. 1

Sports

O CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN Four Stanton athletes prove that “captain” is more than just a title.

By TRYSTAN LOUSTAU, Sports Reporter

Senior Kristi McPherson is one of six captains of the 2015-2016 girls varsity swim team. However, as her coach describes, her initiative and sportsmanship is what sets her apart.

“In an individual sport like swimming which has a lot of people, captains are really important,” said Coach Bob Fleming, coach of the girls swim team. “[Kristi] is a good example and a good role model for everyone. She’s very organized, and she’s not afraid to ask for instruction. She even helps out the younger kids without being told.”

As captain, McPherson holds both administrative and supportive responsibilities. Along with her fellow captains, she must send out emails regarding practice and help motivate the other team members, making sure everyone is high-spirited and prepared for competition.

“When I was a freshman, one of the senior captains was super nice and made me feel really

welcome on the team,” said McPherson. “She was really good about making everyone feel included and making sure everyone had a good time. My goal is to give that same feeling to the underclassmen on the team.”

Fostering such positive relationships with teammates is one of the ways in which team captains like McPherson make major impacts on their teams. As teenagers themselves, they are able to reach out to and connect with teammates in a more personal way than the coaches might be able to. Team captains serve as trustworthy sources of advice and support for their teammates, often having overcome the same obstacles others may be facing. Fulfilling leadership positions not only benefits the younger members of the team, but also team captains themselves. The responsibilities that accompany the captain position provide them with lifelong skills.

KRISTI MCPHERSON “Working with the other captains has given me invaluable experience with teamwork and communication,” said McPherson, who also swims for Episcopal School of Jacksonville’s yearround swim team “Amberjax.”

In total, she practices about thirteen hours a week, pushing her body to its physical limit. In the end, McPherson says her passion for the sport and the fun she has competing in it make all of her hard work worthwhile.

“Swim practice takes up a lot of my time and it can be exhausting, but it’s all fun,” said McPherson. “I wouldn’t want to change it.”

Although Mcpherson does not believe she will swim in college, she values her experience on the Stanton swim team and hopes to make the most of her last season at Stanton.

SEAN DOHERTY For Varsity Boys Cross-Country Coach Kirk Tovrea, last year’s transition into becoming a new team coach was a bit of a struggle. Fortunately, as Coach Tovrea explained, one ambitious runner stepped up and helped him lead the team in the right direction.

Although this runner, senior Sean Doherty, was not a captain at the time, “he was still trying to take the reigns of the team and be a leader,” said Coach Tovrea. Doherty’s motivation and initiative inspired Coach Tovrea to choose him as a team captain for the 2015-2016 season.

“Sean gets along with a lot of different team members,” said Coach Tovrea. “It seems like he can connect and communicate with every single team member no matter who they are.”

Communication—both on the field and off—is vital to the functionality and success of all sports

teams. Therein, team captains play an important role in verbalizing their team’s goals and making their coach’s vision clear. The gravity of verbal support from team captains is especially clear in a long-distance running sport such as cross-country. Shouts of encouragement from teammates have the potential to inspire sparks of determination that will help drive runners to the finish line.

“I think if we (team captains) do our jobs right, we can definitely be influential members on our team,” said Doherty.

In addition to athletics, Doherty believes team captains can also influence their teammates in the area of academics, an aspect of life that is crucial for Stanton students.

“I’m supposed to be a role model to the underclassmen on the team,” he said. “I want to make sure they understand that grades always come first.”

STEPHANIE PROUTY NATALIA JANZEN Chelsea Pennick, varsity volleyball coach, cited leadership on and off the court as the best characteristic of her two volleyball team captains, Stephanie Prouty and Natalia Janzen. Both, she said, lead by example and serve as important members of the team. Unsurprisingly, when asked to identify which of her two team captains would be the most ideal subject for a profile story, she was unable to pick one.

“My two seniors [captains] are really amazing,” said Coach Pennick. “One, Stephanie, has worked her way up over the last couple of years, and really proven herself as a utility player—not necessarily limited to one position, but applied all over the floor. She is a good picture of how someone can evolve in volleyball.”

5 | devilsadvocatepaper.com

Doherty recognizes the need for strict time management when forced to balance schoolwork with athletics. Team captains who excel in both areas can influence their teammates to act in similar ways.

“It’s rare that we have someone on the team with enough raw talent to get a full ride anywhere without good grades,” said Doherty.

In essence, team captains like Doherty can become the embodiment of ideals that are essential to their teams through the way they lead by example and encourage others to do the same.

The idea of perseverance, including both a strong mentality and physical endurance, is integral to cross country runners. As Doherty can advise his teammates by helping them to understand the characteristic attributes of successful cross country runners, all team captains can help their fellow team members to succeed in their sport.

Currently, Prouty serves as the team libero, a specialized defensive player most commonly characterized by consistency, quickness, and ball-handling skills. Often times, liberos are responsible for the largest portion of the volleyball court. For Prouty, her responsibilities extend even further with her position as team captain.

“As team captain, it’s my responsibility to make sure the team is focused during practice so we can perform well during the games,” said Prouty.

“I also like to get everyone excited to play so that we have fun in both games and practices.”

Prouty and Janzen constantly push their teammates to excel, although each offers their own unique approach to supporting and advising their teammates.

“Stephanie is a straight-to-the-point kind of person,” said Coach Pennick. “Like this is how it is so don’t complain about it.”

On the other hand, her fellow captain, Natalia Janzen, uses a less directive approach.

“Natalia has a very peppy spirit,” said Coach Pennick. “She is still straight-to-the-point but, also very encouraging.”

The girls’ varying support styles offer an opportunity for all players to receive the most effective form of feedback according to their needs. According to Coach Pennick, the balance of positive and negative commentary that Janzen and Prouty provide simultaneously raises the players’ confidence and encourages them to continue to progress.

Both Janzen and Prouty appreciate the leadership skills they have gained from their positions as team captains.

“It is really inspiring to be the leader on the court and to know that the underclassmen look up to me,” said Prouty. “Being a captain has made me try my best to set a good example for others in every activity that I participate in.”

Prouty and Janzen have both enjoyed their time working with the team for the last four years.

vol. xxxii, no. 1

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Student Life

Musicians of Stanton

Stanton College Preparatory School is home to a number of talented student musicians both in and outside of the school’s marching band. In this piece, three musicians speak about their passion and experiences.

By GRACE TROMBLEY, Associate Media Editor

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rock sound, we thought [the name] actually sounded cool,” said Enicks. iiiiiWhile Menze and Enicks are part of group acts, sophomore Alicia Hou is a soloist. Hou also began lessons at a young age. She started piano lessons at six years old and has been in love with the instrument ever since. Concerts and competitions are two of her favorite events as a pianist because of the support and attention the crowd shows. iiiii“My favorite part about performing is the attention you get; everyone is supporting you down there,” Hou said. “Even if you make a mistake, they might not notice, but even if they do, they’re alright with it. They appreciate you for how well you can do instead of judging you for how badly you messed up.” iiiiiAnother aspect about music that appealed to Hou is its diversity. There are an endless number of instruments one can learn. Music offers an outlet that does not limit people because of its various genres and instruments. Hou experienced this first hand by attending Curtis Summerfest at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Pa. iiiii“At Summerfest, I kind of realized how many instruments there are,” said Hou. “I always knew there was a lot, but seeing them all in the orchestra at once, there in real life, made me realize just how many there are.” iiiiiMusic can help people grow and discover who they are or even who they are meant to be. Menze feels music has given him the ability to better the world and make a difference in his own way. iiiii”I feel like without music, I don’t have a lot to give. Music gives me a purpose, even if it’s a small purpose,” said Menze. “If I can connect with just one person on an emotional level, I feel like I’m making some kind of difference.” iiiiiMusic is something many Stanton students are fond of and they also find comfort or strength in; it is influential in their lives and is an enjoyable pursuit.

I feel like without music, I don’t have a lot to give. Music gives me purpose, even if it’s a small purpose.

If I can connect with just one person on an emotional level, I feel like I’m making some kind of difference.

—Landon Menze, 11th iiiii“Originally we were going to be called Neoncity Rascals, and Shark With Legs was mostly just a joke name. But after we started writing and realized that we had kind of a surf

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creates between the artist and the listener,” said Menze.

“Especially in punk rock, when you are packed in with hundreds of other people moshing, crowd surfing and singing the lyrics, you feel that connection. Music caters to the listener and it can relate to you like nothing else.” iiiiiFans feel a connection to a band and love them for many reasons. A band’s overall image and appeal to fans depends on a number of things: their sound and genre, their presence and the name of the band itself.

Musicians can draw inspiration for their band’s name from almost anywhere and can get as creative with it as they desire. Enicks’ band drew inspiration for their name from Katy Perry’s halftime show performance at Superbowl XLIX and her memorable ‘Left Shark’ backup dancer.

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Senior David Enicks, center, is seen rehearsing with seniors Ryan McColl and Harun Fejzic. The three are members of the band Shark with Legs.

Sophomore Alicia Hou performs at the awards ceremony of a Florida State University music competition on May 8, 2015.

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iiiiiMusic is a powerful force in many people’s lives. For those who have a close bond with music, their love of the art is not just a hobby—it can be a motivator, and for some, the only source of positivity in their life.

Numerous students at Stanton College Preparatory School share a passion for music; some of these musicians are in bands and others perform as solo acts. iiiiiFor junior Landon Menze, his love of music began at a young age. He is the lead singer of the punk rock band BLCK T. Menze was raised in a household where music was a major part of his family. His father first introduced him to the drums when he was only 10-years-old. Learning the instrument wasn’t easy from the start; he gave up on the drums and then picked them up again a year later when he decided to become serious about music. iiiii“I would practice everyday by watching videos and reading books until I felt satisfied with what I accomplished,” said Menze. iiiiiSenior David Enicks performs in a group that gave him the opportunity to grow personally and as a musician. He is a member of the experimental rock/jazz band Shark With Legs along with seniors Ryan McColl and Harun Fejzic.

Enicks had to overcome his anxiety about sharing his music with others before he could fully embrace his passion. iiiii“I used to be very timid and reluctant to let anyone hear my music,” said Enicks. “As I practiced and began writing my own music, my skills increased and I became more and more confident in myself.” iiiiiThose who are in bands like Enicks and Menze often find music creates a strong bond between the band and its audience. Music is a universal language that allows a deep connection to be forged between people. It does not discriminate and welcomes all. iiiii“What I love most about music is the connection it

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Junior Landon Menze of BLCK T drumming during one of his band’s rehearsals.

To hear and see more from the featured musicians, visit www.devilsadvocatepaper.com. october 2015

devil’s advocate | 7

Student Life

Greetings from the

Since 2010, Mr. and Mrs. Heggood have taken students on summer tours of European countries. Here is a look into their experiences and upcoming plans.

By WALKER MILLER, Student Life Reporter iiiiiOther students undertaking this voyage are excited to vacation abroad with friends and classmates from Stanton, which can add fun to international travel. iiiii“I’ve never been to Europe, and I thought it would be interesting to go with a group of people I know from my school,” said junior Karissa Dugan, who is signed up for this year’s trip. iiiiiMr. Heggood expects fifteen to twenty travelers to sign up for the tour, a large group to supervise in comparison to past years. Chaperoning these groups of students in foreign nations has been a unique experience for the Heggoods. iiiii“It’s very different than getting to know students in the classroom, and you’re with them in a lot of...conditions that would never occur otherwise,” said Mrs. Heggood. iiiiiShe recalled how in 2013 their group was left stranded in Paris after their tour bus driver was pulled over and arrested for violating French labor laws. The union regulations in

It was really fascinating to watch [the students] see what they learned in their history classes become alive.

—Mrs. Sheila Heggood France are just one example of the cultural differences encountered while on a tour. Mrs. Heggood also mentioned learning how the concept of courtesy in public spaces differs between Italy and the United States. iiiii“The idea we have of personal space is very different from the idea there, where it’s not an affront if you get jostled,” Mrs. Heggood said. iiiiiCrowds are a recurring element of the Heggoods’ journeys. In London’s Tralfagar Square, the group stumbled on the world premiere of the final “Harry Potter” movie. iiiii“The actors were there and the streets were just lined

with people waiting for the actors to come out,” said Mrs. Heggood. “We literally had to drag away one girl who was a huge Harry Potter fan.” iiiiiMr. Heggood cited an instance when they were staying in the Italian town of Montecatini and happened upon a celebration in the village center. iiiii“It just so happened they had a parade that was going on,” said Mr. Heggood. “We all got some gelato, and that was fun.” iiiiiNeither of the Heggoods could name a definite favorite place or moment from their voyages, but both teachers agree it is rewarding to have the chance to introduce foreign travel to their students. iiiii“You get to share the experience of travel,” said Mr. Heggood. “We’ve taken students on their first flights before.” iiiiiMr. Heggood firmly believes the trips to Europe help fulfill his and Mrs. Heggood’s roles as educators. iiiii“As teachers, the idea is that we are preparing you to go out and explore the world,” said Mr. Heggood. “This is a way to see a little bit more of it.” iiiiiThe students who have this opportunity to travel abroad hope to explore the world while broadening their own perspectives.

photos courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Heggood

iiiiiAs glamorous as it may be, international travel is rarely available for teenagers. According to a 2012 survey by the Association of International Educators, less than one percent of Florida students have ever traveled abroad for educational purposes. Each summer, however, a group of Stanton College Preparatory School students get an opportunity to experience a unique perspective of foreign history and culture. This experience comes in the form of a trip to Europe organized by Mr. Brian Heggood, an Advanced Placement European History and International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge 2 teacher. iiiii“We get to share the experience of history and culture with students that might never have left Jacksonville before,” said Mr. Heggood. iiiiiMr. Heggood believes many classes can be supplemented with foreign travel, including Advanced Placement Human Geography and English. His wife, Mrs. Sheila Heggood, who teaches Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition, Great Books Honors and Debate 1 and 2 at Stanton, agrees with this belief. iiiii“It was really fascinating to watch [the students] see what they learned in their history classes become alive,” said Mrs. Heggood, referring to one year’s trip when the group visited several cities in Italy including Rome, Florence and Pisa. iiiiiMrs. Heggood has accompanied Mr. Heggood on the trips he has organized thus far, the first of which occurred in the summer of 2010 after a group of sophomores asked Mr. Heggood to sponsor such a trip. iiiii“We have the time to travel in the summer, and I love talking about history and culture with my students, so why not?” said Mr. Heggood. iiiiiThe countries the students have previously visited include Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark.

This year’s trip is called “Europe’s Mediterranean Coast.”

According to Mr. Heggood, the nine-day itinerary begins in Milan, Italy and ends in Barcelona, Spain. The cost is set at $3,385 per person with the departure on June 15 and the return on June 23. Along the way, the tour will stop in exotic destinations such as the French Riviera, Monaco and the Cinque Terre region in coastal Italy. iiiiiAfter his original field trip to Italy, Mr. Heggood decided to keep taking students to Europe for the valuable experiences which occur when traveling abroad. iiiii“Every time people get a chance to travel, it’s definitely broadening,” said Mr. Heggood, citing his personal vacations to Paris with Mrs. Heggood. iiiiiStudents who decide to go on these trips to Europe consistently mention the exciting cultures of foreign nations as a key motivation for paying for the costly tour. iiiii“I’ve been to Europe before and I’ve traveled with EF Tours before, and I love traveling to other countries and experiencing their culture,” said junior Jeanette Macias, one of four students currently registered for this year’s trip.

A glimpse into the Heggoods’ journeys (clockwise from left): Copenhagen, Denmark (2013), Paris, France (2012), Barcelona, Spain (2011)

october 2015

devil’s advocate | 9

And the Band Plays On. As the Stanton College Preparatory School marching band undergoes a change in leadership and direction, several students have chosen to remain a part of the organization amidst the fractious departure of many of its members.

By CHISOM UKOHA

band. Junior Naveen Perisetla has been playing the tuba for seven years and became interested in joining the band after seeing the members at the Stanton Summer Bridge program during the summer before his freshman year in 2013.

IIIII“I liked that it was a tight unit of people that really enjoyed music and tried to bring their love of music to the rest of the school at pep rallies and football games,” said Perisetla. “I enjoy band more than any other club at Stanton.”

IIIIIPerisetla was also faced with the decision of whether to stay or leave the band after Mr. Young retired. His appreciation for the band and its members was the driving force behind his choice to remain.

IIIII“One of the reasons I stayed is because I value what the music program stands for more than I do my personal needs,” said Perisetla. “This year has been a big change for the band.

Band camp did start out a little rough since some people left the band because they did not like the way it was being transformed.

Hopefully the band will one day return to the honor it held in the past.”

IIIIIJunior drum major Neeraja Chandrasekharan, like many others, was initially apprehensive to the new changes that Mr. Damron was going to be implementing. Even so, Chandrasekharan decided to stay with the band to see how it would evolve over time.

IIIII“Personally, I was extremely shocked when I found out we were not going to be using the HBCU style anymore,” said Chandrasekharan. “I was pretty furious when I found out Mr. Damron was not going to be using the same marching style we used in previous years.”

photo by Amber Weitzel

From left: Bryawna Odoms, Raven Hardwick, Isaac Wiley, Karthik Belther, Destini Entzminger, Sidney Welchaus and Kameu Mwangi perform at the homecoming football game on Sept. 25, 2015.

IIIIIThe Stanton College Preparatory School marching band program has operated continuously for over 50 years as a traditional band based on the Historically Black College/ University (HBCU) marching style. Loved by Stanton students, the traditional, instrumental performances of classic and modern favorites, coupled with choreography from the dancers, majorettes and flag girls are the highlight for many students at pep rallies and football games. Prior to his retirement at the end of the 2014-2015 school year, Mr. Marcus Young had served as Stanton’s band director for over two decades. Now, with the hiring of new band director Mr. Brian Damron, many new changes have been introduced to the Stanton marching band program, the most notable being the transition from the HBCU style used in previous years to a more traditional corps style.

One of the reasons I stayed is because I value what the music program stands for more than I do my personal needs. This year has been a big change for the band.

—Naveen Perisetla, 11th

THE DECISION TO STAY IIIIIEven with the turmoil the band has recently faced, there have been those who chose to stay and those who were willing to become new members. Some cited the reason for their decision as being driven by a passion for art and music, while others merely felt an allegiance to Stanton’s music program.

IIIII“I definitely considered leaving at one point,” said senior Allison Hughes. “Everyone who left had a reason and I can respect that. But, I really wanted my senior year to be fun and the band, for me, is fun.”

IIIIIHughes plays the clarinet in the band and has done so since her freshman year at Stanton. She began playing after witnessing and being drawn to the unity in the Stanton band.

IIIII“I was encouraged by people in the band to join my freshman year,” said Hughes. “They looked like a big family, which was appealing to me since I was one of only two students coming from my middle school.”

IIIIIThe familial and friendly relationship between the band members is what drew many others to the Stanton marching

The band looked like a big family, which was appealing to me since I was one of two students coming from my middle school.

—Allison Hughes, 12th IIIIIChandrasekharan said meeting Mr. Damron for the first time was what peaked her interest in his plans for the year. After attending band camp she became excited about what the future held.

IIIII“Once I attended band camp, I became very interested in the band’s future and where Mr. Damron is going to take us,” said Chandrasekharan. “We all knew we were going to get a new director once Mr. Young retired and we were apprehensive, but I wanted to see what the new director would have to offer us.”

This elicited a rather vitriolic response from both the band and the general student body on social media, accompanied by the drafting of an online petition by students within the band which has accumulated over 1300 signatures. As a result of the new developments, many band members who served under Mr. Young chose to leave the band due to creative differences.

Despite the uproar surrounding the changes within band program, several musicians decided to remain in the program along with the addition of new members.

From left: Naveen Perisetla, Donovan Moore, Dan Merino, Govind Vendugopal, Elias Wiley, Karthik Belther, Melody Boock, Destini Entzminger, Cyrus Paul and Allison Hughes sit in the bleachers during the homecoming football game on Sept. 25, 2015. photo by Mary Allison Kane

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photo by Amber Weitzel

devil’s advocate I 11

And the Band Plays On. As the Stanton College Preparatory School marching band undergoes a change in leadership and direction, several students have chosen to remain a part of the organization amidst the fractious departure of many of its members.

By CHISOM UKOHA

band. Junior Naveen Perisetla has been playing the tuba for seven years and became interested in joining the band after seeing the members at the Stanton Summer Bridge program during the summer before his freshman year in 2013.

IIIII“I liked that it was a tight unit of people that really enjoyed music and tried to bring their love of music to the rest of the school at pep rallies and football games,” said Perisetla. “I enjoy band more than any other club at Stanton.”

IIIIIPerisetla was also faced with the decision of whether to stay or leave the band after Mr. Young retired. His appreciation for the band and its members was the driving force behind his choice to remain.

IIIII“One of the reasons I stayed is because I value what the music program stands for more than I do my personal needs,” said Perisetla. “This year has been a big change for the band.

Band camp did start out a little rough since some people left the band because they did not like the way it was being transformed.

Hopefully the band will one day return to the honor it held in the past.”

IIIIIJunior drum major Neeraja Chandrasekharan, like many others, was initially apprehensive to the new changes that Mr. Damron was going to be implementing. Even so, Chandrasekharan decided to stay with the band to see how it would evolve over time.

IIIII“Personally, I was extremely shocked when I found out we were not going to be using the HBCU style anymore,” said Chandrasekharan. “I was pretty furious when I found out Mr. Damron was not going to be using the same marching style we used in previous years.”

photo by Amber Weitzel

From left: Bryawna Odoms, Raven Hardwick, Isaac Wiley, Karthik Belther, Destini Entzminger, Sidney Welchaus and Kameu Mwangi perform at the homecoming football game on Sept. 25, 2015.

IIIIIThe Stanton College Preparatory School marching band program has operated continuously for over 50 years as a traditional band based on the Historically Black College/ University (HBCU) marching style. Loved by Stanton students, the traditional, instrumental performances of classic and modern favorites, coupled with choreography from the dancers, majorettes and flag girls are the highlight for many students at pep rallies and football games. Prior to his retirement at the end of the 2014-2015 school year, Mr. Marcus Young had served as Stanton’s band director for over two decades. Now, with the hiring of new band director Mr. Brian Damron, many new changes have been introduced to the Stanton marching band program, the most notable being the transition from the HBCU style used in previous years to a more traditional corps style.

One of the reasons I stayed is because I value what the music program stands for more than I do my personal needs. This year has been a big change for the band.

—Naveen Perisetla, 11th

THE DECISION TO STAY IIIIIEven with the turmoil the band has recently faced, there have been those who chose to stay and those who were willing to become new members. Some cited the reason for their decision as being driven by a passion for art and music, while others merely felt an allegiance to Stanton’s music program.

IIIII“I definitely considered leaving at one point,” said senior Allison Hughes. “Everyone who left had a reason and I can respect that. But, I really wanted my senior year to be fun and the band, for me, is fun.”

IIIIIHughes plays the clarinet in the band and has done so since her freshman year at Stanton. She began playing after witnessing and being drawn to the unity in the Stanton band.

IIIII“I was encouraged by people in the band to join my freshman year,” said Hughes. “They looked like a big family, which was appealing to me since I was one of only two students coming from my middle school.”

IIIIIThe familial and friendly relationship between the band members is what drew many others to the Stanton marching

The band looked like a big family, which was appealing to me since I was one of two students coming from my middle school.

—Allison Hughes, 12th IIIIIChandrasekharan said meeting Mr. Damron for the first time was what peaked her interest in his plans for the year. After attending band camp she became excited about what the future held.

IIIII“Once I attended band camp, I became very interested in the band’s future and where Mr. Damron is going to take us,” said Chandrasekharan. “We all knew we were going to get a new director once Mr. Young retired and we were apprehensive, but I wanted to see what the new director would have to offer us.”

This elicited a rather vitriolic response from both the band and the general student body on social media, accompanied by the drafting of an online petition by students within the band which has accumulated over 1300 signatures. As a result of the new developments, many band members who served under Mr. Young chose to leave the band due to creative differences.

Despite the uproar surrounding the changes within band program, several musicians decided to remain in the program along with the addition of new members.

From left: Naveen Perisetla, Donovan Moore, Dan Merino, Govind Vendugopal, Elias Wiley, Karthik Belther, Melody Boock, Destini Entzminger, Cyrus Paul and Allison Hughes sit in the bleachers during the homecoming football game on Sept. 25, 2015. photo by Mary Allison Kane

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photo by Amber Weitzel

devil’s advocate I 11

Features enjoys the central identity and unification of being a part of the band program.

She has been playing the clarinet since the seventh grade and joined the band after Mr. Young left.

IIIII“My friends kept telling me to join the band because they needed new members and they thought I would like it,” said Entzminger. “Being in the band has been fun so far. It allows me to make new friends and meet people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. It does require a lot of time and practice but I think it’s all worth it in the end.”

THE PROGRAM photo by Amber Weitzel

From left: Allison Hughes, Donovan Moore, Cyrus Paul and Priyanka Perisetla march during the homecoming football game on Sept. 25, 2015.

IIIIIEven with the recent withdrawal of 12 people, new members have chosen to join the band to help keep the program running. The band now has 22 members, and the 13 new faces of Stanton’s band hope to propel the program past the current time of frustration and into a bright future.

IIIIIOne of the new members is freshman clarinet player Cyrus Paul, who joined the band after Mr. Young retired.

He has been playing the instrument for over two years and started playing in a marching band at Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School.

IIIIIThe 22 students who either stayed with the Stanton band program or joined it in the 2015-2016 school year have had to adapt to the new marching style. According to Mr. Damron, the fundamental difference between the corps style and the HBCU style is that the corps style is seen as a more traditional style of performing, with a focus on martial precision and accuracy. The HBCU style is centered more around crowd entertainment with popular music and dancing. Corps style bands also tend to perform a wider variety of musical genres in their performances, as opposed to the HBCU style that mainly uses recognizable hip hop or pop.

IIIII“I am going to keep using aspects of the historical Stanton look and sound, but modify those aspects with a fresh approach to music and precision in movement and marching,” said Mr. Damron.

“I want to expand the band’s musical repertoire to combine their traditional songs from past years with a new selection of different genres like jazz, rock and roll, pop, hip hop and Broadway.”

IIIIIAccording to some of the musicians, the new corps style has proven to be a challenge for the band. Nonetheless, they are working hard to grasp the fresh material.

IIIII“It can be hard sometimes, but eventually you realize that you just have to work through it,” said sophomore Imani

Getting to play music while surrounded by friends is one of the best feelings.

—Cyrus Paul, 9th IIIII“I wanted to be part of a great musical experience,” said Paul. “I like everything about being in the band so far. I have really enjoyed being part of something greater than myself.

Getting to play music while surrounded by friends is one of the best feelings.”

IIIIISophomore clarinet player Destini Entzminger also

photo by Amber Weitzel

Drum major Neeraja Chandrasekharan conducts the band in a song during a halftime show at the Stanton homecoming football game on Sept. 25, 2015.

Hudson, one of this year’s new clarinet players.

IIIIIThe band will continue to implement modern music in their performances, contrary to rumors circulating throughout the student body. Some of the songs the band has been practicing were written as recently as two years ago.

Beyond the marching and musical styles, however, logistical issues also need to be resolved. One of the changes will be the band’s new uniform, and while those changes may come as a shock to some, it was the sudden transition from the HBCU style to the corps style that was the biggest surprise

Being in the band has been fun so far. It allows me to make new friends and meet people I wouldn’t have met otherwise.

It does require a lot of time and practice but I think it’s all worth it in the end.

—Destini Entzminger, 10th

photo by Amber Weitzel

From left: Isaac Wiley, Elijah Michael, Govind Venugopal, Elias Wiley, Sidney Welchans and Melody Boock take part in the band’s homecoming performance on Sept. 25, 2015.

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to almost all of the band members. However, most have accepted the new arrangement as a natural part of any shift in leadership.

IIIII“Any time a position of leadership is occupied by someone new, there is always going to be an unfamiliar transformation,” said Hughes. “It’s very startling to be told that you will not be performing the same way you had been playing music for the past three years. As a band we expected the new director to continue with the HBCU style, so we were definitely caught off guard when Mr. Damron decided to change it.”

IIIIIEven with the sudden changes, there are members of the band who are optimistic about the new direction the band is going in. Many feel that just because the band is changing

vol. xxxii, no. 1

Stanton’s New Band Director

does not necessarily mean the changes are for the worse.

IIIII“The band looks a lot better now,” said Chandrasekharan. “Most of band camp and the practices we have had this school year have focused on precision: how to march, how to point our toes, how to lift our knees. Uniformity has definitely been a focal point this year.”

Mr. Brian Damron spent eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps band and performed on Broadway in 1999.

He also taught band, orchestra, and choir in the Washington, DC area for 14 years. Mr. Damron has now brought his musical talents to the Stanton College Perparatory School marching band, and has brought with him changes that he has implemented for the band.

THE FUTURE IIIIIOne major concern held within not only the band itself, but throughout the student From left: Allison Hughes, Destini Entzminger, and Cyrus paul play their instruments at a performance during Stanton’s homecoming game Sept. 25, 2015. body, is what the future holds for the Stanton band program. Students IIIII“The band and I are afraid of how the students outside of the band anticipated the first pep rally will react to the new band,” said Chandrasekharan. of the year highly and were eager to get a first look “We just really hope that the student body likes the at the band in order to set the tone for the months new band and that we will still be able to please and years to come. According to Mr. Damron, the the crowd.” change might not be visible for a while.

IIIIIThe Stanton band program has only had about IIIII“There is no way the student body can fairly two months under the leadership of band director judge the band this year,” said Mr. Damron. “The Mr. Brian Damron so the student body may not band will not reach its full potential in only a year.” be able to predict where the band is headed.

IIIIIAnother milestone for band this 2015-2016 Considering the rather rough start to the beginning school year is Neeraja Chandrasekharan assuming of the school year, the band program will need time the role of drum major, making her the first female to settle into its new identity. Even so, Mr. Damron drum major in Stanton band history. According to is confident in the abilities of the musicians in the Chandrasekharan, she has already begun to feel band to be successful. the pressure of filling the role.

IIIII“People have been asking me if I am going to dance or be like our last drum major,” said Chandrasekharan.

“I plan to just be myself.

But I also want to keep what has been done in the past to appease the student body.”

IIIIIDespite the pressure from spectators and fans of the band as well as IIIII“I am absolutely thrilled with how hard everyone the initial apprehension rooted within the marching is working,” said Mr. Damron. “I could not be band itself, the musicians seem to feel the future of prouder. I don’t have a looking glass and I can’t see the Stanton band program is promising and needs into the future, but if everyone continues working some time before the fulfillment of the band’s plans hard, the sky’s the limit.” are clearly visible to the student body. They hope IIIIIMr. Damron and the students partaking in the the students will remain positive about what the band program are working hard to push past the band intends to become. setback of a challenging and hectic start to the IIIII“We are still in our first year of rebuilding the school year to develop a product the Stanton band, so I hope the student body will take that into community can be proud of. Students are eager to consideration,” said Perisetla. “We will improve as a see how the new band will compare to the marching band in the future. Hopefully, the students will stay band of previous years, but until the image has strong and will not allow the recent modifications to been solidified, the student body will simply have have any sort of negative impact on school spirit.” to wait and see.

IIIIISo far, the main goal of many of the band members is to be just as entertaining for Stanton students as they had been in the past when Mr. Young was band director. The pressure to remain as enjoyable as previous years can be a source of anxiety for some of the musicians because the band members are not sure how receptive the student body will be to the new corps style. photo by Amber Weitzel

I am absolutely thrilled with how hard everyone is working. I could not be prouder.

—Mr. Damron

From left: Imani Hudson, Dan Merino, Donovan Moore, Micah Robinson and Jacob Hague perform on the field during halftime on Sept. 25, 2015.

october 2015

photo by Amber Weitzel

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE: What are you looking forward to this year?

MR. BRIAN DAMRON: Every year is a new adventure: new kids, new music, new ideas. That is the exciting thing about being a teacher, so I look forward to every year.

DA: It has been circulating that you plan to take Stanton band from it’s previous Historically Black College/University (HBCU) style to a corps style. What exactly is going to change?

MR. DAMRON: I am going to use aspects of that historical Stanton look and sound but I am going to modify it with a fresh approach to music and precision in movement and marching. I also think the word “style” isn’t the appropriate term to describe the ideas of corps or HBCU. They’re more accurately concepts.

We’re also going to be changing the uniforms. We are going to be keeping the jackets from previous years. The pants, however, we are getting rid of because they are in disarray and disrepair,” said Mr. Damron. “We are also going to be changing to a cleaner, lighter material in all black for the pants and the hats. I will be adding a wrist gauntlet (glove) to cover up issues with the jacket, and changing to a black hat instead of the current white ones. The hats will have a taller feathered plume and the dancers will be getting new dance outfits.

DA: What inspired the decision to take the band to the corps style?

MR. DAMRON: I want the marching band to be more inclusive of the student body. I am going to use aspects of the historical Stanton look and sound but I am going to modify it with a fresh approach to music and precision in movement and marching. I want to expand the band’s musical repertoire to include their traditional songs from past years and new selections of multiple genres of music, things like jazz, rock and roll, pop, hip hop, and broadway.

DA: What do you want the Stanton student body to know about you?

MR. DAMRON: I wrote on the board on the first week of school “Welcome to the New Stanton Music.” There is extreme talent at this school. My job as the educator is to expose that talent through multiple musical experiences and to take the students to new heights they never thought they could reach.educator is to expose that talent through multiple musical experiences and to take the students to new heights they never thought they could reach.

photo by Amber Weitzel

devil’s advocate | 13

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Opinions Misconceptions about AP At the beginning of every school year, Stanton College Preparatory School students brace themselves for Advanced Placement (AP) courses in an effort to enhance their transcripts and earn college credit. With all the added stress and the lack of benefits reaped, one must ask: are these courses really worth it? We, the Devil’s Advocate, believe AP exams should only be taken by students who are willing to take these exams and are expected to pass.

There are many assumptions which come with taking AP courses which have blurred the truth amongst students and teachers. A main assumption is that by taking and passing an AP exam, students will gain college credit, lower their tuition and be exempt from this course in the future. However, this is not the case for some schools, including Boston College and Dartmouth College. Rather, these schools recognize students have passed the AP exam and will not require them to retake the course under certain circumstances, but the required credits per semester will remain the same. So, taking these AP courses will not help lower tuition in any way, but instead allow students to take more courses at these schools. At Dartmouth, they realize students may score a five on an AP exam, but it does not mean they learned the knowledge at the same standards as taught by Dartmouth professors. In a January 2013 article in The New York Times, reporter Tamar Lewin reported out of the hundred or so Dartmouth freshmen who passed the AP Psychology exam with a five, only 10 percent of them managed to pass Dartmouth’s own Psychology 1 final; only those 10 percent who passed were then given credit for the course.

Some high schools may argue that although students will not receive credit for passing an exam, they should still take AP courses in order to expand their knowledge.

This is seen at Stanton with many students having already completed all their required credits in a subject, but are not given a free period and are required to take higher level courses in this subject. For example, after taking AP Calculus AB, many seniors are required to then take either AP Calculus BC or AP Statistics despite having completed all of their required math courses. How is this fair to students? If a student knows what they plan to study in college, why spend the time taking unnecessary courses, like AP Calculus BC, if this individual already knows they want to pursue a career in a different field, such as English or history, just because schedules have to be full? Why allow students to waste their time and stress over a course which will not be beneficial for them in the future.

Schools like Stanton should take a more vocational approach and filter courses based on what students need in their future majors, rather than what the school thinks they need. Most schools that encourage students to take as many AP courses as possible are not essentially concerned with “expanding knowledge,” but rather with the school’s overall rankings and how much money they can receive from offering AP courses. In a 2011 article which appeared in The New York Times, reporter Sam Dillon reported that many teachers and students are given incentives for passing scores. In addition, many schools that offer AP courses receive funds in order to update equipment costs of teaching courses. If not for these added incentives, would Stanton students even be taking AP courses? Would they still be offered to us for free?

Stanton needs to place a higher value on students’ educations, not place price tags on their heads. In order to do so, there needs to be a change made in the school’s focus from standardized test scores to real education, to ensure the hard work of many students is not done in vain.

devil’s advocate established 1983 Stanton College Preparatory School

2015-2016 Editorial Staff Zoë Reyes Vanessa Han Stewart Gideon Spencer Nachman Amber Weitzel Sarah Page Lily Tehrani Hudson Bäch Valerie Starks

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Layout and Design Editor Technology and Media Editor Senior Photo Editor Features Editor Opinions Editor Sports Editor Student Life 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.

october 2015

The Band Perseveres

By IMAN HINZ, Contributing Artist

Stanton Marching Band The recent change in leadership in the Stanton College Preparatory School marching band has created a storm of controversy and challenged the institution’s long-standing tradition of pride and class. The marching band is a vital component to the Stanton culture.

However, this cornerstone is crumbling, the balance is being threatened and all due to several members who are simply walking away. Whenever there is a change, big or small, there is always tension. There is always a desire to go back to the way things were. It cannot be easy to greet such a drastic change in leadership with open arms, but greeting it with disrespect and blatant opposition is not right either.

Mr. Marcus Young served as Stanton’s Band Director for 24 years. Undoubtedly, his time spent at Stanton influenced the lives of hundreds of students who have had the opportunity to work with him. His passion for music gave the band an unmistakable energy that radiated at football games and pep-rallies. He bestowed upon Stanton a legacy which resonates with many students, whether they were in the band or not. However, with the departure of Mr. Young and the hiring of Mr. Brian Damron, band members were unhappy.

This unhappiness resulted in staged walk-outs, online petitions and personal attacks. The response of the students to Mr. Damron and his new changes have been harsh. It has shown their distrust in him as both a musician and a teacher and as a result, it has slowed progress all together.

It cannot be easy to greet such a drastic change in leadership with open arms, but greeting it with disrespect and blatant opposition is not right either.

The decision of students to leave the band is a completely personal one. Standing up against something one believes to be wrong takes great courage and strength. It cannot be an easy decision to walk away from something you have given your time and dedication to and to some extent the reasons for departure are justifiable. Yet these decisions were formed in a matter of weeks. Did it really only take weeks to wipe away years’ worth of work? The implications of these actions are powerful and long-lasting. This was blatantly obvious at the first pep-rally when the band was only a third of what it once was. This desire by some to prevent the changes instituted by Mr. Damron has left the resilient band members who stayed in a less than desirable situation.

The dwindling band members who have decided to weather the storm and stay in support of their musical institution have been left to deal with the fallout. They must now re-build from the bottom up and try to restore the balance that was lost. The resilience shown by these members is admirable, their dedication to the band has preserved through the adversity, and for that, we admire them.

devil’s advocate | 15

photo by Maya Lee

Just as the seasons come and go every year, couples in high school pair up and break up; it is a common occurrence we have all have witnessed time and time again. High school relationships are notorious for their inconsistency. The primary purpose of dating is to find your life-long partner, but high school relationships are rarely ever centered around this. It is not often that high school sweethearts continue their relationships by the time college comes around and they separate. High school relationships may always seem doomed, but there are positives and negatives to the whole experience whether they last or not.

The desire to date is a part of human nature; it is embedded in us to crave the attention, affection and company of others. Dating, however, can go deeper than fulfilling physiological needs. According to a 2014 post by Brandon Gaille, one of the world’s top business bloggers, only two percent of all high school relationships lead to marriage. The time spent with a significant other leads to the building of a bond and the connection with another person leads to an incredible array of feelings. My mother once told me, when a relationship develops out of a long-term friendship, they will last much longer. When couples begin as best friends, their relationship will most likely be an adventure rather than a chore since they know each other very well. It’s hard to experience these feelings through anything else, unless it’s a life-consuming boy-band obsession; which most likely won’t even be a mutual connection. Knowing someone genuinely cares about you and accepts you for who you are can provide a boost of self-esteem and a stronger sense of security when it comes to identity. Some would even say dating in high school is a sort of practice for adulthood where dating is more serious. If you don’t find the right person you may settle and be unhappy throughout your married life, or end up alone. According to a 2014 post by Brandon Gaille, one of the world’s top business bloggers, only two percent of all high school relationships lead to marriage. However, dating in high school allows you to explore what you like and dislike in a partner and learn what it takes to have a successful relationship.

Overall, a healthy high school relationship could prove to be rather advantageous in the moment and in the future.

Opposition to high school dating is always supported by the idea that it is nothing but a distraction. Depending on the individuals and their relationship, almost all the feelings evoked from dating— love, joy, anger, sadness, etc.—can keep someone from focusing on other things. These emotions can be overwhelming, distracting and can sway our decisions and values, leading us to disregard almost everything else. According to a Stage of Life poll in 2014, 60% of students think that the perception of teenagers in love is “negative” instead of positive. This could be due to the time spent in a relationship. Being a student at Stanton College Preparatory School means having a copious amount of homework which can take hours to complete. Attempting to balance a relationship while focusing on school can be very time consuming, causing your grades to suffer.

Couples who do not spend a lot of time together tend to drift apart and end up separating because of a lack of closure, not to mention the period of tension that ensues a break up.

Often, close friends who step outside of the friend-zone lose a great friendship when they break up as a couple. Friends of the two individuals who once dated are placed in a tough spot when the couple separates and could possibly be forced to choose sides.

Sometimes, infatuation that is not reciprocated causes heartbreak, which some people struggle to recover from and end up carrying this heartbreak with them in the future. Avoiding any type of possible heartbreak would save any individual from feeling forms of pain or grieve which could negatively affect their future relationships with people.

All of these factors are conditional: relationships are different for everyone. Some relationships may turn out to be amazing while others fail. However, everyone can learn from high school relationships, either from being in one first hand or by simply observing others.

It’s entirely up to an individual when deciding if dating in high school is worth it or completely pointless. Overall, if you are lucky enough to find someone, the experience could be something sweet or meaningful to reminisce on when you are older. Either way, the most important thing is to choose to do whatever leads you into having a healthy and happy high school experience.

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By CHLOE GIROUX, Contributing Writer The Marvel Universe, as created by Stan Lee in 1961, is a complicated comic book universe featuring the stories of characters such as Captain America, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk and Thor.

The characters are widely known for their part in “The Avengers,” a film adaptation series created by Universal Pictures in 2008. Female characters such as The Wasp and Black Widow are not major characters in the franchise because they were not as widely established as their male counterparts. “The Avengers” is sadly interpreted as a male dominated group by Universal Pictures.

In the films, Nick Fury, the director of a homeland intervention division, played by Samuel L. Jackson, assembles a group of superheroes. He brings the characters together as part of ‘The Avengers Initiative.’

However, in the comic books, “The Avengers” was created by the heroes themselves and named by the character Janet van Dyne, also known as The Wasp.

She and her partner, Dr. Henry ‘Hank’ Pym, otherwise known as Ant-Man, were not included in the 2012 and 2015 films leaving many fans clueless to their existence.

Universal’s neglect of the characters is perceived as sexist on the part of Universal Pictures by Marvel aficionados who expected The Wasp to be featured in the comics. The majority of “The Avengers” are male characters who receive special attention from the photo by Maya Lee

By JILL RESPONTE, Contributing Writer

Sexism in the Marvel Universe filmmakers while characters such as The Wasp receive none. Sexism has recently become a more prominent discussion among fans because of the raising awareness of the discrepancies carried out by Universal.

Furthermore, Black Widow, the only female character a part of “The Avengers,” is not given credit for her intricate past as a Russian spy which is also seen as sexist since the male characters are given detailed backstories. In the comics, she did not join “The Avengers” until later in her career because of her preoccupation with greater adventures. Although she had an in depth story behind her role in “The Avengers,” she wasn’t portrayed as a major character. Universal has decided to release the series in a successional order eliminating the possibility to include the background stories of any female characters. Since no back story was incorporated for the female characters, Universal likely has no plans to ever give them individual story lines because of the sequential order the series has taken.

Universal Pictures had the opportunity to make the entire “Avengers” series phenomenal but they should have become more open minded and diverse for it to reach its full potential and have missed their opportunity.

It’s a shame to see that Universal did not embrace every part of the Avengers storyline, causing their reputation to be tarnished. The franchise could have attracted more interest and gained more profit had they included more details to the female stories. Instead, they will continue in the storyline Universal Pictures has established with no sign of change in the future.

The Journey of Stanton’s Band

By MICAH ROBINSON, Contributing Writer Stanton College Preparatory School’s band has recently experienced many changes. Some students have probably heard rumors, so it’s time to clear up the confusion and learn what’s really happening.

Last year, band students all knew that our journey with the former band director, Mr. Marcus Young, would come to an end as he was preparing to retire. As the year progressed, we all asked ourselves: Who is going to replace Mr.Young? How would this change our high school experience? What will our band be like next year? As for myself, I didn’t really know what to think, I just wanted to enjoy the last moments of my sophomore year with my band family.

Many people don’t understand that for “band geeks,” it’s not simply an extracurricular activity- it is a part of us. The band created an outlet for me to develop strong friendships, character building and leadership skills, which I value greatly. However, band isn’t as easy as it seems.

Participating in the marching band is difficult: it requires a level of physical endurance so the player can balance their demand of air with the strain of marching, and all performers must have an understanding of rhythm and coordination. Now, for a high school band, it isn’t overly demanding. I’m not comparing band students to weightlifting jocks, however, according to a 2005 study by Drum Corps International and ESPN, people who march professionally for DCI can experience heart rates around 180 bpm.

All of this simply shows that behind the “occult-esque” doors of the band room, you can find hardworking, genuine and passionate individuals who simply love doing what they love. But what does it mean to be in band?

The particular style Stanton adopted is the Show-style method, credited to Mr. Young. This style incorporates steps that are high off the ground that recquire dancing photo by Maya Lee

Pros and Cons of a High School Relationship

on the field. But with his retirement, we needed a new music coordinator. Which brings us to our new band director, Mr. Brian Damron.

Mr. Damron comes from a long tradition of the Corps style of marching, which is what the majority of marching bands practice. At Stanton, many of the members assumed that with his arrival, the style of marching would drastically change. Determined about maintaining the show-style method of marching, students and parents spoke out.

With the stress of the transition, compromises had to be made between the two views, which led to the ultimate decision of learning to master both styles of marching, Corps and Show-style. Although compromises had to be made, such as the re-ordering of leadership positions, Mr. Damron’s goal was to ultimately preserve old songs we played while introducing and incorporating new music styles.

Many students simply didn’t want to conform to learning and practicing this new style because they did not enjoy it. Others left due to personal opinions of Mr. Damron. However, the majority of these students intend to participate in concert band later in the year.

It’s saddening to see so many of my friends leave after all the cherished experiences I hold dear to my heart. However, as a percussionist, I am happy to learn this new style. It is what I need to challenge myself and ultimately participate in something like the Drum Corps International (DCI), which can be considered the major league of marching. As an aspiring musician, I want to expand my horizons, which is what I believe will happen under Mr. Damron. Additionally, while receiving brand new equipment, the drum line acquired a new Drum Tech, Mr. Milan “Jayare” Torres, which I believe is a step in the right direction.

The most important thing to take from this is that our student body must respect each other and acknowledge the decisions of others, even if we don’t see eye to eye.

Regardless of the changes, the band will continue to strive for success and provide entertainment for our school.

vol.xxxi, no. 1

Democratic Angst In light of the recent Presidential debates, Christian Bunker challenges the preconcieved notation that every individual has the potential to change the political direction of our Nation.

By CHRISTIAN BUNKER, Contributing Writer

The Statistics of Democracy

photo by Maya Lee

In politics, things aren’t always what they seem. Although this statement could easily refer to unfulfilled campaign promises or surprise poll numbers, what I have in mind is the grossly misrepresented condition of the American voter. The most vaunted fact of American history is that unimaginable numbers of heroes have died for each person’s sacred right of self-government. In essence, the popular portrayal is akin to Santa putting half a dozen reindeer in an early grave for each person he delivers a gift to— only instead of a gift, he’s bringing suffrage. But Santa isn’t real and neither is this representation of democracy. The sacrifices made for the right to vote are undeniable. However, that right is not a gift but a terrible burden, and it’s time we start perceiving it as such.

Jean-Paul Sartre once said, “Hell is other people.” In a democracy, other people are also voters, setting us up for a nice substitution: “Hell is other voters.” This condition is exacerbated by the fact that people disagree violently, hold irrational beliefs, and become emotional in arguments, however, the root cause is much simpler and much more terrifying.

Remember that kid from kindergarten who couldn’t tie their shoes, or name the four seasons, or get through a day without crying? Now think about the extra homework you had to do tonight because you stayed up late last night watching the debate. Think about the sheer effort you put into forming your opinions. When you’re both eighteen, that kid could negate every last one of your most deeply held beliefs by going into a voting booth with a quarter and flipping it. Hell is other voters.

In ancient mythology, Atlas held the world on his shoulders. Then Locke decreed that governments were formed with the consent of the governed, Atlas fled to Switzerland, and the free peoples of the world found themselves holding up the sky together. Democracy is truly a collective endeavor, and if the whole thing crashes and burns, we have no one to blame but ourselves. Feeling the angst yet? Even worse, this scenario robs the individual of all power. If one of us were to stop holding up the sky, it wouldn’t fall, but neither could one of us support it while the rest took a break. Our consolation is that “the masses” have the power.

But what are the masses but a statistical phenomenon, formed as a reaction to another statistical phenomenon, and subsequently determining my fate. Hardcore conservatives in Iowa choose the Republican candidate, hardcore liberals in New Hampshire choose the Democratic candidate, and moderates in Ohio decide the winner. I could blow up the entire state of Wyoming and still not have any political effect. This hypothetical election is hyperbolic, of course, but the underlying paradox remains. In a democracy, the voters have all the power, but a voter has none.

The governments I don’t elect in the manner described will execute inmates, withhold marriage licenses, deport immigrants, support foreign dictators, end pregnancies, and teach evolution in my name whether I like it or not. I wouldn’t mind if I could do anything about this state of affairs, but as I’ve outlined, I don’t, and neither do you. At least Sisyphus could move his rock— he had some control over his world, however limited. My own condition seems much more absurd, as I am relegated to inaction or wasted effort. There is a contradiction in American society, I now perceive. Our economic system is based on the greatest reward for the most productive, but our political system offers the voter no reward for their effort.

For now, I’m powerless in the political sphere. So it goes. I can still live in a country where I can become whatever I want if I try hard enough. I’ve degraded myself to the level of the politicians I despise, committing the sin of uttering countless problems without one syllable of solution. Yet I won’t apologize for it— too many have sacrificed their lives for my right to hypocrisy. Instead, for the sake of conciseness, I’ll leave you with a statement by Winston Churchill that sums up my sentiment quite nicely: “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for the others that have been tried.”

Americans who did not vote in the Election 42.5%

Americans who voted in the Election 57.5%

How many eligible Americans voted in the 2012 Election?

Transportation Problems 2.6% Inconvenient polling place 2.7%

Bad weather 0.2% Other 2.6%

What were the reasons for not voting?

Registration problems 6.0%

Conflicting Schedules 75%

Don’t know 7.0% Illness or disability 14.9%

Out of town 8.8%

Other 11.3%

Did not like candidates or campaign issues 12.9%

Not interested 13.4%

Student Voices “There are too many personal attacks. The candidates should focus more on actual policies.”

-Sarah Duggan, 11th

“I don’t think there are any worthy candidates, they all seem like jokes.”

-Tehya Crim, 9th

“I really like Ben Carson and the messages that he is conveying. He addresses topics in a more understandable way.”

-Lauren Gates, 10th

“It seems like the other candidates have no chance to show their real sides because the focus is all on Trump.”

-Henry Allen, 9th

october 2015

devil’s advocate | 17

photo by Amber Weitzel

photo by Chloe Giroux

photo by Amber Weitzel

photo by Chloe Giroux

photo by Amber Weitzel

photo by Chloe Giroux

photo by Chloe Giroux

photo by Amber Weitzel

photo by Amber Weitzel

photo by Chloe Giroux

photo by Chloe Giroux

photo by Chloe Giroux

photo by Mary Allison Kane

photo by Mary Allison Kane

photo by Chloe Giroux

photo by Chloe Giroux

photo by Mary Allison Kane