Devil's Advocate (Volume 40, Number 1, October 2023)

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE STANTON COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

OCTOBER 2023

In October 1983, 16 students and Adviser Ingrid Sloth produced the first issue of the publication you are holding.

Their legacy is defined by its evolution.

The Evolution of Devil’s Advocate

By KATIE WONG, Staff Writer

STUDENT LIFE

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE

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Adviser: Larry Knight Editor-in-Chief: Zoey Larson Managing Editor: AnaSofia Girardot Business Manager: Anusha Anna Photography Editor: Spurthi Nrusimhadevara Digital Media Editor: Sarah Bernardo Assoc. Digital Media Editor: Katya Sniriova Art Director: Hawi Said Marketing Assistant: Jade Bateman Videographers: Rishi Mudiganti, Arvind Mukund Podcast Producer: Rowan Kershner Section Editor (Features): Grace Larson Section Editor (Arts & Ent.): Amani Okero Section Editor (Opinions): Shravya Nalla Section Editor (Sports): Cliona Joy Piligan Staff Writers: Mena Alchi, Lindsay Johnson, Ariyani Thompkins, Erica Truong, Katie Wong, Emily Zickuhr Staff Photographer: Garrett Lawrence Staff Artist: Amina Umar

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

Visit our Instagram @scpnewspaper or contact Editor-in-Chief Zoey Larson at zoeylarson16@gmail.com to complete an application for the chance to be featured on our website or in a print issue.

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: $45 (1/4 page), $70 (1/2 page), $125 (full page), $150 (back page). For additional small fees, we can advertise your business digitally.

Contact Business Manager Anusha Anna at anushaanna0606@gmail.com or Adviser Mr. Larry Knight at knightl1@duvalschools.org.

photo by Sarah Bernardo

Through its 40 year legacy, Devil’s Advocate has received multiple accolades.

Arts and Entertainment

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Opinions

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AN ADVANCING ATHLETIC LEGACY

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DEVIL’S ADVOCATE: A HISTORY OF ART & DESIGN

By Lindsay Johnson

EDITORIALS

By Ariyani Thompkins

Just starting with 16 people, the newspaper has evolved artistically throughout 40 years.

7 SURVIVING 204 Art by Hawi Said and Amina Umar

Follow our fearless rookie as they overcome the trials and tribulations of their first year on Devil’s Advocate.

Sports

9 Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: @scpnewspaper Instagram: @scpnewspaper YouTube: Devil’s Advocate Newspaper Facebook: Stanton Devil’s Advocate Snapchat: @scpnewspaper Spotify: @scpnewspaper TikTok: @devilsadvocatenewspaper

STANTON’S WINNING BLUEPRINT

By Mena Alchi

Wins from Stanton’s athletic programs continue to prove that academics do not overrule athletics.

Over the past 40 years, Stanton’s athletic programs have evolved, including adding new sports, new mediums of broadcasting, and generational athletics.

By The Editorial Board

Features

The Editorial Board discusses the future of scholastic journalism and what wavering decisions on AP Psychology reveal about education.

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THE EVOLUTION OF DEVIL’S ADVOCATE

THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAIL

By Katie Wong Cover photo by Garrett Lawrence

By Erica Truong

The Devil’s Advocate’s extensive archives contribute to 40 years of local news coverage in the Jacksonville community.

Student Life

16 BLAST FROM THE PAST Photos by Spurthi Nrusimhadevara

Stanton students infuse their unique style into timeless classic Stanton gear.

When the name Devil’s Advocate was first chosen, some students were upset with its inclusion of the devil; however, it has become a fitting name.

22 THE ART OF DREAMING

By Emily Zickuhr

Dreams can affect an individual’s life in both positive and negative ways, with big dreams being the most beneficial.

Printed at Florida Sun Printing Please recycle this magazine.

devilsadvocatepaper.com

VOL XL, NO. 1 | 3

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Devil’s AdvocAte: A history of art & Design Just starting with 16 people, the newspaper has evolved artistically throughout 40 years.

By ARIYANI THOMPKINS, Staff Writer

The Old Era As recognizable as the Devil’s Advocate is within and outside of the walls of Stanton College Preparatory School, it first started out with a staff of 16 and adviser Ingrid Sloth. In 1983, they would launch the first volume and address a number of issues affecting the Stanton community. With 2001 marking the change from the classic broadsheet to a tabloid magazine style, the Devil’s Advocate staff would eventually organize the paper by incorporating sections such as Features, News, Sports, and Editorials. This would also mark the first year the newspaper would win “Best Overall Newsroom” from The FloridaTimes-Union.

“In these early days we were limited in what we could do design wise. Design came second to the news.”

— David Moore

Design Elements Headlines are the eye catcher of any article since they introduce the audience to the story. The newspaper’s initial production stuck to the traditional look of the time period, but in recent years there has been more experimentation with its presentation. In the earlier volumes, the headlines usually consisted of the same font with little variation. The title directly conveyed the story’s message using three key elements: italics, bold print, and capitalization.

The application of these techniques were conventionally used, but were not implemented creatively when it came to the artistic look.

While the current staff members use their artistic liberty to express their vision, the production staff from 1983 to the early 2000s focused more on the production of the paper itself.

“When the newspaper was first starting out, we were just trying to get some issues out, [get] experience, and get in the habit of being a newspaper staff, forming our audience, and meeting deadlines,” said Moore.

By incorporating the design elements featured throughout the page, the current staff help convey the essence of the story and visually grab the audience’s attention from first glance.

photo courtesy of The Phoenix

Ingrid Sloth and first Edtior-in-Chief, David Moore, seen celebrating their success.

Devil’s Advocate has cycled through tons of experimental content to grow with the interests of its audience. Calendar Couples was a popular segment that would persist for several of the paper’s earliest years. Beginning in 1983, the staff would highlight the best couple of each month of that full year in a spread of two pages featuring a picture of each couple above their given month. Since this section was utilized to raise money for the paper, each couple would pay to be a couple for a month and that money would go towards funding the production of the paper. Overtime, they

no longer required this funding and the segment stopped being featured.

Straight Talk was a courageous, yet captivating effort made by the paper to interact directly with students. With its start in 1984, the staff would receive anonymous submissions of individuals’ concerns, ranging from teacher confrontation and worries regarding making friends to teenage pregnancy and unrequited love.

This also ceased over time as Devil’s Advocate evolved; but these were part of a strait of segments included to enhance the pages with an entertaining mix of serious and carefree stories to make the paper a fun outlet for the student body.

Photography Technology was a key component in the direction the paper would take, especially in the aesthetic and design aspect.

With each new generation of staff members, fresh minds, and innovative ideas, the paper began to evolve and the staff utilized the available technology to construct their novel layouts. The older photographic pursuits in earlier productions mostly featured the topic in a conventional way.

Although it fed the audience predictable and easily digestible imagery, it lacked progressive artistry. This would shift with the modern photography that has become essential to the brand the Devil’s Advocate creates. Advancing technology pushed the transition from the black and white newspaper to one with a multitude of colors as the staff filled the paper with their creativity and brought forth innovative color palettes, bringing each page to life.

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infographics by Amani Okero

A remake of the Devil’s Advocate former calendar couple tradition.

There is no doubt that the present Devil’s Advocate is a distinctive attribute of Stanton. This is characterized by an unfaltering format, an outline that gives the paper a sense of consistency contrary to the lack of structure when it was first produced.

The newspaper takes advantage of these changing times to expand its appeal to audiences. Making continuous efforts to maintain a digital presence on social media platforms, uploading stories onto the curated Devil’s Advocate website, and a podcast, Room 204. This growth opened possibilities unheard of by the paper during its initial production and captures the extent of the journey Devil’s

able to build their expertise on the matter. Though there were obstacles, adjusting to these new applications, and financial anxieties, regarding increased expenses for the contemporary layout, today’s magazine is visually geared towards students, amassing it greater attention.

Though Devil’s Advocate has been consistently building off of the ideas of each new generation of staff members, it has undeniably faced its own challenges. Stanton confronts the issue of censorship, not only as a journalistic entity, but as a Florida school newspaper needing to abide by the laws of the state along with school policy.

“The [Senior Issue] allowed us to open the door to a lot more opportunities design wise. There was more leeway, less fear that it would be printed right, more color that the previous issues did not allow, and a lot of creative responsibilities and design freedom.”

— Tatyana Esquillin

photo courtesy of Devil’s Advocate archives

A glimps into the classic look of the first Devil’s Advocate page.

Advocate has taken to get where it is now.

During the 2019-2020 production year, the staff members made the choice to fully immerse the newspaper into the material, format, and style of a magazine starting with the annual Senior Issue which was received exceptionally well. “[The Senior Issue] allowed us to open the door to a lot more opportunities design wise,” said Esquillin. “There was more leeway, less fear that it would be printed right, more color that the previous issues did not allow, and a lot of creative responsibilities and design freedom.”

With this adaptation, the paper would sacrifice word count and story space, but gave more attention to design elements and photography that got lost with the previous format. These adjustments consisted of learning new software and building a fresh set of skills curated towards this conversion of the paper that made some of the long-held practices out-dated. This consists of the employment of applications such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Adobe Indesign, and Canva.

By continuously practicing and improvising methods to examine what would work, the staff was

They must navigate this social climate, while not underrepresenting or sugarcoating the reality of what’s being faced in the world. But they do this by valuing transparency, following the rules while simultaneously pushing the bounds of what is possible. Keeping the interests of a generation in which virtually everything is digital and trends come and go is another feat many media outlets have had to overcome. Despite this, Devil’s

photo courtesy of Devil’s Advocate archives The tradition of comic strips in the Devil’s Advocate continues to this day.

Advocate has remained a compelling source of entertainment, due to its nostalgia, versatility, creativity, and revered representation of the student body. These challenges have not at all halted the growth the paper would experience, but have acted as lessons in the path to ultimate success.

Devil’s Advocate is constantly evolving with countless paths that could become the future of the paper. What will become of its 40 year old legacy is left to the next cycle of staff members that take the reins and guide it toward a new fate.

photo by Garrett Lawrwance

Senior videographer Rishi Mudiganti applies his camera skills to elevate the newspaper’s outreach.

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 5

STUDENT LIFE

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 7

SPORTS

STANTON’S WINNING BLUEPRINT Wins from Stanton’s athletics program continue to prove that academics do not overlook athletics.

By MENA ALCHI, Staff Writer Some stereotypes have circulated over the years regarding Stanton College Preparatory School’s ability to establish successful athletic programs. However, by dedicating time and effort, student athletes have found a way to balance their academic careers and commitments to other extracurricular activities. As a result, students have addressed how Stanton is more than an academically challenging school, having momentous wins to prove they are equally resilient inside and outside the classroom.

From a vast range of sports Stanton offers, the Lady Blue Devils soccer team has showcased their tenacity against formidable schools. In the 20162017 season finale, the Lady Blue Devils played against Merritt Island High School in the Florida High School Athletic Association Girls Soccer State Finals. Although the girls varsity team did not win a state title that season, their resilience led them back to the state semifinals in 2022-2023.

“There were times where we felt anxious and unprepared for a game, but with the support of coach [Brian] Heggood and coach [Robin] Mott, we learned to look past our doubts and focus on the game,” said junior Yuuki Weisner, a defensive player on Stanton’s girls’ soccer team.

As the girls’ varsity soccer team overcame mental obstacles, so did other student athletes.

For years, Stanton athletes have been recognized as the “underdogs,” with some taking this title as a compliment, enabling student athletes to brush past the stereotype that academics overrule athletics. One of these sports that showcases Stanton’s athletic capability is cross country. A few high schools may believe Stanton athletes lack the drive and enthusiasm to maintain a positive mindset. On the contrary, Stanton athletes have found it rewarding to be part of such supportive teams and experience the thrill of competition.

“I think that title [underdogs] should be more appreciated than unappreciated,” said alumni Zahir Miller, who was a runner on Stanton’s girls’ varsity cross country team. “We’ve had that title for so long and year by year, we are getting closer to claiming that top ten spot, and I am glad we have this title [underdogs] now, but I promise it is not going to last.”

Since the beginning of the season, the girls had one goal: make it to the regionals meet.

For three years, Stanton’s girls’ varsity had not competitively made it to regionals as a team, but everything changed last season. Miller felt proud of her performance at districts. For her second to last high school race, she went from running a five-kilometer race in 23:52.30 to 21:50.40, leading the girls to sixth place overall and advancing to regionals.

“I remember crossing the finish line during districts and seeing 21 [minutes], it was the most beautiful feeling. I also remember looking at my coach and saying, ‘This is it, we have a ticket to regionals,’” said Miller.

After Miller’s performance at districts, the girls’ cross-country team aimed to make it into the top eight to advance to the FHSAA Cross Country State Finals. However, the team was unable to meet their expectations, placing tenth overall. Although Stanton’s girls’ varsity cross-country team failed to enter states, they were still content with the overall progress made throughout the season.

“When we got to regionals, it was special for the team because nobody really thought that we would make it,” said junior Andrea Lundahl, a girls’ varsity cross country runner.

By developing self-confidence, Stanton’s student athletes have proven in several wins that academics do not overshadow sports. Over time, they have learned to excel in academics while remaining committed to their sports. Stanton athletes have acknowledged not all sports teams compete at the same level, but they can still value the importance of continuous improvement, driving them to reach new heights in their athletic pursuits.

photo courtesy of Norah J. Betancourt

Alumni Zahir Miller’s performance at districts helped lead the girls cross country team to regionals in 2022.

photo courtesy of Stacy Yerger

The girls varsity soccer team reach state-semifinals for the 2022-2023 school year after their districts match.

photo courtesy of Erin Largo Wight

Stanton’s girls cross country team at their regional finals meet for the 2022-2023 school year.

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 9

SPORTS

AN ADVANCING ATHLETIC LEGACY

Over the past 40 years, Stanton's athletics program has evolved, including adding new sports, new mediums of broadcasting, and continuing a legacy through generational athletes.

By LINDSAY JOHNSON, Staff Writer In 1980, Stanton College Preparatory School became Jacksonville’s first magnet school, with a mission towards academics. The school is known nationally to be academically challenging, and currently provides rigorous International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement courses.

Athletics is not the first program to come to one’s mind when thinking about Stanton, and is generally less well known. Over the past 40 years, the school has grown from offering no sports to having over 20 different options. While there is still an intellectual focus, more students have branched out to include sports in their extracurriculars.

When Stanton first became a magnet school, the lack of sports was apparent. The student body supported the Brain Brawl team at pep rallies, and early issues of Devil’s Advocate described academic competitions as other schools might describe sports games. Arriving at Stanton in 1986, coach Robert Fleming noticed the school’s lack of competitive sports was unappealing for incoming students.

“The school wasn’t that big, we had [grades] seven to 12 and we didn’t really have a waitlist,” said coach Fleming. “A lot of people didn’t want to come here because after school, you couldn’t do anything [athletic].”

To minimize this deficiency, intramural sports were introduced to Stanton in the early 1980s so students could stay active and enjoy themselves.

These were non-competitive games played between students within the school, involving a range of sports based on student interest, including soccer and kickball. However, according to a Devil’s Advocate survey in 1984, about 98% of Stanton students wanted interscholastic sports where they could compete against other schools.

Although there was no official varsity team, an interscholastic intramural basketball tournament was held in December 1985. During this event, Stanton’s team competed against other schools.

At the time, Devil’s Advocate reported on these games in print, and the following year, the newspaper included an article called “Devil’s Début Delightful,” reporting on the basketball team’s first game. This basketball team became an outlet for school spirit.

“The most important thing was the basketball team,” said coach Fleming. “It was hard to do pep rallies because we did not have sports, so that would be the team that [came] out.”

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However, in 1989, former principal Linda Lewis gained permission from the Duval County School Board to allow Stanton to offer sports. As a result, the school got its first varsity sports teams, including basketball, baseball, and soccer.

As Stanton’s sports program grew, so did the number of student athletes. Some of these athletes passed down the legacy of playing sports at Stanton to their children.

Freshman Kole Fleming is one of these generational athletes. His father, Mr. Kyle Fleming, is currently a social studies teacher at Stanton, but he played as an outfielder on Stanton’s baseball team from 2002 to 2005.

For two of these years, his batting averages were some of the highest in Stanton history. As for his son, Fleming plays first baseman, and expressed how he was affected by his dad’s baseball success.

“I think it can be tough sometimes to follow behind him, because he was good enough to be a Division I player, and I’m just not at that level right now,” said Fleming. “However, I think that shadow is also a motivation for me to continue to improve.”

As a second-generation athlete, Fleming continues down his father’s path and aims for a similar version of success. This could be the

“THE INTRAMURAL PROGRAM WAS JUST A WAY TO KEEP KIDS INTERESTED IN Stanton.”

— COACH ROBERT FLEMING

SCAN this QR Code for the 1986 article "Devil's Debut Delightful" case for other generational athletes because they have someone to look up to.

However, not every student follows directly in their parent’s footsteps. Freshman Elizabeth Bravo’s mother, Mrs. Lucy Bravo, was on Stanton’s rowing team from 1995 to 1998. Bravo decided to go a different direction, and instead dances outside of school, but she feels connected to her mom by going to Stanton.

“While I never really got into the sport, [nor] had any interest, I’m glad that she opened up that world to me,” said Bravo. “I feel like I’m carrying on her legacy by going to Stanton, [where] she thrived.”

Over the past 40 years, as the sports program has improved, Devil’s Advocate has introduced new ways to capture Stanton’s athletic events. Towards the beginning of Stanton’s sports program, the newspaper reported on games in print, though this only allowed events to be reported monthly. But as technology improved, so have the newspaper’s methods of sports reporting. In 2014 and 2016, Devil’s Advocate livestreamed two basketball games on YouTube for students to watch in realtime, even if they could not make it to the game.

However, these livestreams were not easy to do.

Anthony Paul, Devil’s Advocate Technology and Media Editor during the 2014-2015 school year, described a few difficulties he encountered while livestreaming the game in 2014.

photo courtesy of Devil’s Advocate archives

An interscholastic int ramural basketbal l tournament was held between Stanton and other high schools.

photo courtesy of Jenny Hoyles

Basketbal l, soccer, tennis, golf and basebal l are given varsity teams.

photo courtesy of Freddy Podris

Footbal l is added with a junior varsity team.

Varsity footbal l appears in 1998.

photo courtesy of Devil’s Advocate

photo courtesy of Ryan Adamczyk

A youtube livestream video The newspaper’s first sports post on instagram covering of the boys varsity the Boys varsity footbal l basketbal l team against team’s win against samuel Paxon School for W. Wolfson High School .

Advanced Studies is released. infographic by Cliona Joy Piligan

“At the end of the day, it ended up looking like it was filmed on a potato,” said Paul. “‘Hangouts-onAir,’ Google’s free streaming method for YouTube at the time, crushed our footage into oblivion.”

Currently, Devil’s Advocate reports various sporting events on its website and live updates on Instagram, providing readers with information in a timely manner. The newspaper’s Instagram page includes interviews with coaches and athletes, along with photo essays and videos of games.

“On digital, we focus on breaking the news as soon as possible, because digital is the fastest and most up to date, in comparison to the [print] newspaper,” said Devil’s Advocate Digital Media Editor Sarah Bernardo. “If there is a state conference, or a sports game, we try to go out and get that information out to our audience as soon as possible.”

“THE REASON [MY DAD] WAS SO GOOD WAS BECAUSE OF HOW HARD HE WORKED AND I THINK I WAnT tO EMULATE THAT AS MUCh AS POSSIBLE.” — KOLE FLEMING, 9th

photo courtesy of The Phoenix

Coach Kyle Fleming in his senior year attempting to make a base hit.

Presently, the focus of Stanton’s athletic program is to keep students supporting the teams.

Coach Christopher Crider, who has been Stanton’s athletic director for 10 years, has noticed a decline in student attendance at games.

“Trying to find ways to promote our student athletes has been the focus of the last couple years for me,” said Coach Crider.

From 1980 until now, the athletics program at Stanton has transformed in multiple ways. Not only has there been a change in the way sports are played, but also an improvement in the way these sports are reported to students. Additionally, the student athletes that drive the program pass down the legacy of participating in sports at Stanton.

Throughout its evolution, like Devil’s Advocate, Stanton’s sports program continues to be shaped by both students and teachers for years to come.

photo courtesy of Phil Voss

Former Stanton senior Lucy Bravo rowing for the stanton crew team.

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 11

THE THE EVOLUTiON EVOLUTiON OF OF DEViL’S DEViL’S ADVOCATE ADVOCATE !"#$!"#$%&'()*#+,-."&'(#%&#'()*#$+,-")*#($-.'&,)/0&#$&.$12$3#+,($.4$5.-+5$'#6($-.*#,+7#$ )'$&"#$8+-9(.'*)55#$-.::0')&3;$$ <3$=>!?@$ABCDE(/.-0(12$."2 This year marks 40 years since Devil’s Advocate was established with the goal of keeping the Stanton College Preparatory School community informed. Having been the school’s official newspaper since the program’s founding, a deep dive into the archives reveals a cache containing four decades of Stanton and Jacksonville history.

Despite having served as a local source of news for generations and having earned much respect in the surrounding area, little is known outside the newsroom about the paper’s creation, history, and evolution.

Since its beginning, Devil’s Advocate has embarked on a transformative journey. From its modest inception as a bimonthly newsletter to today’s multimedia platform, the paper commits to detailing the school’s growth and adversities, as well as addressing national and global issues. All of this has been done while adapting to the fluid digital landscape of the world’s news consumption.

Since society has become more digitized, Devil’s Advocate has opted to communicate with its audience via online and print elements. Despite these changes, their original goal has not been altered.

!"#$%&'( “Playing devil’s advocate” comes naturally for most people. And for Devil’s Advocate, the focus has been on Stanton students from the very beginning.

“When we were starting, we thought, ‘this is going to be for the students,’ so we hung up flyers for people to suggest names,” said David Moore, the first editor-in-chief. “One of the students came up with Devil’s Advocate. [Since] we are the Blue Devils, [it made] a really good name for a paper.”

The newspaper was established in 1983 by Ms. Ingrid Sloth with 16 students on staff, including Moore. Together, they produced a broad sheet with black and white photographs, comical doodles, and various fonts. Compared to today’s editions, the first issue reflects the available technology then.

“We wrote out our stories via pen and paper, [which] were [then] typed by volunteers. We used those to determine word count and in laying out the paper with pencil and ruler.” said Moore. “We took [the] typed stories and layout to the printer, which scanned [the] pages and used a paste up process to lay out our paper for publication.”

Despite the advancements since the 1980s, the paper’s mission remains the same. Devil’s Advocate, like its name suggests, keeps Stanton updated on all sides of different topics.

“Like most newspapers, we wanted to inform the student body and teachers what was going

FA"#'$ 3.0G,#$ H5+3)'7$ I#*)5G($ +I*.-+&#E$ 3.0G,#$ '.&$ .'53$ &+59)'7$ +/.0&$ 3.0,$ ()I#$ .4$ &"#$ )((0#E$ /0&$ 3.0G,#$ +5(.$ &+59)'7$ +/.0&$&"#$.HH.()&#;J K$L+*)I$M..,# on at Stanton,” said Moore. “[This] was really our role model, trying to be a newspaper for our school, where we [inform] the student body and staff at Stanton.”

The paper took some time to develop a reputation and credibility. Intrigued, the student body steadily grew fond of it, allowing Devil’s Advocate to develop.

“As the year went on, people started to see that we were serious about what we were doing,” said Moore. “We covered all those competitions that were really Stanton strong. As I was looking at the issues, I was impressed with the amount of content we had.”

As the status of Devil’s Advocate grew, so did the pressure put on the editor-in-chiefs, whose jobs were to maintain the image of the newspaper. The transition from one editor to the next was difficult, as the shift in leadership roles could alter the workings in the staff. In 1984, Pia James became the second editor-in-chief and the first woman of color to take on this position. Despite being part of a minority group at the time, she received ample support from the rest of the staff.

“We had a great advisor and people working with me,” said James. “I never felt any sort of pushback or any negative energy towards me.”

During her year as editor-in-chief, James faced experiences similar to that of Moore, in terms of both community and technology. Like Moore, James’ method of producing the paper was far more challenging than modern day efforts.

“At the time, we weren’t digital so we’d actually go and lay out the stories on the press,” said James.

“And that part was a little tedious, getting the font right, fitting those stories on the actual paper.”

Despite this tedious work, James’ interest in journalism grew. The experience she gained and the sense of belonging among the staff encouraged her love for journalism further. Eventually, she graduated from Florida A&M University with a bachelors in broadcast journalism, a field she explored for a while before diverging towards the financial sector of media.

“Young people who [get] into [journalism] never know where it’s going to take [them],” said James. “[To] see where I ended up was really interesting.

I’m in accounting; I’m not even doing the creative side anymore.”

The establishment of Devil’s Advocate has helped foster an open environment where student opinions are supported. Students can find their voice, while considering various facets of journalism, including design, writing, drawing, and photography. This allows them to pursue different interests, in both future careers and hobbies. Moore and James have demonstrated this with their current positions. Like James, Moore

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 13

FEATURES presently holds a job combining digital journalism and content creation, as the Marketing and Communications Coordinator for E-One. The two of them have shifted from their roles in a traditional style newspaper to a profession that incorporates modern technology at every step, displaying how much the field of journalism has changed over time. With the rise of the internet and other technological innovations, Devil’s Advocate also demonstrates this change.

Devil’s Advocate underwent a major shift first in 2001, converting to a tabloid, becoming smaller in size and more convenient to read. Another notable change was in 2010, when the cover page was printed in color. At this point, Devil’s Advocate still informed the Stanton community through newsprint.

Then, in May 2019, Editor-in-Chief Rohini Kumar and her staff decided to experiment with a new layout for its annual senior issue. A new, full-color magazine was born. Initially, however, Kumar had mixed feelings on how a newspaper was supposed to look.

“I felt like I was betraying a tradition. The newspaper is what Devil’s Advocate had always been,” said Kumar. “I didn’t want to seem like I was pushing for modernization…But we tried it, [and] we loved it.”

Reception to the magazine was positive, and the staff felt it was right to shift towards the magazine style despite the increased expenses. In the following year, Editor-in-Chief Tatyana Esquilin decided to continue the new format, setting the standard for all following editions.

“There was a lot of sentiment in the traditional newspaper style that we had stuck with for so long,” said Esquilin. “But with the magazine, you have a lot more opportunities to play around with design, since it prints more clearly and you can use more color.”

Like Kumar, Esquilin also saw the benefits the magazine offered over the old style.

Not only did she feel there would be more

photo courtesy of The Phoenix

8-930':++#$';,+"#&/')-<2='-%0'>3-'?-($*';,+"#&/',#+%&='@-&/$#'13&/'&/$'#$*&'+,'&/$'!"#$%&'( )*#+,-."'*&-.',+#'-'A$-#)++2'B/+&+'3%'CDEF7' opportunities, but it would also be more enjoyable to read.

“I just wanted to cater more to our readers and we felt like the magazine would be something that the students would really enjoy,” said Esquilin, “Watching the staff over the last few years and the designs they’ve come up with, it’s been really exciting to see them play around with things.”

Today’s issue appears completely different from just five years ago, which differs from ten years ago. The last four decades have seen a multitude of changes, yet the program and its mission still remain.

!"#$%&#'#() Although Devil’s Advocate has deviated visually and stylistically from the past, it remains a

place for free discussion of community and school related issues. It presents itself as a source of news and information, posting content regarding topics like dress codes, sports games, pep rallies, and academic news. “[Devil’s Advocate] is a source that keeps me updated because I’m always behind on things, and [it] lets me stay in the know of what other students think too,” said sophomore Anela Manganti.

Apart from keeping students informed on current events, the newspaper also raises questions on relevant topics. Not only may students find the content relatable, they may also learn about different matters and appreciate individual perspectives on issues like ChatGPT, gaming, selfidentity, and romanticization. “[Devil’s Advocate] shows the most recent topics, even if they might be controversial,” said

infographic by Grace Larson

14 | OCTOBER 2023

junior Amiya Adamson. “I think that’s really good because people can develop more ideas and see how their peers think.”

As Stanton evolved, so did the content of the newspaper. The school has its fair share of changes, from new principals and administration to students, the building itself, and even mascot looks. These changes urged Devil’s Advocate to adjust its focus to different topics, magnifying diverse perspectives.

“I’ve been at this school for two years and I’ve always remembered being at lunch and seeing [Devil’s Advocate staff] hand out the newspapers, and they were always just so fun to read,” said junior Leighton Yates. “It means a lot to me because I got to see my peers write and read about what was going on at the school.”

Visual appeal plays a major role in the magazine, which helps capture readers’ interest in different stories. In today’s newsroom, laptops and different softwares like Adobe InDesign and Canva are utilized by staff members to design the paper.

Rather than pencil and rulers, writers and editors use online programs, contributing to the reach of new digital developments.

Instead of relying solely on a physical copy of the paper, Devil’s Advocate has expanded its reach through its various social media platforms like Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, and YouTube, as well as through its website and podcast, Room 204. This hybrid model merged two worlds—print and digital—to expand reach and cater to a wide audience. While the website contains lengthy stories for people to reference, social media brings information straight to students’ phones, propelling the paper into the digital age. Stanton students can follow and share news easily, enabling them to discuss issues of importance without restriction.

“Student journalism is important because [students] can communicate [without] censorship,” said senior Akhil Chedde. “And that just makes the school better overall because it

allows for transparency [since] it’s from the student’s perspective.”

Following the focus on transparency in the past forty years, Devil’s Advocate has modernized to consistently inform Stanton. This has garnered much praise in the Jacksonville area. In 2022, the staff received the Florida Times Union Best Overall Newsroom award for the seventh consecutive year. “[Devil’s Advocate doesn’t] just win awards for nothing,” said senior Matthew Climaco. “[They win] because [they’re] fairly consistent and set a really good standard.”

!"#$*+)+&# It may be difficult to imagine where Devil’s Advocate will head in the future, but the first clue may be found in the current staff.

As the paper looks ahead, its commitment to fostering communication and creativity remains unwavering. “[Being on Devil’s Advocate] has definitely made me a more creative person,” said current Editor-in-Chief Zoey Larson. “When I joined as a staff writer, I was really interested in writing, but [not] things like design and art. Being able to branch out has helped me become more wellrounded and has helped me get a better sense of my passions and how other people’s way of expressing themselves can be so different.”

The evolution of Devil’s Advocate showcases an example of the shifts in the media landscape.

From its inception to today, the newspaper not only reflects the changing nature of information and its distribution, but also the strength and resiliency of the students behind it. Shifting from newspaper to magazine, while integrating a website and other digital platforms, Devil’s Advocate has shown there may be more changes in the future. However, exactly where the program ends up in the next few years ultimately depends on upcoming generations.

photo by Garrett Lawrence

infographic by Grace Larson

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DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 15

STUDENT LIFE

BlAST

THiS 1992 SHiRT DETAiLS WHY STANTON HAD NO FOOTBALL TEAM.

FROM THE PAST photos by SPURTHI NRUSIMHADEVARA, Photography Editor

THESE STANTON SHiRTS HOLD A SPECiAL PLACE iN OUR SPORTS HiSTORY, REPRESENTiNG THE ENDURiNG LEGACY OF THE CROSS COUNTRY TEAM AND OUR UNFORGETTABLE PiNK OUT EVENT.

STANTON STANTON STUDENTS STUDENTS iNFUSE iNFUSE THEiR THEiR UNiQUE UNiQUE STYLE STYLE iNTO iNTO TiMELESS TiMELESS CLASSiC CLASSiC STANTON STANTON GEAR. GEAR.

THiS SHiRT PROUDLY DiSPLAYS AN ARTiSTiC TAKE ON THE RENOWED BLUE DEViL MASCOT.

16 | OCTOBER 2023

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 17

STUDENT LIFE

BlAST

THiS 1992 SHiRT DETAiLS WHY STANTON HAD NO FOOTBALL TEAM.

FROM THE PAST photos by SPURTHI NRUSIMHADEVARA, Photography Editor

THESE STANTON SHiRTS HOLD A SPECiAL PLACE iN OUR SPORTS HiSTORY, REPRESENTiNG THE ENDURiNG LEGACY OF THE CROSS COUNTRY TEAM AND OUR UNFORGETTABLE PiNK OUT EVENT.

STANTON STANTON STUDENTS STUDENTS iNFUSE iNFUSE THEiR THEiR UNiQUE UNiQUE STYLE STYLE iNTO iNTO TiMELESS TiMELESS CLASSiC CLASSiC STANTON STANTON GEAR. GEAR.

THiS SHiRT PROUDLY DiSPLAYS AN ARTiSTiC TAKE ON THE RENOWED BLUE DEViL MASCOT.

16 | OCTOBER 2023

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 17

Buy, sell & trade.

Used & new books.

The largest bookstore in Florida with two locations and a cafe.

Open since 1976.

OPINIONS

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE Est. 1983 I Stanton College Preparatory School

2023-2024 Editorial Board Zoey Larson AnaSofia Girardot Anusha Anna Sarah Bernardo Spurthi Nrusimhadevara

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Business Manager Digital Media Editor Photography Editor

iiiiiThe Devil’s Advocate serves as the official newspaper of Stanton College Preparatory School. It is produced quarterly by members of the Journalism class. The editors reserve the right to edit any material submitted into the paper for content, grammar, length and accuracy. iiiiiThe Devil’s Advocate is a public forum for student expression, which encourages free exchanges of opinions concerning controversial and noncontroversial community and school related issues.

The advertisements and ideas expressed within the newspaper are not necessarily those of the newspaper staff, Stanton administration, or the Duval County Public School Board. iiiiiThe Devil’s Advocate accepts advertisements from all businesses in the Stanton community. The ad contract can be given to a staff member or newspaper adviser Mr. Larry Knight. iiiiiReaders may contact any staff member or the adviser at (904) 630-6760 or at knightl1@duvalschools.org.

Letter from the Editor photo by Spurthi Nrusimhadevara

iiiiiFor this first issue of the 40th production year of the Devil’s Advocate, we wanted to honor the legacy of the paper by highlighting its evolution as changes to the school and technology have come and gone. While preparing for our brainstorming session for this issue, we were able to look through the paper’s archives that dates all the way back to our first issue in October 1983. iiiiiIn doing so, I have seen some truly intelligent, creative, and inspiring creators flourish through this paper. I sincerely believe what we have at Stanton is a precious medium for providing a voice to our students, no matter the scope of the issue. iiiiiI want more than anything to continue our legacy of speaking on hard-hitting topics that affect our student body with candor and professionalism. I fully believe our current staff can make previous staff members proud by upholding this pillar. Our current staff is full of talented people who are both passionate about their craft and making an impact on their community. iiiiiBy looking at the history of our newspaper, I have realized more than ever how crucial it is to seek out these individuals and give them a wider medium to share their opinions and cultivate their talents. It is my sincere hope that this is what we will accomplish this production year and in years to come, making our predecessors proud.

artwork by Amina Umar

The Future of Our Voices

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD iiiiiFrom Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” to Ida B. Wells’ coverage on lynchings, to Woodrow and Bernstein’s Watergate expose, journalism as an institution has arguably driven the fight—albeit with pen rather than sword—for America’s democratic wellbeing and civil rights.

As one of our most established traditions, the freedom and power of the press etches itself not only in the pages of America’s history, but also locally through newspapers catered to the voices of communities. Within Duval County, publications such as The Florida Times-Union carry a well-founded legacy of journalistic dedication to the experiences of Jacksonville’s diverse population. In recent years though, it appears the sanctity of American journalism as a system of applied justice and truth has been shaken. Once extolled in the mosaics of our history as a shining facet of democratic reform, is now under assault within our current political and social climate. This is not just a national phenomenon; local publications are not only facing the possibility of bankruptcy as subscribers dwindle, but also under newly passed Florida laws, school newspapers like our own Stanton College Preparatory School’s Devil’s Advocate are experiencing the looming threat of statewide censorship. iiiiiWithin Stanton, our right to freedom of the press is manifested through the Devil’s Advocate. Led and produced by a diverse collective of students, we can be found editing stories you read, scouting out for your quotes, or designing the pages you see. Ever since its inception in 1983 by adviser Ingrid Sloth, hundreds of like-minded and dedicated students have poured their best efforts and time into producing a new edition each quarter and bringing to light Stanton students’ opinions and experiences. Ranging from pop culture pieces and opinion articles to in-depth features, the Devil’s Advocate tradition of sharing the latest news and spreading awareness on wellknown and obscure topics from within Room 204 remains present in our school community.

Embracing controversial topics, stories such as “Under the Influence” and “Stanton Pride, ‘’ covered polarizing issues on student drug and alcohol use and Stanton’s LGBTQ+ community. iiiiiYet even with this seemingly steadfast production and distribution of Stantonian journalism, spanning across the established legacy of the Devil’s Advocate’s former members, outside factors are beginning to encroach on our ability and constitutional right of freedom of the press. It’s no surprise that after the explosive 2016 election, the ideological polarization of American politics would eventually fester into tangible ramifications, with formerly radical prejudices now facilitating laws inhibiting personal expression and freedoms to live life, practice liberty, and genuinely pursue happiness. Particularly, the recent passing and extension of the “Don’t Say Gay” law explicitly limits teachers and school administration from discussing significant LGBTQ+ experiences and history, gives parents the power to contest perceived issues with curriculum, and lodge other grievances. As greater disapproval of courses like Advanced Placement African American History and Psychology, the neverending hostilities spell out a foreboding future of limits on our publication. If the history and voices of marginalized communities are being silenced, what does that spell for our own publication’s ability to share the student body’s opinions? iiiiiThe future of student journalistic expression may seem dim, but let us not forget the power that we still hold by publishing alone. While student reporters are still negated their right to expression by the government, the fight for free speech and press must continue through our voices and reporting. Although frequent threats to our expression seem daunting in this wave of restrictive legislation and a foreboding future, like the brave journalists before us, so must we carry the well-nurtured legacy one article at a time, one photo at a time, and one issue at a time.

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE |19

AP Psychology and the Promotion of Ignorance

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD This story contains mentions of suicide. On the heels of much controversy and uncertainty surrounding the fate of teaching Advanced Placement Psychology in Florida, Duval County Public Schools has chosen to allow high schools to teach the course in its entirety. This decision, however, is a temporary fix to a much larger trend of attempting to silence queer voices and shut out people from education who do not fit into a specific box, promoting ignorance and ostracization.

On Aug. 3, the Florida Department of Education issued a statement to the College Board informing them that foundational instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation is illegal under state law. In doing so, the College Board stated Florida had effectively banned their AP Psychology course.

Shortly after, Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. wrote in a letter to district superintendents the course could still be offered “in a manner that is age and developmentally appropriate.” Despite this, many school districts across the state chose not to teach the course and instead offered alternatives. Duval County has officially reinstated the course as an option.

Though the news of the course’s full reinstatement was received with relief, the mere fact its curriculum was ever called into question is concerning. The altercation stemmed from Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, which attempts to give parents more choice in their student’s learning – at least on paper. In reality, the law prohibits teachers from teaching topics like gender and sexuality, which are concepts students grapple with during adolescence, whether they encounter them in class instruction or not. Without these topics, students are left with no guidance on how to handle their new experiences.

“If all the important adults in students’ lives avoid the reality of adolescent sexuality, then students are on their own in trying to understand and meet these emotional, psychological, relational, and physical needs,” writes Jennifer Bryan in her book, “From the Dress-Up Corner to the Senior Prom: Navigating Gender and Sexuality Diversity in PreK-12 Schools.”

By prohibiting these topics from being discussed in classrooms, lawmakers are denying reality and actively endangering these students. This is especially true when looking at recent statistics on the mental health of LGBTQ youth. According to The Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, which surveyed over 34,000 LGBTQ youth aged 13 to 24 in the United States, 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, with nearly one in five transgender and nonbinary youth attempting suicide.

Respondents who found their school to be LGBTQ-affirming, however, reported lower rates of attempting suicide, showing the existing vulnerability of this community. With classroom restrictions on these discussion topics, students are left with no comfort or reassurance about their feelings and are instead faced with the possibility there is something intrinsically wrong with them.

Laws like these inherently go against everything those proposing them have been fighting for.

In a Jan. 31 news release published on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ website, the governor stated he aims to “further elevate civil discourse and intellectual freedom in higher education, further pushing back against the tactics of liberal elites who suppress free thought in the name of identity politics and indoctrination” through various legislative decisions. Yet, from where we stand, it

seems as though the ones doing the indoctrinating are not “liberal elites” but instead people like Gov. DeSantis, who are censoring curriculum in schools in favor of their personal beliefs.

Similarly, the people favoring identity politics, defined by Merriam-Webster as “politics in which groups of people having a particular racial, religious, ethnic, social, or cultural identity tend to promote their own specific interests or concerns without regard to the interests or concerns of any larger political group,” seem to be Gov. DeSantis and his associates; they are making decisions on school curriculum without taking into consideration the many concerns raised by other political figures, the College Board, and concerned parents and teachers who want their students to be prepared for their future. Even when ignoring the physical toll of these actions, the concept of censoring curriculum based on personal belief systems goes against the apparent goals of lawmakers and damages students’ educations.

Ultimately, removing discussion of gender and sexuality from classes can take a personal toll on the health and college readiness of students, and is therefore something we should not accept in our schools. As students still navigating their sexuality and gender identity, seeing lawmakers treat our community as the “other,” like forbidden topics that should only be addressed in hushed conversations in the halls, is demeaning and hurtful. No one should be made to feel like they don’t belong, especially at the hands of cowardly individuals unable to fathom that anyone can exist outside their rigid binary of what gender expression or sexual orientation should look like. People outside of this binary will continue to exist whether lawmakers acknowledge us or not, so it is important we are given a safe space within schools.

Poreptaq uidendignam adictur? Uga. Ut erempos magnat.

photos by Anusha Anna infographic by Shravya Nalla

20 | OCTOBER 2023

The Devil is in the Detail

By ERICA TRUONG, Staff Writer This school year marks the Devil’s Advocate’s 40th anniversary.

Throughout its years, the paper has established a recognizable name for itself but not many know about its initial controversy with the use of the devil. The name photo by Anusha Anna was chosen in 1983 as a play on Stanton College Preparatory School’s mascot, the Blue Devil, and had initially received some backlash; however, it has become a name that represents the values of objectivity and the importance of presenting all arguments. The devil has also appeared in various mediums such as films, art and music, which have garnered different reactions from its audiences. Mostly used for its striking ability to captivate spectators, the growing trend of using the devil in an array of media constantly shapes how it is perceived.

The term “devil’s advocate” is derived from the Latin words “diaboli” and “advocatus” and was used within the Catholic Church. First coined by Sixtus V as an official position given to one who argued against a candidate of sainthood, the term is now used as a label for those who present an opposing argument to stimulate debate and evaluate the other argument. Although they typically vouch for the less popular side of a controversial topic, that does not necessarily mean it is the wrong side of the argument. According to David Moore, the Devil’s

Advocate’s first Editor-in-Chief, the staff gave the student body full freedom to create a name for the newly established paper. It was a well suited phrase, especially considering its inclusion of the school’s mascot and representation of objectivity by critically analyzing all sides of a story. Indeed, it is important to recognize differing perspectives to fully grasp the entirety of any point of contention. In particular, the Devil’s Advocate has since been built upon this foundational idea.

Having a name containing the devil, Devil’s Advocate had naturally stirred a bit of controversy.

Moore recalled the students having mixed reactions regarding the name of the paper. For instance, some

were upset by the usage of the devil, which makes sense considering most people believe they should not affiliate with a figure of evil. While the devil has been feared for centuries, there was a particular rise in fear against any association with the devil after the book “Michelle Remembers” by Lawrence Pazder and Michelle Smith was published in 1980.

The book made extreme claims about satanic ritual abuse and the “satanic panic” continued to grow after widespread conspiracies and allegations against physical and sexual abuse relating to Satanism were made. Consequently, there was a large public outcry when the devil was depicted in the media. The mix of social and religious stigma with the devil was problematic for Devil’s Advocate, however, there were still others who supported this befitting name. In the October 1983 article entitled “The Principal Word’’ featured in the first issue of this paper, former Stanton principal Carole Walker believed it perfectly embodied the staff and students at Stanton as they were often associated with having strong opinions and varying outlooks.

This remains true today.

Beyond a school setting, the devil has also appeared in different media that has also received both positive and negative reviews. For example, the 1984 film, “Oh God! You Devil” directed by Paul Bogart focused on the main character, Bobby Shelton, who sells his soul to Satan in return for being granted seven years of success as a famous musician. When it was released, the movie mostly received negative reactions from critics. In The New York Times article, “Movies: Burns in ‘Oh God! You Devil,’” Janet Maslin criticized the film for its confusing plot and offensive material.

Additionally, writers have ironically used the devil’s traditionally sinful nature in their compositions. Different forms of media have taken the character of the devil and adapted it to attract more audience members. For instance, the K-pop boy group SHINee released a song in 2010 called “Lucifer” in which the speaker is entranced by a woman compared to Lucifer, a name synonymous with the devil. The song charted for 57 weeks on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales, peaking at number three and showcasing globally how the representation of the devil can be a marketable strategy for musicians. Other artists have also utilized the historically sinister creature to draw people in, taking the previous perception of the devil and placing a unique twist on it.

Despite the progressive changes in ideologies from the 1980s to now, the devil is still recognized as a nefarious being in several religions and can be a sensitive topic for its followers. Recently, Doja Cat’s release of the song “Paint The Town Red” on YouTube has been a hot topic because of its devilish imagery. This, alongside her public rebranding, has caused her to receive mixed reactions from her listeners and fans. With some supporting her art, others are appalled and claim her new music is sinister. However, with time the media has facilitated the audience’s adjustment to

the character and reshaped it into a versatile figure with various interpretations.

Starting from an era where fear mongering about satanism was at a peak, the devil has grown into an iconic character, bringing in a much-needed shock factor to the media. In the case of the Devil’s Advocate, the devil holds symbolic meaning as it accurately represents the impartial goals of the paper. Although it began with slight controversy, the name itself has been able to garner positive attention. Since the beginning, Devil’s Advocate has proven itself a clever, apt name by objectively presenting all sides of a story which some other news organizations fail to do.

infographic by Shravya Nalla

Columns published in the Devil’s Advocate represent the views of the writers, not those of the newspaper.

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 21

The Art of Dreaming

By EMILY ZICKUHR, Staff Writer Dreaming is a process everyone experiences, and while this process is not unfamiliar, the decisions and life that follows it are.

By choosing to have bigger dreams in life, people face hardships in order to reach them. Aspiring to dream photo by Sarah Bernardo big can also shape the life a person decides to live because it can influence the choices and paths they take. This phenomenon is ongoing, and one not taught in a classroom, but rather a challenge each student goes through. At Stanton College Preparatory School, students set the foundation for their future by having dreams to help guide their next endeavors.

Though Stanton sets the stage for dreaming big, our minds are not limited to just the knowledge we learn from our teachers. The mind features a string of intricate thoughts and ideas which a person either decides to act on or ignore. These wide-ranging dreams in a student’s mind can start to develop as

photos by Anusha Anna infographic by Shravya Nalla

22 | OCTOBER 2023

something they want to pursue in their future.

By attending Stanton, a student opens multiple doors to their future because of the plethora of academic and extracurricular opportunities offered that can contribute to their goals. The array of activities also helps students to explore what they hope to pursue next in their life.

When venturing into dreams, a person should know the process of each dream depends on the size of the idea. Small dreams allow people to focus on one task at a time to achieve a goal, while dreaming big features multiple minor steps to achieve a greater objective. Because of its smaller scale, dreaming realistically removes those fears and insecurities often associated with larger dreams. This causes students to often underestimate their skills for the sake of not risking anything and suppressing those feelings.

In listening to peoples’ dilemmas, major companies have started using their social media platforms to advocate for the act of dreaming big. For instance, Mattel’s Barbie has a highly recognizable slogan of “you can be anything” that motivates young girls to accomplish anything their dreams desire. However, this idea does not have to be limited to a younger audience because people of all ages can fulfill their dreams. This is also a prominent issue in society because higher age affects the sincerity of the outlook on individual ideas. According to the National Library of Medicine, higher age has been associated with fewer personal goals in total. This can be attributed to older people thinking they have a limited time to act on their ideas. In reality, big dreams can be accomplished at any time in a person’s life.

The influx of feedback on the size of ideas begins in childhood, and the younger self plays a key role in that decision process. According to Science Direct, a medical and scientific publication database, dreams are often influenced by the socioeconomic status and background of someone’s parents. This connects to the way a person is nurtured during their childhood due to parental influence, causing their ideas to be shaped by the first opinions they receive. With perseverance and hard work, aspirations can still drive accomplishments. The same study also mentions how having life goals at a young age can assist the child in becoming more successful in their future. However, listening to those significant dreams early on in life is where most people fail to follow through.

Due to the fear of rejection, dreams often get diminished by individuals. Due to struggles like parental pressure, self-validation, and passion, there are many ideas Stanton students should consider. These factors contribute to the fear of an idea dying because of someone else dismissing it. Elevating a life goal beyond one’s normal standards can also lead to an increase in self-criticism and lowered motivation. Picking whether to stick to a big dream or minimize it

into something small is something each person must decipher.

The choice between big and small ideas all depends on someone’s perception. The mind can lower the influence of a dream and make it appear minor, but it can also highlight a dream and visualize it to extremes. The process of choosing an idea and sticking to it is unyielding, which also causes it to be exceptionally difficult. Although it is not easy, one earns a strong sense of reward.

According to the European Economic Review, as life goes on, a person gains satisfaction from their achievements as they feel a sense of pride in their accomplishments. This is an upside of

small dreams, because in following big ideas, one sacrifices the small feelings of accomplishment for a sense of pride in themselves.

When a person loses faith in their ideas, it lowers the confidence they have in their dreams. Because of their grand size, big dreams often get pushed aside until later when students realize their desires should have been pursued sooner. This selfdoubt can be avoided by acknowledging current aspirations. By doing so, a person sets themselves up for a happier future knowing they attempted to shoot for the stars. Regret is a motivating factor in many life experiences, including dreams, which shows students they should risk more in life to gain more exciting opportunities.

Choosing our dreams is a decision which haunts our present and future lives. The choice of dreaming in a modest manner is not associated with fulfilling peoples’ desires because of the small audience and outlook it provides. On the other hand, larger dreams reach a vast number of people and allow a person to feel success and pride in their accomplishments. Though each large dream can alter the choices people make for themselves, the obstacles along the way will ultimately result in a happier outcome. This makes dreaming big a change people should start implementing in their lives because there are only positive rewards.

Columns published in the Devil’s Advocate represent the views of the writers, not those of the newspaper.

STUDENT LIFE

STUDENT LIFE