Issue 4

Spanish River High School 5100 Jog Road Boca Raton, FL 33496 galleonnewsonline.com Issue 4 - February 2012

TheGalleon

A-Team wins county tournament

New marquee added to courtyard Claire Dykas Staff Reporter

Photo Courtesy of Libby Koolik

The A-Team poses for a team photo after its district victory. Top row: Libby Koolik, Gil Vizner, Ken Groszman and coach Paulette Riedel. Bottom row: Sarah Darwiche, Whitney Sha, Noah Gardner and Ilana Weisman.

Julie Bergman Staff Reporter The Academic Team (A-Team) is a squad of six students who participate in Jeopardy-style tournaments where players answer questions from all

high school subjects, from literature to calculus to biology. This year, Spanish River’s A-Team took first place in the annual Palm Beach County A-Team tournament, ending Atlantic High School’s eight-year winning streak.

Members of the team include

seniors Noah Gardner (captain) and Gil Vizner and juniors Whitney Sha, Libby Koolik, Ilana Weisman and Sarah Darwiche.

“This year we were exceptionally focused and determined,” Gardner said. “Everyone played an awesome

The latest addition to Spanish River’s continued facelift can now be seen big and bold upon walking into the courtyard. The double-sided marquee, which was installed over winter break, has caught the attention of students.

Poor insulation around the electrical wires prolonged the time it took for the marquee to become functional, but on February 2, the lights turned on.

The new marquee, with full-color text and the ability to play video clips, displays the time, date, temperature, as well as announcements.

“I will be able to see all of the latest news about school throughout the whole day,” sophomore Natalie Broidis said.

Some students, however, believe that the marquee is redundant, and that the money used to purchase it, about $32,000, could have gone to what they consider to be more useful

*continued on page 3

Sophomores promote safe driving When sophomores Ross Brenner and Dalton Holody saw The Today Show’s television segment about the smartphone application “Phoneguard,” they wanted to partner with the Boca Raton-based company to host an event for students against texting and driving. Phoneguard locks the keypad on the user’s cell phone when he or she is driving above ten miles per hour. Only when the car comes to a complete stop can all of the phone’s functions can be utilized. Brenner and Holody met with the Phoneguard company to discuss their partnership, and Phoneguard accepted.

“We wanted to host a four to five hour event that would attract families, not just the teenagers,” Holody said. “Hopefully, it will play out like a ‘Think Pink’ type of situation where we have celebrities speak about the dangers of texting and driving in between performances.”

PDA at River: Yay or Nay? Should public displays of affection be allowed?

Page 7

Even the Boca Raton mayor and city council agreed to back their efforts and provide permits. The next step was to contact Principal William Latson in order to obtain administrative backing for their school event. Latson not only approved the event, but expressed effusive pride in their plan.

“This is this type of activity that is

Photo by Whitney Sha

Phoneguard prevents texting while driving by locking your smartphone when you drive above ten miles per hour.

what being in high school is all about,” Latson said. “This effort will prepare them for college and life as they will learn some very important lessons.”

The event will take place Saturday, March 10, at River, where people will

River Talks Politics Four students - and one teacher - make their case for the presidential candidates.

Page 9

test the Phoneguard application on a special track. The day will end with a concert by well-known artists and celebrities.

Photo By Joey Goldman “I think what they’re doing is great,” The new marquee displays the time, date, senior Brad Hoke said. “Nobody is weather and other annoucements. that important that you need to be texting while you’re driving. Waiting ten to fifteen minutes won’t kill you.” causes, such as bathroom repair.

Brenner and Dalton also contacted “We all watch the morning Channel One in hopes of filming their announcements,” junior Sofia Sotoevent to show on air.

Sugar said. “We all see the marquee “The reason Dalton and I are doing outside [by the teacher parking lot] this is that we see people [text and and there are flyers everywhere.” drive] all the time, and it’s incredibly However, PTSA President Mara Shadangerous,” Brenner said. “You’re six piro does not believe that parents’ times more likely to crash if you’re donations should be going towards texting.” the bathrooms.

They hope that the event will make “It is the district’s job to provide a people more aware of the dangers of safe environment for students, not the texting while driving.

PTSA’s,” Shapiro said. “Even if we had “The boys have done a remarkable known about the bathroom problem, job of organizing a much needed people do not donate money to the humanitarian effort,” Latson said.

PTSA to fix the bathrooms.”

Brenner and Holody define success Volunteers will keep the marquee simply. up-to-date with information such as “If we even just save one life from club meetings and fundraisers. doing this, then we’ve succeeded in what we are trying to do.”

Joey Goldman contributed to this article.

Spanish River’s Picassos AP Studio Art students display their artistic ability through concentrations.

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Inside this Issue

Emily Bergman Staff Reporter

News.............................1, 3 Opinion...................4-5, 7 Features......................8-9 Feature Focus......10-11 Entertainment....12-13 Student Life..........14-15 Sports......................18-20 .

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February 2012 The Galleon

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NEWS

February 2012 The Galleon

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Four staff members leave River Shelaina Bloukos Staff Reporter

Since the start of this school year, Spanish River has lost one assistant principal and three science teachers.

Assistant Principal Hal Videtto, chemistry teacher Caroline Brooks, biology and anatomy teacher Alan Lacroix and marine biology teacher Jonathan Spicer have all left the school.

Videtto served as an Assistant Principal this year. After a few months, he accepted a job as the night principal at Park Vista High School. Although Videtto said the decision was very tough to make, he considers it an opportunity for professional growth and finds it more convenient because it is closer to his home.

“I’m very sad to leave,” Videtto said.

“You [Spanish River] have an outstanding body [of students] and great kids who seem to work hard. The staff is great.”

Spicer was hired this year to replace former marine biology teacher Rick Rothman. Born and raised in Atlanta, Spicer has always remained nostalgic for his hometown and hoped to one day return there. Before finals last

semester, Spicer accepted a similar job in Atlanta as an earth science teacher. When asked what he would miss the most about River, he responded with the class of 2012. He said that his students taught him as much as he taught them.

Despite the rumor that Spicer had been fired because of his participation in a racy performance with his dance troupe “Spice Boys,” he clarifies that he left for personal reasons.

“You all taught me to be a little stricter when it comes to discipline and to be friendly, but to still hold my ground and respect as the teacher,” Spicer wrote in a departing email to his students. “You all saw me through some of my greatest personal and professional growth.”

Lacroix resigned from his position to go to the Midwest to care for his mother, who recently suffered a stroke. If given the chance, Lacroix said that he would definitely return to River as a teacher and hopes to visit his colleagues and former students one last time.

“I love Spanish River,” Lacroix said. “I highly recommend it to anyone who asks. It was great. I’m a product of it and it’s the best school I ever went to.”

Photo by Lee Ginton

Jonathan Spicer performs with his dance troupe, the “Spice Boys,” at the December 9 pep rally. Despite rumors that he was fired for the racy performance, Spicer maintains that he left on his own terms.

Brooks’ short career at River ended in the first quarter of the school year.

When asked how her class was, junior Nicole Napolitano stated that it was not much of a class at all.

“Everyone talked over her, stole her tests and changed their grades in her computer,” Napolitano said.

Brooks was not available to contact for further information.

Assistant Principal Ira Sollod is upset to see the teachers depart.

However, he is not all that surprised because of the large number of new faculty members who were hired for the school year. He holds a respectful attitude toward their departures.

“Whenever you hire that many people, you hope it works out,” Sollod said. “Different things are going on; obviously, we can’t force anyone to stay.”

Each teaching spot left vacant by the departed teachers has been filled.

Dress code enforced more strictly A-Team wins Whitney Sha News Editor When Spanish River students returned to school on January 10, they found themselves under a newly enforced dress code. During the week prior to winter break, Principal William Latson had appeared on the morning announcements to remind students of the dress code, and he also sent out calls to students’ families during the break.

“The dress code has not been changed from previous years,” Latson said. “It is only being enforced more seriously.”

The new administration has been a major factor in deciding to enforce the dress code, according to Assistant Principal Rachel Amburgey.

“The River staff and community indicated that they want this to be a priority,” Amburgey said.

Consequences for violating the dress code are progressive, ranging from lunch detention to out-ofschool suspension.

Teachers are expected to ensure

that their first period classes meet the dress code. If a student does not, he or she is sent to the cafeteria and then to meet with an assistant principal.

“I first notice students when they’re coming in the door,” math teacher The Galleon Insider

The students have really stepped up .... I’ve never seen a student out of dress code while I’m patrolling the courtyard during lunch.

Kevin McEnroe AP Calculus AB teacher

Betsy Visnick said. “I then do a thorough check when I’m walking around looking at homework.”

For the most part, teachers find that students have been accepting toward the dress code.

“The students have really stepped up,” Athletic Director and AP Calculus AB teacher Kevin McEnroe said. “This awareness program has worked. I

haven’t felt the need to address my other classes [besides first period], and I’ve never seen a student out of dress code while I’m patrolling the courtyard during lunch.”

Students violating dress code must obtain appropriate clothing – from their lockers, from their parents or by driving home themselves – or they will be sent to O.R. (in-school suspension). Junior Erin Ressler was out of dress code during the first week of enforcement but managed to find suitable clothing.

“I was late that morning and forgot about dress code enforcement,” Ressler said. “I talked to my assistant principal, and I went home and changed.”

Despite accidentally violating the dress code, Ressler agrees that it has improved the learning experience and overall atmosphere at River.

“Last semester, it was very unpleasant to look at students who dressed inappropriately,” Ressler said.

Although talk of the “new” dress code has caused turmoil and confusion, students have adjusted quickly to meet expectations.

The Galleon 2011-2012 Editors-in-Chief Joey Goldman Nicole Granet Associate Editors Phoebe Dinner Lee Ginton Advertising Director Samantha Cohen Layout & Feature Focus Editor Ilana Weisman

News Editors Joey Birchansky Whitney Sha Features Editor Caroline Posner Entertainment Editors Ariel Brown Lee Ginton Sports Editor Josh Benrubi

Student Life Editors Phoebe Dinner Emma Grubman Art Editors Gali Deutsch Caroline Posner Photography Editor Julie Bergman Web Editor Claire Dykas

The Galleon is a public forum.

tournament

*continued from page 1

role in getting us where we needed to be.”

The district tournament consists of five, ten and fifteen-point rounds.

Each round includes twenty questions. Only the first team to buzz in can answer a question, and points are deducted for incorrect answers, so teams must work both quickly and accurately.

Being a part of the A-Team gives students a chance to excel in their academic interests.

“I was never on a sports team, so it’s a great opportunity for me to rep the Sharks,” Vizner said.

The A-Team will now compete at the state tournament, which will take place from April 19-21 in Orlando. The trip, which is financially covered by the school district, includes three-day passes to Disney World.

Coach Paulette Riedel hopes the team will succeed at the state level.

“I am extremely proud of their district win,” Riedel said. “I hope we can win districts again next year.”

Technical Editor Razvan Chiriac Staff Reporters Emily Bergman Shelaina Bloukos Jamie Brecher Zach Schlein Adviser Suzanne Sanders Principal William Latson

The Galleon is a member of Quill and Scroll Honorary Society for High School Journalists, Florida Scholastic Press Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association, and National Scholastic Press Association.

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OPINION The difference between movies and reality February 2012 The Galleon

Phoebe Dinner Associate Editor Maybe it is the monologue at the end of the movie that gets us every time. Or maybe it is the inspired speech that leads to everyone’s heightened expectations. I just finished watching the movie Prom, which premiered last year around this time and convenient-

Photo courtesy of Kendall James

Senior Jon Bolz asks senior Kendall James to prom with goldfish that he left in her fifth period class.

ly came on Netflix just months before Spanish River’s own prom.

The entire movie is unbelievable. Not in the good way, in the way that you really just don’t believe what is happening on the screen. It starts with a montage of outrageous prom proposals. I am talking, banners hanging from bridges and decorating the auditorium with prom paraphernalia.

I think most girls at this school would consider themselves lucky if they got a guy to take a minute out of their “bro-time” to send a text.

That was until I saw the recent outbreak in competition between the boys at River. At this point, every guy is trying to outdo the other. This unexpected thoughtfulness is really setting a standard for the 2012 Prom. The proposals have bought into every girls fairy tale picture of what prom should be.

Then there is the perfect dress.

In the film, like in any good teen romance, there is the cute lead actress trying on ugly dress after ugly dress until she finally finds the right one that makes her love

interest see her in a new romantic So tell me if all of this is actually light. going to happen on March 31st.

Well when I was trying on dress- So far, between the proposals and es, the the dress the sales asmovie is zero sistant at for two and if Saks Fifth my night ends Avenue with somedidn’t exone saying ,“… actly fall when it ends, in love it is really just with me, the beginning,” but rathI will have to er conreconsider my vinced life decisions. me into But I guess that thinking is all better Photo courtesy of Emily Casey every sinthan how BritSenior Anthony Petrone asks senior Emily Casey to gle dress prom, spelling out his proposal in red solo cups for the tany Snow endI tried on school to see. ed her evening looked in the movie great on me.

Prom Night, with a sadistic killer And then, in the movie there are out to get her and her friends. If the days before prom where every- filmmakers have taught us anything goes wrong and you think thing about prom, it will either be that the night could be ruined. But the sappiest night of our lives or not to worry, somehow the former the deadliest. Where is the in bebad boy manages to clean up his tween people? act and make it in time to dance with the student class president in an unexpected (but highly anticipated) moment of chivalry.

Shark Attack Dear Editor, Regarding your article “Expressing Cultural Diversity” I can’t agree more with everything you said. I am glad that you wrote about Ali, her family and religion. It is very true that due to ignorance, people misjudge others. Ali is very brave as she lives her religion and traditions.

It is very true how due to one man, Osama Bin Laden, the Muslin culture was put to shame. I come from Venezuela and we have many traditions that are different from the Americans. However I must say that the US is great at respecting diversity.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Turner

Coach Kevin Turner and the varsity soccer team show their support for the community by walking at Race for the Cure.

Sincerely, Elena Mendoza

Letter From the Editors Spring Fling has arrived, Spring Break is around the corner and Spanish River is buzzing with exciting changes. Have you wondered what the story is behind the new marquee in the courtyard? Check out all the details on the Foundation’s generous donation on page 1. Between the bathroom stench and the never-ending testing block, we have a few of our own #SpanishRiverProblems - read all about them in Feature Focus. Meanwhile in sports, River Basketball has been center-stage with a stellar record heading into playoffs this week. For more on the basketball team’s performance, check out page 18. And as Valentine’s Day fast approaches, we can’t forget about the couples making out in every corner of the 8000 building.

Should PDA be allowed in school? Faceoff is on page 7.

We hope you enjoy this issue!

Joey Goldman, Nicole Granet, Phoebe Dinner and Lee Ginton

Photo Courtesy of PTSA

Senior Reggie Love signs the dotted lines, sealing his commitment to play football at the University of Wisconsin.

Photo courtesy of Mary Fish

The River Math Team competes at the FAMAT Competition at Coral Glades High School on Saturday, January 21.

Thumbs up - 100th Day of School - Basketball Team Success - Spring Fling Week

Thumbs down - Bathroom Smell - Deferrment Becoming a Part of Seniors’ Vocab

Editorial Board photos courtesy of google images

OPINION 5 How I’m burning a hole in my pocket Where is the February 2012 The Galleon

Joey Goldman Editor-in-Chief I’m caught in a vicious, debilitating cycle of pain and suffering. Every time it happens it fills me with indescribable dread. The agony never ends, and yet, even though I can break free from my destructive ways, I just can’t seem to find the strength. What, you might ask, is causing me such unbearable distress?

Blowing all my money.

Perhaps my confession is too hyperbolic (actually, it is), but I hope that by coming clean about my lack of fiscal responsibility some of you might avoid the track I’ve been on lately.

I have a job as a delivery driver for a local restaurant. I work Mondays and Saturdays and get paid on both days (more on Mondays). You would think that a job would provide a sensible teenager with a better, more respectful view of money, but then again, whoever said I was sensible?

Let’s say I make an average of $100 every Monday. Half of it immediately goes to buying gas because my car gets worse gas mileage than a Humvee slugging

around the Dolphins’ offensive line would.

So, before I even get home on Monday nights, I only have $50 left. The sensible thing to do would be to put it all in my savings account, but I find that to be incredibly selfish. It is my duty as an American citizen to fuel our capitalist economy, and the only way to do that is to become a consumer, to spend. So spend is what I do. A lot of it. Until I have no more money left.

What am I spending my hardearned money on during the week? Chipotle, mostly. Although, there is the occasional Subway visit. I also find myself buying ridiculous items online, especially my most recent purchase: pills that promise mental focus and lucid dreaming. A worthy investment, I must have thought at the time.

By the time the weekend rolls around, my wallet is awfully light. After work ends on Saturday, however, I do manage to recover slightly. Let’s say I make an average of $60 on Saturdays. The sensible move here would be to put this money into my savings account and cut my losses. But at this point I’m on a roll - there’s no stopping now. After a few more

purchases on Sunday, including another visit to the gourmet eating establishment known as Chipotle, I’m down to $30.

Only at this point will I make the agonizing journey to the bank to deposit what’s left; unfortunately, there isn’t much. At this rate, it will take me millions of years before I can consider myself Bill Gates rich. Or, in simpler terms, the amount of time it will take for a new Eddie Murphy movie to not tank in theaters.

Call me fiscally irresponsible, and maybe I am, but what kind of message are the executives on Wall Street sending to the youth of America? To spend wildly and let the government bail you out when you mess up? Those onepercenters are corrupting young American minds with welfare propaganda.

At the end of the day, I know I need to start saving more and spending less, and I am confident that I can get back on track toward a stable, successful financial future. Because financial irresponsibility can have dire consequences if not dealt with.

Just ask Greece.

Photo courtesy of Google Images

FLVS: The Slacker’s Harvard Nicole Granet Editor-in-Chief It’s nice that Florida Virtual School (FLVS) exists for students who need to take classes online. But FLVS takes the idea of “virtual” learning to a different level, the level where “virtual” means hypothetical, nonexistent, instead of meaning “online.”

After taking three online classes, I can assure you that it offers “virtually” no learning at all.

Many Spanish River students fall into the trap of taking FLVS classes for various reasons. Either they have a scheduling problem, want to take a class that is not offered at school, or need to make up a class they previously failed. In every scenario though, FLVS is the backup plan.

The flaw with this set up is that in each case, the student is in need of getting a quality education on a certain subject - be it art history, physical education, pre-calculus, or Spanish - but finishes the course with little to no concrete understanding of the subject. I understand that FLVS cannot readily fix problems that stem from being an online school. It’s just sad that this popular option for students is one that is not conducive to true learning.

Among the shortfalls of FLVS are that it’s more like having a babysitter than a teacher and it facilitates cheating. Essentially, taking an FLVS class is an unpleasant, unrewarding experi-

ence.

Unfortunately, I ended up taking FLVS classes due to scheduling conflicts. Last semester I took AP Government and HOPE, and this semester I am taking AP Macro Economics. While I am grateful that by taking these three courses online I will meet my graduation requirements, I cannot say that I feel I am receiving an adequate educational experience. Without the daily interaction with a teacher who is passionate about a subject, whom I can ask questions to without making an appointment, whom I can relate to and look at, I have trouble being motivated to learn. FLVS’s concept of a teacher is the person that calls you once a month to make sure you are on track with your progress, and grades those rare assignments that are not multiple choice.

When I have to teach myself all about AP Government by attempting to read a textbook online and watching outdated videos from The Discovery Channel, the resulting product is my skimming assignments and not having a true grasp on the topic. The missing element in this picture is the spark that a good teacher can ignite in his students by his presence in the classroom, his continued communication with his students and the dynamic relationship he

can form with a class.

The fact that FLVS is a haven for cheaters to excel does not strengthen its validity. For starters, students paying other students to take the course for them. Further, there is no way of preventing students from Googling answers during tests or having friends help them with assignments. In today’s world, where boundless information is literally at our fingertips, assuming that students in an online course are submitting original work and using the internet in an honest way is an oversight on the part of FLVS. How should FLVS remedy these serious flaws in this so-called educational alternative? Maybe that should be the subject of a new FLVS course - Avoiding Pitfalls 101.

Graphic art by Nicole Granet

love?

Lee Ginton Associate Editor In my Sociology class last week we spent three hours discussing decision making. I have gone 18 years making decisions subconsciously, not thinking about the different approaches and theories as to why I am doing it. Now, ever since that class, I cannot help but think about not only my own actions, but society’s as well.

As I left Sociology class it became clear to me that we do things when an incentive is involved, whether we enjoy it or not. Most students will do their homework only when they know the teacher is collecting it for a grade. AP and honors courses are taken to build up one’s resume. Even community service is done in order to meet a graduation requirement. So then I thought - what does it take to do something without an incentive?

Our level of caring can be numbered on a scale from 1-10. Maybe you care about a course subject on a level 5. If you got nothing in return for studying that subject, except knowledge, a level 5 probably wouldn’t bring you to study. But good grades (for some of us) is a level 9. Now all of a sudden, we are up all night studying. The situation applies in reverse as well. When there is a course subject that you are extremely interested in, but not graded on, then you can never find the time to explore it. How about community service? I think it is safe to say that if it were not for the requirement, many would not do it.

Many would agree that the 1960s was a time of revolution. Kids, many younger than us, felt the government was doing wrong, so they held protests and took a stand for what they cared about. They did not let greed stop them from being heard, and many risked their lives to try and save loved ones and stop what they believed was an unjust war. So why, in 2012, have we stopped doing so? We have seized voicing our opinions, no matter the situation. It seems to me that our generation has completely stopped caring.

So is there a problem with only doing things for self-benefit? If I had an answer, I would be sitting on bookshelves with Freud and Jung. One might argue yes, it is a problem - if everyone only cared for themselves then we would fall further into a world of greed and isolation. But others argue otherwise - we need to be selfish to thrive and survive, and if work surpasses play, so be it (for example: those whose lives revolve around their job). Perhaps even our society is not all that different from that of the 60s, and the only reason for their protests was the draft - an incentive to protest. But, hopefully, there is a medium somewhere which holds the perfect balance. The question is - where?

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February 2012 The Galleon

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FACE-OFF

February 2012 The Galleon

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at school Should Public Displays of Affection (PDA) be allowed at school? With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, Spanish River’s hallways are swarming with love-birds. While some might say that love is in the air, others argue that it is, in fact, lust that has got the birds and the bees souring. Where is the line drawn? Is a kiss on the cheek the appropriate departing symbol, or will one only be satisfied after a full make-out session before class?

Keep on Kissing!

get a room!

Michele Knoop Sophomore

Jennifer Heldt Chemistry Teacher

I believe that PDA should not have to be a problem I remember being in high school and thinking I was during school. When one is in a relationship, one wants in love. And I completely understand wanting to show to express how they feel emotionally and physically. Why affection in the halls but the level of PDA is absurd. I have should the teachers have the right to control our relation- seen couples canoodling in the corner of the halls, caressship during school? Couples should be allowed to express ing each other excessively. I have seen couples stand in their feelings about each other in school and out. I do not the main hallway of the 8000 building and make out like feel that our lifestyles should need to be affected by what there is no one watching. But come on people! The truth is others think.

EVERYONE is watching. This includes your peers, adminisPDA is exposed all throughout our world. A kiss is a sym- trators and teachers. bol of showing someone you love them. Teachers and our Now some of you may say that we teachers are old and piers should not be able to criticize about what they see out of touch. However, when I first came to River three in school. PDA years ago, my sevhas been disenth hour class played for would come in years in this practically vomitschool. In my ing because every opinion, if it day they had to has not been a walk past a couple problem in the that was playing previous years, severe tonsil then it should hockey right outnot have to be side my classroom a problem for door. Now I don’t the upcoming know what goals generation of the couple was students. trying to score in If PDA is the hallway but banned from I can tell you my our school, it students (and I) is certain that were thoroughly there will be disgusted.

The Photo by Lee Ginton many more di- Is there too much public display of affection at Spanish River? The couple pictured above students begged lemmas coming was captured showing some love in the hallway between classes. This couple however, is one me to do somefrom the stu- of the few that like to keep it PG. thing about it. dents who beThis year, for lieve in PDA. Odds are students would not adhere to this security reasons, all teachers must be at their door. I like ruling. Spanish River does not need more students miss- standing outside to greet my current and former students. ing class for being in the Opportunity Room or serving What I should not have to see is the groping and I definitedetentions. This movement would be the start of major ly don’t want to hear any cheesy romance lines. The harsh unnecessary problems. reality is that 99% of your relationships won’t make it out There is a line between PDA being acceptable and too of high school and a high percentage of you won’t make it the extreme. As high school students we know what the to next week or next quarter anyway so save yourself the limits are towards PDA. It is not like we are making out in embarrassment. Give a quick peck on the cheek and let it the middle of class. We as students are not asking to be all be done with. You will see each other in 50 minutes anyover each other, but just want to be able to express how way. Anything greater than a NC-17 rating is a big fat NO! we feel towards one another. Affection is a part of life and Save that for your alone time…when you’re thirty! should be accepted at school. PDA is common in our society and there is no reason for it to be hidden.

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FEATURES

February 2012 The Galleon

Students profit from Internet businesses Caroline Posner Features Editor Many students have likely tried their hand at entrepreneurship in the field of lemonade sales and friendship bracelets, but while other students are doing homework, sophomore Gina Levantini and junior Aaron Rice are busy with their own realworld businesses. The online sales industry might be intimidating to other teens, but these Spanish River students are making the most of today’s weboriented economy.

Levantini, a self-proclaimed “do-it-yourself enthusiast,” found her niche decorating and crafting all sorts of items for her business Alizay and Gina, and marketing them through etsy.com, an online market for buying and selling handmade or vintage items.

“When I teach myself how to make something I tend to make way too many of each,” Levantini said. “I had hair clips, bows, plushies, earrings, clay things and journals sitting around, so I decided to sell them.”

Over time, her work has become more elaborate, Levantini notes. She devotes time and effort to creating unique pieces, which started off with simple works like shell necklaces but have grown to include sculptures, drawings and paintings. Her customers have ranged from ages 5 to 50, and while she sells her items online, many of her sales transactions happen in person.

“I’ve had people I don’t know buy my handmade accessories right off of me!” Levantini said.

She adds that she is looking to expand beyond just a craft business. Levantini publishes a home-

made mini-magazine, or a “zine,” and is hoping to develop her range as an artist. As for the future, she hopes to keep up her sales and even considers the notion of opening a shop for her own work and the handmade artwork of others.

Rice specializes in a different type of sales - shoes.

“I sell through groups on Facebook, for example, this local group called ‘gotSOLE’ in West Palm Beach,” Rice said. “There’s another group called ‘Show Me Your Feet Heat’ that deals with valuable and exclusive sneakers across the country.”

Rice first entered the field of buying, trading and selling unique sneakers when his uncle gave him a pair of Air Jordan shoes in seventh grade. He began collecting shoes, and in ninth grade started selling them for extra cash.

“I learned all the values of most sneakers I see everyday, and I know the rarity of certain sneakers,” Rice said. “I go on these groups everyday and I talk to all my other friends who collect. I know people from here all the way to London.”

Rice trades or buys new pairs of sneakers and can market them at up to two or three times the original cost, allowing him to profit from his business. There is no downtime in the world of sneaker sales - Rice says he trades, buys and sells shoes every week. He has strengthened his business skills in the process, and has seen his sales do the same. With a total of more than one hundred customers so far, he hopes that enterprise keeps growing further.

Though do-it-yourself crafts and high-end sneakers might not seem comparable, Levantini and Rice have in common a passion about their individual businesses.

“It’s always cool to get money by doing something you really love,” Levantini said.

Photo courtesy of etsy.com/people/alizayandgina

Above, screen shots from sophomore Gina Levantini’s online business Alizay and Gina. Her hand-made items, including hair accessories and jewelry, are featured and sold at etsy.com/people/alizayandgina.

Photos courtesy of Monica Friedmann

Juniors Matt Diaz, Rachel Barrick, Sarah Weinstein and Libby Koolik, senior Emery Weinsten and junior Maria Valenzuela smile as they work on the Stars for Our Troops project with Latin American Club.

Club members gathered last month to participate in the Stars for Our Troops project.

Students cut out stars from retired, donated American flags so that they could be sent to soldiers with messages from the Major Stuart Adam Wolfer Institute.

“ Latin American Club wants to show that we care not only about our origins, but also about the

United States . ” club president and junior Kathleen Basile said.

“We’re proud of the soldiers who fight to allow us to live freely in this country. ”

“I felt really great helping soldiers - not just in Afghanistan, but everywhere. We got these old, dirty, yellowed flags and started cutting out all the stars. We’ve been working since October- I’ve done two flags.

That’s 100 stars now.”

Matt Diaz, 11

FEATURES

9

February 2012 The Galleon

River talks politics

It’s 2012, and the pressure is on for five front-runners in the coming presidential election.

Four students - and one teacher - weigh in on the choices for Commander-in-Chief this November.

wt Gingric e h N

Gingrich served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 19951999 .

Ro

n Paul

Ron Paul is a Texas congressman and military veteran.

“Our country needs one thing and one thing only right now: jobs.

Newt Gingrich knows how to create jobs. It’s up to us to make sure he gets the chance because we’re running out of time until our economy sinks into stagflation. Newt’s plan for jobs isn’t some ideological, ego-driven design that we’ve seen candidates resort to.

Rather, it’s based off of Reagan’s policies that led our country out of a similar recession in the 80s. Deregulation of businesses, encouragement of free market capitalism, and lowered tax rates will restore our economic success. Now, more than ever, we need a president with a rock-solid, productive past.”

Joey Goldman, 12

“Perhaps the least known and least discussed candidate in this year’s presidential campaign is Ron Paul. Paul has dazzled young voters with his lax drug policies and his stance on foreign policy. Paul believes that the United States should remain “isolated” from the rest of the world’s small disputes and domestic issues, and he wants to decrease the worldwide influence of the military. Paul is not a stereotypical Republican: he favors gay marriage and believes the government should not meddle in the social aspects of people’s lives, while he stands by his pro-life beliefs. Ron Paul offers a real change for the better for all American citizens.”

Nick Carbo, 12

S ck i R

“Santorum is a former senator, and well-experienced in government policy. I do feel that even if you don’t agree with what he thinks, which I don’t necessarily, he at least has some convictions. People have been telling him to stop caring about the issue of gay marriage for years, but that hasn’t changed his persistance. Unlike Romney, who has gone from pro-life to prochoice in his lifetime, at least Santorum sticks to his values.”

antor

um

Rick Santorum was previously a Pennsylvania senator.

[Editor’s note: Lampman does not endorse Rick Santorum’s campaign]

Aaron Lampman, AP U.S. History Teacher “In Mitt Romney’s plan for Jobs and Economic Growth, he proposes lower tax rates on low-income and middle income citizens that will help foster growth of American small businesses. Romney plans to fix our financial debt by cutting spending and capping it at 20% of our GDP, reforming Medicaid and Social Security. Romney is clearly the most rational and moderate of the Republican field, and has declared that “...abortion should be safe and legal in this country.” Romney has first-hand experience in the private sector, creates jobs for the American people and looks at social issues from a rational and modern standpoint.”

M

R itt

omne

y

Romney was a businessman and currently serves as Governor of Massachusetts.

Danny Jaffe, 11

a

ack Obam r Ba

“President Barack Obama entered his presidency in a difficult economic and military period with the intention of helping America back to stability and progressing forward. He has. Obama’s administration has seen the development of 2.6 million private sector jobs, the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and the repeal of the archaic and intolerant “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. He is incredibly invested in the reform and success of the American education system, and has saved or created some 300,000 teaching positions. An activist for equal rights, he is working to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans and to guarantee women equal pay in the workplace. In an election year marked by smear campaigns and attacks on other candidates, our president has demonstrated only a desire to continue working for the benefit of American security, financial stability and personal freedoms.”

Caroline Posner, 11 Photos courtesy of Google Images

Obama is the 44th president of the United States.

Juniors take the spotlight on wsrh

The juniors of Mr. Weddle’s first period TV Production class will produce and star on the morning announcements until seniors return for Spring Fling week.

Photos by Julie Bergman

On left, juniors Lisa Marie Checo and Lexie Kessler read the announcements from a teleprompter. On right, the WSRH crew of juniors broadcasts the morning annoucements to Spanish River classrooms.

10

FEATURE

February 2012 The Galleon

@SpanishRiverProblems Rumor has it River is losing its steam - teachers and students leaving,

mechanical failures, hectic testing schedules, overflowing guidance department

Is Spanish River falling apart?

The Galleon looks into these trending hallway topics.

#biohazard? Bathroom smell due to plumbing failure, leakage the problem," Markwardt said. "It is a very dangerous health hazard to the students and faculty at Spanish River."

Jamie Brecher Staff Reporter

It is almost impossible for students and staff at Spanish River to walk through the hallways without noticing the horrid smell that lingers throughout the air. The stench has been called a number of names, some too repulsive to mention, and students are very concerned about the situation.

"Every time I walk by the rest rooms, I feel like the poisonous air will suffocate me if I dare breathe in too deeply," junior Elaine Han said.

One thing is for sure, the smell is downright irritating to all who travel throughout the school campus.

The origin of the biting scent is found deep in the walls of the male rest rooms. Seven years ago, Palm Beach School District officials were determined to go green. They chose to install waterless urinals in an effort to cut down on the amount of water used on campus. The alternative to using water in flushing waste systems is to use chemicals, which are corrosive in copper pipes.

"The plumber who installed them [waterless urinals] had warned us that they might end up rotting through the pre-existing pipes," Assistant Principal and maintenance supervisor Doug Markwardt said.

That is exactly how the situation played out. The chemicals used in removing waste from the rest rooms have corroded through the copper plumbing, leaving pools of urine collecting in the walls and on the floors.

"I notified the district supervisor immediately of

photo by Joey Goldman

The 1000 and 8000 buildings’ boys’ bathrooms were blocked off for a majority of December and January awaiting repair.

Students have had to - or simply opted to - use different campus restrooms since.

The following day, a member of the Palm Beach County School District came to observe the situation.

Although the issue was clearly evident, the extensive process of fixing it had just begun.

“Relaying information and plans from the school to the district offices takes a very long time,” Markwardt said. “For something like this, they [the school district] contact three plumbers and receive three bids to choose from.”

Repairs on the rest rooms are already underway at River. The 1000 and 8000 building rest rooms should be fixed by the end of February, and the 4000 and 3000 building rest rooms should be completed by the end of the summer as they are used much less, according to Markwardt. The water pipes were left intact and so regular urinals are to be installed rather than chemical ones.

The situation has had a strong impact on the attitude of students.

“The smell of the rest rooms really turned me off, being a new student at the school,” freshman Cindy Groszman said.

The learning environment of the school is also being affected by this problem.

“It [the smell] really didn’t bother the class as long as the doors were closed,” physics teacher Miguel Nelson said. “The main problem was that students had to go to rest rooms in other buildings, which kept them out of class for long periods of time.”

Students and staff both share disgust when walking throughout campus, forced to breathe unclean air. However, the problem has been found and the repairs are underway. Students and faculty hope that River will return to its normal state once the rest rooms are fixed and the smell dissipates out of the halls.

What’s your problem? 250 students were surveyed about what their biggest River by the Numbers problem with River is. Here's what they said:

More seniors say guidance is trouble than any other grade

Testing Guidance

1 out of 90

Other Bathrooms

students say

1/3 of students

pose a major issue

bathrooms

classmates

think that the

are the worst problem at school

FOCUS

#FAIL

February 2012 The Galleon

11

The bathrooms aren’t the only techincal failure at River this year. Check out some other #fails:

#projector problems

#dirtywalls #toomuchtesting

photo by Ilana Weisman

Students are not the only ones suffering from testing teachers are forced to move classrooms to accommodate those taking FCATs.

photo by Ilana Weisman

After a remote broke, inventive students in Deb Stenner’s first hour AP Language class devised a way to turn on the overhead projector- a pencil taped to a yard stick.

photo by Nicole Granet

Dirt falls out of the outdoor wall by the “River Goes Green” mural on January 31, 2012.

#guidanceappt Department understaffed, overcrowded

done on time.”

In order for forms to be completed in a timely manner, the Department asks for forms two to three weeks in advance.

With 2376 students to oversee, Spanish River’s “It’s not a matter of when it’s due,” Barry said. five guidance counselors - Jill Rockwell, Mara “We’ll get it done on time.”

Bacher-Freedman, Melissa Loyacona, Roz Towers, Forms and duties are secondary to student and Lisa Barry - work incredibly hard to fit in admeetings, though. Both counselors say they ministrative responsibilities and student meetwant to get to know each of their students. ings, according to counselor Roz Towers.

“I do not know who my guidance counselor “We have about 450 students each,” Towers even is,” junior Jacob Abrams said. “But I really said, “and the freshman counselor [Rockwell] has should. I need to make an appointment.” nearly 700.”

Abram’s view matches that of many other stuThis overflow of students results from an dents; too many are not familiar with their guidempty spot in the department; six counselors ance counselor. used to share the same number of students, and “We’re just as anxious to see our students as Spanish River has had up to 12 counselors total. they are to meet with us,” Barry said, though she The increased student-to-counselor ratio is not noted that sometimes, appointments cannot be of major concern, but the resulting busyness made right away. “It’s like a [doctor’s] appointcombined with other responsibilities leaves the ment. We make an appointment the soonest we desire for more hours in a day despite being an can...but if it’s an emergency someone will see efficient department filled with counselors who photo by Julie Bergman you right away.” work well together. With large numbers of stu- Guidance counselor Roz Towers meets with a student. Meetings can be “There’s always someone at their desk ready to scheduled in the guidance office. dents comes up to 50 appointments per day in help,” Towers added. “But you’re best off making addition to other duties, Towers noted. for seniors, Head of the Guidance Department Lisa an appointment.” Both counselors also emphasized “We all have different jobs,” Towers said. “[I am] in Barry ensures that counselors are not at fault. the fact that students are always welcome and encharge of dual enrollment, [Barry] has scholarships.”

“As long as we have enough time to finish them, it’s couraged into the Guidance office before and after Such programs often require hefty amounts of not a matter of when they’re due,” Barry said. “Some- school and during lunch. paperwork for a guidance counselor to complete, times things are just lost in their own shuffle.”

“We all love kids,” Barry said. “We’re here to help.” but students who need recommendations or formed “We have had to call Ivies,” Towers added. “But as filled out need not worry. Even when overloaded a department we work well together and get things

Ilana Weisman Feature Focus Editor

#loggingoff?

with other duties, the Guidance Department will turn forms in on time and complete them in full. In response to rumors about the Guidance Department being responsible for delayed college acceptances

Some students found too many problems @SpanishRiver, and are now attending other schools:

Information compiled by Ilana Weisman

12

February 2012 The Galleon

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

AP Studio Art students shine through concentrations Lee Ginton Entertainment Editor

Unlike the majority of Advanced Placement (AP) courses at Spanish River, AP Studio Art does not base its curriculum off of a textbook, nor does it consist of hours of studying. Rather, AP Studio Art students are graded based on their creativity, originality and dedication toward their portfolios. While the course takes on a unique structure, AP Studio Art students devote just as much hard work and time to this course as students in other AP classes do.

Typically, an AP course consists of preparing throughout the year for a cumulative final exam.

The pieces produced throughout the year in AP Studio Art, however, are the students’ final exams.

During the first semester of AP Studio Art, students will work on their “breath” pieces - a period in which they can explore any medium and genre they desire. Come second semester, the students must choose a unique concentration and stick with it for the remainder of the year.

“It [the concentration] gives students a chance to go further into a subject that interests them,”

Art by Lucas Peel

Senior Lucas Peel uses a combination of water color and pen in his piece “Untitled”.

AP Studio Art teacher Catherine Fastnacht said. “It gives them the opportunity to explore something in depth, and they grow a lot in their work from it.”

Senior Taylor Brophy will be exploring the idea of “Toys vs. Real Life,” by placing toys in realistic settings.

“No one ever abandons his or her imagination as he or she ages,” Brophy said. “[My concentration] juxtaposes the colorful, fanciful world of a child with the harsh, concrete reality of an adult.”

Brophy plans to create pieces such as army men at war, skyscrapers and Legos weaved together, Mr. Potato Head in surgery and stuffed animals at the zoo. She believes that her concentration will not only allow her to explore her concept, but will also give her experience and the opportunity to master a medium.

Inspired by artist Alex Pardee, Senior Lucas Peel will undergo a concentration in which he portrays “Monsters Afraid of Non-Threatening Objects.” Peel plans to create works in which monsters are seen as frightened by harmless objects such as cupcakes, balloons, butterflies and teddy bears.

“My concentration deals with the contrasts between the typically frightening monsters and their fear of the innocently mundane, the soft strokes of watercolor, and the harsh lines of pen, and the developed foreground atop an undeveloped background,” Peel said. “I believe that working under a concentration will make my completed portfolio more rewarding, as I will be able to view my progression and unification of ideas throughout the process.”

While the concentrations of Brophy and Peel largely contain a conceptive approach, senior Jordana Schrager’s stems from a personal emotion.

Throughout her pieces, Schrager will portray the relationship of two people who grew up together, from past, to present, to future. The idea was derived from her parents, who met in Kindergarten.

“Out of the twelve concentration pieces, I will be doing four in the past, four in the present and four in the future,” Schrager said. “The past will be done in pencil. As my concentration progresses, however, I will be moving towards pencil and pen dots, and then only pen dots. It will help show the idea that the future is uncertain and that my drawings are only an imagination and idea of what is to

Art by Taylor Brophy

In her piece “Hand In Hand,” senior Taylor Brophy portrays the beginning of a journey to represent the start of her portfolio.

Art by Jordana Schrager

“Love,” by senior Jordana Schrager portrays the affection her parents have for each other. Schrager used pencil to recreate a photo of her parents taken on her mom’s 40th birthday.

come for my parents.”

There are almost no restrictions on what is allowed for a concentration; however, the students cannot choose a focus that is too broad, according to Fastnacht. Their work throughout the year all leads up to the end of the course, when the students submit twelve breath pieces and twelve concentration pieces to be reviewed by AP graders.

While they are given an AP grade from one to five based on their performance, the artists all agree that the real pay off after all the time and effort they devote to their art is seeing the progress they have made while completing their unique portfolios.

Blast from the past: 90s revival hits TV and theaters Zach Schlein Staff Reporter As this decade enters its second year, a past decade has slowly been creeping its way back into public consciousness. Just as 80s icons like Transformers, G.I. Joe and Conan the Barbarian flooded pop culture for the last decade, so too are staples of the 90s, nowadays.

Last year’s introduction of the “90s Are All That!” late-night programming block proved to be a major success for Teen Nick, earning ratings over 60 percent of what they once were in that time slot according to Nielsen ratings. It now seems that 90s nostalgia is now a hip cultural trend. Between Disney’s recent 3D re-releases of The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast and the resurrection of 90s shows such as “Beavis and Butthead,” this trend shows no signs of slowing down.

“It’s pretty exciting to have it coming back,” senior Abrielle Newton said.

Like many in her age group, Newton looks back fondly on the 90s and is thrilled to see the decade making such a strong resurgence.

“Captain Planet taught me how to conserve water, Ren and Stimpy taught me not to do drugs, Out of the Box made me believe that I too could make a killer box fort in my backyard impervious to rain, and Rocko’s Modern Life taught me to be generally apathetic,” Newton said.

Newton is not alone. Considering the strong box office numbers (over $94,000,000 domestically according to Box Office Mojo) for Disney’s re-release of The Lion King, America is ready for a return to 90s values and culture.

For Junior Jordan Diccicco, the re-emergence of the programs of his youth take him back to a simpler, happier time. He hopes that others will appreciate the shows the same way he did in his youth.

“They hold a very dear part of my heart because they remind me of a time of innocence,” Diccicco said. “It gives me a sense of nostalgia to see new generations appreciate the same stuff we used to.”

However, not all are looking at this new trend with rose-tinted shades of nostalgia, but rather are taking a more cynical approach.

“It is a bit of a cash grab, sadly,” senior Taryn Grunes said. “I mean, it’s great that we get to see all these old shows again, but The Lion King made ridiculous amounts of money. That’s the only reason they’re re-releasing those old movies.”

However, it seems that like Diccicco, most are reflecting on the rise of 90s culture as a look back on a much less complex, and sometimes less

scary, world.

“It’s easier to think about,” Newton said. “Cartoons were simpler, the news was simpler, even the pop stars were. You didn’t see Britney Spears arriving to the Grammy’s in an egg.”

If box office numbers and television ratings are anything to go by, it seems like 90s nostalgia is here to stay for a long time to come.

Art by Gali Deutsch

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

13

February 2012 The Galleon

Hunger for The Hunger Games spreads at River Ariel Brown Commentary Let the Hunger Games begin – at least for me, anyway. The trilogy of novels by Suzanne Collins is practically all that I have heard about for weeks now; countless numbers of my friends are raving about The Hunger Games, and the praise is not limited to Spanish River, let alone Florida. The series is now a nationwide phenomenon, so popular it has already been transformed into a movie. The movie trailer boasts of a battle to the death among teenagers; I was thoroughly unimpressed by this concept. Thus, as I turned to the first page of Book One - simply titled The Hunger Games - I braced myself for a Twilight wannabe: just another poorly written page-turner. I was not hopeful.

Only half of this prediction turned out to be true. The riveting book is written at a level far superior to anything Stephanie Meyer has managed to get down on paper.

I

concede, many of The Hunger Games’ plot elements are extremely overused – who hasn’t seen rebels in a dysfunctional society or a predictably-troubled romance?

However, the first book still managed to capture and secure my attention for almost 24 hours straight.

I was barely able to put it down long enough to absorb my daily Calculus lesson (sorry, Mr. McEnroe).

This was not simply because it appealed to the hopeless romantic in me, nor because of all the drama and thrills throughout the novel (although both did keep me at the edge of my seat). Part of it was due to Collins’ adept character development; I couldn’t help but become invested in the lives of her characters. But mostly it was because I found that the woes of this fictional society are so relatable and so relevant to the current plight of our nation. It struck a nerve as I read descriptions of families starving to death, too poor to sustain themselves; I recognized all the parallels to impoverished American families, helpless due to the economic crisis.

This added social commentary gave the book more substance, while the exhilarating story prevented it from becoming boring. It was really the icing on the cake for me; I can honestly say I wholeheartedly enjoyed the first novel of the trilogy, despite my initial reservations. In just one day I had been

entirely convinced of the quality of The Hunger Games (yes, it’s a very quick read).

Still, there is one problem left to address: the resulting emptiness I felt upon the novel’s conclusion. The final page left me anything but satisfied – it ended with a cliffhanger. Thankfully, Book Two (Catching Fire) was readily available for download on my Kindle. The moment it appeared on the Kindle home page I began reading, eager to delve into it and discover what would happen next. Then the unbelievable happened.

As I flipped through page after page, it soon became evident that the second installment was even better than the first. I got to know all of the characters on a deeper level, thus making all of the emotions and drama that much more intense. This one I literally did not stop reading once I started it: whether at school or work or home, the book never left my hands until I reached the last page - another cliffhanger.

I cannot express the enormity of my excitement to read the third (and final) book, Mockingjay. However, this time I plan on taking it a little more slowly; since this is the final book, I don’t want to finish it too quickly. I can’t bear to think of the end of The Hunger Games trilogy for me, as it has consumed my life for the past few days. Although, it won’t really be the end: there’s still the movie (and hopefully two more to follow). For now, I will contentedly read the third book and learn the fates of all the beloved characters. Then, you know where to find me on March 23 - the movie theater, of course.

Art by Gali Deutsch

12 THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2012 Titanic 3-D I Am Not A Vans Warped Tour M “I already love the C A Human Being 2 “The music is good original, but 3-D “Lil Wayne makes and I have fun with O makes it even really good all my friends.”

O L better.” - Angela music.”

- Madeline Marshall, Theodore, 12 - Robert Black, 10 N V B C I The Amazing U G.O.O.D. Music E Spiderman “It [G.O.O.D.] is the “They’re redoing the E best hip-hop label, series; I want to see R M and they come out how they interpret Drake with classic music S it.” - Mike Ijac, 10 “We’re all driving up together, and we T all have huge crushes on him [Drake].” S all of the time.”

- Andrew Fredrick, -Hanna Kivisto, 12; Brittany Armacida, 12 S 11; Sammi Kaplan, 10; Danni Dubin, 10

T V S H O W S

Boardwalk Empire (Season 3) “I love Steve Buscemi, of course!”

- Ms. Hoffman, AP Language and Composition teacher

90210 (Season 4) “The girl drama amuses me; I can kind of relate to it.”

- Kenya Black, 12

T E C H N O L O G Y

iPhone 5 “I’m due for an upgrade and the concepts look so cool.”

- Ian Morton, 9

MacBook “I usually have a hard time with computers, and it [the new MacBook] is supposed to be easier to use.” - Brandon Frank, 9

B O O K S

Hilarity Ensues

by Tucker Max “He [Tucker Max] is hilarious and his stories inspire me to have fun.”

- Danny Dadi, 12 The End Of Maximum Ride by James Patterson “I am sad that the series is coming to an end, but I’m excited to see what happens.” - Daniel Braff, 12 Photos by Lee Ginton Information compiled

by Lee Ginton and Ariel Brown

14

STUDENT LIFE Physical Education takes back seat in high school February 2012 The Galleon

Emma Grubman Student Life Editor Over the course of its existence as part of the school curriculum, physical education has been advocated as a way to teach students the fundamentals of fitness and how to lead a healthy lifestyle; however, its intentions are sometimes clouded by the lack of participation and emphasis that has been placed on it.

At Spanish River, students are required to take a full year of Health Opportunities through Physical Education (HOPE) to graduate. HOPE is composed of one semester of Health, and another of Physical Education (PE), which combined are believed to provide students with the optimal amount of education on personal fitness. “[In HOPE] we learn how to main-

tain our body’s health by learning what to eat and what not to eat and what helps our body maintain its proper function,” freshman Alex Silverman said. “I think overall it does help me because now I know how to maintain a good lifestyle.”

Although Silverman believes that taking HOPE ultimately helped her, she said that the course should not be required because, “most people will not remember most of it,” however, “it is a good class to take if you are serious about maintaining your health.”

Such a lack of participation and attention to the class by many students may be a result of an alternative to taking HOPE in school: HOPE online through Florida Virtual School (FLVS). Many students have turned to this option, but the effectiveness of taking a course which requires large amounts of physical activity online is a paradoxical concept. Some

students question if online HOPE is truly comparable to the HOPE course offered in school.

“Taking health online had little if any effect on my personal health,” senior Rachel Newmark said. “It is easy to take advantage of because all you have to do is sign a sheet saying you ran or did sit ups or whatever that week’s assignment was, and then when you have to take the quizzes you can j u s t Google t h e questions or have the notes in front of you.

Also, when you have the phone tests with the teacher, they have no idea if you are reading something or actually

learned In for

the information.” spite of the easiness students to abuse taking health online, Newmark was ul- timately happy that she decided t o do so.

“I enjoyed taking it o n - line because it was incredibly easy and required little time,” Newmark said. “I didn’t have to give up taking a class in school that I actually wanted to take.”

Art by Caroline Posner

New yeAr’s Resolutions The Galleon asked students what their new year’s resolutions are for 2012.

JOIN LACROSSE

LOSE 30-40 POUNDS

Buggein hopes to make the lacrosse team this season. In pursuit of making the team he has been running more, and practicing to get better.

How he is meeting his goal: Goes to the gym 2-3 times a week, used to only go one day a week. He is eating more healthily. “ I am eating Burger King less often” Williams said.

AVOID SENIORITS

BRING LUNCH TO SCHOOL

She has been taking some steps to ensure that she will not go over her seven absences, such as setting her alarm and not attending senior skip days.

Davalos never used to bring lunch to school; she’d just eat everybody else’s food, which she knows isn’t healthy. To fulfill her resolution, she’s brought lunch everyday this semester.

BE NICER

He is not making fun of people and being more open to people’s views.

Art by Gali Deutsch Information complied

by Samantha Cohen

STUDENT LIFE Student-teacher relationships affect classroom dynamic Phoebe Dinner Student Life Editor The performances of the studentteacher dance groups, Lampman 8 and Spice Boys, at the winter pep-rally have caused Spanish River students to ask where the line is drawn in a student- teacher relationship.

“It [Spice Boys’ performance] was kind of disturbing,” junior Maria Barni said. “It was funny, but maybe taken a little bit too far.”

Barni is one of the many people at River who agrees that the performance got out of hand, but Spice Boys member senior Julian Astrove saw it in a different light.

“It was all about having fun,” Astrove said. “People were over analyzing it.”

Astrove saw himself as being part of a school activity and was excited about the pep rally performance.

There are also students on sports teams who interact differently with their coaches in the classroom. Senior Carter Main, who on the boys soccer team, also has Coach Kevin McEnroe for AP Calculus AB. “There is a definite level of comfort there that other students don’t have,” Main said. “When he needs something done, he asks me.”

Captain of the boys cross country team, senior Nick French, sees the relationship he has with his coach, Rick Rothman, as beneficial.

“Interactions with coaches outside of school are completely normal and

necessary in order to be successful in sports,” French said. “Students can be friendly with teachers during school without it being weird.”

Math teacher Bob Tufo agrees with French and says that keeping a stu-

Photo by Julie bergman

Math teacher Bob Tufo works one-on-one with a student.

Photo by Phoebe Dinner

Coach McEnroe prepares Main to enter the game.

dent teacher relationship professional is the only option. He finds a balance between being “buddies” with his students and being a strict figure of authority.

“As long as they are education

based and not social, I think teacherstudent relationships are fine,” Tufo said.

There is, of course, a fine line that must be drawn in a student-teacher relationship.

“It is a gray area.” Tufo said. “A student and teacher should discuss only personal lives when it impacts the student’s schoolwork or achievement.”

Senior Nicholette Thaler feels that this so-called “gray area” makes students unsure of when how close to a teacher is too close.

“There are some teachers that students are more comfortable with,” Thaler said. “But they still know how to lead and teach the class, which makes the relationship appropriate.”

There are students at River who view the relationship between some students and their teachers differently, however.

“It looks to me like the teacher is favoring students,” senior Jake Rosen said. “When student teacher relationships get a little too close, I feel it is unprofessional.”

Teachers may show favoritism by adding students on Facebook, but Tufo sees this as an inappropriate behavior.

“I do not believe in teachers having social network connections with students,” Tufo said. “You will never see me accepting a student’s friend request.”

Students choose between SAT, ACT or both Joey Goldman Editor-in-Chief For college-conscious juniors nationwide, the new year marks the final months of preparation and studying for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and American College Testing (ACT). But as students seek to refine their mathematics, reading and writing skills, they must decide which exam, if not both, best suits their testing abilities.

Although fundamentally similar, the SAT and ACT do differ slightly.

The SAT is comprised of three types of multiple-choice sections that test

Photo by Joey Goldman

An SAT prep- book is open to the math section to help students prepare for the test.

mathematics, critical reading and writing skills. The ACT consists of four multiple-choice sections: English, mathematics, reading and science.

Both exams have a short essay section as well. A perfect score on the SAT is 2400; 36 on the ACT. Perhaps the most common path for students is to take both college entrance exams, such as junior Elaine Han, who is currently preparing for the SAT. “I have taken a couple of classes, but I am mostly been studying on my own,” Han said. “I decided against getting tutored because I don’t really learn well from it.”

Han said that after she takes the SAT, her focus will shift towards preparing for the ACT. Historically, the SAT was the standard for college-bound students. It wasn’t until 1959 when the first ACT was administered, according to act. org. And recently, the ACT has become nearly, if not completely, as popular and influential as the SAT. All four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. accept the ACT, according to USA Today. Colleges nationwide claim to weigh both exams equally in their admissions decision process, although other factors like class rank, GPA and extracurricular activities are

also evaluated.

A disadvantage for students submitting their ACT scores in the otherwise equal college entrance exam playing field is the process known as super-scoring. Most colleges will super-score applicants’ SAT results, meaning students can submit their score reports from all their testing dates because colleges will only look at their top scores for each section, even if they were scored on different dates. However, this scoring advantage in the admissions process does not apply to the ACT, which some students find blatantly unfair.

“It’s a severe disadvantage for students who do better on the ACT,” senior Everardo Villasenor said. “If they can’t get the slight advantage from super-scoring, then it might hurt their chances of getting into the college of their dreams.”

For students unaware of the testing dates, the ACT will be administered on February 11, April 14 and June 9 and the SAT on March 10, May 5 and June 2. Remember, registration ends about a month in advance of the testing date.

February 2012 The Galleon

15

Eat This

Not That

Trying to loose a few pounds? The Galleon’s got you covered! Check out these low(er) calorie alternatives at some favorite student eateries.

At Starbucks...

Grande Coffee Frappuccino Light Blended Coffee 110 calories Grande Java Chip Frappuccino 460 calories

At McDonalds...

Big Mac 540 Calories

Angus Bacon and Cheese 790 Calories

At Pei Wei....

Sesame Shrimp 240 Calories

Steak Pad Thai 790 Calories images and sources: respective restaurant websites Compiled by Phoebe Dinner and Emma Grubman

16

February 2012 The Galleon

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Boca Raton 561-715-4006

Classes at 6:00 pm Here at Spanish River

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February 2012 The Galleon

18

SPORTS

February 2012 The Galleon

Varsity basketball team remains victorious Kupferberg selected for Zach Schlein Staff Reporter “Fab Five” There has been much buzz recently surrounding Spanish River’s boys basketball team. With a record of 202, it is hard not to be excited.

The team, led by seniors Coltin Gelb, Evan Kupferberg, Reggie Love and Dante Scholl, has seen a spectacular season that has many around River talking.

“Everyone is pretty aware of the success the team has had this year,” senior Brenna Hirshorn said. “There’s definitely a lot of excitement for them, and people really want to go to the games and show their support.”

For Coach Jones and the team, it is just business as usual.

“We have embraced the fact of being talked about,” Coach Jones said about the team’s popularity.

“This is a hungry, driven basketball group. We are trying to improve every day, so that in February when playoff basketball starts, we will be playing our best basketball.”

Coach Jones, who is now in his 15th year of coaching, acknowledged just how remarkable a basketball team River has this year.

“What has been the key this year is the leadership we have received from Kupferberg, Scholl, Gelb, and Love,” Jones said. “They are selfless players that play the game the right way and are super teachers to our younger players, both on and off the court. By

Claire Dykas Staff Reporter

Photo by Phoebe Dinner

The Sharks celebrate their win over Seminole Ridge High School on January 24. The team hopes to continue their success heading into the playoffs.

far, the best group of leaders I have ever been associated with.”

Gelb and Scholl also remarked on the incredible season thus far, as well as the hard work and dedication the whole team has put forth.

“I think the team has had such success because of the maturity and growth of the starters and second string players,” Gelb said. “Because of AAU basketball, constant training and hard work, it all paid off.”

Like Gelb, Scholl emphasized just how much work the team as a whole puts into their basketball preparation.

“Coach works us very hard,” Scholl said. “Almost to the point where you can’t move your legs, but we all know it’s going to pay off in the end and that’s one of the reasons why we’re

such a strong team.”

Regardless of all the hard work put in by the team, some were still sore over the loss to John I. Leonard, whose basketball team was undefeated in districts. Undefeated, that is, until River played them again with vengeance on their minds and won 77-73 at John I. Leonard last Friday.

“Heading into the playoffs we know we are the better team,” Gelb said.

“We know what we’ve been doing wrong, and now we need to fine-tune our game plan.”

With playoffs starting this week, hosted at Spanish River, the Sharks hope to continue their domination in the postseason.

Photo Courtesy of Sun Sentinel

POP CULTURE GRID River Athlete

Moeʻs or Favorite Favorite DoppelChipotle? Musician? Athlete? gänger?

KE$HA

Rachel Cynor

Mia Hamm sister

Weightlifting, 11

Adrian Franzone Lacrosse, 10

Track, 10

Graphic By Josh Benrubi, Images Courtesy of Google

RAY RICE

Adele

Kayla Benstein

Clay Matthews

MAC MILLER

Nick Engman

Jim Morrison

Soccer, 11

Tim TEbow

The minute senior Evan Kupferberg walked onto the basketball court freshmen year, varsity basketball Coach John Jones knew he was going to be a college player. Four years later, standing at six foot six, Kupferberg brings sharp competitiveness and leadership skills to the team.

“He is trustworthy, caring, and committed to our teachings,” Jones said. “He has a unique ability to share that with his teammates on a daily basis.”

His success on the basketball court is appreciated not only by his teammates, but by the community as well.

Averaging over nineteen points

James bond Kim kardashian with

blonde Hair

Senior Evan Kupferberg poses for the video “Fab Five,” produced by Sun Sentinel.

and fourteen rebounds per game, Kupferberg was picked as one of the Palm Beach “Fab Five.” The “Fab Five,” picked by the Sun-Sentinel, is a team of five of the best basketball players in Palm Beach County, chosen based on their statistics and game performances from the previous year.

Kupferberg’s basketball skills are not his only asset, according to fellow team members. He has a great sense of humor that is present both on and off the court.

“He never fails to make either his teammates or his friends laugh from his unique humor,” senior Coltin Gelb said. “But he also works hard as a basketball player and is a competitor.”

With the success of helping lead River’s varsity basketball team to a winning season, and being selected from hundreds of sports players in Palm Beach County as one of the top five, the future looks bright for Kupferberg.

He has had multiple scholarship offers from colleges. Eventually, he decided on New York University because of Stern Business School, but he also considered Emory University, Lynn University, University of Massachusetts Lowel, Stonehill University, and Tufts University.

“I want to study business and they have a great basketball program,” Kupferberg said.

19

SPORTS

February 2012 The Galleon

River honors women’s athletics on “Women In Sports Day” Josh Benrubi Sports Editor Throughout Spanish River’s 30year history, women have played an important role in the success of the athletic program. On February 1, River honored women’s athletics in a “Women In Sports Day.” The theme of the day was “In It For The Long Run,” which, as Athletic Director Kevin McEnroe noted on the morning announcements, is fitting because many of the coaches of River’s girls

sports teams have been coaching here for over 15 years.

“Women in Sports Day” gave students the chance to remember some dynamic athletes of the past, while simultaneously promoting athletic opportunities for female students at River.

Specifically, the goal of the day was to inspire other females to participate in sports and enable them to reach their full potential.

River has a rich history of women athletes who have gone on to receive college scholarships and participate

in worldwide competitions.

Lisa Gomez, a 1998 graduate, played on Mexico’s World Cup team in women’s soccer. Kristy Whelchel, a graduate from the class of 1996, played soccer at Duke University and played on the United States World Cup team.

Last year on “Women In Sports Day,” McEnroe honored the names of the past on WSRH’s morning broadcast.

This year, he took it to a new level.

McEnroe organized a recruiting fair during lunchtime in which females of all grades had the opportunity to sign up for a sport that interested them.

On February 1st, all female athletes gathered together for a collaborative picture in front of the shark to honor “Women In Sports Day”.

Photo by Julie Bergman

“I hope to enlighten female students as to the many opportunities available to them as many teams accept students not solely based on their ability,” McEnroe said.

Junior Savannah Fruin participates in multiple sports in the athletic program, not only for her love of the game but also for the opportunity to be part of a team and meet new people.

“I am glad to be part of the athletic program here at River because I get to make a lot of new friends and it can lead to positive opportunities in the future,” Fruin said.

Many coaches throughout campus participated in “Women In Sports Day.” Steve Hower coaches girl’s JV soccer, girl’s flag football and this year went out of his way to create a girl’s freshman soccer team.

“There are girls that we have [on our team] that may lack experience, but by being out there they enjoy the feeling of being a part of a team,” Hower said.

On February 1, McEnroe also had all the female athletes at River wear their respective team jerseys for a picture of the entire women’s athletic program in the courtyard. The purpose of the picture is to portray to River students that no matter what shape or size, there will always be a spot for an athlete on a team.

“We don’t really need a single day [to honor our athletes],” McEnroe said.

“We promote our athletics year round, and I think we do a good job at it.”

On February 1, all Spanish River female athletes gathered together for a picture in front of the courtyard shark to honor “Women In Sports Day.”

Winterguard starts season, spins strong Gali Deutsch Staff Reporter Originally, a color guard’s purpose was to carry the national flag as soldiers marched into battle, along with a drummer to keep the soldiers in step as they marched. However, as time has progressed, color guard has come to be known as “The Sport of the Arts” and modern day color guard involves dancing with flags, sabers, and rifles.

At Spanish River, the color guard season is divided into two sections. From August to October, the team performs with the marching band and then later moves on to compete in Winter Guard between November

and April.

“Spinning with the band is amazing,” sophomore Tedi Raphael said.

“Winter Guard competitions are a bit different though; marching competitions are very strict, while Winter Guard competitions are much more relaxed.”

“The differences

between marching season and winter season is that we perform inside gymnasiums and[compete] against other guards from many other high schools,” senior Whitney St. Juste said. “Winter season is a little bit more challenging from my point of view because unlike marching band you can see everything from all angles, so there is no time for mess ups or drops.”

This year, the color guard team is not at- tending the Winter Guard International World Championships in Ohio.

Due to a shortage of funding, the school district has chosen not to send the team.

Nonetheless, the color guard team is remaining positive about placing first in other competitions after winning second place at the 2009 World Guard International World Championships in

Dayton, Ohio.

“We are currently prepping for Premier which is our first Winter Guard competition,” GarciaMontes said. “It’s pretty exciting.”

The team can be found rehearsing twice a week from five to nine at Eagles Landing, along with all day camps twice a month on Saturdays and on holidays. The camps last about twelve rigorous hours each time.

“We also have championships, power championships, and a few other competitions in the South Florida Winter Guard Association circuit,” Raphael said. “We have all been working so hard this year and our show is just amazing.”

Though once a military formality, color guard has evolved into a sport, with over 11,000 participants at the World Championships each year.

The River color guard performed at the season’s first competition on January 28 in West Broward.

Photos by Julie Bergman

See the

Winterguard Perform!

2/4/12 Pompano Beach HS 2/18/12 JP Taravella HS 2/25/12 Flanagan HS 3/3/12 Stoneman Douglas HS 3/17/12 Santaluces HS 3/31/12 Park Vista HS

TheGalleon Sports Spanish River

TRACK AND FIELD

Joe Sides, 12

Joel Clark, 12

-Favorite running quote: “If you can’t beat it, join it.”

-Favorite running song: “Wild Boy” MGK

-Funny Track Memory: When Joel fell at a meet

-Favaorite Shoe Brand: Adidas

-Has run track for: 4 years

-Has run track for: 3 years

-Favorite Sport Movie: The Longest Yard

-Favorite Track Event: 200 m