Issue 4 2011

THE G LLEON Issue 4 . Februar y2

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ROLE MODELS GONE WRONG? ARE TEENAGERS FOLLOWING THE WRONG PEOPLE?

Sharks shine in state Chinese competition

Spanish River High School 5100 Jog Rd. Boca Raton, FL 33496

STUDENTS TAKE GAP YEAR TO EXPLORE AND VOLUNTEER THREE RIVER STUDENTS SHARE THEIR PLANS FOR A GAP YEAR

BASKETBALL TEAM TAKES ON FACULTY ALL-STARS NHS FUNDRAISER TO SEND INSECTICIDE-TREATED NETS TO AFRICA

Julie Towbin becomes a Congressional Page

By JOEY GOLDMAN NEWS EDITOR

For the past three years, Chinese teacher Paulkey Fu has rewarded dedicated students in his classes with the chance to attend the annual Florida State Chinese Competition. Held in Miami at the Gulliver Preparatory School, this year’s competition attracted students who study Chinese from schools all over the state. They participated in reading, writing and speaking competitions.

Junior Carter Main was one of several Spanish River students who competed in this year’s events.

“I think I did pretty well,” Main said. “My favorite part was being able to compare my Chinese to students in other schools.”

Although doing well in an event in this competition can be very rewarding, Fu believes that the real reward for students is exposure to the Chinese culture.

“The competition is a great chance for students to learn more about Chinese culture,” Fu said.

“Last year, my students had the chance to learn about and play with Chinese yo-yos, something I would never have time to teach in class.”

In addition to the competitive events, this year’s program included a Chinese banquet for students and teachers, as well as an entertaining cultural performance consisting of traditional Chinese dances and instruments.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIE TOWBIN

Junior Julie Towbin poses in Washington D.C, her current place of employment, as a Congressional Page for the House of Representatives.

By TARYN GRUNES STAFF REPORTER

Spanish River junior Julie Towbin recently departed for Washington D.C to become a Page in the U.S House of Representatives. Under the Page program, sponsored

by Nancy Pelosi, students live at the House Page Residence Hall, study at the House Page School, and work for the U. S House of Representatives by delivering correspondence and small packages within the congressional complex, answering phones in the Member cloakrooms, and preparing the House Floor for sessions, according to pageprogram.house. gov. Towbin will remain in our

nation’s capitol from Sunday, January 23, 2011 to Friday, May 27, 2011. She will attend Page school while also tending to her duties of supporting the members of the U.S House of Representatives.

When Towbin discovered the Page program online, she became very interested. She would like to have a job in political science or international relations in the future and is hoping that this experience will give her a better chance to meet that goal.

“I really got interested in politics after becoming a part of the National Youth Rights Association, and being involved with the lawsuit against the city of West Palm Beach,” Towbin said.

As part of the National Youth Rights Association, Towbin sued the city of Palm Beach for the 1 A.M. curfew that they believe is unconstitutional.

Along with the amazing opportunity to work in the House of Representatives, she is paid more than $1000 per month for the time she is there, and had the chance to attend President Barack Obama’s State of The Union Address.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for juniors to live and work in D.C,” Towbin said. “You go to school in the Library of Congress at 6:50 A.M. and take five classes. After, you go to House of Representatives and work on the house floor and do various congressional duties.”

Alleged thefts raise questions among faculty

By LINDSEY GOLD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF On January 11, Drama Director Rocco D’Attolico reported the alleged theft of his refrigerator, coffee maker, battery operated lantern, money and approximately six battery operated LED lights.

Instructor in Teacher Education Academy Margaret Engelhardt sympathizes with D’Attolico as a vacuum has disappeared from the janitorial closet near her room. Englehardt purchased two vacuum cleaners out of

News Briefs

her own budget to ensure sanitation for the Little and Kinder Sharks.

“I did purchase two vacuum cleaners...since the [janitors] need to work extra hard to keep the preschool and kindergarten areas super clean,” Englehardt said.

“Without a vacuum cleaner, keeping rugs clean is very difficult.”

Other faculty members have also noted missing items.

Band Director Craig White has reported the alleged theft of two piano benches. White reported them missing around the beginning of January, according to Assistant

Principal Doug Markwardt.

“If the benches are proven to be stolen, it must be an

“

Who would steal a piano bench during school hours?

- Assistant Principal Doug Markwardt

Congratulations Kevin Derek Weigold, England Dubinsky, and Allison Brashers win Turner for winning National History Day Competition Teacher of the Month

INSIDE THIS ISSUE News 1, 3

Opinion 2, 4, 8

”

internal thing,” Markwardt said. “Who would steal a piano bench during school hours?”

However, Markwardt and Officers Luis Santana and Paul DeCarolis all contend that most items allegedly stolen are simply borrowed by different departments and are later returned.

Features 6, 7 Feature Focus 10, 11

If items are borrowed, they are still misinterpreted as stolen until they are returned.

However, alleged thefts still contradict the ethics promoted by the school, according to D’Attolico.

“More than the financial loss and inconvenience of having to replace things, I am saddened that these thefts add to an otherwise warm and trusting school community,” D’Attolico said. “Detractions such as these thefts, which seem prolific, create a near impossible task of a safe and secure learning environment *article continued on page 3

Dual enrollment

Eliot Jones meeting March speaks to Women 8 at 6 PM in the of Tomorrow media center Entertainment 12, 13

Student Life 14, 15 Sports 17, 18, 20

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SHARK ATTACK

February 2011 The Galleon

Sharks out of Water

Letters to the Editor photo by suzanne sanders

River alumna Steph Teback, along with juniors Madison Levy and Hannah Price, support the Boy’s Hockey Team at the Bank Atlantic Center. photo courtesy of rachel mcdonnell

Seniors Veronica Zavel, Rachel McDonnell and Courtney Smith take a dip in the ocean while at the beach.

photo courtesy of ashley demartino

Select students from Marine Biology travelled to Sea World to study marine life.

From the Editor’s Desk

Dear Sharks, Congratulations on college acceptances and continued excellence for those of you who are not lucky enough to be seniors. As we created this, the second to last issue that the current Galleon staff will produce, we have attempted to highlight students with articles such as “River puts a rap to it” and “Shooting nets for nets,” while also keeping a focus on the crucial issues facing our scholastic community in the Face-Off debating whether or not students caught with drugs should be given federal money for college. Be sure to read the story of Barry Hill, a former River coach who went on to be a player for the Dolphins.

And as we will soon celebrate Valentine’s day, be sure to read Feature Focus - it is focusing on love. Who knows, you might even look up from the pages to find another desperate soul looking for a prom date staring back at you.

Alban , Lindsey and Nicole

Dear Lee, I really liked the article you wrote on the Harid students. The greatest compliment a performer could possibly get is applause and appreciation for their work. By you shining the spotlight on them made me realize that is selfish of me to complain about how much homework I have or that I am not going to be able to hang out with my friends on the weekend because then I just put myself in their position. Since high school is hard enough as it is, I can not imagine having to face it in a new country with my family on the other side of the world. I can honestly say Harid students: I admire you, I do not know how you do it!

-Carolina Portilla, 9 Dear Rachel Dunn, The ban on Four Lokos is pretty ridiculous and unnecessary. I am not a consumer of alcohol and am not personally affected by this new development, but I find it unfair that just because a few people went a little too crazy with the drinking, so many people have to suffer the consequences of their actions. If the FDA is going to ban a simple, caffeinated alcoholic energy drink, why not ban cigarettes, which kill millions of people from lung cancer and have other horrifying side effects each year, but continue to be sold on the market?

-Casey Mintz, 9 Dear Matheus Kroeff, I agree with you. I think that Four Lokos are loco. People do not need to combine an alcoholic drink with an energy drink. You get enough energy from an energy drink, but you tend to crash after a couple of hours and when you drink alcohol, you tend to pass out. Combining both types of drinks is a terrible idea.

-Michael Dobbin, 10 Dear Caitlin Nobile, I agree with your accusation about bullying. There have been many issues with bullying lately that have led to devastating deaths. Spanish River does a great job of disciplining those who are convicted of bullying others.

This school gets involved with the situation or problem and tries to solve it in the most appropriate way. Bullying affects everyone no matter what role they take part in.

- Victoria Passarelli, 10 photo courtesy of google images

NEWS

“Don’t Ask, Don’t sparks controversy

Missing items spark curiosity *continued from page. 1

Markwardt. Santana and DeCarolis assert that if students did not neglect their belongings, the number of stolen electronics would be drastically reduced.

The disappearance of D’Attolico’s refrigerator, coffee maker, battery operated

“

Detractions such as these thefts, which seem prolific, create a near impossible task of a safe and secure learning environment for our students.

”

lantern, money and approximately six battery operated LED lights, as well as White’s two piano benches and the janitor’s vacuum, have yet to be proven as stolen.

However, the mysterious disappearance of such items has recently sparked debate over the true reason of their absence- thievery, or simply, misinterpretation.

February 2011 The Galleon

3

Tell”

a major distraction on the military during a time when our country is fighting two wars.

By SAMANTHA COHEN After many months of political debate, PresiSTAFF REPORTER dent Barack Obama signed the necessary legislation that brought an end to the ban of Some strongly believe that the way equality is openly gay men and women. viewed in America was changed significantly when “Over the course of U.S. history, gay Americans the military policy “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (DADT) fought just as hard and gave just as much to prowas repealed on December 22, 2010. DADT, put tect the country as anyone else,” in effect in 1993 by President Obama said. “We are a nation that Clinton, forced gay soldiers believes all men and women are to hide their sexuality in what created equal.” some say was a discriminaThough the policy has been tion policy. It prohibited any repealed, the repeal will not be homosexual or bisexual perimplemented for months. The son from revealing his or her government must go through sexual orientation while servadditional steps to completely end ing in the United States armed the old policy. The Pentagon must forces, and more than 14,000 first certify that the change will not gay men and women were disaffect military combat readiness in charged due to their violation any way. Then there will be a 60of DADT. day waiting period where military On the final day of voting, units have time to make promothere was a 65-31 Senate vote tional changes for new recruits and that marked a historic and the government can change laws emotional moment for the gay ART BY NICOLE ZAMFES within the policy. rights movement.

“Gay people should have the “Sexuality should not affect Before the repeal, soldiers were forced to hide their sexuality. right to serve, but I feel that [in whether a person can or canthe army] it’s not a place to share ones sexuality,” not do something, so I’m happy that it finally got a student who wished to remain anonymous said. repealed,” senior Lucy Monarch said.

Graduating seniors interested in entering the People against the repeal have argued that it army will feel the effects of the DADT repeal first will harm unit cohesion, prompt some to leave the hand. military service or not sign up at all and will place

DMV terminates online permit test, decision receives mixed feelings

By MAX MORGENSTERN NEWS EDITOR Teenagers are no longer able to take one of the two required Florida learner’s permit tests online. As a result, controversy among parents and students alike has arisen over the new policy.

As of 2011, in order to obtain a learner’s permit, one must now take The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Test at the local DMV office.

The Drugs, Alcohol, Traffic, Awareness (DATA) Test may still be taken online for $29.95.

Josh Needell, a freshman who obtained his permit under the new policy, is angered by the change.

“It was unreasonable that I had to waste most of my day standing in a line,” Needell said. “It would [have been] better to take it at home.”

The change was made to prevent cyber-cheating on the test, according to a DMV representative who wished to remain anonymous.

VOICES

“I think it’s a good change because people will have to prepare for the exam as opposed to just asking relatives for help,” junior Emery Weinstein said. “[Therefore], the roads will be safer.

The decision to terminate the online test was mainly made to improve driving education.

Although it is more “inconvenient” for some to take the test at the DMV office, policy makers hope that the change will result in safer drivers and fewer accidents.

“It’s extremely inconvenient because now I have to go to the DMV office and take the test, instead of being able to take it at home.”

-Julie Bergman, 9

IN THE CROWD WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THE DECISION TO NO LONGER OFFER THE DMV TEST ONLINE?

“I don’t believe that teenagers should be allowed to take the test online because kids nowadays can’t be trusted.”

-Jordan Zeldin, 10 PHOTOS BY CAITLIN NOBILÉ

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Lindsey Gold Alban Harrison ASSOCIATE EDITOR Nicole Granet ART EDITORS Kathy Long Nicole Zamfes ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS Phoebe Dinner Lee Ginton

The Galleon 2010-2011 FEATURES EDITORS Nicole Granet Caroline Posner FEATURE FOCUS EDITOR Ilana Weisman

SPORTS EDITORS Sam Kaplan Renee Siegel STUDENT LIFE EDITOR Whitney Sha WEB EDITOR Josh Lieberman

NEWS EDITORS Joey Goldman Max Morgenstern

COPY EDITOR Shelaina Bloukos

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Caitlin Nobilé

ADS DIRECTOR Taryn Grunes

The Galleon is a public forum.

STAFF REPORTERS Emily Bergman Shelaina Bloukos Ariel Brown Samantha Cohen Emma Grubman Taryn Grunes Josh Lieberman Kathy Long Caitlin Nobilé Zach Schlein Nicole Zamfes ADVISER Suzanne Sanders PRINCIPAL Dr. Susan Atherley

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.

OPINION

February 2011 The Galleon

4

Happy Meals get served On the prowl

By NICOLE GRANET ASSOCIATE EDITOR Happy Meals are as much a part of America as baseball and apple pie, however I believe it was ethical for the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) to sue McDonald’s for using toys to market unhealthy food to children.

The two businesses involved in the lawsuit, CSPI and McDonald’s, both have a long track record of economical and ethical decisions.

McDonald’s is a business with a bottom-line.

The business of CSPI is to protect public welfare by preventing deceptive marketing practices and using science. The essence of CSPI’s lawsuit is that inducing children to buy Happy Meals for the toys is unethical.

Selling unhealthy food is legal, convenient and deeply-rooted in America’s cultural landscape, but a line must be drawn when harmful food is marketed to children too young to fend for their health. In America, obesity is an epidemic; consider the daily caloric, sodium and fat requirements for a five year-old. A cheeseburger Happy Meal contains 45 percent of the recommended total daily calories, 52 percent of sodium and 61 percent of fat recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture. A child understands that a toy comes with her meal long before she understands nutritional ramifications. By the time she comprehends the adverse health impact, there is no going back.

McDonald’s Happy Meal marketing strategy is not a secret. “Go after kids,” Roy Bergold, 29-year Chief Creative Advertising Officer of McDonald’s, said. Kids are more tempted by toys than by food. So, McDonald’s “gets into the

parents’ wallets via the kids’ minds.”

Targeting children with a toy incentive exploits their developmental vulnerability. Children don’t have the cognitive maturity to understand the persuasive intent of advertising, according to the Institute of Medicine and the American Psychological Association. CSPI’s lawsuit aims to more comprehensively protect children from what will hurt them.

Those who see the lawsuit as unethical because it seems over-reaching and controlling should consider the parallel in cigarette advertising. Once upon a time, cigarette commercials targeting children were common. A Channel One news story showed a now-illegal KOOL Cigarette commercial that depicted a friendly, cartoon penguin ice-skating to Disney-esque music.

As health concerns about tobacco increased in the 1960s, the federal government began to restrict its marketing. Running cigarette ads on television and radio was banned and tobacco companies were prohibited from targeting minors. The current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “severely restricts the way the tobacco industry can advertise and sell cigarettes … especially marketing efforts designed to appeal to children and teenagers,” according to The Washington Post. Similarly, CSPI’s goal is not to ban McDonald’s food, but to restrict advertising that targets children.

It was ethical and necessary for the FDA to restrict tobacco advertising. So, it is ethical for CSPI to sue McDonalds in pursuit of the same goal. The profit of a business should not override the health of our future generation. Parents single-handedly controlling their children’s eating habits, while facing the power of advertising is not quite as easy as pie.

By ALBAN HARRISON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

For eons, women have been dating older men.

Whether they were attracted to the maturity or the wrinkles, the trend stood. But now a new trend is arising… the trend of the cougar.

Women increasingly seem to be looking for partners younger than themselves. Celebrities do it: then 34 year-old Cameron Diaz in 2007 ended a relationship with then 25 year-old Justin Timberlake. It seems that the trend is even gaining momentum amongst Spanish River Sharks.

Many senior girls joke about being attracted to sophomores or, dare I say, freshmen. These statements hold some truth, but are mostly conversation starters, ideas to laugh over, but never fulfill. But now, some are breaking the taboo age barrier and striving for love, no matter if that love is the same age as their little brother. I am friends with one 18 year-old girl who started dating her current boyfriend when he was 15. Luckily, he recently turned 16 so they are protected under Florida’s close-in-age exemption for pedophilia; she is no longer at risk of becoming a sex offender. Jokes aside, their relationship is endearing; they seem to have mutual trust that surpasses his age. And who is society to restrict love based solely upon the number of years one has been on this Earth?

Unfortunately, my own experience with cougars has not been so sweet. Consider a woman whom we will call “Sasha” who at first glance is loving, beautiful and funny. Now just stop, as I have, because any 20 year-old woman who wants to date a 16 year-old guy is probably completely insane, as “Sasha” was. The constant texts and party girl lifestyle made me wonder if she really was the older one in the relationship.

Numbers may not be able to restrain love, but the law at least strives to. High profile pedophilia cases usually focus on men, but there is no legal exemption for women, so if you are an aspiring cougar, make sure you protect yourself legally.

For the rest of us, for better or for worse, the cougars are on the prowl. Watch out freshmen, if the trend intensifies, you may just be the choicest prey.

Warm up your cold blood, America

By LINDSEY GOLD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Rumors raced around school. It became a day-to-day discussion, and sooner than later- an obsession. Yet, there was still no confirmation of truth. No evidence that would give the jury a lead; there was nothing. As the days dwindled down and the hour approached, Spanish River students sat down eager for that confirmation.

And finally, it came. Like a red apple in a basket of green ones, a unique harmony hit my ear and it came from the voice of junior Brett Lowenstern.

His presence before the renowned Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson (as well as the world) confirmed everyone’s assumptionhe had auditioned for American Idol.

Lowenstern’s audition made me cringe. Ten feet in front of me on television was a River student pursuing his dreams, and where was I? At home, buried in my own self pity. I don’t have talent like Brett does. I can’t sing. I can’t act. I can barely speak in front of a lot of people, but Brett can go on national television, sing for the world and have a chance to become an international sensation. He could be a celebrity in a few months, but where will I be?

Where will I be? That’s a scary thought. I’d like to someday pursue my dreams, but that would be much easier if I knew what I wanted to do. I’m jealous of Brett; he’s already on track to

living his dream. I commend him and someday, aspire to be as ambitious as him.

But there’s more. Lowenstern spoke about how kids bullied him throughout school for being different. What’s wrong about being different? Differences should be embraced, not ostracized. However, I’m willing to bet that when Lowenstern returned to school after his audition aired, people treated him with more respect. Why? Why did his appearance on a television show mend his life-long problem?

Possibly because his glimpse of fame made others respect his ambition. Still, this logic is reversed, and it got me thinking. Who would ever think that such a frivolous show as American Idol would leave me to do a psychoanalysis of the world.

Today’s world is like the Ferris wheel that gets stuck right when it reaches the tallest point. However, instead of facing right side up, the world faces straight down, head first.

The blood rush to the brain must be the cause of the irrational morals of humanity. As I was watching a different episode of American Idol, a story aired about a soon-to-be-married couple who experienced severe trauma. The girlfriend was involved in a car accident that left her completely dependent and defunct. In the boyfriend’s audition tape, he emphasized his obligation to her “for better or for worse” and pledged his loyalty to her because he loved her, despite her condition. When he performed,

his fiance was actually brought onto the stage and the world saw her unfortunate condition.

When I told this heart-wrenching story to my sensitive, emotional co-editor, he immediately condemned the boyfriend for staying with her after the incident. He claimed that she “wasn’t functioning” and he would be miserable for the rest of his life. He really is very kind, I promise.

Sorry Alban, but it’s time to circulate that blood because it’s clogging where your emotions used to be.

On the topic of college essay topics, one of my English teachers once said “pray for a tragedy.” But why? Apparently, I have to suffer a life-shattering trauma to get admitted to my preferred college. Please someone tell me this is a sick joke. Why can’t I appreciate life’s positives instead of focusing in on the horror that has happened. And sadly, it’s with that horror that I will persuade admission officers to deeply consider my applications. What a gruesome thought, but it’s true, which makes it all the worse.

What’s wrong with the world? Since when does trauma yield acceptance? Since when is love and loyalty an ugly thing? Since when is difference something to be condemned? Chains grind and fumes appear. An engine starts and the clashing of the metal bucks are heard. Can the ride possibly be moving towards it’s upright position? Let’s hope so.

ADVERTISEMENTS

February 2011 The Galleon

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FEATURES

February 2011 The Galleon

Gap year gains popularity among seniors

By NICOLE GRANET FEATURES EDITOR After four years of high school, at least 24 credits, 20 hours of community service and countless evenings of studying until the wee hours of the night, the freeing feeling of graduating is a blessing. The typical next step is attending a University; however, an increasing number of students have chosen not to go directly into the grind of college, but rather to take the aptly named “gap year.”

For reasons ranging from self-discovery to making money to pay for college, some students see a gap year as a more suitable alternative than shifting abruptly from high school to college.

The concept of a gap year originated in the United Kingdom and has gained popularity in America, partially because it has been proven to motivate students, according to Education Week. Consequently, the number of students taking a gap year is rising dramatically, according to www.gapadvice.org. The gap year is becoming so popular that Ivy League universities are promoting the idea.

In 2009, Princeton University established the “Bridge Year Program” to offer newly accepted freshmen the opportunity of taking a financial aid-sponsored gap year to travel, do community service or study abroad. Likewise, William R. Fitzsimmons, the Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid for Harvard University, stated that the experiences of the annual 50 to 70 Harvard freshmen who defer college until the next year are uniformly positive.

The popularity of the gap year at Spanish River has been made evident by students such as seniors Ricky Ostrofsky, Scott Jansen and junior Spencer McNeeley.

Ostrofsky plans to take advantage of a gap year by living and studying in Israel.

“I want to travel and experience life on my own before I begin studying for my career path,” Ostrofsky said.

Some students, such as Jansen, aspire to attend college, but need to work in order to pay for the expenses of their preferred school, which, for students like Jansen, is worth the wait. The gap year presents a perfect opportunity for these students to unwind from high school and prepare for college.

“One reason why I’m taking a gap year is because it gives me a chance to get away from all the stress of school,” Jansen said. “I also plan on working two jobs during this year so I can raise money to go to a college I really like.”

The most popular agenda of a gap year student, though, is traveling and volunteering, according to www.gapwork.com. Destinations most frequently visited by gap year students include India, Peru, Tanzania and China, according to www.realgap.com. While McNeeley hopes to take a gap year and travel, he has a different spot in mind.

“I hope to take a gap year to travel to Germany,” McNeeley said. “I want to figure out the world and see what’s out there before college.”

The cons of taking a gap year bear different weights depending on the personality of the student. Postponing the first year of college is non-traditional and may leave a structure-needy student unfocused and frustrated. Students should not view a gap year as a way to postpone education or procrastinate on college applications. If one is not intent and passionate about his choice of action for a gap year, the experience could be unsatisfying, according to www.timesonline.com.

Despite the possible drawbacks, it has been proven that a gap year is a viable option for motivated high school students. It seems that the gap year may provide exactly what it takes to traverse a gap – closure and a bridge to the future.

Thinking about taking a gap year? This could be you.... making money for college

rappelling down a mountain in Israel

teaching English to kids in Africa

Photos Courtesy of gapwork.com

Facebook advertisements target users

By CAROLINE POSNER FEATURES EDITOR

Advertisers even have the option to target users on their birthdays with “a special discount or gift,” according to facebook.com.

In addition, the site promises that one’s photo will not be associated with any advertisement or page unless he or she connects directly with it, such as ‘liking’ the ad or page. Even then, one’s photo will only be shown, in association with the ad or page, to one’s confirmed Facebook friends.

Despite the availability of numerous target-

It is not difficult for students to conclude why Facebook is a successful vehicle for advertisers.

Users often find that the ads appearing on their profile and home pages seem directly linked to personal information such as age, gender and specific interests. The advertising directory explains, for example, “Facebook Ads provided CM Photographics the ability to target their exact demographic — 24-30 year old women 550,000,000 members whose relationship status on Facebook + 700,000 more every day indicated that they were engaged.”

700,000,000,000 “I notice that the ads have to do with minutes spent on Facebook per month sports, like lacrosse, which I’ve ‘liked’ on Facebook,” sophomore Michael Fogel said. out of every This occurs because FaceAmerican web page views book gives advertisers the is Facebook option to filter the demographics of their targeted ad viewers very specifically. Options given to advertisers in selecting their over audience include location, age, gen75 languages der, sexuality, relationship status, occupation, likes and interests (including ‘liked’ pages), political views, religious affiliation and more.

ing tools for advertisers, the website promises to ensure the privacy of users as they specify with Facebook’s privacy settings page.

“Facebook’s ad targeting is done anonymously by our system, without sharing personally identifiable information with advertisers,” according to Facebook. “If advertisers select demographic targeting for their ads, the system automatically matches those ads to the appropriate audience.”

While some students, including senior Jenna Shapiro, say Facebook advertisements could be called a “nuisance,” sophomore Jordan Diccicco If Facebook were a country sees these advertisements as skillful it would be the marketing experiences. . third largest, “I think Facebook uses what we put behind only China and India into our information such as bands we like, TV shows we’re interested in, etc.

1 to create an extremely specific target market that just applies to the user itself,” Diccicco said.

Though a user cannot avoid Face2 book’s audience-specific ads, it is one’s choice whether he or she looks at the marketing experience as a distraction or as an expression of Facebook’s tactful creativity.

The Social Numbers

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4

3

Statistics from time.com

For more information on Facebook’s advertisements policies or general privacy settings, visit facebook.com/help.

February 2011 The Galleon

FEATURES

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I’m sorry to inform you, You’ve been deferred

Congratulations!

You’ve been accepted

By SARAH NADER COMMENTARY On a typical Thursday night, I’d be worrying about that Art History test tomorrow or that research paper due next week, but ever since December 10th, I just stare at my books and say, “Oh well, I’m gonna watch Vampire Diaries instead.”

Lately I find myself sitting on the couch more often than at a desk, but that’s not even the worst side effect of my senioritis. Even though we’re only four weeks into the quarter, I’m on my fourth tardy (I live across the street from school, by the way). All of this glorious laziness can be blamed on one lovely event— I’ve been accepted to college.

I spent the first semester of my senior year freaking out about college applications and counting down to decision day. Now that all the stress has passed, I can dedicate myself to activities that I truly enjoy, not just what looks good on a résumé. I have finally begun to work my way through my “senior bucket list.” However, since I don’t have a driver’s license, the list is taking a lot longer, but what’s the rush? I still have until September to work through the twenty-or-so goals left on the list. Up next: going to the Garlic Festival with my tall, dark and handsome boyfriend, Eric, and learning how to surf.

Being accepted early to college is honestly the best.

I can spend my last few months at Spanish River with a renewed sense of nonchalance. In fact, the toughest assignment I have done all week is this article, which was due about an hour ago… Life is beautiful.

By JILLIAN MONTAGUE COMMENTARY

THE

Sadly, I am a senior who still has not gotten into her first choice school; I’m still not done.

First semester was the worst. While most of my friends got acceptance letters from the school they dreamed of going to, I was stuck with a deferred letter, hoping to get in. I still had to keep my grades up even though “senioritis” was getting to me. It’s hard to care like I did my junior year, especially when you have acceptance letters from many places, just not your number one choice school.

LIFE OF THE nd

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SEMESTER

SENIOR

“

It’s hard to care like I did my junior year.

-Jillian Montague, 12

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I had a lot of pressure from my family to keep my grades up just in case something happened, such as getting deferred or needing the grades for a specific scholarship. I had to try really hard during semester exams to make sure I got the higher split grade so that colleges can see that I am still trying.

Art By Kathy Long

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College acceptances and rejections of 2010-2011 thanks?

“While this

Photo Courtesy of Furniturebuzz.com

FEATURE FLASH! River’s National Rank

By ARIEL BROWN STAFF REPORTER It is well known that Spanish River is an “Arated” school, but what does that mean in relation to national statistics? How does Spanish River compare to other competitive and highly acclaimed schools across the country?

Spanish River is officially ranked 1,171 out of 19,379 schools nationwide, putting it just about in the top five percent. Impressed?

Newsweek’s rankings of the top 1623 high schools across America recognized Spanish River as rank 310. These rankings are based on the number of advanced placement (AP) courses offered and taken at the school.

Just as these trusted evaluators highly esteem Spanish River, so do its students. Junior Carly Block praises Spanish River and notes its merits in comparison to schools in other states.

“I have friends that live up in New Jersey and Pennsylvania who have never experienced a school pep rally and I feel like they’re really missing out,” Block said. “We also have a lot more opportunities to take a larger number of AP classes than they do.”

The grading system may also contribute to the fact that Spanish River is not lauded even more so for student performance. Students have grown accustomed to an 89.5 being the lowest possible “A” grade, and any value representing an “A” being calculated as a 4.0 in a student’s grade point average (GPA). However, in some other schools, the lowest possible “A” is a 91.5.

Moreover, a student’s GPA is calculated as the actual received numerical grade for each class rather than on a 4.0 scale.

Spanish River administrators pride the school on its success and remarkable current national rankings yet still state that more effort is going into improving the school’s national acclaim.

“Last year we started increasing the num-

ber of Advanced Placement classes we offer,” Principal Dr. Susan Atherley said. “We can’t let everyone into the AP classes, but we’re going to continue working on the number of kids taking AP classes. And even though the rankings are based on the number of AP courses offered, we still have the highest passing rate in the district.”

Assistant Principal Elizabeth Torres has similar goals for the school’s improvement but also notes the challenges associated with increasing the number of AP classes offered.

“The new class size amendment has to be implemented, which will make it challenging to offer more AP classes,” Torres said. “Other schools may have an advantage over us if they are bigger, because it would be easier for them to offer more AP classes.”

No matter how long it may take for the school administrators to execute their goals, Spanish River is already recognized as one of the very best schools in the nation.

8

February 2011 The Galleon

OPINION

FACE OFF

THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE INDIVIDUALS EXPRESSING THEM. THE GALLEON DOES NOT SUPPORT ILLEGAL DRUG USE.

Student can lose college federal financial aid if convicted for marijuana possession. Should this be the case? You decide.

By DANNY DADI NO

Although marijuana can become a large issue, getting caught with it should not prevent one from being provided with financial aid for college. If someone goes throughout their high school career obtaining the grades necessary to get into college, a small mistake of using marijuana should not deny them that opportunity. College is one of the most important ventures in anyone’s life and not being provided with financial aid for college due to u s i n g marijuana is a very drastic measure to take for a little mistake.

Attending college is the most important part of anyone’s education and it determines what career path you will take in life.

Marijuana preventing someone from being provided with financial aid to pay for college can completely change someone’s life because without college a lot of career options are closed. Yes, marijuana can become a problem, but if someone has achieved the grades to enter college, then they should be provided with the financial aid to go to a college of their choice. If one is denied financial aid because of getting caught with marijuana, then their situation may only worsen. Colleges should provide financial aid to students regardless of wherher they get caught with marijuana because if someone has been accepted to their college of choice, then a small mistake of using marijuana should not prevent them from having the chance to attend college and further pursue their education.

GRAPHIC ART BY ALBAN HARRISON

By ZOE HAMMOND YES

Scholarships are some of the most sought after achievements a high schooler could ever ask for, so shouldn’t they be awarded to the people who most deserve them? Truly, if a student were to be found in possession of illegal substances, their integrity can’t be as strong as a high schooler who remained “straight-edge” for the past four years. Being caught with possession of drugs is a felony, perhaps not as severe of a felony as committing murder or robbing a bank may be, but still it is against the law. So why would colleges want to promote the success of their students and their academic prestige if they give to people who have been caught committing a crime? They wouldn’t. For example, when Michael Phelps was found abusing drugs he had his endorsement from Kellogg revoked; because why would anyone want to support a criminal? Also, kids who receive scholarships usually act as role models for younger kids because they aspire to be at the academic or athletic rank that they achieved. So not only would you be affecting your future, but possibly a younger sibling or family member that looks up to you. Additionally, as stated previously, a lot of high schoolers are out there all competing for different scholarships in hopes of lowering their enormous tuition.

It is unfair to kids who worked arduously through high school to lose out on this financial help to students who didn’t work the same long hours on weekends the “straight-edge” students did and instead went out and partied. For kids who follow a clean path and don’t get pressured into using drugs or other substances it becomes unbearably frustrating to see kids who do use drugs achieve more than they do. Although some may dispute that scholarships should go to the people who work the hardest, whether they use drugs or not, students who do fall under the influence and receive financial benefit are truly cheating kids who just work their hardest and do the best they can. It’s the same instance when you see two kids cheating on a test you studied hours for and they get “B’s” and you get a “C”; it’s awful. So why should kids found with illegal substances have their scholarships revoked? Because truly it’s just unfair to the rest of us.

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FEATURE FOCUS

February 2011 The Galleon

frey declaring a so-called “teen sex crisis.”

Although the common belief that teens are afflicted with raging promiscuity, both studies and Klager would say that, in reality, the situation High school students cannot escape it. With is really no worse than it was 20 years ago at the a constant presence in nearly every popular tele- dawn of the ‘90’s. In fact, fewer teen may be havvision show and pop music scene in the last de- ing sex. 30 percent of teenage girls aged 15-17 had cade, from MTV’s controversial new show Skins had sex, down from 38 percent in 1995, according to the risqué lyrics of Lady Gaga, sex has affirmed to a 2002 report from the Department of Health its own place at the forefront of most teenagers’ and Human Services. Similarly, a “National Youth minds.

Behavior Risk Survey” taken in 2007 showed that For many teens, sex is a common topic. But only 47.8 percent of all high school students have have high school had sex at one students today point or another, become too prowhich is down miscuous?

One from 54.1 percent teacher had a parin 1991. ticularly strong Among stuanswer. dents, however, “Well, yeah, this hardly seems absolutely,” Psyto be the case. chology and So“Teens 15 years ciology teacher ago were just as Stewart Klager promiscuous as said. “I can see teens are now,” that a lot of what senior Rachel we do, we learn Comerford said.

Photo by Pheobe Dinner from the media.

Sophomore Sophomore Lauren Mosberg kisses her boyfriend junior Josh Katzman in So if kids are seeMichelle Satter felt between classes in the 8000 building hallway. ing that this is an similarly. When acceptable way to act, that’s the way they’re going asked why it seems like most kids tend to drift to act.” from person to person, rather than staying with Klager is not the only one fretting over the sexu- one partner, Satter said that “students think it’s al escapades of high school students. A 2009 study cool to be able to say they hooked up with this pershowed that for the first time in a decade, the birth son, this person, and this person. It’s about bragrates of teens between the ages of 15-19 had actu- ging rights and showing off.” ally risen, according to the New York Times. What Despite shared sex-centered opinions and the ensued was a national uproar, with many celebrity occasional overly-zealous teenager, studies prove personalities such as Tyra Banks and Oprah Win- that teens are only as or even less promiscuous than those of yesteryear.

By ZACH SCHLEIN STAFF REPORTER

By MARQUIS HUGGINS GUEST COMMENTARY I’d never thought it would be possible for me to fall in love with someone as hard as I’ve fallen now.

My previous relationships were nothing compared to the current relationship between my boyfriend and me. When people think of gay relationships they assume it’s an “alternative lifestyle,” but it really isn’t, it is actually quite ordinary. Gay couples are no different from straight couples-- when we go on dates we do the same things; see the same romantic comedies, eat at the fancy restaurants; we do it all.

A common misconception about gay couples is that we assign ourselves gender roles, as in the more dominant one would be the “male” and the

By ILANA WEISMAN FEATURE FOCUS EDITOR What is a heartthrob? He is that standout actor in the one movie that is impossible to tire of watching, or maybe she is that singer from the band that created Billboard’s entrancing hit song. He has a mega-watt smile or shiny, “runyour-fingers-through-me!” hair. He is so popular, so loved, that the sole mention of his name triggers squeals of delight and feverish giggles.

She is the celebrity crush, the teen queen. He is the teen idol, the dream boy. They are the heartthrobs.

“As a teeny bopper, my heartthrobs made my heart race. They were just adorable,” history teacher Barbara Jones elaborated.

The word “heartthrob,” although used often, lacks a clear definition. In addition to the superficial crush or idol, the description most frequently used is simply “the object of infatuation.” Another, as defined by Oxford America Dictionaries, is “a man, typically a celebrity, whose good looks excite immature romantic feelings in women” - much closer to the understood meaning.

River by the Numbers 2/3

of students surveyed are currently single

41%

prefer being single

3 2

0

University of Toronto researcher Graham Wolfe agrees that the feelings introduced by heartthrobs are not truly romantic emotions.

“We’re sane people who realize we’re not actually in love with this voice or this picture or this on-screen persona, because we know down deep that the object of our infatuation is just a normal person and that what we feel for her or him is nothing real,” Wolfe explained.

Admittedly, infatuation with heartthrobs is nothing real. The concept of a heartthrob nearly dictates that the heartthrob should be looked at as an idea rather than the ideal partner.

Celebrity studies scholar, blogger Anne Helen Petersen suggests that “we should reconsider... desires of today’s heartthrob-hungry” rather than concentrate on the heartthrobs themselves.

Crushes on heartthrobs, no matter how obsessive, are only crushes. Teenagers are not looking to grow old with a celebrity, nor are they willing to give up their own lives for one, regardless of how famous he or she may be.

Although that fluttering inside of stomachs and flustering of words that a heartthrob causes is merely an illusion of love or lust, heartthrobs still exist, much as they have for decades.

4+ 1

59%

would rather be in a relationship

Valentine’s Day, putting pressure on couples to make sure that the day is perfect.

Whether it’s dressing a room in petals or the classic candle-lit dinner; all of us feel the pressure.

No matter how much pressure it puts on us, it will all be worth it in the end when we see the amazed look displayed across our significant other’s face.

I have yet to decide on what I’m going to do, I don’t want to go with a cliché, but I think with a day like Valentine’s Day, that it’s the only way. In the end, if you love someone, just don’t tell them on Valentine’s Day- share it with them every day.

The ‘90s: a time of the Soviet collapse, grunge clothing and boy bands.

The boy band proved to be another 20th century phenomenon, as groups -

“It felt like he was singing to me!” Jones reminisced, regarding David Cassidy, star of the hit ‘70s show The Partridge Family. He and his half brother Shaun were known for spurring teenage girls to obsession.

Davy Jones was another ‘70s musical star, originally with The Monkeys. The British actor/singer later went solo, took Marcia Brady t o prom on The Brady Bunch, starred in musicals, and was named the number one teen idol by Yahoo! Music.

1960s

1970s

“Paul Newman comes to mind,” Math teacher Terry Scharnweber remarked. “It was always about the dark hair and blue eyes.”

Scharnweber has it right; on top of winning numerous awards including an Oscar and three Golden Globes, Newman was named “Man of the Year” by Harvard University in 1968 due to his esteemed acting, directing and activism. He even had a holiday named after him Newman Day is still celebrated in a few colleges every year.

notably *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys - released countless number one singles and albums. Even today, many recognize ex-boy band members (Justin Timberlake, anyone?) as heartthrobs.

The ‘90s also saw the inception of extremely successful actors, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt. DiCaprio gained limitless fame (and made a limitless number of girls cry) with the leading roles in Romeo + Juliet and Titanic, while Pitt was cast in various movies, but significantly boosted his career and heartthrob status with Seven, which led to his first Golden Globe nomination and the awarding of the title of People’s Sexiest Man Alive.

1980s

Art by Kathy Long

Whether gay or straight, love is love other “female,” this is not true in any shape or form. We’ve just fallen in love with someone of the same sex; love is love and gender shouldn’t matter. Love can be defined in so many different ways: we each find our own way of defining it.

For me, “love” is that awkward moment when your friend asks you why you’re smiling and you reply “nothing” - but, in your mind you know it’s something - or someone - so much more. It’s that extra pop you gain in your walk; that high that you can’t seem to come down from when you are with that person. The feeling it creates inside you is so magical, almost unreal.

Now, Valentine’s Day is one day out of the year that is set aside for couples to celebrate the love that they share for one another. This will be my first time celebrating the pressured holiday. The media instills this image in our heads of a perfect

What is a heartthrob?

What's Your Relationship Status?

How many boyfriends or girlfriends have you had?

11

101

What is love? Maybe it's kissing your boyfriend. Maybe it's being in a committed relationship with your girlfriend. Maybe it's ogling at your life-size Justin Bieber cut out. The problem? No one can agree. We can help with that. Prepare for The Galleon's love lessons.

Teenage promiscuity 411: notion remains as rates fall

February 2011 The Galleon

1990s

Although many students know him for jumping on Oprah’s couch and from the Mission: Impossible series, Tom Cruise starred in several box-office hits after his career-starter Risky Business (you may recognize his infamous pants-less dancing) and career-charging Top Gun. He was critically acclaimed and adored by audiences.

“I was obsessed,” history teacher Paulette Riedel exclaimed. “I just loved him!”

Although an integral part of 1980s cinema, Cruise was not part of the Brat Pack, a group of young ‘80s actors (among which were

Andrew McCarthy and Anthony Michael Hall) whose careers peaked during

this

time.

2000s

Current heartthrobs including Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Reynolds and Zac Efron made names for

themselves in the mid-'00s. By the later edge of the decade, teen girls were completely engrossed with even newer celebrities, namely those from the Twilight franchise.

Even though the "Twilight Boys" (Taylor Lautner and co-star Robert Pattinson) are still overwhelmingly popular on the heartthrob scene, new heartthrobs are being recognized daily. Some think that the 2010s will usher in a wave of nerdy idols - Jesse Eisenberg, Michael Cera - while others think young boys stand a greater chance at fame - Justin Beiber, for instance. While nobody knows which heartthrobs have real staying power, they will surely continue to be lusted after by rabid fans.

Photos Courtesy of Google Images Art by Kathy Long Timeline compiled by Ilana Weisman

12

February 2011 The Galleon

ENTERTAINMENT

Talents on and off display

By PHOEBE DINNER ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Among the excitement in Mizner Park, many overlook a niche of culture placed right in Boca Raton. The Boca Raton Museum of Art displays famous works of art including artists ranging from Picasso to Manet.

The latest exhibit to come to the museum is CUT, which features 43 costumes from 25 different films.

The costumes make walking into the exhibit comparable to using a time machine, in which one can experience an entirely new century.

Upon one’s arrival, an elaborate emerald dress is displayed that appears fit for a Queen. The informational plaque below states that this same dress was worn by a Cinderella, Drew Barrymore in her film Ever After. Stars like Amy Adams and Robert Downey, Junior have worn these pieces of artwork shown locally in

Boca Raton.

Maybe one could ask why do these costumes constitute as art?

The costumes were made according to the time period. Before sewing machines, everything was hand sewn and designers had to adhere to the time period; so, if the movie was set in a time before the sewing machine was invented, the costume had to have been hand sewn by the designer of the 21 st century. The intricate designs and patterns were all made by those who were dedicated to making the film authentic.

“The exhibit helped open my eye to see the work needed to make a costume perfect,” junior Lila Stallone said. “I never knew the hard work it took to do something like that.”

There are several art classes offered at Spanish River in which students can express their artistic abilities.

Like many other costly events, it is

not easy to receive funding for an art show. Setbacks include getting the supplies needed to hang up everyone’s art and cooperation between faculty and students.

“In previous years there were four art teachers,” art teacher Adele Krug said. “It is hard for one or two teachers to put on an entire show, it gets a little crazy.”

The students who attend these classes everyday are the ones who would want their hard work to be recognized by their peers.

“Kids have a lot of skill in our art classes,” junior Courtney Lacey said. “Their artwork should be on display.”

An art exhibit at Spanish River could give students the opportunity to discover themselves and recognize their potential; maybe their work will even end up showcased at the Boca Museum of Art.

Art by Kathy Long

River puts a rap to it

By SHELAINA BLUKOS STAFF REPORTER Word after word, rhyme after rhyme, line after line; just as other artists do, rap musicians use their music as an escape from reality to transport into an abstract world. Students at Spanish River escape into this abstract world every time a beat begins and their rhymes start flowing. Some of Spanish River’s rappers include junior Nishad Ramasar and seniors Oliver Silver and Flavio Santana. While some individuals begin rapping as a hobby, others such as Ramasar and Santana, aspire to make careers out of their passions.

Silver has created seven songs in total and has broadcasted them on YouTube.com. He records at a local studio, Dae Dor Studios, yet he still considers rapping an enjoyable pastime and not a life-long calling.

“I started out just having fun and messing around with some friends,” Silver said. “I love to make music; a good song, something that sounds good.”

However, Santana and Ramasar look at their rapping as something they hope to someday claim as more than simply a hobby.

“My rap name is T-Trick,” Santana said.

“I have a Myspace Music, a Sound Click and other music pages.”

Santana uses a friend’s home music studio as his own and has played gigs at personal parties. In middle school, Santana began rapping as more of an extracurricular activity. He began to take rapping more seriously when he reached high school.

“I like [rapping], not all to be famous, but to enjoy,” Santana said.

Ramasar shares Santana’s opinion in that he also hopes to pursue his rapping; however, Ramasar hopes to chase his dreams a bit further.

“I pursue my music with my heart,” Ramasar said. “It’s exciting to zone out, detached from the world, while looking at it with different sounds and emotions.”

Ramasar has a personal home studio with his own equipment, where he has produced two tracks and uploaded his electronic music onto YouTube.com and on his Myspace Music profile. Ramasar sometimes features other aspiring artists in his songs and has performed local gigs.

“[Ramasar] is very passionate. He works hard; he doesn’t mess around,” senior Jon Jasko, a strong supporter and a good friend of Ramasar said. “When he plays, everyone loves him.”

A claim to fame could be just around the corner for someone who has found his or her niche in life. Local Spanish River rappers could be the next artists to come out of today’s generation.

Photos by Caitlin Nobilé

13 ENTERTAINMENT Role models roll in wrong direction February 2011 The Galleon

prize to a person deemed to have "done the most to influence the events of the year," the Person of the Year Award. The award was first presented to Charles Lindbergh, a man who single-handIn a world where research and science take edly flew from Long Island, New York to Paris, a backseat to entertainment and drugs, it is no France, marking an important milestone in avisurprise that students' visions of a role model ation history. Past winners of this prestigious have gone from hero to, dare I say it - zero. The prize have included Mohandas Gandhi, Franklin fact that students focus on who is "trending" on Roosevelt and Martin Luther King, Junior, all Twitter and the cast of MTV's Jersey Shore is men who fought their hearts out for what they believed in. 2010's Person of the Year? Mark leading our nation on a downhill path.

Since 1927, TIME Magazine has awarded a Zuckerberg, founder of the social network Facebook. While it is true that without Zuckerberg many peoples' lives would be different (mostly they would gain a large chunk of their day back due to the loss of mindlessly scrolling through their Facebook "news feed"), what would 3.6 million people do without Dr. Perumalsamy Namperumalsamy? He is a man who showed the world how to replace cataracts more quickly and safely. Thanks to Namperumalsamy, a new cataract s u rg e ry occurs o n c e every 15 minutes, according to www. spotlight. vitals.com.

The fact that "Zuckerberg" rings a bell to the majority of students at Span-

By LEE GINTON COMMENTARY

ish River while "Namperumalsamy" draws a complete blank is something we should frown upon.

It is no secret that students are very vulnerable and easily influenced by the media. Taking this into account, why is it that the media focuses mainly on movie stars and singers, as opposed to scientists and mathematicians?

Could it be because teenagers will spend hundreds of dollars on a Demi Lovato concert ticket but not on a biotechnology convention?

Probably. Lovato, the same Disney Channel star for whom teenagers will camp outside for days to see, is currently sitting in a rehabilitation center with an eating disorder, and allegedly with other issues including depression and drug-use. Lovato is just one of many stars that students spend their lives obsessing over. In fact, a video was recently released onto the internet starring another Disney Channel actress, Miley Cyrus. [The video was a new role for Cyrus; rather than playing the role of a teen pop star leading a double life, she was filmed smoking a substance that was alledgedly Salavia, a hallucinogen] Isn't it reassuring to know that today's generation would rather worship anorexic and drug-abusing movie stars than scientists spending their lives trying to find a cure for cancer?

From Kobe Bryant's court-side violence to Tiger Woods' marital infidelities to the horrors of Michael Vick's canine abuse, the behavior of many sports heroes leaves no more to be desired.

The clergy with their child abuse scandals?

Politics, perhaps the dirtiest game of all? You decide, is our choice of role models rolling us along the wrong path?

Photos courtesy of Google Images

21st century teen From jackets that blast your favorite music to cameras that shoot in 3D, living the life of a 21st century teen has its perks. With these futuristic gadgets, you can’t go wrong!

3D Camera by Fujifilm “FinePix W3 Real 3D 10.0-Megapixel Digital Camera” Available at: Best Buy

Jacket with built in Headphones “Techno Hoodies” Available at: Old Navy Durable iPhone Case “Otterbox iPhone Case”

Available at: www.otterbox. com Photo by Lee Ginton Photos courtesy of Google Images

14 STUDENT LIFE Raving: more than just glowsticks February 2011 The Galleon

By CAITLIN NOBILÉ STAFF REPORTER Raves: all-night dance parties consisting of loud electronic music, flashing lights, and a great deal of vulnerable, disoriented people who are easily taken advantage of. As euphoric and thrilling as raving culture may seem, though, there are plenty of dangers hiding behind the beads and glow sticks.

According to The Good Drugs Guide, consumption of alcoholic beverages and hallucinogenic drugs are the most popular among ravers.

These are generally taken to enhance mood, energy and atmosphere.

"It's just about escapism," junior Nichole Gandra said.

However, it is highly recommended to stay away from any substance offered at a rave. If a

raver accepts something from a stranger, he or she faces the risk of kidnapping and date rape.

“Being a young female, there have been plenty of times where I’ve felt threatened, never for my life, but I've certainly felt uncomfortable,” senior Courtney Calcanes said. “Many people are there to have a wonderful and uplifting time, but there are men with alternative motives.”

The principle of Peace Love Unity Respect (PLUR) is encouraged in rave culture, but unfortunately it is not a principle practiced by all.

Reports of stolen phones, iPods and other miscellaneous property are common plights for plenty of ravers.

“I’ve met this guy who goes to raves every weekend solely to steal phones,” senior Joey Lynch said. “He posts pictures of them on Facebook to sell.”

Rave promotion flyers often state that alcohol will not be served, making raves more appealing

to parents of children interested in attending.

However, it is reportedly simple to acquire hallucinogenics such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), phencyclidine (PCP) and the most common: ecstasy. “[Raves] are not so much about unity and peace and everyone gathering for the love of the music,” Calcanes said. “It’s more about drugs now.”

Furthermore, illicit drugs taken conventionally at raves can easily harm users. The Bad Trip Guide states that rave drugs can sometimes result in disturbing experiences (otherwise known as a “bad trip") through the course of the drugs effects.

"There is a big margin for you to have a bad trip at a rave," sophomore Ryan Graf said. "All of the flashing lights and people dancing can be a sensory overload."

DOUBLE ELBUORT

How does having a double change the lives of Spanish River students? Two pairs of identical twins shared their opinions.

Ryan Whittington, 11

Jeremy Whittington, 11

Being a twin affects my life tremendously. My brother and I are always together. We play the same sports and go to the same parties. Being a twin helps my social life because if Jeremy becomes friends with someone, I become friends with them as well.

There are many pros and cons to being a twin.

Because we are both in the same grade and take the same subjects, we can always get help on homework or study for a test together. However, I would like to have my own friends sometimes. It bothers me that we do a lot of things together. It’s just a little too much time together. Also, it bugs me when people call me by the wrong name.

Ryan and I are together for a lot of time. I’ve had TV Production with him every year since freshman year.

Actually, in the beginning of this year, we had five classes in a row together, so I got a schedule change before school started because I don’t like being with him 24/7.

Luckily, I always have someone to be with who likes the same exact things as I do. So if I want to practice lacrosse or something, I have someone to do it with.

On the other hand, we have all the same friends and we do EVERYTHING together. It gets extremely annoying.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RYAN WHITTINGTON

Jeremy Whittington, left, and Ryan Whittington, right.

Melissa Ladner, left, and Katherine Ladner, right.

Melissa Ladner, 10 Because my sister and I are twins, we are constantly being compared. We struggle with trying to be different while also having similar interests and spending all our time together.

Even though we look alike, she and I have tried to stay away from being addressed as a singular unit instead of as individuals. For instance, whenever we’re together it’s always “hello, twins” or “hello, Ladners.” You can’t imagine how nice it is to be addressed as an individual, not as half of a whole.

Katherine Ladner, 10 “Can you read each other’s minds?” “Do you finish each other’s sentences?”

These are questions that I have heard throughout my life because I’m a twin.

I thought that going to a high school with over 2000 kids would mean that we could be apart. But instead of the cherished “separate time,” I have three classes with my sister and have the same teachers for some of our other classes. This is absolutely awful sometimes. On those days when the last thing I want to do is be near her, she is sitting right in front of me.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHERINE LADNER

STUDENT LIFE

February 2011 The Galleon

15

33496 the new 90210?

By WHITNEY SHA STUDENT LIFE EDITOR Beverly Hills, 90210 is a long-running teen drama franchise that details the lives of high school students living in California’s affluent and exclusive 90210 zip code. Teenagers drive luxury vehicles and hold parties in their colossal homes. Newcomers find it difficult assimilating into society. If this setup sounds a bit familiar, it is no surprise. Popular culture has long viewed Boca Raton as a city like none other, “lacking proper allotment of wealth” and “full of plastic and lies,” according to www.urbandictionary.com. Recently, even Boca’s residents have voiced their opinions on the stereotypes of their city.

“Boca is a unique place,” senior Noranit Narapanya, who moved to Boca from Thailand at the beginning of this year, said. “The first thing I noticed was that there were many old people, many Jewish people, a lot of diversity. People are smart, but they are also discriminating. In school, the smart kids stick together. They use the term ‘normies’ to refer to people who don’t take any AP’s.”

Junior Jenny Hunter, a Boca native, has an even less forgiving opinion of her town.

“The Boca stereotype consists of a person who is rich, has designer handbags has had plastic surgery,” she said. “Boca people come off as very fake. When you get to the outside world, people are truer to themselves, how they want to dress and who they want to be.”

Accepting and living with Boca’s eccentricities becomes a habit, according to Hunter. “There’s no other choice but to deal with it right now, but I’m

not sure I would choose a place like this to raise my children,” she said.

However, some Spanish River students are skeptical of the continuous portrayal of Boca as a city riddled with vice.

“Just because people have a whole bunch of stuff doesn’t mean they’re vain and materialistic,” Boca Raton native sophomore Mary Mansour said. “You can’t generalize all of Boca.”

English teacher Celeste Saulle, who has lived in New York, Pennsylvania and North Carolina prior to moving to South Florida, also has a nontraditional take on the “Boca identity.”

“My attitude about [Boca] has been evolving,” she said. “Now I think of it as a place with highly successful people who like to live successful lifestyles. The main difference between Boca and other areas is that parents here are extremely motivated. They encourage their children to do well because they themselves have done well and they expect nothing less.”

So will Boca Raton, 33496 debut on TV soon?

Perhaps; it seems as if the city has the requirements (wealth, attitude and uniformity) down.

However, it is impossible to capture the full Boca experience in an hour-long program that boasts picturesque beaches, designer clothing and endless drama. There is more to the 33496 zip code than its stereotypes, and there is more to life here than what is on the surface.

Boca Raton: Breaking Down the Numbers The Galleon polled 164 students of all four grades about their spending habits. Here’s what they said about the primary sources from which they got money: Other (10%) Gifts and gift cards (13%)

Allowance from parents (50%)

Job (27%)

“For small purchases my parents give me money, but for big purchases, I use money from my own bank account. I think this system works pretty well for now.”

- Anna Lee Robbins, 11

“During the summer I worked as a bagger at Publix. I earned my own money and I felt a lot more responsible because I didn’t have to use my parents’ cash.”

- Vanessa Garcia-Montes, 10 PHOTO BY WHITNEY SHA

Brain foods boost test performance

By EMMA GRUBMAN STAFF REPORTER Annotate the question; narrow down your answer; use context clues; refer to the line number. These are just some of the various ways in which one can tackle one of the most important tests in the life of a high school student: the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT). However, students have used a surprising method to increase scores - eating brain foods.

“Keeping the brain alert and focused for five hours straight is the key to SAT success,” SAT tutor Steve Kirshenbaum said.

Eating eggs, salmon, blueberries, avocado and acai keeps the mind clear and attentive through such a strenuous test. These foods promote an ideal environment for the brain to operate, according to Kirshenbaum.

“Eggs, for example, contain high amounts of choline, the precursor of the brain’s neurotransmitter acetyl choline,” Kirshenbaum said. “If acetyl choline is present in abundance, then the brain is able to function longer and more efficiently.”

In addition to eggs, the fatty acids in salmon, flax seeds, chia seeds and walnuts bathe the brain with the fats it needs to function most efficiently. Blueberries, acai and green tea contain tremendous amounts of antioxi-

PHOTO BY ALBAN HARRISON

Eating nutrient-rich foods prior to test day is proven to enhance test performance.

dants that are able to destroy brain-power reducing free radicals. Fruits and tea also contain elements that promote enhanced mental endurance for marathon tests like the SAT. “I always ate eggs before taking the SAT because they gave me energy to get through the whole test,” senior Sarah Katzin said.

However, eating a sufficient breakfast is not the only necessity in physically preparing for the SAT. It is essential to eat a wholesome dinner the preceding night, such as turkey and pasta, which provide the body with proteins and carbohydrates that contribute to a decent sleep while still providing the mind with energy for the subsequent morning. During the five minute power breaks between sections the test taker can snack on pomegranates and dark-chocolate covered espresso beans, furthermore keeping one’s mind focused and clear throughout the remainder of the test.

The SAT is no easy examination. However, whether it requires drawing parentheses around a prepositional phrase or sketching axes for a graph, obtaining an optimum score is not out of reach with the help of brain foods.

16

February 2011 The Galleon

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SPORTS

February 2011 The Galleon

17

River remembers its first coach

By RENEE SIEGEL SPORTS EDITOR Most River students have never heard of Barry Hill. He is the all-time interception leader for Iowa State University’s (ISU) football team. He was elected into the ISU and Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame. He played 20 games over two seasons for the Miami Dolphins until knee injuries ended his career.

Barry Hill died of pneumonia complications on December 29, 2010 at age 57. Unknown to most students, however, is that his love of football lives on through Spanish River.

Athletes invest their lives in their sport.

So when the inevitable end of their sports career comes, there is a choice to be made: leave behind the game or pass it on to others.

Hill chose the latter, guiding future generations of players all over his native Palm Beach County. One way he did this was by starting

Let’s

a football program at the newly opened seen on the field. “[Coach Hill] taught us kindness, respect, Spanish River High School in 1983.

It must be understood that Hill’s high defeat, joy and strength,” Spanish River alumschool experience is something foreign nus Jacqueline Falzone Schaffer said to Hill’s to many kids of today, something only Palm Beach Post Guest Book. “[He] never found in text books; he was part of the gave up on us and [he] taught us all to hold our last graduating class of Carver, a Delray heads up high. [He] led me to another stone of Beach segregated high school. Though my life journey.”

Coaches constantly change and students being the first football coach of a school is an accomplishment in itself, there is a constantly filter through high school. Howevlittle extra satisfaction in using football as er, there are those select few coaches that leave an imprint on the lives of their athletes and a means of racially uniting kids.

“I never heard of Coach Hill, but what on the institutions they work for. May Barry he tried to do makes sense to me,” sopho- Hill be remembered as one of those great, but more Aaron Graubert said. “Football is more select few.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TIBURON YEARBOOK AND than just a sport because it connects different THE MIAMI DOLPHINS ARCHIVES DEPARTMENT types of kids as well as connecting different generations.”

Current Boca Raton High School Athletic Director Bill Massey was a witness to this because he was the original athletic director of Spamish River. A first year team without any seniors on average wins one game, according to Massey. But Hill? He led River’s original no senior team to an unbelievable three victories. And his second year? Five victories.

Hill’s coaching, however, Above: Coach Hill poses with the first football team of Spanish River for the 1984 went beyond the statistics. Tiburon Yearbook.

He impacted his players’ lives in more ways than was Left-hand corner: Barry Hill during his time as a Miami Dolphin.

cal i s y h Get P

By EMILY BERGMAN STAFF REPORTER As a cold front arrives, surfers head to the beach to start their early morning rides. South Florida beaches are not known for being a mecca of surfing, but the waves still allow surfers of all skill levels to “carve,” or turn on a wave, according to floridasurfing.com. Occasionally, a hurricane passing far off the Florida coast provides the perfect weather system and waves for great surfing.

For some, surfing comes naturally, but for others, skill comes with much practice.

Some riders can even begin as young as nine years old, like senior Guillermo Camarena.

“The feeling of going down the line of a wave fast and smooth is awesome; doing huge face carves [allows you to be] in a whole different element,” Camarena said.

“It’s always changing, making every wave you catch different.”

Some popular surfing beaches in Florida include Cocoa Beach and the Sebastian Inlet, and even local beaches such as Palmetto Beach or the Spanish River Beach allow for surfing.

Surfing

“I usually go to Delray Beach on weekend mornings or after school,” sophomore Alexander Alvarez said.

“Surf cams,” set up to show the current weather and wave condition on the beach, are the best tools for surfers. By supplying live views of the ocean, they let surfers scope for good waves.

While some surfers enjoy competing, others just want to enjoy the ride.

“I am going to start doing competitions soon, but for now I just like to have fun,” Alvarez said. “Being out in the ocean makes me feel free, and I love shredding the gnar.”

Changing elements, such as the ocean and the sun, contribute to surfing’s individuality.

One must have great upper body strength and balance to master the art of riding waves. Surfing includes aerobic and anaerobic components such as paddling, jumping and turning, according to surfline. com. Sponsored surfers serve as role models for today’s young surfing hobbyists.

“My favorite surfer is Rob Machado,” Camarena said.

Rob Machado is one of the most influential surfers in history, says his personal site

Robmachado.com. Although born in Sydney, Australia, Machado currently resides in San Diego, California. He has taken his influence away from the waves by providing charity work in Southern California, according to his official website. He started the Rob Machado Foundation, and through an annual golf tournament, helps improve the environment in California. In 1993, he ranked among the top ten surfers in the world.

Whether “shredding” or “bailing,” the adrenaline that floods surfers’ veins as they surf the waves will keep them in shape and coming back for more.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GUILLERMO CAMARENA ART BY NICOLE ZAMFES

18

SPORTS

February 2011 The Galleon

-SERIES

01 PRIME

“

These are the rituals our own River students do to be at their PRIME before a game.

“ ” “

I think about food, mostly McDonalds and other fast food while I’m getting myself mentally prepared.

- Robby Klasfeld,11, Wrestling

”

I play Dance Dance Revolution with some of my teammates and then we always watch the forest scene from The Proposal.

- Alana Pines,12, Lacrosse I go home and pray that coach will put me in, then practice my cheers and other bench warming skills to make sure I’m able to contribute to the game.

- Alex Fox,12, Basketball

”

02 PERFORM

Action pictures of River athletes PERFORMing during games.

03 RECOVER

The right ways to RECOVER after a game.

Within the First 5 minutes: Rehydrate and Refuel Eat/drink carbohydrates and protein.

Within the First Hour: Refuel and Psychological Recovery Continue to hydrate. Take in more food (high and medium GI carbohydrates and protein). Start to unwind, using music for example.

5 - 20 minutes: In the Evening: Cool Down Move lightly for five to eight minutes Psychological Recovery followed by an eight to ten minute stretch. Relax, continue to hydrate and refuel as appropriate. Sleep a minimum of eight hours; most post game recovery 15 - 20 minutes: occurs in your sleep. While resting Neural Recovery your body heals itself. If you do Use a hydrotherapy tool (e.g. contrast not get enough sleep, cortisol is showers or cold bath). released in your body which Self massage. (Using predominantly breaks down protein instead shaking techniques to stimulate neural of fat. If this continues, you recovery). Continue to hydrate. will lose muscle and get Photos courtesy of Tiburon, Nicole Sampedro,

Phoebe Dinner, and Google Images weaker.

Page compiled by Sam Kaplan and Renee Siegel Information by Sam Kaplan from www.NSCA-lift.org

Shooting nets for nets

By KATHY LONG STAFF REPORTER Music blared in the background as the packed crowd erupted into cheers when AP Environmental Science teacher Nicole Cangelosi scored the first basket for the teachers. In the end, the Spanish River’s varsity basketball team won 26 to eight, a win for the team and for people fighting Malaria in Africa. Spanish River’s National Honor Society (NHS) hosted this basketball fundraiser called Nets for Nets during lunch A on February 7 to raise money to purchase mosquitorepellent nets that protect children in Africa against Malaria. One hundred percent of the donations and profits earned will go towards the organization Nothing But Nets that orders and delivers these nets.

Teachers such as Cangelosi, Jennifer Heldt, Nathan Hesse, Bettina Hoffman, Arron Lampman, Mathew Quercia, Mary Shonty, Kevin Turner and Wendy Woodmore played against the varsity basketball team, and Rocco D’Attilico refereed. During half time, the trifecta Michael Courant, Cory Graber and Matt Vogel - chose students from the crowd to shoot from the half court line, the winner would have scored a date with the trifecta, but sadly no one made the shot.

“Overall the game was great,” varsity basketball team player senior Alex Fox said. “We didn’t practice and just played on the court. We should do everything we can to help fight Malaria.”

In addition to the basketball game, NHS sold bracelets that say “SRHS Nets For Nets.” The goal was to raise $2,000 by selling the bracelets and receiving donations from the students, faculty and community.

“If anyone donated money, the NHS will write his/her name on a basketball shaped paper and hang it on the MVP Wall,” President of NHS Christine Adams said.

The idea first originated from Junior President of NHS junior Nicole Granet.

The officers all agreed with the fundraiser since it was a great way for NHS members to help not only on the community level, but on a global level and to receive community service hours for their participation.

“This fundraiser shows compassion for others and also tries to make the world a better place,” NHS Advisor Mary Shonty said. “This is a worthy cause to contribute to.”

The Nothing But Nets foundation has raised $30 million in three years and has distributed three million nets. Every $10 contribution to Nothing But Nets covers the cost of purchasing a long-lasting insecticide-treated bed net, distributing it and educating communities on its use according to nothingbutnets.net. To join the cause and save people in Africa from Malaria, donate today. Bracelets will be sold at lunch through February 28.

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February 2011 The Galleon

19

Dance team

Sarah Nader Dancing for...10 years Best dance show: America’s Best Dance Crew Pep-Rally prep: krumping Personal Style: Interpretive Favorite Dance Move: The Robot

G LLEON SPORTS

Taylor Dabbah Dancing for...11 years Best dance show: Dancing with the Stars Pep-Rally prep: I don’t prep. I’m perfect.

Personal Style: Vogueing Favorite Dance Move: Dougie

Natalia Piedrahita Dancing for...11 years Best dance show: America’s Best Dance Crew Pep-Rally prep: Crying in the bathroom because I’m not allowed to dance in pep-rallies Personal Style: Vogueing Favorite Dance Move: The Spongebob

Sarah Katzin Dancing for...14 years Best dance show: Dance Team Show Case (February 15th) Pep-Rally prep: singing Taylor Swift Personal Style: Hip-Hop Favorite Dance Move: The Tilt

Ashley Woods Dancing since... 15 years Best dance show: Dance Your A** Off Pep-Rally prep: I quote Mean Girls Personal Style: contemporary Favorite Dance Move: over-the-top