TheGalleon
Spanish River High School 5100 Jog Road Boca Raton, FL 33496 galleonnewsonline.com Issue 5 - March 2012
Students present National History Day projects Zach Schlein Staff Reporter Since 1980, National History Day (NHD) has promoted education and competition for high school students throughout America. This year’s theme, “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History,” has inspired many creative projects from students in Spanish River’s Gilder Lehrman Academy. Because of the diverse nature of NHD submissions, groups or individuals enter their projects in categories ranging from historical papers and poster boards to documentaries, websites and performances. Teacher judges assessed each project in a presentation in the Media Center. “I rotated around the Media Center, sizing up projects and asking presenters questions to gauge their depth of knowledge,” economics teacher Brett Burkey said.
Photo courtesy of Sean Delaney
Students present their NHD project to American History teacher Paulette Riedel.
Biotech opens new greenhouse Joey Birchansky News Editor
After recent renovations, the new Biotech Academy greenhouse has opened for juniors in Biotech III. “It’s good for us to have this hands-on learning experience,” junior Brianna Sachs said. “I think the Biotech Academy will gain more popularity.” Because light bulbs of wrong voltage were accidentally installed, the entire electrical system had to be redone to power the lights. The greenhouse Photo By Lee Ginton remained unused for over A biotech student measures plant height growth in this recently installed soilless plant three years until school environment. district chairman Frank Assistant Principal Doug Markwardt the school year will be an “experimenBarbieri initiated a $85,000, six-month helped set up a 300-gallon aquapon- tal stage” for students and faculty project in October to fix the error, according to Science Department ics tank containing fish, whose waste alike to familiarize themselves with will be circulated beneath the plants the greenhouse, and to attempt to Chair Eric Dybas. grow a variety of plants through trial The greenhouse, which was funded to provide them with nutrients. “The Biotech III curriculum is going and error. by the original money raised for the “We’ll do our best experimenting Biotech Academy, contains equip- to change tremendously compared ment designed for soilless agricul- to previous years,” junior Cara Berner to see what works and what doesn’t ture, according to Biotech teacher said. “It is different from just working work, and hopefully we’ll have our with bacteria cultures; you are actual- plants growing,” Fish said. “I think Mary Fish. “It’s a great way of growing plants ly working with plant cells and doing people are excited about it and hopefully it will spark more of an interest in without many expenses or destroying research on them.” Fish hopes that the remainder of the Biotech program.” the environment,” Fish said.
This headline has been censored
Freshman Lauren Villanueva’s background in fashion inspired her to make an individual documentary on fashion throughout the 20th century. “My topic didn't necessarily relate to history in a sense, but I love fashion and upcoming trends,” Villanueva said. Other finalists chose topics they were interested in learning about. Graphic by Whitney Sha “I chose my category because I was interested in learning about the histoGraphic by Whitney Sha ry of television over the years,” fresh- Web banners, Facebook profile pictures and other graphics have gone viral as web surfers have mobilized against Internet censorship. man Madison Paige, who researched women’s rights activist Alice Paul, said. corporations the power to shut down made me aware of what SOPA was Paige, Villanueva and other stuWhitney Sha websites if they display copyrighted already doing.” dents won in their respective categocontent, according to CBS News. SOPA would make websites reries and went on to compete in the News Editor Sophomore Nicole Thompson sponsible for user-submitted conNHD County finals at West Boca Raton When Spanish River students first learned about SOPA when she tent, which would put sites like YouHigh School on February 20. Whether they won or not, students consider logged onto the Internet on January clicked on Google’s blacked-out logo Tube and student writers, artists and 18, they found that over 7,000 web- on January 18, which led her to a fact musicians in jeopardy. NHD a great learning opportunity. “I’m a musician and I gain the ma“I definitely think students should sites - including Wikipedia, Google sheet about the bill. From Google she continue to participate in NHD,” and link-sharing forum Reddit - had learned about blackouts on other jority of my fans and exposure by posting videos of songs I’ve covered,” Villanueva said. “Because even blacked out to protest Internet cen- sites like Wikipedia. sorship. The blackouts protested the “The blackouts inconvenienced a junior Laura Yany said. “If censorship though [finishing the project] could be stressful, you learn a lot of his- Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and lot of people because they weren’t like that takes over, my music will be tory. I think kids really enjoy that Protect IP Act (PIPA), which would able to find information online like more difficult to promote.” give the U.S. Government and large they used to,” Thompson said. “It option.” *continued on page 3
D E R O S
N E C
Life of the Party
What makes up a party? Are you the wallflower or the overconfident one? Check out the anatomy of a party. Pages 10-11
High Five
Check out 5 facts you’ve always wanted to know about everything from student rights to the spirit stick. Page 9
Give Art Some Credit Students prove that art requirements can lead to discovering new passions, ways to relax and enriching experiences. Page 12
Inside this Issue
Web surfers react against Internet censorship
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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OPINION
March 2012 The Galleon
! k a re
B g n i r
Sp
Shark Attack
Dear Editor, I really enjoyed reading “River’s Got Politics” in issue 4. While only a small fraction of the SRHS student body can vote in the next election, everyone should be aware of who is trying to change America in 2012. I recently started working (making calls, going to rallies) for the Mitt Romney campaign, and I have already learned so much about government and about the candidates’ political ideas. The articled helped spawn awareness, which everyone should have when it comes to our futures.
Sharks Out of Water
Sincerely, Catherine Vianale, 10 Photo by Joey Goldman
Senior Harley Abrams celebrates his commitment to Lehigh University on a golf scholarship by shaving his afro.
Letter From the Editors Spring Break has finally arrived, and students couldn’t be more eager to get a break from the daily grind and spend the week relaxing. We hope this issue of The Galleon makes great pool side reading for you as you recuperate from an intense third quarter. This issue, we put an emphasis on covering more of student’s opinions, struggles and accomplishments. Your input is so important to us - so please send us letters to the editor or contact us on Facebook to tell us what you think! This is our last issue as the Galleon 2011-2012 staff. Although it is a bittersweet end, we are thrilled to announce the staff for next year! Congratulations, we wish you the very best! Sincerely (for the last time), Nicole Granet, Joey Goldman, Lee Ginton & Phoebe Dinner 2012-2013 Galleon Staff
Editors-in-Chief Caroline Posner Whitney Sha Ilana Weisman
Photographers Jeremy Freiman Xia Hernandez
Associate Editor Josh Benrubi
Entertainment Editors Ellyn Snider Nina Van Maanen
News Editor Whitney Sha
Feature Focus Editor Jamie Brecher
Student Life Editors Ashley Roth Eliana Landow
Artists Andrea Hoenigsberg Ellyn Snider
Technical Editor/Web Editor Zachary Senz Kamler
Features Editors Lindsay Mangines Kelsey Spyker
Advertisements Editor Claire Dykas Sports Editors Jake Wasserman Josh Benrubi
Staff Reporters Alexis Dlugos Stephanie Green Brooke Levy Lauren Villanueva
Photo Courtesy of Gil Vizner
PhotoCourtesy of Alexis Cardenas
Senior Gil Vizner takes home first place in DECA accounting at the state DECA competition for the second year in a row.
Senior Alexis Cardenas touches the sky during her first skydiving jump.
Congratulations! Evan Schnurmacher and Michelle Aguinis are the new Mr. and Ms. Spanish River! Congrats to Ms. Carter for being a finalist for the Dwyer Award. Congrats to Coach Jones for winning Teacher of the Year at Spanish River. Thumbs up
- Spring Break - River sports success - AP acceptances - New Galleon staff
Thumbs down
- Research Papers - Old Galleon Staff leaving - Classrooms like igloos - Spring Daylight Savings photos courtesy of google images
Internet censorship protested *continued from page 1
Websites and individuals have reacted fiercely to the threat of censorship. After the January 18 blackouts, 4.5 million people, including Yany, signed a White House anti-SOPA petition, according to Google. Internet surfers also rallied against SOPA by boycotting the bill’s supporters. On Reddit, users like Phil Esterman agreed to transfer web domains away from SOPA backer GoDaddy. GoDaddy, a web domain provider, officially retracted its support for SOPA after losing 21,000 domains in one day, according to www.cnet.com. “I was in the process of transferring my GoDaddy domains when the sleazy company finally retracted its supThe Galleon Insider
Piracy is a serious concern. However, an attack on our freedom to unrestrictedly and harmlessly roam cyberspace is a rash error. Phil Esterman Junior port of SOPA,” Esterman said. The combined blackouts, petitions and loss of corporate support caused SOPA’s sponsor, Texas Representative Lamar Smith, to put the bill on hold. However, activists argue that the fight for online freedom has not yet been won, and at best SOPA/PIPA has been a smokescreen for the more serious Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). ACTA, a multi-national agreement with the same goals as SOPA, has already been signed by the U.S. and 30 other countries. Critics claim that it triggered the U.S. government to shut down Megaupload and Megavideo, two file-sharing sites that have been accused of facilitating piracy before. Regardless of what form it takes, River students continue to remain wary of Internet censorship. “Piracy is a serious concern,” Esterman said. “However, an attack on our freedom to unrestrictedly and harmlessly roam cyberspace is a rash error.”
NEWS
March 2012 The Galleon
Oliveira competes in Miss Teen Florida Gali Deutsch Staff Reporter With a vivacious smile and bubbly charm, junior Isabele Oliveira is competing against girls from all over the state for the esteemed title of Miss Teen Florida. After searching for scholarships on the Spanish River website, Oliveira entered the competition. The winner of this pageant is eligible for a four year scholarship at Nova University. “I searched, registered and qualified as a contestant,” Oliveira said. “Then we had a pre-competition to see who would represent each city, and I will represent Boca.” The pageant involves an opening act when all the competitors share a dance, a bathing suit segment, and interview segment where the competitors will show off their evening gowns. In preparation for the pageant, Oliveira is searching for sponsors as well as an evening gown. She also
reads news articles from around the world to prepare for questions during the interview segment of the pageant. The first interview will be on May 2, when Oliveira will come face to face with her competitors. Oliveira finds herself very calm in
Photo Courtesy of Isabele Oliveira
Oliveira poses for a runway show for her side job as a model.
nervewracking situations. “It is very competitive,” Oliveira said. “There are always those girls that do not like you, but I deal with it. It is very fun and just another addition to my list of achievements.” Oliveira has competed in pageants
since she was thirteen years old, earning the title of Miss Brazil in 2009. Her victory left her with the determination and inspiration to compete in Miss Teen Florida. “It [the pageant] is very hard; you have to be very dedicated to it,” Oliveira said. If successful in the Miss Teen Florida pageant, Oliveira may compete in Miss America or Miss Universe, but will definitely continue her modeling career. As for the rest of her future, Oliveira has high hopes she will win the Nova University scholarship. No matter the outcome, Oliveira stays positive because win or lose, she has learned a lot and it has been in fact a worthwhile experience. Awards such as Miss Photogenic, Miss Congeniality and Miss Internet based on online voting are also given to competitors. The competition for Miss Teen Florida will be on May 26. To support Oliveira, cast your vote online on the Miss Teen Florida website.
Holocaust survivors speak to school Ilana Weisman Feature Focus Editor On February 7, Spanish River’s No Place for Hate club hosted a Holocaust Remembrance Day event. Sophomore Jason Jaroslavsky organized the presentation to help others understand the consequences of hatred and intolerance. “The Holocaust was one of the most horrific events in our history,” Jaroslavsky said. “Teaching respect for differences and the consequences of intolerance could prevent such an event from occurring again.” The sentiment that today’s youth and modern education can prevent another Holocaust was the theme throughout the day. “Today is a remarkable moment to live and learn history,” Principal William Latson said when he addressed the sophomore-filled audience. “With fewer survivors, we must preserve these stories.” Jaroslavsky agreed with Latson. “Listening to experiences from people who were actually there is a once -in-a-lifetime opportunity that won’t be around much longer,” Jaroslavsky said. Latson’s remarks opened keynote speaker and Holocaust survivor Nor-
man Frajman’s speech. Frajman has spoken to River students for the past two years. “There is one obstacle [against another Holocaust], and that’s you,” Frajman said. “You all understand more than others [before you did]. We must continue to educate future messengers Photo by Julie Bergman so these happen- The Holocaust Remembrance Day presentation included a perings do not repeat formance by the River Wind Ensemble and art by Holocaust survivors. themselves.” Other survivors from the Children Sur- ment of living conditions and life durvivors and Children of the ing and after the Holocaust, including Holocaust - including members Mary fellow survivor Alan Wainley. “It was difficult, getting back to norEckstein, Zelda Fuksman, Judith Goldstein, Freida Jaffe, John Kenigsberg, mal,” Wainley said. “My family moved Benno Lindenberg, Leonard Perry, from Poland to Costa Rica to the UnitAlan Wainley, Sam Ron and Katherine ed States - and I kept going to school Sattler - also visited sophomore class- [after my liberation]. But there I made up for my lost childhood.” rooms to discuss their experiences. Wainley reiterated the importance “You can see how brutal, how barof tolerance and preventing another baric [the concentration camp] was,” Ron said. “No dignity, no law, no jury, Holocaust: “It can’t happen again, no judge, no life. Once we were liber- with you all [young people] in school, ated ... there was no red carpet, no learning about this. It won’t happen again.” music. But it was still freedom.” Other survivors shared Ron’s assess-
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
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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.
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 psychological paradox of social networking March 2012 The Galleon
Joey Goldman Editor-in-Chief Information travels faster than seismic waves. That’s the rather interesting claim Twitter made in a commercial following the August 23 5.8 Richter scale-measuring earthquake in Virginia. In the commercial, a New York City man is on a work break, leisurely reading a book and enjoying a cup of coffee. He looks away from his reading when he sees a Twitter notification flash on his phone, and when he looks back, lifts up his coffee mug. Seconds later, a brief tremor shakes the building, causing loose items in the room to slide off shelves and tables. People in the room look around in confusion and fear, but the man nonchalantly continues to read his book and drink his java. While the advertisement itself might seem
like a comical exaggeration, the idea behind it is very real. Social networking has made the spread of information nearly instantaneous. Occupy Wall Street protesters and citizens of rioting nations in the Middle East both relied heavily on social networking to organize and educate others supporting their causes. The collective news media is constantly harping on this fact about social networking, but they seem to be either ignorant or could care less about the unique psychological paradox social networking has created. Social networking has, in fact, created a sort of social paradox. Sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr allow us to become curators
of our social lives. We look at pictures from a friend who has just returned from a two week vacation in the Turks and Caicos and imagine that
ing only to accounts that appeal to our interests. And on Tumblr we will post anything necessary to assure ourselves that our lives are nothing short of fascinating. While this mass delusion of reality is comforting, we soon realize the phoniness of it all, and an unnerving sense of loneliness consumes us. Social networking does create a stable community, but it is a community fitted only to our specific interests. We substitute the unpredictable, Image courtesy of Google real-life nature of we too were unwinding on human interaction for a fabthe warm, white sand, when ricated world where everyin fact we are only strain- thing is calculated to assure ing our eyes staring at our our own happiness. This is computer screens. We make the paradox: social networkour Twitter feeds a personal, ing may seem like it draws exclusive exhibit, subscrib- us closer together, but we
realize that its demand of perfection can never truly be achieved and, as a result, grow depressed and lonely. What we need going into the future is a balanced integration of social networking and purely physical interactions. Shifting away from social networking would be foolish: it does have benefits. We must focus more on the importance of those benefits (the rapid spread of information) and less on the delusional world it creates. This balance could potentially reintroduce the human factor in being social and reduce social networking-induced feelings of loneliness. Most importantly, though, we must continue to embrace advances in social technology. Who knows, maybe information will one day travel the speed of light.
A different kind of campaign: KONY 2012 them to become child rebel soldiers, to kill their parents, to mutilate their neighbors and to live in incessant fear. *Disclaimer: There is ample Despite efforts to stop this incontroversy regarding the humane war, the abductions KONY 2012 campaign and In- continue and to this day, visible Children. It is believed more than 60,000 children that Kony may no longer be in have been capUganda, that Invisible Children tured. Invisible may spend its money question- Children, a non ably, and that this campaign profit that uses may be destined for failure film, creativity due to its deep roots in social and social action media. Before supporting any to end the use of cause, research all sides of the child soldiers in story. Kony’s rebel war While perusing my Face- and restore LRAbook newsfeed, half pay- affected coming attention, half watching munities in CenAmerica Idol, I couldn’t help tral Africa, thinks but notice that practically it’s time to raise every other post highlight- awareness and ed the word “KONY.” At first do something to I thought nothing of it, but stop Kony. after seeing it posted a good According to 15 more times in the next 10 the campaign, minutes, I ventured to take a the first step in look. And now I know. ending this war KONY 2012. You’ve seen it is raising awareon Facebook, Youtube, Twit- ness and conter, Tumblr, the news. But cern. This is what what is it actually? It’s brilliant the video and marketing. In short, KONY internet cam2012 is a campaign to launch paign are accomJoseph Kony’s (the leader of plishing. In order the Lord’s Resistance Army, to get the world LRA, in Uganda) name into to care about households, conversations, ending this war, they need to consciences, and people’s know what’s happening and minds all around the world. who’s keeping it going. In my Why? Because for the past opinion, what better way to 20 years, the LRA has been get citizens of the world to gruesomely abducting Ugan- pay attention than by makdan children and forcing ing KONY famous? This tactic
Nicole Granet Editor-in-Chief
matches the way this generation thinks. And that’s just what has happened. The video on Youtube posted by Invisible Children has gone viral, reaching 30 million views in just three days and showing no signs of
to help battle the LRA, find Kony and arrest him. In order to make KONY’s name famous in this already heated election year, “KONY 2012: One thing we can all agree on” is the quintessential slogan. The icon of an elephant and donkey overlapping to make a dove illustrates that in dealing with this issue, we are not divided by party lines, but unified by a common mission of defending human rights. In addition to the gripping documentary-style video, KONY 2012 has the support and loud voices of 20 cultural icons including Oprah, Rihanna, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Jay-Z, Stephen Colbert, Bono, and Warren Buffet, as well as 12 policy makers including Condoleezza Rice, John Kerry and Bill Clinton. The climax of the Image courtesy of KONY2012.com KONY 2012 camslowing down. paign is planned to occur on With the growing interest the night of April 20 - “Cover of a population that knows the Night.” In cities all around Kony’s name and under- the world, people will put up stands his malicious cause, posters, flyers, banners, signs the government is more like- and literally cover the world ly to send troops to Uganda with KONY’s name. When
people wake up the next morning, the goal is to have them asking - “Who is Kony?” It’s a mastermind plan. You can’t force people to care about a war halfway around the world, but you can peak their interest and let curiosity do the leg work. Here’s the problem though: could you ever imagine someone being belittled for supporting the fight against Al-Qaeda? Never. Yet, there is opposition to KONY 2012 coming through in the form of Facebook statuses and ever-popular memes. Statuses that read “Oh you liked a 30 minute video and ended the war in Uganda?” And “Jumping on the KONY bandwagon is so overrated” hinder what the KONY 2012 campaign is trying to accomplish. This attitude makes people feel like watching and sharing the video won’t make a difference, when in fact the campaign relies on spreading awareness as fast and far as possible. There is controversy about the viral marketing style and oversimplification that the video uses to grab the attention of the masses. But if it’s a good cause, what’s the harm in raising awareness? The goal is to get KONY’s name known and, yes, you can help. For more information, go to KONY2012.com.
OPINION 5 River sports resurgence unifies student body March 2012 The Galleon
Lee Ginton Associate Editor Ask me what slashing, hooking, penalty or birdie mean a few weeks ago and I would give you a blank stare. When it comes to sports knowledge I am your stereotypical girl who can not differentiate between a safety and a double-eagle or between Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace. Aside from the Miami Heat games I have been forced to watch with my family, I can probably count on one hand the number of sports games I have seen from start to finish. I have watched the Superbowl once in my life; and it was to earn extra credit points in my TV Production class for writing down each commercial. But today, after hearing all the sports chatter in the classes and hallways at Spanish River, I can probably give you full dictionary-definitions on all of these terms. In fact, to my family’s pleasure, I can get through an entire basketball game without having to ask “What just happened?!” every 2 minutes.
Why the sudden welcome of sports into my life? That can be credited to River. After hearing and seeing the success of so many of our teams, it is unavoidable. When your school’s hockey team is second in the state, the basketball team makes it to the state championship and your football team had the best season they have had in years, it is impossible not to get sucked into the excitement. What many may not realize is that the success of one team effects the school as a whole. Suddenly teachers and students have a common interest and are being seen in the same vicinity on a Friday night, something unimaginable in the past. Dress up days, such as “white outs” and “black outs, are held which gets everyone excited. The surprise pep-rally held at lunch, while improvised and last minute, got kids more pumped-up and excited then I have seen since I started attending River freshman year. It would seem that as a whole, the success of our sports teams has brought about a unification and pride in our school that was being questioned with a school year of broken
sewage systems, early morning pep-rallies, a stricter dress code, being down-graded to a “B” school and a number of teachers leaving in the middle of the year. School spirit seems to finally be picking back up again - with ticket sales and spirit bus seats getting sold out every week. While many of our favorite teams have now finished their seasons, we can still root on and hope for to the success in several other sports teams. Lacrosse, tennis, softball, baseball and track are all up and running, and going strong. With even half as much support as we have shown these past few weeks, I think our support can bring them the success we have been seeing. With everything that went wrong this year, our school’s credibility was in jeopardy. Now, with the athletic program’s success, even students like me - who never went to a sports game or school event - are able to find more excitement with each victory. We are on our way to becoming a unified school once again. Now if only we could fix that sewage problem!
Graphic by Lee Ginton
Excuse me, I don’t bend that way Phoebe Dinner Associate Editor Who knew that yoga was more than putting on a cute lululemon top and a pair of tight pants? Not this girl. Imagine my surprise when I drove to the Colony Hotel off of Atlantic Avenue with my perfected pony tail and hopeful attitude that at my first yoga class would be a breeze. I gave my 15 dollars to a perfect looking yoga girl, who was also wearing lululemon and so far, I was feeling really good about myself, that maybe I could fit in here. Maybe I could get into yoga. With this new perspective I tried to find my spot among the multicolo re d mats on the floor, finding a good place to sit was like finding the right clique to hang out with. But I put my worries aside and let my new relaxed yoga attitude take over, so I put my mat in the back of the room where hope-
fully no one would see me if I slipped. While seated on my pink polka-dotted yoga mat I was feeling good, it was a beautiful morning in Delray and all of the windows were opened, I definitely had a “yoga buzz,” going on. I was not the only one feeling this “buzz,” everyone around me had their eyes closed, (as requested by our buffed out yoga instructor). But locating my center was harder than my AP Chem exam last year. I mean, I have been out of alignment since 6th grade when I could not find the right hair product to de-frizz my curls. What would the warrior’s pose do for me that some good h a i r serum and a keratin treatment could not? But as I raised my hands above my head to extend my vertebrae, I felt oddly at ease. Now moving on to downward dog was another story. I was all amped up in child’s pose believing that I could be great at yoga, and then the instructor kept telling me to go into downward dog. I was shaking harder than Lindsay Lohan, post coke, pre rehab. Three years of lift-
ing girls as a cheerleader did not prepare me for this. To make matters worse on my biceps, this was supposed to be the resting pose. You want to see my resting pose? It is about 10 minutes east of here, on the beach in a lounge chair getting some Vitamin D and catching some z’s. I was ready to throw in the towel after what seemed to be a downward dog marathon. But I am not a quitter. I went through all the standard poses to complete my yoga journey: warrior-something, upward cat… Ok so, I can not really remember the names of all the positions, I was too busy concentrating on my breaking arms. I had a moment of clairvoyance while dismounting from the dreaded downward dog. I realized that yoga was not about stretching and meditating for two and a half hours, but an intense workout. I was left sweating and panting with a new respect for yogis everywhere. Photos Courtesy of Google Images
The Galleon wants to hear from you! Write us Letters to the Editor and tell us your thoughts on this issue. Contact us at galleonnews@gmail.com or bring in a letter to room 8217.
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March 2012 The Galleon
ADVERTISEMENTS
OPINION
March 2012 The Galleon
Should H.O.P.E. be a graduation require ment?
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In order to graduate, students are required to complete a year of Health Opportunities through Physical Education (HOPE). Should school requirements dictate students’ physical activity? Is this class really necessary for all students to take? Senior Sam Jacobs and HOPE teacher Lori Eaton go head to head on this issue.
no way
Of course
Sam Jacobs Senior
Lori Eaton HOPE Teacher
The bell rang at 2:40 everyday. I was ecstatic to be able to leave school because I just finished a boring day of school. The worst part of my day was walking into 5th period H.O.P.E. As I sat in the class and gave the teacher about half of my attention, I constantly thought about the better things I could’ve been doing with my life at the time. H.O.P.E. is a waste of time and a class that should NOT be required for graduation. Out of the entire school year, I would estimate that no more than 20% of the information that I learned in H.O.P.E. was “new” to me. A majority of the topics in the class are either common sense, taught in previous classes, or taught by parents to children throughout their upbringing. Is it really necessary to spend an entire week learning about how to maintain a healthy diet? After living for 15 years I believe that most students know the keys to eating healthy. Let’s be realistic. As high school is constantly becoming more competitive, it is crucial to load your schedule with as many AP and honors level classes as possible. H.O.P.E. is a regular level class that will bring down a student’s H.P.A. if his or her schedule is packed with upper-level classes. Although I agree with the fact that the physical aspect of H.O.P.E. is important, it is not worth the sacrifice of giving up a spot in a student’s schedule that could be occupied with an AP class. H.O.P.E. prevents students from exploring new courses during their freshman year. In the scenario that a student is in an academy and a foreign language class, along with H.O.P.E., he or she cannot take any other classes to broaden his or her horizons. Spanish River offers a wide variety of classes, from leadership to early childhood. When a schedule spot is locked up by H.O.P.E., a student is placed in a difficult situation. He or she now does not have the opportunity to run for class office because there is not room for leadership in the schedule. The student does not have the opportunity to explore the business field because the schedule does not have enough room. In the best interest of the students at Spanish River, the H.O.P.E. requirement must be dropped. The class can still be offered for those who are interested in taking it, but it should not be needed to graduate. Students have a multitude of options in high school and it is unfair for their choices to be limited by an unnecessary class.
The H.O.P.E. class is a county and state mandated class for a student to graduate from high school. Since Florida failed to meet the minimum fitness requirements during the Presidential Physical Fitness tests developed by President Kennedy (Florida was 49th out of 50 states), the state officials made Physical Education a requirement. The dilemma as to how much should be required occurred when the state’s academic standard test scores also fell below the required grade for the country and ranked Florida forty eighth out of fifty states. Compared to most states, the Physical Education requirements in Florida are minimal. Only one complete year is required to graduate from high school predominantly due to the realization that our weather and outdoor opportunities far surpass other states allowing students to get physically fit on their own. Our body needs to be kept in good health for us to have a long and quality filled life. The choices we make effects our health immediately as well as over a long period of time. Making the right choices to help lead a healthy life needs to be supported by knowledge. Having knowledge about your body and its systems will help an individual make smart healthy choices. Physical fitness is not just about running, biking, or hiking. It requires knowledge of facts to support the correct, safe and quality training as well as choices that should be made for an individual. As a part of the county team who wrote the H.O.P.E. curriculum, I know the course is designed for students to understand how their body works and its response to both good and bad health choices. In reality there is not enough time in one semester to teach all that is needed to know regarding health. The class is helpful for the everyday situations and choices that high school students need to make. Is it best to take the H.O.P.E. course on line or at Spanish River? Any course can easily be taken on line, but does it really benefit the individual for this course? Personal activity can be performed at any time of the day, but camaraderie, team sports, and competition are difficult to emulate alone. The Health part of H.O.P.E. offers classroom discussions, multi-media experiences, and practical applications of what is learned like personality tests, CPR, and assigned projects for nutrition. The experience a student receives in the classroom from taking H.O.P.E. at Spanish River far surpasses the limited obtained knowledge from reading and testing from an on line course. Art by Gali Deutsch
FEATURES
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The Galleon catches you up on five topics - in sets of five facts. Take five and enjoy.
Dua
Yes we do! In its pep rally career, the Spirit Stick has boosted student morale, encouraged competition and provoked a few stampedes. Below, a few things to know about the history of this pep rally icon.
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March 2012 The Galleon
The Spirit Stick was introduced early in Spanish River history, way back in 1983, by the school administration.
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Back in the day, the spirit stick was simply called “The Stick.”
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When Leadership Advisor Mary Murrey left the school, the spirit stick was forgotten and kept in retirement until it was rediscovered in Fall 2010.
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Does the principal keep the Spirit Stick in his office? Is it stored in the attic? Its real home is pretty unexciting- previously stored in the leadership advisor’s room, it now resides in the leadership classroom.
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Coach Jones wasn’t always in charge of the spirit competition, but got in on the tradition because it reminds him of his own high school experience.
the spirit stick
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Art by Caroline Posner
Information compiled by Sam Cohen
Photo by Julie Bergman
college courses to enrich your schedule Palm Beach County’s dual-enrollment program allows high-school students to cross-register in courses at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and Palm Beach State College (PBSC), giving them the chance to take college courses for free and earn credit for graduation. Spanish River students have tested the water in various college courses and have plenty of feedback for prospective dual-enrollers.
Earth Science:
Brooke Schultz For senior Brooke Schultz, dual-enrollment looked like a way to get a head start on the college experience. “It allowed me to see what college is like before I have to dive in headfirst, and that was awesome,” Schultz said. Having a professor who was truly passionate about the subject made her class meaningful. The class used a textbook, workbook, slideshows and power points, the class studied in-depth plate tectonics, Earth’s layers and geological formations. There was a lot of discussion as well, Schultz said, so the students were often engaged in conversation about the material. Instead of taking the class during the school year, she focused on her college studies while home over summer vacation. For busy students, she recommends the condensed semester summer option. Graphic courtesy of Florida Atlantic University
American Foreign Policy:
Anthropology:
Phil Esterman
Hobie Hunter
Maggie Niu
Melissa Codd
Having taken eight classes so far at FAU, junior Phil Esterman is certain that the professor of a course makes or breaks the experience for students. “Professor [Jeffrey] Morton is this foreign policy expert and the head of the international affairs department,” Esterman said. “He goes through volumes of information, just listing facts that you couldn’t find in the media or anywhere else.” Although the professor is serious, his knowledge on a broad range of global issues makes the twice-weekly class fascinating, according to Esterman. “We learn that there are facts that the American media avoids,” Esterman said. “There are these facts that just don’t correlate with our news stories.” Esterman calls ratemyprofessor.com a valuable tool for determining the value of any college course. As far as American Foreign Policy, he gives the class and its instructor an outstanding review.
Anthropology is the study of human cultures across the globe, according to junior Hobie Hunter. The class, available at FAU, is “definitely the most worthwhile [course I have taken],” he commented A regular lesson involves anything from articles on the Agricultural Revolution to videos on New Guineans who “practice a primitive form of bungee jumping to ensure a good harvest,” or Amish youth exploring modern America. “We read articles that challenged a lot of cultural concepts we take for granted, like sleeping for eight hours straight through,” Hunter said. “The course discusses all human cultures, regardless of place or time, so it forces you to open your mind.” Hunter gives the course a stellar review and definitely encourages it to students who generally do not study the material. “It’s a shame that such a basic social science isn’t taught at school,” Hunter said. “It’s really a great course.”
British Literature, or Brit Lit for short, covers novels such as Beowulf and Canterbury Tales, plus works by Shakespeare and notable British authors John Milton and Jonathan Swift. Junior Maggie Niu chose to take the course during a summer at home, and says the condensed semester class was definitely worth her time. “The professor was very knowledgeable and since the class was small, he conducted lectures more conversationally,” Niu said. “It was more like we discussed the works, instead of him just telling us things.” It is a challenging class, Niu adds, with a demanding reading schedule and lengthy essay tests. Still, it is a good pick for the passionate English student, covering plenty of ground on classic pieces of writing. “All of the things we read were really interesting, and I enjoyed it a lot,” Niu said. “Paradise Lost was definitely my favorite.”
According to senior Melissa Codd, it was Professor Rebecca Lautar and the course curriculum that made this FAU class great. Aside from basic lectures on classical music and its composers, spanning from the Baroque Era to the late Twentieth Century, the instructor incorporated “videos of concert pianists, operas, ballets, and orchestras,” Codd added. “We also had discussions and chances to voice our opinions about the music or composer,” Codd said. This public-forum atmosphere made her course relaxing, yet a great environment for learning more about her passion. She encourages the option for students looking for a laid-back learning experience. “It was fun and I think I learned a lot from just listening to the professors lecture and taking a few tests with almost no work,” Codd said. “It’s free college, boosts your GPA and HPA, and looks good on your resume.”
British Literature:
Music History:
FEATURES Know your
5 Student Jamie Brecher Staff Reporter Students are often up in arms when they feel that their rights are being threatened at school. Whether it is requiring students to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance or restricting them from going to the restroom, teachers have a major part in creating boundaries within the classroom. The limitations they place on the rights of their students arouse strong opinions about whether or not teachers have the ability to control how their class operates. Every morning students at Spanish River start the day by saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Some stand, others continue to sleep and a select few refuse to get up from their seats during this American tradition. “Students should stand for the pledge out of pure respect for the place they live in,” sophomore Grant Mizel said. Other students have a similar point of view. “I don’t think it [standing for the pledge] should be mandatory, but it should be encouraged,” freshman Caleb Rader said. To some River students, it is not an issue of respect as much as the simple factor of morning tiredness. “I have nothing against standing up for the pledge every morning,” sophomore Carly Weiss said. “Sometimes I’m just too tired to get up.” Assistant Principal Ira Sollod says that the administration hopes that everyone will stand and say the pledge out of respect for their country. “Although we encourage them [students] to stand for the pledge, we can’t force them to,” Sollod said. “They don’t have to if they don’t want to.” Another common issue among students and teachers is using the pass to leave the classroom. Teachers and staff attempt to keep students from using the pass and being out in the hallways during the first and last five minutes of each class and during fifth hour (the period between lunches), according to Sollod. Some students feel that teachers prevent them from using it for more than just these instances. “Students that don’t abuse the privilege are allowed to use the pass,” Sollod said. “They [students] should be allowed to go to the restroom whenever they need to; we do not want to deny the student access to the bathroom.”
RIGHTS
However, students feel that this does not reflect their teachers’ stricter policies on this commonly discussed problem. Some say that their teachers restrict them from their right to use the pass. “At our age, students are old enough to know the consequences of leaving class to go to the bathroom, like missing important notes or assignments given by teachers,” Mizel said. “That’s a choice we are willing to make.” Sophomore Natalie Broidis furthers this point, saying that it is the student’s fault if he or she misses the material discussed during the time they were out. She agrees with Sollod that teachers should be able to restrict a student from using the pass if they are abusing it and disrupting the learning environment. The confiscation of cell phones in school is another issue that students bring up. When a student is caught using his or her phone during class, the teacher can ask the student to hand it over or the student will suffer the consequence of receiving a suspension. “A teacher can’t physically take the cell phone away,” Assistant Principal Doug Markwardt said. Once a student agrees to giving the phone up , it is delivered to Suite A, logged in a database and locked up, according to Markwardt. Some students do not agree with the school policy, and feel it violates their rights. “A teacher being able to take away phones for the rest of the day is unfair and wrong,” sophomore Nick Callaway said. “My freshman year, a teacher took away my phone on a Friday, forgot to bring it to Suite A, and I didn’t get it back until the next Monday.” A second question, then, is whether or not teachers have the right to use what they see on a student’s cell phone against them. “Unless we think that there is information on the phone that concerns or endangers the health, safety or welfare of the student or other students, we do not look through a student’s phone,” Markwardt said. It is evident that students and staff at Spanish River disagree on a number of problems. In some cases the students may be right, and in others the staff may be. Whatever the case is, students always have the option to discuss their concerns and fix the issues that bother them. Find out about two more rights of students at galleonnewsonline.com.
RAISE YOUR HAND with these five questions on your next college tour: “Do first-year students bring their cars?” -Cole Barcia, 12 “As a student, what is your least favorite aspect of the school?” -Marty Rafson, SAT tutor
“What is the maximum number of AP or dual enrollment credits you’ll accept from high school?” -Danny Jaffe, 11
March 2012 The Galleon
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ive types of
acebookers “The weather is so nice!” “67-61 sharks win!” “What happened to Whitney Houston?!?!” “Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky...” “Don’t you worry your pretty little mind, people throw rocks at things that shine...” “your the besttt” “im defiantly not going too skool tomoro” “Done with love” “Forever alone” “Boys are stupid”
“NHS meeting Thursday!” “Hit me up for ULTRA tickets” “See you at French Club!” Information by Caroline Posner. Inspired by CNN’s “The 12 Most Annoying Types of Facebookers.”
Graphic courtesy of Facebook / Art by Caroline Posner
“What percentage of the students take part in extracurricular activities?” -Jacob Abrams, 11 “Are professors approachable, available, and willing to meet with students?” -Marjorie Murstein, College counselor Photos by Julie Bergman
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FEATURE
March 2012 The Galleon
Anatomy PARTY of a
“The wallflower doesn’t exist at a real party. If they even show, they just talk to the pets.” A tiny 1% of students say they consider themselves wallflowers.
“Since we started dating, we haven’t really been to parties” Only 3% of students say they couple up at parties. Courtney Lacey and Brett Lil berg, 12
Anonymous
Crazy The
The wallflower
The Couple
“I’m an insane person. And parties are there to get together and have a good time so I’m just...crazy.” 28% of students surveyed claim insanity at a party.
Off-campus drug use more prevalent than that in school Ilana Weisman Feature Focus Editor Finish the sentence “You know you go to Spanish River when...”: “everyone is either stoned or hung over on LTMs.” “The entire 1000 building smells like weed.”“It’s hard to find a friend who isn’t a stoner.” “You’re in the courtyard with your AP Euro class to take a class picture and you see a kid get arrested.” Each of these quotes was publicly posted online - to Facebook and Twitter - and each refers to the apparent magnitude of drug usage at River. Over 80 percent of 300 students from all grades surveyed responded that they have illegally consumed drugs and/or alcohol over the past six months. Those surveyed also include drugs in their personal definitions of parties. With this drug use outside of school, being caught may not be an issue. However, a small number of students say that they have been not only caught with drugs, but arrested for possession. “It was scary, but I understand why we got in trouble,” an anonymous student arrested for marijuana possession said.
“But it’s not like being caught once is going to stop anyone from smoking weed.” As the student noted, threats of arrests - and real arrests - do not stop students from drug use. “The use of drugs is extremely prevalent at Spanish River,” junior Alainie Goldstein said. “I can’t walk in the hall for more than two minutes without hearing someone mention a drug related experience.” This drug-oriented hallway chatter is not unusual; junior Sydney Juliano agrees with Goldstein that students “obsess over drugs,” but finds that as long as she is not dragged into the activity and no one is being harmed, she does not care about others’ drug usage. “I don’t have any interest in getting involved with drinking or drugs,” Juliano said. “I just don’t feel like I need to be drunk or high to have a good time. If people choose to [use drugs], I don’t have a problem with it, but it’s when they start to put themselves or others in danger that I start to get worried.” However prominent it may seem, though, Officer Luis Santana says
that drug use in school is not a major concern. “Compared to other schools I’ve worked at, River isn’t bad at all,” Santana said. Santana says this year he has made about three arrests for possession in school, but those who are caught with drugs in school are often single-time offenders. If caught in school, a student could be suspended or expelled but out of school or repeat offenders could face incarceration, according to Santana. “It’s not a recurring problem...after I catch them [a student with drugs], I turn them over to the state attorney,” Santana elaborated. “From there, they have to deal with administrative and criminal sides. There are consequences, but usually, drugs aren’t my biggest problem.” Although students may use drugs and alcohol outside of school, it does not prove to be a major problem on campus. Nevertheless, drugs and alcohol continue to have a presence amongst high school students. Santana said it best: “Do we have drugs? Of course we do. But it’s not an epidemic.”
Hannah Wolff, 12
FOCUS
March 2012 The Galleon
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It is inevitable - teens like to party. But what makes up a party? Drugs, alcohol, music, friends? The Galleon’s here to show you what students consider a good time.
PARTIES
We asked a teacher and student to discuss parties in high school - here is what they said.
Then...
The Over“Everybody drinks. It’s a high school thing. No big deal.” The most students - 46%! say they get drunk. Anonymous
The Drunk
confident
“I know all the people, every last person. I try to outdo everyone else.” About 22% of students say they are overconfident at parties. Nishad Ramasar, 12
River by the Numbers We anonymously surveyed 300 students from all grade levels, and each responded with what type of partier they were, how they defined a party and what their drug consumption habits were. The results pointed to an unfortunate truth: River kids do not follow the law.
Brett Burkey Economics Teacher
I was fortunate enough to attend a high school in a community similar to ours in that I got a great education and could enjoy the lifestyle that comes from a flamboyant level of conspicuous wealth. As is the case with the idle rich, there was never a shortage of parties to wile away the encumberment of free time. Many parents would disappear on weekends to Caribbean retreats, the drinking age was only 18 and pictures had yet to be affixed to IDs. Thus, the combination of an “open house” and readily available “fuel” resulted in frequent events. Yes, people drank in binges and passed out on front lawns. I would imagine much of the same occurs today, despite the drinking age and ID reforms. But the world is a different place then it was in the late seventies. We were naive and our idea of radical behavior was tame comparatively. Somehow, teenagers today are exposed to a greater number of temptations that add an entirely new level of risk to each adventure. For instance, the consequences for drunk driving are so much more severe today as a result of the increased frequency of cases. The variety of ways to get high today are so much more numerous and with deadlier consequences. The bathroom medicine cabinet can be a smorgasbord. The costs of unprotected sex have multiple dimensions that we never thought of. In addition, the fact that you live your lives in such a public forum (social networking) multiply the exposure of your behavior. All of this while living under the intense pressure of school, college transcripts and parental expectations. No wonder people long for the good old days. Teenage years have always been a period of awakening and experimentation, and I greatly respect the young person who can keep it all in perspective in the midst of this maelstrom. It was so much easier back in my day.
Lauren Curry, 11 Guest Commentator
&Now
Parties these days have changed so drastically that they are rarely even referred to as a party. The common weekend gathering of high school teens is now known as a “rager.” What is a rager? It’s a house stuffed with underage drinking high schoolers who are all there for the same purpose: to get drunk and have a great time. These events have become a part of the typical weekend, which can be very enjoyable and fun...as long as the cops don’t show up at the doorstep. As soon as you walk into a rager, it’s all about the alcohol - kids are finding a red cup and filling it up or sitting around and toasting shots. Once the initial binge drinking is finished, choices as to what to do for the remainder of the night open up. There will most assuredly be a long table set up in plain sight for everyone’s favorite game of beer pong. Things there can get pretty intense, but it’s all just for fun and is one of those games where it doesn’t really matter who is the winner. If beer is not your style, you can usually find some “stoners” lighting up outside the party house. These kids tend to just chill out and spend a lot of time eating. Throughout all of this chaos there is always loud music playing for those who would prefer to dance. Usually this is known as house music and is some sort of techno mix - including my favorites such as Avicii, Skrillex and David Guetta. As the bass booms throughout the house, one looks around and it is evident that all your classmates are having a great time. It is the perfect way to get to know one another. But to even think of being a true partier, you have got to know the vocabulary and use it accordingly. Some common phrases are HAM, PTFO, and FSU (no one is referring to the school here!). Partying, although considered taboo, is a great way for teens to get to know one another and live up their high school experience. The phrase used most often these days is YOLO - you only live once. And, well, you really only do live once - so party it up.
Photos by Julie Bergman and Ilana Weisman Information compiled by Sam Cohen and Ilana Weisman
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March 2012 The Galleon
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Reluctant students learn to embrace fine-arts credit Lee Ginton Entertainment Editor Amidst the sea of electives one can take at Spanish River lie over 15 fine-arts courses, ranging from standard 2-D Visual Art to Ceramics to Jewelry. To graduate, students are required to earn one fine-art credit. “Students should be able to expose themselves to a little bit of everything,” AP Studio Art teacher Katherine Fastnacht said. “It [the fine arts requirement] helps kids that may not be as talented with
academics gain confidence and allows all students to explore talents in areas other than academia.” With the broad selection of art courses available at River, some students might find the requirement beneficial and exciting, thus voluntarily earning multiple art credits throughout their high school career. However, for many academicallyfocused students this requirement is seen as a hassle, as they would rather squeeze in as many Advanced Placement (AP) courses as they possibly can. Senior Gabi Leeman is one who considers the art requirement an obstacle and does not feel that students should be forced to take a fine-art class. To fulfill her graduation requirement, Leeman took AP Art History, a class that requires little to no artistic ability and allows Leeman to earn college credit. “Not all students have artistic abilities,” Leeman said. “I am much more of a math and science person, so taking a visual arts class would be more of a stress than a learning experience.” However, many who decided to take a visual arts class to fulfill the requirement have found that they enjoyed the course, and often continue to take more arts courses later on. Senior valedictorian Emery Weinstein takes some of the highest level classes at River such as AP Phys-
ics and AP Calculus BC; presides over the Kiva Club and Math Team; and is the clarinet section leader of River’s Silver Sound marching band. After taking her first art class at River, Weinstein discovered what a stress-reliever it was and continued on to take art lessons outside of school, even converting a section of her house into a home studio. “If we [students] have science and math requirements, then we should definetely also have a finearts requirement,” Weinstein said. “In every other class you’re trying to think the same way as everyone else, while in art class you’re encouraged to think freely and create your own ideas.” An extensive amount of research is going into art therapy, which “uses the creative process of art to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages,” according to American Art Therapy Association. “All day I’m working really hard, but when I get to art class I immediately relax,” Weinstein said. “The act of painting is a stress reliever in itself. Brushing as fast or slow as you want and in any direction - you really lose yourself.” While art therapy may not necessarily work for every student, with so many River art classes available, it is easy to give it a try. Who knows? Maybe a less stressful life is only a paintbrush away.
Art by Gali Deutsch
Classic Film Club provides cultural enrichment for students Joey Goldman Editor-in-Chief Go around school and ask students to name a classic film. You might hear a few answer with Inception, maybe even Avatar. Perhaps a student more interested in movies might name an older one, such as Tarantino’s cult film Pulp Fiction. Chances are slim, however, that someone answers with Brick, a 2005 Sundance Film Festival awardwinning film written and directed by Rian Johnson. But senior Everardo Villasenor proudly calls Brick his all-time favorite film. Without the advent of Classic Film Club, however, the chances that students like Villasenor would ever see a movie like Brick are slim to none. Senior Noah Gardner started Classic Film Club (CFC) when he was just a freshman, and has been presiding over it for the past four years. “I’m a huge movie buff, it’s something that has always been a big part of my life,” Gardner said. “So before I even started high school I was already thinking about starting something like Classic Film Club.” After former drama teacher Richard Madigan left River in 2009 (he had been the sponsor for the club), English teacher Nathan Hesse gladly replaced Madigan as club sponsor. Hesse, who studied cinema in college, remembers the first time Gardner approached him with a list of films he thought should be screened at club meetings. “He came to me with a sheet filled with movies; there must have been at least fifty titles squeezed into three columns,” Hesse said. “He’s crazy about movies.” Hesse seems to be a good fit for Classic Film Club. He too is a huge movie buff, and just like Gardner, wants to see high school students become more acquainted with old films. “It provides cultural literacy,” Hesse said. “Stu-
dents are able to see well-made, well-written movies that they might not have been aware of. There are so many significant films out there, and just one could spark your interest in other films by the same director or with the same actor.” The film industry today is undoubtedly different than it was in the past. Advances in technology and special effects have grown rapidly, along with production budgets. The 2007 film Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End had a reported cost of $300 million dollars, making it the most expensive movie of all time, according to The Los Angeles
Photos courtesy of Google Images
Times. In contrast, the 1963 film Cleopatra cost 44 million dollars, yet at its time was the most expensive film ever to be made. That is a 682 percent increase in just 44 years. Ticket prices have paralleled the increasing production costs, as well. In 1963, a movie ticket cost just 86 cents; in 2010, ticket prices had risen to $7.89, a 917 percent increase, according to the National Association of Theatre Owners. Granted, inflation has played a huge role in the nominal price increase, but still, some ques-
tion whether breaking the bank for a movie night is even worth it. “The movie industry is messed up right now,” Villasenor said. “Movie studios are only focused on profits, not on cinema. The entertainment is naïve and cheap.” Hesse agrees with Villasenor, labeling most new movies as “garbage.” As to the recent 3-D fad? “3-D films are still garbage, they just happen to pop out at you and cost more,” Hesse said. Gardner, too, sees the decline in movie quality, yet is not as pessimistic about modern cinema. “There are a lot of good movies today,” Gardner said. “Original ideas may be very few in number, but they’re still out there.” Movies made in the past decade like No Country for Old Men, Inglourious Basterds, Slumdog Millionaire and Gladiator - all Academy Award winners were dubbed “instant classics” by many, yet Gardner feels that they still do not stack up to the films shown at CFC screenings. So, what have club members seen throughout the years? Films like the Marx Brothers’ Duck Soup, Christopher Nolan’s Memento, Paul Newman and Robert Redford’s classic performance in The Sting and Woody Allen’s hilarious, neurotic Annie Hall are just a start. No doubt, Gardner selects an eclectic mix of movies, but it is a mix that Villasenor finds socially beneficial. “When I bring up the movies I’ve seen at CFC in conversation with adults, it makes me more personable,” Villasenor said. “It’s a shame that so many kids in our generation miss out on classic movies.” When asked what his all-time favorite movie was, Gardner answered with City Lights, a 1931 silent film written by, directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin. His reasoning was simple, yet indicative of the shoddy movies made nowadays and why he started Classic Film Club in the first place: “It just has everything a movie needs.”
Photos courtesy of Google Images
Art by Gali Deutsch
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Is your iPod playing algebra yet?
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March 2012 The Galleon
Learning through music proves effective Ariel Brown Commentary It was sophomore year and I was an honors chemistry student in a stressful situation. I had an A/B split come exam time and I desperately needed a way to memorize loads more information than I thought could ever fit in my head. Then a thought occurred to me as I was singing along to my car radio: why is it that I can easily remember countless song lyrics but have such an issue remembering chemistry formulas? This inspired me to try something new. At the time I was obsessed with Glee, so I changed the lyrics to their cover of “Don’t Stop Believing” into information from my chemistry notes; then I began studying by singing along to the music. The reason this worked is because the human brain is capable of storing thousands upon thousands of song lyrics. It is why we are still able to easily remember the words to songs we have not heard for a decade. Spanish River students have learned to take advantage of this in their learning processes; amongst the numerous lyrics of classic pop hits and cartoon theme songs lie mnemonic melodies that can help them remember valuable academic information. It all starts when we are taught to sing the alphabet to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” We recite it, memorize it and resort to it whenever we simply draw a blank and cannot remember which comes first: “W” or “X.” Nobody thinks much of this, but if we were just required to memorize a list of 26 letters, in order, it would be significantly more difficult without the associated tune. While the alphabet song is elementary, its prac-
tice transcends into high school classrooms. River students and teachers have developed countless other musical ways to both remember and teach important material that would otherwise quickly fade from memory. “I have a cheer for the double angle formula,” Math Team president senior Emery Weinstein said. “We use it as a quiet cheer during competitions. It helps me remember where the negative sign is in the formula because we clap at that point in the song.” Formulas are perhaps the most common examples of information set to a melody. For example, I, along with most other algebra students, learned the Quadratic Formula to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” Now, because of this familiar song, it is nearly impossible to forget this valuable formula; I often find myself humming the tune as I come to complex problems in my math homework. “Whether it’s the Quadratic Formula song or a silly expression like SOH-CAH-TOA, anything that helps a student learn is valuable,” AP Calculus AB teacher Kevin McEnroe said. “Kids remember more this way, so it’s definitely a positive thing.” Despite the apparent popularity of using music to commit various formulas to memory, math classes are not the only ones that implement songs in the classroom. Many social studies classes make use of songs, such as ones that name the state capitals, United States presidents, or the Preamble to the Constitution. English classes have countless songs for the rules of proper grammar and parts of speech. More often than not they stem from educational music programs, such as the popular Animaniacs
Books in school cause students to drool Phoebe Dinner Associate Editor Students at Spanish River can be seen holding a kindle or reading a paperback. But upon closer inspection, one will see that they are not just reading assigned literature for their English classes. With the new wave of fan fiction novels, like The Hunger Games, students have strayed from required reading and are diving into lighter fiction. “The assigned reading is not as entertaining as the novels I read for fun,” senior Anthony Petrone said. “I love the Tucker Max books.” AP Literature and Composition teacher Marcia Kunf feels strongly about getting her kids involved in reading, no matter what the content. “There is nothing wrong with reading just for fun,” Kunf said. “I understand that everyone likes a happy ending.” However, students like senior Bobby Glicksman are finding it more difficult to come across a happy ending when assigned stories like Romeo and Juliet and Of Mice and Men. Glicksman is currently taking AP Literature and Composition, but does not find the books listed to be as appealing as he hoped. “I think teachers and society impedes the ability of teachers to choose books that are both insightful and interesting to our age group.” Glicksman said. “I hope to encourage students to keep reading, actively” Kunf said. Literature Pathfinder nominee senior Lainey Meiri disagrees
with Glicksman and enjoys the novels assigned in her English classes. “Kids are kids and homework is homework,” Meiri said. “It’s like how I hate math, but do it anyway.” After reading Dante’s Inferno in tenth grade, junior Blake Edwards was able to discover a whole realm of classic literature he never would have picked up in the past. “Dante’s Inferno was one of my favorite books,” Edwards said. “Shonty made it interesting and I discovered the books I read in class can be good too.” Getting students interested in novels has become even more of a challenge for teachers when their assigned reading is available on SparkNotes. The web site provides students with chapter summaries, analyses and even sample test questions for over 500 books - primarily popular English literature such as The Scarlet Letter and To Kill a Mockingbird. With such aid, students can understand a storyline without ever opening a book. “SparkNotes is a good aid, especially with the more difficult works like Shakespeare,” Kunf said. “[But students] don’t get the full experience using these shortcuts.” Whether the cause is a stereotypically defiant teenager attitude, or a general disinterest in the books that underscore the curriculum, the result is clear - there is some discontent among students regarding the assigned reading. Regardless of their sentiments though, the importance of assigned reading at River remains. Teachers like Kunf work to the best of their ability to encourage students to enjoy the assigned reading. “As an educator, it is my job to expose my students to the best that is out there,” Kunf said. “It is not necessary for students to take my advice, but that would be nice.” Art by Caroline Posner
and School House Rock. I turn to School House Rock myself whenever I discover that they have a song about the current subject matter of my tests. Just a couple months ago I learned the process of how a bill becomes a law from a singing cartoon, and then proceeded to ace my AP Government test on it the next day. Music also plays another vital role in the academic lives of River students; many turn to music to keep them focused while studying. “Music helps block out everything else,” senior Nicole Benitez said. “I listen to what I like while doing something that I don’t like.” While this may seem counterintuitive, since music can become a distraction to one’s concentration, some students who play music softly while studying can often accomplish more while simultaneously avoiding stress. “When I listen to music it relaxes me, so I focus more on studying rather than hearing other distracting noises on my street or in my house,” junior Orlando Mendez-Vargas said. Music is relatable to everyone; it is a universal language, even in the classroom. So would students’ grades improve if all notes and material could be converted to song lyrics? Well, my musical study techniques seem to be working for me, so students could easily try it out for themselves and might just be impressed by the successful results. Art by Gali Deutsch
River’s Best and Worst BOOKS “I really liked The Metamorphosis because the author’s tone throughout kept me interested and the story was fascinating.” - Tyber Harrison, 10 “We’re reading Maus and I hate it because it’s too in-depth and has a lot of symbolism.” - Josh Davies, 10 “At first I though Their Eyes Were Watching God would be boring, but it was actually really interesting because of all the history.” - Carissa Zaron, 12 “Catcher in the Rye really wasn’t interesting for me. I felt like it was just one guy complaining about everything.” - Ahmed Katah, 11
Art by Gali Deutsch
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STUDENT LIFE
March 2012 The Galleon
Parking fouls
The Galleon uncovered some of the common parking techniques used by students at Spanish River. We don’t think the DMV would approve of this kind of driving, do you?
manic mornings:
a how to parking lot guide
Parking sideways
Parking too close
7:00: first (formerly senior) parking lot 7:10: fence by the south gate 7:15: across from the theatre 7:20: in front of the tennis courts 7:25: next to the football field
When do YOU get to the parking lot?
Parking over the line
Parking on the grass
Parking Debate
the first day of school last It is important to park correct“ On “ year I had just gotten my car ly because it is respectful and and somebody hit my door. Now I park in two spots, so nobody hits my car, Senior Emily Casey said.
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it’s a public parking lot, not your personal driveway, Sopomore Josh Needle said.
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Information compiled by Julie Bergman photos by emma Grubman Graphic courtesy of Google Images
Students tracked with GPS devices pecially in situations where the kids are traveling, even if it’s just out of the county,” history teacher Henderson Tillman said. “They especially provide greater safety for students considering how things In the 1960s, a satellite-based radio navigation are today with children going missing.” system was created. known today as the Global Although predominantly used as a means for Positioning System (GPS). While originally used parents to keep track of their children, some stufor the unique needs of the government under dents use tracking systems to do the opposite. the Department of Defense, these devices have “I don’t hide things from my parents and they since been adapted for civilian use. Now, par- aren’t very restricting so, honestly, it [the tracker] ents can not only track where their children are doesn’t do as much for them as it does for me,” going, but their entire driving history, including junior Emily Damsky said. “I don’t even think they speed and how well they are driving. know how to use it. I think I check up on my mom “I tend to speed and lie about my location, more than she checks on me.” so it [the GPS tracker] is definitely a pain on the Damsky started using the iPhone application weekends,” junior Brandon Fetterman said. “Find my Friends” when she went to Ireland as a fun GPS vehicle tracking units let parents keep an way for her parents to see where she was and what eye on their children’s driving activity and can the area was like halfway across the world. even offer them e-mail or text message alerts “I would absolutely consider getting one for my when they leave a predetermined area, accord- child, however, I can see why some parents would ing to brickhousesecurity.com. not do so,” Tillman said. “People do have the right “The trackers are helpful to privacy and I can see how these devices may in for parents es- vade on that privacy.” Although originally created strictly for the government’s interests and national security, GPS devices have revolutionized the face of teenage driving.
Emma Grubman Student Life Editor
Art by Gali Deutsch
STUDENT LIFE
River’s drum major chosen to conduct professional drum corps this summer Schwamm has been Goldsmith’s Drum Major for the past two years at River. “Ryan’s talent and command of the horn-line is still remarkable,” GoldSenior Drum Major Ryan Schwamm smith said. “I’m thankful for the fact currently holds the highest posithat I get to experience something as tion on Spanish River’s Silver Sound life changing as drum corps with him.” marching band. Serving as junior Teal Sound travels to compete Drum Major last year helped in getagainst each other at major venues. ting his current senior position, but For example, the season condid not secure it. Earning the cludes with the world chamtitle involved interviewing in pionships that take place at front of the entire band and Lucas Oil Stadium, home of band director as well as conthe Indiniapolis Colts and the ducting a piece for the band site of the last Super Bowl. to perform. His drum line Members of this elite group achievements did not stop either play brass instruments, there, though. the drums or perform as a This year, Schwamm part of colorguard. auditioned for Teal Sound “When I watched the drum Drum and Bugle Corps. Teal corps perform in the past, I Sound, affiliated with Drum would dream of being a part Corps International, brings of an organization like that together the top high school where each and every memand college musicians from photo courtesy of sheri schwamm around the world to use their Schwamm, front right, leads the Silver Sound to a perfor- ber is fully devoted to delivering the most powerful and inmusical talents in competi- mance at the Shark Pit. spiring performance they can,” tion with other teams across the United States. Performers from went from spending weeks rehears- Schwamm said. “Now I not only have countries such as Germany and Japan ing his audition piece to interviewing the opportunity to be a part of that have auditioned to be a part of this with staff members and conducting a performance, but to lead it.” piece in front of the entire corps. Between now and summer, Ryan competitive team. Drum Corps International consists Schwamm is practicing to conduct The audition included multiple challenges, such as memorizing a ten of fifty world class “bands” from all the show through various means. He page packet of music and attending a over the globe that go through this rehearses with recordings, works out special audition camp once a month. rigorous audition process in order to and forms relationships with other members and leaders of the corps. At the camp, held in Jacksonville, one put together a high intensity show. Schwamm is not the only Riv- One weekend every month is curis not only judged individually, but on how well one fits into the ensemble as er student participating in the rently dedicated to attendance at an a whole. The entire process involves Drum Corps. Sophomore Adam audition camp, but official “practice” physical training as well as visual Goldsmith will be playing bari- begins in Jacksonville in June. The skills, which are examined carefully tone on the summer tour, as well. season kicks off on June 23 at the “At no other point did I feel as Orlando Citrus Bowl. through outdoor “marching blocks.” “The most important thing the accomplished than at the end of staff is looking for besides talent is that weekend,” Goldsmith said.
Emily Bergman Staff Reporter
potential,” Schwamm said. “They want to see that the auditioners can learn higher level skills and that they practice in between camps.” Students auditioning hope to receive a contract stating that they have made the team. After attending three camps before receiving his contract, Schwamm says his audition was quite different, and stressful. He
Frat boy fridayS Seniors Lucas Peel and Jake Rosen may still be in high school, but their preparation for the frat college lifestyle started earlier this year with the introduction of Frat Boy Fridays. Water pong, khaki shorts or pants, preppy shirts and an overall carelessness are essential, according to Peel. When asked when the next installment of Frat Boy Friday would take place, Peel simply answered: “I’m TFTC [too frat to care].”
March 2012 The Galleon
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Community service club “shapes” up River Claire Dykas Staff Reporter
“Come join SHAPE club” all the fliers scream. This recent addition to Spanish River’s numerous extracurricular activities has students buzzing with curiosity. “We do fundraising and community service and help students become leaders,” said math teacher and club sponsor Karen Adams. Adams is currently in her second full year of teaching at River and is also the Varsity boys’ and girls’ volleyball coach. “I decided to become the sponsor because community service is something I enjoy, and I wanted to meet more of the student body outside my classes and the volleyball teams,” Adams said. SHAPE clubs can be found in many South Florida schools. SHAPE’s mission is to empower high school students to achieve personal and professional success by providing philanthropic, leadership, career and civic opportunities. The SHAPE club at Spanish River was started thanks to a donation from Nancy Platt, who is the Vice President of Operations for SHAPE. The SHAPE club focuses on a new and different project each year. This year’s focus is kids, whether it is kids with disabilities or financial problems. SHAPE is designed so t h a t even if you are not a part of t h e club, you can still be involved and participate in the activities. One of the most recent activities was making cards for kids at the Jackson Memorial hospital. “I enjoy helping people,” sophomore and club president Alexa Fagien said. “I feel that if you are given a lot, it is important to give back.” Fagien hopes to increase membership in the coming months and years. “We are making the world a better place one little thing at a time,” Fagien said.
Photo by Emma Grubman
Photo Courtesy of tara levine
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March 2012 The Galleon
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Classes at 6:00 pm Here at Spanish River
SPORTS
Gelb reflects on basketball team’s success Coltin Gelb Guest Commentary Four years ago - that is when it all started. Back then, I never thought I would make it to where I am today, to the state tournament. During my career at Spanish River, I experienced more pain, adversity, and work than I could have ever anticipated, however, I also experienced more joy, success, and sense of accomplishment along the way. Basketball is a year-round
Photo Courtesy of Olivia Grossman
Gelb and his fellow seniors celebrate after beating Deerfield Beach High School.
program, and for that exact reason we have experienced so much success this season. It was no accident, but the culmination and result of tireless hours of blood, sweat, tears, desire and dedication. There was never an easy practice in Coach Jones’ gym, and we wouldn’t want it any other way. Every day was dedicated to getting better as a team. Practice has always been Photo Courtesy of Jeremy Freiman tough. As a sophomore, I sat on the bench of the varsity For the first time in Spanish River history, the boys’ varsity basketball team and watched my best team advanced to the state tournament in Lakeland after beating friends play - I hated it. I hat- Deerfield High School, 67-61. ed the fact that I wasn’t good myself as a basketball player. That is the same attitude enough yet to be on the floor Three years and thousands that our team has had all year. with them, unable to be bat- of tireless hours later, here I We have made sacrifices, like tling side by side with my best am. It was not for the faint- the four hour practices every friends night in and night out. hearted. The work I put in Saturday, while our friends That drove me harder than wasn’t easy. were out at the pool or the any success could. I spent My friends didn’t under- beach. It’s things like that hours upon hours in the gym, stand. Why would a high that set us apart, that enable doing whatever I possibly schooler choose to spend us to reach higher. Let me tell could to get better. I was the hours on the weekend prac- you, the success and sense of kid getting kicked out be- ticing instead of going out accomplishment that we feel cause they were closing. with friends? To be honest, now as a team, beating DeerTo me, every practice I asked myself that. But I re- field, winning the regional was a challenge and an alized that I was willing to championship, and making it opportunity; I accepted it as a sacrifice whatever I needed to the state tournament was way to better my game, and it to reach my goal as I wanted all worth the work, time, and was an opportunity to prove success that badly. sacrifice.
Athletes attempt to balance sports, school get a rest. For Fort Lauderdale Aquatics, she wakes up at five o’clock in the morning to be at practice all day. Sleeping Between students doing in on Sundays is the main schoolwork and sports, some way she makes up for the two may find there to be less time to three hours of sleep she available in the day than nec- gets every night. While Alvaessary. Many Spanish River rez used to take naps at odd student athletes find that in hours of the night, she now order to fully participate in pushes through the night una sport, sacrifices have to be til all of her work is complete. made. Seniors Michelle Alva“I used to take a nap at 10 rez and Harley Abrams, junior or 11 [P.M.] and wake up at Tyler Zuckerman and sopho- two [A.M.] to do homework,” more Carly Weiss are all River Alvarez said. “But staying in student athletes who miss shape and keeping myself out on factors such as sleep disciplined are what drive me and school in order to play a to motivation for swimming.” sport. Senior Harley Abrams is a For the past three years, golfer and is a member of the senior Michelle Alvarez has American Junior Golf Associaswum 25 hours a week on the tion. Needless to say, Abrams River swim team as well as plays golf for the majority of the Fort Lauderdale Aquatics the time when he is not in swim team. Practice is usu- school. Monday through Frially two and a half hours each day, he is out on the green weekday for River, and come for a total of four hours and Saturday, Alvarez does not on weekends, he plays for anywhere from six to ten hours each day. Upon his arrival home from school, Abrams plays golf before doing homework. He does not need too much practice Photo by Julie Bergman in a subject Zuckerman manages to keep his grades up while before a test playing for the lacrosse team on a daily basis.
Shelaina Bloukos Staff Reporter
and therefore can miss some homework assignments and still do well, according to Abrams. Abrams typically has to wake up at three or four o’clock in the morning on the morning of a test and reads the chapter in the textbook in order to ensure a good grade. “It’s not the easiest thing to do [Balancing the two],” Abrams said. “Golf is day life; I come home and practice right away.” Junior Tyler Zuckerman is a lacrosse player for River’s lacrosse team. Five times a week during season, Zuckerman has lacrosse practice for two to three hours after school, and he does not get home until six o’clock. After about an hour, Zuckerman begins his homework and studies when necessary, until around 11 o’clock when he goes to sleep. Although he tries to balance his time well, he finds the equality between school and lacrosse difficult to accomplish. “It’s hard with AP classes,” Zuckerman said. “I slack during season, but try my best to make good grades.” Between River’s cheerleading team and the Cheer Florida cheerleading team, sophomore Carly Weiss balances her cheer and schoolwork on little sleep, a common theme among River athletes. Although cheer practice is
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March 2012 The Galleon
SHAKE IT UP Looking to get swoll, jacked, yoked? Check out these protein shake recipes courtesy of River’s own students.
The Evolutionizer Ingredients: -1 scoop Designer Whey protein powder -Milk -Water and Ice -Natural peanut butter -Cottage cheese Recipe: 1. Put ingredients in blender, mix for 10-20 seconds. 2. Enjoy! Submitted by Scott Shapiro, 11
Berry Bananza
Photo by Julie Bergman
Weiss is one of many high school athletes who tries her best to balance school with sports.
not everyday, Weiss cheers at school games twice a week while also cheering at two to three competitions a month for Cheer Florida. To get her homework and studying done, she stays up as late as she has to in order to finish her work, even if that means staying up until two or three o’clock in the morning. “No matter how much blood, sweat, tears and sleep I lose over cheerleading, it’s like my safe haven,” Weiss said. “It’s something I look forward to. I love my teammates, my coaches, everything about cheerleading is worth losing sleep over.” Maintaining good grades while simultaneously practicing a sport can be a difficult balance, but with a technique that works, the two can be equally balanced.
Ingredients: -Water and ice -1 scoop EAS protein powder -Frozen bluberries, strawberries, and raspberries -1 banana Recipe: 1. Put ice and water in blender. 2. Put in bananas and frozen fruit in blender, blend, enjoy! Submitted by Alexis Romero, 11
Whey Beyond Protein Ingredients: -Whey protein -1 cup of milk -Chocolate syrup Recipe: 1. Put ingredients in blender for 45 seconds, blend. 2. Drink, enjoy, get swoll. Submitted By Ryan Berger, 10 Graphic and Information Compiled by Josh Benrubi
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SPORTS
March 2012 The Galleon
Pop culture grid BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND.
River Athlete
Spring Break Destination
Now Favorite Playing On Video Game Athlete Addiction My iPod
Andrew Jurassic Saraga Maggie Lago Girls’ Lacrosse, 12
Jon Bolz Boys’ Water Polo, 12
Myar Taha
Park
the forest behind my house
North Korea ATLANTIS
Track and Field, 10
Dwyane Wade
Baseball, 10
METTA WORLD PEACE
“LAST KISS” -taylor swift
MADDEN ‘02
“NYAN CAT” Tiger "Paradise” Woods -cOLDPLAY
(My pump up song)
JEREMY LIN
Jurassic Park
Mortal Combat vs. DC Universe Graphic and Information Compiled by Josh Benrubi Images Courtesy of Google Images
Kermouche wrestles his way to state tournament Josh Benrubi Sports Editor It took senior Yacine Kermouche three years to reach a point in his wrestling career that most wrestlers can only hope to achieve. That point would be advancing to the state tournament in Lakeland. Kermouche finished this past regular season 24-3, a record that propelled him to the district tournament, where he took the championship. However, during the championship match, Kermouche was scratched above his eye by an opponent, causing him to get four stitches. This did not seem to bother Kermouche at all as he finished second in the region after winning two matches by only two points. Unfortunately, the injury to his eye progressively got worse, becoming infected. Kermouche was given antibiotics to treat it and was limited from performing to his full potential. Kermouche moved on to the state tournament and finished in the top 12 after losing his first match, winning his second, and losing his third and final match. As a junior, Kermouche went to the regional tournament and came up one point short of reaching the state tournament. Kermouche became interested in
the sport as a sophomore when his wrestling career, he has spent his offfriend introduced him to wrestling. season’s working hard to improve. “During the off season, I spend a lot of He joined the wrestling team late in the season of his sophomore year. time lifting, and I will occasionally go The coach of the wrestling team at to other wrestling practices at schools the time, Jeff Ladrich, saw Kermouche in Palm Beach County,” Kermouche for the first time and knew that he said. “Over summers, I go to wrestling camps in would have Florida, great potenand this tial. The curyear I haprent coach, pened to Rich Guerra, go to a saw the same wrestling potential in camp in Kermouche Pennsylvaand hoped nia.” to improve Senior his wrestling Craig Matabilities. thews, “When one of KerKermouche mouche’s first came in t e a m the program, mates, has he definitely Photo Courtesy of Yacine Kermouche seen how had natural Kermouche stands with the district bracket after winhard Kerability.” Guerning the championship. mouche ra said. “He has worked to try to better himself pushed himself and worked hard during the wrestling season. which made him a great wrestler.” “Even though he [Kermouche] startKermouche has faced many difficulties as a wrestler. Over the sum- ed late this season, he puts in a lot of mer, during the national qualifying work in the offseason and he always tournament, which he later made, tries to get better,” Matthews said. Although the team did not do Kermouche tore his meniscus in the final match, but despite the injury, he as well as Kermouche expected, he knows the team is young and ended up victorious. From the beginning of Kermouche’s developing and has high hopes for the
future. “We have a very young team, so the success of this season did not meet our expectations, but we do know that we have a lot of potential moving forward,” Kermouche said. When asked about coming up just short in the state tournament last year, he summed up his experience of not reaching his goal as motivation rather than failure. “In last year’s tournament, I didn’t get to reach my goal because of an underdog wrestler who started wrestling well at the right time,” Kermouche said. “It was a feeling that I would never like to feel again, but the day after the tournament, I went straight to the gym and I worked to be able to get to states this year.” Moving forward, Kermouche plans to attend FAU and major in business. As far as wrestling, Kermouche wants to wrestle in intramural team instead of on the competitive level. Even though he had a very brief wrestling experience, he found the sport to be enjoyable and a big part of his life. “I like how all through the rough and grueling days, the team becomes a family and when all the hard work finally pays off, it is the greatest feeling an athlete could ever experience,” Kermouche said.
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March 2012 The Galleon
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2012 DISTRICT CHAMPIONS
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE VARSITY HOCKEY AND BASKETBALL TEAMS!
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