THE GALLEON Hit the Books or Hit the Nail? A debate on whether to attend trade school or college after high school - P. 4
Promposals Set Extravagant Precedent An exploration of the culture of Spanish River promposals - P. 5
Students Unite to Keep Schools Safe An overview of the movements that have emerged as a result of the MSD shooting - P. 6 & 7
New Program Hopes to Reduce Heroin Deaths An introduction to the potential solution of safe injection sites for heroin addicts - P. 11
March 2018 @The_Galleon on Twitter @Galleon_News on Instagram @GalleonNewsOnline on Facebook galleonnewsonline.com
VOLUME XXXIV ISSUE V
Students with a Passion for Fashion Meet River’s rising entrepreneurial students, creating and selling their own clothing lines - P. 12
River Athletes Realize JUULS are for FUULS As the vaping trend progresses, River athletes realize the repercussions of their participation on their athleticism- P. 12
Students Voice Their Sentiments Over MSD Shooting Sofia Cosie
Staff Reporter-in-Training
some students such as freshman Blake Smythe, decided not to participate . “Although the walkout intended to inspire change, I personally
Following the SGA sponsored ceremony, some students refused to go back to class, determined to find an exit so they would be able to meet
February 21st of 2018 marked the one week anniversary of one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history, taking place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. February 21st also marked a day of nationwide school walkouts to commemorate the fallen students and teachers and to protest for gun control. Students across the nation left the classroom and took to the streets to voice their anger and concern. They addressed topics such as gun violence, NRA lobbying, and politicians who are tasked with keeping the 75 million children in U.S schools safe. Spanish River held its own form of a walkout, sponsored by the Student Government Association with assistance from administration. Around 11:30 AM, at the beginning of Junior Pedro Siqueira speaks out during the gathering in the courtyard. lunch, students marched to the football field and held a ceremony felt as if it was actually a way of with fellow students from Olympic remembering the lives lost at MSD. disrespecting survivors by students Heights, Boca High, and even Omni Representatives of the SGA read a short using the ceremony as a way to skip Middle at the protest at Boca Raton description of each fallen victim, and class and push their own political City Hall. When their attempts to then proceeded to have 17 seconds of agenda,” said Smythe. “Also, I did leave were faced with locked gates, silence for each one of them. Although not attend the protest because I threats of expulsion, and police cars, the walk out was not mandatory, thought it would not solve the change about 150 students sat in a circle in it received large support from the everyone wants in a second. The the middle of the courtyard from student body and around 1500 government knows there needs to be fifth period to the end of the school students chose to attend. However, a change, it is just a matter of time”. day. The gathering gave students
a chance to speak their minds and open up on the grief the tragedy had caused them, and how they wanted to turn that grief into political action. Because of the resilience from the students, the entirety of sixth period was cancelled because Principal William Latson did not want to intensify the situation and allow other students to join the protest during the class change. Freshman Savannah Garrett, who started the protest in the courtyard when she felt unfulfilled with the school’s so called walk out, said, “It was more therapeutic than anything. Students were able to share their grief and opinions like they intended to do at City Hall, but when that did not happen they were still able to express their voice among their supportive peers. We did the best we could with the situation we were given, and though the end result was not what we hoped for, it still made a positive impact on the community.” At the end of the day the protesters were exhausted, overheated, and sunburned. But throughout their protest, they made it clear that they will be not silenced until their voices are heard and drastic changes occur. PHOTO COURTESY OF SOFIA COSIE
Spanish River Welcomes the New Mr. and Ms.
Lillian Zhang News Editor
From March 12 through March 16, 2018’s Spring Fling Week, the culmination of the Student Government Association’s hard work since the beginning of February, will feature dress up days and exciting events such as a color run, a lip sync battle, and a dodgeball game, under the theme of “River Presses Play”. Presenting the Television shows Grey’s Anatomy, iCarly, and Full House, the week will surely bring a sense of nostalgia to River. In addition to having organized Spring Fling, Student Government Association (SGA) has introduced juniors Dani Sakkal and Drew McNally as the new Mr. and Ms. Spanish River duo for the graduating class of 2019. “I am so honored to be Ms. Spanish River, and I am super excited to have this opportunity!” said McNally with great enthusiasm, something that
was also expressed by Sakkal. “I’ve always loved school and wanted to do anything I can to improve it in any way,” said Sakkal. “Being Mr. Spanish River is such
With eight other candidates that were also trying out, auditions were a tense but exhilarating step towards the goal of becoming the new Mr. and Ms. Spanish River.
McNally and Sakkal take a picture together as the new Mr. and Ms. Spanish River.
an honor, and I couldn’t be more excited for the ensuing year.”
“It’s an emotional roller coaster of anxiety, excitement, and stress,” said
McNally. “I loved every second of it, and it was a real bonding experience with all the other candidates.” Both McNally and Sakkal cite a former Mr. and Ms. Spanish River pair from two years ago, Arthur Menezes and Taylor Lipsich, as their inspiration to audition for their roles. “Ever since freshman year, watching Taylor and Arthur, becoming Mr. Spanish River has been my dream,” said Sakkal. McNally includes her experience as a freshman on the School Spirit Committee, led by Menezes and Lipsich, as part of her motivation. “[Menezes and Lipsich] were extremely influential on my decision to try out as working under them inspired me to want to do what they did,” said McNally. “They were role models for me.” Together, Sakkal and McNally will carry on the tradition and lead their fellow students in building River school spirit. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANI SAKKAL