Volume 19, Issue 2

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BLUEPRINT

Vol. 19 Issue 2 | November 17, 2023 | Hagerty High School | Oviedo, Florida

Mariam Al Lebban, 12

Amy Desroches, 12

William Lange, 9

Tristan Nguyen, 12

Marlene Bekheit, 12

Valeria Romero, 11

CHANGING TIMES a look at Hagerty’s diversity, pages 8-9

Sofia Fuentes, 12

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Homecoming recap Events, game and dance timeline through photos

Finnegan Donnellon, 9

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Battling Brain Cancer Junior Brycen Dillinger’s life with brain cancer

Nicole Chmilnitzky, 12

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Heading to states Boys cross country takes third at regionals

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Hoco: a great road trip Gabriella Navarro | Features Editor

I CARS UNDER STARS Freshmen William Grinage, Mali Burke, and Julia Wood gather for Flick on the 50 to enjoy the Disney film “Cars.” Photo | Brooke Bohan

GIDDY-UP Sophomore Melania Pick and Junior Gianna Musumeci dressed up for “Dallas Rodeo Roundup” with cowboy hats and flannel. Photo | Chloe Sanna

t was an exciting week as Hagerty celebrated its annual homecoming week, lasting from Oct. 23–27.

To kick it off, Monday was “Destination Disney” where iconic Mickey ears filled the hallways.

Tuesday was “Hollywood Hills” where students dressed up as their favorite movie and TV show characters.

For Wednesday’s “Dallas Rodeo Roundup,” students embraced the Western theme with cowboy hats and flannel. On Thursday, the school was lit up for “Neon in Nashville” as students wore their homecoming shirts and brought glow sticks for the ultimate neon rave. On Friday, students wore Hagerty colors and beads to celebrate their school and community.

“As a cosplayer, it was really cool seeing everyone dress up because it brings a good community of people together,” Abby Stephan said.

Many events were held during the week to build students’ excitement.

full story GLOW UP Senior Carson Turner shows his school spirit in his pink neon hoco shirt.

Seniors shine their flashlights, lightning up the whole stadium. Photo | Savannah Towne

Scan here to read more about HOCO week.

Flick on the 50 invited students to gather on the field to watch the Disney film “Cars.” The Spikeball Tournament brought out the competitive spirit, and the Powderpuff Game was a thrilling show with the junior class emerging victorious.

“It was so exciting to see our hard work pay off,” Elleigh Ackerman said.

The highlight of the week was the Glow in the Dark Pep-Rally where glow sticks and neon shirts lit up the field. The energy was palpable, and the school spirit was contagious.

Despite the disappointing loss to Spruce Creek during the homecoming football game, with a score of 317, students remained filled with excitement for the homecoming court announcement.

To wrap up the perfect week, the dance, themed “Midnights in Miami,” was held outside. Students met up at the picturesque places for photos, and hung out with their friends and dates. The outdoor DJ and laser lights created memories to last a lifetime.

more photos

Scan here to see all of the photos from HOCO week.

CHEER ON Powderpuff cheerleaders celebrate as the senior girl football team score a touchdown. Photo | Shannon Hahn

GAME PLAN Juniors Gia Digiore and Elleigh Ackerman prepare for the game one last time. Photo | Levi Cal Rivera Cal-Rivera

STEAL THE SHOW Seniors Samuel Shultz LIGHT UP Juniors Emma Gay, Kaylani Marra, and Sophia and Andrew Lane perform the national espejo bring out their school spirit with a neon sign and anthem for the game. Photo | Shannon Hahn glowsticks at the Neon Glow Rally. Photo | Brooke Bohan

GAME CHANGER Running back Jalon Lewis dodges a tackle during the game. Photo | Levi Cal Rivera

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY Seniors Caley Gustafson and Kerry Keegan dance near the outdoor DJ on homecoming night.

Photo | Ava Medina

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SNHS members clean up Lake of the Woods During the clean-up, Flynn found some invasive aquatic snail eggs and a caterpillar that she got to hold. olunteers from Science “I love going to these events, National Honor Society did working with our community, and not really understand what promoting science. I feel that it’s an they were getting into when they easier and more fun way to get your signed up for a lake clean up. As the hours,” Flynn said. lake water rose from waist-deep In total, 16 students from SNHS to chest-deep, students worked to participated in the event. At first, remove invasive wildlife and plant native species in the lake ecosystem. students were told to dig, plant and secure This the species by community service I love going to these events, themselves, but turned out to opportunity working with our community, that be a challenge. was set up by and promoting science. I feel “The hardest the Seminole that it’s an easier and more thing was keeping Education, fun way to get your hours. the plants secure Restoration, because they and Volunteer - Madalynn Flynn, 12 kept floating (SERV) program. back out from all the movement. We Students traveled to Lake of the found it was a lot easier to work as Woods at Fern Park where they met teams,” Flynn said. volunteer coordinator Elizabeth Four groups of three students Stephens. After getting a rundown of the activities, the students started to worked inside the lake. One student would dig a hole, the other would work. plant the species in a specific depth Senior Madalynn Flynn was one level and the last student would push of the students who participated on the plant to make sure it was in this event. With a passion for secure. The remaining four students environmental preservation and stayed on the bank of the lake to pull previous experience through UCF weeds and collect invasive species. aquatic planting events, she eagerly Throughout the clean-up, SERV volunteered to work on the lake.

Greta Carrasco | Online Editor

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NEWS BRIEFS Met invites local art teacher

Kayla Agnos | Journalism I very Monday for the last few weeks, art teacher Lisa Smith has been painting at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City.

Smith has always had a burning passion for painting, so when she learned of this opportunity, she decided to take the Art teacher Lisa Smith works chance. Smith applied with students in her sixth to the museum’s period class.

Copyist Program earlier Photo | Amber Ashby in the year, getting her acceptance email on her birthday in September.

Smith will fly to New York and paint for nine consecutive Mondays to conduct a master’s study on a famous painting. She is scheduled to finish her piece in December.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, commonly known as the Met, is the largest museum in the Americas, and in 2022 it hosted over 3,000,000 visitors. It contains many famous paintings such as “Washington Crossing the Delaware” by Emanuel Leutze, and is known as one of the top eight most visited museums in the world, making it a museum that almost everyone has heard of.

“I think it’s a beautiful [opportunity], and I hope I can do it justice,” Smith said.

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workers would explain the dangers of invasive species and the importance of keeping native species thriving in the lakes. Although there was some confusion at first, members learned the benefits of replanting native species through this hands-on opportunity.

“During the event, some people did not exactly know what clothes to wear and they got very muddy, but I was glad that people came to help clean and conserve our local

community,” SNHS president Nicole Chmilnitzky said.

SNHS members, along with volunteers from other schools in Seminole County, planted 1952 native shoreline plants around the lake. The replanted species included 900 duck potatoes, 350 pickerelweeds, 200 golden canna, 200 swamp lily, 300 blue flag iris, and cypress trees. SNHS plans to give out more volunteer opportunities through the SERV program in the future.

CLEAN UP Senior Madalynn Flynn and local volunteers dig out invasive plants. Through SERV, students were able to obtain service hours for SNHS. Photo | Nadia Knoblauch

Drama stars at Districts

Lillie Overton | Staff Reporter hespian Troupe 6885 showcased their talents for the district festival on Nov. 9-11 at Lyman High School.

Districts were a huge sucess, with the troupe receiving 22 superior ratings, 22 excellent ratings, two top honors and three honorable mentions.

Behind the scenes, the crew collected many awards as well.

“All of the thespians have been working hard to prepare for the district festival,” theater teacher Jamaal Solomon said.

Thespian president Julia Register is one of the many students who performed at districts and was present at the pasta preview the week before.

“Pasta preview was successful—although I wish more people came out to support us, we always support each other,” Register said.

Some of the acts included an acting ensemble scene from “Justice for Pluto” by Barry Webster, performed by juniors Dynali Weerackoon, Justin Hazelwood and Jessica Damiano.

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Seniors Ansley Howell and Carter Wegman star in the thespian troupe’s one act performance of “The Complete History of Theatre (abridged).” Photo | Elise Nash

Holocaust Memorial Week Grace Hilton | Staff Reporter arking 85 years since Kristallnacht, Florida schools recognized the week of Nov. 6 as Holocaust Education Week.

In 2020, Governor Ron Desantis enacted HB1213. In accordance to the law, SCPS provided a script for announcements, a brief summary of the Holocaust. The rest of the week’s education took place in social studies classes, allowing teachers to start a conversation with students about historical and modern antisemitism.

“I think it is really important to talk about it so that [our Jewish students] feel like it’s not being forgotten,” Holocaust Studies teacher Megan Thompson said.

As the only teacher of a Holocaust course in the county, Thompson was tasked with creating a lesson A student works in the plan breaking down Holocaust Studies class. the Holocaust into Photo | Grace Hilton smaller pieces. The content was packed into four days, with each day focusing on relevant ideologies. The week concluded with a student reflection.

“Our goal with teaching the Holocaust is twofold. It’s to remember the victims because they were each people and they each had lives and they each mattered, and they deserve to be remembered,” Thompson said. “And the second is to do whatever we can do to prevent something like this from happening again.”

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School recognizes outstanding faculty members Josephine Lim | News Editor

last year, Bartlett was in the middle of a debriefing session when principal Robert Frasca walked in. espite growing up in a family “The next thing I know, my wife of educators, Kim Dansereau and son walk in. I looked at my wife, never wanted to be a teacher. looked away and then immediately This year, she is celebrating her 33rd [my eyes] went right back to her,” year teaching, and her first time as Bartlett said. “It was just so many the school’s Teacher of the Year.

“It is a really great feeling to know emotions, shock being a big one. I was one hundred percent caught off that students enjoy my class and guard.” they feel they learned something,” With Frasca’s increased emphasis Dansereau said. “I think it’s in my on mental health awareness, genes to be a teacher. [This award] Bartlett’s job “never has a dull just validates my chosen path.” moment.” From individual student In October, administration sessions to impromptu phone calls surprised her with balloons and flowers, along with an unexpected visit with teachers, Bartlett has come into contact with most, if not all, of the from her husband. The celebrations school staff. did not end there—on Nov. 7, “I love seeing the team come Dansereau was announced as a together to help students. I’m the SCPS Teacher of the Year finalist. mental health The county level counselor here, award selects but I can’t do three out of I think it’s in my genes to be a my job without nine teachers teacher. This award just vali- the teachers (representing and the school the elementary, dates my chosen path. counselors on middle and high - Kim Dansereau, chemistry the front lines,” school divisions) Bartlett said. as finalists. teacher In past years, Although Dansereau and Bartlett have crossed teachers are often at the forefront of paths as they exchanged calls about school appreciation, Hagerty makes helping struggling students. an effort to include non-instructional “I know how much [Dansereau] employees as well. On Oct. 30, cares about her students and how administration announced mental passionate she is about chemistry,” health counselor James Bartlett as Bartlett said. “She works very hard Non-Instructional Employee of the to support her students. I would have Year. liked to have a teacher like her in high Starting as full-time counselor

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TEAM EFFORT Admin gathers around mental health counselor James Bartlett for a celebratory photo. The news was a big surprise for Bartlett. Photo | Hagerty Facebook

school.”

Dansereau attributes her “motherly” teaching style to having kids of her own. Drawing inspiration from her own high school teachers, Dansereau is heavily involved outside the classroom, leading teacher committees and advocating for students.

“Chemistry is hard. I try to make it fun by telling silly chemistry jokes, and making up little songs and dance moves. [I want] to get them to think about chemistry outside class, and hopefully remember some things,” Dansereau said.

As a mental health counselor, Bartlett had to learn to tackle difficult topics with grace, as well, especially

when it comes to destigmatizing his profession. “[Most people] think you go to a counselor because you’re severely mentally ill, or you have schizophrenia, or you’re crazy; it’s really just having someone to talk to,” Bartlett said. “So many students think adults don’t care, and I just want to be someone they can come and talk to.”

Although their day-to-day schedules look vastly different, both Dansereau and Bartlett view student improvement as the most satisfying part of their job.

“Seeing a struggling student make a connection—the spark and the pride in their eyes and their face [is my favorite part about teaching],”

$46.9M request for police station fails Isaiah Macri | Staff Reporter

Asian Culture Club Grace Hilton | Staff Reporter For this episode, Grace dresses up dolls in cultural fashion with the rest of the Asian Culture Club to embrace different countries and traditions!

Senior Ailinh Vu Photo | Bryce Padilla

Scan here to watch!

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viedo voters headed to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 7 to decide if an additional $35.5 million would be allocated to building a new police station. In 2016, the costs were set at a maximum of $11.4 million. The proposed funds would have increased the total budget to $46.9 million, but it failed to pass with 63% of voters voting no.

The need for more funds stemmed from inflation. In 2016, the cost per square foot was $286, and now that price is up to $550 per square foot for construction alone.

With the referendum being rejected, Oviedo will move forward with the new station, using the funds approved in 2016.

“We have no choice other than to fall back on the $11.4 million bonds–if we can’t then we’ll have to look at alternative funding sources, or we’ll have to start drastically cutting things out,” city manager Bryan Cobb said.

City officials say the current station is not large enough to handle the predicted population of 50,000 in 2038 under the current budget.

“How are we letting this building After the meeting, Deputy Police sit here…it’s embarrassing. I wouldn’t Chief Mike Beavers led a tour of the work there myself, and we need to current police facility. Beavers pointed address that,” council member Natalie out areas such as the kitchen floor which Teuchert said. had been partially pulled up due to water On Nov. 2, prior to voting, a public damage. Beavers explained that while meeting was held to discuss the bond Oviedo’s crime rate is low, the predicted referendum. Opinions were split, with population increase will also come with some residents believing that the increased crime. increased funds were necessary to Concerned with residents’ reluctance build a sufficient police station and to pay, Sladek explained that this others doubting if unwillingness may $46.9 million was come back as a needed. future problem.

The meeting How are we letting this building “My passion was tense, project is getting sit here…it’s with critics Oviedo out of debt, embarrassing. questioning if and the way that - Natalie Teuchert, council a new station we do that is not was necessary to wait until we member considering have emergencies Oviedo’s low crime rate. Some where we have no choice but to borrow,” residents simply do not want to pay Sladek said. more taxes, and others wondered why The city does not want to wait the city did not take action sooner. until the current station is in a state of “Why didn’t we build in 2017 when disrepair to take action, believing paying the price was a lot less, and you were with tax money is better than taking out on the tailend of a bond that had loans. With the referendum’s failure to been accepted already?” an Oviedo pass, the city will move forward with the resident asked Mayor Meagan Sladek original $11.4 million budget. and the city council.

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Antisemitism is no laughing matter

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Lia Miller | Opinions Editor

these tensions, giving rise to more anti-Muslim and antisemitic sentiment. It should be obvious that have overheard many conversations in the Muslim and Arabic students are not terrorists, just hallways, but there is one I can never forget: like not all Jewish students necessarily support all of “Bro, did you see her?”

Israel’s actions in occupying Palestine, but it seems “Yeah, she didn’t say anything, but she’s totally that some people still find it difficult to understand Jewish.” the difference between the actions of a political “Ew, definitely. She’s got that Jewish nose.” group and the feelings of anyone with a cultural tie.

I sincerely doubt that they would have said that In a place where the majority of the population if they had known that an ethnic Jew was walking is made up of Christian teenagers, this leads to behind them. comments about anyone who doesn’t wear a cross.

It was not their words exactly that bothered Certainly, there is nothing wrong with being me—I had heard much worse before—but the proudly religious. In fact, the core messages of raw hatred in their voices, and the way that they Christianity—and most other religions—emphasize laughed about it. respect, love and kindness, so it would greatly I am not particularly sensitive to rude benefit society if people devoted more of their comments, but at that moment, I was genuinely effort to embodying and scared. spreading those values.

This is one instance The antisemitic comments out of thousands. around school are doing Whether it is joking anything but showing about the Holocaust in kindness. between classes, calling People are inclined someone a “Jew” as to label anyone who a derogatory term, or is different as “other,” standing up in the middle or equate differences of class and shouting with danger. This kind of “Hitler was right,” fear actually commonly antisemitism has seen a appears in the earlier troubling increase. stages of genocide.

In an effort to bring It certainly seems like more awareness to an exaggeration to claim antisemitism and its Illustration | Ava Strzalko that people in the United historical impacts, social States are on their way studies teacher Megan to killing thousands due to Thompson developed the It’s really important that we religious differences, but school’s first ever Holocaust Studies class. learn about [the Holocaust] so entire wars have been fought over miniscule differences in “The younger that it doesn’t happen again. theology. With our current generations hear about [the - Megan Thompson, levels of tolerance, history Holocaust] and they have a may be on track to repeat kind of vague idea about it, Holocaust Studies teacher itself. but they don’t actually know No wonder Jews and atheists are terrified. about it,” Thompson said. “So it’s really important Antisemitic crimes have risen 37% in the past that we learn about it so that doesn’t happen year, and in that time, violence and threats against again.”

Jews have been all over the news.

One of the most important lessons that people The extracurriculars list here includes two need to learn is that the Holocaust is no joke; any popular, prominent Christian clubs, and no Jewish person who considers the murders and persecution Student Union, so some Jewish students feel as of millions “funny” needs to reevaluate their though they have no cultural support from the definition of humor. school—especially when Christianity surrounds However, it is important to continue to educate them. When Christian organizations or sports teams students about it in order to prevent antisemitism pray before games or events, many do not realize that is fueled by ignorance. that it doesn’t feel great to one of a different faith.

Though watching it play out on a large scale A similar line of thinking and ignorance causes through wars and mass shootings is terrifying, it is the “jokes” that have been circulating throughout sometimes even more threatening when it comes the hallways lately. from the person next to you.

Sometimes it is okay to be lighthearted about Part of the issue is that people in majoritya heavier topic, but there is a fine line between Christian areas, especially in the American South, tend to equate their religion with inherent goodness. approachable and offensive. Before you speak, stop for a moment and think. Would you say it to Phrases like “I’m a good Christian girl” and someone in the group that you are talking about? “that’s not a very Christian thing to do” are Would it offend you if someone said the same thing commonplace, and many consider going to church about your ethnicity or religion? to be the ultimate symbol of moral superiority.

When in doubt, keep it to yourself.

This causes people to fear anything that differs Some would say that this is oversensitive, and from the majority—and that extends beyond just hallway remarks do not amount to much. However, Judaism. it is these small bits of hatred that eventually do While sometimes overlooked, many Arabic and become much more significant. If students hear or Muslim students have had similar experiences. feel threatened by antisemitic or culturally offensive “They never say anything to my face, but I comments, they should not hesitate to report it to can hear whispers,” Jane*, a Muslim student, said. a staff member. It may seem like an overreaction in “[I’ve heard] racist things about Arabs or Muslims. the moment, but perpetrators of hate crimes do not Nobody ever comes up to me and says it, but you just pick up a gun one day without any forethought; know because you can hear them saying that to at some point, they were that kid whose ignorance their friends.” and bitterness was never corrected.

The Israel–Palestine war has only escalated

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FIRED UP

Nadia Knoblauch | Editor-in chief

Social media literacy: platforms should raise awareness

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error from the skies” This was the caption of an Instagram post Oscar-winner Jaimie Lee Curtis made in early October. The post, paired with an emoji of Israel’s flag, was meant to show Curtis’ support for the citizens of Israel in current upheaval with Hamas, but there was an obvious and large issue with this post.

The photo was of Palestinian children.

Curtis’ post, which was deleted soon after, is just one example of many celebrities and social media influencers displaying a lack of news literacy and fact-checking when it comes to global issues, such as the Israel and Palestine war. A similar post was made by Grammywinner Justin Bieber, who posted a damaged city in Gaza with the caption “Praying for Israel,” which was similarly deleted after immediate backlash from fans and followers.

Whether it is on the devastation in Israel and Palestine or another global event, influencers and those with large followings must do better at properly researching situations they choose to take a public stance on. When given a platform for singular voices to be heard, it can be easy for many others’ to be silenced— other voices that may have proper knowledge and sound standings on issues. It is not only appalling, but dangerous to have uneducated voices raised so high while the voices of those who may have a closer connection to an issue are filtered out. Platforms must be used to raise the voices of others, not to speak for them.

However, it must be acknowledged that influencers are not who we should look to for guidance, opinions or inspiration in times of global crises—it is political leaders who must be called upon not only for acknowledgment, but action. If Stranger Things actor Noah Schnapp posts a TikTok in support of the Israeli government, boycotting the upcoming final season of the Netflix series will bring no benefit or aid to Palestinian citizens, children and families. What can bring relief is the sharing of accurate information, stories of those actually living in Palestine, donations and calling elected officials to voice one’s concerns. These are the resources and tools that influencers should be sharing with their large followings.

In 2020, when the Black Lives Matter movement spread across social media, the movement had already been around for a decade. Posting a black square and changing your TikTok profile picture to “BLM” was a shallow way to promote the cause—but directing followers to educational platforms, experts and other resources would have encouraged more involvement and understanding.

If you are sympathetic to a cause but not directly affiliated, does this mean you should not engage with and support the movement on your account? Of course not. If you are not impacted by an event, but you still think others should learn of its effects, should you hit “delete” on your story post? No. What you should do is double-check that your sources are trustworthy, accurate and reliable.

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BLUEPRINT OUR TAKE: Testing stuck in limbo

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Hagerty High School 3225 Lockwood Blvd.

Oviedo, FL 32765 hagertyjourn@gmail.com Phone: (407) 871-0750

EDITORIAL POLICY The BluePrint is a studentproduced newspaper in which the student editors make all content decisions. The newspaper belongs to the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association and the Florida Scholastic Press Association.

Opinions expressed within the newspaper do not represent the staff’s views as a whole, the views of Seminole County Public Schools’ or Hagerty High School’s administration and staff.

STAFF Editor-in-Chief Nadia Knoblauch Print Editor Kailey Calvo Online Editor Greta Carrasco-Garcia News Editor Josephine Lim Features Editor Gabriella Navarro Opinions Editor Lia Miller Sports Editor Ava West Staff Reporters Jolin Alcindor, Grace Hilton, Isaiah Macri, Lillie Overton, Holly Smyers, Ava Strzalko Adviser Brit Taylor Principal Robert Frasca

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BluePrint staff

tandard” is quite literally written in the phrase standardized testing; however, the process has been anything but standard. Students are tested excessively, taking the SAT, ACT, PSAT, CLT, FAST, and EOC (just to name a few) in order to graduate high school and enter the next phase of their schooling, but there really is no universal consensus for what students actually have to do in order to be ready for college.

With both the SAT and ACT, and now the Classical Learning Test, backed standardized test after the governor Destantis and College Board feud, students are faced with more testing than ever.

During the pandemic, test scores lessened in importance, and students could graduate and get into college without them. But now, the importance of testing has been reemphasized, and students are experiencing test fatigue.

There is no reason why students should have to take all the different tests throughout the school year, but more importantly a general consensus should be reached between colleges, high schools, and the College Board in order to provide clear directions as to what colleges are looking for, while minimizing test fatigue.

While options for submitting scores—like for the SAT and ACT—can be helpful, as students can choose what scores represent them best, it is difficult when students are forced into school testing days for several different tests in the course of several weeks. School testing days intend to provide equitable testing access for students to improve college

readiness; however, this overload of assessments mainly succeeds in wearing students down and tiring them out.

Access to test-taking sites became limited because of the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing most colleges and universities into unique test-optional policies for the 202122 admissions season, with most colleges extending them to include the 2023-24 admissions cycle.

Colleges with test-optional policies do not require all students to submit a score (from either the SAT, ACT, or CLT). This comes as an advantage to students, as some may excel in other areas of application, like their essays, extracurriculars, or GPA, but be poor test takers. These test-optional policies have become extended, with schools such as Harvard University extending theirs until 2030.

The Common Application, a universal admissions application partnered with over 1,000 colleges, has made the process of applying to colleges significantly easier; however, it seems as though standardized

Illustration | Josephine Lim

testing is going in the opposite direction. It would be advantageous for students if there was a general consensus of specifically what tests to take, how many times to take it, and whether or not to submit those scores.

These decisions are left up to the student, and only add more stress to the college admissions process.

With changes in format from paper to digital, battles between the government and the College Board, and universities indecision on whether or not test scores are needed to be sent, students are left with more questions than answers.

Rather than testing being a helpful way for students to recognize their strengths, it only ends up overwhelming students with unclear instructions on ways to actually succeed.

Universities, high schools, and testing companies leave too much up in the air for students. Clear guidelines are needed for students to fully understand what they need to do in order to succeed in college and beyond.

Rap music headed toward decline Jolin Alcindor | Staff Reporter

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Illustration | Josephine Lim

78 days. 54 weeks. Over 1 year.

That is how long it took for a rap song to go #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, from Nicki Minaj’s “Super Freaky Girl,” to Doja Cat’s “Paint The Town Red.” The rain has fallen, and the #1 drought has been resolved. It’s been a long time coming. But why?

For starters, Billboard has offered its own reasoning on why the gap was so large. In the article, it’s explained that hip-hop (the combination of Rap and R&B) is losing commercial dominance, dropping its market share from 27.8% to 26% from 2022 to 2023, because of the increase in popularity of Latin & country genres. Although this could be a potential factor, this isn’t as much of an issue, as rap has reigned supreme since 2018.

If there is a thing rap is consistent in, it’s inconsistency. It cannot and will not thrive in its current state.

It has held an unstable roster; since the 80s, rap has been often associated with gang activity and violence. Despite the improvement to such generalizations, rap is still seen in a negative light due to the many incidents involving artists of the genre.

One example is Takeoff, a rapper who was part of the rap trio Migos. He was murdered in 2022 at the age of 28. He was killed outside a bowling alley in an argument over a dice game, and Migos disbanded as a result.

Takeoff is not alone. In the past five years, gun violence has killed a rapper each year. Artists like XXXTentacion, Pop Smoke and King Von, were all victims of gang violence and robberies, all dying in their 20s, with lots of industry potential and talent. Such association with gang violence causes many to distance themselves from the genre.

Amidst these tragic losses comes industry stagnation. Rappers like Nicki

Minaj, Cardi B and A$AP Rocky have not dropped a complete body of work in over five years. A lack of releases has impacted the rap album sales by 40%, according to rapper and record producer Juicy J. But what about the artists that have been releasing music? They haven’t been doing too hot. Drake released his highly anticipated rap album this year, For All The Dogs.

The album debuted to commercial success but was panned by critics and users alike. On Metacritic, the album has a 53/100, signifying mixed reviews.

It is undeniable that rap music is not going anywhere anytime soon.

However, things as they are now cannot work for the genre until artists release with consistency.

It took 378 days for a rap song to go #1; with all the factors against the genre and its community, it’s likely that the next drought might be even longer.

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BookTalk: “Better than the Movies” Gabriella Navarro | Features Editor

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hen Liz Buxbaum was just a kid, she gave her heart to Michael Young, who never paid attention to her until he moved away. But now that he’s back in town, Liz plans to do whatever she has to, to get his attention and go to the senior prom with him–even if it means becoming friends with Wes Bennet. Lynn Painter’s “Better Than the Movies” is exactly what hopeless romantics and daydreamers want to read.

You would think that the attractive boy-next-door neighbor would be the perfect candidate for Liz’s rom-com fantasies, but Wes has been a pain to Liz since they were little kids. But of course—unfortunately for Liz—Wes and Michael are great friends, making Wes her only way to Michael’s heart.

With its enemies-to-lovers plot and fake dating trope, this quickly became one of my top five favorite books. The characters were all so real and felt like people that I would see around school (and not in a cheesy teenager way). Liz especially captured my attention and held it throughout the book because I have never related to a book character’s personality more. How she constantly daydreamed, talked about love, and obsessed over rom-coms reminded

me so much of myself. (There was even a part in the book where her best friend called her delusional, and that is so real.)

Don’t get me started on Liz and Wes’s love story. Like most readers, I love enemies-to-lovers; however I find it hard to read outside of the fantasy genre because it always felt forced and exaggerated to me. But Painter executed that trope amazingly in this book. The banter between Liz and Wes as they scheme to create her magical prom night moment with Michael is hilarious. Their chemistry as they grow closer and Liz realizes that Wes isn’t the guy she thought he was had me glued to each page waiting for their moments together.

I loved how Wes made Liz question everything she knows about love and happily ever after from just a few interactions.

Another thing I loved about the book were the rom-com aspects of it. The main character’s obsession with rom-coms is clear, specifically “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Bridget Jones’s Diary.” I particularly liked how every chapter begins with a famous line from these movies. I also liked how the book has its own official soundtrack (referring to a plot point in the book) that includes the songs mentioned in the book in

In the moment: FNAF Ava Strzalko | Staff Reporter

Photo | simonandschuster.com

order. Typically when I read I compare scenes or the aesthetic of the book to songs that I listen to, so this playlist was amazing.

This book was a 5/5 read for me across all categories. The plot was amazing, the characters were fun, and the romance was so cute it made me feel happy when reading it. I found a new author to read from in the future–because the last thing I need is a longer To-Be-Read list. Read this book if you are a fan of romance tropes.

Doja Cat risks it all on Scarlet Jolin Alcindor | Staff Reporter “Look at me, look at me, you looking?”

In summer, Amala Dlamini, better known by her stage name Doja Cat, commanded “Attention” with the first look of her fourth studio album, which would be later known as Scarlet. In the simple music video, Doja walks down a crowded street in a long black jacket and a crop top, rapping to her heart’s content for a solid four minutes.

The “Say So” rapper had something to prove. For the past couple of years, her rapping skills have come under severe fire, with many discrediting her ability to even rap at all. So Doja, in a string of tweets, declared she was done with pop music, stating it was no longer exciting for her anymore. And sure enough, when “Attention” was released, the first of four album pre-releases, she had delivered on that promise.

She preceded the album with four songs, the aforementioned “Attention,” “Paint The Town Red,”

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“Demons,” and “Balut.”

On Aug. 4, Doja released her official lead single, “Paint The Town Red.” The almost four-minute track has the same theme as “Attention,” dismissing her critics over a jazzy beat. Despite backlash for “satanic imagery,” it was a smash hit, becoming the first #1 rap song on the Billboard Hot 100 since Nicki Minaj’s “Super Freaky Girl” over a year ago. So, with that out of the way, how was the album?

Let’s divide Scarlet into two halves. The first half contains most of the boastful tracks on the album.

“FTG,” “Ouchies,” and “Shutcho” are refreshing listens, while the other tracks sound like Doja should have left them on the flash drive. This section feels incredibly overcompensating for an average listen, and similar themes repeat throughout. Tracks “Demons” and “Track #3” are hilarious, but lyrics like “We are enemies, we are foes / Who are you and what are those?” belong in Vine 2016.

Kailey Calvo Print Editor In this episode, Kailey discusses her favorite reality TV show—Love Island.

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When you reach the latter half, you start to hear songs that showcase Doja’s more vulnerable side. When she combines her rapping style with mellifluous harmonies in between, she truly shines. Let’s start with “Agora Hills.” The changes in cadence on this track and the hilarious interludes make this a worthwhile listen. This is the shining star of the album, showcasing her playful personality.

Notable tracks that also show off this style well are “Can’t Wait,” “Often,” and “Skull And Bones.”

The album closes with “WYM Freestyle,” a brash two-minute style where she constantly complains about the beat. The ending was a misstep, reverting back to the earlier issues.

Overall, an album bridled with controversies has more highlights than negatives. While the album has a lot of lows, the highs more than make up for it.

With a compelling album, Doja Cat has truly commanded “attention.”

Lia Miller Opinions Editor Holly Smyers Staff Reporter

Holly and Lia discuss the failures of young adult fiction, and why teenagers are not taken seriously in the media

When you think of family restaurants with cheap pizza and unsettling animatronics, the place that comes to mind is Chuck E. Cheese, but for video game and horror fans alike, the answer is a different one.

On the outside, the story may seem like the setup for a B-list horror film, but below the surface of creepy sound effects and glitching security cameras, is a haunting, tragic tale of two friends, and the sick, twisted murders of small children that caused their franchise’s (and families’) demise.

Welcome to Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria, where nothing is as it seems, and nighttime is the scariest time of all. Come along and join us for a bite.

Five Nights At Freddy’s began as a video game created by Scott Cawthon. With the grimy, unsettling designs of the animatronics, the dark setting, and lore that left people hanging for more, it was a huge success.

With all of the excitement, plus 28 books and eight other games, a movie retelling was bound to be successful. However, it was originally set for much earlier than this October.

The FNAF movie was in the works in 2015, only eight months after the game was released.

Disappointingly, development stalled, and not much was heard until 2017, when the film was picked up by Blumhouse. This sparked more excitement, but again, it was abandoned, this time due to screenwriting issues.

All hope seemed lost of ever getting to see the off-putting animatronics on the silver screen, but in April 2023, Blumhouse revealed a first look.

Fans from all over the world could hardly contain their excitement, for good reason.

FNAF has enough content to last months, and the movie has only brought even more fans to the dark, complicated town of Hurricane, Utah. Of course, while some YouTubers never stopped making content about FNAF, it’s still amazing to see the passion that people have.

As the antagonist William Afton says—“I always come back.”

He might have been talking about himself, but it was a fantastic prophecy for the franchise.

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Campus demographics, perspectives g Nadia Knoblauch | Editor-in-Chief

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ace, ethnicity and demographics can be easily measured through surveys and analytics.

What cannot be as easily collected are how these shifts over time or demographic differences impact minority students.

“I used to go to school with a more diverse community, but there was a lot less safety within the school,” senior Mariam Al Lebban, who was born in Iraq, said. “Even though there is less diversity at Hagerty, the safety here is a lot better. and I have more positive interactions with most people than the ones I had in my old school, even though a lot of people came from the same background.”

According to 2023 school year surveys, over 60% of Hagerty’s student population is white, but this number has declined steadily over recent years.

In comparison to last school year, the white population has dropped 3%.

While this is still a significant majority, many minority students have fostered communities within the campus and have seen their populations grow.

Population shifts

Senior Marlene Bekheit, president of the Coptic Youth Society, has seen the Copt Egyptian community “more than double” from her freshman year.

“I do find many people at Hagerty Hagerty are Hispanic, and it makes me who share this background with me. It feel more included because some of my makes me feel a sense of belonging friends share the same experiences that and a supportive social network making I do,” Romero said. my experience on campus a lot better,” However, these changes have not Bekheit said. made large impacts for all students.

Like Al Lebban, Bekheit once For Fuentes, who is president of the lived in a more diverse environment Hispanic Student Union, she addresses in New York, until she moved in 2017. how school-wide celebrations and Participating in publicity can warp Bollywood dance perspectives groups, exploring on the campus I do find many people at Japanese cuisine demographics.

Hagerty who share this and celebrating think the background with me. It makes clubs“I are Chinese New Year, the me feel a sense of belonging reason why Bekheit misses there - Marlene Bekheit, 12 these once daily is so much more aspects of her life. involvement. The “The thing that I miss most about morning announcements, chalk art in that atmosphere is the constant front of the school and stories in the exposure to new cultures,” Bekheit newspaper—they make the campus said. “As a community, Hagerty needs feel more diverse than it actually is,” to continue on this path of inclusivity Fuentes said. by acknowledging the school is more diverse than we realize and integrating Increased awareness this into our daily school lives.”

Through the school’s recent For junior Valeria Romero, who diversity initiatives, more emphasis is of Honduran and Chilean descent, has been put on celebrating cultural and senior Sofia Fuentes, who shares heritage through monthly celebrations Central American heritage, they have and activities, but most importantly, seen some growth in Hagerty’s Hispanic increased student involvement. community. Currently making up 22.73% Within the past two years, Hagerty of the school population, the Hispanic has welcomed the creation of the student population has seen an almost Black Student Union , HSU and Muslim 2% increase from last year.

Student Association, joining other “I do feel like a lot of people at groups such as the Asian Culture Club

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and Coptic Youth Society. Through this, students, such as BSU president Amy Desroches, who is Haitian, have become student leaders in these communities.

“When I was a freshman, one thing I looked forward to the most was joining a black club. But as I looked around during club crawl, I passed the Asian Culture Club and the Spanish Honor Society, but not [a] black club. From then on, I was determined to get one started at Hagerty,” Desroches said.

Through these organizations, students have been given the space for comraderie and leadership.

Room for growth

School initiatives and organizations have not necessarily been equally beneficial to all groups.

For Al Lebban, she has seen less administrative pushes to highlight the Muslim population at Hagerty.

In addition, she has experienced multiple instances of Islamophobia, whether through jokes on the bus or at lunch about her Arab and Muslim background.

“I believe people should become more educated about others’ backgrounds and not rush to make conclusions solely based on where the person came from or what religion they follow,” Al Lebban said.

Overall, whether through celebrations, clubs or events, the

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Student unions foster diversity

Jolin Alcindor | Staff Reporter

n an effort to promote cultural acceptance on campus, several new student-led clubs were established last year under the direction of assistant principal Reginald Miller Jr, including the Black Student Union, Hispanic Student Union and Muslim Student Association.

Many students have already experienced the positive impact of these clubs. Junior Naïelle JeanCharles, a member of the BSU, enjoys having other students to share her experiences with.

“Black Student Union is an amazing club filled with so many wonderful and brilliant people. Being around so many people who understand me or are willing to understand me is such an amazing feeling,” Jean-Charles said.

These clubs were featured in the School Improvement Plan, emphasizing the school’s commitment to fostering a culture where student voice and a sense of belonging are highly prized. The plan outlined various benchmarks to achieve this goal, such as “implicit bias training” and “True Colors activities” for Hagerty’s staff. Miller, the Student Diversity Coordinator, has pushed for these developments.

“I have moved in the capacity of where students’ opinions are heard making sure that here at Hagerty High and where they can connect with their School, we recognize and we celebrate culture during meetings. diversity and inclusion throughout the “The officers and I would like to year,” Miller said. “We have now created spread [Hispanic] history at every avenues for being able to reach out to meeting,” Fuentes said. our community.”

And her goal is working. From Sept.

While not directly tied to the 15 to Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month cultural club initiative, the Interclub occurred. Students could observe signs Council was established to help all clubs displaying flags of Hispanic countries communicate and better work together on campus, along with informative on school projects, with monthly announcements highlighting important meetings aimed at giving students a figures and history. The HSU worked in platform to address tandem with the schoolwide issues well-established and initiatives. A Honor We have now created avenues Spanish major objective is Society to bring for being able to reach out to announcements in to encourage the our community. formation of more the morning.

Reginald Miller, Jr., student-led groups “I think the that celebrate announcements assistant principal diversity. were an easy way The ICC seems to be doing what to lessen ignorance about why we it intended. Senior Amy Desroches, have Hispanic Heritage Month,” senior president of the BSU, found her voice in Jasmine Ruiz, secretary of the HSU, the club rather easily. said. “Especially for people of Hispanic “During the meeting in small groups heritage, the announcements helped us we [had lots of organized discussion],” be more proud of who we are.”

Desroches said. “I was thankful we were Similar events are planned for able to share our opinions before the Black History Month in February, leadership board made decisions.”

Women’s History Month in March and Sofia Fuentes, the president of the Asian/Pacific Islanders Month in May. HSU, aims to create an environment Acknowledging and celebrating

for the past 18 years, Dickison was the campus has had visible efforts to raise first Asian Club sponsor, before current student voices and foster a campus sponsor, Zhenzhen of curiosity Zhang, stepped in. and learning Using the club to about different I think that our students are educate students backgrounds, but a lot more accepting—they’re on Asian culture, there is always more used to being around Dickinson recalls her more work to be different types of people. personal experiences done.

- Aglaia Christidoulides, on campus. “[Ignorance] “I have always felt can only be Pre-Calculus teacher welcomed, and there solved through are not very many education,” Asian teachers on this campus, but I Romero said. “I hear a lot of have never felt targeted or anything like stereotypes being thrown around by all that,” Dickinson said. “I love this place—I kinds of people and it is harmful.” love our community and our students.”

Similar to Dickison, Pre-Calculus Shifts over time teacher Aglaia Christidoulides, who was Despite efforts that have been born and raised in Greece, has seen made in recent years toward inclusion conversations shift over the last 15 efforts, the school has not always had years that she has worked here, both this range of student spaces. According within student populations and staff to testing coordinator Po Dickison, who has worked at Hagerty since its opening interactions.

“I was one of the few teachers that in 2005, the demographics have not was not born and raised in the States seen a major change, but openness to and I had an accent, but now we have learning and cultural appreciation has a lot more teachers from different grown.

“When we first started, our staff was backgrounds,” Christidoulides said. “I think that our students are a lot more so small and the student population accepting than they were—I think was so small [so] we didn’t have anything like that,” Dickinson said. “I feel they’re more used to being around different types of people than they like over the years as these topics have were before.” come up, we’re like ‘Yeah, let’s have an Erin Foley, who teaches AP World organization or club.’” and European History, has also noted In addition to working on campus

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cultures is something that the Asian Culture Club has been doing for a while.

Nicole Chmilnitzky, the president of the club, mentions their efforts in creating inclusive spaces.

“In the past, and we are doing this again this year, we have done a winter ball where we get together with a bunch of other student associations around [the Orlando area], and we have a big party and it’s super fun because we get to be surrounded by people in our community that support us and are part of the same culture,” Chmilnitzky said.

By linking the school’s active community engagement programs, it is clear that the institution is committed to promoting inclusivity and togetherness outside of its campus. This philosophy enhances the educational experience for students while also aligning with the school’s overarching goal of being a vibrant center for holistic development and cultural enrichment. Miller further reiterates this point.

“We definitely have made [many] strides to create avenues for communication and opportunities and being able to provide a lot of options [for students,] be it information or just truly entertainment as it relates to diversity and inclusion here at Hagerty High School,” Miller said.

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gradually shift since opening

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4.1% 22.7% 60.2% 5.4% 6.8%

a larger change in perspectives rather than demographics since her start with the school in 2006.

“I have noticed from opening until now that students are much more tolerant of other cultures and religions than when I first started teaching,” Foley said. “It is nice for the students that are in those diverse groups to have a voice, but it’s also good for people to step out of Oviedo and the capacity that is Hagerty so that they can learn about different cultures and people.”

Along with her classes that focus on different cultures and their historical connections, Foley also sponsors the Muslim Student Association, founded by Al Lebban last year, which she cites as a development that would have been unimaginable in the school’s first years.

“Muslim students never would have thought about creating a student union.

I asked all of the ladies, ‘Where are your families from?’ and they are from all over,” Foley said. “I think that’s really good for them as a whole to identify like, ‘Yes, we are Muslim. We are all here together.’”

In its 18th year, it is evident that Hagerty has had an impactful progression since its opening, bringing together students and staff members.

“It is a job well done to see Hagerty taking a more prominent role in celebrating cultural months and embracing inclusivity, something that wasn’t as prominent when I was a sophomore,” Bekheit said.

Multiracial population

Hispanic population

White population

Black population

Asian population

Statistics from SCPS

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SED screens

Social media has its ups and downs, but online safety is more important than ever

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Holly Smyers | Staff Reporter

t’s been said a million different times in a million different ways that social media can be incredibly dangerous.

And contrary to the belief of concerned schools and parents, most teenagers are careful on the internet, and take precautions to maintain their online safety and privacy. However, it is still very easy to make mistakes— especially in situations that are perceived as low-risk.

“I don’t want to send something that’ll hurt me in the long run,” sophomore Ethan Peabody said. “So I’m pretty careful.”

All social media apps have builtin privacy settings. For instance, on Snapchat, people can only receive messages if they add the other person back. On some apps, people can post stories, which disappear after a set amount of time. A private story can exclude certain people from seeing it. And all social media apps have a block option.

“It’s more comfortable [to keep my social media private] because there’s some creepy people on there,” sophomore Solimar Servin said.

However, even with the ability to choose who sees what, most teens still deal with posting or sending something that they later regret. A You.Gov Omnibus survey showed that 57% of Americans have social media regrets, with 16% having regrets at least once a week.

Usually, if someone accidentally posts something sensitive, friends or family will catch it, whether they want them to or not.

In one instance, Jenna* posted something private to her Instagram, and all her friends, family and classmates found it.

“It was shocking. I feel like when stuff gets leaked or found, not only is your reputation ruined, but you now have no control over what people can do with your private information. It’s really scary,” Jenna said.

Aside from sensitive information being leaked, one of the biggest online issues facing teens is cyberbullying. According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, on average, 10 kids in a typical class experience cyberbullying.

SECRETS TO ONLINE SAFETY learn more at https://staysafeonline.org/

LINE OF DUTY Chief Richard Francis and his teammate participate in an honor guard event. Photo | Richard Francis

THE DIGITAL AGE Social media is a constant in every student’s life, from Snapchat to X (Twitter) to Instagram. However, precautions should be taken to ensure personal safety and privacy in order to avoid potential privacy breaches or account hacking. Photo | Holly Smyers

uneasiness surrounding the event.

“Students may feel like they can “It escalated a lot,” Jane said. hide behind their computer and rag “There wasn’t a chance for any adults on people and bully people,” mental to find out.” health counselor James Bartlett said.

The threats got more extreme, “They don’t understand they’re with various doing so much acts of damage.” physical Some Responding to people you don’t assault instances of know isn’t safe, and posting stuff being harassment that is inappropriate isn’t safe. As threatened begin from a and planned mutual fight long as you have fun with it, and by both between both you’re nice to everybody, I don’t parties. parties, that “While think there’s a problem with it. can seem nothing harmless and - Chloe Rhodes, 10 ended up quickly spirals. happening, it probably could’ve,” Jane Jane* got in the middle of a said. which just made the whole thing fight between a partner and one of very uncertain. I was honestly really their friends. The situation became scared…I hadn’t seen that side of dangerous as one of them posted either of them before.” the other’s address on their story, The main way of stopping online encouraging his friends to ‘keep fights or bullying from appearing or [them] in line.’ The situation was escalating is by reporting them. Even kept private, so consequences were if the encounter takes place online, little to none. Still, Jane recounts her

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Don’t keep your fears to yourself.

If you are concerned for your safety or something that has happened to you online, speak to an adult you trust.

Think twice before you hit ‘send.’

Once you share a photo or a video, it is impossible to control what happens to it and who sees it.

chances are both parties attend the same school, so often, the school gets involved. However, like in Jane’s case, actual threats are far more serious and go beyond the school.

“That’s when law enforcement would get involved,” Bartlett said.

“Because that’s beyond just having the school address it—that’s making an actual threat against somebody’s life.”

Social media has an effect of amplifying everything, good or bad.

It will always be a big part of teen life, and so will the importance of finding ways to safely navigate it.

“People should be safe with [social media],” sophomore Chloe Rhodes said. “Responding to messages from people you don’t know isn’t safe, and posting stuff that is inappropriate isn’t safe. As long as you have fun with it, and you’re nice to everybody, I don’t think there’s a problem with it.” *names changed for privacy

Don’t spread malicious rumors.

What may seem like a harmless joke to one person can be deeply hurtful to others. Respect others’ right to dignity.

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Lending a helping hand Greta Carrasco | Online editor

hours a week and has completed around 90 hours working with the team. When she was younger, hether it be through a campus or road clean-ups, toy drives or group volunteering Miller played for the team, so volunteering as a events, the average student volunteer coach for them was a no-brainer.

Typically, Miller starts her volunteering hours experience consists of event hours collected through activities around campus or sponsored by clubs. by helping set up goals and cones. During the Some students, however, get their hours through practice, she assists with drills and clears up any questions the girls have. She also helps cleaning up organizations that are not considered typical. after practice is over. She attends most practices and games, training and Benton House of Oviedo celebrating with the team.

Junior Alton Ashford began his “There was a picnic volunteer hours in his sophomore dinner, where we I’ve learned that you should year of high school after his before, mother recommended him a always keep your cool and be scrimmaged and then everyone got place to start. After visiting the patient with the elderly. awards at the end. After establishment he decided it was the awards, there was the place to start. He volunteered Sometimes, they can be music and everyone was as a dishwasher at Benton House, stubborn, but I’m there to help just having a good time,” a living facility for the elderly, but them, so that’s what I do.

Miller said. “It showed how has recently organized group [Tuskawilla Youth Girls - Alton Ashford, 11 events for residents. Some events Lacrosse] is more than just he has hosted include an ice a team— it’s a family.” cream social, bingo nights, and group walks.

Miller will continue volunteering after her hours “It’s a lot of moving around because I have are completed and looks forward to continuing to work with people in the dining room and the to work with the lacrosse team during their next common room to set up, host, and clean. It’s season. overwhelming,” Ashford said.

There are many places available for students to Ashford has completed 49 hours at Benton get their volunteering hours, students just need to House, volunteering three to eight hours a week. find what place fits best for them.

Although he enjoys working with the elderly, there “[Volunteering] is actually fun and easy as long are times when things get messy. as you can find a place you enjoy volunteering at,” “There was this one time where we were very Ashford said. busy. The kitchen was short on [staff], so I had work in the kitchen and commons area at the same time,” Ashford said. “ I was trying to do my work, but one resident kept asking to get his drink remade because there was either too much ice or too little.

It was stressful.”

Despite encountering moments like these, Ashford plans to continue volunteering at Benton House after he finishes his hours.

“I’ve learned that you should always keep your cool and be patient with the elderly. Sometimes, they can be stubborn, but I’m there to help them, so that’s what I do,” Ashford said.

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Orlando Regional Medical Center

For senior Jenna Lopez, her motivations for choosing where to volunteer were focused on a potential career path. Lopez, although not currently volunteering, finished her hours at Orlando Regional Medical Center. She previously volunteered at her church and a pet shelter in Sanford but decided to finish her hours at the medical center since she wanted to gain experience in the medical field.

“I hope to have a career in the medical field, and I figured [volunteering] here would give me some good exposure to what I may encounter when I am older,” Lopez said.

The hospital only allowed Lopez to volunteer four hours per week. She worked with neurologists and nurses during her shifts and was usually in front of the neurological ward, taking calls from patients and redirecting calls from other hospital departments.

“Volunteering there was a great way to expose me to the field I was interested in while also being able to help my community,” Lopez said.

Tuskawilla Youth Girls Lacrosse

Sophomore Chloe Miller volunteers as a coach at Tuskawilla Youth Girls Lacrosse during the girls lacrosse season. Miller volunteers four to seven

HELPING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY Junior Alton Ashford prepares food for the residents of Benton House. During his volunteering shift, Ashford prepares food, organizes events and serves the elderly. Photo | Alton Ashford

Greta Carrasco | Online Editor

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Chloe Willette - dance

even-year-old Chloe Willette was done with dance, she never imagined she would be dancing competitively, much less participating in dance competitions in Miami, Houston, Michigan and Los Angeles.

Willette started dancing when she was 4.

She learned the basics of jazz, tap and ballet.

After turning 7, however, Willete stopped dancing until she moved to Florida in 2018. Her friend was part of a dance team, Motiv Crew, at the time, located in Orlando. After seeing one of her videos dancing with the team, Willette became intrigued and joined the crew.

“I joined Motiv and I was very, very, very shy.

I’ve always been a really shy person but dance is the only thing that lets me express myself,” Willete said. “I felt like I could speak through movement rather than having to use my words.”

During the pandemic, Motiv Crew shut down, forcing Willette to practice her dance at home.

“At that time I was still doing virtual school, so my only source of socialization was dance. I was really sad during that time and the only thing that kept me going was dance,” Willette said.

While on the team, Willette competed in various Dance Championships that took her all over the nation. She competed in the 2020 Prelude Urban Dance Competition, winning first in the youth crew and big group division, and in the World of Dance Michigan, Atlanta, Miami,and Los Angeles competitions.

“There was this one [competition] in 2020.

It was very notable because after [the crew] finished performing people were crying and we got a standing ovation,” Willette said. “Even though I was just starting [to dance again], it made me realize that dance is such a universal thing that everybody can feel and understand.”

Recently, Willette entered an indefinite hiatus. Since Willette danced with an older crew, she constantly felt as if she needed to mature quickly and stand her ground, this took a toll on her and after years of pressure.

“The main reason why I’m on a hiatus is because I felt dancing honestly didn’t feel fun to me any more—it felt more like a chore. I think all the pressure was just so taxing on my mental health,” Willete said. “I’m taking a break because [being] a little 11-year-old and having so much pressure—it really does shake you as an individual.”

While on her break from dance, Willette is exploring new hobbies such as weightlifting.

“I need time to figure out my identity. For so long I was just a dancer and I don’t think that’s completely right,” Willette said. “I still have faith that I will go back to [dance], it is still a part of me, it is still who I am. I think God has a plan for everybody and he has a plan for me.”

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BATTLING BRAIN CANCER Junior Brycen Dillinger describes his day-to-day living with an incurable brain tumor

Tracy struggled to make ends meet.

“Everything kind of stopped. Your focus is going to the hospital every evothyroxine. Hydrocortisone. day and just doing what you have to Atomoxetine. Words you would do,” Tracy said. only encounter in an organic Tracy channeled her heartbreak chemistry textbook are a part of into helping others, hosting junior Brycen Dillinger’s everyday life. fundraisers at local restaurants like “I had a port put in, I’ve had Mellow Mushroom and organizing screws in my head—actually knocked a screw out and had to get it surgically CureSearch Walks to raise money and cancer awareness. Dillinger saw removed—I’ve had three major brain the fruits of his mom’s labor add up at surgeries because I didn’t have blood school, where in every classroom, milk flow to my brain,” Dillinger said. “[But] jugs, empty at the beginning of the you just kind of roll with the punches.” week, gradually filled with spare coins At age 4, Dillinger was diagnosed and bills that people donated. with a right thalamic astrocytoma, “[Raising awareness is important which affects the part of the brain because] not everybody knows responsible for movement and what we [cancer identifying patients] go sensation. through. Families Thalamic Everything kind of stopped. are destroyed astrocytomas Your focus is going to the everyday by account for hospital every day and just getting cancer 1-5% of brain diagnoses… doing what you have to do. tumors, and incurable -Tracy Dillinger, Brycen’s mother it tears people apart,” Dillinger tumors, like said.

“Community support helped me Dillinger’s, are especially rare. get through a lot.”

“It’s in the really risky part of my At the beginning of his treatment, brain,” Dillinger said. “[My doctors] Dillinger visited the hospital every said it’d be like mixing red and green day for proton radiation and sand and shaking it, then trying to chemotherapy. As the growth of his remove all of the red sand without tumor slowed, so did the hospital touching any of the green.” visits. After more than 30 different Considering Dillinger’s young age chemotherapy treatments, Dillinger’s at the time of his diagnosis, he does tumor has stopped growing and only not remember most of the details. requires an annual routine scan.

However, Dillinger’s mom, Tracy, Despite saving his life, Dillinger’s remembers everything. treatments also have side effects “It was June 17, 2010,” Tracy said. that extend beyond the hospital.

“When the neurosurgeon said [the As a result of radiation therapy, diagnosis], I just turned my back to Dillinger developed moyamoya, a rare Brycen and faced the wall and broke out into tears. [It was] like falling into a condition in which narrowed arteries restrict blood flow to the brain. This black hole.”

Recently laid off and in the middle blockage can cause ministrokes without warning. of finishing her bachelor’s degree,

Josephine Lim | News editor

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COMFORT AND CARE Tracy Dillinger comforts her son Brycen after a surgery. Brycen was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 4.

CHRISTMAS WISH Brycen Dillinger poses with his Christmas gift. Undergoing multiple cancer treatments did nothing to dampen his spirit.

Photos | Tracy Dillinger

FAMILY MATTERS Junior Brycen Dillinger smiles with his younger brother Lincoln and his mom, Tracy, by his side. Community support was essential for Dillinger’s recovery. Photo | Tracy Dillinger

“There’s a lot of trauma from that “It was pretty scary the first time,” very first moment of hearing that Dillinger said. “I was just standing, and your child has cancer,” Tracy said. then I fell over, and we didn’t know “Anything can trigger it, like going to why.” hospitals. [The triggers] can come at Since his first stroke at age 8, the most inopportune times, and you Dillinger has undergone two carotid artery bypass surgeries to reconstruct never know what they’re going to be or when they’re going to happen.” his blood vessels and increase blood Although the medical field has flow to his brain. However, the risk of been essential to Dillinger’s recovery, a stroke remains. Last September, Tracy describes it as a “love-hate Dillinger experienced a stroke, relationship.” Coming from a military rendering half of his body motionless. family, Dillinger moved from the No fool-proof treatment for the original Jacksonville hospital where disease exists, so Dillinger can only he was treated. This has led to take precautionary measures like complications due to the slow transfer making sure he is properly hydrated of medical records and paperwork. and not sweating too much.

At one point, Dillinger ran out of In addition, cognitive issues steroids used to treat his adrenal have arisen in the years following his insufficiency, a hormone deficiency treatment. His tumor is located near that can be fatal if left untreated. the center of his brain, an especially When Tracy called for refills, the sensitive area, and radiation from hospital asked for a referral and put his past treatment has killed healthy Dillinger on a waiting cells along with list. cancerous ones.

“I’ve found Although the I hang out [with my navigating the effects are mild, friends], I play video medical field challenges to games…I [can] do frustrating,” Tracy living a normal life, are apparent in everything that a normal said. “But then again, I think complex tasks like kid can. about Brycen’s driving.

- Brycen Dillinger, 11 neurosurgeon and “[The doctors] the vascular surgeon. Brycen wouldn’t diagnosed it as frontal lobe disorder, be here today without them. They and they compared it to Alzheimer’s… saved my son’s life.” my heart just broke,” Tracy said.

Throughout his cancer journey, “His memory, the ability to focus, his Dillinger has drawn on the strength of reaction times, those are all things those around him. that concern us as parents.”

“My mom was there for me Even after 13 years as a cancer through everything, and [seeing] other mom, Tracy continues to struggle people gathered around me was with the emotional effects of really uplifting,” Dillinger said. “I don’t witnessing her son fight cancer and really think about [the tumor] a lot. I its side effects. Post-traumatic stress hang out [with my friends], I play video disorder, which plagues every one in games…I [can] do everything that a five cancer families, manifests itself in normal kid can.” intense feelings of anxiety.

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HEROES Unsung

Though often overlooked, behind-the-scenes staff keep the school running Holly Smyers | Staff Reporter

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alking into class, most students think of that one math test, talking to their crush or an upcoming game, but none of the school highs and lows would even be possible without all of the staff supporting it. While most students appreciate the teachers they always see face-to-face, a number of equally important staff work behind the scenes. Yet, like oxygen, they are the invisible force that keeps the school alive.

Staff members such as administrators, secretarial staff, custodial workers and clerks who work behind the scenes. Clinic nurse

school’s funding and buys the needed today. materials. Her reason for working “I do enjoy working with the here started off just for her kids, but teachers and the students, and it’s eventually developed into something rewarding to be able to help and more. make things work,” Zizzo said. “(It’s) a “It was a good mom job—I can little bit of pressure sometimes when have the same schedule as my kids. things don’t exactly go like they’re I like that I get to help the school and supposed to, but I think the good ultimately help kids get what they outweighs the bad most of the time.” need for learning,” DeVivo said.

In addition to deadlines, adapting Similar to DeVivo, many of the to ever-changing problems and staff first joined the education field projects is a part of daily life for staff. to be on the same schedule as Karen Rehrig, the full-time equivalent their children but stayed due to the (FTE) clerk deals with calls, emails, welcoming environment that they school funding and so much more. found. One example is executive “I come in with the plan every day secretary Cheryl Long, who has and usually I end up doing 50 million been in education for 21 years. Best other things,” Rehrig said. known as principal Robert Frasca’s There are many obligations that secretary, her job encompasses a the staff have to do to keep the great deal more as she oversees the school running, and they always work hiring process, deals with payroll, and hard to fulfill them, even if it means manages various projects for every working unpaid overtime. Often, department of the school. staff members have to work outside “I started because the schedule of contractual hours to complete kind of worked with my children, but I required tasks, especially at busy love it,” Long said. The staff members times like the beginning and end of are dedicated to their jobs, with some the year. like Long having worked decades due “I was working a lot of overtime to their love for education. hours—it gets a little frustrating to Patricia Narvaez, the secretary have to work extra time and not get of discipline, has even been involved paid,” Rehrig said. “I was working with the educational community for overtime when school started just to over 40 years. She deals with all of try to get everybody set in the system the referrals, correctly so that transportation, school could permission slips start.”

I try to treat each and every one and any other Though paperwork the of (the students) like they’re my students might school needs to own children. I just hope that I’m not see it, staff submit. and especially making an impact on how they administrators “I’ve been in education for value the feel when they leave. a long time… dedication.

- Debra Henken-Strigaro, because I like “It’s clinic nurse children, and I probably at like to work with them,” Narvaez said. least five hours extra a week,” FateAll students know deadlines are Quinn said. “You just get on and help very stressful, but instead of grades, kids …You don’t have to answer on the the staff have the added pressure weekends, but... you do because as a of keeping the school running. They mom... I know how they feel.” do this through managing various Despite it being hard work, these projects, completing paperwork, and staff members all bring a sense of solving any problems that arise. passion to the job. Secretaries, “When [Mrs. Patricia] goes away nurses, bookkeepers, clerks and for two days on vacation. I’m looking deans help keep the school running. at her desk, (it’s) craziness,” Kelly “Everybody has a role and Fate-Quinn, the dean of discipline function that’s important. The said. teachers are in the classroom, but Network specialist Jennifer Zizzo they couldn’t do the jobs that they deals with any technology issue the do and I couldn’t do the job that I do school may come across. She first without our support team in place discovered her passion for education making sure that all of the details are in college and still finds enjoyment in it taken care of,” Frasca said.

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LOCKED IN Katherine Miranda works with the the substitute coordinator to manage an issue arrising in the front desk. Photo | Holly Smyers

Debra Henken-Strigaro, works on any medical issues students bring to her attention. Whether mental or physical, she always does her best to give students the care they need, all while helping out at the front desk as well.

“I try to treat each and every one of them like they’re my own children.

I just hope that I’m making an impact on how they feel when they leave,” Henken-Strigaro, who goes by Mrs. Debbie, said. “I just hope they always leave with a smile on their face.”

Unlike Henken-Strigaro, other office staff do not have as much student interaction. However, their passion for student welfare and education is apparent. Stephnie DeVivo, the school one of two school bookkeepers, keeps track of the

13 WHAT DO THEY DO? Staff members handle hundreds of unseen details behind the scenes

SECRETARY

Aside from just answering phone calls, secretaries do all the paperwork, email-answering, communication, and odd jobs that their field requires. They also Principal's secretary handle different Cheryl Long needs that very depending on their department.

BOOKEEPER

Bookkeepers are in charge of all of the school's funding and supplies. Basically, they set up any grants and buy all the needed supplies for the school. This includes approving school supplies for teachers and students, as well as technology needs, like the Minga tablets, new computers and any schoolsponsored event.

TESTING COORDINATOR

Testing coordinator Po Dickison

The testing coordinators handle all assessments. They plan, organize, and distribute tests, and solve any issues that arise.

This year they have been busy with complications from the paper-todigital shift.

CLERK

The average clerk answers phones and mail, and schedules appointments.

However, the school only has one full time clerk, so she takes care of so much more. She is in charge of reporting everything for the school, setting up Skyward and making sure all the funding is set up correctly. Clerks also often help out other departments if the need it, such as taking over the front desk.

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Each assistant principal is in charge of their own department(s), such as P.E., math, and/or English. They supervise teachers and help to manage the curriculum. They also work to ensure that each student has the proper credits. If a parent has an issue that cannot be solved with the teacher, they are sent to the Assistant principal assistant principal Colleen Windt of the department.

NETWORK SPECIALIST

The network specialist helps students change their passwords when needed.

They also deal with the school bell system, which was a challenge this year.

They resolve any other technology issues . like updating and fixing computers and troubleshooting.

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Volleyball seniors leave their

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Six seniors end long, decorated careers after a loss to Timber Creek in the regional quarterfinal

of their high school career.

Over the past four years, they have won two district championships, two conference t was already 2-1 in the regional semifinals, and championships, one regional championship and Timber Creek had the lead by 10 in the fourth set were state runner-ups last season. over the girls varsity volleyball team. The girls “Every senior was on the team last year when realized that this was going to be their last match, we went to states and we all made an impact,” and six seniors were ending long, decorated high Camacho said. “It was huge for us and meant so school careers. much.”

“We used all of our energy in winning the Not only did the seniors first set,” designated server have accomplishments as Madelyn Schwartz said. “We The one thing that is so special a group, they had personal definitely thought that we about this group of seniors is how ones as well. Camacho hit would just keep winning, but 1000 digs over her high school well they played and got along we did not.” together. When a team is player- career early on this season, The team ultimately and is committed to Georgia led, it says a lot about how the ended up losing 3-1(25-21, 25Southern University. girls develop.

22, 25-15, 25-17). Even though Along with Camacho, - Juanita Hitt, head coach the outcome was not what Mas committed to Wingate the team expected, they had University in North Carolina, and setter Emma multiple accomplishments to look back on.

Greenier committed to Limestone University in The team beat Oviedo all three times they South Carolina. played them this season, not letting Oviedo “The one thing that is so special about this win a single set in any match. As with every group of seniors is how well they played and got accomplishment for the team, seniors led the way. along together,” Hitt said. “When a team is playerLibero Mayte Camacho had 52 digs and 51 led, it says a lot about how the girls develop as serve receives, outside hitter Abby Mas had 44 players and teammates.” kills and outside hitter Sophia Marini had 22 kills Every senior on the team contributed, whether combined against Oviedo. it was from helping build up statistics or support “We beat them every single time we played from the sidelines, and ultimately they worked them, we have not done that since 2016,” coach together to accomplish everything they did.

Juanita Hitt said. “We won the conference Designated server Mina Stevens and Schwartz championship because of it.” are described as versatile and always having a Even though beating Oviedo was important for positive attitude, and both were put in multiple this group of seniors, they have accomplished much positions throughout the past years and adjusted more than winning against a rival during the course well every time, according to Hitt.

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Ava West | Sports editor

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SENIOR SERVICE Senior designated server Madelyn Schwartz serves against Timbercreek in the regional playoffs. The team lost 3-1, ending their season. Photo | Levi Cal-Rivera

While the accomplishments of this group will be hard to match, Hitt will always remember the positive energy of these seniors, and she hopes they all continue to enjoy the game.

MAYTE CAMACHO

ABBY MAS

Libero Mayte Camcho has been on varsity since her freshman year.

She led the team as a defensive leader as well as a captain, and this season, she also reached 1,000 high school career digs.

“Mayte does not get all the credit she deserves from either the conference or the state. She was our entire back row and helped direct the team,” coach Juanita Hitt said.

Camacho will go on to play at Georgia Southern University.

Outside hitter Abby Mas has been on varsity since her freshman year.

Mas had 269 kills this season and led the team by being a captain this year.

“Abby came to practice every day and worked extremely hard. She also had to get used to working into the six planes and rotations and did a great job with that,” Coach Juanita Hitt said.

Mas will continue her volleyball career by going on to play at Wingate University in North Carolina.

EMMA GREENIER

MINA STEPHENS

SOPHIA MARINI

Setter Emma Greenier has been on varsity since her junior year.

She has contributed to the team by having a positive attitude and had 53 assists and five aces this season.

“Emma came in and worked hard every single day no matter what. She adjusted well to everything we did and always made a great effort,” coach Juanita Hitt said.

Greenier will continue her career at Limestone University in South Carolina.

Designated server Mina Stephens has been on varsity since her sophomore year.

She has contributed to the team by always being positive, and she had 24 aces and 192 digs.

“Mina was able to adjust to anywhere we put her. We moved her from left back, middle and to front and she was able to adjust every single time,” coach Juanita Hitt said.

With her attitude and flexibility, Stephens makes an impact off and on the court.

Outside hitter Sophia Marini has been on varsity since her freshman year.

Marini had 159 kills and 48 digs this season while also leading the team as a captain.

“Sophia was a setter two years ago and we switched her to the right side. She did a phenomenal job adjusting to the position change and worked really hard for the right side position,” coach Juanita Hitt said.

MADELYN SCHWARTZ Designated server Madelyn Schwartz has been on varsity since her junior year.

Schwartz had 10 aces and 68 digs this season for her team.

“Maddie did a great job defensively and we could always count on her. She also did a great job coming up to varsity and being one of our servers,” coach Juanita Hitt said.

Schwartz always kept a positive attitude and supported her teammates.

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Boys bowling places fourth in state already faced adversity after losing their first game at districts to Winter Springs and getting sent to the losers istrict champions, SAC bracket. They immediately bounced champions, district coach back and won their next four matches of the year, and a top 12 against Oviedo, Winter Springs, and individual.

After qualifying number one in the Lyman twice.

At the state tournament, the team district, setting a district 7 record with 3200 pins in three games and beating was seeded third after the qualifying round. Hagerty secured a 3-0 victory Lyman for the district title, the boys over the Dr. Joaquin Garcia Bulldogs bowling team traveled to Boardwalk in the first round followed by a 3-0 win Entertainment against Taravella.

Center in A 3-1 loss to Fort Orlando on Myers would Wednesday, Nov. We kept ourselves together send them to 1 for the state at states, and we kept the consolation competition. fi ghting until the end. bracket.

The team “We kept If someone messed up, the placed fourth ourselves together at the FHSAA next guy had their back. at states, we kept state bowling - James Drehoble, 12 fighting until the championship end, if someone after falling messed up, the next guy had their to Circle Christian 3-2 in the sixth back,” Drehoble said. round of the consolation bracket.

On the morning of Thursday, This comes off the back of a strong Nov. 2 Hagerty faced Merritt Island season, finishing with a district in the fifth round, in the consolation record of 10-0. The team was led by bracket where losing teams bowled seniors Jason Sanguinetti and James to determine their final placements Drehoble, who qualified sixth for the or get back to the final. Hagerty individual contest and finished top defeated Merritt Island 3-2 before twelve in the state. falling to Circle Christian 3-2, with a “States is something where if you combined score of 1097-1033, and don’t get inside your own head, you finishing fourth in the competition. can perform well,” Drehoble said.

“It’s stressful, especially the last Prior to states the team had

Isaiah Macri | Staff Reporter

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Coach Jacob Colquohon and the boys bowling team celebrate a fourth place finish at the state tournament. The team also won SAC and district titles. Photo | Jay Getty

day where we were facing Merritt Island. If you lose you’re done, and unfortunately that’s the way it ended for us. They gave it a good fight, I felt like we should have been in the final, I think they all knew that too,” said head coach Jacob Colquhoun.

This is the last season for Sanguinetti, Drehoble and senior Dylan Dunn. However, Drehoble remains in high spirits after falling short of the state title, and he is headed to North Carolina for the Storm Youth Championship.

“As a senior, I’m quite happy, I know my bowling career isn’t over. We

did very well and that’s all I could ask for,” Drehoble said.

This season’s success was in part due to the talent of the team’s seniors. Even with several key players graduating, Colquhoun sees this as a learning experience for the younger bowlers and isn’t worried about the future of the team.

“It’s going to be tough to replace them–everybody else comes back though. We got the other five guys, three of which bowled a lot this year.

If all five of those guys come back there’s only one senior so it sets us up,” Colquhoun said.

SPORTS SHORTS Sinha places 22nd in state golf 17 commit on Signing Day Football ends in playoffs Ava West | Sports Editor The boys varsity football team lost to Seminole in the district playoff quarterfinal, 42-3, the only score coming when kicker Gavin Zinnert made a 45yard field goal.

The loss came to highly ranked Seminole on the road, a team expected to contend for a state title, so the outcome was not a surprise.

“The only thing we could have done better waas came together as a team more than we did. Everything else was good and we had productive practices,” defensive lineman Benjermain Demarjion said.

Despite the loss, Wide receiver Jordan Ketron the team ended Photo | Levi Cal Rivera the season with a winning record, 6-5, and had multiple key wins throughout the season, including a highlight win against Timber Creek 14-10.

Lia Miller | Opinions Editor At the golf state championships, which took place from Nov. 10 to Nov. 11, junior Arth Sinha wrapped up his season in 22nd place out of 96 competing athletes.

Though neither golf team qualified as a whole for the upcoming state championships, Sinha competed individually.

His overall performance from tournaments that he participated in throughout the season earned him a spot at states, even though his individual placement at the regional championships normally Junior Arth Sinha Photo | would not have.

“I haven’t played Kayla Rrapi my best at regionals,” Sinha said. “But I got in based on ranking, or how I performed throughout the year.”

Over the course of the two-day state championship event, Sinha’s total score was 152, with a score of 73 in the first round and 79 in the second.

In preparation for states, Sinha trained after school daily at the Twin Rivers golf course.

“I feel good [about states],” Sinha said before the competition. “I expect to do good; I’ve been practicing every day.”

The boys team placed second at the district championships and ninth at regionals, while the girls placed third at districts and eighth at regionals.

Ava West | Sports Editor

For the official college signing day in November, 17 student athletes committed to continuing their athletic careers for the next four years.

Skye Barnes - University of Florida, soccer.

Talan Bell - Clemson University, baseball.

Makenna Blonshine - Stevenson University, lacrosse.

Korielle Brodsky St. Thomas University, lacrosse.

Mayte Camacho - Georgia Southern University, volleyball.

Eli Fleming - University of Pittsburgh, baseball.

Emma GreenierSeniors Edie and Ellie Limestone University, Wilkins Photo | Ava West volleyball.

Bailey Gutierrez Florida Southwestern State College.

Kylee Kitts - University of Florida, basketball Jonathon Leon - University of Florida, cross country and track.

Rachel Matthiesen - Rollins College, softball Abby Mas - Wingate University, volleyball.

Madison Rogers - Longwood University, lacrosse Brayden Toro - University of South Florida, baseball.

Reagan Varvarigos - Columbus State University, soccer.

Edie and Ellie Wilkins - Anderson University, lacrosse

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Boys cross country takes first at districts

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Holly Smyers | Staff Reporter

ut of the four 4A regionals for cross country last weekend, only one featured three of the top five teams and three of the top five individuals in the state.

At the regional championships, the boys team was led by senior Johnathon Leon with a time of (14:59), just shy of first place. He was followed by Gabriel Abbate (15:30) and Jacob Leon (15:54), placing 10th and 13th respectively. The boys team placed third overall, qualifying them for states. The girls team did not qualify.

“Going into the race, I was really excited, but also slightly nervous. I knew some of the best competition here was some of the best in the states,”said Leon.

Aside from competition, runners faced the difficulty of the course itself. It was mostly concrete, which provided more of a challenge than usual, though it still went smoothly.

“I was slightly bummed I didn’t win. After leading most of the race, I got passed and just didn’t have anything to catch him,” said Leon.

The state championships will take place on Nov. 17, in Tallahassee. Leon’s toughest competition will be Riley Smith from Buchholz and Matt Ryan from Nease.

“The top guys in our region are also the top guys I will be competing with at states,,” said Leon.

Hagerty expects to place in the top four, with FAMILY MATTERS Junior Jacob Leon (left) and senior Jonathon Leon (right) run in the 4A Region 1 meet in Jacksonville. Jonathan Leon expecting to place in the top three, but both placed second in the reigonal final with a time of (14:59) which helped qualifiy the boys for states by getting a third place finsh. The girls have a chance at titles. came in 15th and did not qualifiy for states. The boys team also took first at districts. Photo | Cedric Gillette Leon and the boys team have dominated all season, and Leon easily won a district title, Pezzoli in 12th with a time of 19:52, with junior Ava stressed and we never feel down,” Pezzoli said. “But helping the team to win districts Howell (21:22) and senior Kailyn when we do, I feel fully confident that seven girls are and move on to the regional David (21:39) placing 34th and 39th going to surround me and start praying over me. championships. This race was We sent each other like 1000 texts last night: just Going into the race, I was respectively. hosted by Hagerty on Nov. Based on previous times, the words of encouragement.” really excited, but also 5.The girls team also qualified Even Leon, the district champion, benefited slightly nervous. I knew the girls team had been expected to for regionals, placing seventh, from all the support. competitors here were the place ninth, possibly not qualifying but finished 15th last Friday and for regionals. “[My family and friends] all support me best in the state. did not qualify for states.

“We were very stressed.

The throughout the race. They’re all everywhere - Jonathon Leon, 12 At districts, Leon achieved fact that we got seventh was really throughout the course cheering me on and helping a time of 14:56, which was not only a personal exciting because I know this whole team gave their me get to this time,” Leon said. record, but the fastest ever run on the course. He all, and I’m proud of them,” Pezzoli said.

With the weather just right and the finish line was followed by senior Gabriel Abbate in second Both teams’ success can be attributed to their ahead, Leon pushed himself to beat his personal place (15:37), and junior Jacob Leon in fifth (16:20). hard work and camaraderie. They blow up their best by almost 40 seconds.

The boys team’s average time (16:02) was almost a group chats before and after the race with well Getty hopes his team continues to peak at the full minute shorter than the second-place team. wishes and congratulations. Even former members right time in Tallahassee this Friday.

The girls team also qualified for regionals of the team show up to cheer for their friends.

“As long as we’re healthy and competitive, by just making the top eight, led by senior Alena “I’m not about to say that we never feel good things can happen,” coach Jay Getty said.

Athletes of the issue

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Senior Brianah Mendez Photo | Arielle Medina

BRIANAH MENDEZ WEIGHTLIFTING

TADEO MAGGIO SOCCER

Senior Brianah Mendez is in the 101 pound weight class.

She won the Traditional lift section and placed second in Olympic lift. For Traditional, her clean and jerk max is 115 pounds and her bench max is 90 pounds.

For Olympics, her max for snatch is 85lb.

Last season, she won regionals and automatically qualified for the state championship.

“I am very confident and excited about this season. Doing the sport I love while having fun and making memories is the best feeling ever,” Mendez said.

Midfielder Tadeo Maggio scored the first goal for the boys varsity soccer team in the tie against Oviedo. His goal was assisted by midfielder Max Carrasco off a cross.

“That goal affected our momentum greatly, it led us to score a second goal that helped us take the lead and control a good portion of the game,” Maggio said.

Maggio also makes a big impact in the midfield with defense and passing.

“We just need to work on maintaining our lead to get the win we worked hard for,” Maggio said.

Midfielder Tadeo Maggio Photo | Levi Cal Rivera