Red & Black

Red & Black

Florida’s first high school newspaper  Hillsborough High School  5000 N. Central Ave. Tampa, Fla. 33603  Volume 113, No. 3  December 2012

They had

their whole lives ahead of them

A woman and a little girl leave a bouquet of flowers at a makeshift memorial near Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

Twenty students and six staff members were killed in a shooting at the school on Friday, Dec. 14. (Cloe Poisson/Hartford Courant/MCT)

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Reaction, page 2

News

December 2012 Decem

Community reacts to Connecticut tragedy T

hey were only children.

A 20-year old Connecticut native, Adam Lanza, wearing military gear, walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School Friday morning, Dec. 14 and opened fire, destroying the peace of this small New England town and devastating the nation.

In only a few minutes, 26 lives were lost, 20 of which were children. The children who were killed ranged in age from 5 to 10 years old. According to CNN, among the six adults that were killed were the school’s principal and psychologist.

Both witnesses and officials portrayed a gruesome scene as the shooter chose his victims in two classrooms.

The bloodshed finally drew to a close when Lanza took his own life. His body was found in a classroom with the firearms used in the shooting.

Another body, bringing the total to 28, was found in a house in the Connecticut town. The victim was Nancy Lanza, the shooter’s mother.

NBC News reports that the Newtown shooting is the second-deadliest school shooting in U.S. history.

It is only behind the shooting that took place at Virginia Tech in 2007, which left 32 victims.

-Brittany Valencic

A family spends time by a memorial set up near the Shrine of the Virgin Mary at St. Rose of Lima Church on Dec. 16, for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times/MCT) “I was thinking about what was going through the little kid’s heads.”

–Jade Jones, freshman

“It’s time for the country to come together in this time of tragedy.”

“They had their whole life ahead of them.”

“At first I didn’t understand the magnitude of the situation. Once I did, I was depressed.”

-Chris Sato, senior

-Elisabet Rivera, senior

–Demetrius Hill, senior

-Nikita Simms, senior “I felt like the world was ending.”

-Jion Lasprilla, sophomore

“It could happen anywhere. ” -Emily Locke, senior

“I didn’t know people did things like that.”

“I had a feeling of devastation. Twenty little kids … I’m not even sure how to process that.”

-William Orr, principal

“This is the 61st mass killing in 30 years and the eighth just this year alone … we are doing something wrong.”

-Sandra Grudic, teacher

“I don’t understand how someone could look a child in the eyes and destroy their future.”

-Matthew Szabo, senior

“It’s one of the saddest things I’ve ever seen.

I refuse to talk about the shooter, and hereon refer to it as ‘it.’”

-Tom Paloumpis, teacher

“I just thought ‘why?’”

-Trevor Mungovan, junior

News

December 2012

Staffers win various awards for excellence

From left: Cecilia Boyce grades world literature papers for her senior students. Victoria Harris answers phone calls in the Student Affairs office. C. Lora instructs her math class with the Elmo.

All three staff members have won various awards for high acheivement in their current positions. (Photos by Nadiya Fakhar, Jodeja Chisolm and Aleesha Mundra)

IB English teacher Boyce wins teacher of the year Cecilia Boyce, who has been teaching at Hillsborough for 20 years, came to Hillsborough “primarily for the IB program.”

Boyce is a freshmen and senior English teacher, and she has a senior homeroom.

She is also the teacher of the year.

“Mrs. Boyce always explains what we are doing very well, so I’m never lost,” said freshman Jennifer Valdiveso.

“I didn’t want to be a teacher when I grew up,” Boyce said. “But I enjoy teaching because of the content and working with students is great.”

“I really like her because she is a good teacher, and she is also really, really nice.

Plus, Mrs. Wilson scares me, so that’s a plus too,” said freshman Kamil Taneja.

Boyce has two children of her own at the school -- senior Griffin and freshman Gillian.

-Cade McCurdy

how to deal with life, and how to problem solve. Harris said, “At work, in the real world, problems don’t just go away.”

Harris said, “I love what I do. The people and staff helped me become a better person. I work hard because that’s what I’m here for.”

Christine Roman, Harris’ fifth period student assistant said, “She is amazing, absolutely sensational. I’m glad she got it.”

-Jodeja Chisolm

Student Affairs secretary earns top support employee The Instructional Support Employee of the year has been awarded to Victoria Harris. Harris is secretary for Jeremy Klein, Tee Solomon and Darryl Givens in Student Affairs.

Harris also takes care of parental concerns, student issues, complaints and trouble shooting.

Students inspire her to work the way that she does. She said, “Without students, I wouldn’t be here.”

Her ultimate goal for students is to graduate, not to receive a GED or dropout. She also wants them to learn practical lessons,

Math teacher Lora receives diversity educator honor Math teacher C. Lora has won this year’s Ida S. Baker Award.

The award honors an educator that stands out for teaching and reaching out to a diverse group of students. This is Lora’s

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second time winning the award.

“I felt honored to win the award because my peers thought enough of me to vote for me. They think I’m qualified,” Lora said. “But I think every teacher here is a diversity educator. We all just do our jobs and try to reach out to every student. That’s what we do.”

Lora said that what she finds most challenging about reaching out to every student is a student’s lack of confidence.

“They don’t think that they can, so then they won’t try,” Lora said. “[I get them to try] by letting them know that I believe in them, and to get them to believe in themselves.”

Now that Lora has won the award, she has to submit an application and try to win for the county.

The county winner will be announced sometime next year.

-Kimmy Rampersad

Opinion Red & Black Editor-in-Chief Brittany Valencic Page Editors Ivy Bennett-Ford Roksana Borzouei Nikki Ferrera Chrissy Geshel Jimmy Herd-Bond Kristine Lee Kimberly Rampersad Ellie Rodriguez Jennifer Travis Samantha Votzke Kellen Yent Staff Writers David Blanchard Emilie Brooks Jodeja Chisolm Daniel Dolford Nadiya Fakhar Aleesha Mundra Gabriella McIntyre Kourtney Melendi Imraan Rafi Kyle Rosenthal Holly Schroeder Adviser Joe Humphrey, MJE Principal Dr. William Orr Jr. The Red & Black belongs to the Florida and National Scholastic press associations. This newspaper considers itself an open forum for student expression; however, the paper is subject to prior review by school administration.

The staff editiorial reflects the view of student editors and the columns represent the viewpoints of their authors. R&B welcomes letters from students, teachers and members of the Hillsborough community. Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity, and should be submitted to Room 506 or to the Red & Black, 5000 N. Central Ave., Tampa, Fla. 33603.

Advertising content is subject to approval of the editorial board. The Red & Black is printed in partnership with The Tampa Tribune.

This newspaper includes content from the MCT Campus wire service.

Phone (813) 276-5620; Fax (813) 276-5629; e-mail joseph.humphrey@sdhc.k12.fl.us.

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December 2012

EDITORIAL This reflects the viewpoint of the Red & Black staff

Dashing through the stores As each staff member pulled out a folded white slip of paper from the empty printer paper box, we quickly unfolded its contents to reveal the name that we’d purchase a gift for this holiday season.

The annual Secret Santa has been a tradition on staff for years. After the initial excitement lulled, the Red & Black staff began planning this very editorial for the December issue.

Usually, this space is used to give the reader our opinion on a specific topic. So, as we began discussing possible story ideas, the staff began talking about consumerism and how more and more frequently the holidays are ruined by greed rather than focusing on need.

Everyone on staff had something to say about Christmas consumerism, complaining about our society’s monetary absorption when it comes to this time of the year.

However, moments into this loquacious debate, one of us realized that we had just participated in the exact fixation we were saying ruins the real meaning of the holidays.

As we all became conscious that we too, had committed this consumerism craze, the room fell silent. We realized that this issue is more prevalent than we originally thought.

Basically, consumerism IS the tradition that holidays are beginning to represent. Rather than family and friends, it’s about what we should buy our family and

friends. Giving and receiving are the new requirements.

How does this frenzied commercial machinery connect to the rejoicing, feasting and singing that should represent the holiday season?

What does all the shopping and wrapping paper have to do with peace on earth? The answer to both of these questions is simple: It doesn’t.

Thanksgiving, the day where we are supposed to be thankful for what we have, now marks a day to go shopping for door-busting deals.

This year, many stores opened their doors for Black Friday at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day and many more in the hours that followed.

Whether it is President’s Day, Veteran’s Day or Christmas, the storewide sale that is hosted ruins the meaning of the holiday. Instead of honoring those who have guided our nation or served in the armed forces, or by celebrating the a religious event, we buy marked-down furniture and Secret Santa presents.

Just about everyone is guilty of this mentality, and it’s not an easy habit to break. We’d be lying if we said we didn’t like receiving presents as much as the next guy. As a solution, we believe in finding a balance; let’s find the happy medium between consumerism and carols. It’s time to “wrap up” this consumerism craze and return to holiday traditions that don’t involve our wallets.

Presents Money Turkey

Mistletoe

Lights

Warm

Family

Christmas

Justin Bieber’s album

Football

Shoes

Break

Bells

Snow

Tree Food Gingerbread

Santa

Candy

Giving

Home

Hot chocolate

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Birthday

A recent poll asked 100 students, “What do you think of when you hear the Christmas?” The word size is proportionate to the percentage of responses.

Survey conducted by Jennifer Travis and Jodeja Chisolm

Opinion Is celebrating diversity

December 2012

really a good thing?

By Kenza Holland Commentary

(Emilie Brooks)

The headdress controversy plumes

By Emilie Brooks Commentary There is a lot of controversy over people wearing Native American headdresses in a casual fashion.

Trends come and go, some more prominent than others, but when is that “oh-socute” accessory that everyone from celebrities to the fashion savvy are wearing taken too far?

Celebrities, such as Victoria’s Secret mod-

resented in the media for a long time, but one would hope our society has progressed enough to avoid this casual racism.

Yet, it would seem as though the representation of the anonymous Native has crept back into our culture. It’s not cool.

I think it’s important to consider the past and show some empathy for a culture befuddled amidst the Manifestation of Destiny.

el Karlie Kloss, have received blacklash for displaying the racially insensitive “fashion statement,” after wearing one of these headdresses in a fashion show.

The misconception that wearing one of these headdresses is just for fun, is just plain wrong.

Even many musical artists such as Lana Del Rey have worn these pieces in music videos and photographs.

Native Americans have been misrep-

Let bells ring in Maryland, Maine, Washington for gay couples

By Francesca Althaus Commentary In the recent election, Maryland, Maine and Washington voted for the legalization of gay marriage, making them the first two states to legalize gay marriage by popular vote. The option was also on the Minnesota ballots, where voters rejected an amendment that would have banned gay marriage.

Although this may be only a small fraction of the United States, it is a big step in the right direction for America.

The increasing legalization will encourage other states to join the movement, as well as other people who are indifferent about gay marriage.

Giving gay people the right to be “married” and not in a “civil union” will encourage equality for all citizens and open doors for other groups seeking equality.

One of the largest factors holding back the legalization of gay

marriage is religious beliefs.

In a May 2012 Gallup poll, 88 percent of those without a religious identity supported legalizing same-sex marriage while 67 percent of those who attended religious services weekly opposed it.

This should not factor into the way the nation decides on certain issues as the framers made it evident that religion and government should be kept separate. I firmly believe that despite efforts against it, gay marriage will, sooner or later, prevail. Just as civil rights and women’s rights have in the past.

Another very limiting factor for the legalization of gay marriage is that it is commonly thought that it requires only the support of the president and government rather than the support of the citizens of America. This is made more evident by the fact that it has now been legalized by popular vote. I very strongly support the legalization of gay marriage and encourage you to protect the ideas that our country was built on.

5

America is sometimes called the melting pot of the world. With people coming here from places far and wide, we have one of the most diverse societies in the world.

While I do believe this is great, I think we, per se, over exaggerate this fact.

Everywhere I go that I see pamphlets, I nearly always see every single culture representing on the front fold. Sure, make everyone feel included, but it’s so cheesy the way it is being done.

Yeah, it’s cheesy (the only word I could use to describe it) and unrealistic.

How come majority cultures are never celebrated but minorities are put on a high pedestal? This country isn’t only composed of minority groups, but also of the majority, and if we are going to “celebrate” our differences, we have to embrace all of them.

What is my point? My point is, I cannot hold a Caucasian pride parade, or a European descendant history month. Whatever I say can be used as racist, but everything about me that isn’t the “social norm,” I can publicly celebrate and not be labeled “an extremist” or on a “war” against Americas minorities.

So what do I think we should do? Do away with parades, history months and organizations and actually bond together as a country.

To answer my original question, “Is celebrating diversity really a good thing?” Yes, of course it is, but we can’t forget we are equal and we live in an accepting nation. If we can finally embrace and celebrate 100 percent of who we are, we can finally be “One nation, under god, indivisible.”

Briefly

December 2012

Thespians place at One Acts Festival At this year’s One Acts theatre festival, the drama troupe’s production, "One Lane Bridge," was awarded an overall excellent and a superior rating.

One Acts is a theatre festival for schools from the eligible counties to bring in their very own theatre production. This year’s One Act’s took place at the USF Theatre Dec. 5-7.

Junior Caroline Hamby was awarded the All Star Cast Award.

Although they will not advance to the state festival this year, Thespian captain Kelsey Leggett said that now they will focus their efforts primarily towards their spring musical, Cabaret.

-Nadiya Fakhar

Hillsborough hosts monthly Sunday Morning Market Hillsborough again provided the venue for the Sunday Morning Market on Dec. 9. Vendors sold a plethora of goods including a 1944 copy of the Hilsborean. In January, Hillsborough Ambassadors will be a part of the market, giving tours of the school to the alumni that show up. (Photo by Gabriella McIntyre)

Marayna Martinez, a junior, qualified as one of four students to represent Florida at the NFL (National Forensic League) national debate competition in Alabama this June.

She is the first Hillsborough debater to make it to nationals in more than 10 years.

Martinez will compete in Student Congress at nationals, where students propose bills in a parliamentary procedure similarly used in U.S. Congress.

Her proposed bill would improve teaching in schools, said Katherine Griffin, the debate team advisor.

Martinez, a third-year debater, is the vice president of the debate club and Student Congress team captain.

-Katie Frost

YAMAAD hosts canned food drive

The so un d

om

st

boom boom

my heart,

in

The winner of the Art Maynor Art Competition was presented with an award Dec. 19.

Corin Hasagawa, a senior, was unanimously chosen for her representation of fall sports, done in silhouette, surrounding the large H Patio.

Her sketch will be one portion of a four-part mural in the gymnasium.

- Ellie Rodriguez

s a rt

Debater advances to national competition

o ,B ay

Senior wins Art Maynor competition

I hear the dr u m st od

Journalism students place at NSPA YAMAAD YAMMAD hosted its annual canned food drive Dec. 11-19. The club planned to send cans to the nonprofit organization, Children with a Vision.

“Children with a Vision does a lot in our community, we wanted to give back to them,” said YAMMAD club sponsor Keisha Pickett, who was optimistic about the final can count. "We always have a few full boxes to take over,” she said.

Newspaper and yearbook staffers traveled to San Antonio, Texas for the National Scholastic Press Association convention, where they brought home awards in both individual competitions and carry-in contests.

Junior Hannah Baade received a superior in first-year photo.

Junior Ben Muschol was awarded an excellent a Photoshop art category.

Liz Tsourakis, also a junior, received an honorable mention for student life copy and captions.

The Red & Black as a publication brought home eighthplace for the Best of Show award for newspaper special edition. The staff won for its R&B magazine “Students Decide,” which chronicled student views on the 2012 presidential election.

- Holly Schroeder

- Brittany Valencic

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Yuliya Kozina, a senior, was awarded first place at the Poetry Jam, Nov. 29. This year's poetry jam was hosted by internationally recognized poet, Kwabena Dinizulu. As first place winner, Kozina will participate in the countywide poetry jam at the Straz Center on Jan. 23. To see Kozina reading the rest of her poem and other details of the day, visit hhstoday.com. (Photo by Imraan Rafi)

Life

December 2012

Students take on writing challenge

By Ivy Bennett-Ford Opinion Editor Sophomore Louis Leon started out writing as just a hobby.

He ended up writing a book.

Leon took part in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), the challenge that goes through the month of November. The goal is to get as much of a first draft written as possible.

For a month, Leon devised plot twists, character types and a complete mythos to go with the saga.

He even created his own art.

“It took a lot of caffeine,” he said, Leon would work past midnight and even later on shool nights. “Inspiration does usually work better at night, though.”

The phenomenon’s website includes features to set goals and monitor progress.

Leon developed his vision to the point of creating art to represent his characters. Above is a According to Leon’s drawing of his dragon, Kaego, one of the many characters in his story written for NaNoWriMo.

“I typically worked for two to three hours a day.”

-Louis Leon, 10

the would-be writer.

Leon’s family was open to his writing and even gave him time to work on it. “I mentioned it to my family and they left me alone [to work] after a while,” Leon said. “I typically

personal graph, he surpassed his goal of 50, 000 words by 406.

Since the challenge was set up on the internet, you could monitor the progress of friends also writing novels; a safety net for

Real-life spat, virtual combat Controls

In light of the release of two new video games, Assassin’s Creed 3 and Halo 4, senior Christian Sain compared the two games based on graphics, controls, story and the game overall.

He rated each category on a scale of one to five stars. Although Sain rated the two the same overall, Sain stated that he favored Assassin’s Creed more. “It is really interesting to play as an assassin during the revolution,” Sain said.

Story Overall Graphic by Holly Schroeder

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worked for two to three hours a day.”

Some were unable to complete the challenge, though.

“I started and there were several reasons why I didn’t finish,” said sophomore Marina Klicker of her experience with NaNoWriMo. Klicker has been toying with the story idea since seventh grade. She extended the tale to her hobbies and interests. It took flight in her roleplaying which she carries out with her friends.

“What I have is about four chapters. It’s around 66,000 words,” Klicker said. Her story, though unfinished, is a saga of science versus nature on an alien planet.

Leon and Klicker started off writing a little about topics that interest them, and ended up writing parts of a story.

The goal of NaNoWriMo was to get as much of a first draft done as possible, and after they achieved this, both are continuing to write for fun.

Assassin’s Creed Graphics

By Kyle Rosenthal and David Blanchard, Staff Writers

“I started and there were several reasons why I didn’t finish.”

-Marina Klicker, 10

Halo 4

Life

December 2012

Using a combination of Copic markers, watercolors and acrylic paints, Aaren Zhu paints a picture of moments in time. “I love drawing people the best,” said Zhu. Her artwork has received several awards. The work in the bottom right won first place at the Florida Scholastic Press Association for District 4 in October.

Painting her way through high school

By Kathy Xie Correspondent Aaren Zhu has loved art all her life.

Over the years, the pictures scrawled with multicolored crayons in her sketchbook have evolved into detailed works in this junior’s IB Art Portfolio.

This school year, along with maintaining good grades and participating in extra-curricular activities such as figure skating, Zhu is also Art Editor for the Hillsborough Esthetic Literary Magazine.

HELM promotes creativity among the student body and publishes a magazine each year, featuring creative literature and art work submitted by students.

As the Art Editor, Zhu reviews visual arts submissions to the magazine, and together with the other editors, selects

the submissions which will be featured in the final HELM product. This year, she is also teaching basic drawing skills to students who are interested in art, and helping them with their submissions to the magazine.

A regular HELM club meeting consists of half of the students receiving art lessons by Zhu, and the other half of the students, dubbed the “factory side” by some HELM members, working to put the literary magazine together.

“I participate in HELM because I am an artist myself, and I want to promote creativity in our school,” said Zhu, who enjoys holding the position of Art Editor in the club and interacting with the other students.

The students in the organization have very positive feedback of Zhu, particularly in her involvement in the club as an art instructor.

“Aaren knows how to deliver constructive criticism so that you can learn things and apply them directly to your artwork,” said freshman Jennifer Valdivieso. “I know the

8

proper techniques to use now, and she provides help and makes sure to clarify if we don’t understand. Overall, [she is] a great teacher!”

Valdivieso said that she did not have much previous experience in creating artwork upon joining HELM, and has progressed a great deal with the assistance of Zhu. But even students who have been avid artists for a considerable amount of time, like student Gia Jadick, have learned new things with Zhu’s lessons.

“I think Aaren is a great teacher, she’s always very helpful and ready to answer your questions, or just give you tips on whatever you happen to be drawing,” said Jadick. “Her lessons have been really helpful, and I’ve picked up on little anatomical things that I’ve been doing wrong for ages!”

Zhu is a dedicated member and officer of the HELM organization, and said that being a part of this organization has changed her for the better.

“I think being art editor has allowed me to be a more active member in our school community,” said Zhu, “It makes me happy that I am making a difference in other people’s lives.”

December 2012

KING OF THE RING

Life

Mark Reyes earns 2012 state, regional and national Junior Olympic champion titles

By Daniel Dolford Staff Writer The pop from the punching bag echoed across the gym at an alarming rate.

The dimly lit room emitted an odor of sweat and rubber, minor blood stains littered the floor as if in a pattern, and the champion stands in the middle of it all, in his element.

His trainer relentlessly encourages him to focus, to hit harder, to want what he’s going after.

Faster and faster, harder and harder, he listens and trains just as he’s told.

After what seemed like an eternity, the punching bag is relieved from its misery.

After a moment of silence and momentary reflection, Mark Reyes Jr. turns to his trainer and says, “Now let’s get to work.”

The 5-foot-8, 145-pound, 16-year-old

Mark Reyes Jr. practices at Calta's 24/7 Gym. (Photos by Jimmy Herd-Bond.) working off some of his son’s hyperactivity.

It worked. Not only did he find a suitable outlet for Reyes Jr., but his son fell in love with the sport and his natural ability shined through.

Trainer Joe Ponce, manager Cooper Krajewski and his father work together to develop Mark's talents and locate sponsors.

“He’s just got supernatural strength,” said Ponce, Reyes Jr.’s trainer from the age of 6. “When he was a kid, he’d do 250 pushups, and as he got older, like 12, 13, I used

has been ranked No. 9 in the world and No. 1 in the United States for boxing in his age group. From 2009 to 2011 he has been the state and regional Silver Gloves champion, and state PAL champion 2010 national PAL champion, 2011 national Classic champion, and 2012 state regional and national Junior Olympic champion.

Reyes credits his love of the sport to Mark Reyes Sr., his father. The single father initially introduced Reyes Jr. to boxing, puttting him in the ring in the hopes of

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to put a dumbbell on his back. We started with 10 pounds and then moved up to 100.

He’ll do 100 push-ups with 100 pounds on his back,” Ponce said.

“Never give up. That’s my motto,” Reyes Jr. says. He aspires to fight in the 2016 Summer Olympics, making his name known not only nationally, but also internationally.

“Rising from nothing to being the best in the U.S. has shown me that I can do whatever I aspire to, if I put my mind to it,” Reyes Jr. said.

Sports

December 2012

Boys soccer team makes regionals its goal

By Nadiya Fakhar Staff Writer

Above: Senior Trinity Baptiste and junior Brianna Honeywell grab for a rebound in the game against Riverview. Baptiste led the team in scoring. Below: Sophomore Marilyn Hawkins works on her jump shot during practice. (Photos by Ellie Rodriguez)

Team eyes district title despite loss to Riverview

By Ellie Rodriguez Sports Editor Had it won by a substantial margin against Riverview Dec. 12, the girls basketball team would’ve been district champions.

Just winning by one point would have been enough to tie them with two other schools for the title. Still, senior captain Savannah Wisdo says there is, “No reason we can’t be district champs.”

The somber mood was tangible immediately after their game Wednesday. The crowd, mainly comprised of Riverview fans, only contributed to the tension.

“We just shut down there at the end,” said senior captain Nikita Simms. Simms said that now the team will have to go “Back to the drawing board,” and reevaluate its game plan after the 55-47 loss.

The Lady Terriers maintained their lead against Riverview until the fourth quarter. With less than 3:00 left in the game and the Terriers only six points behind, there was a possibility that things could turn around.

As her teammates sprinted down the court, Wisdo shot a threepointer. As the ball dropped into the net, Wisdo dropped to the ground in relief. What she didn’t realize was that, simultaneously, fellow teammate Aejona Chambers fouled a Riverview player, thereby causing a turnover and invalidating Wisdo’s shot.

Just like that, those three points which would’ve put them one step closer to victory were ripped from their hands.

Later, as she walked to her car, rehashing the events of the game with her mother, Wisdo was bombarded with cries of “They took your three, Savannah! They took it!” “[It’s] one of our major problems,” said Wisdo, “execution and finishing it. We let the other team control our game and then we get frazzled.”

That said, girls coach Babita Artabasy said that overall the team’s attitude has changed.

“Now we’re expecting to win, rather than just hoping,” she said of the team’s increased experience. Both Wisdo and Artabasty agreed that upperclassmen are stepping up.

The 12-girl varsity team practices for two hours after school each non-game day. Although laughter and smiles bounce around the court, there is gravity to their practices. “[They’re] ready to work,” Wisdo said. “Coach keeps us disciplined. I mean, sure, there’s camaraderie, but more importantly growth.”

Growth and improvement are all important to Artabasy. “I just want us to improve on last year’s records.”

The approachable yet commanding coach also wants to foster great players or players who are “hardworker(s), dedicated, coachable and willing.”

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After a stronger start to the season, the boys soccer team is improving from last year.

With a current record of 3-3-2, the goal has become going to districts and hopefully moving on to regionals this year.

“Our record is better than what it was, probably because the team is more experienced,” senior Chris Sato said.

Another senior, Matt Szabo, agreed.

“The team is experienced and has been overall good this year, although that’s not to say they haven’t had low points,” he said. “We’re improving and hopefully we will be set to go to districts and win.”

The current season is considered practice for districts. Senior Andrew Miller hopes that this year’s hard work will prove successful.

“The team has never made regionals in my four years of being on the soccer team, so I really hope we make it this year,” he said.

Fortunately for the team, some of the more experienced teammates are very close.

“A few of us play really well together, because we’ve played alongside one another for years as kids. Mack Rocha, Matt Szabo and I have been playing together since we were four. They know how I play, I know how they play and it helps a lot,” Miller said.

Ultimately, every path has its puddle. Because the team consists an overwhelming number of seniors, next year may provide new obstacles for the team.

Over three-fourths of this year’s team will have graduated. The players stay optimistic and agree that there will be a few kids on the team next year who can step it up.

Sports

December 2012

Wrestling aims for top-10 finish at states

Sophomore Maven Piniella and freshman Michael Manno practice the cradle and ankle picks. ( Photos by Samantha Votzke)

It’s a woman’s world Wrestler and MMA fighter Maven Piniella defies expectations by competing in male-dominated sports

By Samantha Votzke Sports Editor Six of seven days a week, Maven Piniella focuses on wrestling and mixed martial arts.

Piniella began both sports last year, when a friend introduced her to mixed martial arts. At the suggestion of her mother, Piniella began wrestling for Hillsborough.

“At first, I thought this is terrible,” Piniella said of her first weeks practicing mixed martial arts. She said the same of wrestling, remembering the difficult, intense conditioning. “I would come home crying, it was so hard,” she said.

She was encouraged not to quit, and after two weeks she was hooked.

It was that perseverance which helped her power through the first grueling weeks of wrestling as well.

Piniella said, “The guys on the team said ‘Look, keep trying, you can’t give up.’ Because you look weak if you give up.”

When asked about being one of two

girls on the team, Maven laughed. “I get that a lot,” she said. “Everyone says it must be weird to be a girl on the team. But we’re athletes, not just boys and girls.”

The other girl on the team is sophomore Christina Wilson. Of Maven, she said, “She’s a beast! She’s my teacher; I learned my moves from her. She’s awesome!”

Maven usually competes with boys. The generally male-dominated sport is organized by weight class, not gender. The exception is state competition, where there is a specific girls’ division.

Piniella describes the difference in wrestling girls and boys. “I would rather wrestle a boy than a girl. With girls, it’s more like cat fighting- there’s hair pulling and nails! With guys, its clean wrestling, it’s fun!”

Although her male teammates say wrestling Piniella can be strange and awkward, ultimately they treat her as any other athlete. Piniella said “They’re harder on me, because they don’t want me to be soft.”

“People don’t expect a girl to be into these sports,” she said. “My mom is very supportive. The rest of my family supports me, but they don’t understand it,” she said.

Even in her family, some don’t understand her love for these sports. “They’re like, ‘Why don’t you just do soccer?’ But I say, ‘I’m going to wrestle!’”

Although she initially chose to join wrestling because of its similarity to mixed martial arts, she discovered the difference in fundamental techniques and rules.

“With MMA, you fight on your back, its jiu-jitsu. With wrestling, you can’t be on your back or else you’ll get pinned,” she said.

Patrick praised her work ethic and dedication to the team. “She’s tough,” he said. “In this sport, you’re not going to last if you’re not serious, and she is.”

Piniella has high hopes for her wrestling future. “Maybe I can get a scholarship out of it,” she said. “I’ll definitely continue MMA and wrestling-because I love it!”

11

By Kellen Yent Sports Editor The HHS wrestling team is ranked 19th in the state this season, which results from its performance at last year’s state competition.

With senior Demetrius Hill placing fifth and graduated senior Ben Richards placing second at states last year, the team earned a state rank of 15th.

The team aims to place in the top ten for states this year.

“Last year our goal was top 20. I told [the team] I want to finish top 10 this year,” said Coach Mike Patrick. “We need two guys to be ranked in the state this year to do that.”

Patrick also hopes to make top five in the county.

The team does not expect to lose any points for forfeits, as this year wrestlers of all weight classes will be competing.

Patrick is stressing strategy and technique.

“Every coach has their own philosophy.

We have to get the kids to buy into the system for them to improve,” he said.

According to Patrick, there are eight kids who wrestle year round. The competition over the summer has helped raise the team to a level that they hope to compete at this season.

A big motivator for the team is the prospect of getting a plaque, which is earned when a wrestler places in the top three at states. The plaques, featuring the wrestler, are then displayed in the wrestling room.

Senior Kyle Knauer and junior David Kadiri practice the cradle at wrestling practice.

(Photo by Samantha Votzke)

Sports

FALL SPORTS UPDATE

Boys Soccer Record: 2-2-2 Girls Soccer Record: 2-4-1 Boys Basketball Record: 3-5-1 Top Stat: Freshman Danzel Madden is top scorer with 78 points JV Boys Basketball Record: 0-1 Girls Basketball Record: 7-6 (see story, page 10) Top Stat: Senior Trinity Baptiste is the top scorer so far with 114points.

JV Girls Basketball Record: 2-2 Wrestling Record: 14-4 (see story, page 11) Cheerleading Finishes: 5th, 2nd Upcoming: Dec. 20

December 2012

District adds lacrosse as sport But it won’t be here or at some other schools

By Samantha Votzke Sports Editor The School Board has entered into an agreement with Hillsborough County Lacrosse Alliance, known as HALAX, to bring lacrosse to high schools as an FHSAA-sanctioned sport.

HALAX will be responsible for all expenses of the sport including uniforms, equipment and fees for field use.

Students who are financially able will “pay-to-play” in the new program.

For Hillsborough High students who play lacrosse already, the ruling isn’t beneficial. The club teams they currently play for are closely linked to high schools, and in the new agreement these clubs will become school affiliated.

Junior Chandler Maass said, “FHSAA approval means the clubs can’t intermingle schools. It sucks, because we won’t be able to play senior year when the ruling kicks in.”

In other words, Hillsborough students will not be able to play for other schools.

“We just want to play,” said junior Trevor McCabe, expressing in a few words what many Hillsborough lacrosse players are feeling.

The launch of lacrosse as a high school sport is part of a pilot program that includes Alonso, Durant, Freedom, Newsome, Plant, Robinson, Steinbrenner and Wharton, as well as Jefferson and Tampa Bay Tech. Though Hill-

Varsity football by the numbers After winning the title of district champion and beating Armwood for the first time in seven years, the Terriers football team finshed its season two games into the playoffs.

These are the compiled scores and statistics for the squad.

-Kellen Yent Source: Max Preps

Total points scored

Points allowed

128

Number of sacks

Senior Alec Clark plays with Steinbrenner currently, but next year’s seniors will not be eligible. (Photo courtesy of Gaye Scholp) sborough is home to a number of students who play lacrosse and students who would be interested in playing, it was not considered to be part of the program.

Hillsborough County Athletic director Lanness Robinson said that the participating schools were determined by HALAX in terms of player interest and field space.

“There simply isn’t available field space at Hillsborough for lacrosse,” he said. “Track uses the stadium, football and soccer use the stadium, baseball and softball use the field.”

Average passing yards per game

23

Nigel Harris scored the most touchdowns

Defensive fumbles recovered

132.6 total punts

29

Average rushing yards per game

12 Passing touchdowns

12

Passing yards

1,459 12

Jeremiah Green made the most interceptions

186.3

Most points scored was by Nigel Harris