Red & Black, October 2014

& black

Florida’s first high school newspaper Hillsborough High School 5000 N. Central Ave. Tampa, FL 33603 October 2014 hhstoday.com @hhstodayonline Volume 115, No. 3

OPA!

Rock the vote

Election coverage pgs. 2, 6-7

Benjamin Booker

From the H Patio to Coral Skies pg. 11

Marching to their own beat

Drum line overcomes low recruitment pg. 3

Homecoming goes Greek pgs. 8-9

Game recap pg. 16

Students swarm the dance floor Oct. 18 at the Cuban Club for a Greek-themed homecoming. (Photo by Ahava Jernigan)

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hhstoday.com | October 2014

& black Editor-in-Chief

Ellie Rodriguez

Associate Editor

Samantha Votzke

News Editors

Ivy Bennett-Ford Maria Roberts Kathy Xie

Sports Editors

Dana Dinh Daniel Hamilton Matt Lutton

Opinion Editors

Annie Aguiar Bianca Cegatte

Entertainment Editors

Vijata Patel Monisha Pillai Shelby Shoup

Life Editor

Sarvika Bommakanti Alyssa Ierna

Photo Editors

Katie Frost Aleesha Mundra

Graphics Editor

John Veliz

Staff Writers

Alexus Beacham Aliece Brown Kacey Johnson Suparna Narayan Denzel Pierre Amber Shemesh Toni Skraastad Tegan Smith Anthony Suarez

Adviser Principal

Joe Humphrey, MJE Johan von Ancken

Red & Black belongs to the Florida and National Scholastic press associations. 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. The 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 via email or delivered to Room 506 or by mail to Red & Black, 5000 N. Central Ave., Tampa, Fla. 33603.

Advertising content is subject to approval of the editorial board. 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 hhstoday@gmail.com Red & Black: All-Florida, FSPA; First Class, NSPA

www.HHSToday.com

Zo ming in on

ISIS

thorized a campaign of drone strikes against key Syrian territories held by the group.

Anthony Suarez Staff Writer

What is ISIS?

Why should you care?

Recently classified as a terrorist organization, the self-proclaimed Islamic State is an extremist group currently operating in Iraq and Syria.

Under their current leader, Abu Bakr alBaghdadi, the group has committed many crimes, including the mass shooting of war prisoners and civilians.

The group’s long-term goal is to establish a Sunni Islamic state consisting of large parts of Iraq and Syria. Without the civil conflict between Sunnis and Shias occurring within Iraq, ISIS would not be as successful in capturing lands as they have been in the past few months.

On Sept. 10, President Barack Obama au-

In past months, ISIS has carried out and recorded the beheadings of James Foley, Steven Sotloff, David Haines and Alan Henning. Foley and Sotloff were American journalists trying to show the world the crimes occurring at the hands of militants participating in the Syrian Civil War. Haines and Henning were British aid workers helping with the relocation of Syrian refugees. ISIS has become increasingly bold throughout the early parts of this year, even issuing threats towards the US in the form of movie trailer-like videos.

Information from The Associated Press and CNN was used in this report.

“It’s very sad the journalists got beheaded, and the video is pretty gruesome. But our president is taking action, he’s partnering up with the French and the British and dropping bombs on ISIS. I mean, you’ve got to get even somehow.”

–Jorge Melendez, 10

“They’re a terrorist group, and what they’re doing affects a lot of people and it’s not good.”

–Claire Hamilton, 9

Hitting the ballots In this year’s Florida General Election on Nov. 4, voters across the state will elect several major offices and decide on constitutional amendments.

Here’s what students had to say about the upcoming election. (Source: 202 students polled)

Who would you elect as Governor?

54% Rick Scott

46% Charlie Crist

83%

of students approve of using marijuana for certain medical condinditions (Amendment nt 2)

If you were old enough to vote, would you?

Yes (84%) No (16%)

“I support Crist because he vetoed an education bill when he was in office that would have been detrimental to teachers.”

–Anjaney Shrivastav, 10

“[Medical marijuana] helps people out and relieves their pain.”

–Jean Andre, 10

“My vote [doesn’t] matter. My vote won’t put [anybody] in office.”

–Jeremiah Gunn, 11

Let’s be blunt Check out Page 7 for a debate on Amendment 2

Compiled by Matt Lutton Graphics by Kathy Xie

DRUM LINE marches on Kathy Xie News Editor It was 3:25 p.m. and Robert Wood was late.

Wood bustled down the hallway, increasing his pace to a slight jog as he neared the band room.

He looked to his lower left and saw the bandages, suddenly remembering why his backpack felt infinitely heavier that day. Wood, a junior, had sprained his arm the day prior in a minor car accident, and now had to haul all his books in his backpack.

Then a realization dawned on him. I’m going to drum line practice. With a hurt arm. I play bass drum. Man, this is going to be rough.

Wood opened the door to the band room, ready to apologize for missing practice the previous day due to the accident. But to his surprise, the section leaders and other band mates were very understanding as they welcomed him and helped him set up his drums.

Wood had been apprehensive about starting his first year on drum line as a junior, but the group needed more students. So, Wood left the clarinet section to play bass drum for marching sea-

son, beginning late August. And now more than ever, he’s happy with his decision.

The drum line struggled with enrollment in the beginning of this school year. For this group, member shortage is always attributed to senior members graduating at the end of each school year, with very few new students joining.

According to senior section leader Kevin Foshee, recruitment problems have existed for the past two years, but this year was especially stressful because the group “didn’t have enough members until the beginning of [marching] season.”

The drum line played at middle schools in the area to attract incoming freshmen. Members also came to school events such as open house and the freshmen orientation to recruit.

Band Director Kim Mieder won’t let the drum line die. If necessary, she would supplement the class with students wanting to learn about percussion. “There will always be a percussion [section], as long as I’m here. We will make it work,” she said.

Fortunately, recruitment efforts were successful and the drum

October 2014 | hhstoday.com

New Sergeant big plans

Senior Kevin Foshee leads one line of percussion and signals the band to start during practice for the homecoming game. (Photo by Ellie Rodriguez) line eventually attained enough members. Interestingly, the majority of recruits were not incoming freshmen. Senior section leader Dan Coutu said, “While we normally get some students join drum line as sophomores and juniors, it’s not often that we get as many [upperclassmen recruits] as we did this year.”

However, the influx of novices presented the line with new obstacles.

“Since [many members graduated last year], all the new mem-

bers were very fresh and had no experience in the past,” said Foshee. “It’s been more difficult this year to train them and for them to learn their music.”

To combat this issue in time for the fast-approaching marching season, drum line members invested more time and energy into preparing their pieces.

Their efforts have since paid off; they earned a “superior” rating, the highest recognition offered, at the Lion’s Pride Marching Festival on Oct. 11.

Orchestra won’t be silenced by small classes Denzel Pierre Staff Writer Even though the Hillsborough Orchestra has endured for years, it is having serious trouble recruiting members.

The orchestra had around 50 members last year, and now has about 25.

“There is nothing we can do except encourage people to join,” concertmaster

Vinny Ruia, a senior, said. “It strengthens our orchestra if we have more kids.”

“We don’t have a middle school feeder,” Ruia said, which is a major obstacle in gaining new members. Without middle school students to induct, the program can only rely on the few students in the school with musical talent who don’t want to join band or chorus.

Orchestra has a large amount of IB and AP students, who quit the class to keep up with their rigorous work schedules.

“The orchestra kids, the IB students, will not sacrifice their JA’s to stay in or-

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chestra,” said director Kim Mieder. “They quit because they’re scared to keep up with the work.”

There have been rumors that lack of members could lead to cancellation of the program. Despite the rumors, Assistant Principal for Traditional Curriculum Kysha Herald is the one who decides if the program is canceled. “We’ve got to keep it; we don’t have any other programs,” she said.

Although they haven’t been successful yet, orchestra members haven’t stopped searching for recruits.

John Veliz Graphics Editor The room is awash in sea of olive-green.

Glimmers of fresh faces and experienced warriors peek out from the multitude gold stars and colorful ribbons. Suddenly, the rowdy group is silenced with the appearance of one man, dressed immaculately in his uniform.

His name: Retired Sgt. First Class Duncan Ratliff.

The young man’s military career started as soon as he graduated high school. He joined the Army and spent 21 years in active service.

Since retiring from military action, Ratliff taught in JROTC programs at other schools for two years. Inspired by the long-standing history of JROTC at Hillsborough, he decided to apply for the position as Army Instructor following the retirement of Command Sgt. Maj. Oscar Cunningham.

Ratliff teaches second and third-year cadets leadership and management skills. “I like the strength, discipline and order inherent to the program,” Ratliff said. Through the rigorous nature of JROTC, he hopes to mold his students into productive members of society.

“It’s a class that provides life skills,” Ratliff said. “It provides the additional piece the educational system is missing.”

Ratliff has plans to improve JROTC beyond the strong foundation set by previous leaders. He wishes to improve opinions of the program by having the students participate in a larger variety of Hillsborough functions.

Most of all, he wants to remove the he misconception amongg students that JROTC is only nly for students who want to o join the military. According rding to Ratliff, “The life skills ills [gained in JROTC] will be used when [students] leave school and nd go to college ge or enter the he workforce.”

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4snapshot hhstoday.com | October 2014

6 1 2

7 3

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out and about

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1. Juniors are inducted into the National Honor Society Sept. 30 in the auditorium.

2. A local artisan arranges her ceramic flowers for sale at the Seminole Heights Market on Oct. 12. 3. Senior Dan Coutu practices in the drum line with sophomore cymbal player Henry Lanza. 4. Setting up the coffee maker, a man working a refreshments booth at the Seminole Heights Market prepares for a busy morning.

5. An area produce vender proudly displays two bouquets of radishes. 6. Junior Krisztian Vero raises his candle to the sky during NHS Induction. 7. During a break in band practice for homecoming, senior Erik Ekendiz stops to chat with juniors Jeff Friedman and Nick Bonar. 8. Drum major Gia Jadick directs the band. (Photos

by Jessica Thornton, Amber Shemesh and Ellie Rodriguez)

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Got cred?

October 2014 | hhstoday.com

A secondary diploma track requires fewer credits; seniors still push to meet the mandates of the standard 24-credit diploma track.

Ivy Bennett-Ford News Editor As of this year, all traditional graduating seniors are required to take and pass an online class, in addition to their normal class schedule if they wish to earn a standard high school diploma.

At this moment, dozens of seniors are at risk of losing their diploma if they do not comply.

But there is another option: the Accel Standard diploma.

For the past eight years, there have existed three kinds of diploma tracks –the standard 24 credit track, the IB program and the Accel. The diploma itself does not change, merely the requirements. In between this and last school year, new policy was adopted by the Florida Legislature and the Department of Education which would enable at-risk students to switch diploma tracks without penalty. The new and revamped Accel track allows students to complete their high school education without an online class credit, which is required in the standard track.

“It’s most helpful to students without access to a computer,” said professional school counselor Shannon Ferguson. “Some kids can’t get to those locations, can’t get to their friend’s house or the library. My biggest concern [about online classes] is that you only have two weeks to withdraw with no grade.”

Ferguson worries that a withdrawal due to an inability to

Why doesn’t everyone automatically switch over to the Accel track? With the new requirements stipulated by the legislature, everyone, not just the standard track candidates, has to complete the Algebra I EOC as a math benchmark.

Last year, there was no benchmark, which enabled more students to graduate without issue.

Then there are seniors like Jeremiah Gunn and Romemyo Harmon, who are enrolled in online classes out of necessity; they have to take them for credit recovery, in order to make it to college.

The Accel track was established for students that wanted to “get done, get out, and get to work,” Last year seniors across Florida struggled to meet new standards set by the according to Vice Chancellor of K-12 Public Digital Education Law. This contributed to the a 74 percent graduation rate Schools Mary Tappen, one of the proponents of over the state. (Graphic by John Veliz) the new diploma track. complete the course would incur a failing grade, which would Even though there is no online class, the Accel track is meant drag down a student’s transcript without mercy. to allow anyone, from the student enrolled in six AP classes to For students like senior Sade McNeil, the online class re- the student without any honors courses, to succeed or get a diquirement is a “bonus.” She hopes to major in criminal justice; ploma. consequently, she’s signed up for the online class to fit the rest of Ferguson is confident the measures will inevitably benefit her senior schedule. Even though it’s a lot of work, she hopes to students, even though some 60 students are currently not envary her options before enrolling in a local college. rolled in an online class.

Wiser’s program aims for teamwork, healthy habits Annie Aguiar Opinion Editor Big Red is hoping to get a little less big as the Hillsborough’s Biggest Loser competition is under way as teams compete to lose the highest body fat percentage week to week. Whichever team loses the most body fat percentage wins a money prize, currently estimated to be $350.

The teams consist of 27 partnerships, either between a teacher and a student, a student and a student or a teacher and a teacher. Every Tuesday, the teams weigh in to determine who wins for that week.

Every Friday, boot camp is offered to the participants from an LA Fitness trainer at Hillsborough. French teacher Richard Shelburne is a big fan of these.

“I do all the boot camps on Friday after- come by. Thus, she wanted the faculty to benoons,” Shelburne said. “It’s so much fun. It’s come aware of their health and how stress can not just doing the Biggest Loser to [be on a] influence it. team and lose weight. The This is the first year Wiser boot camp’s the fun part; “We’re all together, you has implemented partners in we’re all together, you the competition. “It’s better to know, no pressure.” know, no pressure.”

-Richard Shelburne, work in pairs,” said Wiser.

Coach Jean Wiser, who “He’s my teammate. We’re French teacher runs the competition, disthe Mob Shells,” Shelburne said tributes informational handouts and healthy of physics teacher Neal Mobley. “He’s my friend snacks for the participants. “I’ve had students and we encourage each other to lose weight come see me throughout the week like, ‘my and get in shape.” mom doesn’t do healthy snacks, Coach Wiser, Mobley isn’t quite as enthusiastic about the can I get one of yours?’” she said, “and I’ll give competition as his partner is. According to them one.”

Mobley, he’s “constantly harassed and remindAfter a traumatic family emergency, Wiser ed to exercise, to show up at boot camp, to not realized health is important and difficult to eat so much.”

Wiser has seen the partners push each other in school, encouraging each other to eat healthily. “It’s not something you do for eight weeks; it’s something you do for a lifetime,” she said.

Mobley hasn’t gone to the boot camps again, but he’s a fan of the competition itself.

“Sometimes you just need a little boost to get new, better habits. So this, hopefully, will be it,” he said.

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6opinion

hhstoday.com | October 2014

editorial

You can’t erase the past Honesty is a core value instilled in most since birth.

Children are taught at home and at school about the importance of telling the truth.

Yet a Colorado school board is trying to conceal the truth from students taking AP U.S. History, proposing the creation of a committee that would make subtle deletions from the new, controversial material, according to The Denver Post.

According to the College Board website, the course has been revised to be more concise and to “emphasize careful reading and understanding of historical documents.”

But it is the shifted concentration to Native Americans, women and slavery that has ignited the debate. The school board instead wants a course that will focus on inspiring love of country and more importantly, respect for authority.

Frankly, the information that would be left unsaid is the dark underbelly of American history — the uncomfortable chapters in the textbook, the paragraphs of igno-

tive past. These same people are simply living in fear, fear that the next generation will reject what they consider to be American values, fear that they will be challenged and overthrown.

They are wrong.

Trying to erase the past is the stuff of dystopian novels. If anything, understanding the blunders that our country has made will encourage kids to be better citizens, not turn them into anarchists that stay home on election days.

They’ll want the United States to be steered in the right direction, always towards a brighter future.

We stand with the students in Colorado who walked out of class in self-organized protests of the proposed changes to the new curriculum.

We stand with the teachers who called in sick in solidarity with the students. And we praise the College Board, which told the school board that if changes they sought were made, the course could no longer be called Advanced Placement.

rance, the antiquated ideas and the policies of old.

The horrific loss of life on the Trail of Tears, crucial to understanding the government’s maltreatment of Native American life, liberty and happiness, might be forgotten under the proposed plan to censor the course material.

No, it’s not pretty.

If we do not inform children about our past mistakes, how can we prevent their repetition?

But its significance lies in the difficult lessons it teaches us as citizens. If we do not inform children about our past mistakes, how can we prevent their repetition?

We live in the age of information. Anything and everything about American history is available to everyone online. Yet we are somehow still encountering those who would rather censor textbooks and tell half-truths than discuss difficult, angering, saddening parts of our collec-

close call

”

yousaid it

We asked eligible student voters: Are you planning to vote on Nov. 4?

“Yes. It’s important that everyone should vote. I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t; it’s part of being an American and part of being in a democracy.”

-Ian Nesbitt,12

(Graphic by John Veliz )

{ } “Yes. I feel that voting is an important way for us to be able to put our input into what’s going on.” -Marina Klicker,12

{ } “I haven’t decided yet.

I thought I would talk to my parents before I did and see if I should or not.”

- Christina Loomis,12

“Yes. I haven’t voted yet and so I want to vote.”

-Anthony King,12

Your vote is your voice Ellie Rodriguez Commentary The big blue and red billboard on Florida Avenue mocked me.

“Are you ready to vote?”

Frustration rippled through me.

Here I was, less than a month until the fateful day.

In three weeks, Floridians will vote for members of Congress, a governor, legislators, school board members and dozens of other positions.

Meanwhile, I will be enjoying my last day as a 17 year old.

Ever since I emblazoned my passion for the democratic process in the form of Hillary and “Rock the Vote” T-shirts during election season of the primary in the fifth grade, I’ve wanted to be a participatory member of society and vote for those who represent us.

It’s easy to complain about the incompetency of our leaders or our dissatisfaction with the politics of our country. However, we revoke any rights to whine about our political frustrations if we don’t vote.

From the 2008 election to the 2012 election, voting among 18-24 year olds dropped approximately 8 percent according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This is only part of the scary statistic showing a decline in teen voters from 50.9 percent in 1964 to 38 percent in 2012.

Why the apathy?

While there’s the easy, given excuse that all zit-faced, video game playing teenagers couldn’t care less about the condition of their fellow American, it

October 2014 | hhstoday.com

Let’s be blunt

In the upcoming election, voters will decide whether or not medical marijuana will become legal in Florida

The Nov. 4 ballot will include an amendment to the Florida constitution legalizing marijuana for medical use only. Maria Roberts and Daniel Hamilton debated whether or not the amendment should pass.

(Illustration by Gia Jadick) boggles my mind that there’s not more concern from adolescents about voting when we are the next heirs to this country’s politics.

There are others like me -- flustered, frustrated barely 18-year olds who can’t yet vote. And yet there are many others who have every right to vote, and don’t get off their couch.

It could be argued that in a country of our size and with the way the representative government and electoral process works, that one small vote could be lost in the torrential downpour of votes and amount to nothing. But one vote does matter. Even if on behalf of the thousands who previously could not vote, every vote matters.

Voting is the first and really, easiest step to adulthood. So get off the couch, rock the vote, do whatever you have to do to participate as a viable member of a democratic society.

Roberts: If Amendment Two passes, the picture in textbooks for the next 10 years may be very different from what we expect (that is if the pages haven’t already been used to roll joints).

The new picture may be very similar to businessmen sitting cross-legged in a conference room passing around a marijuana peace-pipe, discussing this quarter’s investments into cannabis sales.

Hamilton: Voting against Amendment Two is the same as voting for someone in Florida to suffer. For people with illnesses, medical marijuana provides patients with an escape from the pain and realization of dying while getting treatment that can save their lives. Even without the medical benefits cannabis isn’t dangerous if handled responsibly. It has many of the same effects as alcohol and that is consumed daily by tons of people.

Roberts: Marijuana impairs judgment along with other serious side effects. The amendment claims the usage will be regulated, but it’s common knowledge that teenagers are capable of faking an ID. Marijuana will be easier to access once it is available in clinics across the country. We need to blow the smoke from our eyes and realize the danger out way the monetary benefits we may gain.

Hamilton: No one wants the weight of someone’s suffering on their shoulders.

Amendment Two is a positive change in Florida.

Hamilton: The tax revenue from medical marijuana sales would help fully bring us out of the recession we have been in since 2008.

Patients who are suffering and are currently purchasing the drug illegally would be able to do so legally, which would bring more people into the market.

Roberts: Of course the industry is profitable. According to the Wall Street Journal, it will be a $10.2 billion industry in the next five years. But with all that money, why should focus be placed on any other medical industry? The money will be used as an excuse to legalize it, while funding for other projects is dropped. We tend to focus our time on sources of profit instead of in beneficial research.

Check out the survey results on page 2 to see what the student body thinks

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HOMECOMING

hhstoday.com | October 2014

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Our big fat Greek

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October 2014 | hhstoday.com

Ready, set, HOCO

Students tweeted selfies of themselves getting ready for homecoming to @HHSTodayOnline

5 @MAHOn300

@_ZachAttacks

@ahavajernigan

Pictured (from left): Senior Mark Ellwood, sophomore Zachary Carter, juniors Ahava Jernigan and Kaley Barbara

Rulers of

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3

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red and black

extreme age

We randomly selected one student to model his outfits each day for Spirit Week

neon

Ricky Santiago, 11

wild safari

Spirited student:

super student

1. Junior Farin DeBose busts out some moves on the dancefloor. 2. Sophomores Taylor Bott and Rachel Arcangeli pump their arms to the beat. 3. Angel Pierce and her date share an intimate moment to “All of Me” by John Legend. 4. Students move to the beat of DJ Lady Shay. 5. Lily Whitworth and Quintin Graham chat over cupfuls of frozen yogurt. 6.One common scene from the night was students taking selfies on the dance floor. 7. Sophomore Sabrina Chang and Junior Lawrence Dawsey hold hands as they dance the night away. (Photos by Hilsborean staff )

OLYMPUS

Shelby Shoup Entertainment Editor The roar of voices echoed throughout the Cuban Club. A sea of bodies churned back and forth, each person trying to shove their way toward the stage.

Yahaira Onofre didn’t move a muscle.

She looked at her boyfriend, Azeez Al-Shaair.

He was already standing on the stage. Despite having won the title of Hillsborough High School 2014 Homecoming King, he was still nervous.

“I froze up…I heard one of the contestants’ names being called like they won, but it was too loud. I thought I had lost,” said Onofre.

But the inevitable call of Onofre’s name signaled her victory. She rushed to the stage, where she was officially crowned the Queen to AlShaa’ir’s King.

Upon meeting one another as freshmen, Onofre and Al-Shaair hit it off, but they didn’t start

dating until junior year. This year, their friends encouraged them to run for Homecoming Court.

“It was…more of a nomination than a run.

Everyone was like ‘You should run for Homecoming King and Queen!’” said Al-Shaair.

They began to work diligently on their social media-driven campaign.

However, their biggest obstacle came after their victory: the infamous slow dance.

Al-Shaair prayed that his utter lack of dancing skills wouldn’t interfere with their big moment. But once the music began to play, they fell into each other’s rhythm.

“I have never slow danced with anybody...and he doesn’t know how to dance, so it was simple. But it just meant everything to me; the song just fit perfectly with us. So it wasn’t just a dance to me. It was a moment…it was unexplainable.”

In addition to Al-Shaair and Onofre, Other members of the court included Lady Layla Vann, Duke John Lawrence, Duchess Charlie Spraggins, Prince Marcos Coronado and Princess Bria Ford.

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10 entertainment hhstoday.com | October 2014

Tampa’s h rror flick festival Ivy Bennett-Ford Movie Preview Popcorn, soda and nightmares.

Every year, horror movie buffs have the option to pile into a car, drive down to the Tampa Theatre and indulge in some serious chills from a movie palace supposedly haunted by late ticket-taker, Robert Lanier.

For the past two years, the staff at Tampa Theatre has turned the odd Halloween-themed film into a festival, playfully dubbing it Nightmare on Franklin Street.

Named for the cult classics of horror fandom and the actual location of the theater on Franklin Street downtown, Nightmare on Franklin Street is sure to draw in a wide variety of clientele, from thriller junkies for Eraserhead and nostalgia-seekers with Grem-

lins and The Witches. The movie wizards are even willing to put on shows to poke fun at horror, like Scream and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

For you Rocky Horror fans, the festival kicks off with the picture show shadow cast

by Interchangeable Parts of Seminole 8 and

The fault in alt-J Alyssa Ierna Album Review

One of my favorite things about alt-J is that they have a unique style. A song of theirs could be playing and I would recognize it immediately. “It’s All Yours,” definitely delivers that “alt-J sound.”

The album brings chill vibes and steady beats. Listening makes me feel like I’m hanging out with a bunch of dwarves in a foggy forest. In the first song you walk into the forest and twirl around for 14 separate tracks – but you never leave the forest.

Metaphors aside, all the tracks sound the same. Amazing, but a lot of amazing can get boring.

“Intro” is the first song on the album and the lyrics only have eight lines of actual words between repetitive la la la’s.

“Gospel” had an ill-placed break toward the end that would have fared better in the middle, and sounded like the beginning of a new song. Adding insult to injury, in the same song, lead singer Joe Newman sings the words “do” 35 times and “oh” 37 times.

C’mon alt-J, we know you’re better than that.

The lead track, “Hunger of the Pine,” features the line “I’m a female rebel,” from Miley Cyrus’s song, “4X4,” as well as a few lines in French. If alt-J is capable of singing in French, I’m sure they can compose a chorus that consists of actual words without using other artist’s lines.

There are a few redeeming tracks in which alt-J’s lyrics can be really deep and symbolic. In “Every Other Freckle,” Newman uses a cat metaphorically to describe his lady pal.

“It’s All Yours,” is definitely a study album, not one you can rock out to alone in the car.

Cheap Little Punks from Tampa Pitcher Show.

Each year, the lineup of movies changes; but the variation is pretty much impeccable. This year, the festival of screams and gore begins on Oct. 17 and will continue until Halloween night.

For a full schedule of events, go to tampatheatre.org/ fest/nightmare-on-franklinstreet-series/

WAR of the

WORDS

“All of our copies of it are gone.”

Susan Hunt, Media Secretary

JAMES DASHNER

“The main character is crazy. I mean, he’s a serial killer.”

“Black-ish” is the new black Monisha Pillai TV Review Black-ish is The Cosby Show’s fresh and trendy younger cousin.

With all the heartwarming qualities of its older generation relative, Black-ish manages to capture all the aspects of your typical family sitcom, except for one glaring difference: color.

In a Tyler Perry-like display of social and racial awareness, Black-ish does not skirt around the issue of skin.

Instead, Andre Johnson overflows with his passion for “keeping it real.” Distressed at the thought of his son playing field hockey instead of basketball, changing his name from Andre to “Andy” and wanting a barmitzvah, the father of three is convinced that his family is “color blind.”

Frantic to restore some semblance of black culture to the family, Andre attempts to throw an African American cultural ceremony for his son, before being thwarted by his affronted wife.

Through the lamentations of a cultureobsessed father, Black-ish emphasizes the idea of a strong racial identity and a sense of culture.

THE

-Emani Aikens, 12

“It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read before.”

-Kayla Ruiz, 10

Days of

BLOOD& GHT

STARLI quel to

The se

ter of Sm Daugh

ne oke & Bo

LAINI TAYLOR

Aliece Brown Book Reviews

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Go to hhstoday.com for a story on Kendrick Lamar and his new single “i.”

October 2014 | hhstoday.com

Where are they now: Benjamin Booker Vijata Patel Entertainment Editor Six years to pursue music, two years to get signed and only a few days before the biggest concert of his life.

Hillsborough alumnus Benjamin Booker is now on the Coral Skies Festival tour with bands such as Cage the Elephant and Tokyo Police Club.

Just years before, he was merely a teenager watching local bands at Transitions Art Gallery.

“The whole music thing came up really fast. It was actually really scary, but nothing will be as scary as my French oral, literally the scariest moment of my life,” said the 2007 graduate.

Richard Shelburne, his French teacher, fondly remembers Booker and described him as an “awesome student” who was “warm, tender and kind to others.” Booker often spent time in Shelburne’s room in the early mornings before school and considered Shelburne one of his favorite teachers. Shelburne also said, “[Booker] was always a gentle soul.”

It’s easy to agree looking at Booker on stage; he’s relaxed but commands your attention. His focus on his instrument and voice is compelling.

Before he was booking gigs on the Late Show and Conan, the 25year old Virginia native called the H-Patio his stage. The soft sounds of guitar strumming ricocheted around the patio during C Lunch, when he would play with fellow band member, Ryan Van Olst . The brick and granite was his backdrop as he learned his first chords with the help of his best friend at the time, Mikey Antonakakis. “[Booker] would play the guitar anytime he could get his hands on it,” said Antonakakis, who would bring his guitar, for Guitar Club, and he remembers Booker would always

Left: Booker’s Class of 2007 yearbook photo. Right: Booker participates in a French team building activity in French teacher Richard Shelburne’s class. (Hilsborean photos) manage to start playing it. History teacher Tom Paloumpis recalled, “After 1 a.m. [at the IB Senior lock-in] I think he started playing the guitar for a while. There were a couple of guys there that played instruments and I think they were all doing that together.”

The late Robert Digenova, who taught Theory of Knowledge, helped Booker get his start by “making [him] think about what [he] wanted to do with [his] life.” He learned there’s more to life than making money and started thinking about working with his passion. It wasn’t until after getting his degree from University of Florida that he pursued music part-time.

Looking back, Booker admits he wasn’t the best student in school. He usually laid low, but did get into trouble at times. That’s probably why he hasn’t “thought about seeing teachers.” He added, “I didn’t have the best relationship with my teachers, but it’s not their fault.” Still, Booker looks back at his high school years fondly, with lots of good memories, like making the skit for the IB Banquet.

After coming back to Tampa

post-college graduation, according to the Tampa Bay Times, Booker began playing live shows at New World Brewery in Ybor City, which he said is “the best venue in town.” He added, “if you’re a band there, they treat you very well, it’s always well-attended and it’s just a fun place to play.”

After playing a 30-minute set for WMNF-FM 88.5, Ninebullets Radio at New World, Booker was offered a deal by ATO manager Jon Salter in the parking lot. He said, “it was scary because it may be the moment I’ll be able to quit my job and do this fulltime.”

The Tampa Bay Times also noted like most musicians, Booker had a day job to make ends meet. He worked at Mojo Books and Music on Fowler, a store that should resonate with Tampa natives. Full of employees with expansive musical knowledge, Booker said it was “the perfect job” and a “learning experience” for him because it introduced to him “new bands, new music [he] had never heard before.”

Before being exposed to artists from Mojo Books and Music, local bands such as Cult Ritual and blues

singers like Blind Willie Johnson influenced Bookers music style today.

On The Late Show with David Letterman, Booker showed off those influences with his single “Violent Shiver” on his self-titled debut album.

However, Tampa hasn’t been the only influence on his music. Senior and budding musician Valeria Rigobon, who’s older brother Oliver was

a close friend of Booker’s, said, “[His music] can’t be categorized because he takes from so much and makes it his own.”

The jazzy and bluesy sound of New Orleans followed Booker even after he left Louisiana, his home for a couple years post-graduation. In his “Have You Seen My Son” performance on Conan, you can hear the New Orleans sound in his voice, even though the instrumental gives it an alternative rock feel.

According to Booker, aspiring musicians like Rigobon can make it like he has if they stop focusing on “too much.” Music was on the side as a passion for Booker because there are “slim chances of making it [in the music industry] and it can break you down, leaving you disappointed really quick,” said Booker. Work a job on the side or go to school instead of jumping into the industry.

Before you focus on the music, he said, “you gotta eat.”

See Booker perform at the Coral Skies Music Festival along with other acts. Graphic by John Veliz

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hhstoday.com | October 2014

TAKE 5

with a terrier

Sophomore Pedro Alvarez was randomly chosen to answer questions about himself.

what’s the quality you admire most about yourself and why?

“That I’m straightforward and honest and will always tell you the truth.” what has been your greatest accomplishment?

“When I was in eighth grade in the all-country poetry contest.”

Clockwise from top left: The front of the Seminole Heights General Store, a friendly sign from within the store, signs advertising the opening of the store and live bait, a display of the variety of produce available and a Halloween themed display of pumpkins. (Photos by Aliece Brown)

Keeping it fresh Aliece Brown Staff Writer Among the many businesses strung across North Florida Avenue, the Seminole Heights General Store is definitely one worth checking out.

Owner Tom Cawley, a former Hillsborough student, opened the store this past July. “We’re not new to the neighborhood,” Cawley said. He and his family have lived around the Seminole Heights area since 1948.

The store has a very retro, rustic feel to it. The fact that the actual building itself is a red barn adds to the antiquity of the place. Cawley decided upon

the idea of going retro was because it brought more of a small town attitude to Seminole Heights.

Cawley is working on bringing in more of a variety of things to sell to help adjust his business to the area, including homemade soft serve ice cream, salads and deli sandwiches. “It’s more of a hippie, yupster thing and they like this idea.”

Besides homemade treats and local produce, the Seminole Heights General Store also sells: live bait.

“In the middle of Tampa, selling live bait is kind of a new thing, “and for people who fish along the Hillsbor-

ough River, finding a nearby bait shop is no longer an issue.”

As far as produce is concerned, the store is geared up for fall, its main display- a bathtub filled to the brim with ripened pumpkins.

Cawley is currently holding a raffle for the prize pumpkin, but this isn’t your average gourd lying around the pumpkin patch.

Weighing in at approximately 50 pounds, anyone interested in entering the raffle will only have to write down their email address on a raffle slip before Oct. 29.

if you were given a time machine, where would you go and why?

“1848 because music was great back then.” what’s your biggest regret?

“I don’t regret anything, I’ve had a very accomplished life.” what in this world do you think needs to be changed?

“Ignorance: people are oblivious and take things for granted.”

-Sarvika Bommakanti

TRASH

Annie Aguiar Opinion Editor The new football statue stands next to the football fieldhouse, where it has been since late September.

The statue, which was made by the Tampa metal shop Rustic Steel Creations, admittedly looks a little strange at first glance, seeing as it’s composed of ‘found’ objects, according to Rustic

Steel Creations owner Dominique Martinez.

“It looks like something that came off of Transformers,” says sophomore Katheryne Sotolongo.

The statue is one of many already existing in Seminole Heights and in surrounding areas.

“We look at Tampa like it’s our canvas,” Martinez said. “The more you can beautify a community, the more value.”

Made in 2009 for the Super Bowl at Raymond James Stadium Actual value is $18,000 Rustic Steel Creations donated

$13,000

Coaches Steve Longfellow g and Vernon Henderson ppaid $5,000

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Anything but

life13

October 2014 | hhstoday.com

painting outside the BOX Kathy Xie News Editor At first glance, junior Chloe Jones seems quiet, and mostly keeps to herself. Jones first took interest in art while in middle school, and has since amassed multiple sketchbooks full of her works and joined clubs that allow her to express her creative side, such as HELM, the Hillsborough Esthetic Literary Magazine.

When did you start taking interest in art?

In the sixth grade, I started watching videos on YouTube that were animated. In the seventh grade, I went into my first art class, and I discovered that I liked art. I got my first sketchbook, and so on.

What kind of artwork do you usually do?

I usually just sketch, and I like to paint. I also dabble a bit in colored pencils.

What's your favorite project you've ever worked on?

Hm, that's hard. I guess my favorite project was a mask I made in middle school.

I spent a few months on it, and it was one of the pieces that I spent the most time on.

Half of the mask was copper and half of it was leather. It was a paper mâché mask with all of that on top it.

Aside from being a hobby, has art done anything for you, just as a person?

Yeah! I find that I'm more creative now, and can think outside the box. It's kind of made me see things differently. It’s kind of hard to explain.

When you look at a person, you see each person as an individual; each person is different. I find that when I sketch somebody, they look much different than when I first glance at them.

Stands approximately 7 feet tall Weighs about 25 250 pounds Made of about 4 46 different found objec objects, including a window frframe from a yacht and a ga garden hoe

How much time do you invest into developing more skills and working on projects?

If I can, I'll usually spend an hour or two working every day. It's a really great stress reliever. But it's not easy coming up with ideas. It takes years-- it's taken me years to get to where I am.

Does art factor into any of your future career plans?

It seems like with so much competition (in the art field), it'd be better to try to find something else first. Then, maybe at retirement or just some time later on in my life, when I'm more settled down, to pursue [art] then.

I've realized that art-- it's just not... pencils and charcoal and paints. It can also be anything in nature. Sculptures can be made out of anything-trash, even. Art is just taking the world and reshaping it into your own form.

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The woman in the mascot Sophomore Kat Loomis answers questions about what it’s like being a school mascot QA

: How are students chosen to be mascots? : “In order to be the mascot, you have to join SGA. Those running for mascot must be voted for and only two can be elected. If [any students] want to run they’re going to have to go against me next year because I’m definitely going again.” : What’s it like being a mascot? : “It’s so much fun to be in the mascot because you get to be crazy, you get to act goofy, and the people who know who you are, you get to mess with them. You can take pictures with little kids, take pictures with old people, sometimes you get free food. You get some privileges, like you get into the football games for free and then just like you get to know people, and dance with the band.” : Do you have to practice? : “We pretty much wing it. You can practice if you want; it depends on who you are. Me

QA QA

and [the other mascot, Charlie] will sometimes plan out some moves that we do but then we’ll wing the rest of it.” : Is there a downside to being a mascot? : “I guess the only downside would be like people who would make fun of you. I mean it doesn’t really matter because I have too much pride so it’s like it’s not anything I just think of it as them being haters.” : What does the costume smell like? : “It’s actually not that bad. The first time it smelled bad because, like, it didn’t get washed.

We dry clean it, and it costs a lot of money to do that so you have to have at least some type of credit card.” : What has been your favorite experience as mascot? : “That would have to be last year when I actually first was the mascot at the FCAT pep rally with the teacher and we did the dance. I had my friends and we

QA

took pictures and we got to dance with teachers. Then everybody afterwards was like when they found out you were really good so I guess it just it like boosted my encouragement and pride and stuff like that.”

QA Q A

JV football has best season in three years According to Gatlin, the team used the loss Alexus Beacham against Gaither as motivation to work harder.

Staff Writer Head coach Ray Daniels knew he had some- The team began taking practices more seriously, thing special with his JV football team from the and made a comeback by performing well in the game against Alonso. very beginning.

“Our defense and offense has improved “This year’s JV team has scored more points through practice,” in three games than the past teams in three sea- “This year’s JV team has scored more Bruce Little said. is year’s team is sons,” Daniels said. points in three games than the past Th setting a higher stanThe team started off teams in three seasons.” dard for themselves the season with what some called an “easy -Ray Daniels, head coach and future JV teams.

Robert Sherman win” against Chamberlain, a feat that hadn’t been achieved the previous III says he would like to see defense make more stops, and more pass completions in future seaJV teams in years.

“Most of us have a bond from last year,” run- sons. A few on the team would like to see next ning back Leon Gatlin said. “The bond outside year’s team go undefeated.

The field isn’t the only place the players put in the field helps us on the field.”

“Other teams didn’t have the teamwork we work. A lot of them take their education just as seriously as they do football. Coach Daniels urghave,” Jaykwaun Clark added.

With a record of 2-2-1, this year’s team has es the group to do well in class and go to college. done much better than teams in years past. They also motivate each other and share goals of “We’re playin’ hard, not givin’ up with no teams,” going to division one schools. “As hard as they go quarterback Myquise William said. “We’re gonna on the field they have to [work just as hard] in classes,” Myquise said. to play our hearts out every game.”

Reported by Alyssa Ierna

Serving up

a good season

Left: JV captain Margaret Kratzer prepares to serve in a game against King, starting off the first set.

Bottom: The JV volleyball team huddles up in between sets, getting pumped up in hopes of taking the second set.

Unfortunately, the girls lost this set, and the subsequent set to 15, ending the season with a loss. The team finished the season with a record of 7-2.

(Photos by Alyssa Ierna)

SQUAD

According to Anderson, the new team lacks some Tegan Smith vital skills to place in competition. In order to place in Staff Writer A new season brought new captains, new players and competitions, tumbling and stunting skills will need to a new coach for this year’s cheer team. The team is com- be improved.

To set them apart from other schools, the team will posed of entirely different varsity cheerleaders than last have to sharpen their motions and become more synyear, with no returning players.

Captain Cheyene Bruner said having a brand new chronized. The more concise and fluid the team is, the higher their chances are to place in squad allows everyone to help one another get better. It is an “There’s room for improvement competition.

The team’s goal is to place third in opportunity to challenge the [for everyone on the squad].” its competitions. girls to be the best they can be.

-Co-captain London Nash Performing harder, more elaborate The team is working together stunts and tumbling skills also helps to teach each other the routines pump up crowds at the football games. and basic skills.

The challenge of starting from scratch has motivated The team will have to “work with what [they] have” to grow together and as individuals, said Amara Anderson. the players.

Head coach Kristen Perks said the team will have to Learning to work together to perform concise, fluid rou“work hard to develop a routine” which will show case tines will improve competition scores as well.

“There’s room for improvement [for everyone on the the best of the teams abilities. While they are a new, young team, they have the dedication to get better. squad],” co-captain London Nash said.

Top: Sophomore Sorina Ramirez and the rest of the cheerleading squad salute the team during the Hillsborough-Jefferson football game. (Photo

by Caroline Suddath) Bottom Left: Co- captain London Nash and the team pumps up the crowd. Bottom Right: The cheerleading team continues to perform their routine despite a heavy downpour at the Lennard game. (Photos

by Katie Frost)

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new coach leads young

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October 2014 | hhstoday.com

Huerta’s legacy lives on Daniel Hamilton Sports Editor Every Friday home game during the fall, students pack into the stands of the football field, eager and ready to cheer on the varsity football team to what they hope is another victory. To some, the field is known as the “Dog Pound,” which is the nickname the field has posted right above the home team entrance. To others, it’s known simply as the football field.

To the last group, it is known by its official name: Chelo Huerta Field. Many students don’t have a second thought about it. They have heard the names of plenty of stadiums, and they have no idea where they came from, such as two other Tampa Bay area attractions: the Amalie Arena and Raymond James Stadium.

To the few who do know who Chelo Huerta is, they know him as a former Hillsborough-player, a war veteran and a coach.

Marcelino “Chelo” Huerta started his memorable life at Hillsborough High School, playing on the offensive line for the Terriers’ football team and graduating in 1943. After high school, he took a break from his education and enlisted in the Air Force to fight in World War II. After his plane was shot down over former Yugoslavia, he managed to evade German troops and escape back to safety.

After his honorable discharge, Huerta attended the University of Florida, where he again picked up football, playing as an offensive guard from 1947-1949.

His graduation in 1949 from UF marked the end of Huerta’s

playing career. It wasn’t the end of his time in the game of football, however. He went on to coach at the University of Tampa, starting as an assistant coach before moving up to the head coach position in 1952.

He coached at UT until 1961, when he transferred to Wichita State for three years and then the now defunct Parsons College for three years. Through his 16 years as a head coach, he compiled a record of 104-53-2, and was 2-1 in college bowl games.

After Parsons, he retired from coaching to become an insurance agent, but only for a year as he didn’t enjoy what he was doing.

For the last 16 years of his life, Huerta was dedicated to disabled and handicapped children. He was the head of the MacDonald Training Center, which rehabilitated handicapped children, and even testified before the U.S. Congress on their behalf.

Following his creation of the “Football Players for Crippled Children” program, he died in 1985 of a heart attack. He was survived by his wife, Gloria, his son, Marcelino III, and his daughter, Susan.

Following his death, he was named into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 2002 and had the football field, the very one he played on years before and the one students and fans go to almost every Friday, named in his honor.

Hillsborough High School’s football stadium was dedicated to alumnus Chelo Huerta in 1987.

(Photo by Denzel Pierre)

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hhstoday.com | October 2014

Coming home happy Daniel Hamilton Sports Editor It was a rolling sea of red and black colors in the stands, with a crowd that managed to fill the entire home side bleachers.

Hillsborough’s homecoming spirit was the driving force behind the copious amounts of energy in the stands and on the field.

Head coach Earl Garcia thinks that the homecoming spirit could’ve caused the Terriers to have a slow start to the game, with Blake High School getting two early leads in the game, while Hillsborough had 14 penalties in the first half.

“I think we were more interested in the floats than we were in the football game,” Garcia said.

Even despite the slow start, the football team, not to mention the fans, didn’t lose hope as the team came back in the second quarter to win the game 38-14.

With Blake scoring on a Hillsborough fumble, Hillsborough punted the ball away on its next drive and sent the defense out on the field. Three plays later, Justin Moore intercepted a pass by Blake to give Hillsborough the ball back at Blake’s five yard line.

On the next play, Dwayne Lawson rushed the ball five yards for a touchdown, putting Hillsborough on the board.

Blake then forced a safety on Hillsborough after the team recovered a fumble on the Hillsborough one yard line.

Hillsborough would retake the lead for the last time on a one yard rush by Dwayne Lawson, who did a front flip over the Blake defensive line to score. He then again rushed to complete the two-point conversion, which put Hillsborough up 15-8, and was the last change in lead for the night.

Hillsborough has now officially clinched a playoff berth, as Lennard lost to Armwood (the team’s second loss), while Hillsborough only has one loss with one district game left. According to FHSAA rules, even if Hillsborough loses its last district game, since it beat Lennard, Hillsborough gets the district runner-up position.

This game also furthers the record Hillsborough set last year, extending Hillsborough’s winning season streak from 22 to 23.

On HHSToday.com: Hillsborough plays a varsity football game at Robinson on Halloween. Robinson’s administration has said no costumes will be allowed to be worn by spectators.

Volleyball ‘digs’ in to raise awareness treatment helped her friend get through hers.

Toni Skraastad Driskell didn’t want people to treat her differently because of Staff Writer breast cancer when she didn’t feel any different.

The thud of volleyballs hitting the floor fills the gym. The “I didn’t let it take over who I was,” said Driskell. junior varsity team is warming up for its game. The Lady TerWhen it concerns breast cancer, Driskell had one important riers are all dressed up in their Hillsborough jerseys, but this piece of advice. month they have included a finishing touch of color to their “Check,” Driskell said, emphasizing the importance of catching traditionally white and black outfits. it early on, while also encouraging younger girls to check themselves.

With pink ribbons in their hair, the girls on the team “It’s not like an old-person disease, cancer. It’s younger and younger,” are changing up their uniform in honor of Breast said Driskell.

Cancer Awareness Month, but the team also “The volleyball team wants to continue its support towards breast has a personal tie to the disease. Six years cancer in the coming years,” said Jonni Shell, sophomore and coago, coach Yolanda Whitehead Driskell was captain. diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I know other schools have pink jerseys and I wanna have those Although Driskell went through surgery, one day,” Shell said. chemotherapy and radiation, she didn’t let the disease interrupt her life.

“Outside of me having surgery, I came to work every day. I just kept going,” Driskell said.

She shows her support by wearing pink ribbon earrings, the symbol of a survivor, all through Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“I love the support, and the awareness of breast cancer,” Driskell said when commenting on the girls’ hair ribbons.

Although this was only the second year the volleyball team is wearing the ribbons, players want to make a tradition out of it.

“We’d like to try to keep it going,” said sophomore Margaret Kratzer, co-captain of the JV team.

Driskell’s attitude towards breast cancer was clear from the instant she received the news. “[Beating cancer would be a] piece of cake,” Driskell said. “I’mma beat this.”

While on the phone with her friend, Driskell discovered a lump in her breast, which later turned out to be cancer. A few years after Driskell was finished with her treatment, the same friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. Driskell’s strong attitude and confidence in The JV volleyball team huddles around the coaches for a mid-game message. The pink hair bows were herself years earlier during her own worn to honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Photo by Alyssa Ierna)