Red & Black, September 2015

& black

Florida’s first high school newspaper Hillsborough High School 5000 N. Central Ave. Tampa, FL 33603 September 2015 hhstoday.com @HHSTodayOnline Volume 117, No. 2

Cheer starts fresh

Preparing for 2016

Squad begins season under new leadership pg. 15

A look at the upcoming election | pg. 7

ART Hands off for now With one teacher on leave and the other starting soon, art and welding classes start year hands-off | pg. 4

WELDING

RESPECT It’s missing at Hillsborough – What students and faculty can do to find it | pgs. 8-9

RESPECT

Graphics by Annie Aguiar, John Veliz and Kathy Xie

2 September 2015

world

Q&A

The Iran Deal Shreya Patel @HHSTodayOnline In July, the U.S and five other world powers reached a historic nuclear deal with Iran.

Although many were in opposition, enough votes were secured in the Senate to eliminate both a resolution and a veto which would have prevented the agreement from happening. But what does this mean for U.S foreign policy, and what’s taking so long? Here are the basics:

can be read in its entirety on the White House’s website) Tehran will be providing the United Nations with design plans for the Arak reactor, which began nuclear operation in 2014. Additionally, Iran has agreed to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors daily access to the Natanz and Fordow nuclear sites, with 24 hour camera surveillance on certain areas.

The agreement also allows us to put sanctions back in place if the deal is violated.

What is the Iran Deal?

Why are so many people opposed to it?

The deal is an agreement that was reached between Iran, the United States, China, and many European countries in July to temporarily freeze Iran’s nuclear program. The White House has stated on its official website that Iran will be required to give up 98 percent of its enriched uranium, and 14,000 of its centrifuges. These actions will ensure that Iran has enough material to perform research, but not enough to build a nuclear weapon.

There’s no such thing as a perfect solution, but some people believe that the U.S is making a huge mistake. Many conservatives seem to see the agreement as an act of appeasement, suggesting that confrontation could give us the upper hand in this situation, while others even propose another war in the Middle East.

The main concern held by Americans is that Iran can’t be trusted to honor their commitments, which will cause the plan to inevitably fail. In President Obama’s speech on the deal, he said that “every pathway to a nuclear weapon is cut off,” and that the agreement is “not built on trust- it is built on verification.”

Regardless, many remain wary.

Why did Iran agree to it?

In return, economic sanctions that were placed on Iran by the European Union, United Nations, and United States will be lifted. These sanctions have cut Iran off from international banking, international finance, and more, ultimately crippling its economy. According to Bloomberg Business, Iran will soon have access to billions of dollars in previously frozen funds -- and have a much easier time trading in high-value materials, especially crude oil.

How will Iran keep their end?

Under the finalized deal, (which

Is it going to work?

In the end, the deal is just a temporary solution to the alarming speed at which Iran’s nuclear program has been growing. However, the agreement will be able to freeze the program for the time being, potentially establish trust between the U.S and Iran, and help Iran’s economy heal from the scars of international sanctions.

Red & Black

Migrant mania

Refugee crisis causes strain for European nations

Amber Shemesh @HHSTodayOnline

His 3-year-old lifeless body was found on the Turkish shore. He was a refugee.

And his name was Alan Kurdi.

Bashar al-Assad has been the Syrian President since 2000, but his regime sparked protests in 2011 when a group of Syrian teenagers were brutally arrested for writing graffiti against al-Assad’s regime.

The escalating war, along with other factors, has affected life for Syrian citizens, and many have chosen/ choose to escape to other countries in hopes of attaining safer conditions.

However, not all of the refugees originate from Syria; according to the UN Refugee Agency’s statistics, the top five nationalities arriving to Europe by sea are Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Somalia and Nigeria.

BBC News reports that Germany has received more than 188,000 asylum applicants by late July, making Germany one of the most

Hundreds of refugees and migrants walk along the new fence set up by Hungarian authorities at the border crossing of Roeszke, closing all activity. | Photo courtesy Tribune News Service accepting (of the European countries) of asylum applicants.

Many refugees face grueling conditions in attempts to reach Europe, and some European countries, such as Germany, have welcomed many of the refugees; however, others haven’t been as sympathetic.

In an attempt to bar immigrants out, Hungary has built a fence around its Serbian border, and some European countries have devised strict-

er border checks; the border between Germany and Austria is just one of various locations where border controls have toughened.

The European Union hasn’t devised an effective method of refugee distribution. The EU’s Dublin Regulation states that the country that asylums first land on is responsible for claiming those asylums.

This law has contributed to Europe’s state of confusion regarding asylums.

Who will win the gold?

Several countries are vying for bids to host the 2028 Summer Olympics. Here are some potential locations:

St. Petersburg, Russia

Shanghai, China Los Angeles, USA

Graphic by Varun Puri

Graphics by John Veliz, information from Associated Press

campus

hhstoday.com

September 2015

Breaking the bank

3

To watch a video of how HHS students say the district should do to save money, visit hhstoday.com

Hillsborough County’s reserve funds are running out and if current spending continues, classes could undergo changes Varun Puri @HHSTodayOnline

tion recently met with the school board’s energy management specialist to discuss methods for chopping expenses.

Hillsborough County Public Schools are scrambling to cut Although students shouldn’t be experiencing any serious costs this year due to effects of previous spending. Superinten- changes at the school, the district’s financial issue is still a cause dent Jeff Eakins plans on analyzing the budget and removing for concern for all Hillsborough County public schools. The non-essential programs. county’s reserve fund was at $229 million last year, but is now The county’s current financial situation means Hillsborough at $152 million. will be changing the way it operates in an attempt to reduce According to the Tampa Bay Times, if current spending spending. Although there’s no plan to lay continues, it’s on target to hit off teachers or change the core curriculum, $77 million, a number below some programs deemed “non-essential” the minimum legal thresh[The county] is being might be cut. old, and the county will find very proactive, but if [the “[The county] is being very proactive,” it more difficult to get loans budget] isn’t addressed, said Principal Gary Brady, “but if [the budfrom investors and likely pay get] isn’t addressed, it could become a big higher interest rates when it it could become a big problem.” borrows money. problem.

Brady, in anticipation for the district’s One potential target is cuts, plans on decreasing spending at Hillthe district’s peer evalua- Principal Gary Brady sborough by cutting costs while preserving tion system. Launched with educational necessities — meaning no drasthe help of the Bill & Melinda tic changes.

Gates Foundation, the program has been costly.

“It’s going to be business as usual,” Brady said, “but we just The Times reported this week that the foundation, originally have to look at things very closely. If we have a program, we expected to give $100 million, has only paid $80 million. Meanhave to make sure that program is necessary and it’s needed for while, the district has paid more than it originally planned for the kids.” it and pay raises that came under the new evaluation system Hillsborough is also trying to set an example through ener- created through the grant. gy conservation. Brady confirmed that the school now ensures Eakins officially became superintendent July 1 and said he that everything is shut off when nobody is using it, and that if was unaware the reserve funds were being spent at the pace. every school followed suit, the district could save lots of money.

Former Superintendent MaryEllen Elia has been criticized In fact, during the 2010-11 school year, the school board was for failing to provide information when requested, a factor that able to save $728,000 by cutting energy costs. The administra- board members say led them to push to fire her last spring.

However, Elia claims that the county never engaged in over spending.

But whether Elia’s leadership is the cause of the problem or not, Hillsborough is still predicted to see changes. Classes may

“

become bigger and teachers may become more frugal with energy costs, but Brady assures the quality of education will stay the same.

Grade 10 ELA

65%

No Match

20%

Partial Match

15%

Standard Match

No Match

are unreliable, according to a comprhensive study of the tests. The company claims that FSA results can be used to accurately measure students’ standards in language arts and math but should not be used when determining graduation or promotion of students.

However, the DOE will be using this information to calculate overall school grades, teacher evaluations and set achievement levels for the coming years.

Partial Match

Sarvika Bommakanti @HHSTodayOnline The Florida Standard Assessments (FSA) taken last spring were deemed valid by the Florida Department of Education (DOE). However, some superintendents say that the FSA tested material was not stated as a Florida Benchmark and that Tallahassee misinterpreted the study’s findings for the state’s own benefit.

Although the test is deemed valid, the results

Standard Match

Are FSA exams reliable?

Graphic by Varun Puri and John Veliz

Algebra 1

81% 0%

19%

Researchers compared the intended Florida Standards designated to be assessed by each item with the Florida Standards ratings provided by content experts collected panel ratings. Information from Florida Department of Education.

Graphic by Bianca Cegatte

4 September 2015

campus

Red & Black

Welding, art hands-off without teachers Vishwa Shah @vishifishy In a class about fusing metals, students are being refused metals. Without a teacher, welding students are left unable to work hands-on in the shop.

Right now, they are being taught by substitute teacher Maria Rivera. Though Rivera “knows a little about the subject,” she is not a certified welding instructor.

“I have never made anything,” Rivera said, “but I know people. My nephews and brothers have.”

Rivera has been instructing the welding class since the beginning of this year, as administration searched for a certified instructor. They have recently found one; as of Monday, the instructor was expected to start this week.

In the meantime, Rivera has focused on teaching theory and safety.

However, in a trade-based class, this can only go so far. She recognizes that the students need experience, but not being certified, she cannot allow them

to use the machinery.

Welding equipment is inherently dangerous; it involves extremely high temperatures, electric currents, toxic gases and bright lights. Safety measures must be strictly enforced around the equipment, and that requires a supervisor who is thoroughly aware of the dangers and uses of the machinery.

Welding classes at all levels have been operating at a crawl this year. Hector Villa, who is enrolled in Welding 1, said they just “sit there and talk.”

Even students who “know what [they’re] doing,” like senior and Welding 4 student Justin Gonzalez, are prohibited from using any and all of the tools in the shop without a certified instructor present.

“We just did the safety test,” said Gonzalez. “It’s a requirement for the class. The students can’t do much else, because “the [substitute] teacher doesn’t know how to use [the machinery].”

Suparna Narayan @HHSTodayOnline Acrylic paint ready to color a canvas, sketch pads waiting to covered in graphite and clay ready to be molded into masterpieces. Room 223 is fully stocked and ready for students to make art.

One problem: There’s no art teacher.

Art teacher Caitlin Clay is on maternity leave until October.

Until then, students will not have access to all of the supplies or the knowledge they need for the course.

Instead, they are working with a substitute and following a schedule of textbook assignments left by Clay.

“There are certain things that cannot be taught through handouts and worksheets.

Shading, paint strokes and things of that sort have to be taught through doing not worksheets,” said senior Sarah Allen.

Still, most students remain upbeat.

“The way that Ms. Clay and the substitute

are handling the situation is really good,” said junior Sammi Majchrzak.

Even though Clay is out, the students still have monthly turn-ins and get lots of feedback from Clay herself. They also receive informational packets on the techniques and strategies.

Assistant Principal Trisha Fitzgerald said she and Clay worked to find a single substitute rather than a revolving door of fill-ins.

Also, juniors in the two-year IB Art class were each paired with more experienced seniors who previously took the first year of the course last year.

“We aren’t scared, because we don’t know what to be scared for, we have no idea what this class requires in the future,” said junior Rachel Arcangeli.

Nonetheless, one senior said students who are truly into the subject matter are finding a way to be successful.

“Those who are really interested in art will make the extra effort,” senior Gia Leon said.

Graphic by John Veliz

Get ready for a shorter summer Two weeks of summer. Gone. The Hillsborough County School Board voted to move the start of the 2016-17 school year to Wednesday, Aug. 10.

This means first semester exams will be given before Christmas break, and the second semester will end before Memorial Day. Sophomores Jaquelinne Morales and Monteria Gilchrist didn’t seem to mind this change.

“I feel like it’s not a big change, and I think is better because we get out earlier, and I don’t really mind like, starting earlier,” Morales said.

“I feel like we would have a better chance at succession due to going back to school earlier. Maybe we will feel more focused and stuff, you know,” said Gilchrist.

This school year ends Friday, June 10. The 2016-17 year will end before Memorial Day, on Friday, May 26.

-Jessica Suarez

Seniors struggle without college counselor Julissa Machado @julissamacho In years past, seniors have had help figuring out what information to assemble for their college apps, what scholarships they’re qualified for, and what school is best for them from the college and career counselor, but not this year.

When the school year started in August, the position was still vacant after previous college and career counselor Vivian Fiallo left.

Hillsborough just recently found a qualified candidate — and she is expected to start on Monday, Sept. 28.

But without a college and career counselor so far, guidance counselors, teachers and students themselves have been playing

the role of a college counselor while the school is still lacking one.

“Sometimes the students will come to us and we might not know what to say, but we’re doing the best we can,” guidance counselor Dominique Woods said.

Most of what students are coming to her about are scholarships. In past years, Fiallo maintained a bulletin of currently available scholarships and sent them out to students.

Now, the counselors are sending students to online resources to find the scholarships on their own, even though some of these students don’t know what to look for.

“I feel like I’m going to do something wrong or like I’m missing something,” senior Heidy Valdivia said. “I have a lot of questions that no one else can really answer.”

How to get a head start on college apps and scholarships

1

Make a list of colleges you might want to apply to. Collegeboard.org has a search engine with lists of majors, sports/activities & other info.

2

Visit each school’s website to learn application requirements and deadlines.

Record important dates on a calendar/ planner.

3 4

Politely request recommendation letters at least three weeks in advance & prepare a brief resume to make their task easier.

College isn’t cheap. Look for scholarships on fastweb.com.

—Dana Dinh

campus

hhstoday.com

September 2015

Robotics to receive high-tech help Sarvika Bommakanti @HHSTodayOnline An old shop space with new textbooks, old tables and chairs on one half; drill equipment, scrap metal and wrenches on the other half.

This was the way the robotics room had been set up for the past eight years.

However, this dilapidated space will soon be no more. Hydra Robotics’ work space is receiving a face-lift, thanks to Microsoft and TechStart Tampa Bay. “We do a lot of community outreach and we attend a lot of events. Back in April, we attended a women’s conference and that’s what started this whole thing,” said team sponsor Marian Manganello.

Microsoft is renovating the robotics room for free and has promised a clean-up, a paint job and additional supplies.

TechStart Tampa Bay representative Akira Mitchell became interested in Hillsborough’s robotics program after hearing the group present at the April STEM conference.

Although the majority of responses to the renovations were positive, some members remain unmoved until the project is finished.

“Well, [the renovations] are not done yet so I don’t know,” said vice president Megan Cabana.

Briefly New AP Classes: With more Advanced Placement classes this year, students have opportunities to try new school subjects. AP Computer Science is one of the new courses being offered. According to teacher Marian Manganello, the class “allows [students] to take engineering and technology classes in college” because a programming class is a prerequisite for many of those college courses.

-Jeremy Leong ***

From left, Devin Jester, Ana Ardila, Isabelle Hall and other Hydra Robotics members receive T-shirts from a Microsoft representative. | Photo courtesy David Diaz/Lifetouch Senior Danny Nguyen agrees. “I feel kind of happy about it. But then again, they haven’t finished, so I don’t know,” he said.

The renovations’ impact will be widespread, from improving the quality of resources, to possibly winning more competitions. “[Robotics] will be able to teach more people about technology, from the past and from the future, like 3D printers,” said club president Khushali Mashruwala.

With the new equipment, the team will be able to make more efficient robots in the future. “[The renovation] will help a lot because all of our new equipment,” said vice president Devin Jester. “Basically, we won’t have to use random things that we find. We’ll be able to get things done with actual deadlines instead of spending weeks trying to figuring out how to do simple tasks with what we don’t have.”

New AP’s club wants to help mold future gentlemen Laurie Rodriguez @HHSTodayOnline “There’s a large group of kids who don’t feel connected to their school environment,” Assistant Principal Mick Boddie said.

Boddie had that in mind when he partnered with the Boys and Girls Club, Tampa Bay Academy and two other organizations to create G to Gentlemen.

G to Gentlemen was created for students who feel like they don’t fit in with any other interest club.

This new club holds two purposes.

According to Boddie, all students should feel a part of the

5

school. “There’s a large group of kids who don’t feel connected to their school environment,” he said.

The club also provides mentorship for young men who need help in any aspect in their life, whether it’s socially, academically or with behavior issues. Boddie tries to minimize those issues so when students come to school, they can actually focus on learning.

G to Gentlemen is about supporting each other and receiving inspiration from Boddie. A lot of the kids in the club struggle with having a positive role model in their life.

“When growing up, especially

in high school, we look to our role models for answers and use them as a guide on how we should behave,” Boddie said, “but many times, students don’t have anyone to look up to.”

Principal Gary Brady said, “I think the club is great and it allows some of our kids to be leaders and set examples for others.”

The club will start with around five to 10 hand-picked students.

Boddie hopes to gradually add more students eventually. However, at the moment, he believes he wouldn’t be able to fulfill every student’s needs with a large group.

During club days, Boddie will

have speakers from the partnered associations come and talk to the club members.

Boddie started the club at Monroe Middle School. He carried it on to Chamberlain and Freedom, where it proved successful.

“I’m excited about getting the club started, especially in Hillsborough. I’ve been wanting to get the club started in an inner-city school for a long time,” Boddie said.

The first club day is Monday, Sept. 28.

Graphic by Laurie Rodriguez

Freshman club regulations: A new policy regarding freshman participation in clubs is being instituted this year. While freshmen can join co-curricular and interest clubs, they cannot join service clubs until second semester. According to Assistant Principal Mick Boddie, this is because freshmen don’t have “established GPAs” until second semester, and service and honor clubs require this information for the selection process.

-Yesha Shukla

New club spotlight YOUth and Me Earn service hours by tutoring elementary school students in subjects such as math, reading and science on select weekends.

JROTC Club Experience aspects of JROTC, such as leadership, discipline and character building, without taking it as an elective.

Caribbean Connection Learn about the history and culture of various Caribbean islands and try authentic Caribbean dishes.

-Yesha Shukla

Check out hhstoday.com for the Club Day schedule

6 September 2015

opinion

& #LoveWins? black

ABOUT Content decisions are made by student editors.

Red & Black belongs to the Florida and National Scholastic press associations.

AWARDS 2014-15 FSPA All-Florida 2014-15 NSPA All-American 2014-15 NSPA Best of Show recipient Printed in partnership with The Tampa Tribune EDITORIAL Reflects the view of student editors and can be found in opinion section.

COLUMNS The bylined columns represent the viewpoints of their authors.

LETTERS We welcome your letters, which may be edited for brevity and clarity. Submit via email, deliver to Room 506 or mail to Red & Black, 5000 N. Central Ave., Tampa, FL 33603.

ADS Advertising content is subject to approval of the editorial board.

ONLINE Visit us online at HHSToday.com.

CONTACT Phone (813) 276-5620 Fax (813) 276-5629 Email hhstoday@gmail.com Twitter @HHSTodayOnline

editorial

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 2 EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Dana Dinh, Kathy Xie DESIGN EDITOR John Veliz WEB EDITOR Daniel Hamilton PAGE EDITORS Annie Aguiar, Sarvika Bommakanti, Bianca Cegatte, Alyssa Ierna, Matt Lutton, Denzel Pierre, Monisha Pillai, Amber Shemesh, Shelby Shoup, Tegan Smith STAFF WRITERS Madison Forbis, Jorge Garcia, Daniel Garrison, Jeremy Leong, Julissa Machado, Racheal Maillet, Gary Moore, Alex Morrison, Suparna Narayan, Shreya Patel, Varun Puri, Laurie Rodriguez, Vishwa Shah, Yesha Shukla, Atiya Simmons, Michael Strobl, Theontae Walton ADVISER Joe Humphrey, MJE PRINCIPAL Gary Brady

Kim Davis quickly became America’s highestprofile county clerk this month, making headlines after refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in Rowen County, Kentucky.

She spent five days in jail for contempt of court and went back to work on Sept. 7.

In that short time frame, Davis went from obscure county official to Christian martyr, backed by the rallying cry for freedom from religious oppression. To her and her supporters, this case is a prime example of how the U.S. government is stripping people of their religious freedoms.

The clause of the First Amendment that Davis argues has been violated is the Freedom to Worship guarantee, under which the government can’t prevent the “free exercise” of any religion. In her view, she’s exercising her beliefs in the form of denying marriage licenses and was jailed for it. Thus, her First Amendment rights have been trampled on.

However, there’s a critical flaw to her argument. The section of the First Amendment with reference to religious freedom has another clause, the Establishment Clause. This prohibits the government from aiding any religious viewpoint over others, and is also where the “separation of church and state” distinction stems from.

If we acknowledge this clause, Davis is imposing

Red & Black

Gay marriage is legal across America, but we have not yet won the battle for equality

Kim Davis, center, hugs her mother with husband Joe Davis on Sept. 8. Davis had given a speech after being released from custody at the Carter County Detention Center in Grayson, Kentucky. | Photo courtesy of Tribune News Service her religious viewpoints on others by refusing to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples, which is a clear violation.

As a government official, Davis’ job is to issue marriage licenses to those who qualify, according to U.S. law. That’s it. With reference to religious freedom, Davis can protest same-sex marriage all she wants after leaving work. But, as soon as she steps into the clerk’s office again, she needs to do her job: enforce the laws, not be the morality police.

When viewing the grander scheme of things, it’s easy to regard the Kim Davis case as a mere blemish on the face of pursuing LGBTQ+ equality. She was jailed, and is now more vilified than venerated . It seems that this event has ended in a win for those striving to end discrimination.

But, this is far from true. We must treat this case as a reminder that there are still prejudiced people in our society. There is no “winning,” there is only progress – progress for the equal prosperity of everyone in the nation.

Facing a future without her biggest fan and mentor Annie Aguiar @annieinfinitely It's quiet in the van. All we hear is rain on the two-hour drive to Gainesville.

My friend has let me tag along with her family to tour the University of Florida. No one does much to break the awkward silence.

Summer wasn't meant to end this way. I was meant to take this trip with my grandfather.

We would have headed north in his truck, talking about science

and Seinfeld and his pit bull mix, Bucky, about my school newspaper and what it might be like to write for UF's paper, The Alligator.

But Poppy died in April.

And I've spent the summer trying to figure out my future without him.

Though my parents have always been supportive, I had a bond with Poppy when it came to school.

He never missed one of my middle school mathlete competitions.

And thanks to him, I was the only kid at my eighth-grade awards ceremony with a bouquet.

But in February, I learned Poppy had late-stage cancer in his small intestine.

I thought we'd have more time together, but the last time I saw him was a month later, skinny and tired, in a bed in the room in his house where he and grandma always put the Christmas tree.

"Look," I said, showing a Columbia University sweatshirt I bought on a recent trip to New York City.

"You know everyone there is a criminal, right?" he asked in a voice slightly above a whisper, smiling weakly.

I laughed, but I excused myself so he wouldn't see me cry.

My mom later told me he wanted to make sure I knew that not all New Yorkers were criminals.

He knew how important his opinion was to me.

Originally published in the Tampa Bay Times. Reprinted with permission.

Visit hhstoday.com to see more of Annie’s story

opinion

hhstoday.com

EXECUTIVE ORDER:

the TRUMP card Denzel Pierre @HHSTodayOnline In a flurry of egotistical comments and Bejamin Franklins, Donald Trump has taken the political arena by storm. He lives louder than we would expect for a politician. He’s a billionaire not afraid to show he is a billionaire.

His audacity appeals to the public.

He uses his wealth to avoid getting in trouble for situations that could ruin other politicians careers.

point COUNTER point

This is absolutely outlandish. We cannot allow Trump to have this kind of leeway. When society allows Trump to get away with acting unprofessionally, we accept that behavior of our potential leaders. Trump should not be treated differently due to his wealth or fame.

Every time Trump gets away with saying something other less affluent politicians would not and could not, it strengthens the implication that economic capital is a free pass. At a

EET THE CANDIDATES

Profiles by Madison Forbis | Graphics by Shelby Shoup

ticular barrier; Article II of the Constitution sets forth the natural-born citizen clause, limiting presidential candidacy to those born on American-controlled soil or to a parent holding American citizenship.

Quite frankly, this

time period where the weath gap is increasing, it’s dangerous to elevate the rich to an untouchable position.

With his success in the Republican Primary election polls, there is a possibility of him becoming the primary candidate for the Republican Party, and even the President of the United States.

If voters hold Trump to different standards than other candidates, then the consequences for the citizenry may be grave indeed.

makes no sense. An individual who is raised in America, renounces their foreign citizenship and upholds their civic duties is ineligible because of the circumstances of his or her birth. Where an individual is born holds no bearing on

7

A LOOK AT THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

NOT ALL AMERICANS CAN GROW UP TO BE PRESIDENT John Veliz @thejohnveliz The American Dream is the principle that, given hard work, you can achieve whatever goal -- becoming a fireman, astronaut or maybe even President. Yet this last career holds a par-

September 2015

their dedication to their nation or their ability to run the executive branch.

If anything, being an immigrant makes one even more grateful for the rights of being an American citizen – or at least those granted those to them.

I opened Twitter and was greeted by a the sight of an old white man with yellow-gray hair.

“THERE WILL BE HELL TOUPEE,” read the text above his face.

It was a meme of Donald Trump.

With the presidential election just over a year away, there is little time to mock the potential candidates for their hair choices.

While it’s tempting to fall into the trap of poking fun at Trump (he makes it all too easy) and other presidential candidates, we should be aware that the election is a very important part of America’s future and that we must take it seriously. Maybe it’s time to educate ourselves about what the candidates have to offer. While it isn’t as interesting as ridiculing politicians, it might just lead us to a brighter future.

-Monisha Pillai

NO

should we joke about the political process?

A billionaire, a neurosurgeon, a misogynistic woman and 13 white guys walk into the Reagan Library.

Without even trying, the GOP debates sound like the set-up to a bad joke.

After constant nagging by the Baby Boomers, America’s youth is finally participating in the political process. With access to the internet, it’s only natural that people create comedic tweets, vines and photos in response to the election.

We should celebrate the fact that they care enough to generate content and spark discussions. After all, joking about Donald Trump is a result of having an opinion about his candidacy.

When the candidates themselves are absolute jokes, why shouldn’t we be allowed to laugh at them?

-Shelby Shoup

YES

O’MALLEY

CLINTON

SANDERS

TRUMP

CARSON

BUSH

Martin O’Malley does not believe in abortion restrictions. He supports stem cell research, samesex marriage. He wants investment in renewable energy and anti- poverty programs to support the middle class.

A former First Lady, Hillary Clinton advocates for sustainable energy. and has reformed her opinion on same-sex marriage to support the LGBT community. She feels it is time for a woman to be president.

An advocate for true democracy, and economic justice, Bernie Sanders believes in strengthening the middle class and taking big money out of politics. Sanders would be the first non- christian president.

Famous billionaire Donald Trump believes climate change is a hoax and wants to build a wall along the MexicoUS border. He advocates against overly funding the Department of Education and gun control.

Neurosurgeon Ben Carson supports getting rid of Common Core and gun control. He advocates for police body cameras. Despite his belief that homosexuality is a choice, he will not deny gay marriage .

Jeb Bush believes in applying some restrictions on abortions, and imposing a law to make mandatory pediatric vaccinations. He also supports a free market system and “stand your ground” laws.

8 September 2015

focus

Red & Black | hhstoday.com

Neglecting not respecting

What is your definition of

Last year’s School Climate and Perception Survey results show fewer than 20 percent of students felt respected by their peers. Students, teachers, administrators and others are trying to understand why.

Annie Aguiar, Bianca Cegatte and Denzel Pierre @annieinfinitely, @BeaLovesYou2 and @HHSTodayOnline While we have yet to find out what it means to us, we know one thing: Hillsborough High is lacking in the R-E-S-P-E-C-T department.

Only 19 percent of students agreed with the statement “students at this school treat others with respect,” according to the results from the 2014-2015 School Climate and Perception (SCIP) Survey.

That means that for every five Hillsborough students surveyed, only one felt respected. “There’s not a lot of studentto-student respect,” junior Saajan Patel said. “Some people are like ‘it’s my way or the highway.’”

Other statistics from Hillsborough’s survey -- that only 35 percent of students enjoy coming to school, that only 26 percent think that their principal cares about them -- are low, but the respect statistic is the second lowest of all the results that year.

Other schools had similar results; Robinson’s was the highest at 39 percent. Hillsborough trails King’s 20 percent and ties with Plant City.

Even though Hillsborough didn’t have the lowest result in the district when it came to respect (that would be Middleton at 11 percent), it did sit in the bottom half of all high schools surveyed.

The results may not seem severe compared to other

schools, but they indicate that Hillsborough has a problem when it comes to respect.

Where’s Aretha when you need her?

Two-way street For some students, the SCIP statistics aren’t surprising.

“People aren’t in the right mindset to love each other as we deserve to be loved,” junior Marlee Linell said. “[Disrespect is] mostly between students because a lot of students aren’t thinking about it.”

Senior Pedro Gonzalez says that disrespect between students comes from a belief that other students don’t need to be shown courtesy. “They believe they only [owe] respect to their elders,” he said.

As students interact with each other and teachers in the classroom, respect is put to the test.

“I think that respect is a a two-way street. You have to respect your students just like they have to be ready to respect you,” history teacher Tom Paloumpis said. “If there’s [none], how can you as a student learn to your fullest extent?”

Jean Wiser deals with students in two different roles; not only does she teach physical education, but she also coaches the girls track team.

“If there isn’t respect, there should be some sort of punishment,” Wiser said. “They don’t need to be on my team if they’re not going to respect me.”

Student athletes have to maintain respectful behavior in order to compete; the Florida High School Athletic Association has rules specifically against “unsportsmanlike conduct.” FHSAA punishes students who commit acts of a “malicious and hateful nature” towards anyone at an athletic event by banning them from competition for a penalty period.

ly from the students at registers during lunches.

“In order to get our job done the easy way, it’s a lot easier if [students] are respectful. We’re happier at work, we can go faster and you guys can get through lunch like that,” services chef Matthew McIntosh said, snapping his fingers, “It makes life easier.”

Around the school

Stay golden

Disrespect can also be seen in Hillsborough’s environment.

Students litter and vandalize the walls and bathrooms, leaving custodians to clean up the mess.

“They clog the urinals or the toilets and it overflows,” said head custodian Lorenzo Delgado. But Delgado still must supply the bathrooms with supplies. “If you do something wrong, I’m not going to address it, you know, in a mean way. I’m gonna respect them so they can respect me, and therefore have a good communication.”

While disregard for students’ surroundings happens in the bathrooms, it’s also an issue in the lunchroom. After each lunch period, trays and other litter are left for the janitors to pick up.

“I think [students] don’t respect themselves,” Manager Chef Judy Harrison said. “If they don’t have the manners or the respect for themselves and their fellow students to get up and clean after themselves, what does that say about them?”

Members of the cafeteria staff experience disrespect direct-

According to AP of Student Affairs Jackie Eisenhauer, respect is crucial to life after high school. “First and foremost we want kids to be ready to enter life as useful, productive, and really self providing citizens,” she said. “We want them to be able to survive out there.”

To Principal Gary Brady, respect is a part of school spirit.

“There has to be pride in this family,” he said. “You have to feel some sort of allegiance to the school and respect that.”

Student safety is a huge indicator as well to him; “I just think the school needs to be safe,” he said. “If a kid’s engaged physically, that’s disrespect. I don’t know if that’s a Hillsborough thing or a teenage thing.”

Dealing with things such as safety, school spirit or even cleanliness is just another step towards courtesy amongst students and their peers to Brady.

“Getting students to respect each other] is a long process,” Brady said, “It’s the golden rule, right? ‘Do unto others as you want done unto you?”

District-wide, an average of only 23 percent of students felt respected.

“Not judging others for their choices.”

“What you say about someone when they’re not around.”

-Saajan Patel, 11

-Jackie Eisenhauer, AP of Student Affairs

“When someone tells you something, not to ignore it. Accept the fact that they asked you nicely.”

-Eliza Loaiza, 9

“Treating each other with kindness.”

-Marlee Linell, 11

“Thinking [the school] is part of our home. This is part of our property. “

53 percent don’t

HHS students: do you feel respected?

RESPECT?

-Joseph Lugo, 9

“Good communication between a teacher and a student.”

-Lorenzo Delgado, head custodian

28 percent weren’t sure

19 percent felt respected Graphics by Annie Aguiar

“Respect is mutual. You give it, you get it.”

“Trying to be nice to people even if they have different views.”

-Jessica Powell, 12

-Claudia Berroa, 11

9

10 September 2015

life The hands-on language New ASL teacher Rhonda Leslie hopes to improve the program Theontae Walton @HHSTodayOnline American Sign Language (ASL) is popularly known as “the language that only uses hands.” ASL is known for this because those who are deaf or hard of hearing use their hands to communicate with one another.

Mid-January last year, Hillsborough’s ASL teacher made the announcement of her departure. With no teacher present, the students’ education was put on hold.

Hillsborough now has a new ASL instructor: Rhonda Leslie, who taught the subject at Wesley Chapel High School, where she started a new ASL program.

Leslie started signing her senior year in high school at a camp where she learned to sign songs. She was unaware of ASL and Deaf Culture, but she took an interest in the activity and spoke to her guidance counselor about schools that taught ASL. After discovering her love for the language, she went to college to major in ASL. Leslie started off as a deaf interpreter for her first eight years of taeching; she taught local classes at her church and at the YMCA. “My son and my daughter are both fluent [signers]. My husband I tried, but he’s the only student I’ve ever flunked,” Leslie said.

Leslie teaches both ASL 1 and 2. She plans to expand the program and improve it.

“I don’t plan to do anything different,” Leslie said, “[I just want] to motivate students to let them see what they can do with ASL.” Leslie stands in front of her classroom and teaches Leslie wants to integrate technology into students how to sign. | Photo by Theontae Walton her students’ learning. Earlier this month, “I actually like her. She’s better than the she had students take a photo with an administrator signing a vocabulary word they’ve teacher we had last year, and the substitutes that learned. She’s also had students send her direct we have had,” said senior Jordan Meeks. “She’s messages on Instagram, signing the proper way actually teaching us the actual language, and last year we barely got to learn anything.” to introduce themselves.

Leslie hopes that her students like the class, She has also given opportunities to experience real-life applications of what her students and that they’ll “tell their friends, and their are learning. Every first Saturday of the month, friends will tell their friends, and they will sign her students have opportunities to interpret the up for it.” tour guide on the tanks at the Florida Aquarium.

Red & Black

e’re

lovin’ it

Madison Forbis @HHSTodayOnline Starting Oct. 6, McDonald’s will be offering a limited breakfast menu all day.

They’ll offer options based mostly on McMuffin or McBiscuit sandwiches, depending on the individual restaurant. McDonald’s will also offer pancakes-- also known as hotcakes, oatmeal, hash browns and parfaits.

Some are wondering: why not include all the breakfast options, all day? Research-

”

yousaid it

ers have predicted that even with the limited menu, so many eggs will be made that there will be an overall increase in egg prices.

This comes after many calls for breakfast all day, a move that some locations have been testing out since March. McDonald’s USA President Mike Andres said that the restaurant is taking cues from its consumers, and that the all-day breakfast options could help fix McDonald’s decrease in sales.

Students share their opinions on all-day McDonald’s breakfast

“They can have all my money. I only work to pay for McDonald’s breakfast.”

—Peyton Johnson, 11

“I love the idea, and I can’t wait to try it.”

—Andrew Schwietzer, 10

“I’m glad they have breakfast all the time because I love their hash browns and McGriddles.”

—Jada Jenkins, 12

life

hhstoday.com

#fancescas Atiya Simmons @atiyaxxo After being sure she was going to lose because of an accidental mistake in her guitar introduction, junior Francesca Giorgianni ended up winning the Wild 94.1 Tampa Bay Talent Search.

The singing competition, hosted by the local radio station Wild 94.1 was searching for the “next gifted singer/songwriter.”

The prize included $2,500 in cash and $1,000 in music gear from Paragon Music.

Giorgianni found out about the competition through an advertisement sent to the music school she goes to for guitar lessons, deciding to compete for beneficial exposure. She has been playing piano since she was 6 years old, guitar since she was 10 and has been singing and performing live since she was 12.

“I want to be able to make people feel something. Music wasn’t only meant to be heard, but also felt,” she said. “I want to be able to help someone through a rough time, or to make them think of a happy memory by singing and writing songs.”

With 10 finalists chosen by Wild 94.1, it was Tampa’s turn to choose the last. Voters cast their ballots on the radio station’s app.

“I voted for her because she has an amazing personality, voice and all around talent and skill when it comes to any sort of music,” said sophomore Edgardo Valentin.

Although Giorgianni competed against four other contestants, the race was intense specifically between her and contestant Billy McKnight. ”We were tied the whole week until the last day,” she said. “It was really pressuring. The other guy kept getting a ton of votes, and I don’t like losing.”

But after multiple days of pestering everyone she knows, she was voted to be the 11th finalist, scoring higher to McKnight at 52 percent to 37 percent.

September 2015

11

Junior Francesca Giorgianni takes first place in the Wild 94.1 Tampa Bay Talent Search

Francesca Giorgianni performing one of her original songs on the H patio. | Photo by Atiya Simmons Giorgianni spent the entire week before the final competition preparing “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” by one of her inspirations, Eva Cassidy.

“I wasn’t nervous on stage, but I started shaking once I got off and realized what I just did,” Giorgianni said. “When I was performing, I messed up my guitar intro so after that I was like,

well, I’m going to lose, so that’s when I like, really chilled out.”

Even after stumbling at the beginning, Giorgianni won the overall competition.

She plans on donating some of her winnings to the Big Red Band, and plans to still play locally until she gets more exposure.

Homecoming quickly approaching, we surveyed Fast facts: Homecoming With 151 students about their plans for the event.

21%

HOMECOMING

HILLSBOROUGH HIGH HOMECOMING HILLSBOROUGH HIGH

of students

2 in 5

students are going to the dance

20 %

Homecoming Information

12%

of students are buying more than one

Data collection and graphics by Monisha Pillai

Space Rave Saturday, Oct. 10, 7-11 p.m.

Museum of Science & Industry Tickets: $35, sales start Monday

Sneak peek into Spirit Week 10/5 • Mathletes vs. Athletes 10/6 • Twin Day 10/7 • Wacky Wednesday 10/8 • Character Day 10/9 • Red & Black Friday

12 September 2015

entertainment TV PREVIEW: What to watch this fall

Red & Black

Empire

Minority Report

Blindspot

Heroes Reborn

What: A father who runs a successful music

What: Ten years after the Pre-Crime pro-

What: A woman wakes up in the middle of

What: Once it’s revealed to the world that

business must choose one of his three sons to take over the enterprise after he is diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease.

Three months after Lucious Lyon was arrested and incarcerated, he’s still trying to run Empire Entertainment from inside. In the meantime, Cookie stages a concert in his support, while plotting the hostile takeover of Empire.

After a successful first season, with improving viewership every week of its run, the second season holds a promise of more family infighting, backstabbing and intense plot twists to keep you on your toes. It also now has 18 episodes to tell a new tale of Lucious and Cookie Lyon.

When: 9 p.m. Wednesdays on FOX

gram being shut down, Dash can still predict crimes and wants to get back to stopping them before they happen, but without his two siblings his ability is incomplete.

Eventually, the duo will team up with Dash’s brother Arthur, who also has this crime predicting power.

Of course, one catch is that these predictions may not always be correct and they’d be convicting an innocent person of being a murderer.

Hopefully,this reboot will further investigate the uncertainties of this ability, since even heroes with the best intentions can be mistaken.

Times Square with no memory of who she is or why she is there, covered in tattoos that point to different crimes the FBI is investing – meaning she could be an enormous asset to them. However, since they know nothing about who she was before she lost her memory, she could just as likely be a trap set by a terrorist organization or other evildoers.

The main character, known only as “Jane Doe”, provides the kind of mystery that is amazing in theory but must either succeed or fail. it’ll be a challenge for the writers, directors and actors to keep the audience wanting more during Jane Doe’s struggle to discover her past identity.

people with superpowers not only exist but are quickly rising in number, it becomes divided over whether they are threats or saviors. In many places these individuals, called “EVO,” are persecuted and some of those who strongly believe EVOs to be a threat begin to hunt them.

Aiming to maintain the original series’ focus on self-discovery, this reboot picks up in the Heroes universe in real time and is being approached as season 10 of the original four-season run. Many of the original characters will be returning and be devoted to, “passing the torch,” to the new EVOs.

When: 9 p.m. Mondays on FOX

When:

When: 8 p.m. Thursdays on NBC

10 p.m. Mondays on NBC

-Daniel Garrison

TV REVIEW

‘Fear the Walking Dead’ crawls to a start Michael Strobl @BoxDropperMike The inevitable Walking Dead spinoff, “Fear the Walking Dead” (airing on AMC Sundays at 9 p.m.), explores the beginning of the zombie plague through a Los Angeles family. The show’s pilot boasts a lot of clever concepts, but suffers from terrible characters and unnecessary overacting.

The main characters are a family: mother Madison Clark (Kim Dickens), stepfather Travis Manawa (Cliff Curtis), and their children, consisting of drug-abusing son Nick (Frank Dillane), studious daughter Alicia (Alycia Debnam-Carrie) as well

as Curtis’ son Chris (Lorenzo James Henrie).

The kids cause most of the character problems; Dillane is responsible for much of the overacting and Debnam-Carrie’s character is annoying, while Henrie is barely in the pilot. Both parents are bland and many of their decisions are ridiculous (Travis decides to investigate a drug den alone, in the middle of the night).

The episode is slow, save for the beginning and ending.

Despite these negatives, the zombies are treated well. They have not yet had a chance to decompose and look normal (except for the glassy eyes), a neat detail.

This show lacks the originality and compelling characters of the main Walking Dead series, but does present some interesting ideas regarding the early days of the apocalypse.

The pilot is disappointing, but Fear does show some promise; for that reason, I’d recommend sticking around for at least the rest of the first season.

“The Walking Dead” returns Sunday, Oct. 11 at 9 p.m.

Season 6 will feature Rick and his group establishing a normal life in seemingly safe Alexandria.

Netflix newbies Oct. 16

ANTHONY JESELNIK: THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Oct. 9

Oct. 2

Oct. 16 Beasts of No Nation:

Jeselnik prepares to offend and amuse in his new comedy hour.

ANJELA JOHNSON: NOT FANCY The former MADTv cast member takes up the mic in this standup special.

13

entertainment

hhstoday.com

September 2015

A new month is approaching, and with it comes fresh programming on Netflix.

October’s newcomers lack in number but not quality. With topics from war to horror, one of these selections is sure to pique your interest this fall season. -Alex Morrison

WINTER ON FIRE

This Ukraine uprising coverage is setting up to be a thought provoking look into Ukraine’s issues.

Set in Ghana, this drama provides a startling look into the struggles of a child soldier in a mercenary group.

Oct. 23

HEMLOCK GROVE, SEASON 3:

The show, produced by Eli Roth, is entering into its final season of horrific happenings plaguing a small Pennsylvania town.

looking for more?

VISIT Check out our blog section for advice, fashion and more

ALBUM REVIEW

Lana Del Rey: Not much of a honeymoon Bianca Cegatte @BeaLovesYou2 Lana Del Rey’s new album makes you want to stare into oblivion, with a cool, bored look on your face — for all the right reasons.

Her album projects her journey up the fame wagon and how she’s no longer angry with those who critiqued her and her past albums and performances. In fact, she seems bored with them, something that’s proved in her music video for “High by the Beach”.

Although some may take her album as lethargic, it’s her apathy in every song that influences Del Rey’s lack of care. Even as she sings about someone she’s into in “Music to Watch Boys To,” she does it with indifference.

Throughout her entire album, Del Rey refers to the color

blue. It does seem as if she’s characterizing herself in these references and singing about how her sadness has lingered around for so long that she’s learned to own it.

Del Rey’s favorite track, according to one of X17 Online’s exclusive videos, is “Terrence Loves You”. This song, possibly about her ex-fiance, “Kassidy” band member Barrie O’Neill, never strays from its depressingly calm lullaby-like tunes.

Unlike most of the others in the album, Del Rey’s voice in “Terrence Loves You” evokes a little more than phlegmatic emotion. And even then, she shifts from sad to careless.

She closes her song with another Nina Simone cover, the first one being “The Other Woman” in Del Rey’s album Ultraviolence. This time, she sings the fitting, “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” which she teased at in an interview with Billboard saying, “I like summarizing the record with a jazz song. I’m hav-

ing fun with my interpretation.”

If Del Rey’s bad side is this album’s moody tracks, then sticking by her doesn’t sound like much of a task.

14 September 2015

sports

Red & Black

On swim team, it’s not raining men Suparna Narayan @HHSTodayOnline The crowded sidelines are full of swimmers and divers waiting to have their chance to attain victory. Full of girls, that is; lots and lots of girls.

There are 45 girls and only 27 boys on the swim team.

A lack of boy swimmers has become a major concern for this year’s swim team.

“We really need more boys; we would be better off with more boys.” said coach Tom Paloumpis.

The lack of boys often makes it difficult to fill up an entire lineup due to the fact that there are not enough boys to do the events.

This results in the team having to put the same boys on multiple events.

Thus boys get tired a lot faster than they normally would; which can of course interefere with their performance.

“We may not have a lot of boys, but we [boys] work hard,” said Lydell Kirbo.

The team is looking for more diversity in their members. “It’s easy enough to find someone that does freestyle. The real rari-

ties are swimmers that do distance, the individual medley and butterfly,” said senior captain Kayla Childs.

The captains are hoping they will eventually be able to find members with more diverse abilities as well as build on the abilities their current members have.

“It isn’t about what you can do. We can teach you to do just about anything,” said Paloumpis. “It’s about the mindset you come with; come with a mind ready to learn.”

1

(From left to right) Senior Rico Rodriguez, junior Victoria Ellwood and seniors Nick Pham and Connor Knauer listen for instructions from coach Tom Paloumpis.

2

3

2 Sophomore diver Kiana Cothron plunges into the water.

3

Freshman Joel Joseph and coach Paloumpis fist bump during practice. | Photos by Suparna Narayan

Volleyball team serves ahead Matt Lutton @matt_lutt Despite starting the season 5-2 and 1-0 in the district, Yolanda Driskell Whitehead is not yet satisfied. She is determined to lead the team to another district trophy.

“Our hope is to be district champions, and I believe it’s an attainable goal,” she said.

The offense, however, is an area of concern for Whitehead. “We have a lot of improvement to do as far as our serve receive,” she said. “That’s our Achilles heel, which concerns me because if we don’t pass well then we don’t hit well and that messes up our offense.”

1

Whitehead also stressed teamwork as a critical aspect of a district championship team.

“I thought that we would gel a lot quicker, but that’s not the case. We’re still working on that chemistry to try and get that cohesiveness that we need,” Whitehead said.

Only three starters remain from last year’s squad, a challenge the new players are eager to overcome.

“Even though we lost a lot of seniors, we are working really hard to go farther in districts than we have ever been before,” said senior Emma Bernstein.

New golfers up to par Gary Moore @HHSTodayOnline After facing challenges in the beginning of the season, the boys and girls golf team have managed to achieve victories. The girls are now 1-1 and the boys are 1-2.

This year, the boys golf team has six players, a number that’s larger than their usual amount.

Aaron Jensen, a new player to the team, took a couple years off, and used to play when he was younger, but stopped playing when he was 10 years old. “I picked it back up again in sophomore year,” he said.

Most of the players are fairly new to golf,

putting them at a disadvantage to other teams.

“Those other teams go out every day and get better and we just show up and play,” said sophomore James Roberts.

However, sophomore Drew Fonda spoke highly of his team, saying they had a good chance of improving.

“All of the other players have solid potential, as well as a plethora of knowledge for the game,” he said.

Jensen recommends practice for newer players.

“Players who want to play next year [need to] practice,” he said. “Golf is a very tough sport and if you want to be successful, you need to learn from your mistakes.”

15

sports

hhstoday.com

September 2015

1 Loren Nieves tells her cheerleaders to get in their lines while Ashley Taylor observes the practice in preparation for upcoming games. The two coaches work together to create formations and make adjustments that best suit the team.

2

1

2

The team practices their routine outside on the track in preparation for the home football games and competitions. | Photos by Jorge Garcia

New cheer coaches bring charisma Jorge Garcia @HHSTodaySports They stand on the track, tired and sweaty from cheering in the unforgiving sun. The cheerleaders decide to take a break.

Their coaches think otherwise.

“Get back in your lines!” the coaches yell.

“Who’s the coach here and who’s the cheerleader?” Their screaming can be heard from across the football field. This is not an atypical cheer practice.

Once again under new leadership, the team has made significant adjustments to the way they operate.

For three years, Ashley Taylor was an assis-

tant coach. This year, she decided to take on the role of head coach since the previous season’s coach moved.

Taylor is not new to Hillsborough or cheerleading. She was a member of the varsity cheer team when she attended Hillsborough. With this being her first year as head coach, she is noticing much more responsibility than she did as an assistant coach.

She has many more tasks than she possessed in the past, but with those additional jobs comes more authority.

However, Taylor is not the only coach in charge of the team. The most recent addition to the cheerleading staff is Loren Nieves, the new

assistant coach. This is Nieves’ first year coaching a high school cheer team. She coaches for the Florida Wildcat Allstars, but wanted the high school experience. “I got tired of Allstars, I cheered it and coached it,” Nieves said.

While at Hillsborough, Nieves has noticed distinct differences between high school cheer and the Florida Wildcats. “Allstars has a way more competitive nature,” Nieves said. “[At Hillsborough] I’m isolated to one team. I coach three to four teams at Florida Wildcats.” This makes coaching a high school team seem much more relaxed than the active role she has as a coach outside of school.

Varsity co-captain Cheyene Bruner has

noticed some changes since Taylor became the head coach. “The team is more organized, we’ve got done more than what we usually get done,” Bruner said. She also described Nieves as strict, but in a constructive way.

“She gives more discipline, which is needed,” Bruner said. Varsity captain Amara Anderson concurs with Bruner. “[Nieves] keeps us in check,” she said.

The team plans to put in a lot of effort to learn their routines and is eager to win the competitions they participate in. They understand the demands of their coaches and are willing to work to achieve their aspirations.

Crew offers scholarships to expand their program Matt Lutton @matt_lutt “One of the biggest blockades as far as getting people to join crew has always been money,” said junior Luke Jeske, a captain of the team. “This is an attempt to overcome that.”

The crew team is now offering scholarships that will cover 100 percent of the expenses for the season.

“Right now, we’ve reached the saturation point within the IB program,” said coach Jesse Tate. “It’s time to branch out a little bit and expand the program in traditional.”

The club’s Board of Directors, made up entirely of volunteer parents, decided that the best way to attract new rowers is to

find a way to alleviate the high cost. “The idea was brought up among the committee to make crew more accessible, and they decided to try to get a scholarship up and running,” Jeske said.

Without the scholarship, rowers pay approximately $2,000, which goes towards maintaining and storing the equipment, entering regattas and more.

“This year we have a little more operating money so it feels right to give some back,” Tate said. “[Scholarship money] comes from our fundraising over the years, our dues and our remaining money in the budget. Also a lot of outside donors.”

This year, seven students were offered the scholarship, though leadership within the club isn’t sure how many will be

offered in the future. These students are chosen through a number of criteria, including academic success, attendance of practices and regattas and a swim test, as well as proof of financial need. The most qualified of these candidates receive the scholarship, which allows them to participate for free as if it were a school sanctioned sport.

“There are definitely some bugs to work out as far as the logistics of it but it’s definitely a great idea,” said Jeske. “A lot of really strong and bright people who deserve these opportunities like crew don’t have the monetary means to do it. This allows them to.”

16 September 2015

sports

Red & Black

Cross country runners try to keep it Close Annie Aguiar @annieinfinitely The cross country team has a picnic table, a case of water bottles and a box full of bananas as they prepare for the West Hillsborough Invitational. Al Lopez Park is covered in runners; teams have banner-adorned tents as student athletes go on “pack runs,” trying out the track before the races begin.

Hillsborough’s 13 runners tie tags to their shoelaces and pin numbers to their tank tops as coach Daniel Close addresses them.

“Make sure you’re just out here to have fun,” Close says before the races began. “Limit your walking.”

Close isn’t new to the sport, but he is new in one regard: coaching runners on his own.

Last year, Close coached alongside Arturo Salow, a then-biology teacher at Hillsborough.

Now, Salow is at medical school at Northwestern University, leaving Close to coach the team by himself.

“Coach Salow did all the workouts,” junior and second-year runner Josh Carpenter said.

“Coach Close handled the paperwork and politics.”

Close is a baseball fan -- he’s played the sport since he was 6 -- but has never ran cross country. He started coaching cross country

Junior Shani Abraham cools off with an icy water botle after a meet at Al Lopez Park . | Photo by Annie Aguiar at Hillsborough three years ago when he volunteered to help when the team was without a coach.

“It takes a special kind of person to come out here in this heat and run,” Close said. “I’m just more knowledgeable with baseball.”

Football eye-catchers

Zach Carter, DE/TE Carter started last year as a sophomore on defense and made an impact, making 73 total tackles during the year. This year he’s playing on both the offensive and defensive line, and has already racked up 16 tackles and 9 solo tackles up to the game against Gaither. Carter is currenly a four-star recruit and has received 15 college offers.

Close says that because he’s the only coach, more experienced runners need to step in and mentor younger athletes. Senior and fourthyear runner Heather Hodges agrees. “[Close is] doing a great job. He helps plan things, but it’s also a joint effort with us,” Hodg-

es said. “Key members that show up a lot help.

We’re the ones who hold a lot of the stretching.

It’s very student-run.”

Last year, with both Salow and Close as coaches, Hodges set her personal record – 5 kilometers in 28:22. But there weren’t enough girls to field a full team. This year, there are the required amount of runners on the girls and boys teams, but Close has to coach them by himself.

“It’s hard being the only guy out here. Salow gave me all his files, so I’m just using what he’s given me,” Close said. “I’m trying to do the jobs of two people.”

Junior and first-year runner Shani Abraham is turning the corner, about to finish her first-ever race. She slows from a run to a walk, almost stopping. Close runs to meet her. He points at the finish line, urging her to continue.

“Everyone just started cheering me on. It was just so motivational,” Abraham said in the minutes after the race. “Especially Coach.”

Abraham starts to speed up. A walk becomes a jog. A jog becomes a run. A run becomes a full-out sprint as she, Runner No. 556, crosses the finish line.

Close is waiting nearby, ready to give her a high-five.

Selections were made based off statistics and overall impact by Daniel Hamilton and Cade McCurdy, who have covered all games this season.

Mike Hampton, WR/CB

Nolan Johnson, OL/DE

Hampton is in his second year as a starter on the team as a senior.

He caught his third interception of the year in the game against King, for a total of six in his time on the team. Also, Hampton has over 600 receiving yards over two years, and averages 17.6 yards per reception.

Johnson is in his second year on the team. Along with Carter, the senior plays on both offense and defense. His 15 tackles up to the game against Gaither nearly match Carter’s, and he commonly pairs with Carter to make them.

He has also been praised by coach Earl Garcia for his work.

Rudy Dawson, WR/RB

Duran Bell, RB/SS

Dawson has been the go-to man for Bell took over as lead runningback receptions for the last two years, last year after Anthony King went along with a goaline playmaker this down with a hurt leg. This year he year. Last year he totaled 1,144 is again the lead back, and has 163 total yards and had eight touch- yards on the year. Being a junior downs. In three games this year, he this year, he still has time to make a already has another four to add to major impact for the team. his total.

Photos by Katie Frost, Annie Aguiar and Ahava Jernigan Statistics courtesy MaxPreps.com