November_2015 by Boone Publications

SHIN SLAYS SUSHI

GUN CONTROL SPARKS CONTROVERSY

Japanese restaurant, downtown, serves delicious sushi[ RESTAURANT REVIEW, page 12

hilights Volume 64 ß Issue 2

VOLLEYBALL WINS DISTRICT TITLE

Girls lose regional competition, but have a winning season[ SPORTS, page 9

Two writers argue whether there should be more or less gun control [ OPINION, page 3

for students, by students

William R. Boone High School ß1000 E. Kaley St. ßOrlando, FL 32806 Monday, November 16, 2015 ß boonepubs.com

Let there be

WINGS

It was very important because it’s part of our history. Nelson Garris, freshman

The Senior Class restores totem pole By NATALIE DISLA On Friday, Nov. 6, the seniors snaked through the campus As they approached the pole, their faces glowed and they hurried towards the freshly painted totem pole with a new pair of wings and noses. Over the summer, the Senior Class met and discussed the possibility of fixing the iconic totem pole, which Edgewater students vandalized last year. Although the task of repairing this icon would be difficult and expensive, the Senior Class decided this would be an ideal senior gift to the school. “We knew that the destruction of the totem pole was very significant so we knew it was something that our class wanted to leave their mark on,” Senior Class secretary Monica Almirall said. To keep this gift a secret, the Senior Class closed the space between the 100 and 200 building and hung tarps to hide the progress made throughout the week. Although students were suspicious, the renovations remained secret and this was obvious to bystanders who saw the seniors’ reactions. “I feel that [the totem pole] represents what Boone stands for and it really just shows the nature of the tradition and what it stands for, so I was really excited when I saw that it was renovated,” senior Clayton Julian said. Revealing the totem pole on the day of the Edgewater game intensified the act. “When it was vandalized, it kind of brought down the whole school. It just diminished the vibe around school and it brought down the whole morale of the campus and it was kind of sad,” Julian said. Now that the wings are back, Julian believes the school morale is higher. “It feels great to know I can help our school pride and organize something as monumental as this and reveal it on one of the biggest days of the year,” Almirall said. Although the football team lost the rivalry game, 30-34, the totem pole compensates for the loss. The totem pole is a symbol of school pride and the renovations revitalized the school. “I’m happy that they are truly behind this and want to see the tradition continued and feel that the totem pole is part of what makes Boone, Boone,” Senior Class sponsor Annette Montgomery said. In hopes of remembering the significance of these renovations, the Senior Class ensured that “16” was engraved onto the new nose on the totem pole. “I believe that any time any person walks by that totem pole, they’re going to thank the Class of 2016,” Julian said. “To be a part of that and to be a part of Boone for the rest of its existence is a blessing and an honor.”

I think [getting back the wings] was important because it was there for their entire stay here at Boone until last year. Alexis Albino, sophomore

It was important because that’s the symbol; for Boone and id they left it unfinished it wouldn’t be finished. Jacob Decant, junior

I feel like it was just because the totem pole is a big part of our spirit, so repairing it gave us more spirit. Janyla Frazier, senior

photo/TYLER RISPOLI

seehear 3 rappers collaborate To see a video of Morame, Collier, and Johnson rapping, scan this QR code with your smartphone.

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ßrandomfact Americans eat approximately 350 slices of pizza per second.

By CARLY MEYER As fifth graders listening to Lil Wayne, Aaron Collier and Widmaer (Woody) Morame felt inspired to make their own beats and raps. When Collier and Morame, now seniors, began high school they were acquaintances; however, after spending more time together, they discovered they shared a common interest of rap music. After quickly becoming good

INDEX opinion 2 campus & local 4 special 6

friends, they decided to collaborate musically– making beats and rapping. “If we like the same thing, why not work together?” Morame said. “We all have different styles, but at the end of the day we all come together to make something great.” Currently, they have 12 songs in their repertoire. “In my opinion, if you had to compare talents, Woody would be as good at making beats as I am at putting

sports 9 entertainment 10 restaurant review 12

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photo/CARLY MEYER

FREESTYLE. Rapping with Aaron Collier, Widmaer Morame makes up lyrics on the spot. “Writing music used to be all about figuring the songs out, but now it’s about experimenting,” Morame said.

SEE AND HEAR MORE go to boonepubs.com for photo galleries, soundslides featuring students and weekly sports’ beats

Monday, November 16, 2015 boonepubs.com

insight sight

Natalie Disla, Editor’s Letter

Controversy ignites passion Controversial topics can be touchy because people have set opinions, but we felt the need to cover the lack of minorities in Advanced Placement classes and gun control in this issue. As a Hispanic, I’m a firm believer of minorities taking advantage of the opportunities given to them and I am disappointed when any minority does not value these opportunities. My father immigrated from the Dominican Republic when he was only 11 years old and didn’t speak or understand any English. Although he grew up in poverty in Brooklyn and school was extremely difficult for him, he thought of his future and strived to finish college with a Bachelor’s Degree. Because of this, I have high expectations for myself as I understand my father’s struggle and sacrifice to give my brothers and me a better life. And I know other minorities do the same. However, approximately 50 percent of students on campus are minorities and only three out of 10 of them are enrolled in AP classes. Although some of them may live in environments that make studying difficult and need to work to help support their families, enrolling in AP classes and passing the exams at the end of the year can save them thousands of dollars in college through course exemptions and scholarships. Another issue that is prominent in today’s society is gun control. The shooting at the Umpqua Community College in Oregon on Oct. 1 marked the 45th school shooting this year. When there are 45 school shootings within 274 days of a given year, and over 33,000 gun-related deaths a year, one may start to wonder whether the current gun regulations are enough to keep Americans safe. The other side to that, however, is that if guns are restricted, not as many Americans would be able to protect themselves in an emergency. Guns have saved about 2.5 million lives this year, therefore, restricting these guns could also risk the safety of many Americans. Another concern to banning guns is the depletion of Second Amendment rights given to all Americans under the Constitution. However, people tend to view this right as more open-ended than it truly is, when the Amendment actually states that one’s right to bear arms shall not be infringed during “a well regulated militia,” not every second of every day and every year. You probably have your own opinions on each of these issues (“AP classes lack diversity,” page 2; “Hot topic sends shots nationwide,” page 3), but why don’t you check out what the writers have to say and see the evidence presented. You might just change your mind.

AP classes are not just for preppy white kids, they are for minorities as well. Our View, staff editorial

AP classes lack diversity viewpoint

hilights

It is time for minorities to push themselves into AP classes.

#fastfigures

American Indian or Alaskan Native students took AP classes.

21 percent Hispanic students who took AP Psychology passed the exam.

25 percent of black students who took AP Calculus AB passed the exam. statistics from 2013-14 school year

Students in an Advanced Placement class on campus can attest that it is a pretty homogenous population. Sadly, these classes are primarily white students. However, with 50 percent of the school’s population being a minority (37.1 percent Hispanic; 10 percent black; and 3.3 percent other minorities) there should be a greater representation of these ethnic groups in advanced courses. Currently, only three out of 10 of these minority students are in AP classes. College Board finds that minority and low-income students, even those with a high likelihood of succeeding on AP exams, are not taking these advanced classes. It is time for minorities to start pushing themselves academically to take advantage of the opportunities these courses provide. AP classes are meant to challenge students and prepare them for college. By taking AP classes, students open themselves to better college and higher-paying job opportunities. Nearly half of the school’s white students take AP class – demonstrating their understanding of the classes’ benefits. Somehow, approximately 60 percent of Hispanics and 90 percent of black students here do not realize this. Perhaps, minority students do not take AP courses due to a lack of parental guidance in this area. According to a 2011 The Condition of Education study, 61 percent of Hispanic students and 41 percent of black students are first-generation college students. Parents of these students do not know what is necessary for college admittance and, therefore, have not been able to properly guide their child. However, with OCPS constantly emphasizing the value of AP courses and guidance counselors continually encouraging students to challenge themselves to take these rigorous courses, the ethnicity enrollment numbers should not be so disproportionate. While difficult and time consuming, AP courses are beneficial to all students. When applying to college a student’s transcript is the largest factor in the institution’s acceptance of an applicant. Taking AP classes puts students into a higher GPA bracket (6.0 scale), which appeals to college admissions and assists in earning scholarships. Approximately 31 percent of colleges will consider the number of AP classes a student took when making scholarship decisions, according to a 2008 College Board study, so the more AP classes a student takes, the better the student looks on the application. If a student has an interest in a certain major he can

Illustration/JESSIE JALCA

see if there is an AP class offered in that subject area. By taking an AP course in a subject of interest, he has the opportunity to take an introductory class for free. This can help a student know what to expect from a similar class in college. College is full of monumental changes and Advanced Placement courses help students develop college-level academic skills, ultimately helping a student prepare for rigorous level classes. AP classes require high-level calculating and critical thinking skills which are needed for more challenging jobs and college courses. If a student can write essays and solve problems for AP courses, then that student has a higher likelihood of succeeding in college. AP classes also teach study habits and note taking skills, which are necessary for success. In addition to better preparing one for college, AP courses can help students save money. On average, UCF’s tuition costs $12,736.80 for an undergraduate degree. Students who pass AP exams with at least a three could save on tuition costs. For colleges such as UCF and USF, if a student gets a least a three on an AP exam it can actually count as a college course which can exempt that student from having to take that course later in college, thus saving money and time. By taking multiple AP classes, student’s can save as much as $5,094.72 at UCF. AP classes are not just for preppy white kids. They are designed to be available to all students and should be an indicator of a school’s diversity, but sadly, that is not the way they are here.

ßpublicforum Should citizens have the right to possess guns, appealing to tradition, or should the government ban all guns from households appealing to safety. Here’s what some of you had to say on the topic. Check out boonepubs.com for more opinions.

Send letters to the editor to HiLights, 1000 E. Kaley St., Orlando, FL 32806, or drop off in Room 224. You can also send to boonepubs@gmail. com. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To be considered for print, all letters must be signed and cannot contain libelous information.

The Constitution is like our grandfather

I know the forefathers said you have the right to own a gun, but they also said you could own people. The Constitution is a lot like our grandfather. He’s wise, we love him, and he means well. But he’s getting really old and every once in a while he does something crazy and we have to go to the other room and discuss what we have to do about him.

Joshua Myers, junior

Total abolishment is wrong

I believe that a total abolishment of guns from households would be a step too far in the case of individual safety. The most common explanation for owning a gun is for home protection and possibly recreational shooting, while all that is well and good, the flip side of that argument is that it allows the psychologically impaired people of our society to get a hold of these guns.

Joshua Webber, senior

Guns aren’t the only dangerous weapon

I think citizens should still possess guns because for the past years the U.S. has been a nation, we were always

able to possess guns. You can kill somebody with a lot of things. I can hit you with a textbook in the neck and you can die from that, so are you going to suspend textbooks? No. Even though guns are dangerous, we still need guns because it is a way of life.

Jordan Morales, junior

Guns are no longer essential 1791 was a completely different way of life than 2015. Guns were a necessity for survival, as the majority of the nation hunted for their food. Boys learned from a young age the danger of a gun and how to use one for the right reasons. In this day and age, however, a majority of the nation shops for their main food sources and guns have become toys for hobby.

and the banning of guns will only allow criminals to possess them and take them away from law-abiding citizens.

Laura Koffinas, senior

Guns aren’t the problem

The Second Amendment of the Constitution gives citizens the right to bear arms. I believe the problem we face today does not deal with the Second Amendment at all. The problem lies within the person holding the gun, not the gun itself. The mental instability and radical motives that lie within the shooter cause these tragic events that we see on the news way too often. The federal government does not have the Constitutional power to disarm every American citizen.

Riley Bell, senior

Alexandra Sublette, senior

Control is beyond necessary Guns allow for protection

I believe citizens should have the right to possess guns. If we were to ban guns from all household, how could citizens defend themselves if they were attacked? If a robber or other type of criminal tries to break into your house it is imperative that citizens have the option whether they want to defend their family. Criminals who have guns usually get them through illegal means

I believe that, given the choice between simply having guns or not at all, guns should be banned from all households. If it is true that guns give some citizens a sense of safety, and others argue that there should be no gun laws whatsoever. Gun control is beyond necessary. Making it easy for people to get guns essentially facilitates the murders of our citizens.

Ciara Tobin, senior

Monday, November 16, 2015 boonepubs.com

hilights insight BLOOD DRIVE The next blood drive is on Nov. 17. The last day to sign up is Nov. 13. See Annette Montgomery in Room 13.205 or any Senior Class officer.

DO YOU THINK WE NEED GUN CONTROL LAWS? Yes, because people use guns to hurt people and I don’t think that’s right. Zoe Gonzalez, freshman

Hot topic sends SHOTS nationwide Two writers debate the validity of gun control

A controversial topic of gun control laws has been headlining in the news. Debate between the right to bear arms versus a safer society has sparked recent debate over if U.S. citizens should have the right to possess guns.

Guns make an unsafe community

viewpoint

By CARSTON CARASELLA The right to bear arms has been imbedded in the subconscious of the American people since its creation in 1789 along with the other nine amendments listed in the Bill of Rights. The American people have a right to not only defend themselves from each other, but their government as well. By stripping Americans of their Gun control right to own a firearm, the government would be limiting would American citizens’ ability to defend themselves and the land only limit Americans’ they are meant to protect. Gun Control is not only factually questionable and unfounded, but also unconstitutional. A ability to true patriot of America will support the constitutional rights protect themselves. granted to them, and fight Gun Control until it is a forgotten policy from a socially turbulent time in America’s history. Discussion of this topic can become touchy due to how sensitive people can be in regards to the kind of gun violence that has occurred in the past few years. However, based on estimates of 2.5 million defensive gun uses per year, guns are being used 80 times more to protect someone than consciously take a life, according to a CDC Report from 2010. This shows us that people are not only properly defending themselves, but also committing less heinous acts, such as murder and suicide. The fact remains that limiting the availability of guns for the common folk would increase their chances of being robbed, raped or murdered because they wouldn’t be able to properly defend themselves. Gun control was born from the idea that keeping guns out of the hands of U.S. citizens would protect them not only on the streets but off them as well. The fear is that a gun owner might mishandle the weapons in his own home, or worse, a child might think the weapon was a toy. While this is a legitimate worry, the number of unintentional fatalities due to firearms has decreased by 58 percent from 1991 to 2011, according to infowars. Americans are becoming smarter in how they handle their weapons. Parents and gun owners can take simple measures to prevent their children or any unwanted individuals from tampering with their weapons by locking them away in a secure, discreet location in the household. This prevents the owner’s children from accidentally finding the gun and playing with it, and doesn’t give the owner a chance to use the weapon to take his own life, or the life of another in a fit of rage; safes would increase the amount of work he would have to do to find the gun. Gun ownership has become a staple of American culture and a way of life. That is why the limitation of American’s gun rights would not only lead to an increased crime rate, but also the destruction of one of America’s oldest traditions.

40 52 hilightsnewspaper percent of students polled say there is a gun in their household.

EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-In-Chief Natalie Disla Copy Editor Cameron Toperzer Design Editor Jessie Jalca Business Manager Bridget Hartig Digital Media Manager Tyler Rispoli

STAFFERS Carston Carasella, Julia Condes, Camille

Kalis, Carly Meyer, Marisa Muhart, Cassady Quintana, Jack Rummler

OTHER

Adviser Renée Burke

Principal Dusty Johns

By JACK RUMMLER Gun ownership has been a traditional right of the Constitution. However, seeing a high increase in gun violence has caused a debate over the need for gun control laws. Gun control laws would cause everyone to live in a secured society. When society enables guns, they risk safety. Out of 23 developed countries in the world, gun-related murders are 20 times more likely to occur in the United States, according to “A Land Without Guns” from The Atlantic in July 2012. In Japan where the 1958 Act states “no person shall possess a firearm or firearms or a sword or Gun swords,” the rate of gun-related murders control is substantially low. In 2008, Japan laws experienced 11 gun-related murders, will help and in 2006, they had two. In Australia, promote after a mass shooting in 1996, strict laws a safer enacting gun control led to a 59 percent society. decrease of gun-related murders within a decade. As a result of stricter laws, countries have safer communities and see less mass murders. In the past year the United States had 247 school shootings. In 2013, 33,636 deaths were caused by firearms. Controlling guns would cause less deaths, contributing to a safer society. With a 1:1 gun ratio in U.S. households, the risk of suicide is higher in those home. Of the suicides in 2010, 19,000 people used a gun, according to a Harvard study. It is important to address this issue, as taking away one of the most successful killers from households, more lives can be saved. Establishing gun laws can help remove the possibility of mentally ill persons making a lasting decision. Gun control laws should be put in place not just because they promote safety, but because they are deemed unnecessary. Sixty percent of Americans purchase guns for safety from intruders, according to Gallup in Oct. 2013; however, only 1 percent of cases involving guns use them for self-defense, proving they are not necessary. Even if hunting and recreational shooting don’t harm humans, gun control laws altogether would promote the need of a secure community over people’s recreational desires. Protecting American lives needs to be prioritized before people’s desire to own a gun. Regardless of how it’s justified, guns are a massive killer and equate to more damage than good in society. While the right to bear arms is a granted freedom in the Constitution, the right to life is far more important.

viewpoint

People are committing the crimes, not the weapons

80 percent of students polled believe automatic weapons should not be street legal.

percent of students say that bladed weapons should be considered a concealed weapon.

percent of students believe that everyone should be able to own a gun.

Editorial Policy POLICY STATEMENT

Hilights is a student publication of William R. Boone High School, 1000 E. Kaley Ave., Orlando, Florida, 32806. The ideas and views of the aforementioned students and faculty are not those of Boone or the Orange County School Board. Opinions expressed in unsigned editorials are those of the editorial board, who determine the content. Opinions expressed in columns are those of the authors. Comments, letters, stories and ideas are welcome and encouraged under the following: 1. The material is not obscene or libelous 2. The material is signed The staff reserves the right to edit letters for grammar, length, punctuation, accuracy, invasion of privacy and potential disruption of the school.

300 students polled Nov. 6

SCHOLASTIC ASSOCIATIONS

Hilights is associated with Florida Scholastic, Columbia Scholastic and National Scholastic Press Associations and Quill and Scroll.

OUR MISSION

This paper is a quality product whose sole purpose is to pursue the truth, and to provide information and factual news pertaining to Boone and the community around it. Any questions or comments can be directed to 407-893-7200, extension 6012614 or Room 224, as well as by email to editor at boonepubs@gmail.com. If you find any errors, please call our offices or visit us.

Check out boonepubs.com for up-to-date news and information.

Monday, November 16, 2015 boonepubs.com

thenews

hilights

[Poetry Out Loud] is great. It is fun to get to perform in front of people and persuade to them what point you are trying to get across.” Micah Kinney junior

SILENT POETRY. In her English class, senior Johnysha Vachon, signs her poem. “I was very confident in myself. I like the ASL section of poetry, its expressive and really beautiful,” Vachon said. Students pick a poem from the Poetry Out Loud website and perform it in front of their class.

Students recite poetry aloud (from heart) By CASSADY QUINTANA He walks onto the stage, all eyes on him. Forty-nine other students stand between Winter Park senior Baxter Murrell and a grand prize. Baxter is ready to take his third Poetry Out Loud state title. Poetry Out Loud is a nationwide competition that encourages students to learn poetry through memorization and recitation. This program helps the nation’s youth master public speaking, build their self-confidence and learn about classic literature. “Students select a poem to analyze and learn how to recite to a panel of judges. [This] gives them a level of confidence with poetry [which is] usually students’ weakest area,” English

teacher Jennalyn Patton said. This is the first year Boone will send participants to the three levels of competition. Students will compete at the classroom level first. Each English teacher can chose one student per period. Those students will compete against one another at the first round of the school-wide competition on Nov. 18. School finalists will compete in a second round on Dec. 18. One winner will advance to the state competition, and the state winner will compete at the national finals. “[Poetry Out Loud] is great. It is fun to get to perform in front of people and try to convince and persuade to them what point you are trying to get across,” junior participant Micah Kinney said. Materials are sent to high schools in the beginning of the year and the

competition runs through the winter. States will hold their competition in mid-March. The National Finals, held at George Washington University in Washington D.C., is May 2-4. One of the three poems a student selects to perform must be 25 lines or fewer, and one must be written before the 20th century. The same poem can be used to fill both criteria. The Poetry Out Loud National Finals will present $50,000 in awards to schools for the purchase of poetry books. The awards will include $20,000 for the national champion, $10,000 for the second-place finalist and $5,000 for the third-place finalist. But to teachers, the event is more than a competition. “[I enjoy] watching the students actually perform. They put in so much work to recite and memorize the poems and seeing it all pay off is great,” English teacher Chelsea Harmon said.

SGA seeks student, faculty talent

On Dec. 4, the Student Government Association will hold auditions for those interested in performing in the annual talent showcase, Brave Aid, in the auditorium. The show is Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. Funds raised will go to a charity of SGA’s choosing. Tickets will be on sale during lunch the week of, and at the door, if available. Talents range from faculty playing musical instruments, to tap dancers, to rappers, to Bravettes, to the infamous Stixx who end the show. Those in the show will have full dress rehearsals Jan. 20-21.

Bush visits special-needs school Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush stopped at a special-needs school in Winter Park. On Nov. 2, students, family and faculty at the Conductive Education Center of Orlando witnessed his “Jeb Can Fix It” campaign firsthand.

photo/JOE BURBANK/ORLANDO SENTINEL/TNS

The first Orlando mountain bike track opened on Oct. 31. It is located at Lake Druid Park on Coy Drive. A donation from the Navy helped fund the $1.7 million project. The park has a dirt track and a wooded trail .8 miles long, but the city plans to expand. In time, the open green space used for soccer and tee ball will be renovated to include waterfront access for kayaks and paddle boards, a playground, a community garden and a dog park.

state Legally blind artist sees his artwork for the first time

Born deaf and blind, artist Selris James, 41, photo/CARL JUSTE/MIAMI HERALD/TNS underwent eye surgery on Oct. 27, to remove the cataracts in his eyes. Dr. Guillermo Amescua, of the University of Miami’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, performed the surgery, allowing James to see his artwork for the first time. Before the surgery, James was unable to communicate except through gestures and his drawings, but is currently learning sign language.

Mystery vessel sparks officials’ curiosity

national

photo/JAY JANNER/AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN/TNS

Club photos this week

Tuesday through Thursday yearbook club group photos will be in the football stadium. Photos are after school and members are encouraged to arrive at least 5 minutes before the photo time. Check the schedule on @boonepubs.com; BraveTV; or see your club sponsor. You can also see the list outside Room 224. There is not a make up day for group photos, and students who are not present will not be listed. Any hand signs, funny faces or props are not allowed.

local

When a submarine-like vessel washed ashore Highland Beach, Oct. 29, beachgoers immediately gathered around to look at it. Although the U.S. Coast Guard suspects it is a submarine, nobody can tell for sure what it is, its origin, its owner or it use.

ßclubcorner

photo/SLOAN WARANCH

ßnews2note

Lake Druid Park opens first Orlando mountain bike track

photo/CAMERON TOPERZER

School prepares for Poetry Out Loud contest

“

Texas storms end drought, kill at least six photo/MATT CASLER

Funds raised feed families

You see me ridin’

On Thursday, Nov. 19, Key Club will sponsor a tricycle race to help the Kiwanis Club of South Orlando raise funds to purchase bikes for underprivileged children during the holidays. Entry fee is $20 per team; the winning team will receive a tee shirt, trophy and a dozen donuts. See Kelly Morales in Room 230 by Wednesday to register.

The Sophomore Class Council raised $1900 to purchase Thanksgiving Baskets for need families on campus. The Student Government Association will purchase all of the traditional fixings for the holiday dinner: turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and desserts. Recipients of the baskets can pick them up outside the Food Pantry, Nov. 18-20. Contact Jennifer Hines for more details. Government teacher Sydney Olson, representing Senior Class, raised the most money through the week to win the honor of kissing a pig. Junior Class placed second, Freshman Class third and Sophomore Class fourth.

Five days of heavy rain in October ended a drought for about 95 percent of Texas. The storms caused flooding and the cancellation of dozens of flights. According to Texas A&M University, the five-day period was the wettest recorded with a statewide average of 3.82 inches, breaking the previous December 1991 record of 3.82 inches. Six deaths were recorded, and officials are investigating two possible flood-related deaths.

“Sexting scandal” strikes Colorado

Over 100 high school and middle school students in the Cañon City school system were involved in a large sexting ring. Using “vault apps,” cell phone applications with hidden password-protected troves of photographs, 300 to 400 nude photographs have circulated Cañon City High School. Parents are calling it the “sexting scandal.” Unwilling to arrest all 100 plus participants, law enforcement officials are unsure how to handle the situation.

Monday, November 16, 2015 boonepubs.com

specialfeature

hilights I believe I am where I need to be for a reason and I couldn’t be more thankful. Leah Pancake-Gratz, senior

Adoption chang By JESSIE JALCA It may happen when a kid sees a puppy in a store window, or when he realizes he is the only blonde in his family. Sooner or later, the word “adoption” comes up in conversation. Depending on each situation, adoption will mean something different to everyone. However, anyone who has been associated with adoption knows it is more than a legal matter. Adoption is a matter of accepting a child in the loving family nucleus he otherwise would not have. People are aware that adopted children

may sometimes struggle with self-worth and acceptance as they cannot live a normal life with their biological family. In reality, adoptees will confess that they feel “special” because their birth and adoptive families had the children’s best interest at heart when they organized the adoption. However, close relationships between adopted kids and their family do not typically happen instantaneously; adoption is a big step, a life-changing event. This spread focuses on adoptees, their adoptive families and how the adoption changed all of their lives.

RESEARCH

Start

Before making any big decisions, do the research on adoption. Find out all there is to know about adoption on the website www.adoption.org. Note: This step-by-step is limited to foster care adoption.

HOMESTUDY

A homestudy prepares adoptive families for adoption. It consists of several meetings, between the family and an agency social worker. At least one meeting is held at the family’s home.

AGENCY Agencies are the “in” to adoption. Contact multiple agencies to find the best for all personal situations. One reliable source is match.adopt. org.

Leah gets a new name Student faces a lifechanging moment By CAMERON TOPERZER Sitting by her soon-to-be adoptive parents in the court room, the 8-yearold Leah waited anxiously to hear the judges verdict on her adoption. Leah Pancake-Gratz lived in the same foster home for six years before being adopted into Elaine Pancake and Shawn Gratz’s care on Aug. 9, 2005. Leah now had her “forever family.” “I was only 8 years old so I think emotionally I was confused, but I had lived with my foster parents for six years, so they were already my mom and dad,” Pancake-Gratz said. “[They] were really all I ever knew.” Pancake-Gratz was adopted at an older age and still has contact with her biological siblings and relatives. This gave her opportunities not all adoptive children have, like being able to have answers to her questions and the ability to have a relationship with her biological siblings. At two years old, social workers felt it was in her best interest to remove her from her biological parents. “I am blessed that I still have contact with my biological family. Although I was taken from them; everything happens for a reason and I believe I am where I need to be and I couldn’t be more thankful,” Pancake-Gratz said. “I might have been taken from my biological parents because of their addictive habits and it may sound sad or unfortunate, but it actually gave me a different and more positive path to follow.” Originally, Elaine Pancake did not

photo courtsey/ELAINE PANCAKE

A NEW DAUGHTER. After the adoption is finalized, Leah Pancake-Gratz poses with her new family and the judge to document the day. “My foster parents were my parents and I knew that, so me being adopted wasn’t really a scary moment or sad,” Pancake-Gratz said. The first thing Pancake-Gratz asked her adoptive parents was to spend the night at a friend’s house. plan to adopt Leah. She hoped Leah would eventually return to live with her biological family. E. Pancake thought it was going to be a short term placement. When she learned this was not an option, she agreed to adopt Leah after discussions with her biological aunt, Robin, who was fostering her siblings. E. Pancake decided it would be best for Leah to stay in the same home she had grown up in for fear that she would not be able to adjust. “I didn’t want [Leah] to start over. I was her mom. She called me mom. But, when it came to adopting, it was hard to know what was best for her,” E. Pancake said. E. Pancake gave up fostering

SEARCH After the homestudy, the search for a child can begin. The chosen agency will have children either under its care or found through networks between other agencies.

EXC

Once a mat agency worke will exchang the home interested, th the child’s pr proce

children three years ago because of her responsibilities at work, but says if she had the time and opportunity to, she would do it all again. “If I could make it better for a night, two weeks or six months, then I’ve done my job,” E. Pancake said. E. Pancake does not worry about whether or not Leah accepts her as her mother. She knows she can never replace Leah’s biological one and she has never tried. “I’ve always been her mom. I can’t replace them. It’s always broken my heart that she didn’t grow up with them,” E. Pancake said. “I worry about her feelings. I believe they love her very much, but they couldn’t do what had to be done.”

INDIA TO ORLANDO. During Easter service, the three sisters pose hap church. “My relationship with [my sisters] now has expanded 10 time but we’ve bonded even more,” A. Comer said.

Sisters then now By JULIA CONDES Confused, she had so many questions and her mind was racing. She couldn’t articulate her words. She couldn’t express her true feelings. She couldn’t even speak English. These are the memories Aarati Comer has about the day she was adopted. When she was 8 years old, junior A. Comer, was adopted from Pune, India. She and her two sisters, sophomore Sophia Comer and alumni Eve Comer, who are not biological sisters, were adobpted at different times, from different orphanages in India. “I knew I wanted to be a mom and I just had a calling to adopt from another country. Initially, I was interested in China but there were diplomatic issue,” Debbie Comer, the girls’ adopted mother, said. “I knew people who had adopted from India, so I went with it. The people there are beautiful; the country is beautiful.” Agewise, the three girls are all a year apart from each other, with S. Comer the youngest at 16. Although unrelated by blood, they consider each other family. “I feel very connected to my sisters because I have someone to relate to,” A. Comer said. “They’ve had the same experience [that I’ve had].” Initially, S. Comer had a tough time getting used to her sisters. “First it was Evie. I had to share everything with her, which I wasn’t used to, and with Aarati, it was hard to connect with her since she was older than me,” S.

Comer said. “N anything I want have two sisters For both S. is an importan According to A a positive influe “Adoption h I am and who I and do better th Even now, th important way f opportunities as “Kids like m they’re adopted where they wo would be a huge S. Comer said. “ and it seems lik education isn’t g Her sister a not only physica “[Adoption] for a child- it Comer said. Adoption ga It gave them a c In the Unite speak more tha foreign to her. H language (Spani “In India I p the education I’v “There, I was a should have bee

Monday, November 16, 2015 boonepubs.com

hilights specialfeature BRAVE AID AUDITIONS

HOW DO YOU FEEL ADOPTION HAS IMPACTED YOUR LIFE?

Come reveal secret talents or support others auditioning. Brave Aid auditions are Dec. 4 after school in the auditorium.

It gave me a good opportunity for a better life and I am able to experience more than I would in China. Chloe Neusaenger, sophomore

ges LIVES

XCHANGE

tch is made, the chosen er and the child’s worker ge information, including estudy information. If he child’s worker will send rofile. Be aware that this ess can take time.

WAIT More confidential information is sent to the family the child’s worker decides is the best fit for the child. This information will help in the family’s final decision.

MEET & GREET The agency will help arrange several visits over a few weeks or months with the child. Also, all paperwork will be completed. photo/Ivy Comer photo/SYDNEY SCHAD

ppily for a picture outside their es, 100 times. We can still argue,

and

Now, I can talk to them about t. I’m glad to be able to say I s.” . and A. Comer, adoption nt part of their identities. A. Comer, adoption has had ence on her outlook on life. has shaped me to change who was to be somebody better hings,” A. Comer said. he girls think adoption is an for other children to receive s well. me should be happy that d because if they think about ould be if they weren’t, it e difference from life now,” “In India, school lasts all day ke you aren’t learning. The good.” agrees. Adoption aided her ally, but emotionally as well. ] is an awesome opportunity gives the child hope,” A.

ave the girls more than hope. chance to have a better life. ed States, A. Comer can now an English, which was once Here, she is learning her fifth ish). probably wouldn’t have had ve had here,” A. Comer said. a grade level above where I en.”

FAMILY PORTRAIT. The Alexanders’ pose for a picture in their neighborhood. “[What I love about my family] is the openness, where we can love new people and have communication,” freshman Kestae Alexander said. The family consists of parents Paul and Anne Alexander, 16-yearold Albany, 14-year-old Kestae, 8-year-old Ripken and 7-year-old Yosef.

PLACEMENT Receive a placement date - the official date set for the child to come home. The agency will also work out post-placement supervision visits. A petition for legal intent to adopt should be filed at this time.

FINALIZE The child or teenager will become a legal part of the family once a judge finalizes the adoption at a court session. An amended birth certificate naming the new parents and a certificate of adoption is issued.

Finish

New addition brings love Alexander family adopts a young boy from an Ethiopian village By JACK RUMMLER Standing in an Ethiopian village, she anticipated the addition of their newest family member. When he ran out to them from behind the wash room, he had a gigantic smile on his face. His translator said in Oramifa, “that is your sister.” In that moment, with tears streaming down her face, freshman Kestae Alexander welcomed her new brother, Yosef, into the family. At 4 years old, Yosef’s father placed him into the adoption system to give him the opportunity for a better life. He doesn’t remember his mom because she died of heart problems when he was one. In addition to his father, he has six siblings back home in Ethiopia. “He remembers some experiences [before he came to America] and he used to tell us stories, but in the beginning he was scared so he would tell us lies to keep us interested in him because he was scared we would give him away,” junior Albany Alexander said. Paul and Anne Alexander, the parents, are missionaries, which exposes the entire family to different cultures and countries and how some are less fortunate than the United States. The main reason they adopted was to help care for widows and orphans. “Raising a child is probably the hardest thing we do,” P. Alexander, father, said. “At the end of the day, we want them to be a person of character who has their own personal relationship with God.” However, the process of adoption posed its challenges. The Alexanders didn’t know much about Ethiopia, but they were drawn to their people and culture and the adoption agency had a lot of available children. After their first adoption fell through, finally adopting Yosef took 4 years. The Alexanders’ went through a local agency where they figured out what type of child they wanted. Next, they spent three months filling out paperwork. Once it was completed, they were shown pictures of kids, and they decided on Yosef.

Then, the Alexanders’ had more paperwork to complete and social service workers completed a home visit to determine if it was a safe environment. The agency has mandatory classes to assist with high-risk kids who may have past trauma. Even with hardships, there have been memorable experiences for the family. For the adoption, the Alexander parents had to travel to Ethiopia to meet Yosef in the courtroom. Upon approval of the adoption, they picked Yosef up at the orphanage and returned to the United States. This adoption process occurred within a nine hour time-frame. Another obstacle is racial prejudice the Alexanders faced. “One of the things that makes me the most frustrated is we will go out in public and people will just assume that he’s not our brother,” A. Alexander said. “I know their first thought isn’t adoption, but we live in an era where this is common, they shouldn’t think that we are some crazy people and we just have a black child hanging around our house. He’s not some poor kid, he is our son, he is our brother.” An obstacle the family had to overcome was the language barrier. Yosef only spoke Oramifa, a tribal language. The Alexander’s had to use hand signs for three months to say “yes” or “no” when asking basic questions like if he was hungry, sleepy or needed the restroom. In addition to hand signs, he immersed in the language through listening and learning. “When he first came home, he realized that we had running water. He would take a bucket and fill it up with the hose and dump it on his head over and over again for hours,” A. Alexander said. “When it would pour rain, he would go out in the cul-de-sac and sit in the water that collects at the side of the road, in the little puddles and just roll around in it.” All-in-all, the Alexanders’ adopted a boy who loves to tell jokes, to play outside and be an athlete and who loves the people around him. The Alexanders’ love him as a brother or son because that’s what he is. “It’s hard at first to not know someone and to [automatically] love them, but once you get to know their personality, it’s so amazing,” K. Alexander said.

Monday, November 16, 2015 boonepubs.com

featurestories

hilights If we like the same thing, why not work together? We all have different styles, but at the end of the day we all come together to make something great,” Widmaer Morame senior

Fall ﬂings and other things Charly Reynolds, sophomore Scarf $12, Target Blouse $20, American Eagle O.P.I. Funny Bunny Nail Polish $9.50, Ulta

26 Annual Turkey

College

Corn maze

Trot (5k)

football

(Long & Scott

Byfod Sweater $3, Salvation Army

Jeans $15, H&M

Farms $11)

Thursday, Nov. 26 Lake Eola

Jeans $40, American Eagle

Light Up UCF: Nov.

Boots $30, Dillard’s

13-Jan. 3

Toasted Graham Latte

Civic Tyvek Shoes $8, Ross

Bonfires

Pumpkin Spice Latte

and roasting marshmallows

$12

ßyourthoughts

What is your favorite thing to do in the fall?

Watch football because it’s interesting. Cade Bhavsar, freshman

[My favorite thing to do in the fall is] sleep.

Mesha Smith, freshman

RAPPERS [ from, page 1 There’s a lot of things I can’t really talk about to other people- not because of fear- it’s just harder for me to say in a conversation. It’s easier to talk about it all in a song or a beat.” Aaron Collier senior

Carson Lane, senior

By CASSADY QUINTANA Tingles of ash and timber brushed their fingertips as the crisp warm beams of sparks filled the close spaces. Fall is the time of year where bonfires, college football and fall fashion consume the majority of people’s time across the country. Check out the best things to do, see and wear in Orlando while the fall season is prominent. Attend events like the Turkey Trot and Light Up UCF as the holidays are right around the corner. Stay-up-to date in all current fall fashions and where to buy them for boys and girls.

words together. So I think that whole aspect of being able to not only have a friendship with somebody, but being able to do what you love with someone is a great mix,” Collier said. “Rapping with Woody is just fun because he’s got such a carefree style. When I want to make music like his, fun and free, he makes it so much easier because it’s just all in his personality.” When junior Malik Johnson heard Morame made beats, they began collaborating, and later Morame introduced Johnson to Collier. Now, all three work together. “I think something a lot of people don’t know about Malik is that he’s a really creative and artistic person, and so when I do songs with him it really channels my inner artist,” Collier said. Rapping, according to Collier, is his manlier form of a diary. “There’s a lot of things I can’t really talk about to other people - not because of fear - it’s just harder for me to say in a conversation. It’s easier to talk about it all in a song or a beat,” Collier said. Morame says he has written around 1,000 songs. Of those, up to 500 are written on the spot. Collier, who is newer to the business, has posted 20-30 songs. Both Morame and Collier often times take down their music because they

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Erin Burke, sophomore

“get tired of the sound.” Of their songs,“Woah,” “Phone Calls,” “Suicide at a Funeral,” “Juice,” “Houston,” “Europe,” and “Diction” are their favorites. “One of my favorites is something I wrote called ‘Phone Calls’ because when I was recording it, my dad called the house phone, and I just left it in the track because it actually sounded really cool,” Morame said. “I also like ‘Woah’ because it’s my most popular [song], and it gets me really hype. The analogies are crazy and there’s a ton of ad-libs.” Colliers favorite songs are “Juice” and “Suicide at a Funeral.” “‘Juice’ I [created] with Woody and it was really fun when we recorded it. He has energy, which makes recording with him such a good time,” Collier said. “ ‘Suicide at a Funeral’ was kind of hard to understand. I used a lot of metaphors regarding the government and all my negative and positive thoughts about it. I also like my newer song ‘Diction’ because it’s a cool metaphor. I talked about a female and compared her to depression and the love hate relationship of that aspect. It’s pretty dope.” Both Collier and Morame have dreams of pursuing rap and beat-making in the future. They would like to continue collaborating as professionals. “I make beats to enjoy, so of course it would be fun to pursue it - and I’d love it, but I also just want to do whatever comes my way,” Morame said.

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Bonfires; getting a group of friends and having s’mores. Winston Carias, senior

[My favorite thing to do in the fall is] wear jackets because it’s cold.

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#freesocietea &teeshirts Aaron Collier, senior

What is #freesocietea? The idea that everyone should be allowed to do exactly what they want to do and live the life they want to live. It tries to stress how people are never born knowing what they want to do so we need to try out different personalities and careers.

Widmaer Morame, senior How many shirts do you have and how do they sell? I have made four shirts and they have all sold out in less than two days. My favorite is the one that says “Survive Under Pressure.” I made it with senior Sydney Van Hook’s art work.

Hill & Kalis, CPAs, P.A. Michael J. Kalis, C.P.A.

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Monday, November 16, 2015 boonepubs.com

hilights

sports

The season [went] a lot better than everyone expected. We lacked confidence and drive but we were quickly able to overcome that.” Nicole Lakman junior

Lady Braves serve district win Lady Braves end their season with a loss in the regional championship

photo/CAMILLE KALIS

SERVE IT UP. In the Bishop Moore game, Oct. 2 junior Delaney McCabe serves the ball . “[The game] was awesome, it was fun to beat my friends, at Bishop Moore,” McCabe said. Braves won 3-2.

ßmyfavorites

BY CAMILLE KALIS With a record of 19-9 the Lady Braves overcame tough challenges like conquering Bishop Moore and winning district finals. Lady Braves volleyball started the season with a six game winning streak. Ending the season with the girls losing in the regional championship game on Oct. 27 against Apopka. The Lady Braves won their season opener game, 3-1, when they took on the Cypress Creek bears on Aug. 25. The team won their next games against Freedom, 3-0; Winter Park, 3-2. The girls initially did not expect to have success this early in the season. “The season [went] a lot better than everyone expected. We lacked confidence and drive but we were quickly able to overcome that,” junior Nicole Lakman said. Lakman had a personal record of 52 assists in the game against Lake Nona that ended in a loss, 2-3. The Lady Braves won their next game against Olympia, 3-1. Keeping their goals in mind the girls prepared to kill Bishop Moore. “The season [went] well, [the team] met a lot of goals,” senior Jenna Schattauer said. The girls faced one of their most difficult opponents, Bishop Moore on Oct. 2. The match ended in a win for the girls defeating the Hornets in an intense match, 3-2. “[My favorite game was] Bishop Moore. The energy was so powerful and optimistic from the team, coach and fans. I was shocked beyond belief

[when we won] and felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and confidence,” Lakman said. Beating Bishop Moore made an impact on the team. The Lady Braves have not beaten them in nine years until now. “[I’m] very happy to have finally beaten the school that I used to coach. The girls put tremendous pressure on themselves every year. It is nice to get that monkey off our back,” coach Micheal Ladewski said. The Lady Braves won their fourth straight district championship when they defeated the Timber Creek wolves in three games: 27-25, 25-23 and 25-17. Sophomore Erin Carter racked up 19 kills during this match. The team suffered a tough loss in, 2-3 to Apopka in the regional championship on Oct. 27. They ended their season with a second place finish in the Metro Conference. Carter had 20 kills, two blocks and two digs. Lakman had 54 assists, 11 digs and two aces. Junior Sydney Ritten had 12 kills and senior Sarah Chapman added eight kills. Even though they lost the regional championship they still accomplished goals this season. “[We accomplished] communication goals, [the team] could talk things out, figure out what wasn’t working and fix it. It makes us stronger as a team,” Schattauer said. The team is using the loss to their advantage to help push the team work harder in the next season starting next fall. “I think we had a great season. We still won our third district title in a row and our fourth in five years. I’m looking forward to seeing our team grow in the off season,” Coach Ladewski said.

#fastfigures

aces made by senior Morgan Smith this season.

325

Kills made by sophomore Erin Carter this season.

46 aces made by senior Kristen Recker this season.

167

kills made by senior Marissa Hacket this season.

aces made by freshman Lillian Baker this season.

Marissa Hackett, outside, middle and right side

Shoes: Asics

Favorite sports drink: Blue Gatorade

Favorite Game: “The game against Bishop Moore [was my favorite] because we haven’t beat them in nine years and that was the best game we played all season.”

Favorite movie: White Chicks

Favorite Album: Kill the Lights by Luke Bryan

Student experiences German club soccer Cameron Caicedo spent freshman year overseas By BRIDGET HARTIG Instead of getting ready for his freshman year, current sophomore Cameron Caicedo packed all his things and said goodbye to his family. He moved to a whole new country, Germany, to play soccer. His coach at the time, Mike Dillion, invited Caicedo to be an exchange student where he could attend the Elsa Brändström Schule, a German high school, and have to opportunity to play with the German Soccer Federation’s competitive program for young soccer players. Dillion has connections in France and Spain through the exchange program. Dillion’s son had been to Germany with the exchange program when he was around Caicedo’s same age, so Dillion thought it was a perfect fit for Caicedo to expand his soccer skills and make him a better player. Caicedo’s family was very supportive when it came to letting him move overseas for such a long time. They took Caicedo over to Germany several times before to meet the principal of his new school, his new soccer director and his host family that he would be staying with. “We were completely open to letting him move to Germany,” Michael Caicedo, Caicedo’s father, said. “We were somewhat nervous because we did not know how much he was going to be able to adapt to a new environment and family. This would not be just a short trip but a rather prolonged time away from home, but on the other hand a great opportunity to engage a different culture and soccer

education.” Caicedo lived in Cologne, Germany, for seven months with his host family, the Zieglers. He studied core curriculum from America while attempting to learn the German language, alongside practicing soccer daily with his team and competing against other teams in his region. “I got to experience new cultures and integrate really fast and attempt to become fluent and speak with everyone else,” Caicedo said. “I would move back to Germany in a heartbeat,” Caicedo said. ”I will either play soccer there or in America. I’ll go wherever soccer takes me.” Caicedo joined 22 other boys in his same age range of 15 and under at the Jugend- Fußball-Schule Köln, where they finished first in their league and advanced to the first division in the North Rhein Westphalia region. They ended the season 8-1-1. Caicedo was one of three players from Florida, while the majority of their team was from Germany. “I miss my teammates so much,” Caicedo said. “They were all really funny. They all translated for me, they knew English and would always ask me questions about Florida. At first when my German was not very good, they had to explain [things] to me in English so I could understand.” Caicedo was one of over 250,000 American exchange students traveling worldwide. There are both private and public exchange programs, such as the National Student Exchange, International Student Exchange or the Rotary Youth Exchange that allow students to study abroad. “The biggest thing Cameron took away was learning a new language and culture, and becoming independent and

photo/JUGEND- FUßBALL-SCHULE KÖLN

TEAMWORK. The 15 and under division of the Jugend- FußballSchule Köln pose as a team. “Germany is a better environment. Coaches are much more knowledgable and everyone is really good. You know when you play with better players you will get better,” Cameron Caicedo said. The team placed first in their league. self-sufficient,” M. Caicedo said. “We would absolutely recommend any player [to] take a great opportunity to play and live in a country like Germany.” Caicedo is now on the junior varsity team where he plays center midfield and striker. He currently has a knee injury that has kept him off the field for three weeks, a hyperextended small muscle from playing with his club team, but hopes to play at the varsity level soon.

Friday, November 13, 2015 boonepubs.com

hilights

artsentertainment November - December Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

Friday

Saturday

The thriller movie Hiest starring Robert De Niro releases in theaters. Rated R

Happy Holidays

Zac Brown Band concert at Amway Center- 7 p.m. Tickets starting at $60

Central Florida Jewish Film Festival at Enzian Theater

The Noise Effect by Stevie Turner releases. Winter Park Concours d’Elegance in Sanford from 7-10 p.m. Adult tickets $25 (day of event $30) Kid tickets (ages 4-10) $10; children four and under free ticket

Festival of the Trees at Orlando Museum of Art (Until Nov. 22)

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival ends

Stella Glow video game releases for 3DS rated T; $49.99

Central Florida Jewish Film Festival at Enzian Theater (last day)

23 Thanksgiving Break Begins

Boys Basketball vs. Olympia

24 Queen (The Blackcoat Rebellion #3) by Aimee Carter releases.

The fantasy/ adventure The Good Dinosaur releases in theaters. Rated PG

Key Club Turkey Smoke

26 Thanksgiving Day The biography/drama The Danish Girl starring Alicia Vikander and Eddie Redmayne releases. Rated R.

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration starts

Canine companions for independence Dog fest walk n’ roll 9 a.m. At Lake Lily in Maitland (free admission)

Adele’s album 25 releases

Varsity Girls Soccer game against Timber Creek (home)

The adaptation movie The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, part 2 releases in theaters

27 Sanford Art Walk, 6-8 p.m. ; theme is “Bountiful Harvest”

Ciara concert at House of Blues- 8 p.m. Tickets starting at $37

The Vamps’ album Wake Up releases Chris Brown’s album Royalty releases.

Girls Soccer vs. Oak Ridge

The action/adventure Ant Man releases on DVD and Blu-ray. Rated PG-13.

Girls Soccer vs. Freedom (home)

3 Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution 2+ for Playstation vita releases; $49.99

Popcorn Flicks in the Park! Home Alone playing outdoors at Central Park (251 S. Park Ave.) in Winter Park beginning at 7 p.m. (Free admission/ open to public)

Girls Soccer vs. Colonial (Home)

Mennello Museum of American Art free family day

ßpuzzleanswers Word Scramble 1. STARBUCKS 2. WINGS 3. FAMILY 4. REGIONAL 5. ABROAD

$75 UNTIL DEC. 4

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artsentertainment hilights

Monday, November 16, 2015 boonepubs.com

NHS INDUCTION

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE JAPANESE RESTAURANT?

The National Honor Society is holding their induction ceremony Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.. in the auditorium.

My favorite Japanese restaurant is Kobe because they make the food right in front of you and it’s a fun experience. Jack Rummler, sophomore

toptweets Reply to this tweet to be featured in the newspaper: What is your favorite thing to do in the fall?

photo/CAMERON TOPERZER

CRUNCH TIME. The tempura shrimp roll features a solid blend of soft and crunchy for a moderate price of $7. “The tempura shrimp roll was savory and I liked the crunchy texture that the shrimp added to the roll. Presentation-wise it was very appealing,” sophomore Julia Condés said. BEAUTY AND... The Beast roll is a local favorite with its robust range of flavor and stunning presentation. It costs $10. “The Beast is amazing. All the flavors merge together to make a great roll,” senior Cameron Toperzer said.

You can sashimi at Shin Local sushi bar indulges the palate with rich flavor and modern decor By CARSTON CARASELLA Located at 803 N. Orange Ave down the street from Citrus Restaurant, Shin Sushi and Sake bar is becoming a local staple for their delicious Japanese cuisine and affordable prices. Open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and dinner from 6:00 p.m. to last call at 9:30 p.m., Shin boasts a modern, if somewhat sparse, atmosphere and a welcoming staff. Patrons are greeted by a hostess and shown to their seats. Reservations are accepted, but not required. Shin primarily serves varying styles of sushi from nigiri to sashimi, but also has a large selection of cooked fish and meat, as well as salads. Prices are mid range starting at $2 for the miso soup appetizer and landing around $54 for the Meal for Two which features a combination of nigiri and sashimi rolls made for two people. The menu was very informative, clearly stating what was in each dish and differentiating each dish with a colorful cast of titles. The variety of options of Shin’s meals are one of its most appealing qualities. The spicy edamame appetizer ($6) was spicy but flavorful as there was the perfect amount of garlic and red

ßpuzzlecorner Tic Tac Toe

pepper. The ceviche ($9) held a strong citrus flavor, with the assorted raw fish giving the dish some much needed texture as most of the dish is assorted vegetables and greens. Several entrées that stood out were the Kamikaze ($9), Spicy tuna ($7), and Shin’s signature Beast roll ($10). The Kamikaze, featuring a habanero sauce and jalapenos, was extremely spicy, but retained a slight, citrus undertone. Unfortunately the spicy tuna did not live up to its name, but still managed to indulge the palate with rich flavors from the tuna and a slight crunch from the tempura flakes drizzled on top. The Beast was quite literally just that, a monster of a sushi roll filled with Crab mix, cucumber, and cream cheese and was topped with eel and salmon which gave the roll engaging flavor. For dessert one could order the fried ice cream ($8) made with red bean ice cream wrapped with butter cake, then tempura fried. As delicious as this sounds the ice cream was a bit unorthodox and lacked any distinctive flavor. While the outer shell was crunchy and delicious, the inner workings of the fried dough were too soft and failed to hold the rich flavor of the ice cream within. The overall look and feel of Shin felt right at home in the metro scene.

Lining the left wall is a full sushi bar and a display of the carried wine and sake set adjacent to the entrance to the kitchen. The seating area is broken up by long tables and high tops, with a glass right wall. The service was informative, alert and helpful as food is delivered with little delay and drinks are constantly being filled. The major downside to Shin’s interior design is a lack of warmth. While a modern, industrial look fits well, the barren walls and lack of prominent colors take away from the ambiance of the restaurant. The outside seating area is small but comfortable, with space heaters for cold weather. The patio extends along the side of the building, and ends at the entrance to a public garage. Shin sports an excellent location due to its proximity to downtown Orlando. While it is a little off the beaten path, the parking is free, and its subdued environment means that there will be less traffic because of the secluded area. Shin’s traditional Japanese cuisine and extensive sushi and sake bar make it a must-stop for any seafood enthusiast. The rich and exotic flavors, paired with a welcoming and engaging staff as well as a great location, earn Shin a top spot in Orlando’s culinary scene. Shin Sushi and Sake Bar earns itself 4.5/5 stars.

#the411 Where: 803 N. Orange Ave

When: Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., MondaySaturday 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

How much: $2 to $56

Extras: Detailed menus and exciting food. Carries Coke products, and a wide assortment of beer, wine, and sake. Modern look and feel. Reasonable prices.

See if you can solve these puzzles Word Scramble: unscramble these words 1. RTKSCBSUA 2. WGSNI 3. YFMLAI 4. NEOIGALR 5. DORABA

[ ANSWERS, page 10