September/October 2019

The

Patriot Post VOL. 23 ISSUE 2 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019

Up to Us (Photo/Maia Fernandez Baigun)

Staff Editors-in-Chief Maia Fernandez Baigun,12th Kristen Quesada, 12th Online Editor-in-Chief Joanne Haner, 12th

Dear Heritage, We want our second issue of The Patriot Post to shed light on one of the most prevalent issues facing our society today: climate KristenEight inches of rainwater. It might not seem significant change.

Kristen now, but within the last century, that’s how much the ocean has Maia risen. Not only does this bring catastrophic changes to our environment, but it also affects the economy and our day-to-day lives.

Some may say it’s a hoax, but given the statistics concluded by federal climate scientists, global warming is very much a real matter. We hope that, with this information, you keep the health of the Earth in mind and do your best to help save it.

Kristen

&

Maia

Kristen Kristen

Kristen

The

Patriot Post the American Heritage student news magazine

VOL. 23 ISSUE 2/ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 The Patriot Post is sold on a bi-monthly basis for 50 cents. American Heritage has 1,950 students and 160 faculty members.

Do you have a response to a column or article that was published in the news magazine?

We accept and encourage letters to the editor by students, faculty or parents in response to any opinion pieces. Physically hand the response in to room 9114 or email it to patriotpost@ahschool.com.

2 Table of Contents

Assistant Editors Alyssa Herzbrun, 12th Bella Ramirez, 11th Zoe Persaud, 11th Online Assistant Editor Kayla Rubenstein, 11th Adviser Ms. Diana Adams Copy Editors Kristen Quesada, 12th Joanne Haner, 12th Zoe Persaud, 11th News Editor Zoe Persaud, 11th Opinion Editor Alyssa Herzbrun, 12th Features Editor Emma Remudo, 11th Entertainment Editor Bella Ramirez, 11th

Sports Editor Sammy Rosenthal, 11th Cover Story Editor Maia Fernandez Baigun, 12th Bella Ramirez, 11th Business Manager Kayla Rubenstein, 11th Social Media Editor Madison Lynn, 12th Staff Writers Sebastian Figueredo, 11th Emily Anderson, 11th Jack Shechtman, 11th Noor Sukkar, 10th

American Heritage School 12200 W. Broward Blvd.

Plantation, FL 33325 954-472-0022 ext. 3300 patriotpost@ahschool.com ipatriotpost.com

Opinion 4

News 7

Cover Story 12

Features 10

Entertainment 17

Sports 21

(Photos & Graphic/Cinzia Baracco, Nolan Dietz, Joanne Haner, Maia Fernandez Baigun, Vibe, Madison Flanagan )

Editorial Policy The Patriot Post limits opinion to opinion articles, columns and editorials. All editorials reflect the majority opinion of the staff. Opinions detailed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of administration, faculty or the student body. At our own discretion, we will publish letters to the editor either in print or online at ipatriotpost.com. We reserve the right to edit these letters for grammar and layout restrictions and will not publish any content we deem libelous to any students, faculty or members of the community.

@ipatriotpost Patriot Post

Our Mission Statement The Patriot Post is an award-winning, student-produced hybrid publication that informs students about events, influences readers through editorials and entertains through features and reviews, all achieved through responsible reporting held to high journalistic standards.

We strive to create content that adheres to the highest possible standards of journalistic integrity. Any queries about our content can be directed to patriotpost@ahschool.com or to a staff member in room 9114.

With new posts on our online newspaper almost every day, the content doesn’t stop at the last page of this magazine. Visit www.ipatriotpost.com for more information, and subscribe for email notifications.

Table of Contents 3

Opinion/Editorial

Editorial: Green initiative

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s part of a new environmental initiative to reduce the single-use of one million plastic bottles on both Heritage campuses per year, the school switched from selling plastic bottles to canned and boxed water.

Around 35 billion bottles are used in the United States each year. Of this, only 25% gets recycled. This other 75% of plastic takes around 450 years to completely decompose.

Even when plastic bottles do reach the recycling bin, recycling plastic has significantly more limitations than other materials like glass and aluminum. There are thousands of variations of plastic, and each type has a different ratio of dyes and additives that makes its melting point vary.

Different types of plastics cannot melt together. Therefore, plastic has to be sorted through in an expensive and time consuming process. The light yet bulky nature of a curvy water bottle means it occupies a lot of space

without providing a significant amount of recyclable plastic.

Recycling aluminum is much more efficient. More than half of aluminum cans are recycled each year, or 105 million cans. Their light yet sturdy nature makes them easy for stacking, packing and transporting, all while using a minimum amount of material. Boxed water similarly takes up less space than plastic, filling 26 trucks’ worth of containers into a single truck.

Most importantly, however, aluminum and boxed water are 100% recyclable. Aluminum can be used endlessly without losing any of its properties.

This poster child for reduce, reuse, recycle has more than three times the recycling rate of glass or plastic with 70% of aluminum recycled on average compared to just 3% for plastic and 23% for glass according to the Aluminum Association. As for boxed water, its high paper content makes it

biodegradable, posing less threat to the environment if not recycled.

Aluminum still has its drawbacks, though.

Aluminum iws mined out of bauxite, which can devastate ecosystems, generate air and water pollution and cause health problems in surrounding communities, according to Mental Floss.

Despite aluminum’s superiority to plastic, it still falls short in its creation processs, making boxed water the better single-use choice all-around.

As the world adapts for the sake of the environment, so does the school. Whether at the vending machines or cafeteria, aluminum cans and boxed water make a difference.

(Photo/Maia Fernandez Baigun)

Too many clubs dilute productivity

(Graphic/Alyssa Herzbrun)

ta

m pe o c s/

60 interes

4 Opinion

“I do not think students should create a club to pad their resume; rather, a student should create a club because he/she has a passion for a specific organization or project,” guidance director Mrs. Kelly Bennett said.

Rather than starting a new club, students can try spearheading a large-scale project through an existing club.

Starting a club may seem like a good idea at first, but we already have too many clubs on campus, so it’s important to reconsider the necessity of another addition.

soc i et ie

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s debatably one of the most diverse school in South Florida, we also have a wide array of clubs and activities for Upper School students to join -- 86 to be precise. However, having so many choices for groups to join limits the actual productivity of each club.

Out of the current 86 clubs that exist on campus, roughly 30 of them are honor societies and competition teams such as Mu Alpha Theta and Science Bowl, but that still leaves around 60 interest and service clubs. Many of these clubs share similar goals, including environmentally-friendly habits or social justice advocacy.

While these clubs can join forces for events or fundraisers, the membership bases are independent from one another. The Inter-Club Council guidelines state that every club in good standing must host at least two events

a semester. However, if every club hosts two events a semester independently, that’s more than 120 events.

Since the student body has a finite amount of funds it can contribute to these fundraisers or a limited amount of time it can dedicate to attending events, club events usually don’t bring in many donations or attendees.

Since each club has different interests, these donations are then spread across a variety of charities, and somewhere along the line a total $200 collection from a non-bake-sale event becomes an amazing feat.

But why do students create so many clubs?

Student founders usually have some sort of interest in their proposed club, but adding “founder of X” to a college application also serves as a nice motivation.

While creating a club shows initiative and drive, if founders started the club for the wrong reasons, it will die out soon after the founders graduate.

30 honor

Joanne Haner | Online Editor-in-Chief pl184941@ahschool.com

n

tition teams

ervice clubs s d

86 clubs on campus

Face-off:

Plus size MANNEQUINS

P r o m ot i n g p o s i t i v i t y herself for a run” but is “most likely pre-diabetic and on her way to hip replacement,” Gold said.

Many took to Twitter to express their feelings about this topic, with some coming out about their own weight issues and how weight is not necessarily a reflection of one’s health.

According to an article by “Racked,” the average American woman is 5-foot-3, weighs 168.5 pounds and wears a size 16 or 18. So, the average American woman’s size is closer to the XL-XXXL

Emily Anderson | Staff Writer pl238251@ahschool.com

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lthough body positivity is a prevalent issue in society, the topic never seems to reach clothing stores, where it should appear first.

In June, Nike brought out its rendition of the “plus-sized” mannequin. According to ABC News, Nike launched the Nike Plus Sized collection in 2017, “a collection crafted to fit at every size.”

Nike’s mannequins were not completely well-received. English journalist Tanya Gold referred to the mannequins as “obese” in her tweet. “[The mannequin] is not readying

range of Nike’s plus size line than not. The introduction of the plus-sized mannequin promoted the image of a woman that is relatable and not the skinny, tall figure that many women feel pressured to be.

Nike’s mannequin is not a promotion of obesity but of strength within the plus-size community. In an ABC News interview, Nike said it “continues to listen to the voice of the athlete and know that the female consumer wants to see a diverse and inclusive range of product to serve her supporting needs.”

With words like “inclusive” and “diverse,” Nike is trying to add to an equally diverse society. It is not the clothes or even the mannequin that has caused a negative reaction, but rather the consumer’s rejection of diversity.

Regardless of body type, all people have the right to love themselves in their own skin. Plussized people deserve to be represented just like the rest of society. No one should be denied representation because of the shape of their body.

Misinterpreting plus size Noor Sukkar | Staff Writer pl243541@ahschool.com

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t one point in time, plus-size clothing was not in the spotlight like it is today. Practically shunned, plus-size figures remained in the shadows as thinner figures got promoted.

Nowadays, society has shifted from the suppressed skinny societal norm to an acceptance of plus sizes. Unfortunately, society has shifted from one extreme to the next. The accepted image shifted from an unhealthy underweight to an unhealthy overweight.

Acceptance drastically differs from promotion. Body types differ and no single standard of beautiful bodies exist. However, letting society know bodies come in all different shapes and sizes shouldn’t match up with the normalization of overweight/obese people.

Plus-size transformed into an excuse to turn a blind eye to

serious health risks, altering the phrase’s intended meaning and labeling it as “self-confidence.” With the circulating image of bigger bodies, people start to underestimate their body weights.

Dr. Raya Muttarak, from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), created a study to look into people’s misperceptions of their weight, and how they underestimated the numbers on the scale.

According to Medical Xpress, Dr. Muttarak found that “the number of overweight individuals who are misperceiving their weight has increased over time, from 48.4% to 57.9% in men and 24.5% to 30.6% in women between 1997 and 2015.

Similarly, among individuals classified as obese, the proportion of

(Graphic/Kristen Quesada)

men misperceiving their weight in 2015 was almost double that of 1997.”

Dr. Muttarak applied her findings to the plus-size campaign. “While this type of body positive movement helps reduce stigmatization of larger-sized bodies, it can potentially undermine the recognition of being overweight and its health consequences.”

Plus-size campaigning needs to return to its original purpose: shining light on all shapes and sizes, not any one in particular.

On a fix to the topic, Dr. Brad Frankum, the Australia Medical Association NSW president, told The Daily Telegraph, “a better message would be sent by seeing more models who were a healthy size on runways rather than ‘celebrating extremes.’” History should not repeat itself in glorifying an extreme body type; society should not set another unhealthy standard.

Opinion 5

Worth It: Independents

Kayla Rubenstein | Online Asst. Editor pl226461@ahschool.com

W

ith a plethora of courses available, it may feel like a waste of a period to take an independent.

However, taking one offers multiple benefits, both academically and physically.

For seniors, taking an independent allows for more time to work on the college process, using independents to meet with college advisors during the day and work on applications.

By taking an independent, you take one fewer class, which means one fewer class to worry about. “Academically, free periods for all students mean one’s time is not divided among as many classes,” guidance counselor and college advisor Mr. Erik McLeod said. “This translates into better grades and higher GPAs. Stronger grades then can translate into stronger college chances.”

Athletes also reap the benefits of independents. “Independents are great for athletes and any other student who would

not like to miss a class because they have to leave early for a game or event,” guidance counselor Ms. Jody Schiller said. “They can also get work done so if they get home late.”

A common argument against independents involves colleges and how having one appears negatively on your transcript. However, this has no factual backing. According to Mr. McLeod, colleges can’t see, nor will they ask, if a student took an independent.

Outside of the academic benefits, having an independent helps alleviate stress, fostering positive mental health. “Students who have a free period are generally less stressed about school and feel better because they get more sleep due to less homework,” Mr. McLeod said. “Depriving the adolescent brain of sleep interferes with its development and impairs cognition. In simpler terms, too little sleep makes you dumber.”

While tempting to socialize during your independent, utilize this time to truly study.

Tips for Optimizing Your Independent TIMe

1. Go To The Library

With tables with electrical outlets to charge your iPad and computer stations, the library offers the tools needed to finish a decent chunk of work.

2. Ignore Distractions

While it may seem tempting to socialize with friends during an independent, using your independent for its intended purpose will save you in the long run.

3. Create a To-Do List

I’ve played around with planners of all different shapes, sizes and costs, yet the way I best keep track of everything comes in the form of the free, pre-installed Notes app. Find a system that works for you to keep track of all your tasks.

Where is Our Humanity?

Sebastian Figueredo | Staff Writer pl237771@ahschool.com

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s children, we learn to read almost immediately when we begin our education. Reading and writing evolve into English classes and literature but as we grow up, S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) subjects take over in terms of “importance,” with the humanities lagging behind.

The humanities include a broad spectrum of subjects from English and social studies to foreign language and law. With the humanities being one of the first things we learn in our schooling, why do we neglect to give them their much-earned importance as we continue our studies?

According to The Washington Post, fewer students are studying the liberal arts than they did a decade ago with numbers falling as much as 10%. Students are dropping courses in the humanities during college in favor of more science and math courses, which they view as more applicable in the real world when searching for jobs.

6

Opinion

Traditionally, many scholarly institutions fund their primarily scientific research with thousands, even millions, of dollars to study the atom or experiment with new medicine.

The advancements that happen thanks to this research are undoubtedly crucial to our lives, but humanities research should not be ignored.

Dr. Céline Guillerm, a teacher of French 2, 3, 4 and AP along with middle school French earned her doctorate in Comparative Studies of French Literature and Women’s Studies. Her dissertation entitled “A Feminist Cultural Study of Identity, Hair Loss, and Chemotherapy” is as far as she went in terms of her humanities research but she regards education in the humanities as extremely helpful.

“What we’re doing in class is something you can apply in the real world,” Dr. Guillerm said. She emphasizes the importance of creating bridges and bonds between cultures by learning more about cultures different than ours.

Unfortunately, humanities research may be a lot more difficult than science research to complete due to the difference in how it is conducted.

“While it would be interesting for Heritage to offer [humanities research], I think the logistics of it would be difficult,” Mrs. Krisynda Cicos, AP and Honors Psychology teacher who has experience in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder research said.

Regardless of the feasibility of pursuing this kind of research, Mrs. Raquel Bolanos, a teacher for AP English Language and Composition at American Heritage, attests to its significance saying, “One of the benefits is refining the lens of humanity. The ability to humanize social issues and ethical issues.”

In a world constantly clouded with moral issues, dedicating more time and energy into the humanities and even pursuing their own humanities research project could shape their world perspective for the better.

(Photo/Alyssa Herzbrun)

News

NEWS BRIEF

Kayla Rubenstein | Online Asst. Editor pl226461@ahschool.com

E

very year, the PSAT rolls around for students in grades seven through 11 in mid-October. For juniors, this test determines who will earn National Merit Scholar status. This year, the PSAT occurred Oct. 16. To prepare for the exam, Heritage instituted its new “American Heritage National Merit Program” headed by Mr. Lance Kohn, who instructed around 120 juniors on different PSAT and SAT strategies.

“Based on what I’ve seen [in class] and from analyzing the results of the practice test, it looks like the school is really strong in math, very strong in writing,” Mr. Kohn said. “Reading is where we need the most help, but everyone seems very eager to get where they want to be. I’m actually very excited for this group because they all are working very hard.”

CRUNCH TIME: The Monday before the PSAT, juniors in the National Merit program studied in the theater from noon to 6 p.m. Juniors Sophia Hai and Naila Charania compare answers as they review extra worksheets available to students. (Photo/Kayla Rubenstein)

College Fair

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ith about 4,300 colleges in the United States alone, according to US News, it can seem difficult to decide on just one. To help students narrow the pool of schools, Heritage invited over 100 universities, both in-country and international, to the Fine Arts Building Thursday, Oct. 17.

“I love the college fair because it brings students and colleges together. Students get the chance to find out more information about the school they like or discover a new school. They can also meet the person who is potentially going to read their application, and that is always nice,” Mrs. Sharon Bikondu said. “The bottomline is, College Fair is all about connections.”

COLLEGE CONECTIONS: Amoung the over 80 colleges represented at the college fair, junior Rishi Patel visits the representative for Emory University. (Photo/ Kolby Fleming)

Merit Ceremony

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or 93 seniors, dedicating hours to PSAT prep in the Merit program last year ended with different, rewarding levels of National Merit Scholarships: 44 Semifinalists, who are currently in the process of applying for Finalist; 40 Commended Scholars; and 32 National Hispanic Scholars. To celebrate the accomplishments, the school hosted its first annual ceremony and breakfast Friday, Oct. 4 in honor of the Merit Scholars.

“These kids worked really hard and their parents are really proud of them,” Mrs. Blum said. “It is nice in life to sometimes stop and reflect and celebrate the good things.”

(Photo/Kayla Rubenstein)

PSAT

NATIONAL SCHOLARS: After many months of studying for the PSAT, the class of 2020 showed off their awards during the ceremony.

Pre-Med Superhero Party

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osted at Broward Health Medical Center, the Pre-Med Superhero Party brought cheer to 23 pediatric patients through the efforts of 110 Pre-Med volunteers. To prepare for this event, Pre-Med students planned every detail, drawing sketches of the room for decoration purposes and meeting with hospital staff to ensure the event runs as smooth as possible. In order to know what to buy the patients for the Pre-Med Holiday Party in December, the Pre-Med students had the patients write a wishlist at this event.

“My favorite part of the party is getting to hang out with every patient and do what interests them,” senior Zaina Ghantous said. “You’re able to form this special bond with each of them that never fades.”

SUPERHERO STRENGTH: Pre-Med students hosted a superhero-themed party at the Broward Health Center, displaying their dedication to the theme by wearing superhero costumes.

(Photo/Cole Holifield)

Model UN

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he Model United Nations (MUN) team hosted its seventh annual home conference. With over 300 attendees, this student-run conference included over 12 schools from South Florida.

The MUN team also took to another state to compete: Missouri. Hosted Oct. 11-13 at Washington University in St. Louis, 30 MUN competitors spent three days competing.

CRISIS IN THE ROOM: The MUN team also took to another state to compete: Missouri. Hosted Oct. 11-13 at Washington University in St. Louis, 30 MUN competitors spent three days competing.

(Photo/Cinzia Baracco)

News 7

OUR OWN PIANO MAN Joanne Haner | Online Editor-In-Chief pl184941@ahschool.com

W

hen Fine Arts Department member Mr. Milton Sesenton started playing the piano, he immediately knew music inspired him.

What he didn’t know, however, is that he would grow up to study, compose, arrange and produce music, work for large-scale theater productions in London and Broadway and eventually earn a Latin Grammy for Best Music Production. But he doesn’t stop there: Mr. Sesenton recently received several other nominations from the Latin Grammy Awards for Best Music Production, Best Arrangement and Best Tropical Song.

The first time Mr. Sesenton touched a piano, he was 8 years old. He went over to a friend’s house to play with his toy cars SING US A SONG: Ever since joining the Heritage family in 2013, Mr. Sesenton spends the majority of his time on campus in the chorus, but always finds a home at his piano. Playing the theme song from PBS “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” Mr. Sesenton puts his own spin and emotion into whatever he plays. (Photo/Joanne Haner)

8 News

but found himself in front of the household piano.

“As soon as I touched that note, I knew what I wanted,” Mr. Sesenton said. “I don’t even know how to describe it. It’s like that note filled my spirit.”

Soon after, Mr. Sesenton’s father bought him his first piano.

Throughout his adolescence, Mr. Sesenton played with local bands and took piano lessons with his instructor, Mr. Luciano Quiñones, whom he still talks to today.

Throughout his university years, Mr. Sesenton studied piano and began composing music, practicing for hours at a time.

“The first time I walked into the theater, I heard this beautiful piano,” Mr. Seseston said. “I look to see who’s playing, expecting a professor, and I see a 14-yearold kid. From that day on, that was the before and after of my life in music. When I saw that kid playing, I realized I was wasting so much time. I started taking piano seriously.”

Years later, after returning from collaborating with Broadway producer and director Manny Fox on shows in both New York and London, Mr. Sesenton came across

Puerto Rican salsa singer Bobby Cruz.

He wrote 10 arrangements for Cruz’s 2007 album “Románticos De Ayer, Hoy y Siempre,” which won the Latin Grammy for Best Traditional Tropical Album. This year, he worked with Argentinian Christian artist Silvana Armentano on her most recent album, which received a nomination for Best Arrangement and Best Production.

“These things come because you work hard. I don’t write music with a Grammy in mind,” Mr. Sesenton said. “I just write music because I love it, and I’m trying to do my best.”

TICKLE THE IVORIES: Mr. Sesenton originally pursued engineering as a career choice before discovering his passion for music and shifting his focus. (Photo/Joanne Haner)

GOING DIGITAL Joanne Haner | Online Editor-In-Chief pl184941@ahschool.com

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In the wake of newly implemented environmental regulations, the science department is doing its part on minimizing its carbon footprint

or students who have to do a science fair project, making the board seems like the final challenge. However, many students loathed the process of printing and cutting papers and adjusting font sizes and spacing to fit the dimensions of a tri-fold board.

That process is history. With the new environmental efforts Heritage has put forth, hundreds of students no longer have to make a physical science fair board; instead, they now make a digital one.

In previous years, students from certain honors-level science classes such as

honors chemistry or biology had to complete a science fair project complete with a standard tri-fold board displaying the various aspects of their project. While teachers encouraged students to recycle their boards after grades went in, many students simply threw out their boards.

“There is no need for every student to print a board because not every student goes to the fair,” science department chair Mrs. Leya Joykutty said.

Now, students will use a pre-formatted slideshow template to create a digital science fair presentation, which they will then submit to their science teacher.

“The purpose [of a science fair project is to learn how to present your presentation, and that doesn’t necessarily mean putting it on a board,” Mrs. Joykutty said.

Teachers will still select certain projects to continue to the school fair, and, should a selected student accept, he or she would need to make the standard trifold science fair board in a turnaround time of about one week. The student can choose not to take the opportunity, but they would receive extra credit and a chance to continue to the county fair if they did.

Let’s Get down to business The implementation of a new business track may serve as good news for students interested in pursuing business further than a summer course Zoe Persaud | Co-Assistant Editor pl238511@ahschool.com

(Graphic/Alyssa Herzbrun)

T

he introduction of the new 4500 building brings many changes to campus, including a new gym, publication labs and several available classrooms.

Access to new classrooms allows curriculum to expand and providesnew courses to students such as the business track. The new track and the classes it encapsulates will take place in the new building as another outlet for students to explore the professional world of business in a high-school setting.

“Dr. Laurie and I have always talked about the idea of having a business curriculum and creating the connections and educating kids so that they understand business. What held us back was classroom space but when we build the new building, we’ll have 16 classrooms which will open up space to be able to teach it,” said Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) advisor Mr. Marc Shaw, who helped outline the new track.

The track will include an introductory class (i.e. business fundamentals) as well as business development, entrepreneurial, marketing, communications and financial accounting courses during the year while

the Intro to Business Entrepreneurship class would remain during the summer.

Students pursuing the four-year track hope to finish with a full business plan for an idea developed throughout their high school careers or support a new idea with their newfound knowledge. Similar to other pre-professional tracks already instituted, the business track would offer an internship for seniors committed to the subject.

“We’re teaching classes just like they’re taught in undergraduate and graduate programs. So, our kids are going to be exposed to more, and they’re taught by professionals. It’s a unique experience where you get the book knowledge and the practical [and] how it applies in the real world. And the idea being, if our kids are prepared when they go into their undergraduate, they’re going to be successful. That’s what makes our school unique,” Mr. Shaw said.

News

9

Features 0.4% born in Africa

Bringing on the diversity 83.6% born in North America

With Heritage being one of the most diverse schools in South Florida, it is important to recognize the many dif4.7% ferences that exist among our student body. South Florida born in is home toSouth a multicultural mix of people from all around the world,America and Heritage’s student population is a reflection of that diversity. Looking at the demographics of the school, it is easy to see how that is true.

Poll collected by Emily Anderson Out of 512 responses

(Graphics/Emma Rem udo )

What languages do

you

sp e

ak

% 6.6 n in bor a Asi

?

97.3% speak English

4.7% born in South America

.6% 83 rn in bo rth No erica Am

4.7 bor % Eu n in rop e

0 b .4% Af orn ric in a

36.7% speak Spanish

11.1% speak Chinese

2.5% African heritage

20.3% South American heritage

7% speak French

What religion are you?

6.3% speak Hindi

26.4% Asian heritage

13.9% Other

%

43.6% Christian

ist the

14.1% European heritage

54.4% North American heritage

Are you a U.S. citizen?

16% Jewish

.2 15

10 Features

Where is your family from?

10.4% are not citizens

A

5.3% Hindu 2.5% Buddhist

89.6% are citizens

3.5% Muslim

BuyinG Emma Remudo | Features Editor pl209912@ahschool.com

A

s organic culture merges with mainstream trends, more and more people are incentivized to shop “green.”

Whether buying pesticide free vegetables or packing an all organic school lunch, this wave of environmentalism raises the question: Are these fads simply morally gratifying or are they actually good for the environment?

Simply put, organic means any product grown without pesticides or man-made fertilizers. However, with the rising popularity of organic products, the definition of what constitutes organic has become more complex. For example, for foods to

ORGANIC

qualify for the USDA organic label, only 95% of its ingredients need to be organic, according to the Washington Post. This leaves 200 other non-organic products that can be used to produce the goods.

Products labeled “made with organic ingredients” only need to have 70% of their ingredients certified organic, also according to the Washington Post. Take a bag of chips made with organic corn but non-organic oil. Because the corn makes up 75% of the chips, these chips can qualify as organic.

While buying organic can be beneficial to the environment, if the products

(Graphic/Kristen Quesada)

have to be imported across the country or even internationally, the resulting carbon footprint affects the environment more negatively than buying from local, non-organic sources.

Following the fad isn’t always a bad thing. After all, buying organic can have undeniable benefits, from raised levels of nutrients to increased vitamins.

Cracking the Zoe Persaud | Co-Assistant Editor pl238511@ahschool.com

A

mong classes, extracurriculars and other responsibilities, test preparation also piles onto students’ packed schedules. Requirements to take these tests have not changed; however, the method of preparation on-campus significantly transitioned.

A recent partnership with The Princeton Review, a national college admission service company that provides test preparation books, tutoring and online courses, provides an optional course for students to build skills regarding the PSAT and the SAT. The course offers 60 hours of guided classroom instruction including four simulated practice tests and access to the Princeton Review website which includes extra review questions and exams.

The Heritage Summer Institute offered two sessions of the class from July 1-19 (Session II) and July 22 - Aug. 9 (Session III). If you missed the summer sessions, the class continues through the school year as an elective during eighth period, ninth period or after school every day except Friday.

American Heritage’s National Merit program also shifted to accommodate specific needs of students and require fewer hours of class time each session. The new regimen includes teacher-led math, reading and writing classes that tackle strategies to help students, specifically juniors, succeed on the PSAT.

PSAT

The weekly class takes place after school Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. and provides four practice exams that allow students to track their score progress in relation to the standards for the National Merit Scholarship at no extra cost. Sessions typically include only two days per week but students can attend more days if they wish.

The sessions also focus on individual experience, encouraging students to tailor their own schedule to strengthen weaker subjects rather than following fixed group classes.

Despite the stress and heavy workload that comes with student life, the new programs and opportunities work to better prepare students for exams while integrating practice into the regular school day.

(Graphic/Kristen Quesada)

Features 11

Crisis: No Planet B A Kristen Quesada | Co-Editor-in-Chief pl208162@ahschool.com

lthough most people have heard about the this issue even closer to home. Florida’s Governor looming danger of climate change, not is planning more than $4 billion in sea level rise everyone knows the statistics, leading to solutions. These are funds that could go to crucial rampant misinformation. To provide context, cligovernment programs in future years but instead mate change is the long-term change in the globwill be wasted on a once-preventable catastrophe. al climate. While this process has been through A report authored by hundreds of U.S. climate natural cycles in the scientists from past, it has never 13 federal agenThe U.S. economy will been as exacerbated cies, the 2018 shrink by as much as 10% as it is today, mainFourth National by the end of the century if ly due to mankind Climate assessglobal warming continues after the Industrial ment, predicted at its current rate.

Revolution. the U.S. econClimate change omy will shrink most evidently manby as much as ifests itself in global 10% by the end warming, which has of the centutriggered a domino ry if global effect in the enviwarming ronment. As global continues at surface temperature its current rises, our oceans abrate. This Greta Thunberg sorb much of that means a heat, warming more than 0.4 degrees Fahrenheit GDP drop from $19.39 trillion to $17.45 since 1969. Ocean heating has had some of the trillion — the worst depression our most dangerous effects, shrinking crucial Antarceconomy will have seen. tic ice sheets, acidifying the waters by more than “You have stolen my dreams and my 30% and increasing sea level by about 8 inches in childhood with your empty words,” the last century.

16-year-old climate activist Greta Florida will be one of the first affected areas Thunberg said at the 2019 United of sea level rise given its flat sea level, bringing Nations climate action summit in

“ We are in the beginning of

a mass extinction. And all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you.”

The Heroes Bella Ramirez | Co-Assistant Editor pl237961@ahschool.com

Daniel Block | senior President of Healthy Heritage “I think it’s important to notice what you’re doing and think about ways you can change it. Just look at your personal environmental footprint and think of ways you can minimize it because it does start with you. It’s great if you can make a bigger impact and impact the school, impact the state,” Block said. “There are people impacting the entire world with international climate summits but it starts with yourself.”

12 Cover Story

2020 Flash floods will increase across Europe. Less rainfall could reduce agriculture yields by up to 50% throughout the world.

2019 As of now, we only have 11 years to prevent irreversible damage from climate change.

Our “If Then” Statement 2100 Sea level is projected to rise another one to four feet by 2100.

Storm surges and high tides could combine with the sea level rise to increase flooding in many regions.

2050 The Arctic Ocean is expected to become essentially ice free by m i d - c e n t u r y.

Ocean acidification could kill off most coral reefs.

Cover Story

New York. “Yet I’m one of the tion by writing a letter to your local representative lucky ones. People are suffering. to effect change; attend climate protests and join People are dying. Entire ecosystems youth-led movements; vote for leaders who will are collapsing. We are in the begintake climate change seriously. ning of a mass extinction. And all you Steps of larger entities can have even can talk about is money and fairy tales more of an impact. Take Heritage for instance, which saw the of eterColonial Crisis single uses of nal ecoBurnin’ Up Global temperature up roughly one nomic Hottest year 1.62 degrees since 1800s million plastic g rowth. on record bottles on both How dare The Effects of its campuses you.”

3 2 1 combined each We are year. To change the last genthat, the school eration that Heatwaves Forest Fires Severe Weather now procan tackle this motes reusable issue, for in a water bottles short 11 years, & 4 5 and only sells it will be too late, canned and according to the Countless Harsher boxed water, United Nations.

Rising Sea Level More Disaster two much more However, we eco-friendly have the opporalternatives. tunity to change When the course.

Considering 70% of the world’s greenworld bands together to save the Earth for its fuhouse gas emissions can be traced back to 100 ture generations, anything can be accomplished companies, this may give little hope to the individ— even preventing the permanent effects of cliual of trying to reduce their carbon output. More mate change. so than just turning the lights off and taking shorter showers, encourage large scale government ac(Graphics/Bella Ramirez) (Photos/Maia Fernandez-Baigun))

Robert (Jack) Boucek | senior President of Black, Gold and Green Hailing from an environmentally conscious family, Boucek joined the Marine Biology Club in seventh grade and Black, Gold and Green Club (BGG) in freshman year. One of the ways Boucek stays green is by biking to school instead of driving. “I’m actually trying to get administration to put in more bike racks to encourage that,” Boucek said.

Cover Story 13

When They were us: Mrs. Shaneka Major

(Photos submitted by Shaneka Major) (Photos submitted by Shaneka Major)

Have you ever wondered what your teachers were like in high school? In our monthly faculty profile, we take a trip back to the past and explore what teachers were like ‘When They Were Us’ (WTWU).

Kayla Rubenstein| Online Asst. Editor pl226461@ahschool.com

F

rom participating in the school band to presiding over a fraternity, eighth grade Honors Composition and Grammar teacher Mrs. Shaneka Major embodied the idea of a well-rounded student when she attended American Senior High in Miami. Through multiple extracurriculars, Mrs. Major found a path toward teaching.

Outside the classroom, high school meant a time to explore different avenues.

She joined several activities, including Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and band, where she danced and played the saxophone.

“I dibbled and dabbled in a bit of everything,” Mrs. Major said. “It’s just my personality. I have a lot of different interests.”

Mrs. Major also participated in different sports, though she quickly learned she preferred academics.

“Let’s just say that sports were not the greatest. I tried volleyball until I realized there was a height situation, and I ended up being the shortest girl on the team. Then I tried basketball and realized that nothing about basket or balls worked out for me.

14 Features

I was trying, I’m telling you,” Mrs. Major said. “I then decided that I was going to try track. Have you ever done hurdles and hit your leg on the railing? I did that once and fell, and then I said, ‘You know what?

There are some people more athletically inclined than I am, so I’m going to leave that to them.’”

Mrs. Major’s favorite activity was Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA), where she took on the role of president.

Initially, she wanted to go into gynecology, but a visit from a practicing professional changed her mind.

Mrs. Major then shifted her focus to business. At Florida State University, she became president of Delta Sigma Pi, the best co-ed business fraternity in the country according to her.

“For me, I was trying to figure out what area I fit into. I thought because I was interested in FBLA in high school, I should pick up this business thing. I also love English, so I decided to try corporate law,” Mrs. Major said. “I thought English merged very well with business. I was trying to put the pieces together. I didn’t want to box myself in into one area and not experience things.”

While exploring her interest in business, Mrs. Major operated her own cleaning com-

pany. “[The cleaning company] was called Major Cleaning. It was great. It’s difficult to own a company, though, but the website was beautiful. I think I loved the website most,” she said.

However, she decided business wasn’t for her. As president of Delta Sigma Pi, Mrs. Major taught new pledges and noticed teaching incorporates her passion for English. “I realized, ‘Oh, I love [teaching] and get great feedback,” Mrs. Major said. “They used to say to me ‘you’d be a great teacher.’”

Now, Mrs. Major spends the school day in classroom 8216. However, she doesn’t have a concrete plan for her future and would tell her younger self to try everything.

“You don’t have to have just one [activity]. I said to myself the other day, maybe when I turn 50, I may go back to medical school. It’s not like the options aren’t still there.

In the end, it all connects.”

(Photo submitted by Shaneka Major)

EHAS Everyone has a story

Nolan Dietz

SUPERIOR SONGS: In the MPA’s, Nolan Dietz’s (shown on the right) home band won a superior rating for its song which is the highest achievement possible.

(Photos submitted by Nolan Dietz)

We are on a mission: to prove to you, our reader, that everyone, and we do mean everyone, has a story within them, both unique and interesting. Cue our bi-monthly feature EHAS: Everyone Has A Story, where two Patriot Post staffers set off on a quest to find and extensively interview a Heritage student at random to prove that everyone does, in fact, have a story.

Maia Fernandez Baigun | Co-Editor-in-Chief pl212601@ahschool.com Kristen Quesada | Co-Editor-in-Chief pl208162@ahschool.com

W

ith the school year well into action, students have experienced numerous tests in multiple classes.

So, for this issue, we wanted to test students ourselves. Rolling around a cart during Upper School lunch, we asked students to spell out the longest word they knew without consulting their phones.

After reviewing entries ranging from “important” to “pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis,” sophomore Nolan Dietz won the contest after naming the Welsh city Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. This town’s name boasts 58 letters, making it challenging to even pronounce. Dietz, however, spelled it with just a

couple errors, remembering the time when his sixth grade math teacher showed a video of a weatherman pronouncing the town’s name correctly.

Dietz started attending Heritage in fourth grade, making him feel connected to many fellow students. “A lot of people know a lot about me, so that’s always fun,” Dietz said. Since fourth grade, Dietz has grown to participate in a variety of activities in and outside school.

He doesn’t tie himself down to one specific field, with interests in all of the pre-professional tracks, takes Pre-Law classes, attends Pre-Med meetings and holds an interest in the engineering of everyday vehicles.

Though passionate about legal issues, Dietz enjoys his science classes the most, embracing his engineering side. “I find it really cool how you can learn about almost everything, especially in science, where you can learn how things operate and why stuff works,” he said.

As for his medical pursuits, Dietz likes to give back to his community through volunteering in the pediatric wing of Memorial Hospital West after school and on the weekends. “My mom is a doctor, so even though I am more into Pre-Law, I find it really cool volunteering there,” Dietz said.

Aside from his more career-oriented interests,

Dietz also plays drums in the marching band.

Though he initially joined on a whim while picking sixth grade electives, Dietz loves the contrast that band brings into his life.

In his quest to find his true calling, Dietz has tried to branch out as much as possible, refusing to settle into one interest, yet.

SERVICE SWAG: Nolan Dietz volunteers at Memorial Hospital West whenever he gets the chance.

Features 15

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Entertainment

Entertainment Opinion Our staffers’ takes on the entertainment industry.

Reuse: Reboot Culture Zoe Persaud | Co-Assistant Editor pl238551@ahschool.com

I

n the current age of remakes, reboots and spin-offs, timeless childhood classics may come back to hit you with a wave of nostalgia at the price of originality.

According to a Northern Arizona University study, people may turn to reboots because they yearn for the past.

The familiar plot brings back memories of “better times” such as a carefree childhood.

However, the success of reboots due to the appeal of nostalgia discourages the funding of original ideas and limits the amount of resources available to unique projects.

We’re losing our culture in the shadow of reboots.

Remakes develop with society, changing outdated comedy to relevant topics and providing new perspectives from established storylines. “A ‘reimagining’ is basically a remake, but with a fancy new hat: Something’s been added to or changed from the original film that alters it in a major way” according to “Vox” about the styles of reboots.

Despite extensive changes, the proliferation of reboots and remakes does not contribute meaning to popular culture that supplements the impact of the original

film. The loss of new ideas and messages leaves the film industry stale with repetition and amplifies the success of original ideas.

Reboots dilute the media market as old films and shows resurface with the same or similar plots, leaving little room for original ideas. Studios may favor the profits of revamping memorable movies, but contribute to a widespread loss of creativity and uniqueness in the process.

(Graphics/Bella Ramirez)

Rest In Peace Streaming Noor Sukkar | Staff Writer pl243541@ahschool.com

F

our score and not too long ago, cable television (TV) almost suffered extinction at the hands of streaming services. A revolutionary era of having endless channels of live TV, on-demand shows, recordings and so on almost saw the end of its line.

Offering a wide variety of content, these services attracted wide populations, leading people to cut cable wires.

Brands began a copycat culture of creating their own streaming services to provide the media they own. Slowly, shows abandoned their original platforms. New streaming services surfaced, and one could no longer find the majority of the shows in any one place.

We cut the cable what feels like eons ago, but it seems we are reverting to our old ways.

This erases the original idea of having all of a viewer’s preferred shows in one place. As people begin to realize they need more than one subscription, costs add up and it becomes harder to keep up with different accounts. Numerous subscriptions could rack up monthly fees higher than that of cable. A household with a variety of preferences would need more than one streaming platform, and one would still not get all of the channels cable offers.

The once heavenly idea of convenience in streaming TV has ceased to exist. If cable is an all-in-one alternative to multiple streaming services, then it’s only logical to choose the better option.

Entertainment 17

SP

TLIGHT The Taylor Sisters

Alyssa Hezbrun | Co-Assistant Editor pl231251@ahschool.com to her, with the goal of one day making it to Broadway. Last year, she managed two shows, a musical and a play. In the musical she stage managed, “Songs of a New World,” she took attendance during theater rehearsals and showed actors their positions on stage (blocking). If a director had changes to make to the script, Kelly would make the corrections.

“I was surprised that I was asked to stage manage the musical last year. We only had five weeks to finish it, but it was put together really nicely,” Kelly said. During play rehearsals, Kelly created the schedule of events for practices leading to the final showtime. As stage manager for the JH musical, “The Addams Family,” she went to the state competition and helped manage the set for 3,000 audience members. Kelly explained that her appreciation for acting

(Photo/Mrs. Hoffman) BEHIND THE SCENES: Rachel Taylor uses a jigsaw to cut out a design on a piece of foam for the summer production of “Aladdin.”

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“If you are thinking about joining

hen a new musical or play comes to Heritage, a lot more than acting is involved in a production. Although theater students spend hours practicing, the show would not be complete without the help of the stage crew who create props, visual and auditory effects, gives cues and blocking or showing actors their stage positions.

Upper School stage managers, senior Kelly Taylor and sophomore Rachel Taylor spend much of their time after school in the theater.

Both started out in the school theater program, acting in “Peter Pan” their first year where Rachel played John, and Kelly played Wendy. They performed in their first show, before joining the Heritage theater program, “Aladdin” at the ages of 10 and seven. “Even though these beginner shows were cheesy, they were my favorite because we got to work together and spend time with each other,” Kelly said.

Entering Heritage for the first time as a freshman, Kelly fully immersed herself in theater and took all the classes available

18 Entertainment

Her experience in the high school show was different for her. “With Mr. Moccia as director, everything was more planned out,” Rachel said, “but I was still able to do the blocking, call out cues for the actors and make sure students attended rehearsals.”

Rachel also helped make posters for the show and created the floor plan for the show, the script and a schedule of rehearsals. “I now know that I can hold a lot of responsibility. Managing theater has helped better me as a person,” Rachel said.

Rachel hopes to eventually pursue a career behind the scenes in college.

technical theater, you should try it.

Everyone pushes you to do your best.

- Rachel Taylor

contributed to her interest in the behind the scenes action.

“I now love and appreciate the directing in both musicals and plays versus the acting which I originally came to the school for,” Kelly said.

Last year, Rachel stage managed her first two musicals, “Mary Poppin Jr.” in Lower School and “Chicago” for Upper School.

When she came to the school in seventh grade, she had no idea what technical theater entailed. She first started in deck crew (moving scenery on and off stage) but quickly moved on to helping run the lights and soundboard. Rachel was later asked to help manage the lower school musical. She also created the playbill and helped publicize the event.

”

(Photo/Kelly Taylor)

STUNNING SISTERS: The sisters attend the 2019 Cappies Gala together where awards are given out for theatrical achievement. At this gala, the spring production of “Chicago” was nominated for best musical.

OBSCURA: Bomba EsterEo Maia Fernandez-Baigun | Co-Editor-in-Chief pl212601@ahschool.com

I

like listening to music. No, I love listening to music so much so that whenever someone recommends a band or artist, my instinct is to log onto Spotify and listen to their songs. Visiting my past playlists, I found a band that appeared quite a lot: Bomba Estereo.

A Colombian-born band, Bomba Estereo creates an irresistible rhythm. This mix of cumbia, hip-hop and carnival-type beats make for a high-energy party sound that begs listeners to move along. It’s first release, “Volumen 1,” which came out in 2006, set the stage for what the duo had to offer.

Although not very popular with the

public at first, Bomba Estereo’s second album released in 2008, “Estalla,” caused more heads to turn their way — especially in the U.S. In 2010, one of MTV’s outlets for global artists named Bomba Estereo the best new band in the world. Following this recognition, the band caught the ears of producer Ricky Reed, who helped them in releasing their newest album, “Ayo,” in 2017. Consisting of 10 tracks, this album stays true to the duo’s Colombian roots but also introduces electronic pulses throughout the tracks.

This tropical album features party-fueled “Money, Money, Money,” a track that boils down to one word: intense.

Creating generally feel-good tracks, Bomba Estereo has danced into the soundtracks of award-winning movies

(Photos/Aupium, YouTube and Genius)

Viral New Media Bella Ramirez | Co-Assistant Editor pl237961@ahschool.com

J

ust like laughing, it’s contagious. No, not the newest strain of the flu: viral media. The use of social media, led Generation Z into a mad search for fame. However, this viral media creates both a dark and light side.

“You think you’re in your own little bubble, here in Texas, but you are not.

On one of my TikTok videos, all of the comments are in Japanese,” Brittany Tomlinson, viral “Kombucha Girl,” said. “[For creators,] it is their platform. Some personalities are better on TikTok; some are better on Instagram. You just have to find your niche. Find where your fans are.”

Still, there is a dark side to being in the spotlight, media personas such as Tomlinson face hate online every day.

such as “No Manches Frida” and “Overboard” as well as classic shows such as the Miami-based “Dexter.”

Although they have not disclosed their discography Miami Beach Pop plans for the future, festival Nov. 8 the band is currently touring the nation. www.bombaestereo.com

(Graphics/Bella Ramirez)

“There is no mercy online. We tend to put our identities in the self worth of strangers,” Tomlinson said.

Beyond cancel culture, general bullying online can change people. After Rebecca Black’s viral music video “Friday” picked up attention, Black faced bullying both in

and chart-topping song “Old Town Road” grew in popularity through TikTok’s cowboy challenge.

In a press release, TikTok reflected on its influence in pop culture.

“TikTok users are constantly searching for the next big song or trend to go viral, leaving plenty of room for new, inspired artists to break out on the platform. Use the app to promote your creativity and who knows, you might be the next artist to reach our growing audience and spark a career,” the release said.

Still, viral media isn’t going away any time soon. TikTok was the most downloaded app in March and has 1 billion users as of June. Even then its competitors on the App Store are just fellow social media apps.

“TikTok has a bigger influence than we think. It really is the new Vine.”

Brittany Tomlinson

life and online so intensely she had to leave her school.

Besides cancel culture and comedy, social media such as TikTok created a platform for indie music to thrive and gain recognition. Rapper Lil Nas X’s record-breaking

TikTok Top Hits

“Make You Mine” PUBLIC

“Old Town Road” Lil Nas X

“Dissolve” Absofacto

Entertainment 19

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Sports

The Mike Smith Difference

How Strength and Conditioning Coach Mike Smith has impacted our athletic programs through his training championship. Now, the program has four Jack Shechtman | Staff Writer pl235751@ahschool.com

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hether it’s training professional football players or high school athletes, coach Mike Smith improves the skill of many young sports players every day.

He has been working to bring athletes to the next level of play for around 15 years; this interest roots itself in his days of playing sports as a kid.

“Growing up, I didn’t have a lot of access to the training and other things you guys have now. I had to train myself and prepare for the next level of competition on my own, so I’ve always been interested in training,” Smith said.

Smith has been working at Heritage since 2008, but officially started working full time in 2013 when he became the head strength and conditioning coach.

Since Smith has been here, many of our athletic programs have felt the impact of his training.

“Whether it’s on the field or in the weight room, our athletes have all become bigger, faster, stronger, which is why we compete at the level we do,” Smith said.

Before Smith was hired in 2013, our football team hadn’t won a state

rings. Since his arrival, the baseball team has won two national championships, and both boys and girls soccer teams have won states multiple times.

Smith said his type of training, “... gives us an advantage. We have something that other schools don’t have. We train year round doing the same workouts as professional athletes, and we are just built differently because of that. Our saying that we really take pride in the last couple years is ‘We’re just built different.’”

PRACTICE HOW YOU PLAY: Coach Mike Smith (left) works with former Arizona Cardinals defensive back Travell Dickson on change of direction movement patterns and drop step running to simulate covering wide receivers.

(Photo submitted by Mike Smith)

Keep Up-To-Date Jack Shechtman | Staff Writer pl235751@ahschool.com

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Twitter

or those looking to recieve live updates on Heritage sports, @AH__Athletics or @wahssidelines are two Twitter accounts that are good for keeping up-to-date with the most recent sports news. @AH__Athletics has around 3,200 followers and frequently tweets about the latest sports news.

“Besides the games’ final scores, I post for new coaches, updated rankings and player college commitments or offers,” account manager Sammy Rosenthal said. The other Twitter account, @wahssidelines is a branch of the WAHS Broadcasting team that also tweets out current sports news.

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FIERCE FOOTWORK: Coach Mike Smith works on short bursts and footwork drills with Heritage alumni and New England Patriots running back Sony Michel. (Photo submitted

by Mike Smith)

The primary thing Smith focuses on in training is movement patterns. Anybody can condition for a sport by running sprints or lifting weights, but to really improve, Smith believes in doing workouts that simulate what they are going to do on the field. “General workout stuff can be applied to every sport. The next step is how you make your workouts specific to that sport,” Smith said.

Smith puts an emphasis on drills that focus on a change in direction. For example, if he’s training cornerbacks in football, he may have them do a lot of backpedaling, versus if he’s training the basketball team, he may have athletes do a lot of shuffling.

The other two things he highlights in his training are injury prevention workouts and being “bigger, faster, stronger.” These three things incorporated into one workout makes up the formula to Smith’s training.

For students who want to follow Patriots sports news, here are three ways to keep up-to-date

Pixellot

or those unable to physically attend a sports event, Pixellot may be the best solution. Pixellot is an automated camera system that uses advanced tracking technologies to keep the game automatically in focus at all times. “We now use Pixellot to record every sporting event on the football field and in the gym,” junior Ethan Masel, WAHS broadcaster said. “Even if WAHS doesn’t cover the game, you still have the ability to watch it online using the Pixellot system.” On NFHSnetwork.com, Pixellot streams and videos are posted under the American Heritage Plantation page.

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iPatriotPost

or more in-depth sports news, the sports section on iPatriotPost is a another option. iPatriotpost.com is the online student newspaper which has a sports section that includes recaps of major games, events won by Heritage athletes, athlete or coach features, season previews and more. “Our sports section is one of the most timely sections in our publications, and our articles are very descriptive. They almost make you feel like you were there,” Online Editor-in-Chief Joanne Haner said. To find detailed articles about current sports news, check out the sports section in the iPatriotpost.

Sports 21

The road to recovery

Sammy Rosenthal | Sports Editor pl218212@ahschool.com

S

Patriot Dancer Madison Flanagan and football star Dallas Turner discuss their recovery from severe sports injuries

enior Madison Flanagan has dedicated her life to dancing since she was 3 years old; she began dancing competitively at 8, participating in ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, ballroom, breaking, acro and other technique strengthening classes.

In March, doctors diagnosed Flanagan, who has endured her fair share of injuries over the years, with Os Trigonum Syndrome after she noticed constant pain in her ankle while she danced.

According to certified orthopedic surgeon Jonathan Cluett, Os Trigonum, which is an extra bone near one’s ankle joint, is found in only 5-15% of people, most of whom can live with the ex-

tra bone. In Flanagan’s case, though, the syndrome was difficult to ignore.

“It’s a common problem that wouldn’t affect most ‘normal’ people,” Flanagan said.

“But in dance, I obviously use my feet more often and in different ways than most people.”

cally drained” her, hurting her “emotional and mental state a lot.”

“It’s just really hard physically not being able to do the one thing that has had a huge impact on your life for a really long time, especially because I use it as kind of an outlet,” she said.

“I genuinely felt like my healing process would never end. I’m nowhere near the end, but I’m much closer to being healthy than I was yesterday; and that’s what I try to remind myself of when I’m upset.”

Flanagan Despite the setbacks she faced early on, though, with the constant support from her family and friends, Flanagan continues to fight to return to her passion and remains on track to resume dancing in late October.

“It’s my last year in competitive company and dancing at Heritage, so I don’t want to waste any opportunity,” she said. “I just want to make the most of my senior year.”

dison (Photo submitted by Ma

I remember crying with my mom, dance “friends and dance directors over how scared I was for my future. ” - Madison

Flanagan)

As a result, her doctor determined that Flanagan would require surgery, taking her away from dance until she recovered.

Flanagan has been on the path to recovery since her surgery in April, although therewere times where she felt like she wasn’t.

Routine trips to the kitchen “physi-

(Photo submitted by Madison Flanagan)

Junior football and basketball star Dallas Turner, a four star recruit according to 247Sports, had to fight back from a severe injury he sustained in a preseason football game last year during his sophomore season. In the game, a teammate mistakenly hit Turner’s leg. Initially, Turner thought he had broken his leg, but soon discovered he had torn his ACL. Though he knew he had an uphill climb ahead of him to return to form, Turner was confident he would be able to make the recovery.

Although Turner overcame the injury, he faced some mental setbacks along his physical rehab process, revealing that the return to peak form is both a physical and mental climb.

“Seeing my teammates play and watching and studying both sports [football and basketball] - Dallas Turner made me want to come back better than I was before,” Turner said.

His eagerness to return to the field resulted in him working harder to reach his goal. Eventually, Turner successfully made his return to the football field this past May, where he has enjoyed a dominant season at defensive end.

“I didn’t have any fear about not coming back all full,” he said. “I just rehabbed everyday and made the best out of a bad situation.”

there’s going to be days “ whereMentally, you feel like you don’t want to do this anymore. ”

22

Sports

(Photo /Cole Holifield)

(Photo /Alycia Cypress)

Preparing for the Worst Sammy Rosenthal | Sports Editor pl218212@ahschool.com

T

How Heritage has worked to provide a safer Athletic environment

he Heritage coaching staff follows a policy introduced in 2013 that prohibits players from tackling in practice. Former Patriot head coach and professional football player Mike Rumph, who institued the practice in an effort to reduce injury risk, brought safety practices that he experienced in the NFL to Heritage.

Rumph’s limited tackling policy has carried over to the present day coaching staff, which consists of six former professional football players, including head coach Patrick Surtain. Surtain, having experienced full-contact practices in the NFL, fully understands the upside of toning down the intensity in practice.

FULL STEAM AHEAD: The Patriots take part in resistance drills for speed. (Photo/Kayla Rubenstein)

kAYLA IN sports: Bowling (into the gutter) Kayla Rubenstein| Asst. Online Editor pl226461@ahschool.com

“I think it’s beneficial because it limits injuries and it really puts the focus on being fundamentally sound,” Coach Surtain said. “I’ve been on both ends and found myself being fresher for games because of a limit on contact, and it also allowed me to be able to play a grueling 16-game [NFL] schedule.”

During practice, athletic trainers, such as Frank Millan, keep an eye on the WetBulb Globe Temperature, a measure of the intensity of the heat, to determine what practice equipment they will deem safe for players to wear as well as the amount of water breaks they must take. They also provide athletes with “big immersion tubs” which players can use in the event of severe heat exhaustion.

Despite these safety precautions taken, injuries are bound to happen.

With this in mind, the school uses ImPACT testing: a program used to create a baseline for an athlete in the event that a player sustains a concussion.

With the baseline, the trainers will know the proper next step to take to help the athlete.

B

owling and I have an interesting track record. Six years ago, I could hold my own, scoring a 70 without bumpers.

However, after bowling on my 13th birthday and scoring a zero (something my brother teased me about), my bowling abilities seemed nonexistent.

I felt determined to break this bad-bowling streak and went to a practice with the varsity bowling team Sept. 16 at Strikers Family Sportscenter. At practice, coach Patrick Quinn explained the proper bowling technique and had us warm up by rolling five imaginary balls toward our mark

DEDICATION: Coach Surtain runs through drills with his team before the start of the season. (Photo/ Kayla Rubenstein)

The coaching staff is also tested annually “on awareness for concussions, sudden cardiac events, and extreme heat situations,” Athletic Director Karen Stearns said.

With constant studies further strengthening the link between Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease connected to repeated head injuries, and football, movements for safer football has recently spread to all levels of the sport. With the current safety measures in place, the Patriots will continue attempting to provide students with a safer, less risky athletic environment. before moving on to real balls.

I chose a lighter ball: an orange eight-pounder. My first turn I hit six pins; while this may not seem like many, I was elated I didn’t roll a gutterball.

My second turn, I shocked myself by rolling a strike. I continued practice internally proud of myself for breaking my bad-bowling streak.

Although I didn’t roll another strike, I noticed an improvement in my usually horrible bowling abilities, thanks to coach Kenny Voight, who assisted me throughout my cringe-worthy practice.

When matched against a bowler in the final 30 minutes of practice, I scored an 81, with two back-to-back spares.

When I bowl in the future, I’ll make sure to utilize the technique from this practice (maybe even beat my brother and return the teasing from three years ago). Although my performance resembled that of my ten-year-old self, I still consider this practice a win.

Sports 23 (Photo submitted by Kayla Rubenstein)

WORKING TOGETHER WORKS FOR EVERYONE Cigna is a proud supporter of American Heritage, American Heritage Academy and its commitment to quality education, health and well-being of their students. Together, we’re making our community a stronger, healthier place to live.

Together, all the way® All Cigna products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company and Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. © 2018

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