PANTHER
the
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Miami Palmetto Senior High School
Miami Palmetto Senior High School
7460 SW 118 Street, Miami, FL 33156
7460 SW 118 Street, Miami, FL 33156
Wednesday, 3 June 2020
Friday 1 May 2020
THE START OF SOMETHING NEW
jUNE
contents
Life
creating a meaningful 2020 Presidential candidates summer
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Joe Biden (Democrat) News
2020 presidential candidates
Donald Trump (Republican)
The main competition for current incumbent President Donald Trump is the Democratic candidate, Joe Biden. Biden previously ran for president twice, though his campaign lacked strength and support both previous times. Joe Biden first entered the political scene in the 1970s when he began his term for the New Castle County Council. Shortly after, Biden assumed office as a senator in 1973 and had a successful career in the U.S. senate, serving six consecutive terms. Then, during the 2008 presidential election, when former President Barack Obama won the Democratic nomination, he chose Biden as his running mate. Biden served as vice president from 2009-2017. This is one of his biggest assets for establishing credibility for his 2020 presidential campaign. Throughout the course of his campaign, Biden has stressed his main political concerns, which include: expanding Obamacare, gun reform and American foreign policy. Although the Democratic Party initially faced much conflict in choosing who to give the nomination to, many centrist and leftist voters have decided to pledge their support for Joe Biden. “I want a Democratic candidate to win the 2020 election because the country is very polarized...If a Democratic or centrist candidate were to win, we could hopefully bring the country together and focus on issues that need to be solved immediately, including the climate crisis,” Barbara Goleman Senior High sophomore and student activist Diana Fernandez said.
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The incumbent candidate of the Republican Party, President Donald Trump has run with the motto “promises made, promises kept.” A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Finance and the University of Pennsylvania, Trump was an avid businessman, T.V.personality and real estate developer prior to his presidency. According to Forbes, he currently has a networth of $2.1 billion. “Trump ,compared to others, has a “get it done” attitude that I admire over others. I may not think that his personality is the best… As a presidential [candidate], though, I believe he is a great leader for our country,” Palmetto senior Nick Humaran said. According to PBS, his platform claims the following motivations: reduce illegal immigration and reform the legal immigration system, lower individual and corporate taxes and end trade deficits, undo Obamacare, cut drug prices and reform Medicaid, withdraw from Paris climate accord and boost fossil fuel development. “If Trump is to be re-elected, I would like him to prioritize the economy, as he has been doing a great job so far,” Humaran said.
Senior Editorials
Multimedia Editor
j.grindstaff.thepanther@gmail.com
Gianna Hutton g.hutton.thepanther@gmail.com
VOTE
52%
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DESIGN BY GEMMA TORRAS
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Behind the
COVER Valentina Caceres (11) takes pictures of our seniors at Lugo Point
NewsBRIEFS Local
Though graduation may look different this year, seniors across the Miami-Dade County school district began to graduate throughout the end of May and beginning of June. The Class of 2020 had massive celebrations in their honor in socially distanced ways, such as the “Graduate Together� special on TV featuring celebrities and role models. Palmetto seniors, originally set to graduate on June 3, will have a virtual ceremony, with a possibility of an in-person ceremony later in the summer.
National
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After some troublesome weather earlier in the week, SpaceX and NASA successfully launched the Dragon, carrying two American astronauts (Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley). The successful launch remains historic, as the last time a spaceflight happened on U.S. soil was in 2011, according to CNN. SpaceX, a private company founded by Elon Musk, worked directly with NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
International
Amid the COVID-19 threat, President Donald Trump announced he would pull funding from the WHO, the international organization responsible for public health. His decision came after his reports that the WHO was a Chinese Organization, according to BBC News. This move could be disastrous to the efforts of the WHO, as the U.S. makes up a significant portion of its overall funding per year. This may be the reason that several other countries, including those within the European Union, have urged Trump to reconsider. Nicole Markus Editor-in-chief
n.markus.thepanther@gmail.com
2020 Presidential candidates Joe Biden (Democrat) The main competition for current incumbent President Donald Trump is the presumptive Democratic candidate, Joe Biden. Biden previously ran for president twice, though his campaign lacked strength and support both times. Joe Biden first entered the political scene in the 1970s when he began his term for the New Castle County Council. Shortly after, Biden assumed office as a senator in 1973 and had a successful career in the U.S. senate, serving six consecutive terms. Then, during the 2008 presidential election, when former President Barack Obama won the Democratic nomination, he chose Biden as his running mate. Biden served as vice president from 2009-2017. This is one of his biggest assets for establishing credibility for his 2020 presidential campaign. Throughout the course of his campaign, Biden has stressed his main political concerns, which include expanding Obamacare, gun reform and American foreign policy. Although the Democratic Party initially faced much conflict in choosing who to give the nomination to, many centrist and leftist voters have decided to pledge their support for Joe Biden. ”To prevent another year of racist comments, poor handling of pandemics, ignoring scientists, threatening foreign countries, disrespecting women, and even an entire impeachment, to prevent all that, I will support Biden,” Miami Palmetto Senior High junior and student activist Anaïs Roatta said. “Biden is someone who will listen to science and not lobbyists and actually fix and improve the healthcare system with a rational plan backed by national economists.”
Donald Trump (Republican) The incumbent candidate of the Republican Party, President Donald Trump has run with the motto “promises made, promises kept.” A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Finance and the University of Pennsylvania, Trump was an avid businessman, television personality and real estate developer prior to his presidency. According to Forbes, he currently has a net worth of $2.1 billion. “Trump, compared to others, has a ‘get it done’ attitude that I admire over others. I may not think that his personality is the best…As a presidential [candidate], though, I believe he is a great leader for our country,” Palmetto senior Nick Humaran said. According to PBS, his platform claims the following motivations: reduce illegal immigration and reform the legal immigration system, lower individual and corporate taxes and end trade deficits, undo Obamacare, cut drug prices and reform Medicaid, withdraw from Paris Climate Agreement and boost fossil fuel development. “If Trump is to be re-elected, I would like him to prioritize the economy, as he has been doing a great job so far,” Humaran said.
Jacob Grindstaff Multimedia Editor
j.grindstaff.thepanther@gmail.com
Gianna Hutton Design Editor
g.hutton.thepanther@gmail.com
VOTE
DESIGN BY GEMMA TORRAS
05|LIFE
MEANINGFUL WAYS TO SPEND THE In an ideal world, COVID-19 would be completely eradicated by June and life could return to normal. This summer, students would be able to attend summer camps, participate in volunteer programs, practice sports, go on vacation and work at summer jobs or internships. However, due to a variety of factors, complete eradication is nearly impossible. This means that, out of an abundance of caution, summer programs have been cancelled, resulting in a one-of-a-kind summer that will require students to think creatively. Since many pre-planned programs have been cancelled, students who typically pack their summers will find themselves with a lot of extra time on their hands. This provides a wonderful opportunity to pursue a passion that might have otherwise been sidelined. Spend this time doing something for you — something that you enjoy doing, not something your parents think you should do or you think looks good to colleges. If you enjoy cooking, cook as much as you can. Pursuing a fun pastime that you may not have considered “productive” might actually help you come up with ideas for starting a new program. Instead of doing something you already know you love, you could also try a new activity. There are multiple things that can be done from home and don’t require a large crowd of people. For example, if you have always been curious about soccer, get a soccer ball and ask a friend to kick it around with you. If you have been wanting to try coding, look up an online coding program and watch some lessons on YouTube. “This summer I’m going to start learning how to play the bass,” sophomore Rachel Greidinger said. “I bought one a month ago.” Start — or even just participate in — a volunteer initiative. Whether coronavirus-related or not, it is always a good time to help others out and make a difference. While it may be a little more difficult to coordinate an in-person effort, social media and the Internet can help you reach a large audience and spread the word. For example, creating an Instagram account and asking people to send in supplies for first responders is a fantastic and contact-free way to make a change and help those who need it most. “Now that everything is online-based learning,
summer
everyone has to come up with alternative options to receive community service hours,” sophomore Mikayla Ashe said. “I volunteer at an elementary school and at a taekwondo facility, both of which I can no longer help with face-toface. Therefore, I’m looking at other online volunteering options I can participate in during the summer so I can still accumulate hours.” For incoming seniors, this summer is a great time to start doing some college preparation. Since it is unlikely they will be able to take tours of college campuses this summer, students unsure about where they want to apply can try taking virtual tours. Students can also get a head start on college essays and applications, which might help mitigate some stress next school year — especially since many incoming seniors will be forced to take the SAT and ACT in the fall due to spring test date cancellations. If you are one of the people taking a fall SAT or ACT, use the extra time to study over the summer. Even if in-person tutoring is not available, you could participate in study sessions via Zoom or study independently with workbooks and online services such as Khan Academy. Even though incoming juniors were unaffected by the spring cancellations, this is also a great chance for them to start preparing for the SAT and ACT. Many colleges will only be test-optional for the 2020-2021 application cycle, so it’s important to try to get the best score you can. Additionally, incoming juniors — as well as any other grade — can show colleges they are still keeping up with academics over the summer by taking classes online for credit, such as through FLVS or Miami-Dade College. The cancellation of so many summer activities has left students across the country frustrated and disappointed, especially since some have looked forward to these events all year. However, even without formal programs, there are still ways to make the best of this summer at home — it will just require a little more self-initiative and out-of-the-box thinking.
Katriona Page Copy Editor
k.page.thepanther@gmail.com
06|FEATURE
Mackenzie Farkas & Logan Spiegelman Guest Writers
Class of 2020, We went into the year knowing that this was OUR year, one full of excitement, bonding, and adventure. Little did we know it would take such an unexpected turn. However, this is still OUR year! Together, we have disproven all of the preconceived notions about our class. From winning Panther Prowl our freshman year, to sweeping it this past October, we have proven our greatness. Throughout the last four years, one person has remained constant: Mrs. Valero. Our number one cheerleader, she has been there during the tough times when we needed her most. For her countless hours behind the scenes and beyond, we thank her immensely. Additionally, we want to thank all the teachers that have worked tirelessly to help us succeed and have groomed us into the people we are today. You are truly the backbone of our school! Neither of us gave any real thought to the possibility that Friday, March 13th, would be our last real day of school. As our senior year winds down, we, like you, wish more than ever that things could return to the status quo, or, at least, for a do-over of that fateful Friday. But, we cannot live in the painful past. Instead, we must reminisce about the countless indelible adventures and events experienced throughout the last four years, because those count more than anything else. As we face this unfortunate pandemic, we must always remember that this too shall pass. Congratulations Class of 2020, we know that your future is bright!
Mackenzie Farkas
Senior Class President
Logan Spiegelman
Student Council President
Elizabeth Valero Guest writer
To my senior class of 2020, I was asked to write a small sendoff to you all as we prepare to end the year. I thought about all the things I wanted to say in regard to everything you guys missed out on. I sat at my computer to type and I realized that I have been spending almost three months dwelling on all the things you’ve lost. So instead of memorializing the year that you didn’t have, I thought I’d touch on the year that you did. What kind of Senior year did you have? I think it was one of realizations. You realized how lucky you were to get to go to school. To wake up each morning with a purpose and maybe a goal. You had classes to attend, teachers to impress and activities to partake in. In March that early morning rise became a thing of the past and suddenly you realized how lucky you were to have had it. You spent weeks missing your friends because you weren’t seeing them every day. Suddenly you remembered how important it was to greet them in the hallway and make plans for an afternoon Chipotle run. Seeing your “people” on screen wasn’t as gratifying as hugging them frequently after accomplishments, or when you needed them, or just because. Now, you knew that. You engulfed yourself in the memories of the year that passed and years past. You had all this time to suddenly look at old photos from your Instagram feed. You scrolled for hours and remembered the first day of school, the homecoming outfits, the times at the beach, the memories: good and bad and in between. All that extra time gave you moments to remember and nostalgically smile. So, in the end, you missed out on some things. You were thrown a curveball that changed these months of your life; but if you can, think about what you were given. Be grateful for the purpose you had and the purpose you have yet gain. Revel in the friends you cherished and the friends you still haven’t met. Take with you the memories you made and get excited about the memories that you’ll make as the years roll on. It sometimes takes a strong act of destiny to remind us of the amazing things our life has given us and recharge us with motivation to keep those things coming. I wish all of my senior class a lifetime of fortune and all the celebrations that we couldn’t give you this year. Make an imprint on the world that will make a difference, whatever that may mean to you! I love you all and remember, once a panther, always a panther!
Elizabeth Valero
Palmetto Activities Director & Class of 2020 Sponsor DESIGN BY ANA MARTINEZ PHOTO BY VALENTINA CACERES
ALL
IN
All feature photots taken by Valentina Caceres
THIS TOGETHER
08|FEATURE
Allison Strasius Editor-in-chief
Nearly the entirety of my educational career has occurred within a 0.2 mile radius. Yes, I even Google Maps-ed it. My parents, who raised me Catholic, enrolled me at the local private school. A K-8 school, Saint Louis Covenant School remained my home for nine years. I woke up at seven each morning, fastening on a green plaid skirt and throwing on a polo shirt. Wearing penny loafers along with that, it all felt like something out of a movie at times. My switch to high school consisted of a minute walk across the street. Yet that simple crossing of the pavement represented crossing into an entirely new chapter. A class consisting of 48 kids I grew up with since age five suddenly turned into 667 absolute and total strangers. Beyond that, the common faith I once shared with my classmates proved no longer common. No uniform policy left me scrambling to choose an outfit in the morning. The nine-yearlong routine, suddenly broken, left me feeling stripped of familiarity. I introduced myself as Allison, not Allie. It seemed like I adopted an entire new identity. The first classroom I ever stepped into at Palmetto was room 911B. Mr. Nerenberg suggested I take Journalism 1, in opposition to my desire to take a photography class. I feel beyond thankful he did so. Because of that, my first high school teacher was Ms. Aviles. Little did I know that she, and journalism, would be the one constant in my high school career for the next four years. One day during J1, Mr. Nerenberg stepped into the room. He asked whoever wanted to serve as Editor-in-
Chief of Newspaper to raise their hand. As a confused, constantly nervous freshman, I firmly kept my hand on my desk. I could never imagine taking on such a role and had yet to decide whether or not I took a real interest in journalism. I credit Ms. Aviles entirely for pushing me to apply for Newspaper at the end of the year. It would prove the best decision I would ever make. I started at the bottom. As a staff writer, I got to explore the multiple facets of this paper, and it allowed me the freedom to pretty much work on whatever I was interested in. After earning the position of Feature Editor the next year, I gained more responsibilities, and felt closer to the heart of where I truly wanted to be — and I made it. As Editor-in-Chief, I found myself in the very same place I could not imagine four years before. If anything, I hope my own kind of evolution through high school proves to someone else that you truly remain capable of so much more than you believe. Journalism was my first class on my freshman schedule and Newspaper is now my last on my senior schedule. It seems so fitting to begin and end my high school career in that same fashion. To think of the freshman girl in 911B now, sitting with her hand on her desk as those around her raised them, she seems like a different person — but I feel so thankful for her.
Allison Strasius Editor-in-Chief
a.strasius.thepanther@gmail.com
DESIGN BY ANA MARTINEZ
PHOTO BY VALENTINA CACERES
Joanna Salvat online editor-in-chief
I would never like to admit it, but he was right. He knew that everything would work out. Even when I begged to go back, even when my body rejected any source of food, even when I could not force a smile if I tried, he knew that it would all turn out okay. I never understood it. I brushed off his reassurance, thinking of it as an attempt at false relief. Consumed with fear, my then-self could not fathom a future in which my life would look up. Tears fogged my vision, making a bearable junior and senior year seem like an impossible feat, but he never doubted that I would make it out the same person I always prided myself as: a fighter. I feared losing all that once meant the world to me. I feared losing the friendships I once deemed lifelong, losing the drive I prided myself in, but most importantly, I feared losing myself. At one point in the journey, it felt as if I had surrendered all of my values. As the migration from my self-proclaimed rock bottom commenced, some time along the way, I realized that only I prevent myself from gaining back everything I felt I had once lost. I counted up my demons, keeping the good ones in mind, and drove the others away. From once feeling like I had no shoulders to cry on, suddenly I had two. From finding myself scrolling on Instagram every night, longing to reunite with the people of my past, I now sought company with the people of my present. From once sitting in a sea of unfamiliar faces, I could now name everyone with confidence. Smiles became more frequent and genuine; tears were few and far between. Gradually, I felt more and more like myself, gaining back the confidence that I thought I had declared farewell to months ago. I began to better understand my father’s intention when he told me that my fears would slowly dissipate. Sophomore year, the news of my move
from Philadelphia to Miami devastated me. Abiding by a routine that had not changed for years, I knew the adjustments to come would not bode well for me. I viewed myself as fearless and resilient; however, that belief slipped away during the brief family meeting when my father broke the news. My anxieties burdened me as I taped up the boxes that held the remains of my life in Pennsylvania; they followed as I unpacked them in Florida. My home shifted, but my heart remained. The staticity of my heart acted as a disease, physically absent in a place where I felt mentally glued. Although I miss the humidity-free air and easy access to cheesesteaks, I did not stay that way past January of my junior year. The friends I made proved even more lifelong than those I previously begged to return to. I joined The Panther and found another home away from home. All that I felt had slipped away, I regained within the months of adjustment. I found that the successes I encountered in my new school could never have occurred in the stagnant environment of my previous school. The routine I fell in love with kept me within my boundaries, and I needed to break them. I grew to love almost everything about my new city. Miami, once a place I was only temporarily living in, became my home. Sometimes I feel split between a Wissahickon Trojan and a Palmetto Panther, but the glory lies in my ability to lead a double life. So, Dad, you were right. I believe you now: I am where I should be. From a tear-filled first day of junior year to a laughter-filled first day of senior year, I think I can safely say: thank you.
Joana Salvat
Online Editor-in-Chief
j.salvat.thepanther@gmail.com
DESIGN BY ANA MARTINEZ PHOTO BY VALENTINA CACERES
FEATURE|09
10|FEATURE
Isabel Wilder senior copy editor
If I had predicted how the next three years of my life would follow during my freshman year, I would have never predicted that it would end like this. As a wide-eyed kid, I dreamt of experiences like a magical prom, where I could dance all night with my friends, or finally walking across the stage at my graduation, in front of my loved ones who shaped me into the person I have become. It feels strange how the culmination of 12 years of schooling can seem so unfinished. My first day of freshman year, I caught a ride with my best friend and her older brother to school. We took a group photo for our parents to keep as a memento of my friend and I’s first day of high school. It was not until we all got into the brand-new car that reality began to set in and well, I dreaded the day that would follow. The numerous possibilities of ways that my first day could go wrong whizzed through my mind and suddenly fell out of my brain once I heard a familiar, yet extremely appropriate anthem for the ride — R.E.M.’s “It’s The End of The World.” At that moment, I locked eyes with my best friend in the rearview mirror and we knew that ironically, everything would be okay. Less anxious, I sat silently in the backseat of his car, trying to memorize the path to school so that when I could finally drive the next year, I would not be lost. In the time in between, I would feel lost sometimes and jump around a lot. I formed different friendships, joined and quit clubs that I did not deem fit for me and let my monstrous schoolwork and a convoluted home situation overwhelm me for a while. As someone who had not really been challenged before, I became extremely frustrated. I remember wallowing in self-pity in Mr. Nerenberg’s office, trying to figure out what my next steps should be. Part of what bothered me was that I did not believe that I had a solid niche within the school, and I soon opted to change that. Sophomore year, I applied to join The Panther staff. I had no journalism experience, but I had confidence in my writing abilities. I worked on my application for hours and nervously attended an interview to see if I fit on their team. I did not think much of it until I finally received a crown in my sixth period at the end of the year. I began feeling hopeful and excited for the future, and I carried that sensation with me for my first day on staff junior year and for my first real day as
the Senior Copy Editor the next year. Newspaper revived an old passion for writing and provided me with an opportunity to meet some of my closest friends. Whether we edited, talked over each other during story ideas or shushed each other in an attempt to finish an issue, Newspaper instilled leadership and communication skills that I will carry with me into my time in college. I appreciate former leadership and Ms. Aviles for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this family. It is strange how life sometimes falls so perfectly into place — with everything coming full-circle in the end. On my last first day of high school, my same best friend and I carpooled to school together once more. She drove us in her robust heirloom of a minivan to school, blasting the only appropriate song — R.E.M.’s “It’s The End of The World” — to hear on the beginning of our promising senior year on her crackling speakers, triggering this long-held memory we treasured from what felt like so long ago. We eagerly anticipated how the rest of our longawaited year would go and knew, as we had learned over the years, that even in the face of adversity we would make the most of our precious time together. Even though we did not have the whimsical ending that we expected or thought we deserved, our high school experiences made us into the quasi-adults we have become, and for that I feel grateful. The whirlwind that ensued from that first day will be a time that I will hold dear to my heart. I discovered a love for writing, met my best friends (some of whom will accompany me to college) and that shy freshman I used to be grew up into someone that resembles a confident, almost-fullfledged woman. Despite how life seems like it is at a stand-still, it will pick up again eventually and we will move on in our journeys. This year ended earlier than we all predicted and it could have evolved into more in normal circumstances, but this serves as a toast to the teachers, counselors and friends-turned-family who made this adventure worthwhile. Thank you.
Isabel Wilder
Senior Copy Editor
i.wilder.thepanther@gmail.com
DESIGN BY ANA MARTINEZ PHOTO BY VALENTINA CACERES
Gemma Torras SEnior DESIGN EDITOR
“Where are you from?” This simple question always confused me: Should I answer with where I was born or where I had just moved from? My small family of three has never lived in one place for more than four years. While I was born in Boston, I soon moved to New York City. And then Johannesburg, South Africa. And then Barcelona, Spain. And New York again, followed by Medellín, Colombia and now Miami. Although I resented the constant packing up and moving out, I finally learned to appreciate my global experiences, even if I am 17 years late. Life in Boston was not quite memorable, but I doubt it was because I was only one years old. When my mother tells me stories about Boston, she always mentions the daycare in Chinatown and the lonely Dunkin’ Donuts below our condo in Jamaica Plain. As fun as this Boston life sounds, a lot of my fondest memories were in Manhattan, which is where we moved when I was two years old. There, I attended a hippy-dippy private school on the Upper East Side. Kindergarten activities included visiting each other’s homes throughout the city’s boroughs, and taking care of the class teddy bear, Osito. My favorite activity, however, was when my classmates’ families would come to school every week and share parts of their culture. My Catalan aunt once came from Barcelona and shared the hysterical Christmas tradition involving smacking a smiling log until it poops out candy. Don’t believe me? Google “Caga Tió.” Being able to share these small parts of my family’s culture with all of my closest toddler friends was a blast. Only three years later, my family quickly packed up again and moved to Johannesburg. Now this might sound crazy, but South Africa was not anything like The Big Apple. I attended Crawford Preparatory School, where I wore plaid skirts and white polos. During this transition, for the first time, I felt very aware of my ethnic background. Some children often stretched their eyes at me, calling me “Chinese.” I am half Filipino, but how did they know about my 0.03% Chinese heritage? Aside from the occasional bullying, I enjoyed South Africa as much as a first-grader could. I adored the safaris, loved my teacher’s accent and enjoyed the chicken schnitzel at the school cafeteria. Soon enough, I bid adieu to the school’s tuck shop, and we moved to Barcelona, close to my father’s family. To me Barcelona always felt familiar, but never before had I lived so near my family. The 5,000-mile difference now turned into a 3-minute subway ride to my grandparents’ home. Despite never having experienced this family
lifestyle, I loved being able to see my family with just the dial of a telephone. But yet again — you guessed it —I moved. Back in New York, things felt just like home. I returned to the same school and quickly clicked with my old friends again. This fourth grader saw the, for lack of a better word, beauty of New York’s diversity. My Filipino-Catalan culture fit just right with the Croatian, Bolivian, Chinese and Turkish cultures in my class. I loved every moment, from our trips to the farm in upstate New York to the short walk to Central Park. Only three years later, I put all my childhood memories into cardboard boxes and moved to Colombia. After leaving Manhattan again, I moved to Medellín, full of lush mountains and towering palm trees. I left behind friends that I had made when I was three years old, and began at a school where everyone had known each other since they were three years old. Talk about a cultural shock. I remember my first day in the school office, not like it was yesterday, but pretty close. A huddle of girls surrounded me and looked at me and tilted their heads in confusion. Later, a girl remarked, “When they said an American was coming to the school, I pictured a blonde girl with blue eyes.” Needless to say, my jet black hair and dark brown eyes did not meet their expectations. Along with not being an American Girl doll, some students liked to pick on my Asian ethnicity, calling me “Chingus Khan” constantly. Even through the way they mocked my race, my gringo accent and my name, I found great friends to whom I still speak to. And just as I adjusted and assimilated, I moved to America’s panhandle. Miami has brought its ups and downs for me. It is constantly blazing hot, and I feel like I cannot stop sweating, but as odd as it may sound to some, Palmetto has been a great school. I really challenged myself and even became involved in school, which led me to join the newspaper staff. After living in nearly every continent on the globe, I felt like I was ready to explore a new place. My experiences left me longing to move somewhere where I could live internationally once again. If all goes according to plan, I should be packing up my bags and heading off to Edinburgh in September. If not, I will at least be logging into Zoom calls at 4 a.m. for the morning lectures. After a long road of teary goodbyes every few years, I feel headed to where I am meant to be, and on my very own adventure.
Gemma Torras
Senior Design Editor
g.torras.thepanther@gmail.com
FEATURE| 11
12| FEATURE
Olivia Solomon Advertising chair
Nikki, Dylan, Olivia and Cooper — the four Solomon kids. My entire life I have mistakenly been called all four of those names, but I would not want it any other way. Being a part of a family of six, my house never has and never will exemplify calm. As a result of being number three of four, I learned how to make a proper scene, eat quickly enough that no one can steal my food and fiercely protect my pack of wild siblings. Since I never typically related to people my own age, my siblings became my best friends. They still remain my best friends, despite the fact that I will never actually admit that to them. I remember thinking how lucky I felt to have both an older sister and an older brother whom I loved so much. Everyone knew me as the “Solomon Baby” and this made me feel like I could fly. With my sister being 17, my brother, 13 and I nine, my parents decided that our family appeared complete. After my dad went in for a vasectomy, I knew I would be the final Solomon kid in our family. Or at least I thought. Apparently vasectomies have a 99.9% success rate, making my little brother Cooper quite the unexpected miracle. After hearing this news, I became furious and even threatened to run away. Now, I would simply become another middle kid. For the first few weeks of his life, I continued being skeptical about Cooper. I even cried in the hospital room as everyone came to visit him. But, by the time he turned one, I had gained another best friend for life. Each one of my siblings has contributed to making me myself. In middle school, a typecast “mean girl” went around calling my family “messed up with weird kids,” and to that I say thank you. She was right. I do have weird siblings. Weird in the way that they will change the world, weird in the way that they do not refrain from being themselves, weird in the way that they protect their little sister that wears colorful long socks to school and does not apologize for marching to her own beat. But, I do not see anything “messed up” about that. From the time I could remember, my older sister Nikki and I have fought. Whether it started because I refused to leave her room or any of the reasons we never even remember, I can honestly say that I would not rather have constant absurd arguments with anyone else. When you know exactly how someone thinks and just what to do
to make them go nuts, it proves nearly impossible to refrain from pushing their buttons. But, because of our fights, I learned how to stick up for myself and not let others push me around. In a way, she trains me for the outside world. She calls me out on my faults and gives her brutally honest opinion, whether I asked for it or not. Even though we constantly pick at each other and argue, I know that if anyone ever gives me a hard time, she will immediately tell them where they can go, like she did to my third grade bully. Dylan, my older brother, has always been my hero. In first grade, when the teacher asked what career we wanted when we grew up, “whatever Dylan does,” consisted of all I could think of. While I have definitely gone on my own path throughout the years, I still want nothing less than to end up even remotely as intelligent, kind and amazing as my big brother. While we typically get along, like any sibling we still fight, but I know that I can always count on him to call me out when I say something wrong and steer me on to the right track. While I have learned that I do not have to emulate him to create happiness or success, we have a lot of common interests. He constantly sharpens my knowledge on international politics, even if it takes a know-it-all Google search to prove me wrong. On days when I cannot get out of my head, he always pulls me out of bed and motivates me to conquer the world. Cooper: the miracle child. Before he was born, my mom assured me that having a younger sibling would finally give me a chance to boss someone around for once. Little did I know that this kid would rule my world. Despite being nine years younger than me, Cooper makes me a better person. He challenges me to think differently, in ways I never thought possible. He constantly beats me with his fashion game, and I love having a little brother who walks into a room with heels, a sparkly dress, and make-up to distract from my oversized shirt and sweatpants. Because of Cooper, I will fight for equality in this world and make sure that this little boy in a dress gets every chance that any other person would. My siblings, they drive me nuts. But, without them, life would seem boring and I would not end up the same person today, even in the slightest.
Olivia Solomon Advertising Chair
o.solomon.thepanther@gmail.com
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Lissette Martinez Feature editor
“Welcome to the real world. It sucks. You’re gonna love it.” The past couple months have given me the opportunity to relate to this “Friends” quote on another level. Unfortunately, circumstances surrounding COVID-19 have been extremely unpredictable and emotionally overwhelming for the world. It feels as if someone has spontaneously, yet mercilessly, paused a movie immediately prior to reaching the climax. As time continues to pass, I gradually feel more frozen and desperate to escape this new reality. The past four years in Miami Palmetto Senior High have molded me in countless ways. I remember fearfully glancing at those crowded halls and immersing myself into the sea of people with unknown faces in freshman year. I felt the horror of presenting in front of a class that I identified as brutal critics, analyzing my every move and flaw. I remember the thoughts that vehemently invaded my mind as my hands inundated with sweat when I contemplated whether or not I should ask a question to my teacher. The root of my anxiety disguised itself as academic pressure for a long time. I also continuously blamed my identity as an immigrant for my discomfort in the world. However, the feeling of displacement I experienced did not stem from my discomfort in the world, rather discomfort in my own skin. I suddenly became aware of my lack of confidence as I stared into the mirror and realized the source of all the poisonous thoughts that creeped within. The idea of not being enough had been so heavily ingrained into my mind that it camouflaged itself into my identity. From that moment forward, I began to dedicate myself towards purifying my thoughts and started manifesting confidence prior to genuinely achieving it. I started branching out and seeking discomfort in order to challenge myself. To my surprise, I grew to adore the adrenaline that comes alongside presenting in front of an audience and became mesmerized by the empowerment words possess. As a Capstone student, being able to articulate ideas to an audience is detrimental
and, although it began as a terrifying thought, it evolved to an uncovered passion. I soon discovered I previously had underestimated and identified myself through predispositions I had subconsciously set for myself. As I learned from experience, true satisfaction does not sprout from positions in clubs, community service projects, or academic success. It comes from building a connection with your own self. I recognized the importance of being true to yourself — unapologetically and unconditionally. Before my eyes, I molded myself into a different person. I embraced my strengths and showcased my flaws more than ever before in my life, building a strong identity of self which allowed me to boldly strive for my aspirations. After living in Cuba for the first eight years of my life and witnessing the political turmoil tear my family apart, I became the president of Amnesty International Club, where we fought against the violation of human rights. During the summer, I volunteered in Aventura Hospital’s emergency care unit, where I had the pleasure to work alongside people who are presently in the frontlines during this pandemic and I admire them deeply. I was able to care for patients and listen to each of their stories, building connections and memories that touched me in a way that permitted me to realize my passion towards medicine. From that moment forward, I have only been able to picture myself in ten years wearing a white lab coat with a stethoscope around my neck, smiling at a patient as I pass through the hospital halls. The present uncertainty we face tests our drive and character in this course of our lives; however, I can confidently assure humanity that with faith and persistence by our side, we will unitely prevail, emerging fiercer than ever before.
Lissette Martinez Feature Editor
L.martinez.thepanther@gmail.com
FEATURE| 13
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Kristine Villarroel life editor
On Dec. 24, 2016, I boarded a plane departing Venezuela, the country where I was born and raised. Just a couple of months before, I was beginning my third year of Bachillerato — the equivalent of freshman year of high school. That year brought a lot of changes regarding friendships and it represented a social reset for me. By November, I had finally found my place and I thought I was set for the rest of my Bachillerato years, not knowing how much everything would change in the upcoming months. As the only person of my family that had some fluency in English, I became an adult as soon as we boarded off that plane. Quickly, my priorities went from worrying about my friend group to translating legal papers that I could barely understand; I had to mature in a matter of weeks. I arrived at Palmetto in the middle of March. I arrived to a school system that I did not comprehend at all. After some paperwork in the office, I was given my schedule and a map of the school to find my way around. My first class, ESOL 1, only lasted about five minutes because I got there in the middle of class. However, some of the people in that classroom later became my best friends. The next day I spent hours in front of a computer taking proficiency tests. Somehow, I had learned good enough English listening to One Direction in my bedroom in Venezuela to be placed in a regular English class. While I tried to understand this new world, my old world tumbled down. In 2017, massive protests against the government erupted in Venezuela. Still very much connected to that reality, I woke up every day with reports of the armed forces torturing and killing protestors. I went to school and tried to learn as much as I could, but I constantly felt the buzz of my phone receiving notifications from news outlets reporting the protests, the shortages, the black-outs, the violence. I came home to my mom checking in with our relatives to make sure they were okay. I tried to adapt to a place while constantly worrying about what happened somewhere else, in my home. At one point I had to stop. Then came sophomore year; I decided to distance myself from the stressful reality of my home country and started focusing fully on the present. The FSA result came in, and I was transferred to an honors English class. For the first
time in a long time, I realized my own potential; something as small as that really gave me the push I needed. The following weeks I discovered what an AP class was and ended up taking two that year. As I slowly began to understand the system, I began to learn how to thrive in it. That year, I joined the Spanish National Honor Society, which would eventually become a huge part of my school life. At home, I founded a small pet-sitting business with my mom, which would eventually become an essential part of our life. Later that year, some friends and I discovered the existence of the SAT and began preparing for it with our own little study group. By junior year I gained a ton of ambition and drive; I just wanted to get the most out of school, so I flooded my schedule with AP classes. I also began comparing myself to my classmates all the time, something that consumed me in the worst way possible; I constantly tried to prove that I deserved to be there, but never quite internalized it. I resented my accent for sounding the way it does; I resented myself for feeling out of place. My fifth period AP Spanish Literature class became my happy place; the place where I did not feel like I had to prove myself. I pushed myself beyond my expectations during junior year, eventually becoming an issue as I simply overloaded myself far too much. Fall of Senior year forced me to look back at my high school experience as I wrote my college essays reflecting on the past three (actually two and a half) years of my life. I looked back for the first time in a long time and realized how far I had come from the girl that sat nervously in the main office as my mom turned in the paperwork for me to begin attending classes at Palmetto. I began to truly feel proud of my progress and began to appreciate the long and hard process that led to it. While the circumstances prevented the grand finale of our senior year, it gave me the opportunity to finally reflect on everything that happened in the past years. As I move forward, I carry with me the countless lessons that I learned during high school, and I look forward to learning many more.
Kristine Villarroel Life Editor
k.villarroel.thepanther@gmail.com
Kun Liu Staff writer
Last year, we rode the morning him I came to understand what a minor metro heading to Miami Beach on culture difference meant. I swam to the last day of school, which we had Miguel. While sinking and floating with a little discussion about and skipped the waves, we spent a beautiful hour to it together. It was a radiant morning staple the memories before dawn, when and the excitement inside of us was he would be back to Madrid. It was on the brink of bursting. I smelled the sad to admit that he would be another perfume of fierce. Sam wore a pair of reason for me to take a trip down the sunglasses, looking perfect on her. memory lane while he was still by my Putting on her standard smiles only, side, talking about the things we do not Sarah looked stunning already. Five of usually discuss because they sound like us sat on the smooth sand, hoping to a farewell. As I had felt a small tide of get tan without peeling, which is highly depression, the sun was sinking and impossible. Luisa immersed herself stars were floating. in the transparent-blue ocean, facing I was sentimental. Miami was a toward the Bahamas’ islands. She newcomer to me, but I knew this was always wanted to be a sailor, which, the capital of foreigners. People are according to her, enabled her to surf all tourists in Miami; just some of and dive with whales and dolphins and them are tour guides. At the end of the eventually to become one of them. day, we are all whales and dolphins. Miguel showed off his last day by We enjoy each other’s company and swimming to the margin of the safe never want it to end. The ice melts and zone. He spent a long minute at the freezes, the waves rise and fall and we edge, staring into the sea like he was come and leave. The world is too good waiting to be free. I was spontaneously at goodbyes, but we are too good to say recollecting our first meeting in history goodbyes. class when we were both exchange I gazed around the beach one last students. With an acceptably scary time, taking in the scenery as if I was English accent, he is actually from taking a picture. I wanted desperately Spain. Out of politeness, whenever to capture what I was feeling and tuck I didn’t not understand what he was it safely in my pocket, allowing me saying, I extracted keywords from his to return to it when summer felt like sentences. It was a non-effective way an ancient memory and the scorch of because I only responded to him by the ocean sun was replaced with the saying “oh,” “yeah,” and “nice.” As I blistering north wind. had a better understanding of English and learnt some Spanish words, we communicated in a mixed language that no one else could understand, which was terrifyingly wonderful. We selected the same wrong answer on a Kun Liu quiz because we did not know the same Staff Writer vocabulary words. Through knowing k.liu.thepanther@gmail.com
FEATURE| 15
Home
TV Shows
Movies
My List
The Best Sports Shows and Documentaries
27%
of students have seen Cheer
52% of students have seen All American
25% of students have seen Last Dance
Information from polls on Instagram @thepantherpaper
DESIGN BY GIANNA HUTTON
Throughout this quarantine, sports fans have had to find another way to stay engaged in the sports world during a time where all seasons have been put on hold. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime along with live TV channels have released new documentaries and TV shows on captivating subjects like the iconic NBA Hall-of-Famer Michael Jordan, NFL Superbowl Champion Spencer Paysinger and a hard-working, competitive cheer team from Texas amidst reruns of favorite sports highlights. Some of the most talked about shows that fans have raved about recently include “All-American,” “Cheer” and “The Last Dance.” “All-American” is a compelling family drama based on NFL Superbowl Champion Spencer Paysinger’s high school football career. When James (the character based off of Paysinger) transfers from Crenshaw High to Beverly High for football, he experiences a different world while he stays with the rich Baker family in Beverly Hills. Scoring a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, the popular CW show tackles the class struggles Paysinger experienced in his early career prior to his success playing for the New York Giants. “What interested me the most in the show was how kids my age live in a different state and how much we differ from each other. Their dynamic as a whole and their school life, outside and personal life differs so much from me and my friends,” Palmetto junior Brooke Jackson said. While this show’s first season aired Oct. 10, 2018, it had a second season that luckily wrapped up in March -- perfect timing for teen sports fans who love to binge-watch in quarantine -- and has a new season in development this year. This show’s diverse cast and escalating drama leaves audiences craving more. “We started watching season one last year when it first came out, and we’ve all been obsessed with it ever since. When season two came out, we watched it on Netflix and loved it. It gave us something to bond over and to watch as a family,” Jackson said. The Netflix docu-series “Cheer” has had audiences becoming their own kinds of cheerleaders for the Navarro College’s competitive cheer
squad from Corsicana, Texas. Cameras follow the teammates and Coach Monica Aldama, showcasing all of the hard work and dedication that comes with a commitment to a 40-member, nationally-ranked team. “I was never very good but I loved watching others compete and the show really showed the difficulties involved in cheerleading and made me appreciate the sport even more,” Palmetto junior Ella March said. Airing earlier this year, the series shows the Bulldogs on their difficult journey to winning their 14th national title. The compelling cast will have viewers in awe of the perseverance these cheerleaders have in the face of serious injuries and the challenges that life brings them. “It was very emotional and rewarding to watch because throughout the whole show you had learned the stories and struggles that these people had experienced and watched them learn and grow throughout the year,” March said. ESPN’s “The Last Dance” has basketball fans raving over the 10-part docu-series, which follows Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in their 1997-1998 season, their final one as that legendary line-up before Jordan’s second retirement. The series shows unseen behindthe-scenes footage and interviews of over 100 people close to the team, according to ESPN. The show can be streamed on YouTube or the ESPN app. “What interested me the most was learning about a sports icon who played before I was born. He was a huge figure for basketball and it’s interesting to learn about his life and career,” Palmetto sophomore Nico Garavito said. Thanks to these new shows, sports fans can still feel involved in what they feel passionate about. They provide entertainment for people who have been staying at home during the pandemic, who may have felt upset about postponed and canceled major sports seasons.
Sofia Vinueza
MultimediaEditor
s.vinueza.thepanther@gmail.com
Camilla Bondy Design Editor
c.bondy.thepanther@gmail.com
TEN
OPINION|17 6
EVENTS MISSED THIS YEAR 10 main events missed this year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic 1 BROADWAY SHOWS Social distancing has greatly affected Broadway shows as well; they remain suspended for the time being. Ticket holders were, however, permitted to exchange their tickets for ones at a later date. Various shows — including Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? — were offering $50 discount tickets as people avoid large public gatherings.
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2020 OLYMPICS This year, the 2020 Olympics were going to take place in Tokyo. However, amid the pandemic, they have been rescheduled to July 23, 2021. Almost 10,000 athletes planned on attending the opening ceremony, while about 600,000 visitors were expected at the largest sporting event of the year.
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MET GALA The 150th anniversary of the Met Gala in New York was set to take place on May 4, 2020; however, due to the coronavirus pandemic, one of the main events in the fashion industry was cancelled. “About Time: Fashion and Duration” was originally the theme for the 2020 Met Gala, accompanying the spring exhibition at the museum.
TED 2020 TED 2020 was originally supposed to be held in Vancouver from Apr. 20-24 but was postponed to July 20-26. The organizers said they might decide to hold the conference virtually.
ULTRA FESTIVAL Ultra Music Festival, which usually happens during July in Miami, was also officially canceled because of coronavirus concerns. The festival, which takes place for over three days at Bayfront Park, draws in over 150,000 fans from around the globe.
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NBA SEASON After Rudy Gobert, a player on the Utah Jazz, tested positive for the coronavirus, the NBA suspended its season. The test result reportedly came out shortly before the tipoff of the game between the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City, according to a statement from the NBA. The game was canceled immediately.
Y TON S RD AWA
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THE BOSTON MARATHON The Boston Marathon, dating back over 120 years, was postponed from its original date of Apr. 20 to Sept.14. More than 31,000 runners from around the world planned to participate in the event, while thousands hoped to watch.
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TONY AWARDS The 74th Annual Tony Awards were scheduled to air on June 7 on CBS from Radio City Music Hall in New York. However, the awards will now be postponed to a later date once Broadway re-opens.
KENTUCKY DERBY The Kentucky Derby is an annual event held on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Many look forward to watching the traditional event every year. However, this year it has been postponed from May 2 to Sept. 5.
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COACHELLA Coachella was postponed to the weekends of Oct. 9 and Oct. 16 due to concerns about the coronavirus. Goldenvoice also announced that the festival would be postponed until October 2020, and that purchases already made for the original dates would be honored for the rescheduled weekends.
Julia Strasius Design Editor
j.strasius.thepanther@gmail.com DESIGN BY JULIA STRASIUS
Florida, man Just Florida Things: Protests in Florida As the school year comes to a close, we are once again reminded that just because school has ended does not mean the rest of the world stops. With the death of yet another unarmed black American at the hands of a police officer, the country has erupted into a series of protests in several states. While these demonstrations began in Minnesota, the state where George Floyd was suffocated by Derek Chauvin, it has made its way to Florida, and it has stirred up a lot of controversy. After some demonstrators set multiple vehicles on fire and stole from closed stores in downtown Miami, Mayor Carlos Gimenez implemented a curfew of 8 PM for all non-essential workers during the weekend of May 29, and Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida National Guard. Florida is no stranger to incidents like these, with the shooting of Trayvon Martin in Miami Gardens over eight years ago. Martin was shot by neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman despite posing no imminent threat, and protests sparked across the nation due to the belief that Zimmerman shot Martin solely due to his race. Zimmerman was found not guilty, a verdict that has brought heavy criticism to this day. With these past tragedies and the protests raging across the nation today in mind, we as a state and a nation must take action to ensure that black Floridians and black Americans are not unfairly targeted due to their race Jack Meyer
News Editor
j.meyer.thepanther@gmail.com
STAFf
editorial During this global pandemic, people had to deal with the transition from in-school learning to remote learning from an outside location. The beginning of the switch from in-school to at-home learning was bumpy to say the least, as teachers had to change their lesson plans to accommodate their students. From giving out their emails and some starting class programs on sites such as Edmodo and Schoology, the staff needed to become accustomed to utilizing new online means of communication. The teachers continued working hard to make these adjustments, learning how to use one of the main means of communication during quarantine, Zoom. This in itself is a daunting task to one used to holding a class in their own, personal classroom “bubble,� yet after practice, the teachers soon began to become experts. From originally not knowing how to share screens, to now sharing presentations, there have been many struggles that staff overcame to hold classes to the best of their ability. The new normal school routine for teachers sharply contrasts with the ways that each teacher used to run their classes, but with efforts clearly shown by each and every one of the people on Palmetto’s staff, they have kept students engaged and willing to keep putting forth effort. As the time passes until June 3, everyone has made the changes, as well as ensuring their students remain a priority in their lives during a global pandemic. The same helping hand that they offered is still present, but now on a virtual level.
Sincerely, The Panther Staff
MISSION STATEMENT The Panther staff aims to inform fellow students and parents about schoolwide, local, national, and international news. The Panther’s content aims to represent the student body. Editorials feature the opinions of staffers. Features of other students, teachers and clubs further promote the spirit, culture and personality of Miami Palmetto Senior High School.
EDITORIAL POLICY The Panther is a monthly publication of Miami Palmetto Senior High located at 7460 S.W. 118th Street Miami, FL 33156, (305) 235-1360 ext. 2337. The views expressed are solely those of The Panther staff. Students who wish to respond to an article in this publication or discuss another issue may write letters to the editor and submit them to room 980 or e-mail us at n.markus.thepanther@gmail.com. The Panther has professional membership in NSPA and CSPA. The Panther prints 1,400 copies per issue for distribution. The Panther is distributed for free to all students in school. Please visit our paper online at thepalmettopanther.com.
BYLINE POLICY:
All creative work (such as illustrations, graphics, photos and writing) excluding staff editorials and staff member pictures will include byline credits.
CORRECTION POLICY:
Any errors in print will be acknowledged in the next print issue in a correction box. Any errors online will be acknowledged immediately. Errors include facts, figures, misquoting and name misspellings.
ADVERTISING POLICY:
Ads will be designed by the advertiser and include all information the advertiser wants included. If the advertiser asks the staff to design the ad, the individual who sold the ad will design the ad or the Ads Manager will. Ads will be approved by EICs, the Advisor and the Ads Manager. If an ad produced is illegible, contains false information, or the advertiser does not like it, they will receive a free ad in the next issue. If you would like to advertise, please contact us.
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY The School Board shall comply with all Federal Laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination and all requirements and regulations of the U.S. Department of Education. The Board will enforce its prohibition against discrimination/harassment based on sex, race, color, ethnic, or national origin, religion, marital status, disability, age, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, gender identification, social and family background, linguistic preference, pregnancy and any other basis prohibited by law. The Board shall maintain an educational and work environment free from all forms of discrimination/harassment, which includes Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX prohibits sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct such as unwelcome touching, graphic verbal comments, sexual jokes, slurs, gestures or pictures. All students, administrators, teachers, staff, and all other school personnel share responsibility for avoiding, discouraging, and reporting any form of prohibited discrimination or harassment against students by employees, other students and their parents or guardians, or third parties. This policy prohibits discrimination and harassment at all School District operations, programs, and activities on school property, or at another location if it occurs during an activity sponsored by the Board.
STAFf Editor-In-Chief
Nicole Markus
Print Editor-In-Chief Jane Heise
Online Editor-In-Chief Jack Meyer
Managing Editor Kate Stuzin
Senior Copy Editor Priscilla Bermudez
Senior Design Editor Sydney Campbell
Senior Multimedia Valentina Caceres
Feature Editor
Lissette Martinez
News Editor Olivia Solomon
Life Editor Kristine Villarroel
Sports Editor Joanna Salvat
Opinion Editor Allison Gould
Multimedia Team Valentina Caceres Jacob Grindstaff Sofia Vinueza
Copy Team
Allison Strasius Katriona Page Isabel Wilder
Design Team Camilla Bondy Gemma Torras Gianna Hutton Ana Martinez Julia Strasius
Staff Writers Elias Arbe Kun Liu
Adviser
Laura Aviles