The Panther 2020-21 Issue 4: Selling the Unsellable: Facing Human Trafficking

PANTHER

the

V 63|N4

Miami Palmetto Senior High School

7431 SW 120 Street, Pinecrest, FL 33156

Thursday 25 February 2021

FEBRUARYcontents NEWS LIFE

04 THE IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY HEART

10 CELEBRATING PROM AT HOME

11 FEATURE

THE PREVALENCE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN MIAMI

16 SPORTS

HONORING COACH LATSHAW

19 OPINION

MISSING THE VALENTINE’S DAY OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

STAFF Editor-In-Chief

COVER

ON

THE

Nicole Markus

Print Editor-In-Chief Jane Heise

Online Editor-In-Chief Jack Meyer

The cover picture conveys the dehumanizing effect of human trafficking, a prevalent problem in Miami, Florida.

Managing Editor Kate Stuzin

Senior Copy Editor Priscilla Bermudez

Senior Design Editor

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news briefs

Allison Gould

The Florida Senate moved the S.B. 48 Educational Scholarship Programs Bill to Appropriations on Feb. 19, 2021. Co-sponsored by Republican Senators Manny Diaz, Jr., Ileana Garcia, Dennis Baxley and Keith Perry, the bill would expand education voucher programs. Transferring funds received through private contributions to a state-managed education fund, parents would receive access to funds via Education Savings Accounts to pay for primarily private school tuition and related services. If passed, the legislation would go into effect on July 1, 2021.

National

On Feb. 22, 2021 the U.S. surpassed 500,000 COVID-19 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. In memory of those who have passed, President Joseph R. Biden held a candlelit ceremony at the White House alongside First Lady Jill T. Biden, Vice President Kamala D. Harris, and Second Gentleman Douglas C. Emhoff. During the ceremony the flags at the White House and Capitol Hill were lowered to half-maststaff as 500 candles were lit to represent the 500,000 lives lost.

International

Italian Ambassador Luca Attanasio died in an attack in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The incident, occurred in Goma while the ambassador was traveling on a World Food Programme mission inside a United Nations Convoy. Goma, which is under guard by the UN, is located near Rutshuru, which has a large armed presence. Attanasio and Goma were traveling on a security cleared route into Rutshuru to attend a school feeding program facilitated by the WFP. An Italian soldier and WFP driver also died and many others sustained injuries.

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Camilla Bondy Isabel Lopez Isabella Hewitt Amy-Grace Shapiro Samantha Elkins Valentina Arias

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Laura Aviles

04| NEWS

love your heart:

heart health awareness month Heart health awareness month aims to raise awareness in regards to the widespread heart disease epidemic that acts as the number one cause of death in the U.S. annually; heart disease took the lives of 659,041 Americans in 2019 alone.

For Sofia Medina, a senior at Miami Palmetto Senior High, the heart-disease epidemic has directly impacted both her and her family.

“My aunt had a thyroid condition which affected her heart and eventually led to cardiac arrest heart failure that was irreparable,” Medina said.

Medina emphasizes the importance in heart health awareness, for both yourself and those around you, “Heart health awareness is important because without a fully functioning or healthy heart you put yourself at risk for more possible conditions or even worse depending upon the situation.”

The heart disease issue goes beyond the U.S..

Across the world, heart disease claims the lives of 17.9 million people each year, with that number expected to grow. Heart disease leads as the cause of death globally, with its victims primarily coming from low and middle income countries Heart disease-related deaths often come in the forms of heart attacks and strokes, which encompass around 80% of those deaths. Americans suffer from heart diseases to such a severe extent largely due to lifestyle and diet. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, one can avoid risks of heart disease by making healthy dietary choices.

One heart-healthy way of stabilizing one’s eating plan is the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.

This plan helps people start their own healthy eating pattern. DASH aims to include vegetables, fruits and whole grains as a main nutritional goal. Some other healthy foods DASH advises one to include in their plan include fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry, beans, nuts and vegetable oils.

DASH recommends individuals eat no more than 2,000 calories daily, which minimizes sugarsweetened beverages, food in high saturated fat and tropical oils.

With evidence from four National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute funded studies, the DASH diet has lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, the “bad cholesterol,” and improved blood pressure — positive news, since these both put an

individual at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

In another study from NHLBI, there are high recommendations under using the DASH plan in addition with a sodium reduction method, leading to a bigger efficiency towards those with higher blood pressure than those with normal blood pressure.

“I have the ability to change the direction of all the other issues that can lead to heart disease in a kid,” pediatrician at Pinecrest Pediatrics Dr. Margarita Taboas-Mestre said.w Taboas notes that eating healthy is not the only precaution that can prevent heart diseases. She also believes in the importance of exercising and not introducing drugs to one’s system.

“Another thing that I would say about preventing is — which fits into exercising and eating healthy — just avoid being overweight, avoid stress. Sleeping well is very important… and believe it or not, brushing your teeth and flossing. [Scientists] found that people that have poor dental hygiene — [for example], gingivitis — live in a chronic inflammatory state that also can increase heart disease,” Taboas said.

With annual exams and visits to one’s physician, people have a better chance at receiving advice and awareness about whether they are at risk of heart disease. As heart disease can strike at any age, preventing issues at an earlier stage likely leads to an elevated quality of life and a lesser risk for disease later in life.

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NEWS |05

on the road to equality On Feb. 3, the Florida Commission on Human Relations — a state entity delegated with addressing civil rights violations and discrimination — announced they would implement the Bostock v. Clayton County Supreme Court decision. In June of last year, the Supreme Court consolidated the cases of Bostock v. Clayton County, Altitude Express v. Zarda and R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC, ruling that discrimination on the basis of sexual and gender identity was prohibited. However, federal implementation of the case had been delayed until President Joe Biden’s Day one executive orders.

“They made a decision right that just says, looking at the Bostock case… we will also hear cases for protections,” Executive Director of SAVE, South Florida’s longest-serving organization protecting the LGBTQ community against discrimination, Orlando Gonzales said.

On a local level, Miami-Dade County has historically had a more progressive stance on equity than other Floridian counties.

In 1977, Dade County passed the Human Rights

Ordinance, adding sexual orientation as a protection for the LGBTQIA+ community.

A 2002 county-wide vote reinforced these protections, and in 2016, gender identity was added as protection.

“Those protections have existed, and some of them have been done throughout other cities in Florida. But really, Miami Dade and Broward took the lead back in the 90s, and those are the only protections people had, and the state of Florida has not had statewide protection across the board,” Gonzales said. “With this, we now have a Florida Commission on Human Rights, who hears cases and complaints related to human rights violations.. and sexual orientation and gender identity were not included before, but then the Bastock case issues a clarification.”

The announcement of the FHC’s support of the Supreme Court case has brought much hope for continued equity in the future.

“Anytime that there is progress with regards to LGBTQ rights, that is a step forward, not just for the community, but for everyone. And certainly, you know, I’ve seen so many changes in my lifetime with regards to that, that it’s really nice that hopefully the kids today are going to have less of a struggle,” Miami Palmetto Senior High Alliance club sponsor Dan Hurst said.

Many local groups see more room for improvement within Floridan protections, including the need to pass a statewide non-discrimination bill. Floridians support this with polling from late 2019 by the Public Religion Research Institute. showing that nearly 70 percent of Floridians back protections against anti-LGBTQ discrimination.

“SAVE and other organizations throughout the state have been working tirelessly on a statewide non-discrimination bill, and the state non-discrimination... is made up of three components … protections and employment, housing and the protections in public accommodation. They’ll be able

to really go into a restaurant, really go into a public bathroom being able to live and be able to thrive in society, and not just survive,” Gonzales said.

On the larger, national level, legislation such as the Equality Act, which was re-introduced on Feb. 18, has been launched. The Equality Act, which failed to pass the Senate in 2019 but passed the House, would be the first bill to provide the LGBTQIA+ protections against discrimination. LGBTQIA+ groups hope the bill will pass now due to the majority Democratic Senate.

“Representative David Cicilline, just filed the Equality Act, which is the federal non-discrimination policy that would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964, amend the Fair Housing Act, the Equal Credit and Opportunity Act, the Jury Selection and Service Act, as well as make very clear that religious freedom does not include being able to discriminate against people,” Gonzales said.

The instatement of this case requires community support and awareness to ensure its success.

“As people start to file claims, I think that it’s gonna shed a lot of light on the number of cases that take place out there,” Gonzales said. “So we as members of society, when we hear about it, we need to be educated enough to encourage that person to say, ‘Go file your claim of discrimination.’”

Overall, the FHC’s actions represent hope and a move towards necessary equality in the Floridan community.

“In 2008, they had an amendment to the Florida constitution that said that gay marriage, should not happen. That was just, what,13 years ago, look how far we’ve come from that,” Hurst said.

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PHOTO BY ISABELLA HEWITT DESIGN BY ANA MARTINEZ

06| NEWS

pandemic-induced

BABY BUST

Contrary to what some experts expected, spending more time at home has not led to an increase in pregnancies. Instead, after countless months of people staying inside due to the COVID-19 pandemic, birth rates have decreased significantly.

Despite several projections indicating a much higher birth rate from months in quarantine, birth rates have instead seen a surprising decline. Increased job insecurity, limited hospital space and overall stress could possibly contribute to the fall in recent pregnancies.

Limited hospital space may not be the only concern families have when considering starting or continuing their families. Due to COVID-19, only one companion is permitted inside the maternity ward for the duration of the mother’s hospital stay, including during the actual birth.

Whether the mother decides to have a family member, friend or doula (a birth coach) in the labor room with them, only that one person can stay inside. Visitors cannot switch in and out at any time to ensure the safety of the mother and child.

Research at the Guttmacher Institute found that 34% of American people have reduced the number of children they anticipated having or have postponed their plans to have children due to the pandemic.

Many economists fear that instead of overpopulation, society now may face just the opposite. Brookings predicts 300,000 to 500,000 fewer births as a result of the pandemic.

This makes the birth rate 8% less in Florida in 2020 compared to 2019. With lower birth rates, the amount of workers in future generations has a high possibility of decreasing.

“The one problem is going to be the need for immigration, because you’re still going to need the same number of workers, you’re still going to need a variety of jobs, whether it is a doctor, a lawyer, a garbage collector, you are still going to need these jobs. However, you are going to have to find the workers somewhere else,” Miami Palmetto Senior AP Human Geography teacher John Hayduk said.

This is not the first time that a national issue has affected the population. For example, after a blizzard in 1978 isolated many, data reflects that the number of babies conceived remained lower than

previously expected.

“It’s not shocking to see a decrease [in birth rates] because throughout history, whenever we have had things like this, it has caused baby bust in the past. Just like the opposite, when you get war, you typically see the baby booms, like when you get the baby boom generation coming out of World War II,” Hayduk said.

Along with falling birth rates due to COVID-19, fewer people are getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases, leading to a major rise in undetected viral-infectants.

In the U.S., a survey by the National Coalition of STD Directors found that 83% of STD programs have temporarily shut down services and community visits, with 66% of clinics reporting a decrease in sexual health screening and testing due to COVID-19.

At the University of Miami’s adolescence medical center, STD and HIV expert Alex Moreno suggests that the cause of the sudden rise in numbers directly correlates with the slow rise in carelessness, along with a lack of information.

“I think what’s happening is people are getting complacent about COVID and they are back out engaging in risky behaviors,” Moreno said. “The other reason is there is not a great STD and health education as a whole here in Miami.”

When thinking about STDs, HIV may be the first that comes to a student’s mind, but there are several other diseases that pose a high risk. Gonorrhea, an STD that may cause infertility, has an extremely high infection rate. In 2017, a total of 555,608 cases of gonorrhea were reported in the United States, with a rate of 171.9 cases per 100,000 people.

Another potential STD, syphilis, infected 115,000 people in 2020 alone. The number of primary and secondary syphilis cases — the most infectious stages of syphilis — increased 14%, to more than 35,000 cases — the highest number reported since 1991.

“Our numbers indicate there are less people being tested, but the rates are still staying around the same,” Moreno said. “I just picked up results from the lab, and out of the seven tests, there was one positive for gonorrhea, one positive for syphilis and one for HIV.” With the rise in STDs, Moreno offers a piece of advice.

“The main thing is, whether it is Palmetto Senior High students or any other students in that age group, there’s two things to remember. One, anybody can catch an STD. There are so many ways that you can be exposed to an STD, and if you are exposed, the chances are high that you are going to

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07| LIFE

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Black History Month Second African American to graduate from Harvard after W.E.B. Du Bois “Negro History Week” was created to increase the awarness around Black History, while increasing its importance in the school system

WHY FEBRUARY?

OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED AS A HOLIDAY IN

1976

1926

2.12 2.14 1960s

The celebration of Negro History Week spreads amongst African American collegiates

1940s

1976

African Americans in West Virginia begin to celebrate Negro History Week in February, expanding the week long celebration to a month

ARTISTS

Declared a national holiday and the celebration is dedicated to February, renamed “Black History Month”

INVENTORS

JOSHUA JOHNSON 18th and 19th century portrait painter

known as the earliest known African American who worked as a professional artist

A Florida born sculptor, Savage played a major role in the Harlem Renissance in New York. In 1935, she co-founded the Harlem Artists Guild, an organization that advised the neighborhood’s African American artists.

DESIGN BY GIANNA HUTTON

FREDERICK DOUGLASS’S BIRTHDAY

WHAT LED TO THE FOUNDING?

Woodson promotes the first Negro History Week

AUGUSTA SAVAGE

ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S BIRTHDAY

GEORGE WASHINGTON An agricultural chemist, Carver sought to increase the profitability of sweet CARVER

ACTIVISTS JOHN LEWIS An American politician, statesman, and

civil rights activist, Lewis served in the United States House of Representatives for Georgia’s 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death in 2020.

Her revolutionary work in telecommuniCLAUDETTE An American civil rights activist in Alcations research that led to the abama, Colvin refused to give up her invention of products such as the touch- COLVIN bus seat to a white passenger, months tone phone, portable fax, fiber optic before Rosa Parks’ more famous protest. cables, and caller ID. She was a plaintiff in Browder v. Gayle, which ruled that Montgomery’s segregated bus system was unconstitutional. potatoes and peanuts. He published research and developed 518 new crops.

SHIRLEY JACKSON

INFOGRAPHIC INFORMATION FROM BRITANNICA, HISTORY.COM, AND MODERN MET

08| LIFE

HOW TO COPE WITH THE LOSS of a loved one

Coping with the loss of a loved one may be one of the hardest challenges that a person faces. Whether a person loses a family member or friend, grief can feel intense and overwhelming. When dealing with the loss of a loved one, one should remember the following things:

RANGE OF EMOTIONS AND FEELINGS After losing a loved one, one can experience a wide range of emotions. One can feel a great amount of sadness as they yearn to see or have one last conversation with the person they lost. One can also feel angry that their loved one left them behind. Sometimes, a person may struggle to understand or process the fact that their loved one has died. Going through different periods of emotion is completely normal and one must acknowledge these feelings for their own well-being.

Grief often gets categorized as a single emotion, but it actually acts as a multifaceted and uncontrollable emotion. Besides feeling mentally upset, one can also feel physically upset. Oftentimes, the stress associated with loss can suppress one’s immune system, making it more likely for them to catch a cold or virus.

Grief can also affect energy levels, making one feel weak and fatigued. Once again, remember that these feelings are com-

pletely normal and common symptoms for those dealing with grief.

Due to the emotional and physical consequences associated with grief and

THERE IS NO PERFECT TIME TO REACH OUT FOR HELP

DR. STACY JONES loss, everyday activities and hobbies can feel difficult to complete. Students especially may find it hard to attend school or complete their school work and responsibilities.

“Students can always talk to their coun-

selors. We also have a TRUST counselor, Ms. Mills. If anyone ever feels like they are in over their heads, there is help. At school, I would encourage students to talk to their counselor. Students can talk to a counselor in person or virtually,” Miami Palmetto Senior High School AP Psychology teacher Amy Schaffer said.

Besides speaking to school counselors, speaking to a psychologist or licensed mental health professional can also help people cope when grief or loss become overwhelming.

“There is no perfect time to reach out for help. As a matter of fact, some individuals reach out for help before the grieving process even begins (for example, when a loved one is dying or any tragedy or loss is expected). Some individuals aren’t ready to speak, and choose to wait. Many people choose to keep their support limited to immediate family,” licensed psychologist Dr. Stacey Jones said.

LIFE |09

THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORT Natural parts of life include loss and grief, meaning that everyone eventually experiences the emotions associated with it. When a family member dies, the whole family gets affected and must deal with the loss. Because of this, spending time with loved ones and talking to them about emotions and feelings can truly benefit everyone.

After losing her grandmother, Palmetto junior Jordyn Lazar remembers the impact that surrounding herself with family and friends had on her during the grieving process.

“Having other people who knew [my grandmother], such as my family and her

Ways of and coping a loss differ person to However, one who has

grieving with from person. any-

friends, helped me with the loss. They knew I was her number one and all she would speak about, so they were really helpful to be near just to talk to. It also helped to listen to more stories about my grandmother from them,” Lazar said.

Oftentimes, expressing one’s feelings help them better understand loss. It can also help people remember the good memories and relationship that they had with their loved one.

“Allowing individuals to share their feelings is most important. Helping people to identify and express themselves can be healing and help them to find adaptive coping to include hobbies, activities and

experienced loss can say that the pain does not stop from one day to the next. Even with time, the hurt from losing a loved one never completely goes away.

Birthdays, anniversaries and holidays often bring back feelings of sorrow and sadness and remind families of the times that they had with their deceased loved ones. When grief returns, a person should allow themselves to feel the range of emotions they previously experienced and should remember to surround themselves with a support system.

spending time with the people they care about,” Jones said.

Whether talking to others comes in the form of reminiscing on good times with family and friends or a therapy session and support groups with a psychologist, it can make a big difference in the way a person copes.

“Being around others who are going through the same thing can be comforting.

Doing what you enjoy doing, not pushing yourself and surrounding yourself with people that make you feel good is important,” Jones said.

TIME HEALS

A person can also start new traditions that allow themselves and their family to think of special events as a time of remembrance rather than sorrow. For example, families can plant a tree in honor of their lost loved one, they can watch their loved one’s favorite movie or cook their favorite meal and they can even make a charitable donation to an organization that their loved one supported. Some cultures may even have specific traditions that allow for the celebration of a loved one’s life.

Overall, grief and loss affect people in many different ways. When going through the grieving process and coping with the loss of a loved one, remember that a person can feel a range of emotions, support is important and time heals.

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LIFE |10

A Pandemic Prom:

Bringing the In-Person Prom into the Backyard PHOTO COURTESY OF SYDNEY ROUVIERE In March of 2020, the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The spread of the virus has continued into the present day and, as of Feb. 10, 2021, Miami Palmetto Senior High School’s activities department announced that traditional in-person senior activities will most likely be cancelled for this year. These activities include the long-awaited senior prom; however, there is an alternative to the event: a backyard pandemic prom.

“There’s always a time when we need to move from hoping and keeping our fingers crossed to kind of living with the reality and knowing that we need to be realistic,” Palmetto’s Activities Director Elizabeth Valero said.

Despite the reality COVID-19 poses, many seniors still dream of attending prom, wishing for the day that they receive a promposal, dress up and dance the night away during their last event before the long-awaited graduation. The ongoing pandemic has made that dream hard to achieve and seniors have started looking for new ways to celebrate one of the most special nights of their lives.

Palmetto senior Sydney Rouviere held her own at-home pandemic prom towards the end of last school year as her boyfriend, Luke Bahamonde, did not get a chance to attend a school-sponsored senior prom due to its cancellation.

“I told him to get ready, and I just decided to decorate my brother’s room, like it was a prom and a nice dinner. So we took pictures outside, we were all dressed up, and then we went into the room and played music,” Rouviere said.

For seniors who wish to host an event like Rouviere’s, Valero wants to remind students that safety must remain the number one priority.

“I want to make sure that the seniors know that there’s still a threat out there, and they need to be very careful, so stick to your bubble,” Valero said.

Following tradition, Rouviere and Bahamonde took pictures together in their prom attire. They personalized the event by proceeding to go inside the home for a romantic dinner with one another while listening to music. Rouviere, who thoroughly enjoyed the experience, recommends this year’s seniors to do something similar and put their own twist on it.

“I think it’s just nice to be able to dress up, especially because during COVID, people aren’t going out and aren’t going to events, so it’s always nice to get ready and pick out a dress and have pictures to post and show people look, ‘I went to prom,’ even if it wasn’t a real prom,” Rouviere said.

Alternatives, like Rouviere’s, instill hope in seniors who want to spend the fleeting moments of their high school experience with their friends within their “COVID bubble” before they go their separate ways. Though it does not replace the prom they dreamed of, seniors can

take comfort in knowing bonding experiences such as these can still happen and create lifelong memories. Seniors can also try to imitate aspects of traditional prom to make it as close to what they dreamed of as possible with the necessary safety measures.

“I planned it by just figuring out what aspects of prom that I liked. So, I like the fact that you get to sit down and eat with that person or eat with your friends, and I did it a little more like a dinner date,” Rouviere said.

All things considered, Valero wants to let the Class of 2021 know that the future still has an endless amount of possibilities for them. Instead of letting the current situation put them down, they should remain optimistic for the future.

“You guys should know that there’s an amazing future coming up. Like I said before, I think that what’s going to happen later is that we’re all going to continue celebrating and getting together and doing things together and traveling the world and all that, but now with a much more grateful heart,” Valero said.

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Senior Copy Editor

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FEATURE| 11

selling the unsellable: FACING

HUMAN TRAFFICKING Every year worldwide, millions of men, women and children fall victim to human trafficking. It can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender or race, even in the least-expected communities. This includes our own: Florida has the third-highest rate of trafficking of any state in the U.S., with Miami-Dade County the epicenter of the crisis. It is a crime hidden in plain sight, as victims often interact with their community and look and act normal. With such a serious issue plaguing our community, it is becoming ever more important to raise awareness and sound the alarm.

12 |FEATURE HERE AT HOME

Human trafficking — often referred to as “modern-day slavery” — can take a variety of forms and range in severity, but regardless of the form, it ultimately comes down to the exploitation of human beings for labor, services or sex.

“Let’s say you bring a person to the United States. You invite them to come over and work in your home, and you pay them minimum wage, but you take their passport away... and you don’t let them leave [the U.S.],” founder of human trafficking prevention program Phantom Rescue and trafficking expert Tony Sparks said. “You still pay them, and you give them a place to live, but the second you take their passport away, you have committed the crime of human trafficking.”

According to the Human Trafficking Hotline, labor trafficking comprises around 11% of their cases.

“You could take a group of individuals and... have them work in Homestead in the migrant field,” Sparks said. “You don’t pay them, but you give them a place to live, and you control them… and you tell them that they have to pay off a debt before they can leave the migrant workforce. That’s also trafficking.”

Both labor and sex trafficking remain widespread throughout Miami due to a confluence of factors: its unique position as a gateway to other countries, thriving tourism economy and extreme wealth disparity. Its ports, especially, make it an

ideal breeding ground for trafficking, which is why the Miami-Dade Police Department places a special emphasis on monitoring imports entering via sea. “[Miami] is a port city. MDPD personnel are assigned to the Seaport and patrol the Port of Miami… and work closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office,” Police Major at the Miami-Dade Public Safety Training Institute Carlos D. Gonzales said. “These partnerships allow the agencies to share information concerning traffickers and victims they may come across while patrolling the Port of Miami. Port employees are also provided with training on how to identify victims of human trafficking via their respective employers.”

Regardless of where they live, low income students tend to be most at-risk for trafficking; Sparks estimates that around 50-60% of trafficking victims qualify as “high-risk,” or students who live in poor neighborhoods and engage in sexual activity for basic survival. In some cases, their surroundings constantly remind them of what they lack.

“You have the haves and have-nots.

The have-nots want a Chanel purse or they want a Prada… and they can’t get it because their parents aren’t rich, and they can’t get it making $15 an hour working in McDonald’s,” Sparks said. “So what do [victims] do? They sell themselves for sex.”

But it is not just lower-income, highrisk individuals who are vulnerable

to trafficking. Anyone, regardless of upbringing or where they live, can end up a victim of trafficking.

“Community children… go to school… have a normal life, don’t live in a bad neighborhood, have clean fingernails, toenails, their parents get them through school... can be made sex slaves and go to school by day and are forced to be prostitutes by night. That’s still human trafficking,” Sparks said. “The biggest misconception is that everyone says, ‘It does not happen in my neighborhood.’ There is not a 10 mile radius in any neighborhood that I can’t find either a person that has been convicted of a sex crime... or show where a child has been abducted.”

Origins and therapy

Most victims enter the human trafficking industry between the ages of 12 and 14, according to the Counter Trafficking Data Collaborative. Lacking a strong support system, they often start off as runaways or come from a situation where their household lacks safety or security.

“These kids seek companionship, and when living on the street they find themselves befriending a pimp. The pimp takes them in, shows them a little bit of love for a few months by showering them with affection and gifts,” clinical social worker who specializes in human trafficking victims Maya Weber Hipskind said. “After a while they suggest to the kid, ‘Oh, well one of the things you can do to pay me back is spend some time with my friend over

here’ and the kid believes it’s a one time thing, and that they owe the pimp. All of a sudden, it becomes a pattern, and then they’re kind of trapped.”

Hipskind formerly worked at Kristi House, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending child sex trafficking, where she had one successful closure of a human trafficking case. This may seem like an insignificant amount, but far and few victims ever seek help due to the fact that they rarely acknowledge themselves as victims, at least not right away.

“Even though they [the victim] know and understand that what’s going on is not okay, it’s very difficult for them to understand that they are a victim because at the same time, being in this situation is not their fault at all,” Hipskind said. “With my patient, it took about two and a half to three months almost for her to admit that she was a victim.”

Hipskind used cognitive behavioral therapy — a psycho-social intervention that examines all of one’s thought processes that formulate opinions and stories in one’s mind — with her patient. This type of therapy motivates victims to discover truths about their past on their own, and reevaluates their thinking patterns in light of reality.

“I saw her every single week for a little over a year. She was such a success because she had the commitment of coming to cognitive behavioral therapy and doing her work. She would ride two buses to get to my office, and she would even be there early to make sure that she made it on time,” Hipskind said. “So it's that commitment and that support system because she also had her mom, who was aware of everything, coming with her.”

PREVENTION

The first step in avoiding trafficking starts with raising awareness about the dangers. Sparks does this through his program, Phantom Rescue, which provides trafficking education to Miami communities.

“We do a whole presentation on anti-abduction awareness, but… since you can’t formally teach it in school now, I come in for career day and people ask what I do for a living,” Sparks said.

“I tell them I rescue kids that have

been abducted. ‘Why have they been abducted?’ Because of human trafficking.

‘What’s human trafficking?’ And then I tell them.”

One roadblock to providing trafficking education is parents, who fear that trafficking is too frightening a subject.

Unfortunately, this means that they — as well as their children — oftentimes do not understand the magnitude of the issue and remain unprepared for the danger. “[Trafficking] is still disturbing to the parents and the parents are like, ‘Oh, my daughter can’t know about human trafficking.’ That’s why it starts with education and awareness in the school to remove the words ‘denial’ and ‘naive.’

Because, for a child to be protected, the parent has to know what to protect them from, and the number one thing to protect a child from is abductors. So, if we don’t educate the children, and the parents don’t allow us to educate children, then [they can be] victims,” Sparks said.

In an effort to educate the public on the signs of human trafficking, the MiamiDade Police Department, along with county commissioners, began their “Stop Human Trafficking” awareness campaign back in Jan. 2021.

“The main goal of the initiative is to increase awareness of human trafficking by placing ads in public places, such as at Miami International Airport, Metrorail stations, Metrorail trains, transit buses and billboards,” Gonzalez said.

In addition to increasing public awareness, the campaign also aims to better educate Miami-Dade officers. As of now, over 2,500 officers have completed the mandatory four hour computerbased training on identifying and investigating

FEATURE| 13

human trafficking.

“The training teaches officers that they may encounter human trafficking while on patrol on a traffic stop, responding for calls for service involving assaults, battery, domestic violence and even false imprisonment,” Gonzalez said.

While education should continue as the first line of defense when it comes to trafficking prevention, in extremely dire situations, self-defense can be an effective last resort.

“Self-defense is for that one second when you’re going to be abducted.

Absolutely, use it to stop that five seconds of abduction,” Sparks said. “I rank [selfdefense] right up there after I provide education awareness.”

Some members of the Palmetto community, understanding the importance of self-defense, have used their knowledge to address the issue and help others stay safe.

“We’re living in a community where we’re so easily subjected to exploitation, and it could happen any day to anyone,” Miami Palmetto Senior High junior and founder of self-defense program Fight Like

14 |FEATURE a Girl Mikayla Ashe said. “So, selfprotection is being aware and actively avoiding the situation before it can escalate, and then self defense is when it comes to the point where you can’t do anything about it and you have to physically fight back.”

During FLAG clinics, Ashe teaches students — primarily girls — tactics they can use to defend themselves in real-life emergencies, such as when they are being abducted.

“There’s a hierarchy of vitals that you can attack,” Ashe said. “You can also look around and see what [weapons] are at your disposal: a backpack, a water bottle...

Anything that can be a barrier between you and your opponent is good, and you can use it to hit and strike.”

While nothing is foolproof, awareness and self-defense can save lives, drastically reducing the widespread instances of human trafficking in Miami and across the country.

SIGNS AND SCHEMES

Human trafficking victims often lie hidden in plain sight despite the common misconception that trafficking occurs in dark alleyways, away from the public eye. Half the battle of removing victims from their human trafficking situation is recognizing the signs and schemes that put them there in the first place.

“The first most obvious thing is expensive gifts, like if somebody you know all of a sudden has a brand new phone or a really nice purse. That’s the profile,” Sparks said. “On top of that, maybe somebody is picking them up from school that you don’t recognize, or they are missing multiple classes and after school activities. Things like that are hints and clues.”

Substance abuse, another key sign of human trafficking, occurs in around 84% of victimizations, according to the Human Trafficking Institute. It comes as no surprise that perpetrators target people who appear dependent on drugs, and they then use the promise of unlimited drugs to keep their victims under control. Knowing how to spot the

signs could prevent an overdose and save countless lives.

“Substance abuse is prevalent in [trafficking] victims. I look for this sign because a lot of the time these girls are using substances and thinking ‘I need to numb myself with the experience when somebody is having sex with me. I can’t be present.’ So there’s this exchange, which later turns into addiction,” Hipskind said.

Traffickers also use a variety of schemes, with Hipskind noting that traffickers posing as recruiters for modeling agencies seem the most popular. Now that everything has transitioned to virtual platforms due to COVID-19, more schemes have begun to pop up on social media.

“The idea of disconnection from our community is a super heavy topic when you’re talking about abuse online because girls don’t have the support system that they usually turn to in person, so they go to social media for my connective spaces,” Hipskind said. “So what’s happening is this level of comfortability behind this veil and this shade of social media, leading to an influx of sex trafficking on social media.”

The pandemic has caused millions worldwide to become unemployed and has left children out of the school house, leaving them at a greater risk for human trafficking as they spend more and more time online.

“The pandemic and its connection to social media is something that’s been starting to be researched… It’s so freaking easy now, especially now when we have video and social media. [Sex traffickers] can auction girls off online. and manage them all without even leaving their bedroom,” Hipskind said.

However, the pandemic has allowed for some upsides in regards to quelling trafficking.

A s h e ’s

FLAG program has transformed into a social media based outlet for teenage girls. She posts a wide variety of self defense content on FLAG’s instagram, @ fightlikeagirl.

“Each month we push out infographics discussing easy to use tactics that don’t require assistance, video tutorials on more advanced skills and most importantly, posts regarding inner reflection,” Ashe said. “So far, we have been able to inform more girls than we have ever had before with the help of social media; not only reaching girls in Miami but other states as well about the importance of self defense [and protection] in our everyday lives.”

If you suspect someone you know is a victim of trafficking, please report the tip by calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888

Kate Stuzin

Managing Editor

k.stuzin.thepanther@gmail.com

Katriona Page Contents Editor

k.page.thepanther@gmail.com DESIGN BY JULIA STRASIUS PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMY-GRACE SHAPIRO

SPORTS |15

HOW ATHELTES HAVE ADAPTED TO NO FANS IN THE STANDS From high school jocks to professional sports superstars, every athlete has one thing in common: having a crowd of fans cheering them on can serve as a great way to get hyped up and ready to play.

However, with the COVID-19 pandemic eliminating large gatherings, sporting events have had to find ways to work around the prospect of having limited fans (or in some cases, no fans at all) in attendance. This has caused difficulties for all parties involved, but especially for those playing the game itself.

The first instance of live sports returning after the COVID-19 lockdowns last spring was the National Basketball Association resuming the 2019-20 season. In order to prevent any spread of the virus, the league played in a closed campus at Walt Disney World with no fans in attendance.

The league made attempts to recreate the environment of normal games, including a screen of virtual fans cheering on their team from home and playing music and crowd noises to make the designated home team feel at home.

Many other professional sports leagues have since returned and, while they have not played in a closed campus like the NBA did, they do have strict rules for their players to prevent them from contracting and spreading the virus.

As a result, these professional athletes have had limited opportunities to see their family and friends, which has taken a toll at times. While in the NBA bubble, multiple players, including Los Angeles Lakers superstar and 2020 Finals MVP LeBron James, spoke up about how living away from their family for so long affected their mental health.

While some still hesitate at the idea of allowing fans in the stands, many sympathize with these athletes who cannot see their loved ones for such long amounts of time.

“These events should have less fans, but the players should still have some level of support from their families,” Miami Palmetto Senior High school junior Matthew Lewis said.

Some players have taken

a more rebellious approach to these COVID-19 guidelines that prevent them from seeing their loved ones. While serving as the starting quarterback of the Washington Football Team, Dwyane Haskins stirred up controversy around the NFL when seen at a nightclub without a mask following a Washington loss. Soon after, the Football Team benched (and eventually cut) Haskins.

In the NBA, Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving missed multiple games and was spotted at an “indoor private party” without a mask on. As a result, Irving received a fine of $50,000 and lost his paycheck for two of the games he missed. Although he received criticism across the league for his actions, Irving eventually cleared league protocols and returned to the team.

Professional athletes are not the only ones hurt by fans not attending games due to COVID-19. Palmetto student athletes have had to adapt to playing in a brand-new environment since the pandemic began.

Some sports, such as football, have allowed for a limited number of fans to attend games, while other sports, such as basketball, have kept the stands empty this season. Either way, it has served as an obstacle for Palmetto’s student athletes, who use the support from their friends, family and peers to play even harder.

“I miss how excited the gym would get before games and how much more impactful all the sports games seemed to the schools,” Palmetto Panthers basketball guard David Pazo said. “Seeing all your friends, family and teachers supporting you is a great feeling.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced numerous hardships that athletes have had to face, one of them being the lack of a supportive and engaging environment normally provided by the large crowds at these sporting events. However, just like all of the previous obstacles they have had to overcome, these hurdles will only make them work harder and grow stronger.

DESIGN BY MICHAEL ANGEE PHOTO BY VALENTINA ARIAS

Jack Meyer

Online Editor-In-Chief

j.meyer.thepanther@gmail.com

16| SPORTS

A TRIBUTE TO COACH KIMBERLY LATSHAW-ORTIZ Miami Palmetto Senior High School volleyball coach and physical education teacher Kimberly-Latshaw Ortiz was known for her unmatched strength and positivity throughout her battle with pancreatic cancer as well as her extreme dedication to her students, athletes, family and friends.

On Jan. 30, Latshaw lost her battle with pancreatic cancer after fighting for over two years. In her final moments, Latshaw shared an important piece of advice.

“Please take a minute to slow down, take a deep breath, enjoy your family and tell those closest to you how much they mean,” Latshaw said.

To those who knew her, these words represented who she truly was as a person and how she chose to live her life.

Throughout her career at Palmetto, Latshaw touched the lives of countless teachers, students and faculty members.

Palmetto Athletic Director Steve Batten specifically remembers Latshaw’s impact due to both professional and personal relationships.

“She was somebody that always brought the department and the coaches together for birthdays,” Batten said. “She was always a very giving and caring person.”

Batten had first met Latshaw through his daughters, who had tried out for the Palmetto volleyball team. Through Latshaw’s leadership, they won the Greater Miami Conference championships, district championships and even went on to compete at state level. “[As a coach,] she always wanted everybody to be in the right place at the right time with everything they were supposed to have,” Batten said. “On the court, she expected everybody to know their assignments and play at a high level.”

An incredible friend, mother, coach and person, Latshaw affected the lives of many, forever impacting them and always remaining in their hearts.

Palmetto head girls basketball coach and security guard Donnie Martin remembers her personality and positivity in the same way.

“She was always positive, smiling and willing to go the extra mile for her students and athletes. Her character was like no other; she was warm, caring, humble, positive, direct and honest. Her being a coach did not change who she was off the court; she was Kim Latshaw 24 hours a day,” Martin said.

As both Martin and Latshaw were involved with coaching different Palmetto sports teams, they quickly formed a strong friendship.

“She believed in the same things [as me], such as discipline and teaching life lessons to students on and off the court,” Martin said. “I want everyone to remember [her] as being the strongest, most positive woman, coach, mother, wife [and] daughter that ever stepped foot on this campus.”

Both on and off the court, Latshaw continuously strived to improve the lives of those around her. As the Palmetto girls’ and boys’ volleyball coach and faculty members, students, athletes and colleagues experienced her devotion.

Palmetto alumni, former boys’ volleyball player and current University of Miami freshman Juan Flechas carries Latshaw’s spirit and lessons around with him daily. He embodies the influence that her coaching and guidance provided to so many.

“She was basically not only a coach, she was a mentor, and a really good friend to me. It got to a point where I trusted Coach Latshaw more than anyone else on campus,” Flechas said. “She was basically my best friend. I knew that if anything

happened, I could always reach out to her. She was basically another mom to me.”

When Flechas started school at Palmetto, he had just recently moved from Columbia and was having a difficult time adjusting to a new country. He recalls Latshaw as the first person within the Palmetto community to reach out a helping hand, creating an abundant feeling of welcomeness.

Throughout his high school career, Flechas and Latshaw formed a powerful coach-player bond.

They helped each other through the hard times and encouraged each other to always do better.

As Latshaw began truly fighting her battle with cancer, Flechas remained by her side on the volleyball team. He witnessed her perseverance until the end, providing him with the ability to recognize genuine strength.

“Her character definitely did not change when she got sick. She got stronger. If you felt sorry for her, she would tell you to be strong. Being sick did not stop her from being herself,” Flechas said. “She became even more of a role model and you started to look up to her even more. You would say: ‘Wow, look at Coach Latshaw. She is so strong.’”

Coach Martin remembers Latshaw’s strength in the same way.

“That’s what made her special. I don’t think [anybody] knew she was going through her sickness until she told them. She was strong and determined to beat this beast. She carried on everyday as if nothing was wrong; she didn’t want pity, she wanted everyone to help support her and be happy and live their lives to the fullest,” Martin said.

The Palmetto community will forever remember Coach Kimberly Latshaw and her impact on athletes, faculty and the school.

“She was just somebody that was great to have in your life and to be around,” Batten said. “The world has lost somebody that was so positive, but I think as a guardian angel she’s going to look over the kids and Palmetto and the future of everybody she touched.”

Ana Martinez

Feature Design Editor a.martinez.thepanther@gmail.com

Bella Martin

Sports Editor

b.martin.thepanther@gmail.com

Allison Gould

Life Editor

a.gould.thepanther@gmail.com DESIGN BY SYDNEY CAMPBELL PHOTOS COURTESY OF LISA MALLARD

Forever Palmetto’s Coach, Leader and Friend

18| OPINION

MEDIA POR TRAY W S HO RELATION SHIPS Unrealistic. That is the first thing that comes to mind when I think about how television shows and social media makes relationships seem. They make them look simpler than what they truly are.

Relationships have proven themselves as nothing like what I have seen in movies like Disney’s “High School Musical.” The characters would break out into songs and dances when they grew upset at their significant other, but once the song and dance ended, everything went back to normal and the main characters stayed in their happy relationships.

In reality though, an argument lasts much longer than three minutes.

Relationships take time, work and dedication. Not just from one person in the relationship, but from both individuals.

The amount of time, work and dedication one puts into a relationship determines the fate of the relationship as a whole.

Some relationships lead up to something that lasts forever while others may not last long at all. In many shows, the main couples always seem to last forever and seem so happy. Life differs so much from how the entertainment industry portrays it.

Many people’s expectations grow high because of these false ideas. These shows make everyone believe that their first love acts as their last, but sadly that rarely ever happens. It takes time to find that one person. It may take falling for multiple people u n t i l one discovers their soulmate.

Even when someone finds the person they think of as endgame, their significant other may think otherwise. They may decide to cut ties with them and say “You would be better with someone else.”

No one knows what may happen, which explains why the media does not act as the most reliable source when taking advice regarding relationships. They produce the same sequence of events every single time.

Films usually start off with both the male and female lead being together happily, then they get into an argument and end up making up in the end. In all honesty, the second choice does seem much better even if it does not seem realistic.

When it comes to relationships it is always better to trust what one truly feels is best for the relationship. Never use the advice of a show or social media, for this could just lead to a mess.

Valentina Arias

Multimedia Editor

v.arias.thepanther@gmail.com

DESIGN BY ELLA PEDROSO

OPINION|19

BRING BACK THE VALENTINE’S xoxo OF my youth My sister attends the fifth grade. This year, she went to the store with my mom to buy individual Valentines for every person in her class, an elementary school tradition. I want to warn her to enjoy it, to warn her that this Valentine’s Day will be the last of its kind. Because after this, her final year of elementary school, Valentine’s Day morphs from a day of candy and friendship to one of insecurity, of unfair comparison and of sadness for a large portion of teenagers.

I miss the Valentine’s Day from my youth. Instead of worrying year after year whether I will have a Valentine, I want to worry about whether I have enough candy for all 20-something of my classmates. I want to worry about my outfit: have I dressed pink enough?

The Valentine’s Day that I experienced as a young child left me running home to sort my gifts, giggling with glee when I received one from a “secret admirer.” The Valentine’s Day that I now experience as a young woman leaves me uncomfortable. What will others think if I do not have plans or a relationship?

I know others share these feelings. How could they not, when so many of my own peers do not have a relationship on Valentine’s Day? So, this year, instead of concerning myself with irrelevant and unimportant details regarding my own love life, I chose to bring back the Valentine’s Day of my youth, the one that values friendships and love extending beyond romantic interests.

I started already. One Sunday, I went to the store and bought all the melting chocolate I could find, as well as pink sprinkles and two boxes of family sized oreos. The chocolate covered oreos I made may differ from the fun dip I used to lug around, and the couple of friends I delivered them to may be a smaller group than the original members of my elementary school class, but the intent remains the same.

This Valentine’s Day, I choose to focus on the positives of my platonic and familial relationships. Though society has taught us to hold romantic relationships above all else, the other kinds of love we are lucky enough to experience sustain us just as much, if not more. Valentine’s Day should act as a day to celebrate all kinds of love, just like we did in elementary school.

I am choosing the Valentine’s Day of my youth. You can too.

Next year, even if you have a romantic partner, show all the people you surround yourself with some love. Write them a card, deliver some chocolate covered oreos or send them an “I love you” text. Show them you care, and not just on Valentine’s Day, but every day of the year.

Only then can we return to the gleeful feeling that the holiday once gave us.

Nicole Markus

HUG ME

BE MINE

Editor-In-Chief

n.markus.thepanther@gmail.com

DESIGN BY ELLA PEDROSO

T TXE M

BFF

E V O L U YO UR CUTE

BAE

FACE OFF: One Big Romantic Gesture or Many Small Ones ?

OPINION| | 20

ONE ONE BIG BIG GESTURE GESTURE The issue of gift-giving in a relationship can sometimes bring about an awkward situation, especially in the beginning months when one remains slightly unsure of what their partner may actually like. However, after getting to know someone intimately and knowing their hopes and dreams, wants and desires, greatest joys and worst fears, investing in a big gift can show someone you truly care and do listen to them. If you choose to spend a larger sum of money on something extremely special, the receiver will never forget the sacrifices you made in order to make them happy. Furthermore, according to Elizabeth Dunn, a psychology professor at the University of British Columbia in Canada, a bad gift can make the receiver have negative thoughts about the future of a relationship, proving the increasing importance of having a gift full of thoughtfulness and meaning. Showing your partner that you are willing to spend your own, hard-earned money on them can display the seriousness of a relationship. While flowers can brighten up a room, a more luxurious, well-thought out gift ensures your partner that your feelings remain serious and strong, worthy of your time and effort.

“One big gift” does not need to fall under the same category as expensive watches, new jewelry and electronics. Listen to your partner and their fantasies. A dinner date at a restaurant they always dreamed of going to displays that you want them to feel special, as though someone really does want to give them everything in life. For those in difficult financial circumstances, arrange a full day of their favorite activities, food and music; hear what they say, what they want and what they need. While small gestures over a period of time are nice, having someone show you they care about you after an especially long and stressful week means more than you could possibly know, and grows into a memory that they can hold on to forever.

DESIGN BY MICHAEL ANGEE PHOTOS BY ISABEL LOPEZ

Jane Heise

Print Editor-In-Chief

j.heise.thepanther@gmail.com

MANY MANY SMALL SMALL ONES ONES

People love receiving gifts, no matter who they come from.

It uplifts spirits and leaves everyone feeling happier. Especially in relationships, gift giving reminds your significant other how much they care about you. Gifts have flexibility, ranging from a simple flower picked from the grass to an expensive present.

Gifting expensive watches, jewelry or electronics can sometimes seem superficial and come on too strong. Giving smaller gifts more frequently appears more heartfelt and can win not just the recipient’s affection, but their love as well.

Watching your significant other still try to win over your heart, even once they have it, makes the relationship feel extra special.

Whether they leave little notes and poems, or go on surprise food runs, the relationship becomes stronger and truly shows your partner that you care. If your partner has anxiety and tends to overthink, these small romantic gestures can ease their mind and worries. No one can ever hear enough reminders of how much their significant other loves them, and remembering the little things reminds them how much so. Their partner took effort, time and thought to make them smile and feel special, a feeling that a Gucci purse cannot match.

Small and frequent gifts keeps the relationship full of surprises and excitement. A relationship that gets stuck in a r o u t i n e can work fine for some people, but for others it can become dull. Small gifts keep your partner on their toes and looking out for surprises.

This allows couples to achieve a whole new aspect of excitement and love. Researchers have discovered that falling in love releases the same chemicals achieved on a drug induced euphoria. The brain releases oxytocin, dopamine and vasopressin, triggering that euphoric feeling. While scientists have not found one correct way to fall in love, frequently showing that you care can trigger the other person to release these chemicals.

Once the brain is taken care of, only the heart remains to choose to love, but good thing that science shows that comes naturally.

Samantha Elkins

Multimedia Editor

s.elkins.thepanther@gmail.com

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THAT’S HOT: romanticising your life

YOU’RE NOT:

taking it too seriously

“This is not a coming of age movie.” Well, why not? When one takes life too seriously, the constant drabness and negativity can make life unbearable. Yes, sometimes life requires a more realistic and serious mindset. However, if we approach every day seriously, then every day will be an endless loop of solemness and gray. Life is what you make of it; with just a change in outlook, a horrible day can become better.

Instead of hating the rain because of the humidity, romanticize the rain because it will help the plants. Rather than dreading doing the laundry, romanticize the chore; think about the fresh lavender scent on your warm, clean sheets. Especially after such a difficult year, romanticizing these little moments brings a healthy dose of joy and positivity.

Though we cannot control the loss of normalcy, we can control how we approach each new day gifted to us. So, instead of taking life too seriously, romanticize it: pretend you live in a coming of age movie, where every moment is beautiful.

Valentina Caceres

Senior Multimedia Editor v.caceres.thepanther@gmail.com

STAFF EDITORIAL Homemade vs. store bought gifts Choosing the right gift for a loved one or friend may seem like a difficult task, especially when shopping for someone who already appears to have everything. The last thing you want to do is spend money on a gift that ends up sitting on a dusty shelf or in the trash. Typically, storebought gifts include various trinkets and items the receiver may not want or need. Homemade gifts, on the other hand, remedy this issue, since they are one-of-a-kind, unique and give an individual the opportunity to gift something personal and individualized. You might not save money, but you do give a particularly meaningful gift. However, keep in mind that if the gift is not something that you would want to receive, you may as well not give it. And a word of advice: if you are not the crafty type or do not want to shop or feel rushed, handmade gifts are not the way to go. Store-bought gifts may relieve the pressure and effort it takes to make your own, but anyone would appreciate a homemade gift tailored to their interests.

Julia Strasius

News and Design Editor j.strasius.thepanther@gmail.com

MISSION STATEMENT The Panther staff aims to inform fellow students and parents about school-wide, 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 7431 SW 120th Street Miami, FL 33156, (305) 235-1360 ext. 1124. 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 1237 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.

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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

ADVERTISING POLICY:

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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.