PantherPortfolios
Following former Assistant Principal of Curriculum Daniel Barreras’ shift to Southwood Middle School, Miami Palmetto Senior High welcomed Michelle Zawie, a former ffth-grade teacher. Zawie, a graduate of Loyola University Chicago, with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Florida International University, has a background in youth work and education.
Scrolling aimlessly on Instagram Reels, when suddenly, the face of an enthusiastic Finance Club secretary appears on the screen, speaking persuasively to convince the watcher to join the school’s Finance Club and Business National Honor Society.
Every high schooler who wants to go to college after graduation has at least a small vision of what they want their college future to look like. Whether it is being in Greek life, having a hands-on education or living in the dorms for the full college experience, there are little pieces of all of us that want a life of freedom and endless opportunity that has been presented to us throughout our educational careers.
sports 16
Staffer of the Month
Juliet isom
October 2024
Panther Portfolios 12
Miami Palmetto Senior High: a community dedicated to flling canvasses with stories of different backgrounds, unique interests and special talents for 66 years. The students who mold this conglomeration of colors into a true masterpiece representing the student body are the artists of MPSH.
Friday Night Lights: Spotlighting MPSH's
Starting Quarterback 16
With bright lights shining over Tropical Park and spectators in the bleachers eagerly awaiting a touchdown, Miami Palmetto Senior High’s new starting varsity football quarterback, junior Andre Bailey, drives down the feld to the end zone in a thrilling Homecoming victory against Coral Gables High School on Sept. 27.
From The Classroom To The oFFiCe: InTroduCing ms. miChelle Zawie C
Following former Assistant Principal of Curriculum Daniel Barreras’ shift to Southwood Middle School, Miami Palmetto Senior High welcomed Michelle Zawie, a former ffth-grade teacher. Zawie, a graduate of Loyola University Chicago, with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Florida International University, has a background in youth work and education.
In addition, Zawie’s participation in the year-long Bench Program, in which she engaged in different professional development sessions, created a portfolio and shadowed different schools made her a good ft for the opening role.
“I got to spend some days in [John A. Ferguson Senior High]. I got to spend some days at Lamar [Louise] Curry and trying to get used to administrative life,” Zawie said.
Despite a shift in scenery, accepting the job offer at MPSH was something new that allowed her to leave the classroom and leave a mark on the school community.
“I was ready to leave the classroom and create a larger impact in a school community. In the classroom, you’re a little limited somewhat, so I was excited to go out and make an impact,” Zawie said.
Having found out about the position in August and having around two weeks to prepare, Zawie was welcomed with open arms.
“In the case of Ms. Zawie, I was able to meet her [two weeks before] and have a nice conversation with her, and kind of get to see her skill set and what she could add to our team. I felt very confdent that not only would she ft in well, but the skill set she came in [with] would be very benefcial to us and that she would quickly adapt and learn how to work in high school,” Principal Victoria Dobbs said.
While working at MPSH, Dobbs hopes for Zawie to further her knowledge in her administrative position and leave a positive infuence on the school.
“I hope that she feels like she’s learning something that she can take with her, no matter where she ends
up in the future, and if she has plans at some point of one day also becoming a principal, she leaves here with a strong enough skill set,” Dobbs said.
Since her arrival, Zawie has interacted with students, learned and fully emerged herself in the high school setting. With the help of the rest of the faculty, including the Student Services Department Head, Lisa Mallard, Zawie has made a smooth transition since they started working together a few days before the school year started.
“I’ve been able to work very closely with her. [MPSH] is a tight family, so I have been helping her learn the culture and the family. However, she’s mentored me a whole bunch as well. She brings fresh eyes, a lot of knowledge, especially with testing, with just the inquisitive mind that she has to want to know more, it’s also helped me research on a new level,”
Having a new faculty member onboard adds a new sense of positivity, as well as a new outlook for
“[Zawie]’s part of my backbone at this point. She is so supportive, supportive of the school, supportive of student services, the student body, the administration, and [has a] positive outlook on everything, and just has a very kind, nurturing soul, which is much appreciated,” Mallard
Despite one of Mallard’s closest friends leaving, Zawie has already exceeded her expectations.
For Zawie, this new role is exciting and she could not have had a better transition without the help of the current MPSH administrative team.
“I have an amazing team. I feel so fortunate that I landed in this team with Ms. Dobbs, Mr. Tellechea, Ms. Del Valle and Dr. Hunter, who have guided and supported me, and Mr. Batten, who answers every question,” Zawie said.
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New School Safety Measures: Metal Detectors
At the start of the 2024-25 school year, schools across the State of Florida implemented many new systems and rules to improve security. School safety measures prove essential to guarantee a safer school environment, a major concern for many communities.
Several schools in Broward County have introduced new metal detector programs to increase security. These programs are designed to ensure students and faculty there are no potential threats to the school in its environment. Miami Palmetto Senior High has not enforced these precautions, but they exist in the form of random checks at the school.
“I don’t know that metal detectors are making it any safer; we are a very open campus, as well as most Broward schools, but I think randomly checking students helps,” Assistant Principal Jesus Tellechea said.
Students are the main source of information for administration; it is very important to work collaboratively to protect the school. If any suspicious or illegal activity endangers the school, students should know to contact adults who can help minimize risk.
“Whether students believe it or not, they have more eyes than [administration] does. When [students] tell the police something or tell [administration] something, we act on it. [Reaching out] keeps you more safe than any metal detector,” Tellechea said.
Broward County’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas senior Blake Backman has a student perspective on the metal detectors and additional safeguards. Students like Backman have to juggle the privacy aspect of being scanned into school every day, and getting to school on time.
“No, I don’t really feel a violation of privacy with the safety measures; they don’t cause harm, they are just incredibly inconvenient,” Backman said.
At the beginning of this school year, schools throughout Broward, including Marjory Stoneman Douglas, experienced extremely long lines that mounted on top of the beginning-of-year stress. Not only did these long lines occur on the frst day of school, but students must brave the line every day.
“I think at times the process is long and not that effcient. In the morning, there is only one metal detector in the student lot where kids can go through, so the process can be annoying. I think it is necessary in order to keep the school safe,” Broward County’s Olympic Heights Community High School senior Bayla Hirsh said.
Hirsh and Backman deal with the same protocol, but view their situations differently. Hirsh views this as an improvement to her safety, whereas Backman fnds it inconvenient and thinks that it is adding more chaos to her daily life.
MPSH sophomore Taylor Maurno believes that her school would be safer with metal detectors.
“Yes, but at the same time, [metal detectors] would cause a lot of chaos because we would have to stand outside of school grounds for a while, but it would defnitely make it safer,” Maurno said.
In the end, schools seek to fnd a balance between safety and convenience. Over time, changes may be implemented to decrease the inconvenience. All precautions taken are to protect the school’s faculty and students while making it a friendly and welcoming community.
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Fall Favorites Fall Favorites
heels For heighT
a skirt. It’s very autumn,”
miami PalmeTTo senior high junior Carolina eChevarria said.
“I love the color red, like a dark red or burgundy, for fall. It’s my favorite nail color and adds color to any outfit at all times,”
senior dani shaPiro said.
“I’ve seen a lot of crimson red ballet shoes. You can have an all black outfit and put it with a red purse and red shoes to add a pop of color,”
senIor eChevarria said.
senIor and Fashion Club
hisTorian TaTiana basTian said.
‘Swimming in it
‘Swimming in it’ With FInance
Scrolling aimlessly on Instagram Reels, when suddenly, the face of an enthusiastic Finance Club secretary appears on the screen, speaking persuasively to convince the watcher to join Miami Palmetto Senior High’s Finance Club and Busi ness National Honor Society.
Within the walls of MPSH, over 60 clubs and organiza tions take root to help every student fnd their niche, ranging from varsity athletics, to honor societies, to Chess Club and everything in between. The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities for students to get involved in, and MPSH’s Finance Club and BNHS provide the perfect outlet for aspiring investors and future money movers.
At the root of every club, sponsors act as liaisons between the students and the administration to ensure the club’s smooth functioning. As the sponsor for Finance Club and BNHS, AP Research and European History teacher Daniel Corradino expresses gratitude for having a hands-on board that inspires themselves and others to take part in the club.
“[The board is] very interested in their topic, so they’re very motivated. The fact that they’re competent, I can really stand back, and I advise them as far as what to do. They run things by me for approval, of course, but most of the time, they’re very thorough as far as thinking out everything that they need to do. It’s been a pretty good experience for me,” Corradino said.
As the club’s president, senior Jack Diemar is con fdent that he can deliver precise information to students during meetings, ensuring that he is spreading information accurately to these aspiring fnance and business students.
“I’m president [of Finance Club and BNHS] and what I think I will be able to bring to the table really is leader ship and knowledge that I am able to lecture on, whether it is private equity, investment banking, micro caps or analysis,” Diemar said.
Diemar aims to help students take away the given information at either the Finance Club or the BNHS. His long-term goal is for students to access the tools and skills they are given and apply them to their real lives, whether now or in the future.
“I hope that students take away, well obviously knowledge on the topics, but I hope they understand that fnance is something that, in my opinion, out of all the clubs in the school is probably the most practical … A lot of the things you learn are going to be able to apply at some point in your life, whether it is now or in a couple of years, so I think that they are taking away useful knowledge,” Diemar said.
$ $
FeedIng The CommunITy PorCh PIneCresT
, People Organized to Revitalize Community Healing Pinecrest, a local branch of the national organization PORCH Communities, actively works to combat hunger in Miami-Dade County. The all-volunteer team holds food drives each month, gathering non-perishable items and fresh produce that they donate to nearby food pantries. PORCH Pinecrest’s mission is not only to ensure that no one in the community goes hungry, but also to inspire residents to join the fght against food insecurity.
This initiative aims to provide essential support for students and families in need, while offering opportunities for students to volunteer as neighborhood coordinators, run food drives or even incorporate these efforts into school events. The success of the pantry has sparked expansion into other schools and has garnered media attention from Channel 10 and other local news outlets.
Maryann Rio, founder of the Pinecrest branch, has been involved with PORCH for several years. She emphasizes the ease of getting involved with the organization, at both the local and national levels.
“People want to help but don’t know how,” Rio said. “PORCH provides the supplies, support and communication. There’s nothing new participants need to create on their own.”
Participants can visit PORCH Pinecrest’s Instagram, and they can reach out directly from there if they want to donate or apply to become a student ambassador.
Since its founding in North Carolina, PORCH has grown to reach 10 states, with an impressive record of impact.
“They’ve raised over $12 million in food donations, and just this year, collected over seven million pounds of food across all chapters,” Rio said.
To address food insecurity at the local level, Rio and her team are in the process of establishing a food pantry at Miami Palmetto Senior High. This initiative aims to provide essential support for students and families in need while offering opportunities for students to volunteer as neighborhood coordinators, run food drives or even incorporate these efforts into school events.
Looking ahead, the PORCH team plans to engage more businesses and volunteers in their efforts. Additionally, they are organizing book and toy collections for underprivileged children, broadening their impact beyond food donations.
Sophomore and PORCH Student Ambassador Victoria Enriquez explains her involvement with the nonproft organization.
“I manage PORCH Pinecrest’s social media, and it’s easy for students to fnd their local chapter and get involved,” Enriquez said. “They can fnd their local PORCH community and contact them easily.”
Enriquez also shared how PORCH has infuenced her personally.
“It makes me grateful for what I have, and it’s made me more happy and willing to share with others,” Enriquez said.
PORCH Pinecrest continues to expand its efforts and reach more individuals in need. The organization serves as an important part of the local fght against hunger. With its focus on community involvement, PORCH offers a powerful way for residents to make a difference.
, Adi Greenberg
Editor
October Columns
16 years old. Miami Palmetto Senior High economics teacher
This Month...
A Compassionate Capricorn will lend someone a penc il and end up becoming friends with them.
An afectionate Aquarius will bump into their future par tner on the way to math class .
A Prepared Pisces will get out standing grades on test s and quiz zes .
An Adventurous Aries will tr y out a new st yle and receive many compliment s .
A taste ful Taurus will f ind a new favorite snack in the vending machines .
A Grac ious Gemini will make new friends .
A Conf ident Cancer will win e ver y club position the y are running for.
Samantha Panagankos Photo Editor s.panagankos.thepanther@gmail.com
A Lucky Leo will stumble upon $5 in the 3rd-f loor bathroom.
A Victorious Virgo will take on a big class project and impress e ver yone with their attention to detail.
A L ively Libra will reconnect with a distant friend from their freshman year sc ience class .
A Scholarly Scorpio will impress their teacher by excelling in a subject the y once struggled with.
A Successful Sagittarius will plan a school e vent that ends up being a huge success .
Savanna Byles Design Editor s.byles.thepanther@gmail.com
PANT
painting was his favorite medium. He has spent many years perfecting the art, taking many classes at MPSH and allowing his artistry to grow
“I took Painting One, Portfolio Two, Portfolio Three, Development and AP Drawing. Right now I’m in AP Drawing, and then I’m taking right now AP 2D Art, which is with photography, so that does infuence a little bit of my art,” Martens said.
Out of all of his paintings, his favorite piece is a texture painting made with gold and other unique materials such as baking soda, making an abstract piece that took him two weeks to complete. Displayed at the Dominguez Award Ceremony, this piece did much more than wow the guests.
“They were giving out awards for people with talent to demonstrate skill. And then, on the side, [a guest] was so impressed that he decided to purchase it, and that shocked me as well,” Martens said. “I completely didn’t know that I’m so capable of selling a painting, so it was really impressive.”
What will Martens do with the $800 he secured from this exchange? Buy more materials to hopefully comission his art.
“So right now, I started investing in other types of materials to expand my artworks and also get certain technology For example, there’s this scanner I got that traces images more precisely, and it’s more of a projector,” Martens said.
Similarly to Martens, senior Olivia Cooper stems from an architecture-centered family, as well as other forms of art such as painting and music. Unwilling to be the only non-artist in the family, Cooper took up her own art, fnding a favorite medium in illustration. Although she took many art classes throughout elementary, middle and high school, her skill was developed through copying other pieces of work, a skill she highly recommends beginners should try.
“I think every artist has and should start by copying other people’s work. Honestly, the more that you
draw in your beginning stages as an artist from a direct reference, the better you’ll get. I would just draw things that I liked, shows that I liked at the time, and now I feel like I’m able to make more original pieces because I learned technique from copying others,” Cooper said.
Sadly, artists can grow tired of con stantly creating. For Cooper to be prominent when doing assigned art for school. The stress of making sure it is perfect and constantly drawing for assignment after assignment can become a somewhat daunting task, leading to a complete full-stop in making any art, also known as an art block. days to weeks, months and even years. Many artists’ recovery processes look different, but Cooper in order to heal.
“The biggest thing is to just let myself recover. I’ve gone maybe like half a year without drawing, besides doodling in a notebook before, but I say drawing from reference again, just like I did as a kid, just being able to copy an image, knowing that I can still put pen to paper like that, and then maybe working in new mediums, that’s something I like to try and doing something simple that I can just shade in and have fun with. Kind of gets me out of art block,” Cooper said.
When in need of inspiration, Cooper looks to the people who frst helped her nourish and push her love for the arts.
“I think my family always showing an interest in my art has always pushed me to keep doing it and kind of just to impress them, but more to see how far I can go with it,” Cooper said.
Cooper also mentioned her love for artist Yuko Tatsushima, a lesser artist who inspires her favorite elements of the texture she creates in her paintings, a technique she hopes to be able to create someday.
Cooper has two pieces in particular that she has worked the hardest on, and she is the most proud of out of everything she has made.
“They’re the two that I’ve done this year and the two that I spent most time on. I actually worked outside of school for hours on them. I’m really proud of them. My pieces [are] centering on my in vestigation for AP Art centering around
Watch Your Head: The Reality Behind Head Injuries
About 3.8 million athletes endure a head injury every year due to athletic activities, making it one of the most common causes of disability and death among adults. While the head may be the top of the human body, is it always an athlete’s top priority?
“Headgear is always, always, always [important]. The more you have, obviously, the better protection,” University of Miami Senior Associate Athletic Director and Director of Athletic Training Vinny Scavo said.
protection in wrestling, it’s a contact sport, there isn’t much that you can do for head protection. They are coming out with new protection in recent years for younger kids, but with the force of the impact, I think my doctor said what happened would have happened anyway,” Alexander said. “ Putting yourself in the position to wrestle – it’s opening those doors for those injuries.”
Wearing headgear does not completely protect the athlete from a concussion, but it lightens the blow of possible injury According to the National Library of Medicine, headgear alterations proven to affect the impact on the brain sports substantially. Protection such as QCollars, a collar that puts pressure on the jugular leave more blood as a cushion in the Halo headbands, a headband to absorb and disperse impact forces and mouthguards, which help prevent the impact to the jaw and lessen the blow on the skull, play a vital role to the athlete’s protection.
“I have had four or fve, [head injuries] and one of them was a few years ago, and I forgot who I was for about three hours. I couldn’t play for a year. Since then, I’ve gotten … A QCollar so it increases blood pressure to your brain cavity so your brain doesn’t move around as much, and I’ve been wearing a mouthguard more,” senior and varsity lacrosse captain defensive player Scott Gould said.
Concussion protocol is a vital elem safety. Using appropriate protocol, trainers protect athletes’ futures. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, is a brain disorder caused by repeated head injuries. CTE often leads to other issues such as dementia and can even be fatal.
“I had one head injury. It was pretty severe. I had a severe concussion, so it was about the worst head injury you could get and it was my frst ever head injury; I immediately started seizing,” senior and former varsity wrestler Sofa Alexander said. “I’m no longer able to return to contact sports. I’m not fully recovered, and my chances of getting CTE are extremely high compared to other athletes, so contact sports are not an option for me anymore.”
Protective headgear can come with a heavy cost. Ranging from $70-$750, the cost of protection can pose the question of whether extensive protection is a reality for many athletes.
“I think it’s a physicality thing. The way I got hit, the area of my head I hit, it was pretty much a freak accident. With head
Recently, concussion protocol and the major impact of headrelated injuries has circulated within athletic news due to Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who sustained his third concussion in mid-September, which fans to have him retire at the age of 26 to avoid long-term damage.
“Lately, it’s been covered a little bit more because of what happened with Tua, and we go through it here at the University of Miami. We are very serious about head injuries and how we handle it,” Scavo said.
Preventing head injuries with the appropriate safety measures and headgear is a vital part of playing sports. ith the right knowledge about their athletes can better protect their future on the feld.
“I think [lacrosse] is gonna stay physical, no matter what. So, I think protection has to be increased,” Gould said.
Extreme head injuries can take players off the feld, court or mat for months, years or permanently Depending on the severity of the issue, athletes’ recovery times vary. Younger concussed athletes can experience a dent in their athletic career due to different head injuries over time.
“I defnitely think that concussions are something that all kids should talk about. Not reporting them, not getting the proper help, it can really have devastating consequences,” Alexander said.
Lilianne Fernandez Opinion Editor l.fernandez.thepanther@gmail.com
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PHOTO
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: Spotlighting MPSH's Starting Quarterback
With bright lights shining over Tropical Park and spectators in the bleachers eagerly awaiting a touchdown, Miami Palmetto Senior High’s new starting varsity football quarterback, junior
Since joining the team, Bailey has worked with his coaches and teammates to improve his skills. This includes team bonding and extra practice to excel in this fast-paced sport
“I felt like just from week one to now week fve, I can tell how much more I’ve adapted to the game as well coming from a smaller school. Like, the speed of the game , way faster for me, and I’m still adapting. But I can feel myself already being more comfortable, being more confdent in the speed. So defnitely, I do feel like I’ve gotten better,”
ith the support of his teammates and coaches, Bailey has made a home on the team. Bailey has since found ways to return the welcome, such as taking members of his fensive line to a fet as a ‘thank for their sup-
“[The meal] was on him, so that was am azing. It was a very good bonding moment between us and the quarterback. I have never had somebody do that for me, so it felt very special that he did that for the offenfensive lineman Daniel
ith the rest of the season ahead of him, Bailey looks forward to improving his skills, bringing home wins for MPSH
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IS THE COST OF COLLEGE CRUSHING ?
Every high schooler who wants to go to college after graduation has at least a small vision of what they want their college future to look like. Whether it is being in Greek life, having a hands-on education or living in the dorms for the full college experience, there are little pieces of all of us that want a life of freedom and endless opportunity that has been presented to us throughout our educational careers.
However, there is a moment of realization in every student that rains on that glimmer of hope for the American college dream; Money, fnances, tuition, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, student loans. We all fall victim to the predicament of having the dreaded money conversation with our families. Sometimes it can be stressful, and other times clarifying, but, almost always, you begin to view this glamorized vision of your future in a different light. From where I am standing, this conversation sort of brings you back down to Earth. But was college always this expensive?
According to College Tuition Compare, in the last 10 years, Florida college tuition and fees have increased by 0.09% for undergraduate programs and 8.77% for graduate programs. The cost of living on campus has also increased by 21.16%, adding up to a total of $16,633, which is $3,800 greater than the cost 10 years ago.
With these statistics in mind, I begin to think about how badly I want my dream career, but I alsobegin to subconsciously compromise my dreams to ft into a much smaller box that also happens to be more affordable.
The average American income is $74,738 per year, and the average cost of a four-year private university is $50,000 per year — according to The Prospect. Is it even worth it? Is it really worth it
to take out thousands of dollars in loans and be just another slave to student debt for the rest of my life? However, if I do not take that leap, will I spend the rest of my life in regret of what could have been of my life and career?
It feels like swallowing glass and honey at the same time: both options share a life of reward and a weight of regret. However, there is no better way to discover one’s own potential than risk, and if you only dare to stand still, you risk becoming nothing at all.
How can the average American afford higher education without the weight of this finical obligation for many of the following years to come?
Just the thought of the cost of college alone makes all that anticipation for the dream experience a lot less appetizing. We are taught our whole lives that, “the sky is the limit.” Suddenlythe sky has a dollar sign when you look up. Unfortunately, the idea of staying on solid ground and not dreaming at all seems more secure than what the sky has to offer.
I now realize, like many teenagers my age, that I am stuck in this position of dreaming big and also dreaming affordably, which in itself, contradicts the entire point of dreaming at all. So, is the cost of college crushing dreams? No. However, it is molding you into a box that you were never meant to ft into, all in the name of fnances.
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With a newfound chill in the air, it is offcial: the viral “Brat Summer” has come to an end. However, even though it’s over, the positive effect that it has had on this election will not go unnoticed.
This election marks the frst time Generation Z comprises a large majority of voters. That is why it is more important than ever for candidates to promote themselves to these voters individually. Recently, candidates have reached out to this rising population through social media. Regardless of whether others approve of candidates’ online activity, most can agree that there is at least one positive to this: Gen Z is successfully getting involved in politics.
When politicians meet voters where they are and use their trends to their advantage, it consistently draws a lot of attention to them. Again, positively or negatively, these tactics do reach their target audiences and bring eyes to them. Gaining Gen Z votes is one of the most important things that candidates can do during this election season: through gaining their attention and drawing in voters through their online presence, candidates gain intrigued viewers who begin looking into them and their policies.
This is not a one-way street; by interacting online with Gen Z, candidates are gaining more knowledge about them. In order to market to a group of people, the candidates must know what is important to the viewers. When politicians promote themselves to Gen Z, they have to know what that generation values to be successful in their strategy.
Mia Carneiro Design Editor
FACEOFF:
That’s so Brat YES:
Is there a line for politicians marketing to Gen Z?
“Brat Summer” may have energized the Democratic party over the summer; however, summer is over. The weather is getting colder, the snow is starting to fall and the hype for Kamala Harris is dying down. In recent weeks, betting odds and polling averages have narrowed, as people learn more about Kamala Harris and her policies. Vibes alone will not win Democrats this election. They need popular policy to turn excitement and hype into votes.
So far, the jury is still out on whether they have accomplished that. Democrats have moved away from popular policies like a public option for healthcare, paid family leave, or any number of sensible actions. Instead, they have focused on more centrist policies, like tax credits for startups and deregulation of the housing market. These policies and rhetoric do not thrill the average voter and have put a dent in the excitement surrounding the post-Biden dropout hype.
Campaigns focused too much on social media have failed in the past. The Ron DeSantis 2024 Presidential campaign was terminally online. Making his announcement on the notoriously awful X Spaces, formerly known as Twitter, his campaign was focused on memes and grassroots support. It was an unmitigated disaster, with some of DeSantis’ staffers putting Nazi symbols in his post and DeSantis falling fat in the primary election.
A lot of DeSantis’ failure was due to him being a generally gross and awful person, but it also serves as a warning to campaigns that think they can win based on their energy online. Social media is not refective of the mood of the voters, and any campaign that thinks that it is vulnerable to massively miscalculating its popularity and chances of winning an election.
Justin Fechter News Editor
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A LTTER FROM THE EDITORS
Welcome to our frst issue of the 67th edition of The Panther! We are excited to cover the 2024 - 2025 school year with our student body, staff and community. We aim to continue to represent Miami Palmetto Senior High’s spirit and passion through our print issues, as we have been doing since 1958.
Our talented team of writers, designers, editors, photographers and videographers look forward to bringing our readers the latest news, event coverage, feature stories and more. Our readers are invited to contact us with story ideas and any concerns. Your readership and involvement in our publication makes our newspaper a refection of our school’s spirit and diversity.
In today’s fast-paced digital age, journalism is
a necessity to keep citizens informed and engaged in their community and government. It equips us with the knowledge and context we need to understand the intricacies of our world. As high school journalists, we recognize the responsibility we have to keep the youth informed and amplify their voices. This year, a pivotal election will take place and we are excited to deliver unbiased, factual news to our readers, empowering them to actively participate in shaping our future.
We encourage you to stay engaged and involved in your community and our country. Your experiences and opinions are valuable and we look forward to learning from you. To our teachers, families and community we extend our gratitude for your constant support.
SINCERELY,
Sara Paredes
Wilensky
PANTHER the
STAFF
STAFF
Editor-In-Chief
Sara Paredes
Print Editor-In-Chief
Brooke Wilensky
Online Editor-In-Chief
Ava Stuzin
Managing Editor
Alexis James
Senior Copy Editor
Aayana Baid
Senior Photo Editor
Emilia Haus
Senior Video Editor
Madeline Volpe
Senior Design Editor
Mia Shields
Business Manager
Gabriella Alvarez
Feature Editor
Eleanor Harris
Contents Editor
Jake Hawkins
News Editor
Justin Fetcher
Life & Sports Editor
Edie Carneiro
Opinion Editor
Lillianne Fernandez
Video Team
Juliet Isom
Siena Feigenbaum
Isabella Cantin
Multimedia Team
Seth Clarin
Adi Greenberg
Helena Kawamura
Troy Wilensky
Emily Steele
Samantha Panagakos
Design Team
Savanna Byles
Luna Garcia
Anya Jerome
Jazmin Mason
Mia Carneiro
Copy Team
Sophia Snyder
Gabriela Laventman
Jordan Glassman
Savanah Freedman
Advisor
Laura Aviles
STAFF EDITORIAL
Every four years, the general election comes around. Each time, a group of voters go to the polls to cast their frst-ever vote. With the election less than a month away, Generation Z voters need to get registered to vote. Now more than ever, it is important to use your voice and vote for the policies that you believe in. Do not just sit home and then complain about the results, go out and vote. The youth’s voice matters. Gen Z is the one that will be affected by the policies implemented. Youth voting leads to new approaches and solutions towards problems that occur within our democracy. Even if you miss the election due to age, you still have the chance to vote in many other elections after. So if you are upset or passionate about something, go out and vote. Youth voices are heard now more than ever, as the new generation of voters.
MISSON STATEMENT
The Panther staf 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 stafers. 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 staf. 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 1124 or e-mail us at s.paredes.thepanther@gmail.com. The Panther has professional membership in NSPA and CSPA. The Panther prints 1,000 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 staf editorials and staf member pictures will include byline credits.
ADVERTISING POLICY:
Ads will be designed by the advertiser and include all information the advertiser wants included. If the advertiser asks the staf to design the ad, the individual who sold the ad will design the ad or the Business Manager will. Ads will be approved by EICs, the Adviser and the Business 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.
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 identifcation, 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, staf, 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.
