Sports

WARMING UP FOR WINTER SPORTS 15 SPORTS

A s

M i a m i

P a l m e t t o

Senior High’s students settle into their classes and fall comes to a close, the countdown for the start of the winter sports season begins.

Sports like wrestling, basketball and soccer require diligent students with peak physical capabilities and experience. Each sport varies tremendously, and therefore requires distinct training methods in preparation for tryouts.

“We lift weights. We do a lot of strength training. We do preseason wrestling, which is where we travel around the country to wrestle. We went to North Carolina and Virginia,” Palmetto wrestling coach Anthony Fadelle said.

To prepare for this sport, STACK Fitness, a sports blog, recommends running to increase aerobic and speed endurance, lifting weights to increase muscle endurance and capacity, and to use workouts that have the explosive strength and power a wrestler uses on their opponent. They also advise consuming an adequate amount of calories to fuel your body and protein to allow protein synthesis. This process builds body muscles, vital to the strength required for wrestling. However, remain wary of decreasing muscle mass and strength when trying to lose weight for a lower weight class; aim to lose fat and preserve muscle.

For students interested in joining the

team, paperwork should be turned in to the Athletics Director, Mr. Batten, by Nov. 7 and tryouts will be held on Nov. 12 in the wrestling room. With these deadlines approaching, every coach employs a different method of training and preparing their players. While wrestlers are scored individually, basketball players operate as a team with one total score.

“I’ve been holding conditioning [at Palmetto] every Saturday for the past two months, so weaker players can strengthen their skills…remember not to overwork yourself. Get enough sleep and let your muscles rest,” Palmetto basketball coach Donnie Martin said.

While exercising the entire body and increasing full body strength holds importance, also take special care to train and to maximize mobility of your feet thoroughly, according to USA Basketball, a non-profit organization that governs basketball in America. Train your core muscles as well, because it is the center of your body’s movement and train unilaterally, meaning one side of your body at a time, at least once a week.

For girls, paperwork should be turned in by Thursday, Oct. 24, and girls’ basketball tryouts are held on Oct. 28 in the gym. They play their first game on Tuesday, Nov. 19. For boys, paperwork should be turned in by Thursday, Oct. 31 and boys’ basketball tryouts are Nov. 4 in the gym. Their first game takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 26. “Make sure to get all the paperwork aspect completed in advance...do prior cardio fitness training as soccer is a sport which requires constant movement, staying away from high-sugar foods will reduce the chance of a crash in energy, so

I would stay away from these…” Palmetto soccer coach Patrick Larco said. “I would also stay away from any extreme activities without a proper warm up.”

SportsRec, a fitness blog, advises getting comfortable practicing alone by passing with a wall, doing exercises like sprints as well as long distance running and building a fitness routine to practice various skills. Take advantage of not having any specific drills you have to follow and use that flexibility to build your personal weaknesses.

The last day to turn in paperwork for both teams is Thursday, Oct. 17. Girls can try out Oct. 21-25 on the field with their first game on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Boys can try out on Oct. 21 on the field with their first game on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

It would not make sense for an athlete to train without knowing what their coach is looking for. As the winter sports season begins, eager athletes await tryouts. When playing basketball, soccer or wrestling, remember to put in your best effort and play hard.

Mobolade Presley Staff Writer m.presley.thepanther@gmail.com

BANDING TOGETHER

As cheerleaders dance, Palmetto’s sports teams play and people cheer, attendees may not always notice the steady thrum of music playing in the background. From “ESPN” to “Big Ballin’,” Miami Palmetto Senior High’s marching band is always ready with the next song, even when not under the limelight. Unbeknownst to students at the school, the marching band has to do a lot of preparation for each performance.

With practices on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., every member has to not only pay full attention and go all-out for these rehearsals, but they also have to deal with Miami’s scorching heat while carrying heavy instruments. Even after the school practice sessions, members must practice their instruments on their own to see improvement. Whether playing for friends or family or rehearsing in front of the mirror to perfect the conducting of the music, the independent practice is vital to the band’s success.

The marching band also includes roles that do not involve playing an instrument, but will benefit the band in one way or another. Junior Ellen Yang not only plays the flute and piccolo, but also takes on the role of the band’s Media Officer. This job entails overlooking the

band’s social media, promoting it and regularly updating the school on each game and performance.

“As the Media Officer, I have the chance to expose the amazing players in our band to the public and give brief samples of how our band plays together,” Yang said. “It is a very fun role for me to have because even without playing an instrument at all times, I feel as though I am a part of the marching band ‘family.’”

Senior Paul Nameth took on the role of drum major, another vital role in any marching band. As the drum major, Nameth is in charge of leading the marching band in each song, ensuring that each person plays on beat and in tune. Although this task is a lot of responsibility, Nameth enjoys watching all of the time spent practicing come together from a different perspective than someone playing an instrument.

“[My] favorite part of band is probably seeing everything come together, like everybody’s individual efforts and practicing and then the group rehearsals and then once we are on the field. Seeing that all come together, especially from my perspective, and running it all over to perfect the performance,” Nameth said. Being a part of the marching band does allow for one to have a creative and musical outlet, and serves as a way to socialize and show school spirit as well. After many practices, the work finally pays off when going to a sporting event for Palmetto. At each football game, the band has the opportunity to show off their skills, while being able to cheer on Palmetto with each piece they play. “It’s fun, especially this year since our football team is pretty good so we get to watch and cheer at the same time,” Yang said.

Whether in freshman or senior year, the marching band allows students to fulfill their passion and create a bond with those who share a love for music. Though the practice may be timeconsuming, the results reflect members’ dedication and commitment. While often overlooked, the Palmetto marching band is an irreplaceable aspect of Palmetto, with the members’ obvious love for what they do shining through at every practice and sporting event.

“Band made me enjoy music more,” Yang said. “I’m able to play with my friends and also improve and appreciate working in a group.”

Allison Gould Opinion Editor a.gould.thepanther@gmail.com

DESIGN BY JULIA STRASIUS PHOTOS BY VALENTINA CACERES

PUBLIC SUPPORT AT GAMES 17 SPORTS

After homecoming week passes by, the craze of attending school events and games dwindles down, eventually becoming unimportant to some. However, the value of students engaging and remaining an active part of school-sponsored events and games does not.

There is a common trope of high school sports games in movies based on American high school, and sporting events make up a large part of the overall high school experience. Despite this, high school sports teams actually lack a large amount of public support from their fellow peers; frequently facing neglect and nearminimal support from classmates.

Many athletes here at Palmetto believe public support at their games impacts their overall performance. “...Student body support for the g i r l s

soccer team is important because it helps build our confidence,” junior and member of Palmetto’s varsity girls’ soccer team Emma Pardo said. “At away games it gives us a sense of pride that even when we’re away from our home and our school, we still maintain that same energy.”

Albeit some students tend to agree with this sentiment as well, people still fail to show up to many sports games, despite having friends on the team – as a result of a wide range of external factors.

Palmetto junior Priya Mahabir has actively attended many sports games all throughout her high school years but acknowledges that many of her peers fail to do the same.

“Although I personally find it greatly important to go to the sports games and events here at Palmetto, which allow me to have fun while supporting my fellow classmates; a lot of my friends are unable to do the same, the most frequent reasons are either homework or not having a ride,”

Mahabir said. While the future of school spirit might seem bleak, there are clubs in place that serve to boost school spirit amongst students.

Palmetto’s pep squad, for e x a m p l e , a c t i v e l y involves themselves in nearly all of Palmetto events, from sports games to pep rallies. Through such clubs, students can see the many ways to show support and pride for your school.

“Public support from students is very important for both school and sporting events,” Honors Economics teacher and pep squad sponsor at Miami Palmetto Senior High, Armando Gonzalez said. “Many students wear blue and white and their class colors paint their faces and go all out to show support for one another and that’s the most important way to show support.”

There is always an atmosphere of support – whether it be a home game or an away game. Sporting and school events provide an excellent opportunity for people to come together as a community. The beauty of these events lie in the power they hold, as the impact they have on students, athletes and members of the community is paramount. These events enable students to feel a sense of unity, otherwise nearly impossible to replicate.

Senior Andrea Risquezes-Gete, has continuously supported Palmetto by appearing at events and sports games for the past four years.

“There’s so many students, that I don’t know or am friends with, but it’s really cool to see the majority of Palmetto’s population come together to support one thing which is our school,” RisquezesGete said.

Jacob Grindstaff Multimedia Editor j.grindstaff.thepanther@gmail.com DESIGN BY JULIA STRASIUS PHOTOS BY VALENTINA CACERES

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mental health journey MY 20 PERSONAL ESSAY

Even as a preschooler, I had anxiety. I constantly worried about everything, from who to play with on the playground to making a mistake while drawing. As time went on, those constant worries transformed into crippling anxiety. At school, I conducted myself in a perfectionist manner, but at home I completely let loose, lashing out at my family when life’s challenges became too much to cope with, such as failing a test or receiving bad news. Come fourth grade, the pressure of a tough school year and outside stress impacted my mental health, and my parents decided that I needed to see a therapist. After a couple months of talking through my stress, it became more manageable, and I stopped going to the sessions.

Fast forward to freshman year, and everything came tumbling down. Not only did the start of high school and academic stress weigh on me, but the constant selfdeprecation and comparison to others caused my mental health to rapidly deteriorate. Rather than being a proud and supportive sister of my overachieving brother, loved by all around him, I saw him as my competition. I threw myself into the challenging classes and numerous clubs in hopes of outshining his legacy.

I continued pushing my mental limits like this throughout my freshman and sophomore year, which inevitably led to breakdowns and panic attacks at both school and home. At one point I developed chronic stomach aches and nausea as a result of the anxiety. I spent almost every morning, shaking my mother awake, pleading her to let me stay home. It worked at first, but eventually she realized that I could not keep escaping my problems this way, as it ultimately hurt me more. My parents begged me to see a mental health professional, but I refused. I did not want to get help; I did not want to get better or change. Change, even positive, terrified me. Eventually, my mind would no longer allow me to get anything done, and thankfully, my parents made me get help.

When I finally saw a psychiatrist, they prescribed me antidepressants, in hopes of reducing my anxiety. While I thought medication would instantly make me happy, I was far from right. It was a process. I had to adjust my medications multiple times and change brands until I found the right dosage and regimen for me. This took over a year. When medication alone did not prove enough, I opened up to the idea of therapy. It took a while to find someone that I felt comfortable talking with. After visiting a new therapist every week, I finally found

someone that I could relate to, they helped tremendously, and I still see them today when necessary.

However, the summer going into junior year, depression settled in. While at a summer journalism program, I had one of the biggest panic attacks I have ever experienced. Tears poured down my cheeks, as I called my mother, shaking. After keeping it in for so many months, I revealed to my mom that I had been having thoughts of hurting myself. Really though, I did not actually want to do that. I consider myself a rational person, and the worst part was that while I knew my thoughts were unnecessary and foolish, I could not control them.

From junior year until now, I have worked with my therapist to learn coping and management skills to stop my mind from going to a dark place. After being in therapy and on antidepressants for two years, I remain in a stable place both mentally and physically. I wrote this to show people, especially other students at Palmetto, that it is okay to not be okay. These feelings have become so prevalent among people, especially teenagers, but because of the stigma concerning them, no one feels comfortable enough to talk about it. I see a therapist, and I take antidepressants. Saying this does not scare me; it shows that I strive to get better. I still suffer from anxiety and depression, and I probably always will, but I have learned how to manage it as I continue receiving help and working on myself.

If you find yourself in this situation, you are not alone. There is always someone you can talk to, like a trusted teacher or counselor, and there is always hope.

Olivia Solomon Advertising Chair o.solomon.thepanther@gmail.com DESIGN BY GIANNA HUTTON

OPINION|21 are school events a rite of passage? face off:

YESYES

From stressing over classes to focusing on relationships, high school is of utmost importance in a teen’s life. The realization hits in the future — when tests are long forgotten, as well as the name of friends who at one point mattered so much — that the most vivid memories are those of events attended in high school. Past, present and future generations have all experienced these same activities, making them a rite of passage for high schoolers.

When some ask their parents about stories of their own teen years, they might hear fond recollections of events they went to with friends. They recall the fun times they had at activities and how they consider these moments the highlights of their high school experience. It was their time to let loose with friends at a school-related occasion not associated with the most dreaded aspect of school — stress.

Events such as homecoming serve as a way to unite the student body. It combines school and fun into one, allowing students to show off their school spirit.

Students feel a sense of anticipation and excitement as they plan what to wear for spirit week, carpool with each other to events such as Palmetto’s very own Panther Prowl and coordinate where to take pictures before the homecoming dance. Opportunities for making memories arise from taking part in these experiences.

When one’s years as a high schooler come to an end, the memories that remain are the joyful times one spent with friends at these activities. According to a poll by Gallup, 54% of adults describe high school as a great time in their lives. So, a word of advice: be open to new experiences and have fun.

Priscilla Bermudez Copy Editor p.bermudez.thepanther@gmail.com PHOTOS BY SOFIA VINUZA DESIGN BY GIANNA HUTTON

NONO

While some may associate high school with spirited pep rallies and school dances, one can achieve the same growth and fulfillment through involvement in other activities.

Aside from the social aspects, student organizations and clubs provide benefits for the future. Students involved in clubs have a gateway to developing crucial life skills such as commitment, leadership, and collaboration. They allow individuals to branch out and meet students outside of their immediate social circle. With over 60 clubs, Miami Palmetto Senior High School creates an environment where all students have an opportunity to flourish and explore their interests.

Extracurricular activities, such as sports, also provide a chance to reinforce lessons learned in the classroom, offering students the ability to apply academic skills in a real-world context, creating a well-rounded education. The number of participants in high school sports increased for the 29th consecutive year in 2018, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Extracurriculars also provide a leg up for students on college applications that school events simply cannot do. For many students, they are a fun activity, but certainly not a necessity to achieve the full high school experience.

Becoming involved in high school is of utmost importance, no matter what the involvement may be. It is not crucial for students to participate in school events or dances.

Students can skip out on the pain of wearing heels for five hours or wondering if their hair appointment will give them enough or too much time between then and group pictures.

Although fun, at the end of the day, attending events such as football games, dances and pep rallies are not a fundamental component of having a complete and enjoyable high school experience.

Julia Strasius Design Editor j.strasius.thepanther@gmail.com

STAFf editorial

In major cities like Chicago and New York City, teens can easily get around without a car, thanks to their accessible subway lines. But in Miami, our public transportation is extremely lacking. Though the Metrorail functions similar to a subway, it has limited stops and covers minimal ground, which in turn leads to poor ridership. Because of this, getting around Miami without a car poses difficulties. For teens, getting rides from friends and parents is an efficient and environmentally-friendly way to get places. Having a friend that can provide a ride to and from school makes trips stressfree and enjoyable. Another efficient way to get places is through ridesharing apps such as Uber and Lyft. Though a bit more costly than public transportation, these apps pick up a person and drops them off to wherever they need to go. The Village of Pinecrest has tried to help those who find it difficult to get around by offering a few free transportation options. While Palmetto does provide buses for those who live outside the school’s two-mile radius, the Pinecrest People Mover fills in the gaps and takes students who live within the two-mile radius to and from school. However, the overcrowded Mover may not get you to your destination in a timely manner. The Freebee is another free service offered by Pinecrest, but it too, is overextended, leading to long, impractical wait times; do not use the service if you need to get to your destination in under an hour! For all of Miami, accessibility needs improvement. People of lower economic standing or environmentally-conscious individuals deserve a means of transportation that can properly cater to their needs. If methods like Freebees had more cars or larger vehicles to transport people, they could cut-down wait times and expand to include a greater clientele.

Sincerely, The Panther Staff

Just Florida Things: Amusement Parks Florida, man

Chances are, if you live in Florida, you’ve been to Universal Studios or Disney World, or both. Sure, any person in the country, or even the world, can take a weekend off and fly down to Orlando for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

But for Floridians, it’s more of a once every few months experience. Everyone else in the world has to plan their trips months in advance and treat it as their “big vacation.” But Floridians can just book a room at a hotel in Orlando and take a quick four hour drive whenever they feel like it.

Plus, for Florida residents, the options for tickets are limitless. From annual passes to Florida resident deals, theme parks are like a second home for all Floridians, whether one lives in Miami or Tallahassee.

And yet, despite the fact that the average Floridian knows more about these parks than most theme park experts, they all still go full tourist mode by taking enough pictures to create a virtual tour and buying the same souvenirs everytime they go, from Mickey Ears to Harry Potter wands. But no matter how many times Floridians go to these parks, they truly never seem to lose their magic. Jack Meyer News Editor j.meyer.thepanther@gmail.com

The Panther staff aims to inform fellow students and parents about schoolwide, local, national, and international news. The Panther ’s content aims to represent the student body. Editorials feature the opinions of staffers. Features of other students, teachers and clubs further promote the spirit, culture and personality of Miami Palmetto Senior High School. MISSION STATEMENT EDITORIAL POLICY

The Panther is a monthly publication of Miami Palmetto Senior High located at 7460 S.W. 118th Street Miami, FL 33156, (305) 235-1360 ext. 2337. The views expressed are solely those of The Panther staff. Students who wish to respond to an article in this publication or discuss another issue may write letters to the editor and submit them to room 911B or e-mail us at thepanthermpsh@gmail.com. The Panther has professional membership in NSPA and CSPA. The Panther prints 3,000 copies per issue for distribution. The Panther is distributed for free to all students in school. Subscriptions (for cost) are also available. Please visit our paper online at thepalmettopanther.com. BYLINE POLICY: All creative work (such as illustrations, graphics, photos and writing) excluding staff editorials and staff member pictures will include byline credits.

ADVERTISING POLICY: Ads will be designed by the advertiser and include all information the advertiser wants included. If the advertiser asks the staff to design the ad, the individual who sold the ad will design the ad or the Ads Manager will. Ads will be approved by EICs, the Advisor and the Ads Manager. If an ad produced is illegible, contains false information, or the advertiser does not like it, they will receive a free ad in the next issue. If you would like to advertise, please contact us. CORRECTION POLICY: Any errors in print will be acknowledged in the next print issue in a correction box. Any errors online will be acknowledged immediately. Errors include facts, figures, misquoting and name misspellings. 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. ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

Editor-In-Chief Allison Strasius Online Editor-In-Chief Joanna Salvat Managing Editor Jane Heise Senior Copy Editor Isabel Wilder Senior Design Editor

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Kate Stuzin Design Team Julia Strasius Gianna Hutton Sydney Campbell Sofia Vinueza Ana Martinez

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