The Hoofbeat, Vol. 20, Issue 1, October 2021

Oct. 2021

.

the

J.W. Mitchell High School 2323 Little Road New Port Richey, FL 34655 jwmhshoofbeat.com

Issue 1 Volume 20

hoofbeat

“I think now, as we’ve bonded a lot and have come to know each other, we’re going to be really good,” Brayden Krapfl (‘22) said. (page 9) Photo by Emma Diehl

Issue One Table of

Contents (pg. 8) Photo by Maya Hernandez

News (page 3)

• FCA plans Adopt-a-School drive for the community • Popularity for sport livestreams in the country • Club information for the 2021-2022 school year

Lifestyles (pages 4-5)

•Gregg volleyball story on Caroline Knight (‘23) and her success •Gregg football story on Tyler Geary (‘22) and his future •Book club meeting information and sign up •Halloween traditions from students •National Merit on the two semifinalists •Hoobeat staff childhood Halloween costumes

Centerspread (pages 6-7)

(pg. 9)

•Homecoming week recap

Photo by Emma Diehl

(pg. 6)

Photo by Emma Diehl

Sports (pages 8-9)

•Wrap up on varsity girls golf team •JV volleyball team welcomes new players •Varsity volleyball’s undefeated season •Swim and dive team creates special bonds •JV football and the freshmen’s new experience •Recap of the varsity football season •Cross county working to improve timing after meets •The boys golf team help each other through hardships during the season

Entertainment (page 10)

•New movies this year •Etc... performs monthly for their loyal fanbase at Neptune Lounge in Tarpon Springs, FL

Opinions (page 11)

•Students do not have access to lunch food •Faculty and students share opinions on Haitian asylum •Students petition the school dress code •Pasco County faces staff shortages

Back Page (page 12)

•Trick or Treating v.s. parties

Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram at

@mhshoofbeat

Check out our online newspaper:

jwmhshoofbeat.com

2

HOOFBEAT

CONTENTS

by Alexa Grubbs (pg. 8) Photo

by Emma Diehl 6-7)Photo

Editorial

Policy

Published online throughout the year, and in print four times per school year, the student newspaper of J.W. Mitchell High School is a public forum with its student editorial board making all the decisions concerning its contents. Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board.

Letters to the editor are welcomed and will be published as space allows. Letters must be signed, although the staff may withhold the name upon request. The paper reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and all letters are subject to laws governing obscenity, libel, privacy and disruption of the school process, as are all contents of the paper.

Opinions of letters are not necessarily those of the staff nor should any opinion expressed in a public forum be construed as the opinion or policy of the school administration, unless attributed.

(pg. 7)

Photo by Emma Diehl

Hoofbeat Staff Editors

Emma Diehl

Reporters

Ashley Hoskins

editor-in-chief

editor-in-chief

Alexa Grubbs

Sofia Chianella

bus. manager/ lifestyles editor

ent./ opinions editor

Luke Cartiglia

Susan McNulty

sports editor

adviser

Aerial Stonis Bella Melby-Mazzei Hanna CarberrySimmering Keira Walter Mattox Sartori Maya Hernandez

Adopt-a-School drive

Watch live

Ashley Hoskins editor-in-chief

Luke Cartiglia sports editor

Helping the county, Fellowship of Christian Athletes create Adopt-a-School drive

At the first meeting of the school year on Sept.

13, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) organized a fundraiser for schools in need of financial support, also known as Title I. Members were asked to bring items for the drive, such as razors, shaving cream, socks, and other hygiene items for lower-income families.

President of FCA, Giovanni Manfre (‘22) found joy while putting together the Adopt-a-School drive.

“I love giving to others or donating my time for the sake of something bigger than me. It makes me happy knowing that simple things I can do, such as donating razors and shaving cream, can make the lives of those less fortunate than me happier. We plan to do more upcoming service projects, and are going to try to do new things that we couldn’t do last year, such as cleanups or

volunteering for schools,” Manfre said.

Another representative, Alana Woods (‘23), took a new approach by coming up with ideas for members of the community to get involved. As secretary of FCA, Woods plans upcoming service opportunities for the club and recruits others as well.

“Even though our members are obligated to participate in the semester events, I think it inspires them to take action in a way they never thought they could. It’s really rewarding to see where our donations go, including schools from our local charity organizations. We always tell the students of FCA to come to us if they have new ideas for later service opportunities.

We’re open to trying new things even if it gives members another opportunity for events.

Doing a clothing drive is something I think we should look into,” Woods said.

The club plans on

creating a toy drive for the upcoming holidays for children in need. The next meeting will be held on Nov. 8 at 7:45

in the gymnasium. See Ms. Regenia Dixon (FAC) in room 736 (purple guidance) to learn more about FCA.

Signing after turning in Adopt-a-Drive items, President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Giovanni Manfre (‘22), gathers items with Alana Woods (’23) and Kiala Kowalczyk (’24) in order to bring the donations to people in Pasco County. “It’s a nice feeling knowing that I have provided help for families, or even changed someones life,” Manfre said.

Photo by Ashley Hoskins

Popularity of NFHS network brodcasts

Schools in Pasco County keep up with present-day technology, especially sporting events. One way they do this is by installing the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) network. Student-athletes that have families who live out of town use the NFHS network to broadcast games for anyone that can access the internet to watch. It is a part of the CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System) digital network.

“My District Supervisor gave us our representative in our Athletic Director’s meeting. I contacted our rep and we got the ball rolling. This was supposed to be up and running last year but we ran into problems,” Ms. Regenia Dixon (FAC) said.

To access and view games brought by the network, viewers must set up an account with NFHS as well as subscribe.

They can either pay for the monthly pass which is $10.99 or get an annual pass which is $69.99.

“We live stream events with cameras that are installed on the field and in the gym. They are located on the north end of the gym wall, visitor’s side,” Dixon said.

The installation of the cameras solves the problem many athletes have with their family members not being eligible to watch the games. After paying, they will be able to view all games throughout the season.

“It is perfect because they can watch all of my games from wherever they are,” volleyball player Kinnah Kriedler (‘23) said.

The cameras currently broadcast every football and volleyball game. In addition, NFHS broadcasts basketball, soccer, lacrosse, wrestling, and softball.

Students with relatives that cannot come to watch the games can learn more at NFHSnetwork.com.

Club information for this school year

Get involved by joining a club! To find more information about each club, visit jwmhs.pasco.k12.fl.us/clubs-and-organizations/ Art Club

Fulton Room 333 Every other Tuesday, 3 p.m.

Book Club Herny/Herring Room 823 First Wednesday

Cornhole Club

Corporal Greene Courtyard 2nd semester 3 p.m.

Dance Team

Andrada Orange Commons Tuesdays and Thursdays 4 p.m.

Ecology/ Fishing Club Mr. Koslin Room 323

National English Honor Society Schulaski Media First Monday 8 a.m.

FCA

Dixon Gym 2nd Monday 7:45 a.m.

FBLA

Glaves Room 316 2nd Friday at 7:50 a.m.

Game Club

Dotson/ Willoughby Room 332 Thursdays 3 p.m.

Gay Straight Alliance

Konrad Room 307

Wednesday 3 p.m.

Global Empowerment Movement (GEM)

Daniel Room 811 2nd and 4th Wednesday 3 p.m.

HOSA

Bruegger/Campbell Media First Thursday 7:45 a.m.

Interact

Martanovic Room 704 First and Third Mondays

Leo Club

Schulaski/Leavey Media First Friday

Math NHS

Kaelin, Room 725 Online through Canvas

Model UN Martanovic/Daniel Media 1st and 3rd Thursday, 3 p.m.

Mustang Film Creation Club Taylor, Room 740 Tuesdays, every two weeks

National Honor Society Crabtree Gym

2nd Wednesdays 7:45 a.m.

Social Inclusion Club Durand/Comito Room 304

1st and 3rd Wednesdays 7:55 a.m.

Rho Kappa

Hampton/Burnes 705 2nd Fridays

Spanish NHS

Pitcher Room 327 1st and 3rd Tuesdays 3 p.m.

Odyssey of the Mind

Student Council

SADD

Students for Service

Crabtree Media TBD

Greene/Pitcher Media 3rd Fridays

Besack Room 721 2nd and 4th Thursdays

Schulaski Room 505 TBD

NEWS

Teen Court

Dalson Government Center

The Teen Age Republicans (TARS)

Girgenti Room 722 1st Tuesdays, 7:45 a.m.

Young Democrats Daniel Room 811 1st and 3rd Wednesdays 3 p.m.

YouthBeats

Vanno Room 330 Thursdays 7:55 a.m.

Wrestling Club Loguidice Wrestling room M, W, and F at 3 p.m.

HOOFBEAT

3

Killin’ on the court Friday night lights Star Caroline Knight (23) dominates on the volleyball court

Emma Diehl editor-in-chief

an outside hitter.

“I’m an outside hitter because I love hitting, which is the outsider’s main job.

[I’m also a hitter] because of my height. I love earning as many points for my team as possible. Right now, I am leading the team in kills,” Knight said.

Through her three years as a varsity athlete, Knight has worked with her coaches to improve her abilities, and began working closer with her teammates to win games.

“Caroline has such a fun, easy going, goofy personality. She gets along with everyone. The team loves her. Her personality and her ability to keep her teammates upbeat. I am always proud of Caroline. She has really stepped up when the team needed her and she has come a long way since freshman year,” Coach Weber said.

Knight’s final game of the regular season was at home versus Palm Harbor University High School at 7:30 p.m. The mustangs beat the Hurricanes, and will advance to the playoffs.

The female Gregg Schindler Athlete of the Month is Caroline Knight (‘23), an outside hitter on the varsity volleyball team. Knight earned this honor by exceeding the national average for sets played, hitting percentage, kills, and triple blocks, impressing her coaches and her teammates.

Knight began playing volleyball in seventh grade at the YMCA. Through both practice and skill, Knight has managed to earn player of the match twice this year.

“She has made a great improvement since coming into summer workouts and it helped us get the season off to a great start with three big wins. In a span of three games, she had 42 kills and was our player of the game against Wiregrass Ranch,” Coach Lea Weber (FAC) said.

Over the years, family has played a large role in Knight’s athletic career.

“My parents have probably made the biggest impact on my volleyball life. They support me and come to every game that they can. They have also helped me in the recruiting process to play college volleyball. Every year I have been one of the youngest [team members], so my older teammates have definitely been big role models for me and have coached me to become a better player,” Knight said.

Standing at 5’11”, Knight is significantly taller than the national female average of 5’3” to 5’4”. This gives her an Caroline Knight (‘23) serves the volleyball over the net, going for advantage in her position as a kill against her opposing team. Photo by Audrey Koczanski

Tyler Geary (‘22) on his strive for a successful athletic career.

Ashley Hoskins editor-in-chief Choosing to play the sport he loves at an early age of five years old, Tyler Geary (‘22) gains support from his teammates. While discussing the daily routine for everyday practice, Geary maintains a close brotherhood throughout the season.

“Monday practices are normally filmed along with sprints and walkthroughs, while Tuesdays and Wednesdays are intense practices. We always go After a win against rival, River Ridge High School, Tyler Geary over team offense and team (‘22) and his teammates celebrate their victory. defense on everything. Even Photo by Emma Diehl though we have hard practices, we usually his games. Despite difficulties, he plans do senior dinners the night before the on furthering his football career and game but even during the weekends we continues to progress further into the all go out, sometimes fishing or hanging season trying his best at each game. with each other and always planning “The biggest challenges when we something. We’re all very close and our played Wiregrass and we lost. We had to bonds are very tight, as if we were family,” step up our game and decided that we Geary said. needed to fix some things which were Getting down to business remains difficult. Although, my best moment in important to Geary, but receiving support football so far would have to be when I from his fellow peers is something tied the SAC record for one game in the he values. It allows him to further his season against Fivay High School. That successful athletic career. being said, I plan on playing football in “I play defensive end and tight end but college. I’ve actually had some offers from ever since I’ve been playing football at a Eastern Illinois, Monmouth University, and young age, I didn’t actually choose. I just Austin Peay,” Geary said. stuck with it because my parents said it Geary plans on continuing to play would be a fun sport and ever since then football in college and further his I have been more competitive. Due to athletic career. He currently has 149 total my biggest influence, my mom, she has tackles, 72 solo tackles, an average of always kept me going and supported what 5.1 tackles per game, and 16.5 sacks.

I love no matter what,” Geary said.

Additionally, he has caused 1 fumble and While winning six games since the has 5 fumble recoveries. Follow Mitchell’s beginning of the season as of Oct. 14, varsity football on Maxpreps for more Geary has faced setbacks during some of information on upcoming dates.

This is Halloween, everybody scream Around campus, students share their festive Halloween traditions, each finding different activities for them to participate in

Keira Walter staff reporter During the fall season, stores stock up with pumpkins, candy, costumes, and other holiday necessities for avid consumers to purchase. In fact, the Target located in Mitchell Ranch Plaza had their aisles stocked up with several types of candies for Halloween as early as Aug. 25.

For many, the carving of a pumpkin is a common tradition, and according to Better Homes and Gardens, 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins are sold every year, the majority of sales taking place in October for Halloween.

Kayleigh Girard’s (‘24) family comes together every year to carve pumpkins and cook the

4

HOOFBEAT

pumpkin seeds for a snack.

Party City and purchase a variety “Probably one of my favorite of costumes. Nicky Echevarria traditions of Halloween is carving (’23) creates her own costume pumpkins,” Girard said. “It from materials she finds from brings my family close for the thrift stores, her closet, and holiday.”

Michael’s craft store According every year. to History.

“Costumes are Costumes are a com, the a really good tradition of way to express really good way to costumes and your express yourself and yourself originated personality, it lets your personality. from the your creativity out ancient in the best ways,” Nicky Celtic Echevarria said. festival of “This year I plan to Samhain; dress up as a ninja.” they were Watching horror originally movies on a dark created to ward off ghosts. While night is a tradition that is done they used to created by hand, by many teens and families now most can go to the local around the nation. Alanna Wyatt

Echevarria (‘23)

LIFESTYLES

(‘24) and her friends get together for the night to binge their favorite horror movies for the month of October.

“Halloween is known to be spooky and scary so it’s the best time to get with friends and watch Horror movies,” Wyatt said. “This year, we are planning to host a bunch of movie nights leading up to Halloween.”

People looking to grab a pumpkin can go over to the Hope United Methodist Church pumpkin patch on Little road, where they plan to sell pumpkins from Oct. 11 to Oct. 30, MonFri 2:p.m. - 8:p.m. Additionally, costumes are available at pop-up stores, or Spirit Halloween, with multiple locations in Holiday, Port Richey, and Citrus Park mall.

Wyatt (‘24) wears her shirt from the film Scream. “This is one of my favorite shirts I wear it during the month of Halloween,” Wyatt said.

Photo by Keira Walter.

From scholars to merit semifinalists

Scoring in the top percentile on their junior year PSAT, Bolton (‘22) and Alexeyev (‘22) became National Merit Semifinalists

Alexa Grubbs lifestyles editor The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for scholarships and recognition of achievements.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation was established in 1955 and is the organization that runs the scholarship program.

With roughly 1.5 million high school students entering the program each year, two of these students are Mitchell’s very own Leo Alexeyev (‘22) and Jacob Bolton (‘22). They both meet two main requirements for entering the program, which are simply being enrolled as a high school student and taking the PSAT in 9th to 11th grade and receiving a high enough score.

“I believe if you are in the 99th percentile for your state you become a semifinalist.

They use your score to calculate a selection index; mine was 223 and I think the national merit cutoff in Florida this year was 117. Next, you fill out an application to become a finalist, which most semifinalists get,” Alexeyev said.

About 15,000 semifinalists advance to finalist standing in February, and within that group roughly 7,500 finalists are selected to receive a Merit Scholarship between the beginning of March and midJune. The semifinalists were just recently announced in early September.

“In my government class, all the faculty came in and told me

I qualified for National Merit, and I totally forgot that it was a thing. They handed me a booklet saying what it was and I didn’t think I would get it, so it was kind of surprising,” Bolton said.

To become a finalist, both Alexeyev and Bolton must get a recommendation from Principal Jessica Schulz (FAC), submit a completed scholarship application, and receive SAT scores that confirm their performance on the PSAT. Then there are three types of scholarships they can get. These include $2,500 single-payment scholarships for one sixth of the Finalists, roughly 1,000 students receive Corporate-Sponsored Merit Scholarships, and about 4,000 semifinalists get CollegeSponsored Merit Scholarships,

which can range from between $500 to $2000. Some popular college sponsors include Boston College, Boston University, Bowdoin College, Tufts University, University of Chicago, University of Southern California, and more.

Congratulate Alexeyev and Bolton on their achievement and root for them as they try to become finalists and get scholarships for college.

Jacob Bolton (‘22) and Leonid Alexeyev (‘22) take a photo in Mr. Scott’s AP Government class when they were announced as National Merit semifinalists. Photo by Emma Diehl

Guess the HB leader by the costume Join in the spooky season spirit and try to guess which of our editors is in each photo by their childhood Halloween gear

1

2

3

5

4

Look for answers on the backpage

Always reading in between the lines

In their free time, two sophomores decided to start a book club outside of school to get together with other avid readers

Bella Melby-Mazzei staff reporter After reading 62 books over the summer, Keira Walter (‘24) decided to start a book club outside of school with her friend Ceyphora Wamba (‘24).

“We were talking about every two to three weeks because we want enough time for everyone to be able to read the book, accordingly,” Wamba said.

The group plans to meet up at different places like Panera Bread, and sometimes each other’s houses. The book club will review a variety of different genres, so there is something for everyone.

“Probably YA, coming-of-age, The friends always had the fantasy, romance depending on idea to start the book club, but everyone’s tastes and preferred they didn’t start planning it until genre,” Wamba said. the beginning of the school year The first when they found book they the motivation. plan to read “We’re both We’re both nerds, so is “Loveboat, nerds, so I was I was like, ‘let’s create Taipei” by like, ‘let’s create something where we Abigail Hing something where can talk about [books].

Wen. we can talk about “It’s [books] and the Asian make a circle Ceyphora American with everyone lead. I think else,’ because set in Korea; I’ve always she goes to thought about a boarding school there. It has it,” Wamba said. romance and coming-of-age kind Grace Tomlin (‘24) joined the of things in there,” Wamba said. book club because of her love

Wamba (‘24)

for books.

“I like the different stories and how you can put yourself into a book, and imagine yourself there,” Tomlin said.

Sabrina O’Grady (‘24) previously borrowed books from Walter, so Walter suggested she join the book club. And, of course she took Walter up on the idea.

“I like that I found some other people who like reading books as much as I do,” O’Grady said.

To join the book club, contact Walter at 727-809-3854 and/ or Wamba at 952-923-6366 for more information of meeting Grace Tomlin (‘24) reads a novel related to the book club. “I just love dates and locations. to read,” Tomlin said. Photo by Alexa Grubbs

LIFESTYLES

HOOFBEAT

5

Homecoming 2021 Party in the USA My favorite dress up day during the week was the senior citizens. I thought it was funny seeing everyone dress up.

Jace Trautner (‘22) Photo provided by Drew Middleton

Photo by Emma Diehl

Photo by Emma Diehl

Photo by Emma Diehl

Being on court is honestly such a great experience. I was lucky enough to have the best partner, John Habib (‘22).

Samantha

Cragle (‘22)

Photo by Emma Diehl

Photo by Emma Diehl

It meant a lot to me that people voted for me. I am very grateful for the opportunity. I wasn’t expecting it. I felt honored that I was chosen for court, and to be crowned king was an additional surprise.

Photo by Alexa Grubbs

Photo by Emma Diehl

Dylan

Bromberg (‘22)

Photo by Emma Diehl

Photo by Emma Diehl

Photo by Hanna Carberry-Simmering

[My favorite part of homecoming week] was probably the football game. My favorite activity was Rodeo Games because I got to participate. I also participated in four-square.

Photo by Emma Diehl

6

HOOFBEAT

Elijah

Lopez (‘22)

HOMECOMING

Photo by Emma Diehl

Photo taken by Allison Hoskins

It’s really fun to dress up with friends and to hangout and take pictures in the morning.

Megan

Pitts (‘22)

Photo by Emma Diehl

Photo by Emma Diehl

My favorite part of homecoming week was getting to participate in all of the parades. I got to dress up and be with all of my friends. Everybody was so cheerful, and it was honestly an amazing experience. Musical chairs was a lot of fun. I was the last sophomore standing, so I am really proud of myself.

Breanna

Valentine (‘24)

Photo by Emma Diehl

Photo by Emma Diehl Photo by Emma Diehl

My friends and I went to Steak ‘n Shake after the dance, and that was really fun. Four square was my favorite activity because I was taking pictures for yearbook and I was on the floor, so I was up close and personal.

Emily Photo by Emma Diehl

Wise (‘24)

Photo by Emma Diehl

Photo by Emma Diehl

Photo by Emma Diehl

Photo by Emma Diehl

Photo by Emma Diehl

Photo taken by Renee Diehl

Photo by Emma Diehl

Christopher

The most exciting part of the week was dressing up for ‘70s day [since] my friends and I had matching outfits. It was fun to watch my friend play four square because she was the only girl out of the seniors to make it to the finals.

Ferrini (‘23)

Sydney

Garner (‘22)

My favorite part [of the week] was the football game. I participated in tug of war [during rodeo games].

Photo by Emma Diehl

Photo by Emma Diehl

HOMECOMING

Photo by Emma Diehl

HOOFBEAT

7

On course to cross the finish line first Cross Country runners continue to improve their times, meet after meet.

Bella Melby-Mazzei staff reporter On Sept. 25, more than ten school tents lined the fence of the River Ridge High School next to the bleachers. Cross country team members huddled under the tents, talking and encouraging each other. Just around 8:30 a.m., the varsity boys approached the starting line and waited for the pistol.

The boys’ varsity team came in 6th place, while the girls’ varsity came in 2nd place. At their last home meet on Sept. 15, boys’ varsity came in 7th place overall, and girls’ varsity came in 3rd.

With no assigned captains, the teams selected their own sort

of leader, Kayla Groppe (‘22), for girls’ varsity, and Joshua Hindman (‘24) for boys’ varsity.

“I definitely don’t regret [becoming team leader] because if anything, it’s connected me to more people. When the coach tells me to do stuff, he kind of gives me a responsibility. I just have to bond with people, and it’s not a burden. It’s really fun,” Groppe said.

Groppe ended up running a 20:58, and placed 6th. Hindman went from an 18:14 time to 17:55 between the two meets, and placed 18th.

On boys’ varsity, Hindman, Hunter Viens (‘24), Trystan Capille (‘23), Brady Pavlica (‘24), Dean Washington (‘22), Brendan Wells (‘23), and Jacob Steven (‘25) all

improved their times, some even ran a new personal record (PR).

Rostyslav Manko (‘25) ran a 23:21 time, and Nathan LeBlanc (‘25) ran 24:38.

“We’re really good, we’re like a family, we usually bounce off each other quite well, push each other to do better,” Washington said.

Groppe, Nella Peterson (‘23), Adia D’Piazza (‘23), Jessica Erwin (‘23), Genavieve Newton (‘23), Paige Peters (‘23), Lily Sarakun (‘24), Jaelyn Slawiak (‘23) shaved a minute off their times from the Sept. 18th meet. Karley Rush (‘24) ran a 25:11 time.

D’Piazza checks in with the team regularly, because she believes running is a mental sport as well as a physical one.

Trystan Capille (‘23) sprints to the finish line with Brady Pavlica (‘24) close on his tail. Capille crosses the line, and within two seconds Pavlica reaches the finish line as well. Photo

by Bella MelbyMazzei

“I like to go out of my way to talk to everyone, make every single individual person feels comfortable on the team, because we’re all in this together.

We don’t want one of us to feel down because that can really affect your running before a race, and it can affect your mentality.

When it comes to cross country, physical strength is just as

important as mental strength, because you’re pushing yourself to go faster, and it’s hard when someone passes you in a race because it’s sort of slows you down,” D’Piazza said.

The teams have a district championship on Thurs. Oct. 28. Fans can go to trcrace.com to check out all the past crosscountry results.

Swinging for success on the course

The girls’ golf team works hard to win districts and advance to regionals with intention of reaching the state tournament

Alexa Grubbs lifestyles editor

With the sun beating down, the girl’s golf team practiced before facing Gulf High School in their afternoon match on Sept. 30, at the Heritage Springs country club. Playing against Sunlake and River Ridge the week before, the girls warmed up prepared to win their sixth match of the season.

Most of the girls on the team have been playing for several years now, like Baillie Phipps (‘23) who has played golf for the past

two and a half years.

“My dad and my grandpa played and I had played a few times with them and it was pretty fun, so I decided to join the

school team,” Phipps said.

The coach of the team is Gary Hoskins, whose daughter Ashley Hoskins (‘22) is also a part of the team. He helps mentor the girls so they can develop their skills and remain focused, in order for them to push their own personal bests and win for the team.

Since the season started the first week of school, the team has played Hudson, The Girls Golf team warms up for a match against Land O’ Lakes, and Gulf High School. Photo by Alexa Grubbs

Set, spike, win With the beginning of the volleyball season, the varsity team ended their ninth game on Sept. 21, with a 3-0 victory against the Fivay Falcons.

Maintaining a 100 percentwin rate so far, the team has participated in nearly 20 games.

Elizabeth McDonald (’22), the team’s outside hitter, dove into her final year by prepping in the gym with her teammates to strengthen their chances of winning, and to create bonds with the other girls.

“We work out every morning on Mondays and Wednesdays.

It’s early, too, from like 5:30 to 6:30, just to be better players.

Our knowledge of volleyball has

8

HOOFBEAT

really increased from previous years,” McDonald said.

Setter, Ava Connors (’23), has big goals for this year’s season and appreciates how well everyone on the team fits together on the court. At the home game against the Sunlake Seahawks as they held them scoreless the entire time.

“The first Sunlake game was definitely my favorite for the season. I’m looking forward to going far in districts this year.

We’ve been working really hard this year, so I hope it pays off,” Connors said.

Madisen Antioco (‘23), libero and defensive specialist, made strides to preserve the group’s undefeated status. In their eighth game, against Palm Harbor University, the team won with a

SPORTS

to play, with the girls losing, while other teams like Gulf, were easier wins. The team has 8 wins and 1 loss as of Oct. 11.

“My favorite match was the Sunlake match. It was really cool to play a team that has really low scores and they were also really nice,” Lindsey Kerr (‘24) said.

The team is working to go to states which would extend their season. Until then though, on Oct. 19 the team is having a senior night and eventually they will have a banquet to look back on the season on Dec. 1.

JV team ends season with 9 wins, 2 losses

the new players work together during practices and games.

Riley Mazur (‘24) boosted the confidence of fellow players by preparing them for the season.

“It’s really cool to help out my new teammates and make them confident because I was once new to the team, too,” Mazur said.

Olivia Desiante (‘25) played her first year in high school, taking the position of outside hitter.

After spending several practices together, the teams became accustomed to each other.

“We all work together well.

We do everything together as a team,” Desiante said.

The team competed in their tournament on Oct. 15 and 16, at Keswick Christian High School.

They won 3 of the games they played by a score of 2-0 and lost in 1 of them by a score of 0-2.

Overall, they placed 2nd in the tournament.

Keira Walter staff reporter

The varsity volleyball team works for success

Maya Hernandez staff reporter

more.

“The first high school match of the season, and the first I’ve ever played, [was my favorite]. It was against Alonso at Silver Dollar. I was so nervous. Just a few holes in, I remember thinking about how much fun the season would be because of how much I was enjoying myself while playing.

The opponent in my group was very welcoming and despite the course, it was one of the most fun matches I have ever played,” Autumn Postlewait (‘25) said.

Teams like Sunlake were harder

Cayla Heckroth (‘22) celebrates with her team as they score yet another point on the Fivay Falcons in their Sept. 21 game. Photo by Maya Hernandez

score of 3-1.

“I would say our win against Palm Harbor University was our best game so far. We were losing, but we came from behind and won. It was a great experience for me personally,” Antioco said.

Their final scheduled game is set to occur on Oct. 14, a rematch against Palm Harbor University. They are preparing to move on to districts in the next coming weeks.

The J.V. team started off the season on Aug. 21, with a win at their first game at Gulf High School. The team included 12 players, seven freshmen and five sophomores.

Taking in the familiar scenery, the returning players helped

The team huddles together on Sept.

21 to strategize their next play on Tuesday night. Photo by Keira Walter

Scoring to the

A recap of this year’s varsity football season

Hanna Carberry staff reporter The varsity football team played their first game on Aug. 27, at home. The game ended with a victory over Fivay High School with a score of 43-0. They played seven games and won six out of seven. There are 3 more games left in the season, and they play against Largo, Sickles, and Wesley Chapel. Defensive end Cameron Council (’24) has been on the team since his freshman year.

“It’s been really good we have been growing a lot, getting a lot better and working really hard at practices,” Council said.

Friday Oct. 8 was the homecoming game. It ended

playoffs

with a victory of 51-14. Largo will be the last home game of the season. The players have been preparing for this season since the spring season. Inside linebacker, Jacob Levake (’23) and the team have been working out almost every day since last season ended.

“We have always been pretty close and we have all been playing since we were five years old so it has been helpful that way, but we have been preparing all season since spring last year. We started working out all summer, running, and just getting ready for the season,” Levake said.

The team currently has a fourweek winning streak and a No. 1 standing in the 7A 9 District.

They defeated their rivals, River Ridge High School on Sept. 3, with a score of 28-0. The team’s highest win so far has been Leto with a score of 60-0. Cornerback, Deomari Thorpe (’22) reflected on the best game of the season thus far, in his opinion.

“The Gaither game. No one expected us to win, and we got it done,” Thorpe said.

As of Oct. 8, the team holds a record of 6-1 including an upset win over Gaither. Going into that game, Gaither was the clear favorite to win. This game is a true testament to how hard these athletes have been working.

Come out and support them as they face Sickles High School away on Oct. 29.

The varsity football team lines up with the Gaither cowboys during the game on Oct. 1. Photo

by Hanna Carberry No. 12, Christopher Ferrini (’23) and No. 55, Dylan Bromberg (’22) get in to position.

Photo by Hanna Carberry

During the game on Oct.1, No. 41, Niko Ferrero (’24) gets ready to go up against Gaither once again. Photo by Hanna Carberry

The boys’ team wins conference for the fourth time, and girls’ win Mattox Sartori

The swim and dive team practiced for success as the boys finished the season undefeated, and the girls team finished the season 7-1. This team spent countless hours with early morning practices, as well as after school.

“We have really been working on our endurance sprints this season. We are about to start speedwork, which is my favorite. We have also been working on our underwater, and making sure we have good breakouts,” Cate Miller (‘22) said.

With proof of the challenging work being put in this season, the athletes trained diligently to receive and beat their personal

Boys varsity golf team help each other succeed.

Aerial Stonis staff reporter Golf takes skill; however, mental blocks can be costly for players during matches.

Sometimes the mental part of the game can be overlooked, but Alexander Noti (‘24) and Sam Brandenburg (‘25) feel it’s the most important to players.

The varsity boys golf team experienced hardships like lack of confidence during matches, but support from each other gave the boost they needed.

While practicing at Crescent Oaks Golf Club every day, the team helped each other, whether through guidance or assistance with anything. Noti was at his peak, ranked 6th for sophomores in Florida. Encouragement and a boost of confidence from other players during matches is dire.

“Our chemistry is really good.

When we practice, we help each other out. Then during the matches, I think it’s important that we encourage each other, and help each other with the mental part of the game because you can’t really help with a swing during a match.” Noti said.

Noti’s best scoring average was 35.8 after 8 matches. He started playing golf when he was five

but started getting competitive in sixth grade by playing tournaments through Greater Tampa Junior Golf Association and now the school team. He learned to adapt to mental obstacles while playing.

“If you have one bad shot, make up for it with a good one. Just take the swing that you’re confident in, if you’re not confident, 95 percent of the time you’re not going to hit a good swing,” Noti said.

Brandenburg is new to the team this year. He started playing golf three and a half years ago after getting concussions from baseball, and has not looked back since. With a scoring average of 3 over par for 9 holes, he carried his confidence from baseball to golf.

“If you get mad, your game will not be good. If you hit a bad shot, you have to stay positive. It’s all mental. When you hit a couple of bad shots you lose confidence, but you’ve got to just keep going. If you have confidence, you’ll do way better,” Brandenburg said.

Supporting and encouraging each other, the team helps each other face anything in their path.

These athletes work ethic is unmatched.

Freshmen firsts

Swim & Dive teams win decisive meets staff reporter

Mind over matter

records to excel in the pool.

“Last season I was one out of two people on the team to go to states and so far, I’ve been

My favorite thing about being on the team is the friendships you make.

The friends we make on the pool deck translate to our everyday lives.

Cate

Miller (’22) able to hit personal records in all events I swam in,” Antoine Fournard (‘22) said.

Being on the team, these athletes faced many hardships,

not only in the pool, but outside of it as well. The team does their best to help one another with every problem they face.

“My favorite thing about being on the team is the friendships you make. I know my freshman year the whole team was a big family, and we did everything together.

This year the same thing is happening, the friends we make on the pool deck translate to our everyday lives,” Miller said.

The team ended the season by becoming back to back Sunshine Athletic Confrence champions. The boys also were once again the top team in all of Pasco County. The team credits their chemistry as well as work ethic to the successes of the season.

New players to high school experience challenges Sofia Chianella

opinions editor Transferring from Seven Springs Middle School Football to the program held at school, freshmen players have had to adjust to the different routines practiced for the football program.

Filling the position of quarterback for the team, Joseph Glennon (’25) feels the nerves caused by pressure when playing, as well as excitement.

“I definitely couldn’t do much if my line didn’t block, and my running backs made plays, as well as my receivers. Without the coaches we wouldn’t have all of our plays,” Glennon said.

As an inside linebacker, Dylan Leighton (’25) has the job of closing up the gap that is open for the player running the ball. In addition to practicing, Leighton has had to form new relationships with the coaches and players, in order to contribute to the success of the team.

“I like the coaches because they are amazing and they are very good with what they do. We have really good chemistry on our team. In the beginning we started off rough but then we developed chemistry, and we’ve actually been winning games,” Leighton said.

SPORTS

Michael Houllis (’25) has felt the pace of the game increase from middle school, making adjustment necessary if wanting to keep a position on the team.

“It’s a lot different than middle school because it’s much more exciting, it’s more crazy. We’re all pretty close as a team,” Houlis said.

Memorizing plays and learning formations, Alex Blumenstein (’25) takes advantage of the advice he gets from the sophomores on the team, especially the captains.

“It’s a lot faster and it’s just different. Yeah, they explain things if, so if you mess up on a play they try and help you correct it,” Blumenstein said.

While on and off the field, Alec Maxton (’25) turns to team captains Hayden Guy (’24) and Nicholas Mowry (’24) for support related to plays and drills that are needed to be successful during the game.

“It’s different because it’s a lot harder than middle school, but it’s more fun. It’s a better atmosphere, better coaching, better people, the games are more fun,” Maxton said.

Through the help of their fellow freshmen, advice giving sophomores, and supportive coaching staff, freshmen players helped their team reach a record of 2-3 on the season as of Oct.19 according to Maxpreps.

HOOFBEAT

9

Rocking and rolling

Myers’ movie

Aerial Stonis

Mattox Sartori

Punk-rock band, named Etc..., performs monthly live shows at venues

staff reporter At the Neptune Lounge in Tarpon Springs, “Etc...”, a three-person punk-rock band comprised of lead singer and guitarist, Mark Hynes (‘23), bassist Michael Pekarek (‘24), and drummer, Cooper Krinn, a River Ridge student, played their third show on Sat., Sept. 25.

“Send & Delete”, another rock band, opened for them, creating an animated environment.

After playing at the Neptune Lounge in July and August, nerves were not a problem this time for Etc.... They set up the stage quickly and continued the entertainment for the audience minutes after Send & Delete packed up.

“At first, we were nervous, but at this point it was our third show and we had a band play before us. They got the crowd excited and us more energized, so getting on stage we were more comfortable this time,” Hynes said.

While Send and Delete was

opening, the crowd started a mosh pit, with dozens of teenagers smashed together near the stage slamming into each other. Etc... continued the energy and the crowd remained excited by dancing and jumping along to their music. Original songs written by Hynes were fan favorites.

“I think the fact that we got a lot of people to mosh to our music was really cool. ‘Break’ was the song we got a lot of people jumping and going at,” Pekarek said.

Fan Parker Jowers (‘23) became friends with Hynes in their freshman year. Jowers attended their July and September shows to support him. He met friends at the show and stood with them while they played. The Neptune Lounge was packed with students from different schools, lively jumping toegther in beat with the music peformed by “Etc...”.

“This show was my favorite show so far because there was more of a crowd and it was a lot more exciting because there

were two bands,” Jowers said.

The band continues to practice for their upcoming shows monthly. The date and location of the next one is to be announced. Follow @ etc_florida on Instagram for more information.

“Etc…” performs an original song titled, “Nothing” on Sat., Sept.

25. The track includes a loud and energetic tune that had the crowd jumping. “I wrote it about the end of summer, and it’s a song that repeats itself. The chorus is 1 line over and over and the verses follow the same structure. I think it makes it catchy.”

Hynes said. Photo by Aerial Stonis

Shortage in staffing

Companies struggle with finding employees across the United States

Maya Hernandez staff reporter At the conclusion of a rather trying year for most, the job market prepares for the flood of new mothers, educators, and a whole generation eligible to enter the workforce. Managers are expecting to hire top-talent to bring innovative strategies and big smiles on their faces to sink back to normal in 2021—or so they think.

Pasco County, home to more than 500,000 residents, represents one community at the forefront of “The Great Resignation,” also known as the “Big Quit.” Americans are rapidly abandoning their jobs to pursue other passions, leaving approximately 4 million jobs vacant, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Pasco County School District alone lacks 155 instructional and 348 non-instructional positions, the latter including more than 100 bus driver vacancies, public information officer Steve Hegarty told The Laker/ Lutz News. Even with the creation and funding of more jobs, roles continue to be understaffed.

10

HOOFBEAT

“Grants that were supposed to provide for more nurses to help with contact tracing — people are not taking these jobs. It is stretching our folks too thin,” school board member, Collen Beaudoin said at the school board meeting on Sept. 14.

In addition to schools, this problem impacts other industries, such as local law enforcement, healthcare, and even retail workers. Florida is responsible for 20% of COVID-19 cases in the most recent months and 13% of medical facilities are reported to be understaffed, as stated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Similarly, the police experience increasingly fewer applicants to their departments and higher turnover rates. This makes it dramatically more difficult, especially in growing counties, to meet all the safety needs of residents. Despite the “help wanted” signs posted on nearly every institution, no one seems to take an interest.

From understaffed medical providers struggling to supply optimal care for their patients, to children piled on top of each other as bus drivers complete

their double runs, labor shortages in the United States manifest into a larger projected issue that begs the question: Why are so many people abandoning their jobs?

While the answer is not as simple, some of the issue can be attributed to low pay and lack of benefits and flexibility within jobs, compared to the level of stress workers are faced with. The pandemic acted as the turning point for many people evaluating their careers well before COVID-19. The inability to work during the lockdown opened the eyes of many to reexamine their priorities, heightening the expectations to which a company is held.

Providing one-time financial incentives to entice employees to apply for a position has been the solution of many organizations. However, unless they offer sustainable living wages, bonuses alone will not ensure long-term employment.

Companies need to invest in their present and future employees, by offering flexible scheduling and increased pay, especially in times of need.

ENTERTAINMENT/OPINIONS

Michael Myers returns for another horror flick staff reporter With the start of October, new movie hits make their arrival to the box office. Although the most important movie is the sequel to the classic Halloween film that most people know, “Halloween Kills”. The movie “Halloween Kills” arrives at the theaters on Oct. 15, 2021. The movie stars Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, and James Jude Courtney alongside Nick Castle as Michael Myers.

The movie’s plot contains horror, slasher, and thriller elements according to google. com after stating the storyline “unstoppable killer Michael Myers escapes from Laurie Strode’s trap to continue his ritual bloodbath. Injured and taken to the hospital, Laurie fights through the pain as she inspires residents of Haddonfield, Ill., to rise up against Myers. Taking matters into their own hands, the Strode women and other survivors form a vigilante mob to hunt down Michael and end his reign of terror once and for all.”

The question of whether or not this will be Myers’ last appearance on screen after appearing in 12 Halloween sequels that don’t seem to end is debatable. After the last movie, “Halloween Returns” was released in 2018, it made a total of 255.6 million dollars in the box office, leaving the creators a

profit of 245.6 million dollars.

Olivia Hubbard (24), grew up watching the series.

“I’ve been very fond of the Halloween movies and I am excited to see what will be in store for this year’s sequel. I believe that the directors are making such a high profit off the movies for fans like me to see in theaters, that there is no reason to stop after the 12th sequel,” Hubbard said.

It has been said that there will be a final Halloween movie after the one appearing this year, the film is named “Halloween Ends” and will make an appearance in 2022. The director of Halloween, David Gordon Green, stated that filming for “Halloween Ends” is scheduled to start in January 2022 according to Screen Rant.

Pre-pandemic, Blumhouse Studios had planned to release the “Halloween Kills” sequel in October 2020, and “Halloween Ends” one year later in 2021, according to Emily Gilbert on Looper.com. According to critics on USA today, “Halloween Kills’ is a step back for Jamie Lee Curtis’ stab-happy horror franchise, and “ ‘Halloween Kills’ is a non-stop, blood-rushing blast”. If you are looking for a good scare and seemingly great climax movie this Halloween season, “Halloween Kills” provides all elements of a chilling horror story.

The photo depicts Jamie Lee Curtis starring as Laurie Strode in the upcoming 2021 Halloween movie ‘Halloween Kills’ hiding behind a door as a hand breaks through the glass, trying to grab her.

Photo provided by monstersforsale on cc search

Chaos lying within the lunchroom

An editorial on the hassle of getting lunch due to the doors shutting before all students have gotten the chance to grab food

In the cafeteria, students have time to set down their stuff and get in line for food, but if they need to use the bathroom, talk to a teacher after class, or take a test, there is a chance they will not be able to receive a lunch.

The seating area of the cafeteria is open for the full 50-minute lunch period, but the area to get food is not. Multiple students miss lunch because of this. The area normally closes as soon as the awfully long line has ended or is almost at the end. One day in first quarter, Jessica Yassa (’24) was unable to get lunch because she was seeing her guidance counselor.

The lunch area should be open for the full lunch period, just like the cafeteria seating area. There is a need to make sure the food

is ready for the students in the next period, but no one should be denied lunch as the lunch period is still going on. When observing the lunchroom on Oct. 5, Emma Diehl (’22) nearly missed lunch after the lunch period had only been going on for about 10 minutes. Eating is a crucial part of everyone’s day as it helps you get energy, be focused, and productive.

“If you’ve ever gotten ‘hangry,’ then you know what happens when you deprive your brain of glucose. You get irritable, moody, and sluggish, and it becomes difficult to concentrate.

In addition, your brain has a much harder time storing new information and retrieving old information. For young people, that makes succeeding in school

Change the

much more difficult,” Lonna Gordon, an adolescent medicine specialist at Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, stated in the article titled,“This is What Happens to your body when you skip lunch.”

Students should not have to worry about whether they should go get help from a teacher if they are struggling, or if they should eat lunch because they might miss it if they leave. Lunches are free, so more students are able to get them if they would like to, but the lunch area closing before the period ends keeps many from eating.

The Hoofbeat made three attempts to get an on-the-record comment from the lunch staff and manager for a comment, yet they did not respond before

editor-in-chief A blonde student walked into the 800 building during passing on Sept. 30 after just having been dress-coded, wearing an oversized mustang t-shirt to cover a top that her teacher labeled as out of dress code. In protest, she walked into an academic building with a piece of paper attached to the back of her shirt that said: “there’s nothing sexual about shoulders.”

Ava Cornett (‘23) started a petition in September 2021 to officially change the dress code, citing her own personal and other student’s encounters as a reason to change it.

“I was tired of hearing all of the horror stories of staff mistreating students and hearing about them being body shamed or put in uncomfortable positions, usually by the male teachers,” Cornett said.

In addition to creating a petition, Cornett is also developing her own version of the dress code, which would account for subjects like gender and size equality, as well as how to approach the issue of the dress code as a whole. “[My] dress code would get rid of any sexism and racism, make it less strict and easier to follow, and make sure teachers know the right thing to say when talking about the dress code so that nobody feels uncomfortable, body shamed, or sexualized,” Cornett said.

Cornett aims to create a dress code that is friendly to all students, regardless of gender, size, or culture.

“I have been dress-coded a few times by a staff member who wasn’t ever my teacher and each time they made me feel uncomfortable by suggesting that my outfit was distracting to them because of a certain body part. My biggest concern is

be to keep the doors open until the bell rings, or choose a certain time every day to close the doors. Clearly posted policies would go a long way to solving this problem.

Students in the lunchroom wait in long lines in order to receive food. This photo was taken at 10:41 a.m., 3 minutes after the lunch bell rang. The lunch line extends pass the frame of this photo. Photo taken by Sofia Chianella

dress code Border behavior

Ava Cornett (’23) created a petition to change the dress code

Emma Diehl

publication.

No one should have the food lines shut on them as they are trying to get lunch while the class period is going on. An easy solution for this problem would

making sure students can come to school and feel confident and comfortable in what they wear without having to worry about being preyed on or body shamed,” Cornett said.

Some people disagree with Cornett, and want the dress code to remain the same.

Cornett argues that everyone should be included, and disagrees with those who think the dress code should be separated by gender.

“To the people who think the dress code should remain separate by gender, I would say that they don’t understand the problems people face who don’t think they fit into just one gender. The simplest way to please everyone, regardless of anyone’s beliefs, is to make it general to every gender and person,” Cornett said.

Cornett’s petition is still open for students who are interested in challenging the current dress code.

Is the dress code sexist?

12.7% of students don’t think it’s sexist

87.3% of students agree it’s sexist According to Cornett’s survey, 87.3 percent of students agreed that the school’s dress code has gender bias issues, and is therefore sexist in practice. This survey started in Sept. 2021, and currently has 173 responses and is still being conducted.

Opinions are shared in regards to asylum seeker treatment

Sofia Chianella ent/opinions editor On Sept. 22, the United States’ top envoy to Haiti resigned due to the Haitian migrants crossing over into Texas via the Mexican border. The Biden administration made an executive decision to deport thousands of Haitian asylum seekers in search of a better environment, back to the island of Haiti weighed down by natural disasters, political crises, and the devastating effects of the pandemic.

As an immigrant from Canada, Ms. Tara Campbell (FAC) shared her opinion in regards to the statements produced by the previous and current presidential administration that use the pandemic as an excuse for why more asylum seekers have not been accepted into the country.

“I mean it wouldn’t be easy to give them [asylum seekers] all vaccinations on the way through, it wouldn’t be easy to test them all as they’re coming through, or even before they release backwards or forwards into another country, or our country. I don’t think COVID is a good enough excuse, especially for asylum seekers to come into the country. I mean I understand why they’re here. Who wouldn’t want to come? But there has to be a way to manage and control it, but also not leave them at the border to suffer,” Ms. Campbell said.

Differentiating entirely from the Haitian civilians seen at the United States border, Ms. Campbell endured hardships on her own immigration story.

“Right after college. I graduated as an RN in Canada and immediately moved when I was a new grad. I didn’t even have a job in Canada. My first job was here in the United States; they were recruiting nurses. I jumped through a lot of hoops to immigrate here. I’m one of those people

who had to do all the paperwork, and I’m actually still on a green card. I’ve never done my citizenship and I’ve actually been here for over 20 years so it’s a completely different story than mine because theirs is a humanitarian story. I feel for them at the border, but when I came in I came in on a visa, and I worked. When I was getting married I had to get a new visa, then I had to get my green card, and I had to get lawyers involved, it was a big deal,” Ms. Campbell said.

Campbell Tobey (’23) presents a different point of view on the Haitian border crisis due to her mother frequently attending medical mission trips to Haiti, and her family’s adoption process of a Haitian orphan.

“We’ve been in the process of adopting for seven years now, like the government is so corrupt that the process doesn’t move forward. We’ve paid for it four times already, but the Haitian government is so corrupt that you can’t go anywhere with it.

My mom goes on medical mission trips.

Especially after the earthquakes, she’ll go and help with relief work and then work in orphanages,” Tobey said.

With regards to the current immigration crisis, Tobey shares her empathy with the Haitian asylum seekers treated in an inhumane manner at the Texas border.

“It’s hard because you don’t want random people coming into the United States, but if it’s actually asylum seekers who need safety, they should do better work helping people seeking asylum,” Tobey said.

With the Haitian asylum seekers sent back to their country of departure, many are left wondering what is next to come for immigration laws, especially those in regards to civilians seeking asylum.

OPINIONS

HOOFBEAT

11

Trick-or-treat vs partying Partying is more fun than trick-or-treating, Sander Johnson (‘23) and Kailee Kreidler (‘24) say

Luke Cartiglia sports editor

There has been much debate on whether it is better to have a party or trick or treat on Halloween night.

However, the answer is obvious.

Throwing a Halloween party is better than trick or treating.

“It is better because you are with all of your friends and just having a good time. When you’re trick or treating, you’re usually by yourself, which isn’t fun, but also all you’re doing is getting candy,” Kailee Kreidler (‘24) said.

According to a 2015 survey conducted by fivethirtyeight.com, only 19 percent of participants said it was fine for kids 18 and older to go trick or treating. This is one of the many sources that make the claim trick or treating should not happen while in high school.

“To be quite honest, trick or

treating is kind of childish. I stopped around middle school because it’s just something you outgrow,” Sander Johnson (‘23) said.

Some may say that you can be any age to trick or treat and that there shouldn’t be an age limit on when you should stop. However if this were the case, then question the fact that Virginia made a law preventing kids older than 18 from trick or treating.

“The Virginian law just shows that you shouldn’t be trick or treating and that you should be going to a party instead,” Kriedler said.

Going to a Halloween party overall is much more fun than trick or treating. You are with your friends and spending quality time with them. Rather than being by yourself when you are trick or treating, you get quality social time when at a party. Going to a Halloween party is far better than trick or treating.

Teenagers go trick-or-treating instead of partying Aerial Stonis staff reporter Halloween can be spent by trick or treating: getting treats like candy, goody bags, and fall themed snacks or a light-hearted trick. Available for all ages, trick or treating offers a way to spend the holiday with friends while dressing up in costumes ranging from scary clowns to hot dogs.

Trick or treating is a tradition for juveniles in the United States. According to pumpkinpatchesandmore.org, about 36.1 million people trick or treat every year. Lina Elshaer (’24) has cousins who recently moved here from Egypt and trick or treating is how they will all be spending their Halloween.

“My cousins are new to the country and they wanted to be festive. It’s also fun to walk around the neighborhood with my friends,” Elshaer said.

Darius Yates (’25) is dressing up as a prisoner while two of his friends dress up as policemen. They live in different neighborhoods and are planning on this year being their

last, making trick or treating this year memorable for the bunch.

“I like trick or treating because I don’t really get to go with my friends that often because they live in a different neighborhood, so it’ll be fun this year,” Yates said.

Chocolate was the most popular last year with 88% of consumers buying it for trick or treaters according to statista.com. Coming in second, 42% of Americans bought chewy/fruity candy. Determined to get his fix of gummies and sour candy, Jake Girard (‘25) barters his other candy for them with his friends and sister.

“I don’t like getting scared on Halloween, but I like the ‘treat’ and getting free candy part of trick or treating, especially while going with friends. My favorite types of candy are Warheads and gummy bears. I trade my chocolate with my friends and sister,” Girard said.

No matter the age, Americans celebrate Halloween by trick or treat, whether they’re handing out candy or trick or treating themselves. With their costumes on and candy bags in hand, kids spend their Halloween trick or treating surrounded by their friends and family.

Answers to Hoofbeat leaders: 1. Emma Diehl 2. Alexa Grubbs 3.

Ms. Susan McNulty 4. Sofia Chianella 5. Ashley Hoskins