Open
December 2012
2011—12 SIPA All-Southern Newspaper Kyle Dunn
Editor in Chief
Sam Bequer News Editor
Brandon Mauriello News Editor
Natalie Barman Opinion Editor
Rachael Landes
Centerspread Editor
Jake Bittle A&E Editor
Emily Goldbach Sports Editor
Zealand Shannon Sports Editor
Gaby Morillo Photo Editor
Evyn Moon
Business Manager
Kiran Shila Web Editor
Evan Abramson Staff Writer
Anthony Armenia Staff Writer
Nataly Capote Staff Writer
Hannah Crosby Staff Writer
Angela Sexton Staff Writer
Alex Troutt Staff Writer
Tiffany Napoli Graphics Dept.
Mariangely Miyares Graphics Dept.
James Flaskamp Adviser
Ask Debby Meet Debby, the newest member of the Oracle staff. She came aboard to answer all the questions just eating away at your brain. Visit us online and ask away!
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Letter from the Editor I’ve never had much spirit. I can’t even be bothered to get out of bed each morning unless my mom drags me by the foot like a mysteriously-strong, middle-aged anchor. So, naturally, when I learned what the Gold Crew was all about, I was a lot confused. (Page 4) So, you’re telling me, dudes who go to my school, who are in my same classes and some who wear my same glasses find joy in chanting, cheering and brazenly championing our school? At sporting events? Like golf? After many, many sleepless nights and long bouts of meditation, I began to experience a new sensation altogether: guilt. I could have gotten in on this whole spirit racket from day one. Now my days are dwindling and I’m not sure I even own a Warriors shirt—at least one that fits. The Gold Crew ain’t about guilt, though. It’s all about pride. My first actual encounter with the Gold Crew’s activities (which now sound like hearsay about Robin Hood and his Merry Band of Thieves) was through a series of YouTube videos. All right, my suspicions aren’t totally unwarranted: not sure if they’re the real deal or just an Internet sensation like Anonymous. Or maybe the videos are a front to disguise more shady dealings like counterfeit-
ing library passes or golfcart-jacking. But alas! I’ve met Zach Hubbard, president of the Crew, and I can wholeheartedly confirm that they’re as real as Kanye. And like Yeezy, I already wish I was one of them. I wish I was a lot of things, though. I wish I was smarter. I wish I was funnier—harder, better, faster, stronger. I wish I was in NHS, and with it the prestige and recognition of membership. (Page 8) And for how much I love Michael Jackson and James Brown, I wish I had more rhythm, more natural funk that gets people out of their seats like the school’s Step Team. (Page 12) But everyone can’t have everything they’ve ever wanted. In fact, it’s better that way. Imagine if we were all Bruce Jenner. Then no one is Bruce Jenner. Cross country runner Matt Magee, however, comes close. Like Magee, volleyball player Rachel Mathison is at the top of her sport. This fall’s top performers feature embraces exceptionalism—featuring the best of the best. (Page 16) Not being the best at everything, though, is what drives us to be better, to chase better things.. Like the members of SADD who try to make us better, safer drivers. (Page 20) The thing is in the chase.
News
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December 2012
They don’t make “...kids are doing it because it’s
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like they used to
cool, not because they’re actually trying to quit smoking.” Hannah Crosby Senior Staff Writer With the increased use of the electronic cigarette swiftly gaining momentum across the globe, the relatively new nicotine craze has managed to lodge itself amidst the nation’s young adult population. An electronic cigarette is essentially just a battery-powered tube that resembles a stereotypical cigarette in appearance. However, rather than harboring tobacco leaves, it instead contains a battery-operated heating component that converts a refillable, liquid chemical into a vapor mist. This mist is then inhaled into the lungs just as one would treat a generic cigarette, and, whereas the tobacco is absent, nicotine is still a dominant component of the electronic cigarettes. Invented by Hon Lik, a Chinese inventor and pharmacist, in 2003, the product was initially introduced to the United States in 2006, where it was soon banned in several states (not including Florida) for its low FDA ratings. The FDA found that electronic cigarettes contain a chemical called diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in antifreeze, along with a variety of other toxic carcinogens. Junior Nick Laverde has had firsthand experience with electronic cigarettes ever since he was introduced to them by friends. “I mean, it’s just another form of smoking, so it’s interesting to do, but I’m still smoking regular cigarettes too,” said Laverde. Laverde denied that he’s been trying to quit smoking, but is open to experimentation with smoking the new electronic cigarettes. “They both have their own feelings, so I don’t think real cigarettes will become obsolete, but I’m sure a lot more people will be trying the new technology of smoking electronic cigarettes,” said Laverde.
Senior Megan Riggs has also noticed the influx of teens smoking electronic cigarettes after witnessing friends partake in the new phenomenon. “It’s just like any other high school phase. Kids are doing it because it’s cool, not because they’re actually trying to quit smoking,” said Riggs. Resource Deputy Anthony Bennett feels the use of electronic cigarettes is not a major cause for concern based on the small number that have been discovered in student’s possessions this year. “Basing my opinion on searches that I’ve witnessed within recent history both on and off campus, I don’t consider electronic cigarettes specifically as a major problem with today’s youth. However, keeping in mind that according to Florida law, no one under the age of 18 should be in possession of any tobacco product, electronic cigarettes fall within that same category,” said Bennett. Today, about 2.5 million Americans smoke electronic cigarettes, according to a survey published earlier this year by the University of Alberta, School of Public Health. Despite their virtually unknown side effects, many have hopped on the bandwagon, either trying to quit their tobacco habits or simply looking for an alternative nicotine experience. Overall, electronic cigarettes have become popular amongst the student body but so far pose no immediate threat to harming any indivuals on campus.
Electronic cigarettes contain just 20 chemicals, compared to the 3,600 present in generic cigarettes.
“I think it’s a healthy alternative to smoking regular cigarettes.” —Christina Herrera
“I don’t think they really help people quit because you can still get hooked on them.” —Sally Hamani
“I think that they’re good, as far as getting out of being addicted, given that there’s a lot less nicotine.” —Shir Shiraga “I think they’re better than normal cigarettes, because they don’t have all the chemicals, but still contain the nicotine that people want.” —Victoria Anderson “I guess they’re good in some ways, because it helps them try to quit smoking, but I think that they’re just a waste [for kids].” —Summer Trexler According to the American Journal of Preventive medicine, 31 percent of those who tried electronic cigarettes reported that they quit smoking cigarettes. Methods such as nicotine patches and gums had success rates of less than 20 percent. Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine
News
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December 2012
oraclenewspaper.com
GOLD CREW GETS LOUD Sam Bequer News Editor
Dressing up banana suits and other eccentric costumes may seem obscure to some, but it is becoming the new norm for students who have joined what has recently been deemed the “Gold Crew.” Students of the club attend sporting events and help cheer on their fellow student athletes by sitting together in the stands while wearing outrageous outfits, all to try to become the loudest group in the gymnasium. Members will shout out athletes’ names, start chants to encourage the team, discourage the opposing team, clap and stomp their feet and get other audience members pumped up for the game. “It’s fun to just go to the games and yell and be a little obnoxious,” said club president junior Zach Hubbard. For every game, Hubbard notifies the members of the clubs on the “theme” for the game through social media such as Facebook and Twitter. An example of a recent theme would be the members dressing up in their Halloween costumes for a volleyball home game. The costumes range from bright yellow banana suits to head-to-toe tiger suits. Hubbard started the club in hopes of firing up school spirit and giving students a reason to attend more games. In the past, attendance at sporting events was characteristically low and wasn’t considered a major priority amongst the student body. “I feel like there’s been more school spirit this year, and the Gold Crew is a big part of that,” said Hubbard. So far, the Gold Crew has participated in encouraging the volleyball, football and basketball teams. They hope to continue attending these events in order to improve the team’s performance with endless noise and continuous support from the stands. Athletes also enjoy having the Gold Crew attending their games and creating a sense of unity between the players and the crowd in the stands. The Gold Crew has impacted athletes greatly by their constant cheering from the stands. “They definitely encourage us more when we’re down, and we’ll always know that they’ll be there for us, even at the away games,” said junior volleyball player Madison Powell. The Gold Crew has also received positive feedback from various faculty members and administrators. “I think it’s always good for students to come support one another,” said assistant principal Mark Watson. Hubbard and other club members’ goals for the future of the club include becoming the largest club on campus and going to as many sporting events as possible in an attempt to assist teams as much as they can. The Gold Crew’s teacher sponsor is coach Cedric Roberts and the club meets on gold club days. Students with any questions pertaining to the club or who want to get involved can talk to Hubbard or the club’s vice president senior Daniel Villar.
Courtesy of Casey Mclean
The Gold Crew, along with several volleyball players, celebrates after a win. The crew has several chants they recite during various sporting events, along with traditions performed following wins (see sidebar).
Tools of the trade: How to be a Gold Crew member
Zealand Shannon / Oracle
The Gold crew cheers on the Volleyball team. The crew followed the team on their run to the State Quarterfinals
Opposing team gets in trouble: Repeat: “YOU CAN’T DO THAT!” Referree makes a bad call: Repeat: “I’m blind, I’m deaf, I wanna be a ref!” During a free throw: Repeat: “Mine! Mine! Mine! After an opposing player fouls out: For each step they take: “LEFT! RIGHT! LEFT! RIGHT! Intermittently during games: Repeat (x3): “This is practice” *three claps* After a win: Sing chorus of: “Na Na Hey Hey” and Lock arms and sing Alma Mater
News
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December 2012
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Senior ‘longs’ to help local community
Courtesy of Austin Schmitz
The LONGing for Hope club comes together at their recent event. The race was designed to help raise money in a fun atmosphere. Prizes were donated by various longboard retailers and were awarded to the winners of the different heats that took place throughout the day. Angela Sexton Staff Writer
Skating along the trail with the summer breeze running through his hair and tanning under the bright Florida sun, senior Elliott Smith pondered his place in the community. Hoping to make a difference, he brought the idea up to his friends to create a service club intended to raise money through one of their favorite hobbies: longboarding. “Longboarding is a new, upcoming sport that is different,” said Smith. “There are many people involved and it is a great way to meet new people.” LONGing for Hope is a service club devoted to assisting charities through longboarding races and community support that so far has raised $500. They donate to charities such as Amazing Love Ministries, a homeless outreach program, and Servants in Faith and Technology, a program for Christian leaders to raise awareness of global issues. Smith is involved in the youth group at Van Dyke Farms, where he was first introduced to the founders of the charities LONGing for Hope donates to. “We chose those charities because they both make positive impacts in their communities,” said Smith. Smith has been involved with longboarding since his friends first introduced him to it. He has been longboarding for three years now and occasionally competes in local longboarding competitions. Smith got the inspiration for the club through an experience he had over summer break. After playing soccer for almost nine years, he came across the chance to go
on a mission trip to Colombia. While there, he practiced soccer with other kids and became involved in the Colombian community. When he wasn’t practicing soccer, Smith helped build a new stadium. “I helped coach and train younger teams and trained with the 11-20 [year old’s] team. The days I didn’t have practice, I helped work on the stadium they are building,” said Smith. “I realized that, as a country, we are not better than anybody else. We are not any more privileged. The people care for each other and their families and that’s all that should matter to them. “ Smith took this newfound mindset back home, and it assisted him in creating something he could call his own. With LONGing for Hope, he was able to care for others right in his own community. One of the main sources for raising funds is the longboarding races. LONGing for Hope hosted their first event last month at Lake Park, where approximately 40 people attended. The races included prizes consisting of longboarding decks, wheels and trucks, and a variety of skill levels were welcomed. Competitors had the option to sign up for the slide or trick competition. As the club grows throughout the year, Smith will continue to think about how the group can make the biggest impact. “We are hoping for a freshman to take it on in the school and I want to take it into college.” said Smith. “I want to reach more than just Tampa.”
Courtesy of Austin Schmitz
LONGing for Hope president Elliot Smith participates in a race at the recent event. Smith began the club this year with fellow seniors to raise money for local charities in an entertaining way.
News
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December 2012
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Poetry Jam showcases creativity Mariangely Miyares Staff Writer
Lines and stanzas, rhythm and rhyme, form and structure, diction and style; with all ways to define writing poetry, one of the defining aspects is to be able to express thoughts and feelings through words. Media specialist Victoria Schwartz recently held the school’s Poetry Jam where students were encouraged to focus on what they are saying and how they are saying it. “The idea behind Poetry Jam is to get students interested in poetry. This was an event where not only could they create poetry, but learn about poetry, and also perform their poems,” said Schwartz. Lasting through the majority of the school day, young poets sat in the media center and received a special treat from professional poet, Kwabena Dinizulu. Dinizulu frequently travels and performs original poetry when he can, while also appearing at events such as local venues and writing and poetry workshops. At Poetry Jam, students were able to share their poem with the audience and to a panel of judges who scored each presentation. Winning poems were then able to be submitted to the District Poetry Jam Committee, and after the final approval, the students will present their writings at the
Courtesy of Victoria Schwartz
Students interact with guest poet Kwabena Dinizulu at Poetry Jam. After judging took place, junior Kiran Shila was awarded first place with seniors Jake Bittle and Joseph Anid following with second and third place, respectively. District Poetry Jam in January at the Straz Center. “It’s really energizing performing in front of an audience. I’m not one to jump in a rap battle or anything but when I get
the rare chance to speak my mind in poetic spoken word, it’s magical,” said junior Kiran Shila, who took first place at the Poetry Jam. “Although I am ecstatic, first place is
more of an indicator that I am getting my message across effectively. I just think everyone has their own way of presenting ideas and it’s nice to know mine came out on top.”
School creates, maintains healthy options Hannah Crosby Senior Staff Writer Desperate to improve the nutritional value of the school lunches, Steinbrenner and other schools alike have resorted to utilizing healthier ingredients and less fattening options in their daily lunch routine. This year alone, the school has made an addition to the menu with its incorporation of a salad bar that has quickly gained popularity, becoming a favorite among students searching for healthy alternatives. “We dice, slice and prepare our salads now that we have a salad bar. We prepare all of it in the morning so that everyday we’re serving it up fresh for students to eat,” said Madeline Boulos. Students are given the opportunity to choose what goes into their salad as well as the dressing by grabbing a order form at the front of the cafeteria. The form contains various categories of salad toppings. She also explained that hardly any of the food served is frozen prior to preparation, which accounts for less harmful preservatives. According to Boulos, this is a much healthier alternative given that many of the preservatives
present in frozen foods have been linked to potentially causing cancer and damage to organs. These substances can possibly be present in embalming fluid as well as some cake mixes, potato chips, chewing gum and pork products, according to The Center for Science of Public Interest. Boulo discussed how, by presenting healthier options for students at lunch, it decreases the possibility for these problems to arise. “The lunch is much healthier now, opposed to what we used to do before. We’re actually combining our foods in such a way to create healthier choices where it’s geared so that students can pick better foods for themselves,” said Boulos. The school will also be adding a smoothie bar sometime in the near future that will enable students to indulge in their own customized smoothies, very similar to the way the salad bar operates. “I definitely look forward to having smoothies available at lunch,” said sophomore Kelsy Holbert. Looking towards the cafeteria’s future endeavors to provide healthier school lunches to its diverse group of students, only time will tell what other potential, nutritious alternatives may lie ahead.
Anthony Armenia / Oracle
Cafeteria worker Senia Diaz creates a customized salad. By submitting a form to the salad bar, students can receive their own personal salad made to order.
Opinion
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December 2012
oraclenewspaper.com
Pro/Con
(16 AP Spanish students surveyed)
Percentage of class
Lost in translation 75% of the class is hispanic
69% spoke Spanish prior to the class
56% took AP Spanish to improve their ability to speak Spanish
50% speak Spanish at home
Should native Spanish speakers be removed from high school Spanish classes?
19% are nonHispanic, nonnative speakers
19% took AP Spanish to earn college credit
13% took AP Spanish to earn an easy A
1% took AP Spanish for other reasons
Graphic by Mariangely Miyares
Compiled by Natalie Barman
Spanish speakers have unfair advantage All students deserve same opportunities Natalie Barman Opinion Editor Before I even begin to delve into the controversial realm of Spanish classes, let me say that I have been in Spanish class for four years now. I took Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III Honors and, now, AP Spanish Language. I have received good grades in this subject throughout high school and I genuinely am interested in speaking Spanish fluently. That being said, I understand why native Spanish speakers would take Spanish class. The first few levels are easy A’s and the more challenging levels provide natives with an opportunity to improve their skills and learn more about their culture. But something just doesn’t seem right. Native speakers, if they put forth any effort, often cruise through the class while students who only speak English are left struggling. The discrepancy in skill between these two groups is often unsettling. A common argument from students who do not enter Spanish class speaking the language is that native Spanish speakers should be banned from the class. However, this argument is a weak one spun by angry students who consider native speakers “lucky” because they grew up learning Spanish. Spanish-speaking students deserve the opportunity to study Spanish- but not in the same class as non-Hispanic students. AP Spanish class is a bit trickier. This year, this school did not have enough students sign up for Spanish IV to make it a
class. Students who wanted to take that class were given the option of taking AP Spanish or not taking a foreign language class (in school at least). Many students who were not necessarily ready for AP (myself included) were forced to take the class in order to satisfy the four-year language requirement that many out of state universities have in place. This unfortunate situation has led to unnecessary problems that administrators should have anticipated. Think about what Spanish students want to learn. Many want to improve their Spanish writing skills, learn more about Hispanic culture and build their vocabulary. They already know how to speak the language, conjugate verbs and do many of the other basic concepts covered in most Spanish classes. So why put them with kids who are learning irregular verbs and the likes for the first time? It wastes their time and hinders English-only students’ progress in the class. The best solution to this dilemma is to create a foreign language program for native speakers. Students could test into these classes based on how well they already know the language. They would no longer be stuck learning topics they are already familiar with and colleges would favor bilingual applicants who are challenging themselves by taking these classes rather than getting an easy A. Students in traditional classes, especially in higher level courses, would not feel like class was being catered towards native speakers and would have a better chance of truly learning the language.
Nataly Capote Chief Copy Editor Some consider it an unfair advantage that speakers of a foreign language are allowed to take a class in that language. For several reasons, it should be acceptable for these students to want to learn more about their own people and culture. As a student in an AP Spanish class in which the majority of students are Hispanic, I can say that there are plenty of things that native Spanish speakers don’t know about their own language. Since most of the Hispanic students come from different Latin American countries, each of which have diverse terminology and slang. Foreign language classes are a good opportunity to compare differences between cultures and traditions. At times, certain lessons are even easier for non-Hispanic students to understand than Hispanic students. Think about it this way—if you had been raised speaking English but did not know everything there is to know about writing it, wouldn’t you want to expand your knowledge? Non-Hispanic students may feel overwhelmed in a room where conversation is going on in another language. It is probably difficult for them to cope with the pressure of an AP foreign language class that they are not fluent in. In more advanced foreign language classes, they are expected to be at a certain level when entering the class. Since there is no Spanish IV this year, nonHispanic students were bumped up to AP Spanish, a level that they’re not necessar-
ily prepared for, while Hispanic students do not struggle as much. This is an issue that the school probably didn’t expect to come up. And although students who are fluent, like me, may enter the class with an advantage, we surely learn a lot of new material during the year and often struggle. Some Hispanic students know only the broken language, not the grammatical aspects of Spanish. They take Spanish classes to help them learn to read and write it. Often non-Hispanic students prove themselves more proficient in the language than others who are fluent. There are students in my Spanish class who sometimes do better on tests than I do; the fact that I can speak it does not necessarily suggest that I will always have perfect grades in that class, although my background does benefit me. Some students also feel that Spanish speakers decide to take Spanish classes for an easy credit. Though this may be true for some, I can say that there are quite a few like me that enjoy learning new language. To those that find it unreasonable for Hispanic students to take Spanish classes, remember this: you don’t know everything there is to know about your own culture either. If anything, Hispanic students should serve as a learning tool to those who aren’t fluent, who are able to listen to actual conversations and pick up phrases and words from native speakers. I have no doubt that if I was in an AP French class and half of the students were fluent, I would struggle, but I would be glad for the opportunity to learn from the conversation surrounding me.
Opinion
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December 2012
oraclenewspaper.com
Staff Editorial
Congratulations, you’ve been accepted Academic clubs should increase selectivity to maintain prestige, purpose A club, by definition, is an association dedicated to a particular interest or activity. Clubs on campus are designed to bring students with different hobbies and interests together. However, this intended goal seems to fail with academic clubs that accept nearly all applicants. Academic clubs at this school, such as National Honor Society (NHS) and BETA, have an unusually large amount of members compared to the same clubs in other schools in Hillsborough County. Plant High School, whose academic caliber is comparable to this school’s, only has 30 students in NHS, as opposed to the 500 members in this school’s NHS club. BETA, which requires higher standards to join, has around 275 members here. Typically, clubs are encouraged to have as many members as possible in order to complete more service projects, raise more money for the club, etc. Members in these clubs are more driven to participate in the club because it relates to their interests and hobbies. However, when it comes to academic clubs, students join in hopes of beefing up their college applications. The purpose of NHS, as stated in the NHS constitution, is to promote leadership or a desire to render service, yet this underlying principle is often lost to the students. They don’t see the club as a priority due to the excessive amount of members. By knowing their absence won’t be noticed, they will rely on other members to pick up their slack when they choose not to attend the meetings or not to be active in the service projects. The selection process of these clubs is the main contributor to the overwhelming amount of students joining. Currently, the requirements to join NHS are a 3.5 weighted GPA and five teacher recommendations. When a student has accomplished this, they’re eligible to be accepted into the club. With BETA, the requirements are a bit more challenging; students are only able to apply if they are invited. In order to be invited, an individual must obtain a
4.0 weighted GPA. Then the student can apply to the club. Despite the “challenging” requirements for this more elite club, a total of 500 students were invited this year. NHS sponsor Beverley Jarrett brought the club’s requirements from Gaither High School, where she was also the NHS sponsor. Despite the similar requirements, Gaither’s NHS only held 200-300 members under Jarrett’s supervision. This school doesn’t require much from its club members. For example, students in NHS only have to get 20 stamps in order to be in the club next year. Students can easily acquire stamps by donating can tabs or whatever item the club collects (i.e. jeans for teens and bears). By doing this, students lose focus of goal of the service projects, which is to help others. Having so many members in academic clubs eliminates making students feel special about their accomplishments. Academic clubs are no longer seen as a recognition of a student’s academic achievements. The selectiveness of these clubs doesn’t help a student pursue their academic interests but instead just teaches the student to apply to whatever club they need to in order to put it on his or her college application. While some may argue that this school has more students in academic clubs than most due to the high performance of its students, Plant High School’s high level of selectivity for NHS proves that being a good school does not mean that clubs have to lose their prestige. If academic clubs limit their acceptance rate to a fewer number of students with a more distinct academic record, productivity of the club can increase, service projects can have a more personal feel and students can feel more a part of a club that they feel they’re genuinely interested in. Next time a student applies for a club it should be kept in mind that clubs are created to bring people with similar interests together, not to just secure a spot in college.
Graphic by Mariangely Miyares
Opinion
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December 2012
oraclenewspaper.com
Letter to the editor
Criticism, praise for October’s Oracle Fox Prep Rally was…eh I completely agree with the article that argued that the televised pep rally was only mediocre. The school worked together to win the pep rally and school pride was evident. We should have been better rewarded for our group effort and received more time to celebrate our warrior pride. Hopefully next pep rally will be better. Junior Danielle Eule The Fox Sports Prep Rally was ridiculous. I personally did so much advertising for this event, telling everyone to vote for Prep 2. I was so excited for what I thought was going to be an all day pep rally. When I learned that it was only going to be 30 minutes, I was extremely upset. This article helped the school realize that next time we have an opportunity to win this competition, going overboard is not even worth it. Sophomore Samantha Bump
Teen reflects on friend’s suicide I very much enjoyed this article. Suicide is a topic I feel strongly about and have connections to, so the story really spoke to me. I feel like it’s extremely important that more people are aware of how often young adults contemplate, attempt, or even go through with suicide. Sophomore Emily Pedone Suicide is a very serious and traumatic topic of discussion. The article opened my eyes about teen suicide. Teenagers should
be more knowledgeable on suicide and its statistics. Sophomore Kelsy Holbert This article is extremely relevant since several students in the area have committed suicide. Although it was sad, I agree that bullying needs to be stopped. Freshman Payton Nolan My heart dropped when I started reading this article. The statistics made me wonder if what one says, even in a joke, could unintentionally hurt someone. I see cyberbullying all the time on social networks; next time, I’ll stick up for the person being bullied or report it. Freshman Lily Matakaetis New salad bar debuts in Steinbrenner cafeteria This story was very informative. This article provides anyone who wasn’t aware of the lunch choices a great description of what there is to pick from. Nice job keeping students informed. Sophomore Nicole Villar Star Watch I really enjoyed this article; however, I noticed that there was no mention of the swim team. We have some amazing freshmen that are part of the varsity team, such as Ashley Kubel, Dina Pissorius and Erin Quinn. We also have amazing seniors, including Emma Volz, who is one of the fe-
What do you think? Share your opinion. Comment on our site: www.oraclenewspaper.com
Shoot us an email: nataliebarman@gmail.com
By the numbers
A breakdown of the letters that The Oracle recieved last month
13%
Fox Prep Rally was...eh
27%
13%
New salad bar
Teen reflects on friend’s suicide
Compiled by Natalie Barman
male captains, and Michael Ward, who is one of the male captains. They are doing very well this year and some of the school’s first swimmers are leaving this year. Freshman Emma Stevens The Mormon way I do not understand why this article only came about because of the election. Religion, to me, does not in any way matter
during the presidential election debates. I could honestly care less what Mitt Romney or Barack Obama believe spiritually. Nonetheless, I enjoyed finding a politics section in this newspaper. Even though elections do not apply to many students who are under 18, I still find pleasure in reading about our government and political issues. Senior Lizmarie Davila
The Oracle Editorial Policy The Oracle is published by the newspaper staff at Steinbrenner High School: 5575 Lutz Lake Fern Road, Lutz, Florida, 33558 The Oracle works under the SPJ Code of Ethics, Which has been set down as our journalistic standard. The staff believes in freedom of the press, honesty, accuracy, impartiality, decency and equality: We will be observing these at all times. Alll the editorials will be backed up with facts and research. Staff editorials will never be by-lined, because they represent the opinion of the staff as a whole. Money for the publication of The Oracle will come from advertising sales. Any advertising rates are available upon request by calling the Steinbrenner newspaper staff at (813) 792-5131, ext. 258. Advertising which promotes illegal products under Florida law, opposes any religion or is of any sensitive nature will not be accepted. The Oracle is established as an open forum for student expression as outlined in the Student Press Law Center’s model guidelines for student publications. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the faculty and administration of Steinbrenner High School, but rather of the author or of the newspaper staff and its editors. As student journalists, the staff occasionally commits errors,; however, we will always correct the errors in an honest and timely manner. The Oracle welcomes letters to the editor on topics of interest to Steinbrenner High School and its surrounding community. We also welcome contributions from writers not associated with the newspaper staff. All letters submitted to the editor will require the signature of those who submitted them. All contributions need to be turned into Mr. Flaskamp in room 215.
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Thank you to our patrons: The Barman Family
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with Senior Allie Pope
The information in this survey was derived from a random cluster sample of second period classes. The Oracle surveyed 343 students with a margin of error at +/-4.8%.
o
Q. How long was the relationship where you were cheated on? A. A year. Q. How did he cheat?
D
Sound off
Said yes
on?
Cheated
has been che at
91%
know someo
ne
Compiled by: Evyn Moon
Q&A
o wh
ed
A Change of Heart
oraclenewspaper.com
you
December 2012
A. At a party, I didn’t go to with him.
“Cheating is when someone doesn’t stay loyal or faithful to the person they like or say they care for, just plain dishonesty.” - Senior Grant Fuller
Q. Did you break up right away?
Q&A
A. Yes. a week went by before I found out and then I didn’t speak to him for another three days because I was so mad. After that we broke up. He begged me to stay saying it was a horrible mistake and that the girl meant nothing to him and that I was his whole life. But I was still so upset because I did love him. So I had to end it.
Compiled by: Rachael Landes
Cheater
Q. Did he tell you or did you find out?
“I feel that even flirting or hanging out with other guys that you flirt with is cheating.”
The interviewee asked to be anonymous because she is still currently in the relationship
A. I found out. People around me told me. Everyone knew. My best friend knew even my sister knew, but they didn’t want to tell me and hurt me. Q. What reaction did you have when you found out?
Q. How long was the relationship you cheated
A. It felt like I was hit in the stomach. The wind was knocked out of me. I was just in complete shock. I would have never thought he would do this to me.
- Junior Sunny Marsh
A. About a year. Q. How did you cheat?
Q. How has it changed your outlook on relationships?
“I think that flirting with the intent of hooking up and then actually hooking up with another person is cheating.” - Sophmore Courtney Kroenwetter
A. I was at a party.
A. Makes me realize that anybody is capable of hurting you. You have to be willing to risk your feelings to go into a relationship
Q. Was there a reason for you cheating? A. There wasn’t a real reason. It was an in the moment kind of thing.
Q. Have you been in a relationship since you were cheated A. Yes I’m in one now. I actually trust this guy more because everything he’s done has been great and even from the start I knew how against cheating he was.
Q. How did you feel afterwards? A. Absolutely horrible. That wasn’t supposed to happen and it’s not something I would normally do I mean it’s not in my character. Q. How did he find out?
Q. Does your current boyfriend know what happened with your ex?
Q. What was his reaction when you told him? A. At first he broke up with me and after sometime we got back together.
A. Stick to what you believe in, and don’t give in to his words or feelings. Q. Would you ever cheat in a relationship?
Q. Has this affected your relationship?
Never. I know what it feels like and I would never do it to anyone else.
Said No
e
Ha v
73%
ers
Q. What would you recommend to others who are thinking about cheating?
ever chea te you
17%
Said Yes
someone?
Have y o
e n th e p
A. Yes, we lost some trust but we built it back since then.
on
Said Yes
be er v e
eo n e c h som ea
39%
u
d on? eate ch
you ever bee e n av
A.
d
H
Compiled by: Gaby Morillo
A. I told him.
Q. What would you tell a friend if she found out she was being cheated
on
Cheating?
A. Yes he knows I’ve been cheated on and he knows the impact it had on me. He realizes how I feel about cheating. We even joke that if I ever cheated on him he would go announce it over the intercom.
ith?
“Telling someone you like them and playing two people at once is cheating” - Freshman Eric Loughry
dw te
What do you consider to be
11
Centerspread
A. Think about what you’re doing because hurting someone you truly care about is devastating. Q. Would ever cheat again? A. No chance.
Compiled by: Rachael Landes Graphibs by: Tiffany Jeanine
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December 2012
oraclenewspaper.com
STEPPING UP United by their mentors and a common passion, five girls blow away the school with a groundbreaking new dance routine Angela Sexton Staff Writer
Boom. Bap. Boom. Boom. Bap. Each member of the school’s step team glides in sync to beat of the music, occasionally clapping in time. The rhythm carries around the gymnasium and the pep rally crowds go wild. Senior friends Florence Adeyanju, Rochelle Matthews, Tavanda Cannon, Ulyanna Harris and Bria Johnson worked together to create the debut routine for the step team, with Avid Instructor Yolanda Turner and English teacher Rubye Smith co-sponsoring the effort. Stepping involves stomping and clapping in rhythm with hip-hop music. “Florence and Rochelle approached me about creating a step team. It was something they had a strong interest in learning,“ said Smith. “ I believe in my job as being an educator to support people with a strong interest in something. “ The friends wanted to do something they have not tried before and that the school has never had before either. “We wanted to do something for our senior year to make it memorable. We wanted to do something
that would carry on,” said Matthews. Mathews approached Yolanda Turner about being the team’s choreographer. Turner first became involved in stepping when she was in college. She was known as a “step master” (both a choreographer and a stepper) in college. “The upperclassmen would perform in the courtyard and I just fell in love with it (stepping). One of the guys took me under his wings and taught me everything I know,” said Turner. Turner brought her stepping experience from college to the previous middle school she taught at for nine years. Matthews attended the same middle school where Turner choreographed the award winning step team. “It’s competitive, good exercise, and builds team confidence and respect for each other’s abilities. It’s an outlet for people who have some kind of rhythm, but are not in band or orchestra, “ said Turner. Beat and rhythm are some of the most important parts of stepping. Turner edits the soundtracks for the girls to perform to and brings in the choreography to accompany the music. Each step performance has a theme to which the team
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Zealand Shannon / Oracle
Above: the school’s step team makes their debut at the winter sports pep rally. The team, sponsored by teachers Rubye Smith and Yolanda Turner, was formed by a group of friends. dances. “Sometimes I let the girls put in their opinions about the music, but you have to choose a song that relates to your theme and represents the school in a positive light,” said Turner. The team started practicing around spirit week in October. The girls also performed at the school McKitrick Say No to Drugs
parade on November 2. The week before the fall sports pep rally, the team heard that they would be performing in front of the school. “We were really nervous because we had only a week to prepare and then perform in front of the whole school, “ said Adeyanju. “We were worried be-
fore about performing in front of the whole school, “ said freshman Izhanae Williams. For many of the girls on the step team, this is their first year stepping. “Step brings a bond to people you wouldn’t normally talk to,” said senior Rochelle Matthews. The step team seniors plan to leave step team as a
their legacy to the school’s underclassmen after they graduate. “Other local high schools have step teams and we wanted to bring something to school that represented us and was diverse at the same time,” said Adeyanju. “We also hope for guys to get involved with stepping because it is not just a girl sport.”
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oraclenewspaper.com
2012 n Revie
2012 was a year of ups and downs in the world of pop culture. To help you sort through the haystack of songs, movies, and games, the Oracle has ranked the best and worst of 2012, from Frank Ocean to Far Cry 3 to Ford, Call of Duty to “Call Me Maybe”, and way beyond
Music
Though Trilogy is a rerelease of three 2011 mixtapes, it’s also a one-of-a-kind package of 30 impeccable songs which undoubtedly comprise the most ambitious, unique, and talented piece of music released this year, from an up-and-coming artist whose ambition refuses to fit within the space of one year. With sinful synths and a fallen-angelic voice, The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) continues to rightfully take the music industry by storm.
1 The Weeknd, Trilogy 2
Grizzly Bear, Shields
3
Frank Ocean, Channel Orange
4
Dirty Projectors, Swing Lo Magellan
5
A Fine Frenzy, Pines
6 Coheed and Cambria, The Afterman 7
Lil B, God’s Father
8 Dave Matthews, Away From The World 9
Fiona Apple, The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than
The Driver Of The Screw And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do
10 Macklemore, The Heist
Not kidding. Though this was one of the earliest of the 15 or so mixtapes Lil B has released this year, it has stood the (relative) test of time among his fans as a classic displaying both his fun-loving sense of self-expression (“I Own Swag”) and his tender, spiritual side (“Flowers Rise”). With 32 tracks, it’s hard to go wrong. Lil B is in a league all his own, and his peculiar music found its best exposition in God’s Father.
Biggest Annoyances Catchiest Songs
1
“Gangnam Style”
2
#YOLO
1
“Call Me Maybe”
3
John Carter
2
“We Are Never ...”
4
Honey Boo Boo
3
“Don’t Like”
5
Snapchat
4
“Lights”
5
“Diamonds”
These lists were compiled with contributions from: Jake Bittle, Kyle Dunn, (Music Task Force) Kyle Dunn, (Film Task Force) Brandon Mauriello, Kiran Shila, Alex Troutt (Video Games Task Force). The bonus lists were compiled by Jake Bittle, with various contributions from other staffers. Rankings are in retrospect and may not necessarily correlate with reviews previously published in the Oracle, as the compilers of the lists and the original reviewers may not have been the same people. All photos annexed under the Fair Use principle. Please log on to oraclenewspaper.com and let us know of your favorite films, games and music from this year!
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December 2012 It’s hard to be sappy anymore these days without becoming the target of ridicule and good ol’ cynicism. Somehow, though, director Wes Anderson (Fantastic Mr. Fox) fuses sharp wit and simply gorgeous visuals to elevate Moonrise Kingdom, a tale about adolescent runaway lovers, above the usual sneers and jeers. What makes MK stand out as a masterpiece—and it is just that—is its meticulous direction and unforgettable moments. It moves along with contagious, audacious spirit.
oraclenewspaper.com
Movies 1 Moonrise Kingdom 2
Cabin in the Woods
3
Silver Linings Playbook
4 Amour (France) Jack Black is usually just Jack Black. Black’s portrayal of Bernie Sanders, a real-life gay mortician who murders his crotchety close friend, is a feat of transformation. From director Richard Linklater (Dazed & Confused, Before Sunrise) Bernie begins as a merry stroll down a path of pleasance and slowly morphs into a monster’s disturbing trawl. He is an unwitting killer—sympathetic, unlikely, tragic. He is your next door neighbor. He is the quiet one they warn you about. He is a chocolate truffle with a sour center. He is Bernie.
Perhaps no movie this year topped The Avengers in terms of how much sheer fun the viewing experience was. The superb direction and cinematography resulted in unforgettable setpieces and pacing. Beyond its rank as a superior action movie, however, there is the fact of the film’s incredible ensemble cast, including Scarlett Johannson, Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo. Their combined charisma carried The Avengers straight up to the top of our year’s best list. It’s forever enjoyable because of its lack of self-importance and complexity, not in spite of them. Here’s to the continued life of the new Marvel empire.
5 Argo 6 End of Watch 7
Bernie
8 Compliance 9
The Avengers
10 The Master
Gritty revenge story Dishonored set the bar for single player gaming in 2012. Level design has not been this good in years; no two people will play a level the same. Dishonored made stealth gameplay fun as well as realistic. Every kill was satisfying and the game seemed to last just long enough, not dragging on. One of the best stories of the decade, a world and setting that immerse players and gameplay both refreshing and diverse made it without a doubt our favorite game of 2012.
Games 1 Dishonored 2
Far Cry 3
3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
4 Halo 4 5 Assassin’s Creed 3 6 Mass Effect 3
Darksiders 2 continues the story of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Whereas in the first game players took on the role of War, in this game they play as Death, the brother of the original anti-hero. Death is nimble and more versatile, with new weapon choices, which makes combat very new and exciting. This game comprises a sort of perfect mix-up of The Legend of Zelda and God of War.
7
Borderlands 2
8 NHL 13 9 Diablo 3 10 Darksiders 2
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December 2012
10
5
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B o o k s : The Maze Runner, which became popular in 2012, was the first in James Dashner’s trilogy, is an interesting read full of dystopian tricks and adventurous challenges. 8/10.
Books: Renowned sap-master John Green debuted his new book, featuring the chronicle of a cancer-stricken boy who finds love -- unfortunately, in a cancer-stricken girl. Tears and ferociously good young adult writing both ensue. 9/10.
Film: Frankenwenie proved one of Tim Burton’s more imaginative efforts in recent years, with its renering of Victor Frankenstein as a quirky young boy. This both keeps the film from being a slew of thrills and terrors and also makes it heartfelt and original, more than just an overdone Gothic spin-off. 7.5/10.
Film: D a n i e l Craig’s James Bond saga faltered a bit in its third installment, with incongruous performances from both Craig at some point and Javier Bardem as the questionable villain. Judi Dench as M, however, knocked it out of the park. The first half of the film is sleek and exotic, but the latter half tends to drag on too long and rely too much on uncharacteristically explosive set-pieces. Nevertheless, Skyfall managed to satisfy overall. 6.5/10.
skyfall
(Film) Paranormal Activity 4 : 5/10.
TheBreak
Down
0
In each month’s Breakdown we review the past few months in terms of media of all sorts: music, movies, video games, books, and everything in between. This month, we’ve graphed the reviews with more recent reviews being (loosely) towards the right, and higher-scoring reviews being (loosely) towards the top. This month’s breakdown features reviews by Jake Bittle, Nataly Capote, Kyle Dunn, Brandon Mauriello and Angela Sexton.
Oct.
V i d e o Games : Despite minute negative changes in the multiplayer realm, the combination of stellar campagin and revolutionized zombies mode made Black Ops 2 worth the price. 9/10.
(Books) Leaving Paradise: 6.5/10.
Music: British pop-bot quintet One Direction are set to take the world by storm with their second album, Take Me Home. Unfortunately, the album is fraught with godawful ballads and only a few memorable hits like “Live While We’re Young”. Otherwise, the group scrapes along the bottom of recent music, unbearably annoying despite the group’s popularity 3.5/10.
Nov.
Film: The twist-and-turnfilled conclusion to the five-film Twilight saga wrapped up the series with suitable levels of both cuteness and thrills, with a climactic build-up (and improved Kristen Stewart performance); however, the end of the film was a little questionable, though diehard fans won’t care. 8/10.
Music: The second album in Green Day’s condemnable new trilogy of albums, Dos, shows the band taking a wild turn in the wrong direction, with an excess of unmemorable instrumentation, meaningless lyrics, and an almost complete absence of the memorable punk rock melodies that made the band famous in the American Idiot era. 3.5/10.
Dec.
Sports Top Fall Performers December 2012
16
oraclenewspaper.com
After a great start to the sports year, these athletes stood out the most Zealand Shannon Sports Editor
Rachel Mathison
Volleyball
It was a slow and steady pace, just like her steady striking motion, that propelled junior Rachel Mathison to greatness this year. This season she was right behind senior libero Natalia Campos, second on the team with 164 digs. But what really won her the top spot was the efficiency with which she was able to strike the ball. Mathison only had one more kill (237) than her fellow teammate, senior Madison Seuzeneau, but with nearly 40 fewer errors. Not surprisingly, her kill to error ratio was the best on the team. Mathison’s accomplishments carried past her digging and striking; it even penetrated the service game. She served up 28 aces with only 11 service errors; this happens to be a team-leading ace-to-error percentage. If there was a problem in her performance this year, it was a lack of explosiveness. Mathison was reliable for about 10 kills a night, but didn’t seem to appear when needed with a superstar 30-kill night to carry the team to victory near the end. If she starts putting those big games together in her senior season next year, the Warriors could have a real legitimate shot at making the final four for the first time in school history.
Honorable Mentions Men Junior Zach Ishee: Golf Senior Tanner Biles: XC Senior Michael Ward: Swimming Senior Nick Kalolo: Golf Junior Shaheem Barthel: Football Senior Logan McKnight: Football Senior Zach Lima: XC Senior Chris Cerreta: XC Senior Christian Hazlett: Swimming
Women Freshman Ashley Kubel: Swimming Sophomore Kelsy Holbert: Golf Junior Brooke Deal: Golf Junior Casey McLean: Volleyball Junior Sammy Yarish: XC Sophomore Lauren Heldt: Volleyball Senior Lauren Garris: XC Senior Nicole DeSena: Swimming
Zealand Shannon / Oracle
Top: Rachel Mathison gets ready to serve in front of the Gold Crew. She served up 28 aces over the course of the season. Left: Matt Magee comes down the home stretch at districts. The team went on to win the meet.
Matt Magee
Cross Country
Being the number one runner on a state-championship caliber team is definitely a good start; but being 11th best at what you do in the state of Florida doesn’t hurt either. In the 3A state championship, senior Matt Magee became the first Warrior in history to break inside 16 minutes for the 5K. At states, he beat long time adversary Sickles runner Abdin Fator for the first time this year. It was the race that catapulted Magee to the top of this list without question. The Boss Cross would go on to finish fifth in the state, the highest finish of any sport so far this year. Besides a strong showing at states, the Boss Cross won the county title as well. Magee finished third, getting out kicked by Fator and Newsome’s top runner in the end. Magee did struggle at times to beat his own teammate, fellow senior Tyler Lima. Lima is ranked number two on the list; he topped Magee several times, including regionals. Lima finished fourth with Magee following in sixth. That intra-squad competition is what allowed the team to take home so many titles and distinctions. Both are running in the all-star meet in early December. Currently the University of North Florida, Florida Nova, Flaggler, and Lipscomb are pursuing Magee for cross country and track, though he hasn’t decided if he wants to run in college.
Women
#2 Claire Becker Golf #3 Madison Seuzeneau V-ball #4 Emma Volz Swimming #5 Natalia Campos V-ball
Men
#2 Tyler Lima Cross Country #3 Kendall Pearcey Football #4 Austin Childers Swimming #5 Tristan Hazlett Swimming Courtesy of Lourdes Hohman
For stories on the rest of the Top 5 Fall Performers, visit oraclenewspaper.com
17
Sports
December 2012
Is it too strict?
The open-ended Hillsborough County recruitment policy continues to leave the question open: Is competition really fair between public and private schools? Zealand Shannon Sports Editor
“Recruiting-Coaches, other members of the teaching profession, or lay people will not engage either directly or indirectly in recruitment of athletes to attend a particular high school. The assistant principal for Administration will be a member of the regular team that gives orientations to their feeder schools. Individual schools will be responsible for their programs and must assume the responsibility of seeing that interested teachers, graduates, or any other comply with the spirit of this directive.” This excerpt from the Hillsborough County Athletic Guidebook of Procedures is all that mentions recruiting for public schools. More time is spent describing what needs to be done in order to hold a “proper” football practice. But I can guarantee that recruiting has caused many more problems than lack of ankle tape. The problem I can immediately identify with this clause is its vagueness. The clause is entirely open to interpretation by the county as to what engaging “either directly or indirectly in recruitment” means. Private schools can recruit and train middle school aged kids for years before they appear in their respective athletic programs. While a coach in a public high school is hardly able to sit down and have lunch with a middle school kid of any athletic inclination. Why? No doubt a crusade to protect the safety of “youth” sports. Youth sports in high school is a more cliched and useless phrase than compromise is on capital hill. But, the sports guide doesn’t acknowledge that fact yet. Fair competition between public and private high schools is evaporating, with schools like Jesuit, Tampa Prep, and Berkeley recruiting top athletes to fill up their rosters. Only sports magnet schools like Plant, Armwood, and, progressively more so, Steinbrenner can compete semi-fairly. And they have to get every athlete to sign a form saying that they were not recruited in any way before the student is allowed to play a sport. The attempts to protect youth sports in America are valiant, but in vain in the modern world. Recently nine men were arrested in Broward County for making bets on youth football games involving pre-high school kids aged 5-15. The pot
Graphic by Mariangely Miyares
Check out oraclenewspaper.com to read the articles that didn’t make the issue, and to keep up with who makes the Starwatch
for the Super Bowl of the league was over $100,000 on a youth football game. In the ESPN thirty for thirty story about the University of Miami football team, multiple players recalled being chastised for mistakes on the field in high school, not by fellow teammates or even fellow students, but by parents. Private schools, however, accept the abscence of “youth” from sports involving young people. As a result constant complaints roll in from the athletes I encounter in public schools about how far behind their team is compared to that of a private school. Cross Country finished 5th in states this year, the state champions were Belen Jesuit, a private school. The volleyball team reached the quarterfinal in class 7A, one of the teams to make the semifinals, St. Thomas Aquinas, was private. That all may not sound like a lot, neither does the 2.12 public schools for every one private school in the state of Florida. Those statistics would suggest that more private schools should be succeeding, but one needs to dig deeper. More than two and a half million kids attend public school in Florida, contrasting to the 339,582 students in private schools. That’s an average of 713 kids per school in a public high school, and only 198 kids per private high school. Long story short, a private school making it as far as they consistently make it in any sport, should be a dramatically rare occurrence. It’s not. I believe it is time for Hillsborough County to lay down its arms against athletic recruiting; it’s a dose of the real world to kids that have worked hard at something. Plus, if public schools aren’t allowed to talk to them, if they work hard enough a private school will surely come knocking.
oraclenewspaper.com
On the Sidelines Girls Basketball:
With an 11-0 start this season, Coach JR Allen is continuing to improve his team as the year goes on. Four year player Bailey Hooker reached 1,000 points at Tampa Bay Tech earlier this year, and she is averaging a team best 18.4 points per game. Rachel Briere is the only other player over ten PPG, with an 11.2 average.
Boys Basketball:
5-3, the boys have come very close to a far better record. Sporting a double overtime loss to Chamberlain and a loss to Wiregrass Ranch, both district opponents, the team is behind. Junior Keshawn Ingram is averaging 21.3 points per game and 3.4 steals, junior Bryce Nickels has 6.9 rebounds per game.
Wrestling:
Coming in to the season, the team only needed 27 wins to get to 100 in the programs first four years. They already have 13. The only losses the team has suffered so far have been to Brandon and Riverview. As individuals Jake Silverman and Shir Shraga are both top 10 in the state.
Girls Soccer:
After a rough start at 3-4, the team rallied, and has won four straight matches to break back in to the top 50 in the country on Maxpreps. With a 3-1 record in the district, the team is eyeing another deep post-season run. Senior Alexis Bredeau leads the team in goals (16) and assists (12).
Boys Soccer:
At 6-0-2, the team has tied two of the toughest teams in their district. With a rank of 29 in the nation, according to Maxpreps, the team still has the opportunity to continue improving. Junior Austin Labban has had a breakout year with nine goals and senior Jason Collister has five. *All stats as of December 13
18
Sports
December 2012
Bailey Hooker
Key players to watch in the world of Steinbrenner sports
Thanks to 26 points, including four 3-pointers, senior Bailey Hooker passed the 1000 point milestone in the Warriors 65-58 win over Tampa Bay Tech with, what else, a three point shot. “I’ve been playing basketball my entire life. When I turned 11, I started playing AAU ball [Amateur Athletic Union]...(the whole experience) has been very exciting,” said Hooker. Her endless working has payed off. Hooker is averaging 17.7 points a game this year, 81% shot from the free throw line and 41% from beyond the three point arc. She leads the team in all these categories (in three point percentage, Lauren Shedd is 100% but only one for one on the year). “She puts lots of work in, she puts lots of effort in, and she never gives up or stops trying. That’s why she deserves this. If you
Jake Silverman Jake Silverman is not your average star athlete. He is deceivingly athletic for his incredibly normal 140 pound frame, and in his case, wrestling is the perfect showcase. In 7th grade Silverman was trying out different sports. He played club baseball and basketball at his middle school. He was playing piano, lessons which he continued for 12 years. Then a friend of a friend introduced him to a club wrestling team. He described himself as “horrible” on the club team, but he continued to work. “I stuck with it...if I see someone that’s better than me at something and I know I can get there, I have to catch up with them,” said Silverman. Freshman year he checked in at 119 pounds to wrestle, he was on varsity but admits he was “not too good”. Sophomore year Silverman moved up to 132 pounds but again admits he wasn’t at his full potential. This year is a different story. Still at 132 pounds, Silverman cuts Graphic by Mariangely Miyares
oraclenewspaper.com
are going to put effort into something and work towards a goal hard enough, then a reward will be presented to you,” said Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Charles Allen. “Our team is big on we, and we have great chemistry, and without those characteristics on and off the court, I don’t know how we would ever be able to compete,” said Hooker. Hooker has signed with Southeastern University joining her older sister, despite six division one and two offers.
Jason Collister
Collister has scored five goals this season making him a key contributor to the team that he identifies as his family. Collister has been playing soccer since he was five years old and if possible would like to go farther in his soccer career than just college. “I have a lot of outside training during and after each school year and I have learned to apply everything I learn and do
Sport: Basketball Class: Senior
Sport: Soccer Class: Senior
Sport: Wrestling Class: Junior
Sport: Basketball Class: Junior
about eight pounds a week down from his natural weight of somewhere around 140. At a recent tournament he called “better than states,” Silverman finished 6th. That would put him as the highest ranked in his respective weight class on the wrestling team. Silverman describes the wrestling team as a tight nit family. He says that they all help each other when it comes to not eating for days to compete over the weekend. Silverman is a serious state contender this year. He is also hoping to help the Warriors top Jesuit for the second time in school history.
Keshawn Ingram Hard work has payed off for this junior guard. Since 6th grade Ingram has been dedicating his life to basketball. On November 27 against Leto, it payed off; he produced a career high of 33 points with five steals to boot. “(The first time I touched a basketball) was probably on one of those arcade games,” said Ingram. Apparently it stuck pretty quickly, and in 5th grade Ingram joined an AAU [Amateur Athletic Union] team. Throughout middle school, he constantly attended basketball camps in the
to advance my game from past seasons, club ball, and from various coaches” said Collister. For Collister, it’s a way of life. His family has also played a good deal of soccer (younger brother Josh on the Warrior soccer team), and they all watch it on TV often. “Jason has been on our team since freshman year and is a totally different player than he was when he was a freshman,” said Steinbrenner Head Soccer Coach, Chad Ebright, “he is much more aggressive, he is better with the ball, he sees the field better, and bottom line, all of these result in him being a better goal scorer.” Collister’s main goal for the season is to go the farthest the team has ever gone, and play as one unified team. “Stats are good, but I would rather play as a unified team any day” said Collister. area to improve his game. The last two years, that AAU team won back to back state championships with Ingram as an integral part. “There are some plays run for me, but we usually go to the big men, then they’ll kick it out. That’s where I score,” said Ingram. He attributes the increase in numbers more to an improving shot than anything else. “Just a lot of shooting, just kept shooting. I had to change my shot two or three times. I used to shoot flat-footed, then I started jumping last year. I also get better shot opportunities,” said Ingram. Ingram is a starting point guard for his second season this year. Last season the team went 10-10 with a sophomore Ingram at point, the first non-losing season in school history. He is currently getting no attention at the next level, but the scouts are sure to come as long as Ingram’s exponential production continues. Being a top scorer and able to dunk this year certainly doesn’t hurt in that respect.
Compiled by Zealand Shannon & Emily Goldbach / Sports Editors and Evan Abramson / Staff Writer
19 Sports Moving on with a heavy heart December 2012
oraclenewspaper.com
Junior basketball player Christian Moore tries to play the game he loves while coping with a loss Zealand Shannon Sports Editor In eighth grade, a young Christian Moore found out his mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. On November 25 of this year, Moore watched the life fade from his mothers eyes. Moore is a second year varsity basketball player, a sport which he chose over his freshman passion, football.“I just wanted to play (basketball), I’ve always liked it better,” said Moore. He was cut from basketball freshman year, but he “knew it wasn’t over”. “I just kept practicing, kept playing. I went to the Y, and that helped because I got to see more,” said Moore. He works with fellow juniors Bryce Nickels and Keshawn Ingram during the offseason. Moore’s parents got divorced while he was in the first grade; he would take bi-weekly visits to his dad’s house, but Moore mostly lived with his mom, who came to everyone of his basketball games that she could make sophomore year. “(When she first got breast cancer) I didn’t think it was serious, she just got chemo, and she didn’t get sick. She never got sick from the chemo,” said Moore. However, once the cancer went away the first time, it wasn’t done. “It was aggressive, it came back, it went away, then it came back. It did that about three times. Each time was more serious,” said Moore. “They had to stop giving her chemo because they couldn’t find anything else to give
her...they thought ( the chemo) would do more bad than good.” Moore’s mom was taken off chemo in late August, and died three months later “I was there when she died. She was at the house, she came back from the hospital. She was in the hospital for Thanksgiving week, she went on the Saturday right after we got out of school. She came (home) Saturday (a week later) about 6 PM and Sunday morning, 11:30, she died,” said Moore. “There was nothing they could have done.” The in house nurse was the one to pronounce her dead. “She stayed with us that night, and broke the news,” said Moore. “Later that day (1:30 PM) they took her out...I didn’t watch, I didn’t watch them take her away...I didn’t want to watch.” Moore played in two games after his moms death and before the funeral in Mississippi, where his mom was born. One game was the season opener against Leto in which he scored a career high eight points. In both he tried to stay focused. “I knew I needed to stay focused on the game. I just tried to put it out of my mind, as much as I could,” said Moore, “there were times when it came back in (to my mind).” He was in Mississippi for the funeral at the end of No-
Emily Goldbach / Oracle
Junior Christian Moore palms a basketball in our home gym. He is currently in his second year on the varsity basketball team. vember, and returned to school the following Monday. He says the ceremony itself was particularly difficult. “It was hard, but we had a lot of family around, so that made it better,” said Moore. Moore’s grandma moved down to live with Christian and his two brothers before their mom’s death, and is now their guardian. He says its a weird feeling coming home from school and her not being there. His dad is also talking to him and his brothers more after their mom’s death. “He just calls more, checking in,” said Moore. Had Moore been able to speak at his mothers funeral, he knows exactly what he would’ve said. ”She always put us first, me and my brothers. Loving, comforting, everything else comes from under those.”
Close
December 2012
Battle of the
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oraclenewspaper.com
BELTS Left: Sophomore Jacob Hales high fives two crash dummies instructing him not to be a “dum dum” and buckle up. In fatal motor vehicle crashes occurring in 2009, 56 percent of teens ages 16 to 20 were not wearing seat belts. Below: Senate members hand out Dum Dums and hold signs by the student parking lot encouraging students to be a lifesaver and wear their seatbelts.
Top and Bottom: Sophomore Racheal Duffen traces sophomore Kendeth Broxton’s body on the sidewalk with chalk. Student Against Destructive Descisions (S.A.D.D.) drew these outlines all around campus and put inspirtational quotes in each one. Left: A display of a wrecked car, courtesy of Stepps Towing, is shown in the student parking lot. Teenagers are more likely to speed and tailgate, and only 10% report wearing seatbelts. Far Left: Assistant principal Mark Watson signs a banner pledging to “buckle up” everytime he gets into a vehicle. Florida law requires all drivers and occupants in the front seat of a vehicle to fasten their seat belt.
Facts and Statistics: Courtesy of www.autos.com
Compiled by: Gaby Morillo / Photo Editor | Photos by: Gaby Morillo / Photo Editor