The Raider Voice Magazine, New Beginnings, Fall 2021

Volume 1, Issue 1

Fall 2021

www.theraidervoice.com

new

beginnings FACULTY PROFILES pages 8 and 13

PHOTO GALLERY page 4

BREAKING THE MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA IN SPORTS page 10

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The Raider Voice Magazine | Fall 2021 | Intro | www.theraidervoice.com

in this issue 3

ON THE COVER

Fans support the football team at Chaminade on Oct. 16. After a year without the Blue Zoo, fans brought new energy to the stands at sports games. Photo

by Julian Concepcion.

CAMPUS VOICES

Students outside the newspaper staff submit opinions on various topics to our editorial board. See “photos of the quarter” and meet new DEI Director Don Lawrence.

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FEATURES

Seniors grapple with college applications. We profi le Assistant Principal Donna Lee.

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SPORTS

Athletes shine light on mental health.

We profi le sports announcer Rick Cruz and celebrate the swim team’s win at states.

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OPINION & COMMUNITY Opinion writers discuss two pandemics, the importance of civil discourse, and how to manage academic pressure. Clubs unite to aid the Miami Rescue Mission.

The Raider Voice Magazine | Fall 2021 | Intro | www.theraidervoice.com

EDITOR’S NOTE

By Kathleen Lewis, Editor-in-Chief

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reshman year 2018: back when the campus was still beige, no one had heard of the “Blue Zoo,” only dentists wore face masks, Zoom was a camera setting, and The Raider Voice had just stopped printing weekly newspapers. It’s fair to say that a lot has changed over four years for the class of 2022, and yet here we are.

Something that we all came to realize over the pandemic is that life across a computer screen isn’t nearly the same. It lacks nuance. It lacks spontaneity. It lacks energy. For many students, the return to fully in-person learning this year brought unexpected enthusiasm and appreciation of some of the simplest traditions and quotidian interactions that make our high school years so meaningful.

In the beginning of this school year, we promised to give you a printed version of The Raider Voice for the first time since 2017. In this first of four issues of The Raider Voice Magazine this year, we hope to emulate the idea of new beginnings. These pages are filled with interviews, profiles, photos, and more from throughout the first quarter showing that the Upper School is not just picking up where it left off, but instead using the challenges of the last two years as fuel for a new perspective.

So, The Raider Voice is no longer only a website. It’s not a monthly newspaper like it used to be, either. But like our school community, it’s coming back this year in physical form. We are so grateful for your support and look forward to embracing these new beginnings with you! •

Staff Kathleen Lewis ‘22 Editor-in-Chief Paulino Mercenari ‘23 Managing Editor Samantha Gitlin ‘24 Copy Editor Julian Concepcion ‘22 Head Photographer Ethan Melendi ‘22 Sports Editor Ian Uccelli ‘24 Assistant Sports Editor Sabrina Bierman ‘22 Social Media Editor Jade Garcia ‘23 Social Media Editor Ainsley Kling ‘23 Opinion Editor Victor Quirch ‘22 Staff Writer Miranda Rodriguez ‘23 Staff Writer Madison Aguilera ‘23 Staff Writer Eduardo Kingston ‘24 Staff Writer Monica Rodriguez Adviser

Mission The Raider Voice is the official, studentrun publication of Gulliver Preparatory School, located at 6575 N. Kendall Drive, Miami, FL 33165. Our mission is to inform, educate and entertain the Gulliver community and beyond. We encourage the intellectual minds of Gulliver to work together and create change.

Only documented news stories and responsible opinions will be published.

Opinions expressed as commentary may not reflect the views or policies of the school. The Raider Voice welcomes signed letters to the editors. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject any letters. Advertisements do not necessarily reflect the views, endorsements and/or positions of The Raider Voice staff.

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The Raider Voice Magazine | Fall 2021 | Campus Voices | www.theraidervoice.com

photo gallery Fall semester saw events return to campus with renewed enthusiasm.

Surprise Concert. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the bilingual Latin girl-group Bella Dose performed on campus on Oct. 6.

Photo by Lucie Duchene.

Halloween. Seniors Caroline Isom and Emma-Grace Delvillar perform a lightsaber duel during atrium announcements. Photo by Lucie Duchene.

Spreading the Spirit. Junior Melanie Pozo performs with the Sundancers at the Homecoming football game on Oct. 1. Photo by Julian Concepcion.

Raiders Assemble! At the Homecoming Pep Rally on Oct. 1, faculty dressed up as superheroes called out of retirement for their teacher skit. Photo by Student Government.

FOR MORE

Find more photos and content on our social media platforms!

Follow us: @theraidervoice on Instagram and Twitter

“All In With Pride.” At the Homecoming football game on Oct. 1, students packed the “Blue Zoo” with Raider spirit. Photo by Julian Concepcion.

The Raider Voice Magazine | Fall 2021 | Campus Voices | www.theraidervoice.com

campus voices

Students outside the newspaper staff submitted opinions to our editors.

Students are getting accustomed to this year’s schedule. However, many find themselves in a rush when transitioning from classes, especially those in the church building. Whatever the cause of the new classroom locations may be, it’s a blight in students’ day-to-day routines. With shorter transitions, students are stripped of their time to socialize with others and do not have sufficient time to review material before class or to ask teachers further questions about what they covered during class. Breaks between classes also reduce frustration and anxiety when students have a few minutes to themselves. So, it’s evident that this year’s shorter transitions are not in the best interest of students.

Sara Gelrud ‘24 The Bella Dose concert was very fun and entertaining. When journalism students interviewed the singers, they showed passion for Hispanic Heritage Month, but during their performance I felt that they didn’t represent their heritage as much. I wish the whole school could have heard about Bella Dose’s background and how they started their journey, because just from their performance we didn’t really get to see it.

Paige Eskra ‘25 “I truly love that masks are now optional because it is about time that we go back to normal. I also really love masks being optional because wearing a mask makes it hard to breathe, which can become frustrating when I am trying to focus on an assignment. Although I really love masks becoming optional, I know it can cause discomfort for many. There are many students and teachers who can’t get vaccinated for health reasons which can cause them to feel unsafe while being on campus. Other people are generally scared of the risk of getting sick, as people most likely won’t wear their masks.”

Valentina Fernandez ‘25 Should masks become optional in classrooms? I don’t think so and for good reason. I think it is something that should be talked about, especially because all Miami-Dade public traditional middle schools and high schools have now become mask-optional for both students and teachers. If Covid cases have reached a 1 percent positivity rate in Miami-Dade County, why ruin that extraordinary accomplishment by removing the indoor mask mandate in schools?

Natalia Aguilar ‘25

I’m so happy that our lunch is back to normal. We can actually sit with all of our friends wherever we want. The food is so much better too. I love the variety of options and making paninis. However, my concern is that there are so many plastic water bottles that can be damaging to the environment when they are not recycled. I’m also not seeing very many recycling bins around school, so there could be more encouragement for students to recycle.

Ava Burke ‘23

Share your VOICE!

Letters to the Editor are welcome through our Campus Voices link on www.theraidervoice.com.

Q&A with DEI Director

DON LAWRENCE What made you interested in taking the position at Gulliver?

I love diversity work and I have been doing it for over 20 years in the context of higher education (colleges and universities.)

The opportunity represented a fresh look at the work in the context of the K-12 space.

In addition, once I realized how relevant Gulliver is in the independent school world, I saw how clearly our school could make a huge difference, not only in the lives of our students, but also in the lives of students who attend private schools across the country who watch and learn from us.

What is a typical day at work for you?

My days are full of important conversations and critical decisions are being made relative to DEI. I work very closely with the entire Administrative Leadership Team. I rotate between campuses and the Executive Offices on a weekly basis. During the course of any of these days, I typically spend time talking to students, completing projects, and connecting with my coworkers. Lastly, I spend a good portion of time reading and developing strategy around advancing DEI work.

What changes are in progress?

It’s safe to say that the first year at any new job, the focus is not on making changes, but rather, appreciating the progress that has already been made while also getting acclimated to the new environment, getting acquainted with the people that I am working closely with, and getting to know the students.

What is your vision on campus?

My vision for DEI at Gulliver is for all students to be culturally respected, appreciated, and to feel safe in bringing their full identity to school every day.

Interview by Paulino Mercenari, Managing Editor

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The Raider Voice Magazine | Fall 2021 | Campus Voices | www.theraidervoice.com

Embracing our Heritage Interviews and design by Jade Garcia, Social Media Editor

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, spanning from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, we interviewed students with Hispanic backgrounds about what they love most about their cultures.

We also had the opportunity to speak with the Latin bilingual group Bella Dose after their on-campus performance on Oct. 6.

More interviews can be found on our Instagram page, @theraidervoice!

The Raider Voice Magazine | Fall 2021 | Features | www.theraidervoice.com

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Looking to the future.

Senior Ethan Melendi meets with his counselor to finalize his applications. For most seniors, applications deadlines run from November through January. Photo by Eduardo Kingston

Seniors Look Forward to a New Chapter

by Eduardo Kingston, Staff Writer

As college application deadlines approach, seniors are in their final phases of finalizing their applications.

College applications can cause many students stress. The process is long and it requires students to give up free time to work with college counselors and tutors.

“Students are feeling very stressed about the college applications because they’re due in a few days and they are working furiously trying to get everything done. We are trying to help them with the long process,” said college counselor Yasmin McGinnis.

Even though the process is long and stressful, students know that their hard work will pay off.

“We are trying to get in these applications as soon as possible. We know that October is an extremely busy month, not only with school and athletic commitments for many of us, but also social commitments,” said senior Sabrina Bierman. “It takes time to work on the essays, edit them and just make sure they’re as good as possible. It’s definitely a long process.”

Some schools Bierman is applying to

are NYU’s Gallatin School, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, and several other smaller schools.

The college application process is lengthy because it consists of many steps. Counselors at school are able to provide support for students in the application process.

“The process begins with students beginning to understand themselves and their interests, and then over time they begin to really learn about the resources and how to match the schools with who they are and what their hopes are for the future,” Director of School and College Counseling Peter Olrich said.

In every year of high school, students continue to work with their counselors to prepare for their future applications.

“In sophomore year we do some group programming with kids to learn about their transcript and their choices for the second half of their high school years. In junior year the process begins to happen,” Olrich said. “In the fall of senior year, it is all about application management, finalizing their list,

going to more visits, and making final decisions about the school they want to apply to and attend.”

As the Nov. 1 Early Decision deadline passes, seniors are excited to explore their options when decision results arrive.

“I’m at the tail end of my college application process. I finished my essay and I found a lot of different schools, so I’m not done with the supplemental essays yet, but it is coming along really well,” senior Ethan Melendi said. “Most of the schools I’m applying to are early access and I’m really excited to explore this new path life is giving me.” Melendi is applying to UT Austin, SMU, University of Miami, Northeastern, and Babson.

Melendi has advice for underclassmen who are going to start their applications soon. “Start your applications early and try to get everything done as early as possible, so that you can organize your thoughts and you’re not rushing it at the last minute,” he said. “Deciding where to go is a huge decision.” •

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The Raider Voice Magazine | Fall 2021 | Features | www.theraidervoice.com

Pep for the Prep. Assistant Principal Donna Lee referees a tug-of-war match during a pre-pandemic pep rally. A studentathlete in high school herself, Lee revels in school spirit. Photo by Maegan Azpiazu

Assistant Principal

Donna Lee Goes the Extra Mile

by Kathleen Lewis, Editor-in-Chief

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ssistant Principal Donna Lee averages ten to fifteen thousand steps a day, although she’s no longer a high school track and field star. Starting at 5:00 a.m., Lee spends her mornings managing substitute teacher assignments, attending meetings for an array of committees, and greeting as many people as she encounters while making her way throughout the Prep’s byzantine

hallways. Lee knows these hallways like the back of her hand: she even has a color-coded spreadsheet detailing each one, along with the exact square footage of every classroom in the school.

A proud graduate of Miami Southridge Senior High School, Lee describes her own high school experience as “the best years ever.”

There, she was an ardent student-

athlete, and even returned to be Southridge’s athletic director before arriving at Gulliver’s Miller Drive Campus in 2008 to serve as assistant principal.

“I remember that time and although I know that I can’t recreate it, I want [students] to leave here feeling as excited as I did and tell their own kids stories about high school,” Lee said.

The Raider Voice Magazine | Fall 2021 | Features | www.theraidervoice.com Two years later, Lee took on the assistant principal position at the Upper School Campus. Throughout her time at the Prep, Lee has overseen much of the progress that happens on campus and in the relationship between students and the administration. She plays a major role in running the GPAHC (Gulliver Prep Academic Honor Code) committee, which focuses on ensuring fair student discipline, as well as cochaired the Diversity Steering Committee and holds weekly meetings with new Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Don Lawrence.

Lee’s closest colleagues, such as Principal Jonathan Schoenwald, describe her as someone who is always several steps ahead. “[Lee] is so invested in all of the students, and very few people I’ve met have her ability to combine details with the big picture,” said

Schoenwald. “She’s really here because she knows that there’s a bigger purpose to what she does.”

“As a parent, I know what it means when another parent entrusts you with the safety of their child,” said Lee. “It was hard initially because people’s lives were at risk, and there were so many pieces to it. Last year forced us to think outside the box and do things differently because we didn’t have a choice.”

With the aid of numerous spreadsheets and massive to-do lists papering her office walls, Lee was largely responsible for developing the one-way path of arrows when traveling throughout the school, as well as determining the maximum capacity of students and teachers that could safely distance themselves in each classroom during the height of the pandemic. At the end of last school year, other school leaders presented Lee with the “Spirit of Gulliver” award for her dedication to the project and inspiring attitude in regards to maximizing students’ high school experience amidst the challenges.

Many days, it is dark outside when Donna Lee finally returns home.

However, she says the hours often don’t feel long: Lee loses track of time in her work so frequently that she sets a daily notification on her phone to remind herself when to eat lunch. According to Lee, it is the joy she receives from connecting with the school community that keeps her going every day.

“When students are happy, that’s the ultimate for me,” Lee said. •

“She’s really here because she knows there’s a bigger purpose to what she does.”

As the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the country into a state of fear and uncertainty, Lee was adamant about finding a way for students and faculty to return to in-person learning. Beginning as early as March 2020, administrators held daily meetings and Lee started working on what she calls a “passion project.” This included outlining the logistics of nearly every aspect of the return to in-person learning, from when students arrived on campus in the morning to when they left in the afternoon, and what happened in between.

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Assistant Principal Donna Lee has been a member of the Gulliver community since 2008. She says that one of her biggest focuses is maximizing the student experience.

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The Raider Voice Magazine | Fall 2021 | Sports | www.theraidervoice.com

MENTAL GAME: Athletes Break the Stigma Around Mental Health in Competitive Sports

by Samantha Gitlin, Copy Editor

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ollowing the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, several star athletes have shined a light on mental health: a critical priority for success on the field, in the gym, on the ice. Even at the high school level, balancing school work, sports, and a healthy mind is a challenge many students struggle with every day.

Competitive sports can be demanding on the mind, especially for growing teenagers. Many student-athletes’ weeks are filled with practices and games, as well as hours of homework they must keep up with. The stress caused by this routine can build up and, in some cases, become too much. Athletes struggling with mental health may face challenges off the field, such as lower grades, social struggles, and less time to clear their minds. Finding a healthy balance between school, sports, and social life in the mind of an athlete can become difficult.

Struggles with mental health are not uncommon for competitive high school athletes.

“Although soccer has been the most positive aspect of my life, sometimes the pressure of playing at a competitive level gets to me because there are other people that

I have to play for or impress,” senior Olaia Rackauskas, a member of the varsity soccer team said. “There have been multiple times where I felt my self-confidence lower significantly.

At times, this caused me to have difficulties in having the same love and drive for the sport.”

_________

“Professional athletes can serve as important role models for high school athletes in showing studentathletes that their growing minds are allowed to come first

in sports.”

_________

Mental health is often not talked about enough regarding sports.

However, several athletes, such as Olympic track and field athlete Raven Saunders, tennis player Naomi Osaka, basketball player Kevin Love, and Olympic gymnast Simone Biles realized they had to put it before competing and have begun speaking out about mental health within the

last several years.

Saunders began speaking out about mental health at the 2016 Rio Olympics. According to Time magazine, Saunders had trouble balancing college classes and competing at several competitions.

She would have no breaks in between and became troubled on how to handle it all. Physically and mentally drained, Saunders began battling depression and struggling with suicidal thoughts, ultimately realizing that she needed to take a step back for herself. Her story, among others, spotlighted the truth that not all athletes live perfect lives, and must focus on both physical and mental health to succeed competitively.

Biles, another star athlete, is spoke out about needing to place her mental health before her sport.

This past summer at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Biles withdrew from the team final competition.

According to NBC News, Biles felt that she was carrying the weight of the world when competing for herself, team and fans. All of the pressure caught up with her when it became too much, as she began experiencing a mental phenomenon known as “the twisties.” After withdrawing from the event, Biles wanted to show her fans and the world that athletes are humans as well. She wanted to convey that there is nothing wrong with putting mental health first, a similar message to

The Raider Voice Magazine | Fall 2021 | Sports | www.theraidervoice.com

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Renowned Olympic gymnast Simone Biles pulled out of the team final competition in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, citing mental health. She is part of a movement of athletes drawing attention to the issue. (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images/TNS) what other athletes have been saying in the past.

Professional athletes can serve as important role models for high school athletes in showing studentathletes that their growing minds are allowed to come first in sports — even under constant pressure from parents, coaches, teammates, and thoughts about the future. Creating a healthy schedule and developing good time management can be key to handling all of this. Keeping an agenda to stay organized and on top of work can be beneficial. Also, always trying to get a good night of sleep can help student-athletes have enough energy to conquer the next day.

“The biggest thing if you are in a mental health situation is please seek help from our counselors. I think that will be the number one thing to do from a health standpoint,” said

Athletic Director Ira Childress. “As far as balancing your schedule, try to be as organized as you can and try to give yourself some time. If you are really having trouble from a mental health standpoint, alert your family, coaches, and counselor.”

Sports can also create many positive experiences for studentathletes and benefit mental health.

Playing a sport often means you are part of a team. You can create bonds and relationships with teammates that would not happen without spending time together during practices and games.

“Sports has very much helped me in a positive manner, because when I’m playing golf, it relieves stress. It has also helped me make friendships and build bonds with several of my teammates,” said sophomore Eli Paresky. “Golf has become an outlet for me to be myself and have fun

after a long school day.”

Even though sports can sometimes cause a busy and stressful schedule for student athletes, a healthy balance of sports with other priorities can actually reduce stress and create a healthy lifestyle.

“When you get enough exercise, you have a release of endorphins, and that release is a chemical that helps to relieve pain and stress. So, that’s an advantage to being an athlete, as it helps to reduce the levels of stress hormones,” said mental health counselor Marlyne DeLima. “Outside of the physical benefits, there’s a lesson to balance your time properly and to use it wisely. The key is to not do anything in excess, in order to remain as healthy as possible.” •

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The Raider Voice Magazine | Fall 2021 | Sports | www.theraidervoice.com

STATE CHAMPIONS:

Girls Swimming Brings Home Championship

By Eduardo Kingston, Staff Writer

On Friday, Nov. 5, the girls swim team won the FHSAA 2A State Championship.

Despite rain and cold weather, the team scored a total of 247 points, winning the competition by a large margin.

“They gained a lot of experience this year on handling the pressure it takes to win a state championship. The girls’ team finished with a 7-2 dual meet record,” wrote swimming coach Chris George in an Instagram post on Nov. 9. “It’s no easy feat, but we did it and we couldn’t be more proud of how the season ended.”

The team put in tremendous work, effort and time to have a successful result in the state series.

“The team trained for states by doing many of the specialized sets that the coaches prepared for us, depending on our events,” said senior Margaret Miao.

“We used chords and parachutes to help with our speed and power, as well as focusing on detailed drills for our respective strokes.”

In the beginning of the season, the girls team held a meeting where they wrote down what their goals would be for the meets ahead.

The main team goal was to

win the state championship, and the team attributes their hard work and dedication to being able to achieve their goal.

“It is great knowing that our hard work has paid off, and it feels amazing that we get to represent Gulliver and bring back a state title,” freshman Reese Rosenthal said.

Although the boys team did not win the state championship, members of the team felt that they also had a great season, showing group unity and sportsmanship.

“Overall we had a very good season.

The guys team was able to send a very solid team to states, and we all performed at our best,” said senior and team captain Parker Rosenthal.

“It’s a shame that we couldn’t come away with a better result, but overall the team had a very strong season and I’m proud of how we performed. This team was united at all times. It really felt like a family.” • State Celebration Photo from @gulliverprep_swimming on Instagram.

The Raider Voice Magazine | Fall 2021 | Sports | www.theraidervoice.com

Rick Cruz:

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The Voice of the Raiders

By Kathleen Lewis, Editor-in-Chief

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ny Gulliver football fan can picture the scene as a home game commences: students in the bleachers fighting over flying t-shirts, the Pep Band performing its classic stadium anthems, players in navy-andwhite uniforms warming up in sync, and enveloping it all, the voice of math teacher and sports announcer Ricardo Cruz booming enthusiastically through the loudspeakers.

On Friday, Oct. 1, Cruz rallied the crowd for the much-anticipated Homecoming football game. “I see you and I want to hear you!” he shouted, greeting waving fans by name as Seven Nation Army began to blast. The Raiders went on to clinch their fifth win of the season that day, defeating Champagnat Catholic with a final score of 52–27.

For Cruz, energy and spirit are everything in sports announcing.

“I’m a homer,” he admitted. “While I try to keep it as even as possible, I always pull for our team and our student-athletes. I just love the Raiders.”

After working at Northwest Christian Academy and ImmaculataLa Salle High School, Cruz has spent the last 20 years teaching math at the Prep, as well as coaching the varsity basketball and baseball teams.

While Cruz no longer coaches, sports announcing remains one of his most important roles on campus. Cruz estimates that he has now announced over 100 football games in his career, in addition to baseball, basketball, soccer, and, recently, lacrosse games.

Both coaches and players attest to

the extra thrill that Cruz’s spirited announcing brings to the competitive atmosphere. “[Cruz’s] enthusiasm while announcing baseball games makes the game experience more exciting,” said baseball coach Isaac Tijerino. “His energy and on-the-spot nicknames get our boys pumped, and I’m sure the audience loves what he brings to the mic.”

Cruz’s passion for athletics translates into his classroom. In his geometry classes, Cruz encourages students to think about learning math in a similar way that they would approach training for a sport: with goal-setting, daily commitment, and ultimately the desire to learn more about themselves in the process.

Cruz’s students even call him “coach.”

“There’s so much going on in a young adult’s life that I think that high school is an opportunity [for students] to use their curriculum to find out who they are,” said Cruz. “If students would embrace that more often, they would learn that much more about themselves and that much more about the subject matter.”

Cruz plans on

announcing boys and girls soccer games in the winter, as well as returning to baseball, basketball, and lacrosse. While few more home football games are in schedule for the remainder of this year’s football season, fans won’t have to wait long before they hear Cruz’s familiar voice resolutely cheering on the Raiders. •

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The Raider Voice Magazine | Fall 2021 | Opinion | www.theraidervoice.com

Spanish Flu. Navy Medicine from Washington, DC, USA. Spanish flu in the United States, United States Navy medical Hospital corpsmen at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1918/MCT

100 Years Later:

What Can We Learn from the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic?

By Ainsley Kling, Opinion Editor

When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, it brought our world to a screeching halt. Two years later, people are asking: What now? What could be next? Are we out of this pandemic yet? What has changed?

Can we ever go back to normal?

The questions our society is asking now are not by any means new. When looking back at the past Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918, similar patterns emerge.

The Spanish Flu The world surrounding the outbreak of the Spanish Flu was a world embroiled in the First World War, which had been raging across the battlefields of Europe and Africa for the past four years.

It was reliant on telegraphs for instant communications, and the most common form of transport in the world was the mule. As science

journalist Laura Spinney eloquently put it in her book Pale Rider, “it was a world that was both familiar to us, and terribly foreign.”

The Spanish Flu was able to spread so quickly due to government suppression: the nations at war believed it would hurt morale to discuss the disease, so it was covered up, and the severity downplayed.

The medical understanding of this new strain of the Flu further helped to exacerbate the diseases and the overall death toll.

The immediate attempts to prevent the spread of the Spanish Flu were quarantine measures. However, these were not always effective, and at times were ignored altogether.

According to the CDC, an estimated 50–100 million people (nearly 5% of the world’s population) died from the disease between March 1918 and April 1920.

A Parallel History In comparison, the world surrounding the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic is a world with vastly different problems. It’s a world with instantaneous communication, yet it’s simultaneously a world of suppression and censorship. It’s a world of intense globalization.

Yet, despite all this, the world is struggling with division between nations.

The spread of COVID-19 occurred for similar reasons to the Spanish Flu Pandemic. According to the BBC, the spread of COVID-19 was exacerbated by the suppression of the spread within China when COVID-19 broke out. The WHO further compounded this by delaying the announcement and facts about COVID-19. People infected with the virus could quickly arrive in a new country without even being aware that they were infected.

The Raider Voice Magazine | Fall 2021 | Opinion | www.theraidervoice.com Millions of planes, boats, cars, and trains crossed the world full of people and cargo.

In a similar fashion to the Spanish Flu, the implementation of lockdowns and mask measures were controversial and met with widespread resistance. According to Statista, the confirmed death toll of Oct. 18, 2021, is currently around 4.9 million people.

The medical understanding of COVID-19 is a major difference between the pandemics. In the Spanish Flu, the understanding of germ theory was brand-new and antibiotics had not been widely implemented. In 2021 with COVID-19, science was able to break down the genome of the virus to understand where the mutations of the virus occur.

Worlds Changed The Spanish Flu Pandemic left deep and lasting economic and social

impacts on the people and the world it touched. The economic impact of the Spanish Flu, like all information from this period, is patchwork, but felt in the loss of money, jobs, and social impacts. The Spanish Flu caused a baby boom in the surviving populations and, in survivors, led to long-term symptoms.

According to Spinney, the Spanish Flu could have been the catalyst that caused the physiological shift that resulted in the period known as the “roaring twenties.” She argues that the resulting death toll left a lasting memory that caused people to look at the world differently, claiming that “the 1918 pandemic accelerated the pace of change in the first half of the twentieth century, and helped shape our modern world.”

The comeback from COVID-19 is still occurring. The world is still dealing with the pandemic, and the after-effects remain unknown. The COVID-19 pandemic has already had

COVID-19. Medics wearing personal protective equipment work in the intensive care unit for COVID-19 coronavirus patients in the Moscow Sklifosovsky emergency hospital in Moscow on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

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social impacts on the way the world looks at preventive measures.

The pandemic also has impacted the supply chain of the world as well as the working population.

Some employers are now removing offices altogether, and allowing their employees to work from home.

The COVID-19 pandemic, just like the Spanish Flu Pandemic, impacted the way people communicate. In both instances, wide-reaching mask mandates were implemented to stop the spread of the virus. In both cases, the freedom to assemble was infringed. For example, in San Francisco, police arrested protesters in 1918, while in 2020 during the pandemic you could be fined for breaking lock-down. The COVID-19 pandemic and its effects are yet to be revealed but will come to light within the next 100 years. Reflecting on past pandemics such as the Spanish-Flu pandemic can give insight into the world and our potential future. •

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The Raider Voice Magazine | Fall 2021 | Opinion | www.theraidervoice.com

an alarming decline in

CIVIL DISCOURSE

By Natalia Lopez, Contributing Writer Remember the times in Kindergarten where that one kid refused to befriend you because you didn’t like pizza, or your favorite animal wasn’t a T-Rex? Me too.

There is a misconception that this universal phase naturally goes away as people are taught to respect each other’s differences, and you are suddenly friends with everyone and everyone lives happily ever after. Not quite. Posing as a threat to democracy, a seemingly juvenile habit has now infiltrated young-adult society; a kindergartener’s reality is a microcosm for the current state of our world.

According to the Pew Research Center, the partisan gap has now stretched over 36%. The article states that “what is striking is how little common ground there is among partisans today.” As evident as it is through the media and how horribly we treat each other, American culture has grown more divisive by the day, and the partisan gap directly reflects this epidemic. The problem is fear.

We are so afraid of each other and are often so concerned with being “politically correct” that civil discourse is now considered offensive in many ways.

Currently, we are so determined on the divide that we are unwilling to listen to each other, and even worse, the situation can make us come to believe that our own views are worthless. Consequently, this behavior on part of the gap has trickled down to our nation’s youth, invading the

classroom walls. It is extremely difficult to find classmates who feel comfortable enough to have civil political discussions, without referring to the default extremes.

The corruption of civil discourse is breeding a generation rooted in intolerance. Tomorrow’s leaders will know nothing but to fear and dismiss anyone with opposing views.

High school or college humanities teachers are afraid to initiate debates over controversial political topics for fear of impropriety -- the new “boogie man” -- thus precipitating a petrified generation afraid of having controversial discussions, vital to sustaining civility.

Students on either side of the spectrum fear one another, and do not question why others possess their beliefs; a new form of warfare. What needs to happen, immediately, is the introduction of controversial topics to class discussions. Conversations that prevent students from cowering behind the shield of a phone screen.

As David Bornstein commented in The New York Times, “Can you get outside your echo chamber enough to actually get curious? Moving from ‘I know everything about them — they’re jerks’ to ‘I wonder what they’re saying about this’ is huge.”

We are one country, and this divide is tearing the very flesh of our democracy. Dialogue without fear has to happen, otherwise it will consume the very soul of this nation. What needs to happen

— fast — is the cyclical introduction of class discussions on controversial topics: ones that push students out of their comfort zones, ones that don’t allow students to cower behind the shield of a phone screen. Let students — respectfully — disagree with each other and be forced to think. •

Drawing by Kathleen Lewis

The Raider Voice Magazine | Fall 2021 | Opinion | www.theraidervoice.com

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Dealing with Stress

By Miranda Rodriguez, Staff Writer

From job loss to illness to general fear, COVID-19 has been an allconsuming issue for almost two years, leading to increased levels of stress. This issue has also significantly affected teens, especially as they return to a seemingly normal school year and have to re-learn how to manage their time and workload.

Teenagers nowadays are dealing with chronic stress due to all the factors of being a student, including homework, social life, parental pressures, college applications, and constant workloads. In a recent survey

by The 74 Million, moderate stress can be beneficial and help with motivation, but the high levels of stress many students experience are unhealthy.

Chronic stress can cause poor achievement academically, increase the likelihood of high school dropouts, and decrease overall motivation.

Increased workloads also lead to poor sleep habits among teens, who should be getting 8-10 of sleep a night for maximum brain function. According to the Sleep Foundation, more than 70% of high school students get less than the recommended amount of sleep each night.

So in what ways can you manage stress, at least in terms of academics?

You can start by changing your mindset. This means instead of having a negative outlook about your assignments, try looking at your work as an opportunity to learn more.

“A lot of students have a difficult time reframing negative thoughts,” said school mental health counselor Renee McEachern. “So taking a moment to be able to reframe what they’re thinking can help them look

at a situation a little bit differently.

Mindful breathing, self care, and getting offline for the day [are also helpful techniques.]”

Perfectionism is also a deterrent to many students’ productivity and a cause of unneeded stress.

“Be forgiving of yourself, by taking a moment and not trying to be perfect at everything and achieve such high grades all the time,” recommends McEachern.

“Write things out, time manage, and organize.”

McEachern suggests managing homework better and giving yourself time to recollect yourself at times of high stress levels. Other ways to manage your stress are by exercising, limiting procrastination and developing a solid sleep schedule or routine.

Communicating is also one of the best ways you can help to reduce your stress. Talking to someone about how you feel can help create a good support system and help you see other perspectives. Overall, identifying your stressors can then help you find ways to manage them. •

70% of high school students get less than the recommended amount of sleep

Mental Health Awareness. Counselor Renee McEachern prepares a presentation for students about managing mental health and stress. Photo by Miranda Rodriguez.

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The Raider Voice Magazine | Fall 2021 | Community | www.theraidervoice.com

Clubs Come Together to Support the Miami Rescue Mission

by Jade Garcia, Social Media Editor

On Tuesday, Nov. 9, students and faculty donated 273 care packages for the Miami Rescue Mission, as part of the dance team’s school-wide service project.

The Miami Rescue Mission, also known as The Caring Place, is a homeless shelter located in downtown Miami that services homeless individuals and families.

Over 13 clubs participated in the project, each signing up to donate a particular item, that would then be assembled into individual care packages. The packages included men’s underwear, female underwear, socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, and more personal hygiene products.

Performing Arts Chair and Dance

Director Gerri Barreras organized the community event.

“I think this was a great exercise in community development and I’m very proud of the many clubs that were able to donate,” Barreras said. “We hope to be able to redo this in the spring and maybe coordinate with Smiling Tummies to create these care packages again.”

Student government contributed to the project by donating over 130 pairs of socks.

“Socks are an easy thing for us to get, so I made sure the members of the student government donated six pairs of socks each,” Activities Director and Student Government sponsor Danielle Bowen said. “I think it’s fantastic for the school to be able to do these

kinds of things. We’re very privileged and anything that we can do as a community to help those who have these challenges in life, we will do.”

Members of The Raider Voice and Raider yearbook staffs signed up to donate packs of women’s and men’s underwear. Senior Julian Concepcion, The Raider Voice head photographer, shared his thoughts on the care packages.

“It’s been a while since something like this happened because of the year we had last year, so it honestly felt so nice to be part of the community again,” said Concepcion. “It was really inspiring to see a lot of students from other classes and clubs come together to load all of the care packages.” •

The Raider Voice Magazine | Fall 2021 | Community | www.theraidervoice.com

Serving the Community. On Nov. 3, members of over 13 student-run clubs and organizations participated in making care packages for the Miami Rescue Mission.

The care packages included essential hygiene products such as underwear, socks, toothbrushes, shampoo, and conditioner. Together, student and faculty volunteers donated 273 care packages for the homeless shelter.

Photos by Lucie Duchene.

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