Knight Writers Vol. 57 Issue 3 | Robinson High School

|January, 2017| KNIGHTWRITERS 01

News

Sports

saT/psat sCORES 2016 rEVIEW PREVIEW SPRING FLING

Opinion

SPORTS HEADLINES Winterguard Boys soccer steps up

Fritter

SCHOOL COMMUNICATION COLLEGE JUNK MAIL SUCKY BATHROOMS TRUMP TIME

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION Dark Days Club poetry jam

Breaking the Ceiling

Art students decorate ceiling tiles for the opening of the new restaurant, Tijuana Flats.

By Lillian Martin Staff Reporter

I

f you’ve ever been to the restaurant Tijuana Flats, you might have noticed the vibrant art that is found on the ceiling tiles. The newly built restaurant recently hosted a contest where people could submit their art to possibly go on the ceiling of the restaurant, and some Robinson students participated.

Art teacher Mary Wilson informed the students about the contest. Some of the students who participated included Logan Richards (’19), Mariah Wilson (’18) and Lillian Waller (’17).

All of the students who entered the contest have high artistic skills and used their creativity to make something that would hopefully stand out from the rest. Participants had to go around the themes of su-

“

per heroes, iguanas, hot sauce and fire. Although you had to follow these themes, you could still use your own creativity to make something unique and personalized.

“It was very free [for interpretation]; you could do whatever you wanted to. I did Spider-Man, because I really like him”, Richards said.

Participants were allowed to submit more than one tile if they wanted and Mariah Wilson (’18) decided to go ahead and submit two, adding some humor to her artwork.

“One of them was Dead-Pool with tacos, and other was Batman and Joker,” Wilson said. “The Batman and Joker one had a joke on it, where Batman was working

I haven’t seen it myself yet, but someone sent me a picture of it up. It looks gorgeous.

--Mariah Wilson

photo M. Flowers

at a taco place and he was wearing an apron, and the joker walks in and he goes ‘You seem mad, want to taco ‘bout it?’”

While she took her time on the Batman and Joker tile, she decided to challenge herself by completing the dead pool one in just one day. A winner has not yet been announced, but once chosen they will win a $50 gift card. You can find their art up at the Tijuana Flats at 4207 S. Dale Mabry.

“I haven’t seen it myself yet, but someone sent me a picture of it up. It looks gorgeous,” Wilson said. photo H. Short

“

Breaker Breaks Down S

tudents entering the foreign language hallway on the first day back from winter break were greeted with an unpleasant surprise in the form of the pungent stench of spoiled meat.

“The odor was the result of a broken refrigerator whose breaker had gone out as result of a power surge over the break, leaving the food to rot,[It smelled like] ammonia and fish,” Chef Russel Clarke said.

The refrigerator’s contents were primarily meat, an array of chicken,

SAVE THE DATE

By Alanna Felton staff writer

beef, brisket, shrimp, and salmon, as well as some breads and cheeses, all of which had to be thrown out and cleaned up. The ingredients housed in the fridge were going to be used to make dishes for the Camelot Café.

“It was just a financial loss really, we just have to work really hard and make up for what we lost,” Clarke said.

“Now we know to not over prepare and to not buy as much stuff in bulk.

We learned a lesson.” photo M. Flowers

Jan 12-13

Book Swap during lunch

Jan 16

MLK Day- No school

Jan 21

SAT Test

Jan 23

Softball, Tennis, & Track and Field Starts

Jan 28-29

Cheerleading State Competition

Feb 10

Fair Day- No School

Feb 11

ACT Test

Feb 20

President’s Day No School

|News| January, 2017

02 KNIGHTWRITERS

NEWS

2016 Review

By Hayle Short Design Editor

Ochecked their college board

n Dec. 12, students everywhere

homeroom because most kids haven’t taken the SAT yet. Students and I use the PSAT to make a plan for remediation. It’s also good for IB students as they use it as a precursor for National Merit.” said Craig Everhart, an IB Biology teacher.

The NMSQT is awarded to those who score above the Selection Index Score. Those who are awarded

February 28 February 7 <<

students recieve psat scores

Leonardo DiCaprio won his first Oscar; Best Actor for performance in The Revenant

May 28

accounts to review their PSAT and NMSQT scores. The PSAT is taken by freshmen and sophomores at Robinson high school in order to assess how prepared they are for the SAT, and what their strengths and weaknesses are. The NMSQT is the same test as the PSAT, but National Merit are known as it provides an index National Merit score along with the Scholars, and will I did really well on standard PSAT score. have the chance

“

Broncos win Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers

“Harambe” the gorilla killed at Cincinnati Zoo

June 19 NBA finals game 7; Cleveland wins against Golden State

my PSAT this year, so

Students to receive Merit hopefully i will be a discuss how they were Scholarship awards. surprised by their national merit scholar “I really want scores as some did next year. to get National Merit better or worse than -- Dongwoo kim(‘19) next year as I think they expected. it is a really good “My score was opportunity. I did definitely a surprise, and I was very satisfied with what I really well on my PSAT this year, so got. If I keep improving at the rate I hopefully I will be a National Merit did, I’ll be able to get a near perfect Scholar next year,” Dongwoo Kim score,” Wilson Carlstedt (’19) said. (’19) said.

The PSAT score report is To check your PSAT score, a good tool for students who are as well as your AP and SAT scores, preparing for their SAT. It provides in register at www.collegeboard. depth information about a student’s org. To see more information skills and what they should review about National Merit, visit www. before the real SAT. “As someone who does a lot of nationalmerit.org.

SAT tutoring as a part time job, I think that it is good that I have a sophomore

”

Bringing back sadie hawkins A

photo from popsugar.com

June 12 Mass shooting in Orlando FL deadliest mass public shooting in US history

June 6 “Pokemon Go” released; most used mobile app of 2016

photo from CNN

August 5-21 Summer Olympics; 121 American medals won

November 7 Cubs win World Series against Indians photo from youthlogix.com

November 8 Donald J. Trump elected president

By Lillian Martin Staff Writer

s February approaches, many students are looking forward to the “Sadie Hawkins” dance.

Although, the dance is no longer able to be on Feb. 9th due to scheduling conflicts.

Kristina Chowning has been working with the Student Government Association to have a dance at Robinson where instead of the traditional boy ask girl dance, the girl asks the boy. Originally, the date was set for Feb. 9th, but as sports schedules came out, it was realized that there were several other things going on in the Robinson campus. Administration made the decision to cancel the dance for that specific day.

The date of the dance has been moved to Feb. 24th, although that hasn’t been confirmed by administration yet and could change. Aside from the fact that this dance goes against tradition, more importantly the proceeds from the dance are going to The

Spring, an organization that helps battered and abused women. It’s planned on being in partnership with the “Break the Silence” game, which was held on Jan. 20th.

SGA and Ms. Chowing will keep students updated when the find out the official date of the dance. The ticket price is going to be $20.

photo from nytimes.com photo from slate.com

Infographic

By Anna Thomas Staff Reporter

BUY A YEARBOOK

$95 YEARBOOKFOREVER.COM

January, 2017 |Opinion|

KNIGHTWRITERS 03

OPINION STUDENTS FORCED TO RELY ON RUMORS

By Hayle Short Design Editor

H

ere at Robinson, we have amazing students and wonderful activities for them to be involved in, but there seems to be a common issue of communication among them. Students typically get their information from peers, which would be fine if it was accurate, but it is usually not.

Gossip and rumors about what is going on at school runs wild, and it stems from miscommunication to and from students. The first solution that comes to mind is to find a platform available to deliver information to all students, not just IB or traditional. A majority of IB students are not able to watch the morning show during homeroom where a lot of school news is delivered. We need to either have all students watch the morning show, or establish a different outlet for student news. Lunch announcements are difficult to hear as others are talking during the announcement. Posters need to be larger in the hallways as they are usually the size of a printer paper instead of a poster board. All of these issues, along with others such as delivering news in a timely manner, create a mess when students are trying to plan. In order to fix communication at our school, we should have regular, afternoon announcements and a school-wide communication system, such as a remind that would be for everyone, regardless of grade or program. I love our school, but we need to improve the way we communicate otherwise students will continue to rely on rumors.

Correction Mathew Stock wrote the opinion piece on stress in the last issue.

Bathrooms under construction

college mail: Trash or treasure?

By Madison Flowers Editor-In-Chief

A

s a senior, I can attest that this year held many changes for the students of Robinson.

However, one of the changes that I have not seen documented, but that affects everyone, is the bathrooms. This year, I think there have been more bathroom problems at Robinson than ever before. For instance, on my second day back from Winter Break, I visited almost every girl’s bathroom to discover that only two were functional.

It is ridiculous to only have two bathrooms accessible for about eight hundred ladies. This isn’t an isolated occurrence; I see “out of order” signs on the bathrooms of RHS more than I should. Obviously, there have been a few situations where it is because of student actions, like making a mess or clogging a toilet. However, the vast amount of times the restrooms are closed because there is something wrong with the bathrooms, like their plumbing.

In addition, I have experienced trying to use the restroom and finding there is absolutely no toilet paper in the entire bathroom. Once, I visited two bathrooms that each had no toilet paper. While these occurrences may be few in

trump time A fter the tables turned in the presidential election, citizens prepare for the next four years. Citizens of the world are anxious to see if Donald Trump’s presidency will be as memorable as his campaign. It all started on Friday Jan. 20, when the President-elect was sworn into office with his

Editor-In-Chief Madison Flowers Copy Editor Cilicia Anderson Design Editor Hayle Short

number, the RHS bathrooms often have no paper towels for students to dry their hands with and sometimes lack soap. A lack of sufficient paper towels and soap is a problem I face extremely often at school. Also, some of the bathrooms don’t even have mirrors.

It’s important to note that, while this column may sound like complaining, we all should be grateful to attend such a great school. All of us are fortunate to receive an education in a place with facilities, such as multiple bathrooms. There are other things, like compassionate teachers, that also make Robinson so great. Nevertheless, I hope the problems in the bathrooms are addressed. It’s senseless to let these facilities be wasted and closed, or to let students go without proper resources in the restroom.

m. flowers

By Madison Flowers Editor-In-Chief

C

ollege mail.

Sophomore year, when you first receive a letter from a college, you’ll tear it open with excitement because the prospect of college thrills you.

Junior year, after PSAT results come out, your mom will start a pile or drawer of your college mail. You’ll probably riffle through the letters and revel in your intelligence.

The thick stack of colleges begging you to attend their schools proves your brainpower.

However, the pile of college mail never stops growing. By the end of junior year, you mom will most likely have thrown out your mound of mail.

When she tosses a college letter at you, you’ll barely take a second glance its way before tossing it into the trashcan. Now, college mail is plain stupid and you realize these colleges are only advertising and their continued letters become annoying.

By senior year, college letters don’t faze you at all;

AFTER THE DRAMATIC ELECTION SEASON, IT’S TIME FOR THE INAUGURATION.

running mate, Mike Pence by his side. President Barack Obama accompanied Trump on his way to the inauguration ceremony at noon. The ceremony will be held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capital.

Americans attended in order to witness the farewell of President Obama and the

Staff Writers Mariano Heranadez Lillian Martin Riley Shackowsky Anna Thomas Publications Adviser Nancy Oben

Principal Robert Bhoolai

welcoming of Trump. After the swearing-in ceremony, Trump will make his way along Pennsylvania Ave. towards the White House.

Traditionally, the evening is filled with countless parades and inaugural balls.

If Trump’s presidency is anything like his campaign, nobody knew what to

Robinson High School 6311 S. Lois Ave Tampa, FL 33616 Phone: 813-272-3006 Fax: 813-272-3014 School Hours 7:33 am -3 p.m.

Population 1600 Students 150 Staff

they’re a part of your postal service life. In the first semester of senior year, you’ll continue to barely look through your college letters before throwing them out, but second semester, that completely changes. College mail becomes invaluable, as you search for acceptance, or rejection, letters or possible scholarship information.

Until you’ve heard from every college you’ve applied to, this mail is precious.

Undoubtedly, you’ll view college mail differently from your sophomore to senior year.

It will always be a lot of excessive pamphlets, fliers, and letters that can mostly be thrown away. However, it’s always important to check for pertinent mail, because one slip of paper from a college could change your life.

By Anna Thomas Staff Writer

expect on this day or in the next four years. Despite the controversy, it is time for the nation to come together and welcome him into the Oval Office.

Policies The KnightWriters newspaper is published by the journalism department at Robinson High School.

Editorials reflect the opinion of the editorial board not necessarily that of the staff or administration. The KnightWriters will only accept signed letters. We reserve the right of selection and editing of all letters. The letters may be deposited in Ms. Oben’s mailbox.

04 KNIGHTWRITERS November 2016|

FEATURE

Find your Place in camelot Robinson Elective Guide

Flowchart by

By Hayle Short Design Editor

Robinson offers a variety of different electives for students, from culinary to music, auto shop to theater, to take throughout their four years of high school. Some students are passionate about their elective and rise to the highest level. The Knight Writers staff found these students and asked them, “Why should I join?”

Orchestra

Aeronautics “The different levels of aeronautics is broken down into different sections. One being the basics of flight, two is the history of flight, three is where you get to do dual enrollment with Embry-Riddle and get a private pilot ground course, and lastly you get two classes in flight physiology and drone safety where we earn an industry certification. I enjoy being involved in everything aeronautical. Flight and everything is what I love to do and study, so it’s amazing that I’m able to take my passions and actually put it to use in school,” Megan Binette (’17) said.

“I think it’s a really good experience. You meet a lot of new people and as a musician, you get to learn how to interact within an ensemble. That’s a good experience in the long run. To me, orchestra is like a separate family. We’re all so close, and we have all these inside jokes, and we understand each other and our instruments. It’s just a good bond to have,” Megan Hsu (‘19) said.

Auto shop “In auto shop we go over safety first and then we look at sections in the book that talks about the different parts of the car, afterwards we review them and we go into the shop to work on those parts that we reviewed. The majority of the time in class is spent working on cars which is my favorite part.” Jesus Dominguez (‘17) said.

Theatre “In theatre one you go over the basics of the stage, costuming, and the aspects of performing arts and you get a grade on each performance you do, which is usually three per year; your individual, group, and individual event performance,” Corey Hendricks (‘18) said.

Culinary “We’re just cooking with my friend chef over there”, “I cook at home so I get more experience and learn about safety and how to measure stuff, and about how there’s a science in cooking like how it coexists with each other” Josh Hall (’20) said.

JOURNALISM “Journalism helps me to learn new writing skills and grow as a social person. Everyone is really friendly and I had never done anything like it before and I joined and started writing. And its pretty low stress, it has a great atmosphere and I get an honor credit,” Morgan Felt (’17) said.

| November 2016 KNIGHTWRITERS 05

FEATURE

WHAT ELECTIVE SHOULD I PICK?

PICKING WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING FOR THE NEXT YEAR CAN BE DIFFICULT, USE THIS FLOW CHART TO HELP YOU OUT.

By Cilicia Anderson Copy Editor

Do you enjoy performing arts?

Yes Would you rather sing and act or play an instrument?

Sing/act

Theatre

Instrument

Orchestra or Band Did you enjoy this flowchart?

Join Journalism!

No Do you perfer to be in the air or on the ground?

AIR

Ground

would you rather work in a kitchen or garage?

kitchen

Garage

Culinary

Autoshop

Aero

06 KNIGHTWRITERS |Sports| January, 2017

SPORTS

Nothin' But Net

Tteam. The team has only lost three games this season.

hree. This number is significant for the girls basketball

After their first loss, in the season opener against South Tampa rival Plant, they surged forward with the season and rode an eight game win streak. They fell to Carrollwood Day and The Academy of the Holy Names during the holiday tournament.

“We are all excited about how this season is going,” Charlotte Tuhoy (‘17) said. “We’re looking forward to just keep getting better and moving on into the tournament in the post season.”

The Knights are now 19-3 and looking forward to district play photo S. Verdisco

Robinson Knights Break the Silence of Domestic Abuse Ta thrilling win against Jefferson High

he Robinson boys’ basketball team had

School, with the night ending in a onepoint win in over time. However, the win was for much more than just the team’s record. On Friday, Jan. 20, Robinson dedicated the evening to senior night and the incredible Break the Silence event for domestic abuse awareness.

Carolina Cassidy (’18) dedicated many hours to help organize and plan the event. “I think the night did turn out well,” Cassidy said. “There’s always things you want to change so I’ll have to write those down for next year.”

Every nine seconds, a woman in the United States is abused. To recognize and honor those victims experiences, the crowd for the Break the Silence event waited silently in the stands until their

home team scored their ninth point.

When the scoreboard finally reached the number, the gym erupted in cheers and purple confetti. The building shook with the shouts and dances of the audience as the players remained focused and battled through a tense match.

“The atmosphere was really awesome,” Abigail Meyer (’18) said. “Everyone came dressed up in purple to support the movement.”

Break the silence really hit home for a lot of people. It had a different meaning for everyone but even so, everyone was really into it.

“The meaning behind Break the Silence means a lot to me because domestic violence is such a big issue and no one ever talks about it,” Cassidy said. “I think it’s such a big deal to emphasize it and

rising to the top

By Riley Shackowsky Staff Writer “I’m nervous because I don’t want to lose but I like this winning streak but I’m excited to because we’ve played good teams,” Christiana Rolack (’18) said.

Robinson is first in the district with a perfect 6-0 record. The rest of the district is sitting with losing district records.

Maxpreps, a website dedicated to prep sports, uses a ranking algorithm to predict which teams have the best chance of winning the Florida Class 6A girls basketball title. As of right now Maxpreps has Robinson listed at the 15th spot. Last year under Coach Stephanie Sweeney, the girls finished 18-7, making it to the Regional Quarterfinals. This year they plan on continuing to last year’s playoff position and advancing to the next round of play.

By Anna Thomas Staff Reporter

let students be aware of it and that it has happened to so many people.”

Principal Bhoolai attended the game and was fully supportive of the movement and very proud of those who attended.

“I think Break the Silence is a worthy cause and I’m extremely proud that we have students at Robinson High School who had the wherewithal to take on something like this.” Bhoolai said.

The next goal is to continue and spread the Break the Silence event to other schools which will raise more awareness for the cause.

“I hope this event continues to happen every year,” Meyer said. “It’s a great event that really brings the school together.”

“I feel the team had done a good job maintaining their composure throughout the season,” Javier Spires (‘17)

By Cilicia Anderson Copy Editor

explore behind the scenes with Robinson’s cheer team

Ctheir unbreakable smiles and hard

heerleaders are definitely known for

core routines. However, very few people are aware about what goes on behind the scenes. Cheerleaders work really hard to prepare for competitions but not everyone knows what happens at the competitions.

“The competitions are very fun,” Avriel James (’20) said.

“Once you get there you feel very excited and you feel like you can do anything but then you get inside and it hits you that you’re actually competing with people so you kind of get nerves.”

The team is looking forward to a successful season of working together and overcoming the nerves of competition.

“This year has

“

been great so far and will continue to be,” Jessica Aguiar (’18) said. “I enjoy being a part of a team that all works hard to reach the same goal, but I wish we were closer outside of cheer.”

A lot goes into routines. Each girl is expected to give their all at practice so that when competition time comes, they give their best performance.

“We come up with routines from our coach and a dance instructor and we learn all the moves, laugh, have a good time, and it all comes out good because we’re all serious about what we do,” James said.

The season is looking positive for the girls. Without worry, they continue to practice and compete while making friends and developing bonds that will last a lifetime.

In the future, I’m looking “This year has been forward to great so far and becoming really good will continue to friends be,” and hope we keep in --Jessica Aguiar touch with (’18) each other,” James said.

“We plan on making it to regionals and then states, and just have a really good time doing it.”

photo by h. short

The cheer team waits for the music before their Homecoming pep rally routine begins. The pep rally routine is very similar to their competition routine and combines stunts, tumbling and dance.

”

photo by h. short

The cheer team completes a pyramid stunt during the Homecoming pep rally. The team practices stunts, tumbling, cheers and dancing for their competition routines.

January, 2017 |Sports| KNIGHTWRITERS 06

sports

BOYS SOCCER STEPS UP

By Riley Shackowsky Staff Writer

boys soccer team adjusts to changes in coaching staff

Asports. Players are traded or sign new con-

lot happens in the off season in major league

boys season at risk.

“We try our best to get as many people out there tracts, changing the whole setup for next year’s as we can. We can’t just not have any practice season. Robinson’s soccer team had some similarbefore a games something we have to prepare for,” ly shocking news but not relating to their players.

Angel Ramirez (’17) said.

Vaughn Volpi, from the football coaching staff, After taking over in 2007, former boys soccer has joined on as a coach. He will coach Thomas DuSold would help coach Morrell with the team not be at the helm for the 2016“After we had the and will serve as head coach in 17 season. The new head coach new coach for some his place when he in not able to would be Ally Morrell, a player of the practices, attend. with an impressive background.

“After we had the new coach According to Liverpool’s we’ve come togethfor some of the practices, we’ve International Academy West er and conjoined come together and conjoined Florida website, he signed his ourselves. Now that we have first contract with a professional ourselves.” full time coaches when we need club at the age of 13. Morrell later -Cutter Huston (‘19) them, it just increases the team opted to sign a 2-year contract skills,” Cutted Huston (‘19) said. with a Scottish Premier league Charlie Draper (’19) has a different perspective time as a full time youth pro. Afterwards he played semi-professional as well as studying at the of the multiple coaches.

“It gives up a lot of different coaching styles University of Montevallo in Alabama. turned into one. It can be hard to learn but it During his time in the Scottish Premier, Morell was in and out of the hospital with multiple MRI’s makes it a more versatile team. So far its working well,” Draper said. for a severe concussion. Morell has had to take some time off due to health, but it has not put the

“

”

WINTERGUARD’s chuggin along

Tlets Winter Guard he Robinson Star-

is ready for their competition season.

The team competes against other schools in Central Florida with state championships in Daytona Beach. “[The competitions] are pretty much just performing shows in which everybody has their own theme.

Our theme is taking a train ride through Paris.” Co-Captain Reginald Allen (’19) said.

Last year’s winter guard team placed

in regional competitions in the AA class and this year’s team hopes to continue the tradition.

“Last year was a blast,” Co-Captain Amanda Ellington (’18) said. “We placed high in all our competitions. Every time we would go to warm up you could hear the other guards walking by saying ‘wow that’s Robinson’ and a lot of people were rooting for us.”

This year, the team is smaller but the Starlets is using their smaller size to their advantage.

By Cilicia Anderson Copy Ediyor

“I think this season will be great.

We have a smaller team this year but we all click and have the same mindset to get better and take top three at every competition,” Tia Terry (’18) said.

The Starlets will compete at Riverview High School on Feb. 11 and Plant City High School on Feb. 18. The Team will finish out their season with competitions at Durant High School on March 11 and championships in Daytona Beach on April 1.

Season Openers Girls Lacrosse February 7 Home Vs. Jefferson

Baseball

Feb 21 Home vs. Steinbrenner

Solomon Browne (‘18) plays hard in his game against Plant High School.

Softball February 14 At Hillsborough

Leonards

Leonards

Leonards

Spring Sports Season is here. Check Out When Each Sport Opens the season

Tennis February 13 Vs. Spoto Girls Home/Boys Away

Boys Lacrosse

Track

February 7 Home Vs. Jefferson

February 14 at Leto

Flag Football

March 23 At Jefferson

Did You Follow Your Resolutions?

Shining light on the dark days club

Making New Years Resolutions is a tradition that millions of people around the world follow. Resolutions can range anywhere from putting an end to procastination, to eating healthier, to even just being more kind. These are a few resolutions from students and faculty here at Robinson.

"My New Years resolution is to be more organized. Usually, [my new years resolutions are] all the same: to get back in the gym. I'm good at sticking to that one so I'm making a new one this year,” Mr.Aichele, EMH class teacher.

By Alana Felton Staff Reporter

L

ady Helen and The Dark Days Club takes readers of Young Adult fiction down an often-tread path, but it does so in such a skilled manner that it is a delight to read.

18-year-old Lady Helen Wrexhall’s aunt and uncle hope to marry her off as soon as they possibly can, but adventurous, restless Helen has other plans. She decides to secretly investigate the disappearance of a maid, and finds herself caught up in a whirlwind of magic and intrigue, facing off against the Deceivers, monstrous creatures that disguise themselves as humans and have infiltrated every level of society.

Lady Helen’s early nineteenth century

setting is incredibly convincing; many of the outfits, historical figures, settings, and social rituals described in it feel like they were pulled straight from the pages of a Jane Austen novel. Goodman paints readers a meticulously detailed picture of Regency London- from glittering ballrooms and parlors to dark and twisting alleyways- creating an atmospheric, historically-rich world that it is wonderfully easy to get lost in.

“Stop all the drama in my life,” Asya Oxendine (’18).

Helen is a very likable, well-rounded protagonist, and the book’s supporting cast; including Lord Carlston, Helen’s unlikely ally in her fight against the Deceivers, and Darby, Helen’s maid and closest friend, shine as well.

“I don’t celebrate New Years because a lot of the holidays are started behind bad rituals,” Jwon Webb (’17).

Lady Helen’s one flaw lies in its pacing.

While the book’s main plot is a murder mystery of sorts and there are several tense action scenes, Lady Helen is for the most part, a character-driven coming-ofage story that moves at a very slow pace.

In spite of this, I would highly recommend Lady Helen to anyone who likes Young Adult, Fantasy, or Historical fiction, and cannot wait for the sequel, Lady Helen and The Dark Days Pact!

Author: Alison Goodman Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers Genre: Historical Fantasy My rating: 4/5 stars

"To get all my work done in class," Kailey Scanlon (’19).

robinson represents at poetry jam

By Cilicia Anderson Copyeditor

Ethe founder and Executive Director of very year, Walter ’Wally B.’ Jennings,

Photo by Zjala Phelps

Melenis Buckley (‘18) presents her poem at this years poetry jam in front of the teachers for judging.

Heard Em Say Youth Arts, brings a student Co-Host and many inspirational activities to help aid the creation of student poetry.

Students are abe to create their own poems and present them through spoken words in front of the group. Participants have one-to-two hours to come up with an original piece. During the event, you are judged by a panel of teachers.

Three Robinson students were able to

make placements at this years poetry jam and attend the district event. Samantha Blackman (‘19) got second place, Zjala Phelps (‘18) placed third, and Melenis Buckley (‘18) earned first place.

If you are interested in creating your own original poem, you are strongly encouraged to participate in next years poetry jam. It gives students a great opportunity to express thereselves through art and blow the judges away.