www.rhstoday.com | @robinsonknights
Robinson High School 6311 S. Lois Ave., Tampa, FL 33616
Volume 61, Issue 3 | March, 2021
WHAT’S INSIDE
OPINION
NEWS
COVID-19 vaccine eligibility opens up to PG 2 teachers
The Curtain Rises Again For Troupe 2660
By: Zoe Thaxton and Anna Woodward Staff Writer and Editor-in-Chief
Despite cancelled shows and messy livestreams, the show goes on for Robinson’s theatre program
Why student groups must be held accountable
FEATURES
Get to know the class of 2021 National Merit Finalists
SPORTS
PG 3
One Knight’s journey to a D1 team
PG 4
A&E
PG 6
PG 8
A look at one of Tampa’s newest up and coming stores
SAVE THE DATE
MARCH 12 Students released for Spring Break
MARCH 22 Students return
from Spring Break
MARCH 26
End of third quarter
APRIL 2
Non-student day (Good Friday)
From left to right: Lucy Frank (‘22), Elias Fermin (‘21), Charles Davidson (‘21), Peyton Heckman (‘23) and Jaden Fernandez (‘23) practice blocking and lines for a scene of Legally Blonde. Despite recording Legally Blonde in a movie format, Troupe 2660 still holds rehearsals as if they were performing live. Photo by Z. Thaxton
O
n Jan. 13, Robinson’s theatre Troupe 2660 was almost completely prepared for their first show since COVID-19 started. Broadway Knights, a variety show, was set to perform the following night. They had followed all safety protocols possible to keep the actors and audience members safe, from wearing masks during the performance to specific blocking and social distancing the audience. The preparations were cut short when Troupe 2660 was abruptly told that their show was moved online. “It was heartbreaking,” IB vice president of the troupe Elena Peden (‘22) said. “We had been waiting so long to do a show [since] our show last year got cancelled. We normally would’ve done two shows by the time we had done Broadway Knights, and we were so excited to finally do a show, to finally interact with an audience and put all our hard work out on display for other people to see.” At the last minute, everything needed to change. The show needed to be live-streamed. They needed to inform those who had bought tickets that the show was on Zoom. Because of the untimely circumstances, the Troupe didn’t have the proper audio and visual equipment. “You could barely see anyone’s faces. You could barely hear them. It just did not work,” Peden said. Theatre programs and athletics are under
different leadership, with the former’s guidelines coming from the district and the latter’s coming from the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). Because of this difference, the district cannot regulate
“You can’t recreate a kid’s senior year, you can’t recreate the sound of applause, you just can’t. It’s lost opportunities, lost experience... hey, at least we’re better off than some people, at least we still get to go to school, and at least we still get to perform, even if it’s just for us. And we will be performing,” - Maureen Pelamati
performing arts and athletics in the same manner. In Broadway Knights’ case, it was an order from the district that caused the shift, above Robinson administration’s control. Although the Troupe was prepared to follow all guidelines, the show was moved online due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases on campus. “The worst part is the theatre kids are not allowed to have a show with their parents in the audience, yet in the gym that same weekend
2020-2021 SNO
Distinguished Site
there’s a basketball game, there’s parents in the stands, they’re wrestling...these athletics, they don’t even have to wear masks,” Theatre director Maureen Pelamati said. “Our kids, we have to wear masks, we’re not allowed to share microphones, we have to jump through all these incredible hoops that the sports teams don’t have to jump through.” Just last month, HCPS released new guidelines: indoor performances are now permitted, with another strict set of guidelines. Performances are limited to 25% capacity, with patrons seated apart unless from the same family unit. Masks are required, and food and drink is prohibited to ensure that masks stay on. Intermissions are prohibited to limit audience movement throughout the venue. Depending on the size of the venue and performance type, capacity can range from 119 for a three hour musical to 277 for a one hour performance, assuming the CDCrecommended six feet distance can remain. Behind the scenes, students are still prohibited from sharing equipment, screened for temperature and symptoms before entering the theater and required to wear a face covering among other precautions. Despite the altered guidelines, performers are still unsure whether to jump back in without hesitation. Continued on page 2...