Lakewood High School December 2018 issue

LAKEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL • DECEMBER 2018 • VOL. 10, NO. 2

Winter sports have started Find basketball, wrestling and more sports news on Pages 14 & 15

Restroom threat

A photo of an anonymous threat left in a restroom was posted to social media.

Page 3

What’s cooking

A series of after-school cooking classes teaches students and parents healthier ways to eat.

Page 6

Spanish Spotlight

The foreign language department has been busy this year. Check out what they’ve been up to.

Pages 8 & 9

2 THE HUB December 2018

NICK STODDARD | SNN

“Night Light” is part of a light-painting series created by SNN photographers.To make this photo, junior Nick Stoddard slowed down the shutter speed of the camera.This means when he pressed the shutter button, he had enought time to go behind junior Nick Darnell and “paint” the wings on with a flashlight. Enjoy more of the series on Page 5.

Your Voice

What is your family holiday tradition?

My family and I name our Christmas tree and then, on Christmas morning, we eat apples and cinnamon buns for breakfast and we hide a stuffed animal around our house.”

-Robert Shedden, 10th grade

I go up to visit my husband’s family in Rochester, N.Y., where it’s always cold, and we play Trivial Pursuit on Christmas Eve and it’s the 1980s version.”

-Jessica Herring, history teacher

A word from SNN For many of us, the end of the semester equals a lot of stress, from trying to raise your grades to mastering your exams. In between doing your best to achieve your goals it is important to take a mindful minute, to reflect on yourself and your mental health.

How can I do this, you may think?

Lakewood High School offers a lot of opportunities. For example, the Health Squad promotes Yoga Day, where football players stretch out and connect with their inner selves. A yoga class is also offered for teachers and students.

The book club is another available option. It was initially created for athletes, but everyone is welcome to join it. Sharing your favorite book or even discovering a new passion for reading can improve your day. (See story on Page 4) Music seems to transport people out of their reality. Lakewood has talented singers and dancers as many of you who attended the talent show in

November discovered. To find out more about them, see Page 16. Taking some time out of your day and watching plays, like I Don’t Care That You are Ugly produced by the Drama Club, can take your mind off your problems and help you relax.

(See photos on Page 5.)

Sports has always been recommended for people who struggle with stress. Playing a sport can liberate your mind, helping you focus on a goal and see the results of your hard work. To see Spartans whose hard work has paid off, check out pages 14 and 15.

Your newspaper is here for you. Consider writing a letter to the editor about the problems that are stressing you out. Or let us know if you have any tips for handling stress.

Send letters to our opinion editor, Angel Laclaustra, at angelaclaustra@gmail.com and don’t forget to check our website, pcsb.org/snn, to get your daily Lakewood news.

Did you know...

‘Beaches, Benches and Boycotts’

Pinellas County Schools has paired up with the Florida Holocaust Museum to provide students with an exhibit about desegregation in Pinellas County. The exhibit is a series of posters that was lent to Lakewood High School for the entire second quarter. “This exhibition will illuminate our region’s struggle with racial equality and shine a light on the local leaders who changed our cities,” according to the Florida Holocaust Museum website. The display is set up in the Media Center and teachers must sign up to be able to come see the exhibit. The exhibit will be up until winter break.

In New York, when I was single, I would make a tofurky and sit and watch an old show called the Thin Man series. ... Then on Christmas morning, I would go and have brunch with my brother.”

- Elizabeth Halstead, English teacher.

My family and I put all our names in a box before Christmas and then choose one and whoever’s name is on the paper is who we have to buy a gift for.”

- Sean Carter, 12th grade

My family and I go to the botanical gardens to look at the lights.”

- Jeremy Texel, 12th grade PHOTOGRAPHS AND QUOTES

BY TYLER GRAHAM | SNN Staff Writer

Camila Cherone, editor-in-chief

- SNN Staff Writer JAMILA DEDMON

All students must wear ID on campus This school year students are being required to wear their school photo IDs attached to a Lakewood lanyard. The IDs are to help staff members as well as other students quickly identify a threat on campus. “If we have a student that’s new to campus we can look at your ID. … If a student does not belong here or an adult walks on campus and we don’t see an ID, we can make an alert,” principal Erin Savage said. Students caught without a lanyard will receive warnings from the administration until they have their ID while at school. If a student never received a photo ID, he or she should see journalism teacher Kathleen Tobin in C100 to get their picture taken for their ID.

AMSET artist creates new logo The AMSET logo has gotten a makeover and it’s wild. Senior Lauren Lawson has drawn the AMSET logos for the past few years. She has repeatedly found different ways to improve each logo, while perfectly representing the program. The new logo features a shark, a turtle, an octopus and a snake. “I just wanted to do something new and tie the class into the picture,” Lawson said.

AMSET teacher Rachel Fawaz said, “The old logo was amazing and only had one animal, but the new one is even more amazing and NICHOLAS MADOLE | SNN has multiple animals.”

-SNN Staff Writer JULIANNA Senior Lauren Lawson holds up RAYMOND the latest AMSET hoodie in the AMSET room on Nov. 14.

-SNN Staff Writer CAYLA HESTER

On the web

The winter season has come, and with it, soccer and basketball season. Check out these slideshows online now at pcsb.org/snn and click on slideshows.

Study abroad trip planned for summer Lakewood High School students will be going to the Galapagos Islands this summer. The trip will last eight days. The travelers will depart from Tampa International Airport (TIA) on June 10 and return June 18.

The students and volunteers will do a lot of sightseeing and tours of the islands with a tour guide. AMSET teacher Rachel Fawaz said she chose the islands, because they have the most activities closely related to the AMSET curriculum. “All of the activities are very science-based, and it’s the destination that made the most sense to visit,” Fawaz said. “I am most excited to see the giant tortoise breeding program. I also really hope to see some of the marine iguanas.” The estimated cost of the trip is $3,409.

-SNN Staff Writer JULIANNA RAYMOND

JALEN BOYKINS | SNN

Senior Rachel Riiska, the goalie, kicks the ball during a game against Boca Ciega High School on Nov. 26.

COVER: Lakewood senior Nykisha Macon takes a shot on the court on Nov. 15 at a game against Tampa Catholic High School. ( LINCOLN ROSENTHAL | SNN)

December 2018 NEWS 3

Threat leads to suspension The boy who was suspended did not write the threat, but posted a photo of it on social media. The person who wrote the note has not been found.

BY ANGEL LACLAUSTRA AND HUNTER NEAL SNN Staff Writer

Lakewood High School’s student body was concerned recently when an anonymous note, threatening to shoot up the school, was found in the A-wing boys’ bathroom on Nov. 28.

A student found the crinkled piece of toilet paper - reading only “Bye. Ima shoot up the school.

11.29.18.” - and posted a photo of it to Snapchat. The post was viewed by numerous students before the student who found the note turned it in and alerted administration.

By the time the student was asked to remove the post by administration, many students had already seen the post and started to spread the news like wildfire. Two extra police officers were called in to investigate.

The student who found the note is a minor and is not being named

by SNN. He faced repercussions, including a one-day, out-of-school suspension and a referral for posting a picture of the note on Snapchat.

“It’s harder to bring the inves-

tigation back together when it’s posted on social media,” Lakewood principal Erin Savage said. “It hinders us doing our job.”

Savage justified the school’s actions against the student by explaining that the social media post impeded an ongoing investigation. The next day, many Lakewood students didn’t Erin Savage show up because principal of the post, though their absences were excused.

From the viewpoint of the students and some faculty, the suspension seemed unfair. Sophomore Demetrius Mitchell called the decision “dumb.”

“He did the right thing and didn’t deserve a suspension. His work should be excused for the day he missed,” Mitchell said.

Some people, however, believe that while what he did was wrong,

he deserved a less harsh punishment. AMSET coordinator Rachel Fawaz said she could see it from both sides.

“He isn’t supposed to post things like that online, but as a student who doesn’t have a bad background, suspension was a bit harsh,” Fawaz said.

The administration, however, said the student was acting recklessly by posting a photo of the note on Snapchat.

The student told investigators that he did not know that posting the note was against the rules, Savage said.

“Ignorance is not a defense,” school resource officer Lerric Boyd said.

After the post was made, Savage sent an automated phone call

“The threat was also shared on social media by a student but has since been deleted.”

to parents along with an email to teachers with the following message: “I am calling to inform you that a safety threat was found in a boys’ bathroom at Lakewood High School this morning. The threat was also shared on social media by a student but has since been deleted.

Law enforcement is investigating but does not believe there is a credible threat to our school. Making a school safety threat has serious consequences. We are diligent about school safety and appreciate any information students, staff or families share with us.”

During the investigation, seven students were questioned on the matter, including the student who originally reported the note.

However, the identity of the person who wrote the note is still unknown, and the results of the investigation have been inconclusive, Boyd said.

TORRENCE RUFFIN | SNN

English teacher Kristie Dowling gives her class directions on Dec. 6.

English teacher leaving Long-time English teacher will leave for a new job at St. Petersburg College.

BY DARWIN COOVADA SNN Staff Writer

Clubs try on dress code experiment Students get permission to be exempt from the dress code and dress their best to show administration it can work.

BY ZHANTERRIA BURROWS SNN Staff Writer

Every other Friday for the rest of the school year students who are part of the 5000 Role Models and Girlfriends clubs will be out of dress code – and wearing their finest.

Their goal: to show that if dress code were removed, students would dress appropriately.

Senior Marcellus Scantling, a member of 5000 Role Models, said he came up with the idea to show the administration that students can dress well if given a chance.

“This could show that we can dress up nice without all the crazy stuff such as rips, sagging pants and short shorts,” Scantling said.

Scantling said guidance clerk Kevin Harper inspired him to come up with the proposal. He said it is Scantling’s senior year and that he should try and make a change while he is still in school.

Senior Jacquez Howard, part of 5000 Role Models, also said he believes that dress code could be removed if students put their minds to it.

“We were dressing up because Mr. Harper wanted us to dress how they used to dress in the old days,” Howard said.

Harper, who had to get the proposal approved by principal Erin Savage, said he wanted to bring back the old “Hollywood High” to increase school spirit.

“We want it to go back to the Hollywood High days where we would dress to impress,” he said.

TORRENCE RUFFIN | SNN

Seniors Marcellus Scantling and Jacquez Howard, both in 5000 Role Models, dress up to show administrators that even without dress code, students can still look presentable.

Art History and English teacher Kristie Dowling is leaving Lakewood High School after 13 years to take a part-time position at St. Petersburg College. Dowling will teach Composition 1 and 2, starting in the summer or fall. The position offers four classes, with fewer demands in and out of the classroom.

Despite the loss for the school, Dowling said she believes this is the right decision, due to her current stress levels.

“I have mixed emotions. I feel like it’s the right thing to do for my mental health,” Dowling said. “I think it’s a good chance to grow as a person.”

For three or four years, Dowling taught at both Lakewood and St. Pete College. She taught her usual work load here, plus two or three classes at SPC. “I went for a full-time position. I got an interview and found out I was second in line for that job. I think if I make myself more available, I’ll be able to score a full-time position this time,” Dowling said.

English teachers Kate Drof and Joseph Lippitt have both shown interest in teaching Dowling’s AP Language class.

“I’m trying to get someone to take AP Art History, but it doesn’t look good. I’m hoping to get Ms. Herring or Ms. Drof to teach it, not next year but the one after,” Dowling said.

Because of the amount of content and details required to teach AP Art History, Dowling said she thinks AP Language on top of Art History would be too much on top of their regular class load.

“Art History is an extremely difficult class to teach. Even though there’s less grading than Language, it’s a lot of preparation. This is my second year teaching it. I did a lot of work last year, and I’m still clueless about half the curriculum. You have to know so much detail … about every piece,” she said An important event in the AP Art History class is the annual Spring break New York trip, where the students visit the Museum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Brooklyn Museum of Art, along with various activities relating to the curriculum.

“I’m really going to miss the New York trip. I just remember after the trip feeling depressed because I had so much fun. I should’ve been happy to be home and away from these 18 crazy teenagers, but I felt empty,” Dowling said.

Senior Rachel Riiska said Dowling has made such an impact on the students and she is sad that she will be leaving.

“I definitely think it’s good that she’s taking a step that’s better for her in her life, but I know that she’ll be dearly missed at school,” she said.

Dowling will also miss Lakewood.

“I’m going to miss performing, I feel like every time I come to class it’s like a performance to get kids to laugh and learn at the same time,” she said.

‘I’m extremely surprised and honored’

BY HENRY HAIGHT SNN Staff Writer

JAMILLE REYNOLDS | SNN

English teacher Kate Drof, who also teaches creative writing and AP seminar, poses behind her desk.

In C107, you can find English teacher Kate Drof. She teaches the students of Lakewood subjects such as creative writing and AP seminar and she works tirelessly for her students.

Her efforts have recently been acknowledged and honored by the Lakewood High School administration, as she was declared the Lakewood High School 2018 teacher of the year.

“I’m extremely surprised and honored, honestly,” Drof said.

Drof graduated from Morehead State University in Kentucky in 2008 and then got her master’s in 2014. She went on to teach at Lakewood

High the same year she earned her master’s. Her favorite part of teaching is “forming meaningful relationships with students,” she said.

Her students also share her enthusiasm for a friendlier student-teacher relationship.

“She’s nice. Her classes are interesting, and she’s a really caring teacher,” junior Sierra Haas said.

“She makes sure we’re comfortable with the material in class and is ready to help if you aren’t,” junior Kyla Martin said.

Being named Lakewood’s Teacher of the Year means Drof was considered for the honor

of 2018 Pinellas Country Teacher of the Year.

But she was not among the top 10 candidates.

She was, however, invited to attend an “Evening of Excellence” on Jan. 28 at Mahaffey Theater.

There, the nominees from various schools will be honored, and the top teacher will be named. Drof is humble about her recognition.

“I’m lucky to be teaching at a school like Lakewood,” Drof said. “I’ve learned so much from the other teachers here in terms of strategies of teaching and ways of thinking, and I feel like they, more than anything, helped me get here.”

Eighth-graders tag along on school visits As eighth-graders choose what high school they want to go to, they have the opportunity to shadow different programs.

BY JADE MARKS SNN Staff Writer

Students leaving the eighth grade this year have a choice to make, one that can impact the rest of their lives. They must pick their high schools.

This is only the first step, as students coming to Lakewood High School in the 2019-2020 school year may also pick whether they will further shape their future by registering for one of the programs offered by the school.

There are four programs to choose from: Aquatic Management Systems and Environmental Technology (AMSET), Center for Advanced Technologies (CAT), Center for Journalism and Multimedia (CJAM) and the Athletic Lifestyles Management Academy (ALMA).

AMSET focuses on aquaculture and studying environmental aspects of the world.

CAT revolves around science and mathematics, helping students to advance in areas such as programming and robotics.

CJAM is a program that allows students to learn about journalistic media and production by publishing their writing, photos and videos in the school newspaper and website, the Spartan News Network (SNN), and in the yearbook.

“This is not a traditional classroom. This gives you hands-on, real world experience,” CJAM coordinator Kathleen Tobin said.

ALMA, Lakewood’s newest program, does not yet have an online application, so students can get one from ALMA coordinator Erika Miller or teacher Philip Muszynski, or they can download one from the Lakewood website.

“This is a great program for students who are interested in a future career that promotes health, wellness and the treatment of injuries,” Miller said. “Students will learn skills that will not only help them in a possible future career but in life as well.”

On Nov. 27, Lakewood hosted a large group of eighth-graders from Bay Point Middle School, showing them each program and giving them a tour of the school.

“It was a huge opportunity to bring middle schoolers onto our campus so that they could see the high school and get acclimated to the school,” said assistant principal Susan Alvaro, who hopes to bring Meadowlawn Middle School on a tour also.

The application period is from Jan. 9-18, and the acceptance period goes from Feb. 13- 22. Schools offering application programs will hold Discovery Nights until Dec. 21, so students and parents can take an indepth look at the programs they are interested in. Lakewood’s Discovery Night will be on Dec. 19 from 6-7 p.m.

HIBA AITGRIF | SNN

Eighth-grader Diego Lozada, from Azalea Middle School, walks to lunch with sophomore Ryan Voigt on Dec. 4. Lozada was shadowing Voigt to learn more about the Center for Advanced Technologies. “I came to visit Lakewood because I like the CAT program,” Lozada said.

Find out more about the application process by emailing StudentAssignment@pcsb.org, or calling (727) 588-6201. The District Application Programs Guide can be found on the PCSB website, in both English and Spanish.

- SNN staff writer ROHEY BARROW contributed to this story.

4 NEWS December 2018

Lakewood band gets excellent rating

Lakewood’s band excelled at a countywide assesment required for all Pinellas County bands.

BY MAX DAYTON-YAEGER SNN Staff Writer

S

One of the 59 students attending was sophotudents from the Lakewood marching band, Soul of the South, attended the more Tiffany Bertram, who plays the cymbals.

“I liked going. I love the MPA, and I’d go countywide Music Performance Assessment on Nov. 4 at Dunedin High School. again,” she said.

Kernodle said his students will do more music Band teacher Michael Kernodle’s band perperformance assessments in formed, playing songs from the the future. movie The Incredibles.

“We have a Concert Band Bands from every Pinellas MPA and a Jazz Band MPA,” County high school are rehe said. quired to perform their rouHe added that if students tines in front of several judges, “do well on the district level, who assess their performances. (they) can go onto the state A percussion judge also grades level.” the band’s drumming skills, and Another attendee was asan auxiliary judge reviews their Michael Kernodle sistant principal Laura Mudd. dancing.

Band director She said that she enjoyed the Overall, Lakewood earned a straight excellent score on a range from good to band’s performance and gave praise to the dancers and the soloists. superior.

“The entire band looked really good. They all Kernodle thought that his students “did an awesome job,” and said that soloists Jack Willett, marched all together. They all stayed together,” she Toby Frazier and Erik Hempel deserved special said. “I think overall, our band performed as well as a lot of the other bands there that day.” recognition.

If students “do well on the district level, (they) can go on to the state level.”

SPECIAL TO SNN

The Lakewood High School band poses on the field at Dunedin High School as music teacher Michael Kernodle takes a photo after they earned an excellent rating at the countywide Music Performance Assesment on Nov. 4.

New ALMA club encourages athletes to read The club is part of the athletic management program and its goal is to improve literacy.

BY ELI TRIPPI SNN Staff Writer

HIBA AITGRIF | SNN

The Book Club for Athletes has been started by health teacher Erika Miller and science teacher Philip Muszynski.

“We want to find some books that will help with motivation, encouragement… stories that the kids can relate to, (and we’re) also working to improve literacy,” Miller said.

The club is being sponsored by the Athletic Lifestyle Management Academy (ALMA) program, and while the name clearly states that athletes are in it, the club is open for anyone to join.

“It will be good for the students to read and then talk about what they read,” Muszynski said.

The club will be using about 50 Kindles that the school already had. The club is working with the school district to access the Amazon accounts for the Kindles. Every Kindle will feature the same books, so that the club can read them together.

“There is a large selection of books to read, all types of genres,” Muszynski said.

The athletes who participate in the club said they look forward to reading about different sports and athletes.

“I don’t read that much in school because it’s not stuff that I’m interested in. I can read and learn about sports and athletes in the club,” senior Javon Moorer said.

Visit Miller in room 404 for information about the club.

From left, juniors Gregory “Deuce” Spann and Marques Tampa and senior Derrick Thomas check out the new Kindle Fire e-readers provided for the new book club for athletes.

Club strengthens teens’ relationship with God, each other A Christian youth group meets weekly to study the Bible and learn about God.

BY VALERIE BERTRAM SNN Staff Writer

Every Thursday during lunch in room B110, you can find a small group of about eight boys and girls, called the Crimson Youth Group. The group, part of a network of middle and high school students from various schools, meets in teacher Anthony Snead’s room to talk about God and various topics such as Adam and Eve and forgiveness.

“It helps the students to connect to God, to connect the students to their community and to their friends in the community and to be able to make Jesus Christ known and usher a way for these students to know Jesus Christ,” said youth pastor Viet Lee, who leads the group.

They also meet every Wednesday night at Suncoast Cathedral Church and Sunday mornings for Bible study and church.

Every month at Lakewood, Lee brings in pizza and a snack. There is a theme for each month and the students and Lee talk with each other about the topic and listen to each other’s opinions. The group is meant to give students the chance to learn about God in school since some of them don’t get to go to church.

“The most important thing I’ve learned is that different kids have different opinions about God, and they kind of like it because they don’t get a chance to go to church,”

said junior Alonzo Harris, a student leader for the group.

“I encourage others to join the group because it’s a really good chance to get to know the true meaning of the Bible.”

Harris has been in the group for five years. He first heard about it when he went to a meeting about leading high school Christian groups and he thought that it would be cool to join. The group is open to anyone, and all members of the group are encouraged to bring their friends.

The group has existed for more than 20 years, Lee said.

It started in 1998 as One Student Ministries and changed its name to Crimson Youth Group in 2016 when Lee took over. Besides Lakewood, Lee also leads groups at Meadowlawn Middle School, St. Pete Christian School and Northeast High School.

Lee said he thinks the group is important because teenagers “crave relationships.”

“We see a lot of students do a lot of unwise things. I believe that that is a lack of relationships,” Lee said. “What we have is an area or a place for students to develop relationships. … And obviously, the relationship with God is ultimately the goal because friends will come and go, but I believe that a relationship with God will last an eternity.”

Sibling duo are best PE teachers in state

Make your memories last forever!

The brother and sister are honored with the titles of physical education teacher of the year and sports educator of the year.

BY DIANA ROSENTHAL SNN Staff Writer

Buy a yearbook

$80

Bring cash, check or money order to C100 or order on Balfour.com!

VALARIE BERTRAM |SNN

Senior Tobias Ryckis talks to youth pastor Viet Lee during a group meeting on Nov. 29. The group talked about forgiveness and what to do in different scenarios.

Lakewood High School head football coach Moore said.

“I was more happy for her because of the hard Cory Moore and Health/AVID teacher Chantella Moore – brother and sister - were recognized at the work she puts in,” Cory Moore said.

The process started in 2017 SHAPE Florida Conference Cento figure out who would be ter in Kissimmee on Nov. 29. considered, and the brother SHAPE Florida is a statewide and sister combination were professional association for kinderpicked out of the whole state garten through 12th grade health of Florida. and physical education educators.

“I feel very proud and exEach year teachers who go above cited we had a brother and and beyond for students and prosister duo to represent our vide good leadership are recognized. school,” principal Erin Sav“Of course, I’m excited to win an age said. award in the state,” Cory Moore The physical education said.

Chantella Moore teacher of the year award is Chantella Moore was named Health and AVID teacher hosted once a year. Not only physical education teacher of the were the Moores recognized year while Cory Moore was named sports educator of the year. She said she is very for their excellent teaching abilities, they also got proud of the moment she and her brother shared to have fun.

“If I was to go to a conference I must read books, being recognized for helping students at Lakewood.

“I’m proud to represent Lakewood High School. but they got to do things the students would do … … It’s nice to be recognized for helping the stu- basically play games all day,” Savage said. dents. I treat them as if they are my own,” Chantella

“It’s nice to be recognized for helping the students.

I treat them as if they are my own.”

SPECIAL TO SNN

Football coach Cory Moore, principal Erin Savage and health and AVID teacher Chantella Moore stand together at the Florida SHAPE convention in Orlando after receiving their awards on Nov. 29.

An illuminating lesson

December 2018 FEATURES 5

Journalism students participated in a project called light painting. These pictures are taken by adjusting the camera’s shutter speed, which is how long the camera shutter stays open to take a picture. To take the photos, students set a timer, use a shutter speed of five seconds or more, then move a light source in different patterns. After the photo is taken the pattern is captured. The process takes patience.

“I found it challenging, because it takes time to get the exact photo that you want or the exact design,” senior Willie Smith said.

Boys to men

TORRENCE RUFFIN | SNN

Thought Bubbles

SNN

LINCOLN ROSENTHAL | SNN

Light hands

NICK STODDARD | SNN

Wings

NICHOLAS MADOLE | SNN

Dust in drifting pockets Glowing

TYLER GRAHAM | SNN

JADE MARKS | SNN

LINCOLN ROSENTHAL | SNN

One act,

one troupe, 11 awards

VIVIAN MANON | SNN

Senior Julia Bernhart performs a dance in an individual event, part of the Thespian District IV competition. She received a superior.

VIVIAN MANON | SNN

Kira, played by freshman Emma Ash, and Clyde, played by senior Timothy Santora, are interrupted by the chef, played by junior Mounir Ziad, who is so happy to have such a beautiful girl eating at his restaurant. that he shouts “Mama Mia!”

Above, junior Cheryl Land and senior Jakob Shepherd perform in a student-directed scene produced by senior Timothy Santora.

The scene received a superior, and the three students will be moving on to states to compete.

Right, freshman Brian Tran performs a monologue called Sweet and Twenty from a one-act play.

T

he roller coaster of emotions in the audience and the great bonding moments among Drama Club members will be long remembered for Lakewood thespians who presented the school’s one act, I Don’t Mind That VIVIAN MANON | SNN You Are Ugly.

The drama districts competition was held at St. Petersburg College in Clearwater and at Gibbs High School on Nov. 29 and Dec. 1.

“We wanted to do a romantic comedy and the one we picked was sweet and funny, which fits our cast really well,” senior Julia Bernhart said.

A total of 20 Spartans attended the competitions and participated in 11 events, including the one act, receiving the following ratings: • Four superiors for dance ( Julia Bernhart), duet musical ( Julia Bernhart and Leo Bergmiller), playwriting (Thomas Davis) and student-directed scene (Timothy Santora & Co).

• Three excellents for duet acting (Rebecca and Cheryl Land),

VIVIAN MANON | SNN

publicity design (Maria Gironda) and scene design (Thomas Davis).

• Three goods for duet musical (Caitlin Hays and Taylor Ortego), and two monologues (Thomas Davis and Brian Tran).

“It was kind of disappointing that we only got an excellent in our one act,” Drama Club sponsor Linda Santiago said. “But now we know what we must work on. States is our next goal.”

An All-Star Cast award given to the most outstanding performer of each one act presented, and the judges granted it to junior Cheryl Land.

“I was really honored and I am so glad I captivated the audience so well,” Land said.

Besides the emotions driven by the acts, the members had time to bond with each other during breaks from performances.

“It was funny to watch people conga line dance around the room,” senior Taylor Ortego said. “(It’s) a moment in my life that I will never forget.”

- SNN Staff Writer CAMILA CHERONE

6 FEATURES December 2018

TYLER GRAHAM | SNN

Vegetarian chili is one of the new meatless options available to students.

New menu is more inclusive From vegan Tex-Mex pizza to black bean corn salsa, the cafeteria manager has created more meatless choices.

By ANGEL LACLAUSTRA SNN Staff Writer

Juniors Avion Maybell and An’darius Wilson shred chicken by hand during the cooking class.

KEONDA MOORE | SNN

Cooking class opens new paths New after-school class strives to teach healthier eating habits to students and their parents.

By KEONDA MOORE SNN Staff Writer

A

new series of classes for students and parents lets participants eat their work when they’re finished. It’s a cooking class, organized by health teacher Erika Miller, that invites stuKEONDA MOORE | SNN dents, parents and teachers to come Students at the workshop cook, eat and learn about food and prepared homemade Chipotle how to prepare different meals. bowls.

“I wanted to find a way to get stuJunior An’darius Wilson said the dents to work together as a team and all learn how to prepare a healthy class made him think differently meal of some sort,” said Janelle Gar- about healthy food and about how to cia, a program coordinator from Johns prepare it.

“It still tastes good even though I’m Hopkins All Children’s Hospital who helps out with Lakewood’s Health a person that doesn’t like most vegetables. This class has taught me how Squad.

Miller said it is important for stu- to cook squash … I’ve never cooked it dents and parents to learn how to before,” he said.

Sophomore Jacquez McCray said cook healthy.

“It can help them make better food he was happy he came to the cooking choices that benefit them in a good class.

“Something that made me want way,” Miller said.

During the class, participants to be involved was that I was able to learned the proper way to cut and dice cook the food hands-on,” he said.

For junior Avion Maybell, the best veggies.

“I want to help them help them- thing about the class was the end selves live a better and healthier life, product.

“One thing that I liked the most by knowing that you can prepare healthy and flavorful meals,” Miller about this class was that I got to eat the food that I made,” he said. said.

KEONDA MOORE | SNN

Program coordinator Janelle Garcia prepares a sample of dressing she made for the class to taste. “I wanted to find a way to get students ... to prepare a healthy meal of some sort,” she said.

Café manager Kimberly Griffin has decided that it is time for things to change for Lakewood’s vegetarians and vegans.

Before, the meatless menu was without variety, as the only offerings were peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, salads and yogurt cups, with the occasional cheese empanada when it was served with the regular menu.

“After a while you get tired of eating the same stuff,” said freshman Bushra Rahman, a pescatarian.

After a lot of work, Griffin, along with Food and Nutrition supervisor Catherine Gerard, came up with brandnew vegetarian and vegan options for the Lakewood High School students. The menu items debuted on Oct. 22.

The new vegetarian and vegan options are vegan Mediterranean and vegan Tex-Mex pizza, vegan tacos and nachos, black bean corn salsa for fajitas, vegan quesadillas, teriyaki veggie burgers, vegetarian chili, vegan alfredo, hummus salad and apple fruit salad.

“The recipes were developed by a food and nutrition task force and have been taste-tested and approved by students and administration alike,” Gerard said.

“Most of these options are simply a version of the items that are already being served, only without meat and a lot of herbs to make it taste good,” Griffin said.

The vegetarian entrees and sides are not harder to make than the others.

“I think once you get used to using different herbs and seasoning, it gets better,” Griffin said.

The menu was changed to fit other students’ dietary options, which according to Gerard, was already happening at all schools.

“All Pinellas County schools cafeterias already make accommodations for students that have a medical need for a modified diet as is required by the USDA,” Gerard said.

Rahman said she has lately given the new, improved menu a chance, and it has not let her down. However, Rahman did say that she hoped the fish burgers make a comeback.

Rahman’s favorite item: “I liked the sweet potatoes with the bread on the side.”

In addition to providing vegetarian options, the new menu will give an opportunity to the students to make good choices regarding their overall health.

“It is the right choice for Lakewood High School and we are excited to see student concern for nutrition, health and wellness,” Gerard said.

SPECIAL TO SNN

Lakewood cheerleaders stand on the sidelines cheering on the football team.This year the cheerleading squad will not hold additional tryouts for basketball season. A fire in September in the gym destroyed many of the girls’ uniforms, which means there are not enough for additional cheerleaders.

Cheerleaders won’t hold winter tryouts

By ZHANTERRIA BURROWS SNN Staff Writer

Usually the cheerleading team keeps the same cheerleaders for football season and has tryouts for additional cheerleaders who would like to cheer for basketball season, but this year is different. When the gym fire happened in October, it destroyed most of the uniforms for the cheerleaders and now they have only a limited number of uniforms and not enough for extra cheerleaders.

“I feel very bad about the ones that would love to try out and can’t,” Coach Latora Lumpkin said.

Seniors Alexcia Fluellen and Essence Andrews said they couldn’t wait for basketball season to come around, because they couldn’t cheer for football season. Fluellen, a former Lakewood cheerleader during

her sophomore and junior years of high school, said she is disappointed that there are no additional tryouts because she really wanted to cheer during her last year in high school.

“I was and still am a dedicated cheerleader for this school,” Fluellen said.

Andrews agrees with Fluellen and said she thinks they should give other people a chance to cheer.

“It’s not fair. They cheered football season and other people wanted to cheer for their senior year,” Andrews said.

Cheerleader Da’Izhanne Moore, a senior, said she feels bad about the decision not to hold basketball tryouts, but at the same time she thinks that if peo-

ple really wanted to cheer they would have tried out during football season.

“I don’t mind. I love people, so if there were tryouts it would be fine with me,” Moore said.

Freshman A’nijah Butler said the decision is unfortunate. She said she wanted more people on the team for basketball season because of the effect it would make. Butler said if there were more people on the team their claps and stomps would be louder and would echo.

“I don’t really like it because I like a big squad and I like it to be more people, so we can echo and be louder,” Butler said.

Problems with transportation have also caused dif-

ficulties for this year’s cheer team. There is no funding for cheerleaders to get buses to go to games. All the games are away games, so it makes it more difficult for the girls to get to to them this year without transportation.

The cheerleading team makes it to more girls’ basketball games than boys’ basketball games, because cheerleaders can only ride with the girls’ basketball players and are not allowed to ride with the boys.

“We try to make it fair and make the same amount of games for both,” Lumpkin said.

December 2018 FEATURES 7

Spartan musicians excel at state level

Two Lakewood students audition and are accepted into all-state ensembles.

BY DARWIN COOVADIA SNN Staff Writer

A

fter much work and practice, two Lakewood High School students have been accepted into all-state ensembles.

Senior Alex Keshish is the only Pinellas County student selected for the All-State Guitar Ensemble, and one of only 40 students in all of Florida.

Keshish plays many other instruments besides guitar, including piano and clarinet. He’s played guitar for three and a half years and studies sheet music in his free time.

“I learn piano music on my own for fun, and I practice guitar pieces if I have an ensemble,” Keshish said.

Keshish wants to study music composition in college; however, he’s unsure about what career he’d like to pursue.

Although Keshish has never participated in allstate, he has previously performed in all county.

When auditioning for All-State, Keshish said he played a scale and a few short pieces for the judges alone. When music teacher Jacob Merrett informed him of his acceptance he was very excited.

“I was very excited. I didn’t know how to respond,” Keshish said.

The All-State Guitar concert will be in early January at Marriott Waterside Hotel in Tampa. *** Senior Stefan Mason was accepted along with 80 other kids into the All-State Orchestra Ensemble.

Mason auditioned for All-State Orchestra back in September, performing Kreutzer 12, Berlioz Roman Carnival and various scales on viola. Merrett recorded Mason playing and then sent the recording to official judges.

“I’ve been playing viola for six years. I started on piano, but I don’t play it anymore. I love the viola,” Mason said. “A big part of my college decision is if the

college has a good orchestra, so I can minor or major in music. I want to still play in college.”

Mason has previous experience, performing in all -state Honors last year and performing in all-county five years in a row. He says he tries to practice every day for at least an hour.

“I honestly didn’t believe it because I know how competitive the competition is. I was shocked,” Mason said.

The All-State Orchestra performance will be on Jan. 12 at the Tampa Convention Center.

Merrett helped both students prepare for their audition, providing support the whole way through, and having the honor of informing them of their acceptances. Merrett said he wasn’t surprised that both were accepted, because he was confident in both of their abilities.

“Alex works very hard, and Stefan has been playing for a long time,” he said. *** Senior Jack Willet, who plays trumpet, auditioned and made it into the All State Honor Band. He said he found out in late November. “I think it’s cool. I never played with that caliber in an ensemble before,” he said. *** In other music news, the following students made it into the 2018-2019 Pinellas All-County bands and orchestra: 9th-10th grade concert band: Joshua Hempy, clarinet; Carson Miller, trumpet; Dante Giuffre, trumpet 11-12th grade symphonic band: Apollo Leavy, tuba, and Ernest Houston, bass trombone High school orchestra: Stefan Mason, viola, and Casey Miltner, violin

VALARIE BERTRAM | SNN

Senior Stefan Mason, above, plays viola in the band room on Nov. 30.

Mason made it into the All State Orchestra and will perform in concert on Jan. 12 at the Tampa Convention Center.

Senior Alex Keshish, left, shows off his guitar in the courtyard at Lakewood High School. Keshish was accepted into the All-State guitar ensemble.

TYLER GRAHAM | SNN

Senior excels at swimming in sync Isabel Rask goes from dancing to synchronized swimming with a team.

BY CAMILA CHERONE SNN Staff Writer

Hold your breath, remember the choreography, and work as a team are steps senior Isabel Rask and her teammates must take when participating in synchronized swimming competitions.

“I love swimming,” Rask said “(It) is just so different. No one I knew did it.”

Rask has been doing synchronized swimming since she was 10 years old. She said it is a combination of dancing and swimming.

“I danced for six years. I started when I was 4, but I never did it competitively,” she said.

Synchronized swimming has taken Rask all the way to Spain.

This past summer she attended a synchronized swimming camp taught by Olympic medalist Andrea Fuentes.

“It was a gift for my birthday. I was also practicing my Spanish,” she said.

When Rask is not at the pool, Special to SNN you can find her taking part in Senior Isabel Rask performs at the USN Nationals in the category of Free Solo in April 2018 in Texas. Rask has been doing synchronized swimming since she was 10 years old. “I love swimming. a lot of the clubs at Lakewood High School.

(It) is just so different. No one I knew did it,” said Rask, whose sport has her competing in many “I am part of the Spanish different locations, including Spain.

Honor Society, Math Honor

Society and National Honor Society,” she said. “I am the secretary of the Key Club.”

Rask is a student in the Center for Advanced Technologies, a program that struggles to recruit and maintain female students.

“Sometimes it feels like there is no one like you,” she said. “The classes are full of boys having one or two girls.”

Because of that Rask helped create Women in Stem, a program she believes will help female students at school feel welcomed and supported if they are interested in STEM fields.

“It won’t happen overnight, but hopefully it will create a better environment,” she said.

Rask’s success academically is due mostly to her determination and work ethic, Spanish teacher Linda Santiago said.

“She is a great student and turns her work in on time,” Santiago said. “It was a pleasure having her in class.”

Rask said her success also comes from her family support, even though most of the mem-

bers of her family live outside of the United States.

“My mom is from Scotland and Isabel Rask my dad is from Sweden. My grandparents do not live here, and my cousins live in Australia,” she said.

Because of her parents’ backgrounds Rask struggled at school when she was younger.

“I would go to school and pronounce a word wrong, because that’s how my mom would say it at home,” Rask said.

But now she loves to read classic books, to enjoy a nice song, and to create great memories with her friends.

“She is such a great friend, around,” senior Taylor Ortego said. “You never know what she will come out with.”

The new pet for AMSET The program has an amphibian that will help students learn about different habitats.

BY HUNTER NEAL SNN Staff Writer

AMSET’s newest addition to its assortment of pets might surprise you.

The latest creature added to a room filled with reptiles and fish is the axolotl. The strange animal, alternatively known as the Mexican walking fish, is not a fish at all but an amphibian. Unlike frogs and salamanders, the axolotl matures and stays in water where it thrives in 50- to 60-degree temperatures.

AMSET coordinator Rachelle Fawaz said she got the black spotted axolotl she named Daisy off of Craigslist for $35, the average price for one. Fawaz said she wanted the axolotl to give an “example of an amphibian” for her students. She said Daisy’s diet consists of blood worms and minnows, a basic diet common among amphibians.

The AMSET program is set up to be hands on, and freshmen get grouped and assigned to one tank containing differing species of aquatic life.

“Every aquatic animal has different conditions that they’re

happiest in, so part of the project for them is to find those conditions and re-create them,” Fawaz explained.

She said AMSET students will learn more from the axolotl because of it’s special conditions.

The axolotl’s tank is fixed with a fan that regulates the temperature. Additionally, the bottom of the tank is kept clear of rocks or substrate as the axolotl will swallow almost any object smaller than its own head.

“Some animals require more when being taken care of,” freshman Gage Higel said.

Higel and Christophe Berthiaume, both freshmen in Fawaz’ eighth-period class, take care of Daisy’s tank.

Even though Daisy is quite the lazy creature, the students said, he is sure to spark interest in new students coming to AMSET or, at the very least, be a nice stop on the gallery walk of creatures belonging to the program.

TORRENCE RUFFIN | SNN

The new axolotl, Daisy, sits in her tank in the AMSET room.

8

SPANISH SPOTLIGHT December 2018

Seniors Elaine Danielson, Stefan Mason, S listen to Spanish teacher Linda Santiago’s Quixote de la Mancha while bundled up to

ANGEL LACLAUSTRA | SNN

Seniors Elaine Danielson and Stephane Moise do the king cobra pose on the grass of Lake Vista Park on Nov. 16.This was part of AP Spanish Literature Day, which is designed to allow more students time to read their required texts in a relaxed manner.

Spanish Spirit Lakewood is a hub of cultural activity. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Spanish class. The Spanish department’s classes and clubs provide students with a deeper understanding of Spanish culture, using field trips, classroom activities and community outreach projects.

A student takes notes in the margins of Do one of 38 works AP Spanish Literature stud

Pu

The Spanish Honor Societ people in Nicaragua and G A-wing and B-wing durin The bracelets were sent fro communities. “We want to situation,” senior Fiamma American artists with scho about social issues. The id and they hope to provide has the name of the artist

JALEN BOYKINS | SNN

Senior Isabelle Rask and Elaine Danielson laugh together while selling bracelets for the Pulsera Project on Nov. 30.

Dia de los Muertos The Foreign Language Department celebrated Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, in the library on Nov. 1 and 2 where students participated in many activities. The activities included making flowers, building skulls from marshmallows and watching a movie while snacking on chips and salsa. Dia de Los Muertos is a day that Spanish people celebrate their relatives who have died. “It’s always fun to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos because I like the activities that we do and we don’t have to do work,” junior Dany Brown said.

-SNN Staff Writer OTEMAN DELANCY

GABRIELLE SLIWOSKI | SNN

Marshmallow calaveras (skulls) sit on a table after the students have completed them.The project was an activity for Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead.

December 2018 SPANISH SPOTLIGHT 9

Sun, fun ‘y’ Cervantes

BY ANGEL LACLAUSTRA SNN Staff Writer

Spanish teacher Linda Santiago’s AP Spanish Literature class took a chance and ventured outside on Nov. 16 with only their books to keep them warm. The class took a Literature Day and went to Lake Vista Park, where they spent the entire school day reading Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes.

“I loved it because we had a time to get together and read. … We get to learn a lot about Spanish culture and we read a lot,” said senior Stephane Moise, one of the nine students who braved the cold.

Students in AP Literature must read and discuss 38 works spanning 1,200 years. Five of these works are quite long and take at least three weeks to read and analyze in class. A Literature Day allows students to finish these long works in much less time than originally expected. This has resulted in a much-increased ability to remember the work, the symbolism and the analysis and be able to write about it at the end of the year when they take their exam, Santiago said.

“I didn’t like it,” she said about Literature Day. “I loved it. We finally had time to read.

Nobody was stressed because of time restrictions.”

However, she didn’t like the temperature.

“The cold wanted to kill us,” she said. “Next time I will check the temperature before leaving the school.”

The class and Santiago brought a lot of blankets and snacks. The group sat on the ground where the sun was hitting and let the fresh air guide them through the complexity that is Cervantes’ writing.

After reading about seven chapters, the group took a break to do some yoga, which was led by seniors Elaine Danielson and Sarah Sulku, and then they took a five-minute nap to relax.

At the end, everybody’s voice was hoarse, their hands were tempanos de hielo (which means really cold) but their hearts were filled with warmth.

ANGEL LACLAUSTRA | SNN

Mason, Stephane Moise and Emily Flake Santiago’s explanation of a scene from Don dled up to escape the cold.

CAMILA CHERONE | SNN

gins of Don Quixote on Nov. 16. The text is ature students must study.

CAMILA CHERONE | SNN

Senior Stefan Mason puts a chip into senior Sara Sulku’s mouth on Nov. 16.

Pulsera Project

r Society is selling handmade bracelets and bags to benefit poverty-stricken ua and Guatemala. You can buy them in B104 and the courtyard between g during lunch. The sales started on Nov. 29 and will run until Dec. 17. sent from the countries, and 100 percent of funds will be returned to their want to make as much money as we can to help them out of their current Fiamma Albornoz said. The Pulsera Project is intended to connect Central with schools in the United States and bring awareness to their communities . The idea to sell the bracelets at school was a team effort from the honor society provide support to the people making them. Each bracelet comes with a tag that e artist who made it. Bracelets are $5, and bags are $10.

- SNN Staff Writer CRISTIN THOMAS

KINS | SNN

ts for

JALEN BOYKINS | SNN

A bag of pulseras lies on a sales table in the courtyard near T-wing.The Spanish Honor Society is selling the bracelets to benefit the people of Nicaragua and Guatemala.

JALEN BOYKINS | SNN

A red poster board that explains what the Pulsera Project is about is on display near the sales table in the courtyard. One hundred precent of the funds go back to the communities of the people who made them.

JALEN BOYKINS | SNN

Senior Emily Heneger ties a pulsera around senior Richard Brennan’s wrist. Each bracelet is handmade by artists in Nicaragua or Guatemala.

GABRIELLE SLIWOSKI | SNN

GABRIELLE SLIWOSKI | SNN

Spanish teacher Linda Santiago stands in the media center dressed in her colorful Dia de los Muertos fashion.

Students from Spanish teacher Lydia Harless’s class make paper flowers for offerings for La Catrina, the representative of those who have passed away.

To see a slideshow of Dia de los Muertos visit pcsb.org/snn and click on multimedia

10 OPINION December 2018

Editorial

See something, say something?

A boy posts a photo of a threatening note on social media - and gets suspended for it.

T

he slogan “See something, say something” has been heard a lot since the Parkland shooting, but it now will be incomplete without “suspended” next to it.

On Nov. 28, a note was found in the boy’s bathroom in A-wing, threatening to shoot up the school the very next day.

The boy who found the note shared a photo of it on social media to let his peers know the situation and to remain alert.

The boy should have been recognized for his good intentions. Instead, he was suspended from school after principal Erin Savage said he was “disturbing the school” and “impeding an ongoing investigation.”

Ever since school started we have been bombarded by new drills and an additional school resource officer. This gives us the idea that we are not safe, even at school. We have been told to speak up if we see something suspicious, yet when this student tried to speak up in one of the ways he knew, social media, he was

punished for it. We have been told to grab life by the horns and fight, yet when this boy tried to get the word out about a threat, he was punished.

The administration suspended the boy because he posted a photo of the note on Snapchat.

However, how was he supposed to know that he was not allowed to do so? The slogan is “See Something, Say Something.” It never says anything about posting.

Students won’t ever know that they are breaking a rule if the administration doesn’t make it obvious that there is such a rule.

And we get it, social media was not made to get this type of information around. However, social media is the centerpiece of almost every teen’s life. So-

cial media is no longer only for sharing pretty selfies to boost our ego and telling strangers our darkest secrets. Social media is one of the fastest ways to spread news, and how students can warn people that they might be in danger.

We get it. Chaos and fear do not combine well with 1,000 students - or those students’ parents.

The staff has a lot of pressure on their shoulders. But that’s where all the trainings we go through make a difference. It should not be about hiding the threats from the students. It should be about training the students not to freak out, to be alert and to inform someone if something seems suspicious – which is exactly what the boy who found the note did.

Social media is no longer for sharing pretty selfies to boost our ego and telling strangers our darkest secrets.

What has been forgotten in all of this is the person who wrote the note.

Stop for a second and realize that there is a student out there who feels terrible enough to write on a piece of toilet paper “Bye. Ima shoot up the school 11.29.18.”

Did the person who wrote the note have intentions to do it or was it just a cry for help? Who knows? What we know is the student may be a friend of yours, a classmate, the person with the biggest smile you see every day who may be going through a tough moment.

Lakewood, help each other. Reach out to your friends. Don’t let anyone feel so completely isolated that harming others becomes an option for them.

Remember that like true Spartans, we will not “Run” away from our fellow students who are in distress, we will not “Hide” from the truth of the threats that may be around us, but we will “Fight” to make sure that all students are treated fairly.

Girls’ soccer needs respect

Letters

Take grades seriously

Editor’s note: The following letter was addressed to the student body as a whole, not the SNN editor.

Check your disrespect

Dear Students, Who told you it was acceptable to talk to teachers like that? Who told you it was all right to talk to anybody like that? “Shut up, jit!” “I’ll beat your a--!” “You’re racist (because you said I can’t go in the faculty lounge)!”

Who told you it was all right to wander around campus whenever you felt like it? Who said you had a right to stroll into any building you feel like and refuse to leave? Who told you to come to the auditorium for the bathroom if you’re in C-wing?

“You ain’t my teacher.” “Mind your business.”

“I don’t have to listen to you.” “Why are you hassling me?”

You’re here to learn. I’m here to teach. You’re not going to learn if you’re not in class. I can’t teach if you’re disrupting my class.

Who told you these things were okay?

They were wrong.

-Jacob Merrett, music teacher

Share your opinion Letters to the editor should be sent to angelaclaustra@gmail.com. They should concern opinion on a featured editorial, column or news story.

They must be signed, accurate and at most 150 words. Letters may be edited for taste, length and grammar.

Dear Editor, Students don’t take their grades seriously. I think we should become more aware of this. We should try to encourage kids more and offer more help. We could give kids extra credit for staying after school for more help and to stay on top of their studies.

Students could be more successful if they put in enough work and effort to stay on top of their grades.

- Rahjanea Green, 11th grade

My skin, my problem Dear Editor, Yes, people do judge me on my tattoos. They may say they’re dumb or make me look ignorant. But to me my tattoos have meaning and reasons. I have one that has my grandmother’s name and I have my little brother’s name. They both passed and I was really close to them. In my opinion, my tattoos are not on your body so they shouldn’t bother you or affect you in any way.

-Kie’ondre Armstead, 12th grade

Props to the music program Dear Editor, Lakewood High School is filled with untapped potential, and with all the programs we have, our school has become a school for greatness. From our sports teams, to our music and arts program, to CAT and AMSET, even journalism. Our school is the place for our students to find themselves and excel in their subjects. That being the case, our music program has so much greatness in its future. From marching band getting excellents and playing in the East West shrine bowl, to our combo band and big band getting superiors in the MPA’s and getting gigs from St. Petersburg all the way to Tampa. The bar is already set high but we can set it even higher. Our music program would excel even more if people applying for high school understood how amazing it is and if it could receive a little more funds, our school would not only be known for its academic programs, but also as the school with the best marching band and jazz band in the whole county.

-Joel Mendez, 10th grade

Dear Editor, As long as I’ve been at Lakewood, girls’ soccer has been subpar. My freshman year I remember having to use a Sharpie to draw a number on my jersey because it was so worn out. I remember recoloring every game because it would just wash off. Girls would stare at me at every game with puzzled looks.

The next year only got worse. We lost our coach from the previous year and had a new one.

This coach knew nothing of soccer at all; in fact, a senior that year and her dad seemed to run the whole team. Not only was the coach uneducated in our sport, he was disrespectful to the girls, saying things like “they aren’t paying me enough money to be out here.” He also made comments about girls’ bodies, calling one girl “a stick” and praising the “heavier girls” for trying to keep up.

In my junior year we had no team at all.

Finally, in my senior year we are playing with Clearwater uniforms because ours have been damaged by the gym fire. This is the only year I have seen anything being done to help out the girls’ soccer program. Thankfully, we have athletic director Laura Mudd, who has been trying so hard to get us new uniforms.

Overall, I would just like to see the school take an interest in sports besides football and basketball.

We are part of your school, too, and you should be representing us, as well as every sport.

- Rachel Riiska, 12th grade

High school degree is worth it Dear Editor, A lot of students drop out of school after they turn 16 years old, and most of them don’t end up being successful later on in their lives. I think kids shouldn’t be allowed to drop out of school. They should be forced to stay in school until they graduate or until they’re 18 years old.

One of the reasons I think kids shouldn’t be allowed to drop out is because having a high school diploma will provide better job opportunities with better pay.

“High school graduates earn a national average of $8,000 more annually compared to high school dropouts,” according to the website America’s Promised.

This would also lead to more jobs being created and that will help the country’s annual earnings.

We need our kids to take full advantage of the free education our country provides them. Some countries don’t have free education and they would kill for that, so kids should be mindful of the opportunity they have.

-Deontez Cook, 12th grade

Research class a necessity, not a perk

Spartan News Network Staff Editor-in-Chief: Camila Cherone News Editor: Malkolm Belfor Photo Editor: Gabrielle Sliwoski Opinion Editor: Angel Laclaustra Entertainment Editor: Cristin Thomas Sports Editor: Diana Rosenthal Chief Photographer: Vivian Manon Asst. Chief Photographer: Lincoln Rosenthal Web Editor: Davario Campbell Business Editor: Tyler Graham Copy Chief: Julianna Raymond Copy Editor: Max Dayton-Yaeger Lead Sports Photographer: Jonathan Myers Fashion Editor: Zhanarria Mohogany Sports Photographer: Nikiyah Neal

Advisors: Kathleen O. Tobin and Jade P. Shiver Code of Ethics As journalists for the Spartan News Network, we work together as a community with respect, professionalism, accuracy and curiosity. We collect information and dig deep to get to the bottom of the most current events to produce and distribute hard-hitting and honest news to the Lakewood community in a timely manner. SNN is an open forum that strives to accurately report a balanced and truthful depiction of the news while remaining objective.

Our main goal at SNN is to build and maintain trust with the people, to give a voice to the voiceless and to succeed at not just painting the picture, but telling the story behind the art.

SNN is produced by the students of Lakewood High School.

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For more news, go to the SNN web site:

pcsb.org/snn

CAT students have a more rigorous curriculum than traditional students, and the extra time is needed.

By ROHEY BARROW SNN Staff Writer Many students at Lakewood think that Center for Advanced Technologies students get advantages over other students, including research class, a class period used by CAT students for help on their math and science courses. So, why are CAT students the only ones to

get research class? Should this be con- late work, though. We also use it to ask our teachers for help. sidered an unfair advantage?

“It’s also their aca“CAT kids have it demic coaching time,” to support our very Ashwood said. rigorous curricuWe meet with our lum,” CAT counselor coaches to look over Cheri Ashwood said. our grades and address This makes sense problem areas. This is to me as I am a CAT important within the student, and I take program, because it’s some of these “rigeasy for some students orous courses.” The Cheri Ashwood to fall behind considclasses can be very CAT guidance counselor ering the classes are difficult, so this time difficult. in research class can be Some non-CAT students still believe crucial. It’s really helpful when we’re absent and miss an important class so we they deserve a research class that follows their own curriculum. Yes, it would be can catch up.

We don’t just use it for catching up on helpful, but there are similar classes for

“CAT kids have it to support our very rigorous curriculum.”

kids in other programs or the traditional side of the school.

Non-CAT kids aren’t just left without support. They still get everything they need for what they’re learning. Some may say that AVID acts as a research class for them because it is used to learn special skills and manage work from other classes.

“We have personal social skills development class, we have a freshman experience class to help them adjust to high school and we have AVID,” assistant principal Tequena Akintonde said.

While it’s true that research provides added support for CAT kids it’s also true that other resources are equally available for non-CAT students.

Columbia Scholastic Press Association Silver Crown Winner 2018 Gold Medal rating 2018

Please, stop the horrifying tests now

By AMIYA BRINSON SNN Staff Writer Standardized tests are overwhelming for both students, teachers and even parents. Many become discouraged and worry that they may not pass these big tests that are now becoming a require-

ment to graduate. Students were trained from as little as third grade to do these tests.

“They aren’t good because we are learning to pass tests and not learning to actually learn,” senior Lauryn Latimer said.

Many students tend to fall short of the expectations when it comes to test scores and comprehension of different tasks.

Plenty of students, such as senior class president Latimer, have also felt the pressure and suffered through long nights of studying only to fall short of the test task as they forget the material due to being nervous and feeling dis-

couraged.

These standardized tests are taken before comprehension skills are met and mastered. The tests aren’t only overwhelming but very intimidating. It also puts pressure on the teachers to make sure they teach everything they possibly can so that the students have every material possible mastered in so little time and students tend to fall behind and they ultimately give up.

Others will say it gives students guidance into the real world and will have them prepared for the hard tasks of life and the urgency of staying on task.

People say the tests have a positive effect on students. It helps identify prob-

lem areas and what they may need help with and shows the things they are good at. The majority of the students’ parents approve of the test.

So, here’s my message to the school board: Please take into consideration that the students and teachers have many assignments they have to complete before the school year is up. Let’s minimize the tests and focus on important strategies to get students ready for the future.

If tests were minimized hopefully the rate of students dropping out will decrease and many students will actually graduate and won’t feel pressured to simply pass a test.

Pacemaker Winner 2015

December 2018 OPINION

Columns

11

Women have potential to change U.S. More women were chosen to hold political positions during this past election than ever before.

A

ccording to the 2011 census by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 50.8 percent of the U.S. population was comprised of females. However, only 17.9 percent of members of the U.S. House of Representatives and

By ANGEL LACLAUSTRA Senate were women.

Women in government are SNN Staff Writer under-represented in most countries worldwide. Women have inadequate opportunities in social participation, especially in striving for political rights and power in the government and other institutions.

This, however, changed in the November election when women broke records for the number of candidates for governor, U.S. House and U.S. Senate, with at least 100 women winning seats in the House of Representatives and 23 in the Senate.

Democrat Deb Haaland, the former chairwoman of New Mexico’s Democratic Party, won New Mexico’s congressional district. Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, will become one of the first Native American women elected to Congress alongside Democrat Sharice Davids, an openly gay ex-MMA fighter, who won the Kansas’ election.

Native Americans have often been silenced and their problems ignored, now with more than 16 people in positions of government, maybe people will finally start to listen to them.

Ilhan Omar became the first Somali-American in Congress. Omar, who came to the United States as a refugee, is one of the first Muslim women in Congress, something she shares with Rashida Tlaib, who won

a seat in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District.

According to a Pew Forum study, in 2017 there were 3.45-million Muslims in the United States, but their representation has always left something to be desired. Out there, somewhere, there is a little girl looking up to these women, the ones who defied all odds and became something great.

Representation is something valuable, something that is so rare if you are not a cisgender heterosexual white male. There will always be a need for representation of women, especially women of color. Voices of different social and racial groups have been silenced or ignored because of the lack of political representation in the U.S. government.

On Nov. 6, the United States made history. It made a mark that will affect the future of the next generations. In the middle of a patriarchy, full of corruption, a change has been made.

Solutions needed for trash-filled seas

Our oceans have slowly filled with trash - and that’s not okay.

By LUCIANO PACELLI SNN Staff Writer

With over seven billion people in the world, you would think someone would find a cleaner, more sustainable way of dealing with the colossal amount of trash humans produce each year. With over 14 billion pounds of trash dumped into the ocean annually you would hope some effort would be made to purify the ocean of the mess we made. I think we need to be more responsible with our trash when on the beach and stop littering.

Although earth has miraculously cleaned up unthinkable messes in the past, “only we humans make

waste that nature can’t digest,” marine researcher Charles Moore said.

If you need more motivation to clean up and prevent marine debris, just think of the countless marine lives you may save by recycling every plastic bottle, can and box you use.

Over a million seabirds, and 100,000 marine animals die each year due to the trash humans so carelessly toss into the waters. If you don’t clean up your beaches and properly dispose of trash, beaches worldwide will be consumed with trash.

Others may argue that they shouldn’t have to clean up other people’s messes, but if you don’t, who will? If you don’t clean up your beach, then you shouldn’t expect a clean ocean or safe marine life. If you plan on maintaining a beautiful coastline, recycle and take care of your local beaches.

With more than five trillion

pieces of plastic in the ocean throughout the world, some minor efforts have been made by people passionate about preserving the ocean surface. The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization that is helping to clean up the oceans, is developing a system, using currents to collect trash. Since 1985 about 250-million pounds of trash have been collected by volunteers and non-profit organizations.

The first change you may take to prevent ocean disasters starts at home. Recycle your cardboard, plastic and glass to ensure none of it ends up back into the ocean. Another great idea to prevent marine debris is to clean up trash on your local beach.

Remember that the ocean and coastline aren’t just around for your lifetime and preserve our beaches for future generations. By participating in ocean cleanups, you are not only encouraging others to join you, but you are also making them think twice where their trash goes.

We need better public transportation Our city needs a bus system that more people can rely on.

By JUSTIN GOFFE SNN Staff Writer Florida is a beautiful place but everything seems to be spread out, and if you don’t have a car then it might be hard to get around. If you don’t have a car, motorcycle, bicycle or any other method of self-transportation, then the only mode of transportation that you can rely on is public buses, and the buses feel like they take hours to get there, and they do. That’s why we need better public transportation.

Most people take the bus to go to work or to go shopping and plenty of other reasons, and they often have to wait for at least an hour to get on the bus. If they miss the bus, then they could wait up to three hours. People don’t have time for this kind of waiting, especially if they have to get to the place by a certain time. Three

hours is way too long. A lot of people just end up walking the distance, which defeats the entire purpose of public transportation.

Some people say that if you follow the bus schedule, you won’t miss the bus. This can be true in some cases, but most of the time the buses can be early or just completely off schedule, which leads people to be confused and think that they might be too early or too late. Also, things don’t always go according to plan and people can’t make it to the bus stop on time and for those people who are late there should be other options instead of having to wait hours or walk.

There are many solutions to this problem. For example, the transit system could buy more buses so that the buses can come every 10 to 15 minutes. That way people won’t have to worry if they’re too late because another bus will be there right away.

Public transportation is a necessity to a lot of people, but the St. Petersburg buses aren’t fit for most people and that needs to change quickly. If the city wants people to ride them, then there needs to be some serious changes and fast.

Public transportation is a necessity to a lot of people, but the St. Petersburg buses aren’t fit for most people.

Illustration by LAUREN LAWSON

It’s not free speech; it’s hate speech Gab is a website that offers a platform for offensive ideas.

By OERYAN WILSON SNN Staff Writer Since the founding of the United States, we have had freedom of speech. Though it may be pushed to its breaking point in today’s world, there’s a specific website that has taken this right way too far.

Gab is a website that is widely disliked on the internet. It is banned on many websites, including Google and Amazon, due to its interpretation of freedom of speech.

Gab’s name became known after it was discovered that Pittsburg synagogue shooter Robert Bowers was an “avid poster of anti-Semitic content on Gab,” according to CBS News.

Right before entering the synagogue and killing 11 people, Bowers wrote on Gab: “Screw the optics. I’m going in.”

While at first glance it may seem like a friendly website with memes

and actual conversations, it is just a misleading cover for the extreme conversations that occur there on an everyday basis.

For example, a poster on the website that goes by NEW_ORDER wrote “every white baby born is a victory in our race’s struggle for existence.”

After being blocked on so many platforms, why is Gab still accessible from school computers? It’s probably because the website keeps getting deleted, forcing the administrators to create new ones.

This action puts school kids at risk who probably think Gab is just a fun website, but it is filled with hate speech and far-left and far-right extremist views.

Freedom of speech should be about voicing our ideas in open conversations, being mature and being adults, not posting on the internet with offensive slang and verbally assaulting anyone who disagrees.

In a place for learning, we should be focusing on the curriculum. Yes, I understand that in free time, some people play games, watch videos and listen to music. But this extremely biased website that says they want to protect free speech is not the place to be at all, so the school system should make sure to keep it blacklisted.

Gab claims to be a “social network that champions free speech, individual liberty and the free flow of information online.” But it is clear it is a bunch of extremist users who seek safety under this site’s protection. Freedom of speech does not include hate speech; being hidden behind a computer monitor shouldn’t make people feel brave enough to post these things.

Gab is a form of social media, but it is far beneath other sites like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and many others. This site is probably as bad as they come.

It may seem like a friendly website with memes and actual conversations, but it is just a misleading cover for extreme conversations.

Microtransactions are the enemy of video games Purchasing downloadable content gives people with money an unfair advantage.

By AUSTIN CASTILLO SNN Staff Writer Microtransactions have always been a controversial topic among gamers. They are a business model where players can purchase in-game items via micropay-

ments. The community has always been split on the idea of them as they often give players who purchase them an advantage over others. They are wrong and should not be used in AAA games. If you are unaware of the term AAA (triple-A) games, it is used to classify a game as having the most budget and highest level of promotion; therefore, they are seen as “the” game.

The business model of microtransactions should be scrapped because the process gives players who can afford them advantages. Games will have an item ingame that is highly sought after and put a price tag on it instead of letting players earn them by completing tasks or objectives. This is “pay to win” and developers

should be ashamed.

Another reason microtransactions are bad is because they are now starting to be used in AAA games. These games are often the most expensive and they are often ruined by microtransactions.

Though the abuse of microtransactions angers many, a good number of people think there Is nothing wrong with them, and they try to defend these payments.

The argument they often use is that you can earn the items in-game rather than just buying them. But I don’t think it’s that simple.

For example, I’m a huge fan of Call of Duty, and the guns are locked behind loot crates called supply drops. Supply drops

are a random chance loot generator that have a small chance of giving you the weapon you want. You can earn them ingame by leveling up. But you can also buy the supply drops - and not just one at a time or 10. You can buy 50 supply drops, that’s 50 levels for the player who doesn’t buy them.

The people who buy the supply drops and get the best guns from them have an advantage over those who don’t have the money or simply don’t want to spend any money. The excuse that you can just earn them is so annoying because people can get the best items easily by just buying them, while others have to spend hard work and time trying to earn them.

I think the solution to the microtransaction situation is to have them only sell items that are cosmetic, and don’t sell players items that can give some players an edge over others. For example, Overwatch has loot crate microtransactions that only give “Skins” or items that strictly change the look of your player. This system receives no backlash because it isn’t pay-towin at all. If more games used this system, microtransactions wouldn’t be such a hated thing in gaming and all players will be on a fair playing field.

Changes need to be made in the way microtransactions work, whether that means taking them out of games or changing the way they work for the better.

12

FASHION December 2018

The science of sneakers

Hip hoodies

Teacher Philip Muszynski owns 25 pairs of shoes, many that are unique.

Nike SP Dunk High Ugly Christmas Sweaters $110

As the weather starts to cool-down hoodie fashion is heating up.

Check out some of the standouts we’ve seen in Lakewood’s hallways.

Zipp-Down Nike $120 Dae’mon Gooden, 10th grade Footlocker

Forest Gump Cortez Nikes Nike.com $90

Adida’s Yeezy Boost 350v2 $225

Green Fleece $35 Hiba Aitgrif, 12th grade Victoria’s Secret

Science teacher, Philip Muszynski PHOTOS AND STORY BY MARIO HEATLEY | SNN Staff Writer

Philip Muszynski is a science teacher who always wears sneakers while he teaches. What teacher do you know who wears Yeezys while teaching?

Muszynski, also an assistant football coach, has 25 pairs of shoes in his shoe collection with an overall cost of more than he wants to admit. His favorite shoes are his Adidas Yeezy Boosts, because they are the most comfortable shoes he has ever worn, he said, and he can match them with almost anything since they’re black and white.

He has three pairs of shoes that are quite unique. The first pair are his Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 v2 “Butter” at a cost of $225, which he got as a gift that was purchased on the GOAT app, a show purchasing app. The second pair are his Forrest Gump Cortez that he got on Nike.com for $90. They

were released on the 25th anniversary of the Forrest Gump movie. The third pair are his Nike SB Dunk High Ugly Christmas Sweaters he got from a sneaker app called SNKRS for $110. He got them as a substitution for ugly Christmas sweaters.

“I didn’t want to keep buying ugly Christmas sweaters every year, so I bought shoes that I can wear once a year,” Muszynski said.

His love for shoes comes from back in the day, when he used to get Eastbay magazines in the mail that showed shoes in different colorways.

He circled the shoes he wanted on every page. Sneaker News is Muszynski’s favorite shoe website because it tells him when the shoes are being released and it shows great shoe collaborations.

Perfume makers should disclose all ingredients Harmful ingredients could be in your beauty products and there should be laws against it.

BY JULIANNA RAYMOND SNN Staff Writer

Look at your perfume. Now look at the ingredient list. What do you see? You may see the words water, fragrance and many other chemicals you have never heard of. But what makes up the fragrance? Unfortunately, you can’t easily find that information.

Some regulations have been passed to get perfume makers to list their ingredients, but when asked about the fragrance, they can legally say it is a trade secret.

That is plain ridiculous. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is in place to regulate what we consume in food or drugs, but what about what we consume in our skin such as from lotions or perfumes? There is nothing. Some of the chemicals found in those products we use daily can be linked to cancer.

According to safecosmetics.org, laws do not provide the FDA with the authority to require disclosure or public safety of fragrance ingredients.

In the United States, cosmetic businesses are required to

A hairy situation

list ingredients on the label. This regulation does not include the individual components of fragrance, to preserve trade secrets. This creates a loop-hole that leads to disclosure gaps.

We, as consumers, should know what is in our daily products and be able to make a conscious decision on whether we want to continue using them. Some of these products can and have been known to cause serious cancer.

According to breastcancer.org, women have a one in eight chance of developing breast cancer. The chemicals in many cosmetics mimic hormones and make breast cancer more likely.

Not only are we getting a higher risk, but so are our babies and infants. Chemicals are being ingested into pregnant mothers and are absorbed into the fetus as well. We should be able to know what we are putting into our bodies and giving to our future generations. Maybe then we can advance to finding out the causes and cures for different cancers.

Walking the halls of Lakewood you can find people of all shapes, sizes and colors - and hair, too. Colored hair is the new trend, from full color to tips and streaks, students have adorned themselves with bright and beautiful hair.

Students share what inspired them to make this bold move.

Sophomore Cornieshiana Thomas

has permanent hair color. She said she doesn’t know how long she plans on keeping the color in, but she may keep it in for a long time. She dyed her own hair and said it’s her first time having color. “If you want to do it, then do it,” she said.

Junior Jared Rouson’s hair color is permanent. “I wanted to do it because its different. Not a lot of people dye their hair to the roots,” he said.

He is thinking of cuttinghis hair when he becomes a senior or if he gets a job or goes to college. He got his hair done by a professional and it’s his first time bleaching his hair.

Freshman Samiya Holmes said she colored her hair, because she just wanted something new and she hopes to keep her color in for a while. Holmes said she’s tried plain blue, plain purple, red and green before. “It’s nice to try new things and you can express yourself with it,” Holmes said.

Gold CJAM hoodie $22 Nikiyah Neal, 12th grade Imagemarket

Blue Wylee $100 De’jah Boyd, 9th grade Dirty Heads Concert

Senior Willie Bush has semi-permanent color. He said that orignally his hair was scarlet red, the color of his zodiac sign. It was his first time coloring his hair. “I plan on keeping the color up until my birthday or graduation, but I wanted a new me, so I’ll probably wait until my birthday comes,” Bush said.

December 2018 ENTERTAINMENT

13

A beautiful story that never really happened

BY JAKOB SHEPERD SNN Staff Writer

Bohemian Rhapsody marketed itself as a biography, of both Freddie Mercury and an overall telling of the story of Queen as a band, and somehow does neither.

The movie begins by having airplane bagman and societal outcast Farrokh Bulsara watch a band play in a bar.

He then seeks them out to have them play some songs he wrote. The band, having just lost its lead singer, turns him down and scoffs at him when he offers to sing for them, until he shows what he can do. Once they allow him to join, he’s an instant hit.

Much to the dismay of his conservative father, Farrokh first changes his first name to Freddie and later changes his last name to Mercury, becoming the lead singer we all knew. Or at least, we thought we knew.

The movie paints a picture of Freddie Mercury as an eccentric drama queen, touching heavily upon his discovering of his homosexuality and showing some behindthe-scenes writing of certain songs. The movie ends with a performance at Live Aid that is meant to serve as Freddie’s character redemption after apologizing to the band for breaking them up.

The movie is exciting and meant to be overall inspir-

ing. It has the same message of “be yourself ” as many but does so explosively. If this movie were marketed as just a drama, I would be more than willing to call it a well-finished product.

But not only does it twist facts, it seems almost as if the movie were meant to punish Mercury with things that simply did not happen. The band is broken up when friction is created after Mercury decides to do solo work for the sake of the money offered to him.

While Mercury did in fact do solo work, he was not the first in the band to decide to do so. Drummer Roger Taylor actually released two solo albums before Mercury released his, making the idea that Mercury’s decision broke up the band far less likely.

It also made it seem as if Mercury’s AIDS announcement to his band happened far earlier than it did, making it the only reason why he wanted the band to be brought back together.

The saving grace of the movie by far is the stellar performance of every actor involved, making the story immersive and engaging despite its inaccuracies. Rami Malek does a wonderful job of portraying Mercury, cap-

turing the intricacies of his character by watching hours of tape, film and interviews of the man. It is because of the actors’ performances alone that I would recommend watching the film.

The movie is reminiscent of an MTV behind-the-music dramatization that gives the audience a story to bind to the music. With scenes that capture the energy of what it was to be in a band such as Queen, and a soundtrack that is both nostalgic and energizing, the movie is absolutely enjoyable.

Again, if the movie were not marketed as a biography, I would recommend the movie to any Queen fan, whether serious or not, but I would warn them not to take it too terribly seriously or as factual. However, the unfortunate nature of widespread misinformation is that the movie’s portrayal will likely become common knowledge of Mercury, and for that, I cannot fully endorse the film.

The movie is two hours and 14 minutes long, and rated PG-13 for drug usage and sexual behavior. The movie is entertaining, but misinforming. Overall, I’d give it 3 pairs of aviators/5 beautiful ’staches.

IMDB

Grief, loss blends into gripping thriller

BY CRISTIN THOMAS SNN Staff Writer

IMDB

Netflix released The Haunting of Hill House, a new original TV Show from the same name as Shirley Jackson’s 1953 novel. However, the only subjects that this show shares with the novel is its name and central theme of ghosts.

Before watching this, I didn’t even know there was a book, so I can’t say which one is better, but I will say this show is perfect.

This series comes from Mike Flanagan, who also wrote and directed other horror works such as: Gerald’s Game, Oculus and Hush. He also casts some of the same people in his movies, including Carla Gugino, Kate Seigel and Henry Thomas. It also helps that the trio are amazing actors.

The show follows the Crain family: the mother, Olivia, the father, Hugh, their three daughters, Nellie, Theo and Shirley and their two sons, Steven and Luke. Olivia and Hugh buy houses, renovate them and sell them. So, they buy Hill House with plans to stay there for eight weeks and then leave. Things go very wrong when they quickly realize they aren’t the only family living there. Things only escalate with the children’s supernatural abilities.

The daughters have paranormal abilities they got

Travis Scott’s ‘Rodeo’ an instant classic

BY AUSTIN CASTILLO SNN Staff Writer

Travis Scott has always been an inconsistent artist. His first mixtape/EP/Album/whatever had a few enjoyable songs, but a lot of songs I didn’t like at all.

It was a mixed bag. So, when a family member recommended Rodeo to me, I was a bit skeptical.

But, wow, is it an amazing album.

From the very dark and rumbling bass of 90210, to the twisted guitar strings of Oh My Dis Side. This album really shows how versatile Scott is while at the same time showing what he’s best at. Scott considers himself a rock star, so when I listen to his songs I expect some rock influence, and boy does Rodeo deliver.

Scott uses many different instruments on this album rather than the standard 808’s hi-hats that most rappers use to craft beats. The overall tone of the album is dark, sinister and sometimes trippy, but

that’s expected from Scott. This album shows Scotts flexibility and shows that he can make more than club bangers.

Scott also uses his features very well on this album. The Weeknd makes an appearance on the song Pray 4 Love, almost stealing the show with his memorizing vocals and a pretty decent verse at the end of the song.

Nightcrawler, with features from Chief Keef and Swae Lee, was the biggest banger of the album, the favorite of many and for good reason. The vocals from Swae Lee and the hook by Scott are a great compliment to the roaring bass.

I’m not going too spoil to much about the album, but overall Travis Scott’s Rodeo is an instant classic and will go down as one of my favorite hip-hop albums of all time.

A welcome surprise

BY HENRY HAIGHT SNN Staff Writer

Nobody expected it, nobody asked for it, but I’m sure we’re all glad we got it.

Toby Fox, the creator of 2015’s smash indie hit Undertale, has published a new game in the same universe out of the blue. With no fanfare other than a few cryptic posts on Twitter the day prior and no announcement other than a link to where the game can be downloaded, the game Deltarune was truly a surprise to many. A welcome one at that.

The game keeps the humorous and lovable characters of its predecessor, and allies and enemies alike will make you laugh at their antics and quirky, yet believable, personalities. The turn-based combat system of the first game makes a return, albeit with more than a few quality of life changes.

You, playing as the character Kris, now command a party of characters consisting of Susie, the bruiser, and Ralsei, the magic user. Together, you work your way through the underground, contested by the

goofy antagonist Prince Lancer and his goons.

Much like the first game, you can choose to deal with your enemies in two different ways: violence or peace. You can fight your enemies like you would in any other game, attacking them with sword and magic until they flee in terror. There is, however, another way of doing things.

You can try to convince them not to fight and command your allies to do the same, turning foe into friend throughout your adventure. Your decision on how to deal with your enemies affects the outcome of the story as it does in Undertale. Spared enemies pop up along the way and change the mood of the underground as you progress.

Overall, this game is nothing short of a welcome continuation to a game that didn’t need one.

Deltarune tells its own, unique story while at the same time building off the themes of friendship and choice from the first game.

A worthy successor

house, there are five long shots. It is not only stunning, it pulls the scene together by showing the full chaos of the storm and how the family is scared - something that the viewer wouldn’t get with scenes that was shot and cut normally.

Gugino is the star of the show and she outshines everyone. Gugino sells her character’s descent into madness with ease. She fits into the role like a puzzle piece. If she doesn’t win any awards for her performance, every award association can catch these hands.

The downsides of this show are that the actor who plays young Luke, Julian Hilliard, at some points doesn’t sound like he is his character talking, but more like he is just reading a script rather than bringing it to life. I don’t think it’s that bad of a thing, though, because he is 7 years old, and I expect him to act like a 7-year-old. Also, there are a lot of jump scares, which in certain scenes work quite well and others seem redundant. Although jump scares get such a bad rap nowadays, this show does use them well.

Overall this show was one of the best things I’ve seen in recent years. I highly recommend it and give it a 10/10.

Show exceeds expectations, but expectations were low

BY CRISTIN THOMAS SNN Staff Writer

Light as a Feather is a new teen-centered Hulu original based on a Wattpad book. Wattpad is an app and website where anybody can upload their original written works. Zoe Aarsen has written three Wattpad novels on the site with talk about turning the trilogy into three or more seasons.

Season 1 has 10 episodes that follow high school students and their lives after they play a game of Light as a Feather: a game where one person lies down, others put their hands on them, and chant “light as a feather, stiff as a board.”

Four best friends, McKenna, Candace, Alex and Olivia, invite a new girl, Violet, to their Halloween picnic and she proposes the game but with a twist.

While each girl lies down, Violet predicts their deaths and in the next few days, they die in that exact way.

As each girl is picked off, the remaining ones must try and stop whatever is happening before it gets to them.

This show stars a group of newcomers: Peyton List, most known for Disney’s Jessie; Liana Liberato, who has mostly been a background character in her movies; Ajiona Alexus, most known for 13 Reasons Why; and Dylan Sprayberry, best known for Teen Wolf.

Many of these actors have only been recurring characters in shows and movies, but they do just fine as the main characters in this show. Liana, who plays the main character had her moments, but she isn’t very emotional and is quite stiff at times. Her character has a relationship with Dylan’s character and it was awkward 95 percent of the time. And when I say awkward I don’t mean, “Oh, they’re teens in love; that’s bound to have some awkward moments.” I mean, “Oh, these people aren’t great actors, and this show could have done better.”

But two shining stars came out of the show. List and Alexus are likable in their roles. I felt for them and connected with them. List’s character has everything and then has all of it taken away, and for a Disney Channel star she exceeded expectations. I’m not saying she was Oscar-worthy, but I do think she should be given more prominent roles in teen shows and movies. Alexus, who has played a background character in a few episodes of 13 Reasons Why, feels very real. Out of all the characters she was really fleshed out in her time on screen.

IMDB

While the plot of the show is fine, the writing falls flat many times. I want to be immersed in a TV show, and some scenes were so bad I had to take a step back and think, “Oh, this show kind of sucks.” But I really wasn’t expecting much considering this was based on a Wattpad book. So, saying it exceeded expectations isn’t really a compliment, considering my expectations were incredibly low.

Overall this show was fun to watch, but I hope if it gets a Season 2 that it will improve in the departments of directing, acting and writing. It’s earned a 6/10. It had its moments and even though I sound like I am complaining about it the entire time it was a fun show to watch, and since its last episode left off in a few cliffhangers, I would like to see Season 2. If you watch the show and can’t wait for more seasons, Aarsen’s books are all available on Wattpad for free.

Pizza Box severely disappoints

BY CRISTIN THOMAS SNN Staff Writer

BY HENRY HAIGHT SNN Staff Writer

Dontnod’s critical and commercial success with the video game Life Is Strange, published in 2015, is what put them on the map, and their most recent game, Life Is Strange 2, hopes to recapture the same magic.

This episodic, story-focused video game, which came out on Sept. 27, takes the player away from the setting of the original game - the fictional town of Arcadia Bay, Ore. - to Seattle, Wash. With the change in location, we also have new protagonists, the brothers Sean, 16, and Daniel Diaz, 9.

The brothers flee from their home and go to Puerto Lobos, Mex., to avoid facing accusations of a crime they didn’t commit after the mysterious death of a police officer. Along the way, the boys discover strange and supernatural things about themselves and the world around them.

Much like the first game, the story is the focus. Gameplay consists of exploring and interact-

from their mother. Theo is an empath, which means when she touches objects or people, she can feel their emotions and absorb their thoughts. Shirley is a medium, who can hear things from dead people and hear the future. Olivia experiences “color storms” where she sees the auras of the house.

The story is so dynamic and it’s the perfect balance of scary and meaningful. One thing Flanagan does well is write characters that connect with the audience.

I really felt for this family, and it hurt me to see them in pain. Watchable media always means more when you can look at the screen and see parts of yourself in the characters. And this show was incredibly refreshing and welcoming from all the other bad horror and thriller shows I’ve seen.

Although the story of a family moving into a haunted house has been pulled inside out by every horror writer on the face of the earth, Flanagan made it seem new. Along with the captivating writing and engrossing performances, the directing is amazing.

The lighting in this show is meaningful to what is happening in the scene and the shots really sell the scene and create atmosphere. In episode six, when the family is experiencing a storm that destroys their

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ing with the environment and people as the Diaz brothers. The point-and-click style and wonderful writing allows the player to get a thorough understanding of characters and the world around them.

As one would expect from a Dontnod game, the story is fantastic, even tear-jerking at times. Themes of brotherhood and family are a welcome new addition to the series, and the new characters allow us to get a fresh perspective on the world. Playing the first game is not necessary to enjoy this game, but I cannot recommend playing it and all the other games in the Life Is Strange series enough. The soundtrack, much like the first game’s, is incredible.

If you’re looking for an engaging story with grounded, lovable characters, Life Is Strange 2 is the game for you.

This small pizza shop nestled in a nook on Central Avenue has some amazing, homemade pizza that they make right in front of the tables, but it has some hang-ups.

The pizza that I got was a pepperoni pizza called a “Kam’s Classic” and it was probably one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had, but I cannot say the same about the parmesan sticks we got. Called “Griffy Sticks”, they seemed to be sent from the depths of horrible food to make my mouth the driest place on earth.

They had the audacity to market these as cheese sticks but have only the thinnest layer of cheese on them.

They were coated in garlic that could kill a hundred vampires and shake-on parmesan cheese, which didn’t stick to the bread on account of how cold it was.

Every table is up against the wall, because this place is the size of a shoebox, and they have pictures of what I’m guessing are the owner’s family. It was creepy to try and enjoy a meal while having a photo of someone’s grandma staring at you.

I went twice to this restaurant, but I thought it was

closed, because of how dark it was. The only windows in the place are its glass doors that are tinted so dark they almost block out all the natural light. The inside is extremely dark. I felt like I was at a candlelit dinner in a haunted house. If I leaned back in my chair too far, the person at the other side of the table would nearly disappear.

I think the restaurant owners were going for a rustic version of an ‘80s pizza shop, but I wasn’t alive during the ‘80s so I couldn’t exactly vouch for its accuracy, but my mom was, and she said, “I’ve never seen another pizza parlor like this.”

The tables are cute, but I can’t say that about the rest of the furniture. They are the cheap metal and foam chairs that ’ve seen at birthday parties and family reunion. My spine and tailbone felt like those chairs were from the ‘80s for sure.

Overall, while the pizza was good, going to a restaurant for one dish isn’t worth it. I give this restaurant a 2/5 so maybe, next time, I’ll just order delivery or pick a different restaurant.

14 SPORTS December 2018

A different look on the golf course The top two golfers on the team are minorities - an African-American junior and a Chinese-American senior.

BY MALKOLM BELFOR SNN Staff Writer

After Tiger Woods won his first Masters in 1997 he said black kids will take up the game of golf in numbers never seen before. The number of minority golfers is increasing but not in the dramatic fashion Woods was expecting. According to research done by the National Golf Foundation in 2013, 5 percent of the 25.7 million golfers in the United States are black.

Junior Isaiah Fields, one of two African-Americans on the golf team, said these low numbers are the reason he wanted to start golfing. “(I wanted to start) because it’s a different sport that not a lot of African-Americans play,” he said.

Fields started golfing in Junior Isaiah 2008 at the age of 7 when Fields made it to regionals his dad got him involved in the First Tee Organization, on the golf a golf-orientated youth deteam this velopment organization in year.

St. Petersburg. When he first started golfing, Fields said he wanted to quit because the sport was so difficult.

“It was so hard, and it took a long process to get something right,” Fields said.

His dad pushed for him to keep playing, because he thought it was what was best for his son and Fields says now he could see why.

“It helps you mentally because of all the thinking,” Fields said. “You also have to follow rules and have respect.”

This year Fields was one of two golfers to make it to regionals when he shot +14 at districts. He said it took a lot of time, practice and dedication to reach the point he’s at now.

“I just practiced a lot. I wanted to quit so many times,” Fields said.

Fields didn’t advance to states, but he said next year he wants to make it to states, and golf coach John Toronski said he has a good shot at making it.

“We talked about it, and he has a reasonable chance of making a run at states,” Toronski said.

“It’s definitely a goal of his and now he knows what he has to do.”

Senior Bruce Maddux was the other golfer to make it regionals with Fields. Just like Fields, Maddux’s parent got him involved with the sport through the First Tee Organization. His Chinese mother said that she saw him playing mini golf around the age of 8 and thought he’d love to play real golf.

“I’m happy that my mom got me involved with golf,” Maddux said. “I ended up liking it and getting pretty good at it.”

The only ethnic group that golfs less than African-Americans are Asians. Maddux said he notices that there aren’t a lot of Asians that golf and it would be cool if more did. He said he believes that a lot of minorities don’t golf because it’s viewed as a rich man’s sport and Toronski said the same.

“It’s not the least expensive sport to participate in,” Toronski said.

Toronski also said that he thinks the number of minority golfers is so low because they aren’t exposed to the sport.

“I think just exposure, just overall exposure it’s not the sport many minorities choose as their first sport,” he said.

Fields said the same thing.

“I think a lot of people don’t consider golf when picking a sport to play,” he said.

Two Spartan golfers make it to regionals.

BY MALKOLM BELFOR SNN Staff Writer

SPECIAL TO SNN

Senior Bruce Maddux eyes the course to plan his next shot on Aug. 22. His Chinese mother said that she saw him playing mini golf when he was 8 and thought he’d love to play real golf. “I’m happy that my mom got me involved with golf,” Maddux said. “I ended up liking it and getting pretty good at it.”

Two stand out on court

Numerous colleges are looking at two Lakewood High School varsity basketball players: senior Jalen White and junior Jamille Reynolds. “(It) feels good, like what my coaches are telling me is working, and I need to keep it up,” White said.

White is a 6’5 shooting guard who’s been playing at Lakewood since his sophomore year. He previously played at Boca Ciega High School in his freshman year. He thinks that playing AAU ball helped to generate so much interest. He’s been playing AAU since sixth grade, and he’s never stopped since. White has played for a variety of AAU teams, including Nike EYBL and AAU Galant. University of Central Florida, Hampton University, Marshall Thundering Herd and University of North Carolina-Asheville are heavily interested in White.

“I feel I can receive more offers by working on my game, showcasing my talents in front

Although two Lakewood High School golfers made it to regionals, the team didn’t place top three at districts meaning they fell short of their goal to make regionals as a team this year.

“Had we had a couple of better scores we would’ve qualified as a team, but we did send two individuals,” golf coach John Toronski said.

The two golfers Toronski is talking about are junior Isaiah Fields and senior Bruce Maddux, who shot a +14 and +11 at districts. It was the first time either of them had qualified but they knew how difficult it would be to advance.

“I feel like I did pretty well, there were just other really good golfers,” Maddux said.

Neither Fields nor Maddux advanced to states.

Although Maddux felt as if he did fine Fields said he could’ve done better and their coach knew they’d have to play their best to make it to states.

“It’s tough to advance to states. Regionals is much more competitive, and they’d probably have to golf their personal best to advance,” Toronski said.

The goal for next year will still be to qualify for regionals as a team and Toronski also believes that Fields can make it to states next year.

“He sees the scores that qualified this year and that he fell a little bit short. He knows what he needs to do to play well to move onto states next year,” Toronski said.

Boys’ basketball team hopes for injury-free season

Injury prone athletes focus on staying healthy for the winter season.

BY JONATHAN MYERS SNN Staff Writer

Hard work over the summer plays a part in athletes obtaining scholarships.

BY DEMETRIO MARTIN SNN Staff Writer

Golf season comes to an end

JONATHAN MYERS SNN

During a timeout agianst Dunedin High School, Junior Jamillie Reynolds and Senior Jalen White is drinking water on Nov. 30 and potential, so they offer me. I of coaches and just consistently can get more lifting weights offers by and working on playing hard my shot,” White everywhere I said. go and showReynolds is a casing my 6’10 center who skills in front started his high of the recruitschool career at ing coaches Pinellas Park and setting High School then a name for transferred to myself,” he Lakewood after Anthony Lawrence said. his freshman year. head basketball coach Reynolds “(The attenhas received offers from the tion) makes me feel confident, University of Florida, Univerbecause I know I have schools sity of Miami, North Florida, looking at me now, so I know University of Central Florida, later in time that more and betLouisiana Tech, University of ter schools will come and try to South Florida, Oklahoma State, recruit me,” Reynolds said.

Florida Atlantic University, Reynolds is an ESPN fourstar recruit, he’s ranked 60 in his Florida Gulf Coast, Iowa State class in the country, and he’s the and James Madison University.

The schools that have shown No. 1 center in Florida in the interest in him are Kansas State class of 2020. Reynolds has 11 offers and five interests. Numer- University, University of Virous college recruit coaches come ginia, University of Tennessee, Louisiana State University, and to his games and practices.

Florida State University.

"They seem to like my game

“We have the experience when it comes to transitioning players to college.”

Reynolds said he hopes to have at least 30 offers at the end of his senior season, and he’s willing to work that hard.

Lakewood has helped when it comes time for players to get recruited and transition to college.

“Our system is basically the same as some NCAA colleges.

We have the experience when it comes to transitioning players to college,” varsity basketball head coach Anthony Lawrence said.

Two big-name players that came out of Lakewood are coach Lawrence’s son, Anthony Lawrence, Jr., who play for University of Miami, and Jacobi Boykins, who plays for Louisiana Tech.

“When they receive offers and interests I always tell them this is just an opportunity. Remain humble, because they can take it away just as fast as they gave it to you. There are many other guys that may be better than you that they are looking at, so just remain humble because it’s just an opportunity,” Lawrence said.

With basketball season under way the varsity boys’ basketball team is ready to take the court.

Last year the boys had high expectations, but injuries had them go 14-12 and this year they look to improve.

Senior Jalen White is eager to start his senior year.

“I’m excited. We’re all ready and hungry and we are putting in a lot of work,” he said.

White’s only concern is with injuries, because last season the team dealt with a lot of them.

“Not to jinx it, but last JONATHAN MYERS SNN year everyone got hurt Sophomore Oteman Delancy shoots and took us out physical- a free throw during a game Nov. 30. ly and mentally,” he said. season.

White said he worked “( Junior) Jamille (Reynolds) is on his long-range shooting in the an excellent inside player and Jalen off-season.

“Basically, my whole career I White does a great job getting to only took layups, so this year I the basket, so our strength is our want defense to respect me on the size and ability to attack the basket,” he said. perimeter,” he said.

Lawrence thinks everyone can Senior Jermaine Phillips, who transferred this year from North- have a big impact.

“The key impacts will be shared east High School, said he is ready on different nights. One will do for the switch.

“I’m ready to play with a new well on one night and others will group of guys. We should go pretty do well on other nights. We don’t far. We have a lot of talent,” he said. have to care about one dude,” he Phillips said he is also concerned said.

Because a fire delayed the openwith injuries.

“My only (concern) is everyone ing of the renovated gym, the boys stay healthy and no one gets hurt,” have been practicing at Thurgood Marshall Middle School and all he said.

Head coach Anthony Lawrence games must be held away. said he thinks the team’s size and inside play will help them a lot this

Spartan signs with USF baseball

Senior Dontae Mitchell made the decision to play baseball for the Bulls.

BY TORRY JONES SNN Staff Writer

With his friends and family surrounding him and cheering, senior Dontae Mitchell signed in November to play baseball with the University of South Florida. “(It) feels great that I am a part of the Bull family,” Mitchell said.

His mother, his grandad and his great-grandmother looked on as he signed his letter of intent to play with USF. “I am a proud mother,” Tawnesha Rivers said. “(I feel) just like Tony the Tiger, great. I’m glad he decided to sign,” said Mitchell’s grandfather Ben Rivers Sr. Mitchell first toured the school in Tampa in June after coaches there talked with him about joining the team.

“I was one of the happiest people on earth. I was happy to tell my family,” he said. “I told my sister and mom at the same time, and they were overwhelmed with happiness.”

Mitchell, the starting center fielder for the school’s

baseball team, said this is a great opportunity for him to further his career and play on the next level. During the 2017-18 season Mitchell led the team with a .368 batting average.

He has been playing baseball since he was 10 years old and it was his goal to play beyond high school.

“I was excited for him. … It’s a great fit for his skills,” head baseball coach Jayce Ganchou said.

Ganchou said Mitchell is getting a great opportunity and will have to adjust to the next level. He said he also likes that Mitchell is choosing a school that is close to home.

“I get to go see him play,” Ganchou said.

Senior Anthony Hudson, an outfielder for the Spartans, also said he was happy for his friend.

“He came a long way in his baseball career,” Hudson said. “He’s going to snap no doubt. I feel like any school is a great school for him because any school would take a kid with his talent and athleticism.”

KEONDRICK DAVIS | SNN

Senior Dontae Mitchell holds up his letter of intent for University of South Florida with baseball coach Jayce Ganchou in the art room on Nov. 14. Mitchell, a center fielder for the Spartans, signed an agreement to play baseball at the USF.

December 2018 SPORTS

‘I see him going pro’ Cory Cory Moore says quarterback Gregory “Deuce” Spann could make it to the NFL. As a junior he is already receiving numerous offers from colleges and universities.

BY DEMETRIO MARTIN SNN Staff Writer

At 6 foot 4 and 195 pounds, junior quarterback Gregory “Deuce” Spann has been receiving offers and interest from many different colleges.

“Skills have led to offers and he is the size of a typical quarterback, 6’4 200 pounds,” head football coach Cory Moore said.

Spann has matured as a quarterback, playing his first game at that position his freshman year. Since then he has never looked back, starting in the same position his sophomore year and this year. He said he plans to do bigger and better things in his senior season.

“I’ve seen growth in him and ability to lead. He’s becoming an unbelievable athlete,” Moore said.

Spann has nine offers: University of Miami, Duke University, University of Louisville, Florida Atlantic University, University of South Florida, Coastal Carolina University, Georgia Southern University, University of Pittsburgh and Georgia State University. He has interest from University of Florida, Florida State University, Louisiana State University and University of Cincinnati.

“I received offers and interest by working hard over the off seasons and during the seasons,” Spann said.

In his time off, Spann likes to watch film, and study different things that will improve his game and help him receive more offers. He constantly shows his talent in front

LINCOLN ROSENTHAL | SNN

Junior Gregory Spann walks onto the football field to get the next play started against Jefferson High School Nov.15. of college coaches and that’s what’s been contributing to him being recruited by many schools.

“I work hard at every practice, watch film, and I show my talent in front of college coaches,” Spann said.

When asked if he could play at any school which would it be he said Alabama.

“They are a winning program and they have put a lot of players in the

NFL,” Spann said.

Spann is on the right track and has a strong support system.

“He can do it. He just has to stay humble and believe in himself. He has support from his family and many others. He just has to do his part,” Moore said.

Spann’s brother, Deizel, also a football player, agrees.

“I feel like he deserves it by what

he’s doing on the field,” Diezel Spann said.

Spann said his goal is to make it to the NFL and be a successful pro football player, and Moore said he thinks he can make it.

“I see him going pro. He’s going to be the number one pick in the draft,” Moore said.

NIKIYAH NEAL | SNN

Junior An’darius Wilson, with hood on, practices a half nelson with Jared Young in the wrestling room at Gibbs High School on Dec. 6.The Lakewood team must practice at Gibbs because of the fire that damaged the Spartan gym in September.

Spartan wrestling team trains at Gibbs

A fire puts the Lakewood gym out of commission, so the team must practice in Gladiator territory.

BY DIANA ROSENTHAL SNN Staff Writer

Ever since March 2017, Lakewood’s gymnasium has been getting a makeover. The tentative date for re-opening was sometime in October.

That date, however, is now up in the air because of a fire in the gym on Sept. 24, and the wrestling team has had to find a new place to prepare for their season.

Athletic director and assistant principal Laura Mudd said the team has been practicing at Gibbs High School, training alongside two Gibbs wrestlers.

This is not a situation that everyone likes.

“I feel it hinders our ability to get more people out for accommodating travel,” junior Ryan Turri said.

Normally, the team has 10-15 matches. Last year only one of those was at Lakewood High School, so others say traveling to different places to compete isn’t a huge problem.

“It’s perfectly fine. it gives us practice against people we wouldn’t normally go against,” freshman Gage Higel said.

The wrestling team currently has 10-15 members.

The head coach is Toriano Parker, and new English teacher Jake Kowalczyk, who used to wrestle, has taken the job of assistant coach.

“I wrestled in high school and I love wrestling to this day,” Kowalczyk said.

Their first all-city tournament , they are was set for Saturday, so they were preparing after school every day.

“This is a rebuilding year. There are certain wrestlers who are ready to compete at a high level, but a lot are just beginning,” Kowalczyk said.

What athletes wear

Lakewood is home to a lot of athletes who have some freedom with their apparel.

These athletes discuss why they buy certain brands of athletic wear.

PHOTOGRAPHS AND QUOTES BY WILLIE SMITH | SNN Staff Writer

Nike, because it fits well and feels good.”

Reilly Webb, 9th grade

“Nike, because my AAU team that I play for is sponsored by Nike and I wear this apparel.”

Jamille Reynolds, 11th grade

“My go to would be like Speedo or Arena because of the fit of the suit.”

Audrey Long, 9th grade

Dolphin, because their goggles are the ones that work best for me.”

Elaine Danielson, 12th grade

Gotta be Nike.

They have the best-looking things and on top of that Drake said it best: ‘Checks over stripes.’”

Jalen White, 12th grade “Nike, because it’s comfortable and I like it because it says, ‘Just Do It.’” An’darius Wilson, 11th grade

15

NFL gets strict as the season goes I have a love-hate relationship with football. I love the rough nature of the sport, and I hate that the National Football League (NFL) is making rules to try to take that away.

In 2015, the NFL reached a settlement in a unified lawMALKOLM BELFOR suit in which playSNN Staff Writer ers diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) would receive up to $5-million, families of players who have died and had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) would obtain $4-million, and $3.5-million would be given to players with Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. Since then the NFL has made numerous rules to decrease the number of these cases that cost millions of dollars.

But these rules intended to make the sport safer just make it softer.

A few new NFL safety rules are reasonable and haven’t gotten much backlash. One is the new helmet rule, which states that it is a foul when a player’s helmet makes contact with any part of his opponent’s body. This rule will help avoid situations like Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier’s, whose dream of having a Hall of Fame career possibly came to an early end after he went into a tackle leading with his head and was almost paralyzed.

Other rules are mostly disliked by players for obvious reasons. One is the new roughing-the-passer rule that makes it practically impossible to hit or sack a quarterback. The new rule prohibits a defensive player from hitting a quarterback too high (head) or too low (knees). In addition, it prohibits the defenseman from landing on the quarterback with force.

Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, who was only called for roughing the passer four times in his nine-year career before the rule was implemented this year, has already been called for it three times this season.

Matthews claims the league is “getting softer.” His criticism came after his third roughing-the-passer foul had an interception called back. The interception would’ve probably secured his team’s victory against the Minnesota Vikings in week two. Instead, the game was extended, and it eventually ended in a tie.

I would love to see the league get safer with rules that don’t sacrifice the rough nature of the sport. Over the last year, three of my favorite players have been heavily affected by brain and nerve damage. I watched one of the best tight-end duos of all time, New England Patriots Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, come to an end after Hernandez went to prison for murdering Odin Lloyd. In 2017, Hernandez committed suicide and it is now reported by the Washington Post that he “suffered from the most severe CTE ever found in a person his age.” I watched Shazier lie on the ground motionless after what should’ve been a routine tackle. And most recently I read a headline about Minnesota Vikings captain Everson Griffen saying that he jumped out of an ambulance on his way to a mental health evaluation.

I understand protesting rules that make certain aspects of football nearly impossible to do, but I was puzzled when I heard that Baltimore Ravens safety Eric Weddle was less than enthusiastic to hear that the NFL deemed the model of his helmet unsafe. After the league made him wear what they considered to be a safer helmet, he said he didn’t like how it felt. I couldn’t comprehend why forfeiting comfort for safety was a big enough issue to have a full ESPN report about it. That was until he stated his “biggest problem,” which is the NFL making these changes without consulting the players.

This is when it hit me: The players don’t want the league to get safer.

The argument in the unified concussion lawsuit against the NFL was that the players were uninformed of the potential dangers that came with playing football. But despite more and more information coming out about the effects of concussions, and as researchers better understand and inform others about these diseases linked with football head injuries, current and former players say they would still play.

Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was a guest on the ESPN show Skip and Shannon: Undisputed on Aug. 1, 2017. He and the show’s co-host, Shannon Sharpe, discussed a response to a question made by a New York Jets safety where he said the football field is a “perfect place to die.” Sharpe said he did not have a problem with the response.

“If they were to ask me this 15 years ago I would’ve said the exact same thing. I realize that I play an inherently dangerous game and although I did not know all the facts that they know currently given the same sort of circumstances, what I know now I still would’ve made that decision,” he said.

Lewis agreed with Sharpe.

“I’ve said that myself many times. I would die doing this. Because the ultimate (reward), for me just like you, was how could I make my mother smile?” Lewis said.

And I think most players do understand what they’re signing up for when they begin to play football and they find the reward of making it out of their current environment worth it.

Although I don’t want to see or hear stories of players I love watching getting injured or battling mental health issues, they knew that all these things were part of playing the game they love. If I were the commissioner of the NFL, I wouldn’t change a thing without getting the approval of the ones playing in my league and I would also give players more guaranteed money.

But of course, these rules are made just as much about safety as they are about money. And playing football is also just as much about the players’ love for the game as it is about money. So, more rules will be made that ultimately make the league softer and softer, and players will moan and groan, but they will continue to play, because football is their way out.

In fact, Shazier is still attempting to make a comeback to the NFL, and a month after Griffen jumped out of the ambulance he returned to the field to face the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 28. Of course, they are returning to the game because they love to play, but they also don’t make money if they don’t play.

16 TALENT SHOW December 2018

Class acts Talented Spartans came together on Nov. 16 during the last block on the last school day before Thanksgiving break to showcase 14 acts. In the end there were three winners: senior Aidan O’Dowd, who sang Desperado, won third place; junior Jamanson Fremond sang I’m Not the Only One

by Sam Smith and won second, and seniors Rachel Riiska’s band, made up of her and three friends Alex Keshish, Timothy Santora and Erik Hempel, won first place with an original song called Smooth Sailing. “It was a good way to reopen the auditorium,” music teacher Jacob Merrett said.

- SNN Staff Writer CRISTIN THOMAS

Senior Erik Hempel plays the viola on Nov. 16.

If you could have

any talent, what would it be and why?

My talent would be learning because it can grow into many other subjects, progressing your knowledge.”

-Sebastian Brown, 9th grade

GABRIELLE SLIWOSKI | SNN

GABRIELLE SLIWOSKI | SNN

Whether it’s a beautiful voice, an athletic skill or the ability to solve a math problem instantly, everyone has a talent they admire and desire. SNN asked students and staff:

Senior Rachel Riiska sings an original song called Smooth Sailing on stage during the talent show on Nov. 16. She and three other students who accompanied her won first place.

Dancing because I really like dancing. ... I look like a fish, but I really like dancing a lot.”

-India Bradley, 9th grade

To play the guitar because you could play songs you like, not just hum them.”

- Ryan Smith, 10th grade

GABRIELLE SLIWOSKI | SNN

Sophomore Kyla Acenas sings Thank You for the Music by Abba in the talent show.

I would be the fastest person in the world, because I can use it in sports and use it to my advantage in football.”

-Avion Maybell, 11th grade

Being good at instruments beacause it seems to be a lot of fun.”

-Wesley Hudson, 11th grade

GABRIELLE SLIWOSKI | SNN

Above, freshmen Ixavier Cox and Adam Darbyshire and sophomore Stella VedsegaardRoss play Take Five by Dave Brubeck.

Right, sophomore Tiffany Bertram dances to the song Chandelier by Sia.

GABRIELLE SLIWOSKI | SNN

Senior Israel Graveran is illuminated by the spotlight as he plays the guitar, rests his foot on a loop pedal and sings Everlong by Foo Fighters.

PHOTOGRAPHS AND QUOTES

BY TORRENCE RUFFIN AND ALONZO HARRIS| SNN Staff Writers

GABRIELLE SLIWOSKI | SNN GABRIELLE SLIWOSKI | SNN

To see a slideshow of the talent show visit pcsb.org/snn and click on multimedia

Sophomore Lincoln Rosenthal performs Ed Sheeran’s Perfect in the auditorium on Nov. 16.

JAMILA DEDMON | SNN

Junior Jamanson Fremond sings Stay with Me by Sam Smith at the talent show. Fremond won second place at the talent show.