The Lariat - February 2021

Issue III, FEBRUARY 2021

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MEET our STAFF

Print Editor-in-Chief Arielle Kraus

Online Editor-in-Chief Emma Huerta Managing Editor Kayla Gates Head Editors Sasheen Joseph Ryan Merard Jaelyn Yeampierre General Editors Camila Fernandez Chris Gomes Karen Suros Editorial Assistant Elena Ashburn

Assistant Print Editor Kamdyn Roher

Staff Writers Alyssa Khan Sofia Mendez Nicole Nadler Nina Ramirez Addison Roberts Photographer Anabella Garcia Illustrators Sofie Kahlig Mia Tunon Adviser Fallan Patterson

LETTER from the EDITORS Dear reader,

Welcome to our third issue of the 2020-2021 school year. With the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting the world, this issue focuses on the recent distribution of the vaccine. Additionally, we have included stories about Black History Month, the three-year anniversary of the tragedy that occurred at MSD, CCHS athletes, new Cooper City restaurants and the CCHS community. As a student publication, we strive to cover the interests and important moments of our students and staff both on and off the CCHS campus.

It is our wish that with the new vaccine, the world will start to feel normal again in the near future. In the meantime, we hope that everyone is staying safe, healthy and well during these unprecedented times. We greatly appreciate your support of this student-run publication.

Happy reading!

Sincerely, Arielle Kraus, Emma Huerta and Kayla Gates

ON the COVER

This issue of The Lariat is themed to cover the COVID-19 vaccine and its impact on the community. The staged image on the cover depicts a student receiving their vaccine from an essential worker. The Lariat wanted to highlight the efforts of those distributing vaccines and document the process in which vaccines are distributed to essential workers and other community members.

Photo by Arielle Kraus and Kamdyn Roher, Illustration by Sofie Kahlig All graphics and images not credited to The Lariat staff comply with fair use standards.

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“...And Justice for All”

CCHS celebrates Black History throughout the month of February Each February, the Canvas page, there is a

the country recognizes and celebrates the contributions of Black figures to our society.

Black History Month (BHM) is integral and in honor of it, CCHS is celebrating through a multitude of fun, entertaining and engaging festivities. None of these activities could have been possible without the contribution of CCHS students, staff and clubs.

Multicultural Club has organized a wide range of festivities and activities for students to partake in to celebrate BHM. Kevin Fair, the club’s sponsor, has constructed a Canvas page for the whole month with a wide range of activities and festivities to participate in daily.

“We hope to engage students through these activities, which allows us to have fun while learning about Black history,” Multicultural Club President Lauren Dupoux said. “By creating activities such as the trivia or bingo, we seek to get our members and the school involved [in] learning [about] Black History Month, but not making it feel like another Teams call.”

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daily BHM Trivia Contest with each correct answer entering the participant into a weekly raffle. Two winners are chosen per week and they each receive a BHM prize.

For those interested in the arts and writing, CCHS has also organized art and essay contests for students to participate in.

The theme for these contests is the idea of “...And Justice for All,” taking reference from the last four words of the American Pledge of Allegiance. Both of these activities rely on the student’s interpretation of the theme, leaving a wide range and freedom to express their thoughts and views artistically or through writing.

“A lot of people hear that there is a problem, but they don’t truly understand the problem or know how to fix it. When you write something and take the time to research the problem and think of ways to fix it, then you truly understand it,” English teacher Briana Bullard said. “This idea applies to the students writing about the lack of justice seen in America and the teachers and staff that hear and receive the students’ message.”

Above: CCHS art students created projects focusing on individuals to acknowledge during Black History Month. Featured here is junior Brianna Megnauth’s piece.

Aside from the many contests, there are also live events in virtual settings. To begin the month, on February 3, there was a Black Movie Trivia Tournament. Students were asked to answer questions in a trivia format. Following that, students participated in a Virtual Scavenger Hunt on February 10, as well as a themed Jeopardy event on February 17.

There will be a Hear Our Voices Roundtable, where students can voice their concerns surrounding the many complex issues facing society today with representatives from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

After those events, there will be a guest speaker event on February 24 with

State Attorney Harold Pryor, hosted by Future Law Professionals of America and Multicultural Club. Then, there will be an Afternoon of Arts on February 25 where poets, musicians, rappers, literary writers and artists are able to showcase their talent while celebrating Black history and culture.

February is the month of Black History and CCHS is striving to stress the importance of it through the usage of activities.

“As we have formulated these activities we hope it not only brings awareness and sheds light on Black history and culture, but we also hope it allows students to enjoy schoolwide activities—even if it’s virtual,” Dupoux said.

BY CHRIS GOMES

man on the street

UNPOPULAR OPINIONS

Everyone has their own opinions, but sometimes it can feel like those opinions go against those held by the majority. Sharing one’s unpopular opinions on social media has recently become popular, with platforms like Instagram and TikTok being utilized to voice ideas about everything, from politics to school to pop culture.

The Lariat asked the student body what some of their unpopular opinions are, and here’s what they said:

“Why does everybody hate Leos? They are not that bad.

I am a Leo, so I am biased, but anytime I see anything horoscope-related, Leos are always left out. [W]e are not that bad, okay?”

PAIGE MANTA SENIOR

“‘Friends’ isn’t a funny show. It’s just not my type of humor, you know? Most of it falls awkward to me, but I can see why some people think it is [humorous].”

SAVANNAH SCHWANTES JUNIOR

CHRISTINA CARIDE JUNIOR

“Not liking pop music doesn’t make you special or different, it just means you don’t like a certain genre.”

ASHLEY PEREZ SENIOR

SHIVANI VAKHARIA

SOPHOMORE

“Don’t come for me but high school football games, in my opinion, are boring. I know it is a social thing for a lot of people, but for me, half the time it’s really hot and muggy outside [and] it’s just not an enjoyable experience for me. Maybe it is because I don’t really have friends that play football [and] maybe it’s more fun if you have a friend on the team. [Doing] something like watching a movie is more enjoyable than going to a school sports game.”

“I know a lot of people like animal print for, like, clothes and stuff but I could never get myself to like it. But I do really like the new fashion trends that kind of resonate with the 90s style—for example, the mom jeans and the curtain bangs, etc. This is also pretty controversial, but I think it’s pretty cool when boys wear makeup; it kind of defies the concept of toxic masculinity.”

Reporting by Elena Ashburn

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Remembering, reflecting and rebuilding PAST

On February 14, 2018, minutes before the end of class, fire alarms began to sound at Marjory Stoneman Douglas (MSD) High School.

Amid the uncertainty, shots were heard out of nowhere.

A 19-year-old gunman and former student of the school had opened fire, murdering 17 individuals and injuring dozens. Ever since this tragedy, student lives have forever changed.

“I was at my Thespian meeting when we

suddenly were all told to leave campus immediately as there were rumors about a shooting happening nearby.

[There was] confusion in the air but when I got home, everything made sense. I was in complete shock when I found out that there had been a high school shooting that was less than 25 minutes away from our school,” senior Katarina Esquivel said. “The aftermath most definitely took a toll on me because I found out that my friend’s friend lost his life in

The aftermath of the Parkland shooting has led to activism and the formation of organizations to end gun violence and make schools safer. Some families of the victims have made it their life’s mission to continue this battle. One such instance is the case of parent Max Schachter, who has made it his career and goal to end school shootings in schools.

Max Schachter is the father of Alex Schachter, a boy who was tragically murdered on February 14, 2018 at only 14 years old. Following the tragedy, Schachter immediately began to search for answers as to why and how this shooting

occurred. He made it his goal to increase school safety, thus starting a nonprofit organization known as Safe Schools For Alex, where he serves as the Founder and Executive Director.

“Our mission is to promote school safety... practices and resources to parents, schools and law enforcement in order to make schools safe and prevent tragedies like what happened in Parkland from ever happening again,” Schachter said. “It’s also to keep my little boy’s memory alive and to do the things that he loved to do.”

The most recent project Safe Schools For Alex has launched is the School

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the MSD shooting. The news was just devastating and I just realized at that moment how this is real life and that this isn’t just the type of news you see happen in movies.”

In the aftermath of MSD, CCHS organized multiple walkouts to commemorate the victims and show support for the school through their difficult time. The first organized walkout was a rally at the CCHS football field. Actress and singer Zendaya posted on her Instagram a moving

FUTURE

Incident Report. This website gives individuals access to what is happening in all of the reporting schools in the state of Florida. Parents, teachers, students, schools and all others interested can utilize this resource to obtain data on suspensions and incidents happening on campuses.

“Never before have parents been able to search up their child’s school to see what’s happening inside the school after they drop their child off,” Schachter said.

“Hopefully, the data will spark a conversation between parents and their principals.”

Schachter has taken a situation that no parent could ever imagine and

image showing CCHS’s peaceful demonstration for MSD. Senior Lea Lanker, along with many other CCHS students, was featured in this image.

“I would say that for me it was a moment I was absolutely proud to be a part of simply because I knew that the horrible tragedy was being made aware of on social media,” Lanker said.

“Knowing for a fact that even people like Zendaya were actually paying attention to the situation was uplifting.”

turned it into action. He keeps Alex’s memory alive every day through Safe Schools For Alex and his mission to make schools safer for everyone.

“Alex was a beautiful little boy and we miss him tremendously,” Schachter said. “Alex was in the marching band, he played basketball, he would’ve been your best friend like all of your other friends and we miss him every day.

Hug your parents, tell your parents you love them and spend time with everybody.”

For more information or to make a donation visit safeschoolsforalex.org.

BY ARIELLE KRAUS, SASHEEN JOSEPH AND SOFIA MENDEZ

The past, present and future of the MSD school shooting

For the past three years, CCHS has held a “Day of Service and Love” to commemorate the 14 students and three staff members who passed away on that tragic Valentine’s Day. CCHS has made it a top priority to focus on spreading kindness and love on this day.

“Every year, Cooper City High School students and staff and the community have come together to honor the lives lost at Stoneman Douglas,” Principal Vera Perkovic said. “The first year, it was a beautiful ceremony where we all came together in the courtyard and we put out desks [with] names [of the victims], and we released doves. It was an emotional and very meaningful ceremony.

The second year, … the day was noninstructional, so we engaged in a variety of different service projects and activities to show love, appreciation and understanding for each other, and to recognize and honor the lives lost.”

For Principal Perkovic, this tragic day is very personal, as she worked with one of the victims, Chris Hixon, at her previous school. Hixon was a friend and colleague of hers that she misses dearly.

READ MORE AT: thelariatonline.com

PRESENT

“No matter what time of the day, you would always find [Hixon], whether it was out in the field or on campus, working with students and really, truly dedicating his life to students,” Principal Perkovic said.

“He truly loved what he did and it was really something special to see. I miss him.”

Just like previous years, CCHS is honoring the third anniversary of the tragedy by spreading

Chipi oversaw the projects that CCHS engaged in this year as this cause is very near and dear to her heart.

“Each department is doing a service project in order to commemorate the third year anniversary of MSD,” Chipi said. “On Friday [February 12], they’ll take part of their class time to complete those projects and then they’re going to be displayed on campus. There [are] some other projects like,

“[IT IS IMPORTANT] THAT WE KEEP OUR CAMPUSES SAFE BECAUSE ONE LIFE IS JUST TOO MANY TO LOSE,” -TERESITA CHIPI 10TH GRADE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

kindness both in school and virtually. February 14 falls on a Sunday this year, so staff and students spent the week prior engaging in activities of love and service.

CCHS has a new assistant principal this year, Teresita Chipi, who was previously employed at MSD. Chipi worked as an educator and administrator there for 19 years. She taught chemistry before the tragedy and was not working at MSD in 2018; however, she returned in the following years as an administrator.

for example, [Exceptional Student Education]. They’re going to collect funds for our first responders here in Cooper City.”

In memory of Hixon and all the victims who tragically lost their lives, Principal Perkovic and the CCHS faculty make it a priority to not only spread love during this week, but also year-round. Students demonstrated their “Cowboy pride” by being kind and inclusive toward their peers.

“This week [prior to the three-year anniversary]

is the week where we commemorate and we have a specific date when we do that and we’ll [have] the moment of silence, but I believe that culture of kindness and caring, especially on our campus, is year-long,” Principal Perkovic said. “I just really want to recognize our students and staff for encouraging that and creating that culture of kindness and care on our campus.”

As CCHS works on creating a safer future for students and staff, it is important to never forget the lives lost. CCHS ensures that safety is a top priority at school and it is vital that students do their part to ensure that CCHS remains a safe campus.

“It is important to make everyone aware that … if we see something, say something. [It is important] that we keep our campuses safe because one life is just too many to lose,” Chipi said. “I had a former student [and] coworkers who were killed on that day and it’s just heartbreaking. It is very important that everyone is aware that safety is our first priority [and] there’s so many things that students can do and staff can do to keep our campuses safe.”

Photos by Sasheen Joseph and The Lariat Photography

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PERFORMATIVE OR PERFECTLY PROVOCATIVE? The debate around putting Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill

In 2019, the United States Treasury Department issued an effort to replace Andrew Jackson with Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill. However, this motion was delayed by former President Donald Trump’s administration. On January 28, President Joseph R. Biden issued an order to continue the process, White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed.

The push to replace Andrew Jackson comes after a large stain on his legacy.

Jackson was most known for his part in the Indian Removal Act, a law that relocated Native Americans from the South and Southwest and ultimately led to millions of fatalities. Many believe that his course of action leaves a terrible representation of the U.S. and do not want his face to represent their currency.

“It’s important that our notes, our money… reflect the history and diversity of our country and Harriet Tubman’s image gracing the new $20 note would certainly reflect that,” Psaki said.

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Tubman is known as a woman with great historical depth, someone who was a true patriot that deserves the honor of being placed on the $20 bill because she reflects what this country should strive towards.

“Harriet Tubman is

“President Jackson was obviously not a great person or president, however, I don’t think putting Harriet Tubman on the bill is right either because she doesn’t really fit in the category of most people that are on the bills,” sophomore

WHILE SHE IS A BLACK HISTORY ICON WHO STOOD AGAINST U.S. LAWS AGAINST SLAVERY, HER BEING THE FACE OF THE ECONOMY OF A COUNTRY THAT HAS ONLY OPPRESSED HER IS FAR OFF BASE AND A POOR ATTEMPT AT REPARATIONS. a very well-respected woman who had a lot of courage,” junior Ashley Ferrelli said.

“I believe that she should be put on the bill as a way to honor her and all of the amazing work that she did.”

Many others, however, disagree and believe that the notion to move forward with putting Tubman on the $20 bill in replacement of Jackson is not conclusive to the rest of the people that are on U.S. dollar bills and coins.

Megan Biegner said. “This is simply because she has almost nothing to do with politics or government.”

With recent movements and cultural shifts in the United States, it is especially significant to highlight racial injustices from both the past and future, as well as the figures that have helped dismantle such issues. Tubman is one such figure, and recognizing how a brave woman was able to

construct the Underground Railroad and free dozens of fellow slaves would be favorable. After all, Black history is our history, too.

“[With] the U.S. dollar being the world’s most recognizable currency, I think there should be some cosmetic changes to honor all that Harriet Tubman has done for civil rights in America,” senior Matheus Lima said.

As one can deduce, the forward movement to replace Jackson with Tubman on the $20 bill has created opinions from all over the spectrum, ranging from it being politically appropriate to out of bounds.

With all of this being said, though, it seems that putting Tubman on the $20 bill is inappropriate.

While she is a Black history icon who stood against U.S. laws against slavery, her being the face of the economy of a country that has only oppressed her is far off base and a poor attempt at reparations.

BY NICOLE NADLER

Photo courtesy of F Delventhal, flickr.com

EXTRA WORK EQUALS EXTRA STRESS

WHY BCPS’S FIVE-HOUR MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE IS HYPOCRITICAL, COUNTER-INTUITIVE AND JUST A BIG “NO”

School is hard.

Without a doubt, school has always been hard. Throw in a pandemic that completely uproots the school system engraved in students since they were five and it’s bound to be a disaster.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an intended and particular focus on mental health.

While schools and school districts— including our very own Broward County Public Schools (BCPS)—have been concerned with the declining mental health of their students in light of a global dilemma, they never take into account that they themselves could be part of the stress.

The pandemic is hard enough without school; being isolated and living the same experiences over and over again every day is enough to tear a young, impressionable person apart.

On top of that, students have high academic expectations pushed upon them.

Even in a pandemic, students are expected to perform well, earn good grades and build up their college resumes. For many, the workload seems neverending and that vital separation of school and home

has been lost as the two have seemingly merged into one.

Being at home for so long often puts your days in a habitual lull, a neverending cycle that blends each day into the next. At school, socializing made each day different from the rest, as each interaction was unique. But without that, everything feels numb and the same as the day before.

The School Board of Broward County (SBBC) recognizes the mental health concerns of students, yet is taking a hands-off approach by forcing students to watch a meditation video once a week and navigate a mandatory five-hour course on January 26. Between the strenuous course length and the packing of it on a testing day, it seemed that the district wanted to “knock out” their mental health requirement in one pathetic blow rather than an adequately dispersed program.

Of course, it is imperative that conversations about mental health are brought up in a school environment, but the way they are being approached by the SBBC is unhelpful and frankly disappointing.

In many ways, that fivehour mental health course

was more trivializing than thought-provoking.

The information given during the dreadful five-hour program was mainly common sense and knowledge repeated so many times that students already knew it like the back of their hand. The constant repetition of data makes it appear as though the SBBC doesn’t really know what is good for students, nor do they care. Plus, the introduction of a random course constructed by random individuals highlights the immense disconnect between the district and its students. In short, it was not supportive at all.

It is hard to find a CCHS student who took the mandated mental health course seriously and even harder to find one who preaches its work, feeling that it healed their mental state in the span of a few hours.

Rather than the district assigning a set mental health day once a year, lessons on mental health should be taught either weekly or monthly. This will encourage students to keep their mental health and the mental health of those around them constantly in mind and even facilitate open natural

discussions about such issues for those who want to learn past the five-hour marathon currently set in place.

If the SBBC is truly committed to supporting their students through this tough time, they should focus on improving upon their existing resources and making it easier for students to seek help, especially virtually. The district should require school therapists or guidance counselors to check on each and every student at least once a year. These checkins would not have to be long and they do not need to be a free therapy session; they just need to be a safe, nonjudgmental space that invites students to share how they are feeling and have genuinely constructive conversations about mental health.

Society has only recently pushed to eradicate the stigma around mental health and while initiative should be taken by the school board to bring awareness to the many issues students face, the idea of shoving five hours of mental health education into a neat, convenient testing day should not have been the way to do it.

OP-ED BY THE LARIAT STAFF

CHEATING CULTURE

Since the awakening of the COVID-19 pandemic, school tasks have been fully online, leaving students with the only option of getting their education through a computer. This seemed like a relatively quick switch at first, yet has resulted in a huge change of scenery for the academic environment.

Cheating is always an infamous topic when school is involved, but having students go online full-time brings cheating culture to another level. Asking a friend for help every now and then may not be as bad if the student still tries to learn on their own for the most part. However, when a bad habit of cheating comes into play—a habit where students don’t even try on assignments or tests because they’re online—is when cheating can take a toll on a student’s education, whether it be just in that moment or in the future as well.

The online setting makes cheating easier than ever, and there seems to be no real solution to it. Canvas has features such as Turnitin to check for plagiarism and Honorlock proctoring that allows teachers to see if a student leaves a tab during a test. These still hold no real boundaries on multiplechoice exams, though, when students can easily share the answers

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with each other.

It could seem so easy at times to just text a friend or a classmate for answers to an assignment, but then those answers could just continue to spread around. What this can do, is alter a student’s mindset towards homework.

Something that is supposed to reinforce the lessons learned during the day may turn into tedious tasks in the eyes of a student, which makes it so easy and convenient to just cheat on them instead of using the assignment for its actual purpose.

Even if a student is getting answers from their peers, in the physical setting they would still be learning somehow as they would be writing out the words. With a computer document though, students can simply send the assignments to each other electronically, allowing them to submit documents without even looking at them. As irresponsible as it may seem to not even try to change the assignment a little bit, blatant cheating is something that several teachers have had to face in this era of eLearning.

“I have had students forget to change the name on assignments and submit a peer’s work verbatim,” Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Marine Science teacher Sarah Solodokin said. “Also, I have

The problematic increase in academic dishonesty among students because of eLearning

students who copy and paste direct works from the internet and leave the hyperlinks, or students just do not hide the fact that they have cheated.”

This present “cheating culture” also can have more damaging effects than merely changing one’s mindset. With Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge AICE and other courses like Algebra and Geometry which all require end-of-course exams, students with a habit of cheating would struggle with these exams when the time comes for them.

If a student continues to cheat on just about every assignment or test, it would be very unlikely that they are properly learning the lessons established in class. When the pandemic eases to a level where fulltime face-to-face learning can take place, who knows what to expect when students

engulfed by “cheating culture” come back to campus and have to work on their own.

As for a solution to this cheating epidemic, there just isn’t a clear or effective option to choose. All teachers can really do is encourage their students to be as honest with their work as they can be. No real action can be used to prevent students from sharing answers for assignments and during tests.

This pandemic has created a new lifestyle for numerous students, and while cheating may seem easier than ever, falling into a habit of cheating can be even more catastrophic.

This is why it is important to understand the long-term effects that could come out of the current cheating culture and take individual initiative to avoid partaking in it.

BY RYAN MERARD

Illustration by Sofie Kahlig

Friendly, fruitful competition?

USING CONTESTS AS ASSIGNMENTS ISN’T AS BAD AS IT SEEMS

School can be pretty frustrating for students, especially when assignments become overwhelming and they begin to pile up. It gets even more difficult when teachers make students participate in district-wide contests, or simply make these contests assignments for their class. However, such situations are not as bad as they appear to be.

Using contests as assignments is a smart move for teachers. It saves them time and forces their students to enter these contests, which can’t hurt them in the end. If a student tries their best on the assignment and their teacher enters them into the contest, it could lead them to doing well or even winning.

Students will see any assignment or work as trouble. No matter what assignment is given, there will always be a student complaining about said task. Teachers know this and have consequently gotten used to the fact that you can’t please everyone. They always want to do what’s best for their students, even if the students don’t realize it.

“I don’t think it is a bad thing for teachers to make contests into assignments,” junior Kiara Ryan said. “It works out because it forces me to submit into a contest that I could possibly win. Also, I think that a lot of [high school] contest makers struggle with getting submissions and this helps diversify and get more submissions.”

At CCHS, English teacher Brianna Bullard makes her students submit two pieces of literary work for the district Literacy Fair. Her way of “motivating” everyone to participate in it is by making it a mandatory assignment.

It’s a system that works out for everyone in the end. The only

bad thing could be that students feel overloaded by work, and hearing that they have to participate in a contest could feel like an added burden.

Senior Lauren Dupoux has been affected by this before.

“Being in my senior year, I already feel that I have a lot on my plate. When contests come around, there is always a fear that I could possibly have to unwillingly participate in them,” Dupoux said. “I’m

a fan of u s i n g assignments, the work is often

n o t teachers contests as b e c a u s e assigned different

from the usual work we have for that class.”

Although this is true, the pros still outweigh the cons. Thinking about it on a larger scale, winning these contests becomes something to add on a college or scholarship application and can help a student stand out among a large pool of applicants.

Sacrificing time to thoroughly complete this one different assignment can lead to benefits in the future—a return investment, so to speak.

Besides district, county or state contests, school clubs also have the ability to host contests. The Multicultural Club is currently hosting a contest for Black History Month. Having students participate in these contests can be a huge help for clubs.

“I think that it is amazing that teachers make us participate in school contests,” junior Paige Patterson said. “It truly allows us to expand our knowledge on various topics while simultaneously helping out school clubs.”

Using contests as assignments is also a great way to play off the competitiveness amongst students. Think of the popular game application “Kahoot!” and the way it gets classes amped up. Placing students in a competition against their classmates is one of the easiest ways to motivate them to put their best foot forward.

Sometimes it’s hard to see the long term benefits when the shortterm conflicts seem so pressing. In the end, contests as assignments are only beneficial, and more students will be better off when they realize this.

BY ALYSSA KHAN Illustration by Sasheen Joseph

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TO VACCINATE OR NOT TO

Community members discuss their thoughts on the COVID-19 vaccine

The wrath of the coronavirus has constrained American society since March 2020. However, there finally seems to be a light at the end of this very, very long tunnel: the COVID-19 vaccine.

As vaccination distribution is slowly picking up speed, people in the local Cooper City community are anticipated to receive or have already received the vaccine. The Lariat asked six essential workers, community members and students about their thoughts regarding the vaccine. Here is what they said: Reporting by Emma Huerta Illustration by Kamdyn Roher “I was very fortunate to secure an appointment for dose one of the Pfizer vaccine at Memorial Hospital on January 20, with dose two on February 8.

Contrary to what I was hearing, the effects were mild to practically non-existent. The second dose was indeed stronger, but the fatigue I was feeling disappeared in a few hours. I am glad I made the decision to be vaccinated, as I ... have been exposed and have had immediate family members hospitalized with COVID. My hope for the near future is to have the vaccine brought here to CCHS and all schools for my fellow co-workers—teachers and staff alike.”

MARTHA AYLSWORTH

“I do look forward to receiving the vaccine. I just hope that as the general public begins to have more access to the vaccine, the effects of the virus and cases will subside. I anticipate that students will get the vaccine during the summer or fall, but hopefully as soon as possible.”

ANITA EMOKPAE CCHS SENIOR

POOL SUBSTITUTE TEACHER

“Since I am an essential worker, I was one of the first people to get the vaccine and felt very, very lucky. I honestly did not think twice about it because I could not let this opportunity to protect myself and others pass. It felt like a big privilege to be vaccinated, or at least one of the first ones to be, especially when I’m thinking of other countries that are not able to get the vaccine due to the lack of resources and/or government problems.

The fact that I can get vaccinated to protect myself and my family and continue doing my work makes me feel very hopeful that the future will bring better times soon.”

MAYELIN GARCIA ESSENTIAL WORKER

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“I haven’t been told by my employer that I’m eligible to get the vaccine [or] any details regarding the vaccine situation.

The situation is very stressful because for some reason, Florida restrictions keep lessening while COVID variants increase. This has resulted in a surge of customers walking in without masks, wearing their masks wrong, failing to social distance and eating in the store. For those reasons, getting the vaccine would be a huge relief.

I would love going to work knowing that my and my coworkers’ health aren’t in grave danger. It would also be quite relieving if my boss would put the safety of his employees first.”

ERIC GALLUZZI COLD STONE EMPLOYEE AND CCHS JUNIOR

VACCINATE “I would love to have the vaccine. I want to be able to feel connected to people again. I miss many parts of my life before COVID and although I don’t expect it to be exactly the same, getting back the things I took for granted would mean a lot to me.”

NICOLE HICKS ESE SUPPORT FACILITATOR

“I had to go twice: once for the first shot and then for the booster. When I went the first time, they gave me the shot and had me drive five minutes away and wait for 15 minutes to make sure nothing was wrong. The second time, ... it took me two hours to get the shot. I wanted the shot because I am older and at-risk. I wanted to protect my life and be there for my grandchildren and family. I hope that there will be enough vaccines for everyone to have, no matter what age you are.”

STEVE ROSEN COMMUNITY MEMBER

“[I have] not [gotten the vaccine] yet because I don’t want to be among the first like a lab rat. I want to give it some time to see if there are negative side effects. However, I may need to take it eventually since I work in the healthcare field.”

DEBBIE KHAN ESSENTIAL WORKER

Disclaimer: Some individuals quoted are relatives of staff members of The Lariat.

BY SOFIE KAHLIG

STUDENT DEBT FORGIVENESS

How student debt is

affecting the nation

and why it should be forgiven

The debate over whether or not student debt should be forgiven is a popular discussion amongst a variety of communities today. The inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden on January 20 came with the anticipation as to what actions would be taken in regards to student debt.

Student debt plagues the nation, with a record of 45.3 million students in debt by an average of $37,691 each as of 2021.

People spend many years after college paying off their student debt, with not only the original amount looming over their heads, but interest on the loans and additional factors to worry about.

The crippling debt that Americans find themselves in as a result of pursuing a higher education, which is necessary for many careers nowadays, is ridiculous, especially in comparison to other nations.

Canada, for example, relieves former students of their debt after 15 years.

American student loans are meant to take 10 years to pay off, but as of 2019 it has been found that on average it takes double the time to pay off loans between $20,000 and $40,000.

Students often take on more debt in order to receive their education. With this in mind,

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plus the additional factor of interest, it’s no wonder why Americans are begging for student loan forgiveness.

Not only are interest rates a factor to consider, but the cost of living in the U.S. is constantly on the rise, with an increase of 2.3% occurring over the past year alone despite the global pandemic sweeping the nation.

There have been countless horror stories of people taking drastic measures as a result of debt related

STUDENT DEBT PLAGUES THE NATION,

WITH

A

RECORD

OF 45.3 MILLION STUDENTS IN DEBT BY AN AVERAGE OF $37,691 EACH AS OF 2021. stress, with an estimated 100,000 suicide attempts a year due to debt alone.

As a result of COVID-19, student debt among the nation has increased by 8.28%. While the COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on America’s economy, students are expected to continue paying off their loan, or they face the possibility of falling further behind and having their debt follow them throughout their lives for even longer.

Student loans are actually thought to have a negative effect on the nation, with a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia stating that student loan debt leads to fewer businesses being created. Fewer business equals fewer jobs, and fewer jobs means less money for consumers to spend, overall negatively affecting the economy.

As of 2020, the total outstanding debt of the nation is a whopping $1.4 billion.

With college costs growing over three times the rate of inflation over the span of the last 20 years, it’s no wonder why more and more students are having to take out student loans in order to pay off higher education.

In order to combat what is effectively proving to be a national crisis, the United States needs to enact some type of debt forgiveness plan to relieve U.S. citizens and help stimulate the economy. A constructive way to do this may be taking an approach like Canada’s that allows forgiveness after a set amount of years of paying off the loans to those who have not already.

The times are changing and as we grow as a nation, America is asking for forgiveness in order to see the country truly prosper.

BY JAELYN YEAMPIERRE Illustration by Kamdyn Roher

A MAGICAL OBSESSION CCHS’s Will Barringer and his love for Disney

Disney World is one of Florida’s biggest attractions and many Floridians can attest to experiencing the happiest place on Earth at least once. But not many can say they’ve been there as many times as CCHS senior Will Barringer. Barringer first went to Disney when he was three years old and has since gone more times than he can possibly count.

Barringer’s love of Disney began with watching the movies as a young kid.

“Dumbo,” “Bambi,” “Peter Pan” and the rest of the original classics were always on his TV. Barringer names “The Princess and the Frog” as his favorite to this day.

“I think Tiana is the perfect example of a Disney princess,” Barringer said. “[She] teaches everyone that we can achieve our dreams if we dig a little deeper and never give up.”

Barringer’s love for these movies as a kid made his first trip to Disney almost surreal.

“As a kid, it’s crazy when all the movies you watched are actually coming to life in front of your eyes,” Barringer said.

That first experience started his love of the theme parks, and his admiration didn’t stop there. Disney World has a variety of attractions that keeps the parks packed with visitors of all ages all year round and Barringer has found no shortage of excitement on his many visits.

Barringer and his

family began their regular visits by buying four-day passes and seeing almost all of Disney World during every trip. As Barringer’s love for Disney grew, so did the frequency of their visits.

In middle school, Barringer and his family decided to get annual passes and have continued to purchase them every year since.

Barringer and his family go for at least two days every trip but often stay long enough to visit every park.

“My best Disney memory with Will cannot be expressed with just one memory. Every time we go to Disney together it’s like going to Disney for the first time,” Barringer’s mother Amy Barringer said. “Each trip is unique.

We try to do something new, stay somewhere new, or eat somewhere new which creates a new Disney memory for each of us to treasure every time.”

In recent years, Barringer has also added his best friend, Alyssa Hernandez, to his group of Disney travelers. Hernandez, a student at Pembroke Pines Charter High School, met Barringer while working on a theatre production together at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Barringer and Hernandez often travel to Disney together, accompanied by their moms.

The two have made a hobby of looking for the best Disney photo opportunities.

“I like going to Disney with Will because the

energy we create when we are there is just so fun and carefree and we both share the same love for it, so it’s always a really good time,” Hernandez said, adding that many of their trips are coordinated down to their attire. “It mostly comes down to keeping to the vibe of the park we’re going to. The most important part of my outfits are the ears! I always wear one of my many pairs of Minnie Ears to match whatever it is that I’m wearing, along with other accessories like bags and, nowadays, masks.”

Of course, Disney is far from the only theme park in Florida; Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, Seaworld and others all have a lot to offer. However, Barringer still stays true to Disney World.

He concedes that Universal and others may have more thrilling or intense rides and that Disney may be behind in the modern advancements of other parks. But, Barringer believes there is something more special about Disney World that sets it apart from all of it’s competition.

“To me, it feels like I’m a kid again, which is a feeling that I haven’t felt at any other theme park,” Barringer said. “Walt [Disney’s] dream of creating a place where every member of the family has an aspect that they can enjoy came true and I’m so glad that I get to experience it.”

READ MORE AT: thelariatonline.com

BY ADDISON ROBERTS AND ARIELLE KRAUS

Photos courtesy of Will Barringer

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CLUMSY COWBOYS Stories of slips, stairs and stitches, courtesy of CCHS’s students and staff

“At least you have a good story!” Sometimes, having a weird, dumb or funny story to accompany a painful injury makes the experience a bit better. Many Cowboys have interesting injury stories, but The Lariat went on the hunt for some of the goofiest, weirdest injury stories CCHS’s students and staff have to offer. Here are some of the best ones:

STAIR SOMERSAULT

FRACTURE FIASCO(S)

Wendy Schauben

Jacqueline Selan

In her junior year of college at the University of Central Florida (UCF), CCHS teacher Wendy Schauben was at the gym, when she realized she had lost track of time.

“I realized I needed to rush back to my apartment in order to make it to class on time,” Schauben said.

She rushed outside the gym to a set of stairs.

“If you’ve ever seen the UCF gym, the entrance is on the second floor and you take a large set of stairs outside to get in,” Schauben said.

In a hurry, Schauben dashed down the stairs.

“I definitely still had my running momentum when I left the gym,” Schauben said. “I start[ed] quickly descending and my momentum definitely betrayed me. I took a head-first somersault dive down the stairs and literally rolled two stories down.”

After her slip-up on the stairs, Schauben only had a couple of small cuts and bruises, but she startled everyone that saw her tumble down. Ultimately, she was late for class.

Ever since she was young, CCHS teacher Jacqueline Selan has been clumsy.

“I had to frequently tell my mom after every fall or something, ‘I’m OK,’” Selan said. “Before she would panic and ask me if I’m all right, or if anything happened.”

One of her most memorable clumsy stories is how she broke both ankles, four years apart.

Her first fracture happened when she was in college, while she was walking to the bathroom during class.

“I just happened to trip over and I limped to the restroom anyway, because I still needed to go,” Selan said. “That’s when I realized, ‘Oh, I can’t actually walk on it anymore and I need help.’”

Several years later, she ended up breaking her other ankle in a parking lot.

Fortunately, Selan’s experience with her second ankle fracture was a bit easier than her first.

“[The second] time was better because I had a little scooter to help me,” Selan said.

BLEACHER BLUNDER

MAILBOX MISHAP

Hailey Fuentes

Gabriel Herrera

Junior Hailey Fuentes had an incident on the bleachers at the CCHS football field her freshman year. During Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) practice, she found herself with free time.

“I wasn’t really that involved [in what was going on] because I didn’t know what we were doing, so they just had us sit on the bleachers to watch,” Fuentes said.

She started to run up and down the bleachers for fun and her foot got caught under the bleacher seat and she fell.

“Everyone around me started laughing,” Fuentes said. “When I got up, I was just laughing and I just started walking away and my friend pointed out, ‘oh, you have a hole in your leg.”

When she looked down, Fuentes saw blood dripping out of a large cut on her leg. She was quickly carried to the trainer’s office for an examination.

“When I went to the trainer’s office, [the person there] was like, ‘Oh, that’s a pretty deep cut,’” Fuentes said. “She goes, ‘You might have to go to the hospital and get stitches.’ So she kind of just put, like, those butterfly little sticker stitches.”

With the hole in her leg somewhat contained, Fuentes called her mother, who drove her to the hospital. There, Fuentes received stitches.

“They just had to sew me up,” Fuentes said. “It’s pretty funny.”

The next school day, Fuentes was back in school, despite her freshly stitched leg. Her battle with the bleachers, however, did force her to sit out her first ROTC competition.

On January 4, 2021, sophomore Gabriel Herrera was riding his bike on the side of the road when he started approaching a mailbox. He found himself trapped by cars on all sides as he got closer and closer.

“Cars were coming in both directions and I could not swerve out of the way,” Herrera said.

Herrera smacked into the mailbox and flipped off his bike.

“I hit my hand, sprained my hand [and] I hit my leg,” Herrera said. “I only got a rug burn on my leg, so that was fine, but my hand was probably worse.”

Luckily, Herrera’s injuries were relatively minor and he was able to get right back up. The mailbox, however, was in terrible shape.

“I hit the mailbox so the whole metal pole was at a 90-degree angle,” Herrera said. “I was going fast.”

After his collision with the mailbox, Herrera received little sympathy from passersby.

“There [were] four cars there,” Herrera said. “Nobody said anything, nobody was like, ‘Oh, are you okay?’ No. [They] just kept going.”

Herrera knocked on the owner’s door to explain what happened to their mailbox before hopping back on his bike.

Now, several weeks later, Herrera’s injuries have healed.

“Everything is better [now],” Herrera said. “It was just a sprain, so it wasn’t really bad.

It was just easy. Leave it alone and it’ll go away.”

BY ELENA ASHBURN

feature 17 READ MORE AT: thelariatonline.com

a passion for fashion CCHS students find clothing through thrifting

MALAK SADOUMY JUNIOR

ERIC GALLUZZI JUNIOR

FRANCESCA JAQUES SOPHOMORE

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Old clothes are the new craze. CCHS students are following the trend of thrifting to take a new approach and express themselves through their wardrobes.

Fashion is no new fad for CCHS. The school has made a significant appeal to the artistic perspective of students through past programs such as the Fashion and Design Team.

Events like the Met Gala have showcased the student body’s passion for fashion.

During the initial stages of quarantine, individuals sought to engage in simple “do it yourself ” (DIY) projects. As environmental awareness began to spread, there became a bigger emphasis on recycling. This translated well into the fashion world as individuals began to take a more personal and artistic approach to build their wardrobe.

This new trend took the form of thrifting.

Technically speaking, thrifting refers to the act of shopping at thrift stores, flea markets and garage sales along with any outlet that resells items at a low price. The hobby has led many to frequent retailers such as Goodwill and The Salvation Army.

Many thrifters point to the apparent benefit

of this practice. As a form of recycling, buying old clothing prevents it from ending up in landfills, which can be harmful to the environment. Shoppers are also saving money by avoiding large corporations and luxury fashion brands.

One CCHS student who participates in this practice is junior Malak Sadoumy. Hoping to hop on the trend popularized by the social media platform TikTok over the course of the past few months, Sadoumy frequents Goodwill stores in the South Florida area.

“I love thrifting because it is a great alternative to fast fashion,” Sadoumy said.

“You are getting cute clothes while helping to cut down on environmental waste.”

Sadoumy sees thrifting as a better alternative to traditional shopping from both a financial and an ethical standpoint. While she still shops regularly, Sadoumy says that she prefers thrifting.

“Going thrifting with friends is also a great experience,” Sadoumy said.

“You can make it an entire day event and visit a lot of stores all at the same time.”

Sadoumy is not alone in her ventures. She often frequents thrift stores with the company of her peers. Sadoumy believes that thrifting becomes more of an experience than an

errand when done with friends. One such companion is fellow junior Eric Galluzzi, who thrifts often.

“I prefer to thrift because it’s significantly less expensive,” Galluzzi said.

“But more importantly, I’m giving my money to a small, charitable organization instead of big-name corporations.”

Juniors are not the only students hopping on the thrifting train, underclassmen like sophomore Francesca Jaques are also embracing the art of fashion in a new way. Jaques’s frequent visits to local thrift stores have allowed her to compile a wardrobe based upon new fashion trends.

“I think thrifting becoming relevant again is really good for our environment,” Jaques said.

“It is removing the negative social construct that second-hand shopping has.”

Thrifting has clearly infiltrated the lives of CCHS students. What started as a simple fashion fad has now become a hobby for many.

Such individuals have begun to incorporate the practice into their everyday lives.

Their enthusiasm has helped to spark a new fashion movement, one that is focused on charity and sustainability through the reuse of old clothes as a new craze.

BY KAYLA GATES

spill the beans...

BY KAMDYN ROHER

the benefits of drinking coffee

It may lower the risk of stroke, Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, dementia and certain types of cancer.

Coffee can fight depression and is a producer of dopamine, increasing energy levels and improving overall bodily performance.

“Good times, Cali vibes”

Top three drinks to try at Cali Coffee

Cali Coffee is a fun, local coffee stand based in Hollywood, Florida, whose unique and high-quality drinks have earned them plenty of popularity. With a Cooper City location coming soon, it’s important to take advantage of their distinctive beverages. Here are some you shouldn’t miss out on:

BY CAMILA FERNANDEZ #1: The Beverly

The Beverly is a breve, meaning an espressobased drink, infused with sweet tinges of caramel and vanilla. You can get this drink iced or hot, and with a non-dairy supplement of macadamia or almond milk.

This drink is one of the best flavor-wise, with the rich vanilla working to enhance the buttery caramel for an overall smooth beverage.

#2: White Knight

Caffeine can help burn fat, increasing one's metabolic rate anywhere from three to 13%.

Also a breve, the White Knight delivers the popular combo of hazelnut and white chocolate. It balances the sweetness with a nutty overtone that does not disappoint. The white chocolate pairs well with the roasted taste of hazelnut to create a delicious drink.

#3: Shockwave:

It contains essential nutrients like riboflavin, pantothenic acid, manganese, potassium, magnesium and niacin.

It may help increase ones lifespan and is one of the largest sources of antioxidants in the Western diet. healthline.com

If you are on the lookout for a refreshing and fruity drink, the Shockwave is a perfect choice. The cold drink is delightfully tart, with the flavors of kiwi and strawberry complementing each other. This natural beverage offers a relieving break from the taste of coffee, as it is served as a green or black tea. The green tea adds a grassy and fresh element, while the black tea is bolder and more robust.

Photos by Camila Fernandez

entertainment 19

Photo by Anabella Garcia

A MEXICAN TREAT IN COOPER CITY A review of new TacoGüey restaurant

Cooper City has officially awarded its citizens with the opening of an authentic Mexican restaurant by the name of TacoGüey. This restaurant is located along Stirling Road in the plaza across from CCHS, making it easily accessible to students. They were originally planning on opening soon after winter break concluded, but due to a power outage, they had to postpone their opening day.

Their doors have been open since January 11 for everyone who wants to have an enjoyable experience consuming fresh ingredients combined to create delicious Mexican dishes.

The menu at this establishment was nothing short of creative. They have a wide variety of mouth-

20 entertainment

watering options that each customer can choose to turn into two tacos, a burrito or a bowl, with a base of rice and beans.

Some of these flavorful options include pulled BBQ pork tacos, shrimp tacos and lamb barbacoa tacos. They also have a few authentic Mexican dessert options for anyone with a sweet tooth. The delightful items include churros, Mexican candy and fruit with chili-lime.

This delectable menu was created by Executive Chef Isaac Perlman since he takes pride in hand-crafting them with top-notch ingredients to please all the customers.

“Friendly” would be the perfect word to describe the service, with the staff giving customers a warm welcome and

enthusiastic attitude to serve them and introduce them to the new eatery.

Interestingly, a lot of the current staff consists of CCHS students. These students, along with the rest of the staff, seem to be very grateful to work there.

The atmosphere is overall cozy and warm, with the bright colors and message plastered on the wall that can be visible to everyone once they walk in. Unfortunately, the restaurant is petite for size and there’s not a lot of room for each individual to have much space while eating or ordering take-out.

On the other hand, it’s extremely satisfying to watch the chef prepare your order behind the glass.

Customers will be able to see just how fresh their meal is as the chef cooks the protein and adds all the ingredients.

The decorations were both eye-catching and adorable to say the least. As customers walk down the hall filled with colorful tables and chairs, they will be able to view the collection of tiny plants along counters connected to the wall. They are mostly cactuses that range in size and rest in beautiful pots.

Furthermore, it’s easily accessible to all who would like to enter and the pricing is appropriate with all the satisfactory options. Every item is under $10, which is sure to please customers and have them wanting to come back to enjoy a meal and try other satisfactory options.

Overall, TacoGüey, with all its glorious benefits, will entice customers to enjoy their experience and come back wanting more.

BY NINA RAMIREZ

PŌKU IS PERFECT FOR POKÉ

New poke restaurant opens up in Cooper City

Listen up, poke fanatics: there is a new spot in town. Pōku has opened up in the Cooper Square plaza, offering a unique poke bowl experience within a serene setting.

The restaurant offers a variety of options for customers ordering bowls.

Chef bowls are handcrafted

by Executive Chef Isaac Perlman, but customers can create their own bowls with a plethora of ingredients to choose from. Custom bowls start with a base of either white rice, green rice, mixed field baby greens or soba noodles. Next comes the protein, for which the options include salmon, tuna, spicy tuna, tofu and more. Addons like edamame, jalapeños, scallions and red onion are available, as are toppings like sesame seeds and sauces like soy sauce and spicy mayo.

The options are almost overwhelming, ensuring that there is something

for everyone at Pōku.

Of course, quantity does not always mean quality; luckily, the new restaurant simultaneously provides plenty of options and topnotch sustenance. As seen on their website, Pōku prides itself on its fresh, quality ingredients, describing itself as “a healthful chef-driven concept that uses local produce, sustainable fish and innovative ingredients.”

Regardless of what the order looks like, it is sure to deliver on Pōku’s promise of high-caliber ingredients that ultimately make for a flavorful and satisfying meal.

The incredibly helpful and patient staff makes what could potentially be a nerve-wracking ordering process entirely painless. They are eager to explain Pōku’s philosophy and answer any questions one can think of, especially for first-time customers.

The staff goes above and

beyond the standards of good service, guaranteeing a positive experience in a friendly environment.

Pōku’s entire atmosphere, in fact, seems to welcome customers with its high ceilings, modern look and natural feel. Succulents and other plants on shelves decorate the clean white walls, making the whole space feel fresh. Pōku is picturesque down to its food, which is beautifully presented especially considering it is plated right in front of clients.

As for the cost of the food, Pōku is reasonably priced, varying on what one’s order looks like. Dishes range from about $12 to $16, so a decision to dine here will not break the bank.

Poke has its origins in Native Hawaiian cuisine, traditionally consisting of diced raw fish and a variation of other ingredients.

It can be thought of as decompartmentalized sushi,

as the two dishes often include the same ingredients. Pōku stays true to poke’s origins, attempting to make the dish as authentically as possible.

The options don’t end at poke; Pōku also offers dessert. What better way is there to follow up a satisfying poke bowl than with ice cream? For lovers of mochi, which are frozen Japanese rice cakes, ice cream flavors come in strawberry, vanilla, chocolate, mango, lychee and green tea. For those who prefer soft serve, there is vanilla, chocolate and matcha to choose from.

The best part about Pōku’s existence might just be how close it is to CCHS. Now, students can look forward to flavorful poke bowls after a long day at school. All they have to do is walk across the street and they will find no end to all the deliciousness Pōku has to offer.

BY KAREN SUROS Illustrations by Kamdyn Roher

Photo by Arielle Kraus

SPORTS SIGNING DAY

As the spring season approaches, CCHS seniors have begun to make big decisions regarding their future after high school. With many student-athletes hoping to continue playing sports in college, a select few have already committed to a collegiate career.

On February 4, CCHS held one of its first singing days of the 2020-2021 school year. With the hopes of putting sports in the spotlight, the event was centered around students who have committed to colleges for an athletic program.

The CCHS athletic department came together to honor the achievements of five studentathletes. The soon-to-be graduates gathered in the auditorium after school, accompanied by a few members of their families in order to maintain COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.

The ceremony began with an introduction by CCHS Athletic Department Head Paul Megna. As both a teacher and father of studentathletes, Megna delivered a heartfelt speech regarding the significance of the event. He congratulated the seniors on their accomplishments and emulated the pride Megna said their parents should be feeling.

22 sports

CCHS student-athletes make college commitments

Following the introduction, each athlete was called to the stage individually, where they had the opportunity to sign their commitment letter with a commemorative pen. Many of the students wore attire representing their selected college. Each one was later joined by their family for photos in order to capture the moment.

The first student-athlete to be called to the stage was senior Karlie Schlosser, who has committed to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Having played varsity soccer as a Cowboy for all four years of her high school career, Schlosser had made quite the impact on the CCHS athletic program. Soccer coach Kevin Coleman joined Schlosser on her big day.

Megna was sure to point out that the signing happened to fall on the National Girls and Women in Sports Day, as Schlosser was the only female athlete attending the signing. The significance of the holiday rang closely with the achievement of her signing.

Next, CCHS baseball coach Brian Clark was introduced, as he was celebrating the commitments of four of his student-athletes. While the spring baseball season has only just started, a select few students have

already begun looking to the future.

Senors Ryan Leimen and Franklin Vasquez were called to the stage for their commitments to Brevard College in North Carolina. While the two are still unsure if rooming together is an option, Megna was quick to celebrate the idea of collegiate competition with a former teammate.

Next up, senior Jacob Dorn was called upon to sign to Hillsborough Community College in Central Florida. Although Dorn’s previous season had been cut short due to an injury, he is now recovered and ready to play baseball once again.

Finally, senior Isaac Castro celebrated his commitment to Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida. Having left his mark on the CCHS baseball program, Castro is now ready for the next chapter of his career as a collegiate athlete.

With an initial signing day for the 2020-2021 school year in the books, five CCHS seniors have committed to a future in collegiate sports. Megna foresees many more signing days in the future, hoping that all CCHS studentathletes will have the opportunity to sign and celebrate their college decisions.

BY KAYLA GATES

Above: CCHS coaches, faculty and students gather for a photo at the Signing Day event.

Photo by Kayla Gates

ATHLETE OF THE ISSUE

Senior Jake Hicks and his devotion to the field

For many students at CCHS, sports are a very important part of their life. With the variety of teams that CCHS has to offer, it is not uncommon to meet someone who is part of at least one of them. For senior Jake Hicks, sports have been a passion of his since he was a toddler.

Hicks began to play soccer at the age of three and has continued to play since then. He plays on a travel team as well as on the CCHS varsity boys soccer team as a midfielder. Hicks enjoys spending his time on the field.

“It’s a way to let out some energy and get the adrenaline rush of playing a good game,” Hicks said. “Soccer [is a sport that] I have always been playing and enjoy.”

Hicks has grown up playing sports in Cooper City, alongside many CCHS students.

Skylah Klein, a class of 2021 alumna, has known Hicks for many years and has watched him grow as an athlete and person both on and off the field.

“It’s been amazing to grow up and go to school with Jake since the early days in elementary school. We have always supported each other on and off the field,” Klein said. “He is an extremely hard-worker and succeeds in any sport that he plays. His effort is great and he really contributes so well to his team. I’m lucky to call him a good friend and know that we’ll be friends for life.”

Not only does Hicks play soccer, but he also plays football and golf. Although he is not on an official

team, he golfs in his free time. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hicks had a lot of free time which enabled him to begin playing golf again on the weekends.

Football is a sport that is new to Hicks. For his final year at CCHS, he decided to try something new and join the varsity football team. Hicks made this decision because he had always wanted to try it and senior year would be his final opportunity to do so.

“Seeing [Jake] put himself out there to try football for the first time as a senior was admirable. In this COVID year, we are proud of him for trying a new experience,” Jake Hicks’ mom and CCHS staff member Nicole Hicks said. “When so many things seem lost for our kids, we are proud he tried t o m a k e the b e s t o f his senior year. He said if he never tried, he knew it would be

s o m e t h i n g he would always regret.

I admire that in him.”

Playing football was

a different experience, but one that Hicks liked doing. Knowing that this year was like no other due to the global pandemic, Hicks took advantage of his chance to try something new and take on a challenge. He was the fullback for the CCHS varsity team.

“It’s fun to do the things you enjoy,” Hicks said. “I played football to try it out, I made a lot of new friends and got to try a new sport.”

As for the future, Hicks wants to focus on college as he plans to major in business. He plans to play some sports, but focus primarily on his education and truly making the most of his college experience.

“I do not plan to play soccer in college,” Hicks said. “I knew since I was younger [that] I wanted to experience college. Athletics in college is a full-time job and I want to have fun. I definitely will do sports in college and activities, [though].”

For many high school students, it is important to find one’s place on campus. For Hicks, this was easy– his place was on the field. Hicks’ success as an athlete has allowed him to grow as a person and find his passion.

“It has always been exciting to watch Jake on the field,” Nicole Hicks said. “It is his favorite place to be in school and where he feels most comfortable.”

BY ARIELLE KRAUS Photos courtesy of Nicole Hicks

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