The Lion's Tale - Volume 51, Issue 5

LION’STALE OVIEDO HIGH SCHOOL • 601 KING STREET • OVIEDO, FL • MARCH 11, 2011 • VOLUME 51 • ISSUE 5

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features

Community turns out to support accident victim.

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diversions

Horizons imitates characters of popular TV show.

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sports

Kyle Bean wins mixed martial arts state championship.

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MARCH 11, 2011

Standardized testing begins

Merit pay moves forward

THE SCOOP

The FCAT is coming yet again. Students will take different parts of the test based on their grade level.

On April 11 and 12 the reading test will be administered to all freshmen and sophomores. On April 13, the juniors will take the science test.

From April 14 to 20, the math test will be given to all sophomores.

Senate Bill 736 filed on Jan. 31, passed the Senate. It deals with the issue of merit pay for teachers in the district. The bill now awaits passage in the House.

Under this bill, 50 percent of a teacher’s pay must be tied to student achievement. It also requires the Department of Education to approve each district’s personnel evaluation systems.

all photos/LINSEY DUCA

PAINT ME A PICTURE. (top) This painting depicts a scene outside the old Townhouse restaurant

County touts teacher Sandy Bierkan attained the honor of being Seminole County’s World Language Teacher of the Year.

Minnie Cardona, Seminole County’s Coordinate of Foreign Languages, asked each department for nominations. One teacher is selected each year. Bierkan currently teaches French and Spanish.

Statistics team takes tops On Feb. 12, the Mu Alpha Thetasponsored regional competition consisted of students from 18 schools that came to compete. Sophomore Anya Katsevich came first in Calculus. Math teacher Marie Causey’s statistics team won top honors in this competition.

Language club competes American Sign Language teacher Kathy Bingham brought eight of her ASL students to the county’s World Language Competition on Jan. 29. This consisted of the students being critiqued by a panel of judges on their ability and skills in the language field.

during the 1950’s. The sidewalks are composed of wood. (bottom) Two men speak outside of the Oviedo Garage. The cars in the background are typical of the decade. (above) The Oviedo High School baseball team practices with the aid of the headlights of cars on the field. This was during the time when the school was located at Lawton Elementary School and lacked field lights.

Donated paintings capture old Oviedo scenes

by Gloria Choi

headlights as the main lights at night so that the he shrill ring of the phone echoes boys can play baseball,” executive secretary Susan continuously throughout the room until Rodenburg said.

Rodenburg points out signs of age. assistant principal Greg Register answers. A “The middle picture is of the Old Town House voice speaks from the other side of the line, an old acquaintance from seven years ago. Alan Morris Restaurant and you know it’s from a long time ago because the sidewalks proposes to donate three are made out of wood,” pictures of Oviedo from It took a lot of research to Rodenburg said. “And the the 1950’s. last picture is a picture of “They are a replica make them this accurate. the Oviedo Garage, which of Oviedo during the Alan Morris was owned by Jean Davis’s 1950’s. It took a lot of uncle.” research to make them Morris took the photographs for the artists to this accurate and as authentic as possible,” Morris paint. said.

“The police car in the downtown Oviedo One of the pictures donated by Morris depicts a scene from the time when Oviedo High School was picture is the actual Florida police car that they had,” Morris said. “I actually took pictures of the located at Lawton Elementary.

“In the picture closest to the clinic is a picture of police car so the artist could paint it.”

Morris held a contest to pick artists to draw the boys playing baseball. And the reason the cars are so close to the field in that picture is because pictures.

“In 2004, I had a contest. During that contest, they didn’t have any lights. They used the car’s

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two artists drew the Oviedo pictures. Rae Marie, who lives in Sanford, drew the old Oviedo picture and Betty Ragan, whose children went to Oviedo, drew the baseball picture and the picture of the garage,” Morris said.

Project Graduation first introduced Register and Morris.

“When I was working at Seminole High School, I asked him to donate a scooter to Project Graduation and he generously did. Project Graduation is an event to keep students who graduated from partying, kind of like how Oviedo goes to Wet-n-Wild. We gave 2000 scooters and 13 $400 netbooks when I was in Seminole,” Register said.

Morris needed a new home for these pictures, when his scooter and carwash business failed.

“I told him that I now worked at Oviedo High School and asked if he wanted to donate the pictures of Oviedo to us. He was looking for a new home for the pictures,” Register said.

gloriac@thelionstale.com

Legislature proposes bill to increase teen driving age to 17

by Carson Bailey

B photo/COURTESY OF KATHY BINGHAM

WINNERS TAKE ALL. Junior Andrew Vidot, sophomores Ava Herring, Madison Brunk, Spencer Tootle, freshman Cassidy Hopkins, and American Sign Language teacher Kelly Bingham display their trophies from a successful competition.

eware all unlicensed drivers. You may have to wait another year to receive your license if you don’t act soon.

On Feb. 25, Florida Representative Irv Slosberg filed the Mature Drivers Act which would restrict a person from obtaining their learner’s permit until the age of 16. In turn, the actual driver’s license would not be distributed until the person reaches 17 years of age.

Currently the act is making its way through the House of Representatives and the Senate.

If the act is passed, it will take effect July 1, 2011.

In addition to this age change, Slosberg filed another act to restrict a minor’s use of cell

phones while driving named the Minor Traffic Safety Act. Minors found violating this act would be punished with a nonmoving violation and have his or her driver’s license suspended for 30 days.

Exceptions to this act include: reporting illegal activity, summoning medical or other emergency help, or preventing injury to a person or damage to a property.

The act would not only prohibit the use of communication devices for people younger than 18 but the number of passengers allowed in the vehicle as well.

Drivers under the age of 18 would not be allowed to operate a vehicle while more than three

passengers are in the vehicle unless accompanied by a driver who is at least 21 years old.

The three-passenger restriction does not apply to passengers who are siblings or children of the driver. People issued a driver’s license on or after Oct. 1, 2011 would not have to abide by this act.

The legistaltion is still pending for both acts.

carsonb@thelionstale.com Editor’s Note To follow the progress of both these acts, visit www.myfloridahouse.gov. On this site you can search for acts under the “Bill Finder” tab.

MARCH 11, 2011

Some say health care law to help less fortunate a moral obligation

by Harry Traber

but some help is better than no help, and if they ights flicker across the room, can get to a doctor that’d make a difference in silhouetting the form of junior Rachel countless people’s lives, and save many more,” Brockman. She faces the televison with Delgado said.

American Sign Language teacher Kathy rapt concentration, paying close attention to the report being shown on CNN. Exasperation Bingham feels that American people have a fill her as she hears that Florida is trying to moral obligation to keep the health care law in place, citing that when in full effect the law repeal the health care law.

“I feel, in some shape or form, everyone would help millions of people.

“When I first found out that there was deserves health care, because if they didn’t have it they would be angry that they weren’t a movement to remove the law, I wasn’t covered. If you have health care, you would surprised, because I think as a society we tend be mad because you don’t want to pay for the to be very selfish. I think everyone who is a citizen deserves to uninsured. But if the be taken care of,” tables were turned, then [The law]... gives Americans a Bingham said. you would most likely B i n g h a m feel that it’s not fair chance at health care and a references a personal that you’re not covered. sort of psychological assurance reason for the health I was surprised when care law to remain.

I heard that they were that if they get sick they will be “Specifically, in going to try and remove able to go and get help. my family, my father it. I think if everyone Carlos Delgado, ‘11 is self-employed has health care then and my father, my they are doing a pretty mother, and my good job,” Brockman brother have not had health insurance for five said.

Senior Carlos Delgado vilifies the years. Just because they made the choice to be self-employed is no reason for them to not be movement to repeal the bill.

“I think it is an absurd reaction to go covered,” Bingham said.

Junior Jerald White agrees that there is a against the health bill because of unfounded antisocialist sentiment, when there are millions moral obligation behind the law, and many like of Americans that will benefit from the bill,” him believe that having a law like this is the only fair option to the American people.

Delgado said.

“I think it is a good idea to have the law, Delgado agrees with Brockman but for because not everyone in America can afford other reasons.

“I think [the law] shouldn’t be repealed it and the law is about helping people afford or changed, because it gives lower-income health care. When I heard they were trying to Americans a chance at health care and a sort of remove it, I pretty much thought it wasn’t right. psychological assurance that if they get sick, It’s not fair to the world, because if they take they will be able to go and get help,” Delgado the law away, that’s not helping the situation,” White said. said.

Delgado believes that the health care law harryt@thelionstale.com would help bring more profit to low-income areas.

Editor’s Note “I understand the private health sector will suffer greatly, but on the other hand it will bring This is part 1I of a two-part series. Part I took in more business to lower-income hospitals and a look at unfavorable opinions concerning probably bring in more expansion and profit to the health care law. Part II also includes these locations,” Delgado said. any new legislative updates on the law.

His argument reflects the fact that roughly 50 million Americans did not have health insurance at the beginning of 2010. This The Affordable Care Act number does not include other Americans who are otherwise uninsurable.

Policies effective Jan.1 Many Republicans push the fact that government establishments are notorious for • Seniors on Medicare are provided their slow speed of service and argue that free services to prevent illness such as government-subsidized health care could not annual visits to the doctor. effectively treat patients. However, many in the Republican Party disagree.

“No, the quality won’t be reduced, because • A new Center for Medicare and health is one of the biggest expenditures of the Medicaid has begun to test new ways GDP after national security, if I’m correct, of delivering care to patients. so the care will remain among the best in the world. But a lot of people won’t have access to it. I couldn’t agree more. The care is not as • More payment will be granted good as private insurance. And if I ever get to rural health care providers, as 68 really sick, I hope I have the money to pay for percent of medically under served private health care,” Delgado said.

Delgado defends his position. communities are in rural areas.

“But what of those who can’t pay? I’m not saying every person should be allowed to go to info courtesy/WWW.HEALTHCARE.GOV a private doctor and get treated; no not at all,

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INTERNET Technology proves to have effect on brain

by Arianna Ray

technology has led us away from reading,” he cursor blinks against the blank white Starling said.

Junior Jonathan Poweski observes that his of the page as junior Ally Pratt squeezes her eyes shut, attempting to summon mind drifts while in school.

“When I am on the Internet, I have so many her concentration. Lately, she’s been having trouble focusing. She releases a pent-up sigh different windows open, and I am doing so many as she gives into temptation and opens up a different things; I’m never focusing on one thing new Internet browser. Her ability to focus has for too long. This has led to me not being able to focus on other things such as school without disappeared.

“When I’m sitting, trying to take notes out having my mind wander,” Poweski said.

AP Language and Composition teacher of my AP Bio textbook, Facebook somehow distracts me for about an hour. I just can’t Patricia Simmons refuses to accommodate the concentrate. The book breaks down biology a decreasing attention spans of her students.

“I do not assign less reading but I do notice lot and you really have to focus or you won’t understand. Sometimes I have to stay up past that students read less and do not read deeply.

Many students don’t even midnight just to proofread their AP essays finish my notes. It prior to submitting them. doesn’t help that I It’s harder to sit down and Many students also complain type my notes out read a simple paperback book that SAT/ACT/AP reading on the computer,” without getting antsy. Media content is ‘boring’ or too Pratt said. ‘difficult;’ thus they ‘zoneSenior Colleen in general has had a major out’,” Simmons said.

O’Kennedy impact on my brain.

O’Kennedy finds that the notices a similar Colleen O’Kennedy, ‘11 stimulation provided by the effect of the media Internet has a negative effect on her brain. on her brain.

“My amount “The Internet has a big impact of your brain. of concentration is going down. I’m seeing a decrease in my attention span. It’s harder to sit You’re on the web and there’s ads popping up down and read a simple paperback book without everywhere. Your mind is drawn in so many getting antsy. Media in general has had a major different directions that it’s conditioned to lose focus and get sidetracked,” O’Kennedy said. impact on my brain,” O’Kennedy said.

Freshman Josh Koller perceives the Internet Junior Justin Gray believes that the Internet as a way to encourage focusing. has made him less intelligent.

“I feel that my usage of the Internet can “The Internet kind of dumbs me down. It cuts down my attention span. When I was young, actually help me maintain concentration when I could read long, complex works of literature. reading books. Whenever I don’t read books for Now I can’t even do that without drifting off. a long period of time, starting back up can be a My concentration has been extremely effected bit slower. Reading articles and other text on the Internet are like a way of keeping momentum, [by the Internet],” Gray said.

AP Literature and Composition teacher Roy because it’s more constant,” Koller said.

Gray regards text on the Internet as a Starling blames technology for leading people contribution to diminishing attention spans. away from reading.

“Information is simplified and condensed.

“Technology is reshaping our brain. It is even affecting me and I come from a generation On the Internet everything is easier to get. of readers. Even when I’m reading I drift off. Instead of us being forced to pay attention, we’re Everything seems hectic and clustered. Reading used to shorter words and shorter articles,” Gray requires solitude, silence, and time. Somehow, said.

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Starling compares the experiences of students today with his own.

“The Internet narrows information. If I ask students to look something up on the Internet, they quickly take the first entry online. So everyone’s definition in class is usually the same. When I was in school, we looked things up in books, so definitions of a rhetorical term would be different. Wikipedia used to be a problem. Students used to think that Wikipedia was the last word. It’s just a starting place,” Starling said.

O’Kennedy surmises that the Internet has rewired the brains of numerous individuals.

“I think people’s brains are now wired to believe in instant gratification because the media and the Internet allows you to obtain any sort of information quickly. It’s hard to retain the information. At the click of a button, you can get anything you want,” O’Kennedy said.

Simmons perceives the increased use of technology in students’ lives.

“Many students typically try to use their iPhones in class, which certainly distracts them from learning. Backpacks, handbags often contain iPhones that students try to keep hidden but close enough to access when the teacher is not looking their way,” Simmons said.

Gray does not think that it has rewired people’s brains.

“Media hasn’t necessarily rewired our brains. People need to think outside of the box.

If you get straight to the point you miss things.

The Internet makes things easier to obtain,” Gray said.

However, Gray does assert that the Internet can be a big distraction when trying to get some work done.

“Communications becomes much, much simpler. However, it’s a big distraction. It’s hard for me to get homework done without getting on the Internet at least once,” Gray said.

Junior Victoria Fairman sees the positive side of the Internet.

“I think the fact that teens are able to take a break from their studying and work allows them to relax and feel less stressed so that way when they go back to studying, their mind is cleared

and they are able to focus more on the subject,” Fairman said.

Starling alters his lesson plans because of the effect of the Internet.

“I think the Internet does cause procrastination. I guess the Internet is the reason I assign less out-of-class work. I hardly ever assign something that’s due the next day. The Internet has made cheating very easy. Anytime I think of a really good assignment, like an essay, students can easily download it off the Internet.

Most essays are now written in class,” Starling said.

Many teachers discern a difference in their students.

“Students generally don’t believe they have to read the whole textbook when they have the Internet. I have noticed that many think they don’t need to memorize facts of figures when they can look them up on the Internet just as easily. Unfortunately, this is the world we live in,” U.S. History teacher Jennifer Beraduce said.

The accessibility of the Internet contributes to the change.

“I think the Internet enables kids to be lazy.

It also affects attention span and the capacity for critical thinking. Everything on the Internet is at your fingertips. All you have to do is type in a few letters and you have what you want,” O’Kennedy said.

Starling acknowledges that the Internet benefits both students and teachers.

“The Internet makes the research process much quicker. Students can look up something on their smartphone, such as a rhetorical term.

Not only does it help the students, but it also helps me. I can easily look something up on the Internet before class,” Starling said.

Starling emphasizes the need for constant vigilance.

“The Internet shortens the attention spans of students. But Internet is not the only villain.

DVR and TiVo are also to blame. After a while, you even think you can pause life or hit replay.

You’ve got to always be paying attention,” Starling said.

ariannar@thelionstale.com

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INVASION 360,000,000

people who use the Internet around the world

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hours spent on the Internet per month

The Shallows

In Robert Carr’s recent book The Shallows, he details how with the emergence and subsequent development of technology, his concentration began to lapse.

During 2007 he noticed that his brain was working differently; he now relied on technology in almost everything he did. The Internet had rewired his brain.

Book is now available at Barnes & Noble.

How are you affected by the Internet? “[The Internet] doesn’t affect me very much. I could definitely live without it.”

Jaclyn Mitchell ‘11

Skylar McDonald ‘12

“[The Internet] is my life source. It can distract me. When you have nothing to do and you’re bored, it gives you entertainment.

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Students’ grades drop with second semester

by Arianna Ray

grade without having to do any of the work. They want to hushed silence fills the room as Principal Robert cheat and lie their way through school. Students feel like they Lundquist begins to speak. The eyebrows of some have better things to do,” Uncan said. teachers flit up in surprise while others nod grimly, Freshman Felicia Line cites sports as a contributing reassured in their suspicions. They discuss the most recent factor. issue at hand, that of students’ dropping grades.

“I know some people who are failing. I think part of it is “It’s really, truly a complex situation. We are very concerned the harder material and part of it is sports. Sports take up time. that the grades dropped. I brought it to everyone’s attention at School should always come before sports in whatever you do, the end of the first semester. We noticed that, at the fault of no but some students think the opposite,” Line said. one, but even our senior grades were low. It’s puzzling to all of Junior Sarah Holzer obtained one of the only high grades us,” Lundquist said. in her class on a recent test.

English teacher Sue Livingston observes a trend in her “My whole class in physics on the last test got 55’s or classes in addition to the lower grades.

65’s. Only one person got a 90 and I got an 85. Those were the “Not only have I noticed highest grades in the class. People just that grades are dropping, but we didn’t study. They didn’t do their notes.

Students just don’t care. They also cover less in the classroom.

I glance at the notes or in the textbook There’s less difficulty in the just want to get an easy grade before the test. It’s really just quick material that we teach. Lots of memorization,” Holzer said. without doing the work. teachers have noticed that if we Lundquist puzzles over how to Taylor Uncan, ‘12 pull out a test we used to give out a encourage students to try to succeed. couple of years ago, we can’t give “We have to figure out what it now. The students can’t take it. motivates that student and how we can They don’t have the capabilities,” Livingston said. “They are design our curriculum and what we want them to learn to a arriving into our classroom not as ready to learn as they used to point where they want to do it, and that’s difficult,” Lundquist be. I’ve very rarely had failures in my classes. Now I’m seeing said. “I think until we get to a point where we can see we’re three or four failures. I’m seeing much lower grades in general. fully engaging our students in the learning process, we’re going to continue to battle the lack of interest, the apathy, the There are more B’s and C’s than A’s. It’s different.”

Lundquist offers one explanation as to why the grades have fact that they don’t care about achieving.”

Livingston proposes one way to connect better with dropped.

“I think that there is a great deal of apathy on part of the incoming students.

“One thing that we are going to do is talk to the middle students in that they don’t seem to care about wanting to come to school prepared to learn on an everyday basis. I don’t think schools. We want to try to work with them and the students. that they see the importance of achieving at a high level and Talk to them and ask them how they’re doing. What are you seeing? What problems are you encountering with the getting good grades. I think they’re bored,” Lundquist said.

Junior Taylor Uncan provides a reason from the perspective students? We want to work more with freshmen to give practice in the demands and what they can expect from high of a student.

“Students just don’t care. They just want to get an easy school. We aren’t going to lower our standards for these

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Simple

SOLUTIONS Due to the drop in grades, the administration intends to implement new policies to raise grades next year.

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Student Survey

The school is looking at surveying the student body. The members of the administration believe that getting direct student input will be very effective in raising grades.

MARCH 11, 2011

Orientation Approximately a week before school begins when students pick up their schedules for the year, an orientation will be held to help introduce the new school year.

believe that it’s working. We were honoring students for what they ought to have already been doing. We should honor students who honor Oviedo High School. In every single area such as academics, athletics, or the arts, I felt very strongly that all kids should be honored in what they do, in whatever they’re good at and achieve at in a positive way. I think it’s been a really great program. We get to honor students that we are very proud of,” Livingston said.

Line agrees that achievements should be rewarded.

“Teachers need to push students harder and offer incentives. Reward students if they achieve or do S a m a n t h a ‘14 something well. In middle school, Belmore you always got to get let out early if you got good grades. Teachers should also give more help to the kids who ask questions rather than ignore or seem angry with them,” Line said.

Livingston considers the additional seventh period to also be a deterrent in raising grades.

“I would like to switch back to the six-period day. But the board will never allow it. Money is the main reason. With one teacher teaching six classes instead of five, the county saves a lot of money. Until the economy picks up again, I don’t see change.

We’ve lost 20 days of teaching time per year. That has to make a difference in scores. There’s less time for students to learn and for teachers to teach, but we’re expected to do the same job. It’s very hard,” Livingston said.

Uncan finds the change from six to seven periods advantageous.

“I really don’t think the seven-period day hurts us. I believe it’s actually helping our grades go up, not down. We’re not in class so long. We can wake up our brains again and stretch as we walk to our next class instead of just staying in the same class for a longer time,” Uncan said.

Line observes that honors classes also give out more difficult work.

“Kids lately are slacking. They’re busy with other things. They either have sports or they procrastinate. Students just don’t want to do their work. There’s no interest anymore. Teachers should give less homework. They should make assignments difficult but not as long. These honors courses are a lot harder,” Line said.

Lundquist asserts that AP and honors students have not experienced a major drop in their grades.

“When we talk about grades dropping, we’re talking about a smaller population, level ones, level twos, those students that have not done so well on those standardized tests. Those are the ones who seem to not care, and even not all of them. A majority of our students do care. Those AP students that are taking high-level classes have not dropped their grades. They’re still pretty darn good.

I don’t think it’s because students have over-extended themselves into Advanced Placement or honors courses,” Lundquist said.

Livingston points out high AP scores from the past year.

“Our AP scores last year were higher than they’ve ever been.

When I look at that, I think that these programs are doing what they need to do. A student who’s in an AP class makes a B. I feel like that’s okay even if they’ve usually made A’s in honors classes.

Students shouldn’t be upset about that. I think we are getting so

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much more overall,” Livingston said.

Lundquist intends to implement some new programs in the hopes of raising grades.

“Next year, we’re going to have an orientation before school starts. When you come and pick up your schedule, you’re not going to be able to just come pick your schedule up. You’re going to have to go to an orientation. We’re also going to develop mentors, student mentors- upperclassmen for the ninth graders so that they can connect with somebody that they can ask questions to.

Obviously you’re going to feel more comfortable asking a question to your mentor that’s an eleventh grader,” Lundquist said.

Lundquist plans to work on integrating incoming freshmen into high school better next year.

“We’re going to spend the first two weeks of school going into classes and having large group sessions with all that is available to you at Oviedo High School and to go very slowly and very precisely through the goals and objectives of high school from grades nine to 12. We’re going to go over curriculum, go over what you’re going to have to do to reach the level of going to the college or university of your choice. Let them know about our college careers room. Let them know about all of the extracurricular programs that we have.

Give them the full snapshot of Oviedo High School in depth those first couple of weeks. That’s something that we’re going to do next year,” Lundquist said.

Lundquist cuts down to the core of the problem.

“We need to excite our students and engage them in a way in which they’re receptive. That’s an ongoing learning process.

Really, until that fully turns the corner, we’re going to continue to have apathy. We’re going to continue to have situations where the grade point averages are dropping and they are low.” Lundquist said. ”We’d like to think that every student’s responsible, that every student cares about their grades, but that’s just not reality.”

ariannar@thelionstale.com

Why are grades dropping?

students. We just need to pull them up. What we need to do is get across what we expect and what we aren’t going to do,” Livingston said.

Line initially experienced difficulty acclimating to the rigor of high school.

“It was difficult for me to adjust as a freshman at the beginning.

I just had to work harder to keep up my grades. I also worked out my schedule better. If you don’t manage your time well then you won’t have time to do the necessary things for school,” Line said.

Livingston finds it difficult to compensate for the knowledge and work ethic that students lack.

“Part of the student’s development happens before they even get to us. I think that some of the problem begins in the middle school classroom. Maybe the middle schools don’t give enough homework or put enough demands on the student. When we get them we have to start playing catch-up,” Livingston said. “The beginning of the year is spent teaching students what they should already know. What we should be doing is telling them to catch up while I go on and teach the class what I always do. It should be the student’s responsibility.”

Freshman Samantha Belmore, on the other hand, believes that middle schools do well with helping students prepare for high school.

“My grades haven’t dropped at all. I study as needed and I do all my work. I always do what the teachers suggest. It wasn’t that hard for me to adjust to high school. I feel like my middle school did pretty well with acclimating us,” Belmore said.

Lundquist acknowledges the need for more student interaction with the administration.

“I think that we need to meet your needs. We need to provide instruction that is meaningful, that you can relate to. How can we better go about teaching you? I think that we need to hear what you have to say,” Lundquist said. “We’re looking at possibly surveying our student body for what can we do to help you want to become a more proficient learner. There are some things that we’re going to incorporate next year and maybe even toward the end of this year to gather the data to see what it is that you want. What are your needs? Tell us what we can do to help you. That’s a start.”

Uncan requests more entertainment as a way to hold the attention of students.

“More teachers should be like Mr. Brookover. He’s an exciting and energetic teacher. He’s able to keep the attention of the class. Teachers should make the class more fun. How they do it all depends on the class, though. It’s not so much less work that I want, but a better way to communicate. Make the class more entertaining,” Uncan said.

Livingston disagrees with incorporating too much entertainment.

“Students want to be entertained rather than sit down in the classroom and just learn. Entertainment does not teach you. Not the hard stuff. It doesn’t teach you to think critically. It’s much more than even apathy. Maybe the students have these ideas because they’re used to learning through graphics or excitement.

The excitement in learning, though, comes from growing and enlarging your foundation of knowledge. That’s the best part,” Livingston said.

Livingston believes that the new student of the week program has been beneficial.

“The greatest thing that I believe we have done this year is the new student of the week program. It was my idea and I really

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“From personal experience, I can safely say people just don’t care.”

Andrew Mack ‘13

“I feel that grades are toppling because not-sofocused students are biting off more than they can chew.”

Diego Zegarra ‘13

Mentors

Information

Incoming ninth graders will be assigned a mentor who is an upperclassman.

Through this, the administration hopes to help freshmen feel more comfortable with high school.

During the first two weeks of school, freshmen will participate in large group sessions.

The administration will provide information including curriculum and extracurriculars.

all illustrations/WESLEY WYNNE

08

THE LION’S TALE

| news | MARCH 11, 2011

Teen scientists bring home seven first places

by Olivia Davila-Finch

A

huge grin of anticipation spreads across freshman Carson Smith’s face as the judge announces the final placing of all competitors. Smith shuffles his hands together and listens with growing anxiety as the announcer calls out the honorable mention, third place, and second place. “And in first place…” the words echo through the room, “Carson Smith!”

“I won first place in the zoology category,” Smith said. “In my project, I tried to determine if vitamin A prevents mutation in fruit flies.”

Participation in the science fair makes up a large part of the research class offered at OHS. Students compete in several different categories of the competition. This year, out of the eight categories competed in, OHS students won first place in seven of them.

Sophomore Madison Greco, for example, won first place in mathematics for her project, trying to see if there was a correlation between working memory and math ability.

“I was extremely nervous when I won,” Greco said, “but relieved at the same time. I had 14 judges that day and it was pretty nerve-wracking.”

Smith, Greco, sophomore Shawnee DolingTye, juniors Neel Patel, Harry Traber, Cayden Lawn, Daniel Hammack, and senior Tom Goff all won first place. Traber and Lawn competed as a team.

“I felt elated to finally achieve my goal of first place,” Smith said. “I’ve been competing in the science fair since I was in sixth grade. This was my fourth year doing it.”

In the previous three years Smith has competed, he has placed twice – honorable mention and second place.

As a result of his first place winning, Smith received $100, and is going to continue on to the Florida State Science and Engineering Fair. The other first place winners also will be advancing to the State Science Fair.

“Even though I was chosen as one of the all photos/ARIANNA RAY three best projects and can advance straight to the international competition, I think I’m still going to LAB RATS. (top) Senior Thomas Goff peers into a microscope in his seventh period class, which is devoted to working on projects for the Science Fair. (bottom) Freshman Carson Smith and sophomore Ashley Sikes participate in states,” Patel said. “It’s a good way perform an experiment. to see the competition, and there’s a lot of good opportunities to win cool awards and cash prizes. be featured on Google’s website. and students from six counties all compete. The These projects will then be up for the “People’s Science Competition operates under the same rules It’s a good practice round for ISEF.” The Florida Foundation for Future Scientists Choice Award,” where anyone using Google can as the International Science and Engineering Fair, vote on a project. In the and students that won first place in any physical sponsors the Florida end, 15 finalists will go to science category may compete.

State Science Fair.

A lot of hard work goes into California, where they will M a n y Despite not actually taking the research class present their projects to a at Oviedo as the other winners did, Patel has taken opportunities, science fair. It’s a long process. panel of well-known and four semesters of a research class at SSC as a dual scholarships and Just to win that one award acclaimed scientists. In enrollment class. As a result, he has been receiving internships are and attend that one ceremony the end, there will be three opportunities since he was a freshman. available to winning finalist winners and one students through “In ninth grade I was actually offered an makes it really exciting.

Grand Prize winner. this fair. The NASA internship at a laboratory at UCF,” Patel said. “I’m Neel Patel, ‘12 The Grand Prize still working there right now. It’s great because I Summer Internship and winner will receive a trip can see some really unique things and explore the Florida Engineering Foundation Internships are several opportunities to the Galapagos, a scholarship from Google, a some really interesting ideas, all while meeting personalized Lego prize, a package from Scientific some cool people.” available to participating students.

“I won first place in the microbiology category, American, and an opportunity dubbed a “once in After a year of putting together these projects, and I was overwhelmed with happiness,” Goff a lifetime experience” from CERN, Google, the students are satisfied with their current placing, said. “Along with the State Science Fair, I’m also LEGO GROUP, or Scientific American. even without the thought of future competitions “I am also entering my project in the Orlando and opportunities. sending my project to the Google Science Fair.”

The Google Science Fair, sponsored by Science Center Challenge next weekend, as well “A lot of hard work goes into science fair,” Google, is a worldwide competition available as competing in the Google Science Fair,” Greco Patel said. “It’s a long process. Just to win that to any student who enters their project in the said. one award and attend that one ceremony makes it The Orlando Science Center Challenge takes really exciting, and really meaningful to me.” competition. The deadline to enter is April 4. In oliviad@thelionstale.com May, 60 semi-finalists from all over the globe will place on March 12 for middle and high schoolers,

“

SCIENCE

FAIR Winners

Madison Greco ‘13 WON: First place in mathematics PROJECT: Predicting math ability through working memory

Thomas Goff ‘11 WON: First in microbiology PROJECT: Testing the effects of starvation on the protein C-jun

Neel Patel ‘12 WON: First in behavioral science PROJECT: Finding the correlation between verbal learning in individuals with and without musical training

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Shawnee ‘13 Doling-Tye WON: First in environmental PROJECT: Discovering which substance would absorb the most nitrogen from landfills

MARCH 11, 2011

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THE LION’S TALE

09

(opinion sports )

10 THE LION’S TALE

| opinion | MARCH 11, 2011

“ Eighty percent of succes

s is showing up.”

- Woody Allen

KEEP IT SWEET OUR WORD

SIXTEEN

Driver’s license age requirement should remain 16

O

contribute to the cost of keeping a car. Many teenagers get ne new act recently put forth by the Florida House a job to deal with the finances. Jobs help to instill a sense of Representatives is HB 515 or the Mature of responsibility in teens.

Drivers Act. This bill pertains to the issue of According to www.car-accidents.com, each year over teenager drivers, specifically raising the age at which 5,000 teens aged 16 to 20 die due to fatal car collisions. teenagers would be able to acquire a learner’s or Class E The risk of being involved in a car accident between these driver’s license. ages is higher than for any other age group. For each mile The bill states that “the department may not issue a driven, 16- to 19-year-olds are four times more likely than license to a person who has not attained 17 years of age.” other drivers to crash.

This would effectively push back the wait for the coveted These statistics are startling and indicative of a driver’s license that many teenagers strive for throughout population of teenagers who badly need some form of their adolescent years. change to help reduce fatalities. However, raising the That is why we here at The Lion’s Tale believe that the driving age will not change driving age should stay at 16 anything. The new teen years old as it currently is.

A driver’s license offers a sense of drivers will be just as While a learner’s driver’s freedom and responsibility to teens. reckless as ever and perhaps permit may be issued to a even more willing to make person who is at least 16 years up for lost time. Other of age under this new bill, it means could be implemented to reduce the number of car will still leave teenagers restless and put more burden on collisions for teenagers. their parents.

Teenagers tend to underestimate a dangerous High school students have a large amount of situation and are not able to aptly respond to hazardous responsibilities that they must attend to. Most are involved circumstances on the road. These drivers are also more in some sort of extracurricular activity, be it football or likely to speed and to forgo wearing a seatbelt. These drama. These students who are under 16 or don’t have issues should be addressed rather than lifting the limit by their license have few options in getting transportation to one year. and from high school. Oftentimes, the duty falls to parents One possible solution is to require a course to obtain a who may be unwilling or disgruntled in having to work around their children’s schedule. This can be disheartening driver’s license that would teach teenagers the dangers that they face by choosing to drive. Many teenagers are simply to those students who want to more actively participate unaware or feel that they are invincible to the accidents in school activities. By heightening the age limit, these that occur 16,934 times on average per day. teenagers are effectively discouraged from pursuing The truth of the matter is that driving is a responsibility. excellence in areas outside of the academic school day.

One that should be open to everyone from 16 years and up.

A license also offers a sense of freedom and Restricting the age limit will do little for the safety of the responsibility to teenagers. Cars require maintenance and can be costly for the student. Insurance and gas prices both road.

“

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LION’STALE

Weight of other factors lowers grades illustration/ WESLEY WYNNE

GOT AN OPINION? submit letters to Mrs. Jepson’s room 05-020 or via email to the writers of the stories www. facebook.com/thelionstale add us on Facebook where you can: -see photos not in the paper -post comments/discussions -see preview of the upcoming edition

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OV I E D O H I G H SC H OO L • 601 KING S T R EET • OV IEDO, FL - MA RC H 11, 2011 - VO L U M E 51• I SSUE 5

Editors-In-Chief

Features Editor

Advertising Editor

Carson Bailey Julia Thorncroft

Hallie Lavery

Amanda Ferguson

Diversions Editors

Copy Editors

Stephanie O’Sullivan

Angiee Carey Kaitlyn Loughlin

News Editor

Sports Editor

Arianna Ray

Janie Williams

Junior Editor

Opinion Editor

Nirvani Khan

Brandon Koller Jake Smith Staff Artists

Taylor Schwarz Wesley Wynne

Photographer

Linsey Duca Staff Reporters

Connor Bailey Leigha Bennett Gloria Choi Maria Cokovska Daniel Condly Olivia Davila-Finch

Online

Andrea Dobo Carly Ford Hafsa Hussain Lindsay Knox Zoe Lyon-Goldman Eric Mooney Harry Traber Jessi Whitacre

Faculty Advisor

Deborah Jepson Admin Advisor

Anna McCarthy Oviedo High School

601 King Street Oviedo, FL 32765 Phone: 407-320-4050

The Lion’s Tale is accessible through the OHS website.

The Lion’s Tale reserves the right to refuse ads. The views of the staff do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, staff, or faculty of Oviedo High School.

MARCH 11, 2011

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opinion

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THE LION’S TALE

11

Diabetes Causes

illustration/WESLEY WYNNE

• Those with a family history of diabetes are 25% more prone to develop it.

• A poor diet of too many carbohydrates, fats, and proteins can lead to diabetes.

• Obesity can be a predisposing factor, too.

• The lesser the physical activity, the greater the chance of obtaining diabetes.

• Viral infections can lead to diabetes.

• Age is most common predisposing factor.

• Emotional stress can lead to diabetes because it causes pancreatic failure.

• Smokers are highly susceptible to diabetes.

Columnist’s uncle suffers effects of diabetes

NIRVANI KHAN

OPINION EDITOR

I watch as my uncle, a type 2 diabetic, measures his blood sugar level, a necessary task that has become a completely mundane routine for him.

Even after going through this same procedure each and every morning, he still briefly winces in pain every time he pricks his fingers in order to obtain a small sample of blood.

In fact, his fingers have become unusually rough and callused from these daily finger pricks.

He said, “What’s even more irritating than having to test my blood glucose level every day are the times when I have to prick my finger three to four times in one morning if I don’t get a blood sample the first time.”

However, as I have learned through observation, a callused hand is just one effect of having diabetes. And if you ask me, it’s the most minor.

The emotional and physical toil of this disease is difficult and, at times, drastic for diabetics.

Currently, as stated in diabetes.org, there are about 25.8 million people in the United States who have diabetes.

According to http://abcnews.go.com/Health, there are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and

type 2. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs before Recently, Michelle Obama has drawn attention to childhood obesity and the rise in age 20, and these diabetics are often thin. The pancreas of type 1 diabetics, which is the organ possibility that as these overweight children age, they will develop diabetes. that secretes the insulin hormone, becomes She recommends that schools and parents destroyed by autoantibodies. take a hard look at the type of food that their Thus, type 1 diabetics need insulin injected child eats. If they are not getting enough fruits or pumped into their bodies. and vegtables each day, they may gain large The more common type of diabetes, which amounts of weight. affects my uncle, and about 85-90 percent of That weight may eventually contribute to diabetics, is type 2, and these diabetics usually diabetes and a life dependent on insulin. are diagnosed after the age of 35.

Some school districts are taking a smart step Usually, they’re heavy, and they work to in changing the type of food served for school treat their diabetes through diet and exercise, lunch. More schools are offering salads, fresh and sometimes oral medications if needed. fruits, less frozen pizza and no fried foods..

I have witnessed this firsthand, as my uncle According to the Center for Disease Control, gained about 15 pounds ever since he was 80 percent of overweight children become diagnosed. overweight adults and one fourth of all adults in As mentioned on nrh, diabetes is a multiFlorida are now overweight. systematic disease, meaning it has the ability This is a call to to affect multiple action.

If we are organs and body If we are going to be healthy going to be healthy functions. adults, we have to control what adults, we have to Heart disease we eat now. control what we eat is one of the Nirvani Khan, ‘12 now. most significant Sadly, diabetes health effects of takes a toll on emotions, too. diabetes, which includes the hardening of My uncle has always been an easy-going, arteries, heart palpitations, heart attacks, or tolerant man who has slowly developed a shorthigh blood pressure. An explanation for the tempered, irritable disposition. connection between diabetes and heart disease It’s also very strange watching a man who is consumption of foods high in carbohydrates used to be so active and have so much energy be and fats. fatigued and exhausted all the time.

An additional health issue associated with He prefers to stay home, instead of going diabetes is kidney failure. Sometimes, kidney out. The vitality from him is gone, and I really problems can become so profound in diabetics miss that about him. that dialysis is necessary.

Dialysis is the process of getting rid of nirvanik@thelionstale.com impurities from the blood.

“

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CARSON BAILEY

CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Don’t beat self up

C

reating something isn’t easy, as I’m sure anyone who’s tried to make something knows.

I’ll typically start a project with high hopes of finishing it no less than perfected. But things don’t always go as planned. Ideas may not flow as readily, causing the project to sit for days going nowhere.

This lack of inspiration then seems to affect my overall attitude. I become even more anxiety ridden almost as if I am suffering internally because I can’t produce perfection at that exact moment.

Artists and creators in general are known for this suffering, which in some cases leads to the excessive use of alcohol or other drugs to cope with their inability to reach the impossible.

Striving for perfection can be seen in athletes as well. Players often become frustrated and upset when they aren’t able to perform at the level they want.

Sometimes they will even quit a team because they feel so poorly about their performance.

People should be able to create, play, perform, write, or whatever they choose without the constant pressure of being perfect.

Recently I watched a video in which Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, offered an inspirational way to defeat this suffering.

Back during ancient Greece and ancient Rome people believed that creativity came from an unknowable source that would accompany you as a divine spirit.

In Rome these divine spirits were known as geniuses. Because of the geniuses’ campaigning nature, creators did not rely solely on themselves.

Instead of ‘being the genius’, they were able to simply ‘have a genius’, sort of like an imaginary friend who follows you around shooting great ideas into your ear. The geniuses can come and go, just as your ideas and thoughts roam freely.

As silly as this idea of spirits may sound, the way in which our society thinks people are born with perfection internally installed doesn’t sound much better.

With anything you do, it should showcase your passion and dedication whether the outcome is perfect or not. And by “having a genius” you are able to keep a distance from your work.

Because of this created distance, you are allowed to put all into your work without beating yourself up afterwards when it doesn’t turn out as perfect as you imagined.

After hearing Gilbert ‘s 20 minute talk about this idea of subtracting suffering from your life, I’ve come to realize that you can’t expect perfection.

You have to put your all into what you do and the rest is ultimately up to fate, or if you chose to believe, your own special genius.

carsonb@thelionstale.com

12

THE LION’S TALE

| opinion | MARCH 11, 2011

TRAVELING the RIGHT WAY

photo/JULIA THORNCROFT

SNOW DAY. Senior Claire Volheim pegs junior Cole Hensley in the back. The art history students had a snow ball battle on Ellis Island where senior Julia Thorncroft defeated AP World History teacher Gary Barnett.

Art history field trip inspires columnist’s adventures

JULIA THORNCROFT CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

I

f you ask me, traveling is a vital opportunity for young people. If you ask me more, traveling apart from your family and instead going with peers can be incredibly fun. If you ask me anymore questions, I might ask you to leave me alone. Or, I might suggest that you take a trip to the City That Never Sleeps.

Recently, I traveled to New York alongside a clan of 30 or so students to look at art. While seeing the famous paintings and other work from artists I studied in art history was the main reason for my travels, many other exciting things happened in the big apple.

Why do I write about a trip to New York?

Because I am extremely egotistical?1 Not only that, but the experiences I had are worth passing on to those with a desire to travel.

1 Well, that is true.

But I’m not going to write about just my experiences, I have guidelines for those of you who wish to travel to New York2.

2 Because I became an expert on traveling up north after only one trip. A trip which I had no role in planning.

My first rule: if you can stay in the city, stay there. Before I get attacked by the teachers who

ran this trip, the infamous Gibbs-Barnett duo, let me explain. We spent our nights at a hotel in Newark, and it was a very nice place to stay.

Except for the first night, when the water in my shower spouted out brown chunks the minute I turned on the faucet3. Regardless, if you have the option and can afford to stay in the city then I highly suggest you go for it. Honestly, why wouldn’t you?

3 It was probably just rust from the faucet.

But I don’t really care what it is, it was plain disgusting.

My second rule, attending art museums is a must. Especially The Met and The MoMa. But look out for those security guards at the museum. Every time I’ve gone to an art museum, I’ve had this overwhelming fear as if I’m about to commit a crime4. They take their job very seriously - which I suppose is important, since they’re protecting valuable artwork.

4 Not that I would. It’s the way those guards walk around and stare down at you. They make me feel like I’m about to pull a Winona Ryder or Lindsay Lohan and shoplift the entire museum.

Not like that’s possible anyways.

In addition to the art museums, don’t eat at their cafeterias. They are expensive and the food tastes disgusting5. I suggest getting a hot dog at one of the many stands all over the city. Sure, the taste isn’t that much better, but it only costs two dollars. Equal quality, cheaper price; it’s pure economics6.

5 It cost 20 dollars to get burgers, fries, a drink, and a dessert. Naturally, it all ended up tasting like bland awfulness.

6 Not that I know anything about economics.

I’m pretty sure I failed that class. I’m more than sure that I didn’t learn anything, other than aggregate demand and supply.

After spending all day at an art museum, one night should at least be spent in Times Square.

Be sure to watch out for the people you run into7. The vendors in NYC are as creepy as they come. Some of them don’t even have a strong grasp on the English language. There were people from Africa, China, and India, all trying to sell knock-off Chanel wallets and Gucci purses. And don’t follow them around a corner into a back alley to look at wallets. I learned the hard way8.

7 That rule applies wherever you travel.

8 Not really. More like I hid in the corner of a shop until he found another customer to lure in with his broken English.

Purse vendors weren’t the only creeps in Times Square. There are a ton of young men walking around shouting, “Wanna see a comedy show?” Whether these shows were legit or good I will never know, although I did enjoy telling them how much I despise comedy, giving them blank stares every time they tried to make a joke.

One more tip on Times Square: don’t buy generic NYC memorabilia there. It is way too expensive compared to China Town. Some people frown upon China Town, but I say it’s a must9. Really, that’s where you buy your knockoff purses, ladies.

9 You don’t get these bargains on 5th Avenue, that’s a given.

Another wonderful thing about China Town

is that you can haggle with the vendors. They pretend to be tough, but they eventually break.

My tip: please be relentless. A friend of mine tried to haggle with a guy and when he wouldn’t budge, she pulled out a wad of twenties to pay him. You should either pretend you’re flat out broke or just walk out when they don’t want you sale.

All in all, the trip was fantastic. It was a trip filled with stories that probably shouldn’t be printed in the newspaper. So I guess the best advice I can give you on traveling to New York is take art history, and go with Didi Gibbs and Gary Barnett, the man I pegged in the face with a snowball.

juliat@thelionstale.com

BEST OF NYC 1. CENTRAL PARK 2. ELLIS ISLAND 3. METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART 4. CHINA TOWN Julia’s gone cyber

check out Julia’s new humor blog at: porpoisemonster.tumblr.com

MARCH 11, 2011

//// THE GREAT DEBATE:

JAKE SMITH

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opinion

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THE LION’S TALE

Would having PRO upperclassmen mentors CON be a good idea?

COPY EDITOR

HARRY TRABER

13

STAFF REPORTER

Upperclassmen mentors are what we need

Upperclassmen mentors are not what we need

rincipal Robert Lundquist stated in a recent interview that a plan to have mentors for underclassmen would be implemented next year. “Student mentors, upperclassmen for the ninth graders, [exist] so that [freshmen] can connect with somebody that they can ask questions to,” Lundquist said.

This is all in the hopes of raising the overall grades of the school and to better help incoming high school students.

There is no doubt that grades have dropped this year.

Additionally, classes are covering less and less material each year. One solution to help this problem would be to allow high school students to help other fellow high school students. This solution is one with a list of advantages that greatly outnumber disadvantages.

One of the most crucial advantages is that the freshmen would have help available to them that would not have been there otherwise.

Some students go through classes struggling, thinking that because they don’t understand the material, that’s the end of it and that they will fail. Even though students can hire tutors, sometimes that just isn’t a realistic option to students who cannot afford it.

According to tutoringfaq.com, tutors usually cost about $20 to $40 an hour. If a student hires a tutor for at least two hours even just once a week, that ends up totaling between $160 and $320 every month. This may not seem expensive to some, but to those families who are victims of our struggling economy and can’t even find jobs, this would be flat-out unreasonable.

Fortunately, next year, students will have the ability to seek tutoring for free.

This will save families a couple hundred dollars each month, which any family would greatly appreciate.

The help given by these mentors will raise the GPA’s of not only the students, but the entire school. Freshmen getting the help they need with their courses would assist in keeping grades up, which in turn would increase their chances of being successful and getting into college.

Additionally, the rise in grades would reflect well on the entire school, and, let’s face it, who doesn’t want our school to look good? Another advantageous factor backing the implementation of the upperclassmen mentors is that students might prefer being mentored by a fellow peer, compared to maybe a teacher or a hired tutor. Even Lundquist agrees, saying that “obviously you’re going to feel more comfortable asking a question to your mentor that’s an eleventh grader.”

Students can find it awkward having a one-on-one session with a teacher, just because of the vast differences in lifestyles. Most teachers cannot relate to students because things were so much different when they were growing up or simply because of the age difference. This would not be a problem with a peer as a tutor.

With the upperclassmen helping them, [tutors] are also high school students who were in their shoes just a few years ago.

Aside from the fact that students will be more comfortable with a peer as a mentor, it will also encourage more social interaction between younger and older students. Perhaps if these older tutors get to know the younger tutored students, there will be less teasing and negative attitudes between the upperclassmen and underclassmen.

Friendly unity among students of all grades throughout the school would be nothing but beneficial to the overall well-being of OHS. “Freshman Fridays” would soon become a thing of the past.

his year, we as members of the Oviedo High School family face an issue of low grades. The administration has been working to find a solution, and an idea that they would like to put in place next year is having upperclassmen be mentors to freshmen so that we can provide help for them.

I personally found asking my peers for advice did help me, but I don’t think asking upperclassmen to be mentors to freshmen is the answer at all. It’s not that I don’t like freshmen – I feel that upperclassmen have enough on their plates without making sure the freshmen they look out for are doing their work too.

When I was a freshman, I already had friends in upper classes that I asked for help. I asked them for ideas of what to expect from my teachers and classes. To be completely honest, the most help I received from peers came from being on our school’s wrestling team. I believe that being in extracurricular activities doesn’t hinder students from doing work.

I think that they do quite the opposite: I understand practices run long and you get tired, but teams tend to look out for one another and teams, by nature, provide an environment to ask for help.

When it comes down to it, I think asking upperclassmen to mentor freshmen students is imposing on them. I may be the only one who feels this way, but if I want to help anyone, I want it to be my choice and not something I was told to do by the administrative powers in the front office.

Not all upperclassmen would be able to deal with having to watch out for freshmen and keep up their grades and any other activities they participate in. When teachers are willing to stay after and tutor students and other clubs and sports are available any freshmen has ample opportunity to ask advice and see what they need to do to be successful in high school.

Let’s face it. We are all busy at one time or another. I myself am a chronic procrastinator and I think the idea of looking out for incoming freshmen to be like adding another stone to the stress on upperclassmen’s backs. If it’s not the SAT, then its college applications or senior dues.

What about upperclassmen morale? The last thing we want is for more people to be frustrated with school.

If freshmen are struggling to bring grades up or adjust to high school, then maybe it would be better to make an incentive for study groups, or clubs that would facilitate studying and adjustment to the high school experience. I believe that having clubs like this would provide more than ample opportunity for students who want to do better to go ahead and do better.

Having a club would be better than having a mandatory study hall because teachers would not be forced to watch and direct students who do not want to study, while if there were a club, teachers would only be leading students who want to improve their grades.

It’s not just freshmen feeling the crunch with their grades – I myself have grades lower than they could be.

This may not be the most popular opinion, but I am responsible for my grades. There are occasions where I miss homework but I am also the one who makes the conscious choice not to work. To me at least, the simplest solution would be just to stop being lazy and do your work.

This would provide a much better solution to solve grade problems, because only individuals who are willing to show their peers the way would be asked to do so, and those of us who are busy or uninterested in helping would not have an obligation to take care of freshmen.

P

jakes@thelionstale.com

T

illustration/WESLEY WYNNE

81

out of 100 students

said YES

Poll taken on 3/10/11

harryt@thelionstale.com

14

(features sports )

THE LION’S TALE

| MARCH 11, 2011

When

s e k i r t s y raged all photos/COURTESY OF KATIE O’HANLON

GOOD DEED DOERS. Boyfriend Austin O’Connor keeps Katie company as she recovers at ORMC. ; Katie and her youth group sit on the skate ramp they built on a Navajo Indian reservation in New Mexico.

Church, community reach out to car accident victim

by Hallie Lavery

S

enior Katie O’Hanlon looked both ways while sitting at the intersection of Artesia and 434, waiting for an opening in traffic to cross the road leading to school. It was busy for a Thursday morning at 7:10 a.m., so Zach and Katie had to wait longer than usual, making them slightly behind schedule. Finally, an opening in the passing cars appeared and Katie slowly accelerated. A car going north on 434 struck the O’Hanlon’s small red 1994 Toyota Camery LE on the driver’s side door.

The Crash

“The moment I saw the other car coming towards us I thought, ‘Oh God, we’re going to crash.’ It was like slow motion. Then there was a jarring impact,” junior Zach O’Hanlon said.

Everything else went downhill from there.

“I remember looking at my sister next to me, with her hair draped in her face and head slumped over onto the steering wheel, and thinking ‘Please God, let my sister be alive,’” Z. O’Hanlon said.

A woman living in the apartments on Artesia came outside to observe the crash, and immediately called 911. Cathy Owens, a friend of the O’Hanlons and fellow church member, passed the crash and immediately stopped and called Zach and Katie’s parents, Connie and Tom. “I tried to get Katie’s attention, but she was unresponsive. I looked myself over and saw I looked physically okay, then got out of the car.

My knees were really weak,” Z. O’Hanlon said.

Driving by the crash on the way to work, Kris Peppiatt pulled over and jumped out of her car.

As a nurse at Orlando Regional Medical Center, Peppiatt held Katie’s head in place, through the driver’s side window, and talked to her while she slowly lost consciousness. Within minutes, the

paramedics arrived.

“The first thing they did was unroll the hose and brought it to the car, which I thought was weird because nothing was on fire. Then they started cutting off the roof to try and excavate Katie,” Z. O’Hanlon said.

While Katie was being cut from the vehicle, Zach was looked over by paramedics and given the O.K. because he had no visible injuries.

They couldn’t detect the ruptured eardrum or hematoma on his left leg. As Katie was being airlifted to ORMC, Zach was on his way to second period. The shock of the accident spread through school like wildfire.

“I was notified of the accident by third period and was very worried. It was extremely sad seeing her empty desk and in fourth period I had the class take a moment of silence,” AP Calculus teacher Barbara Kelly said.

Although school does go on, Katie was fading in and out of consciousness.

“I don’t remember anything from the accident. I don’t remember the actual day of the accident, until almost two weeks later. It has been explained to me that the reason why I can’t remember is because of the brain injury,” K. O’Hanlon said.

Faith and Community

Friends and family offered support the whole way.

“People at my church also helped my family out by creating an account on takethemameal. com for us. This website is designed for people to sign up to take care of dinner for anyone in need. This service of generous friends and people in our community fed my family for two weeks,” K. O’Hanlon said.

Seniors Sarah Owens and Dan Robertson, two of Katie’s old friends, joined forces to make

her a video consisting of get well comments from teachers and friends.

“I’ve known Katie since second grade. She was one of the first friends I had. Sarah and I made sure to get all the footage at school Friday, then I went home and put it all together so we could deliver it to Katie on Saturday,” Robertson said. “The idea for the video came from the fact that we knew people had a lot to say to her but didn’t want to intrude,” Owens said.

With religion as an important part of the O’Hanlon’s life, it was no surprise when their church, First United Methodist Church of Oviedo, held prayer services after the accident.

“There was a prayer service right after school, the day of the accident. We also made get well cards to bring to her in the hospital. In the next few days we all decorated fabric squares to make her a quilt,” freshman Willow Mason said.

Flowers, quilts, and cards weren’t the only gifts Katie was receiving during her recovery.

Katie had the power of prayer.

“My faith has helped me through this experience by just knowing that there are people out there praying for me. One of the things that I am most thankful for is that I don’t remember feeling any pain or discomfort after the accident while in the hospital or recovering at home,” K. O’Hanlon said.

Not only members of Katie’s church were praying for her health.

“I definitely prayed for her a lot and just put it all in God’s hands. I hoped he would heal her,” Owens said, an avid attendant of the First Baptist Church of Oviedo.

Katie had the same love and support at home as she got from church and friends.

“Knowing that for one, I couldn’t control the accident. It happened and all we can do is

move forward, and two, my faith keeps me calm and really helped me cope. Sometimes we don’t know the big picture, but we do know that God knows what will happen,” C. O’Hanlon said.

Although Katie’s recovery went rather smoothly, there were difficult moments. “ I remember the Saturday after the accident, Katie’s friends came to visit her. They sat around in her hospital room, ate Chick-Fil-A, and she was laughing. Later after her friends had left and she had taken a nap, the doctor came in to ask her some questions to test her memory, see if she was in the present. Near the middle of the test she started struggling with some of the questions, and I asked, ‘Katie, what did you have for lunch today,’ and she said, ‘I don’t remember.’”

“That was the lowest moment for me. I couldn’t believe she didn’t remember sitting around with her friends eating the food from her favorite place to go during senior lunch. It also really worried me because school is all about short-term memory transferring to long-term memory. But later when I was out driving alone, I heard from memory the words, ‘Be still and know I am God.’ I just had to let go and know everything would be all right,” C. O’Hanlon said.

According to her mother, Katie keeps improving every day. She is back at school full time and continuing to catch up on make-up work.

“A bible verse that has really helped me is Romans 8:28, ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good and those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’

The power of prayer isn’t something you can put your finger on, but it’s definitely there,” C. O’Hanlon said.

halliel@thelionstale.com

MARCH 11, 2011

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features

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15

THE LION’S TALE

Committee plans Tokyo-themed prom Fusion menu pairs with edgy night-club atmosphere

by Kaitlyn Loughlin

S

enior Amanda Lopez’s stomach roars a hungry grumble on her drive to the Gaylord Palms Resort on a busy summer day. Accompanied by senior Chenell Henderson, graduate Jessica Childress, and junior class sponsor PJ Kreahling, the four discuss what to eat for lunch while visiting possible venues for the 2011 Prom.

“We were all craving Chinese food really bad,” Lopez said. “Then we all just started joking around about how cool it would be to have it at prom.”

But it didn’t take long for this one simple idea to spark an entire prom theme.

“PJ started talking about how we could really make it work,” Lopez said. “From there, we just built up this theme of “Streetlights of Tokyo,” a sort of ‘Fast and the Furious’ twist on Japanese culture.”

With a theme finally chosen and prospective cuisine in the works, the Gaylord Palms Resort outshone the other potential locations with its charm and suitability.

“We picked Gaylord because it fit the perfect image we had,” Lopez said. “As soon as you walk in, it’s really scenic with an inside garden and waterfalls. The architecture was beautiful too; it even looks oriental with the exotic sun designs.”

However, it’s not only the appealing looks of the hotel that’s important; Major details such as catering, music, space, decorating accessibility, and price really allow a venue to stand out above the rest.

“A few weeks after we booked Gaylord, a couple SGA members went to taste test the food so we could pick which ones to have at prom,” Lopez said.

Kreahling describes the food as an ‘Asian Fusion’ mix of many unique dishes.

“I hope that everyone will be really surprised at the unique aspects of prom this year,” Lopez said. “It may sound lame, but it’s so much different than what anyone is probably expecting.”

According to Lopez this year’s theme is definitely directed towards the student experience.

“It’s a lot more edgy with a night-club atmosphere rather than a formal Asian ball.”

This could be, in part, due to the DJ’s extended decorating and entertainment capabilities.

“It’s all about negotiating over every little detail,” Kreahling said. “The Gaylord was the most flexible with our budget, catering, and extreme decoration ideas.”

After four years experience in prom planning, Kreahling certainly proves to be no amateur at negotiating nor juggling the budget.

“In reality, each ticket should be around

$80,” Kreahling said. “But, we want to make sure that as many students as possible get to join the experience, so I try to save as much money as possible so that ticket prices for students aren’t unreasonable.”

Kreahling does this by buying items separately through individual companies and saving left over money from powderpuff for the event.

“I plan differently than most other schools,” Kreahling said. “I don’t buy special party or decoration packages. I purchase items separately through about 10 different vendors to save as much money as possible.”

Kreahling spends countless hours and days looking for decorations, fun accessories for attendees, and forms of entertainment online.

“We always get a photo booth with a few fun props so that everyone can have a memory from prom to take home with them,” Kreahling said. “Some other schools waste money on expensive party favors for every student that just end up getting lost, forgotten, or thrown away anyways.”

On top of having the traditional photo booth, Kreahling hired artists from a company called Caricature Connections to set the mood for the midnight streets of Tokyo.

“There will be a name graffiti artist and a cartoon self-portrait artist, who can draw each

picture in about five minutes,” Kreahling said.

“I always say that my motto is ‘I want to create an experience, not just a dance,’” Kreahling said.

+

kaitlynl@thelionstale.com

Adding up to Prom

Ticket printing $200 DJ/Decorations/Lighting $10,000 Caricature Connections $800 Gaylord Food/Ballroom $26,000 Photo booth $1,200 Glow stuff $700 Photo booth accessories $70 Prom crowns(kings is 45) $80 Flowers $200 Security $200

Total Cost: approx.

$40,000

16

THE LION’S TALE

| news | MARCH 11, 2011

E F I L ER .. .

A M A I

SAV

Step 1 Senior Tyler Lindsay fills Step 3 After your blood out a short survey before giving blood.

Every student must fill this survey out to ensure they meet the blood donation requirements.

Step 2 If you meet all the

requirements, you will then move on to have your blood pressure taken.

Senior Blaise Hartwig laughs during his pressure taking. Blood pressure is taken to ensure your pressure is not too high or too low to donate.

x3

pressure has been checked, you’re ready to begin drawing blood. During the procedure, staff members of the Florida Blood Bank stand by to monitor and comfort the students until the one pint of blood has been taken. Junior Allison White looks away from her blood in an effort to not faint.

Step 4 After donating students are allowed to enjoy pizza and drinks in the recovery center. All blood donated is sent to the lab for testing to ensure the blood supply is safe.

For every student blood donation three lives are saved - with such a significant number every donation counts. Make sure to sign up for the March 31 Blood Drive, sign ups will begin Monday, March 28 in the commons during both lunches.

W

Nardo plans to be 1.

by Julia Thorncroft

F

all photos/LINSEY DUCA

2.

ive buses will line up in front of the school on March 31, 2011. From 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., students and faculty members can take on the opportunity to save lives for the final blood drive of the school year.

According to senior Emma Deal, NJROTC’s number one goal is to beat hometown rival Hagerty High School.

As a member of NJROTC, Deal helps run the blood drive along with seniors Marilyn Hill, Traci Hill, Bethany Barrody, and junior Maria Monsalve.

Deal’s role is to work sign ups, but also helps at the recovery station.

Colonel Joseph Nardo stated that one of their other goals is to beat the central Florida high school record.

“So far we have 423 units [pints] and the record is 598,” said Col. Nardo.

Meaning that they need 176 more units to beat the record.

Deal stated that NJR students to sign up. Col aren’t enough students do “We have 2100 stud donate. I don’t think tha said.

Deal agrees with Col “They [students] trul understand that they’re three lives,” Deal said.

Both Col. Nardo an stated that they are takin to interest more stude donating.

“We are starting sign do, the day we return from said.

According to T. Hill, blood drive are to get ov people in and out as quic “In advertising we d be really cool if people

Why do you donate bloo “ 3.

4.

“

I just like to help people.

” Michelle Starbrough‘11

I have a rare bl type, its a unive donor type.

MARCH 11, 2011

O-

% of population: 7% Blood types you can receive: OYour ideal donation: Red cells (ALYX)

O+

% of population: 37% Blood types you can receive: O+, OYour ideal donation: Red cells (ALYX)

B-

% of population: 2% Blood types you can receive: B-, OYour ideal donation: Platelets

B+

% of population: 8% Blood types you can receive: B+-, O+Your ideal donation: Platelets

?

E P Y T D O BLO

r u o y ’s t a h W

D IDA BLOO

info/FLOR

A-

% of population: 6% Blood types you can receive: A-, OYour ideal donation: Platletes

A+

% of population: 36% Blood types you can receive: A+-, O+Your ideal donation: Platelets

CENTERS

AB-

% of population: 1% Blood types you can receive: AB-, A-, B-, OYour ideal donation: Plasma

AB+

% of population: 3% Blood types you can receive: AB+ Your ideal donation: Plasma

donate too,” T. Hill said.

Col. Nardo stated that donors receive free shirts, wooden nickels, snacks, and drinks at the blood drive. There are new features to this blood drive. One is the ALYX machine.

“ALYX is an automated donation machine ol. Nardo. that takes a double red blood cell count from ly don’t individuals who fit saving the requirements,” T. They truly don’t understand that Hill said.

According to nd Deal they’re saving three lives. ng steps Colonel Joseph Nardo Floridasbloodcenters. ents in org, people who donate with ALYX nups earlier than we usually can save twice as many lives. m spring break,” Col. Nardo T. Hill helps by coordinating between buses and the waiting room to keep kids moving. Her role , the goals for the upcoming doesn’t end at helping students donate blood. She ver 180 donations and to get also donates blood. ckly as possible.

“I first donated when I was a sophomore,” Hill do what we can but it would said. “I was a little scared but I felt like the three e would get their friends to lives I was saving were far more important than my

“

”

measly fear. Plus, the Col. was right they are ready to sit with me to keep me comfort.”

Deal also donates blood.

“I originally began donating to get rid of my fear of needles, I came to learn that I was saving lives,” Deal said.

Deal learned first hand the importance of blood, when her mother needed a blood transfusion in January.

“It helped me see that I truly saved the life of someone so close to me,” Deal said.

Another opportunity rising from this blood drive is the Central Florida Blood Bank Scholarship. The scholarship is for seniors only and offers $1,000 to the final winner, which will be announced at senior awards night on April 25, 2011. Col. Nardo stated that the scholarship can be found in the front office.

“It’s open to everyone,” Col. Nardo said.

“You don’t have to be a blood donor.”

juliat@thelionstale.com

od?

lood ersal

”

“ Michael Burton ‘13

It saves peoples lives and I’d want people to donate if I was ever in an accident.

”

“ Gabby Coppola ‘11

There is always a shortage of blood and I have type O.

”

news

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THE LION’S TALE

17

Turner Donates Family inspires teacher to help save lives

by Julia Thorncroft

eat HHS plus donation record

ROTC wants to attract more l. Nardo believes that there onating. dents, less than 10 percent at’s acceptable,” Col. Nardo

|

Anna Welch ‘11

N

ine gallons, 72 pints of blood, 216 lives saved by web design teacher Susan Turner. She began donating blood in the late 1970s, but Turner’s enthusiasm for saving lives dates back to the Vietnam War. “I lived in Subic Bay, Philippines during the Vietnam War,” Turner said. “My dad served in the navy. I knew there were young men in need of blood who were dying on the Aircraft carriers. I was too young to donate blood then, so I waited until I came home.”

While some people might feel nervous when donating for the first time, Turner said that she wasn’t.

“I was not really that nervous, maybe because I was not a teenager when I donated. I knew I was doing this for a good cause so I wasn’t really nervous,” Turner said.

Currently, Turner donates on her own at the blood bank in Winter Springs. She no longer donates blood at the school. Turner’s reason was that it takes too long for faculty to donate at school.

“My blood bank will call me the day that I am eligible because I am regular giver,” Turner said. “I usually report to them immediately.”

For every gallon of blood that she donated, Turner received recognition. For her first gallon, she received a keychain. For the subsequent gallons she received plaques with her name on them.

At school, Turner stated that she doesn’t mind when students miss out on class to donate. She said that about 20 of her students leave class to donate blood. On the other hand, not all teachers are as enthusiastic about the blood drive.

“I don’t know what their problem is,” Turner said. “But I allow my students to donate for very good reasons.”

In addition to her experience as a child in the Philippines, Turner’s other reason is in honor of her brother. Turner’s brother lost his battle with leukemia in 1992, an experience that struck a chord with her.

“I remember him being in constant need of blood transfusions,” Turner said. “Which made me realize how important donating blood is.”

Therefore, Turner encourages her students to donate blood and save lives.

“I tell them about the importance of donating blood. I share my story about my brother with them,” Turner said.

Turner’s blood type is A negative. According to Florida’s Blood Centers’ official website, people with A negative blood type are perfect candidates for platelet donations that help treat cancer patients, like her brother.

“You don’t save just one life from donating a pint of blood.

The blood can be divided up from platelets to red cells to plasma,” Turner said.

Turner’s statement is correct. In fact, Floridasbloodcenters. org stated that three lives are saved for every single pint of blood donated.

Being an avid donator, Turner leaves suggestions and encouragement for those willing to donate.

“I think that the reason why some student’s get nervous is from the fear of bruising or passing out,” said Turner. “I suggest eating beforehand in order to avoid light-headedness.”

Overall, Turner believes that students should donate.

“You should do it for the lives you save. I always have a good feeling when I donate,” Turner said.

Teens can save

18

THE LION’S TALE

| features | MARCH 11, 2011

lives Privilege to drive comes with a choice

illustration/Wesley Wynne

by Zoe Lyon-Goldman

A

dolescents may not be aware of the choice they may be faced with when they walk into the DMV to recieve their driving privileges, a choice that could potentially give someone else another chance at life and a new sense of hope.

Donation saves dad Junior Mia O’Brien’s decision to become an organ donor was one that hit close to home. At the age of seven, she faced the reality that her dad had kidney failure.

“I was really young, so I was more or less confused and my mom didn’t tell us that much,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien’s dad’s condition required him to have a kidney transplant. The man that donated his kidney had been involved in a car crash and that was all they knew.

“When he finally got out of the hospital, he was able to do things he wasn’t able to do. It seemed like he was going to have a long life,” O’Brien said.

After the transplant and years of relatively good health, her dad passed away when O’Brien was 11 due to other health problems.

The Spokesman Review states that 79 percent of people waiting for an organ are waiting for a kidney.

O’Brien believes her dad’s experience with his kidney transplant heavily influenced her

decision to become a donor as well.

“I think it definitely made me want to do it.

I would do it for anyone else’s family who was about to lose someone,” O’Brien said.

O’brien is the only registered organ donor in her family and she says being there for her mom and sister was part of the reason she chose to be a donor.

“If for some reason I was dead and my mom or sister needed one, but weren’t able to decide, then I would want to give it to them without any question,” O’Brien said.

Why be a donor?

More than 110,296 people are waiting for an organ and that number is still growing. Just one organ donor can save up to eight lives, according to organdonor.gov.

Transplantliving.org says when consent for an organ transplant is given, medical assessments are done to determine a match. Age, race, and gender limits do not factor into being an organ donor. It is essentially health conditions that determine a compatible donor.

The Medical Edge Newspaper Column on mayoclinic.org says even though blood types can be compatible, antibodies can react to the antibodies in the donated organ, which causes rejection of the transplanted organ. Organs can also be the wrong size. Smaller organs may not be suitable to transplant to an adult, with the exception of kidneys and pancreas.

Freshman Aiyana Saletto had the option to become an organ donor when she received her permit at the DMV. “I think it makes logical sense. I mean you’re dead. You’re not going to be using your organs anyway. So why not let someone else use them?”

Saletto said.

Saletto’s mom, an organ donor herself, influenced Saletto’s decision when she received her permit and was given the option.

“My mom had something to do with it, but I probably would have come to the same conclusion,” Saletto said.

Saletto says the decision to be an organ donor was the right one for her. But she recognizes how others’ morals and beliefs may affect their decision to become one.

“For a lot of people it’s a big decision ‘cause of religious factors, but I think it’s ultimately for the better,” Saletto said.

Fifteen and 16 years of age is when students start driving whether it’s with a permit or a license. But is this an acceptable age to make decisions about donating organs after death?

“I think it’s an appropriate age ‘cause that’s when you start driving and you could die in a car crash,” Saletto said.

Junior Austin Robinson, however, holds a different opinion about making these choices as a minor.

“I don’t think it’s a good age. I think parents

I am an organ donor...

Sarah Lofton ‘12

“

Collin Maxfield ‘13

To save people and make me feel good about myself.

”

“

To save lives.

”

“

Sara Owens ‘11

If for some reason I can’t use them anymore, I can give them to someone else who needs them.

”

“

and friends have a lot of say,” Robinson said.

Robinson decided to decline being an organ donor when given the option on his license.

“My mom and the DMV lady told me that if I were to get in a crash they would save the nonorgan donor, then the organ donor,” Robinson said.

According to an online survey of 5,100 people conducted by the advocacy group Donate Life America done about two years ago, 50 percent were concerned that doctors will not try as hard to save them if they were known to be an organ donor.

However, mayoclinic.com says when going to the hospital for treatment, doctors focus on saving your life, not someone else’s. The doctor who matches a patient’s specific emergency will be the one who treats them. That doctor treats your condition and does not deal with transplants.

But what about those who receive their license and aren’t even given the option to become an organ donor by the DMV? Junior Megan Dietz is one of these people.

Both of Dietz’s parents are organ donors she says, but she doesn’t think they would want her to be one anyway.

“My parents wouldn’t want me to because I think they think it would be too much of an adult decision,” Dietz said.

zoel@thelionstale.com

Mackenzie Schweinberg ‘11 I feel like it’s important that if I’m not in need of my organs, then other people have the right to take mine so they can get better.

”

MARCH 11, 2011

UNSUNG

HEROES

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features

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THE LION’S TALE

19

Faculty, administration perform acts of kindness

by Jessi Whitacre

Bierkan takes foreign students into home

S

andy Bierkan always tries her best to be her father, but there were complications that as involved as possible in her students’ arose with her arrangement, and they were lives, and cares about each student on out of anyone’s control. a personal level. She wants kids to succeed Joanne could no longer stay with her dad, not only in her class but also in life, she and she did not have any place to live. explained.

“She was a wonderful young lady. I could Bierkan teaches French and Spanish tell things were upsetting her at home. I had and through her years sponsored a talk with her one day and told her if French Club excursions to French she needed a place to stay, she could restaurants, picnics, and even always stay with us. She was just a brought a group of students to the wonderful human being,” Bierkan annual French State Competition said. which involved a lot of hours Joanne moved in with the Bierkan outside of the classroom. family, staying for the rest of her high But on two occasions, Bierkan school career and through summers in found herself going above and Sandy Bierken college. beyond a teacher’s normal call of “My sons consider her a sister, and duty to make a difference in the they always will. It happened quite lives of her students. quickly, actually,” Bierkan said, elaborating Bierkan took in two students, allowing on the love and bond that formed between her them to live in her house. She gave them and Joanne. everything she could and made them a part of Having Joanne around was not only a something very precious to her: her family. great experience, but it was a big help to The first ‘adoption’ took place in the early Bierkan, she explained.

90’s. A young woman named Joanne transferred “She helped me in every way she could to OHS from Paris during her sophomore around the house. She was like another year. Joanne had intentions of living with mother to my two sons who were eight and

10, because she was just so caring,” Bierkan Maxient helped my sons with calculus, he was said. a math whiz, and my sons helped him with The second ‘adoption’ took place in the English. He just became a part of the family, late 90’s. He was a student on scholarship and he always will be,” Bierkan said. from Africa, going to school at OHS, named Both students grew up to be successful Maxient. individuals, making Bierkan proud of her two Bierkan met him because he played new family members. basketball with one of her own sons, and Among other accomplishments, Maxient before long she had learned that problems earned an academic and athletic scholarship occurred with his original host family and to Citadel, and Joanne earned the Disney he didn’t like the idea of having yet another scholarship to University of Florida. change in his life.

“It’s been so rewarding to me to see Bierkan became his light in the dark, how much they accomplish,” Bierkan said, offering him “These are two relationships a place to stay I will always have. It doesn’t All the members of my family throughout stop just when their schooling is high school over. Both my family and myself got very attached to them. and college. will always keep in contact with Sandy Bierkan But it them. I even went to Joanne’s was more wedding in Poland, and Maxient than a place to stay; she offered Maxient a calls every Christmas.” family who would love and support him.

“Never underestimate the power that you “All the members of my family got very have as a human being, a kind human being. attached to [the students] And them to us,” Because I saw Joanne and Maxient blossom Bierkan said. just because they were given a secure “Maxient was already close to my son environment,” Bierkan said. because they shared basketball together.

“

”

Lundquist inspires athlete to live successful life

S

ummer of 1977, he had just graduated high Lundquist. school. Forsaken by his parents, Tony was When his stay was over, Lundquist did not a former baseball player on Coach Robert hear a word from him for many years.

Lundquist’s team. With nowhere to turn, he was “I didn’t know if he was in jail or dead. I just left homeless. didn’t know,” said Lundquist.

“I‘d known him several years. He had “It was about two or three years ago. I saw nowhere to go, so I took him in for two months, him on the golf course,” said Lundquist. “I allowing him to stay with me,” Lundquist said. “I remember it like it was yesterday. Someone didn’t give it much told him I was out on thought. I knew it the driving range. He You never know when you’re could work. It was looked at me and said, doing something that will instinctive.

There ‘Do you remember profoundly impact a student’s could have been me?’, and I said, ‘Of some issues but there course I do. You’re life. weren’t,” Lundquist Ratman’, because that Principal Robert Lundquist said. was his nickname. We Because he was embraced. We hugged. single, Lundquist was more than able to take in I still remember he had a big gold necklace. It Tony. There were rules that Tony had to obey, was symbolic of his success story,” Lundquist but Lundquist said he never had a problem with said. them.

Tony told Lundquist that he grew up to be “Looking back, he gave me insight on how a successful builder in North Carolina with a to rear a teenager. I had no experience with family and he could not ask for a better life for that. He taught me humility. Not everyone is as his wife and kids. fortunate as you are, having a mother and father.

“It was a wonderful experience,” Lundquist It made me appreciate those things more,” said said. “It was a great deal of gratification. I was so

“

”

photo/LINSEY DUCA

KING OF THE JUNGLE. Lundquist proves to be more than just OHS’s Principal by taking in a former baseball player. Both showed one another a new way of life.

happy to see he made something with his life.”

Lundquist, however, does not take credit for Tony’s successful life.

“People can help you out along the way, but you have to decide for yourself,” Lundquist said.

In addition to giving Tony a place to stay, Lundquist also does a variety of smaller things for students around the campus, such as lending students money and purchasing one smoothie per week to give to a student.

“You never know when you’re doing something that will profoundly impact a student’s life. In our business, you have to genuinely care about kids. Those who are self- rewarded in this business will be successful,” Lundquist said.

“Some people say, you know, teachers aren’t paid a lot of money, but our bonus is knowing we’ve done something for you- given students a better education,” Lundquist said.

“Overall, there are so many unsung heroes at Oviedo that don’t want to be recognized because that’s just who they are. But teachers and staff members do good deeds every day,” Lundquist said.

jessiw@thelionstale.com

20

THE LION’S TALE

| features | MARCH 11, 2010

ARTS

UNLEASHED Preorder a literary magazine today! photo/CARSON BAILEY

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE (top) Sophomore Lauren Adams reads with the preschool kids in her early childhood class while interacting with them. (right) Sophomore A.J. Persampiere works on his layout for the yearbook and perfects his skills at InDesign in preparation for his upcoming summer program at UCF.

photo/LINSEY DUCA

Summer programs provide opportunities for future careers S

by Carly Ford

ophomore Adam Pfeifle doesn’t plan to waste his summer. Instead, he’s going to get a jump on his Bright Futures requirements and gain experience in a career field.

“I want to be some sort of engineer, I suppose, or maybe a businessman kind of like my dad, and my dad is a medical supplies salesman, so subconsciously, his career is influencing me to get used to the surroundings of a hospital that he is so familiar with and follow in his footsteps,” Pfeifle said.

Over the summer Pfeifle plans to volunteer his time at the Florida Hospital in Altamonte.

The Florida Hospital in Altamonte offers 18 different divisions where volunteers can work.

The jobs range from tasks as simple as stocking merchandise at the gift shop and answering phones at the information desk all the way to assisting nurses with various duties such as communicating with a patient’s family.

“I want to work at the trolley so I can hear people’s life stories and know I’m aiding in the hospital not just selling stuff at a gift shop,” Pfeifle said .

Pfeifle first heard of this oppurtunity from sophomore Andrew Mack.

“My best friend Andrew Mack informed me of this glorious oppurtunity to make money and get Bright Futures after his notorious brother did it,” Pfeifle said.

Mack’s older brother volunteered at the Florida Hospital as a high school student and eventually received a job offer. Pfeifle and Mack hope to follow the same path and complete their community service with a job.

In order to work at the Florida Hospital, interested participants must fill out an application sheet and include two recommendations from a teacher or counselor. The hours vary and there are several options as to when a person can volunteer.

Pfeifle and Mack intend to spend much of their summer at the hospital.

“I’m going to work insane hours from about 3 p.m. until about 10 or 11 p.m., two or three days a week until I get my hours for Bright Futures and maybe continue on,” Mack said.

Sophomore Lauren Adams expects to pursue a different program this summer.

Adams works at her church, First United Methodist Church of Oviedo, and teaches children at their vacation bible school.

“I’m a junior counselor III and I have my own group of five or six children. I take them to different stations like craft and recreation,” Adams said.

Students can assist in VBS once they start middle school and when they begin, their level is know as a junior counselor I. After they complete eighth grade and begin to attend high school they have achieved the highest level of a junior counselor III. The volunteers at the summer camp arrive at the church early on, before any of the kids come to begin set up for the day. They usher their campers to the multiple stations for three hours and act as complete guardians for the kids.

Adams finds her work at the church fulfilling and gratifying.

“I like working with kids and teaching them about faith. They’re really fun and sweet. They always keep you entertained,” Adams said.

Like Pfeifle and Mack, Adams’ work at the church foreshadows a career path she may take later on.

“Yes, I’m in the ECC program at Oviedo and I might want to be a kindergarten or Pre-K teacher in the future. VBS prepares me so I know how kids react to different situations,” Adams said.

Junior Cody Hawk also volunteers at the VBS for the First United Methodist Church and he does it for many of the same reasons.

“I like to be a leader to kids and to teach them about the church. It’s nice being responsible and acting sort of as a parent. Every year seeing the kids jump, dance, learn, and participate makes

it worthwhile,” Hawk said.

Hawk sees his work at the VBS camp as a prelude to a career with kids.

“I want to coach and something I’d really like to do is work with the Special Olympics kids,” Hawk said.

Another program open to students is located at the University of Central Florida. It specializes in design and technology, which is what sparked sophomore A.J. Persampiere’s interest.

“I plan on taking a three week computer science summer camp. The UCF Burnett Honors College teaches students all about JAVA and artificial intelligence,” Persampiere said.

After hearing about the program through school, Persampiere signed up to take the course five days a week from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. beginning on July 11 and ending on July 29.

This class at UCF is open to a wide range of people, from beginners at design all the way to professionals. Many of its participants have gone on to Ivy League colleges in the future.

“Alumni from this program have gone to schools such as Carnegie Mellon, Duke, Harvard, MIT, Yale, or any state school of their choice. Some high schools have awarded students high school credit for the program,” Persampiere said.

This program, however, is far from cheap.

“The camp costs $995. It covers the courses and electives, textbooks, materials, ID cards, field trips, speakers, shirt, and closing ceremony,” Persampiere said.

Persampiere hopes to learn about programming during this course to prepare him for a future career in technology.

“I plan to pursue some sort of education in computer sciences. I’ve always been interested in technology and computers, so this program seemed like a good way to test out the waters and see if it was right for me,” Persampiere said.

carlyf@thelionstale.com

See Mrs.Jepson in room 5-020

$10

MARCH 11, 2011

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features

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THE LION’S TALE

21

Confucius...a corn inspector?

sports ) ///////////(DIDYOUKNOW?

Q: How many words does the average human speak in a day?

A: The average human speaks 4,800 words in 24 hours.

Q: Which english word has the most definitions?

A: The word ‘set’ has 192 definitions, making it the word with the most definitions in the English language.

Q: What is the number of possible ways of playing the first four moves per side in a chess game?

A: There are 318,979,564,000 ways.

Natalia Cabrera Surfer Scuba Diver Fisherman

Q: What was Confucius at the age of 16?

A:Confucius was a corn inspector at the age of 16.

Fearless passion for surfing shapes future photo/LINSEY DUCA

by Jake Smith

E

ven as a toddler, sophomore Natalia Cabrera’s feet made imprints in the sands of Cocoa Beach. For her entire life, weekends included a stay at her grandfather’s beach house. With memories made, and the water earning a special place in her heart, Cabrera considers the ocean a home away from home.

“I grew up going to Cocoa,“ Cabrera said.

“I would go to my grandpa’s with my cousins, because my family is really close.”

She began making regular weekend visits to her grandfather’s from a very young age -- just six weeks old. At three years old, she went into the ocean for the first time. Years later, swimming then sparked a new hobby. “[My cousins] got me into surfing when I was in fourth grade. If a swell was coming, we’d drive really far to find it. But my cousin got bit

by a shark a few years ago. So for a while I was scared to even step foot in the ocean,” Cabrera said.

Despite the fear, she took up surfing once more. Her affection for the sleek board gracefully gliding along the waves could not be permanently quelled.

“I recently started surfing again and now I’m fearless,” Cabrera said.

Although she claims she’s not the best at it, she still loves surfing.

“It’s just a hobby, so I don’t take it so seriously. [When I surf] I feel liberated. I feel myself,” Cabrera said.

Besides surfing, Cabrera enjoys other aquatic activities.

“I scuba dive and free dive, which is going as far down as you can and then coming back up for air. I also really like fishing,” Cabrera said.

Freshman Franny: by Taylor Schwarz

Q: What is Los Angeles’ full name?

A: Its full name is “El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula.”

Her love for the water even extends to plans for her future.

“I want to go to college in Hawaii. I think I could go for a morning surf or paddleboard session every day before school. It’d be a great way to start the day,” Cabrera said.

A love for the ocean resonates within her, but she is still unsure about her career path. However, she is certain about one thing: “If I could just spend every day out in the water, I’d be in paradise,” Cabrera said.

jakes@thelionstale.com

Editor’s Note One by One features a selected student, whose story is told in only 300 words. If you want to nominate someone for a feature, please email us, or stop by room 5-020.

Q: What are the birth and death rates in the United States?

A: In the U.S. there is one birth every 8 seconds and one death every 14 seconds.

Q: Where was Winston Churchill born?

A: He was born in a ladies’ room during a dance.

Q: What are the names of Popeye’s four nephews?

A: Pipeye, Peepeye, Pupeye, and Poopeye. *If you have questions that you would like The Lion’s Tale to answer please submit them to: dyk@thelionstale.com courtesy/www.strangefacts.com

22

(diversions sport s )

THE LION’S TALE

| MARCH 11, 2010

SPRING BREAK

Beach Trips

GUIDE

If what you’ve got in mind is a laid-back, exotic type of getaway for Spring Break, then there’s no need to leave the state! In March, Florida is known for the most beautiful beach weather. Why not get in the Spring Break spirit and plan a beach trip with all your friends or family? Where to? Well, some of the most well known beaches are Panama City Beach, Key West, South Beach, Miami Beach, New Symrna and Daytona Beach. You and your guests can even get a nice beach condo for a good price, with a beautiful beach view that you can relax in when you’re all beached-out. I mean, after all, who doesn’t want to chill out all day on the beach, hit up some nice restaurants and then crash out on a comfy couch every day of their spring break?

Swim With Dolphins Ever had a one-on-one encounter with a dolphin? Well, Spring Break is the perfect opportunity to visit Discovery Cove. Not only will you get to meet one of the most intelligent and fascinating animals, but you also get the chance to swim and interact with the them. The Dolphon Dorsal fin tow rides, kisses, belly rubs and deep-water rides with the dolphins are only a couple of fun things that are offered under the guidance of highly trained staff. It’s a lifetime experience worth your while!

Watersports Complex

Desperate for some fun in the sun? Stuck at home for the spring break? Look no further, The Lion’s Tale offers local spots to enjoy with friends, family, and more.

by Angiee Carey

Where are you going for spring break?

Feel like spending you entire break out on the water? Orlando Watersports Complex is the perfect place to go to if that’s your plan. OWC is a great place for waterskiing, water skating, wakeboarding and knee boarding. This watersports park is designed for riders of all levels. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, you’re going to end up having a good time. OWC is open Monday through Sunday, so you won’t have to worry about missing out.

Wet ‘N Wild

“

Tori Kidd

“ ”

I’m going to Miami for my spring break since we haven’t been there in a while. Miami is always a good place to go and have fun.

Morgan Mosch ‘11

‘11

On a cruise to the Bahamas for five days with a bunch of friends.

”

“

On the Italy trip with Mrs. Vitali.

I’m very excited to see the Sistine Chapel and all other historical and art sites there.

”

“

”

angieec@thelionstale.com

photo/ZOE LYON-GOLDMAN

Paola Espinoza ‘12

Ranked as the number one water park in America

by Amusement Business Magazine, Wet ‘N Wild offers excitement for aquatic daredevils and simple sun tanners. The rides and attractions range from thrilling tube slides such as “Brain Wash” and “The Storm” to easy-going activities like “The Lazy River,” Frank Turano ‘14 “Wave Pool,” and even some beach volleyball.

I’m going to Arkansa for Trout Fishing Going in a large group? Tons of rides at Wet ‘N Wild offer multi-person rafts. Grab on with my friend and his family. to your raft as you venture down “The Black Hole: The Next Generation.”

MARCH 11, 2011

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diversions

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THE LION’S TALE 23

’ b u l C e e l ‘G

s n o z i r o H s e s u m a t s a c V T o t s e i t i r a l i Sim d has been declare in, for example, g in ad rle Senior Tori Bout us chee show’s cantankero arz identical to the e th ss ro ac

by Taylor Schw ile ter. ous sm coach, Sue Sylves e I hate oa flashes a nerv ia as the quiet unior Zac Figuer ared to Sue becaus rc Ga mp co el en ch be Ra e ’v or “I ni ju galactic rd e ter th wa in to m 22 m auditoriu e passion of ly” drifts fro “Sue” Boutin urney’s “Faithful Glee Club with th Jo e n,” sh to ow d ltd an on r, me cti he du ar intro ncing nucle le he sings to rie ais pe e ex th rs wn sta do of g in Tori Boutin ‘11 ach the rest speakers. Saunter ill Schuester, rough the air and re W a th . be rry id st sa ca at mu e nd th er ou tes th gr , ck e Sylvester responds with no es on the role of ba r Bill Schult has Where there is a Su sto, the chorus tak the song’s ”. Chorus directo til lee un “G rth on fo r d the choir. With gu to an uc ck str e.” the vocal in and Garcia belt ba resident “Mr. Schu music as Figueroa e role of Horizons’ excited, though th ds en ki tak e y th ril s ee ha und familiar, ing definitely so final chorus. th t ’ gh lee mi ‘G io hult said. “The he ar Sc “T en ,” this sc y, along during class rit n ila tio ac sim str To “Glee” fans, di ge a an str of t this n be a bi d negative ways; it s chorus accepts in both positive an mble the hit it ca s, se on re riz to familiar. Horizon Ho r of the e oi lik ch t r lo show is a success but also all cause the hono we work towards rd with others that ha w ho ts en es s’ repr a pair of Horizon we experience.” television show.

Horizons’ chorus s into the series, classroom drama de eir iso th ep to o e lat -tw ilarities between re ty sim ly se e Twen th clo ” to rmed at lee n “G tio di In ad music being perfo the characters on st of “Glee,” the ca seniors found that e tical to th en d id an ts s en er des arrangem talking memb clu re in t we er I nc d co an n] us own peers. or llo ng ch lee,” Paola [Castri rizons the upcomi .

“One day after “G a couple kids in Ho famous by the show hit numbers ed de ar ma mp e co os th we d en an th dley of Journey’s de nd me iso “a a , ep ”, id e als sa th t on r gi zie abou Re Ro to Touchin’, na ad ’, Da Ro in or he “T e in ‘Glee’,” seni ant It,” “Lov on W me u so Yo e lik ay s W wa to characters in ny lee” Glee’s season hfully,” “A every person in “G lieving”, launched Be en all the “Fait op wh St ’t s on at’ we realized that “D Th d s. gs.

Horizon Squeezin’” an ek’s television ratin to the top of that we dley will be similarities started.” me ale e fin th e on s, er eir mb th me g on ht of Horizons’ lig When not workin de e th To students find xt chorus concert. music, Horizons’ s from the show,” performed at the ne eir th g in ar we’re doing song mp at co th in ol t more co en s em it’ us k in am “I th next show much ” characters ing to make our go t’s “I . id friends to “Glee sa r zie dience.” in voices and Ro e draw a larger au include due to likeness exciting, and mayb the spring concert at ed rm rfo pe be . to ies d Bon es lit an rit na ” vo perso Glee fa s “Thriller Michael Jackson’ p,” mber um nu “J ch ’s ea , len ee Ha Van e fashion of Gl th In ” er. ay Pr a . performed Such Jovi’s “Living on d and vigorously he ap gr eo ls -or ch ily will be heav ter-school rehearsa a dedication to af s ire qu re hy ap gr choreo = layed in the show. sday for a couple something not disp Tuesday and Thur y er ev s se an ar lt he hu re Sc Bill “Horizons or Michelle Batem s rehearsals,” seni las it -c ; in sy th ea wi ok ng lo ‘Chorus s hours, alo rformance putting together pe s ke ma Director’ lee “G . said ing kids rehearsing.” of their time prepar hardly shows the ons spends much riz do Ho s , nt ow de sh stu e e th Like level, and th e district and state th at ns tio eti mp g. for co rior ratin lower than a supe en they not accept anything s, and moments wh nt me ee gr sa di d an s ht matter fig t e n’ ar es “There ut it all do her,” Schult said.“B ot rked ch wo ea ve te ha ha ey to th seem at is what at stage, because th th h ac re ey th en wh are a family.” for. In the end, we @thelionstale.com

J

taylors

SEEING DOUBLE

share similar Horizons members e Cast characteristics to Gle

“Puck”

Dylan Mueller ‘11

“Sam”

Zac Figueroa ‘12

“Santana”

Paola Castrillon ‘11

“Mercedes”

Dana Rozier ‘11

“Quinn”

Rachel Garcia ‘12

“Rachel”

Michelle Bateman

‘11

////Reviewed 24

THE LION’S TALE

| diversions | MARCH 11, 2011

Music, movies, books & more

VERY GOOD

OUTSTANDING

The People’s Key Bright Eyes Indie Rock/Emo

Passion Pain & Pleasure Trey Songz R&B

by Taylor Schwartz

by Angiee Carey

A

fter six albums filled with the raw, insightful honesty that had long characterized Bright Eyes, the band had released their seventh and final album.

The People’s Key, bursting with philosophy, inquiry, and remnants of a lingering innocence regarding the ways of the world, was the spoton way to end such a brilliant run.

Admittedly, the opening number, “Firewall”, caused some skepticism because the first three minutes were comprised of the comforting, preacher-like voice of musician, Randy Brewer discussing the origins and behaviors of the human race. Alas, the throaty cry of frontman, Conor Oberst reassured me that he was still in control, and that Bright Eyes was still beautiful.

“Shell Games,” the optimistically-themed second track possesses the upbeat spirit of a glorified memoir. With synthesizers blaring, weaved with the scream of the electric guitar, it is an underdog’s anthem and an undisguisable transition into a goodbye album.

A folksy, persistent tune, “Haile Selassie,” provides a sound similar to the great Bob Dylan, reminding audiences why Oberst has recently been dubbed as the best of the “New Dylans” (indie musicians with roots set deep in the folk stylings of Dylan).

Alas, all great things must end, and Bright Eyes is no exception. And, as expected, they end with the positive messages of “Ladder Song” and “One for You, One for Me,” reminding audiences to have faith in those around them.

“You’re not alone in anything. You’re not alone.” and trying to be.”

DOWNLOAD THIS >> Firewall

taylors@thelionstale.com

GOOD

Collapse Into Now R.E.M. Alternative

I

’m sure that everyone will agree that Trey Songz has changed a lot since his first album. Back then, he was ‘that cute R&B singer with braids’ singing “Just Gotta Make It.” Now he’s that sexy black guy with great abs and with a hit single “Bottoms Up.” Trey is known for hyping up his own music.

My personal opinion is that his third album, Ready, didn’t live up to its hype, and neither did his most recent album, Passion Pain & Pleasure. He is a hard worker so I’ll give him that, but his second album, Trey Day, will forever and always be his best album.

Singles like “Love Faces” featuring Nicki Minaj and “Can’t Be Friends” have already been blowing up the airwaves. After all, an album is nothing without its hit singles, to help push people to purchase the album.

It’s not a surprise at all that Passion Pain & Pleasure is another album about love, lust and sex. Who doesn’t adore the fact that he manages to sing at least one or two songs that just about everyone can relate to?

Trey has the amazing ability to develop the title of the album, three elements, as chapters that all lead to the direction that the tracks will take. The album really takes shape once the “Pleasure” interlude kicks into gear. In this chapter lies the undeniably good song, “Unusual,” featuring Drake.

Despite a few slow points in the album, it was a successful effort from Trey Songz. His vocals shine throughout the entire album and I doubt anyone will be disappointed.

by Julia Thorncroft

DOWNLOAD THIS >> Unfortunate

DOWNLOAD THIS >> Discoverer

angieec@thelionstale.com

A

RUBBISH

AWFUL

21 Adele Neo Soul/ Blues

by Linsey Duca

lternative band R.E.M. released their fifteenth studio album, Collapse Into Now, on March 7,2011. The band delivers an expansive album full of variety from slow ballads to mid-tempo songs.

Since the loss of drummer Bill Berry in 1997, R.E.M. felt the need to make more keyboard-based and acoustic albums, instead of the elemental rock that made them such a force in the 80s and 90s.

However, their latest album Collapse Into Now continues the return to form of 2008’s Accelerate by rewinding to their old classics to relocate their mojo.

This album does feel more like classic R.E.M., though, in part because it echoes all their greatest work without coming across as a cheap imitation.

The spirited “Mine Smell Like Honey” represents a raucous throwback to their golden age, guitarist Peter Buck’s opening riff descending into jangle as the hooks pile up.

Collapse Into Now features special guests Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), Patti Smith, and Peaches.

The song “Discoverer” sets the tone of the album with an anthemic chorus emerging from a psychedelic wall of jangle to remind you that they always drew more on the Velvet Underground than any other sainted ‘60 template.

The album is more personal than political.

As far as talent, when will R.E.M. give us a mediocre album?

A

juliat@thelionstale.com

linseyd@thelionstale.com

Upcoming Concerts

Lil Wayne with Nicki Usher with Akon Minaj, RIck Ross Thursday, April 28 Wednesday, April 6 7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Bon Jovi Amway Center Amway Center Sunday, May 15 Tim McGraw TBA Sunday, May 1 Amway Arena 7:30 p.m.

Amway Arena all photos courtesy/PUBLICITY WEB SITES

dele’s bluesy voice continues to flow effortlessly through the speakers of millions of fans – but this time, with a

twist.

Her new album, 21, shows a vulnerable, heart-broken, raw side of the young singer.

Compared to her debut album, 19, Adele seems to pour every ounce of emotion possible into all 11 tracks on her sophomore album.

What made the British pop star famous in the first place was her distinctive alto voice and diva attitude. But this time around, she brought more talent to the table. Not only did she write most of the songs, she also contributed ideas of her own for the piano, guitar, bass, and percussion.

The number one single on the new album, “Rolling in the Deep” hasn’t only hit the top 20 song charts here in the United States, but also in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. The song features bone-chilling lyrics, an aggressive beat, beefy piano chords, an addictive melody, and of course, Adele’s sultry, all-powerful voice. It never fails to give me goose bumps, no matter how many times I listen to it.

The album itself is about being left in the dark by a lover. Even though the lyrics lack much difference, the artist’s way of “mixing it up” makes the songs sound completely different.

Adele has finally given us a mainstream album with a sound that isn’t so cliché.

DOWNLOAD THIS >> Lovesong

MARCH 11, 2011

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diversions

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THE LION’S TALE

25

THE

ADJUSTMENT

BUREAU

Check out these similar movies 1. The

Butterfly Effect

2. Final

Destination

3. Minority

Report

Trailers disguise romance as a thriller

by Wesley Wynne

D

irector George Nolfi introduces The Adjustment Bureau, a film based on the short story by Phillip K. Dick. The movie clocks in at a brief 99 minutes and judging by its previews, The Adjustment Bureau promises to be an intense, complex thriller. It turns out that the movie is certainly good in its own right, but it is not what it advertises itself to be.

The movie is about young congressman David Norris (Matt Damon), who runs to be the senator of New York. Unfortunately, due to a controversial but ridiculous scandal late in the campaign, he loses.

While he’s preparing his speech in the men’s room, he meets a young woman named Elise (Emily Blunt), while she’s hiding from guards after she crashed a wedding. He falls in love with her and she inspires him to give a speech that allows him to rise up in popularity.

Due to an innocent fluke, David ends up discovering the existence of a secret organization, the Adjustment Bureau, people who make sure that things go as planned. David is given two requests from the Bureau: to never reveal their existence and to never see Elise again.

Three years later, David, by chance, sees Elise once again and is determined not to let her get away for a second time, even if it means trying to outwit the mysterious and seemingly omniscient Adjustment Bureau.

This movie isn’t a grim, gritty, tragic one.

In fact, there’s humor throughout the entire film-from David and Elise’s witty flirting to the Bureau in their rush to stop Norris from reuniting with his true love. This movie doesn’t aim to be a depressing action film, but is a bit more fun and uplifting. It’s definitely not a bad thing here, though, and makes the movie very enjoyable to watch.

One of the best things about this movie is the romance between David and Elise. It’s handled pretty well and you really feel for the characters and their struggles by the end of the film. Damon and Blunt bring much fun and sincerity into the roles, and it’s a treat to watch them. This movie really is a romance, something that the trailers fail to reveal.

The Bureau is another interesting part of the film. The actors may not have had the best performances compared to the leads, however,

they remained fairly intimidating throughout their roles and played them well.

The biggest highlight of the film were the effects. The main use of effects were the doors that the Bureau utilize to travel to other places.

They’re not too flashy, but they’re convincing.

One scene in particular, when David goes through a bathroom door to a baseball stadium to the Statue of Liberty, is done in both a natural and beautiful way.

I didn’t like everything in the film- the ending, in particular. While suspenseful, it would probably be considered anti-climactic for those expecting a high-flying action scene, but pretty cool for those who like twist endings. For me, though, I felt like the film needed to end more on a high note than on a less-than-exciting conclusion and a flimsy lesson.

Overall, The Adjustment Bureau is a movie that has good acting, effects, and a pretty good story. This movie definitely is more of a date movie than an action-packed fight movie and is probably one of the best romances of the year thus far.

wesleyw@thelionstale.com

26

(sports sports )

THE LION’S TALE

| MARCH 11, 2011

Winter guard logs long hours preparing for championships

by Andrea Dobo

S

ophomore Kim Abney flashes a quick smile as The Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine blasts from the speakers. A few counts of music are heard and the winter guard leaps and twirls to life.

An uplifting beat consumes the gym. Sabers are tossed. Rifles are thrown. Flags are twirled.

“I absolutely love [the show]. It’s so upbeat and happy that I can’t help but to smile when I perform. It’s also great because it is set to one of my favorite songs,” sophomore Kim Abney said.

Leading up to the championships, winter guard competes against about 15 other schools with a four-to-five minute routine involving dance and equipment movements.

“I feel that having an upbeat and fun show photo/JANIE WILLIAMS rather than a fierce and intense show really RUN, RUN, RUN. Sophomore Alicia Defeo works to our advantage,” Abney said. “Our show performs a cross through while the team practices can reach out to all age groups in the audience, their performance for the upcoming competition. specifically the younger crowd who may not basics and technique of weapons.

“As a weapon captain I go over our work that quite understand a ‘dark show.’”

Winter guard competes in class Scholastic we have learned and make sure that it is right and AA, which involves 27 schools from around the everyone does it correctly,” Barncord said.

Starting her freshmen year with the marching state of Florida. Competition started after the new year, and will continue until championships. band season, Barncord has worked her way up to Each team needs to compete in three or four a spot that is usually fulfilled by a senior.

“Being a weapons captain means a lot,” shows, and so far, OHS has competed in five.

Color guard takes part in two seasons: Barncord said. ”I love being it and my strength marching season, where they work with band, is in it. I try to be my best at it and then I teach and winter guard, where they compete with a others and help them to be their best at it.”

Leading a team and making sure they’re routine against other Scholastic-AA teams.

“As opposed to show in the past, this show, prepared for championships, Barncord hopes for ‘RUN,’ literally makes the audience dance in the best possible show for the team.

“I hope our team can be the crowd’s favorite,” their seats. It’s such a fun and uplifting show that Barncord said. you can’t help “It’s awesome but to wish you You have to be able to lead, and get when you’re were on the floor done and off the with us,” Abney respect. You can’t yell or scream. You floor and people said. have to command for them to listen. come up to you A judging Casey Jones, ‘11 saying ‘I love panel observes your show!’” each competition.

Growing as a There are a total of seven judges, each specializing in a different family, the 18-member team continues to do well, placing first at their competition that took place aspect of the routine.

“Flags show a more feminine side. Rifles are Saturday, Feb. 26. The team competed against strong and masculine, and a saber gives us the four other Scholastic-AA teams at Matanzas ability to dance and spin. I love this routine. It’s High School.

“We are really happy and excited,” Jones one of my favorites because it’s a challenge for said. “Our technique, design and movement were us,” senior Casey Jones said.

Jones, a member of color guard since winter better than the majority of the group.”

Earning a score of 69.50, the color guard team guard of 2009, earned her way to be flag captain, alongside senior Morgan Cassel, and weapons topped the second place teams by four points.

The judge’s scores are precise, and counted to captain, sophomore Sara Barncord.

“You have to be able to lead, and get respect,” the second decimal place.

According to the Florida Federation of Jones said. “You can’t yell or scream. You have Color Guard (FFCC) website, the winter guard to command for them to listen.”

Barncord, weapons captain, teaches the championships will take place on April 2, at

“

”

photo/JULIA THORNCROFT

THROWING OUT ATTITUDE. Senior Kelly Hines pushes to perfect her back attitude while in practice before the April 2 competition at Flagler Palm Coast High School.

Flagler Palm Coast High School. The team will compete from 5:00p.m.-9:00 p.m.

“We’re ranked third in Scholastic AA,” senior Morgan Cassel said. “We just need to work on timing and cleaning.”

Many of the rounties have an unhappy and depressing message, and having a happy and hopeful show puts the team at an advantage.

“If the judges see the same performance type, they get bored and tired [when they see the show] they get a new picture of hope and happiness,” Cassel said. “It would be a really big accomplishment to me if we won championships.

It would be a big comeback from when we weren’t so fantabulous from last year.”

Jason Ciesla, director since winter of 2009, prepares the team for championships by instilling the thoughts of becoming undeniable and being the best at performing, dancing, and spinning at the same time.

“When I first started teaching, there was no technique or fundamentals. The co-director and

I, all we harp on is technique. We try to make a difference on how they perform and how they handle equipment,” Ciesla said.

Along with physical endurance and the will to win, Ciesla also teaches lessons on how to be a team that works to their best ability.

“We tell them the importance of discipline.

Not talking, doing what they’re told and if you don’t do what you’re supposed to there’s consequences. It’s extremely important for their lives. They’re mature individuals,” Ciesla said.

With the championships being at the peak of the season, Cielsa finds the hardworking team not facing many challenges.

“This is an absolutely fantastic and hardworking team. The only hurdle we have come up to is figuring out more things to do, and how to challenge us as teachers,” Cielsa said.

andread@thelionstale.com

MARCH 11, 2011

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THE LION’S TALE 27

Speiller places first, team takes fourth at state championship

by Janie Willams

T

photo/LINSEY DUCA

STING LIKE A BEE. Sophomore Kyle Bean demonstrates the ‘straight right’ punching technique. This power punch has a bit more range than a jab, and if it lands on the point of the chin, it has enough power to knock a man out.

Teen named state champ S

by Stephanie O’Sullivan

while at practice.

“I haven’t broken any bones. But I have lost ophomore Kyle Bean stands proudly in the center of the ring, feeling the adrenaline two teeth. I have two fake teeth in the back. I’ve pumping through his blood, hearing his also had a cartilage buildup by my eyebrow from name ring through the auditorium as the State getting hit so many times and I had to get that Champion. Six years before, he was an eight- removed. I twist my ankle every other week, year-old watching his brother Zach’s mixed basically. They won’t let me practice on a twisted ankle. They make me take an ice bath. I don’t like martial arts fight.

“I felt really good about myself [when I won them [ice baths] at all. Ice and water don’t mix the State Championship in January]. I think my well with me. I’m a Florida boy,” Bean said.

Bean competes in the over light heavy dad and my brother were happier than I was, weight competitions, and sometimes has to fight though. I was opponents in shock. They than MMA is definitely one of the most physical and older were the first people that I emotional sports out there. When you walk into him. “ M y went to after I a ring, you don’t know if you’ll walk out straight favorite found out that again. memory of I won. I had Kyle Bean, ‘13 MMA was an adrenaline the first year rush for six that I played. I hours after I won,” Bean said.

According to www.nicholsmma.com, MMA had to verse a veteran of six years. In the second is a combination of wrestling, boxing, karate, round I knocked a guy out who was like 23 years old. My big brother was really impressed,” Bean judo, and jiu-jitsu fighting styles. said.

Bean looks up to his father for inspiration.

According to Bean, MMA is a very “My biggest role model as an influence is my dad. He’s been to every match and he helps me demanding sport.

“MMA is definitely one of the most physical warm up before every match. He used to be a paramedic, so he knows how to safely stretch,” and emotional sports out there. When you walk into a ring, you don’t know if you’ll walk out Bean said.

Bean’s brother and father support him when straight again. I’ve become friends with a lot of people who fight as well, so I’m always worried he fights.

“My dad and my older brother really support about them. MMA is a real bonding sport,” Bean me. They want me to be who I want to be. My said.

Bean finds it tough to compete with the mom is afraid to come to competitions. She’s stereotypes that some people have formed against afraid I’ll get hurt,” Bean said.

The extent of Bean’s injuries have occurred fighters.

“

”

“I would like people to know that it’s not a bad sport. Everyone believes fighters are savages. They’re not. Every fighter has a story,” Bean said.

Bean started playing football in the fourth grade.

“I did Pop Warner up until high school, and then I started tackle football. Other than that, I haven’t done any other sports,” Bean said.

Bean still balances a schedule with both tackle football and MMA practice.

“It’s very challenging to balance school and practicing. I play tackle football as well. I have to go from football to home to take a shower, and then over to Orlando to practice. MMA practice is every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for three hours. The first hour is stretching. Then an hour and a half of practice. Then half an hour of cool down, ” Bean said.

Bean wishes that Oviedo High School had a MMA team.

“I would love if Oviedo had a MMA team. It would be awesome getting to fight for Oviedo.

I would go out for the wrestling team, but it’s a winter sport, and so is MMA. I am not a part of a real team. You can’t join a team until you’re 18,” Bean said.

Bean hopes to continue fighting.

“I definitely see myself going to a college for a sport like that, and then going pro after college.

I always have a huge adrenaline rush after I win, because I know that I beat the person in front of me, and that I’m better than the person in front of me,” Bean said.

stepho@thelionstale.com

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hree points separated the wrestling team from placing third at the state championships. The final team score at the end of the state championship was 103 team points to 106 team points of Ridgeview High School.

The team came in fourth out of 65 other teams in the FHSAA state wrestling championship.

“Wrestlers have been preparing for this moment all year long. They have trained for 11 months and the result was not a combination of a few weeks of practice but a full year’s worth of work,” coach Rafael Valle said.

The wrestling team ended up taking eight wrestlers to the state championship and six out the eight placed in the top six in the state.

Junior Geordon Speiller placed first in the state for the 160-weight class. He ended his season with a 48-2 record.

“I felt accomplished and I felt stress-free after winning states. I was happy that I didn’t have to cut weight anymore and even more colleges are looking at me,” Speiller said.

Speiller won states the year prior. He holds the title of a two time state champion after this year’s win. He pinned Joshua Coleman from Lincoln High School in four minutes and 30 seconds.

“It took repetition and it took heart when the announcer called my name. Before I wrestled, he said I was a runner-up at states last year. I won states last year. It was the push I needed to win,” Speiller said.

Coming in third at Geordan the state championship, ‘12 Speiller senior Carlos Martinez finished out his season with a 48-5 record.

“I wanted to be a champion, but I fell short of the title; it made my hard work and the season feel like a waste,” Martinez said.

Seniors Michael Alpert in the 145-weight class and Lee Wildes in the 171-weight class placed third.

Both wrestlers are signed to wrestle at outof- state universities next year.

“It wasn’t what I wanted to place, but it felt good to finish my season with a win,” Wildes said.

Also, sophomore Corey Ray placed third in the state in the 125-weight class.

Senior Joey Hefley placed sixth in the 140-weight class due to injury default because of a torn labrum in his shoulder. Hefley will be attending Duke University next year.

“The boys did an excellent job and I inherited a well-prepared and disciplined squad,” Valle said.

janiew@thelionstale.com

28

THE LION’S TALE

| sports | MARCH 11, 2011

all photos/CARSON BAILEY

WORKING FOR THE PASS. Senior Eric Hedberg (7) passes the ball to a teammate, dodging multiple opponents, during a game against Boone High School.

SWIM IT TO WIN IT. (top) Junior Cole Hensley (8) pushes the ball down the pool in an attempt to make a goal. (bottom) The boy’s waterpolo team gather at the side of the pool to listen to head coach Charlie Rose talk about strategy during the second quarter.

& H S A SPL CK

A T AT

Water

on s a e s s t r polo sta

off

s

face w e n h wit

REACHING VICTORY.

FOR

(far left) Senior Jenny Atkinson (13) defends a shot on goal during a game against Boone High School on March 2. (top right) Junior Olivia Sims (11) tries to prevent a shot on goal during the game against Boone High. (bottom right) Junior Karen Thomas (7) dives for a ball to make sure it’s safe from the opponent.

MARCH 11, 2011

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THE LION’S TALE

29

Boy’s lacrosse pushes for success Team strives to improve at each practice F

by Daniel Condly

ocus. Practice. Hard work. Motivation.

The lacrosse team embraces these four areas as they seek to improve their game.

“I hope to get in better shape and improve my overall running speed,” sophomore Merrik Ghali said.

Sophomore Steven Eley can relate.

“Staying in shape has definitely helped me out for this season. I find it easier to practice fullfield scrimmages and practice blocking shots,” Eley said. “As a goalie, it is my responsibility to prevent the opposing team from scoring. Our team depends on me and I don’t plan on letting them down.”

After losing the first game against Lake Highland Prep School resulting in a score of 3-14, many players found they had made personal progress.

“My ability to stop shots has gotten a lot better,” Eley said. “Because of our rigorous practices, I have improved my defense strategy and my ability to work on clears.”

However, the players felt that there were many aspects of the practices and games that they could improve on.

“My personal goal for the season is to take more shots, because with taking more shots

comes more goals,” junior Marcus Ireland said.

Ghali agrees.

“Our team needs to work on better offensive plays,” Ghali said. “Passing the ball more and taking more shots may help us score and win.”

After two games against West Orange High School with scores of 3-4, and a game against Lake Howell High School ending at 15-1, players have an idea of what their strengths and weaknesses are. No matter if the team wins or loses, the players are benefiting by being a part of the team and continuously finding ways to motivate and support one another.

“I think we have made a lot of progress,” junior Tristan Walter said. “The first game was a way to get our jitters out and get used to everything, such as how our team plays and how things were going to go. After our first two losses, we stepped up our game and beat Lake Howell 15-1.”

In addition to improvement through practice and support, the coaches also help build the backbone of the team.

“Our coaches have a huge commitment to the team, every single one,” junior Richie Mastroberte said. “They stay up late to go over plays and take half days at work to make it to practice early; they do a lot for us.”

Team practices are held every day after school for approximately two and a half hours.

During practice time, head coach Sean O’Dell and assistant coach Tim Finucan work the players to reach their full potential on the field.

“I expect our players to work hard this season and become better athletes at the end of the season than when we started,” JV’s coach Robert Grove said. “All players will benefit greatly this season from the excellent coaching they receive from coach Tim Finucan, a former Oviedo High School player.”

Although hopes are high for the boys this season, Grove is faced with demands concerning the JV team.

“The hardest challenge I am faced with this season is finding playing time for all the players,” Grove said. “JV lacrosse has 29 players this season, so playing time must be earned during practices. Coach Funican and I work very hard to make sure that we are putting players in their proper positions, allowing them to be successful on the field.”

With the upcoming home game against Winter Springs on March 14, Grove expects to bring home a victory for the team.

danielc@thelionstale.com

photo/JULIA THORNCROFT

GOING FOR GOAL. Senior Renner Powell looks for an open man in the game against Lake Mary High School on March 8.

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30 THE LION’S TALE

| sports | MARCH 11, 2011

photo/LINSEY DUCA

READY, AIM, FIRE. Freshman Sergio Masci practices shooting for the next competition on April 7.

Two teams go to nationals

T

keep your mind set and keep composure when he day is finally here. Hours and hours of you’re competing against schools, basically practice leading up to the big day to show because you know what to expect,” junior John your best to the nation and hoping to reach Campbell said.

The team ended up being in 10 place in the the goal right on target.

During Feb. 10-13, the NJROTC shooting nationals and senior Brandon Bates came in 24 team went up to Anniston, Ala. to participate in place in the single shooting competitors.

“We did all right. We could have done the Navy National shooting competition, along with Charlotte High School. The team would better than last year. But the teams were more face teams from NJROTC programs all over the competitive than last year,” Campbell said.

“But we still did an amazing job. We made it to country in the competition.

In the process of going to nationals, the nationals, so I can’t really complain.”

Baroody agrees. shooting team performed several practices every “I was happy,” Baroody said. “[I think] it’s week.

“We have after school practices Tuesdays hard for us to shoot our best all at the same and Thursdays and seventh [period] and ROTC time.”

On March 5, the NJROTC had a field meet every day,” senior Bethany Baroody said. “We also have specific positions [prone, standing, where marching, inspections, competitions in and kneeling] we need help on and we work on athletics, and academic tests are performed. At the field meet, the shooting team held the state shooting weaker ones so we can get better on them.” competition.

E i g h t The two p e o p l e I think it’s a little tougher to focus in state h i g h e s t participated competitions for shooting because it’s tough scoring teams in the would go to competition, to keep your mind set and keep composure nationals. a l o n g when you’re competing against schools, T h e with two basically because you know what to expect. team came alternatives.

John Campbell, ‘12 in fourth The rest of place in drill the shooting events. team came along as well to watch the teams go The NJROTC shooting team has one more against over 150 competitors.

For the Navy Nationals, the shooting team competition coming up this season which is a needed to compete in a different way than they shoulder-to-shoulder, a competition in which the shooting team goes to another school and shoots usually did.

“We shot [at Navy Nationals] two match there, on April 7. NJROTC will be shooting days and practiced the day before that,” Baroody at Pasco High School. The team might also said. “In our local shootings, we shoot quarter do a postal, which is when the team shoots a matches, ten matches each target. At Nationals, competition and mails the results.

Overall, the team could be able to say they we shoot half matches - six targets, two in each position. We shoot two half matches between two had a good season.

“I’m very pleased on how we did this shooting days, 60 targets all together.”

At competitions, it’s important to make season,” Campbell said. “Four of five teams sure one has the proper equipment and safety to placed in states. We took two teams to nationals. shoot. It’s also important to concentrate during We also picked up a lot of new shooters. A lot of [the new] shooters so far are younger classman, shooting.

“I think it’s a little tougher to focus in state so we have a good number.” wesleyw@thelionstale.com competitions for shooting because it’s tough to

by Wesley Wynne

“

”

Roar Board

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MARCH 11, 2011

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sports

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THE LION’S TALE

31

JANIE WILLIAMS SPORTS EDITOR

Athletes try to balance sports with academics

W photo/COURTESY OFCHARLES BAILEY

FAIRYTALE ENDING. Seniors Colleen O’Kennedy, Katie O’Kennedy,Anya Phillips, Morgan Campbell and Caroline England hold the Florida 6A State Champions after beating Vero Beach High 2-1 (3-2 PK’s) on Feb. 14.

Girls track team wins meet

The girls track team went to competition on March 4 at Trinity Preparatory School. The girls won the meet. The team, made up of freshman Caroline Jackson, sophomore Danielle Turk, and juniors Rachel Roberson and Dana Roberson, placed first in the 800-meter competition.

“The win was a great confidence booster, and it showed us that we can win,” junior Savanah Lacey said.

The girls and boys teams head to the Spruce Creek Invitational on March 12.

Boys team defeats Hagerty

The baseball team advances through their season playing at least a game a week if not more. The team took on Lake Brantley High School and lost 2-1 in the eighth inning on Tues. March 8.

Now the team holds a 2-6 record, and defeated Hagerty High School and Edgewater High School. The team plays Seminole High School on March 11 at home at 7 p.m. “ We need to get better at hitting and a few spots defensively,” Coach Harold Hitt said.

Volleyball takes on Brantley The boys’ volleyball team had their first game on March 7 against Spruce Creek High School. The team won 25-8, 25-14, and 25-3.

The team then moved on to take on Lake Mary High School on March 10, but fell short. The team lost 18-25, 19-25, and 23-25. Now the team heads to the Doctor Phillips Invitational on Fri. March 11. After the invitational the team takes on Lake Brantley High School on Mon. March 14 at home.

“We just need to keep our energy up throughout the entire game,” senior Zachary Blue said.

On the sidelines...

1. What’s your favorite board game?

Girls take down Winter Springs The girls’ softball team defeated cross-town rival, Winter Springs High School, twice now this season. The team now has a 6-7 record.

“We have pulled out some pretty big wins, beating some of the top teams in central Florida,” junior Sable Lee said.

The team was suppose to play Lake Brantley on Thur. March 10, but the game was postponed on account of rain; it is rescheduled for Mon. March 14. The team plays Seminole High School on Fri. March 11. With districts coming up the team is starting to focus on basic techniques.

“We have the pitching, we have the hitting, we just have to pull it together and we will by districts,” Lee said.

Lacrosse aims to intensify The girls’ varsity lacrosse team holds their record at 3-2. The team has defeated Lake Mary High School, Lake Howell High School, and Winter Park High School. The team played Lake Mary on Wed. March 9 and won 11-10. The girls now focus their attention to the upcoming game against Winter Springs High School on Wed. March 16.

“We need to work on coming out with intensity and not being a second half team,” junior Ellie Weinbel said.

Girls tennis smashes HSH

The tennis team went up against Hagerty High School on Wed. March 9. The girls’ team won, the boys’ team lost but had a few individual wins.

“We’re doing good, and we’re getting better as the season comes to an end,” junior Carly Mellen said. The teams now goes to take on Lake Mary High School at home on Tues. March 15.

“The boys team has strong, strong individual play,” junior Michael Moorhead.

With

Jarrett Slater

Sorry!

2. If you had one wish what would it be?

To have a lot of money.

3. Hollister or Abercrombie & Fitch?

Hollister

4. Where would you go if you ran away?

Michigan because I have lots of family up there and I spend the summers up there.

5. What do you do in your free time?

Other than weightlifting, I study and work on school.

photo/STEPHANIE O’SULLIVAN

PUMPING THAT IRON. Senior Jarrett Slater practices lifting weights at practice for subsectionals at Lyman High School on March 16.

hen I was 14 years old, I decided to push myself to be a better soccer player. I was playing on a traveling state cup team, a recreational soccer team with my friends and my high school varsity team. There were weeks at a time where I would have double practices every day.

I have quit all those teams except for the recreational soccer team with my friends now just to keep up with my homework and school activities.

It should not have to be a choice between bettering yourself in a sport and taking AP classes to challenge yourself in school.

Fall, winter and spring, athletes wait for their seasonal sport to begin. When the season finally comes, they realize the new challenges they will face that school season.

While juggling new classes, thinking about college, doing community service, trying to stay awake during class and social events, it is difficult to imagine adding two hours of practice every day on top of all that.

On game days, between eating with team, warm up, and the game and hopefully showering after there is not much time left over for doing homework, studying or senior project presentation in the morning.

Every day we come to school and listen to our teachers tell us, “You must a be wellrounded individual if you want to get into college.” Yet there is no time to efficiently be a well-rounded individual, especially if you want to excel in any area.

Colleges look for the good grades and the high SAT or ACT scores, but they also look for sports, extracurricular activities, community service and clubs. These afterschool activities give you an opportunity to find out what you are interested in and give you the chance to lead other people your age.

Most students have some sort of activity after school, even if it is not a sport. I find myself doing an enormous amount of busy work for homework. Homework has its place, but so does exercise. I know two of my close friends that quit sports because they could not handle the daily workload of school and a two-hour practice.

All students have to consider the balancing act school and playing a sport requires, but more and more you hear about students quitting what they love to do.

College athletes are given all the tools and tutors to keep up their grades and be at every practice. I know we are in high school, but every student should have the opportunity to do what they are interested or passionate about and balance their schoolwork.

janiew@thelionstale.com

32

THE LION’S TALE

| features | MARCH 11, 2010

Hair gone

CRAZY

Brunette today, blue tomorrow

by Stephanie O’Sullivan

J

unior Luka Gorman jumps out of bed, grabs the pink wig off the head model on her dresser, and rushes out her door 20 minutes later.

“The wig is a time-saver. It also saves my hair from poofing up in the humidity,” Gorman said.

Gorman, naturally a dark blonde, found inspiration in Lady Gaga.

“I coordinate the wig with different outfits.

I’m thinking about switching to a black wig,” Gorman said.

Junior Conley White was inspired by Mr. T. “I used to have an afro. I first got a mohawk in July 2009. Then I dyed it purple in August. My mom said that if I was going to go crazy, then to go all out. I once had a breast cancer symbol in my hair for my grandma. She’s a 14-year survivor of breast cancer, ” White said.

Senior Sarah Birkmire’s mother had a different reaction to her hair style change.

“I moved out of my mother’s house before I started styling my hair this way. I’ve wanted a mohawk since the sixth grade. When my mom first saw my hair, she flipped out. She’s so conservative,” Birkmire said.

Birkmire, naturally a brunette, styles her hair by dipping celery sticks into black hair dye and

dotting her hair with the celery sticks.

“I don’t really know why I chose the colors that I did. I guess I just liked them. When I perform, I have to tuck my hair into a beanie to hide it,” Birkmire said.

Sophomore Buck Mussatto was inspired by the musician Patrick Wolf to dye his hair red.

“By now I’ve done every natural color and blue. I’ve done various shades of red and orange.

I’ve had it done professionally, but most of the colors have been done using semi-permanent dye.

It’s easier to dye my hair using semi-permanent dye because it lightens over time. If it wasn’t semi-permanent dye, I’d have to bleach my hair in order to get a new color. Red is a really hard color to hold and to get rid of ,” Mussatto said.

Freshman Ethan Richardson has also dyed his hair red.

“I first got it shaved at the beginning of this year,” Richardson said.

Richardson’s hair color has changed three times since the beginning of the year.

“I got bored with my hair; it was so boring.

It’s been red, blonde, and brown since the beginning of the school year. Conley White shaved my mohawk. That’s why it’s lopsided,” Richardson said.

stepho@thelionstale.com

all photos/LINSEY DUCA