Volume 53 Issue 1

LION’STALE OVIEDO HIGH SCHOOL • 601 KING STREET • OVIEDO, FL • OCTOBER 4, 2012 • VOLUME 53 • ISSUE 1

Filled to the brim State excludes AP classes from class size enrollment cap page 5

// // // features

diversions

Marching band prepares show for football games.

12

sports

Popular TV shows return for fall season.

19

Two male students join cheerleading squad.

24

02

( news sports )

THE LION’S TALE

|

OCTORBER 4, 2012

ePathways comes into school

Kudos to Seniors

THE SCOOP

Seminole County School Board approved the ePathways providing students with the option to take classes online and on the school campus.

Both core and elective classes are offered for online learning. The hope behind this is that by giving students learning style options, they will discover which path works best for them.

Seniors David Brickeen, Anya Katsevich, Andrew Mack, and Arianna Ray qualify as the 2012-2013 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. Also, senior Marcus Robinson has been named a semifinalist for the National Achievement Scholarship.

The Nationals Merit Scholarship Corporation looks at PSAT scores, and chooses the highest scores in the state.

From the 16,000 semifinalists, 15,000 finalists are chosen.

National Merit Scholarship winners are awarded $2,500 corporate-sponsored scholarships, and college-sponsored scholarships, according to nationalmerit.org

Admin eliminates test dates

No longer will departments, such as English or science, have to test on specific days of the week. A new directive to teachers allows them to choose any day to give a test.

In the past, each department was assigned specific days of the week for testing.

Debate team scores wins Debate team won first place in novice public forum on Sept. 8 at Hagerty High School.The winning team, seniors Courtney Alderman and Myriam Gutstein, competed against 24 other teams from across the area, including Trinty Preparatory School and Lake Highland Preparatory.

The next tournament will be held Oct. 6 at Trinty Prep. The team will field five public forum squads, one Lincoln/Douglas teams, and two oral Interpretation event.

The team will begin fund-raising on Oct. 11 at Chili’s Restaurant in Oviedo.

photo/ROCHELLE GAERTNER

WORK SESSION BONDING. Left to right: Freshman Brianna Washington, junior Mark Hehmeyer, sophomore Alyah Bridges, senior Courtney Alderman, freshman Megan Ghersi, junior Daniel Hernandez, and junior Brandon Crittenden prepare for their debate on Oct. 6.

illustration/COURTESY OF DIX LITHROP AND ASSOCIATES, INC.

PICTURE PERFECT PARK. Part of the plan for Oviedo on the Park includes an ampitheater and outdoor market as well as shopping and dining options. The terraced lake front will add a scenic view for people who want to spend a day relaxing.

City to break ground on Oviedo on the Park

E

by Lauren Purdy

xpected to break ground in the first parternership and is finishing out the rest of quarter of 2013, Oviedo on the Park is a the project. new live, work, and play development “Everything will be centered around the to be built on the new Oviedo Boulevard, park, where there will be background music the road where the Oviedo Aquatic Center is and free wi-fi throughout,” Persampiere said. located.

The park itself will be kind of a mix of “[The project] was originally planned by Baldwin Park, Lake Eola, and Winter Park, the founding families of the town back when with a terraced lake, multiple jogging trails, they owned the land. The families imagined and high walkability. a town center where the citizens could walk “The Oviedo on the Park project is going to and shop, a place to really stop and smell act as a catalyst for the renovation of Historic the roses,” Mayor of Oviedo, Dominic Downtown Oviedo. We are planning to use Persampiere, said. the money from taxes on the new businesses The Oviedo on the in the project to pay Oviedo can expect a lot of Park development was for making Old Town new businesses and shops in planned out in 2000 to more accessible, starting hold 1,000 residents with the intersection on the new downtown area. in a mixture of Dominic Persampiere Broadway and State Road apartments and single436,” Persampiere said. family homes, as well as over 85,000 feet of Senior Kyndle Cobb and his dad, Bryan commercial space.

Cobb, have been a part of the Oviedo on “Oviedo can expect a lot of new the Park project since the beginning. Back businesses and shops in the new downtown in 2003, Bryan Cobb was the Development area,” Persampiere said.

Service Director, which put him in charge of In 2003, voters passed a referendum for finding a developer to work with the city in the public/private partnership that allocated the public/private partnership. ten million dollars to develop the 60-acre “Now [my dad] is the Assistant City Oviedo on the Park project.

Manager, and he sort of overlooks the whole The city is installing the park and some project,” Cobb said. of the infrastructure. The PAC Development Both of the Cobbs have been invested Company makes out the private half of the since the design stages of the Oviedo on the

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Park Project.

“There was a design meeting at Seminole State College where my dad and a ton of city officials were throwing around ideas of what they thought the project should have. Me and my brother got to go and I pitched a teen center,” Cobb said.

The teen center will be a place for the kids of Oviedo to hang out.

“Everyone always complains that there’s nothing to do in Oviedo. This will be a place to go instead of just sitting around at home,” Cobb said.

The amphitheater was a main object of discussion at many of these design meetings.

“The amphitheater is planned to be open for concerts of all types and it will be available for rental, so the band or chorus could do concerts there if they wanted,” Cobb said.

Cobb helped influence the direction of the project.

“I was always helping my dad, saying we need this, we need that - we didn’t want the Oviedo on the Park project to be for just one person. I was the teen influence,” Cobb said.

According to Persampiere, with the amphitheater, the marketplace and the lakefront restaurants coming to Oviedo, there will be something for everyone.

laurenp@thelionstale.com

OCTOBER 4, 2012 | news | THE LION’S TALE 03

State alters FCAT writing rubric to focus more on grammar

by Katie Day

D

that they might need a day so I work r. Trent Daniel sat down with a out the paper work to give them binder packed full of statistics the substitute day but it’s really the at the meeting of the English teachers in that department that drive teachers for the 2012-2013 school it. They tell me what they need to do to year. FCAT progress, school rankings, make it strong and then I just provide and new lesson plans covered every the resources to make it happen, but page, and as she sat down, she they are really the drivers,” Daniel prepared to take part in an important said. discussion: What should the English One Solution: Reading program focus on this school year?

Intensive Reading teacher Lisa “The English department here had Lake’s classes help students improve met last year and looked particularly their reading skills. Constructed to at the grammar program, so there’s a teach students scoring a one or a two structured vertical grammar program on the FCAT Reading test, the class now here at Oviedo,” Dr. Daniel said. shows students how to become active This past year, the State readers.

Department of Education chose to “I guess my class has been change their grading rubric for the designed to reinforce what they’ve FCAT Writes. Instead of focusing on learned in English, but still gives them presenting a main idea and using good strategies to help them get through the essay structure, the state decided to FCAT. [The class] basically gets them look more into the students’ use of to really understand the material and grammar. Although the FCAT pass higher reading skills,” Lake said. rate at OHS was raised by twelve After the shift in the FCAT rubric, percent, the Lake has school did not started to I always tell them we’re earn a single six. focus less on prepping for a marathon and novels and Therefore, no we’re going to keep working more on the junior received a free parking importance on it and we’re going to hit pass. of reading that goal, the FCAT. “[The State nonfiction in Lisa Lake department] her class. started looking more at mechanics and “We put a lot more emphasis now grammar and that was something in on finding the implied main idea and the past that they haven’t done. Even inferring. A lot of my students come in though our students are transitioning and they can read, but they can’t pull into that now, in order to fix grammar out the information and sift it for the issues, it takes years,” Dr. Daniel said. essential ideas. To practice inferring Following the FCAT grading correctly, we do a lot of nonfiction changes, the English department plans reading. I’m trying to get away from for a structured, multi-year approach the novels,” Lake said. to improving grammar and vocabulary.

Lake also talks about the “At Oviedo, our English correlation between her class and her teachers are in professional learning eleventh and twelfth grade students’ communities. It’s like a team approach, English classes. so to fix these things they just tell me “I coincide the vocab with the

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English department so what they’re getting in there, they’re getting in here,” Lake said.

By linking the vocabulary with the English teachers, she gives the students an opportunity to understand the incoming information and to study it in depth.

One student, junior Jessica Tomalia, says they’ve been studying preparatory books a lot and practicing their FCAT vocabulary, but that’s not where all the emphasis lies. Lake provides students with nonfiction novels and biographies to teach them the importance of tone and literary devices. They learn how to infer the main point of the author using real-life examples and the books let them see how a structured essay ought to look.

“You work in a workbook and you try to learn more strategies to pass the FCAT. We also study information that’s not from FCAT, but it helps with the vocabulary and reading itself,” Tomalia said.

The students retake the FCAT during their first semester and are allowed to transfer out of Intensive Reading for the second semester if they pass. If students don’t pass the retakes, Lake prepares them instead for the upcoming SATs and ACTs. “After retakes we’re going to concentrate more on the ACT. I always tell them they can read. They know how to read. It’s just that they’re doing something wrong. Maybe they’re passive readers instead of active readers,” Lake said.

It’s a long road, but Lake is ready and willing to help everyone with FCAT. “I always tell them we’re prepping for a marathon and we’re going to keep working on it and we’re going to hit that goal, the FCAT.” Lake said.

katied@thelionstale.com

illustration/SUZANNE GAERTNER

Political Smackdown

04 THE LION’S TALE

| news | OCTOBER 4, 2012

The Lion’s Tale surveyed 200 students to find the top 4 biggest concerns of the 2012 election. See the Republican and Democratic candidates’ viewpoints on the issues here.

Republican candidate Mitt Romney

Taxes

þ Wants to make permanent, across-the-board 20% cut in marginal rates, which would reduce income taxes for all taxpayers þ Wants to eliminate taxes for taxpayers with adjusted gross income below $200,000 on interest, dividends, and capital gains

Democratic candidate Barack Obama

þ Believes that taxing the rich will grow the economy because it will increase the circulation of America’s money þ Focuses on the middle class by refusing to ask middle class families and small business owners to pay higher taxes

Marriage þ Wants to classify marriage as a union between one man and one woman

þ Supports same-sex marriage þ Wants to fight against the Defense of Marriage Act

Labor Policy þ Believes that workers have the right to join or not to join unions and that workers should be informed about the pros and cons of joining

þ Believes workers should be given the right to bargain collectively and strike if the need arises

Healthcare þ Abolish the Affordable Healthcare Act. þ Wants to issue policies that will give states the right to organize healthcare for their own citizens

54% Romney

info/COURTESY OF BARACKOBAMA.COM, DEMOCRATS.ORG, MITTROMNEY.COM

þ Believes no illness or injury should lead to a family’s economic ruin þ The Affordable Care Act offers money to small businesses to help pay for insurance for their employees, and allows students to say on their parents’ plan until they turn 26

On September 13, 2012, 200 students were surveyed to see which candidate they prefer.

46% Obama

illustrations/WESLEY WYNNE

OCTOBER 4, 2012 | news | THE LION’S TALE 05

Lack of class cap frustrates teachers “We have a cap size on only what the state determines is Currently enrolled in three AP classes, junior Dylan Scott has a core academic class, so it’s a state mandate. I think that [AP his fair share of knowledge with the no-cap problem. classes] should have less students but the funding is an issue as “AP Lang is the most difficult AP class that I’m in. All of the well, because you have to fund those teachers [who teach AP desks in that class were full. I think that since we have an exam classes]. So when making those decisions you have to make sure at the end of the year that helps us get into college, [the class] you are following state mandate,” said Dr. Trent Daniel, assistant should be more centered to where the teacher can connect with principal. the students,” Scott said.

According to Principal Robert Lundquist, the Florida Class-size impacts Scott’s studying methods as well.

Department of Education decided not to include advanced “I like to study alone and in class, [but] overall I think I study placement courses under the 25:1 student-teacher ratio because better with a group. But due to the changes in all of the advanced they consider AP classes as electives rather than core classes. placement courses I study by myself to make up for what I This currently causes a problem for teachers such as AP couldn’t understand in class,” Scott said.

Literature teacher Dr. Roy Starling.

Senior Cole Cooper, unlike Scott, doesn’t believe the limit on “Removing [the cap on] AP courses can have a potentially class-size is necessary. disastrous effect. AP classes are more “My AP teachers are really good complex and taxing and students are teachers. They take the time to teach all If I cannot connect with my pushed to another level, from high of their students so not having a limit on school thinking to college thinking. It the class-size isn’t really an issue. It’s students this early in the year, can be demanding for [students] and better to prepare us for future courses in they may give up and drop the teachers,” Dr. Starling said. “Having too college where most of us will, in fact, be course for fear of ruining many students in any class adversely in overcrowded classes,” Cooper said. affects [the kids’] education, and unless Despite the state regulations, their GPA. the teacher is tireless, it also affects his Oviedo High tries to keep a limit on Jason McDonald or her morale.” these classes.

Dr. Starling believes that it makes “We’ve recently done our best to teachers feel frustrated and ashamed level-out the classes of AP Human that they cannot do more knowing what their students need.

Geography and AP Language and Composition,” Dr. Daniel said.

“It’s unfair, cruel, and thoughtless [of the state legislature] In order to even out the classes, AP Lang has been split to ask teachers to maintain and even exceed their high standards between Dr.Starling and English teachers Patricia Simmons and with more and more students. There is no money to reward Shayna Hron. Additionally, AP Human Geography is now split teachers. The lawmakers know that without one cent of monetary between McDonald and sociology teacher Kimberly McKernan. motivation teachers will work themselves half to death just “The administration has done a terrific job with alleviating my because they care and can’t bear to give them less than their all,” numbers by using some creative scheduling methods with another Dr. Starling said. teacher. A lot of times Mr. Lundquist’s hands are tied when it AP Human Geography classes, with an all-time high of 170 comes to hiring new teachers since teacher allotments by the freshmen, is also experiencing difficulties, according to teacher district are determined by student enrollment,” McDonald said.

Jason McDonald.

Hron speaks on the school’s methods of relieving large classes “The lack of class-size restrictions on my class means that as well. it’s harder for me to give individualized attention to students “Simply put, too many students equals not enough time to since so many are vying for my attention. I wonder sometimes grade, which in turn can lead to ineffective teaching. You can tell if the students feel lost at times because they didn’t have time to this school cares a great deal for the quality of education because talk to me after class because so many others [students] had my they were willing to make class-sizes manageable for the AP attention,” McDonald said.

English classes,” Hron said..

McDonald states that he is overwhelmed in the sense that he Dr. Starling encourages members of the school community to can’t get to all of the students and aid them before they become take action on the lack of a class cap. discouraged and drop the course. He states that a limit on the “What can we do about this? I think parents need to get class-size amendment would be helpful so that he can connect incensed, get organized take some action, insist on some answers. with his students on a more personal level.

We all have to stop accepting the answer of ‘We’re sorry. There’s “If I cannot connect with my students this early in the year, just not enough money.’ Isn’t anyone smart enough to find the they may give up and drop the course for fear of ruining their money? We are being programmed for failure, and it has to stop,” GPA,” McDonald said.

Starling said.

“

es s s a l c Core standard e includ ors n and ho lasses c English capped e that ar ts. n e d u t s at 25

”

by Amyliz Rodriguez

J

unior Dylan Scott arrives in AP Language and Composition teacher Patricia Simmons’ class just as the bell rings. Scott scans the class for an empty to seat to find that there is only one more in the back.

“I think that AP classes are difficult, they shouldn’t be overcrowded because it’s a more rigorous course than a typical class. Since we have an exam at the end of the year, I think its better to center the classes around a certain amount of students to a teacher so that its better for everyone,” said Scott.

With over 1,516 students currently enrolled in one or more AP class and no current class-size amendment placed on the APs, the classes tend to be over the 25:1 student-teacher ratio of a normal core class.

The AP Exam

amylizr@thelionstale.com

How well do you know your AP teachers?

3D Art teacher Rob Lawarre 1. AP travelled the United States doing what?

A B

Seeing every Bruce Springsteen show Chasing Storms

Spanish teacher Alida Eldridge 2. AP stopped her car in the road to do

what?

3.

What has AP Biology teacher Lynn Klemann spent a whole summer without?

teaching, what other job 4. Besides has AP Literature teacher Dr. Roy Starling had?

A

Paint her nails

A

Television

A

Newspaper Journalist

B

Read a book

B

Showering

B

College Professor

C

Pit crew in the Busch Grand National Tour

C

Wish on a shooting star

C

Wearing Shoes

C

Military Intelligence

D

Bird watching

D

Save a Kitten

D

Make-up

D

K-Mart Shelver

E

Sampling oysters

E

Check the grammar on a Spanish road sign

E

Speaking

E

All of the above ANSWERS: 1.C 2.D 3.B 4. E

06

THE LION’S TALE

| advertisements | OCTOBER 4, 2012

(opinion sports ) No cap on class OUR WORD size in APs Keep student-teacher ratio at 25:1 in all classes

OCTOBER 4, 2012 | THE LION’S TALE 07

W

e at the Lion’s Tale believe that AP classes are an essential to our daily schedule: they provide rigor to the curriculum, teach students more information than a standard or honors class, and provide us with an opportunity to obtain college credit.

AP classes are vital to academic success. The setting promotes excellence and achievement through the encouragement of the AP teacher and the students’ eagerness to learn.

Before the start of the 2012 summer, Florida had a maximum cap of 25 students per AP class. However, the state department chose to redefine the definition of a core class, and thus recategorized all Advanced Placement courses as electives.

From the removal of this cap sprang negative effects. Many AP classes can now contain up to 35 students—a 40% increase from the old standard of 25 students.

Having more and more students in any class—whether academic or elective—makes it harder for teenagers to learn.

An increase in the number of students per class allows for more opportunities for students to get distracted. It also makes it harder for teachers to get their class focused and on task.

Furthermore, a greater number of students in class lowers class participation. Many teenagers, particularly shyer ones, feel more comfortable in smaller, intimate class settings. Smaller class sizes allows for better interaction between students and the teacher.

For example, during class time teachers often spend one-onone time with students who have questions. If there are too many students in a class, then the teacher will not be able to address every student’s questions. This is especially detrimental to an AP class, in which understanding any and all course material is imperative for good grades and for the opportunity to pass the AP exam.

With a greater number of needs to address, teachers additionally sacrifice valuable lecture time. However, in an AP

class, covering course material as quickly as possible is very important for time at the end of the year to review.

Over the course of the school year, teachers also develop special bonds with their students. This teacher-student bond makes students feel appreciated and look forward to attending class. However, teachers will not be able to form bonds with all their students if there are too many of them to focus on. In an AP class, students’ eagerness to attend class and learn is one of the major factors that contribute to their absorption of knowledge and course material.

Having no cap on AP classes affects teachers personally as well. With an additional number of students, teacher have more tests, more homework assignments, and more papers to grade.

For instance, AP Language and Composition teachers have students write practice essays in class to improve writing skills, a necessary part to the AP Lang exam. Teachers have to grade each and every essay, a tedious and meticulous process; imagine having to read 35 essays for each of the six periods. More essays makes it hard for teachers to go through all of them thoroughly and return them to students in a timely manner.

All academic classes, whether standard, honors, or AP, should be given precedence over anything else. But this “no cap” law demotes the importance of an AP class, which should be treated as pressingly—if not more—as a standard or honors class. After all, students have the opportunity to receive college credit, saving diligent scholars time and money.

Those who take an AP class represent some of the brightest students Oviedo High School has to offer. We at the Lion’s Tale feel that it does not make sense to penalize these hard-working students by giving them larger classes.

The lack of a class cap law lowers the chances of rewarding students for their time and effort through college credit. We urge the state to redefine core classes and consider implementing a law that limits AP class sizes.

“ The man who smiles wh en something’s wrong has found someo ne to blame it on.”

- Robert Bloch

Drop in FCAT scores confounds officials

LION’STALE

illustration/WESLEY WYNNE

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OVIEDO HIGH SCHOOL • 601 KING STREET • OVIEDO, FL • SEPTEMBER 25, 2012 • VOLUME 53 • ISSUE 1

Editor-In-Chief Rachel Lo News Editors Katie Day Lauren Purdy

Opinion Editors Cloe-Marie Mora Amyliz Rodriguez Features Editor Sarah Tripp Diversions Editor Trevor Khan Sports Editor Andy Bosley Advertising Editor Drake Dickerson Web Editors Justin Mang Alexis Sherwood Jessi Whitacre

Photo Editor Allison Owen Photographers Aaron Cheddie Rochelle Gaertner Alexx Hartdegen Carlos Suarez Staff Artists Suzanne Gaertner Wesley Wynne Staff Reporters Harry Allen Leah Bagwell Keith Clowney Jyllian Hancock

Sienna Marshall Lauren May Ellen McCormack Chris Moskal Tanner Mowery Clara Shine Keenan Smith Lyndsey Taylor Hannah Thigpen Alex White

Faculty Adviser Deborah Jepson Admin Adviser Drew Morgan Principal Robert Lundquist Oviedo High School 601 King Street Oviedo, FL 32765 Phone: 407-320-4199 Fax: 407-320-4213 Population: 2096 Students 135 Staff

Mission Statement

Distribution

Advertising Policy

The Lion’s Tale is the student newspaper of Oviedo High School, located in Oviedo, Florida. Our mission is to provide news, feature stories, editorials and opinions relevant to our readers while upholding the highest professional and ethical standards. The Lion’s Tale follows copy standards outlined in the Associated Press Stylebook, 42nd Edition, published in 2007 by the Associated Press, and is a member of the CSPA, NSPA, FSPA.

2500 copies of The Lion’s Tale are distributed free to all students and staff at Oviedo High School.

Subscriber information is available upon request.

The Lion’s Tale reserves the right to refuse advertisements. The full advertising policy of The Lion’s Tale is on file in Room 5-020 and is available upon request.

Reader Contributions

Online

Letters to the Editor are accepted and may be sent by post, e-mail, or dropped off in Room 5-020. The Lion’s Tale does not accept guest columns, and reserves the right to edit letters to the Editor. Full policy is available on request.

The Lion’s Tale is accessible at thelionstale.com.

The views of the staff do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, staff, or faculty of Oviedo High School.

08

THE LION’S TALE

TANNER MOWERY

| opinion | OCTOBER 4, 2012

‘Take back your life and make it your own’

STAFF REPORTER

College essays bring out the worst

T

he last few weeks of my life have been a perfectly crappy mess, filled with unneeded stress, increased hunger, and a depressing shortage of sleep.

Why? Two words. College applications.

I hate them. Everything about them. The stupid questions they ask, the way they make you pay to even have them consider you as a future student. The people that have already finished them and are being accepted into colleges, followed by a horrible-to-look-at Facebook status. I hate sitting in my wobbly desk chair, lamely writing some grossly exaggerated essay telling whatever school I’m trying to apply to why I chose their school and what would make me a good addition to their “ever-growing student body.”

Now I want to talk about something else.

Essays.

Let’s be honest here, okay, not? It’s gotten to the point where I’m, like, lying. Lying about everything. My hobbies, stuff I’ve overcome (I have managed a few good sob stories, I think), my culture and background and all of that great stuff that I’m sure universities are just dying to hear. Lying really badly, too. Will my future college actually call OHS to see if I started a community service program or have been playing soccer since I could walk? Probably not.

Not to say that you should lie. You shouldn’t.

It’s stupid and immature and ridiculous. Not that anybody would have actually done that just because I did, but still. Just one of those stupid warning things. You know, like they play before Myth Busters comes on. Do not try this at home.

In fact, in almost all of the multiple Internet articles written specifically about college essay writing, they say to be honest. Brutally honest, that is. Jonathan Reider, an instructor at Stanford University, says to be “concise, coherent and accurate.” They suggest – I do too, actually – that you try to show off your individuality, making sure that you’re just likable enough. He says to be cautious when it comes to be humor, which I have to disagree with. Nobody wants to read a bland essay, especially not someone who has been forced to read a bunch of them.

Honestly, I’m just getting tired of college talk – how important my grades are, sending in SAT scores, being forced to look at my class ranking more times than I want to. It’s starting to get annoying.

I want to spend my senior year worrying about my senior year, not what’s going to happen after it.

tannerm@thelionstale.com

CLOE-MARIE MORA

P

OPINION EDITOR

lease, you’re not nearly as stressed as I am,” my associate simpers, a confident smirk intact, the challenging tilt of the head just right. I can’t help but sigh at this poor, unfortunate soul that has been sucked into the swirling vortex of social stigma, a black hole that is notorious for dictating that you must compare every aspect of yourself to others.

If you find yourself looking around the classroom when you get a test back, peering at the tops of other papers; if you walk into school wearing a new outfit and start nervously scoping around to see if your specially selected shirt is socially acceptable in relation to the shirts other people are wearing; if you get into “friendly fights” with your friends over who has more after school activities, more homework, a busier schedule, or less strict parents; you know who you are, and you know I’m talking to you.

We all do it. We all try and compare ourselves. As teenage students in this generation, we were born and bred to think that way; it’s not our faults… to a point. And that is because we choose to continually live our lives based off the opinions and actions of others. We choose to define our successes and failures based off of what our peers define as succeeding and failing. Better, worse, smarter, dumber, cooler, weirder. Establishing labels; constructing mental Venn Diagrams; thinking “Do they qualify to hang with us? Do we

illustration/WESLEY WYNNE

qualify to hang with them?” In other words, our lives are not our own.

However, don’t take the movie Mean Girls’ word for it; it’s not like there are the stereotypically wicked, popular blondes and [Hollister-bag-worthy] jerky-jerk jocks out there victimizing all of us; quite the contrary.

We are our own worst enemies, and we compare ourselves to everyone, from the blondest cheerleaders to the sexiest sports players to the unbelievably immature band geeks, and even (if not especially) to our closest friends.

So how do we get out of this Paradox of Eternal Comparison and Contrast? It seems simple enough- just stop, right? But old habits die hard, and inbred instinct, even harder.

Well, good luck!

Ha. But back to being serious- it’s all about being cognizant of what you’re doing. That’s actually a type of psychological therapy- you work with a psychologist to become aware of something that you’re doing that you want to

stop, and it’s as easy as that. And you don’t even need a psychologist, this can be a DIY- As soon as you start to compare yourself, stop and think about what you’re saying. It works really well, because once you are aware, you can take active steps to quit this destructive behavior.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with competition; in fact, competition is good. But we take it too far, and honestly, it really ought to stop.

Of course, you have to want to stop.

Anyway, I’m sure the ever so vast majority of you, because myriads of you read the school paper, have heard phrases like ‘good vibes’ and ‘no worries’ and ‘don’t over-think’ and other New Age things like that. The Alpha and Omega of that mindset is independence and self-freedom; in other aged and somewhat smelly words, stop the comparisons, and just be who you are. Take back your life and make it your own.

cloem@thelionstale.com

Guilt comes with death of beloved pet

TREVOR KHAN

A

DIVERSIONS EDITOR

t the end of my sophomore year, tragedy had struck my family. Our German shepherd, Travis, was finally at the end of his days and we didn’t know how to handle our lives without him.

The news hit me like a cold, hard brick. I thought he was just sick. He hadn’t gotten up in a few days to play or eaten a lot of his food, his usual sick behavior. But when my dad came home from talking to the vet, he’d told me that we had no other choice but to put him down.

Through our tears though, we still smiled at Travis and played with his ears, gently petted his beautiful gold and brown fur and kissed him on the nose the way he hated, hoping he wouldn’t understand. We just hoped that it would be over quick and painless for him, because neither of us

wanted to suffer.

I suddenly remembered all the times I got mad at him. All the mean things I ever said about him and the times I yelled at him for bad things he did. The times I called him fat and lazy or the times I called him stupid if he did something he wasn’t supposed to started pouring back into my mind, a pitcher of bad memories that was overflowing in my head. The saddest thing was I was too sad to even remember the good times I had with him.

We watched him slowly slip into his last, permanent sleep, and we held his paws and hit him with our tears. We all sobbed but smiled at him, a smile of reassurance that he would be just fine.

As his eyes closed for the last time, I kissed him on the top of his head for a final goodbye. I just couldn’t help but feel like there was more I could’ve done in the past to make him know how much I loved him.

It was a tough time for us, and it didn’t get much better for quite a while. The house just wasn’t the same without the sound of his collar jingling when he walked about the house, or seeing the face he’d make when he’d see you eating something he wanted.

About six months later, my brother went to

an adoption agency and got us a new dog. He was a small, German shepherd/Rottweiler mix named Simba. While we all thought he was cute, it took time for him to grow on us.

We’d feel bad inside if we gave Simba too much attention, we’d feel almost as though our memories of Travis would fade if we moved on so soon. But he didn’t. Simba stayed with us for a year until my brother had moved out. Once again, the house was silent and the same feeling lingered over us.

Two weeks later, a surprise came and it’d been really scary at first.

I was seated at my computer when the front door flew open, and in ran a huge Siberian Husky.

I panicked at first. His eyes showed bright blue with excitement, which to my glance translated to “this dog looks like he wants to murder me”. But when my father came inside he told me that he’d gotten me a new dog, one that our family could love together for years. His name is Colorado.

It’s important to show your pets and loved ones how much they mean to you, because they won’t be around forever. It’s even harder, however, to replace your best friend because you know they’ll never be the same as the ones you had before, no matter how much you love them.

trevork@thelionstale.com

OCTOBER 4, 2012 | opinion | THE LION’S TALE 09

Love in high school?

SARAH TRIPP

FEATURES EDITOR

Clichés run rampant on school campus

I

JUDGING COUPLES. Senior Rachel Lo looks on at junior Adam Nayfeh and senior Milica Buha, who are in a relationship.

photo illustration/ROCHELLE GAERTNER

Columnist skeptical about teen love RACHEL LO

L

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ove is overrated 1.

Young love, to be exact 2. I’m talking about those high school couples who claim they are madly in love and will get married in the future. Those googly-eyed couples who sit in a secluded part of campus during lunch and stare lovingly at each other.

In other words, couples that make me want to puke 3.

Just a warning: if you are a part of one of those aforementioned couples, please stop reading this before you hate me (if you haven’t already). Please don’t take this column personally. It’s not you, it’s me 4.

This column is for all my single brothas and sistas out there 5.

1 Keep in mind that this is coming from a lonely, single 17-year-old girl with nothing better to do in her time than to be bitter towards happy couples who post lovey-dovey statuses on Facebook every day. Also keep in mind that I’ll probably turn out to be an old woman who wears red lipstick and raises Siamese cats.

2 Because I have nothing against worldly love. Worldly love is the best. If all politicians could love each other one day… yeah, that’s never going to happen.

3 I especially detest couples that make out

in the hallways like it’s the end of the world while people swarm around them. Really romantic, guys.

4 Get it?

5 Can I get a woot woot?

I’m sorry if I sound cynical, but I just think it’s absolutely absurd when 15-yearolds have claimed that they’ve found “the one” 6. I just don’t understand how teenagers know they’re in love when they don’t even know what clothes they’ll wear tomorrow to school 7. I don’t understand why girls cry over heartbreak when they should actually be comforted by the fact that they’ll probably meet someone richer, more attractive, and with less acne.

6 Unless you’re my mom, who did indeed find my dad in high school. Oh man, I hope she’s not reading this. That’d be awkward.

7 I’m sorry, Doc Star. That was a bad fallacy, I know.

I think it’s awesome to be single. I mean, who doesn’t love spending Friday nights at home with their cat 8? Plus, when you’re single, you can flirt with whoever you like 9 without feeling guilty.

8 So much better than, say, a $20 dinner at Olive Garden, am I right? Anyone?

Anyone?

9 Unless you’re socially awkward and inept at the art of flirting. (But that’s not me, of course. I’m as cool as the other side of the pillow).

However, if you must experience the “teenage love” that will always mystify me, then I have some advice for you 10.

For students looking for their first loves, I suggest that you start with someone that’s not too attractive, smart, and/or funny, because you’ll most likely not marry your first

significant other 11. Boys, on behalf of all the girls here who’ve waited and waited—just make the first move already. But at the same time, don’t be too forward or sappy; I’ve seen some text messages where the guy tells the girl she was in his dream last night after one date 12. Girls, when the dummy finally does make a move, don’t play stupid mind games.

Don’t obsess over the perfect response time to a text message 13 or whether you should be the first to leave an IM conversation.

10 Advice based on clichés I’ve seen in coming-of-age rom-coms and three episodes of Gossip Girl, of course.

11 Hey, I’m just saying, it’s statistically proven!

12 Maybe you should wait until after you’re married to tell the girl that.

Otherwise it just has creepy written all over it.

13 “Well if I text back right away, I’ll look desperate!” Honey, there are far more important things in life to worry about. Like world hunger. Or rainbows.

So I guess you realized by now (or not) that no high school student, not even I, can be negative enough to view love as a total waste of time. And actually, I don’t. I’m still waiting for my knight in shining armor to come 14 the day where I’ll get swept off my feet and quite possibly fall in love. And the truth is, maybe I am actually a little jealous 15 of all the cutesy couples I see at school—the ones that don’t trigger my gag reflex at least.

14 Once Upon a Time, I blame you for all these crazy delusions!

15 Yes, I know you’re probably thinking “A little? Uh, you just wrote an entire column about how high school love sucks.”

rachell@thelionstale.com

drown in a sea of tight Hollister jeans and Vera Bradley backpacks in every pattern imaginable throughout the day and find myself almost getting caught in the blizzard that is “fashion.” One thing that always eludes me is how people fit everything into those Vera Bradley backpacks. They aren’t even big enough to hold a folder.

Walking down the hallways I can instantly point out the freshmen who are stuck in the stereotypical middle school ways. Welcome to high school! I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but you are no longer on top of the world as an eighth grader.

Here in high school, you won’t be judged nearly as harshly as you were in middle school. You shouldn’t feel the need to dress in such a way to “fit in.” You may think that people are always looking at you and criticizing your every move, but trust me, no one pays attention to anyone except themselves.

I guess it shouldn’t bother me that much, since it’s not my business, but I can’t help but feel bad for these girls who are trapped in this vortex of popularity and, dare I say, lack of fashion.

Is it that if they dress differently they’ll be kicked out of their friendship circle, just like that scene in Mean Girls—“On Wednesdays we wear pink”?

What really is the point of dressing like carbon copies of each other? Is it to impress guys? I honestly can’t comprehend why.

And every year I feel like these “creative fashions” get skimpier and skimpier. Don’t embarrass your mama, girls. Modest is hottest.

If you wouldn’t wear it in front of your grandpa, don’t wear it at all.

And not even to mention the jocks.

Basketball shorts with a lanyard of their favorite football team dangling out of their pocket, Oviedo sports team shirt, and Adidas sandals with pulled up tall black Nike socks.

Guys, this is just as bad as those cookiecutter, bleached blonde haired girls. Don’t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with being sporty or trying to look cute, but there’s attractiveness to originality.

Originality is designed to set people apart.

You were made individually. You were born to stand out. Why waste your days molding yourself into standardization when you could be the one to break the mold and start something new?

Please, there’s no need to conform to everything. There is no need to be superficial and shallow. But there is always a need for more individuals in this clichéd world.

saraht@thelionstale.com

10

THE LION’S TALE

| opinion | OCTOBER 4, 2012

THE GREAT DEBATE:

Should Seminole County increase property taxes to aid schools?

PRO RACHEL LO

CLOE-MARIE MORA

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

R

A

rachell@thelionstale.com

OPINION EDITOR

Struggling families can’t afford tax increase

Property tax revenue vital to school system s Nov. swiftly approaches, Seminole County voters face a decisive choice that affects the future of Seminole County Public Schools: whether or not a millage should be added to the property tax to help school funding.

Seminole County continuously faces budget cuts every year. Whatever the reason, the county is having a difficult time filling up the hole of money.

In a few months, voters will have the chance to pass a property tax increase, which taxes one dollar for every onehundred dollars of homeowners’ property value.

I urge voters to say yes to the tax this November.

Seminole County simply cannot afford any more decreases in school funding. Since federal funding to our county is not likely to come in the near future, this property tax could be one of our last chances to help our schools.

This serious lack of funding can have—and already has had—detrimental effects on students’ education. Schools, such as Longwood Elementary, are being closed to save money, but closing down schools uproots young boys and girls from familiarity. The students that were re-zoned now have to travel farther to get to their new school, which can actually increase driving expenses for parents.

Moreover, many schools in the county are in dire need of renovations right now. If you’ve ever walked the campus of Jackson Heights Middle School, you can clearly see the run-down conditions of such a school. Other schools in the county have buildings that don’t even have air condition.

These schools, including Jackson Heights, were slated to be completed renovated last year, but construction did not finish due to lack funding.

Furthermore, extracurricular programs are potentially on the chopping block of school cuts. If Seminole County does not receive enough money to fund all aspects of schools, then extracurricular activities and sports will be the first things to go. However, cutting extracurricular activities is harmful to learning possibilities. If a particular class or program is no longer available, students could lose a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and achievement they strive for in the classes.

The biggest argument against the tax increase is, understandably, that people don’t want to pay more money than they have to, especially in this economy. Think about it this way, though: People bought homes in Seminole County because of our top-rated schools. These homeowners support the local area’s businesses. If we lose school excellence, businesses and home sales could suffer.

So, voters, please think seriously on this upcoming tax increase. Don’t ignore it simply because you believe more taxes means paying more money. If this bill does not go through, you may be putting students’ education and wellbeing at risk.

CON

78%

of OHS students have never heard of the tax proposal

of the 44 students that heard of the tax proposal...

41% 57% 2%

support it do not support it maybe

Poll taken Oct. 3, 2012 out of 200 students

ecently, Seminole County proposed a much-debated possibility of a Nov. tax increase. This proposition will tax 1/1000 of every dollar that a property is worth in Seminole County.

I believe that voting in favor of the tax increase could potentially be detrimental to taxpayers everywhere. We simply cannot afford it.

So many people are struggling economically. Workers with families are trying desperately to make ends meet.

Job after job has been lost, foreclosures have made, and no matter how hard we try to fight through these tough times, the people are failing in this desolate economy.

To me, the idea of increasing taxes is absurd.

Ideas like the property tax are wrapped up prettily and efficiently with a cute little bow on top, and it’s just so hard to say ‘no’ to such a nice present. The money will go to benefit our schools, secure teachers’ jobs, and renovate school buildings. But although I am all for improving quality of education, it is currently not realistically feasible.

Many teachers have lost their jobs due to cuts, but a great deal have also quit because they have not received a raise in a few years. I heavily respect teachers and appreciate all that they do. But honestly, if teachers are simply in it for the money then maybe it’s best if they go to a school that will meet their needs.

Furthermore, not everyone voting in Seminole County has a child in school, or even cares at all about the school system. Many older people have fixed incomes for the rest of their lives, so it would be extremely difficult to make room for more tax increases. Some of these people are living from paycheck to paycheck. They shouldn’t have to spend their hard-earned and much-needed money on a school system that’s fully functional.

People that work full time to make ends meet or even people who don’t work at all because they simply cannot find jobs—these are the people that would be charged more taxes, and these are the people who struggle to get by. The school systems simply need to wait until the tax increase is more manageable for people.

From an economical standpoint, increasing taxes is not logical. Although the nation is past the worst of the recession, we are still on the road to recovery, and the economy is recovering at a slower rate than many hope for.

To boost this recovery rate, consumer spending needs to increase in order to bolster job growth and consumption.

Raising taxes does the opposite of this. More taxes decreases household income, and consequently consumer spending.

I say to wait until the time is right to increase taxes, namely, once the economy starts improving more, and homeowners can afford the one mill increase. Seminole County has not yet forfeited its top-quality schools due to budget cuts, and surely it can hold out just a little longer.

cloem@thelionstale.com

F

by Sarah Tripp

(features sports )

rantically restocking steaming chicken Chick-fil-A sandwiches on Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, a day dedicated to supporting the First Amendment and freedom of speech, proved to be a challenge for senior Jake Smith, but the smiling faces of supportive customers made his shift a pleasure.

“It was the hardest I had ever worked at Chickfil-A. The first day I was actually sweating at work because I was the stocker and we kept running out of stuff,” Smith said.

The president of Chick-fil-A, Dan Cathy, recently stated that he does not support samesex marriage, causing people to choose not to eat there.

Those views don’t affect Smith’s work experience.

“I love working there. It’s an awesome place to work for. All the opinionated stuff and the moral issues and ethical issues don’t effect my work environment at all. It’s not something that comes up when I’m working,” Smith said Internet hype on Chick-fil-A’s president’s views proves not to effect Smith’s work either.

“That’s just something that’s been on the Internet and the news. It hasn’t really directly effected my work except for an increase in business. At our location [in the Oviedo Mall], we haven’t gotten any sort of negativity,” Smith said.

According to Smith, customers have been pleasant about the release of the president’s views.

“It’s only been just supportive people.

Especially on Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day we were packed and there were lines of like 20 people and everybody coming up and saying ‘We’re here to support you guys and I appreciate what you guys do and Chick-fil-A,’” Smith said.

Senior Jennifer Karpinski bought Chick-fil-A on August 1 to support Chick-fil-A’s views.

“The owner of Chick-fil-A is Christian so he marriage financially. has the right to believe in what he believes. That’s “My opinion is a little neutral. I don’t care why Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays, because it’s what they believe in unless it progressively effects the Lord’s day. So I think that people should just all that goes on, like money funding and spreading accept him for what he believes,” Karpinski said. messages of anti-gay marriage. So will I eat there Karpinski feels a strongly about Chick-fil-A’s in the near future? Good chance, but I don’t views. know,” Moons said. “[People] shouldn’t boycott Chick-fil-A Once Moons researched Chick-fil-A’s views, because it’s a restaurant chain. You can’t just he decided what action he was going to take. boycott it because the person who owns the “I was on the restaurant doesn’t edge about [eating have the same beliefs If you’re hungry and you want food, there] for a few as you,” Karpinski since freshmen the chicken’s great, and the people years said. year. I wasn’t sure Like the there are generally nice. about it. But now I president of Chickdefinitely decided not Kyle Borden, ‘13 fil-A, Karpinski to eat there without a views marriage as a doubt. I have facts; I union between a man and a woman. researched it myself that their money was going to “I am Catholic so I believe that to fulfill the those places and I formally decided this summer Catholic tradition you have to have a man and a not to eat there,” Moons said. woman together to have children,” Karpinski said.

Even though Chick-fil-A’s views go directly Her friends accept Karpinski and her views. against his, Moons tries not to express hard “People don’t give me a hard time because feelings. people have their own beliefs. It’s not that I hate “It’s not that big of a deal to me. I don’t want gay people. I don’t hate them. I still appreciate and it to be a big deal. Just like some vegetarians love them like I do other people,” Karpinski said. don’t make a big deal out of not eating meat. It’s Junior Jared Moons recently found out about my personal thing. If you don’t want to eat there Chick-fil-A’s refrains from supporting anti gay because you think it’s about opinions, that’s fine.

OCTOBER 4, 2012 | features | THE LION’S TALE 11

hoosing Sides

Teens express their opinions on Chick-fil-A president supporting anti-gay organizations

“

”

photo/ALEXX HARTDEGEN

MANAGING THE REGISTER. Senior Jake Smith quickly takes orders for customers at the Chick-fil-A in the Oviedo Mall.

But do they understand that it’s millions of dollars going to anti-gay groups? People should really open their minds to that, and they’re missing the point,” Moons said.

Senior Kyle Borden shares the same views as Moons but still enjoys Chick-fil-A. “If you’re hungry and you want food, the chicken’s great, and the people there are generally nice,” Borden said.

According to Borden, he understands that Chick-fil-A expresses their own views.

“From what I’ve heard and researched, the CEO of Chick-fil-A has an opinion against gay marriage and [they are] a religious company so I guess I understand,” Borden said.

Borden expresses his views toward those who refuse to eat there because of their views.

“I think it’s rather silly. The fact that they know that makes them not want to eat there, but the CEO has always been against marriage and gays in general, but they just never knew and they would still eat there. But since they found out, nothing’s really changed, so why the sudden hatred?” Borden said.

saraht@thelionstale.com

Editor’s Note As of September 19, 2012, Chick-fil-A agreed to stop donating money to anti-gay organizations.

Past boycotts on U.S. products

• Google Boycott

July 2012 Supporters of the American Family Association stopped using Google to protest over company’s support of LGBT rights.

• Coca-Cola Boycott

April 2012 Consumers boycotted CocaCola Co. in response to their ties with the American Legislative Exchange Council which backed controversial voter ID and “stand your ground” laws. info courtesy of/ www.huffingtonpost.com, http://articles.latimes.com

12 THE LION’S TALE

| features | OCTOBER 4, 2012

Behind the scenes: Oviedo Marching Lions

Marching band takes on difficult challenges while preparing for half time show

by Leah Bagwell

activity is involved with the marching band. I’ve enior Lizzy Becker marches onto the field coached volleyball, football, soccer, and I can say for the halftime show at the football game. [marching band] is one of the more demanding She nervously steps up to her position as the activities as far as physical activities go. They’re drums start to tap a beat. She knows that she can’t holding up an instrument, they have to play the instrument at very quick tempos and move around, make any mistakes; the band relies on her.

“I’m a drum major, so I conduct [the band] and try not to bump into each other, and remember kind of just make sure practice is going where it’s where they’re supposed to be,” Line said.

According to Becker, band students sacrifice supposed to go and people are staying on track. I certain things for band practices and competitions. also work with band and colorguard,” Becker said.

“With band we have a lot of after school Becker thinks band is a lot of fun but also practices and obviously we [have] to march. I’m takes up a fair amount of time. in NHS and Italian club, [so] I guess I give up free “The practices [for marching band] are three time on Saturday’s because we have competitions hours a day, from six to nine. We also have two a lot. But a lot of my friends are in band, which I regular practices a week and then a short practice think helps a lot,” Becker said. before our show at the game, so three [total Senior Tessa Voorhees enjoys the “battle of practices] a week,” Becker said. the bands” at the football games.

Band director “Each game is like Dennis Line has a lot a competition between of responsibility when My favorite part of band is just the two bands that it comes to band. are playing during everybody works together and “[I stay after school halftime, even though for band] every day, we become really close and it’s not judged or some nights as late as rely on each other by the end anything, it’s fun. And 11p.m. For rehearsals we also meet people and non-rehearsal days of the season. from other bands or I’m here until about Lizzy Becker, ‘13 5p.m,” Line said. see people we already Each member of know,” Voorhees said. band has their own As a drum major, it can be difficult for Becker things to do at practices. to help others learn their part.

“We split into different groups. Like “The hardest part of band is that even if you drummers go to one area and work on their own know your part sometimes not everybody else thing, colorguard goes to the gym and practices does. If not everybody knows their part, it is not there, mostly the band will work on marching. I’m going to look good, and everybody has to know usually on the field with the wind instruments,” what they are supposed to do. It can get frustrating Line said. when you know your part and others are messing Senior Tyler Garretson, like all band members, up or the freshmen are still trying to catch up,” participates in both concert and marching band.

Becker said.

“There’s concert band and marching band.

Garretson likes some of the more challenging Concert band practices a lot, and there’s a huge aspects of marching band. amount of athletic ability needed for marching “[My favorite part of band is] definitely killband, more than most people think,” Garretson drill. That’s where we run through the show in said. its entirety trying to make no mistakes. If we do Line is very proud of the effort the band kids make a mistake we have to go back and redo it,” put into their work.

Garretson said.

“I think it’s underrated how much physical Becker has a different idea about the best part

S

“

”

all photos/HARTDEGEN, GAERTNER, OWEN

BLOW IT AWAY. Junior Zoe Thomas, freshmen Patty Miller and Cassie Ball, and senior Eric Mooney practice their marching visuals during rehearsal.

of the marching band experience.

“My favorite part of band is just everybody works together and we become really close and rely on each other by the end of the season,” Becker said.

Voorhees has the most fun when she performs in front of a crowd.

“I love the football games, whenever you wonder why you’re doing it and you’re hot and dying on the field marching without water you remember how much you enjoy it whenever you see the crowd of people and then the competitions

MAR HING IN T ME

July 23 - Aug. 3

Sep. 22

Band Camp

Saturday Practice 9am-9pm

Chris Wilks, ‘16

State Competition

Oct. 25

Oct. 6

Aug. 14

leahb@thelionstale.com

Homecoming Parade

Timber Creek Marching Arts Festival

First Practice

or the games and the people that get excited whenever you play the Jigalo. Or inside the cafeteria, just the crowd of people,” Despite the hard work and effort, Garretson feels that there is a lot to gain from the experience of band.

“It’s really hot on the turf and it’s easy to get heat exhaustion or feel sick while we practice, but in the end the work we put in is always worth it and the shows end up really good,” Garretson said.

Oct. 20

Nov. 17

Nov. 3

Marching FBA University Classic Competition & Seminole County Marching Festival

Collin Hill, ‘13, Jacob Thompson, ‘15, Tessa Voorhees, ‘13

Kim Abney, 13

Vision Challenge S OCTOBER 4, 2012 | features | THE LION’S TALE 13

ince January of 2011, Garrett Haywood has coped with loss of his central eyesight from Leber’s Neuropathy, an inherited disease.

His faith in God keeps him going, allowing him have an optimistic outlook on life.

by Jessi Whitacre

A

student of Deborah Jepson’s third period class holds his calculator up to junior Garrett Haywood, asking him, ‘Is this a million?’ Haywood, unable to see the numbers on the screen, calmly asks the student, “How many zeros does it have?”

Haywood began noticing problems with his vision during his freshman year of high school, and was formally diagnosed with an uncommon genetic disorder known as LHON (Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy), a disease that causes the gradual and painless loss of central vision, in January of 2011.

LHON symptoms normally remain dormant until set off by something. In Haywood’s case, he had scratched his eye and visited the doctor for a routine appointment. He returned in a week as the doctor instructed, expecting his vision would be back to normal. However, when Haywood returned, his vision worsened. “[The eye doctor] had no clue what was going on. It [vision loss] started slow so it was kind of hard to notice because I could still see perfectly out of my other eye,” Haywood said.

Although the loss of vision was serious, Haywood didn’t think much of it, Haywood said. His left eye still had 20/20 vision and he could still function normally and play the sport he has loved since freshman year, basketball.

Central Vision Gone

The slow loss of vision continued without much noticeable difference from day to day until spring break his freshman year. Haywood was on a mission trip in the Bahamas with his church when he noticed a drastic change in his vision.

“I realized I couldn’t read anymore and I noticed it was a big deal now,” Haywood said.

Haywood had now lost his central vision in both of his eyes.

Many people that carry the genetic mutation that causes this vision loss normally do not experience symptoms. Haywood is the only member of his family that currently exhibits vision loss, which changed the way he performs daily activities.

“Absolutely [my life has changed].

Brushing my teeth, I’ll miss the toothbrush all the time with the toothpaste. Just little things that I took for granted before, whatever it may me. Making breakfast or whatever. Just little things I never even thought about [have changed],” Haywood said.

Although he does need help with things such

as driving, Haywood has remained positive and found ways to cope with the changes in his life.

“I continue to exercise. I’ve played sports all my life; I can’t just sit still. Every day I come home from school I exercise even though I can’t play sports. But other than playing sports I do pretty much everything anyone else does, I just do it differently. For instance, I watch TV, but I have quite a large TV. I go to the beach and the movies, I just sit close to the screen,” Haywood said.

FCAT challenge

The biggest challenge for Haywood so far was taking the FCAT, because he was denied any extra assistance, other than his CCTV, a machine that helps magnify things to make it easier for him to see, such as textbooks or his papers.

“They would not allow the test to be read to me. I had to read it myself. It’s gotten better now, but when I read I start to get headaches and my head kills me. I just went home and went to sleep for like three hours. We filed for accommodations and did everything we could but they wouldn’t do it. I had the video magnifier and that’s what I had to do FCAT on. They said, ‘It’s FCAT reading, not FCAT listening’. But, I did get a 5 on it, so I was very happy,” Haywood said.

Despite the challenges Haywood faced, he remains optimistic, putting his situation in the hands of God. “I believe God’s hand is on my situation and I have nothing to worry about. I just really want to stress my faith in God,” Haywood said.

Haywood hopes to receive treatment for his disease from the Bascrom Palmer Eye Institute, and is currently on a waiting list of 93 patients who are awaiting an injection that they hope will restore vision, according to the Seminole Chronicle.

Future treatment

Haywood’s family didn’t have all the necessary funding for the treatment, and held a fundraiser dinner at the Metro Church with food provided by Qdoba and a catering service that his mother’s friend owns.

“At the dinner I got to speak to 300 people.

I just told my story from the beginning. It was a great night,” Haywood said.

The dinner raised over $21,000 to go toward Haywood’s treatments, which leaves him very hopeful.

jessiw@thelionstale.com

photo/ALLISON OWEN

Heightened Senses

Haywood’s other senses have heightened since the loss of his central vision began. Haywood said he is able to hear things that most other people cannot, such as conversations from across the room, and first began to notice these changes when others would ask him how he heard or smelled something.

Did you know...?

• Daniel Kish is famous for his ability to use echolocation to navigate the world.

• According to an article published by NBC news, studies have shown that individuals who spent 90 minutes blindfolded performed better in hearing tests than those who did not.

info/COURTESY OF NBC.COM

14

THE LION’S TALE

| news | OCTOBER 4, 2012

TAXING TIMES e c n a n i F t a A Gla nce .57% .91% .

Percentage of all SCPS full time staff that is district administration, compared to the state average of

96% 60 $83.1 million

. .

Percentage of the SCPS budget that is spent at the school level, ranking Seminole County #1 in the state

. .

SCPS ranking in total education funding out of the 67 Florida school districts

. .

Amount of funding SCPS lost since the 2007-2008 school year, or $1,309 in per pupil funding

. .

700 $71.5 million

all illustrations/WESLEY WYNNE info/COURTESY OF KEETHPTA.ORG

. .

.

Number of positions lost due to budget cuts since the 2007-2008 school year, or a 8.5% reduction in total staff Amount of capital outlay funding SCPS has lost since the 2006-2007 school year, or a 64% reduction

Longwo Elemen was closed saving the c approximate million, in o help close t million budge

Potenti T

by Keenan Smith

ensions rise as paren teachers prepare for this November on a p tax increase.

If the bill passes, a pro to one millage, or mill, w taxes 1/1000 of every dolla is worth. in Seminole Cou if a homeowner has a house the property will be taxed a per year. Homeowners can p necessarily, one mill, as the fit. This property tax wil increase funding to Seminol County Public Schools.

Principal Rober Lundquist supports the tax referendum.

“I think we have to look at this property tax proposa as a Seminole County Public for the needs and benefit school and our community. in Seminole county, it will i but I do support the tax inc said.

The Seminole County presented this referendum spending tax increase failed the referendum passes, the m be distributed evenly throu Lundquist believes that the help schools, especially in r “[Some of] the needs [include] Jackson Heights, need of renovations. That sc be renovated, and some of i

OCTOBER 4, 2012 | news | THE LION’S TALE 15

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people who are financially secure need to pay so we can have things like road services and garbage pickup. We kind of need that; without it, we have no good government,” El’harake said.

When the Seminole County school board voted upon the referendum, two out of five school board members voted against the tax increase.

“This is a weird proposal. Two of the five school board members think this is a bad idea and voted “no” on this tax increase. This new tax could be a $100 million tax increase, and raising taxes hurts our economy and hurts job growth, “ Malloy said.

School Board Member Dede Schaffner believes this tax increase will secure county jobs and provide better education for area students.

“As one School Board member, I want to retain our highly qualified teachers, maintain aging facilities, support vocational programs in our high schools, include Pre-K in every elementary school, and maintain the arts and athletics. Our community demands high quality schools, our teachers deliver it and our students deserve it,” Schaffner said.

There are signs of support for this referendum in the community. A group called Stand Up for Seminole, with at least 500 members, backs the referendum. This group hopes to gain county support in order to see schools properly funded.

Oviedo High School parents such as Victoria Geraci, find increased property values reason for supporting the tax increase.

“I would support this bill either way.

Whether I had children or not, the school

doing well helps the market value of my home,” Geraci said Some teachers in Seminole County hope that this referendum will provide long-awaited raises for teachers in the county.

“I think a big priority should be employee pay including teachers, but not just teachers.

We haven’t gotten raises in quite a long time, and that hurts morale and causes good people to leave. So I think it needs to be made a priority,” Musante said.

This is the sixth year in a row that Seminole County teachers have gone without a salary increase. Although many teachers are anxious for raises, some individuals, such as junior Nikolos Rodriguez remain tentative about the amount of money teachers should be paid.

“Perhaps a portion of the tax money should go towards giving raises for the teachers, but I don’t think a teacher should be a teacher if she is only looking forward to the raise. I think much of the reward should be from the high grades their students receive,” Rodriguez said.

For supporters who want this referendum to pass, much of their hopes rely on the community to show support for the tax increase.

“I’m optimistic, so I would like to think the community, the voters of the county would support this bill. All we are asking for from the board is the authorization to levy a property tax, and it’s not a lot of dollars a year. So we would like to think they owe it to their own children, and the children in their community, to preserve the community,” said Musante.

keenans@thelionstale.com

2002 2003 2006 2007

7.753

7.413 2008

we fell into this recession. I think that the message is hopefully very clear to our voters that [this bill] is for capital needs, and it’s for those schools that are in desperate need of upgrading air conditioning in buildings,” operty tax of up[ Lundquist said will be added that AP Economics teacher Alan Musante ar that a property shares similar views to Lundquist. unty. For instance, “Without the money this tax could bring e worth $130,000, in, I am very afraid this county simply will an additional $130 not have the money needed to run this school pay up to, but not system the way we want it to be run. Without school board sees this money, some things may be cut. It could ll be the facility. It I don’t support [the property could be letting le tax] because people who are teachers go. It takes rt to do all very poor or on the edge of money x these things, and I’m bankruptcy can’t pay it. afraid we won’t have k Diala El’harake, ‘15 enough without the al possibility of the tax c School proposal increase,” Musante said. and good of our However, not everyone awaits the passing As a homeowner of this referendum. Grant Maloy, a long-time increase my taxes, activist in Seminole County politics, stands in crease,” Lundquist firm opposition to the proposal.

“People are struggling everyday to make y School board ends meet and pay their mortgages. A new when a half-cent $100 Million tax is the last thing we need to pass in 2011. If right now. My business is down, over the last money earned will couple of years along with other business ghout the county. owners I talk to. Many are experiencing tough property tax will times right now,” Maloy said. enovations.

Sophomore Diala El’harake opposes the s of our district possibility of this tax as well. [which] is in dire “I don’t support [the property tax] because chool was slated to people who are very poor or on the edge of t was rebuilt until bankruptcy can’t pay it. There’s no way. And

7.965

7.543 2009

ial property tax increase divides voters

2005

8.512 Jackson Heights Middle School was slated for renovations in 2010, but did not finish when the half-cent tax failed to pass.

nts, students, and r a decisive vote potential property

8.736 2004

A millage, or mill, is a tax rate for property, measured as one dollar for every one-thousand dollars of a property’s value. The average tax payer in Seminole County would pay up to $130 a year for property value worth $130,000, should the referendum pass.

9.000

7.723 2010

SEMINOLE COUNTY

MILLAGE?

7.801 2011

ood ntary in 2011, county ely $1.1 order to the $20 et deficit.

What’s a

Millage Rate

7.722 2012

Hopper Center, a school for emotionally disabled students, closed in 2011, saving the county $500,000 annually.

Seminole High School currently has about 3,300 students. SHS, along with Lake Brantley, is the center of re-zoning plans for the county.

Total millage decrease since 2002-03

-1.278