DINING GUIDE

HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR CHILD IS THE BULLY

Knowing if your child is the bully is a lot harder to identify, but the bullies have to be someone’s child. While it’s easy to believe that it’s probably the kid who had a deadbeat father and the mother works too many jobs to pay attention, that isn’t the case, the majority of the time. In fact, according to the NBPC, most parents are surprised when they nd out their child has been harassing others. But identifying and correcting this issue is just as important for their development as if they were being bullied themselves.

“It’s important to understand that the long-term e ects of bullying,” Lt. Jones says. “In all reality, bullying is breaking the law. Simple battery is unwanted touch. Then there’s harassment. If kids are not dealing with issues in a healthy way in their teen years, as adults they will react the same way and it will land them in jail. The root of the problem must be addressed.”

SOME WARNING SIGNS INCLUDE:

• Lack of respect for others • Previously a victim of bullying • No responsibility for their actions • Always wanting to be in control • An “I’m always right” attitude • Lack of empathy • Violent or hot-tempered nature • Obsessed with social status CYBERBULLYING: BULLYING IN A NEW AGE

Cyberbullying is described as “willful and repeated harm in icted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.” With the rise of social media, cyberbullying has become a problem among students as young as nine years old. Not only is there a pressure to constantly post the latest fashions and trends, but internet trolls can knock down a child’s self-esteem at all hours of the day. To make matters worse, these incidents aren’t something a student can simply run away from. Videos and photos can go viral and reach thousands of people in the matter of minutes.

According to the NBPA, cyberbullying incidents have doubled from 2007 to 2019, rising to 37% (1 in 3) of students. It was also noted that those who are cyberbullied are also likely to be being bullied o ine as well. One thing to note is that bullying is a suspensible o ense, whether it happens on or o campus.

Teens are constantly connected to technology which makes them an easy target. Kimberly says that many parents are unaware of the dangers, especially when they think their child is asleep but can be on their phones until 1 or 2 a.m.

Sticks and stone may break bones, but words do hurt. Ignoring cyberbullying may be hurting a child more than we think. However, intervening online can be even more di cult than if a child was being hurt physically. Talking with your child and creating a comfortable environment for them is one the best steps taken in resolving any issues.

There are also ways to monitor your child’s online activity through speci c software and apps, though it is recommended to begin with their active participation so as not to make them feel distrusted.

“Some parents feel like it is invading their privacy, but our kids need us to look out for them,” Kimberly says. “It gives parents a window into their child’s life to be able to talk to them about appropriate behavior and what to do if someone is bullying them. Our goal is to keep kids safe.”

APPS MOST REPORTED WITH CYBERBULLYING INCLUDE:

• Facebook • YouTube • TikTok • Snapchat • Instagram • Discord • Google classroom • Twitch

It has been suggested that “bullying builds character” or toughens you up. However, bullying can have an extreme e ect on child development and mental health that can follow them into adulthood.

“I spoke with a student that had been bullied as a teenager,” Lt. Jones says. “She told me how hard it was for her to go to job interviews because of the anxiety and no feeling of self-worth she experienced. It was really hard to see how something that happened more than 10 years still has its e ects.”

But bullying can a ect everyone from those who are bullied, those who are the bully and even those who witness bullying. According to StopBullying.gov, kids who are bullied can experience negative physical, social, emotional, academic, and mental health issues. Kids who bully others often leads them to abuse alcohol and drugs, ghting, vandalizing, dropping out of school, early sexual activity, domestic abuse, and criminal convictions. Bystanders have also been proven to have an increase in the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

EFFECTS CAN INCLUDE:

• Low self-esteem • Depression • Anger issues • Violence against others or self • Suicide • Anti-social skills • Early sexual activity • Anxiety • Substance Abuse • Criminal convictions

Dallas Long and Amiyah Long

“SOME PARENTS FEEL LIKE IT IS INVADING THEIR PRIVACY, BUT OUR KIDS NEED US TO LOOK OUT FOR THEM.”

—KIMBERLY CAPSTRAW

GETTING HELP

At a point that a child comes to you for help, be appreciative. Many will never reach out. Getting the right help can make all the di erence in that child’s life.

“See something, say something,” Lt. Jones says. “It’s so important to intervene if you see something and help the child know that this is not their fault. Your school resource o cer is there to ensure every kid is safe and that includes from bullying. Don’t be afraid to say something.”

However, sometimes kids will feel embarrassed or uncomfortable talking with adults so Mount Dora High School created the You Are Not Alone program, where student peers are trained to promote mental health and be a listening ear when a fellow student needs help.

“These kids attend a ve-hour training course to help them identify warning signs in their peers,” Kimberly says. “They wear a purple lanyard at school so kids know that they are open and available to talk with them about any issues they may be facing.”

Many other schools in the district have created similar anti-bullying programs.

Parents are encouraged to speak to their children or make an appointment with their child’s school mental health liaison or guidance counselor if they begin to see any warning signs in their child’s life.

Together, we can build a better tomorrow by getting kids the help they need today.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• stopbullying.com • pacer.org/bullying • KidsAgainstBullying.org • TeensAgainstBullying.org • Call 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) • cyberbullying.org

menu FOOD. DRINKS. REVIEWS.

Takashi Kobayashi continues family legacy of delighting taste buds with unique flavors.

RECIPE

LORD OF THE FRIES

In a taste-test battle royale, staffers at Lake and Sumter Style determine which local restaurants serve up the most scrumptious french fries.

STORY: JAMES COMBS ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

t doesn’t matter whether you’re sitting inside a restaurant or pulling up to a fast-food drive thru. You know what’s about to be asked. “Would you like fries with that?” The inevitable question is followed by the inevitable answer. “Heck yes I would.”

Fries are the standard side order with almost any meal.

That’s because there are few food items Americans cherish more than sliced-up potatoes that are thrown into a hot pool of oil. Even better, they can be ordered in a variety of cuts, styles, and avors—curly fries, Cajun fries, chili cheese fries, cheese fries, steak fries, wa e fries, and standard cut.

Let’s be honest about our obsession with fries. We love them so much that we wouldn’t wish a cold, soggy fry upon our own worst enemy. Our love a air with french fries isn’t going to end anytime soon. But what isn’t settled is where to get the best fries. Style is going to make that decision easier for consumers.

We’ve tasked several of our employees with tasting and judging fries from 15 local restaurants. First, please understand that each of our judges are avid french fry a cionados. Although they rarely meet a fry they don’t love, they realize that not all fries are created equal. You may disagree with our picks, and that’s perfectly ne. We trust our palates, and you obviously trust yours. We’re certainly not trying to cook up any controversy, but we did judge each restaurant’s fries as fairly as possible.

D I D

YOU KNOW ? THE AVERAGE AMERICAN EATS 30 POUNDS OF FRENCH FRIES EACH YEAR, ACCORDING TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC.

RULES

MEET THE PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS

1. Our judges ranked the fries without knowing which restaurant made them. That eliminated any bias. 2. For purposes of consistency and fairness, our sta picked up the fries from each restaurant and brought them back to the o ce, where they were warmed up in an air fryer, tasted, and judged. 3. Each of the restaurant’s fries were scored in two categories: visual appeal and taste factor. 4. Akers Media is only listing the top four winners. We appreciate each restaurant’s participation, and we’re not in any way trying to bash anyone’s fries.

Ramshackle Café (Leesburg) Cousin Vinnie’s Family Sports Restaurant (Leesburg) The Brick & Barrel (Leesburg) Mojo’s (Leesburg) Wings Ranch (Leesburg) Legends Bar and Grill (Fruitland Park) Tillie’s Tavern and Grill (Eustis) The Crazy Gator (Eustis) JB Boondocks Bar and Grill (Howey-in-the-Hills) Fish Camp (Tavares) Tiki West Raw Bar and Grill (Tavares) Burgers, Tacos, and Waffles (Tavares) Puddle Jumpers (Tavares) The Salted Fry (Mount Dora) Square 1 Burgers and Bar (Wildwood)

MEET THE JUDGES

FROM AKERS MEDIA GROUP

Theresa Campbell Roxanne Brown Nicole Neola Douglas Tyler

Megan Mericle Volkan Ulgen Aubrey Simmons

Are you feeling salty and ready to see our top four overall winners? Let’s get to it. MAY THE BEST FRY WIN.