TheShield_Vol70_Issue3

Bishop Kenny High School |

Volume 70, Issue 3

Jacksonville, Fla.

FEATURES 14

An honest conversation about grief

NEWS 9 OPINION 22 A&E 21 SPORTS 27

Marine biology students perform dissections

Sushi Showdown: Cheap vs. upscale

Ocean conservation: What can be done to restore the ocean?

Senior Alex Patangan discusses passion for sailing

The Shield is a student news magazine, published quarterly by journalism students at Bishop Kenny High School

1055 Kingman Ave., Jacksonville, FL. 32207 phone: (904) 265-9390 fax: (904) 398-5728

The policy of The Shield is to provide a forum for student expression. If you are interested in advertising in The Shield, email newspaper@ bishopkenny.org for more information. Letters to the editor are encouraged; submit to room 224. Names can be withheld upon request. The Shield is a member of FSPA.

Editors in Chief

Abby Milkes, Cate Dudley

Copy Editor

Mikaela Georgi

Design and Layout Editors

Haley Samaan, Ava Liuzzo

Business Manager

Parker Harms

Public Relations Manager

Stella Shaw

Staff Relations Manager

Grace Hayag

Web - Editor in Chief

Noah Ferrizzi

Web - Copy Editor

Audrey Moody

Staff Reporters

Anna Bass, Giovanna Feitoza, Jared Carrillo, Gloria Gjuraj, Olivia Lacy, Claudia Laos, Gabby Nuñez, William

Schmidt, Rheece Singletary, Emily

Wheldon Adviser

Jessica Durbin

Front and back cover

Cate Dudley

Follow The Shield on

In Memoriam

James Patrick “J.P.” Thornton III Class of 2023

October 21, 2004 - December 12, 2022

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Prayer to Saint Michael Archangel

Winter Spirit Week

The annual winter spirit week took place from Jan. 23 to 27 in preparation for the home basketball game against Bolles. Students dressed up for daily themes including Christmas, Winter in Florida/Tropical, White-Out, Winter Sports and BK Spirit Day. The winter pep rally on Friday included competitions between students and teachers, a slam dunk contest and performances by the spirit teams and band. That night’s game was a blackout theme, and BK took the win in overtime at 51-48.

Culhanes Cares Spirit Night

On Jan. 30, the newspaper staff kicked off Catholic Schools Week with a spirit night at Culhane’s Irish Pub. The night featured a trivia competition hosted by seniors Blaine Parry and Keira D‘Errico and a raffle. Trivia winners received BK merch, and the raffle prizes were Culhane’s merch and two Jacksonville Icemen tickets.

Cate Dudley | Editor-in-Chief

Photo by Olivia Lacy

Photo by Mikaela Georgi

Hosts Blaine Parry and Keira D’Errico prepare to start trivia trivia.

Teacher Malisa Pellicer competes in games at the pep rally.

Girl’s Basketball State Finals

The girls basketball team had its most successful season since 2019 with a final record of 30 wins and two losses. The team also took its third consecutive district champion and fifth consecutive regional champion titles. The team progressed to the state finals for the first time in four years, going against the Lake Highland Prep Highlanders for the state championship on Feb. 25. Lake Highland won 55-45, with BK taking the state runner-up title.

Dance Marathon

Dance Marathon for BK and Episcopal students was March 11 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dance Marathon is an interactive fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization that raises money and awareness for hospitals that provide treatment to kids. The night featured hourly themes and games. Student volunteers raised a final total of $30,389.59.

Music Mania and Art Show

Music Mania took place on the evening of March 8. Students from band classes performed, and the art gallery featured paintings and drawings matted on the walls and sculptures and 3D art on display from BK and Bishop Snyder art classes. Art Club vice president senior Sofia Lopez and music teacher Michael Jenkins provided refreshments for the guests.

Parents and art teacher Lauren Doran look around at the artwork. teacher artwork.

Photo by Ava Liuzzo

Photo courtesey of Dawn Huskey

Senior Sophia Rueppell looks to make a pass to junior Clare Coyle Coyle.

Photo courtesy of @dancingontheblvd

Dance Marathon attendees display the earnings from the night

Marine Biology students research animals

Emily Wheldon | Staff Reporter

Marine Biology classes dissected crawfish on Jan. 17, under the supervision of science teacher Taylor Malewicki.

Dissections provide students with hands-on experience in research of animals.

“They’re fun,” junior Sean Madigan said. “It’s a really good hands-on way to see the anatomy of the stuff we’ve been studying.”

Dissections this school year have included clams, squids and crawfish, and they improve the students’ knowledge of the roles that

these organisms play in the environment.

“One of my favorite dissections was the squid where I got to examine it up close and look at all the structures,” junior Mary Smith said. “Squid have a kind of ‘back bone’ called a pen; this provides structure for the squid’s body, and it’s actually super thin.”

In order to prepare for dissections, students study the animals in advance to better understand what they’ll be observing. First, students take notes based on Malewicki’s presentations

of the animal’s internal and external anatomies.

Students begin by gathering equipment, including aprons, safety goggles and gloves. Then, students split into dissection groups and watch a video together about the dissection they will perform.

There are typically three to four members in a group: one who takes notes and reads questions from his or her iPad, while the rest of the jobs switch between dissecting and observing.

When the students finish dissections, Malewicki tests

each member individually on their Ipad about what they observed. Students take labeling and vocabulary quizzes in order to test their knowledge.

Performing dissections, students say, helps them understand the material better of how the animals function, and grades also improve, according to Malewicki.

“It gives the kids a handson experience, which helps them remember information they have learned.”

Left: Students dissect a crawfish in Marine Biology class. Right: A group dissects a Perch fish.

Inclusive camp brightens lives of participants, volunteers alike

It’s seven in the morning, and the sun is barely peeking from behind the clouds. The song “Good Day” by Nappy Roots is blasting throughout the cabin. You sit up in your bunk bed and realize it’s going to be another great day.

This is reality for a group of over 100 teens every summer who choose to volunteer at Camp I am Special.

These volunteers — the Buddies — dedicate a week of their summer to partner up with an individual with special needs to give him or her the best experience possible.

The goal is to replicate an ideal summer camp, without any restrictions and limitations based on their disabilities.

With a wheelchair accessible pool, inclusive playground with adaptive equipment and also adaptive bikes, campers can feel capable and empowered to participate in everyday activities that might otherwise be difficult, or even impossible, for them.

One way that CIAS tries to make camp unique and creative is by having a different theme each summer, and this year it is Under the Sea.

“Camp I am Special is the happiest place on Earth where everyone can be their silly and happy selves,” senior Sophia Lopez said. Lopez has been a Buddy during three CIAS sessions. This program offers

individuals who might not be treated fairly out in the real world with a safe-haven filled with kindness and compassion.

Senior Sam Moran has served as a buddy at two camp sessions. Moran says she loves being able to give the campers such an incredible experience and describes it as “genuinely like seeing heaven on earth” because CIAS chooses to focus on the campers’ abilities rather than their disabilities.

Buddies also learn a great deal from their time at camp, according to senior Ashley Hemmerly.

“When you first come, you don’t expect the impact that the experience will make,” Hemmerly said. “It changes you for the better.”

After a week of Camp I am Special, the hope is that campers have a newfound joy and sense of confidence in the unique abilities they have. Buddies develop a profound sense of compassion and

humility – and lifelong friendships, too.

Bishop Kenny has worked closely with Catholic Charities and Camp I Am Special for years.

“We have always been the ones to supply the majority of the buddies,” Campus Ministry administrative assistant Jennifer Cabrey said. “It’s just something we’ve always done.”

Campus Ministry had sign-ups in the cafeteria twice in an effort to recruit more Buddies and raise awareness for CIAS on campus, according to Cabrey.

“Then we also had kids sign up so they could come to an interest meeting about CIAS during E mod, and also after school.”

To help continue its legacy and take part in all the fun Under the Sea this summer, you can sign up at Catholic Charities website.

CIAS Buddy senior Sofia Lopez welcomes her camper.

Senior Ashley Hemmerly poses with her camper.

CIAS Buddy senior Samantha Moran swims with the camper.

Disclaimer: this article deals with difficult topics like death and mental illnesses. If you or someone you know is struggling or in need of help, please contact a school counselor, dean or any administrator.

Students may also report concerns confidentially via our Text-a-Tip line at 904513-8634.

It’s setting in. You heard the news.

You heard it, but you can’t process it. This is a sick joke. I’ll wake up, and they’ll be here again.

You feel empty. All you can feel is the pain in your heart. It feels like something has been carved out of your chest. It hurts. It literally hurts

You stop being able to carry out normal routines. You feel disgusting, but you can’t bring yourself to take a shower. It doesn’t feel that important anymore.

You isolate yourself from others.

“Hey, do you want to hang out today?”

“No. Maybe later.” Maybe never.

And you feel so

guilty. You can’t stop feeling guilty.

It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault.

You wake up in a cold sweat. You can’t stop remembering. You can’t turn your brain off.

When you’re not trapped in your mind, you’re sleeping. All you can do is sleep. How do I move on without them?

Grief set in.

When someone loses someone, it can be hard to avoid the feelings depicted above. In fact, according to Mayo Clinic, these symptoms are the most common when feeling grief.

Regardless of if the pain is mental or physical, it affects you just the same. This means a mental illness should be taken just as seriously as a physical ailment.

“After a major loss… up to a third of the people most directly affected will suffer detrimental effects on their physical or mental health, or both,” according to Colin Parkes, a consultant psychiatrist for the National Institute of

Health.

If that’s true, then why do we feel so alone when it happens to us?

answer to this — except, of course, because we are alone. When we are left alone, it is hard to acknowledge the sheer amounts of support we are receiving.

goes on around you, but you are living in the past, in your grief. It’s so much easier to focus on what we’ve lost than what remains.

a deeper aspect to that than we expected. We are physically alone, yes. But our brains are united in their pain. We may not grieve the same person, thing or event, but we are still grieving — together.

revelation is hard to come to. It’s hard because it’s unnatural; it’s not the

conclusion our minds want to come to when

Suicide

against the symptoms of grief, but we are maybe we can reclaim our minds. Our battle Breathe.”

Administration invited Yalden to speak following the loss of two students.

Even beyond just taking time for ourselves, the Catholic Church offers options for help when we are struggling.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, patron saint of grief and loss and St. Dymphna, patron saint of mental afflictions: pray for us.

Prayer plays a central role in our battle against our grief. When we are all alone, Jesus is there, carrying us out of our

But even with all these tools in mind, it’s hard to do these beneficial things when we feel like we don’t have a voice. However, we’re always speaking somehow, aren’t we? Sometimes we’re screaming, and it seems like nobody can hear. But maybe we’re just not screaming in the right

“Ultimately, I think it’s important to talk it out,” Yalden said. “If you don’t speak it out, you’ll end up acting it out.”

When we’re hurting,

we’re pushing. We push so hard, hoping someone pushes back because then, at least, they care enough to do so.

People will push back if you let them. So let them.

“[Give] yourself the gift of time,” Yalden said. “Life doesn’t happen, and things aren’t fixed, in a day.”

Time goes on. Time passes, and it doesn’t feel any easier. There’s an empty desk, an empty seat at Thanksgiving dinner, blue texts turning green as their number disconnects. It doesn’t feel any easier.

So, why do people say “it’s going to get better” so often?

Because if something is repeated into existence that many times, it has to be true. And eventually we’ll look fondly at the empty seat, remembering the good times we had with them, instead of just our pain.

The empty seat does not mean an empty soul.

800-273-8255 How grief affects us, how to cope

Issue 3 | Features | 15

Students share passion for water sports

Colorful coral. A pufferfish. Clear water. The Florida Keys.

A sea turtle drifts past sophomore Cailey Clancy’s tank as she learns how to scuba dive.

“I saw a sea turtle in the wild,” Clancy said. “It touched its shell on me. I felt like a Disney princess.”

Two years ago, sophomore Cailey Clancy received a Christmas present that sent her to the Florida Keys, where, for the first time ever, she tried scuba diving.

She’s since fallen in love with the sport and can’t wait to go on more trips.

Scuba diving, though, takes some getting used to. Because you have to learn how to breathe underwater

It’s a perfect day at the ocean. Sun shining, people splashing around, salty air.

Paddling out to sea trying to catch a wave, junior Franco Chaluja spotted some dolphins. When the dolphins came close, Chaluja realized that surfing was more than riding the waves.

“Those dolphins were an inspiration to me to ride the ocean,” Chaluja said.

Chaluja first started surfing about a year ago with his friend and hasn’t stopped since. He enjoys surfing because it is relaxing, and it’s a fun,

with all the gear, it takes some practice. It’s advised that you first start in a tank with professionals, as Clancy did.

“It’s a learning curve, taking deep breaths and trusting yourself that you can breathe well while submerged in water,” Clancy said. “Because you’re breathing solely through your nose.”

After becoming scuba certified, Clancy was able to explore different reefs.

“You’re just surrounded by life – a feeling you just can’t get from nature documentaries.”

For her senior trip, Clancy is traveling to Australia and will be able to explore the Great Barrier Reef.

leisurely activity.

Currently, he has his eyes set on improving his surfing skills.

“My goal is to do some cool surfing moves like trying to get some air and whacking the lip,” Chaluja said.

Physically riding a wave is something that is hard to envision. Surfers are one of the only ones to feel this unsteady, yet smooth action.

“When I’m actually riding the wave I feel like I’m on top of the world,” Chaluja said. “All of my stresses go away, and I feel as if I’m one with the Earth.”

But it isn’t always easy.

a tank.

Abby Milkes | Editor-in-Chief

She says she’s looking forward to experiencing the same feelings of awe and creating new memories underwater.

“Being underwater

The choppy water, white caps invading the ocean, wind whipping in every direction — not ideal. Expecting it to be a quiet day at sea, Chaluja had to work to get over the waves. By the time he got up, he started to barrel roll.

Surfing, he says, teaches you to overcome hardships and keep going.

“It’s taught me a lot of patience,” Chaluja said. “You have to wait for the right wave.”

Maybe one day he will start entering in competitions, but right now he is more of a soul surfer.

surrounded by beautiful, colorful coral and having a sea turtle pass you,” Clancy said. “It’s a feeling I can’t describe.”

“I can apply surfing to life by just taking it easy and being relaxed,” Chaluja said.

Sophomore Cailey Clancy interacts with sharks inside

Junior Franco Chaluja shows off his surfboard on a bright day.

Blackout!”

It’s race day. Freshman Emma Gallup accidentally ordered her boat, with about 500 meters left, to row until they blackout — something she doesn’t normally do in races.

Sometimes your biggest mistakes turn into the things that you laugh about in years, and Gallup has definitely experienced that as a rower.

At 11 years old, Gallup entered a raffle at her middle school for a program called “Learn to Row.” What she didn’t know then was that rowing would soon become a big part of her life, giving her opportunities to learn life lessons at renowned events.

While Gallup can be seen in the boat with the oars, she is most commonly a coxswain, who sits at the front of the boat. Her main

It’s a steamy day at the river and senior Jancarlo Negron accompanied by his friends go out on the boat, ready to catch some fish. Eventually, Negron pulls a bull redfish out of the water.

Since he was two years old, Negron would go offshore with his dad and his friends. He grew up on the water, and as he’s gotten older, has taken charge of his fishing career and goes out at least once a week. He owns two boats: a 33 Frontrunner and a 24 East Cape.

“Fishing makes me feel relaxed,” Negron said. “It allows me to forget about everything and just have fun.”

Negron tests his skills in local fishing competitions. He placed

job is to navigate the boat by calling instructions to the rowers and steering with the strings at the bottom of the boat. She uses a microphone that connects to the speakers inside the boat.

Gallup has participated in regattas, rowing races, including Youth Nationals this past summer, where her boat placed sixth out of more than 30 boats. In October, she traveled to Boston, where her boat placed seventh.

She hopes to continue racing at an elite level.

“A big goal of mine is to go to Nationals again this year, because it’s really hard to go, especially as you get older,” Gallup said.

She continues rowing,

first for sailfish and yellowfin tuna in 2022 for the Northeast Florida Marlin Association. Another notable finish was a top ten placing in the Oh Snap Snapper Tournament. But winning isn’t easy. It requires a lot of dedication and lots of time on the water.

she says, because she enjoys the way that it makes her feel. While it is a high intensity sport, it requires drive and every member must be motivated.

“I like the focus of

“In order to succeed, you have to put in hard work and effort,” Negron said. In the future, Negron plans to start chartering and continue to do fishing tournaments to win money. No matter what his future holds, fishing will always hold

it and how it’s so continuous,” Gallup said.

She can use the knowledge she has acquired from rowing for the rest of her life.

“I knew that rowing was something I wanted to pursue,” Gallup said. “I have made so many friends and life skills from the sport.”

a special place in his heart.

“I knew fishing was something I loved when I could do it every single day and not get tired of it,” Negron said.

Freshman Emma Gallup instructs her boat in a race over the summer.

Gallup coaxes in her boat at Youth Nationals.

From left to right: Senior Jancarlo Negron presents his catch of a mutton snapper. Negron shows off a redfish that he caught.

Jared Carrillo | Staff Reporter

ChatGPT changes old routine

Whether it’s writing notes on your arm with a Sharpie or sneaking a phone during the test when the teacher doesn’t notice, cheating is everywhere you turn.

And it seems to be getting easier.

Now with a simple prompt, a student can have his or her entire essay written by an A.I. bot. It seems like a bulletproof system, but millions of users haven’t considered the repercussions.

ChatGPT is the saving grace to a procrastinating English student, but a true danger to all who use it. During a test trial to see how ChatGPT works, you’ll see how sketchy it is. The server requires an account, and you must give an email, password and phone number. But soon after you enter your

email, you receive an alert saying that ChatGPT’s email is dangerous and has been used to steal user’s personal information.

Even with a warning, there will still be a crowd that rolls the dice with this shady service. For them, the free ride will end shortly. In the long run, they’ll have to use their writing skills, which they never trained, on a pen and paper assignment.

In fact, Universities in Australia are already switching to pen and paper assessments in order to fight against the cheating buzz. While America already uses pen and paper assessments for AP Exams and SAT essays, it won’t be long before pen and paper makes its way back into every class in America.

Detection tools have

been released already. They don’t do the job to perfection, but these tools are supposed to be able to detect usage of A.I. bots in essays. An A.I.’s essay is 49% artificial and 51% human written, according to thenextweb.com. These detections will scan the text for specific patterns to uncover use of A.I. New detection tools are being developed, perfected and released every day; TurnItIn, for one, is working on a new detection tool.

Even ChatGPT — the “all hail the king” of cheating high school students — released a detection tool of its own to combat “improper use” of its server. This tool can detect if a student’s writing was A.I. with 95% accuracy, according to Stanford.

English Department chair Dr. Paul DiGeorgio

works with teachers on methods to prevent students from using A.I. essays. Teachers are familiarizing themselves with the ChatGPT server, and explicitly teaching students what constitutes plagiarism.

“If students have more confidence as writers, there’s no need to use ChatGPT as a crutch,” DiGeorgio said.

While A.I. will be here forever, this trick isn’t here to stay and when it’s gone for good, users will be left blindsided to the alternative: when the teacher gives them a blank sheet of paper, a pencil and an hour to complete their essay, ChatGPT will not be there to help. There is an argument to be made of the proper use of A.I. to benefit students instead of tempt them.

Dear Kenny Kupid, So there’s this girl. I know, I know. It all starts with the girl.

She went on a trip with her family to where I live. Her trip was just a few days, but those few days, Kenny Kupid, I swear, were magical. Running into her at that Starbucks was the best moment of my life.

She’s got this hair. And,

you know, these eyes. And this personality. A total cutie. Before her and her family went home, I asked for her number, and she gave it to me.

The weird thing is: I’m so dorky over text. Some guys get smoother whenever they’re texting a girl, and then they trip over themselves when they see her in person, but I’m the total opposite. I

never know what to say.

I don’t want to lose her. After she doesn’t text back for 30 minutes, I feel myself physically missing her. My heart hurts.

I’ve been trying to stay in contact with her, but she keeps saying how much she hates long distance relationships. Even though we’re only, like, 13 hours apart. I don’t know why she’s

complaining; that’s within a day of driving!

Regardless, I want to respect that she doesn’t want a relationship. But I need to talk to her. I need to be with her. What do I do, Kenny Kupid?

My hands are tide.

Sincerely, Shrimply Obsessed

Dear Shrimply Obsessed, Let me start by saying, I admire your dev-ocean.

Please, don’t despair. After all, if there is a will, there’s a wave, and you clearly have a lot of will.

Long distance relationships aren’t fun, but I’m shore we can solve your problems.

In the end, tis the sea-son for love, so should help her realize that, too.

The first thing you need to realize is that the distance

between you is not what is hurting the relationship. She can run, but she can’t hide. What you need to work on is staying in contact. You say that you’re awkward over text, but somehow I doubt it. You communicated to me exactly what your issues were, so I think you’re just awkward when you’re talking to her. Therein lies the difference.

Tell her how you feel about her. Every day. If you aren’t constantly on her mind, then you’ve failed. And don’t be afraid to double snap. Six

texts without a response is pretty standard. If you’re not doing that, you must not want her enough.

If she’s still not responding to your advances, make them more obvious. Remind her that you still have a Crush on her. If she avoids it, ask her if she feels the same way. Make her answer. There’s absolutely, without a doubt, indubitably nothing wrong with that.

But this needs to be clear: before you start the series of texts, make sure you have

the contact information for some of her friends. That way, if she blocks you, you can ask them if she’s mad at you. She’s probably fishing for compliments and trying to sea just how bad you want her.

Anyway, go forth! Seas the day.

By the end of this, I can assure you that you will be happy as a clam with your new gull-friend. XOXO!

Kenny Kupid

Sampling Cheap vs. Upscale Sushi

Haley Samaan | Design and Layout Editor

GUYS! I can’t believe I’m saying this, but sadly, this is my last food review. To end my era, I will

review my all-time favorite food: SUSHIensuring all your sushi desires are met!

Publix is a fan-favorite grocery store, so it would only make sense to review Publix sushi for the storebought option.

Publix sushi is found in prepackaged, clear containers in the seafood section. I purchased the California roll and the Shrimp

Tempura roll. The California roll was not my favorite. The rice was very thick and stickier than I liked. It was priced at $6.99 and came with eight pieces. The sushi did not taste fresh to me, and I was not a fan of the consistency. I would not purchase this again.

The Shrimp Tempura roll was better than I expected. It had a sauce on top that had a slight kick, but it made the sushi moist and flavorful. It was $10.49 and came with

eight pieces.

Although this probably would not be my first choice, I would eat it if it was all that was available.

O-KU

502 1st St N Jacksonville Beach, Fla 32250

(904) 694- 2770

The restaurant I chose for my fancy option was O-KU in Jacksonville Beach, approximately 27 minutes east of BK.

This was my first time trying this restaurant, and it did not disappoint. The restaurant is not big, but it has both indoor and rooftop seating. I wasn’t able to make a reservation ahead of time, but when I arrived around

6:30 p.m., rooftop seating was available. Although it was cold outside, there were heaters on the rooftop that kept me comfortable. The atmosphere was calm and upscale, without noisy music or fluorescent lighting. The customer service was also amazing. Our waiter was very friendly and timely in bringing us our food.

I ordered a California

roll and a Shrimp Tempura roll. The California roll was delicious and much better than Publix’s. It tasted fresher and had a smoother texture. It was priced at $12 – about double the price of Publix –and came with eight pieces.

The Shrimp Tempura roll was my favorite! It had a great sauce on top of it. The sauce was not too overpowering and added a great flavor.

There was also the perfect ratio of shrimp to rice. It was $14 and came with eight pieces.

This restaurant was absolutely amazing and exceeded my expectations! I have recommended it to many people after going. I will definitely be going back!

Publix

North America is home to some of the most diverse individuals as well as a variety of plants and animals.

But what if that were to all change in a split second?

According to a report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), “combined local and global pressures will push 90 percent of coral reefs to threatened status (all nonblue colors) in less than 20 years (by 2030) and nearly all reefs will be threatened by 2050.”

“On April 20, 2010, an explosion occurred on the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 people,” according to the NOAA. “Before it was capped three months later, approximately 134 million gallons of oil had spilled into the ocean.”

Oils and other toxic substances have longlasting effects on marine animals, such as reducing the

effectiveness of the insulated process of blubber, creating a loss of buoyancy and coating an animal’s fur or feathers. That does not even cover the bleached corals and standard water pollution, the inhalation of which can make an animal get sick and die. So what is being done to prevent another oil spill from happening?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published “Tab 10: Inland Oil Spill Programs,” as part of a 23-page document titled “Justification of Appropriation Estimates for the Committee of Appropriations,” in April 2022, which is designed to enforce inspections and take preventative action against oil spills.

While preventing oil spills is a stepping stone, what about areas

that were affected by oil spills already?

On top of costing billions of dollars for cleanup, volunteers also would go out and clean the animals with special soap, ensuring the oil would not end their lives early.

But, even if there are not any oil spills, that does not mean that these sea creatures can survive on their own.

As early as 2002, Key West, Fla. retired the USS Spiegel Grove, intentionally sunk in waters in order to create an artificial reef. The skeleton of the ship rusted away, leaving coral and plant life growing on the ship. Eventually, this sunken ship turned into a thriving paradise for the sea creatures. Artificial reefs provided But is it too little too late?

“The bleaching of branching coral is hastened by rising

ocean temperatures,” according to globalseafood. org. “An international team of environmental scientists warn that the world’s coral reefs are likely to disappear by 2050 without climate action.”

There is a lot that individuals can do to help the environment; simple things such as throwing away trash and recycling papers, plastics and glass. One can also just make sure to clean up after themselves, especially on the beach or while visiting National Parks.

But NOAA’s estimate is merely a prediction. If humans take action now, the reefs, sea creatures and oceans could be saved.

Humanity’s impact on oceanic creatures, what scientists are doing to correct past mistakes

Caught up in SeaWorld of lies

You’re on a boat, surrounded by miles of water, with no sight of humanity around you. All of a sudden, a woman-like figure emerges from the sea. After a closer look, she isn’t the human being you had thought; she is a mermaid. You tell everyone around you what you saw, but no one takes you seriously. You feel just like the hundreds of dismissed people who have seen that fish-like human in the wild.

If mermaids aren’t real,

then why at Mayne Island in 1967 did tourists on a fishing boat claim to see a mermaid with blonde hair, eating salmon on a rock off shore? And, even more people on a different boat that same day claimed to see that same looking mermaid. This time, a diver took a picture of the mermaid and had it analyzed by experts, who deemed it as real and not tapered with. Why would general society still fail to see the reality of mermaid sightings if there is an authentic photograph?

Are these mythical creatures real?

Imagine how silly you would look when humanity presents even more proof of a real mermaid and you spent all this time claiming they were just mythical creatures.

In the 80 percent of the ocean that has yet to be discovered there is clearly a chance that these man-fish creatures are living in nature. Take the factual sightings and evidence society has gathered and run with it.

Author R.C Lewis once said, “Just because you don’t see something doesn’t mean

it isn’t there.” Although most people in modern society have yet to see a mermaid, it’s not fair to discredit the many who have. With all of this evidence, it is clear that mermaids are not ‘mythical creatures.’ Mermaids are swimming alongside us; just open your eyes and swim with them.

I’m sure the existence of mermaids has crossed your mind at least once in your life, whether you are a believer or not.

Now you may be thinking: there is no way people actually believe that mermaids are real. Either they have a big imagination or just refuse to believe the truth.

If there is no evidence that any other being exists which is “half human,” then mermaids cannot be real.

Going back to creation, it was clear that God created humans and animals as two

separate organisms; he did not create any organism that is half-animal and half-man. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ was 100 percent fully man and 100 percent fully God. Jesus Christ himself was not two-halves of a being. So if all humans are created in his image, and animals are not, then surely there is no being that is half-human and halfanimal.

One could argue that there has been evidence put out to the public as “proof” that mermaids are real; for example, there’s

been underwater footage. But this so-called evidence has been proven wrong or exaggerated.

Animal Planet aired a special titled “Mermaids: The Body Found” in 2012. It detailed how researchers discovered evidence of real mermaids and its documentary style made viewers believe it was real. After receiving inquiries as a result of the TV special, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published a formal statement denying the existence of

mermaids. In that same year, The American National Ocean Service also came forward to announce that there has never been any proof of mermaids.

People still want to believe in these “mysterious underwater sea creatures,” just like they want to believe in unicorns and leprechauns. Well, I’m sorry to break it to you, but that’s all fake.

Because think about it…do you really believe everything you see on TV?

Ava Liuzzo | Graphic Design Editor Gabby Nuñez | Staff Reporter

Are Jags getting closer to winning championship?

Noah Ferrizzi | Web Editor-in-Chief

When the Jacksonville Jaguars fell to the Chiefs in Arrowhead, I felt shades of the 2017 AFC Championship game loss to New England, but this was different. I was upset, sure, but I felt something that I had never felt for a Jags team before: optimism.

In the 2022 offseason, the Jags took their time hiring Head Coach Doug Pederson. They shelled out 267 million dollars — the most in the league — to sign players like receivers Chrsitian Kirk and Zay Jones to help quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

They also signed defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi, linebacker Foyesade Oluokun and defensive back Darious Williams to help a defense that ranked twentyeighth in total defense per Pro Football Focus.

The Jags held the first overall pick in the draft which they used to select Georgia Edge Travon Walker, and they traded back into the first round for Utah Linebacker Devin Lloyd.

All of these moves showed up in big ways for the Jags. Their offense jumped from thirty-second in 2021 to tenth in 2022. The defense jumped from the twenty-eighth to twelfth in the league.

Notwithstanding their immediate impact, these choices will help the Jags build a contender for the future. Christian Kirk had his first 1,000 yard season, Travis Etienne rushed for over 1,000 yards, Josh Allen racked up 27.5 career sacks, Tyson Campbell has five career

interceptions… and all of these players are 26 or younger.

The cherry on top is the Jags have found their franchise quarterback in Lawrence — who threw for 4,000 yards and scored a total 30 touchdowns this previous season — and Coach Doug Pederson said Lawrence “is about 50% of the way there.” Good teams don’t see 9-8 and a loss in the divisional round just good enough, and General Manager Trent Baalke seems to understand this. Right before the trade deadline, the Jags acquired Falcons wideout Calvin

Ridley. Ridley hasn’t seen the field much in the previous NFL seasons as he played half of the 2021 for personal reasons and he was suspended for the 2022 NFL season for gambling. However, the Jags gave up a meaningless draft pick for a receiver who racked up 1,300 receiving yards the last time he played a full season.

The Jags also have the twenty-fourth pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Fans have speculated that the pick could be used to acquire Cardinals wideout Deandre Hopkins or Rams defensive back Jalen Ramsey who was the Jags fifth overall pick in 2016.

Whatever they decide to do, I have hope that the Jaguars will be a competitive NFL team for years to come and will finish the race with a Lombardi trophy in the 904.

Cherished moments spent on water

Giovanna Feitoza | Staff Reporter

Warm summer days in Florida are meant to be spent on the water. A breeze in the sails and friends to share the sunshine make up the perfect day for a first-time high school sailor.

As senior Alex Patangan sails into his final season in Bishop Kenny Sailing, he reminisces on the memories he has made over the past four years.

Patangan has sailed throughout high school and was named captain of the BK sailing team during the fall season this school year.

Patangan recalled following in the footsteps of both friends and family, specifically, his older brother and his friends whom he calls his main inspiration for joining.

“I had a lot of friends who did it…they were always able to travel a lot,” Patangan said. “They would always tell me about the people they

met and the places they went around the country.”

Patangan described traveling as one of his favorite parts of participating in regattas, or racing meets. His favorite regatta location so far is Charleston, S.C.

“I’ve gotten to meet people from all over the country,” Patangan said.

new acquaintance had in sailing.

According to his teammates, Patangan makes sailing in rough river waters seem effortless.

Junior Logan Ellzey sails alongside Patangan and regularly observes the captain on the water.

“He always seems concentrated and always looking ahead,” Ellzey said.

Ellzey and Patangan described an average practice day, starting with a relaxed hour of socializing while sailors begin rigging their sailboats, followed by a team briefing.

“Once we’re out on the water, we do a bunch of drills and practice races,” Patangan said.

But when it comes time for his first semester of college in the fall, Patangan plans to focus on “academics first, and then see if [he wants] to do sailing.”

“Some of my friends are from North Carolina, and I have a few friends from the Northeast, the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands.”

He was inspired by the experiences and goals each

Although he has given thought to pursuing sailing in college, Patangan remains undecided on the idea. First, he plans to possibly visit Michigan or Chicago this summer for more regattas.

Photo courtesy of Leonard’s Photography