Brock_Cooper2012 by Renee Burke

May 25, 2012 Renee Burke Hi-Lights Newspaper Advisor 2000 Mills Ave. Orlando FL, 32806 Dear Mrs. Burke: I understand that the Hi-Lights newspaper staff is looking for capable, and experienced hands coming into this next year. I believe my three years of experience in journalism would be of value to you in this predicament, and I ask that you accept this resume for your consideration. As an experienced asset to my current high school paper, I have experience behind the camera, shooting sports and school events alike, and experience behind the keyboard, designing pages and writing stories. As a staffer, I have not specialized in a certain area of the publication, instead allowing myself to become well rounded in all fields of journalism. As such, I would be able to fill any position available, and perform any task required of me. Creativity is one of my strengths that I can apply directly to your publication. I enjoy the endless possibilities a good knowledge of adjectives provide, as shown in my FSPA All Florida award for newspaper reviews in 2011. I have a strong point of view, which is reflected in my editorial pieces, printed in my high school paper. A position on your staff would give me a chance to put my experience and skill sets to work, ultimately benefiting your publication. Although this letter and included resume can give you a basic idea of what I can do for you, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to elaborate in person. I welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss how I can contribute to the continued success of the Hi-Lights newspaper. Respectfully yours, Cooper Brock

OBJECTIVE

To pursue creative interests in writing and design, produce an award winning publication, and promote workflow as a member of the 2013 Hi-Lights staff.

EDUCATION

Completed three years of education at William R. Boone High School Current Accumulative GPA: 3.0 Expected Graduation date: May 2013

EXPERIENCE

Boone Hi-Lights Newspaper staff August 2009 - present Wrote over 20 stories for hi-lights newspaper. Took photos, designed pages, and participated in fund-raising events. Photoshop certified. Chic-Fil-A May 2011 - present Served at front counter as cashier, taking orders, serving food, cleaning and taking inventory. Christie Distribution February 2011 - April 2011 Unboxed, packaged and labeled fair trade products created in India and Indonesia to be shipped nation-wide.

RELEVANT HIGH SCHOOL STUDIES

Journalism II, Journalism III, Journalism IV, Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III, English 3 Honors, Mass Media, English II Honors Gifted, and English I Honors Gifted

HONORS, AWARDS, AND MEMBERSHIPS

FSPA All Florida Award: Newspaper Reviews 2011 Award given in recognition of well written review. Highest FSPA honor in this category. American Legion Award 2009 Award given to those who show qualities of leadership, academic excellence and good character. Scholar Athlete Award Award presented to student athlete with highest highest GPA and involvement in athletic programs.

REFERENCES Jeff Johnston - Manager Chic-fil-a Rosalie Creighton - Water Polo Coach

Since the beginning of my freshmen year, when I first joined the newspaper staff,

journalism has been a huge aspect of my life. It has always been a positive and productive outlet for me to express myself through my writing and designs. Without journalism, I would not look forward to school, because being a part of the newspaper staff is one of the only things that gets me through the day.

I first was introduced to the concept of being a journalist by my older sister Caley, a

seasoned veteran on the Legend Yearbook staff. She suggested it as I was finishing up my eighth grade year. Having a home-base in room 224 and a built in group of friends on staff seemed like a great idea to my lonely, awkward eighth-grade self, and when EA Cartwright walked into my English class, brimming with charisma and covered in tattoos, I knew it was something I wanted to do.

Thanks to wonderful recommendations from my teachers, and being the EICâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kid

brother, I was able to evade being put into Journalism I, and instead was thrown straight into newspaper. My entire first year of staff was a high-speed, high-intensity crash course on the basics of journalism. I learned as I went along. I rarely met deadline, but it was an experience I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t soon forget.

Writing has always been a talent of mine, and through journalism, I am able to let it

shine. Through my pieces, I am able to draw the reader in, and create emotions through my words, without editorializing. Behind the camera, I flourish when taking action shots of the school athletic events, thanks to years of advice from my mentor, David Evertsen. I enjoy the challenge of fiddling with camera settings to produce the best possible photograph. I feel that I contribute a lot of experience to my staff.

I plan to take this year to the next level. Being my final year on staff, I wish to leave

on a positive note(not winning the biggest procrastinator award), and be an example for other staffers to follow.

Of my three years on publications, I have learned the most from this past year, being

on both newspaper and mass media.

This was a difficult year for me. Academically as well as emotionally. Knowing my

struggle with keeping motivation and using time wisely, MMT was probably not a good idea, from an academic point of view. I probably shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have taken it, but I did, and I learned a lot from it.

Mass media is all about time management, and personal initiative. If one wishes to

succeed in mass media, they must be driven, hard-working, and focused. Also, they must be completely familiar with the processes and procedures of uploading stories, sound slides and photo galleries. These are among the many production skills I learned during my time in MMT. I became familiar with iMovie, GarageBand and Wordpress programs. I made sound slides on iMovie, with background tracks from GarageBand, and then uploaded them to Schooltube, from which I embedded the video onto hilights.org.

Although I have been on newspaper for two years prior to this one, this was the first

year where I was given the freedom to design my own pages. I learned how to use the library to construct a page while maintaining our style, and overall I became more familiar with the elements of design.

This was also the first year I had Josh and Austin on staff with me. As much as I would

like to say that we worked well as a team and got our work done, we did not. We learned the hard way that one lets them self get distracted, it can distract others as well, which affects oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to stay focused and make deadlines. Although I enjoy hanging out with them in my spare time, I need to use my class time for work.

My most significant piece of work for the newspaper this year was easily my entertain-

ment story about up and coming artists in the music industry. I could not have enjoyed writing this piece anymore than I did, as it was interesting and easy to write.

I consider myself pretty well informed when it comes to new music, and I don’t mean

the latest Mac Miller remix, I mean the indie/alternative bands who have played less than five shows and nobody knows who they are. Keeping that in mind, when a story idea surfaced with the plan to feature three lesser known artists, I pounced on the opportunity to write the story.

Writing the story turned out to be incredibly easy. I just wrote what I knew, and when

it came to the three artists I picked, I knew an exceptional amount. I started out by writing about the artist’s background, their style of music, and then went into detail on a few of their songs. The few corrections I did get were for spelling, or asking for more details. By the time I went to finals, my paper was barely scathed, only commenting on how I should try and stay on deadline more.

I loved my final product. I could not be happier with it. From the headline pun, to the

clever wordplay in my description of the artists, I feel I gave this story my all. “Underground artists surface” blew my mind when I thought of it, and calling Donald Glover a “lyrical freight train, building momentum as he progresses down the track” is one of my greatest achievements.

From this masterpiece, I learned that one writes their best when they write something

they’re passionate about. It’s so easy to become absorbed in your writing when you feel strongly about it.

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alternative enthusiasts alike. The opening track, “Tame the Sun,” is a great preview of the coming tracks, catchy choruses, upbeat tempos, and distorted chord progressions that make up the substance of Male Bonding. An accomplished comedian, writer, and actor, Donald Glover, also known by his stage name Childish Gambino, now gives Hip-Hop a fresh face and style. His unique approach to Hip-Hop, is that he does not take it seriously. That is not to say he does not put effort into each rhyme, but rather he raps purely for recreation. Childish Gambino is just a side project for Glover, who stars on NBC’s Community. With a background in comedy, creating clever sets of couplets was second nature for Glover, who took it a step further and released a Hip-Hop album, entitled Camp. In one of the more powerful pieces on the album, “Bonfire,” Glover becomes a lyrical freight train, building momentum as the track progresses. Using rhymes like “My green is where it’s supposed to be, your green is in my grocery,” Glover demonstrates his ability to infuse his wit

into every rhyme. A long standing, yet lesser known techno/electronic group, Passion Pit, mixes heavily synthesized techno with modern pop flare to bring an exciting and whimsical air to each track. What started as a belated Valentine’s Day present to lead singer Michael Angelakos’ girlfriend, Passion Pit has evolved into a full fledged electro-pop group, bringing the best of both genres together. Their most recent release, Manners, offers a more refined experience than their first EP, Chunk of Change, having more uniform and identifiable sound. The bonus track version, available on iTunes, features unplugged versions of “Moth’s Wings” and “Sleepyhead,” two tracks that are essential to the Passion Pit experience. Both originally effect-heavy pieces, Passion Pit does a magnificent job of stripping down the tracks, revealing melodies of incredible serenity. To hear samples of the aforementioned tracks, visit hilights.org

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My feature story on Dylan and Dustin Fontaine was my least favorite story of this

year. I am not proud of the result. It is uninteresting, has little to no angle, and the reader doesn’t really gain anything from reading it.

This piece wasn’t necessarily difficult to write, there just wasn’t much to write about.

Apart from being identical twins, Dylan and Dustin are two of the most average people you’ll ever meet. The both play sports, go to school, and do pretty much everything a normal teenager does. That’s great for them, but not really for me, because I struggled to find an angle to approach this story from.

I tried to write it as a feature on two upcoming valedictorians, and it worked out, but

it still wasn’t interesting, and didn’t flow. Their interviews were expectably similar, and offered little to no opinion on anything. Given the chance, I would spend some more time with the twins to try and find a new, different, exciting angle to write from.

I’m not very proud of this piece now, it’s still not very good in my opinion. I do enjoy

the “double standard” headline though, and the optical illusion I made with the graphic. As far as content goes though, this is one of my worst pieces.

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Twins raise the “double” standard BROTHERS BALANCE ACADEMICS WITH RECREATION

photo/COOPER BROCK

9DJ7A: I>B:# Standing on either side of the door, wearing the same color shirts, Dustin and Dylan gave the window the illusion of a mirror. “We try not to dress the same,” Dylan said. “ The only time we ever did was when we were little, and our mom would dress us that way,”

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7n 8DDE:G 7GD8@ If one thinks sharing a class period with a sibling is punishment enough, one should try sharing an entire class schedule with an identical twin. Seniors Dustin and Dylan Fontaine are identical twins, who have the same schedule, and the same grades. During their junior and sophomore years, Dylan and Dustin would often switch places multiple times throughout the semester. Now that they have the same schedule it impedes their ability to switch places. “We used to switch places all the time,” Dustin said. “We would tell our friends ahead of time so they wouldn’t give us away.” Dustin and Dylan would switch on days where they didn’t have tests, for a few class periods at a time. “What was really funny was when I would tell people that I was Dylan when we actually weren’t switching,” Dustin said. “One time, after I told them I

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was Dylan, somebody said ‘Wow! I can really tell the difference’.” Although their signature prank is switching schedules, Dylan and Dustin have ideas about other ways they can switch. “A crazy prank would be switching at an important life event, like at graduation or at one of our weddings,” Dylan said. Now that their schedule prevents them from practicing their standard tomfoolery, Dylan and Dustin are able to focus on maintaining their 4.0 grade point averages. “We are committed to our grades because good grades lead to a successful future,” Dylan said. “Good grades will get us into a good college, which will get us good jobs.” Dylan and Dustin are both on track to be valedictorians and say that having each other in every class does have its benefits. “We always have someone to remind us when assignments are due,” Dustin said. “We don’t really study that much, but when we do, we quiz each other on the material and review the notes together.” As far as extra curricular activities

go, Dustin plays for the varsity boys tennis team, while Dylan lifts with the varsity weight lifting team. “I am into weight lifting because it is a sport that anyone can compete in, it just takes a lot of dedication,” Dylan said. Dylan says weight lifting has contributed to his larger build, making it easier for people to tell him and Dustin apart. “I am also much more handsome and a better driver,” Dylan said. Both say they are close with each other, spending almost all their time together, and doing a lot of the same activities together. They go to the gym and work out together, attend their church’s youth group and hang out with the same people. Coming into their senior year, both look to pursue a career in engineering after college, with the University of Florida and the Georgia Technical Institute as their top choices respectively. “Actually we both independently chose UF,” Dylan said. “We have both liked the Gators for our whole lives, and it has one of the best engineering programs in the state.”

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I am beyond proud of this photo. I attended the Amway Arena implosion, and after

taking a video of the destruction, I snapped this photo of the aftermath as I was leaving. It turned out to be my best shot from the whole ordeal. It was used both in the yearbook, and in the Year in Review edition of the newspaper.

I love the depth of field from the trees to the wreckage in this photo, I think this

photo could be used as statement about Man Vs. Nature. It has a clear center of visual interest, and I think that the inclusion of the trees adds to the impact of the photo. The entire framed is filled, and the trees almost create a frame for the wreckage.

This shot was my best sports/action shot of the year. I took it while shooting for Mass

Media, and I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be more proud of it. It fills the frame perfectly, and it shows great action as junior Matt Combs leaps for the spike. I feel like thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a sense of anticipation in this photo, like one is just waiting for the spike. The center of visual interest is incredibly clear in this photo, and the fact that the other team is already up for the block makes the picture that much sweeter.

Out of everything I did for the twins double feature story, the graphic is the aspect I

am most proud of. This picture creates an optical illusion of a mirror, because it was taken with a twin on both sides of a glass door. The CVI is obvious, it fills the frame well, and the depth of field from twin to twin is good. Overall I am very pleased with how this photo turned out, and how many people it fooled.

I was an asset to the 2012 Hi-Lights and hilights.org because of my experience. With

the surplus of newbies we had this year, I was a useful addition to staff, because I took strain off of the editors by answering a lot of the questions newbies had, and helped them when they needed it.

This was the first year we had to design our own pages, and a lot of the newbies had

trouble with it. I feel that I helped steer more than a few in the right direction when it came to page design. The same can be said for actual content. Lizzy was writing her story about alternate spring break options, and I sat down and talked with her about it, and it went from a list of places with graphics to an actual story with an angle.

Whenever a staffer needs a headline, I am always the first person they ask. That

is one thing that I absolutely excel in: clever wordplay. I have come up with far more than just my own stories’ headlines this year. Although some of my best works were not used(“Houston we have a problem” for Year in Review, “Club does it doggy style” for BARC story), my headlines were always in the correct form, and a lot them were printed.

I was an asset to the staff financially as well as journalistically. Whenever there was

a fund raising opportunity, I would often sign myself up just for the fun of it, even though I had already paid more than I owed. I was one of the heavy lifters at the rummage sale, I was team captain of our Relay for Life team, and often did pan-handling at Publix. I have shown my commitment to staff by the sheer amount of fund raisers I have signed up for.

The main problem I faced this year was making deadline. Taking mass media was a

major contributor to that problem.

The reason I struggle to make deadline is not the difficulty or amount of work, but

rather that I do not focus enough to motivate myself to get my work done on time. I am more than capable of making every deadline, but my lack of focus prevents me from doing so. That is why taking mass media was a terrible move for me. The whole deadline system in mass media makes my problem even worse. I couldn’t focus enough to prioritize between newspaper and mass media, and both classes suffered because of it. From this, I learned that my problem is not a physical one, like workload, but a mental one. I needed to get it through my head that this work needs to be done, and done on time.

Next year, I’m going to have to force myself to do my work on time, because if I

don’t, I will get kicked off. If my problem is motivation, then I think getting kicked off staff is motivation enough to make me hold myself to a deadline. Overall, I am not proud of how I handled this year. I didn’t pull myself out of the hole I had dug myself. I let myself drown in the growing stack of late work.

At the mid-term, I was asked what my greatest (publication related) weakness was, and I replied with â&#x20AC;&#x153;making deadlines.â&#x20AC;?

Making deadlines have always been difficult for me, not because of workload or diffi-

culty, but because of my lack of focus. I did not make many newspaper deadlines this year, but after the mid-term, I began utilizing my workday time to a further extent, spending less time goofing around and eating, and using more of it to do actual work.

I often missed going to Karen or Lindsey on time, but would turn it around at the

workday, and make it on time for finals. I understand that missing Karen and Lindsey still does not count as making deadline, but I never held the paper up from going to press.

On the mass media front, I did not improve at making deadline. I remained over-

whelmed and swamped in my work, and I did not handle the situation the way that a third year staffer should have.

Next year, with probation looming over my head, making deadline will be much easier,

because I have no intention of getting kicked off of this staff.

DM17 - ENTERTAIN MENT REVIEWS

band, and when they decided to release their seventh studio album, I jumped on the chance to review it. I want this piece to represent me because of the amount of depth I went into. I talked about their history, what their inspiration was, and how it compared to their previous works. I feel that I was very well researched.

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JcYZg\gdjcY Vgi^hih hjg[VXZ INDIE GROUPS REMAIN PROSPEROUS 7n 8DDE:G 7GD8@ In a world dominated by popular artists such as Mac Miller and Adele, the hidden gems of the music industry are often overlooked, and are robbed of the recognition and commendation their work deserves. A refreshing change from the depressing emo-rock that has taken over the alternative genre is Male Bonding, an English punk rock group that finds the perfect balance between new wave and all out thrash. Vocalist and lead guitarist John Arthur Webbsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s distinct and warm voice makes one reminisce of an old Beach Boys CD, and gives Male Bonding a unique sound and feel. Their recently released album, Endless Now, is a collection of headbanging harmonies that are sure to please classic rock and

alternative enthusiasts alike. The opening track, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tame the Sun,â&#x20AC;? is a great preview of the coming tracks, catchy choruses, upbeat tempos, and distorted chord progressions that make up the substance of Male Bonding. An accomplished comedian, writer, and actor, Donald Glover, also known by his stage name Childish Gambino, now gives Hip-Hop a fresh face and style. His unique approach to Hip-Hop, is that he does not take it seriously. That is not to say he does not put effort into each rhyme, but rather he raps purely for recreation. Childish Gambino is just a side project for Glover, who stars on NBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community. With a background in comedy, creating clever sets of couplets was second nature for Glover, who took it a step further and released a Hip-Hop album, entitled Camp. In one of the more powerful pieces on the album, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bonfire,â&#x20AC;? Glover becomes a lyrical freight train, building momentum as the track progresses. Using rhymes like â&#x20AC;&#x153;My green is where itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s supposed to be, your green is in my grocery,â&#x20AC;? Glover demonstrates his ability to infuse his wit

into every rhyme. A long standing, yet lesser known techno/electronic group, Passion Pit, mixes heavily synthesized techno with modern pop flare to bring an exciting and whimsical air to each track. What started as a belated Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day present to lead singer Michael Angelakosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; girlfriend, Passion Pit has evolved into a full fledged electro-pop group, bringing the best of both genres together. Their most recent release, Manners, offers a more refined experience than their first EP, Chunk of Change, having more uniform and identifiable sound. The bonus track version, available on iTunes, features unplugged versions of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mothâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wingsâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sleepyhead,â&#x20AC;? two tracks that are essential to the Passion Pit experience. Both originally effect-heavy pieces, Passion Pit does a magnificent job of stripping down the tracks, revealing melodies of incredible serenity. To hear samples of the aforementioned tracks, visit hilights.org

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<G::@ 7JGG>ID# The chicken gyro ($5.99) is loaded with fresh lettuce, diced tomatoes , sliced onions and perfectly seasoned chicken, all rolled inside a pita bread shell. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was like a party in my mouth,â&#x20AC;? sophomore Joshua Halloran said. Ă&#x2020;I]Z b^mijgZ d[ Ă&#x2019;Vkdgh VcY iZmijgZ aZ[i bn iVhiZWjYh lVci^c\ bdgZ#Ă&#x2020; HE:8>6A# Theoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kitchen offers a unique atmosphere that blends Americana with Mediterranean. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like a hybrid,â&#x20AC;? sophomore Austin Hall said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like having your own personal Greek chef, in a comfortable American setting,â&#x20AC;? With a classic, concession-standstyle menu and a Specials board, Theoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s captures the essence of a classic American diner.

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alternative to the burrito, comes loaded with tzatziki, a garlic based yogurt sauce that complements any of the three meats one can choose. A well seasoned chicken, a thinly sliced and expertly roasted lamb and a perfectly cooked beef option are available inside a thick circle of pita with fresh lettuce, diced tomatoes and onions. For the veggie lover, a tried and true Greek salad ($3.49) is the perfect addition to any meal. It follows the standard formula for a Greek salad, with Greek olives, spiced peppers, feta cheese and onions atop fresh lettuce with a homemade dressing. The hot chicken wings demonstrate how perfectly Theoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is able to bring an American icon into a Mediterranean setting. Perfectly cooked, the meat falls off the bone. Wings can be ordered in a range of quantities, starting at five for DQG IRU The fried chicken is another welcome addition to the American aspect of Theoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Available in quantities RI WR SLHFHV WKH chicken is lightly breaded and fried to a golden brown. There are a variety of sides available, ranging from hearty mashed potatoes ($1.19) to fresh and flavorful hummus ($4.19). Sides like the thick cut french fries or homemade coleslaw are available with the purchase of any dinner special. Others, like the fried mushrooms ($2.99) and onion rings ($2.49) must be purchased separately. For dessert, fresh baklava ($2.49) and smooth rice pudding ($1.49) are an excellent end to an extremely satisfying meal. The baklava, a pastry consisting of multiple layers of phyllo dough topped and filled with cinnamon and nuts, is warm and incredibly satisfying. An inexpensive option that brings Mediterranean closer to home, Theoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s captures the American spirit while serving divine dishes that will keep one coming back for more. Check out Theoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kitchen for a casual Mediterranean experience.

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7n 8DDE:G 7GD8@ A diner that has been serving satisfying Greek food with American additions to Orlando for over 20 years, Theoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kitchen is unique to other Mediterranean-American restaurants because of itsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ability to fuse the two cultures smoothly. Upon entering Theoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, the entirety of the restaurant is visible, as it is a small, yet spacious dining area and has a concession-stand-style menu hanging on the back wall. With Coca-Cola signs sprinkled over the menu, along with pictures of fresh gyros on the counter, Theoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s does an excellent job of conveying an American atmosphere, while letting one know it is not the typical diner. Although a concession stand style restaurant isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the classiest place one could eat at, the atmosphere is enjoyable and pleasant. Theoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is family owned and family operated, and upon entering one is immediately greeted with a thick Greek accented hello. Food is made to order, and with only two working the kitchen, the staff was not exactly prepared to handle our party of 10, plus the other 10 people already in the restaurant. Drinks were filled after ordering, and the food was ready in a little less than 20 minutes. In the interest of fairness, the staff probably was not expecting such a large crowd on a Wednesday night, but a third worker was called in and ordering became a much smoother experience. Thankfully the food makes up for what the service lacks. The food is outright phenomenal. With a range of Mediterranean classics, as well as American favorites, Theoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brings all of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culinary cravings to fruition. The gyro ($5.29), a fresh, Greek

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I enjoy writing about music, and all the as-

pects that makes great music, great music. With this story, I introduced three lesser known artists, discussed what made them fresh and original, and went into vivid detail about their sound. I want this

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N14 - ENTERTAIN MENT REVIEWS

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are my favorite

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one of my favorite stories of the year.

Being of Greek decent, I know a thing or two

about Mediterranean cuisine. It was because of this that I was able to write what I believe is a very accurate, and detailed review. I went into extreme detail about specific dishes, and used my experiences with authentic Mediterranean

In my three years of being a staffer, I have shown tremendous growth, and tremen-

dous not-changing-at-all. I have learned to be a better writer, photographer, and designer, but still lack the focus that a seasoned staffer should have.

My writing has just become all around better. My reviews are still my best pieces, be-

cause they let me use an array of adjectives to better represent what I’m writing about. My sports articles have a better flow, following the story of the season in chronological order, with relevant quotes appearing in logical places throughout the story.

My photography has become years better as well. I am now completely familiar with all

settings and functions of the cameras and equipment, such as the gym lights, and I can take excellent action shots even when there is little to no light. At the end of the day, a higher percentage of the photos I took are usable, which means I don’t have to take as many photos.

As a designer, I have become well acquainted with the elements of design. I know how

a page should look, and know when something hasn’t been designed correctly. For example, a headline should never be separated from its story by a graphic, and a paragraph can’t end at the end of the column because it makes the next column look like a new story.

My deadline making skills improved during my second year, but due to the addition of

mass media to my third year, I went back to square one. I completely drowned in the work load of having both classes. Had I not taken mass media, I probably would have fared better, but I did take it, so I did not perform as well as I could have. I regret how I handled this year.

As far as my portfolio goes, I feel I have made progress in the portfolios’ level of de-

sign. Instead of just using brushes over and over again, I altered the levels and saturations of several photos to create a high contrast, sophisticated and uniform design.

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7n 8DDE:G 7GD8@ After losing seniors at the close of last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s near state champion season, the varsity girls volleyball team faces a new problem this year: consistency. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to keep siding out and work on executing points from well placed passes. [To fix this] weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been practicing a lot everyday, especially on serve returns,â&#x20AC;? junior Alexandra Harvard said. Harvard recently recovered from a concussion, pulled nerves in her neck and two slightly rotated vertebrae, which she received while playing an inflatable jousting game at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes event. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We lost our setter, but it felt like we were losing a member of our family,â&#x20AC;? junior Kendall Sexton said. After a visit to the neurosurgeon, Harvard went to physical therapy, and wore a neck brace for two weeks. She missed three games, and was unable to play during the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trip to a tournament in South Carolina. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I felt bad watching [my team play], and after a week, I felt fine. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the

worst, not being able to play when you feel able to.â&#x20AC;? Harvard said. On Tuesday, Sept. 27, Harvard joined the team in the game against Cypress Creek. The girls won 3-1, finishing the final game 25-17. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We definitely did not play to the best of our abilities that night because we did not work our hardest, and werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t focused,â&#x20AC;? junior Caroline Jordan said. Jordan is a third year starter, and says the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main goal is to get to states. To remind themselves of this goal, each member of the team paints her nails purple with the exception of the right ring finger, which she paints orange. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The orange nail represents the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mutual goal to win states, because that finger is where our state ring would go,â&#x20AC;? Arkeilpane said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d say our talent is spread out more evenly this year, and we can get to states if we have the proper motivation,â&#x20AC;? With a record of 9-6, the girls have won a little over half of their games. Although only half way into their season, this is a major change to the near state champion record of 21-9 set

by last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our worst game was against Dr. Phillips,â&#x20AC;? Sexton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t very positive. Every time we lost a point we could not find our groove to get back into the game,â&#x20AC;? The girls lost to Dr. Phillips, 3-1, after losing the first game 25-19, ZLQQLQJ WKH VHFRQG DQG ORVLQJ the last two games 25-22 and 25-23. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t trust each other on the court,â&#x20AC;? Sexton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Last year, we relied on one player, but now we have to rely on the entire team.â&#x20AC;? To reach the state competition, the girls will have to win more than half of their next eight games, and win the district competition. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re equally as equipped [as last year] to win states this year,â&#x20AC;? coach Mike Ladewski said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We just have to get back there. We have a lot better of an attitude this time around, and in the end it is about how hard we work. We are a good team, we just have to be confident in ourselves.â&#x20AC;? Tonight, the girls are off to the Tampa Invitational, which will be resumed tomorrow morning. Their next home game will be on Wednesday, Oct. 12, against University.

photo courtesy/PHABULOUS PHOTOS

H:I >I JE# Freshman Camila Rivas sets the ball at home against Dr. Phillips on Sept. 13. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We could have done better, we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get too many good digs, but we had some good kills,â&#x20AC;? Rivas said. The girls lost the game 3-1.

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CRUSTACIOUS CRUNCHINESS. The fried lobster sandwich, ($8.95), consists of a crunchy, yet lightly breaded piece of lobster, atop a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato and pickles. “The XgjcX]n ZmiZg^dg d[ i]Z adWhiZg b^mZY lZaa l^i] i]Z _j^Xn VcY ÒVkdg[ja ÑaaZi ^ciZg^dg!Æ hZc^dg BVg` Vagelakos said.

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By COOPER BROCK Perfect for a romantic date, minus the fancy flare, White Wolf Cafe is an excellent alternative to the typical fine-dining experience. With the price range between $10 and $30, one receives a quality dining experience, without needing to dress for the occasion. Upon entering the cafe, the dim lights and antique-covered walls give off a casual, yet sophisticated atmosphere. The staff is friendly, funny and attentive, from welcoming one at the door, to bringing drinks within minutes of ordering them. When ordering, be sure to ask the waiter about one’s choice of meal, because he provides an honest opinion, often pointing out popular choices and his personal favorites. Upon the staff’s visit to White Wolf, the food came quickly, especially for a party of six. The wait staff was attentive, but not overly so, and overall they made a great addition to the experience. To begin one’s meal, the Hummus Duo, ($8.95), is an excellent choice for one looking for something on the lighter side. Toasted slices of pita bread are accompanied by both a traditional chickpea hummus and a much heartier

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and flavorful black bean hummus. From the sandwich and burger side of the menu, the Mediterranean Portobello Mushroom Burger ($11.95) is an excellent choice for vegetarians. The mushroom is meaty and dressed with feta cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Sandwiches come with a choice of side including pasta salad, fresh cut fries, and potato salad. The Garden Caesar Salad ($8.95) has fresh cut romaine lettuce, warm shredded parmesan cheese, and is not over dressed. The croutons are freshbaked and heavily seasoned with garlic, offering a mix of textures as the toasty crunch of the croutons collide with the fresh crisp lettuce. If one is a bit more carnivorous, the Fried Lobster Sandwich ($8.95) consists of a lightly breaded Maine lobster with spring mixed vegetables, dressed with garlic aioli. The lobster offers a mix of crunchy and juicy textures, creating a satisfying cornucopia of flavor. Overall, White Wolf Cafe is an excellent choice for those looking to bring a nice date, minus the suit and tie. Make sure to choose White Wolf for the next outing.

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76II:G JE. Playing against Lake Brantley on Feb. 18 at the away game, senior Frank Grandinette steps up to bat. The team won 8-5 VcY ^i lVh i]Z^g Ñghi l^c d[ i]Z hZVhdc# Å7VhZWVaa ^h V W^\ eVgi d[ bn life and getting to play in high school is an honor,” Grandinette said. <gVcY^cZiiZ e^iX]ZY ÑkZ ^cc^c\h VcY \VkZ je dcZ gjc#

7n 7G>9<:II: CDGG>H Stepping up their games, junior infielder and pitcher Ian McKinney, junior infielder Derek Deler and senior infielder and pitcher Frank Grandinette helped in the team’s first win, against Lake Brantley, 8-5. The game improved the team’s record and changed the season for the better. “We started out slow, and we needed to work more as a team. I expect to do well and come together as a team. I think we have good comradery,” McKinney said. Despite losing the first two regular season games, the team entered the game against Lake Brantley with a different mindset. “I thought our game [against Lake Brantley] was a big win. We stuck to our ability and everything took care of itself. I expect to win more games,”

Grandinette said. Since the team’s won their first game, the boys have been undefeated. The wins include the team defeating district and metro games. “We have been [playing] together since we were young and that benefits the team,” Grandinette said. The team won 8-1 on March 9 and 10-3 on March 7 against Freedom, and 7-2 on Feb. 29 against Dr. Phillips. All three games were district metro games. “The wins do not change our outlook on future games. Each game is important. Each game we will focus just as much,” coach Pete Post said. Two days after the game, March 2, the team defeated Dr. Phillips again, 2-1. Deler had the game winning RBI. “I was excited to win a big district game against Dr. Phillips. Getting the big hit to bring the second run across to help my team just added to the victory against Dr. Phillips,” Deler said. At the game against West Orange on Feb. 24, the team won 7-5 with junior catcher and outfielder Mitchell Barati

earning a double and a triple. Leading the team with a home run and three RBI’s, junior outfielder and first baseman, Dylan Dragon contributed to the 11-1 win against Foundation Academy on Feb. 21. Before the team’s winning streak, they lost their first two games of the season, against Lake Mary and Oveido. In the Lake Mary game, the team was ahead 4-1 at the bottom of the fifth inning. In the sixth inning, Lake Mary began to catch up, and pull far ahead, leaving the team defeated, 4-5. “Practicing and playing as a team will help us to fulfill our hopes for the season,” Grandinette said. Nine games into the season, the team is looking forward to continuing their winning streak. “Things are looking good right now but we still have a lot of ball [games] left [to play],” Post said. The boys will play district and metro home games against Cypress Creek tonight, Wellington on March 21 and Colonial on March 22.

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7DD@ >I# HZc^dg AVjgV <VkZgc gjch id Ñghi ^c i]Z \VbZ V\V^chi Winter Park on March 5. “[The game] started out tough, but we got together as a team and worked through it,” Gavern said.

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7n 8DDE:G 7GD8@ Over halfway into their season, the Varsity girls softball team looks to the coming district competition with eagerness. “Our goal for this season is to win districts,” junior Elizabeth Cargo said. “[We plan to accomplish this by] working together, focusing [on] one game at a time, and not giving up.” On Wednesday, March 7, the girls took on Freedom at home. Cargo scored two runs, bringing the team to a 10-0 win. “Freedom was our best game so far,” freshman Chase Cassady said. “Everyone did their job and people who were in a slump got some hits.” Cassady, starting pitcher for the girls, has a .47 earned run average, meaning, on average, she allows less than half of a run every nine innings. “Chase is an outstanding pitcher, especially for a freshman. She’s very consistent,” Bradford said. On Friday, March 2, the girls played

Cypress Creek at home, and won, 1-0. “The toughest game this year was against Cypress Creek, we were not adjusting to their pitchers while we were hitting,” senior Katelyn Schettino. “I was trying to get the girls focused and working together, but if everyone is not on the same page it does not work.” With an 8-3 season record, and districts in sight, the girls look to work on their weaknesses, and hone their strengths. “[Our biggest weakness is] hitting,” coach Robin Bradford said. “Right now we are struggling. The negative mindset is mentally contagious, and right now we are in a rut.” With four shut outs, the team’s defense is its main advantage. “Our strength is our defense and how we come together,” Cargo said. “Our drive is supporting our pitcher and catcher because they work so hard.” The girls have a home rematch against Freedom, tonight, at 7p.m. “We have done really well,” Schettino said. “We have had a few lapses in focus, but overall we are a strong team when we come together.”

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L ("& Braves vs. Winter Park Junior Kristi Creel tagged out four players.

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L '"% Braves vs. Dr. Phillips Chase Cassady pitched a shut out.

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It's a Small World... :jgdeZVc XjaijgZ igVkZah 7n BDAAN L6AA68: With over 50 independent nations, Europe offers a culture of it’s own. From their seas to the United States’ seas, Europe provides different foods, music and fashion, linking one country to the other. The differences, though, are plentiful for kids living in America with a European background. Junior Dimitri Tsirigotis’ family is Greek; his father previously lived in Greece and his grandparents still reside in Sparta allowing him to visit his grandparent’s house, and a different culture, periodically. “I go there four times a year,” Tsirigotis said. “It’s really mountainous there. They are more free there and a lot more laid back.” According to Tsirigotis, Greece provides a more plentiful landscape, filled with farmland but less police and governmental institutions that one might see in America. The time it takes, due to its mountainous landscape, to travel from city to city is consuming. The education system is more laid back in Greece, Tsirigotis claims; there is a greater focus on well-rounded minds, indulging kids in art or music classes. He also states that America is far more modern, with easily accessible computers and

television. According to Tsirigotis, the “Greek God” myths are not as stressed in the country as some might stereotype. And Tsirigotis claims that those living in Greece are not all good looking, like some might think, but they are purely Greek. “There’s only one race there. Everybody is Greek,” Tsirigotis said. “A person who isn’t Greek sticks out like a sore thumb.” Although the government recently insisted on a $172 billion bailout and the economy is in bad condition, the traditions are strong. For example, those living in Greece, and also Tsirigotis’ family in America, still perform certain customs on holidays. Due to a tradition of eating lamb on Easter, Tsirigotis’ family celebrates something Greeks have done for years. “On Easter we kill a lamb and cook it in our yard, and after we season it. Some people might think it’s weird, but it’s tradition,” Tsirigotis said. Another Greek custom is spitting on each other to spur the devil away after dinner, commonly done by Greek children. Tsirigotis and his family, whilst living in America no longer practice this, but customs such as these and food like pita bread, gyros, oregano and souvlaki (similar to a shish kabob), keep the Greek way of life going and the

family bonding. “The family is so much more together. We always know what’s going on,” Tsirigotis said. “Have you ever seen Big Fat Greek Wedding? It’s kind of like that.” In another aspect, students like senior Marilyn Roy, offer an interesting cultural taste, but claim to be more Americanized. Roy’s family is from Germany; her grandpa moved the family to America after his years as a Nazi official. “My grandpa was forced to be a Nazi soldier, although he tells me all the time he didn’t want to,” Roy said. “It was just part of the country’s doings at the time.” All of Roy’s family lives in America now, but they still enjoy certain German ideas. Roy has been to big family gatherings celebrating Oktoberfest, when she was in elementary school, which relive the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, but in the past few years, her family has not celebrated this. Things such as the food they eat, like shweinshaxe (a chunk of pork served with fried potatoes) and the holiday traditions they experience with family, like a family game of croquet on Easter and Christmas, are still practiced. “Things like Christmas trees and gingerbread house making came from

Germany, and of course we do that,” Roy said. “My grandpa, Leslie Doll, loves making gingerbread with all of us around Christmas time.” Roy has been influenced significantly by Europe’s positive views on outside activity and their willingness to engage in activities regularly, like soccer. “I like the athletics in Germany. They care a lot about being outside and my parents and grandpa have influenced me on that,” Roy said. Roy describes the attitudes on food. People and landscape as one would describe Texas: “Everything is bigger in Texas.” The food, especially pork and potatoes, a common food for Roy, is served in huge portions. In photographs her grandfather has shown her, she claims to see plenty of big mountains and hefty people. Pictures of her family and grandpa in Germany provide her with some knowledge of the landscape, government institutions and education, but her first visit will be this summer, where she can get a full taste of her family’s past. Both Tsirigotis and Roy claim that America has provided them with a more modern, and beneficial way of life. Neither feels deprived because of their European culture, but use it as a way to keep traditions flowing from one country to another.

7n INA:G E6IG>8@ The Earth is approximately 2 miles round and as of August holds 7 billion people. This numb people is spread across seven conti and features a wide variety of cul This school features at least individual from each continent. These stories are from va students across the campus come from each continent. Tak journey across Boone’s Reserv Land to discover the reasons b various cultures and how they ada American lifestyles. Hi-Lights chose this sprea expand on the cultures that mak all of Boone and show difference similarities through an education land.

EV`^hiVc^ dkZgXdbZh XjaijgVa VYkZgh^in 7n 8DDE:G 7GD8@ An opinionated, yet soft spoken girl, one wouldn’t guess that junior Shaffaq Noors’ origins are from a small village in northern Pakistan. Her village, located in a valley between the Himalayas and China, and next to Afghanistan, is where Noor spent the first seven years of her life. “It is prettier there, closer to nature,” Noor said. “The people are nicer, just friendly without reserve.“ Noor moved to the United States for a better education with her parents, brother and sister when she was seven, knowing little English or anything about American culture. “[It was difficult when I first came here,] the language barrier was

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a problem, but I was in elementary school, so it wasn’t crippling. I just learned it from the people around me,” Noor said. “The whole culture [of Pakistan is different from that of the United States]. The way that we live, the way that we dress, the way we act. We wear Shalwar Kaeez [Long, robe-like dresses]. North Pakistan is a lot more modest, and the people are quieter, more welcoming and more humble.” Cultural adversity was a problem for Noor: being Islamic, and being from the Central Asia caused people to treat her differently, even from an early age. Once, Noor returned from the restroom to find someone had drawn a plane crashing into a building on her

paper. “I didn’t make a big deal out of it. People around me were flipping out, but I was not going to get angry over such a little thing,” Noor said. “[People] would just joke about the whole terrorist thing and I did not take it personally. People will do anything for attention, so I just let them make themselves look stupid.” Now 17-years-old, Noor has not returned to Pakistan in 10 years. Although not in Pakistan, Noor and her family still practice Islam, and observe all Islamic holidays. “[An Islam custom we practice is] Eid. It is a celebration after we fast,” Noor said. “I love that, fasting. It teaches you patience and self control.” In the Islam religion, fasting is the

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refraining from food, drink, smoking, and marital intimacy during daylight hours, and is meant to teach devotion to God. “When you see people eat, and you want to so badly, just the fact that you can say no teaches you self control. When you don’t eat at certain hours, you start to appreciate food more. You appreciate everything more.” Noor is undecided on whether she plans to return to Pakistan after she graduates. “It’s much easier over there, you don’t have a daily routine. My village is pretty remote,” Noor said. “There isn’t much political conflict in the village where I am from.”

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@>8@"D;;# Carrying the American Cancer Society Relay For Life WVccZg! hjgk^kdgh lVa` i]Z Ñghi aVe id\Zi]Zg# ÅGZaVn ^h V [jc ZkZci overall,” senior Samantha Kinser said. “Once on the track, everybody WZ\^ch id [ZZa a^`Z V [Vb^an VcY ^h WZXdbZh jc^iZY ^c Ñ\]i^c\ WVX`#Æ

AZcY^c\ egdk^YZh cZXZhhVgn XVe^iVa 7n B6G@ K6<:A6@DH In the modern day, it is an unfortunate necessity for donors to check into the background, employee salaries and even the tax files of charities one contributes to. In the shadows of such vague and complicated bureaucracy, micro lending websites like kiva.org, a non profit that relies on donations and loans, simplify the charity process by acting as only a conduit between good hearted lenders and disadvantaged entrepreneurs. The best part about this good act is that Good Samaritans get their money back. Micro lending provides a way for anyone around the world to lend to international entrepreneurs, usually in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe, whose country either does not have the capability of setting up large lending institutions or discriminates heavily against them. For this reason, micro lending is especially useful for women who are often seen as less than equal to men in business capabilities. Of those receiving loans on kiva.org, 80 percent are women. While there is a chance that lenders will not give the money back, kiva.org currently boasts a 98.9 percent repayment rate from the $309,323,800 they have lent. Once entrepreneurs set up their profile, either by themselves or more often through a third party mission group, lenders can provide loans anywhere from $20 to the full amount needed. The entrepreneurs then follow a repayment plan, usually over a year or more. Their repayment determines the possibility for future loans.

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7n 8DDE:G 7GD8@ In May of 1985, Dr. Gordon Klatt walked around a track for 24 hours to raise funds for his patients who had been diagnosed with cancer. Eighty-three miles and $27,000 later, Klatt had walked the first Relay for Life. Twenty seven years later, Relay for Life is national, with over 5,000 communities across the nation hosting their own 24-hour night-around-the-track. On May 18, Relay for Life for the Conway area will be on the school’s track, with the theme, “Illuminating the way to the Cure.” “I want it to be a giant, crazy party that pulls the community together, all the while raising funds and awareness,” senior David Ballentine said. A member of the Relay for Life Conway committee for two years, Ballentine is responsible for organizing

clubs and sponsors for the event. “[Being on the committee] is a lot of hard work, but it is extremely fulfilling,” Ballentine said. “I spend a lot of time talking to leaders around Boone, talking to them about starting up with Relay. It’s an awesome feeling, knowing that you’ve just helped an organization start relaying and fundraising.” Apart from raising funds for cancer research, Relay is geared towards celebrating those who have beaten the disease, remembering those who have lost their battles with cancer, and encouraging those who are still fighting their battle with the disease. While participants will be walking the track, food and drink will be sold, and several club games and activities will be held throughout the night. A car smashing will be active on the football field, where people pay to smash an old junkyard car with a myriad of tools; ranging from baseball bats, to sledge hammers. All proceeds from fundraising, concessions and activities will go towards the American Cancer Society to help fund cancer research. After the sun goes down, a luminaria

ceremony is held, where candles are placed inside paper bags decorated to commemorate someone who has been affected by cancer. Participants walk a silent lap taken to honor the memory of those who have been lost, and the tributes are rearranged in the bleachers to spell out “HOPE.” “Relay has given me the opportunity to connect with the other cancer survivors in the community,” senior Samantha Kinser said. “It has also given me a chance to raise money for a very important cause and organize an event to celebrate the survivor’s success in their battle against cancer.” Kinser, who initially started participating in Relay through Key Club, was diagnosed with skin cancer in March of 2010. After undergoing three surgeries, one in March, and two in May, Kinser had conquered her illness, and walked the survivor lap. “Relay means the world to me. A lot of my family and friends have been affected by cancer and participating in Relay is my way of remembering and honoring them and their struggle,” Kinser said.

'* XZcih ]Zaeh 8]Vc\Z I]^h LdgaY ZcY \adWVa hiVgkVi^dc 7n A>OON <DG9DC Every three seconds, someone dies of hunger; that equals 16,000 people a day. To make a difference, students can partner with Change This World. CTW is a local nonprofit organization that’s mission is to end world hunger. A quarter is relatively small on the money scale, but with the help of CTW, a quarter is life changing. A quarter provides a meal for a person suffering from malnutrition and starvation in Botswana, Haiti, Jamaica, Burundi, Peru, Honduras or Thailand. “It is very empowering to know it is this simple to make a difference. The world produces enough food to feed every person 2700 calories per day. To some, the fact is frustrating, but to me it is inspiring. Change is possible,” volunteer coordinator Meaghan Crump said. One meal includes soybeans, white long grained rice, vitamin fortified soy, a dehydrated blend of six vegetables, vitamins and mineral powder. According to the World Health Organization hunger and malnutrition currently affect one in six people on the planet. Nearly 1 billion people are malnourished. Since 2009, CTW has packaged 4.6 million meals, the total keeps rising as people continue to donate. Every penny of the 25 cents is broken down. Eleven cents buys the product, two cents pays for transportation,

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photo courtesy of/CHANGE THIS WORLD

;DD9 E68@6<>C<# Students pose for a picture while packaging food. “Students should get involved because it is a great and easy way to make a direct global impact in your own backyard,” volunteer coordinator, Meaghan Crump said. Students packaged 50,000 meals. seven cents goes to international shipping, one cent goes to labor, two cents goes to distribution and two cents go to overhead costs of CTW. If a student is interested in being involved in a packaging event, email Crump at Meaghan@changethisworld.com. “Through Key Club, I made and sold lollipops and bracelets. It felt good to give my time and effort to CTW because it is a good cause,” senior Joel Simons said.

hilights.org

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On March 25, officials imploded the 23-year-old Amway Arena. The city brought the older building down with over 600 pounds of dynamite and other explosives that left the arena in rubble. The new Amway Center opened Oct. 1, 2010.

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&# @^aa^c\ heVg`h egdiZhih The Sanford community suffered a loss on Feb. 26, with the shooting and death of Trayvon Martin. While walking unarmed back home from a friend’s house, Martin became engaged in an altercation with a member of the community’s neighborhood watch, George Zimmerman. According to The New York Times,

Zimmerman placed a 911 call for a suspicious person and later ignored dispatcher’s warnings to stop the pursuit. The altercation escalated to physical violence and ended with Zimmerman shooting the 17-year-old. Controversy stirred on whether the act took place in self defense. Outraged protests occurred around the country in response to Sanford

police’s lagged response time and the lack of action taken. Six weeks after the shooting, police arrested Zimmerman on a second-degree murder charge. Police commented, stating Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law, which allows one who feels threatened to not retreat from the situation, would make it hard to find a case since Zimmerman claimed self defense.

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An experimental plane from Illinois crashed into the DeLand Publix located in the Northgate Shopping Center on April 2. The accident injured five people, three were Publix shoppers. The cause of the accident is unknown.

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For the first time since 1992, Orlando hosted the 61st NBA All Star game, bringing in 100 million dollars to the local economy. Basketball fans headed to the Amway Center on Feb. 26 to see players such as Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant take to the court and aid the West Coast team to a 152-149 victory. Both Durant and Miami Heat’s LeBron James, East Coast team player, scored 36 points. Durant received the Most Valuable Player through fan votes. Bryant surpassed Michael Jordan’s record of prolific scorer with 278 points. “I liked seeing all of the skilled basketball players come together,” junior Elisa Castillo said.

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Angry protesters took to the street on Oct. 15, in support of the Occupy Wall Street movement. The activists marched from the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce through downtown. Similar protests occurred across the country.

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&# 7gVkZ 6^Y egdÑih WZcZÑi adXVa ;djcYVi^dc As each seat in the auditorium fills up, more and more money is put toward a good cause. Brave Aid is a school sponsored talent show that provides an opportunity for students to showcase their talents in front of a filled auditorium. All proceeds went to the Always Wear Your Seatbelt Foundation. Tickets were $7 in advance and $10 at the door. “It was a great way to get the club’s name out and raise money for the scholarships that the foundation gives out,” sophomore Christopher Caplan said. The Always Wear Your Seatbelt Foundation was created by Eddie Culberhouse’s mother, Lorisse Garcia, and Laura Grant’s mother, Wendy Grant, after their deaths in a car accident. This foundation helps to raise awareness about the importance of wearing one’s seatbelt when riding in a motor vehicle. Sophomore president Madison Nagle and sophomore vice president Christopher Caplan started the The Always Wear Your Seatbelt Club to raise awareness on campus. At Brave Aid, 22 acts performed. The acts ranged from solo singing acts, to Orange Swag which is a rap duo, to the Bollywood Club. The Bollywood Club performs traditional style Middle Eastern dancing. “It just goes to show that we have a lot of supporters in our community,” Caplan said.

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The drama department performed Bram Stoker’s Dracula from Oct. 20-22. In Dracula, Abram Van Helsing, played by senior Jackson Upperco, and his confidants make it their mission to hunt down and kill the King of Vampires himself, Count Dracula. Dracula, played by junior Caleb Roche, uses his supernatural powers in an attempt to evade his pursuers. Senior Angel Lozada played Jonathan Harker, a lawyer who joins Van Helsing to slay Count Dracula. “My favorite scene would have to be Harker’s Recollection because of all the lighting affects, the haze, and the aspect of going back to the past made it real to me,” Lozada said.

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The varsity cheerleading team won first place in Florida High School Athletic Association’s 2A extra-large varsity division on Feb. 4; this is the second year in a row varsity cheerleading has taken this title. “One of our teammates broke her nose the day before the competition; we had to rearrange everything but still won,” junior Victoria Batura said. Manatee High School is the team’s biggest rival and its team received second place at the state competition. The Lady Braves scored 76.9, points while Manatee High School scored 74.8. Each cheer team is scored on its tumbling (both stationary and running), dance, stunting, cheering and music selections. Boone alumni Sandy Long and junior Sarah Berlinsky choreographed the dance routine. “We are more advanced as a team [compared to last year] and added more complex stunts to our routine,” Batura said. Lakewood Ranch High School followed the Lady Braves and Manatee High School, capturing third place. “[Winning states for the second time] felt good. I feel very accomplished in front of my team,” Batura said.

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