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Cypress Bay High School • 18600 Vista Park Blvd. • Weston, Fla. 33332 • Vol 17, Issue 4 • February 2018

We Stand with Stoneman douglas.

On Feb. 14, a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. resulted in the fatalities of 17 innocent students and teachers.

Stoneman Douglas is only 18 miles north of our school; our debate team and DECA students regularly compete, our student governments have worked together at conventions, our sports teams are fierce competitors. Now, we are united with them and stand with their community and all of our friends and family affected.

In light of the horrific event at our neighboring school, students at the Bay and other Broward County schools have grown concerned about our safety and have been torn by grief and fear.

We at The Circuit could not let this opportunity go by to reach out to our student body and inform them about their options regarding grief counseling and their responsibility to speak up if they suspect anything.

It still seems surreal that a school we

have a friend who seems down or deeply upset by the shooting, talk with them, get the conversation rolling. Sometimes we just need someone to talk to; be that person for your friends.

We have to remain strong and continue fighting the fact that school shootings have become commonplace. It is up to us to lead the effort to ensure that the next You’ve heard, “See something, say something.” Act on it. If you are generation does not have the same fears alarmed by any suspicious activity, do not hesitate. Please tell a faculty or or face the same tragedies. administration member you trust.

For now, school events continue to happen, trends continue to grow, and we The school district has been working closely with our security to make will continue to write about them. Know sure that the Bay is as safe as possible. We have many administration, that we are distributing our February issue guidance and security staff members you can talk to about any fears or with a heavy heart and with solidarity for concerns about school. the Broward County community. Thank you for reading The Circuit. May tragedy cease and may passion, and have known forever, in a city so close frightening setting. If your loved ones compassion, reign. to ours, was covered on national news were victims, we are hurting with you and as a victim of gun violence. It is surreal we are here for you. Don’t be afraid to talk -Rachel Schonberger that we and our friends know people to someone, whether it is a trusted teacher, Editor-in-Chief whose lives were lost in such a tragic and a good friend or a family member. If you If you need to talk to someone, dial 211 to reach Broward County’s helpline for crisis and human services. You can also call 1-800-273-8255 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or text HELLO to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. According to Broward Schools, “a District hotline is available… for anyone needing to speak with a counselor over the phone. The number is 754-321-HELP. You can also email WeSupport@browardschools.com.”

Our hearts go out to the friends and familes of Alyssa Alhadeff, Scott Beigel, Martin Duque Anguiano, Nicholas Dworet, Aaron Feis, Jaime Guttenberg, Chris Hixon, Luke Hoyer, Cara Loughran, Gina Montalto, Joaquin Oliver, Alaina Petty, Meadow Pollack, Helena Ramsay, Alex Schachter, Carmen Schentrup and Peter Wang.

BY RACHEL FRIEDMAN & RACHEL SCHONBERGER MANAGING EDITOR & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Though it may not be recognized as a national holiday, numerous clubs at the Bay take advantage of Valentine’s Day to spread happiness and make a profit.

With UNICEF members delivering stuffed animals to students and SGA decorating the catwalk in red and pink banners, many clubs celebrated love and

friendship on Feb. 14.

For over ten years, the Bay’s Chorus h a s used the h ol id ay to spread l o v e and joy through song.

One male group and one female group traversed the hallways from classroom to classroom to deliver “singing grams.” For prices ranging from $5$10, students sent the performers to their loved ones to sing to them during class. Senior and Chorus treasurer Ignacio Azcarate said the day is successful and entertaining every year.

“It’s not every day you get a choir to come serenade someone in the middle of class,” Azcarate said. “It’s a very flattering thing to send to someone and it’s a nice way to show someone that you

FEATURES SPORTS

love them.”

Chorus teacher Bradley Franks said this event consistently draws attention and business because of its uniqueness and uplifting spirit.

“Who doesn’t want to spread the joy of music and share the talents of our students? It makes me happy to see our chorus students singing and interacting with our student body,” Mr. Franks said.

“They are an unusual type of gift, and to have a group sing for that someone special can be very sweet.”

Not only Chorus took part in the Wednesday festivities. Junior and covice president of Ceramics Club Daniela Imperator sold handcrafted succulent plants. Selling the heart-shaped bowls behind a poster reading, “Plant some love this Valentine’s Day,” Imperator said this is the club’s third year selling its bowls.

“We chose to make these bowls because we thought it would be something fun and cute for people to buy and give to their partners,” she said. “Making heartshaped bowls is pretty easy, so we thought that would be perfect for Valentine’s Day.” Imperator said the club members prioritized the fun in making and sharing the bowls over the profits the sale entailed.

“The proceeds will probably just go to the club’s funds, but the main goal of it wasn’t entirely for the money; it was

mainly just to do something fun,” she said. “I love that we’re doing this because it’s more spirited than normal fundraisers; it’s just really cute.”

SGA members coordinated a table on Feb. 13 in the courtyard encouraging students to write notes on pink cards for their teachers. The students who participated were rewarded with lollipops; sophomore Skylar Gerstenfeld, chair of the project, said this helped to incentivize them and bring success to the project overall.

“This project we came up with basically just tries to get students to write nice Valentine’s Day notes to their teachers so they know they’re loved,” she said. “We only did this one day, but we’ve gotten a lot [of notes], which is really exciting. I’m sure a lot of teachers might not get appreciation often, so I think [the notes will] mean a lot to them coming from all of the students.”

Sophomore Diana Wulff wrote numerous notes to her teachers; she said Valentine’s Day is not only a day to celebrate your friends and family but also to make educators feel special and respected.

“It actually feels amazing to do this.

I think it’s important that teachers feel loved,” she said. “Teachers do so much to help us, so we need to give love back.”

A&E

OPINION

Fashion Club uses Instagram to market to potential members.

Social media complicates studentteacher boundaries.

14 30 37 47

Distance strengthens families, friendships and relationships.

Athletes commit to college teams on National Signing Day.

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VR experience advances U.S. Navy opportunities NEWS COPY EDITOR & NEWS EDITOR

As part of the Navy Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Tour 2018, officers of the U.S. Navy brought a Virtual Reality (VR) experience to the Bay on Feb. 1 and Feb. 2. Chief Petty Officer Kimberly Martinez said the purpose of the event is to teach high school students about Navy recruitment opportunities.

“We’re bringing this event to Cypress Bay to increase Navy awareness,” Chief Martinez said. “We wanted to expose the students to some of the opportunities the Navy has to offer and some of the different career paths, specifically our science, technology, engineering and math.”

The Navy parked a bus called the Nimitz on the Bay’s campus where students participated in the VR experience. To participate, students put on a VR Oculus headset and experienced a simulation of piloting a high-speed assault craft.

“You put the VR glasses on and you can look 360 degrees and it’s like you’re there,” Chief Martinez said. “It’s really cool; it’s first hand and it’s something different than looking at a video game screen at home on your couch.”

In addition to the VR experience, officers of the Navy also brought booths where students were able to get Navy accessories like sunglasses and bandanas, take GIFs and make personalized Navy dog tags. Junior Claritza Arroyo Sullivan said she enjoyed all of these booths as well as a pull-up bar contest that the event included.

“It was fun to see my friends one-up each other on the pull-up bar,” Sullivan said. “I also thought the [dog tag booth] was cool because I like that I get to have my name on it.”

“

It gave me a really unique opportunity to see what I’d be putting myself into if I decide to become a special operator.

“

-senior Kristian Terrell Associate with The Navy Partnership British Beyer said the STEM Tour is very interactive, so students can understand what it is like to be in the Navy. Beyer said students are also given the opportunity to speak to sailors in the Navy to better understand their role.

“The Navy travels to schools in order to encourage students to understand the value and excitement of science,

technology, engineering and math,” Beyer said. “The tour teaches students what a real Navy mission looks like as well as the type of technology that the Navy is currently using. By giving students a more personal interaction, the Navy can let them experience a hands-on demonstration of STEM activities.”

“

We wanted to expose the students to some of the opportunities the Navy has to offer and some of the different career paths, specifically our science, technology, engineering and math.

PHOTO BY JESSIE CHAIET

“

BY LAUREN PABIAN & JESSIE CHAIET

-Chief Petty Officer Kimberly Martinez Senior Kristian Terrell said he was interested in the event since he is currently being recruited in the Navy. Terrell said the VR experience was appealing to him because he was able to get a firsthand experience as a special operator, which is the field of the Navy he wants to pursue. “[The VR experience] increased my interest in this specific job field; special operators go through a lot of training and they’re usually highly skilled in combat,” Terrell said. “It gave me a really unique opportunity to see what I’d be putting myself into if I decide to become a special operator.”

Terrell said he thought the VR experience was a very unique idea. He said he also enjoyed the other activities around the event. “[The VR experience] was cool and something brand new,” Terrell said.

“The pull up bar and the Virtual Reality stimulator are probably the coolest things here.”

Sullivan said she enjoyed the VR experience so much since she has participated in other events that have taught her about the U.S. armed forces; however, she said the VR activity was the most interactive out of all the events.

“I went to the World War II museum in New Orleans over Winter Break and they had a bunch of stuff like this, so it reminded me of that,” Sullivan said. “[The VR experience] was cool because it was completely 360 degrees, so I could make a full circle and see everything around me.”

Freshman Allison Feldman said she wanted to participate in the VR experience after her study hall teacher brought her class to the event. Feldman said the idea of a VR simulator intrigued her.

PHOTO BY CHLOE WAIN

MISSION VIRTUAL: (from top) junior Tiffany Goncalves participates in the Virtual Reality (VR) experience the U.S. Navy brought to the Bay on Feb. 1 and 2. The VR activity simulates piloting a high-speed assault craft. Junior Claritza Arroyo Sullivan tries the pull-up bar contest that was offered in addition to the VR experience. The event was part of the Navy Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Tour 2018, which is aimed to increase awareness of career opportunities in the Navy.

“I thought [the VR experience] was really cool because you’re seeing it 360 degrees, so you can turn around and it’s still there,” Feldman said. “When I first went in I was kind of hesitant since I had never done anything like this before, but as soon as I put [the headpiece] on, I realized how cool it actually was and that it wasn’t scary at all.”

Feldman said the experience motivated her to learn more about the Navy.

“It was cool to learn that there are a lot of Navy jobs out there,” Feldman. “I was able to learn what they do when they go out in the field.”

Beyer said the Navy holds events like these every week at high schools, air shows and rodeos. She said the feedback from all events have been extremely positive.

“Students across the nation have

News Calendar General Early Release, Feb. 22 Super Testing Day, March 7 SAT Testing, March 10

Club Meetings IOC, March 6 HOSA, Feb. 27 National Honor Society, March 5 Best Buddies, March 7

expressed excitement and interest in the Navy’s STEM tour,” Beyer said.

“Students often cite that they did not realize the Navy’s reach and opportunities it offered, and they are enthusiastic about going through the VR mission.”

Beyer said this event is important because it allows students to learn about the full range of career opportunities that the Navy offers.

“The need for STEM professionals continues to grow and the U.S. Navy wishes to give students a better idea of what opportunities are out there,” Beyer said. “Students are often expected to have an idea of what they want to do post-high school graduation, but the reality is that they often don’t know what is available to them. With the STEM tour, students can learn about these exciting initiatives.”

Events PRIDE International Night, Feb. 23 SHPE Club Stem Night, March 1 SGA Unplugged Day, March 9

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Lightning, Camera, ActioN Student Government Association hosted the ninth annual Lightning Oscars on Jan. 26.

BY JESSIE CHAIET NEWS EDITOR

With the red carpet rolled out, stars glittering around the auditorium and bright lights shining on the stage, Student Government Association (SGA) brought Hollywood to the Bay for the ninth annual Lightning Oscars on Jan. 26. Ranging from “Social Butterfly” to “Outfit of the Bay,” 21 awards were given out at the show; winners were chosen by students after a series of online voting that began in November. Junior and Lightning Oscars co-chair Lexi Gladstone said this year’s event was a success.

“The Lightning Oscars is an event for the student body to come together for a night of fun and laughter,” Gladstone said. “Everything we do in SGA is for the student body’s enjoyment.”

Ticket sales for the event took place from Jan. 22 to Jan. 26, and tickets cost $5 for general admission and $10 for VIP tickets. SGA adviser Danielle Nascimento said she was extremely happy with the turnout, as 635 students attended the sold-out event.

“We’ve been very blessed to have a sold out show for the past seven years now,” Mrs. Nascimento said.

“We’re just very happy that Cypress Bay loves the event so much, looks forward to it and comes out for a fun night.”

Preparations for the event began in October and included creating decorations, writing scripts and finding hosts, presenters and performers. To advertise the event, SGA hung up banners around the school and posted announcements on social media.

“It took a lot of preparation, but everything for

the Lightning Oscars went as planned,” Gladstone said. “I think all of the promotion beforehand was very effective because all of the students knew about the event.”

Seniors Jonny Berger and Sam Bialczak hosted the event. Berger said he enjoyed hosting and he received great feedback from the audience about his job as host.

“I loved hosting; it was so much fun,” Berger said. “We were told it was one of the best ever, so we know we did a good job.”

Mrs. Nascimento said Berger and Bialczak were one of the best parts of this year’s Lightning Oscars.

“I think [Berger] and [Bialczak] were hilarious and did such an awesome job,” Mrs. Nascimento said. “They did so much preparation-- probably more than hosts in past years-- so I think they were the highlight for our show this year.”

In addition to hosting, Berger received the Lightning Oscar for “Impractical Joker.” Berger said he was ecstatic about

winning the award because he loves making others laugh.

“I say jokes in school because people think it’s funny and a lot of times school isn’t always the best and funniest place to be,” Berger said. “It felt good to win because I just feel like

making people laugh is my duty.” in front of to commemorate the event.

Senior Valentina Santana received the “The decorations were really Lightning Oscar for “I Feel Like Pablo interesting; we really wanted to (Picasso),” an award given to a student make it like the Oscars,” Schaffer for his or her artistic abilities. Santana said. “I think Cypress Bay is just said she was extremely surprised when really good at making everything she was announced as the winner for a unique experience.” the award.

Gladstone said she “I didn’t think I was going to win loved the Lightning Oscars because I’ve been nominated before and that she can’t wait for next and I’ve seen all the other girls’ year’s edition. Next year, amazing work,” Santana said.

“It was a really great feeling to win.”

Santana said she was nominated by her friends and that she was really happy to receive the award because of her passion for art. “[Winning] was very exciting, especially having my friends with me,” Santana said. “I use art to express myself, so I thought it was really cool to win for this.”

Freshman and SGA member Jared Schaffer said he was amazed at the Lightning Oscars, as this was his first year attending. Schaffer, along with other SGA members, volunteered at the event.

“We had to plan a lot for the event and do a lot of work for SGA, so it felt really good to see our work pay off, especially since it ran so smoothly,” Schaffer said. “I thought it was a great event, and it was planned really well.”

Schaffer’s role in the Lightning Oscars was to help create the decorations for the event. The auditorium was decorated with a red carpet outside, as well as Lightning Oscars backdrops for guests to take pictures

Gladstone will serve as the head chair of the event.

“I think this year’s Lightning Oscars was one of the best ever,” Gladstone said.

“I loved being

cocha i r, and I am very excited for next year’s Lightning Oscars.”

M r s .

Nascimento said the Lightning Oscars has been an SGA tradition for the last nine years, so she was thrilled to continue the tradition with such a successful night.

“For the most part, everything was amazing. As somebody who plans it, there’s always things that we see, but I don’t think the audience noticed at all,” Mrs. Nascimento said. “I think the audience loved it; their applause said it all.”

PHOTOS BY JESSIE CHAIET

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Coffee House Literary Club held its annual Coffee House event on Jan. 26 to raise money for its publication.

BY RACHEL SCHONBERGER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The sound of students snapping and smell of steaming coffee spread through the air at Coffee House. Literary Club’s annual event took place on Jan. 26 in the cafeteria, where students were encouraged to perform and listen to poetry and music while snacking on a variety of foods from local vendors. Senior and co-president Ryan Bush oversaw the night in its entirety and said it was the most successful the club has ever been in terms of its finances.

“We had the biggest turnout we have ever had and made more money for our publication than we ever have before,” Bush said.

“It was very well-run and wellorganized and everyone who wanted to share had a chance to share. I don’t know one person who said they didn’t get the most out of the experience.”

Though the event had a financially successful outcome, officers had been planning the logistics of the night since the beginning of the school year.

Literary Club adviser Joyce Seigel said the process has “taken 16 years to get right,” as the club improves upon itself each year.

“It started out as a very small, intimate event in the media center, and people heard about it, and every year, the crowd grew and grew,” Mrs. Seigel said. “We learned that we have to start planning early on in the school year, so week one we start contacting vendors, keeping a list, having meetings and discussing what we need to work on.”

This year, the event conflicted with the Student Government Association’s annual Lightning Oscars, which started an hour later. Senior and co-president Alexa Voorhees said she was concerned at first that this might diminish Coffee House attendance but was satisfied with the outcome. “ W e still had a great turnout, and a lot of people who went to Lightning Oscars still came to Coffee House afterwards, so I don’t think it had a huge im-

pact,” Voorhees said. “Hopefully, though, that conflict doesn’t happen again next year because there were a lot of people who wanted to come and couldn’t.”

Bush said the conflict initially seemed like an obstacle but ended up bridging the gap between attendees of both events.

“The fact that we opened our doors to the people who were at the Lightning Oscars created the sense that we are one high school engaging in a variety of activities to engage people’s interests,” Bush said.

This year, Literary Club officers decided to take the night in a different direction, creating the first ever themed Coffee House, decorating it with “The Jungle Book”-based muddy signs, decorative vines and lily pad centerpieces.

“Our secretary, [senior] Tabby Botti went on Pinterest and looked up all these ways to decorate on a budget,” Voorhees said.

“We thought it would bring this new element of memorability and make the environment of the cafeteria less harsh and more inviting.”

Throughout the evening, poets, writers and music i a n s were welcome

to join the lineup of performances and share their own pieces.

“The goal of Coffee House is to give everyone a safe and exciting space to enjoy and listen to art and hang out with friends. It’s a celebration of high school poetry and students embracing and expressing themselves,” Voorhees said. “I feel like this year, a lot more people were willing to put themselves out there; everyone was really passionate and it felt more intimate.”

Senior Megan Lee had never performed her poetry in front of a large crowd but said she decided to share at Coffee House since it was her final chance.

“I wanted to embrace the idea of doing something that scared me that I knew I would be proud of,” Lee said. “I knew that even if I failed, I had people around me that would support me. Coffee House is a night that is the embodiment of a hug from someone you really love.”

On top of these voluntary performances, this year was the first year in which Literary Fair winners were recognized during Coffee House instead of in a separate after-school ceremony.

Senior Payton Liberto won Literary Fair for her spoken word poetry and said she was disappointed by the presentation and recognition of awards.

“I feel like [holding] Literary Fair separately felt more important. You were being honored for your hard work,” Liberto said. “I liked the fact that there were a lot of people listening, but it felt more rewarding to have a distinguished ceremony for o u r pieces we worked really hard on.”

Still, Mrs. Seigel said the event ran as smoothly as possible under the leadership of Bush and Voorhees.

“They had been working on it all year and that hard work definitely showed,” Mrs. Seigel said.

While Voorhees leads the

PHOTOS BY SABRINA KEHRER

A LATTE TALENT: (Clockwise from top left) Literary Club adviser Joyce Seigel reads her poem about equality.

Sophomore Yejin Koo performs a rendition “Cigarette Daydreams” by Cage the Elephant, accompanied by her ukelele. Junior Samantha Ramer recites a poem she had written on her phone. Senior Anish Ghosh performs an original song with his band Deep Seas. All of the proceeds from the event, which took place on Jan. 26, went to funding the Literary Club’s annual literary magazine.

efforts of creating the literary magazine at the end of the year, Bush oversaw the specifics of preparations for Coffee House, which is the sole fundraising effort that goes toward the printing of the Electric Ink literary magazine. Still, the two teamed up to ensure the night had no obstacles.

“What I really like about Ryan and I working together is that we bring out the best parts of each other and balance each other out very well,” Voorhees said. “Ryan is very good at organizing and making sure all our ideas come to fruition, and I add in other interpersonal elements.”

Because the club reached its financial goals, Bush said it has more funds to work with for the printing of the publication.

“Not only will it impact the amount we can print, but it also

incentivizes us to make every page worthwhile because we worked so hard to actually create it,” Bush said.

This year’s Electric Ink issue will be titled, “Write the Wrong,” and will be available to its contributors, the English department and all other students in April. With the continued profit of Coffee House, the literary magazine has annually fundraised enough to publish.

Though Bush is a senior, he said he is looking forward to seeing how the future of the magazine changes and improves on the event.

“I hope it continues to grow in popularity and organization,” Bush said. “It can never be perfect, but we absolutely put our hearts and souls into the event, and it definitely showed.”

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Blood drive encourages schoolwide participation The Bay hosted a blood drive on Jan. 17 and Jan. 18, where 62 students and faculty members donated blood.

The drive was held through the company OneBlood, which parked its mobile blood drive bus on campus. Science teacher and adviser of the Future Medical Practitioners Club (FMPC) Nori Suarez said the club’s main purpose is to promote the blood drive.

“We feel very passionate about what blood donations do,” Mrs. Suarez said.

“One pint of blood saves three human lives.”

Before donating, each participant’s blood pressure, cholesterol level and iron are checked. Mrs. Suarez said giving blood has health benefits because it helps replenish red blood cells from the red bone marrow.

“Donating is a win-win,” Mrs. Suarez said. “You are doing something very humanitarian for a wonderful cause, and at the same time, you are getting a checkup.”

Members of the FMPC hung posters around the school to advertise the blood drive and encourage students to participate. Volunteers helped to oversee the blood drive, organize the lines and hand out snacks to those donating.

“Setting up the blood drive requires a lot of preparation and keeping close tabs on who is donating is very important,” Suarez said.

The blood drive is held four times a year because, legally, one has to be held every 54 days. Mrs. Suarez said the

success of the blood drive is dependent on the time of year.

“There are some sessions that are better than others, and it depends on what is going on in the school [at the time],” Mrs, Suarez said. “If there is testing going on, the school population is not as inclined to donate blood.”

Senior and FMPC President Madelyn Corliss said this particular drive was a success.

“We get people involved within the school by hanging posters and making

“

PHOTOS BY ANNABELLE DANIELS-ROSENBERG

Setting up the blood drive requires a lot of preparation and keeping close tabs on who is donating is very important.”

“

BY ANNABELLE DANIELS-ROSENBERG

-Future Medical Practitioners Club adviser Nori Suarez announcements,” Corliss said. “Our school is a top donor every year with hundreds of donations to report.”

Corliss said most people are willing to donate because they realize what a difference it can make. She said she has worked with the drive since sophomore year and that she enjoys volunteering.

“I have been working with the drive

O SO POSITIVE: Junior Tyler Goldberg receives a “I am OneBlood” shirt after donating blood at the schoolwide blood drive on Jan. 17 and Jan. 18. To donate, students entered the “Big Red Bus,” which was parked just outside of the Student Government Association classroom, and alongside the Bay’s football field. A total of 62 students and faculty members donated blood at the drive.

for three years now,” Corliss said. “It is cool to see so many high school students willing to help sick individuals.”

Sophomore Ben Schiller said he decided to give blood for the first time and had many mixed emotions while doing it.

“At first, I was nervous since I had no clue what to expect,” Schiller said. “[The nurses] made me feel more comfortable, and there was pizza and cookies for all of the students donating.”

Schiller said the donation process was convenient because students could participate without having to leave school.

“By having the bus come to school I think it makes it easier for students who would normally not have time,” Schiller

said. “More students are will be willing to donate if it is convenient for them.”

Schiller said he was willing to give blood because he knows that every donation counts. He said the whole experience was worth it and that he will continue to donate in the future.

“When I heard students could donate at school, I immediately wanted to,” Schiller said. “Organizations like OneBlood need as much blood as possible for hospitals in case of an emergency. I really wanted to help the community, and this was the perfect way to make difference.”

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FBI program prepares students for field

BY CASEY MENTEN ONLINE NEWS EDITOR

As the second school in the nation to be chosen, the Bay will be offering a specialized Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cyber-STEM Program in the 2018-2019 school year; the program prepares students for a job as a special agent. On Jan. 31, FBI Special Agents gave an informational presentation in the auditorium for parents and students interested in applying to the program.

“It’s very exciting for us to do something new with an amazing school and an amazing program that has been worked out,” FBI Special Agent Alexis Carpenteri said. “We can actually reach out to high school students before they go to college and hopefully better prepare them for the FBI.” The course is offered to incoming freshmen, sophomores and juniors who must complete an application form to be entered into a pool of applicants. These students will be hand picked by FBI agents and school administration based upon previous academic history.

Assistant Principal Marianela Estripeaut said the program is highly-selective in order to ensure that all students will be suitable candidates for future jobs.

GRAPHIC BY CASEY MENTEN

“

Seeing actual cases that the [Federal Bureau of Investigation] has solved will be a new experience that I can’t wait to get the chance to be a part of.

“

-sophomore Jaden Betancurt “I think it’s just one more thing we have to offer to our students that are interested in the cyber field, which is very popular right now,” Mrs. Estripeaut said. “[Students] are interested and excited; I have heard from several of them that it was a program they have always wanted.”

In the program, students will participate in a series of FBI practical exercises, case presentations and sponsored activities. Upon the completion of this course, students will

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY REBECCA GRINKER

CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET: Assistant Principal Marianela Estripeaut speaks at an informational night on Jan. 31 to provide further information to parents and students interested in applying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cyber-STEM program. She is the head administrator tasked with the job of integrating the program with current classes at the Bay. Students will have to complete a set course by the time of their graduation in order to receive a FBI Cyber-STEM certificate.

receive an FBI Cyber-STEM certification and have the skills that are in demand for the cyber field.

“I think it’s really cool that the knowledge they teach us applies to the real world,” sophomore Jaden Betancurt said. “Seeing actual cases that the FBI has solved will be a new experience that I can’t wait to get the chance to be a part of.”

Upon admission to the program, students will have to complete AP Computing

Science Principles/Cyber, AICE Informational Technology and Comprehensive law honors which are specially taught to meet the requirements of the FBI. These classes will have to be completed by the time of the students’ graduation in order to receive the certification.

“It’s a program that has been built from scratch based on what the FBI is looking for in students,” Special Agent Carpenteri said. “We had to work really closely with the staff here

to conclude which classes would satisfy the learning objectives the FBI wants in the students.”

In order for the Bay to be selected to offer this CyberSTEM track, Mrs. Estripeaut was in charge of mailing in a letter outlining the school’s history as well as the passing rates for Advanced Placement and Advanced International Certificate of Education classes.

“Just the fact that we are the only the second high school to partner with the FBI is quite

an honor,” Mrs. Estripeaut said.

“For the FBI to have selected us out of the many schools that applied shows that we are a good enough school to be worthy.”

Special Agent Carpenteri said she believes it is important for kids to learn exactly what they need to succeed in this career path. She said the field is highly selective, so it is valuable to begin training at a younger age.

“The importance of this is to teach [students] how these courses play out in real life,” Special Agent Carpenteri said.

“We’re going to show them what case used that learning principle to solve it and hopefully inspire the students to actively learn.”

FBI Special Agent Brian Waterman said he hopes the FBI Cyber-STEM program will give students a realistic view on what the FBI does. He said they are planning on using the classes to expose students to real life casework that was chosen to supplement the work they do in class.

“We hope that at the end of the day, the students at Cypress Bay learn a little bit about what the FBI actually does outside what it is portrayed to be on television,” Special Agent Waterman said. “We want them to learn about the information, cases and the hard work that goes into working in the FBI.” Parent Raquel Betancurt said she is excited that the school is offering a course that is specifically designed to prepare her son for the job of a cyber agent and will directly influence his future.

“My son has always been interested in the FBI since he was a young kid,” Mrs. Betancurt said. “The fact that they are bringing it to the school and that it is in our reach is a great opportunity for him.”

Special Agent Waterman said the FBI Cyber-STEM Program offers students with the knowledge and experience they will need to be prepared for a future in the FBI. He said that he is excited to get the chance to work with this group of students and potentially create some FBI agents out of them.

“We are super excited to be part of this program,” Special Agent Waterman said. “We are looking forward to working with the kids, and we really want those who want to be a part of something that’s bigger than themselves.”

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FEBRUARY 2018

Middle school students seek new opportunities

BY LAUREN PABIAN NEWS COPY EDITOR

Incoming freshmen and parents were invited to the Bay for Curriculum Night to learn about the courses and clubs that are offered. Elective and core courses set up booths in the cafeteria while clubs set up booths in the courtyard and the The Wave. There were two separate nights that Curriculum Night was held: Feb. 7 was dedicated to students from Falcon Cove Middle School, and Feb. 13 was dedicated to students from Tequesta Trace Middle School and Imagine Charter School.

Curriculum Night was organized by Student Government Association (SGA).

Junior and SGA Corresponding Secretary Russell Vaz said SGA worked hard to put everything together so incoming freshmen would have a clear idea of their options for high school.

“Cypress [Bay] is such a big school, which might make it seem intimidating, so we are hoping this event will make things easier and less stressful for them,” Vaz said. “We want these eighth graders to be excited for next year and be informed on everything Cypress [Bay] has to offer.”

Curriculum Night offers students the chance to speak with teachers and members of clubs. Vaz said this is so important since students can get a firsthand account of what the class or club entails. “[Curriculum Night] is such a good way to decide what you want to get involved in since there are so many options,” Vaz said. “It’s so important

for [eighth graders] to learn everything now so when they get into high school they can take classes they enjoy and are interested in.”

In addition to running Curriculum Night, SGA had a booth in the cafeteria to promote its freshman class, Leadership Skills Development, and to influence interested students to join. “[The officer team and other members] went to talk to students and explained what the class entails, answered their questions and tried to influence them to join,” Vaz said.

Falcon Cove eighth grader Jami Bernstein said she was eager to attend the event as she was interested in learning about everything the Bay has to offer.

“I wanted to get to know more about the classes and clubs Cypress [Bay] has to offer,” Bernstein said. “With so many options for electives, I have been so conflicted on what to take, and coming [to Curriculum Night] has given me the opportunity to learn more about everything.”

Bernstein said SGA caught her eye and after speaking to some officers; she said she believes she would enjoy being a part of Student Government and taking a larger role in the Bay’s community.

“SGA seems like a good class since there are so many opportunities that come along with it,” Bernstein said.

“This will give me a lot of experience in working with [my peers] and allowing me to become a more active student.”

At the various booths, representatives from clubs and classes handed the

PHOTO BY LAUREN PABIAN

WARM WELCOME: (from left) Student Government Association executive board members Cole Carpinteri, Grace Chrupcala and Silvia Zervos talk to middle schoolers about the course at Falcon Cove Curriculum Night on Feb. 7.

incoming freshmen informative flyers and spoke to interested students.

Bernstein said she enjoyed having personalized conversations as opposed to solely being handed a flyer or having a quick conversation.

“I found it most appealing when people would come up to me and ask me what I’m interested in to see if I could fit well in their club,” Bernstein said.

Jeff Stoll, parent of incoming freshman Jake Stoll, said he and his family were looking forward to attending Curriculum Night so they could get a better idea of what classes and clubs are available and what his son would be most interested in.

“Since [Jake] is my oldest kid, I didn’t really know what to expect of the course selection process,” Stoll said. “Coming to Curriculum Night has helped me better understand what electives my son would enjoy and what he could be successful in.”

Tequesta Trace eighth grader Olivia Mazloff said her older sibling has helped

her pick out her classes, but she wanted to attend Curriculum Night to introduce herself to the teachers and learn more about class requirements.

“It’s an added bonus to have my sister who can help me a lot with picking out my classes, but I wanted to be able to look around and hear other people’s opinions and views, which turned out to be very helpful,” Mazloff said. “Even though my sister and I are similar, we do have some different interests, so I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to talk to other students.”

Stoll said he believed the event provided a great introduction since it showcased everything the school entails.

“Cypress [Bay] can seem very intimidating, but coming [to Curriculum Night] made everything seem much more manageable,” Stoll said. “The variety of courses and clubs offered also shows how much there is going on here and that there is a place for everyone, which is super important and self-assuring.”

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Underclassmen select academic future

BY LAUREN PABIAN NEWS COPY EDITOR

Every year in mid-January, freshmen, sophomores and juniors are presented with the task of selecting their courses for the upcoming school year. Course cards were distributed to students on Jan. 22 in their second period classes. Students had a week to select the courses they wanted to enroll in for the upcoming school year before they had to turn the cards in to their English teachers on Jan. 29 and 30; however, the date was extended to Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 to give students more time to select their classes.

Assistant Principal Debra SantoroHubert is in charge of the course selection process, which includes distributing course cards and creating the master schedule.

“Course cards is a very big deal; it is so important to choose [your classes] wisely and based on what you believe you could be successful in,” Ms. Santoro said. “We spend all summer planning out about 4,700 schedules, which can be very stressful, but feels very rewarding.”

New courses and programs are going to be offered at the Bay, such as Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Informational Technology, a Travel and Tourism program and a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cyber Security program. The Travel and Tourism program includes three new courses to take over a three-year time span. These courses include Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism, Hospitality and Tourism Marketing Management Honors and Hospitality and Tourism Entrepreneurship Honors. Additionally, the FBI Cyber Security program contains four new courses to teach students about the fundamentals of cybersecurity.

“

Even though GPA is very important to me, I also like to consider my interest in the class since I’d much rather have to be in a class for an hour and a half and learn something I am interested in.

“

-junior Alberto Loaiza “We are so eager to offer students these new courses and especially the new programs,” Ms. Santoro said. “These classes are more personalized and can be something students are really interested in and want to take over a span of more than one year.”

Students must select three alternative courses they would like to be put in case they are not able to be enrolled in one of their primary course selections. Ms.

PHOTO BY JESSICA BERNSTEIN

PICKING AND CHOOSING: Guidance counselor Melissa Boorom holds up students’ course selection cards in her office.

Ms. Boorom, along with the other guidance counselors, is responsible for checking course cards to ensure that course selections made for the upcoming school year are well suited for the students. Course cards were distributed to students on Jan. 22, and students returned the cards to their English teachers on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

Santoro said it is crucial for students to put an alternative course that they are interested in because they might not get one of their original choices.

“Many students don’t understand the importance of selecting alternatives that they would enjoy; we cannot change students’ classes if they get an alternate,” Ms. Santoro said. “If only eight students sign up for a class, we cannot offer that course.”

Junior Alberto Loaiza said he dislikes how the course cards are handed out in January. He said he would prefer to get them later in the school year when he is more focused on the upcoming year.

“It’s still the middle of the school year and giving the course cards to us now just feels like they’re shoving us into the next year,” Loaiza said.

Though Loaiza feels this way and said he believes many other students would agree, Ms. Santoro explained course cards must be completed so early for the Bay to create a budget for the upcoming year.

“We need to get an estimate of how many kids want to teach each course, so we know how many teachers we need, which creates our overall budget,” Ms. Santoro said. “By April, we need to go to the county to solidify our budget based on what classes students want.”

Ms. Santoro said after course cards are handed out in January, the process

of selecting classes and organizing everything continues for the next seven months.

“The most stressful part about this process is just that it starts early,” Ms. Santoro said. “It starts in the middle of January and it’s hard since students don’t pay attention to it that much since it starts too early, but they have to realize how important it really is.”

F r e sh m a n Jennifer Silverman said she was pressured by the short time period she was allotted to choose her classes for the upcoming year.

“It is so important to choose classes that are good for me since it is planning for my future,” Silverman said. “Since choosing these classes is so important, it was really stressful for me to pick all of my classes in just one week.”

Silverman said there are many sources available to students to inform them on courses and what they offer and entail.

However, she said she prefers to talk to her teachers, older friends and Broward Advisors for Continuing Education

(BRACE) adviser Shari Bush.

“There are so many good resources for me to use while selecting my classes, but I definitely used my older sister the most,” Silverman said. “Talking to older students and teachers is so helpful since they are so well-informed on classes that I am interested in and they can help me find something I would enjoy.”

Loaiza said he hopes to receive the AICE Diploma, so he prefers to talk to Ms. Maisel, the AICE Coordinator, and his guidance counselor Dana Davidson.

“Ms. Maisel and Ms. Davidson know what courses I should be taking in order to receive the AICE Diploma, so I prefer to talk to them,” Loaiza said. “Talking to other students does not work for me as well since they may have a biased point-of-view or had a bad experience with a teacher, which I don’t want to effect my decision.”

Loaiza said he considers many factors before he chooses to enroll in a class, but one of his biggest concerns is the potential effect on his GPA. “Although I do take many courses I am interested in, I prefer to take college level courses to bring up my GPA,” Loaiza said. “Even though GPA is very important to me, I also like to consider my interest in the class since I’d much rather have to be in a class for an hour and a half and learn something I am interested in.”

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In this issue’s recurring segment that explores current event topics affecting the nation, Graphics Editor Sophie Gaer and News Editor Jessie Chaiet speak to students and teachers about the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements.

What do you think of the #MeToo and Time’s Up Movements?

Beginning with the accusations of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein in October 2017, sexual harassment has become a prominent issue in the United States. Weinstein has been accused by 50 women, including actresses Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie, of rape and other instances of sexual harassment.

Since Weinstein’s allegations, more than 51 men, such as actor Kevin Spacey and USA National Gymnastics Team doctor Larry Nassar, have been accused of abuse.

“I think it’s terrible and [Weinstein] deserves life in prison; he ruined people’s lives,” senior Emilee Fenster said. “I feel disgusted, but it’s also important to find out about the facts as well.”

These allegations of sexual harassment have led to the formation of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, which seek to increase awareness about the issue and raise money for victims. Fenster said she supports these movements because of the positive platform they promote for women.

“I support these movements 100 percent,” Fenster said. “Although there’s a lot to do regarding women’s rights, I think these movements are effective and completely necessary.”

Many celebrities have been supporting the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements.

At the annual Golden Globes award show on Jan. 7, all attendees wore black

Franchesca Ramirez Sophomore “I feel that [the movements] are really powerful and inspirational. It is important for women to speak up about their harassment.”

Nicolas Cimato Senior “I think it is a step forward for women especially because it is such a sensitive topic.”

GRAPHIC BY CRISTINA CIMATO

in support of the Time’s Up Movement.

At the Grammys award show on Jan. 28, attendees supported the movement by wearing or holding white roses, which were chosen to symbolize hope, peace and resistance.

“I loved that the celebrities did that; I thought it was amazing and a bold statement in a subtle way,” sophomore Nicole Apollonio said.

“Because [celebrities] have such a platform, they can inspire people to make change and do the same.”

Apollonio said these movements are important since they bring women

together and there is strength in numbers.

“If women don’t unite, every woman would be alone with their own story, and it would not have a big effect in the world; if women unite, they can help each other,” Apollonio said. “I think [these movements] are really making a statement for women and helping women throughout the industry.”

Dr. Nassar has been accused by 265 women of sexual harassment while working as a doctor for the U.S. gymnastics team. On Feb. 5, Dr. Nassar was sentenced to up to 125 years in prison due to his decades of abuse. History

teacher and Feminism Club adviser Ches Kanno said he was horrified by the number of women who were assaulted by powerful men like Weinstein and Dr. Nassar.

“These examples are some of the worst just because of the shear number of victims,” Mr. Kanno said. “There are so many well-known American men being exposed in every field. It really goes to show just how accepted this behavior has been.”

Mr. Kanno said he fully supports the Time’s Up and #MeToo movements, and he thinks they are effective in bringing change to American culture.

“I think it’s an incredibly important moment for the empowerment of women in the U.S.,” Mr. Kanno said. “The movement for fair and equal treatment for all people is a fundamental value of humanity.”

Mr. Kanno said the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements will serve as examples for future generations of standing up for women’s rights.

“When I think of the civil rights movement and how that help made the U.S. better for African Americans, I look back at that time just in awe that the culture of fear, hatred, discrimination and violence was so normalized compared to now,” Mr. Kanno said. “Of course, the future generation of Americans will look at the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements in similar fashion. It will be a better world for women because of what is happening now.

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Informational night eases transition

BY HANNAH ZIFRONY

The Bay’s Promoting Relationships in Diversity through Education (PRIDE) club hosted its semi-annual Information Night on Jan. 16 in the auditorium. The night provided information for incoming students and parents from other countries about the school itself and how it runs.

“Our club is all about uniting our community, and a huge part of doing that is educating our community,” senior and PRIDE President Emmy Semprun said.

“The night’s purpose is to spread information about our school, as well as encourage new students about ways to get more involved.”

Aida De Gouveia, sponsor of PRIDE, said she intended on having the event display the importance of school involvement to the new families in the community.

“We want to help new parents and students that are coming from different schools or different countries to get information about everything Cypress Bay has to offer,” Mrs. De Gouveia said. “The school system here is usually very different from what different countries have, so we think this is the most effective way to explain what our school is about.”

Semprun said PRIDE takes weeks to prepare for this event in order to ensure that it runs smoothly. Members and officers of the club gathered handouts and general information, as well as made

PHOTO BY ALEXIS EPSTEIN

PRIDE IN THE BAY: At the Promoting Relations in Diversity (PRIDE) Information Night on Jan. 16, Advanced International Certificate of Education and Advanced Placement administrator Adrienne Maisel speaks to new students and parents about the Bay and its curriculum.

PowerPoints and folders in different languages. Semprun said this preparation was important in order to provide students and families with the most accurate and informative facts possible.

“Preparing for the event takes tons of effort from members and officers of our club,” Semprun said. “Without the hard work from all of the active members, none of this would be close to possible.”

Junior and treasurer Daniel Shmul said the event was very successful this

year. He said PRIDE’s efforts to reach out to students from other countries is why he enjoys being a part of the club each year.

“It’s events like these that make me happy to say I am an officer of a club like [PRIDE],” Shmul said. “We all worked hard to put on an event like this, and the work truly did pay off, as we informed multiple students of the wonderful opportunities our school has to offer.”

Shmul said the club advertises for the event a month prior to the night to ensure

that students hear about it well in advance and know to attend. Members created banners and flyers to be placed around the school, as well as had the school board send robo-call messages home to parents of all students.

“I think the robo-call messages were the most effective way of getting our message across,” Shmul said. “Between the calls home and the flyers, members really did work hard for promoting the event.”

Semprun said she was overjoyed with the outcome of the event. However, in the future, she said she hopes to create a third presentation for students and families who do not speak English or Spanish.

“Aside from English and Spanish, we hope to be able to give a third slideshow to provide even more information to families,” Semprun said. “We wish to extend the event to more languages and, consequently, more cultures later on.”

Mrs. De Gouveia said she was concerned that the event wouldn’t be as large as she hoped, as it took place halfway through a school year. However, she said she was pleasantly surprised with the outcome of around 60 people, as it was larger than she expected.

“It’s hard to know how many people will show up to an event like this when the school year is already halfway through,” Mrs. De Gouveia said. “However, we really did have a good turnout, which makes me excited for what this club will do in the future.”

Marine Science Society hosts annual tournament

BY ISA CAROUB

The Marine Science Society held its annual Super Smash Brothers tournament after school on Jan. 17 in room 412. The officers of the club provided food, refreshments and Wii games, which were all included with the purchase of a $5 entry ticket. All proceeds went to the Marine Science club.

“I believe this event was a success because it brought the students together,” Marine Science teacher Jeannine Rendon said. “This event [was] a lot of fun, and I hope the students [had] a good time.”

Junior and Marine Science Society President Justin Bonilla said the purpose of the event was to raise money as well as promote the club and Marine Science classes among interested students.

“We want kids to know about this class, and it’s exciting to do something like this for the club,” Bonilla said. “The game night is meant for students to join the club and to also have a fun time while doing it.”

Although most of the participants who attended the gaming event were enrolled in a marine science course, the event was open to all interested students.

Bonilla said the club put up posters around the school to advertise the event.

“We don’t want students to feel that the event is only for Marine Science [members],” Bonilla said. “We actually make sure that the afternoon will be something that everybody will enjoy.”

Members of the Marine Science Society organized the event and set up a table full of snacks such as chips, candy, pizza and soft drinks for the guests. Junior and Marine Science Society member Sebastian Makrides said planning the event made members feel empowered.

“Cypress Bay students make a lot of things happen, and I’m proud we provided this mini party,” Makrides said. “It comes to show that us kids can do things on our own.”

Makrides said although the purpose of the event was to raise money for the club, the attendees were more focused on enjoying themselves.

“The event was a good idea to get us all together, and I had such a great time,” Makrides said. “I met up with my friends and got to play a few of my favorite video games while helping the club out.”

Bonilla said participating in the gaming event was a great way to get involved with school, meet people with the same interests and have fun with friends.

“Wii Night is a fun way to raise

PHOTO BY ISA CAROUB

SMASH IT: Junior Sebastian Makrides prepares to play in the Marine Science Society Super Smash Brothers tournament in Jan. 17 in room 412.

money and play games with students,” Bonilla said. “We tend to meet new people without even realizing; it’s a great way to make new friends.”

Ms. Rendon said although only 15 people attended the event, the turnout did not interfere with the overall plans.

“I’m proud of my students, and I want to keep promoting the club full of dedicated kids,” Ms. Rendon said. “I think the event went really well, and we managed to raise money for the club.”

Junior Ana Gonzales said attendees did not need to know how to play video

games in order to enjoy the event.

“I’m not really into gaming, but I thought this was a cool idea and I wanted to check it out,” Gonzales said. “Not all of us can play, but it’s still a lot of fun.”

For Gonzales, the event not only served as an opportunity to relax after a long day at school, but it also informed her about the marine science courses offered at the Bay. “Next year I will definitely consider taking a marine science course,” Gonzales said. “Thanks to this event I met new friends and discovered a new interest.”

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FEBRUARY 2018

Underclassmen explore future course options

BY RACHEL FRIEDMAN MANAGING EDITOR

With approximately 70 clubs and 300 classes available to students at the Bay, the annual Curriculum Fair was held to narrow down students’ options as they filled out their course selection cards for the 2018-2019 school year. The Fair, which was held on Jan. 26 throughout all lunches in the courtyard, allowed students to interactively learn about their options; members of the clubs and classes participating in the Fair set up tables to showcase relevant materials and answer any questions.

Junior Carolina Rapp represented Cypress Bay Television (CBTV) and said Curriculum Fair benefits not only the students looking to select their classes, but also the students who are promoting their classes.

“It’s really important to CBTV to participate in Curriculum Fair because it allows us to make an impression on the school and the student body,” she said. “We’re trying to make students interested and really let them know what we do here, and doing that also gives us a chance to really promote why we love our club.”

Rapp said Curriculum Fair is one of the many ways CBTV recruits students.

She said it was very successful this year.

“My goal [of Curriculum Fair] is to get more students to know more about CBTV and what we do and broadcast; I really want people to join our family,” she said. “Curriculum Fair has gone

really well for us and I think students are truly learning from this.”

Senior and chorus treasurer Ignacio Azcarate represented the chorus table and said their goal as a group was to talk to students who were hesitant about joining.

However, unlike a majority of the other tables, he said their main intention with the Fair was to be informative rather than persuasive.

“Our goal with Curriculum Fair is a little different; it’s more important for us to be able to explain who we are and what we do rather than convincing people to join,” he said. “People think chorus is more for girls, which makes guys really self-conscious about singing, so our goal is to talk to these students and let them know this isn’t true. Most of the guys didn’t want to do it at first, but once they joined they all loved it.”

Azcarate said the event went well for the group and that they achieved their goal.

“Curriculum Fair is always successful for us; we always get people to join who we wouldn’t expect, which is amazing to see,” he said. “These people have become my family, and that’s what we’re trying to showcase through [this event].”

Although Student Government Association (SGA) primarily runs the event, President Harrison Miller said the organization is more hands-on as the students are encouraged to take part.

“SGA makes the signs for each table and assigns them to the different clubs and classes participating, but that’s about all we do,” Miller said. “Curriculum

PHOTO BY JESSIE CHAIET

RUNNING THE COURSE : Members of Student Government Association sophomore Jack Ross, senior Barbara Ramirez, junior Nicole Straight and sophmores Anurag Kulkarni and Jack McMahon display awards to try and recruit new members for next year.

Fair is really dependent on the students’ participation, since they are the ones running the tables.”

For sophomore Luis Lageyre, Curriculum Fair acts as an interactive alternative to reading the curriculum newspaper, which is available to students on the Bay’s website to provide descriptions and list prerequisites of every available class.

“Students usually don’t spend their time reading the entire curriculum newspaper and the long descriptions we are given, so Curriculum Fair is a fun and interactive way students can teach others

about the classes they are taking and are passionate about,” he said.

Lageyre recognized the importance of the event as it not only acts as a learning experience for interested students, but also showcases both the success and the diversity of the school.

“I know many people who actually have been impacted and persuaded by Curriculum Fair when choosing their courses,” Lageyre said. “It’s a great way to exhibit the student body, students’ interests and the diversity of the school.”

MLK honored through writing contest

BY JESSIE CHAIET NEWS EDITOR

To honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., English Honor Society (EHS) participated in a poetry contest through the Town of Davie. Junior and EHS member Jordan Moskowitz won first place for her poem.

“It felt really good to win because before I didn’t know I have a love for poetry, and I really like writing now,” Moskowitz said. “Maybe I could be doing that in the future because a lot of people are telling me it’s a talent, and I never knew I had it until I tried.”

The Town of Davie held a celebration for Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 14, where they announced the winners of the contest. Winners were given the opportunity to present their poems to the attendees.

“It felt really great especially presenting it in that community,” Moskowitz said. “It’s such an honor, especially to have such an audience that’s listening to you.”

Anna Francis, Special Events Crew Leader for the Town of Davie, was in charge of coordinating the poetry contest. She also served as a judge for evaluating the entries.

“We read all of the poems aloud and after many that stood out for Dr. King’s passages of his work, beliefs and feelings that we felt [Moskowitz’s] poem delivered the message the best,” Francis said.

The celebration included lunch along with inflatables, a petting farm and performances from local musicians. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and the Metropolitan Baptist church also spoke at the event.

PHOTO BY JESSIE CHAIET

POETRY WITH A PURPOSE: Junior Jordan Moskowitz presents her winning poem on Jan. 14 at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration event in Davie. Moskowtiz participated in the English Honor Society sponsored poetry contest, which was held in order to honor the memory of MLK.

“It was very successful; it gave the community the opportunity to receive what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have wanted, a celebration of his message from his speech ‘I have a Dream,’” Francis said.

Moskowitz participated in the contest last year and received second place. She said she decided to participate this year when Francis invited her to enter the contest again.

“Being a part of it last year and even placing second I knew I definitely wanted to do it again,” Moskowitz said. “It’s not

even about winning, it’s about writing and that’s something that I love.”

Francis said it is important to have this poetry contest in order to honor Martin Luther King Jr. for all he has achieved in his lifetime.

“I enjoy this event as it is a way to educate the community on one of our past greatest lifetime achievers,” Francis said.

“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave one of his most prize winning speeches of his lifetime country and having this event is a way to be able to express it in a way the community can learn not to forget he was

part of our country’s history.”

Moskowitz said she enjoyed participating in the contest because she was able to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. through her passion of writing poetry.

“I think it’s important to honor him because he stood up for his rights and he stood up for his community,” Moskowitz said. “A lot of people, even though we have that special day off, we don’t really remember. We kind of just take the day off, so I think it’s really special that you take a second and really appreciate what he’s done.”

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DECA members honored at Districts Urrutia participated in a professional selling test and in the professional selling finance competition. He placed in the top 13 for the test and the presentation, allowing him to be eligible for the state competition.

“I am excited that I will be going to States; it would have been nice to be in the top three, but just making [the top 13] is a great accomplishment,” Urrutia said.

Senior and Executive Council member Miranda Milan competed in DECA testing for her fourth time. She wrote a franchise business plan and will also be going to States. Milan said she is sad that this is her last year competing in DECA competitions.

“This is my last year, so I want to do well, and my goal is to compete at Internationals later in the year,” Milan said. “With this being my last year in DECA, it is a bittersweet moment.

Because of DECA competitions, I’ve embedded myself in this club and created friendships that have lasted for years.”

Milan said she enjoys the award ceremony as everyone in the district comes together to celebrate their accomplishments.

“Coming together as a chapter and cheering for everyone regardless if you know them or not is what makes this chapter a family,” Milan said.

Taylor said he loves the sense of community evident throughout the chapter as well. He said he was thrilled when he finished his 30-page manual but was happy to help others with theirs.

“Seeing the manuals develop and assisting my peers with any knowledge I have from prior experiences is something I have enjoyed doing the past three years,” Taylor said.

BY ALEXIS EPSTEIN NEWS PHOTO EDITOR

Members of DECA participated in the annual District Competition on Jan. 11. The competition consisted of a 100-question multiple choice test that took place in the auditorium where approximately 1,000 students participated. Those with the most correct answers in the district move on to state competition, and DECA teacher Denise Jacks said she is proud of all this year’s participants.

“I was here when there were only three [DECA] teachers, so it’s exciting to see us grow to seven teachers with all these students participating over the last six years,” Mrs. Jacks said. “It hasn’t just been fulfilling to see the chapter grow in size, but also to see the improvement and growth of the students.”

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Because of DECA competitions, I’ve embedded myself in this club and created friendships that have lasted for years.

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-senior Miranda Milan

“

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY ALEX TAYLOR

GOING FOR THE GOLD: (From top) seniors Alex Taylor (left) and Gustavo Rubio participated in the annual DECA District Competition and were among the 250 students who attended the award ceremony at Nova Southeastern University on Jan. 18. Those who had the highest scores go on to compete in the state competition, along with those who placed within the top 13 in one of 50 competitions.

“I felt great writing the manual and doing testing as well as placing in both,” Taylor said. “It was incredibly stressful, but I was proud of what we accomplished.”

Approximately 250 DECA students attended the award ceremony at Nova Southeastern University on Jan. 18 where they were awarded trophies for their selected manuals and qualifying scores on district testing. There were over 50

categories and the top 13 in each moved on to States, which will be taking place in March.

“I was hopeful that all of the work everyone put in would result in a good outcome,” Taylor said. “All the students and faculty supported us along the way.

It was great to see everyone gather and celebrate our achievements as a DECA family.”

Every year is a new opportunity for the Bay’s DECA chapter to grow and achieve greatness.

I try not to stress too much on winning but am always excited when we improve from the prior year.

“

The Bay’s DECA chapter, which is the largest chapter in the world, had more participants this year than ever before.

Mrs. Jacks said she was very happy with this year’s turnout.

“I try not to go on with expectations, but you always hope to do better, and we definitely have,” Mrs. Jacks said. “I am proud of every one of the students that participated this year as I know how much effort was put into doing well.”

Mrs. Jacks and DECA Executive and Leadership Council officers were responsible for setting up The Wave and auditorium for district testing and distributing the tests. Senior and Director of Special Projects Julio Urrutia said the officer team did a great job setting up for the testing.

“I was proud of myself and the rest of my team because of everything we accomplished in terms of setup and execution,” Urrutia said. “This was actually my favorite part of Districts as we had the common goal to work towards and it helped us bond as well as interact with each other in a better way.”

DECA members also participated in presentations and writing competitions.

Senior and DECA Leadership Council member Alex Taylor competed in the Business Plan Manual competition with senior Gustavo Rubio, Assistant to the DECA President. For the competition, they wrote a 30-page manual on Douglas Elliman, the fourth largest real estate company in the U.S.

-DECA adviser Denise Jacks Mrs. Jacks said she enjoys watching interaction between DECA members and the development of the club as each year it expands in size and qualifications.

“Every year is a new opportunity for the Bay’s DECA chapter to grow and achieve greatness,” Mrs. Jacks said. “I try not to stress too much on winning but am always excited when we improve from the prior year.”

14 FEBRUARY 2018

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LOVE WITHOUT BORDERS

BY CASSIDY SHELDON FEATURES EDITOR

While moving to a different country was a big leap for freshman Camila Acevedo, she said leaving behind her best friend, Alexia Marouki, was the hardest part. Born and raised in Venezuela, the two girls met when they were little in dance class and Acevedo said they have been inseparable ever since. However, she said it has been difficult managing their friendship from afar.

“We text and call every day, but we can go months without texting or talking to each other,” Acevedo said. “But, it doesn’t really matter because then, once we talk to each other, it is like we never stopped.”

Si nc e Acevedo’s move to the United States in Oct. 2016, the friends h a v e only seen each other in person once. She said it was not only difficult leaving her hometown, but also her best friend.

“It is really hard because you go from seeing each other every single day to never seeing each other at all,” Acevedo said. “I miss being with her and doing everything with her and the things we did like watching Netflix and staying up talking.”

Like Acevedo, senior Taylor Lessem has maintained a long distance relationship with her boyfriend Matthew Cunningham, who lives in Scotland. The couple met while working at Camp Blue Ridge in Georgia a few summers ago.

“We realized how much we really liked being together and that being together for a small amount of time was better than not being happy and not being

together at all,” Lessem said.

While Lessem said they have been able to manage dating across the globe, she said she dislikes the minimal face-toface interactions they obtain throughout the school year.

“Sometimes I really miss him and just want to see him more; like when I have a birthday or something.

I just want to celebrate at home, and I just wish that he was with me,” Lessem said. “I don’t see him that often in person.

Since the school year started, I have seen him twice, but it has been for several weeks each time he has visited. I hope to visit him soon in Scotland.”

However, Cunningham said the few times they are actually together makes their time together more meaningful.

“Some benefits are that when you are together it is so much better,” Cunningham said.

“Seeing each other every day would be amazing, but you know that when it is limited time that you can spend together, it makes it so much better.”

Like Cunningham and Lessem, English teacher Celeste Reyes said her long distance relationship with her family while she served in the military helped make their family interactions more sincere.

“It was for [my children] that I joined the military, to find out what I can do better as a mother, how I could support my government, how I could raise my children better,” Ms. Reyes said.

While serving abroad for her country, Ms. Reyes said she missed her

THE CIRCUIT

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY TAYLOR LESSEM

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY CELESTE REYES

GO THE DISTANCE: (From top) senior Taylor Lessem showed her boyfriend Matthew Cunningham around her hometown. She said it was important for her to show him around South Florida, so she took him to the Miami Zoo. Cunningham has visited Lessem in Florida twice and he said he looks forward to all the time they can share together. English teacher Celeste Reyes was stationed in Iraq where she worked as a Staff Sergeant for Civil Affairs with the ministries of Education and Health in the Presidential Palace. She said her love for her children allowed her to accomplish her personal goals and complete her missions while in the military.

children and found alternative means of communication.

“I needed to feel stronger, so I wrote to them a lot and sent them anything that I could find to show my love: books, toys, mementos, emails, postcards, letters and books I created myself,” Ms. Reyes said.

“I also signed up for programs that helped soldiers with their children. For instance, a great organization, Military Kids, sent the children gift cards or helped pay for summer camp. I am grateful to these organizations that sent care packages to my children.”

In a more modern form of communication, Cunningham said he and Lessem prefer to FaceTime and text each other daily.

“We keep in touch; we FaceTime every day and we text and just count the days until we get to see each other again,” Cunningham said. “When I finally get to see her in person, it is amazing and our countdown just builds up the excitement we have.”

Like the couple, Acevedo said she and Marouki maintain constant contact through their cell phones. She said they have busy lives, which can make keeping in touch a challenge.

“We have different schedules but we still try to make time for talking and watching shows together,” Acevedo said.

“We find shows that we both will watch so we can talk about what is going on as if we were watching it together.”

Despite the distance, Acevedo said she has learned from this experience with Marouki. While they may not be living near one another anymore, Acevedo said they will always be dear friends.

“You test your friendship because you realize that you don’t need to be close in order to be best friends,” Acevedo said.

“It is hard and I feel sad when I see her with all of my friends back in Venezuela because I want to be there, but we find a way to pull it off and still be best friends.”

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College acceptances yield celebration

BY CARLI UDINE ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

As college decisions are being released by universities nationwide, seniors at the Bay are moving onto the next chapters in their lives. Senior Daniela Schwartz said being accepted to Emory University was a dream of hers for as long as she could remember.

“Since I was eight, I knew where I wanted to attend college when I was older,” Schwartz said. “I had this dream throughout all of my academic years. It was really what motivated me to always try my hardest in school.”

Schwartz said after being accepted to Emory on Dec. 14, all of the hard work and stress she put into school was well worth it.

“I was beyond nervous when it came time to check my updated application status,” she said. “I knew the decision waiting on my computer screen was going to determine the rest of life.”

Broward Advisers for Continuing Education (BRACE) adviser Shari Bush said when it comes time for college decisions, seniors at the Bay become overwhelmed and stressed. However, she said she is extremely proud of this year’s senior class.

“I strongly believe this senior class is one of the strongest to come through Cypress Bay in the 16 years that I have been here,” Mrs. Bush said. “They are not disappointing with their admission decisions so far. I am thrilled with the decisions that have come back already.”

Mrs. Bush said students are applying to more schools than ever before.

“Applications for top schools were

significantly up across the board,” Mrs. Bush said. “Even with lower admit rates, we still were able to get multiple students into spectacular schools. Right now we have kids into several of the Ivy League schools as well as into top schools, like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford, Georgia Tech and more.”

Applying early decision also allows students to hear back from these schools at an earlier time than regular decision, though it comes with the stipulation that they must attend should they be admitted.

“There was definitely an increase this year in the amount of applications sent in for early decision this year,” Mrs. Bush said.

Schwartz said applying during the early decision period for Emory was necessary because she knew she wanted to spend the next four years only there.

“After visiting Emory’s campus countless times, I knew this was where I had to attend college,” she said. “When it came time to apply, I was certain of applying early decision.”

Senior Federico Bengoa said getting accepted to Notre Dame University was the highlight of his year.

“Opening my acceptance letter was probably one of the most amazing moments of my life,” Bengoa said. “It’s amazing how all of the hard work that goes into high school pays off for the future.”

Bengoa said hearing back from colleges early during senior year is very beneficial when it comes to planning his next school year.

“I really like that I am able to use the rest of the school year to figure out what I am going to do next year,” Bengoa said.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY DANIELA SCHWARTZ

MAMA I MADE IT: Senior Daniela Schwartz and her parents Donna and Todd celebrated Daniela’s acceptance into her dream school, Emory University, on Dec. 14.

“There are so many components to going off to college that the most important thing in preparing is time.”

Mrs. Bush said she is confident about the rest of the decisions that have not yet been released.

“I am anticipating even more great de-

cisions to come for the rest of the school year. I think we are going to have even more students into top schools around the country,” Mrs. Bush said. “I am a happy college adviser right now.”

Love strikes high school teenagers

BY ANNABELLE DANIELSROSENBERG

As sophomore Samantha Deluca walks through the hallways of the Bay, she takes a quick detour to meet up with her boyfriend, sophomore Barrett Cruz.

After dating for nine months, Deluca and Cruz said they have achieved the stereotypical high-school relationship.

“My boyfriend and I met in school and have become super close,” Deluca said.

“We never fight or argue, and I am glad to be dating my best friend.”

Cruz and Deluca see each other every day at school, which Cruz said has helped strengthen his relationship since they can help one another with schoolwork.

“Being in school together makes us closer because we are able to see each other throughout the day,” Cruz said. “We also bond by helping each other with our classes.”

Since they don’t have any classes together, they said they have found a good balance between their education and relationship.

“Having classes together would make us not pay full attention and be distracted, which would not be healthy for us or our grades,” Deluca said. “It is nice that we have lunch together and we find time to see each other after school and on weekends.”

However, Student Government Association and Interior Design teacher Danielle Nascimento said she has seen high-school relationships distract many of her students from learning in class.

“As teenagers, students’ hormones and emotions are constantly changing,”

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY SAMANTHA DELUCA

YOU’RE THE ONE THAT I WANT: Sophomores Samantha DeLuca and her boyfriend Sophomore Barrett Cruz were crowned as Homecoming Court at the Homecoming varsity football game.

Mrs. Nascimento said. “Even if things are going really great, it is a complete distraction to things like getting involved in school or building friendships.”

Although Mrs. Nascimento said relationships can be beneficial and healthy, she opposes the idea of them for high school students. She also said students should not take their relationship too seriously because they still have their

whole future ahead of them.

“I have seen too many students get traumatized by some type of scenario in their dating lives,” Mrs. Nascimento said.

“This is such an important time in their lives that they should just be enjoying all of the experiences that school has to offer.”

Like Deluca and Cruz, senior Alysha Steinman said she enjoys being in a

high-school relationship. However, since her boyfriend Ian Schillinger is away at Florida State University, she said it is sometimes difficult to keep in touch.

“It is really hard with him being in college but we talk on the phone all the time and we visit each other very often,” Steinman said.

Although Steinman said she devotes a lot of time to talking to Schillinger on the phone, she said their bond has overcome the difficulty of dating long distance.

“It is sometimes hard to communicate over the phone because face-to-face is better,” Steinman said. “The positives, however, are that when we do see each other, we always have a great time.”

When Schillinger is home from school, Steinman said they try to spend all their time together. She said managing a relationship while being far away from one another has strengthened their relationship.

“For winter break, he came home for a month and we went on trips together to North Carolina and Colorado,” Steinman said. “I think I have become more mature and learned to work as a team a lot better, which are important things to excel in during my high school years.”

Despite the distance, Steinman said she is grateful for her high-school relationship since it has helped her mature.

“My boyfriend motivates me to be a better person and to work harder in school,” Steinman said. “Although we do not see each other every day, when we do, we always have a great time.”

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Teen slang builds language barrier

BY NYAH HARDMON FEATURES COPY EDITOR

The majority of junior Muskaan Singh’s daily conversations are composed of various slang terms and inside jokes.

She said she often uses abbreviations like “LOL” and “OMG” not only in her written text messages but also within her spoken discussions. This phenomenon of heavy use of modern slang and cultural references has created a niche of teenage vocabulary, with its own distinct quirks and characteristics.

“With my friends, I speak way more informally and will make jokes out of things like Vine references, which I know everyone will understand and laugh at,” Singh said.

According to Singh, her language use is based on comfort and familiarity.

She said she feels more at ease with her peers and can relax more when speaking.

This loosened tone is exhibited in Singh’s heavy utilization of what some may consider improper grammar.

“I prefer speaking with people my age because there isn’t the threat of unintentionally disrespecting someone by saying things like ‘ain’t’ or ‘y’all,’” Singh said.

Singh said she notices an obvious shift between the way teenagers talk to one another compared to the way adults talk to one another. She said that with adults, she feels pressured to be more polite and less humorous.

“I notice that adults talk more formally to each other, and I feel the need to conform to that and use big words that I probably wouldn’t say to my friends,” Singh said. “I don’t say the stuff that I’d normally say because there’s this sense of respect.”

English teacher Cecilia Fonseca shares this observation, stating that adults are more proper with their dialect.

She said this outlying characteristic of adult language originates from the older generation’s increased emphasis on preciseness.

“I know that with texting, I still use proper punctuation, “ Ms. Fonseca said.

“Kids abbreviate everything; we are about correctness, while they seem to be about speed.”

This disconnect between adults and teen language is why senior Sydnie Shea Cohen said it’s harder for the two age groups to communicate. She said adults find it difficult to understand teenage slang because their peers do not use it in daily discussions as much as teens do.

Cohen finds that adults are also typically unaware of the trending topics that circulate high school environments and make their way into conversations.

“Much of the language that my friends and I use is based on slang social media websites,” Cohen said. “Since adults don’t really see the stuff that we’re talking about, there’s no way that they could get

PHOTO BY NYAH HARDMON

TTYL: Senior Sydnie Shea Cohen discusses her weekend plans with sophomores Arielle Germain and Daniela Palacios-Herrera. Cohen said when she converses with people her age, she is more relaxed with her language and word choice, compared to the formal tone she said she tends to use with adults. According to Cohen, because she doesn’t use the same slang with older audiences, they have a harder time comprehending teenage vernacular.

what we are saying.”

Cohen said she can understand why adults would want to learn variations of teenage slang as a way to break down the barrier between grown ups and adolescents.

“I think parents would have an easier time communicating with their children if they learned teen talk,” Cohen said.

“My dad is constantly using slang, and although it’s often used incorrectly, at least he’s trying to relate to me.”

Ms. Fonseca contends that adults should only learn or attempt to utilize contemporary jargon when their job requires it.

“If I am the parent of a teenager, I need to learn the language,” Ms. Fonseca said.

“If I sell clothes to teenagers, I should likewise know their lingo.”

According to Ms. Fonseca, language is an evolving force, and she sees teen slang as a part of this process.

Although she is still attempting to learn modern vernacular with the help of her

daughters and students, she does not see the vocabulary as a threat to traditional grammar rules. Instead, she believes teen talk reflects the subcultures and idiosyncrasies of today.

“Each age group has its ‘own’ language, a set of cultural references that are its own, and these usually correspond with the way they talk,” Ms. Fonseca said.

Ms. Fonseca asserts that teens develop their own slang to have a commonality between their age group, like a common ground that connects teens of all ranges.

Contrary to those who favor the eradication of this incorrect usage of English, Ms. Fonseca said that the universal means of teenage communication should be preserved.

“Every once in a while, I’ll get a paper with a ‘gonna’ or more recently, a ‘salty,’” Ms. Fonseca said. “But the students, for the most part, know which language to use with their peers and which to use with adults.”

Singh said she also has faith

in teenagers’ ability to discern the appropriate time and place for their language choices. She said the majority of teen language she uses is only among her peers.

“Obviously they know that when we use slang, we are not speaking correctly and wouldn’t say the same things in a professional setting,” Singh said. “But when we are with our friends, I think teen talk is a harmless way of expressing ourselves.”

Ms. Fonseca believes the wall constructed between teen and adult vocabulary was established by figures of authority. She compares this separation to the disconnect between parents and children.

“Parents tend to set the rules and erect the barriers,” Ms. Fonseca said. “Any rebellion to these restrictions, like the use of slang, is a battle against not just the status quo, but against authority.”

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Tuition: $32, 592

Q&A with a current student

Undergrad Enrollment: 5,447 ACT Composite: SAT Percent of Composite: applicants admitted: 22-28 69 1190

PHOTO COURTESY OF HTTPS://CAREERSERVICES.ERAU.EDU/CONTACT

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) is a private university system and provides students with the ability to pursue various courses of study. The campus is located in Daytona Beach, Fla. Cypress Bay class of 2016 graduate Alejandro Crooz is a sophomore at the university. He spoke to the Circuit’s Sabrina Kehrer about his experience there.

When did you realize ERAU was a good fit for you?

I realized early that ERAU was a good fit for me considering my long-life passion: as a kid, I always had a passion for anything aviation-related. During my senior year, I began flight training for my first license and that’s when my mind was made. I decided to apply and attend

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as an Aviation Business Administration major while simultaneously working on my pilot licenses. This was one of the few universities that allowed me to focus on both.

How did you feel when you were accepted into ERAU? It was a great feeling knowing I had gotten accepted to the school I saw as the best fit for my future. A huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders, although there were still plenty of acceptances still to come. This showed me that all of my hard work and persistence throughout high school was completely worth it.

How has ERAU prepared you for

your future endeavors thus far?

ERAU has done a tremendous job preparing me as a student for the near future as a college graduate. Once a semester, career fairs bring in almost 100 big-name employers to network and inform students about the opportunities they have available. Moreover, since it is a private school, ERAU has small class sizes, which really helps with understanding curriculum thoroughly. Almost all ERAU professors have also been previously employed or were employers in the aviation industry, which is important when referencing back to previous experiences. ERAU also offers hundreds of clubs .

The main advice I can give to a senior applying to college is to follow your passion. Don’t think about money, don’t even think so far in the future yet. Focus on what is your passion and what truly makes you happy. And when you give 100 percent to anything, you ultimately do it right, and most importantly, people will realize your effort. As a result, you catch the attention of those who will one day offer you an opportunity because they remembered you always give your all when working on whatever it was. Don’t stress right now about something you can’t change like a bad year or semester in the past, but focus on your passion and giving your all from now on in order to open as many doors as What advice would you give to a possible for when it really matters. senior in regard to applying to college?

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THE THINGS THEY CARRIED FEATURING YASMIN ATESNAK AND HER BACKPACK

“The Things They Carried” is a recurring segment that examines the personalities of individual students through the contents of their backpacks. This month, Business Manager Remi Schwartz interviews senior Yasmin Atesnak to discover the meaning behind five items.

RINGS Rather than just wearing rings, Atesnak carries rings with her in her backpack every day. She said she enjoys rotating through different styles and she also offers some of her jewelry to her friends when she thinks their ensemble could benefit from an accessory.

“I think making a statement is huge. I love to be unique and different,” Atesnak said.

“These rings express my style and personality.”

SCRIPTS

Due to Atesnak’s passion for theatre programs, especially at the Bay, she said she always keeps her scripts on hand. With the upcoming production of “Rent,” where she plays Maureen, Atesnak said she is constantly rehearsing, so having the scripts easily accessible helps her memorize her lines.

“I always carry my binder to practice and connect with my character. I love reading and getting into the show,” Atesnak said. “If I’m bored or forgetting lines, I can simply take my script, learn and dive into the scenes.”

STICKERS

Atesnak carries around packs of stickers to school everyday. She said she likes putting them on her papers and also sharing them with her classmates.

“I just love stickers,” Atesnak said. “These little accents are extremely happy and can make anyone’s day.”

SUNGLASSES

While she does not use them inside the building during class time, Atesnak said she likes carrying around multiple pairs of sunglasses for whenever she is outside at the Bay. In her backpack, she always has at least two pairs in order to match her mood and her outfit of the day.

“Sunglasses are fun and trendy in all ways,” Atesnak said. “I like my style to express my personality, and it’s a direct statement.”

LUNCHBOX

Atesnak said she is not a fan of bringing a non-reusable lunch bag to school, so she opts for a “Doctor Who” lunchbox that allows her to carry her food while still displaying her personality.

“The majority of the school has lost the art of carrying lunch boxes around, so I make sure to keep it strong,” Atesnak said. “I know that it’s easier to carry a bagged lunch and throw it away, but it’s a statement, so why should it stop after all these years?”

“

I think making a statement is huge. I love to be unique and different.

”

-senior Yasmin Atesnak

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Science passion stems from class

BY SOFIA RUSS

For junior Angelica Tracy, chemistry class is her favorite part of the school day.

Rather than getting overwhelmed by the overload of classwork, she said science has evolved into her deepest passion.

“I definitely want to pursue science in my future,” Tracy said. “I am figuring out what field I want to work in, specifically by being involved in clubs and furthering my knowledge in science.”

Since Tracy’s mother is a chemistry professor and her father is a population genetics specialist, she said she has always felt encouraged to follow in their footsteps.

“

It is so cool to see how different phenomena in the world interact with each other and to analyze the deeper reasons why things occur.

“

-senior Alex Faria

“Although I am not completely sure what field I want to specialize in yet, my parents have inspired me to gravitate towards the field of chemistry and

neuroscience,” Tracy said.

Tracy is the current president of Chemistry Club, which was founded in 2016. She said this opportunity solidified her dream of pursuing a career in this field.

“I found that I genuinely enjoyed teaching others about chemistry,” Tracy said. “I want to lead the club to expand preconceived ideas around chemistry because there is more to this field than what meets the eye.”

As president, Tracy runs meetings as well as many labs and experiments that are held after school for the members to participate in.

“From blood typing to creating sweet smelling perfumes from chemicals, the club aims to teach students that there is so much more to chemistry than just calculations,” Tracy said.

Like Tracy, senior Alex Faria said he enjoys sharing his love for science with his peers through Science National Honor Society.

“As the tutoring head of Science National Honor Society, I appreciate being able to help other people understand concepts better and seeing them improve,” he said.

Faria said he finds the subject fascinating, especially since new discoveries are constantly being made by scientists around the world.

“It is so cool to see how different phenomena in the world interact with

ILLUSTRATION BY OLIVIA LANDSMAN

each other and to analyze the deeper reasons why things occur,” Faria said.

By holding study groups and lending a hand to other science teachers, Faria said he incorporates this subject into his daily extracurricular activities.

“I love holding after-school study groups to help the students that are falling behind,” he said. “I get to teach others about what I am passionate about while still helping others.”

Like Faria, Advanced Placement (AP) Biology teacher Brandon Boswell embraces his passion for this branch of knowledge by teaching it to his students every day.

“The nature of instruction is one of my favorite things about being a science teacher,” Mr. Boswell said. “The moment a student finally succeeds in

understanding a concept that I taught is very rewarding to me.”

Mr. Boswell said science classes are essential in preparing students for technological advances that may come in their future.

“It is important to know how to construct fundamental research about different things in biology and science. It truly helps students for their future by increasing their critical thinking skills,” Mr. Boswell said. “AP Biology is all about being able to critically understand, evaluate and practice science. I enjoy interacting with my students by helping them with these principles and extending their understanding of this subject.”

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Students motivated by dream schools

BY CASSIDY SHELDON FEATURES EDITOR

When senior Daniela Schwartz was eight years old, she visited Emory University for the first time and fell in love with the campus. Ten years later, she was accepted early decision into her dream school and is counting down the days until she moves to the Atlanta campus.

“The first time I went to the campus, I instantly knew I loved it there. I went again [in] my junior year for a formal tour,” Schwartz said. “It was so weird actually taking a tour knowing that all these years I have dreamed about going there, and now I would possibly be a student there in the future.”

Throughout her childhood, Schwartz visited the school every summer and she said these trips inspired her to keep working hard in school so she could one day achieve her dream.

“Ever since I was little, every year before sleepaway camp, my family and I would visit the campus and I would always buy myself Emory sweatshirts and t-shirts,” Schwartz said. “I’ve always been spirited for the school and I love the campus. I knew I really only saw myself at Emory.”

Junior Juan Salazar said he hopes to attend a summer program at his dream school, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) this year. He said he discovered his passion for MIT when his older brother inspired him to pursue science and focus on his academics.

“My brother is a big reason why I want to go to MIT,” Salazar said. “He inspired me to look into highly-ranked schools.

One of the ones he always told me was best of the best was MIT. When he went to Boston University (BU), a lot of his friends ended up going to MIT and he showed me that school and made me feel like it is the perfect place for me.”

While looking more into what the school offers, Salazar said he found

“

No school is perfect and you are not going to completely fall in love with every aspect of your school, even if you think right now that you will.

So just brace yourself for the amazing parts of your schools that you fell in love with and also the possibility of there being things you don’t like as much, but just going with the flow and being realistic.

“

-alumna Jennifer Schonberger

interesting programs the school has such as Camp Kesem, which aids children who have parents going through chemotherapy.

“If I went to MIT, I would look into and try to be a part of Camp Kesem because I was that kid at one point. It’s just something that I can relate with and is for a really good cause,” Salazar said. “It is things like that which are really special to the school and important to me.”

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY JEN SCHONBERGER

NEXT FOUR BEST FOUR: (From top) alumna Jennifer Schonberger (class of 2015) attends a football game at her dream school to show off her passion and pride for Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Schonberger found her passion for Northwestern while she was attending a five-week program at the Medill School of Journalism during the summer of 2014. Senior Daniela Schwartz sits on the campus of her dream school, Emory University, in Atlanta. Schwartz will be attending Emory in the fall of 2018. She visited the Emory campus prior to submitting her application in order to get a feel for what it is like to be a college student at the university. Schwartz was accepted into the university early decision and is waiting to start at the campus.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY DANIELA SCHWARTZ

Along with the organizations MIT offers, Salazar said he was mesmerized by the college’s location in the city of Boston. He said the prime destination was a major selling point for him.

“Boston itself is the best city in the world for my college years because you have all of these insanely prestigious universities inside the same area distance as Weston, like Harvard, MIT and BU, all near downtown Boston, which has a super vibrant culture,” Salazar said.

“Even the history behind Boston, while still being a college town, is interesting.

Many people you see around are college students, so getting to be around many students from different schools allows for a lot of opportunities and connections to be made.”

Alumna Jennifer Schonberger, who graduated from the Bay in 2015, is currently attending her desired college, Northwestern University. It was not until the summer after her junior year that Schonberger said she discovered her passion for this school while attending a five-week summer program on campus.

“I really loved the campus. I loved how it was near a city, Chicago. The school had a lot of school spirit and purple is my favorite color so the school color was a bonus,” Schonberger said.

“They also have a really good journalism program and it’s just a great school. A lot of my idols went here, like Seth Meyers and Julia Louis Dreyfus, so it just kind of became my dream school after doing this program. Once I left and got home,

I realized I couldn’t go anywhere else. I needed to go to Northwestern.”

While applying to college her senior year, Schonberger said she was relatively confident in her application. However, she said it was still a nerve-wracking experience which would determine her future.

“I definitely put a lot of pressure on myself for my application to be perfect.

I pretty much memorized my common app essay and my Northwestern essay because I read through them so many times. I probably could still recite them from memory,” Schonberger said. “It was definitely scary applying because I really wanted to get in, but it also felt good because I felt very sure of myself.”

Schonberger said she was unsure of the town, Evanston, which Northwestern is centered in because she was hoping to be in a city like New York. However, once she visited, she said she realized she enjoyed the town and it was not too far from Chicago.

“Before visiting Northwestern, I thought that Illinois was just completely cornfields and hillbillies. I didn’t know that there was civilization here, so I thought I really wanted to go somewhere that I knew there was a city, like New York,” Schonberger said. “Once I saw that Evanston was a cool place and was not in fact in the middle of nowhere, I obviously was considering Northwestern.”

After attending her dream school for a couple years now, Schonberger said she has been able to pursue all of her passions

in journalism and communications. She said she advises those applying to their dream schools to be prepared for aspects of the school they have not considered, such as a competitive environment or extremely cold weather.

“No school is perfect and you are not going to completely fall in love with every aspect of your school even if you think right now that you will,” Schonberger said. “So just brace yourself for the amazing parts of your school that you fell in love with and also the possibility of there being things you don’t like as much, but just going with the flow and being realistic.”

Salazar plans to apply to MIT next fall and he said this uncertain aspect of his future drives him to dedicate time and energy toward his studies. He said he hopes to achieve his goals and attend his dream school.

“Thinking about MIT motivates me to want to keep working hard and keep doing the best that I can so that my grades can reflect the kind of student they want. This inspires me to keep working with all of my different extracurriculars like Habitat for Humanity and rugby,” Salazar said. “It motivates me to be the best I can, study as best as I can and follow my passion to show MIT that I can work hard and can go to a school like this. A school like MIT you just can’t find anywhere else.”

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In this issue’s recurring segment that gives students an opportunity to learn more about the teachers they see every day, staffer Sabrina Kehrer interviews creative writing and English teacher, Rebecca Bueno.

What is your favorite aspect of teaching?

I think seeing other people finally understand something is a wonderful feeling. That “aha” face is the best part and is really rewarding to me.

What inspired you to become a teacher?

In fifth grade, I had a really great teacher who encouraged me to read more than I was supposed to.

That kind of love for literature and enjoyment for explaining it to other people is what makes me want to help others. In fifth grade, I just knew I wanted to teach.

What is your favorite part about being a teacher at the Bay? We have a lot of diverse students.

We get a lot of different opinions and cultural backgrounds where people will see something in a way that I have not. And I think it’s really great when we’re discussing something and we get a new perspective on things.

What do you hope students take away from your curriculum?

Grammar and vocabulary are important, but really understanding why something is influential and why we give it to them is important as well. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is the big ninth grade text. Why are we still reading this book about segregation and people abusing power? The message it brings up is really important for them to learn. I hope what they take from being in my class is interpretation of the events around them and how they influence others.

How have you benefited from teaching two different courses?

I think both courses influence each other. Often, I can use examples from one class in the other. The majority of my creative writing students are either above ninth grade and the other half are

in ninth grade, so they can relate to a lot of the examples I use. Also, all of the fun activities I do in creative writing, I can adapt into my regular English classes so they get to have more fun.

I think it’s a great parallel study much like figurative language and storytelling. It is a reflection of human nature, so you can apply different aspects of humanity through different types of music. You can tell a lot about a person by the music they like, and it is a really great way to teach poetry. It helps get people more into it because everyone likes music while not everyone likes poetry. If you like music, you technically like poetry.

How has being a former student at the Bay impacted your teaching career?

I think that different people and interacting in different courses shaped me in a way. The people who I was with and the teachers I had when I went here for high school really helped shape me.

How do you apply your course Some are still here and sometimes I think of activities they used that I can make use to today’s society?

I try to incorporate as much context of now, which is funny. as I can with every subject that I work What method do you use to keep with. Reading about societal things that go along with the text as we are students active and involved?

I think my energy level is what mostly reading it, like when we read “To Kill keeps them involved. Also, I try to think a Mockingbird,” I bring in the Civil of things that I would find enjoyable to Rights Movement, the 1930s and Jim do so sometimes I have to think a little Crow laws. So when we read modern harder to figure out what students would text, I like to talk about what’s going on and how students feel about the find enjoyable. subject matter.

How do you incorporate your passion for music into your curriculum?

I use lots of different musical forms;

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COZY ON CAMPUS

BY JULIANA ATENCIA

As the second semester begins, students are swapping their casual wear for pajamas across campus. From fuzzy socks to plaid pants, students have chosen to embrace the laid-back trend in many different fashions. Senior Carlos Cortina said pajamas are by far better than regular clothes because of the comfort and warmth they provide in the classroom.

“I wore my onesie to Pajama Day at school, and that was literally the comfiest I’ve ever been,” Cortina said. “It was so convenient to not have to choose something to wear and just throw on my pajamas.”

Senior Maureen Matthew wears her UGG moccasin slippers through the halls while sporting her joggers and a fleece

sweater. Matthew said senioritis has affected a lot of the seniors, making them swap out their clothes for the comfy style.

“Pajamas are so comfortable and practical, they’re just my go-to now,” Matthew said. “Honestly, seniors are leaving in a couple of months, so I really don’t have the effort to put a good outfit together anymore.”

Brand names like Calvin Klein and H&M have developed new comfort clothes collections. Cortina said these popular lines have inspired him to participate in the fad.

“I saw the INSIDER video on the modern onesie on my Instagram page.

I thought it was so cool,” Cortina said.

“It’s something that I would actually see myself wearing.”

Senior Gabby Parra takes part in the

trend after viewing celebrities like Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid and Demi Lovato also sporting fashionable sleepwear. Parra said she hopes the simple and relaxed trend continues to be an acceptable attire for school.

“You don’t see pajamas becoming an actual fashion statement too often,” Parra said. “I hope it’s here to stay because it’s the comfiest I’ve ever been.”

Though some students opt for a more relaxed outfit for the day, junior Alejandra Pestana thinks it is important to look put together for school.

“Personally, I couldn’t go to school in my pajamas. I’d be too embarrassed,” Pestana said. “But I think it’s cool how people don’t care and pull it off.”

Not only have students been wearing their sleepwear to class, but some are

Juan Salazar junior

Caitlin Nicholson junior

also bringing blankets as an accessory.

Sophomore Andrea Kimmel said she brings her fleece blanket to school every day, which helps her focus and stay cozy throughout class.

“Some classes have the A/C blasted, so I really can’t pay attention when I’m freezing,” Kimmel said. “I bring this super soft blanket my aunt gave me for Christmas and it really helps out with staying warm.”

While the pajama trend has received mixed reactions from the students at the Bay, Matthew said she hopes it is here to stay.

“Even if people do stop wearing pajamas, I’ll still keep on wearing them,” Matthew said. “It’s nice not being the only one who wants to be comfy and to not have to wake up early to plan an outfit.”

Juan Castro junior

Jenna Pick junior PHOTOS BY SOPHIA HANDLEY, SABRINA BLANDON, SOFIA RUSS AND CASSIDY SHELDON

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Valentine’s Day stirs mixed emotions

BY JESSICA SOBEL ONLINE FEATURES EDITOR

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, freshman Matthew Sloboda said he is not looking forward to the flowers, chocolates and teddy bears. Although he recognizes the popularity of the holiday, he said he does not think it is necessary.

“Valentine’s Day is a nice holiday when it comes to two people commemorating or honoring their love together, but if you truly love someone enough, you should celebrate, appreciate and embrace each other every day of the year,” Sloboda said.

“No one day, other than an anniversary or an extremely important mark of the relationship, should be put over other days in a relationship.”

While Sloboda said he recognizes the sentimental aspects behind the holiday, he said he thinks it has lost its true meaning.

“Valentine’s Day has made people way too superficial and more concerned about what to buy rather than how to feel,” Sloboda said. “The holiday should be celebrated to emphasize two people’s love for each other and to encourage them to keep a relationship strong and healthy, not to merely buy gifts.”

Like Sloboda, junior Jonathan Galante said he does not obsess over the celebration of Valentine’s Day. Rather than merely dedicating one day to it, he said people should appreciate their partner everyday.

“Celebrating Valentine’s Day only one day a year sets the precedence that your partner deserves different amounts of attention and affection depending on the occasion or date,” Galante said. “Nobody feels affectionate all the time, so saying

GRAPHIC BY SOPHIE GAER

that people should always shower their partners in love is unrealistic, but the reason behind thoughtful acts and romantic gestures should never be any other than genuine consideration and devotion.”

In addition to the unrealistic expectations Valentine’s Day sets, Galante said he dislikes that the holiday can lead to negative emotions among those who do not have a valentine to spend the holiday with. Moreover, he said it can be difficult for single people on the holiday to see others happily celebrating.

“People who do celebrate Valentine’s Day make it worse for those who are triggered by the holiday by excessively broadcasting their affection and

romance,” Galante said. “This public display creates a societal expectation in relationships and glorifies the experience of dating. This perception of romance often generates unhappiness in relationships due to its failure to meet standards.”

Similarly, AICE Media Studies teacher Margarete Marchetti said certain aspects of the media, including social media and film, can set unrealistic expectations for Valentine’s Day, leading to disappointment.

“There is a vast majority of people who post things on social media that are not true,” Mrs. Marchetti said. “You have this disconnect because someone may have this perfect life on Instagram,

but in real life, it is really not like that.

You cannot take that as a measure of happiness, success or popularity because what is posted on social media is a little distorted.”

Because Valentine’s Day accentuates people’s desires to be in a relationship, Sloboda said it can lead to insecurity and loneliness.

“When you are alone on Valentine’s Day, you start to notice that you are without a companion because unlike every other day, society has made this day to be extremely emphasized on love,” Sloboda said. “It might make you feel bad about yourself and your own love life.”

However, Mrs. Marchetti said people should not be discouraged by their lack of a valentine.

“Some people think that they should not come to school because they do not have a valentine and they do not want to walk around empty-handed and that is kind of ridiculous. You do not need somebody else to make you happy,” Mrs. Marchetti said. “You cannot live your life measuring yourself against other people. You need to live your life according to your expectations and your measurements of success or happiness.”

Although Galante said he dislikes many aspects of Valentine’s Day, he said he enjoys the positivity associated with the holiday.

“All the sharing of gifts and love is really exciting and a great part of any holiday,” Galante said. “I also like the idea of chasing a valentine or using the holiday as motivation to pursue a crush. It helps people form new relationships they may not have without the holiday.”

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Class of 2016

‘I believe I was made to be in front of a camera.’

Alumna Brionka Halbert steals the show as she pursues her career in modeling.

BY NYAH HARDMON FEATURES COPY EDITOR

Alumna Brionka Halbert, who graduated from the Bay in 2016, said she defied the expectations of both her friends and family, including her mother, when she left home at 17 years old and moved to New York City to pursue a modeling career.

“My mom agreed that if I got into one of the top five agencies in New York, she would grant me a gap year from college,” Halbert said. “Once that happened within my first week in New York City, she really started to believe in my dream.”

Halbert’s career began her junior year at the Bay when she was scouted by Lisa Sandoval, one of the campus security guards. Sandoval noticed Halbert while she was conditioning for basketball and insisted that she was “too pretty to be playing sports,” urging her to consider going into fashion.

“Lisa told me what I needed to do to jumpstart my career and things really started happening from that point,” Halbert said. “I was always told by passersby that I should be a model, but until then, I had no real plans of becoming one.”

After graduating high school, Halbert interviewed and signed with NEXT Models, the second largest talent agency in the world. The company has provided Halbert with various opportunities to excel in her career by booking her for projects such as Gap’s Christmas ad campaign, which was featured in Times Square and on shopping bags throughout Europe. Halbert said that she would likely not have the impressive resume she has today if not for the help of her agency.

“When I started this, I would never have imagined that my first job would be a featured spread in Teen Vogue or that I would land the Kanye West Yeezy show at fashion week,” Halbert said. “Each new campaign proves that my hard work was worth it.”

Although there are many aspects she likes within her job, Halbert said it also comes with various downfalls. She said the industry was different than her preconceptions, as she underestimated how draining each gig could be.

“Shoots can be all over the world and usually require flying in the night before, shooting all day, flying out on a red-eye and then doing the same thing again in another city the next day,” Halbert said.

Halbert said she’s able to take away valuable lessons from every experience, even the tough ones. By her first meeting with agency executives, she had already learned the importance of first impressions, something that she found would come in handy many times throughout her career. Although she said this lifestyle was difficult to adjust to in the beginning, with hard work and long hours, she was able to learn the ropes of the business.

“In striving to the top, I’ve matured in my understanding of life by experiencing the highs and lows, the good and the bad,” Halbert said.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY BRIONKA HALBERT

Halbert said all of her complaints about her job dissipate when she is in front of the camera. Halbert said she has developed an incredible support base throughout the years that constantly encourages and energizes her.

“My mom continues to push me to this day. She quit her job, ensured I got signed and got me a place to live in the city, all for the sake of my success,” Halbert said.

“At the time, I was super young, and I’m so glad she refused to leave me to the wolves.”

Halbert credits her years at the Bay for preparing her to overcome the cutthroat nature of her profession. She said the competitive academics, clubs and sporting activities she participated in during high school helped form the foundation of the person she is today.

“I developed such a thick skin from playing basketball and learned the importance of never taking shortcuts from my TV production teacher,” Halbert said. “I thank all my teachers for preparing me for the real world, especially those who adjusted my assignments to accommodate a shoot or casting. I could not have done this without their help.”

According to Halbert, her years at the Bay allowed her to form unforgettable connections and relationships while also building her strong self-esteem and selfconfidence. She said she is only in the early stages of her career and plans on expanding her talents to outside ventures.

“This career can be short-lived; one day I may just decide to give up dieting and succumb to my love for food,” Halbert said. “If modeling doesn’t work out, I intend on pursuing acting. I believe I was made to be in front of a camera.”

WORK IT: Alumna Brionka Halbert models for several magazine shoots, including the major fashion brand, Gap. She started modeling when she was 17 and moved to New York City to sign with the talent agency NEXT models.

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Expressing individuality through passion

BY AMANDA MORGAN LAYOUT EDITOR

As senior Yasmin Atesnak gets ready for school in the morning, she looks in her closet full of colorful clothes and accessories,

choosing

whatever

parallels

her

current

mood.

“I am a very laid-back person. I believe in being able to choose whatever you want to wear and not caring what other people think about it,” Atesnak said. “That mentality definitely allows me to be confident in fully expressing myself through my outfits without feeling restricted.”

Atesnak said she bases her style and her outfit for the day on her attitude. Usually, her outfit will consist of many different patterns and colors that do not necessarily match.

my hair dye definitely helps me express that.

“I wake up in the morning, and whatever I feel like wearing,

It also just makes me feel more artistic.”

I just grab and compile,” Atesnak said. “My favorite accessory

However, even without having blue hair dye,

is definitely my converse. I like to wear two different color

tattoos and six ear piercings, Ms. Hainsworth said

Converse, which is something that not a lot of other people

her personality would still be exactly the same,

do. It’s kind of like my staple thing and it’s really fun.”

but it would be less obvious to those around her.

Atesnak said her apparel can also influence her emotions

“People can take things away, but they can’t

depending on the color and style of the pieces she is wearing that day.

change who you are,” Ms. Hainsworth said. “No

“I really like to wear yellow,” Atesnak said. “Whenever

matter what people do to you, you are still true to

I wear yellow, it makes me feel super radiant like the sun.”

yourself inside, so although it wouldn’t be as clear

Like Atesnak, sophomore Endryval Camba also

to other people, I would still be the same person.”

said

Like Ms. Hainsworth, sophomore Ana Mendoza

she likes to express herself through different hair styles.

said she has confidence in her unique style.

expresses

her

personality

through

her

style.

Camba

“I usually just wear whatever I like,” Mendoza

“I decided to dye my hair during middle school when I was really trying to find myself,” Camba said. “It helped me realize

said. “If I like it, I wear it and I don’t have doubts

that I do not really have to fit in even if other people prefer that I

about it. I’m not afraid to stray away from trends.”

do. It also just makes it easier to express myself without words.”

Mendoza said she finds it easy to express her mood through her outfits.

Camba recently dyed her hair blue and she said this

fashion

personality

statement

more

allows

obviously

her

before

“I usually choose [the colors] I wear based on however I am feeling,”

peers

to

notice

her

Mendoza said. “If I am in a good mood, I will usually choose a lot of bright colors

getting

to

know

her.

and patterns, and if I am in a bad mood, I will end up choosing darker colors.”

“I’ve always dyed my hair blue because I have always been fascinated with the color,” Camba said. “Blue is a

Senior Hussein Odeh took a more permanent approach to selfexpression by getting a tattoo of Petra, an archaeological city in Jordan.

“I chose this tattoo because it symbolizes my home country

calm and serene color. I feel like it highlights my mellow personality to people who do not really know me that well.”

where I grew up,” Odeh said. “It reminds me of the beauty that is there.”

Coming from Jordan, Odeh said he carries a lot of pride and that his

However, Camba said she has recently thought about changing her blue hair dye as she becomes older and continues to learn more about herself.

“I might even dye my hair back to just black,” Camba said. “I have definitely become more introverted just from growing up, and I think that I want to tone it down from what it used to be years ago.”

Like Camba, English teacher Judith Hainsworth said she channels

native

country

represents

a

big

portion

of

his

personality.

He

said

he

likes

having his tattoo there for others to see and for them to understand who he is.

“Regarding my personality, I think it shows that I have a lot of love for my origin country and that I am confident enough in this to show it off to others,” Odeh said. “It helps me express my culture and background using an illustration that anyone near me can see, whether they know me personally or not.”

her personality through the use of blue in her fashion as well.

“Having blue in my hair makes me who I am,” Ms. Hainsworth said. “My personality is very science fiction, and LAYOUT BY AMANDA MORGAN

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Passion leads to positive outlook

BY CASSIDY SHELDON & JESSICA SOBEL FEATURES EDITOR & ONLINE FEATURES EDITOR

After junior Derek Sheinberg’s close friend, Ian Torres, took his own life on Oct. 29, 2015, Sheinberg said he wanted to make a positive impact on the lives of his peers.

During his freshman year, Sheinberg and his parents contacted Advanced Placement Psychology teacher David Geller with an interest in creating the Helping Overcome Problems Effectively (HOPE) club, designed to help students cope with their daily issues. After the club’s first year, it teamed up with the Sunshine Organization to form the HOPE Sunshine Club. Alongside the Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention (FISP), his club strives to aid students suffering from mental illnesses.

“Instead of letting [Torres’ death] take over me, I wanted to learn and try to help others that were going through the same issues as he was,” Sheinberg said. “The FISP board and I have been able to spread HOPE Sunshine clubs throughout almost every high school in Broward County and a couple of schools in Dade County.”

HOPE Sunshine Club adviser Mr. Geller offers advice to students every Wednesday after school in his classroom during the club’s meetings. He said working with Sheinberg to create this club has been a rewarding experience.

“Having never met Derek before, even though I knew his parents, I had no idea what I was getting myself into,” Mr. Geller said. “However, we work very well together. He is motivated, respectful, easy to get along with, honest and just an overall good kid.”

As Mr. Geller and Sheinberg collaborated throughout the school year, Mr. Geller said he attributed the success of HOPE Sunshine Club to Sheinberg and other club members. He said Sheinberg embodies all the necessary characteristics of a true leader.

“Derek is an energetic, empathetic and altruistic young man,” Mr. Geller said.

“He cares a lot about the club and about the difference he can make in students’ lives.”

Like Mr. Geller, Habitat for Humanity president junior Matthew Liebman said his relationship with Sheinberg has significantly impacted his life.

“He is a person who gets an idea and has to execute it 110 percent. He is one of the hardest working guys I have ever seen,” Liebman said. “Just being around him makes me want to be a better person and strive to be greater.”

In addition to HOPE Sunshine Club, Sheinberg also dedicates his time toward health and fitness. He said his passion for exercise began when he was young. “[Exercising] is a passion of mine that will stay with me forever,” Sheinberg said.

“I always talk about it to try to encourage people to work out and stay healthy, not only physically but mentally too.”

Sheinberg said he uses multiple calendars to balance being junior class president, leading HOPE Sunshine Club, keeping up with his academics and training at the gym.

“Time management is really important to me. By having calendars, I do not have to try to remember all of the dates of events and meetings I have. This lowers my stress levels and opens up my mind to more information,” Sheinberg said. “I prioritize everything and list each day what I need to get done, making the

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY DEREK SHEINBERG

BUSY BEE: (From top) junior Derek Sheinberg participates in a bonding activity at the Helping Overcome Problems Effectively (HOPE) Sunshine club among HOPE Sunshine presidents and club members. Sheinberg works out daily at the Ultimate Sports Institute. He said his exercise helps him to relieve stress after a long week of school. His parents Joanna and Robert Sheinberg join him at the Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention Gala. Sheinberg said it was an honor to be recognized for all of his hard work and dedication to the HOPE Sunshine club. In the future, he said he hopes to continue inspiring and helping others through kindess and compassion.

whole process a lot easier.”

Liebman and Sheinberg collaborated to create Habitat for Humanity at the Bay, a club that builds houses for low income families. Liebman said it combined their passions for bettering the community.

Although the underlying goals of HOPE Sunshine Club and Habitat for Humanity are different, Liebman said he and Sheinberg have found common ground between them.

“People that receive a Habitat home and have been struggling financially or socially in the world are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or other mental illnesses,” Liebman said. “Giving them a home not only gives them the structures they need to succeed in the community, but it also allows them to overcome obstacles, like Derek’s club tries to do.”

Unlike most clubs, Liebman said Habitat for Humanity and HOPE Sunshine Club have a less structured approach toward accomplishing their goals. He said through creating an open and friendly atmosphere, both of their clubs have accumulated long-lasting and dedicated members.

“We both believe you should cultivate this environment that is inviting, a family atmosphere, and that is fun as opposed to a club that is very strict with guidelines and points you have to abide by,” Liebman said. “We are very laid back because we are just here to help the community and to inspire others to be better.”

Moving forward, Sheinberg said he hopes to further his passions for helping others, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and continuing his education.

“I would not have been the same person without [HOPE Sunshine]. Being able to help other people is a blessing on its own and every time I go to a meeting, I acknowledge the fact that I am so lucky,” Sheinberg said. “All in all, these experiences have been ones that I am blessed to have and will continue to tremendously impact my life.”

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SIGNING DAY

Student-athletes sign to play at various colleges around the nation.

BY CASSIDY SHELDON & JESSICA SOBEL FEATURES EDITOR & ONLINE FEATURES EDITOR

Ever since senior volleyball player Colleen Siebold discovered her passion for volleyball in eighth grade, she said she has looked forward to the day she would commit to the school of her dreams. On Feb. 7 in the Wave, she turned this dream into a reality when she signed to play for Winthrop University.

Signing day is an event in which student-athletes are recognized for their achievements and commit to varying colleges and universities around the country.

“I have played every sport you can think of, but I knew I wanted to play volleyball as soon as I started,” Siebold said. “I instantly fell in love with this sport and I instantly wanted to play in college to see how far it could take me and what opportunities and doors it could open up for me. [Volleyball] has really shaped me into the person I am today.”

With seventeen athletes signing to play at multiple colleges, English teacher and Assistant Athletic Director Tori Warenik said this event symbolizes the next step in their athletic careers.

“Signing day is an incredibly special day and it is a once in a lifetime event for some of these kids,” Ms. Warenik said.

“It is an important acknowledgment for something that most of them have worked years and years for.”

Even though Siebold received offers from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Clemson University and the University of Missouri, she said Winthrop University was the only one that allowed her to pursue her intended career as a psychiatrist as well as continue with the sport.

“What I want to study is going to take a lot of time and a lot of focus, and I do not think I could achieve what I want if I played at a big school. It is so much time and so much effort,” Siebold said. “I chose Winthrop because it was Division 1 and I really like the location, I love my teammates, I love the staff there and it really is the best fit for me.”

Like Siebold, senior football player Diego Vallina committed to the University of West Florida on Signing Day. Because he started playing football last year, he said he faced adversity and had to dedicate a majority of his time toward training.

“I knew that I was going to have to commit to this team and to the program in order to be successful,” Vallina said. “I sacrificed a lot to get to where I am right now. I just focused on becoming the best student-athlete that I could be. I worked hard and with my initial goal in mind of playing football at the next level, I was able to achieve my goals.”

Although Vallina started later than most of his teammates, he said his hard work in the classroom and on the field helped him to excel in his football career.

“I was consistent with [football] so I was able to become better as a player in a very short period of time,” Vallina said.

Unlike Vallina, senior football player Greg May has been playing football since he was six years old. As he committed to play football at the Air Force Academy in

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY COLLEEN SIEBOLD

SEAL THE DEAL: (From right) senior Valentina Santana showed her support for senior Colleen Siebold as she signed to play volleyball at Winthrop University. Siebold said playing collegiately has always been her dream, so this day marked a pivotal moment in her volleyball career. She said she is looking forward to meeting her new teammates and playing alongside the Eagles.

Colorado Springs, he said his childhood dreams had finally come true.

“Honestly I have always loved football, but I realized I wanted to keep doing it when I was younger because I wanted to be like the college and professional players I was watching,” May said. “Once I realized [playing collegiately] was tangible in the beginning of my junior year, I realized this was what I wanted to do.”

In addition to allowing him to pursue his passion for football, May said the Air Force Academy will also benefit him financially and academically.

“It feels great because I do not have to worry about debt and college loans,” May said. “But, college football and high school football are two different animals.

I am going to the most competitive college in the nation, so my work is just beginning.”

Although senior baseball player Ben Rushing received offers from many schools including Palm Beach State and Nova Southeastern University, he said he signed with the University of Central Florida (UCF), as he has always aspired to be a Knight.

“UCF has always been my dream school. I have wanted to play there since my freshman year,” Rushing said. “I just love the school, I love the coaching staff, the location and their team is very good.”

With his college commitment in place, Rushing said he can now relax and enjoy the rest of his senior year.

“It feels awesome, I still cannot believe it is happening. I was filled with joy. I could not have been happier signing with my team there supporting me the whole way,” Rushing said.

“It feels like all the weight has been lifted off my shoulders knowing that I am already set with school and it is so exciting just imagining that I am going to be playing baseball there.”

Siebold said she experienced many conflicting emotions on signing day.

“I was super happy and excited, but then a part of me was also sad,” Seibold said. “It was bittersweet because I am

leaving home and I am going very far away. It showed me that high school really is over.”

According to Vallina, Signing Day marked a pivotal turning point in his football career.

“It feels great because all my hard work paid off,” Vallina said. “It changed my life completely because it brought me closer to my next goal, which is to play in the NFL.” Like Vallina, Rushing said he hopes to continue with baseball after college. However, he said he recognizes that having a successful career as a professional baseball player is not guaranteed.

“I hope to play past college and all the way to the Major Leagues. Of course that is very difficult, which is also why I have wanted to go to UCF,” Rushing said. “I wanted to get a good education just in case baseball does not work out.”

Because of Siebold’s perceived disadvantages, she said many people questioned her ability to succeed on the volleyball court.

“Many people doubted me because when I was little I was a lot bigger and heavier, so no one thought I would put in the hard work and dedication it took to lose weight and become very serious about this sport,” Siebold said. “I started volleyball a lot later than everyone else, so many people did not think I had enough time nor the knowledge to succeed and become a Division 1 athlete.”

Despite the criticism she faced, Siebold said she is excited to attend Winthrop University in the fall and play alongside the Eagles.

“I had so many people tell me when I started playing volleyball that I would not be able to do it, that I would not be able to go to college, that I would not be able to play at a big school and that I would not be able to play Division 1,” Siebold said. “It feels really good to prove these people wrong and to prove to myself that I could do it.”

THE CIRCUIT

Recruits are not treated fairly On Feb. 7, countless student-athletes signed to where they will be going to study and compete in the next stage of their lives. Among these young adults are future superstars in their sports, who have been in the spotlight ever since they gained interest from colleges.

These highly-recruited athletes go into college with high expectations from the public, and if that’s not enough, they have the pressure of numerous fan bases harassing them--on social media and in public-- trying to get them to come to their school.

Superstar athletes are not typical members of our society--at least in the public eye--but the growing trend of increased attention toward high school recruits could be damaging to studentathletes’ lives.

With modern media, these teenagers have become celebrities, and oftentimes, it’s probably something they’d rather live without.

Four star recruit Jacob Copeland decided where he would be playing football for the next 3-5 years on National Signing Day on live national television, and the absurdity of the process was on full display when he chose the University of Florida.

His mother was sitting next to him, decked out in University of Tennessee and University of Alabama gear, and she got up and left when he chose the Gators. Copeland was asked afterwards about why she left, and he emotionally explained that although he spoke to her endlessly about the decision, he had to go where he felt God had led him to the greatest opportunity.

To say the least, the pressure Copeland felt was evident, and the typical selfish attitudes of fans was exhibited through none other than his mother.

Sports fans want their teams to acquire talent, and it’s understandable, but it is important to remember that these are teenagers deciding what is best for themselves, and rightfully so.

Student-athletes across the nation have worked hard enough to be able to make the next move in their life that will help them academically and athletically, and they should not have to endure criticism from people who have done absolutely nothing but watch.

The attitudes some fans express truly reflects the overall American culture in regards to celebrities, but the difference is that these are just unpaid kids.

No matter how good they are or are going to be, an overwhelming majority of them are not ready to be exposed to public criticism.

Some may argue that this is an oversensitive perspective, but even if the players should have to face obstacles they aren’t ready for, they have done absolutly nothing to deserve it, and the critics have done nothing to earn the right to say anything.

Overall, people are losing sight of the fact that celebrities are human, and it is starting to harm teenagers.

Fans should be involved in the recruiting porcess, but the typical fan’s behavior has been overarching and inhumane.

FEBRUARY 2018

SPORTS

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Wrestling team advances to postseason tournament

BY JACOB WINANS

The varsity wrestling team is moving towards the postseason after its performance at the Battle at the Bay tournament and the State Dual tournament in Orlando. The team finished seventh place at the Battle at the Bay and fifth at the State Duals; the Lightning’s results are giving Coach Allen Held plenty to look forward to in this year’s playoffs. The team has great chemistry,” Held said. “The seniors are pushing the underclassmen to step up and work hard.”

During its season, the Lightning also won the district and regional dual championship. The team finished in the top 8 out of 140 competitors in the state of Florida, which surpassed Coach Held’s expectations for the tournament. Held said he credited the younger wrestlers for assisting the rest of the roster.

The younger wrestlers have stepped up to make us a much better duals team than we expected,” Held said.

One of this season’s top performers, according to Coach Held, has been senior Thomas Spurlock, who posted a 6-2 record at the Battle at the Bay tournament.

Despite his record, Spurlock said he was not fully satisfied, as he thought he could do much better.

“My record there was not what I wanted,” Spurlock said. “I battled hard during those matches, but I could not seem to connect my shots or moves to get some wins.”

Spurlock also went undefeated in both regional and district dual championships.

He posted one loss at state duals against a nationally ranked opponent. Spurlock said the match was a good measurement for himself and expressed his confidence levels heading into the postseason.

“I have only lost 10 out of my 50 matches, so that is a real confidence booster heading into the final month of the season,” Spurlock said. “I feel really good and I’m trusting my technique and my coaches.”

Another of the Lightning’s top contributors is sophomore Chris Deluna, who posted a record of 37-2 this season.

Deluna is one of the many underclassmen responsible for the team’s success this season. Deluna has expressed his focus on the present instead of future seasons.

“I’m definitely satisfied with my performance because I’ve really stepped up to the competition this season,” Deluna said.

Despite his success this season, Deluna believes the team has a lot of room for improvement as it nears the end of the season. He has identified areas of his technique that he wants to improve before the season concludes.

“I feel I need to improve my throws since that is the only skill set I am lacking,” Deluna said. “I feel like I can improve because of the great coaching of Coach Held, Kelso, and Anderson.”

Individual state competitions begin on March 1. With a month to go before

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY ELIJAHQUEST

DING DING DING: (From top) senior Zachary Brill prepares for his match against Braddock High School at the Battle at the Bay tournament on Jan. 12.

Brill went 5-3 at the tournament, including a win in the match against Braddock.

Brill has been a member of the wrestling team since his freshman year.

that tournament begins, Coach Held has “We are finally healthy,” Held said. identified one major advantage the team “And just in time.” has to finish the season strong.

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SPORTS

FEBRUARY 2018

Coaches pass on passion for sports

BY JESSICA SOBEL ONLINE FEATURES EDITOR

The Bay’s water polo coach Ron Vangent began his water polo career when he was 8 years old. Since then, he played on the under 19 Dutch Youth National Team at the University of Florida for five years and in the Men’s National League for Sportvereniging Hillegersberg for seven years in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Although Coach Vangent is still active in the water, he said he hopes to instill his passion for the game in younger, developing athletes.

“My love for water polo is the reason why I am coaching,” Coach Vangent said.

“I love this sport so much and I know all the amazing things I have gotten from it, so my goal is to eventually give this to my players, too.”

From seeing Coach Vangent’s devotion to the sport and to the team, senior and boys water polo captain Mingi Soon said he is motivated to be better both in and out of the pool.

“Having someone as impassioned as [Coach Vangent] coach the team makes me want to do better,” Soon said. “As a captain, I believe I should emulate his passion so that water polo at the Bay continues. His passion makes me want to try harder for myself as well as for the team.”

With 41 years of experience under his belt, Coach Vangent said he strives to teach his students as much as he can about the sport.

“I really want to transfer the knowledge and expertise I have obtained in water polo over all these years to the next generation, so they can start early on and keep playing for as long as they want to,” Coach Vangent said. “Coaching is truly rewarding because I see the enjoyment with the kids, and we are providing an opportunity for them to be together, do something fun and get better over time.”

Soon said having a coach as talented and experienced as Coach Vangent has helped him improve his water polo skills.

“Experience is key because he understands the game in a far better way than any of the players do,” Soon said. “He was once in our shoes and he explains the sport in a way that we can all understand.”

Like Coach Vangent, girls basketball coach and former Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) player Toccara Williams said her love for basketball is the reason she is coaching.

She said she hopes she can help her players reach their full potentials.

“My love for basketball has inspired me to instill in my students the understanding that there are no limits as to what a person or a team can accomplish when they put their minds together,” Coach Williams said. “When they possess the effort and passion behind their thoughts, they can create the action of obtaining what they desire.”

Coach Williams played college basketball at Texas A&M and continued her basketball career in the WNBA, playing for the San Antonio Silver Stars in the 2004 season. She said her experience with the sport has translated well to her coaching career.

“Playing basketball from an adolescent to professionally has helped my coaching skills tremendously,” Coach Williams said. “Now, I am able to assist players, regardless of what level they are on because I once was on those levels, too.”

Like Coach Williams, former football coach Mark Guandolo said his football background has made him a better coach.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY RON VANGENT

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY TOCCARA WILLIAMS

PASSING THE PASSION: (From top) in 1986, water polo coach Ron Vangent played for SVH’s First Men’s in the Dutch National League alongside his teammates. They celebrated together after winning the League Championship.

After playing college basketball at Texas A&M, girls basketball coach Tocarra Williams played in the Women’s National Basketball Association for the San Antonio Stars.

As he started playing football when he “The game of football is under attack was eight years old and eventually played in recent years, but I feel it is one of the collegiately, he said he can relate to his greatest games in the world. It is the players. ultimate team game where you have to

rely on one another,” Coach Guandolo said. “Playing football has helped me understand what the players are experiencing because I have been in their shoes.”

Junior and football player Jacob Wucher said Coach Guandolo’s love for football has not gone unnoticed. He said Coach G’s love for the game has inspired him to become a better player.

“You can tell that football was [Coach Guandolo’s] pride and passion,” Wucher said. “We all play with a love for the game; it just makes us work harder. He always beat on us to be better players, but at the end of the day all the hard work and suffering was really so we would understand that the world is not a soft place and if we want something we need to work for it.”

Coach Guandolo said he enjoyed helping the players become successful not only on the field, but off the field as well. He said he aspired to teach his players the valuable life lessons the game has taught him.

“Football is hard and tough. It teaches you how to handle adversity because you get knocked down and you have to get up and keep going, which is the same thing with life,” Coach Guandolo said. “One thing we all have in common is we will all have problems, but I try to teach my players that it is how you respond to those problems that will define you.”

In addition to teaching his players how to face adversity, Coach Guandolo said he taught them that they must be able to put their own needs aside for what is best for the team.

“The team/family aspect [of football] puts players from different backgrounds, race, religions, culture and social status together,” Coach Guandolo said. “The players have to be willing to accept each other and work together for a common goal. I always told my players that if the world was more like this team, it would be a better place.”

By being in the pool with his players and expressing to them how much he loves the sport, Coach Vangent said he hopes his passion for the sport is contagious.

“Water polo has been such a significant part of my life and has impacted me in so many ways, and that is what I want these kids to have, too,” Coach Vangent said. “I hope that one day my love for the sport of water polo will rub off on my players and that they will love it just as much I do.”

FEBRUARY 2018

SPORTS

Student-athletes pursue collegiate-level sports

BY JOSIE CLANCY MULT. SPORTS EDITOR

For many students, the ideal college experience consists of joining sororities, fraternities and clubs; however, sophomore Samanta Perez would rather spend her time playing the sport she loves: softball.

“College softball is most likely the closest thing to competing against the best,” Perez said. “This sport has many young and talented girls, but only so many are lucky enough to play at the highest level.”

“

My coaches and mother have been my biggest supporters in my recruiting process.

“

-junior Maya Gordon Perez aspires to receive a college scholarship for softball, which she explains requires a vast amount of work and talent.

“Being out there and getting known by colleges is very tough since there are so many talented girls in the country,” Perez said. “Exposure is the key to recruitment, and recruitment is a ticket in.”

To get “exposure,” Perez attends

several events where she exhibits her skills in front of college coaches.

“I go to many showcase tournaments,” Perez said. “I go to college camps and let my performance do the rest.”

For Perez, her dream is to be the starting center fielder for the University of Central Florida (UCF) Knights.

“I would play at the University of Central Florida,” Perez said. “The head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie sets a great atmosphere for players, and that is an environment I want to be a part of when I do something I love.”

Guidance counselor Melissa Boorom understands the amount of hard work that an athlete must put in to play at the collegiate level and gives advice to students willing to take on this challenge.

“Being a college athlete is the most difficult thing, as it consumes your whole college life,” Boorom said. “In high school, it is most important to keep your grades up, take classes that are good for you and work on your test scores; the better your GPA, the more marketable you are.”

According to Mrs. Boorom, not only does an aspiring college athlete have to boast exceptional grades in school, but it is also necessary to portray certain personality traits.

“Some important qualities that an athlete must have are self-motivation, the ability to work well with others and a good work ethic on and off the field,” Mrs. Boorom said.

Mrs. Boorom also said it is important

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PHOTO SUBMITTED BY MAYA GORDON

GEAUX TIGERS: As a sophomore Maya Gordon verbally committed to play Division I soccer at Louisiana State University. The school offered her a free education as well as the chance to pursue the sport she loves.

for students to find a school that suits all of their needs.

“Athletes should make sure the campus is the right fit and that they have a degree you are interested in,” Mrs. Boorom said.

“They should also meet some of the other athletes, as they will become your family and you will spending most of your time with them.”

According to Mrs. Boorom and athletics director Scott Selvidge, over 300 students from the Bay have gone on to play a sport at the collegiate level, and junior Maya Gordon, who is verbally committed to Louisiana State University (LSU) for soccer, will be added to this list. Gordon received a total of 13 offers

from colleges such as Auburn University and the University of Miami but felt that LSU would be the perfect fit.

“I was extremely happy and conflicted between my choices,” Gordon said. “It became clear to me once I went on my visit and talked to the coaches that LSU was the school for me.”

Throughout this recruiting journey, Gordon said many people have been by her side to ensure that her dreams became a reality.

“My coaches and mother have been my biggest supporters in my recruiting process,” Gordon said. “They continuously push me to be my best and find me ways to gain recognition.”

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SPORTS

FEBRUARY 2018

Boys volleyball team hosts tryouts for season

BY JOSIE CLANCY MULT. SPORTS EDITOR

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY CHRISTOPHER CASTELLON

SPIKE IT: The varsity boys volleyball team gets together after practice as it prepares for its regular season opener this spring. The team consists of many returning players and a number of new ones. Head Coach Breno Paulinelli Ertty held practices and tryouts for students interested in joining the team.

Bengoa also feels that the team will have a vast amount of success this year.

“Of the four years I’ve been on the team, I think this year is our best chance to bring home the district championship,” Bengoa said. “We have a very competitive team this year and I’m excited to see what we can do.”

According to Bengoa, the only team preventing the Lightning from finishing the district playoffs victoriously is Archbishop McCarthy, but thanks to the Lightning’s extensive amount of skill, first place can be in their future.

“I feel like this season, our greatest competition will be Archbishop McCarthy,” Bengoa said. “They have beat us in the district finals the last three years, but I think this year we can beat them.”

Coach Ertty also agrees that a district championship trophy is highly attainable.

“I believe that we hold a very good

game is the mind,” Coach Ertty said.

“Volleyball is played with the mind; a smart player who knows how to deal with any aspect of the game will always be a very valuable player for the program.”

Despite the boys varsity volleyball team consisting of many younger players, every member has a history of playing I believe that the team volleyball, which Coach Ertty says gives the team an advantage and will lead to a this year is very strong successful season. and has so much more “The strongest aspect of the team this potential than last year is the experience, even though it’s a very young team,” Coach Ertty said. “All season. the returners play year-round volleyball with their clubs, and some of the new players that will be trying out also bring -senior Chris Castellon that experience with them; I think this experience will be the deciding factor According to Coach Ertty, the key when we face our toughest opponents.” factor of the game is not talent, but rather mental sharpness.

“The most important aspect of the chance of winning districts this year, and the boys know how much talent we have in the returning group,” Coach Ertty said. “The players believe it just as much as the coaching staff does.”

“

“

With the boys varsity volleyball season right around the corner, first year head coach Breno Paulinelli Ertty has been preparing new and returning players for their upcoming tryouts.

“I have held a few open gyms in the past month to have the returners meet some of the potential new players,” Coach Ertty said.

At these tryouts, the coaches evaluate not only the players’ physical performance, but mental performance as well.

“The tryouts consist of a set of games that show the coaching staff how many of the boys have ball control; it also assesses their hitting, serving, defense and Volleyball IQ,” Coach Ertty said.

Senior Chris Castellon said he has been putting in work on his own to prepare for tryouts and the upcoming season.

“I have been training on my vertical to jump higher and improve my serve as well as increase awareness of the court,” Castellon said.

Castellon said he has noticed through the open gyms that not only is the team talented, but it also has unbelievable camaraderie.

“I believe that the team this year is very strong and has so much more potential than last season,” Castellon said. “We have an amazing new head coach and great teamwork.”

Castellon said he is looking forward to bonding with his teammates and to the start of gameplay because of the team’s potential to go very far in the postseason.

“I believe we have the best chance we’ve ever had to win districts and even regionals; I am also hoping that we can go to states and compete with the top teams,” Castellon said. “I also love to get together with the team and really bond, as well as enjoy the time we spend together doing what we love.”

Like Castellon, senior Federico

Ice hockey team exits early from playoffs

BY BRIAN KESSLER ONLINE SPORTS EDITOR

The Lightning varsity hockey team’s season came to an end as it dropped its first-round matchup to Boca Raton High School 7-4 in the district playoffs. The team will head into the offseason after recording a 7-10 season.

“Although it was a disappointing way to end the season, I’m proud of what our team accomplished this year as a whole,” junior forward Dylan Brandes said. “The team and I will continue to focus on preparations for next year’s season.”

In order to reach the playoffs, the Lightning rallied to secure the fourth out of seven spots in its division standings.

The team’s 2017 playoff berth was its first in the last three years.

“Reaching the playoffs was not only a goal for myself, but also a goal for the team as a whole,” junior center Kyle Andjich said. “This was the first time anyone on the current roster has made the playoffs, so it was a big accomplishment.”

The Lighting’s current roster consists of all underclassmen, in which the team has no one representing the 2018 senior class. Although its roster is lacking senior leadership, the team is led by six juniors who will look to return next year as

PHOTO BY BRIAN KESSLER

ICED OUT: (from left) junior Jory Lindekugel, Dylan Brandes, Kyle Andjich and Jonas Perkins relax on the ice on Nov. 2 after losing to South Broward High School 4-2.

seniors.

“The absence of seniors on the team is a big loss, so it’s up to the juniors and coaches to lead and set an example for the younger players,” junior defensemen Jory Lindekugel said. “Next year, we will have at least six seniors on the team who have a lot of experience with us.”

With its playoff goal accomplished, the Lightning will look to next season as an opportunity to make it further in

the district playoffs and potentially take home next year’s district championship.

“Although our district has a lot of challenging and competitive teams, we should definitely be in the discussion for being a top competitor next season,” Brandes said. “If the necessary effort is put in and enough players return, we should strive for a deeper playoff run.”

During the offseason, a number of players will participate in a spring season

to prepare and stay focused for next winter. Even though the spring season is viewed secondarily to winter, team members still take it seriously in order to improve their skill set.

“Offseason preparation is very important in order to remain competitive during the regular season,” Andjich said.

“The sport is a naturally competitive game, so players will still compete seriously no matter what.”

The team is looking to improve on a number of areas for next year, including its defense and keeping the puck out of its zone; they finished their season allowing over five goals a game, in which players have expressed their concern for improvement.

“If we want to be able to compete better next year, we are going to need to decrease the number of goals we allow per game,” Lindekugel said.

The 2018 season will return next winter, but the Lightning’s players and coaches will remain focused on improving towards their goal of reaching success in next season’s district playoffs.

SPORTS

FEBRUARY 2018

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Miami Dolphins have plenty of holes to Cleveland Cavaliers preserved their championship hopes for this year address after disappointing season The Miami Dolphins finished their season with a disappointing 6-10 record.

It was a crazy year for the team as they endured a hurricane that affected their schedule, fired a coach over a controversial video and faced injuries to multiple players, including the team’s starting quarterback and starting linebacker.

Despite the array of excuses for the team’s dismal season, there are still major improvements to be made if the Dolphins want to return to the playoffs next season.

The Dolphins have two glaring holes that must be prioritized in the offseason.

The first need is at linebacker; they haven’t had a reliable one since Zach Thomas donned a Dolphins’ logo eleven years ago.

Rookie linebacker Raekwon McMillan received rave reviews in the offseason before tearing his ACL on the first play of preseason, abruptly ending his first season just as it began. Still, McMillan’s job should be safe if he stays healthy.

The team’s veteran outside linebackers, Kiko Alonso and Lawrence Timmons, were both major weaknesses in the defense. Alonso had a couple of great games, but overall he was a liability in pass coverage and has had a history of lingering injuries. Timmons was signed last offseason but he also had a terrible year and turns 32 in May. Timmons is more likely than Alonso to be cut, but cutting both players could save the Dolphins over 15 million dollars.

The second biggest need is at offensive line. The only full-time starter who is safe is Laremy Tunsil, and he took a step back this year after being moved from guard to left tackle.

The rest of the original starters last season were Ju’Wuan James, Jermon

Bushrod, Mike Pouncey and Ted Larsen.

All four have dealt with injuries the last two seasons and could provide the team with more cap space if they are cut. The smart move here is to release everyone but Tunsil so the team can sign new, younger players and potentially give rookies Jesse Davis and Isaac Asiata a chance to start.

Many Dolphins fans hope that the team cuts ties with starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who missed the season with an ACL injury. This would be a terrible decision because Tannehill reportedly looked amazing in the offseason and has established himself as the team’s leader.

Aside from offensive line, the Dolphins’ offensive priorities should be finding a reliable, physical tight end and a powerful running back to complement rising star Kenyan Drake. Admittedly, a backup quarterback would be a fine addition as well.

On the defensive side, the Dolphins need more depth at defensive end and cornerback along with an overhaul of their linebackers. The best way to address these needs is during the upcoming NFL Draft, where the team has the 11th overall pick.

The two players Dolphins’ fans should hope are available is Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson and Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith; both are studs and would fill an immediate hole.

The Dolphins have been a mediocre team since Dan Marino retired in 1999; they have not been good enough to reach the playoffs. but they have not been bad enough to obtain a high draft pick.

However, with a great offseason the team can finally establish a positive, successful identity while potentially bringing a Lombardi Trophy to Miami in the near future.

Prior to its matchup with the Golden State Warriors on Christmas, the Cleveland Cavaliers were 24-9. Most people expected the team to do what it does every year: be good in the regular season and, once the playoffs come around, kick it up a notch. It seemed like LeBron and his crew were right on track.

Fast forward to Feb. 6. After an 18-point loss to a weak Orlando Magic squad, the Cavaliers are now looking at a 30-22 record, going 6-13 since the loss to the Warriors. This was due to more than just the team playing bad basketball.

There were serious problems with the team’s chemistry; Jae Crowder accused LeBron of playing for stats, Isaiah Thomas accused Kevin Love of faking a sickness and the team just could not get on the same page because of these distractions.

Something had to change, and general manager Koby Altman, possibly with the help of “the king,” had some ideas in mind. On Feb. 8, the Cavaliers made three huge trades just before the deadline that could have saved its season.

The first trade the team completed was with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Cavaliers sent Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye and a first round pick to Los Angeles in exchange for Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson. The Cavaliers had received Thomas and Crowder in an offseason trade with the Celtics in which they gave up all-star guard Kyrie Irving.

Most people viewed the trade as a victory for the Cavaliers; this is not how it worked out. Thomas was unable to play due to injury until Jan. 2, and once he got on the court, he did not perform the way that Cleveland fans were hoping he would.

Meanwhile, Nance and Clarkson are two young players with athleticism and

potential, which is exactly what Cleveland needed.

The second trade made by Cleveland on Feb. 8 was a three-team trade between the Cavaliers, the Sacramento Kings and the Utah Jazz. Cleveland received George Hill and Rodney Hood, Sacramento received Joe Johnson, Iman Shumpert, a second round pick and $3 million and Utah received Jae Crowder and Derrick Rose. Crowder, as stated earlier, was having issues with LeBron and was not performing well. Rose took a two-month break from November to January for reasons that are still sort of unclear but are related to his history of injuries and his future in the league. Rodney Hood may be the greatest addition for the Cavaliers in all these trades, averaging 2.6 threes a game. George Hill is an experienced player who has shown that he is very capable of being a solid starter throughout his career.

The final trade made by the Cavs does not make as much sense to me as the first two, but I can see the reasoning.

Cleveland sent veteran Dwyane Wade back to the Miami Heat in exchange for a 2024 second round pick. Yes, D-Wade is obviously not the same player that he was a decade ago, but a second round pick in six years? By the time Cleveland actually gets to use that pick, Wade will probably be in the Hall of Fame. However, being from South Florida, I cannot complain.

This trade has made Heat fans ecstatic, as they will get to see the most important player in franchise history probably finish his career in Miami.

These three trades made on Feb. 8 were more than necessary for the Cavaliers to get out of what was starting to look like a failure of a season.

FACE OFF

Is Oklahoma freshman point guard Trae YES Young overrated?

Trae Young is one of the most discussed college basketball players of the year, and rightfully so. Young is currently averaging 30 points a game and 10 assists a game, leading multiple analysts to call him the “next Steph Curry”; however, this is not truly the case. Young, similar to many college athlete stars, will peak and not live up to the expectations in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Young is only a mere 6 feet 2 inches, and while that height is acceptable for a professional point guard, it will certainly limit his success.

Trae Young has many on-court blemishes as well. He is only a freshman in college, and he has a lot to learn to become a successful player. Young had a whopping 12 turnovers against an unranked Kansas State team, who were confidently stopping the “superstar” with ease. Turning the ball over has been an enormous problem for a player that has so much potential, according to NBA scouts. Young currently has 95 turnovers this season, largely due to the fact that Oklahoma runs an isolated offense. A huge factor in Young’s success also comes from the other four men on the court. Oklahoma is currently ranked 2nd in their conference and Young is not the only player that brings a lot to the plate. While it is obvious that Trae Young has lots of talent, he is nowhere near the star that analysts claim him to be.

-Sam Bialczak

NO

A highly relevant debate that is currently taking over the college basketball world is whether or not Oklahoma freshman, point guard Trae Young, is overrated. Over the past couple of months, he has erupted in the sport’s world and become a top player in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Although he has deservingly been compared to numerous National Basketball Association players, such as Stephen Curry, people still seem to be doubting his true abilities. To his critics, his biggest downfalls are that he is a defensive liability, and that he is turning the ball over too many times; however, the fact that he is averaging 29.5 points, 9.8 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game is enough to outweigh his faults and shortcomings. In addition, he has much room to improve and a great amount of potential. Being that he is still young, he can learn from his mistakes and better himself on both sides of the court. In regard to truly proving that he is worthy of his fame, only the future will tell. His success in March Madness will determine his real value as a player.

This being said, Trae Young is among the most valuable players in college basketball right now, without a doubt, and his contributions to his team are unmatched.

-Robbie Solomon

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ATHLETES TO WATCH SAMANTHA GOFFI

When did you start playing soccer?

I’ve had a ball at my feet ever since I could walk.

Who or what inspired you to start playing soccer?

My parents have always been my inspiration to play. They met on the soccer field during their freshman year, and my dad continued to play throughout college, where he was later inaugurated into the hall of fame. My mom stopped a couple years into college; I’ve worn her jersey number since I was ten.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

On our way to the field, my sister and I usually blast music in the car. It helps us get energized before warm ups.

How has softball affected your life?

Soccer has become such a major part of mylife. It’s my stress reliever, and it has taught me to stay motivated and perform to my best ability in everything I do.

What is your personal goal for this season?

My goal is to become more confident on the field and improve my endurance.

What is your best achievement in your soccer career?

Earlier this year, I committed to play soccer at the University of West Florida.

-Josie Clancy Class of 2020 Height: 6’1’’

GOAL: GO TO STATES HEIGHT: 5’4’’ TEAM: GIRLS SOCCER CLASS OF 2018

CHRIS MACIAS

When did you start playing soccer?

I started playing soccer when I was 5 years old. My whole family plays, but my main inspiration would be my dad. He has always loved the sport, and it’s just something I’ve grown up around.

What keeps you motivated?

I work hard for my family and my team.

They both motivate me to play well and give it my all. I also hope to earn a scholarship for college so that I can continue to play for as long as possible and become a professional soccer player.

What is your favorite part of playing soccer?

My favorite part is playing midfield and the adrenaline that comes along with it. The rush of dribbling the ball down the field and getting through all the defenders is definitely one of the best feelings.

How do you prepare for your games?

The few days before the game I make sure to drink lots of water to ensure that I stay hydrated and don’t cramp up. I also try to eat healthy so that my body has enough energy to keep me going throughout the game.

Which soccer player do you look up to the most? Why? I aspire to play just like Paul Pogba. He’s also a midfielder, so seeing the different strategies he uses helps me see what I have to work on.

-Heather Dennis

GOAL: WIN STATES HEIGHT: 6’3’’ TEAM: BOYS VARSITY SOCCER CLASS OF 2019

WINTER SEASON STATISTICS Girls Varsity Basketball Boys Varsity Basketball Boys JV Basketball Miramar

L 66-48

Piper

W 65-48

Miramar

L 81-53

South Broward

W 66-57

Miramar

W 60-57

South Broward

W 54-42

Coconut Creek

W 52-47

Sagemont

W 55-30

South Plantation

W 48-35

Blanche Ely

L 68-63

South Broward

W 59-38

Piper

W 52-40

Boys Soccer

Girls Varsity Soccer

Western

W 2-1

JP Taravella

W 0-0 (PK)

South Plantation

W 2-1

Hialeah Gardens

W 9-0

Flanagan Charles

W 4-0

Cooper City

W 0-0 (PK)

South Plantation

W 5-0

Lourdes Academy

L 1-0

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fashion club Instagram @cbhsfidmfashion Cypress Bay High School

BY GABBY SONKIN ARTS & ENT. COPY

Fashion Club, which was introduced to the Bay at the beginning of the school year, decided to rebrand its Instagram at the start of January. Senior and secretary Ambar Ramirez said the club is trying to keep up with the latest trends and working to become more aesthetically pleasing.

“Our club decided to reinvent our Instagram not only to draw attention to our club and build followers and members, but to also give inspiration and reveal the meaning behind our club,” Ramirez said. “We want to express to the student body that there is more to Fashion Club than what meets the eye.”

With the new Instagram, Ramirez said she hopes to incorporate the recent and previous trends going on in the fashion and film industries.

“I get my inspiration from models like Kendall Jenner since her outfits are both comfortable and up-todate with the latest styles,” Ramirez said. “However, I also take ideas from the ‘90s including fashion from the movie ‘Clueless’ because previous trends seem to come back in style.”

Although there are other ways to contact students about their club, the officers said Instagram is most effective in the long-run.

“I do not think we need to focus entirely on our Instagram, but it is necessary if we want to reach out to a variety of students in an appealing way,” Ramirez

said. “Students tend to pay more attention to social media accounts for information rather than receiving a detailed piece of paper.”

Club adviser and English teacher Erica Machado said she is excited this club has been given the chance to express themselves and show off their talents and creativity.

“Because fashion club was not accepted until this year, members previously met at the Christ Covenant Church, but this wasn’t very accessible for students,” Mrs. Machado said. “I know these students have been working hard to express their purpose behind creating this club and this Instagram is giving them the chance.”

Sophomore and club member Irina Blanco said she hopes they can expand their followers and appeal to more of the underclassman.

“Because this club was not part of the school until this year, many of the members are upperclassmen, so the word must be spread around to the younger students in order to keep this club,” Blanco said. “I have been working to recruit new members by showing them our Instagram and through word of mouth.”

Blanco said she was originally inspired to join this club because she has always had a passion for this industry and wanted to continue to expand her knowledge of fashion.

“I would say I have always had a passion because it has had such a strong presence in my family from generations ago to present day, as my grandma continues to teach me about the fashion world,” Blanco said. “It has helped me express myself in ways words could never do and has been a constant reminder of my individuality and love for being different.”

Mrs. Machado said Fashion Club is promoting its upcoming fashion show happening on April. 6, which is the Friday right after spring break.

“It is important we start promoting this event early on because it is our first on-campus fashion show and we want to make sure we get enough people to come watch all of the hard work that is being

STRUT YOUR STUFF: Pictured right and left are two of the Fashion Club’s most liked Instagram posts depicting runway models sharing styles they predict will be popular in the upcoming Spring season. The Fashion Club maintains an updated account to keep their followers up to date on information regarding announcements, upcoming meetings and trending styles.

put into it,” Mrs. Machado said. “We also have other clubs involved, so I am hopeful this will be a great success and help expand our club even more.”

Junior Felipe Quiroz, Fashion Club’s Public Relations Manager, said he felt the Instagram needed to be more organized as well as up to date.

“It is important that we grow our followers before the fashion show, since this is our biggest event of the year,” Quiroz said. “I think it is best to incorporate all different trends and explore the world of design so a variety of people show interest in our club.”

With the help of members, Blanco said she gives the club ideas of celebrities from whom they can be inspired.

“I personally love Zendaya and Rihanna because their styles are so unique and they teach us to be confident in our own clothing no matter what others think,” Blanco said.

“It is incredibly empowering to have them as role models in the fashion world because they really showed me why I love this industry.”

Because this club has been attracting mostly girls, Quiroz said he hopes to find inspiration that includes styles for both males and females to increase membership.

“We were mainly focusing on female celebrities and models,” Quiroz said.

“But if we want to grow, it is important to incorporate all different styles so our members and followers are not predominantly females.”

Genders in gyms misrepresented by social media As I stand downstairs in the weight room at Midtown Athletic Club, I suddenly come to the realization that the females in the room are drastically outnumbered by males. I imagine this scenario has reigned true at many gyms. Despite this observation of gender imbalance, the large influx of female fitness Instagram accounts proves women’s rising domination of the fitness industry. Also known as “fitspiration,” these profiles are known for posting content regarding health, outfits and demonstrations of workout exercises. While these accounts do serve as a motivating factor for those seeking workout inspiration, the fact that the majority of content is female contrasts the male-heavy demographics of my gym, and likely many others. According to reporter Rebecca Lake’s statistical analysis of gym factors, 14 percent of women are likely to drop their gym membership after a year, whereas only eight percent of men are likely to cancel membership in the same time period.

Promoting an unrealistic body image, as well as an unachievable representation of the average workout facility, social media as a whole has managed to instill an unreachable standard in the minds of young fitness advocates. This portrayal is currently serving as a misleading factor for those seeking an accurate depiction of the true workout experience. Scrolling through the average lifestyle Instagram accounts, such as @squats, which draws millions of viewers and likes on a daily basis, it is uncommon to find a male demonstrating the workout moves.

Instead, women constitute the majority of posts on Instagram. Although the lack of male representation on social media is misleading, female Instagram accounts are motivating for women seeking encouragement to exercise in a facility dominated by the opposite sex.

While this lack of male representation may seem frustrating, the fault of this standard is not entirely in the hands of one particular segment of the population. In gyms, there are no laws or unannounced standards governing the gender of those who are permitted to exercise. In line with this thinking, there are no restraints placed on fitness accounts determining the content owners choose to post. With the common goal of likes and followers for social media account holders, and increased revenue from memberships at gyms, these private entities cater to their greatest clientele. Overall, this difference in gender representation lies in the hands of its creators: the Internet and workout buffs. If individuals of this generation unite as a whole under the common cause of gender equality and work together to eradicate this difference in representation, there is no reason a more accurate representation of fitness settings cannot be promoted across the Internet.

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Dedicated viewers express TV passions

BY LAUREN PABIAN NEWS COPY EDITOR

Every Thursday night at 8 p.m., junior Sofie Anrecio gives into her television obsession, sitting in front of her television and watching “Grey’s Anatomy.” The 14-season show follows the lives of the doctors at Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital in Seattle. Anrecio watched seasons one through 12 within a year and has been watching the show live ever since.

“Watching the show live creates so much more suspense since I am not able to just go to the next episode immediately after a cliff hanger, making it more exciting,” Anrecio said. “One of the worst things about watching it on Netflix is that I find out so many spoilers, but now there are none.”

“

Something that I find to be extremely appealing about [‘The Outander’] is that the potagonist is a strong charcter who is portrayed to be very resourceful.

“

-English teacher Margarete Marchetti

In addition to the show, “The Outlander” is a series of eight books, and author Diana Gabaldon is currently writing the ninth.

“Being an English teacher, I find this aspect of the show very appealing,” Mrs. Marchetti said. “I’ve already read every book twice and loved them just as much as I love the show.”

Though Mrs. Marchetti said she is not a binge watcher, she does watch “The Outlander” every week and said she has watched some episodes repeatedly.

“I have a hard time binge watching, so I just watch a few episodes a day, three maximum,” Mrs. Marchetti said. “I watch it every week when a new [episode] comes out, but I do have to admit that I have rewatched a bunch of the episodes.”

After “Black Mirror” came out on Netflix in October 2016, senior Zack Galpern said he got hooked on the science fiction series since he said it is like no other show he’s ever seen.

“The most appealing thing about [Black Mirror] is their use of technology as the driving force of every episode,” Galpern said. “Every episode addresses the ways that humans are affected by technology and how different forms of it can either help or hinder society.”

Each episode of the Netflix show “Black Mirror” has different cast and is centered around a new idea or conflict.

“It’s so different from any other show since no two episodes are exactly alike,” Galpern said. “Everything changes with each episode, which feels like a fresh start after being completely shocked from the episode before it.”

FEBRUARY 2018

What TV shows do you obsess over?

Daniela Ruffoni Sophomore “Grey’s Anatomy”

Sophia Bigio Freshman “Money Heist” “I love it because of the tension and I always end up wanting to go to the next episode.”

“I’m super into medical shows because they’re so interesting to me.”

Viraj Muddur Junior “Shark Tank” “I enjoy the jokes and when the investors interrogate the business owners. “

Eric Mager Freshman Doesn’t binge watch “I’d honestly rather play video games than watch tv shows because shows just don’t interest me.”

GRAPHIC BY LEXI FLECHNER

Like Mrs. Marchetti, Galpern said he is not a big binge watcher. “Black Mirror” has 19 episodes out on Netflix.

“Even though the show is on Netflix, it’s really hard to binge watch it since each episode is like getting hit by a truck,” Galpern said. “The ideas are so real and frightening; there also aren’t that many episodes, so I would usually watch one a week, so I didn’t finish so quickly.”

He said he did not start watching the show until it came out on Netflix five years after it was originally released in

2011. Seasons one and two were released between 2011 and 2016, and eventually those seasons, as well as season three, were released on Netflix.

“I had no clue the show even existed until seasons one, two and three came out on Netflix, and I decided to give it a try,” Galpern said. “My friends say I talk about it a lot but it’s just because the whole dynamic of the show is so cool I want to share with all my friends and encourage them to start [‘Black Mirror’], too.”

In each episode, there are multiple cases that the doctors must deal with.

Anrecio said this is one of her favorite aspects of the show, in addition to the character development and plot.

“I can relate to this show through my love of science and my ambitious and competitive nature to challenge myself,” Anrecio said. “Seeing all of the rare medical cases and how the doctors cure the patients is super interesting and appealing to me.”

Like Anrecio, English teacher Margarete Marchetti said she enjoys watching her favorite show. “‘The Outlander’ is such a great show since it’s a mix of fantasy and historical fiction,” Mrs. Marchetti said. “I like the element of fantasy since the main character is traveling in time back 200 years, and I also like the idea that the show is based on real, historical events.”

Mrs. Marchetti said she is enticed by the show because of its strong female lead.

“Something that I find to be extremely appealing about the show is that the protagonist is a strong character who PHOTO BY LEXI FLECHNER is portrayed to be very resourceful,” Mrs. Marchetti said. “It’s important BINGE-WORTHY:

English teacher Margarete Marchetti displays her passion for the Netflix Original show “Stranger for shows to have characters that strike Things” by decorating her classroom with props from the series. Last year, Mrs. Marchetti said she hung a “The Walking that; it’s important to see a woman as a Dead” blanket on her wall to show her obsession with the AMC series. protagonist.”

A&E Calendar Albums

Movies

“Lil Boat 2” by Lil Yachty, March 9 “Bible of Love” by Snoop Dogg, March 16 “Seasons Change” by Scotty McCreery, March 16

“Midnighters,” March 2 “A Wrinkle in Time,” March 9 “The Hurricane Heist,” March 9 “Tomb Raider,” March 16

Concerts Tycho, March 1 @ Jackie Gleason Theater Phillip Phillips, March 13 @ Revolution Live Jason Mraz, March 14 @ Adrienne Arsht Center

FEBRUARY 2018

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Artists exhibit talents at local festival

BY SABRINA BLANDON

National Art Honor Society (NAHS) and Photo Club participated in Town Center’s Celebration of the Arts Day on Jan. 21, where art clubs from all over Weston showcased their students’ pieces.

Senior and Photo Club Vice President Jenna Siegel said she attended and appreciated the event because it gives people like her the chance to display the pieces they have worked hard on all year.

“I’ve been in Photo Club since freshman year, and this is my second time coming to the event,” Siegel said.

“I thought it was really cool for the people to offer their input.”

Siegel said Photo Club had approximately 20 students enter work, a 10-person increase from last year.

“

I think it’s really good for Town Center to host this kind of event because there are so many students who have talents they should be proud to showcase.

“

-sophomore Cristina Jimenez Alongside members of Photo Club and NAHS, students from the Bay attended the event to support school organizations and peruse the displays.

PHOTOS BY SABRINA BLANDON

ARTOGRAPHY: (from left to right) Sophomores Reem Habbal, Lilly Arazi, Paola Diaz and Julian Flores with seniors Danielle Bass, Jenna Siegel and Mollie Guerrero in front of their tent for Photo Club. Photographs submitted by members were hung around the tent and displayed for attendees to see and share feedback regarding the photographers’ work.

Students draw artwork and write their names on giant canvases at the Celebration of the Arts Day.

Sophomore Cristina Jimenez said she enjoyed seeing the art pieces skilled students from her school had to display.

“I was invited to the event by the manager of Town Center,” Jimenez said. “Every resident of Weston was invited to the event, and I think it’s really good for Town Center to host this kind of event because there are so many students who have talents they should be proud to showcase.”

Jimenez said she was surprised by the various types of photography and the different ways students were taking the photos.

“Most of the photos that I saw and enjoyed were the landscape ones,” Jimenez said. “There were a few that I found really interesting because some were as simple as a tree, but they took

a photo and turned it into something beautiful. Normally, while looking at landscapes, it’s not special because you see it all the time, but these students had some great ideas and took perfect shots.”

NAHS officers stationed in their tent had live demonstrations where festival goers could observe them making ceramics using clay and special tools to emphasize that art can be multidimensional.

“It was really cool to see the little kids touching and crafting the clay and then you see high schoolers teaching them,” Jimenez said. “It’s like one generation teaching another.”

NAHS adviser Bizzy Jenkins was in charge of setting up the tents for both NAHS and Photo Club. Mrs. Jenkins

said she was at the event to make sure everything was running smoothly and to answer any questions.

“Normally we do come to this event, and I think it’s a good way to get the students’ work out there and it gives parents the opportunity to see their children's work,” Mrs. Jenkins said.

For six weeks, her students prepared for this event by submitting pieces in time for their designated deadlines and spreading the word about the event around school.

“I think this event was a success because so many people here are interested to see students’ works,” Mrs. Jenkins said. “It took about six weeks to set all of this up and I think I’ll enter our clubs again next year if the Art Council will hold the event.”

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FEBRUARY 2018

Viewing platforms divide viewers

BY ELLIE SACHS

With technological advancement comes multiple forms of online entertainment: watching videos on YouTube, streaming TV shows on Netflix and viewing scheduled programming on television. With this influx of options, students and teachers at the Bay have found themselves preferring one over the other.

“

The great thing about YouTube and just watching videos in general is that they’re on your own schedule, which is super convenient.

“

-senior Alec Marsh Because of its recent popularity, some students find themselves dedicating more time to viewing YouTube videos rather than typical TV series. Senior Alec Marsh said he has been an avid YouTube fan since his passion for filmmaking

began in 2011.

“I started watching a group of YouTubers called Corridor Digital quite a few years ago and they truly made me who I am today in terms of what I want to do with my life,” Marsh said. “Their short films and videos just got me genuinely excited to want to do what they did.”

Marsh said that YouTube is also readily accessible, which sparked his original interest in the platform.

“The great thing about YouTube and just watching videos in general is that they’re on your own schedule, which is super convenient,” Marsh said. “You can play a video on your phone while you’re sitting down at the table rather than having to sit down on the couch waiting for a TV show to be on at a certain time.”

Advanced Placement English Language and Literature teacher Erica Machado said she used to watch videos related to makeup and beauty but found that after a certain amount of time, this content became redundant, which prompted her to pursue other means of daily entertainment.

“I started watching makeup-related videos about three years ago when I decided I would do my own makeup for my wedding,” Mrs. Machado said. “I got hooked on a couple channels, but I started to like it less and less as I realized how vapid and useless that information is to

53 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THIS POLL, WHICH WAS CONDUCTED BY THE CIRCUIT’S TWITTER ACCOUNT ON FEB. 21.

GRAPHIC BY JESSIE CHAIET

my life.”

Sophomore Alyssa Cachinero said she loves binge-watching her favorite TV shows more than watching YouTube videos mainly because it is more timeconsuming.

“I enjoy watching shows on TV more than YouTube because I love that they are full-length episodes instead of short fiveminute videos,” Cachinero said. “Plus, when shows only play once every week, it gets you super excited to wait and watch the next episode.”

On top of watching television, Cachinero said she occasionally enjoys watching viral YouTube stars, especially a channel known as “The Ace Family.”

“If none of my favorite shows are on

TV, I’ll go on YouTube and spend hours watching the Ace Family,” Cachinero said, “Their videos are usually really long and super cute.”

Mrs. Machado said that as her interest in YouTube has dwindled, she has had more time to dedicate to catching up on her favorite series, “Game of Thrones,” “West World” and “Black Mirror.”

“I find myself watching TV around three times a week because it’s very relaxing, and it’s something totally different than everything else I do in life,” Mrs. Machado said. “I also find some shows beneficial to my AP Lang students who need to be referencing things from American pop culture, so I watch to give them a heads up too.”

AMT debuts songs at arts celebration

BY RACHEL LEVITZ

The Arts Council of Greater Weston’s annual Celebration of the Arts festival took place at Weston Town Center on Sunday, Jan. 21. from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., where various forms of art ranging from visual to musical and theatre production were displayed.

“

It was so incredible to see all these different kinds of artists come together and experience what we all love together, which is art

“

-sophomore Hadley Malbec All three American Musical Theater (AMT) classes at the Bay took part in the celebration. The AMT I, II and III classes debuted three songs each from their shows, “The Little Mermaid,” “Camp Rock” and “Rent,” respectively.

Stage crew manager Alex Tawid said

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY JACOB FRETWELL

UNDER THE SEA: American Musical Theater I class performed, “Under the Sea” from the musical, The Little Mermaid on Jan. 21.

her job comes with many responsibilities, but seeing the cast put on a show makes the stress worth her dedication.

“Being somewhat in charge of all three shows can be stressful sometimes,” Tawid said. “A lot of work goes into being a part of the backstage crew because we’re trying to make the performance as amazing as it can be, but at the end of the day, I love my job in the AMT class as it gives me an opportunity to bond with the cast members.”

Sophomore Hadley Malbec, who is in the ensemble, performed in the “Rent” musical numbers alongside her castmates. Malbec said she loved being a part of the annual festival because the event gave the program the opportunity to advertise for their shows as well as spend time together.

“We participated to promote our shows to the general public,” Malbec said. “It was an amazing experience and it was so incredible to see all these

different kinds of artists come together and experience what we all love together, which is art.”

AMT II student Morganne Land said appearing in the event was a memorable and entertaining experience she will not forget.

“Celebration of the Arts was so fun because I got to perform and see all my friends at the same time,” Land said. “I was a little nervous as it was our first time showcasing the songs in front of an actual audience, but everything turned out great and every musical theater class did awesome.”

AMT teacher Cynthia Lutwin said the effort her students put in is very apparent and is only a glimpse of the success they will strive for in the upcoming shows.

“The kids have been preparing for their performances for months now,” says Lutwin. “I see how hard they work everyday and how much effort they have put into making the shows as perfect as possible. We have already started holding practices after school for the fastapproaching shows. The kids take time out of their lives to dedicate their time to the love of theater and I think it really shows how much they care.”

FEBRUARY 2018

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Museum of Ice Cream sprinkles fun

BY JESSIE CHAIET NEWS EDITOR

While South Florida may not have experienced a winter snowfall, Miami received a chilly new addition with the opening of the Museum of Ice Cream.

The museum, which opened on Dec. 13 and closes on Feb. 26, is a pop-up attraction designed to stimulate all senses related to ice cream. Miami is the fourth stop for the museum, which previously visited New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Junior Madison Liebman said she originally found out about the museum after hearing about its San Francisco location, so she was ecstatic to see it was going to be opening up in Miami.

“I saw Instagram pictures from when my cousin went in San Francisco; then it came down here and I started to see Instagram pictures, so I really wanted to go,” Liebman said. “When I finally got to go and I walked in, I thought it was like Disney World. It was so colorful and fun.”

The museum includes eight different rooms; each one has a specific theme and serves a different ice cream-related treat.

Attractions at the museum also include a Sprinkle Pool and a wall of hanging popsicles. Liebman said her favorite part of the museum was a room with a gummy bar, where attendees were offered several flavors of gummies.

“The gummy bar was my favorite part because you got to try all of them,” Liebman said. “The ice cream in the other rooms was good, but the gummies were better.”

Freshman Marley Solomon said she wanted to go the museum after hearing about it from a friend who invited her to go. She said she was eager to buy tickets because the museum was only open for a limited time.

“I wanted to go because it seemed like a really fun idea and there was only a limited time,” Solomon said. “I love ice cream, so I thought it would be entertaining to see all of the puns and activities they could make with ice cream.”

Solomon said there were many places in the museum to take pictures and therefore a lot of opportunities to post on social media. However, she said she didn’t want to focus her whole experience on taking photos.

“I did enjoy [the photo opportunities] but only to a certain extent,” Solomon said. “After a while, it was really boring to stand there and just watch people take pictures the whole time.”

Like Solomon, Liebman said she didn’t want to spend her whole time at the museum taking pictures Liebman said she attended with her mother and two friends, so she wanted to use her time there as a bonding opportunity.

“I thought it was really fun because it brought everybody together,” Liebman said. “I felt like everyone was super happy to be there, and there were so many different kinds of people there.”

Sophomore Kristina Kovaleski said she enjoyed her time at the museum because she thought it was a truly special

PHOTO BY HANNAH ZIFRONY

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY MADISON LIEBMAN

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM: (From left) freshmen Lindsay Zifrony and Marley Solomon spend time taking photos on the top floor of the ice cream Museum located at 3400 Collins Ave. while observing the scenic views of Miami Beach in the distance. Juniors Addison Berger, Rachel Silverman and Madison Liebman took photos in front of the hanging popsicle wall. Other attractions, like the aesthetically stimulating pink and white themed exterior of the museum, the pool filled with plastic sprinkles or the banana swing were strategically located for attendees to take photos.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY KATIE GIBBS

experience.

“I thought it was really cool, fun and different,” Kovaleski said. “I would recommend it to others because it’s just a fun experience.”

Kovaleski said the assortment of foods offered in all of the different rooms enhanced her museum experience greatly.

“The food was all really good,” Kovaleski said. “There was a lot of variety, so I really liked that there was a lot to try.”

Art teacher Bizzy Jenkins said the museum would be a great place for art students to visit. She said she wanted to take her photography students there, but the $38 tickets were too expensive for a big group of students.

“It would just be such a unique, memorable experience, and it’s so important for kids to interact with art and see the possibilities,” Ms. Jenkins said.

“They would definitely learn how to shoot with lighting and bright colors and work within a confined space. The proportions

of things and the bright colors would make awesome photos.”

Ms. Jenkins said she likes how the museum honors art deco design because it is a very important period in the history of art.

“Art deco is a very unique period and it’s a very distinct look; I really love art deco,” Ms. Jenkins said. “It’s great that they preserve that because that was such a unique architectural style.”

Ms. Jenkins said the Museum of Ice Cream is different from typical art museums, especially because it is interactive.

“The technical aspect of museums is that they’re showing historic artworks, but there are museums for all different things, so [The Museum of Ice Cream] is just showing what’s neat and interesting about ice cream in a unique way,” Ms. Jenkins said. “It is interactive since you get to touch things and take pictures; it’s almost like going to a fun house. A lot of art museums don’t allow photos, are quiet

and you can never touch anything.”

Liebman said she thought the museum tickets were well worth the price because she had many unforgettable experiences there.

“Going to the museum is such a unique thing to do; it’s not something you can do every day,” Liebman said. “It was really fun, and I was able to make so many memories there.”

Liebman said she loved the museum because of the diverse crowd it attracted.

She said she would definitely recommend the museum to others because it is a unique experience that people cannot normally have in Florida.

“Florida’s a trendy place, but we don’t have that many experience like this,” Liebman said. “[The museum] unites so many different kinds of people and it’s an attraction that people will always talk about.”

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FEBRUARY 2018

MOVING FILMS

The Circuit’s staff reviews six inspiring movies based on true stories.

“Dolphin Tale”

“Million Dollar Arm”

BY RACHEL ALEXANDER

BY HANNAH LASSNER

“Dolphin Tale” showcases the inspiring journey of 11-year-old Sawyer (Nathan Gamble) and Winter, the dolphin. When Winter is rescued on the beach and brought to Clearwater Marine Hospital, her tail is amputated after being caught in a crab fishing line. The movie showcases Winter’s fight for her life after she receives a dire prognosis. The main characters who work to save her include Dr. Clay Haskett (Harry Connick Jr.), Dr. Cameron McCarthy (Morgan Freeman) and Hazel Haskett (Cozi Zuehlsdorff), all of whom add to the excitement of the movie and the quality performances. Gamble’s fantastic acting skills in the movie feature Sawyer’s empathy for animals and his personal connection to the dolphin. The heartwarming scenes involving human interaction with Winter and her support group, illustrate emotional connections and strengthen the movie’s message: one should never lose hope.

Given that it is filled with sentimental, humorous and lighthearted scenes, “Dolphin Tale” is the perfect combination of an eye-opening story and an inspirational reminder.

“Million Dollar Arm,” is a powerful and emotional film. Determined sports agent and main character J.B. Bernstein (Jon Hamm), travels around India to find the perfect new client to train and take back to America to play major league baseball.

Living in devastation and having never left their families, winners Rinku Singh (Suraj Sharma) and Dinesh Patel (Madhur Mittal) take their talents to the United States to play baseball for the first time.

Being in a new country shows the comical side of the film when seeing the boys experience a new lifestyle, like hotel rooms, pizza delivery, cars and elevators. The boys go from not knowing any baseball and living in poverty, to being begged by scouts to join their teams. Through the hardships and confidence struggles, Sharma and Mittal’s acting is exceptional in their teenage roles. This movie demonstrates how a person should always follow their dreams. “Million Dollar Arm” is both entertaining and motivating, the complete package.

“Hotel Rwanda”

“Patch Adams”

BY RACHEL SIVERMAN

BY LEXI FLECHNER

HEAD PHOTO EDITOR

ONLINE ARTS & ENT. EDITOR

“Hotel Rwanda,” directed by Terry George, is a unique and impactful take on the serious issue of mass murdering of people of different heritages. The 2004 film takes place in Rwanda during a national genocide of the Tutsi people, when Hotel Rwanda manager Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle) successfully houses and shelters over 800 Tutsi men, women and children. The Oscar-nominated film respectfully addresses and brings to life the true horrors that were endured through the national crisis that occurred in Rwanda. Despite the fear that the Hutu rebel army inflicted on the Tutsi population, Rusesabagina and UN Peace Corps successfully create an oasis at Hotel Rwanda while the country is in the middle of a war. Despite being called a “traitor” and a “cockroach,” Rusesabagina continues to show the utmost passion and determination to save as many lives as he can, which creates a strong sense of inspiration and hope. The entirety of the film is serious and upsetting; however, there are light-hearted elements that provide comedic relief, making the film more enjoyable. To add to the quality of the film itself, the traditional music and dance that highlights Rwandan culture gives a more positive outlook during tough scenes. Overall, the balance of accurately depicting the genocide and lighter comedic elements meld together perfectly to create a well-executed and memorable movie.

“Patch Adams” tells the funny and heartwarming journey of an unconventional doctor who uses comedy to improve his patients’ standard of living.

The movie, released in 1998, stars Robin Williams in the telling of a true story.

The film follows Hunter “Patch” Adams (Williams) as he goes from a mental hospital to medical school in his efforts to help people by using humor. As Patch sneaks around the school to see patients in the hospital, whom he is not allowed to visit as a first year student, he enlists the help of his fellow classmates to bring joy to the ill. The acting throughout the movie is above average and the actors never slip up in their roles. Williams especially performs excellently in his role. Despite the film being produced 15 years ago, its cinematography is not too dated. “Patch Adams” is able to remain relevant over many years and will continue to do so in the future. The movie, with a primarily happy tone, has a dark, shocking twist, that seems slightly out of place. Despite this strange plot point, the resolution is touching. Overall, “Patch Adams” is a motivational story that expresses the true passion the protagonist has for his patients and is therefore suitable for all viewers looking to feel empowered and happy.

“Soul Surfer”

“The Blind Side”

BY SHANTY FIERRO

BY LUCY CELENTANO

ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR

ARTS & ENT. EDITOR

“Soul Surfer” was released on April 8, 2011, and tells the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a teenager who lost one arm after a shark attack. Anna-Sophia Robb plays Hamilton, a surfing prodigy who is coached by her father Tom (Dennis Quaid) before having to adjust to her new life without her arm. Hamilton seemed to be on top of the surfing industry, and at the peak of her youth, her life completely changes when she gets attacked by a shark while out surfing with her friends. When she returned home from the hospital, Hamilton and her family were forced to adjust their lives to the newfound obstacle. Although Hamilton has some trouble adjusting to life after her accident, it’s heartwarming to see how strong and supportive the Hamilton family is when helping her recover. Watching her triumph is all the more rewarding after watching her adjust to her new life. Overall, the film has phenomenal acting, chemistry between the actors and an accurate and positive representation of the people of Hawaii. Moreover, the movie has an important message to offer audiences about how when someone is passionate about something, they can overcome any obstacle.

This inspiring recount tells the true story behind athletic superstar Michael Oher’s adoption by the Tuohy family.

“The Blind Side” is the quintessential motivational film. One night when driving home, the Tuohy family spots Michael, a homeless teen on the side of the road.

Demanding her husband to stop the car, Leigh Anne Tuohy, played by renowned actress Sandra Bullock, invites Michael into their car and to spend the night at their massive estate. After this welcoming, dilemmas among family and community members arise. Each character’s ability to overcome these challenges demonstrates the importance of standing up for one another in the community. As the film progresses, Michael proves to be severely lacking in his ability to complete his schoolwork effectively, which is detrimental to his football career. After witnessing firsthand the sheer joy Michael experiences from playing football, Leigh Anne does everything in her will to make sure her adoptive son keeps his grades up. This connection between the characters and their sheer willingness to do anything for one another promotes the true essence of “The Blind Side”: family is everything.

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Users from the Bay win money in trivia app

BY LUCY CELENTANO ARTS & ENT. PRINT EDITOR

Every day, hundreds of thousands of smartphone users tune into the new app, HQ. The live trivia games give users the opportunity to put their random knowledge to the test with 12 successive questions. The players who correctly answer all questions split the grand prize among themselves, which has ranged from $2,000 to $18,000.

“

It’s a nice 15-minute break from whatever I’m doing, so I really enjoy being able to play every day.

“

-senior Zack Galpern Senior and HQ winner Zack Galpern said he originally downloaded the app when two of his friends told him it was an easy way to make money.

“I started playing HQ in November when my friends showed me an article about it,” Galpern said. “They told me it was really fun to play, and I could win money from it, so I decided to try it out.”

If all 12 questions are answered accurately within the allotted 10 second time period, winners of the game either take home the jackpot or split the cash prize with that round’s other winners.

While Galpern’s initial goal was to win the game, he said it is now the subject of entertainment and relaxation.

“I usually play HQ every afternoon and night,” Galpern said. “It’s a nice 15-minute break from whatever I’m doing, so I really enjoy being able to play every day.”

On the contrary, winner Corey

Steinman said that after winning the game show one time, he does not tune in as frequently as he did prior to his win over winter break.

“I started playing a few months ago when my friends began getting into the game, but now, I don’t play every day because of sheer laziness,” Steinman said. “It requires effort I’m not willing to put in because I genuinely do not care enough about the game.”

English III Honors teacher Kara Yohan said she plays HQ because it brings people together. Yohan said HQ brings her friends closer together because some teachers at school come together after school to participate in the game.

“The game is half luck and half playing with other people,” Ms. Yohan said. “The other teachers and I meet up after school and play, or if I’m hanging out with my friends at night, we will play together then too.”

Galpern said HQ is remarkable and telling of the technologically advanced society we live in today.

“For 15 minutes, over one million people stop what they’re doing to watch and play the game, which shows how technology can really bring people together,” Galpern said.

Steinman said although it may be fun bragging rights to say he knew all of the questions and answers during his winning round, he knows his victory was a matter of sheer luck.

“The first few questions require some skill, but the rest has to be luck.

The questions are nearly impossible,” Steinman said.

Unlike Steinman, Galpern does not attribute all his success to his guessing skills. Galpern said utilizing other means to derive the answers was the true reason for his success.

“Some of the questions are ridiculously hard, so I definitely think I got lucky, but I’m also a fast typer so I was able to find

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a lot of the answers on Google, which is probably the real reason I won,” Galpern said.

Ms. Yohan said the most rewarding part of being a teacher is enjoying the times when the curriculum she teaches in the classroom is applicable to happenings in her daily life, as well as her students’ lives.

“Although it is just an online trivia

game show, seeing ‘The Great Gatsby’ pop up on HQ made me happy because that is the unit we are in right now,” Ms. Yohan said. “I love it when the things I teach are found outside of the classroom, even if it is just during an online game.”

Music festival decorates Wynwood

BY SOPHIA BUSTO

The annual Life in Color music festival took Mana Wynwood by storm with colorful paints, a star-studded lineup and energetic fans on Jan. 14. Performers included Zedd, Snails, Blackbear, K?D, Lil Pump, Parker, Quix and Anthony Pisano; there was also a guest appearance

by Jaden Smith.

Only 16-year-olds and older were allowed in the show as spectators, and the security enforcement was very strict. After walking into the festival, the first performer, EDM artist Anthony Pisano, began his set, while aerialists, art installations, pop-up performers, vendors and gallons of multi-colored paint surrounded the stage.

The event brought about 3,000 different people together to celebrate unity, love, life and friendship, while allowing the attendees to enter a different world for an amazing experience, known as “The World’s Largest Paint Party.”

First established in 2007 with the purpose of, “creating a blank canvas for the fans to PAINT new memories, CREATE beautiful experiences, and MEET

PHOTO BY SOPHIA BUSTO

GO HARD IN THE PAINT: Audience members listen to Zedd while being sprayed with paint in the pit at the Life In Color music festival in Wynwood.

lifelong friends, while all sharing the same passion for music, art, and color,” as stated on the Life in Color website. To enforce this theme, there were several different paint blasts throughout the show.

Many different DJ sets were incorporated with colorful lights, allowing the performers to successfully create an exciting vibe for the crowd. An automated voice explained that each color

represented a different characteristic, explaining that all the colors in the world would not be enough to capture everyone in one picture.

21 Savage was supposed to be incorporated in the show, but he did not show up and it made the show quite confusing, with an unexpected replacement artist.

The concert’s overall theme was maintained with vibrant colors displayed everywhere and individuals covered in paint from head to toe. Most attendees wore white clothing, in anticipation to end the night in a mix of several different fluorescent colors.

The show incorporated a beauty bar, which offered free glitter, braid service and gems. Merchandise was being sold, including t-shirts, tank-tops and hoodies.

Life in Color had an automated explanation of what Life in Color is about and the good vibes that surrounded the festival. With the outfits, paint and top performers, Life in Color put on an amazing show. The fans were able to sing along to popular songs and enjoy the featured performers.

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FEBRUARY 2018

All-star movie musical ‘comes alive’ acting ability is enchanting and serves to keep even the most basic scenes serious, humorous and heartwarming. Supporting characters like those played by Rebecca Ferguson and Michelle Williams help deliver the unexpected creativity the plot severely lacks.

BY LUCY CELENTANO

Bottom Line: To compensate for the boring narrative, the perfectly cast collection of actors puts “The Greatest Showman” in its place by adding a new, entertaining dimension to the historical account of the Barnum Circus.

ARTS & ENT. EDITOR

With a star-studded lineup accompanied by an impeccably crafted soundtrack, “The Greatest Showman” presents a creative and innovative twist on the story behind the establishment of Barnum Circus. Set in the late 1800s, P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman) has been laid off and struggles to make a living for his family of four. After finding an adequate space and attractions he believes are capable of drawing viewers, Barnum opens his own museum filled with new and intriguing exhibits. Following immediate failure, Barnum seeks out interesting individuals like the bearded lady and the 7-foot-tall man, who prompt him to open the Barnum Museum of Curiosity. Growing rapidly, Barnum manages to earn his show a spot on the international stage, where he meets investors, additional acts and other influential figures who determine the show’s fate.

Although somewhat based on a true story, the predictable nature of the movie’s happenings detracts from the overall entertainment of the film. Two characters, Phillip Carlyle, a posh playwright played by Zac Efron, and acrobat Anne Wheeler played by Zendaya, have prominent roles in the film’s progression. Once Barnum and Carlyle make a monumental

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business, partnership deal, it is immediately apparent that Carlyle will fall in love with Anne Wheeler. Facing various challenges, the couple’s apparent determination further promotes the film’s underlying inspirational theme.

To compensate for the boring narrative, the perfectly cast collection of actors puts the show in its place by adding

a new, entertaining dimension to the historical account of the Barnum Circus establishment. Zac Efron, already having a fair share of musicals under his belt, showcases his ability to enchant viewers with his dreamy looks and dramatic abilities. Hugh Jackman is the quintessential actor chosen to play the lead. Working with a basic plot, Jackman’s magical

Undoubtedly serving as the film’s most memorable feature, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul’s soundtrack is the perfect combination of catchy lyrics, ballads and storytelling that effectively sheds light upon the film’s hopeful and inspiring message of perseverance and working together. “The Other Side,” a duet by Efron and Jackman, displays the high energy characteristic of the movie, with upbeat instrumentals and intriguing technological effects. In addition, serving as the most memorable tune, “The Greatest Show” is perfectly drafted as an exciting way to start and end the movie. Overall, the great majority of songs in “The Greatest Showman” are the ideal addition to the uplifting tale of the Barnum Circus.

The music in your ears

“The Music in Your Ears” delves into the music tastes of students at the Bay. Staffer Sophia Handley interviewed four students who enjoy listening to different types of music.

“Losing Sleep”

by Chris Young

“This Love”

by Maroon 5

“If I had to pick one type of music to listen to, I’d definitely pick country music, and I love the song ‘Losing Sleep’ because it speaks the truth.”

-sophomore Raquel Walton

“My all-time favorite song is ‘This Love’ by Maroon 5. I have been listening to this song for years and it just has always seemed to be my favorite.”

-junior Nicole Straight

“Telescope”

“Praying”

by Kesha

by Cage the Elephant “Telescope’ is such a great beat and melody.

My favorite overall type of music is alternative music because it is really different than what a lot of people like” -sophomore Paola Diaz

“My overall favorite song to listen to is ‘Praying’ because it is really upbeat and gets me energized. I love listening to pop music and this one has to be my favorite.”

-freshman Juliet Bell

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Series let down by newest installment “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”

BY LEXI FLECHNER ONLINE ARTS & ENT. EDITOR

Disney released the second film in the third “Star Wars” trilogy, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” on Dec. 14. Despite being disappointing when it comes to the overall plot, the film is still ultimately fun to watch.

The tale follows two separate storylines that both provide different plots and development of characters. When the group of resistance fighters from the first film in the trilogy desperately tries to escape from the first order, they find the evil military group can track them through light speed, rendering them useless to escape and low on fuel. Attempting to find a way to remove the tracker, Finn (John Boyega), Poe Dameron (Oscar Issac) and Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) travel to a foreign planet to find someone who can help them. At the same time, Rey (Daisy Ridley) finds Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and tries to bring him out of hiding to fight the first order and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver).

The storyline of the resistance fighters seems stretched out over the movie as the timeline of the whole plot is only in a span of hours. The characters are able to develop but it is not highly believable that they could change so much in such a short time. This creates an unfavorable distance between the characters.

The Jedi storyline is more disappointing than anything else. The film portrays main character Luke

Skywalker from the previous films as a grumpy old man who refuses to help Rey learn to be a Jedi or fight the first order.

This contradicts his strong, powerful abilities he demonstrates in the other “Star Wars” films. It is unsatisfying to see this character finally return to the screen in such a poor light.

There is an overarching plot with Kylo and Rey who explore more into their connections. It is refreshing to see Kylo as more of a character than just a remake of previous “Star Wars” series villain Darth Vader.

The strongest point of the movie is the cinematography, which is astounding.

The shots created, especially in space, are breathtaking and a beautiful addition to the film. Director Rian Johnson was able to make completely fictional places seem so real.

This most recent trilogy was produced

by Disney, which bought out Lucasfilms, the original producer of the other movies in the series. Though this has done great things for “Star Wars” within the Disney Parks, it is detrimental in the creation of the new trilogy. This movie feels too forced to be a typical Disney movie since the franchise has never been sappy. The movie specifically tries to be funny, which is just not a feature that has ever been a part of this cinematic universe and makes it feel less like “Star Wars” than it should have.

Additionally, another implication with the film is the fact that there are very few elements to differentiate it from all other “Star Wars” productions. Many aspects feel too familiar to other films and make it unoriginal. This movie is heavily based upon characters from the previous films, making it nostalgic. The addition of these characters takes away from the concept of a new trilogy and instead feels like a

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continuation of the original trilogy.

Though the plot has problems, the acting is superb. It does not feel like any of the actors were forced into their roles, more that they were fit for them, making it that much more realistic. Driver’s role as Kylo Ren is specifically enthralling, making twists with the character extremely unexpected and exciting.

The character relationship between Finn and Rose Tico seems once again too Disney-like and cliché. Though Rose provides a strong female role, the film could have done easily without the characters’ relationship.

Despite its flaws, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” was still enjoyable to watch.

It kept an upbeat pace and still carried the basic “Star Wars” theme at its core.

There is much to improve upon, but at the elementary level, the movie is above average. Though it may not have been the best episode in the series, the film does set up events for the next movie, “Star Wars: Episode IX,” which is set to release in 2019 and will hopefully bring new light to the trilogy.

Novel delivers heartfelt romance story “On the Other Side”

BY SABRINA BLANDON

“On the Other Side” by Carrie Hope Fletcher is an enchanting book filled with themes of love, loss and being true to oneself. The story follows the main character, Evie Snow, who dies in her sleep. After facing the challenge of not being able to pass through the door to Heaven, she learns she must reveal three secrets that have been weighing her down for almost fifty years in order to pass through this door. As Evie begins releasing the secrets she has kept hidden in her heart, she learns more about life and love once she is gone from the world.

Fletcher has taken a simple idea and transformed it into an exquisite book with well-thought out characters. The novel’s characters serve as thought-provoking figures as Snow proves being with someone is a monumental life adjustment

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and not just holding hands. Through the use of eloquent and heartfelt writing, the importance of sacrifice for true love is made apparent.

Overall, Fletcher’s exquisite cha racter ization of the protagonists promotes the idea that there is no such thing as a perfect character.

Fletcher writes about the obstacles in life and changes them into a compelling story about one woman who has dreamed of leaving her demanding mother in hopes of a successful career.

Little does she know that by stepping out into the harsh world, she will learn multiple lessons about love that her mother

could never understand. Besides writing about the adventures of Snow and how she found love in the most unexpected places, Fletcher writes about memorable characters and an engaging plot with an enticing style of writing.

Although scenes in the book are cliché, it is still a delight to read. This book introduces fantasy elements that make the novel seem more cleverly thought-out. By giving the book fantasy elements, it introduces something new to the romance genre. Although most of the book revolves around the love story, there are other parts of the book that involve a broader scope of life lessons. Even though the plot of the book is odd and crazy at times, it makes the book more enjoyable to read.

“On the Other Side” is a mustread filled with clever ways of writing, charming characters and a love story that continues even in the afterlife. Fletcher gives meaning to her characters’ actions and gives this book some unpredictable turns.

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FEBRUARY 2018

Chorus performers rehearse for districts

BY DREW ROACH

The Bay’s Chorus has been practicing during class time for upcoming competitions. This spring, they will be competing at the district competition in March. If it is successful, it will advance to states.

Each competition involves a warm-up, a stage performance and a sight reading.

Chorus teacher Bradley Franks said the academic part of the class helps with the sight-reading portion.

“

We are all very excited to see if we can qualify at districts and move on to perform in states

“

-chorus teacher Mr. Franks “It’s pretty intense during the sight reading because the kids have most likely never seen the pieces before,” Mr. Franks said. “They get about two minutes to look over it before having to go through it on their own and make it come alive.”

Mr. Franks said Cypress Bay Chorus has a group that qualifies for states every year since they practice a lot throughout the year.

“Every year it varies on how ready we all are, but we have been very successful in the past,” Mr. Franks said. “We are all very excited to see if we can qualify at districts and move on to perform in

PHOTOS BY REMI SCHWARTZ

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: (From left) chorus members spend time together during their warmup routine. Their warmups mainly consist of staying calm and relaxed to better prepare themselves before competiton. Many chorus members said that the memories and experiences they create at competitions are the best part of being in the chorus.

states.”

Because Chorus participates in competitions during the school year, sophomore Shavaun Ahorlu said she spends a lot of time in and outside of school practicing.

“We do take a lot of time out of our day to go over things like our soul fetch, sight singing and other aspects of singing,” Ahorlu said. “We practice to make sure we are ready for the judges to hear us so we can get a high score.”

Ahorlu said one piece they are currently practicing is “And Nature Smiled,” which she was not familiar

with before this season’s commencement.

She said it was interesting to learn how to sing a song before knowing it.

“The fun thing about Chorus is getting a new perspective on the nature of songs and singing,” Ahorlu said. “Learning the different keys and ranges of the song is a really cool experience.”

Sophomore Dylan Therrien said being surrounded by constant support has made his adjustment to Chorus fairly simple.

“I had to switch into Chorus during the second quarter, and I have been able to jump right into the class and keep the flow going,” Therrien said. “I was

nervous at first since other people in my class have a lot of experience singing, but I was getting a lot of help from them.”

Therrien said his favorite part about the class is learning new pieces that he would not normally sing.

“For me, I never really thought about the technical aspect of singing but being in this class has taught me so much about it, and I realized how hard it is,” Therrien said. “I have gotten to know my voice really well and all the different ranges of singing I can handle.”

Fashion fosters sense of individuality

BY JENNA FRIEDMAN PR MANAGER

Some students and teachers at the Bay strive to be recognized by their peers for their fashion sense, while others say they go for a more comfortable everyday look.

Junior Becca Leiman said she wears clothing to school that she finds stylish.

Leiman said she coordinates outfits for school in order to feel satisfied with herself.

“What inspires me to dress fashionable to school is the feeling of confidence it gives me,” Leiman said. “When I dress good, I feel good.”

While Leiman said she dresses stylish for herself, she said she appreciates the reassurance that it does not go unnoticed by her peers. Leiman was the winner of the Outfit of the Bay Award at the Lightning Oscars, which proved to her that her fashion sense is definitely recognizable.

“A lot of other students have pointed out my fashion sense to me on many occasions,” Leiman said. “It was so reassuring to be a nominee for the Outfit of the Bay Award because it showed me that the other students have noticed how hard I try to keep up with the trends.”

Unlike Leiman, sophomore Anna Wilentz said she never tries to wear fashionable clothes when she is going to school.

“I don’t think it’s necessary to dress up for school because I like to come dressed in comfortable clothes,” Wilentz said.

“Another reason why I dress in whatever

makes me comfortable is that I don’t care what other people think about me, and I couldn’t care less if anyone judges my outfits.”

Wilentz said she doesn’t mind dressing fashionable to go out, but her goto outfit for school is a sweatshirt, a pair of leggings and slippers. Wilentz said she wears whatever she wants.

“I don’t think everyone needs to dress the way I do, but I think everyone should dress how they want in order to please themselves,” Wilentz said. “If dressing stylish makes somebody happy, then that’s what they should wear, but if they are only dressing up to impress others, it’s not necessary in my opinion.”

Junior Jason Rosenberg said he always does his best to dress fashionable to school because he is inspired by the fashion choices of some of his friends.

“I go to a theater camp, and many of the people there dress really cool,” Rosenberg said. “They inspired me to get really fun clothes, and made me realize how entertaining it is to shop and keep up with trends.”

Similar to how Rosenberg looks up to his friends for style advice, Leiman has a role model when it comes to her fashion choices as well: her sister.

“When my sister moved to New York, she became really involved in fashion and she is always on top of the newest trends; I don’t have to go searching for what’s in style because she just shows me,” Leiman said. “My sister teaches me everything there is to know about fashion, and she will even order clothing to my house that

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY JENNA FRIEDMAN

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY BECCA LEIMAN

FREESTYLING: (From left) sophomore Anna Wilentz dresses in her typical school attire which consists of a pair of leggings and a sweater. Juniors Sebastian Dutra and Rebecca Leiman holding the Ligthning Oscar that was won

by Leiman for “Best Dressed” at the Bay.

she thinks I should wear.”

Student Government Association and Interior Design teacher Danielle Nascimento said she is inspired to dress stylish to school by her love of shopping.

“I am constantly shopping because I just love clothes in general,” Mrs. Nascimento said. “I am always seeing all the new trends, so I buy everything that’s in style because I’m a shopaholic.”

Mrs. Nascimento said her style has been recognized at school before, and her signature look can be described as “cute and casual.”

“Some very kind students have given me compliments on my style choices from time to time,” Mrs. Nascimento said. “I shop because I love it, and I’m all about looking trendy while staying casual.”

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OPINION

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Controversies subside as countries compete As the Olympics quickly approach with the Opening Ceremony on Feb. 9, there is much controversy surrounding the participation of Russian and North Korean delegates. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has an ongoing drug investigation of Russian athletes and North Korea has nuclear threats. The IOC needs to decide on whether or not they’re eligible to compete.

The countries’ athletes should be allowed to participate and represent their home on certain conditions.

Participants and spectators worldwide have the common desire for everyone in Pyeongchang, South Korea to be safe and compete civilly.

The IOC’s investigation regarding the Russian athletes’ intake of performance enhancing drugs has been going on since before the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The Olympics is supposed to be a friendly competition, not an unfair and potentially life-threatening series of games. This can be seen as 11 out of the 33 Russian medals won during the 2014 Sochi Olympics have been revoked as the IOC discovered the illegal use of the drugs. The Russian Olympic Committee had been suspended immediately and the IOC won’t even acknowledge anyone from the Russian Ministry of Sport at the upcoming Games. This is well deserved as those are the individuals that suggested the athletes take the drugs knowing the rules. As for the athletes, they chose to put their bodies

Flash of brilliance

YES Students should be able to follow their teachers on social media. Social media serves as a method to reach students in a way that pertains to their generation’s go-to source for information.

Apps like Twitter are used by many students, which further justifies why teachers would make use of these social media accounts. Instead of posting classroom updates on websites that students do not pay attention to, social media allows teachers to reach more students in a more efficient way. Since students have become accustomed to spending their time on particular apps, announcements and assignments provided on a teacher’s account would be beneficial in making students aware of their responsibilities. Oftentimes, teachers tend to have last-minute changes regarding homework or due dates; an account for students to follow allows them to be made aware of these revisions. With the ability to notify students through these media apps, teachers can have a safety net regarding their lesson plan which alleviates any mishaps that may occur with changes made. Not only does media serve as a go-to for teachers and students, but it also creates a better connection between both parties. As students notice teachers using modern platforms to communicate, they may feel an appreciation towards the teacher for attempting to reach out and utilize services that younger generations are more active on.

-Sabrina Kehrer

in danger and take the chance of being caught; therefore, they are getting what they deserve. Although it is four years later and there is another Winter Olympics in the next month, the IOC should continue to investigate this issue as everyone that competes, no matter what country one is from, should have an equal opportunity to win a medal. As far as the 2018 Olympics, the athletes from all nations should be randomly drug tested. This allows the IOC to detect who, if anyone, is cheating and permit everyone to have a fair match.

Not all Russians should be punished; those who were honest and remained clean should have the chance to compete against the best from each country. The IOC has said that Russians can compete, but whatever medals they may earn will not contribute toward the nation’s overall medal count, their flag will not be flown, and their anthem will not be played. Those Russians that are truthfully representing their nation should be able to feel proud of their accomplishments just as the winners from any other country should. Competing in the Olympics is an honor and winning a medal can be a once in a lifetime opportunity; the IOC should not ruin the experience for them.

As for North Korea, its unstable leader, Kim Jong Un, has threatened nuclear proliferation and made direct threats to United States as well as violated United Nations (UN) sanctions.

The US and South Korea are allies, so

GRAPHIC BY AUSTIN DUNNE

one may think that the hosting country would defend us. However controversial Kim may be, he doesn’t represent the athletes. The Olympics were made to be a series of nonpartisan games in which people worldwide can come together and compete for medals. One’s political affairs shouldn’t affect the eligibility to participate as the competitors aren’t doing anything wrong. North Koreans should have the chance to participate just as anyone else would. North and South Korea have had negotiations and meetings at the country’s’ borders regarding the accommodations and travel expenses. The hosting country is doing this for all the participants, so it’s understandable that they should do this for their neighbor. As long as North Korea

Should students be allowed to follow their teachers on social media?

GRAPHIC BY RACHEL SCHONBERGER & RACHEL FRIEDMAN

Visit cbhscircuit. com to vote on this topic.

and Kim are civil during the time of the games, their expenses should be paid for, just as any other country’s finances are.

These include the athlete’s lodging, food, transportation and equipment. Every country has its own issues, and a lot have controversial leaders, but that shouldn’t stop them from being able to participate.

This same philosophy should apply to North Korea.

Although there could be an argument for every country’s participation, one must realize that no one or no nation is perfect.

Controversy is inevitable, and each situation must be looked at individually.

NO Students should not be allowed to follow their teachers’ social media accounts. Oftentimes, a person’s social media account, whether it be their Twitter or Instagram, is a reflection of their personal life and interests—a teacher’s social media is no exception.

By allowing students to have access to teachers’ personal lives, teachers can face an invasion of privacy that alters the student-teacher relationship in the classroom. Access to a teacher’s online profile enables entry to intimate details about the teacher that students do not need to know. Teachers should reserve the right to keep certain aspects of themselves separate from their work environment and free from student interaction. When students are enabled access to teachers’ accounts, they may begin to see their instructor as less of an authority figure and more as an acquaintance. This change in relationship can diminish the respect and courtesy a student has for his or her teacher.

Furthermore, a teacher shouldn’t have to worry about restricting their social media presence and opinions for the sake of their students. When students see more relaxed sentiments on teachers’ social media accounts, it could cloud their perceptions of a teacher in an unfavorable way. Therefore, when it comes to students, teachers should keep their social media accounts on private.

-Nyah Hardmon

48 THE CIRCUIT

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OPINION

FEBRUARY 2018

Texting endangers distracted drivers Being entrusted to operate a 4,000 lb. automobile with astounding power is a huge responsibility and must be completed with undivided focus; however, many people do not understand the potential harm of the distractions around them while they’re driving, especially cell phones. It is so important for teenagers and adults to realize the risk they are taking every time they look at their phone, and they must do something to ignore this urge, making the roads safer.

Despite automobile companies annually updating cars with new technology and multiple initiatives to persuade people to refrain from texting while driving, this still remains a prominent issue.

As mobile devices become more popular, people have a harder time putting them down, even for a quick drive. Teenagers in particular don’t want to miss texts from their friends or other notifications from social media accounts.

Many teens feel the constant need to be entertained. Teenagers must come to the realization that they can go a few minutes without using their phones; they will be able to read all of their missed notifications when they arrive at their destination and they will have a safer drive.

Being in the car with someone who is texting while driving can be very uncomfortable for the passenger, especially if the driver is an adult. The passenger may want to ask the driver to put their phone away if they don’t feel safe, but they also might not want

GRAPHIC BY SOPHIE GAER

to disrespect them, putting them in an uncomfortable situation. Drivers must be more considerate of their passengers and realize how texting can make them feel unsafe.

Texting while driving causes about 11 deaths per day and about 330,000 injuries per year. These numbers continue to rise as more and more people are in denial of the harms caused by texting and driving. Many drivers believe that nothing bad will happen to them, but teens reading these statistics and hearing about incidents must learn from them and

realize that they are susceptible to injury or even death due to their actions.

New programs like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have been developed to contribute to the anti-texting and driving initiative. These programs provide a hands-free cell phone system where the controls of texting, calling, and playing music are all able to be verbally commanded. Students and teenagers should use their tools at hand to reduce their likelihood of getting into a crash.

The issue of texting while driving has been more prominent among teenagers;

however, many adults are guilty of doing this, too. Children observing adults texting while driving can indirectly indicate to those children that it is okay to text and drive. Adults may consider themselves more experienced or even professionals at driving, so they believe if they text and drive, they will be fine, and this is not always true.

Though there are no national laws prohibiting people from using wireless devices or cell phones while driving, many states have passed laws banning this. In Florida, texting and driving is a secondary offense, meaning a driver cannot be pulled over for texting and driving; however, if he or she is pulled over for another offense, they are cited for texting as well. Though in most states texting while driving is a secondary offense, it should be taken more seriously.

If someone is seen texting while driving, they should be pulled over and charged a high fine. Since multiple people die everyday from texting while driving, it should be a primary offense and there should be more caution taken against it.

Texting and driving proves each and every day, all of the negative effects that come along with it. If drivers refrain from using distracting devices while they’re driving, there would be significantly fewer crashes, deaths and injuries, and the roads would be much safer. It is imperative that students and teenagers end this horrible habit and help set an example for future generations.

Letters to the Editor Students should be exposed to more seating during lunch periods The cafeteria is generally very small and crowded. My friends and I always enjoy sitting inside during lunch, but these past couple of weeks we have turned to having to sit outside, because other students take all of the tables. This is because of the size of the cafeteria and the amount of tables and sitting areas. I think that the tables should have more chairs and that there should be more tables in general. The cafeteria should also be bigger so that it can accommodate more sitting areas.

-Josh Harris, freshman

piece of paper, due to that fact that teachers can only print enough copies of class work for a class-set, just imagine how much paper would be saved, if interims were removed -Talia Cohen, sophomore

Study hall classrooms should offer resources that enable productivity to students

All Study halls should have a working computer cart. Study hall is a great class to have to be able to complete some work within the day. However, I typically find that the majority of my workload has to be completed with a laptop or computer.

Sometimes my study hall will not have a Interim reports should not be computer cart, and I am stuck without begiven out to students in order to ing able to do anything for an hour and conserve paper a half.

-Pavel Shilenkol, freshman A big problem in this school is the fact that interims are still given out.

Since everyone is aware of Pinnacle and Schools should implement more parents are given report cards at the end security in order to protect of each quarter, I feel as if interims are not necessary and just a waste of papers. students Most of the time, interims are not even Moving forward with a year littered accurate and teachers put in last minute with school shootings I firmly believe grades. Most teachers in this school do that our school needs more security. We not even require signatures on the inter- have over 4,500 students, one of the largim papers and they end up in the garage. est high schools in the country and it is If the school is using them to let kids all too easy to walk on and off campus. know how they’re doing, mostly all the Not to mention that at any given time afstudents already check pinnacle several ter bells ring students flood the halls in times a day. Lastly, considering the fact hundreds. This school, however, does a that there are over 5,000 students, that great job of combatting the possibility of is 5,000 wasted papers, which can go to a shooting by establishing a strong combetter use, especially in classes that now munity, either through our numerous suprequire students to copy work onto a port clubs or our motivations principal.

Things like metal detectors on campus or an increase in our security work staff could help prevent these situations from ever even being possible. People are now a days scared to go to school but that must be put to an end, and we need to help.

-Noah Rosenblum, senior

Textbooks should be in better quality for student use Some of the textbooks and books that we receive from Cypress are very disheveled and torn apart or broken.

Besides from my history textbook, which is brand new this year, my other textbooks have writing and highlighting all over the text making it very hard to study. Also some of my books are missing pages in the glossary and index. This makes it really difficult for me to be completely focused while trying to study. In addition most of the pages and cover are ripped and practically falling out of the book’s spine.

-Juliet Bell, freshman

More grass should be planted in the portable walkways to make it easier when it rains

I personally have a lot of classes in the portables, which I don’t mind at all. The only thing that I would suggest is to put down more grass in the middle of the walkways in the portables (the ones near the back of the 300’s and 400’s building. While I don’t mind walking to class in the rain, the accumulation of water and

puddles that form make it harder to get to classes. This is because you can’t go through or over the puddle causing you to go through the crowded overhangs resulting in arriving to class fairly late.

-Ethan Rogge, freshman More classes should be offered as honors so students have the ability to boost their GPA’s I wish more classes were offered as Honors. I found myself taking classes that I wasn’t as interested in and passing down classes that interested me a great deal because they weren’t Honors credit. I think that the school should consider making more classes Honors credits so that all students can take at least one or two classes that actually thoroughly interest the students, beyond the common core classes.

-Matthew Saummell, freshman Letters to the editor are encouraged as part of The Circuit’s mission as a public forum. Submissions should not exceed 300 words; they should be dropped off in Room 360 or mailed to the school to the attention of adviser Eileen Manella.

The author will have the final say in phrasing of the letter, but letters are subject to editing for length, clarity, punctuation and grammar. Anonymous letters will not be printed and the writer’s identity will be confirmed prior to the publication. Any material deemed libelous, obscene, disruptive or unlawful to minors will not be published.

FEBRUARY 2018

OPINION

THE CIRCUIT

49

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Experience abroad shifts perspective

Seven backpacks, six people, five cities, four countries, three missed trains, two weeks, one unforgettable vacation.

This past winter break I had the privilege of traveling abroad with my family to England, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. I researched each country prior to embarking on this trip and devised expectations that all ended up being significantly off from reality.

Traveling around Europe was a culture shock. I was surprised to see how many citizens travel by bicycle and how it is absolutely normal to be in a building built in the 1600s, and be in one country in the morning and travel by train to be in a different country by lunch. These differing facets of culture made traveling to Europe a unique experience.

I soon discovered that my preconceptions of Europe were nothing but false. While I expected it may be difficult to navigate a country foreign for me, I was surprised to see how easy it was for my family to adjust.

I thought it would be difficult to communicate with locals because of the language barrier; however, I was amazed to find out that despite the official language of each country, the vast majority of people spoke English. I predicted prior to the trip that I would feel like an outcast as an American traveler in a foreign country, but the reality was quite different as everyone was extremely welcoming; the citizens were actually helpful with providing directions and recommendations.

My expectations about architecture and hospitality in particular were significantly off. I learned through my stay at five different hotels about how different and how much older they are in comparison to those in America. In Europe, the rooms are also much smaller than the American standard. In Germany we stayed in a building that was built about seven hundred years ago. Most of the hotels and buildings we were in throughout the trip were the same buildings and structures used for a variety of different uses long ago in history. It really feels different staying and sleeping in such a historical building.

As I planned for my two-week journey, I was a little nervous to see what Europe had in store for us. Preparations also included the acceptance of such a long plane ride, but the eight hours went surprisingly well. A flight as long as this one acted as a realization of how far I was from home, but during the time on the airplane, the only thought in my mind was our first destination: London, England.

Our trip began in London, England where I saw famous landmarks such as Big Ben, which is an iconic clock tower, and Westminster Abbey, which is a gothic abbey church. I also felt fortunate to see Buckingham Palace, which is the residence and administrative headquarters of the Queen of England, and the London Eye, which is a giant Ferris wheel. These sights and buildings changed my mood to feeling warm and safe in a foreign country. I was surprised to see that the

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY JAKE MILLER

famous telephone booths actually existed and were in working condition. Next, my family saw two Broadway musicals: Wicked and Les Misérables. I was amazed to learn that the lead of Wicked actually performed the show on Broadway in five different countries including the United States. England also had its own version of Times Square in New York City. Because England has the same language as in the United States as well as similar landmarks and entertainment, it felt reminiscent of America at times; this made it the perfect place to begin my trip.

The next adventure on our backpacking excursion was in Brussels, Belgium. It only took three hours to get to Brussels from London via an underground train called the Channel Tunnel; however, we did have to go through airport-type security traveling between countries since England is no longer a part of the European Union.

This was a checkpoint that was securityheavy, and it made me realize we were entering a country with strict laws, which was something I’ve never experienced.

Citizens of Belgium speak Dutch, French and German, and the currency is the Euro.

The local citizens of Belgium made me truly feel welcomed and like I belonged in the country. In Bruges, the capital of Belgium, we visited a chocolate museum called Choco-Story. Belgium is known for its chocolate, so this was definitely one of the many highlights of the trip.

We then traveled to Frankfurt, Germany, which also took three hours via train. I was shocked to see how efficient train travel is in Europe; it’s amazing that I was able to travel from one country to another so quickly. While in Frankfurt, we took a tour of the city by another train and also visited the Frankfurt Zoo, which was very interesting. I really enjoyed the zoo because it was amazing to see how different zoos are in comparison to those in America. Germany displayed many signs and banners for many current issues

ACROSS THE POND: Freshman Jake Miller traveled to four countries this Winter Break with his family; they toured England, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.

such as the women’s rights movement.

The banners were hung across some of the most famous bridges in Frankfurt.

Frankfurt spread joy across my face to see how movements that originated in the United States have transitioned into Germany.

We ended the trip in Amsterdam.

The total train trip took almost six hours, which was the longest ride we took on the entire trip. Amsterdam is located on a series of canals and most residents use bikes to travel as opposed to cars, which was interesting for me to see as it is so different than what I am used to. Amsterdam ended up being my personal favorite place of the trip because there was so much to see and do. While there, we visited the Van Gogh museum and the Anne Frank House. The Anne Frank House preserves her family and others’ hiding place during World War II and contains a permanent exhibition; this really opened up my eyes to the seriousness of the tragedies that occurred during the holocaust and during World War II. It made me sad to see all of the destruction and fear it caused, but it was an incredible sight to see. In addition to all there was to see and do in Amsterdam, the locals were friendly and welcoming; one local even offered to take me fishing, which is one of my favorite hobbies.

Out of all the countries I traveled to, Amsterdam made me feel the most out of

place, and although that would typically be a negative feeling, I really enjoyed the excitement of such a new environment.

The unique experience I had with my family truly shaped my love towards Europe and appreciation towards different cultures. The language, the food, the transportation, the architecture, the way of life and the adventurous vibe of the trip made it an experience like no other. This trip really opened my eyes to life outside of the United States, as I was previously unaware of any other ways of life. I was exposed to people outside of the United States doing even the most minor activities differently; their habits of eating and transportation are different, and this truly showed me how important it is to understand and appreciate cultural differences. As I came up with expectations of each country prior to visiting them, I found myself to be completely wrong in multiple situations throughout the trip. I have learned that it is crucial to disregard any preconceptions of other cultures and to instead accept and respect them. Other people in the world go about life in a different way than we do, and it is important to be able to accept that; my trip to Europe provided a firsthand experience to prove it.

50 THE CIRCUIT

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OPINION

FEBRUARY 2018

Voters should prioritize experience over #MeToo campaign inspires victims to popularity in presidential candidates speak out against sexual harassment “So I want all girls watching here, now, to know a new day is on the horizon,” talk show mogul Oprah Winfrey exclaimed at the Golden Globes Awards on Jan. 7 after receiving the honorary Cecil B. Demille Award. Minutes after her speech, tweets started pouring in: #Oprah2020. Yes, her speech was extremely inspirational, but is this wave of celebrity presidents really what is best for the political future of our country?

There is a part of me that would love to see Winfrey on the ticket, especially for all that she stands for: diversity and persistence. Winfrey would be the first female president and the second African American president. She also represents a true self-made women, rising from poverty as a child to becoming billionaire and philanthropist.

But when I’m realistically thinking about who I would vote for in the election, I don’t think it would be a good decision to put another celebrity in the Oval Office.

Although Winfrey’s acquaintances, such as longtime partner Stedman Graham, have claimed she is willing to run for office, she has not yet confirmed this. However, other celebrities like Dwayne Johnson, Mark Cuban and Kanye West have pitched their efforts to run in the 2020 election. This influx of celebrity candidates for the presidency is not what is best for our country.

The person at the forefront of our government should be a person with political experience. Celebrities may be good at giving speeches and may have the money to run a successful campaign; however, do they really have the skills and knowledge to manage the national budget, command the entire United States military and handle foreign affairs with extreme threats from other countries? I personally don’t think so.

Our current president Donald Trump is the second celebrity to enter the Oval Office, with Ronald Reagan being the first in 1981. Before Reagan was elected president, he was an actor; however, he

gained political experience by becoming governor of California. Unlike Reagan, Trump has no previous political experience, yet he was still elected.

However, according to Gallup News, Trump’s approval rate for his first year as president was 38.4 percent, which is lower than any other president’s first year rating.

His reputation has been attacked time and time again for not acting presidential. As evidenced by his daily tweets, Trump seems to be more concerned with his image as a celebrity than his presidential image.

Celebrities should only run for president if they are like Reagan, first establishing themselves as real politicians before running for office. Becoming president should not be someone’s audition or pilot episode in the political field.

Bottom Line: Celebrity status shouldn’t replace political expertise.

Although a celebrity president might sound great to some, polls indicate that voters do not necessarily want a celebrity president. According to a poll by Morning Consult and Politco, 59 percent of the voters surveyed do not want Winfrey to run for president.

Pop culture and politics should remain two separate spheres when it comes to presidential candidates.

However, celebrities can find influence in the political sphere by endorsing other candidates, spreading awareness about charities and encouraging their followers to be concerned citizens and active voters.

Like Winfrey said, a new day is on the horizon: when notorious, big name celebrities are going to be seen on the ballot. However, we should work towards another day: when the United States is back to electing candidates with actual political experience, not with experience playing a president in a movie.

More than 1.5 million tweets flooded Twitter when actress Alyssa Milano shared this revolutionary post: “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet.” Whether it was singer Lady Gaga, actress Gabrielle Union or any ordinary person who initiated this revolution, the large number of “#MeToo” tweets showed victims of sexual harassment they are not alone.

The “MeToo” campaign began in 2007 when civil rights activist Tarana Burke wanted to provide an outlet for sexual harassment survivors. Although her movement was originally intended to help poor women of color, it ended up unifying female and male victims across the globe. With intentions of enlightening people about the magnitude of the problem, Milano’s tweet relit the already burning flame.

After the infamous Harvey Weinstein incident, there have been more than 51 accusations of sexual misconduct against well-known men, and that number is continuing to grow. From co-anchor of the National Broadcasting Company’s Today Show, Matt Lauer, to United States (US) Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar and US representative for Arizona Trent Franks, the list seems to be endless.

However, even after this unifying campaign, many sufferers of sexual harassment have yet to voice their story.

Therefore, in order to help these victims who are suffering in silence, Burke and Milano partnered with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to make a new campaign called “#HerToo.” According to UNICEF’s recent report “A Familiar Face: Violence in the Lives of Children and Adolescents,” 15 million adolescent girls between the ages of 15 and 19 have experienced rape or other sexual abuse worldwide, nine million girls have experienced sexual abuse in the past year and only one percent of these women have reached out for help. Whether it be because these women fear denial, shame

or further mistreatment, they have not found the courage to speak up.

Consequently, Burke and Milano created this new campaign to be the voice for those who are lacking. By doing this, they said they are hoping to ensure the dignity of every woman who is honored and to build a culture of respect where it is lacking.

At the 2018 Golden Globes, Oprah delivered a beautiful and empowering speech piggybacking on Milano and Burke’s campaigns. In her speech, she applauded the brave male and female victims for sharing their stories with the world and emphasized the importance of speaking up.

Bottom Line: Women and men alike must speak out against assault together. When it happens, we must unite against a common cause.

Although all of her speech was inspiring, there was one part that stood out to me most, and will resonate with me for the rest of my life: “So I want all the girls watching here, now, to know that a new day is on the horizon! And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say ‘Me too’ again.”

If all of us strong men and women fight diligently to protect the rights of women, we will ensure a better future for ourselves and for future generations.

Whether it is “Yo Tambien” in Spanish or “Balance Ton Porc” in French, we will continue to make the world a safer and better place, one “Me Too” at a time.

Bottom Line: College admissions for all schools should be released at an earlier date to ensure students have a sufficient amount of time to thoroughly plan upcoming years.

College admission decision dates force students to make quick choices With college decisions being released by universities around the world, seniors begin to plan their future endeavors. However, with the schedule at which many decisions are released, students are not given enough time to decide on their college plans.

Although early decision applicants receive their decisions earlier in the academic year, a majority of students submitting applications do not hear back from these schools until later in the year-- some are released as late as the end of April.

Ivy League schools like Harvard Uni-

versity, University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University release their decisions on April 1. Even universities like the University of Florida, which releases its decisions on Feb. 9, and Vanderbilt University, which releases their decisions on Feb. 15, do not give potential students enough time to make an thoroughly thought out conclusion about where they will attend school the following year. Students must confirm officially where they will attend college by May 1. With this said, students are not given nearly enough time to make a proper decision about

their future.

Transitioning into being a college student is not known to be easy for high school seniors; many are overwhelmed and stressed about not making the proper decision. A main argument that students have is that they wish they had more time to make in-depth decisions about their future. Upon receiving an acceptance to a college, students must take quick measures in order to prepare for the following year. They must register for housing, look for roommates, enroll in classes and put down deposits. Often, only a day after earning acceptance into a school, students will begin to receive letters and emails instructing them on the next steps they have to take. It is not fair that students do not have a sufficient amount of time in between their acceptances and the

time that they have to start paying deposits for housing and classes.

A main issue that students are facing is that upon receiving their acceptances, they are negligent to committing to a school at that minute. This worries students as many of these universities start sending out emails and letters regarding housing applications that are to be completed. These accepted students argue that they do not want to fill out a housing application and put a deposit down for a school they may not even attend. This problem stems from the fact that some universities make their applicants wait too long for a decision. All schools should enforce early deadlines for applicants so they are able to release decisions early on in the school year, preventing this unnecessary time crunch and stress.

OPINION

FEBRUARY 2018

THE CIRCUIT

51

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Biking mission circulates positivity

From the moment I left my mission trip in Illinois this past summer, I had been counting down the seconds until I got the chance to go on my next Spoke Folk tour. This winter break, that opportunity finally arrived.

Spoke Folk is a Christian mission trip that trains anyone ages 15 and up how to be missionaries in their daily lives. On these trips, people from all over the nation congregate, spending twelve days biking to different churches throughout the state and putting on shows for the congregations at night.

The tours have previously been held in summer, but for the past two years, there were winter tours, coincidentally held in Florida. I signed up as soon as I found out the weeks of winter break matched up perfectly with the tour dates.

I left for the tour on Dec. 27, four days after winter break officially started. Luckily for me, the church where we began was St. Paul Lutheran Church in Weston, so I did not have to travel far like many of the other participants. People that I met came from Minnesota, Texas, Michigan, Ohio and many other states.

A huge part of my Spoke Folk experience was getting the opportunity to connect with these new people who ended up becoming a huge part of my life. I feel so lucky to have met a group that I can connect with on a spiritual level who shares the same faith, and within days became my family.

Being the youngest on both of my tours, I learned so many valuable lessons about myself and the world around me from different people who all have had unique experiences in their lives. I know I wouldn’t be able to get these lessons from anywhere else.

Throughout the entire twelve days, there truly was never a dull moment.

When we are on the road, we usually bike from eight in the morning to about four in the afternoon so we can get to the church.

Although this seems unbearable and impossible, it went by quickly because I got a biking partner each day who I could talk to the whole way through. Everyone was always willing to have a conversation about anything, and they genuinely cared about what I had to say.

When we get to the churches, the very first thing we do is work together to put bikes away and set up sound equipment with the band. Words of encouragement and motivation were constantly being shouted; I felt so supported all the time because I was always around people who lifted me up, and these moments are what made the journey so incredible.

After we got set up, we had to shower outside in the church parking lot with a hose in our bathing suits. These were the moments where I made some of my best memories. Everyone struggled to stay in the ice cold water for any time longer than two minutes, and seeing everyone’s reaction to the temperature was priceless.

Sharing this experience and this laughter with such amazing people made this unforgettable.

Every night, we got the chance to share our message with the congregations of different churches throughout the state. We did this by singing eight worship songs, performing a skit and also performing a puppet show. After each program, people from the churches who watched our shows came up to us and told us how much of an impact we had made on their lives. Those words were so encouraging and made me feel so proud of

EDITORS

The Circuit is the student newspaper of Cypress Bay High School. The opinions expressed in the paper are not necessarily those of the adviser, administration, or advertisers. The publication of advertisements in The Circuit does not imply endorsement.

The Circuit is a free publication available to approximately 4,700 students and 300 faculty and staff members of Cypress Bay High School. The publication prints 3,500 copies six times per year.

The Circuit has been recognized as a Columbia Scholastic Press Association Silver Crown Winner, National Scholastic Press Association-All American publication and Florida Scholastic Press Association All-Florida publication.

TO CONTACT US: CALL (754) 323- 0350, ext. 3277 eileen.manella@browardschools.com OR VISIT cbhscircuit.com

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY DREW ROACH

CHAIN REACTION: Sophomore Drew Roach embarked on the Winter Spoke Folk tour from Dec. 27 to Jan. 8 where she biked around Florida in a group of approximately 30 people to share positive messages with various churches.

what I was doing.

Sharing little sentimental moments like that was just half of the reason why Spoke Folk was the biggest blessing and best opportunity I could ever have. I may have made an impact on the lives of members of the congregations, but the people I met had the biggest impact imaginable on me. Growing in faith is such an indescribable feeling, especially being around

HYBRID EDITORS

Editor-in-Chief: Rachel Schonberger

Opinion Copy Editor: Katherine Gibson

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people who were constantly growing with me. Touring on Spoke Folk was something I didn’t know I needed until I went on it.

After being home from my second tour, I realized nothing can compare to the amount of growth I had in all aspects of my life during such a short period of time, and I will always be so thankful for it.

STAFF WRITERS Rachel Alexander, Juliana Atencia, Jessica Bernstein, Sam Bialczak, Sabrina Blandon, Sophia Busto, Isabel Caroub Baldner, Christina Cimato, Zachary Cohen, Annabelle Daniels -Rosenberg, Heather Dennis, Ethan Gaer, Rachel Greenberg, Sophia Handley, Sabrina Kehrer, Hannah Lassner, Rachel Levitz, Ilyssa Mann, Jake Miller, Fernando Padron, Adrian Gueredo, Drew Roach, Sofia Russ, Ellie Sachs, Jesus Santana, Karla Soberon, Robbie Solomon, Estela Suarez, Chloe Wain, Joseph Walsh, Jacob Winans, Hannah Zifrony

Arts & Ent. Photo Editor: Jolie Sonkin Sports Photo Editor: Dylan Srebnick Graphics Editors: Sophie Gaer, Austin Dunne

ONLINE EDITION EDITORS Editor-in-Chief: Carli Udine

Head Multimedia Editor: Dahlia Cohn

Managing Editor: Shanty Fierro

Multimedia News Editor: Olivia Landsman

News Editor: Casey Menten Features Editor: Jessica Sobel

Multimedia Features Editor: Shira Cohn

Sports Editor: Brian Kessler

Multimedia Sports Editor: Josie Clancy

Arts & Ent. Editor: Lexi Flechner

Multimedia Arts & Ent. Editor: Samantha Klopman

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DECEMBER 2017