Countryside High School Paw Print Newspaper Volume 28 Issue 4

THE COUNTRYSIDE HIGH SCHOOL

PAW PRINT 3000 SR 580

Friday, December 15th, 2006 - VOLUME 28, Issue 4

Clearwater, Florida

Safety in schools becomes a major issue xanderURBEN

sign-in measures.

“In Columbine, they locked down the school and the Security. Danger. Protection. These words are repeated parking lot was sealed off and they waited for the SWAT with increasing frequency in our society, one becoming team to come in,” said Senior Officer Cavaliere. “That’s aware and ever vigilant of potential attacks on our nation. how they were trained. We learned from that. We have With recent security changes to airport travel, to include an active shooter plan and don’t wait for the SWAT team. banned items such as liquids and gels, including hair spray If we hear active shots, we run to the shots, and take the and bottled drinks not to exceed 30 ounces, our daily naive threat out.”

Countryside High School, like the majority of Pinellas presumption of safety is no longer assumed. Teens today have a more tangible and potential threat to be concerned County’s older campuses is designed with a simple but open campus, allowing for easy commuting to and from with, one that lies closer to home: school security.

Prompted by the erupting violence across the country, class, and from the parking lots to the building itself. changes have been made throughout the past years with With over 39 outside wing doors one may easily access schools adding metal detectors, tall metal gates, private the interior of the school. Adding to the open campus and public armed security, complex crisis plans and secure are six portable. The more recent killing of five Amish girls by a milkman with an unexplained vendetta brings to light a question to the minds of both parents and students: just how safe are our schools?

With Countryside’s population of over 2400 students, it’s easy to be skeptical about security. In fact, Countryside is safer than most students would think. The parking lot is now separated from State Road 580 with a chain-link fence, and there are gates to several rows of the senior parking lot.

All are locked after the bell rings in the morning, leaving the only entrance to the Countryside at Charles and 580.

In addition to the two School Resource Officers (SROs) on campus, Americorp officers rotate daily to patrol the school.

Going a step further, a new Crime Watch course, a parallel to the Teacher’s Assistant Paw Print photo by Megan Hays class, assists the officers with an extra set of enior JoJo Smiton, a member of the new Crime Watch course, watches the eyes and ears.

“If there’s any crime or anything going front entrance doors as sophomore Tevin Speights walks back to class. on suspicious, they get me on the radio when staff writer

they’re out of earshot… and we come out and take care of it,” said Cavaliere. Desks are stationed at the entrances of the school, and other students cruise the hallways with an eye out for trouble. Although these Crime Watch students have no authority, they are of great assistance to the SROs, who always have work to do.

Even without the new additions, Countryside has been a safe school. 2003-’04 statistics show that after Palm Harbor, Countryside had the least amount of reported incidents, including violence, weapons violations, substance abuse, and harassment. Over 60 security cameras are stationed around the school. An emergency crisis plan is located in every room.

“It’s a safe place. I’d send my own kids here. It’s not as bad as all the rumors are,” said Cavliere.

Number of Crimes Commited at Pinellas County Schools Least Amounts of Crime 1. Palm Harbor - 18 2. Countryside - 24 3. Gibbs - 36 4. Lakewood / Osceola - 39 Most Amounts of Crime 1. St. Petersburg - 108 2. Clearwater - 107 3. Pinellas Park - 93 4. Tarpon Springs - 77

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Data compiled from ‘03-’04 Pinellas County School Board statistics

Schools tackle physical education classes scottSEEL

editor in chief

Dodge ball…gone, tag…gone; recess is no longer “child’s play.” Physical education games involving potential physical conflict between players are quickly being secluded from schools across America.

A popular schoolyard game, dodge ball, was banned across many American public schools for liability and safety concerns, as well as to retain student’s dignity and self respect.

Originating during the 1920’s and known as the “nerd’s game,” dodge ball has evolved into an ever popular game involving a rubber ball used to throw at other players, in lieu that the other student is hit and consequently out of the game. Its recent rise to fame grew after the popular comedy “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” premiered in 2004.

New Jersey has completely removed dodge ball from acceptable physical activities in public schools. Pinellas County schools discourage the ‘normal’ version of dodge ball, in which students are allowed to choose teams and use rubber inflated balls to hit other peers. Countryside fitness teachers do not play dodge ball in any class, finding it is safer to stay away from the infamous game altogether.

Although many see the dodge ball bans appropriate, some find it unnecessary. Parents and students in banned areas such as in a suburban Charleston, South Carolina school see the game as a part of essential development for students, teaching good leadership and cooperation.

“Winning isn’t everything. These kinds of games help build good character and morals when played appropriately,” said sophomore Amanda Martin.

Using the Sunshine State Standards and Essential Learning guidelines, Pinellas County requires a mandatory period of physical activity in all public elementary, middle, and high schools. As of this school year, there are nineteen physical fitness classes offered at Countryside, such as Team Sports, Beginner and Intermediate Tennis,

Volleyball, and Basketball. A half credit (quarter class) of a sports class and another half credit of personal fitness are required for graduation, as well as entrance into many colleges and universities.

Due to this requirement, physical fitness classes are at their max or exceeding recommended standards. “With the numbers we have, physical activities have become an increasingly larger safety issue. Anytime you involve contact, kids get hurt,” said physical education teacher Kaylyn Bayly.

A recent change in physical education classes such as Team Sports is the seclusion of co-ed flag football games.

Males and females are no longer allowed to play the game together due to gender equality issues.

“Men and women are supposed to be equal, so abandoning co-ed games would be unconstitutional,” said senior Michelle Eusebio.

Teachers are given the responsibility of enforcing gender equality, according to the school board’s Physical Education Dashboard. Part of this discouragement is the concern over mixed gender games and the chances that a student may be touched inappropriately or be subject to physical harm.

“Safety is our number one concern; it is the driving force of physical education. We place the emphasis on safety, setting guidelines that physical education teachers follow to create lessons and plan activities while using their own discretion and good judgment,” said Pinellas County Physical Education Executive Director, Nickolas Grasso.

Other newly-developed restrictions on games such as soccer and tag in other parts of the country have many parents raising their eyebrows in question of educator’s beliefs. These games do not involve direct physical harm or intentional superiority like dodge ball, hence many are questioning the necessity of exclusion.

“Any aerobic activity that students can participate in where they aren’t physically hurting another person is good for their development,” said Countryside parent Virginia

Wilson.

Sticks and stones may break bones, but these games could break long held traditions in public schools all over the country.

“The more limitations we have, the harder it is to assure equality,” said Bayly.

Paw Print photo by Kaitlin Montgomery

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uring their personal fitness class, junior Evan Wampler (back), sophmore Ardon Polukoff (middle), and sophmore Eric Allgeier (front) participate in a game of two hand touch football on the practice field.

FEATURES Volume 28 Reflections of an illness by afflicted students 2

beccaMORALES

culture editor

Teenagers idolize toned celebrities, yet when those celebrities transform their bodies to sickly thin frames, some teenagers blindly follow their footsteps. According to ANRED (Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc.) about one percent of female adolescents ages 13 to 20 suffer from anorexia and about four percent suffer from bulimia.

“I remember exactly why I started. I started when I bought my prom dress and I couldn’t fit into it. I thought throwing up would be the fast way to lose the weight and inches,” said Jane Doe*, a senior at Countryside who has lived with bulimia for the past year and a half.

Magazines, tabloids and other media outlets feature celebrities that are in tip top shape. They’re equipped with lean and sculpted bodies that only few outside this secluded ring seem to achieve.

People all over the world, young and old, watch them and try to mold themselves into their perfect double, by any means necessary.

These illnesses and disorders don’t only affect females. Ten percent of all that suffer from anorexia, binge eating, and bulimia, are males. Bulimics and anorexics share in the same mindset of a distorted body image. These disorders don’t take into account age, race, or status, it can affect anyone.

“I consider myself to be a well rounded person. I do well in school and I participate in clubs and stuff. I never really was trying to be like a super model,” said Jane.

The diseases feed upon the person’s anxieties. In today’s world of Cosmo, America ’s Next Top Model, and the O.C., teenage woes seem to pile to new heights everyday.

“I was just unhappy with it all. I would binge eat so much and it felt great when I was doing it but then I would go for like four hour walk, or runs. I had to sweat it out,” said junior John Doe.* Who suffers from binge eating and certain symptoms of anorexia.

Extreme exercise is one of the many characteristics of anorexia; others include self starvation and use of laxatives.

There are many warning signs that come with these disorders.

“I couldn’t make myself throw up no matter how far I stuck my fingers down my throat. I had to take my fingers out in order to breathe. I had to find another way to lose [calories], so I burnt it off,” said John.

Rehabilitation centers, such as the Turning Point of Tampa, assist people living with eating disorders that need

help and want to make a change.

“If you have an eating disorder, you have an eating disorder,” said Jane Doe. “There is no cure for it; all you can do is try to control it.” *Names have been changed to protect the identity of the students. The two students interviewed for this story are currently seeking professional medical attention for their disorders.

For more information on treatment:

The Turning Point of Tampa Bay: 6227 Sheldon Road Tampa, FL 33615 1-800-397-3006 Fairwinds Treatment Center: 1569 South Fort Harrison Clearwater, FL 33756 1-800-226-0301 www.fairwindstreament.com Websites:

National Eating Disorders Association: www.edap.org National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders www.anad.org

Skinny celebs spark strong influence on teens christinaLUPI

features editor

Nicole Richie, Mary-Kate Olsen and Keira Knightley; all beautiful girls who look like they haven’t eaten in weeks.

The media has influenced girls for several decades, stressing the need to be thin. The media contributes to dieting and being skinny, but it is not to blame completely.

It is estimated that 8 million Americans have an eating disorder; 7 million women and 1 million men. One in every 100 teenage girls will develop an eating disorder, according to the South Carolina Department of Mental Health.

In 2004, MaryKate Olsen was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.

When the media took pictures of her and her sister, Ashley, on the red carpet, society quickly noticed that her ribs were protruding out from her back.

In 2006, Nicole Richie was losing so much weight that she dropped down to Photo courtesy of Teen People 86 pounds. For kinny celebrities such as Keiria a woman of any Knightly (Above) and Nicole Richie age, this weight is dangerous. “She is (Right) have been hounded by the media way too thin and for their physical appearances. won’t admit to an eating disorder, even though it’s clear from all of the photographs. She needs help,” said Amanda Keller, a senior.

Nicole knows that her weight has dropped too much, but she still isn’t taking any initiative. Richie claims that she is not in rehab, but still is getting help. She is talking to doctors and performing blood tests to help decide what the problem is with her weight. She is taking a big step to get back to her old ways, but still struggling on that journey of a healthy weight.

Starting from when we are little, the media has taught girls that looks are essential. Barbie dolls have always had the “perfect” figure, having long blonde hair, perfect breast

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size, curves all over, and a gorgeous face. Barbie is represented as an older woman in spite that she looks like she has the body of an 18 year old, if not younger. While Barbie is not completely at fault, the materialistic view of her clothes, hair, and body type do not help girls see the “real” women in today’s world.

Models, actresses and singers all have influenced what teenage girls aspire to look like. They seem to have it all; the looks, the money, the boys, and they still keep their thin figure. Girls feel that the only way of getting this perfect life is by looking exactly like them, even if it means starving themselves.

In the 1960’s, the model/actress Twiggy, was a rolemodel to girls looking for that “stringy” look. With a reported weight of only 91 pounds and a height of 5’6”, she was an inspiration for girls wanting to be thin. Twiggy didn’t intentionally tell girls to look like her, but being a model and actress didn’t help boost girls’ attitudes on being confident in their own skin.

In the 1980‘s, Karen Carpenter, a singer, had always appeared thin throughout her career. But, her disease took a deadly toll. In 1983, her mother found her lying in her closet, passed out on the floor. She was rushed to the emergency room where they tried to bring her back to life, with no successful attempts. She died of a cardiac arrest caused by the strain that anorexia had put on her heart. At 32 years of age, she was 5’4” and weighed only 108 pounds.

Commercials for quick weight loss programs that plague television aren‘t helping this thin epidemic. The different varieties of pills proclaiming how fast the fat will disappear are terrifying to think about. “Even though you may lose weight, you’re probably ruining your body too. I don’t think it’s worth it,“ said Lisa Katzen, sophomore. The fact that people would take a pill in order to lose weight is odd enough, but the chances of them becoming addicted and wanting to lose more and more fat that they might not have is extremely high.

Television shows such as Baywatch, The O.C., and America’s Next Top Model all feature thin actresses.

When it comes to being too thin, fortunately some actresses know when to draw the line. On Baywatch, actresses on the show were told not to gain weight because if they did, they might lose their job.

“The media definitely influences girls to be skinny. You never see a fat person on television. You always see gorgeous models,” said sophomore Rachel Grzegorzewski.

The truth is not all the celebrity’s features on a magazine

cover are real. Airbrushing can make someone that looks like the average girl and turn her into a walking “Barbie” doll.

Eyes can be made whiter, eyebrows are made less straggly and higher up, lashes are made longer, and the picture is given a softer glow, making the face look more innocent.

Lips can be plumped to make them look bigger and gloss can be added to make it look like they have more makeup on.

Gaps in teeth are filled and whitened. Bags under eyes, pores on skin and width of noses are decreased in size to make a prettier complexion.

There are many more techniques that magazines use to make models and celebrities on magazine covers look more beautiful. If the magazine sees Photo courtesy of US Magazine something ropping weight more each day, that they don’t Richie appears just skin and like, they can albones. ways change it by airbrushing and adding little perfections here and there.

“I personally don’t like airbrushing because no girl or guy looks like that. But when teens see these pictures they believe they should look like that, even though it is impossible,” said Keller.

Without any intention, celebrities, models, and actresses are influencing girls to look too skinny. Stick-thin celebrities become girls’ inspiration on what they want to look like. Whether it is a low self-esteem, peer pressure, or just the media itself showing girls that looks are important, starving is not the way to solve weight problems.

“Every girl has a moment where they feel like they’re fat, but I think it’s just a matter of if you take it too seriously or not,” said Grzegorzewski.

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NEWS

Issue 4

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North Korea challenges international law feliciaASHBY

staff writer

The World Court Project in July, 1996, states that the threat or use of nuclear weapons is illegal and the U.S. has a responsibility to conclude the negotiations of their eradication.

On October 9, 2006 North Korea conducted an underground nuclear test.

Twelve years prior, the U.S. and North Korea signed the Agreed Framework, declaring that North Korea would stop its existing nuclear program, and both countries would work towards the normalization of political and economic relations.

Currently, the situation involving North Korea has many Americans wondering what action should be taken. North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Il, has guaranteed war if other countries interfere in their affairs.

These threats do not come as much of a surprise to North Korea’s neighbors; South Korean leader Kim Dae-Jung said to CNN, “The North would be willing to throw any and all plans out if the U.S. would agree to a bilateral sit down.”

According to CNN, although a nuclear test was confirmed, South Korea’s

geological institute estimated the force of the explosion to be equivalent to 550 tons of TNT. North Korea’s provider of the majority of food and power, China claims they will not stop trade with North Korea for fear that North Korean refugees may invade their borders. Due to this connection, the U.S. is now inspecting any and all cargo coming in and out of North Korea.

The U.S. has also stopped all direct communication with North Korea, and is only conversing through a six party channel, which includes Russia, Japan, South Korea, and other neighboring countries.

“Going to a deliverable warhead will clearly require time and effort and resources,” Jonathan Pollack told CNN. “I’m not trying to discount the possibility, but I wouldn’t imagine it to be an overnight sort of thing.”

Other countries in the past few years have had more nuclear activity than they have in the past decade.

Secrectary of State Condoleeza Rice recently traveled to North Korea to speak and push forward the U.N. sanctions. Rice’s tour led her

to North and South Korea, China, Japan, and Russia.

While Rice was in North Korea she spoke with Il and discussed about whether they will continue to have six party talks or if they will communicate on bilateral terms.

North Korea had previously declined on communicating on multilateral level about its nuclear weapons program as long as financial sanctions are enforced.

Since the U.S. declared their search for nuclear weapons in Iraq, the productions of nuclear weapons in Iran and North Korea have doubled. While in Iraq, the U.S. have found no nuclear weapons.

When questioned about this on CNN Rice said, “Countries have to be committed to sustaining the nonproliferation regime, and with Iran we have six countries, the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany, that are pursuing that. And with North Korea, which has been pursuing nuclear weapons for decades you finally really have a coalition of states that are determined to keep the North Koreans from keeping their nuclear weapons program and progressing.”

However Kim Jong Il will not give up easily, as he has stated.

Rice said she and Il spoke Friday about leaving open a path to negotiation through the six-party talks but only if Pyongyang returns to the talks “without condition.”

Reform in North Korea has begun, as well as, relieving the states power of nuclear weapons. The U.N. has passed “Resolution 1718” against North Korea with a 15-0 vote, stating that the world powers are pushing for North Korea’s eradication of nuclear weapons.

Administrator Timothy Keating told CNN that he doesn’t worry about the withdrawn country or its leader.

“North Korea is not even a third-world nation. They’re very primitive. Their engineering, their manufacturing techniques are not that great. They’re 1950s standards.

It is extremely unlikely that they’ll be able to surprise us because of the very sophisticated intelligence-gathering mechanism that is in place. We’re watching [Kim] carefully, and we hope that he comes to his senses.”

College applications engulf stressed seniors rylieBURNS

staff writer

Along with the excitement senior year possesses is the unparalleled element of stress. Final SAT tests are taken in hopes of boosting current scores to become eligible for the Bright Futures and other academic scholarships. Grade dropping and enrolling in basic courses is not an option.

In addition, applications for college must be completed.

Losing sleep, piling on stress, and learning to live on any caffienated beverage becomes the life of an average senior with the goal of attending college.

Trying to locate the “perfect school” to fit the specific needs and wants [of a student] is not an easy task. First and foremost, the academic programs need to coincide with the major or minor the student chooses to pursue.

Choosing a school with a sports program of interest can also help to narrow down the field of options. Additionally, add choosing a Greek society, if any, to participate in to the checklist.

A constant worry and stressful issue is the short amount of time given to complete the needed tasks during senior

year.

“I strongly dislike that there’s a lot of pressure to keep your grades up and also to find time to fill out applications and write the essays for them and make sure they are up to college standards,” said senior Erica Nantz.

Location, relative distance to home and parents, student enrollment, faculty, clubs, and how college life melds with the familiar lifestyle of the past 18 years all affect the college a student chooses to attend. If students are lucky enough to find that “dream school”, they then need to fill out that daunting application. Perfection is the only standard for the application before it is sent off to be scrutinized by the Board of Admissions.

“I’m applying to the University of North Florida because the academic programs and the location match what I’m looking for,” said senior Matt Halma.

Though applying in writing is okay, most schools prefer applications to be submitted electronically. One easy way to fill out the application is to begin with a résumé. Create a worthy résumé and make a list of the clubs, groups, and teams. List chronologically each with any accomplishments gained while participating in the activities. Include

personal attributes, accomplishments in education, and any community service completed. Look at what is asked on the application and correlate it with the résumé.

Develop a strong relationship with your guidance counselor as most applications require a form to be filled out by a high school guidance counselor with a letter of recommendation.

Ask Mrs. Pat Korcak, Countryside’s record keeper, to send a copy of your transcripts to the college you are applying to.

Make sure this is done only a day or two before sending in the application to receive the most current information.

College Application Checklist Complete an online or paper application Be sure to pay the fee within the time limit

Send transcripts along with SAT/ACT scores Most schools require a teacher and/or guidance counselor recommendation form

Paw Print photo by Rylie Burns

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SPORTS

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Volume 28

Countryside Cougars triumph over East Lake alexHARRIS

staff writer

Countryside’s boys basketball scraped by with a win on Tuesday’s game over Thanksgiving break. On the Cougar court, the East Lake team put up a startlingly matched game, easily audible from the screaming, chanting, and the mere ferocity of the gymnasium audience.

By the end of the first quarter both teams were tied, six to six. Later in the second quarter, East Lake took the lead with a score of 19 to 22.

“I think our weakest point for a 6A school is that we don’t have a lot of height. Our tallest player is 6’4” and a half,” said Coach Bob Marinak.

With a serious lack of height for a district 6A school, the team members try to use their exceptional harmony to outweigh their weaknesses.

“We have a system in place that starts in the summer and it’s up to the individual players to apply what they’re taught to the game,” said Marinak.

The Cougars eventually took back the lead and at the end of the third quarter the score was 31 to 29. All of the penalty shots came with a truly gripping atmosphere, es-

“I

feel being a team player is the best trait that anyone can have; its passing the ball and playing good defense

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pecially evident during the last quarter.

“I feel being a team player is the best trait that anyone can have; it’s passing the ball and playing good defense,” said sophomore Tanner Moody.

East Lake fans yelled frantically as Countryside players took their penalty shots. Countryside fanatics went into a similar hysteria, as the score was so captivatingly close, and the fans made a comparable profusion of noise as the East Lake players took their various penalties.

At the end of the game Countryside won with a final

Paw Print Photo by Alex Harris

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unior Corey Moody attempts to take the lead of the game verses East Lake to break the tie score of six to six with a lay up during the first quarter. Countryside has produced NBA players such as Matt Geiger. score of 47 to 44. Marinak said he feels the Cougars out- Countryside gym. scored East Lake because of the teams well played syn“Matt Geiger was at our game last Friday. He showed ergy. up and we gave him recognition for coming to this school The boy’s basketball team was also the host to a former and going into the NBA. He was a real inspiration to all team member and Countryside graduate, NBA star Matt of us; just the way he carried himself, the way he still cares Geiger. He returned on December first and witnessed about his alumni and Countryside. It just really inspired the team’s third victory over Alonso High School, in the all of us, to keep striving harder, to make it to that level,” said Moody.

Countryside’s ranking is now 3-3, as the result of a defeat by a total of 22 points at this last weeks game at Largo High and by losing with 17 points against Sickles High, and again by a grand total of 23 points to St. Petersburg.

“I think (we lost to Largo) from the team breaking down, and them (Largo High) allowing us to get out of our focus; just a lot of mistakes in that game,” said senior forward Dashawn Matias.

The Cougar team members agree that the loss to Largo was due to a break down in the team’s key ingredients for success.

“I felt we didn’t work together as a team. If we work together as a team we’ll win all of our games,” said Moody.

At the next game, the Cougars were victorious with a score of 47 to 32, defeating Tarpon Springs. Another triumph was acquired against Alonso High School, with a score of 43 to 37.

“Our strongest point is our defense. From the very beginning the coach has always worked on the defense with us. And that’s what he’s always praised, that defense is the key, that’s what wins our games,” said Moody.

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Paw Print Photo by Alex Harris

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unior Jadal Crawford takes a shot during the third quarter to keep the lead over East Lake. The Cougars ended up winning the game, 47 to 44, with a three point lead.

2006 Countryside High School Holiday Ornament Limited Edition Boxed Ornament, Just $7.00 We accept Cash or make checks payable to GCBB (Golden Cougar Band Boosters) Everyday after 4th period. From now until Christmas available for purchase in the concourse of the school.

SPORTS 5 Rivalry: the driving force behind high school athletics Issue 4

Every sport has its own rivalry; for example, the football and baseball teams share a rivalry with Dunedin High School. The boys soccer and swim and dive teams’ primary rival is Palm Harbor University High School.

The boys soccer rivalry developed because Countryside and Palm Harbor were both in class 5A for two years. The winner of the regional finals would eventually go on to compete in the state Paw Print photo courtesy of www.countrysidefootball.com Paw Print photo by Molly Hays finals. When Countryside was moved up to class 6A and won the state championship their first year in a new class proved that the two best teams were only nine miles apart.

One of the reasons behind the heated rivalries occurs since students know each other from sports when they were younger.

“Knowing that I am playing against my friends makes me want to play harder because it means bragging rights,” said Paw Print photo by Alex Harris senior, varsity wide receiver, uring the spirit meet, senior Tom Rich, top left, competes against rival Palm Harbor University High School. While crushing the Clearwater Tornados dur- Kevin Carrozza. ing the homecoming game, senior Andrew Murray, top right, and a host of other defenders clinched this rivalry game. During a heated rivalry between East The environment at a Lake High School, senior Dashawn Matias completes his free throws to propel the Cougars to a win. game between rival schools is something unique. The At Countryside, these rivalries can make the difference student section never stops cheering during the game nickSCHLERETH sports editor between winning a district championship and not going hoping to propel the Cougars to a victory against their High school athletics are unique. Is it because of the to the playoffs. Rivalries spawned over the years are due rival. The band also plays a part with performing constant amount of support from the student body? The marching to the proximity of each school. Winning schools have tunes of professional inspirational numbers. There is a band? Or that each person at the school feels that they bragging rights amongst friends for a year until the battle distinct and unique energy about these games that makes them so majestic. have something to do with that sport? Undeniably, these once again renews itself.

“Playing in rivalry games is one thing that I will never “Wrestling in a rivalry match makes me wrestle harder three aspects are all a major part of what drives high school athletics. However, another main force is rivalries between and give it my all,” said senior varsity wrestler, Matt forget for the rest of my life,” said boys soccer player and Halma. schools. senior Jeff Attinella.

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Trigger of missyWILLOUGHBY th

copy editor

January 29 , 1979 will forever mark the transition of schools from safe havens to outlets for violence and rage. On this day, Brenda Ann Spencer, age 16, started a deranged trend at Grover Cleveland Elementary, using a .22-calibre rifle given to her for Christmas. During Spencer’s rampage, she fired 38 bullets; killing the principal, a custodian, and wounding one officer and eight children.

This was the first school shooting ever to be recorded in United States history.

Statistically speaking, the majority of school assailants in America are adolescent males who attend the very school which they attack. In recent years, the most notorious school shooting occurred in 1999 at Columbine High School.

Two students, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris carried out the bloodiest school shooting known to America.

On April 20th, Adolf Hitler’s birthday and the infamous code time for smoking marijuana, Klebold and Harris planted various pipe bombs around school campus, and slaughtered 14 classmates and one teacher, further injuring 21 students using two 9 mm firearms and two 12-gauge shotguns.

Three of the four guns were procured for the teens by 18 year old Robyn Anderson, who is otherwise unrelated to the crime. This exchange was possible because of the loophole in the Brady Law concerning private sales.

The Brady Law requires background checks on gun purchasers 3 days before the actual purchase; however it DOES NOT apply to individuals buying guns from private dealers at gun shows.

“It was too easy,” Anderson testified later in front of Colorado Legislature.

“I wish it had been more difficult. I wouldn’t have helped them buy the guns if I had faced a background check.”

Klebold and Harris, known for

their trench coats and heavy metal music, provoked quite an outcry amongst the public in regard to the effect of violent media, video games, and bullying on young minds As maintained by psychologist Albert Bandura’s “Social Learning Theory,” humans learn by watching others complete various actions that they wish to learn. In this case, it was questionable as to whether the media influenced Klebold and Harris’s thinking in a negative manner.

“I believe that violence in the movies is definitely linked with the violence in real life,” said junior Merci Coreano.

“People are influence by what they see.”

According to American Academy of Pediatrics, “Media violence may cause aggressive and antisocial behavior [and] desensitize viewers to future violence.” Also, “By age 18, a U.S. youth will have seen 16,000 simulated murders and 200,000 acts of violence.”

More recently, 32 year old, Charles Carl barricaded himself inside an Amish school house tying the girls up and allowing all boys and female teachers with infants to leave. Being the third school attacked that week, Carl, learning from the previous mistakes, came prepared. He carried a duffle bag with overnight provisions, two guns, and material to bind the girls with.

When police arrived at the scene, Carl called out that they need to pull back or he would start shooting. After their failure to comply, Carl shot several girls, execution style, in the back of the head, killing two immediately and causing three others to die at the hospital. Five additional girls were hospitalized and currently remain in critical condition.

Closer to home, on October 12th, a student attending Hillsborough High School reported to the Student Resource Officer that a gun was rumored to be on campus.

The school remained in lock-down for 45 minutes while officers investigated the claim, finally finding an unloaded handgun in the possession of an unnamed junior.

“I think that if we implement more discipline on our youth,” said Science teacher, Dawn Hartley, “we’d be more successful as a society.”

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CUS

f Tragedy The White Ribbon...

Seen throughout the world as a symbol of peace, purity and life; a cease of violence that stems from anger, prejudice and hatred.

Organizations that use white ribbons: The White Ribbon Campaign- a Canadian organization set to eradicate the violent acts committed by men upon women began in 1981 after a anti-feminist shot and killed fourteen women at the University of Montreal. The movement has spread to over thirty-five countries. www.whiteribbonca/international.

The White Ribbon Alliance: Formed in 1999 to help create awareness for safe motherhood.

The group currently has twenty-four member countries. www.whiteribbbonalliance Information compiled by Scott Seel

marcelaMATI

guest writer

Paw Print photos by Molly Hays and Scott Seel

1997 was the most difficult moment in the modern history of my country. Being the smallest and the poorest country in Europe, Albania was struggling for about seven years of transition from a totalitarian communist system to a democratic system. Freedom of speech, religion, free initiative, market, business, every element of democracy was being developed. Small businesses started growing when foreign investors reached the country.

As land was given back to the original owners, all seemed on the right path, until some larger financial companies appeared.

Economic unrest, due to financial pyramids, troubled my country’s people to the point of violence. The people were lured by the promises of immediate wealth made by these financial companies. My people sold their most prized and valuable possessions including their homes, property such as cars and farm animals, and everything that had a considerable value, to obtain money to deposit in the pyramids. Everything seemed to be working.

However, just five years later problems emerged. The financial companies were unable to pay the people the large amounts of money they promised as they had gone bankrupt.

The public became enraged because they had nothing left. They raided military camps and bases and acquired weapons. The country went into a state of chaos and the government ceased to exist. Weapons were everywhere: on the streets, in houses, and unfortunately in schools and children’s hands. Looting took place across the entire nation. In schools, government offices, and even hospitals. School was no longer safe to attend and my parents refused to let me step outside the house in fear that I might accidentally be shot by one of my own peers! I, along with my other classmates, was unable to attend school because if the lack of supplies, and more importantly, the lack of safety.

In the next two years, almost half of a million people immigrated to different countries, including my family. We finally arrived safely in America on March 16, 1998. today, nine years later, I am able to reflect upon the events of 1997. My answer to the people that ask why I work so hard in school today is- it’s all you can do and hope for when attending school becomes a privilege and no longer a choice.

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CULTURE

Issue 4

9

International school safety on the rise shrutiLAKKANIKI staff writer

Schools, once known as places for gaining knowledge, are now official breeding grounds for danger as crime rates continue to soar. The worldwide movement for literacy resulted in larger population in schools, creating greater friction between students.

As a result, the U. S. is one of many countries aiming to protect children in schools. Around the world, countries are striving to improve school safety and security in order to create a better learning place for students. Nations view school safety as crucial because the growth of a nation depends on the future generation of students.

Constant fights and conflicts between students and other kinds of dangers called for special school safety personnel in the 1960’s in the United States. What started with a simple security guard outside the school now includes using hightech equipment such as intrusion detection systems, access control, metal detectors, and video cameras in classrooms.

Recent school shootings, such as the tragedy in the Pennsylvania Amish school, remind us of our need of such security. Currently in Countryside, there are two resource officers patrolling the hallways. However, even this precaution does not completely end all crimes. Despite teachers and resource officers best effort, it is impossible to stop tensions between students outside of school property.

For instance, at University High School in Orange County, 15-year old Michael Nieves was killed after being fatally stabbed with a pocket knife at a school bus stop after a fight. In reaction, the Orange County Board of Education took full control on buses and enforced practice drills of bus lockdowns.

Known for its skyrocketing economy, China has made an attempt to correct its own flaws relating to school safety as recent disasters and riots point out the system’s weakness.

The new school safety movement began last summer in 2005 when flash floods swept over Shalan, a town in Northeastern China, killing over 105 school children. The Ministry of Education (MOE) was called in to make an urgent decision concerning bringing changes to China’s school system.

However, what made the decision final was another catastrophe. When a tornado devastated East China, resulting in the death of two school children on June 3rd 2006, the law became enforced and offical.

The Ministry decided to renovate school buildings deemed hazardous during calamities, and affiliate with the weather bureau for forewarnings of future natural disasters.

The MOE administered school safety awareness by providing students with safety and protection films and requiring practice drills.

Natural disasters are not the only calamities that afflict students’ safety in schools. Epidemics, such as SARS, ( Severe

Acute Respiritory Disease syndrome) are also a widespread threat to Chinese schools. However, MOE manages this problem by taking extra precautions to prevent outbreaks in schools. During sixth grade, Michelle Zhang, now a sophomore, attended Shi Yan Boarding School in centraleast China.

“I couldn’t go back home for two months because of the SARS threat.

I had to live in a dorm but as soon as the threat passed, I Photo and Statistic courtesy of Univsion went back home. hat began as a teachers strike led the people of Mexico in a rebellion against Governor Ruiz. Since But every time some the hysteria began, Mexican schools have been closing, leaving 1.3 million children without an institustudent got sick, they thought the student tion for education. contracted SARS so the security during school safety in their countries. Unlike China and India, those times was tight,” said Zhang. the changes in school safety in Mexico did not result from India is also making innovations pertaining to safety in natural disasters but from recent rebellions and riots involving schools. The new programs in India are still in progress and teachers and students. became implemented in December 2004 as a result of a series On October 30, 2006 the Mexican government sent of earthquakes, fires and the tsunamis in the Indian Ocean. police troops to Oaxaca to stop riots that had escalated Many schools have appointed school safety advisory from a simple teacher strike to a mob of protesting for the committees, whose responsibility is to plan and prepare the resignation of Governor Ulises Ruiz. Because this riot had development of building-level school safety and emergency potential to influence school safety, the Mexican government exit plans for individual school in case of fires or other took strong action in enforcing control over the schools by disasters and threats. doing everything possible to stop the strike.

However, because of financial difficulties and other The government also took action in building new factors, this program is not widespread. The committee is perimeter fences around all the schools. trying to bring awareness to the safety and emergency exit “There used to be a security guard standing outside the plan program by making October an awareness month, where school but now they added fences around the school property each participating school develops an emergency exit plan to stop drugs and alcohol from coming inside,” said senior and other safety measures for practice drills. These safety and Rojelio Charraz, who lived in Mexico until ninth grade. emergency are especially needed in North India where the Simple transformations, such as fences, not only enforce region is prone to earthquakes. security around schools but also brought change other “I remember when I was in India, there was a small Hispanic countries. earthquake while I was in school. The teachers escorted us Around the world, schools are revolutionizing their outside and we had to wait until the earthquake passed,” said security and safety systems to assure safety for other sophmore Miraj Patel, who attended school in India until students.

7th grade.

“I think that there is always room for improvement for Hispanic countries are also active participants in ensuring school safety around the world,” said Zhang.

W

Escuelas botan las clases de educación física los deportes de equipos, especialmente fútbol americano mixto, están siendo prohibidos.

“Hombres y mujeres deben ser iguales, por lo cual abanDodge ball…fuera, futbol americano…fuera. El recreo ya donando los juegos mixtos sería inconstitucional,” dijo, senior no es juego de niños. Los juegos de educación física que Michelle Eusebio. implican contacto físico entre los jugadores están siendo reLos profesores tienen la responsabilidad de asegurar movidos de las escuelas. la igualdad entre los dos sexos, según Physical Education Dodge ball ha sido prohibido en las escuelas americanas, Dashboard. Una de las preocupaciones es sobre la mezcla de por medidas de seguridad, y para mantener la dignidad los dos sexos en los juegos y la posibildad de que un estuy respeto de los estudiantes. El juego originó en 1920, diante pueda ser tocado de manera inapropiada o que sea dodge ball se juega con una pelota de caucho, y el oblastimado. jetivo del juego es de tirar la pelota a otros jugadores, y “Nosotros ponemos énfasis en la seguridad de los eseliminarlos del juego. El juego se volvió mas popular tudiantes, poniendo reglas que los profesores de educación después de la película “Dodgeball: A True Underdog física deben seguir para crear lecciones y planes de activiStory” que se estreno en el 2004. El estado de New dades,” dijo Nicolás Grasso, Director Ejecutivo de EduJersey completamente removió dodge ball de las accación Física. tividades físicas en escuelas públicas. El condado de PiOtras nuevas restricciones en juegos como fútbol, y las nellas ha prohibido que se juegue la versión normal de chapadas se han hecho. En otras partes del país muchos dodge ball, en la cual los estudiantes elijen sus equipos y padres se preguntan de las creencias de los profesores. Esusan una pelota de caucho para golpear a sus compañetos juegos no tienen contacto físico directo como dodge ros. Los profesores de educación física aquí en Counball. tryside, no juegan dodge ball en la clase, ellos prefieren “Cualquier actividad aeróbica en cual los estudiantes mantenerse alejados de este juego. puedan participar sin lastimar a otra persona es buena para Aunque muchos vean la prohibición de dodge ball su desarrollo,” dijo Virginia Wilson, un pare de Countryapropiada, otros la encuentran no necesaria. Padres y side. estudiantes que viven en áreas donde dodge ball es proPalos y piedras pueden romper huesos, pero estos hibido como en el caso de Charleston, South Carolina; juegos pueden acabar con tradiciones en escuelas públicas las escuelas ven el juego como una parte esencial del alrededor del país. desarrollo de los estudiantes, porque enseña liderazgo, “Con el numero de estudiantes que tenemos, siempre y cooperación.

Paw Print Photo by Kaitlin Montgomery existe riesgo de que se lastimen en cualquier momento “Ganar no es todo. Estos tipos de juegos ayudan a mientras preactican deportes de contacto,” dijo profesora e izquierda a derecha Darrien Colleman, Steve Hellman, Eric Mclos niños desarrollar mejor comunicacion y seguridad Clellan, y Eric Allegier gozan los últimos momentos que pueden que de educación física Kaylyn Bayly. en si mismo cuando es jugado apropiadamente,” dijo les quedan para jugar fútbol Americano. *Special thanks to Senora Sprague beccaMORALES & alessandraYOUNG

culture editor & business manager

D

sophmore Amanda Martin.

Usando el Sunshine State Standards, el condado de Pinellas requiere un periodo de actividad física en todos los grados de escuela. Para mantener estos standards Countryside High School ofrece 19 diferentes clases de educación física. Para poder graduarse uno tiene que tener ½ crédito de una clase de deportes, y otro ½ crédito de educación física personal.

Un cambio reciente en las clases de educación física como

OPINION

10

Volume 28

Letters to the Editor School safety concerns

4x4 vs. 6 period days

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

I would like to talk about the safety in our high school, Countryside. I think that our school is a very safe place.

I haven’t had any concerns. Our school hasn’t been a war zone compared to my middle school. There aren’t too many fights and I hardly hear about weapons or drugs being brought into the school. To my knowledge nothing really bad has been occurring in Countryside.

I do although have a problem with the safety involved with 580 and McMullen Booth. I cross 580 everyday and I have seen some close calls with students almost getting hit by a car. It has become so bad that I actually saw a girl get hit, trying to get to Countryside in the morning. I have also seen a couple of car crashes. It is getting so dangerous to simply cross the street to get to school.

I feel that as safe as the high school is, we should definitely improve the traffic in front of the school. While within the bounds of a school zone students are still the responsibility of the school board.

I am against the 4x4 class schedule. I would prefer to switch to a 6x6 schedule.

If we switched to a 6x6 class schedule, we would have shorter classes. This is good because usually in my classes, the last fifteen minutes people stand around and talk.

Instead of taking during class, with the 6x6 schedule we would actually have a lunch. That would be a better time to talk to friends.

Another reason why we should switch back to the 6x6 schedule is because of FCAT. With the 4x4 schedule, there is a great possibility that we won’t have English and Math in the first semester. When FCAT comes around in the middle of the year, the people who have English and Math second semester have not had as much time to learn and refresh as those who had it first semester. This will cause a drop in our FCAT scores. If we have all six classes, all year long, we have much more time to learn and prepare for the FCAT. I definitely suggest that we change from a 4x4 to 6x6 class schedule the next school year.

Jasmine Suggs, sophomore

Kristen Conley, freshman

Dear Editor, I think one of the biggest issues in school is safety. With what is happening in the world today, from kidnappings, and school hostages, to bullying and violence, it doesn’t sound like a place someone wants to be. This massive issue must be dealt with.

There are so many fights, and hostage issues going on now making it impossible to know when it could happen.

Anyone could bring a gun into school and no one would know. This is one reason why I’m thankful for the SRO’s, they help protect our school from danger. We practice lock downs as if they are real, so you would never actually know if we had an unscheduled one.

Also, I witnessed a fight between two girls which lasted about five to ten minutes and it was seriously catty. I was surprised though it took the SRO’s that long to interfere.

I know the school has cameras but they can’t really break up a fight. I think there needs to be a couple of people who constantly watch the cameras in the school and see if something is going on. I also think the school safety rate is at an all time high and, if students won’t start working together to help out, then who will?

Dear Editor, I support the 6x6 schedule. Many kids oppose it, but give me a chance to explain myself.

To begin with, the 6x6 is like vegetables. Many people hate them, but we all know it’s good for us. If we have the main subjects, such as Math and English all year, we will be getting our fill of vegetables, a.k.a. the important classes.

Also, what is more important for college-P.E. or Algebra? I realize that some electives are needed to get into public universities such as foreign languages. Do we really need more classes for enjoyment or do we need them for college preperation? Some students may want to major in art, so they can take the required classes.

I would like the 6x6 schedule to go through. With your position, I would like to see some results.

Zachery Witknock, freshman

Speak Your Mind Do you feel safe in school?

“I think that there is always room for improvement, but honestly if we had a lock down I would be running out the door.”

Anne Stevens, Junior

“I think this school is safe since nothing has happened yet. Maybe one day something will happen to change my mind but until then I think it is safe enough.”

Kylie Kastes, Senior

“Since we have two cops with a gun and a taser I feel safe.”

Stephen Bell, Sophomore

“I feel safe because we have SRO’s. I’m never worried about being in danger.”

Jalen Goodloe, Freshman

Lindsay Agnew, sophomore

To the moon and back…then back again As Americans and as humans, we have the right and responsibility to continue our outer space expeditions.

Just as Columbus discovered the world was not flat, we have the opportunity to stretch our intelligence and imagination even further by keeping a colony on the Moon.

Continued cooperation with other space agencies may forge stronger friendships between countries as well as new bonds.

Research may provide unanswered questions, new power sources, and even hopefully new MRE’s and freeze dried o treats that don’t taste like dried leather. We . a di ipe have the resources and the workforce; it all Photo courtesy of Wik depends on our dedication to human progress.

editor in chief

NASA recently announced that it would be returning to the moon by 2024…permanently. This goal is long overdue. By the time astronauts would take another step for mankind, it would be forty-eight years since man has stepped foot on our lunar neighbor. NASA’s funds have swiftly been pulled dollar by dollar as result of the Iraqi war and other cash strapped operations. Also, the 2004 Columbia space shuttle tragedy has slowed missions to the International Space Station, as well as the development of the shuttle’s replacement, project Ares.

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scottSEEL

PAW PRINT STAFF Countryside High School

3000 S.R. 580 Cleawater, Florida 33761 727.725.7956 ext. 146 Fax 727.725.7990 Editors In Chief Molly Hays & Scott Seel Design Editor Brandin Milton Copy Editors Tamika Martinez & Missy Willoughby Features Editor Christina Lupi Sports Editor Nick Schlereth Culture Editor Becca Morales Opinion Editor Samantha Malone Entertainment Editor Angie Forbes Technology Coordinator Andrew Tannahill Artists Bobby Marcellus & Morgan Swim Business Manager Jessica Congdon & Alessandra Young Photographers Megan Hays, Anna Hays & Kaitlin Montgomery Adviser Joyce Dimmer Principal Gerald Schlereth Staff Writers Felicia Ashby, Rylie Burns, Alex Harris, Shruti Lakkaniki & Xander Urben

Share your Opinions If you would like to write a letter to the editor, please bring your completed letter to A-3. Letters should include the writer’s name and grade. They may be edited for taste, clarity and length.

Florida Scholastic Press Association- All Florida Southern Interscholastic Press Association- Superior Quill and Scroll- International Second Place Award The Paw Print is published by the newspaper staff at Countryside High School.

Advertising rates are available upon request by calling (727)725-7956 ext. 146.

Advertising which promotes illegal products under Florida Law, or opposes any religion will not be accepted.

The Paw Print has been established as an open forum for student expression as outlined in the Student Press Law Center’s model guidelines for student publications. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the faculty and administration but rather of the author or the newspaper staff and its editors.

The Paw Print welcomes letters to the editor on topics of interest to Countryside High School and its surrounding community. We also welcome contributions from writers not associated with the newpaper staff. All freelance material should be submitted to room A-3. All submissions must bear the author’s name.

ENTERTAINMENT

Issue 4

11

Gee...thanks, you shouldn’t have feliciaASHBY staff writer

Can of Worms Wow! The cliché lives. Here’s a can of worms worth opening. While you won’t actually get to open this can, some underprivileged farmer in one of 26 third world countries gets a whole pound of these compost munchers for his farm. www.oxfamamericaunwrapped. com, $18.00

Some of this year’s most riveting gift ideas. Perfect for the annoying sibling whom you are forced to give a gift, or even that special someone who might enjoy the scent of carnivals, these gifts add creative twists to gift exchanges or even for resting under the Christmas tree.

Ball of Nothing This amazing gift has been years in the making. Always wonder what to get for the person who has everything.

Bam! Here’s nothing. To enjoy this simply amazing gift, open package and enjoy nothing. This product also comes with an outstanding warranty, if anything whatsoever does happen return for a full refund. www.totallyfunky.co.uk, £4.99

The Yard Birds So your buddy has finally got his yard perfected.

The grass is exactly 2 ½ inches deep and all the bushes and hedges are perfectly trimmed. Only thing your extremely anal friend is missing are these pink flamingo beauties to complete his fancy emerald green oasis. Trimmed in yellow and black and standing gracefully tall on 21 inch steel legs, they’re the perfect accent to his stereotypical suburban house. He’ll be the envy of the neighborhood. www.mcphee.com, $16.95 per pair Meat and Corndog Air Fresheners For any meat lover here is a revolutionary new product that will have carnivores of any age drooling when they enter your car.

The air fresheners come in three amazing mouth watering scents, T-bone steak, corndog and bacon. Includes: Handy string for easy installation. www.mcphee. com, $4.95 for set of 3

The Brick No, it’s not a knock off from Pink Floyd; it’s a soft and squidgy brick that weighs .4 pounds and is perfect for hurling at coworkers, family, and bad calls on TV. The best part it will inflict no damage and the look on their face when you throw it, priceless. www.totallyfunky.co.uk, $9.99

DAVE MELILLO: TALK IS CHEAP Interview: Molly Hays Editor-In-Chief As a graduate of 2006, high school memories are still fresh in the mind of Dave Melillo. His experiences transcend into his music. Melillo’s EP is an eclectic mix of songs detailing teenage life from the parties, senior year, and the general feeling of growing up and getting out.

The Starting Line was a big one, obviously, but as I get older I try to get into different genres and stuff. Dashboard Confessional was a big thing for me when I was younger. But I started listening to Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen and Elton John, more classical artists to try to get a hold on that because they’ve been around for years and years and years and that’s what I want to do eventually.

***** What was it like growing up in Celebration, Florida?

It was really cool because it’s really the only small town around here. I came from New Jersey where there are small towns everywhere and there’s a lot of community. But in Florida, it’s not like that, but Celebration is. I got to make a lot of really good friends that I’m going to have for the rest of my life and I got to experience a lot of things that other people didn’t. It was a good time. I had a really good time growing up there.

What’s it like on the road?

The road is interesting because on the road you have really, really good times and really, really bad times. You’ve just got to learn how to balance them out and keep yourself occupied.

You always have to remember your doing this and it’s your dream and you can get lost in that sometimes when you’re on the road. But if you keep a level head and make friends with the people around you its not too hard. Tours are just fun altogether. It’s what you make of it, like anything else.

How would you describe your sound?

I try to just describe it as honest. I just write about what I go through and what’s happening to me immediately so as far as lyrically that’s how it is. I like to just put it under rock and acoustic. I don’t really like to pigeon hole it into like emo or anything like that. I don’t think many people do.

What inspires you to write?

I write about what’s going on around me at that particular moment. So a lot of stuff on the EP that I released this summer is about what I was experiencing when I was like 15, 16, 17 like those high school years and like what I was doing.

That’s what I write about. I write about my friends, my experiences and what’s going on in my life. That’s what I know how to write about, so that’s what I do best.

Your sister is also an aspiring artist.

Yea, she is. Me and my sister have been making music and singing together since we’ve been little kids, like we have videos of us dancing in the kitchen. So, it’s only natural that she started to do it too. She’s really good and I love the stuff she’s doing as well.

Who are your influences?

What was high school like for you?

High school was fun. I was only actually in high school for two years because then I started touring and I did online school and stuff like that. But when I was in it, I had a lot of fun. I think that people want to get out too soon and I defiantly had a case of that. The thing though is, you just have got

to appreciate it because those are four years that you really don’t have to worry about anything except for schooling and having a job, maybe. Just like little things, so you’ve really got to take advantage that you really don’t have that much responsibility and have as much fun as you possibly can.

You’ve been with you girlfriend for?

Yea, six years.

What would you say to people in relationships?

I got very lucky to find a person that was really cool and we got to grow up together and if you can do that with someone then that’s great, its just you’ve got to keep everything in perspective. At the beginning of a relationship you can’t be too serious about it or it’d be too weird. You’ve got to take it day by day and see what’s thrown at you and just roll with the punches. Don’t let anything take you down two notches.

Watch UPC for details on how to win an autographed CD from Dave Melillo.

12

Backstage Pass:

ENTERTAINMENT

Norma Jean

Interview: Molly Hays; Editor In Chief

S

Photos by: Angie Forbes

Why mostly?

Sometimes we get dudes that just want to hurt people. I don’t know if they’re fans or not, I can’t tell, it doesn’t seem like they’re into the music. Kind of a bummer.

Cory Brandan, lead singer for the Christian Metalcore band, Norma Jean is a veteran of touring and the Arkansas music scene where he grew up.

Z Y

So what was the Arkansas scene like?

The Arkansas scene was very like, when I was growing up, kind of like a thing where everybody knows everybody that goes to shows. So when there was a show you’d get a phone call. Everybody had each others numbers written down or whatever, just a lot of punk bands hanging out, mostly local shows not a whole lot of touring acts coming through till later. Yea, its pretty community based. We had potlucks every time we did a show.

How was headlining Ozzfest?

Really awesome. The whole point of touring is to play for people that wouldn’t normally come see you. Ozzfest is the ideal situation for that. There’s a ton of bands and they all of have their own fans and most of them were watching us when we played. Naturally, we gain a lot of fans on our tours. Ozzfest was great.

Do you have any memorable stories from the road?

Yea, we have dance parties, a lot of them. Random dance parties break out in your face.

Do you know how the name Norma Jean came about?

Yea, no. Marilyn Monroe’s original name. I guess they liked the way it sounded. That’s a pretty good idea, you’ve got to have a cool sounding name, right?

Unless your Hoobastank or Insane Clown Posse.

Music At a Glance The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus: Don’t you fake it RJA is not the typical Floridian garage band.

With a chameleon name that changes in meaning, it seems only natural that the band‘s sound will be ever changing as well. The forty-four minute album is stuffed to the brim with hardcore alternative rocks songs as well as deep felt Reviewed by Becca Morales ballads. Unlike most bands that hide weak lyrics behind The Bottom Line heavy instrumentals, this With such an early success with band prefers taking the time their debut album, it will be to do poetic justice to each song. interesting

Over It: Step Outside Yourself Over It’s newest album will surely rock fans, with its upbeat rhythmic sound while still managing to have a pleasing mellowness. The lyrics have an unfocused, substantially punk sound, and if you’re not careful you’ll miss them. “Step Outside Yourself ” really shows how a band can make a punk album that’s not overly upbeat and droned out by too much drums and guitar.

What do you dance to?

Booty rap, course.

What made you guys decide to profess your faith?

We all came into our faith in different ways….Well we don’t care about that (being labeled a Christian band). If people want to call us that or not, call it whatever. Individually, personally, that’s what we believe in. It has really nothing to do with our music at all. In that sense, were no different from our peers. We sing about what we believe in which is what most bands do. If we get labeled a certain way or not, whatever. It’s not going to change what we do, what we think, and what we sing about.

What bands are you listening to right now?

Estates. Only.

What is your favorite song on the album?

I think, probably, I wouldn’t have a favorite but there’s one song that stepped over my expectations of it. When we first wrote it, I didn’t like it at all and now we play it live, out of 11 songs on the record it’s one we pick to play live and we play all of them too.

It’s “A Small Spark vs. A Great Forest.” When we were done with that song and we finally had it recorded it was just amazing.

What made you decide to record “Redeemer” live?

We do all our records that way.

It’s a way to get us all on the same page musically. We want our music to have emotion in it and we want that to be portrayed on the record.

You’re married, so is it hard?

Sometimes she gets to come out but we’re used to it. She’s known me since I’ve been in bands, that’s all she knows, basically. It’s not weird, she accepts me.

How did it feel to be nominated this year for the best recording package at the Grammys?

Pretty awesome. I think the artwork on the record was amazing and the album package as a whole, like all those images represent the songs. It didn’t win but I think it should have. Ryan did an amazing job on it.

How would you describe your fans?

Mostly really awesome, next question.

Sunday

Volume 28

Do you have anything else to add?

Ya, I do. Buy our new record, repeat.

Reviewed by Shruti Lakkaniki

The Bottom Line This new album combines the right amount of punk with a laid back tune.

Citizen Cope: Every Waking Moment Citizen Cope’s laid back style makes for a chill, easy-listening album. Their originality and catchy lyrics will have you beating to the rhythm in no time. The lyrics, although at times repetitive and overused, are meaningful and flow well with each song. Citizen Reviewed by Daniel Feingold Cope, which is actually one man, Clarence Greenwood, The Bottom Line who gets two thumbs up If you enjoy good music, you for creating an album that will definitely love Citizen Cope’s Every Waking Moment. everyone will enjoy.

Watch UPC for details on how to win an autographed CD from Norma Jean.

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CD covers courtesy of Wikipedia.org

15 Tony Bennett @ Ruth Eckerd Hall

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In 1998,The United 19 States House of Representatives forwards impeachment against President Bill Clinton to the Senate.

In 1620, the 21 High School Musical: 20 Mayflower Pilgrims land The Concert @ The St. on what is now known as Petersburg Times Plymouth Rock.

Forum

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Maylene and The Sons of Disaster @ The State Theater

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Michael W. Smith @ Ruth Eckerd Hall

Christmas Eve

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Merry Christmas

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Kwanzaa

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Happy New Year2!

New Year’s Eve 8 In 1990, The 7 Leaning Tower of Pisa In 1973, The Watergate scandal trials begin. became closed to the public.

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Tampa Bay Lightening play Philadelphia @ 7:30

The Wailers @ Jannus Landing

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A Christmas Carol @ Ruth Eckerd Hall

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Hanukkah

30 Tampa Bay Lightening play Montreal @ 7:30 Bobby Goldsboro @ Cypress Gardens

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The Greyboy Allstars @ Elton John & Time Rice’s Larry The Cable Guy @ Eric Johnson @ The State Chris Botti @ Ruth Eckerd Hall Youhey Theatre “AIDA” @ Ruth Eckerd Hall Theater Jannus Landing