Countryside High School Paw Print Newspaper Volume 39 Issue 3

Countryside High School January 31 2018 Issue 3 Volume 39

High school coming to an end for Countryside seniors pages 4 & 5

Features

January 31, 2018 | Issue 3 | Paw Print Newspaper

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Semi-finals marched on Countryside’s field brookeMICALLEF

photo credit Brooke Micallef

features editor

The Florida Marching Band Coalition Florida State Semi Finals, were held at Countryside High School on November 18th. Going into the competition, expectations were high for scoring. From all over the state bands large and small played their hearts out for the chance to move onto finals.This was the first time the Countryside Cougar Band of Pride has hosted this competition.

The competition was held for 83 bands total, looking to advance into the finals. This was a long day for the members participating. The competition began at 8 in the morning and lasted until the late afternoon. When it was judging time, the top five bands in every division were chosen to move onto finals. The finals were held later that night at Tropicana Field.

Mr. Parrulli, the Countryside High School Band director, fought hard for the competition to be held at Countryside this year.

“I want it at my school”, he told the staff.

The Countryside marching band is in division 2A out of the five divisions possible. There were 23 bands in division 2A, making a tough competition specifically for the Countryside marching band.

Having the competition at school is a great source of revenue and helps promote the school’s flourishing band program.

While band did not move on to the finals later that day, many bands in the local area did. Wesley Chapel, Somerset Academy, and Northside Christian all advanced to Tropicana Field. For the members who participated in the competition, they all thought it was very fun and beneficial for them.

M

atthew Deale, Drum Major of the Countryside Band of Pride, said that “Hosting the Semi Finals was very beneficial for our school, as well as leaving a very good impression of Countryside to other schools in our area.”

Cougar Rants: time for some changes gabbyHERNANDEZ&brookeMICALLEF

editors

“With the constant change of weather in Florida, it would be nice to have a more leniant dresscode” - Megan Scopp

“Having an open campus and being allowed to go to restaurants for lunch would be cool.”

- Austin Camilleri

“I would want the school layout to be different, some upgrades would be nice as well.”

- Nicholas Rios

The inside scoop on the new Academic Team gabbyHERNANDEZ

editor-in-chief

Whether you are a mathematician, bookworm or science whiz the Academic Team is for you!

The academic team is a group based competition that tests each members’ knowledge of certain subjects such as art, literature, music, math, foreign language, history, science. These categories are all presented in a quiz bowl format.

“I enjoy interacting with a variety of students

that I do not always see in my classroom. I also learned how to lose gracefully” Mrs. Dee Schuster said.

If anyone is interested in joining the team stop by room M-8 after school on Monday’s. Your knowledge will be tested and they will determine whether or not you are a good fit for the team.

They are currently looking for students who are intelligent in humanities.

This team will help better your knowledge in

all sorts of different categories. Whether it be a subject you thrive in or a subject that you need a little more work on you should definitely check this out.

“I’ve learned a lot about the Canterbury tales and other literary works.” Sinclair, the clubs President, said.

Overall, this is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge; as well as, a great way to get involved in more school activities.

Opinion

January 31, 2018 | Issue 3 | Paw Print Newspaper

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Students angry over late holiday break lailaCHARID staff writer

This year Pinellas County schools are seeing a slight change in their winter break schedules issued for students and teachers.

The dates have been pushed back a week from the previous 2016-2017 year and now take place on December 23rd through January 7th.

And while we think the much needed break is scheduled to perfection, I noticed it begins right on the brink of Christmas and gives those who celebrate Hanukkah no time off from school.

Honestly, this is a big inconvenience to students and families wishing to travel and spend time with loved ones for the holidays.

Roque barrido, now a senior tells us his opinion on the new change, “I don’t think the new break is ideal for vacation planning or spending much time with family for Christmas. It’s like as soon as

we get out from school boom, there’s christmas.

I’m so used to having a week off from school and then christmas following the week after, it offered more time with family and friends for the holiday season, something really important to me.” Roque said.

I personally agree with Roque in terms of spending more time with our loved ones off from school in preparation for the upcoming holidays.

In search of a positive input to the upcoming break I interviewed Kim Martinez in the guidance office to see what she has to say about the change. “ I appreciate the new break for giving us time to relax and enjoy after the holidays especially after shopping and preparing for Christmas it’s important to take the time off to the best we can.” Mrs. Martinez said.

The Pinellas county school board states that they had to change the dates this year in order

to provide students with an efficient amount days per semester.

While I understand the concerns of the school board, I still see the time frame to be a slight setback in most cases for the Holidays and students altogether.

What i can appreciate with the new schedule is that it gives time off for those who celebrate Kwanzaa which begins on December 26th and ends on January 1st, as well a great time for Three kings day which takes place on January 6th.

In conclusion, our new scheduled break may be a slight change in most for the upcoming holidays, but it’s reasonable to all students and families to have a good enough year for the season and gives students a long enough break to enjoy the holidays.

If you thought this horrible scheduling was over, the schedules for next year came out.

2016-2017 Student Schedule

2017-2018 Student Schedule

December 19th - December 30th: Winter Holidays- No School for students.

Januray 2nd: No School for students.

December 23rd - January 7th: Winter Holidays- No School for students.

Upgrades needed at Countryside? cheriBurkett staff writer

The cleanliness of any school should be among the top priorities of any school. In Countryside High School, what one might consider a health violation has been happening for over ten years.

The carpets here at Countryside have never once been replaced in the classrooms. They are not cleaned as they should be either. In a public place such as any school or business, carpets should be vacuumed very frequently and steam cleaned at least once a year, none of which happens at Countryside.

“They smell and look like they have never been cleaned, all I’ve ever seen them do is sweep with

a broom over the carpet and never vacuum.” An anonymous teacher said.

In public places, typically speaking carpet should be changed every five to seven years.

Higher quality carpets can give a longer use and aren’t required to be changed as frequently, but regardless the quality of the carpet, they are long overdue to be changed here at Countryside.

“When we come back from summer break, the room literally has a smell to it and when you get closer to the carpet, you can smell where the issue is coming from.” An anonymous teacher said.

When everybody leaves for the summer, the air conditioning is turned off and isn’t regularly

turned back on and used until everybody gets back. Being in the state of Florida, a warm, moist place is the perfect area for bacteria to breed and thrive in. Throughout every month students and faculty are gone, this bacteria just grows and lives in the carpets. This could definitely be a possible explanation as to why so many students and teachers get sick during the first months of school starting back up.

This problem will only grow and get bigger the longer Countryside keeps these carpets. This possibly astronomical amount of bacteria living here makes Countryside and many other schools an undesirable place to spend 35 hours a week in and the issue is in desperate need of help.

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Foc

January 31, 2018 | Issue 3 | Paw Print Newspaper

Forging a bright a

Countryside High School students c ryanGRIFFIN editor-in-chief As the year is coming closer to an end many of our seniors will continue their path throughout college but, few are choosing another route: serving in the armed forces. Seniors Clayton Back and Ryan Untersee have celebrated their graduation in December, and are now moving into rigorous training to be apart of the Marines. Also joining the Marines senior Gavin Crim said “I am most looking forward to protecting my country and earning the title of United States Marine.”

In 2013 there were 17,704,921 people from the ages of 18 to 21 in the United States. Approximately 284,283 made the same courageous decision to protect our country. A study from Bruce Mckinney found that with those numbers,1.6% of the 18 to 21 year old population decided to join the military.

Cierrah Amaro plans on joining the Naval Academy and become an intelligence specialist. Cierrah said “I’m most excited to receive top security clearance. Joining the Navy will also give me time to explore and gives me multiple life options.” Along with Cierrah, early college student Lexi Roy will also be joining the Navy.

Although the military is not chosen by most it takes a special person to join. Each of these students have great mental strength, integrity, and resilience. Mr. Amstutz, Countryside High Schools ESOL teacher and retired Navy translators, gave these five students some advice for their future endeavors. “The biggest thing is to take advantage of all the benefits they have especially education, and to pay attention to mentorships so you can pick you mentors wisely.

Paw Print newspaper would like to thank and show appreciation to these five amazing Countryside Cougars.

“I am most looking forward to protecting my country...”

-Gavin Crim

Excitement grows for students attending Grad Bash alexHENRY opinion editor For the first time in ten years, Grad Bash is actually happening. The senior celebration was held off for so long due to the lack of students being able to fill the openings in the buses.

However, this year every senior seems to be saving up and extremely excited for the trip overnight to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure with Sean Paul performing for the multiple senior classes.

The fun filled journey is the night of April 28th, and costs about $120.The ticket and spot on the bus can be bought on pcsb.revtrak.net.

The completed permission and field trip slips must be turned into Miss Alexander before or after school in

the Administration office. It is also mentioned that the purchase of just a ticket will not reserve a seat on the bus until the forms are turned in.

Sinclair Feldman and Jordan Longo were the ones that brought up to Mr. Straub. Longo had made a senior students sign a list to see who is interested in attending the exciting event. An overwhelming amount had signed the list and Longo jumped on the opportunities to make it happen with the help of the new guidance counselor, Miss Alexander, and Mr. Straub, the senior advisor. “ I

have heard a bunch of kids talking about it this year and everyone seemed interested, I talked to Mr. Straub and we got it set up and it is definitely coming together, making this one of the best senior trips offered to Countryside” senior, Jordan Longo said.

So seniors, start saving or maybe ask for money for grad bash as a graduation gift or maybe for the holidays.

“Financially it’s a good idea, overall the cost is great. It’s good that they brought it back after so many years. You could get spend quality time with your friends and teachers before you graduate cause you don’t know if you’re going to see them again.” senior, Wendy Gonzalez said.

Overall, Grad Bash is a great idea to get to know everyone in the senior class and maybe meet people from other schools. The tradition is back and better than ever.

“...one of the best senior trips offered to Countryside.”

-Jordan Longo

cus

January 31, 2018 | Issue 3 | Paw Print Newspaper

and strong future

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commit to joining the armed forces

Opinion: Why is it so expensive to graduate? rachelLEWIS features editor A big issue at the forefront of many of Countryside senior’s minds is the high prices that are required in order to graduate. With college less than a year away, having to pay hundreds of dollars to graduate is raising concerns for students.

In order to pay for Tropicana Field, the venue being used for graduation, the school is having seniors pay $45. This is called the “graduation fee� and is required in order to walk the stage and receive a diploma. If the school organized a fundraiser, these funds could be at least lowered for students who cannot afford them. After paying the graduation fee, students have to pay a minimum of $38 for their cap and gown. These prices go up to over $200 if you want to do the full package including things like graduation announcements. If you are applying for an out-of-state college, applications alone are $50.

Personally, I almost had an asthma attack just sitting and listening to everything I have to pay for. Colleges average at a price of $33,480 for private colleges, $9,650 for in-state tuition at public colleges, and $24,930 for out-of-state tuition PER YEAR. After four years at college, students are looking at up to $136,000 OR

MORE of debt. Also, these costs do not even include prices for textbooks or room and board, both of which add thousands of extra dollars to that price. These monstrous prices are going to start stacking up in less than a year, so extra expenditures just for graduating are not needed.

Even if you do not look at the prices of college, you have to think about the things that students are currently paying for. Right now, a lot of seniors are having to pay for their phone bills, car insurance and gas, and college applications. At the end of the school year, seniors will have to pay another $120 if they want to participate in Grad Bash at Universal.

These large amounts of money are being thrown at students from every direction just because they are seniors.

Though some of these payments are understandable, it is the last thing that seniors need to be worrying about when the ridiculous prices of college are just around the corner.

Sports

January 31, 2018| Issue 3 | Paw Print Newspaper

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Cougars performed swimmingly at the state meet meganJONES

editor-in-chief

Reproduced by permission of Amy Licht

The Countryside High school swim team made a splash this swim season, taking a giant dive into the water at the State Swimming Championships.

Robert Finke, known as Bobby to his friends, brought back an especially impressive accomplishment. He hit the water and never looked back making a near state record time of 4:18.74 in the 500n freestyle.

Bobby plans to continue swimming after high school at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Joey Licht placed 4th in the 200 IM (individual medley), and won the state title in the 100 backstroke. When swimming, Joey thinks about how tired he is. Joey also plans to continue swimming at Columbia University in New York

after high school.

The girls on the team also performed exceptionally.

“My favorite part of the swim team is competing with a great group of people” said Shannon Keelin.

Each swimmer is different, and different things go through their head. Sam Licht said “When swimming, I think about getting faster”, while Kon Lueth said “When swimming, I wonder if I’m almost done.” Whatever goes through their head, seems to have resulted in a very successful states!

Countryside High School is incredibly proud of the swim team and all of their accomplishments.

We wish them the best as they continue swimming after high school.

J

oey Licht and Robert Finke representing Countryside on the podium at the 2017 State Meet with their medals.

“My favorite part of the swim team is the competitions” -Bobby Finke

The ball is rolling with Districts in sight... staff writer

“My favorite memory was winning the district title as an assistant coach in 2010 and having a crowd of about 500 people rushing on the field.”

Coach Nolan said.

The soccer games are four dollars at the gate.

The boys games start at 8:00 pm, while the girls games start at 6:00 pm. Make sure to go out and support your Countryside Cougars!

Reproduced by the permission of Lily Conte

Countryside’s boys and girls soccer teams are on the path to making this years playoffs.

The boys varsity team currently have a record of four wins and only one loss; which puts them in second place. While the girls varsity team have a record of four wins and one tie, they are currently in seocnd place. The girls also won their first two

rounds of the district championship tournament, defeating Clearwater and Dixie Hollins.

“My favorite part of soccer is that it is a team sport and everyone has to work together.” Sophia Landa, the girls junior varsity junior player said.

Being a part of a sport and working with your teammates is a great feeling. The boys varsity coach loves watching his players achieve their goals and grow as people.

Reproduced by permission of Cougars soccer

brianPICKELL

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he Countryside Cougar girls team shares an emotional moment at their senior night ceremony on January, 18th.

T

he boys soccer team is hoping for a very successful season this year with a record of 4-1 they are motivated to keep crushing the opponets.

Student Life

January 31, 2018 | Issue 3 | Paw Print Newspaper

Cougars care loganSCHNEITER staff writer

A huge benefit of living in Clearwater is that charity is all around if you’re looking to simply donate money, run a 5k, or even help feed the less fortunate. Here’s a few simple ideas on how to give back to the community.

Run a 5k or 10k: One way to give back is participating in a 5 or 10k run. These events are usually meant for all ages but be sure to check. All proceeds go to local charities such as Challenged Athlete Foundation, Pinellas County Youth Ranch, etc.

This is the greatest show loganSCHNEITER

staff writer

Broadway To-Go is an annual event held each year in mid December, the event showcases the many talents of Countryside theater students.

Students worked together to put on a skit show similar to that of ‘Saturday Night Live’. This year the show, included not only students from the theater classes, but thespians from the drama club.

One performance that immediately stood out was a pantomime skit performed by Nikola Misic and Jozeph Rakaj. The routine was an act that the two put together for districts, and was even awarded “Critics Choice”, which is the top award for the category of pantomiming. The act is about 4-5 minutes and tells the complex story of two rival mimes, who battled until the ultimate demise of Nikola’s character.

Senior Reegan Fabian participated in broadway to go and said her “favorite act I saw was the hot chocolate number and, my favorite act I was in was the group dance because I got to wear pajamas.

Reegan also said that “something viewers don’t know is that the show is student run that our VP organizes it and almost everything is student produced. It’s one of our most attended shows of the year, surprisingly.

Picture credited to Kim Florio

Donate to Foundation: If you’re not looking to do too much work but still make an impact on the local community, there is an easy way to give back without extending the reach of a local grocery store. Publix and Walmarts in the local area have Salvation Army buckets outside of select stores.

S Soup Kitchen: A great way to make a direct impact on the lives of the less fortunate in the local community is to offer your services to a local soup kitchen. One soup kitchen thats recommended to volunteer at is the St. Vincent De Paul Soup kitchen in Clearwater, Florida.

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tudents take a bow after a fun night filled with singing, dancing, and hot chocolate at Countryside Highschool.

Another portion of the night that embodied the tone of the show were the ‘Fiction vs. Reality’ sketches. These sketches were used entirely for comic relief in between performances. These sketches featured no thespian specifically but it was an opportunity for theater students to display there range of acting. The skits featured a portrayal of how an individual might imagine their holiday experience, immediately followed by a half glass empty portrayal of how it might really go.

Countryside senior Emily Sinz said she really enjoyed “Reegan Fabians monologues because she’s my queen”.

The final stand out of the night would have to be the thespians rendition of Hot Chocolate (originally performed in Polar Express). Despite it being a skit, it can and should only be referred to as a spectacle, in which thespians danced around the theater throwing Hot Chocolate packets in the audience lead on stage by one Trip Melton, dressed up as a shirtless train conductor, like previously stated this was a spectacle.

Broadway To-go 2017, was one of the wildest nights put on by the Drama Department, and the reaming events in the school year will have to step up their game if they wish to compare to this show.

Pawparazzi

January 31, 2018 | Issue 3 | Paw Print Newspaper

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The holiday’s ruffest gifts “My owner, Ryan Griffin, gave me a candy-cane bone for Christmas” Lily said.

“My owner, Jennifer Varga, buys me presents all year round” Rhyanna said.

“On Christmas, my owner, Elizabeth Weiler, gifted me a black and red hoodie” Ziggy says.

“ For Christmas, my owner, Hannah Shouppe, gave me lots of toys” Jamie says.

“Megan Jones, my owner, got me a ton of toys for Christmas” Loki said.