The C.H.A.T. Senior Issue 2018-19

In Memoriam Alicia Torres: Pg. 22-23

Charles White: To be honored in the August issue

The C.H.C. Staff Caroline Kadir Editor -in-Chief Rebekah Jacob Managing Editors - Content & Layout Charter Daily News Ariana Ortiz Web Managing Editor Ariana Ortiz - Content Maxine Martinez - Layout Business Managers Mr. J. Harris - Layout Mr. F. Fagen - Content Mr. J. Harris - Video Advisors Mr. P. Bayer Principal Alan Mathew News Editor Kiersten Warren Student Life Editor -Technology Editor Michael Muela Sports Editor Maxine Martinez and Emma Caulfield Features Editor

Student Life: Pg. 8-9

Student Life:

400 Years of Perseverance for Black History

Prom 2019: Seniors Bring the Heat to Miami Vice Grad Bash Marks the Beginning of the End

Sophia Cortes Entertainment Editor Brianna Butler Lifestyle Editor Rachel Rivera Voices Versus Violence Brianna Butler and Kiersten Warren Community Outreach Andres Alfonso - The CHAT Nicholas Amad - Web Photo Editors Justin Pierce Graphics Editor CONTENT STAFF: Brianna Butler, Emma Caulfield, Sophia Cortes, Kimani Dodd, Rebekah Jacob, Caroline Kadir, Maxine Martinez, Alan Mathew, Michael Muela, Ariana Ortiz, Rachel Rivera, Kiersten Warren LAYOUT STAFF: Monica Lozada, Rebekah Jacob, Caroline Kadir, Lillian McCormick PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF: Andres Alfonso, Nicholas Amad, Aijah Harper, Aryiel Bryant, Maya Cabrera, Francesca Brito

Features:

400 Years of Perseverance for Black History

The CHAT Newspaper - Content Senior Columns The CHAT Newspaper - Digital Senior Columns

GRAPHIC STAFF: Rosa Gomez, Justin Pierce, Henry Severe, Jasmin Bleus, Matthew Morales, Carolina Othon CARTOONIST: -The C.H.A.T. is an official publication of the Pembroke Pines Charter High School (PPCHS). The content of our newspaper is not necessarily the opinions of our advisers and administration. The C.H.A.T. staff welcomes any comments to the editors and/or staff.

The C.H.A.T is a publication of C.H.C (Charter High Communications) sponsored by the Communications & Technology Department of PPCHS. Pembroke Pines Charter High School 17189 Sheridan Street Pembroke Pines, FL 33331 Phone: 954-538-3700 Email: ppchsnewspaper@gmail.com Twitter: @ppchsnewspaper Instagram: @ppchsnewspaper The CHAT welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for poor taste, libel, and space. Drop off letters in room C113 or send an email to ppchsnewspaper@gmail.com

Sports:

400 Years of Perseverance for Black History

Senior All-Stars - Boys and Girls Track Senior All-Stars - Boys Football and Girls Flag Football

Clubs: Pg. 14-15

Sports: Pgs. 18-19

Lifestyle:

400 Years of Perseverance for Black History

Crown Yourselves Seniors!

Summer Treats to Beat the Heat

News:

400 Years of Perseverance for Black History

Clubs:

400 Years of Perseverance for Black History

Club Presidents Say Farewell Go on an Out-of-This-World Trip to Kennedy Space Center!

Entertainment: 400 Years of Perseverance for Black History

Avengers: Endgame Review Beyonce’s Homecoming

Sri Lanka Suffers Terror Attack Liberation in Sudan

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Student Life

Student Life 5

CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Ariana Arvelo

COLLEGE: Dartmouth College MAJOR: Chemical Engineering “I chose Dartmouth because of their high-quality undergraduate teaching and extremely available research opportunities for undergrads (and their unparalleled financial aid package). Going to study to the northeast was also something I was really looking forward to, and Dartmouth allows me to do that while being surrounded by incredibly talented and hard-working people in a world-class institution. I’m really excited for my future there!”

Elizabeth Bornmann

COLLEGE: UCF MAJOR: Biomedical Science “I chose UCF because it is the perfect school for me. I fell in love with the campus when I visited, and Orlando is an amazing area. The honors college will provide me with unique opportunities for research in my major, and I was awarded a large scholarship.”

Summa Cum Laude: Class of 2019 Michaela Brena Danicha Bruno

COLLEGE: UF MAJOR: International Relations “I love everything about the school!”

COLLEGE: UF MAJOR: Pre-Nursing “My current pediatrician has been urging me to go to school since I first moved here.

He’s motivated my drive for this school and has given me support that I didn’t even think I needed. I loved the campus environment when I visited and I could genuinely see myself there—not in a sorority though.”

Kiana Luz Eiletz Bottaro Ferdowsiepour Amanda Gore Adriana Guevara

COLLEGE: UF MAJOR: Environmental Engineering “I chose UF because they have the most opportunities, compared to other Florida schools, for my specific major. When I visited, I felt very at peace because of all the nature and activism taking place on campus. A great plus is their influential Alumni Association, which I’ve heard can be very useful for future aspirations.”

COLLEGE: UF MAJOR: Pre Med “UF has always been one of my top choices, especially when I first learned it is the #8 public university in the U.S. I’m grateful to have been accepted and am excited to further my education at UF.”

CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

COLLEGE: UF MAJOR: Chemistry “I chose UF because I always wanted the traditional college experience with my friends while still receiving a quality education. It has an amazing Pharmacy school, where I can graduate with my PharmD after two years of Undergrad and four years at the College of Pharmacy. Overall, I really love the environment, and I’m excited to go.”

COLLEGE: UCF MAJOR: Computer Engineering with a minor in Forensics “I chose UCF because I really liked the campus and atmosphere when I visited. I liked that it has a focus on STEM majors and has one of the only forensic schools in the state. I want to work in the criminal justice field so that was a big factor. Going to UCF has always been one of my biggest goals and I’m glad to be going.”

Sergio Bustamante

COLLEGE: UF MAJOR: Computer Engineering “I decided to go to UF because it’s the best college in Florida for my major in computer engineering. I spent a lot of time trying to decide between UM and UF for my undergraduate studies, but ultimately I made the decision I felt was best for my intended major.”

Jada Hinds

COLLEGE: Duke University MAJOR: Mechanical Engineering “I decided to attend Duke University because I love their close-knit community and the endless opportunities they would provide me with, including research and study abroad programs. Duke’s flexible curriculum at their Pratt School of Engineering will allow me to major in Mechanical Engineering and minor in Visual and Media Studies. I’m really excited to be a part of the Blue Devils family cheering on the best college basketball team!”

Nicolas Castro Brandon Causing Asha Clarke

COLLEGE: FIU MAJOR: Engineering “I chose FIU because I would save money and get home cooked meals, since I would get to stay home.”

COLLEGE: UF, waiting from MIT MAJOR: Mathematics “I chose UF because it’s a great school, but if I heard from MIT I would definitely go there. I already put down my deposit for UF. UF is a really pretty school and they have a beautiful campus.”

Danielle Macias William Manuel

COLLEGE: FIU MAJOR: Marine Biology “It was actually one of my top schools, either FIU or UM, but I chose FIU because it was cheaper and closer to home.”

COLLEGE: UF MAJOR: Undecided “I chose UF because I wanted to have a good college experience. UF has great academics, even though I haven’t decided on my major, I know I’ll be in good hands.

They also have great extracurriculars, I can’t wait to watch the football games next year.”

COLLEGE: UF MAJOR: Anthropology “Why I Chose UF: UF is the #1 school in Florida, and it’s very important to me that I continue to challenge myself after high school. Also, it’s far enough from home where I can feel independent, but close enough that I won’t have to deal with snow!”

Nia Martin

COLLEGE: USF MAJOR: Criminal Justice “I chose USF because I fell in love with the campus when I visited it! It’s really pretty and floral, and I love the dorms so much!

I also love being close to Tampa because I love the city, and of course there’s Busch Gardens!”

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Student Life

Student Life 7

CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Summa Cum Laude: Class of 2019 Faizan Mohammad

COLLEGE: UF MAJOR: Biomedical Engineering “I chose UF because it’s the best engineering university in the state. They have a lot of biomedical engineering clubs and organizations on campus that I can join, and a lot of my friends are going there, so it was definitely the best choice! I’ve met some of the people who go there and they spoke pretty highly of the campus, the engineering school, and the clubs they have, so I know I’ll be able to get a good education, be involved in a lot of extracurriculars, and have a good time going there!”

Bilal Naji

COLLEGE: UF MAJOR: Mechanical Engineering “UF is the best university in America, and they’re the best college in Florida. There football is good, academics are stellar, and Gainesville is nice.”

Sarah Rodriguez

COLLEGE: Georgia Institute of Technology MAJOR: Mechanical Engineering “I chose Georgia Tech because it’s in the center of Atlanta where everything’s happening. The film industry is blooming in Atlanta, and during my time at Georgia Tech I’m hoping to get my foot in the door! I know Georgia Tech can set me up for a great future where I can do great things while also not being stuck behind a desk!”

Agustina Otero

COLLEGE: University of Florida MAJOR: Undecided “I chose UF because of the opportunities, challenging curriculum, and competitive environment the school has to offer. Although I’m currently undecided about my major, I know UF has the flexibility and resources to support my academic endeavors as a student. I also love the pride so many UF students have for their school and am excited to show school spirit of my own as a Gator.”

Maria Rojas

COLLEGE: FSU MAJOR: Business Entrepreneurship “I chose FSU because it’s a good school and has a beautiful campus. The academics are stellar and it’s a nice change of scenery from South Florida to Tally.”

Jasmine Perez

COLLEGE: Florida State University MAJOR: Creative Writing "I chose FSU because it is the best school for my major. It is my goal to get accepted into its film school, which is one of the top ten in the nation.

When I visited FSU’s beautiful campus and got to talk to some students, I knew it would be the best place to start my career."

Chonnalin Sumonthee

COLLEGE: University of Florida MAJOR: Psychology “I think UF has such a beautiful, quaint atmosphere. I love all its brick buildings and how, at some parts of campus, the trees make an overhead walkway and the sunlight comes through really nicely; being close to nature is really important to me to feel sane. Also, I know UF will provide me a high-quality education and preparation for my future, but, at the same time, give me room to enjoy all the new experiences and programs that it has to offer.

Samantha Pratts

COLLEGE: FSU MAJOR: Biological Science “I am going to be attending FSU in the fall term.

The school is beautiful, and I really loved the campus when I toured it. I also can't wait to be involved in all the activities they have to offer.”

Kevin Zak

COLLEGE: UF MAJOR: Mechanical Engineering “I chose UF because I wanted to go to the best college I could while staying in Florida to get Bright Futures. I love the idea of being a Gator and a graduate from a top Florida university.”

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Student Life CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Prom 2019: Seniors Bring

Rebekah J

Managing E

On the night of May 17th, Pines Charter defeated all high school clichés by creating an exclusive, coastal experience for the class of 2019. This year’s prom was located at the Marriott Hotel Beach Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, completed with a beautiful Atlantic Ocean view and towering green palm trees all across the extending balcony. As the departees entered the Miami Vice styled ballroom, their expectations were completely surpassed, as they took in the setting in front of them. This bittersweet affair offered a one-of-a-kind experience, as the seniors prepared to close off their last year with the ultimate memory of dancing the miami beach night away.

Upon entering the grand hotel and outdoor platform, the seniors were warmly greeted by Charter staff and instantly swept off their feet with breathtaking beach views. The sound of waves crashing against the shore and the feel of humid sea air engulfed the seniors as they were only beginning to soak in their last precious moments with their peers. The night commenced with a cocktail hour at 6:00 p.m., where students took memorable pictures in front of the cool water and orange-blue sunset. “It honestly felt like I was at a luxurious beach resort. The views were simply breathtaking and the balcony was decorated so exquisitely. It was naturally beautiful but delicate all at the same time,” confessed senior Gloris Sajan. As the majority of the 2019 class arrived and the anticipation in the room reached an all-time high, at 7 p.m. on the dot, four golden doors were at last opened to reveal the massive and elegantly

decorated ballroom to finally get the party started.

The extensive room was illuminated in glowing yellow lights inside cremecolored floral ceiling pieces, with crystal beads flowing down at each flower. Pops of midnight blue and royal purple were simultaneously flashed across the room, giving the entire space a grandeur appearance. The scene of purples and blues gave way to the spacious and glimmering dance floor that lay waiting for the seniors. Following the grand entrance, seniors rushed to their tables, anxious to get a start on the thrilling night. Once seated, students were able to eye the luxurious centerpieces, comprised of large reflective glass cubes topped with medium-sized bright blue and pink-purple glowing spheres, as well as large glass vases filled with crystal beads that descended from narrow at the top to spacious at the bottom. Senior Samantha Mino expressed, “The scenery was so cool first-glance when I walked in. I felt like I was experiencing a little preview of paradise. The neon lights and ocean views definitely stood out to me.” As with any prom, love was well in the air! Couples ranging from high school lovers to best friends were able to enjoy each other’s company along with the vibrant lights that shone at each table.

While many chatted the hour away and mingled with their parting classmates, others eagerly rushed to prepare themselves a plate of some of the finest foods offered. From sizzling Italian chicken pasta to crisp Chinese vegetarian rice, the venue was well ranged with endless delicious options that just about appealed

g the Heat to Miami Vice

Jacob

Editor

to everyone. As the delightful aromas of the main course filled each corner of the room, the small “bar” soon appeared outside the ballroom, serving fan favorites such as Shirley temples as alternatives for soda. Seniors soon began easing into the animated vibe of prom, as they took to the front of the ballroom to dance the neverending night away.

As the talented DJ began to play some fan favorites, the seniors unfailingly exerted a rather frisky and lively spirit on the dance floor, not holding back to bust out their best dance moves one final time.

A subtle mix of Latin and modern day hip hop, the DJ made sure to play some of the year’s biggest hits, including Ariana Grande’s hyped 7 Rings and DJ Snake’s favored Taki Taki featuring all-stars Selena Gomez and Cardi B. While he kept the crowd on their feet with the modern day music, the DJ also successfully grabbed students’ attention by taking them on a trip down memory lane with childhood favorites such as “One More Time” and “Toxic.” Also upon entering the dancefloor, the girls were provided woven baskets filled with black rubber sandals in various sizes, in case their beautiful, but painful, heels eventually became too bothersome. “The music was amazing, but the sandals really did save my feet big-time. Major thanks to Mrs. Santiago for all her hard work and small added details like the shoes to make prom the best night it could’ve been,” said senior Maney Wu. The mix between club-like music and a couple of slow dances truly offered a diverse touch that allowed for new and engaging interactions amongst

students.

As prom lasted from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., the majority of the night consisted of dancing, all while the seniors treasured their last precious moments together. As the night came to a close, their ambitious dancing was interrupted for the most pivotal moment of the night. Senior couple Chad Epps and Zaira Nunez, former homecoming king and queen, were victoriously crowned prom king and queen!

As the cheering roared and the audience gathered around, admiring the reflective, majestic crowns, a single spotlight faced the elated couple as they began their traditional slow dance.

To say the night was a glammering success is an understatement. Senior Denise Dookeran said it best when she voiced, “Prom was extremely well organized and put together, simply beautiful yet still fun.” Seniors departed the hotel with radiant smiles and bittersweet memories to hold on to. Pulling off a Miami Vice theme so effortlessly proved magnificent, as it captured every essence of a luxurious beach resort and ultimately had students electrified at the end of the night. Still swept away by the Miami Beach style, tired seniors were still willing to proceed to the after parties, while countless others booked a relaxing stay at the very same hotel to end off the perfect night with a bang. This Miami Vice themed prom truly redefined a perfect night, and unfailingly proved to be a spectacular once-in-a-lifetime experience for the graduating class of 2019.

Student Life 9

CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

10 Student Life

Jags Repping Their College CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Caroline Kadir Editor-In-Chief

As the student body inches closer and closer to the long-awaited summer vacation, it has become evident to many jags that the end is finally near. On Friday, May 3, 2019 PPCHS seniors showcased all their hard work throughout high school by sporting a shirt for their soon-to-be college. College shirt day has been a tradition for as long as jags can remember, so it was no surprise when the seniors confidently strolled onto school grounds with their contrasting shirts.

May 3 distinctly marked a significant shift for many of the seniors, as they were no longer going to be jaguars. PPCHS wasn’t filled with jags prowling around, but rather in-state powerful gators (UF), friendly seminoles (FSU), honorable knights (UCF), brave panthers (FIU), as well as some out-of-state fierce tigers (Auburn), ferocious bobcats (NYU), and etc. Many seniors have counted the days till graduation since the first day of freshman year, but what many have now started to realize is that life is about to drastically change.

There is no doubt that these last few days will be bittersweet for seniors, coming to the realization that adulthood is around the corner. For many seniors watching their childhood friends, academic peers, and treasured companions wearing their

future across their chests was an unforgettable experience. College shirt day was highly anticipated by the majority of class of 2019 and was more than just a day to show off the school they will soon be attending. The day acted as a sense of relief for the seniors; they were given the chance to finally breathe, reassuring themselves that everything works itself out in the end.

For one brief, shining school day, it didn’t matter who you were: if anyone saw a senior wearing their college shirt, they were congratulated. It was hard to miss the atmosphere of unity that May 3 brought, as walking around all that could be seen were pearly white smiles for the class of 2019 soon-to-be graduates.

College shirt day granted seniors the chance to display their college decision to the entire school. This tradition exemplified that hard work eventually pays off through dedication and effort. It also allowed seniors to take pride in everything they have accomplished in their final days at PPCHS. The tradition of seniors wearing their soon-to-be college near the end of their high school journey is hoped to continue on. For now, the seniors at PPCHS have plenty to look forward to. Congrats class of 2019 on all your hard work!

Senior Award Night Rachel Rivera

Voices Versus Violence

Senior Award night is one of the most anticipated nights for Charter seniors.

On this occasion, Charter’s most elite seniors who have excelled in academics and athletics are recognized for their hard work and dedication. Principal Bayer refers to the night as the “Charter Oscars.” The night was hosted by SGA’s one and only 2018-2019 president Krissana Abolafia. Abolafia introduced the night by expressing how proud she is of her class and the “future leaders” among us. She then thanked the staff and families who helped her and her classmates get to the point they are today.

The first award of the night was introduced by none other than Mayor Frank. C. Ortis. Mayor Ortis, who proudly represents Pembroke Pines, was pleased to attend the night year after year and honor those who have worked hard. The first award of the night was his own Frank Arts Scholarship, who went to Cristina Arguelles.

The second award given out by Mayor Ortis was the Susan B. Katz Service Learning Award that was given to Kenneth Martinez. Next up to present an award was Commissioner Jay Schwartz. Commissioner Schwartz gave the audience a brief look into his childhood, particularly referring to his late mother who raised him and his sister all on her own. He continued explaining the hardships his family went through. Despite the odds, his mother did everything in her power to ensure she could provide for her two kids. The recipient’s qualities had to embody his mom’s drive and determination. Sequia Copeland proved to be the perfect match, fulfilling all the great aspects Commissioner Schwartz was looking for. Copeland is heading to Alabama State in the fall to major in law studies. Commissioner Iris A. Siple took the stage next to present the Iris Siple Civic Activism Award. This was her ninth year presenting this award, and it went to a graduating female who has shown interest and dedication to civic activism. The award was presented along with flowers to the host and SGA president, Krissiana Abolafia. The next scholarship has always been a special

scholarship to give out, but this year more prestigious, because it was the largest amount of money that has ever been raised. The Forza Stefano Scholarship was able to raise over $12,000 through fundraising this year. Principal Bayer took the stage to share a part of Stefano’s story and introduce his family. Stefano

purpose is to do what his brother wanted most, to spread love and help children in need. Each scholarship went to a senior who embodied the foundation’s purpose and shared Kevin’s passion for helping and encouraging students. The Falcon Heart Award was presented to the student with outstanding dedication to community

graduated in 2015 and although he is no longer with us, he left a legacy met with his family after his passing. The family took the stage to share their story in hopes of carrying their child’s legacy on while also helping a graduating student achieve their dreams.

Throughout the night, students were seen walking proudly to the stage to accept their awards, as another member of the pines charter faculty took the stage.

Senior government teacher and founder of the Kevin Garcia foundation, Mr. Garcia, presented the next award. Mr. Garcia gave out four scholarships on behalf of the Kevin Garcia Foundation, created 10 years ago after the tragic passing of his brother. The non-profit organization’s

service and children, which was none other than senior Chonnalin Sumonthee.

Chonnalin not only embodied every aspect Mr. Garcia was looking for, but she also wrote and self-published a children’s book based on stories she was told about Kevin. Since the book’s publishing, she has visited several elementary schools, reading the books to students and using it to encourage them. Next up to present an award was the AP government and economics teacher, Mr. Quigley. About a year ago, Mr. Quigley released his first book titled, “Joy Bliss This,” which told the story of how he became a teacher through all his failures and redemptions. This year he introduced his very own scholarship that was created with 50% of the proceeds

from his book. Mr. Quigley stated, “I felt like if I was going to write about them and they did so much for me, the least I could do was try to help them by creating a scholarship to help them pursue their passions.” The first ever recipient of his scholarship went to Kenneth Martinez for his passion of dance and desire to share and teach what drives him.

The departmental awards were next, and one by one the teachers of the electives, language, math, science, and social studies department honored students who have excelled in their departments. Mr. Bayer took a moment to recognize the Outstanding Senior Leaders: Krissiana Abolafia, Kristen Johnson, Faizan Mohammad, and Chonnalin Sumonthee who has previously been awarded at the Outstanding Senior Leader Awards Ceremony. Coach Bruns followed, presenting the athletic awards and Division 1 athletic scholarship recipients. Mu Alpha Theta, NEHS, Rho Kappa, Science National Honor Society, SHS, and NHS members were all rewarded by the respective club sponsors for their achievements and dedication to the club.

Mrs. Torres presented the Cambridge Awards to students who achieved exceptionally high marks on three or more AICE exams and recognized all students that have fulfilled the AICE diploma requirements. Over 30 recipients received the AICE diploma, making it Charter’s largest group so far! Following the Cambridge Scholar Awards, Mrs. Torres presented the Silver Knight Finalists Awards to Alina Lee and Chonnalin Sumonthee.

The Academic Honor Medallions were presented next to those who have worked for the last four years to secure their spot at the top of their class. Students who achieved cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude all took the stage as they were presented medallions representing their high class ranking. The last scholarships of the night consisted of the five Charter Foundation Scholarships that were presented, along with macbooks, to five students that exemplified the corresponding scholarship titles of resilience and perseverance. As the night began to come to an end, the senior class eagerly awaited the announcement of Charter’s most anticipated award. Mr. Bayer.

Student Life 11

Grad Bash Marks the Beginning of the End CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

A

s the weeks pass, so does the seniors’ time left in high school. To mark the countdown to their last days at Charter, the soon to be graduates took their traditional trip to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure for the annual Grad Bash trip. The seniors gathered in the River of Grass on Friday, April 26th at 11:30 a.m. after passing through a dress code sweep and security check at the gate. The anticipation for one of the most awaited nights of the year was in the air. In the theatre, students excitedly talked about what rides they’ll go on and how they’ll pass time on the bus. They were moments away from the first event that would mark the beginning of the end of their senior year.

Most students met with friends beforehand for breakfast or lunch prior to the three hour trip in which food and drinks weren’t allowed. Over 100 students attended the trip, all of them were slowly sorted bus by bus to ensure everything went smoothly for the chaperones and teachers attending too. The buses were boarded and ready to leave at promptly 12:30 p.m. When the seniors weren’t sleeping, they were enjoying their music and playing games on their phone. “The whole bus four started playing heads up. We all downloaded the game and played it together,” said senior Kaylin Her-

Sofia & Florencia Azcurra

nandez. The arrival to Universal was one filled with anticipation to let loose inside the parks.

They were greeted at universal with a perfect day without a cloud in the sky and as they were handed their blue wristbands they made their way to the pre-party on the city walk. The party allowed time for the park to empty out while the seniors enjoyed the food prepared for them, which consisted of burgers, hot dogs and mac and cheese. They were allowed in small venues where DJs were creating a hype to keep the energy alive. And the seniors answered.

They were seen dancing, laughing and different schools even mingled with one another occasionally. At 7:30, it was time for the seniors to finally start making their way to the entrance of islands of adventure.

They were herded off into two waves by universal staff that for hundreds of students, and the staff did an excellent job at keeping the peace. Once let into the park, students bolted to be first on big rides, like the hulk, that is known for having long waiting times. The ride was already at a 120 minute wait time soon after the graduates were let in. If they weren’t running for a spot in line, they ran to be the first at rides across the other park in Universal.

“One word to describe grad bash would be: “incredible”. I had the best time with the best people and sharing it with people my age was amazing,” says senior Alex Cubas. While the crazy impatience to ride everything was evident amongst the many seniors, they all shared a collective bond of understanding and amusement. It was an unspoken feeling of craziness.

The night was crisp with ecstatic seniors roaming in between parks, the outfit of the night being students sporting fanny packs and biker shorts. The high wait time for the rides was something the students had hoped to avoid, but unfortunately didn’t.

“That was the only downside, I thought the lines would be shorter, but they weren’t,” said senior Nicolaus Sarbello. While the lines were a small annoyance to the big night, the energetic hype of the night and being around friends who would be leaving or separating soon made up for it.

“We talked in lines and laughed when we walked. They played music through the speakers and that was fun to enjoy the environment. Even if we didn’t ride that many rides, spending time with my friends and being with them in such a nice place was amazing,” said Julia Cunningham.

All seniors gathered in the outside theater

right in front of rip ride rocket at promptly 1:30 a.m. and collectively left the park at 2:00 a.m. Although it was late at night, the soon to be graduates were still buzzed with excitement and filled with the high of no sleep. Once boarded on the buses, the lights turned off and the sleep evident in the seniors’ eyes helped them enjoy what little sleep they could get. Before they knew it, they arrived at PPCHS around 6:00 a.m. “I left the park hyper but once I got on the bus I was knocked out. It was a chilly drive but once we got to school I was ready to sleep.

I woke up at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday feeling refreshed. When others were waking up, PPCHS seniors were falling asleep.

As the night, or morning, came to an end, the entire park started closing rides as most seniors began getting tired from the high they were on the entire night. Compared to a normal field trip with the school, where students attend with regular park goers, the seniors had the park to themselves and people exactly like them. Kids their age, going through the same things, all taking a break to enjoy some of their last moments of high school together.

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Student Life

Juniors ‘Step Up’ to Start Senior Year CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Brianna Butler and Sophia Cortes

M

ay 16th served as a celebratory event for the class of 2020, Step-Up day. The events began at approximately 10am, where the senior class gathered together near the fountain. They celebrated the official end to their year with as much enthusiasm as possible, playing music and partaking in the Charter tradition of throwing their shirts into the trees above. Afterwards, the majority of the class exited campus, officially marking the first day the class of 2020 would be considered seniors.

There was no better way to celebrate than continuing on with tradition. Juniors had spent the past two weeks decorating crowns in an extravagant manner, each one having a sense of uniqueness that set it apart from the rest, and individuals allowed their personality and interests to thoroughly shine through with their designs.

Crowns were adorned with aesthetically pleasing color palettes, rhinestones, bows, glitter, and much more. “I was inspired in making a crown based on a game I played when I was a kid,” begins Alisa Chavez.

“Afterwards, my idea soon developed into

Lifestyle Editor and Entertainment Editor

making a theme-based crown, where I took elements of the game I admired most and emulated them into my crown. I wanted something special that pushed the limits of what most people believed an ordinary burger king crown could accomplish. So, what better idea was it than to add little planets that served as props? The game I played had a lot to with space, and immediately began to think about those science projects where a model of the solar system was frequently used.” Her crown appeared to stand out boldly in the crowd, with foam planets circling both ends and a galaxy design painted on. She firmly believes the process was similar to her high school experience. They were both tedious, but allowed for an opportunity of self-expression and gave the ability to make a lasting impression on others.

Many used the crowns as a tribute to other people, including newly crowned senior Maegan Jomsky. “My thought process in making my crown was incredibly last minute and it practically happened on a whim; I was originally going to do a Loki inspired

crown, but that idea still didn’t sit well with me. Tony has always been my favorite character and, after seeing Endgame, I felt that a Tony Stark inspired crown would be the best thing for me to express my love for the character,” she states. “That’s why I made it that way. My favorite thing about my crown was the amount of time, effort, and love I put into it. I believe I really channeled my inner Tony Stark while making it - every single thing I did to make this crown was with him in mind.” For Maegan, the best part about Step-Up day was the build up to reach this time. She feels as if all her hard work has finally built up to this moment.

Step-Up day was a chance to make crowns with varying designs that stood apart, but were still able to come together as one. “I wanted my crown to look as best as it could be so I can feel good about it when I look back at this memory,” Angel Biju states.

“My favorite thing about Step-Up day was the picture we took at the end because it really showed our class spirit and how we come to together as a Charter family.” She

highly enjoyed how the class of 2020 was able to be both diverse and unified as one.

As far as unique designs go, Giulia Martins was able channel her creativity and make something with a deeper meaning to it. “I wanted to make a Peter Pan theme crown when I was first thinking about what to do for a design. However, I decided to make the senior letters bigger and have smaller lettering over it saying ‘never grow up.’ I added the quote because I still feel the kid that is inside me, and I never want that to leave me even when I become an adult.”

This day brought a variety of different ideas and had a deeper meaning that was personal to each student involved.

Step-Up day is an important tradition that will keep on going within the Charter system. There are many feelings associated with it, but it mainly focused on the nostalgia that comes with reflecting back on earlier years. Each crown was meaningful and filled with the personality of the individual who wore it, and the day served as an official start for the new senior class.

13 Clubs CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Charter’s Award-Winning Artists Kiersten Warren Student Life Editor

F

rom dance to hockey, PPCHS students have many hobbies. And for 3 sophomores, their favorite hobby is art. On Tuesday, April 16, those 3 students competed in the annual Congressional Art Competition at Nova Southeastern University. All of the three girls placed, taking home 3 awards for everyone. While Isabella Gonzalez completed and received an honorable mention and Sukaina Zaidi took home the prize for best painting, sophomore Feliciah Fitz-Henley surely stole the show. She took home the first-place prize and gets the honor of having her work displayed for a year in Washington DC! One of the competitors, sophomore Feliciah Fitz-Henley, worked many long and tireless hours to perfect her piece before competition day. Her work reflects her outlook as a young artist today. She states, “My art was a digital photograph of me, my brothers, and his friends called ‘Skin Tangled.’” Feliciah does have a distinct

characteristic look in all of her paintings: none of her subjects ever look directly at the camera. For such a young artist, she also has an interesting artistic philosophy.

“The eyes are the windows to the soul. I don’t want to leave the subject vulnerable,” Fitz-Henley expressed. Stepping into the room on competition day, the sophomore couldn’t believe it and realized the stakes.

“I had no idea how big of a competition it was. When I walked inside, my mouth dropped. There were over 250 contestants as well as many famous figures like a congresswoman I saw.” For the next hour, the sophomore looked around at the other competitor’s pieces and was instantly amazed at the caliber of the art.

As amazing as the rest of the art was, Feliciah remained confident in her piece. Once the judges started naming the art pieces from last to first place, she became somewhat nervous, but noticed her piece was being covered by a sheer cloth. As the top

5 started to come to the stage to claim their prize, Feliciah’s name still wasn’t called, which was the precise moment when she realized she actually had a shot at winning the whole thing. “They called my name for the first-place winner and it didn’t feel real.

My teacher, Mr. Foreman, and my parents were incredibly happy for me.” To top it all off, Feliciah won two tickets to Washington D.C. to see her work shown in the capitol.

One of the other competitors, Sukaina Zaidi, a Pines Charter sophomore that won best painting, had a different experience.

The piece that she entered is from her AP Art portfolio, but nonetheless, Sukaina worked very hard to perfect her painting.

“My piece was called ‘Fragility.’ I intended to depict a vulnerable and fragile state of a woman in water with flowers surrounding her,” Zaidi expressed. The young artist’s painting also included a thoughtful message. “The painting can be interpreted to

symbolize delicacy in femininity,” Zaidi stated. Although Sukaina had more success this year, this wasn’t her first time going to the art competition. “I competed last year, but it was just for the experience.

This year, however, I wasn’t intending to compete, but a lot of people pushed me to do so,” Zaidi confessed. It was a dream of Sukaina’s to be recognized for something she’s so passionate about. “I didn’t expect to win. It really was amazing and definitely raised my confidence when it came to my art.” With already one prize under her belt, Sukaina is sure to succeed in her next 2 years left of high school.

All of the PPCHS artists evidently succeeded at the competition. Considering they are all only sophomores, Feliciah, Isabella, and Sukaina have the advantage of holding 2 more years to grow, not just in terms of their art, but also their character. PPCHS has no doubt that they will all make Charter proud.

Photos By: Francesca Brito

Sukaina Zaidi

Isabella Gonzalez

Go on an Out-of-This-World Trip With the Engineering Club!

Sophia Cortes

It is an extreme rarity to find high school

students bright-eyed and wide awake before the crack of dawn, and on a school day no less. Normally at 5AM kids would either be still fast asleep in their warm and comfy beds, or struggling to keep even one eye open as they prepare for school. But for this particular group of students, April 25, 2019 was an exception.

Students went on a trip to visit their “favorite rocket ship” at the NASA Kennedy Space Center, just a mere four hours away in Cape Canaveral.

“We wanted to share the passions and inspire more students to follow a career path into the STEM field,” said Engineering Club president Daniel Borras-Quintero, “and going to Kennedy was the best way to show that.”

The air was filled with the buzzing of more than 20 space-loving teens, all gathered in small groups talking about the trip and what they were excited for: the new Marvel movie which was set to release that day, and classes they were glad to miss, while sleep deprived parents milled around waiting for the blissful moment the busses were ready so they could return home to their beds. “I was really excited for the trip,” expressed freshman Delano Fagon. “I had gone once in 6th grade and I was really interested to see if anything had changed since then!” After a couple more minutes of waiting in the mildly humid morning, the busses were ready, the students boarded in an excited clamor, and blasted off into the early morning.

For those who were experiencing the trip for the first time, the arrival at the center itself was received with widening eyes and frantically scrambling for cameras or phones to take pictures of the iconic NASA logo at the entrance of the center. Once the aspiring astronauts arrived, they were given tickets and a small schedule, and were told to

Entertainment Editor

go off and explore as if the center was an alien planet. Kennedy Space Center might as well have been on another world, as towering turrets of rockets sprouted like tall metallic trees and seemed to touch the clouds in the “Rocket Garden,” while booming classical music blared through various speakers that brought everyone’s hearts soaring to the heavens. The streets

ing in awe at the white and gray rockets or catching a break in the shade of a large white building which sported seven giant influential astronauts resting their marble bodies against the imposing structure.

Groups made their way around the bend of a space-themed cafe and were immediately met with the center’s claim to fame.

No, not the World’s Largest Space Shop,

were lined with futuristic blue and green hexagons lighting up when you stepped, hopped, or skipped along their surface, and all around students were either star-

which many claim did live up to its name as it had two floors filled to the brim with slightly overpriced NASA themed memorabilia. And no, it wasn’t the ever-so pop-

ular Milky Way Ice Cream Shop which boasted the best ice cream on this side of the galaxy. It was a large rocket that, from a distance, suspiciously resembled a gigantic outer space hot dog - but this was no hot dog. This was the life-sized replica of the groundbreaking and gravity-defying Space Shuttle Atlantis, the first shuttle ever created. Inside the huge building, which seemed to dwarf in size with the Atlantis replica standing proudly in front of it, students were able to experience a 4D presentation on the creation and building of the historic Atlantis which lead them to the actual shuttle itself as it was suspended in the air, seemingly in midflight. “While I was standing underneath the Atlantis rocket tank, I realized what a feat of nature space-flight truly is - it was the human mind alone that got such a thing into space and back again, allowing us to research beyond our atmosphere,” confessed junior and future NASA scientist Maegan Jomsky.

Another major highlight of the trip was the bus tour the students were given, which showed them all the behind-the-scenes workings of the center and provided a blissful break from the heat of the afternoon sun. “I really enjoyed the bus tour,” said junior Daniel Borras-Quintero, “it gave us a real close-up look of one of the most unique jobs out there, while showing us how truly massive the Kennedy launch suite really is.” Students were in awe of the bus tour, as they got to experience the inner workings of it hands-on.

After the NASA bus tour, students gave one last reluctant wave to the Space Center and boarded the busses for their ride home. With the sun setting behind them and the moon rising in the distance, it was a cosmic end to a space-filled day.

Photos Donated By: Sophia Cortes

14 Clubs CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Club Presidents SGA : Krissana Abolafia

B

“ eing the President of SGA was truly one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences that I will forever cherish. At first, it seemed like an impossible task, but once the year began to roll out and I had a group of 36 beautiful people by my side, everything became so easy. I have to say - the beginning was very stressful, especially when trying to sell the entire student body on an outdoor homecoming. Once the event took place and the success of homecoming spread through the halls, it boosted both my and SGA’s confidence. In that moment, we felt that we could make this the best year yet! By far, my favorite events include Powder Puff, Homecoming, Pep Rallies, Spirit Week, Snow Bowl, MSD breakfast, and Mr. Jag. Some important lessons that I have learned this year have had a lot to do with trying new things, as well as learning that pleasing almost 2,000 students is impossible. I have learned that the results are truly worth all of the hard work.

I will use these lessons in college, especially when trying to lead groups and collaboratively working with others. PPCHS has forever left an impact on my life, and I hope that I was able to leave my own paw print on the school. It has been a pleasure to serve as Madame President of SGA this past school year!”

Drama Co-President : Samantha Lipman T

“ hroughout this academic year, I’ve been given many challenges and also really cool experiences. Since our drama teacher, Mrs. Abreu, was out for maternity leave for the first half of the school year, Co-President Zachary Poore and I have been stepping up to the plate and taking action towards the club. We’ve had different teachers, Ms. Chiverton and Ms. Norton, teaching and coaching us with our pieces for competition in December of 2018. We did really well, considering we were chosen to be district representatives for the state competition in March 2019. We performed, at the state competition, in front of all the different districts in the state of Florida! The things I’ve learned from my teachers and from the different workshops at competition truly helped me, not just in singing, dancing, and acting, but in how to be a better person overall and honing my leadership. I’ve taken these leadership skills I’ve been taught and am continuously growing and learning more on how to be a better leader. I will definitely continue these skills throughout college to help others grow and to help myself grow as well. I want to thank Mrs. Abreu for giving Zach and I this amazing opportunity and the privilege of being her right-hand man and left-hand lady. I can’t wait to see what great things Troupe 6153 has to offer in the many years to come!”

Drama Co-President : Zachary Poore B

“ eing Co-President of Drama this year has been such a blast! I’ve learned so much more about performing and how to lead a group of people. This year’s drama class has done much more than any year past. We competed in both the District and State levels of the Florida State Thespian competition, along with our performances of Winter Fantasy and Legally Blonde. Samantha Lipman (Co-President) and I were the extension of Mrs. Abreu for the drama program, which gave me more insight on the performing arts. Working alongside my amazing drama officers, I feel that I’ve learned so much in regards to directing and planning different events. I definitely believe that I can take these experiences and use them in college! Throughout this year, this program and Mrs. Abreu have thoroughly prepared me to study Musical Theatre in college. I’m forever grateful to have been a leader in this phenomenal program!”

Key Club : Falak Abbasakoor L

“ eading Key Club has always been a dream of mine since I joined the club my freshmen year. Being able to lead the largest club at PPCHS has been such an honor, as I’ve been able to see firsthand the impact a group of hardworking volunteers can have on the community and in the world. During our Pancake Breakfast, our biggest event of the year, we were able to donate over $2,000 to UNICEF for Maternal & Neonatal Tetanus Disease! We were able to donate to such a great cause & save mothers and kids in less developed countries. My board was amazing and was so dedicated to service. We were able to receive 2 awards at the Blood Drive Luncheon, as well as an award at DCON which really acknowledged how hard we’ve worked all year.”

Best Buddies : Sarah Rodriguez A

“ cting as Best Buddies club president this year has been tough but rewarding. I got to attend the international Best Buddies Leadership Conference in Indiana where I met officers from all over the world and learned a lot about running a successful club. This year, our membership unexpectedly doubled and as a result, we started volunteering at an additional location. We were able to reach our fundraising goal of $2,500 by first semester and increased the number of volunteer opportunities we offered. Being Best Buddies president has taught me so much about delegation, organization, and communication.

This past year has definitely had its rocky moments, but all in all it’s been a very rewarding year, and I’m happy to say that the club is being left in the very capable hands of rising senior Jena Manning!”

Clubs 15

s Say Farewell

CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Humane Society : Amanda Gore A

“ s president of the Humane Society Club, I learned how to collaborate with other officers to plan events and fundraisers. For example, I coordinated with the president of the Best Buddies Club so that our clubs could join together and volunteer at Project Stable.

At this event, students were able to help disabled children participate in therapeutic horse riding, as well as cleaning the farm to keep it hygienic for the animals. The ability to search for and secure opportunities will help me in college when I’m looking for internships and jobs. I also learned how to plan meetings far in advance so that we would be prepared for any plans. Depending on how long the meetings could be, I had powerpoint CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES presentations, materials for making, and ingredients for treats ready at all times. This helped me to enhance my organizational skills, which I’m sure will help with my hectic schedule in college. It was definitely difficult to balance my responsibilities as club president with all of my college applications and AP classes, but it was something I was able to not only work on throughout, but enjoy.”

Features 13

Fashion Club : Jamie McGregor T

“ his year of fashion club was by far the best year we ever had. We had countless incoming freshmen super excited about what our club had to offer. We started this year with 119 members which is the most we’ve ever had. Leading this club was an incredible honor; I loved seeing the unique talents and styles that our student body possessed. Our events this year were the best ever thanks to the rest of my officers! My favorite event from this year was our showcase. I just loved being able to fall into my creative process this year.

It all started with a song which catapulted me into so many amazing ideas that I was able to see come to life. I was so proud of myself and my models for the performance we put on. I definitely think it will be one to remember for the years to come in fashion club.

Fashion club is one of my most prized accomplishments and I will never forget all that I have taught and all that I have learned from my club members.”

Spanish Honor Society : Stephanie Alban W

“ hen I first accepted the Presidency of Spanish National Honor Society, I knew it was going to be a challenge, but instead I saw this as an opportunity: an opportunity in which I took confidently. I knew I would grow as a student, as a person, and ultimately spread the hispanic culture while benefiting the people around me by being a committed and inspiring leader. I was able to build positive relationships with members and my officers as well. I cherish all the times we had our socials after school and fun activities alone with service projects. I will truly never forget this experience. I have learned so much from time management to communication skills!”

Yearbook : Kristen Johnson A

“ fter being in yearbook for four years and becoming Editor-in-Chief my final year, I was able to make so many friends and memories while also gaining skills that I can apply in college and in my career. Being a part of yearbook has helped me to feel more connected with my school, its students, and events. One event that stands out for me would definitely be our yearbook sale at open house because my staff and I only had one day to prepare for it. Nevertheless, we were still able to break the record amount of books sold. I am so proud of my staff for all the work they have put in and especially for creating a record breaking book in terms of sales, pages, and even dedications. I have been surrounded by such a talented team of editors each year and give so much credit of everything I’ve learned to the editors I’ve gotten the privilege to look up to. Also, having the opportunity to lead people and mentor them has been such a rewarding experience that I could not have gotten anywhere else, and I am excited to see where these skills will take me as I continue my journey at the University of Florida. Being editor of the Prowler yearbook has definitely been my favorite part of high school and the best decision I’ve ever made.”

NHS & Mu Alpha Theta : Faizan Mohammad L

“ eading NHS and Mu Alpha Theta has been a highlight of senior year for me! Both clubs were pretty demanding for me to help run, and being so involved in such big clubs really helped me with my time management and leadership skills. It was a lot of effort working on some of those big events for both clubs, but we had so many events that I made a lot of new friends and helped out the community. For NHS, some of our biggest events this year were Red Ribbon Week, our Change is Ours Leadership Conference, Beach Cleanups, Feeding South Florida, and Parent Workshops, since our focus was mostly community service and leadership. In Mu Alpha Theta, our biggest events this year were the Math Scavenger Hunt and weekly tutoring sessions. I learned a lot in these clubs from my interactions with other members, from participating in events, and coordinating them with the school. Overall, I feel like I’m a more confident and organized person as a result. Had I not spent so much time with NHS and MAO I definitely would feel less prepared for college, and I’m really happy to have had the opportunity to help the community and school through these clubs!”

16 Features CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Farewell to The CHAT Justin Dourvetakis Web/Photo Editor

COLLEGE, MAJOR: FAU, Mechanical Engineering FAVORITE QUOTE: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” -Mark Twain

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: “In the end, my favorite memory from high school is who I was as a freshman. Looking back, I see a completely different person and I’m so proud of where I am today and the person that I have turned into.

Nobody can tell me otherwise!”

WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANT TO ME: “Newspaper has given me a new

way to express my thoughts and feelings through photos. Being a Photo Editor for these last 2 years has changed my life and shaped me into a new person. It taught me so many things and how to really handle myself in the real world.”

Ainsley Mc

Sofia Azcurra

Editor In

Entertainment Editor

COLLEGE, MAJOR: Florida Atlantic University, Psychology with a minor in International Relations

FAVORITE QUOTE: “This too shall pass.” - Anonymous FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: “It has to be all the times I’ve gone

to the football games with marching band. The feeling of being part of something so close and special made me feel really happy.”

WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANS TO ME: “Newspaper meant a lot of things.

I met some of the greatest people in that class. It taught me certain things in writing that my English classes didn’t teach me and I got to know so many people around campus and their stories. The bond in that class is really special and I’m really glad for it.”

COLLEGE, MAJOR: Auburn University FAVORITE QUOTE: “You miss 100% o ky -Michael Scott

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMO

was going on my EF trip to Japan with my b spring break and it was the coolest thing ever. seeing Mt Fuji and going on the bullet train. The I wish I could back there all the time!”

WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANT TO M

to leadership and helped me discover my passio with new difficulties that I had to figure out how gen has played a huge role in my life and I want for me. Seeing this class improve from the beg all the budget meetings, deadline days, and ho

Paolo Barrera Student Life Editor

COLLEGE, MAJOR: FAU, Environmental Science with a possible minor in Physics

FAVORITE QUOTE: “You gotta be odd to be #1.” –Dr.Seuss FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: “My favorite memory was defi-

nitely asking Florencia to homecoming, even though we weren’t even dating at the time.

It was during a Girl Power meeting, and I was doing a presentation on toxic masculinity, which I love to talk about. And at the end of it, I said, ‘I have one more message’ and a slide with Florencia’s name popped up. I asked her, she said yes, and I’ll never forget it.

It was definitely the craziest thing I ever did in high school. Fun fact I found out later: she almost didn’t even show up to school that day.”

WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANT TO ME: “I ended up taking this class every year of high school. I think it has been a safe place for learning and growing through my high school career. I could always find comfort in this class and the people in it.”

Brittany

Austin Basso

Managing

Staff Writer

COLLEGE, MAJOR: Broward College then UCF, Undecided

COLLEGE, MAJOR: University of Flor FAVORITE QUOTE: “No act of kindne

FAVORITE QUOTE: “A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMO

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: “My favorite high school memory

WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANT TO

you.” -Elbert Hubbard

has to be field trips I have attended, particularly the Magic Kingdom trip with all my friends.”

WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANT TO ME: “It was an awesome experience that

I will never forget in my life. I have gotten to know plenty of new people and write about different topics around the school. This was much more than just another class, I found a family in Newspaper that surrounded me with love, affection, and that was there for me throughout the whole year. I will never forget my fellow CHAT members.”

-Aesop

hands down was getting to explore Europe with Touring Spain, Italy, and France together was su

found my niche and realized my passion for wr well with others in such a student-run, team-r pushed to step out of my comfort zone. Being a editors has allowed me to come out of my shel

Features 17

CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

AT’s Graduating Class Taylor Causey Graphics

COLLEGE, MAJOR: UCF, Biomedical Engineering FAVORITE QUOTE: “Let your life reflect the faith you have in God. Fear nothing

and pray about everything, even the good things. Stand ten toes and trust the process.”

-Germany Kent FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: “Watching myself grow and mature, if you know me my life did a whole 360 turn since freshman year. It’s still unbelievable!”

WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANT TO ME: “Being a part of my school newspaper made me feel like I played a big role in my school. I met some amazing people and learned so many things. The best part about it was learning so many new techniques and accomplishing things I never knew I could do. We’re all a big family, I wouldn’t trade this class for any other.”

cCormick

Jordan Alberti

n Chief

Sports Editor

ty, Journalism of the shots you don’t take.” -Wayne Gretz-

ORY: “My favorite high school memory best friend my junior year. We went over I did so many things I’ll never forget like he memories I made were unforgettable and ME: “Newspaper really opened my eyes

on. Each year I made new friends and dealt w to surpass and continue on with. Mr. Fant to say thank him for everything he’s done ginning of the year has been amazing, and oliday parties are things I’ll never forget.”

COLLEGE, MAJOR: UF, Communications and Minor in Pre-Law FAVORITE QUOTE: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

-Philippians 4:13

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: “My favorite high school memory was winning districts last year.”

WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANT TO ME: “It meant a lot to me. It helped me develop as a person and writer and really gave me a leap ahead in life.”

Florencia Azcurra Features Editor

COLLEGE, MAJOR: Florida Atlantic University, Political Science with Concen-

tration in International Relations FAVORITE QUOTE: “No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin color, your gender identity, just speak yourself. Find your name and find your voice by speaking yourself.” -Kim Namjoon from BTS FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: “My favorite high school memory was when Paolo asked me to homecoming. He did it during the homeroom club we joined together, Girl Power. Paolo was doing a presentation on toxic masculinity, and at the end my name was on his last slide. I was so shocked when he asked me, but of course I said yes.”

WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANT TO ME: “Newspaper class allowed me to communicate with not just my peers and friends but the outside world. It gave me more opportunities and helped me learn to interact with people I don’t know. I’m so glad I took newspaper, it’s like I found my high school family.”

Evelyn

Arianna Ozuna

g Editor

Staff Writer

rida, Sociology

ess, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

ORY: “My favorite high school memory

h my best friends since elementary school. uch an amazing experience for us to share.”

O ME: “Joining newspaper was where I riting. I have not only learned how to work -reliant organization, but I have also been able to get quotes for stories and lead other ll.”

COLLEGE, MAJOR: Broward College, then transferring to FIU; Undecided, but

something revolving English/writing FAVORITE QUOTE: “Although my heart may be weak it’s not alone...it’s found a home with all the friends I’ve made...and if they think of me now and then, if they don’t forget me, then our hearts will be one.” -Sora (Kingdom Hearts) FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: “Volunteering at a Halloween event with my friends.”

WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANT TO ME: “It helped me grow not only as a writer but as a person. It was somewhere where I could explore writing and learn how to work together with a team.”

18

Sports CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Senior A Six feet tall. Athletic. Quick on his feet

and with his head. Ralph Stewart is all of these things and more, and they all come together in one place: the track field.

As a senior, Ralph has experienced track as a sport for his entire life. Even when he was younger, Ralph grew up with running in his blood. Both of his parents ran track and did field events in high school, and Ralph was no stranger to the joys of running as the years passed. In his early years, running and what he was exposed to “stuck with [him], and [he] wanted to run and be like [his parents].” Now, Ralph’s journey to where he currently stands --a competitive, state traversing all star track athlete-has been a little indirect.

According to him, “For the first two years of high school, I took a break and played football, but I came back to doing both

Boys and Girls Track sports. Then after school ends this year, I also plan to run summer track.” However curved his path, though, a large part of Ralph’s passion will always be tied to track. Unsurprising considering what it means to him and the person that it has shaped him into. Ralph describes himself as caring and thoughtful; at the same time, he mainly characterizes himself as someone with a strong will and a strong sense of loyalty to his teammates.

Over the summer, Ralph competed in the 2018 AAU Olympics, which is a huge accomplishment that many people can say.

Even as Ralph’s charter journey comes to a close this year, the opportunities he’s had will always stick with him as he moves forward in life. And, as always, he plans to keep the spirit of track alive inside of him.

I

t takes a lot of hard work and dedication to create a name for yourself, especially in places like PPCHS were talent and determination can be seen at every corner. Janae McDonnough - student, track and field star, and entrepreneur - is amongst this group of impressive students.

McDonnough walks the halls with many success to her name, but one her most well known is being a star on the field. She spent her junior year learning the artistry behind discus throw and shot put.

The two field events may appear to simply be a show of strength, but as McDonnough has proven, it is also about technique and practice. Now in the final year of her high school career, Janae is helping her fellow

RALPH STEWART

teammates master the skills needed for these events. “We had fun, and we are like a big family,” she said “it's nice to be a coach.” Janae McDonnough not only has a talent for leadership in the sports world, but the real one too.

For the first two years of her college career she plans on attending BC but intends to transfer to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University for a degree in physical therapy. However she also expressed a passion for business. In June she is releasing her first venture. Her commitment through her future is a sure consequence of learning through track and field that one must work for success,

JANAE MCDONNOUGH

Boys Football and Girls Flag Football Kiersten Warren Student Life Editor

P

PCHS senior William Manuel has many different achievements throughout high school, such as graduating top 5% this year, or being the former football quarterback for many years. Among these achievements, football is certainly something Will is going to miss.

He says, “I will miss leading everybody and being the one in charge. I’ll also miss everyone having all eyes on me when it’s my time to play. Everyone knew me for being the quarterback, and I’ll miss that the most.” Throughout his journey on the team, both the players and coaches made it a point to establish game day traditions.

“I loved the few minutes we had pregame in the locker room where we’d all just talk, about either strategy or a pep talk that hyped everyone up.”

While Charter may not have the best ranked football team, the Pines Charter senior loved it nonetheless. “It didn’t matter to me that Charter wasn’t the best. If it mattered, I would’ve moved schools, but I loved playing with my best friends.” Manuel couldn’t believe it was his final season, and it all hit him at the season opener.

No matter the circumstances, Will always played his hardest.

With him going to UF, Will certainly has a bright future, and who knows, maybe he’ll play in college. “I probably won’t play in college to focus on other things, but you never know!” Either way, all of PPCHS is proud of Will and all of his accomplishments, and we know he will have an amazing future ahead at UF.

WILLIAM MANUEL

S

enior Chelsey Masjuan, is a triple threat: a great student, future college volleyball player, and captain of the 2018-19 girl’s flag football team. On the team, she plays the position of a blocker, and is going to miss her teammates for sure. She says, “I think what I will miss the most about this year are the friends I made and the laughs we shared. It was like joining another family.” Throughout the year, the girls established game day traditions to hype everyone up before a big game. “Every game, we would sing songs and make beats to get excited to play.” Along with junior co-captains Ariel Bryant and Jordyn Mastrosimone, who will lead the team next year, Chelsey and her teammates have definitely saved the best for her last year.

This past season surely was a memorable one, concluding with the team going to the States’ competition. “The atmosphere of States was amazing! I didn’t realize how big flag football was!” Although she loves playing flag football, Chelsey decided to hang up her cleats and focus on volleyball in college. “I got signed to Penn State to play for volleyball and I’m really excited, even though I’m really going to miss the lady Jags flag football team. Who knows, maybe I’ll still do it for fun, or come back and help the girls next year.” One thing’s for sure, PPCHS is proud of Chelsey and all of her athletic accomplishments.

CHELSEY MAJUAN

Sports 19

CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

All-Stars Softball

Boys Basketball

Rebekah Jacob

Michael Muela

Managing Editor

Sports Editor

Justin “JT” Debuck has been playing on

the PPCHS Varsity Basketball Team since he was just a freshman. During his career, he’s learned so much and gained plenty of experience helping improve his game, but he’s also made a lot of memories over the years.

Justin mentioned his favorite memory at Charter involved basketball. “My favorite memory at Charter is definitely the last West Broward game at home. It felt like the entire school was there and it was just great to see everyone come and support the basketball team against our rivals, so I think that was 100% my favorite memory.” Pines Charter would go on to host a Regional Playoff game that year, but they would eventually lose.

Debuck will be graduating this month, as he puts his Charter career behind him, and takes another step toward the future.

“I think it’s cool that I will be entering in a new chapter in my life and I’m happy I’m going to continue my basketball career at the college level. Not many can say that, but I am really going to miss high school.

So many memories and relationships have been built for me at Charter and it’s going to be hard leaving it in the past. I love my school.”

Debuck is thinking about enrolling as a freshman at Palm Beach State next year.

From everyone here at PPCHS, thank you, JT for all of your contributions to Pines Charter.

JUSTN DEBUCK

Competing

in softball for about nine years, senior Angelina Pascual inevitably knew that this was her passion. She grew up in a family where everyone constantly engaged themselves in softball, and as a result, her zeal for the sport increasingly flourished over the years. “I knew I wanted to play softball when I realized that I was bored of dancing,” Pascual states. Finding her roots in this competitive sport evidently jump-started her career and only set her up for success. From playing recreationally to playing travel in one season, Pascual kept herself plenty busy with practices after practices over the summer with her dad and grandpa. “I have always loved how competitive the game is and how fastpaced it can be. I’m super competitive, so the challenge of striking someone out and winning a game or breaking the record for how many home runs I could hit in one weekend has always excited me more and

more as I got older,” Pascual expressed.

But she wasn’t the only one who owned her love for softball. Pascual’s family undoubtedly pushed her to thrive in the sport successfully, unflagging in their efforts to shower Pascual with an abundance of love and support for her and the journey she’s enduring. After years of hard work, she is happy to say that she is able to attend her dream college, Quinnipiac University, with her favorite coaches that she’s known for years. As if this weren’t enough, Pascual additionally plays for the Dominican national team, aiming to qualify for the Olympics next year. Pascual confessed, “Since softball won’t be present in the year of 2024, this is my only shot of being in the Olympics and living my dream that I’ve had since I was a little girl. The next four years of my life are going to be hectic, but I can’t help but say I love it and I can’t wait for the fall.”

ANGELINA PASCUAL

“This NBA season has been super competitive so it’s hard to say who will go to the finals right now. But I’d say that the final game would be the Raptors versus the Trail Blazers.

The Raptors are one of my favorite teams so I will support them but, at the same time the Blazers have been a very tough team to beat.”

-Freshman Samantha Villafane

“The finals are always an exciting and interesting game series in the NBA season. The best teams versus the best teams go head to head against each other to race for the championship trophy. This season has been full of surprises as every season is, and I am hoping for a different set of teams to ball in the finals. I’d say the Celtics and the Rockets will face off this year. Both teams have surprised everyone.”

-Sophomore Nathan Moses

“With all the highlights and full games I’ve watched throughout the season, I have seen a lot of the teams truly played strong. I think that Golden State is going to win once they face the Bucks.”

-Freshman Antonella Ureta

“I think the finals is going to consist of the Toronto Raptors and the Golden State Warriors. They both have solid lineups and they had a great season. But I think the Warriors are going to win it because they have won the past two finals which gives them more experience.”

-Sophomore Danniel Barte

20 Entertainment

Beyonce’s Homecoming

Avengers: Endgame Review

CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Sophia Cortes

Maxine Martinez

Entertainment Editor

Co-Features Editor

B

eyoncé earns her title of “Queen B” yet again with the release of her Netflix documentary and surprise live album drop, both taking the name “Homecoming.”

The documentary follows Beyoncé as she prepares for her Coachella performance in 2018, where she became the first black woman to headline the festival since its debut. She also provides an important message that falls perfectly with her movie/ album title: the importance and heritage of historically black colleges and universities.

“Homecoming: a film by Beyoncé” was released on April 17, 2019, almost a year since her performance at Coachella, and right in the midst on this year’s festival.

“The timing of its issue, is just the first example of how much authority and power the artist has. Only Beyoncé would be able to make headlines right as one of the biggest festivals is taking place,” commented sophomore Bradi Stewart. However, it how it beautifully outlines “the emotional road from creative concept to cultural movement,” according to Netflix, that makes it such a memorable documentary. The viewers receive a candid look at the weeks of preparation that led up to her performance, including rehearsal footage all the way to Beyoncé opening up about her diet and getting into shape after the birth of her children. But these factors are just small pieces of the puzzle that made this film such a sig-

sales alone. The film went on to rank in around $1.2 billion in worldwide sales on its opening weekend and $350 million in domestic sales.

nificant one.

It is the aforementioned message that Beyoncé highlights in her film and music that is so important. “She intertwines everything with important civil right messages and simultaneously showcases the beauty and history of black colleges and universities, which don’t receive as much attention as they should,” expressed Amanda Cooke-William, junior. Throughout her performance she implements music from the “Dirty South” and civil rights activists like Nina Simone, incorporates visuals of black colleges and universities, and has musicians backing her up in the style of black college marching bands. “Beyoncé’s performance at Coachella was really one of the first times I’ve seen such a celebration of Black culture in mainstream media,’ said freshman Samantha Lowe. Her show was not only intended to entertain her audience but also educate them about her culture.

Not only did Beyoncé release her film but she also surprised her fans by dropping an album containing all the live music that she performed at Coachella. By doing this she is ensuring that the point she was getting across through her original performance not only resonates with the people who saw it live or those with a Netflix subscription.

She is providing an eternal copy of her hard work and ambition.

Graphic By: Henry Severe

Graphic By: Henry Severe

U

nless you’ve been living in the Soul Stone for the past year and a half, you would have noticed the considerable hype surrounding Marvel Studio’s latest superhero flick, Avengers: Endgame. Throughout circles of both casual and die-hard fans, Endgame was one of the most anticipated movies of the year. From the very moment the last few tear jerking scenes of Infinity War played out in a theatre full of tissue hoarding moviegoers, everyone, from your geeky best friend to the cool kids next door had to know how this overarching story eleven years in the making would end. And now, after months of out of this world fan theories, memes about dusted heroes (both real life and in fiction), and binge watching anything and everything related to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the nail biting wait is over, Endgame is here.

Endgame evidently drew out opinions from everyone. “It was surreal really,” says junior and Iron Man enthusiast Samantha Cover, “these were characters that we grew up with and love, so knowing that this was it was a little daunting.” Despite the anxiety surrounding the film, hordes of fans bought tickets the moment they were announced, which lead to multiple sites crashing, hours’ worth of lagging, and record breaking ticket sales. Endgame shattered records once more, and on its opening day no less, after ranking in $156.7 million in domestic

Fans Rise to Star Wars’ New Trailer

Endgame is known to be the highest anticipated movie in the entire decade, with 11 years of movies and shorts and TV shows leading up to its grand release, and without giving away too many spoilers, the film lives up to universal hype. With the special directorial care given by brothers Joe and Anthony Russo, Endgame was able to pull all the strings from every characters’ story over the past decade into one large super powered bow with only a few minor plot holes to date.

Watching this Infinity Saga unfold before the eyes of an adoring fan is a cinematic spectacle that is only seen once every generation. Parents had Star Wars, older siblings had Harry Potter, but this generation has grown with super powered beings that have touched not only the fictional lives on screen, but the real lives watching it.

“Even though they’re fictional characters,” says senior and Spider-Man fanatic Matthew Cabrera, “watching them while I was growing up trying to do better and better for their universe and friends has really made an impact on me both mentally and emotionally. I grew up with struggles in and out of school and watching my favorite superhero Spider-Man would help calm my nerves and give me hope.” Endgame, while filled with its fair share of bawl your eyes out moments, is essentially a love letter to these people who have been inspired and saved by these movies.

Take away the soaring box office numbers, the Rotten Tomato scores, the flashy celebrities, and at its core the film is saying “thank you” to the fans who have stuck for years and together, laying the past for a final restful sleep in the memories of millions from around the universe and looking forward, with tears in eyes but a smile on faces, to whatever the future of Marvel has to offer.

Emma Caulfield Co-Features Editor

Since 1977, the Star Wars sega have been

releasing movies that have touched the hearts of many fans. Currently, the sega has released eight of their nine movies and is scheduled to come to a close following the ninth movie being shown this December.

On April 12th, 2019, Star Wars released their ninth and final Star Wars trailer. The industry has decided to title the final movie Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. The teaser opens with main character Rey looking off in the distance as antagonist Kylo Ren approaches her in his ship. From there, it is all snippets of battle scenes as well as a mysterious laugh that appears to be the laugh of Darth Sidious, a character that was presumed dead at the end of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Everyone is ready for what will hopefully become an epic ending to an epic sega.

The Rise of Skywalker has received many mixed reviews. Although many believe it was well done, others think the film is due to be a bust. Sophomore Nathan Moses states that “unlike the Endgame trailer, I think that The Rise of Skywalker was a really well-made teaser. There were a lot of cut scenes that teased viewers and gave us a lot to think about. It will definitely be a great movie and end the sega with a bang.”

Moses has enjoyed the movies for as long as he can remember, and he and many others are confident in this trailer and the film as well. It is the end of Star Wars, so following this film there will be no more fight to take over the galaxy. Main character Rey, who is played by actress Daisy Ridley, has

many generations of past Jedi masters behind her. She’s learned from the legendary Luke Skywalker and has heard endless stories about his past. This trilogy has many unanswered questions that are meant to be answered in this upcoming movie. Freshman Brady Garrison adds, “I am looking forward to finding out Rey’s past. I already know Luke’s, Kylo’s, and even Finn’s past.

starting with its teaser trailer.

While the upcoming movie is hopefully going to answer many fan’s unanswered questions and even confirm some fanmade theories, some people think that the trailer, or better yet, the entire third trilogy, has been a bust. Senior Shanthan Mahendran comments that “while the third

Graphic By: Carolina Othon

Considering Rey being the main character, I am looking forward to this ninth movie to hear about her past.” Garrison is correct, as there have been many times in the movie where Rey doesn’t even know what is going on. In the seventh movie, The Force Awakens, she didn’t even know if she was meant to be a jedi. However, The Rise of Skywalker is bound to explain everything

trilogy did tell a good story, I personally think that they should have let a good thing rest. At the end of Return of the Jedi, everybody was happy and partying because Emperor Palpatine was finally defeated for good. I have not been too impressed with the newer movies.” Mahendran also poses a good point because there were not any unanswered questions following the sixth

movie. Now there are new planets, characters, and even plots. People have been excited for this film and The Rise of Skywalker is meant to close the sega for good, but it could have been better for Lucasfilms to just let the Star Wars sega rest after the third movie, Revenge of the Sith. As a matter of fact, some believe that the franchise should not have even done that trilogy. Junior Grant Sinclair shares that “Star Wars went a little far now. I loved the sega as it was and I think they ended the sega with a bang back in 1983 following Return of the Jedi. Enemies were killed off and Luke Skywalker and all of his friends were happy. Lucasfilms should have left that alone.”

With all this said, it does not change the fact that it is happening. The last and final film is being released and they have already dropped their teaser. The teaser was well-made, and the ninth movie is bound to tell a good story and end the whole sega on a good note.

Rey has learned the ways of the force and has become very familiar with it as well as the use of lightsabers. This movie is going to tell everyone how she uses that to her advantage. Some of the biggest questions that will be answered as well are, “Who is Rey’s family? Will she be the one who balances the force when Anakin didn’t?”

While the sixth movie did end with the jedi taking a win, it was never confirmed that Luke Skywalker brought balance to the force. But maybe The Rise of Skywalker will confirm the balance in the force.

21 Lifestyle CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Crown Yourselves Seniors! Jumping Out of Junior Year Sophia Cortes

Maxine Martinez

Entertainment Editor

Co-Features Editor

There are many things to look forward to once one starts junior year: class rings, the possibility of going to junior prom, and officially becoming upperclassmen. However, nothing is looked forward to with such great anticipation as decorating your very own junior crown. Junior crowns offer students the opportunity to show off their creativity in a fun and exciting way in which the finished piece of art can be used as a colorful accessory to show off a student’s personality and talent. “I can’t wait to design my crown,” confessed junior Hemani Koppolu. She continues, stating, “I’m planning on either doing an Indian flag as a representation of my country, or something with yellow and sunflowers because they represent my personality.” The crowns are also a significant part of student life as it marks the official beginning of the end of high school. “I don’t have a definite plan for my crown yet,” says junior Samantha Cover, “but I’m really excited! The crowns are something we’ve all been looking forward to since freshman year, and I’m happy we’re finally able to experience them!” With junior crowns, students are able to express the many aspects of their personality, as with Koppolu, or their many passions, as with junior Maegen Jomsky.

“I have a couple of ideas for my junior crown,” expressed Jomsky. “I’m either doing a Loki-inspired crown with his quote,

“Burdened with glorious purpose,” or a Queen-inspired crown with the lyric, “The show must go on!” Other juniors are also taking this as an opportunity to honor their favorite shows. “I’m really eager to show off the best crown ever, which is my crown of course,” says junior Nicholas Naylor.

“I’m going to design my crown after the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones, since this year will be the last season and it’s one of my favorite shows of all time.” If you’re struggling to figure out how to make your crown, or even what to base your crown on, listen to the sage advice of your fellow juniors! “I would recommend to try and show your true colors on your crown,” expressed junior Katherine Burkett. “Think outside the box and try to get creative!”

Think about the specific passions you have and the stuff you like. Are you a part of the basketball team? Maybe incorporate something from your team such as your number or your team colors! Is your favorite superhero Iron Man? Designing your crown around his suit or something he has quoted in movies may be your best way to go! The most important thing to remember when designing your senior crown is that this is for you: It’s your way of celebrating the past years you have been in high school, so have fun with it!

Donated by: Carissa Kaminsky

Most people can’t wait until they finish high school. They hope that those 4 years will fly by and that soon they’ll wake up and find themselves walking across the graduation stage. However, the truth is that high school does go by very quickly, and as a result, soon the current juniors will be entering PPCHS on the first day of school for the very last time as students.

As the beginning of the end draws closer and closer, the CHAT is here to provide advice for these soonto-be-seniors on how to best tackle this last year of secondary school!

Most students know what comes with senior year: scholarships, applications, test taking, and so much more. With this in mind, it is crucial to recognize the weight of procrastination. Make sure that all of your applications are being turned in on time and that they contain all the necessary information. With applications in mind, it might be a useful tip to start asking teachers Photo by: Andres Alfonso slack off, especially considering colleges and counselors for recommendations. Some colleges and scholarships re- can revoke your admission if they see that quire candidates to have one. Along with your grades have significantly dropped!

While school should always be a priority, this, don’t forget to share the aspects about your life outside of school. Taking part in there are many other things that come with extracurricular activities show that you are becoming a senior that one should always keep in mind. Make sure to spend time a well-rounded person.

One universal truth is that senioritis is with your friends and family. Though gradreal. First semester is usually pretty busy uation can mean a new-found freedom, it’s considering all the aforementioned tasks, also the end of an era, and you might not but by second semester most people are di- have the opportunity to see the people you agnosed with a serious case of “I just want love as much as before. Enjoy the big and to graduate already.” While it is true that by exciting things that senior year has to offer this time most applications are sent off and such as homecoming, grad bash, and prom. a majority of students have already figured But also cherish the little things that have out their plans for after graduation, it is still been a staple of your high school career. important to care about high school. Make Whether standing on the steps of the River sure to continue attending class and sub- of Grass or receiving your diploma, there mitting in your school work. Even if you are many things to look forward to senior have already received your acceptance let- year and the CHAT knows it will be amazter to a college, it doesn’t mean it's time to ing!

Summer Treats to Beat the Heat Rebekah Jacob Managing Editor

With summer right around the corner, here are two savory DIY summer treats that’ll get your taste buds watering for more. Its distinct flavorful tastes are what makes them addicting during the tropical climate!

Frozen Strawberry Limeade

Directions: 1.Pour lime juice, water, and sugar in a pitcher and stir thoroughly until well mixed.

2.Blend strawberries and ice together in a blender.

3.Pour desirable amount of lime juicewater-sugar combo into your blended strawberry-ice mix, and blend once more together in a blender.

4.Rim your cup/mason jar with sugar, pour the blended strawberry limeade into it, and enjoy!

Ingredients ●6-8 juiced limes (about 2 cups) ●1 cup of water ●2 tablespoons of sugar ●3 cups of strawberries ●2 cups of ice

Fruit on Fruit Concoction

Graphics by: Matthew Morales Directions Ingredients 1.Carve out your chosen fruit until it is hollow and empty of its contents. ●Any fruit that can hold content on the inside ej. oranges, pineapples, and 2.Time to get creative! You can try blendmangos ing different frozen fruits with either Greek yogurt or any fruit juice in a blender until it ●Any frozen fruit of your choice ej. is thoroughly mixed. For example, you can blueberries, pineapples, and mangos create a pineapple sorbet by blending frozen pineapples, Greek yogurt, and orange ●Greek yogurt juice (which you can save from carving out the oranges!) together in a blender. If you’d ●Orange sherbet like a more berry-infused mixture, blend frozen strawberries, blueberries, pineap●Orange juice ples, and mangos in a blender. Add some Greek yogurt and orange juice to the mixture to create a delicious berry concoction!

3.Pour varying fruit-yogurt-juice combos into a chosen fruit or “cup” of your choice, and enjoy!

22 In Memoriam of Mrs. Torres CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

In Memoriam of Mrs.Torres Alicia was a uncommonly kind and a generous woman. Alicia had been working at PPCHS since 2003--for the past 17 years she was a adminstrator for the front office. She was a advisor, a friend, a confidant, and a spiritual guide. She was there to call in substitutes for teachers taking sick days. She warmly greeted everyone who entered the office with her contiguous smile. She unfailingly brightened everyone’s day with her gentle spirit. She was an inspiration and will be missed dearly. May she rest in peace.

She would always apologize to me for asking to move boxes for her and I would always tell her better me than you and she would laugh so hard. - Randy Edelstein When I started working at PPCHS 12 years ago, Alicia was welcoming, sweet, and friendly, and she never stopped! - Mrs. Santiago Mrs. Torres had a tough job. Every day was difficult and intense. I don’t remember her, at any time, directing frustration or anxiety towards me or another PPCHS staff member. She was great at her job and a wonderful human being. She will be forever missed. - Mr. Lawrence Alicia Torres was a spirit, an angel, a light worker, and a person of such kindness. I cannot think of her without thinking about her deep laugh, a laugh that could not help but lighten you. Life, the world, Charter, and everything was better because we knew her, because she was here, and she left a gracious mark. - Mr. Quigley Her smile was the first thing anyone ever saw when they entered the school! She spread her sunshine with others. - Mrs. Altimore I will dearly miss her beautiful smile. She was a great woman and sincere person. - Mr. Willis Meeting Alicia meant loving and admiring her. There was no other choice. - Mrs. Invernizzi Alicia was an amazingly dedicated payroll buddy! Her laughter will be missed! - Ms. Guerrero Mrs. Torres was a beautiful person who stood as a shining example of how strong and fascinating kindness, honesty, and fellow-feeling can be. I’m so lucky to have called her my friend. I loved her and I miss her very much. I know we all do. - Ms. Sunshine Phelps God sent us an angel to greet us each day: Mrs. Torres. I will never forget your kindness & faith in God’s people. - Mr. Opalka Mrs. Torres was a true gem - always positive and with her contagious laugh, even when she wasn’t feeling well. PPCHS will not be the same without her. - Mrs. Rudd Mrs. Torres will be dearly missed. She always took care of the teachers. - Mr. Toepel It was 2:00am the last time I called Alicia to request a sub. She not only replied a few minutes later to let me know it’s ok, but she also called me at 4:00 while trying to reach another teacher. Of course I asked, “Don’t you sleep?” She was at the ER. - Ms. Mancini Her voice was so sweet, and her smile so welcoming. I know I will continue to see her happy face and hear her “good morning, babe,” “hi, honey,” or “hi, sweetheart, could you cover a second period?” every day. You will always be in my heart. Thank you for everything, Alicia. Rest in peace, my friend. - Mrs. Ferrer Beautiful soul, I will miss your smile and laughter. Thanks for always be so kind and patient with me since day one. Heaven has gained an angel. You will always be remembered. I will pray for your family’s peace and comfort. Rest in peace my friend. - Ms. Dallera I will always remember Alicia for her kind spirit, willingness to help, and her infectious smile. I am saddened by her loss, but at peace she is relieved. She will be greatly missed! - Mrs. Ramirez Alicia’s generous spirit, spectacular smile, ready laugh, and authenticity of character made her one-of-a-kind. I love her and will miss her dearly. - Mrs. Sarah Phelps You could always count on a warm smile when walking into the front office - that was always provided by Mrs. Torres. I miss her so much already. - Ms. Larmony I only new Mrs. Torres this year and I immediately knew how special she was. She helped me out and made me feel comfortable being new. - Ms. Cavanzo Alicia was a good and kind person. Her positive energy left an impact on us all! - Ms.Vazquez Alicia Torres was a beautiful person in every way, but what I’ll remember most about her is her infectious laugh. On the most stressful days, she smiled no matter how hard things were. I hope I can honor her by spreading warmth and kindness as she did during the hardest of times. - Mr. Fagen Alicia always greeted you with a smile each morning. What a beautiful way to start everyone’s day. KEEP SMILING! - Mr. Ramphall No matter how difficult, Mrs. Torres greeted everyone in the morning with a smile. From my first year here, she set the tone for Charter. She will be missed dearly.

- Ms. Blanco Mrs. Torres loved white daisies. Every time I go to Publix and I see these beautiful flowers, they remind me of Alicia and her beautiful smile. I will miss her so much, and she will always live in my heart. - Mrs. Lutchi Alicia, you were my go-to person all my time at PPCHS. Your smile made every morning a little better. You will be missed! - Mrs. Guzman Alicia was the best person to see every morning because she would fill you up with her cheerfulness and enthusiasm. Her two wonderful children are a testament to the caring person and wonderful mother that she was. - Mrs. Hernandez Walking into the office to a “good morning, chica” would always brighten my day. The laughter and stories shared will forever stay in my heart. - Ms. Fernandez I cannot recall how long she worked for our school - but it is hard to remember a time when she wasn’t sitting at the front desk as you entered the A building. I do not know how old she was. She was old enough to have raised two beautiful children, Alec and Taylor, both graduates of PPCHS. And she was too young to leave us. What I do know is that she was one of the most courageous and caring people I have ever known. Her positive energy was contagious and inspiring, even during the worst of her illness. Each morning, Alicia would be at school before the crack of dawn so she could arrange the substitutes for teachers that had called in sick or had their own doctor’s appointments, or who just needed a mental health day. Some days the irony was impossible to overlook. She always found a way to put the wellbeing of others before her own. Anyone who knew her knew that Alicia had tenacity, mettle, loyalty, and grit. We are all so fortunate to have had our lives touched by such a selfless and kind spirit. I know we will all miss her - and I know our school and our community is better because of her. - Principal Bayer Mrs. Torres and I had a very close relationship. She was a fighter and always kept me positive when I was injured or exhausted from work. She always took the time to talk to me even during her busiest hours. That smile and laugh was unforgettable and I can still feel her presence helping me fight through my days. She was my soldier and kept me together at work. - Ms.Norton

In Memoriam of Mrs. Torres 23 CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Alicia Torres

You Will Be Missed

24

News

Liberation in Sudan

Sri Lanka Suffers Terror Attack CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Maxine Martinez Co-Features Editor

Alan Matthew

O

News editor

n April 21st, 2019, or Easter Sunday to many, a series of explosions rocked the South Asian island country of Sri Lanka.

Initial reports of what many in the country and the world consider an inarguable terror attack came in the early to middle afternoon. The strategically placed explosive devices detonated in the morning, seeming to target the country’s Christian minority as most of the major explosives erupted in churches during Easter service, although high end and luxury hotels were targets as well.

Among the locations struck are Negombo, where a church known as St. Sebastien’s was targeted; Batticaloa, where Zion Church was hit; Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital and one of the worst affected; and Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, where a hotel suffered an attack as well. In Colombo alone three other large-scale hotels and their residents were victims of the bombs: the Shangri-La, the Kingsbury, and the Cinnamon Grand. In addition, a religious location known as St. Anthony’s shrine was bombed as well (CNN).

Sophomore Arvin Saji commented on the devastating events saying, “Calling what happened in Sri Lanka a tragedy doesn’t even begin to capture what took place.

Even just the preliminary death counts are horrifying and gut wrenching.” Indeed, those reports were themselves only added to as time went on. Sri Lanka’s health ministry updated the death toll to “about 253” the final week of April (AlJazeera). Of course, this devastation doesn’t even begin to factor in the hundreds that were injured during the course of the attack.

And the grief that is surging through the country is palpable. As senior Ludrichard Edouard stated, “Sri Lanka is undeniably in a state of extreme grief right now; the world has to extend whatever it can at the moment.” Freshman Austin Mathew elaborated on this when he said, “If anything, the world’s response to Sri Lanka’s

crisis should be even more noticeable than the immediate and overwhelming support many gave to the Notre Dame a little while ago. Sri Lanka needs the global community’s support.” And, as anyone would expect in the wake of such a devastating event, the initial response has been decisive and immediate.

Jessica Chang, a junior, lamented, “I hope the country will have its time to grieve and ensure nothing like this ever happens again. And I firmly believe the terrorist group responsible gains no notoriety for their despicable actions.’’ After the bombings, a curfew was established for at least a day, the country’s Catholic Church announced the suspension of all church services, and police said more than 70 people had been arrested (BBC).

An important thing to note is that much of the investigation into what specifically took place is still underway. Because of that, the worldwide public should be encouraged not to focus on the perpetrators but on the victims, whether that means reaching out or establishing the most effective ways of allowing the country to rebuild - which is in many ways, not just the physical.

One dictator, thirty years of corruption, all brought down in four months by every day, working class civilians. The country of Sudan had been under the control of Omar al-Bashir, a ruthless president turned dictator, for a little more than a quarter of a century. With his reign over the country only leading to devastation, people took to the streets and protested his regime. Through their unwavering passion, hope, and determination the people of Sudan, with the assistance and support of a military coup, were able to arrest al-Bashir.

The people who took part in peaceful protests were mainly young Sudanese citizens; however, those behind the operation were mostly part of the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA). The semi-secret group was made up of doctors, journalists, teachers, lawyers, and engineers. “It’s such an amazing thing to see normal, hardworking citizens behind such a successful and revolutionary movement,” expressed junior Amanda Cooke-William. As the people stood outside Sudan’s military headquarters, voicing their need for change, a question hung unanswered in the air.

Would Sudan’s military fight with them, or against them? Lt. Gen. Salah Abdelkhalig, Sudan’s Air Force chief, stepped out into the mass of people and remembers saying, “This army is your army. We are not going to fight you.” The military that had long been under the influence of the dictator was showing support for its citizens. “Seeing a country that’s been under such harsh control gain the support of the military is outstanding to me,” confessed senior Gloris Sajan. With the help of the military, a coup was able to arrest al-Bashir, and end the iron fist that had been holding down Sudan.

The protestors’ cheers filled the streets and musicians and dancers began to come out through the crowds to celebrate. “These protests were not only peaceful but a show of culture and determination. The idea of Sudan’s relief and happiness being seen throughout the entire country is amazing,” said freshman Gianna Gato. Though this was a significant moment for the country,

Graphic By: Justin Pierce

Graphic By: Henry Severe

it also brings up new problems.

The country is currently without a set power in charge. “Sudan’s liberation is also an opportunity for a new dictator to take power. The people need to move quickly and efficiently in order to maintain their freedom,” commented sophomore Ishita Abrol. The SPA and others are calling for a transfer of power to be made to a civilian council. According to the Washington Post, the SPA wants the “formation of a legislative council — in which at least 40 percent of the membership would be women — to draft laws and oversee a Cabinet of technocrats until a new constitution is written.”

They want to ensure that the opposition from some of al-Bashir’s associates does not turn into the re-establishment of a dictatorship.

The overturn of Omar al-Bashir is the first sign of a new start for Sudan. One that is prosperous, free, and welcoming, and is taking care of its citizens. As the country’s government is currently in a point of uncertainty, the Sudanese people need to work with the authoritative figures still in place in order to ensure that everyone is happy.

EDITORIAL: Fox News’ Decent into Propaganda Alan Matthew

Since America’s last presidential elec-

tion, Fox News, one of our country’s leading news networks, has been a powerful tool for the current administration and the Republican base overall. The platform has always had strong partisan leanings --a fact they’ve never kept hidden-- towards Republicans and away from Democrats.

But in recent years, most noticeably after a critical and investigative piece by the New Yorker, it’s become apparent that the news network has evolved into something new, different, and worrying.

It’s no secret that President Trump favors Fox News; oftentimes it’s been noted that his talking points or even his tweets closely follow reporting from one of the networks many channels. As Vox’s Sean Illing, a media scholar, reported in March, “Trump constantly watches Fox News, tweets out claims he hears on the network... and gives the majority of his interviews to Fox News.

[M]embers of Congress quickly learned that one of the best ways to communicate a message to Trump is to say it on Fox News.” For a time, it was completely normal to see posts from the POTUS twitter to directly reflect, say, comments from Sean Hannity’s show earlier in the day.

Of course, despite how concerning this

News editor

might be, it isn’t inherently dangerous.

Or is it? Because of the painfully interconnected nature of the Trump Administration and Fox News, many have raised concerns over the broadcast network being used as a propaganda machine in all but name. Considering the close ties between the two groups, it’s hard to imagine Fox using their platform for a critical aspect of the media’s role in America: keeping the government, which includes the president, in check.

But, for numerous, countless times, it’s only been never ending support and sometimes overwhelmingly propresidential rhetoric that’s found its way to Fox. Nicole Hemmer, an assistant professor of Presidential studies at the University of Virginia, argues that Fox acts as a force multiplier for Trump, solidifying his hold

over the Republican Party and intensifying his support. In her words, “It’s a radicalization model.” And this has had unintentional consequences as well. Just this year, with the 2020 election drawing ever closer, most, if not all, of the potential Democratic presidenGraphic By: Justin Pierce tial candidates have announced that they won’t be granting Fox interviews or participating in discussions with the channel.

As of right now, that raises an entirely new concern. As more and more of the Democratic field alienates Fox News, the channel is driven closer and closer to their own target base, cementing them even further as the president’s personal news channel. And this could spell disaster in a few ways.

There’s a reason freedom of the press is enshrined in the First Amendment after all.

As Fox News becomes more and more polarized, and more polarizing in turn, it risks dividing this country even more than it already is. For viewers that watch Fox News like some of us drink coffee, an increasingly divisive press organization wouldn’t be anything to raise eyebrows over.

Such a gradual change would still have its consequences. Politics has long been labelled as one of the more frustrating parts of human existence, but a crucial part nevertheless. To entrench a large part of the political spectrum in their own beliefs, whether or not they necessarily agree with those beliefs, is extremely dangerous to the conversations America as a country should be having. Effective, essential change is born out of cooperation and unity; even if perfect harmony is just an idealistic daydream, it is something to be fought for-not pushed back.