The C.H.A.T Holiday Issue 19-20 by FARAN FAGEN

THE C.H.C. STAFF Caroline Kadir Editor-in-Chief

Rebekah Jacob Managing Editors - Content & Layout Charter Daily News Ariana Ortiz Web Managing Editor Maxine Martinez Business Manager Mr. J. Foreman - Layout Mr. F. Fagen - Content Mr, J. Foreman - Video Advisors Mr. P. Bayer Principal

Student Life: Pg. 4

Alan Mathew News Editor Kiersten Warren Student Life Editor Paula Lillquist-Rodriguez Technology Editor Morgan Lind Clubs Editor Michael Muela Sports Editor Maxine Martinez Features Editor

Lifes

Student Life Snapping Through Senior Year Kelsey ‘Pics’ The Perfect Shot

Class of 2020

More Veggies o

The Benefits of Biliteracy

Sophia Cortes Entertainment Editor Brianna Butler Lifestyle Editor Rachel Rivera Voices Versus Violence Editor Nicole Llanes & Sammantha Miragliotta Community Outreach Andres Alfonso - The CHAT Nicholas Amad - Web Photo Editors

Features

Justin Pierce Graphics Editor

It’s time to be Kind

CONTENT STAFF: Caroline Kadir, Rebekah Jacob, Nicole Llanes, Ariana Ortiz, Rachel Rivera, Mia Mateo, Samantha Miragliotta, Maxine Martinez, Kiersten Warren, Paula Lillquist-Rodriguez, Morgan Lind, Andres Alfonso, Alan Mathew, Sophia Cortez, Brianna Butler, Samantha Cruz, Michael Muela, Sebastian Alvarez, Gabriela Carvajal, Kimani Dodd, Joshua Lasarte, Mariana Riano

What are you Hopeful for?

LAYOUT STAFF: Caroline Kadir, Rebekah Jacob, Henry Severe, Megan Rasmussen, Hailey Watson, Zeshan Zubair, Monica Lozada, Natalie Fernandez, Valerie Verga PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF: Andres Alfonso, Nicholas Amad, Bryan Lara, Natali Brito, Megan Ingram, Jeinily Bencon, Yoko Witkowski, Aijah Harper, Francesca Brito GRAPHICS STAFF: Justin Pierce, Jasmin Bleus, Rosa Gomez, Carolina Othon, Matthew Morales-Galdamez, Dominick Zarcadoolas, Shane Wooden, Jaxen Wyborny CARTOONIST: Mariana Riano The C.H.A.T. is an official publication of the Pembroke Pines Charter High School (PPCHS). The content of out newspaper is not necessarily the opinions of our advisors 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 and 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 Seniors Go Out with a “Bang” on Senior Night Pines Charter Family Event Brings the Heat

Enterta

Kanye’s C “Give Him

The Resurrection of M

style

0 Goes Broke

on the Table

Technology The New Generations A Day Without A Phone

News State of Emergency Declared over a Paralyzed Chile An Electrifying Influence in Politics

inment

Voices Versus Violence

Comeback the Gloryâ&#x20AC;?

The Potential of Kindess

My Chemical Romance

Violence Never Takes A Holiday

Yearbook Staff: “On the Prowl” For Sales

Student Life

CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

MAXINE MARTINEZ FEATURES EDITOR

he Prowler’s pages are adorned with photos of PPCHS students. From the infamous student mugshots to action pics of the school’s athletes, the yearbook staff works hard to capture it all. Perhaps the only thing that matches this level of determination among the class comes with selling these yearbooks. Every year, the yearbook team goes above and beyond in terms of sales. They create new and original ideas to gain the attention of the students and as a result, reach more people. This year the team reached new heights. During the month of October, they offered $5 off for anyone that came in to buy a yearbook while wearing orange and black. They also did a “Halloween Horror Nights” ticket giveaway, where anyone who purchased a yearbook during the month of October was automatically entered in a competition to win HHN tickets. Everyone in the class was tasked with the challenge of coming up with a few ideas to sell more books. Sophomore Molly Masson was the one to recommend the ‘Halloween Horror Night’ ticket giveaway, stating, “It’s a big event this time of the year, and since so many high schoolers go, it would be a fun way to promote the yearbook and get people to buy it.” The class ran with the idea. Senior Alyssa Miragliotta, Editor-InChief of the Prowler, expressed, “We try to do things that are current, recent, and trendy, things that will really appeal to the student body.” The winner of the HHN giveaway was Emi Gonzalez, PPCHS se-

nior and SGA president. Ideas like these have boosted yearbook sales tremendously, but the yearbook staff won’t stop there with trying new techniques to get a buyer’s interest. “I feel like the yearbook staff does a great job, especially since they are creating ways to attract attention. The students also do an amazing job spreading the word by putting up posters around the school and posting on social media pages,” confessed freshman Brianna Cajigas. This is not the only event that yearbook has planned, however. One of the latest must-have items is a pair of AirPods. The yearbook team is using this to their advantage and is sponsoring an AirPod giveaway. Anyone who already bought or buys a yearbook is automatically entered to win. Junior Fallon Katz said it best when she expressed, “I think it’s a good way to get more people to purchase the yearbook. And it’s a fun thing for people to get the chance to win a cool prize.” It is these events that help spread the word of the school’s most important book of the year. Not only is ‘The Prowler’ yearbook staff always coming up with new ways to sell, but they’re off to an amazing start. By giving out sought-after prizes like Halloween Horror Nights tickets and Airpods, charter students seem to be more motivated to buy a book. Remember the 2019-2020 school year and buy a yearbook, which will only be on sale for a little while longer!

Donated By:Yearbook

Photo By: Andres Alfonso

Fallon Katz

Isabella C. Rodriguez

Malik James Photo By: Jeinily Bencon

Photo By: Jeinily Bencon

Student Life

CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

CAROLINE KADIR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ometimes spur-of-the-moment ideas can blossom into something beautiful. Senior Kelsey St. Louis took an idea out of an abyss last summer and made her idea into a reality. There is no doubt a picture is worth a thousand words and that every picture tells a story. St. Louis decided to use this information and capture the class of 2020 senior year. Many jags don’t realize that pictures have the ability to capture objects, places, people, and most importantly, stories. Kelsey knew she wanted to remember her peers that she grew up with in a unique way. This led her to create an account on Instagram called PC class of 2020 disposables. The account covers all senior events, from senior sunrise to the seniors’ last blackout game. St. Louis expressed, “I started PC disposables because I wanted to savor every moment of my senior year. I have known almost all of my peers for about 13 years, and I know when the time comes, saying goodbye will be tough. Since everyone says that senior year goes by “fast,” I really wanted to capture it in a different way that has never been done before.” By no means is her process of uploading the pictures a short one. The entire process

takes a couple of weeks before uploaded. St. Louis takes her shots on a disposable camera and then has the film developed. Kelsey has to anxiously wait to edit and post them. Not only does she post them on the account, but labels the date/event on the physical copies and hands them out respectively. Kelsey goes out of her way to make sure everyone in the class of 2020 is included on this account. St. Louis doesn’t just capture friends, but also classmates she has never encountered. PC disposables has allowed for St. Louis to meet new people, filling her senior year with a plethora of memories. “This account means so much to me. I check on it every day. I love that I can put my work out there for others to appreciate it.” Kelsey undoubtedly puts a lot of effort into Pines Charter class of 2020 and it shows. Many jags have heard the countless stories from their parents about the good old days back in high school. Thanks to Kelsey St. Louis, the class of 2020 not only can tell their stories in the future, but also reminisce on them. Everyone should check out the account, @pc20disposables!

Snapping Through Senior Year: Kelsey ‘Pics’ The Perfect Photo By: Justin Pierce Photos Donated By: @pc20disposables

Tik Tok Famous Charter Students NICOLE LLANES

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

Fallon Katz (11th)

Isabella C. Rodriguez (10th)

A simple vacation in China and a quick tik tok on a plane turned into much

more for Isabella Rodriguez. She never expected it to blow up, especially because it was mainly a joke to her. This one tik tok was about the thoughts she was having on a plane, and she was able to gain 398.2 thousand views and 102.4 thousand likes. After her first video, 3 more of her tik toks got thousands of views as well. Before she went viral, she only had a couple hundred followers, mainly close friends, and now has around 19 thousand. She’s both embarrassed and happy to say she’s tik tok famous. Rodriguez stated, “I don’t regret making tik toks, but my friends do make fun of me for it a lot. When I got back to school, my friends would ask me to make tik toks with them and would call me the tik tok queen, which was really embarrassing. I definitely don’t have any fans, but one time some middle schoolers asked me if I was tik tok famous.” The fame from tik tok has brought her some embarrassment, but mainly laughs and conversation starters.

itting bored in bed one day some few weeks ago wondering what the future has to hold for her was none other than junior Fallon Katz. Suddenly plagued with boredom, she decided to make a tik tok. Tik tok was an escape from reality for her. It offered both a fun thing to watch and create. Shocking to her, however, was her random tik tok one afternoon that actually ended up getting on the ‘For You’ page and blowing up. The tik tok was about her new puppy, Isla. In the video, Katz was placing dog toys into her dog bed, and then ends with her dog on the camera. This one video turned into much more for Fallon, as she ended up getting 218 thousand likes and 1.1 million views. She expressed, “It makes me happy that people enjoy the videos I make. Tik Tok is just a fun thing to do.” Multiple videos of hers ended up getting thousands of likes, and she gained 9.4 thousand followers. Tik tok has become a lifestyle for Fallon Katz.

Malik James (11th)

Graphic By: Rosa Gomez

ome alone all summer and stuck inside was the Junior Malik Jones. Like almost all teens this past summer of 2019, James spent most of his time endlessly scrolling through tik tok. He decided to join a simple trend on tik tok, not expecting much from the video. However, he got 327,500 likes and 3,970 comments on this single video, not to mention the over 2 million views he got. This video, and a combination of his other videos that also went viral, and got him on the ‘For You’ page multiple times. He was even able to obtain 85.4 thousand followers. When asked if he expected all this fame, the charter junior stated, “No I didn’t expect it all.” He says that he doesn’t have any fans, but his followers say otherwise. His tik tok page, starting from nothing, grew into a popular profile beyond charter. Suddenly, he became some users’ favorite profile and means something to his thousands of followers.

STUDENT LIFE CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Everyone Has a Story: Robert Hershey ALAN MATHEW NEWS EDITOR

Senior lends a hand because he genuinely wants to

ven when he’s just walking from one period to the next, it’s hard to miss the purpose in senior Robert Hershey’s step. At times, he seems to exude focus to an almost intimidating degree, especially when sporting one of his ties right before his A.P. Government class. This exterior, initially characterized by the contrast between the sometimes striped, sometimes dotted neck pieces and the Charter mandated polos, hides something much more significant about Robert: his immeasurable strength. His shoulders carry a weight that’s difficult to grasp, and yet his back remains straight and his eyes are always forward. This inner strength is quiet but firm, and isn’t something that Robert keeps hidden away. Robert’s strength is at its most visible when he extends a hand to others— something he’s always willing to do. According to Robert, helping others when he’s able to is something that comes naturally to him, which is a trait he ascribes to the way his parents raised him in the restaurant industry. Robert’s father, Billy Hershey, opened Billy’s Stone Crab in 1995 to pursue part of his entrepreneurial dream, which his family has been a part of ever since. That dream still lives on, even after October 28th, 2019, the day Billy passed after having battled

lymphatic cancer for three years. “Seeing him go has really recontextualized my whole life,” Robert said. “I’ve always been to a very high standard, an almost restaurant-like standard… now just not having that person —my dad— who held me to that... I’ve had to put it back into my own perspective of wanting to keep that standard for not just my parents, but for myself.” Losing his father wasn’t a complete shock for Robert; Billy was on life support for a month before the 28th. And yet no amount of preparation can completely brace you for something as profound and life changing as the death of a loved one. Grief doesn’t ever disappear entirely, but it does take different forms in different people. Appreciation for the meaningfulness of the time he had is one way Robert remembers his dad. Robert’s family wasn’t always as close as it is now. With four siblings, three of which who are older to Robert by a significant number of years, balance can be difficult to find. Lives intersect and diverge in many ways, but, out of the difficulty of the original cancer diagnosis, Robert’s family drew closer together. His relationship with his younger brother has also played a significant role in shaping who he is and what matters to him. In his own words, “I’ve always had

an older sibling mentality in the way that I try to help people [and guide if I can].” If the choice is helping someone else with their homework or doing his own, Robert says, he’ll help first, even if that makes things harder for himself. The way he puts it, finding a happy medium between his desire to help others and his own priorities isn’t a challenge. Robert lends a hand because he genuinely wants to. This motivation to pursue and define his own path takes shape in other ways too. Difficult classes are chosen not because of any desire to appeal to colleges but purely out of Robert’s own curiosity and thirst for knowledge. This altruism and independence also shape one of Robert’s key philosophies. Even though he knows that not everyone can approach life like this, Robert tries not to dwell on things he can’t change. “Sadness to me is the default state. Some people get sad, I get happy. I’ve never had any problems with that. Life comes and goes in waves and so does sadness. I try my best to be happy and exude that.” This mentality partially comes from how Robert grappled with anxiety when he was younger, and it’s grown stronger as the years have passed. These are defining aspects of Robert’s story, but they’re only a snapshot of the

PHOTO BY: ANDRES ALFONSO

whole picture. In the future, Robert intends to work at his parents’ restaurant with his two other brothers after receiving his degree. For now, though, Robert will keep doing what he already has been: moving forward and being there for others. Whether it’s just a quick word or a meaningful exchange, don’t be afraid to say hello if you see Robert around— you’ll certainly get a response in kind.

“What Are You Doing to Prepare for Midterms and the SAT?” MIA MATTEO

STAFF WRITER

“I’m getting extra help from my teachers and studying, and I study by getting extra work to practice. On the exams and tests, I use process of elimination as a technique. I don’t really get stressed when I take tests though, because I know stressing won’t help.” -Freshmen, Betty Phipps “I prepare for exams by studying all of the resources that my teachers gave me. I’ve been reviewing these constantly so I can be fully prepared for them. I use online resources like quizlet and Kahoot to test myself. I’ll repeat the quiz until I get everything correct and memorize the answers and questions.” -Junior, Alejandro Hurtado

To prepare for final e ams and midterms I usually use my notes from class, go on quizlet, khan academy, and make a study guide. I use process of elimination when I’m not sure of an answer.” -Sophomore, Marcella Lesmes

“For my regular tests, I always start by making a quizlet with all of the important vocab and review a little bit each day. I also make sure I take really neat and color-coded notes in class that are easy to look back at and review. For things like math, I make sure to do a lot of practice problems from the textbook or online questions. The last thing I do is go to YouTube to find review videos about whatever my test is on, because the visuals always help me remember the material best.” -Senior, Kylie Fernandez

STUDENT LIFE CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

The Menorah Shines Bright for a Charter Sophomore: Bennett Pollack NICOLE LlANES SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

Patiently, yet eagerly, waiting for

December 22 and Hanukkah to come along, is none other than Bennett Pollack, a sophomore at Pembroke Pines Charter. Hanukkah has simply always been a part of Bennett’s life. For some, December means Christmas, Santa Claus, and presents for only one day of that month. Bennett experiences the same excitement and joy during this season, but for him Hanukkah is even more of a reason to celebrate. Bennett stated, “Hanukah is unique from other holidays celebrated during December. It’s a time when families gather together and pray. Plus, gifts are given, but unlike like Christmas it’s more than one day. You get one present daily, for eight days. I feel like this is different from other holidays and even events

when you receive and open everything at once.” In addition to celebrating, Bennett understands the story and meaning behind the holiday. To him, the story gives him strength and resilience. The whole basis of Hanukkah is based off of a light, which was believed to have died because of the hardships it was going through. However, it made it past these difficulties and continued to shine. Bennett stated, “I learned this story in the synagogue when I was younger. From when I first learned it, and still today, it pushes me to keep going, even though rough times.” Bennett is proud to be Jewish. He enjoys explaining to others exactly what Hanukkah is and the true meaning behind his sacred holiday. He gives a lot more insight and truth about the holiday, because as he said, it’s a part of him.

The Benefits of Biliteracy

PHOTO BY: MEGAN INGRAM GRAPHIC BY: JUSTIN PIERCE

Jags Go From One Jungle To The Next

MAXINE MARTINEZ FEATURES EDITOR

The biliteracy program is designed for students who have a passion for foreign languages. It provides students who have taken and passed four or more years of Spanish, with a certificate of biliteracy; meaning, they are certified to read, write, and speak in their respective languages. Hear is why this program is so important from two participants:

Mariana Colicchio “I already knew Spanish before taking any of the classes at school, but I wanted to learn the more formal style since I was so used to using it colloquial. Having this skill is such an asset and it really makes you stand out on things like your resume. It’s also just extremely beneficial considering we live in South Florida and Spanish is very common.” - Laura Montano, 12th grade

“I think from both a cultural and pragmatic standpoint, especially living in South Florida, knowing how to speak Spanish correctly, and not just speaking broken Spanish, has so many advantages. It just opens so many doors for you, for example, my sister got an internship at TeleMundo because she spoke Spanish. Also, you just get to communicate with more people. When you speak with someone who speaks mainly Spanish and knows a little bit of English, you lose so much in that translation. On the other hand, when you legitimately speak Spanish, it opens up a lot of opportunities.”

Laura Montano

PHOTOS DONATED BY: CECILE CASTRO, ROMINA TORCHIA, CAITLYN CABRERA

STUDENT LIFE CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

PHOTO BY: DOMINICK ZARCADOOLAS PHOTOS DONATED BY: SOPHIA CORTES

PPCHS Artists Gogh To Art Basel

ENTERTAINMENT

The Dethroning of

CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

GABRIELA CARVAJAL STAFF WRITER

The time has come where the reigning champion in the streaming service industry, Netflix,

Graphic By: Jasmin Bleus

is starting to become the old trend. With the rise in streaming services, companies have been trying to implement their own streaming services to topple Netflix from its untouchable status. Over the past couple of quarters in the stock market, it seems that their strategy is working in their favor with Netflix, losing more than 5% in their shares. Junior Samantha Pheto expressed, “I believe Netflix will continue to soar on the stock market, even if they lost some value.” According to analysts, the companies that seemed to pose a threat were Disney, Warner Brothers, NBCUniversal, and Prime Video. These four are the biggest names due to the advertising of their product. For Disney, analysts predict that they will be the ones to really challenge the ability Netflix can attract customers. When Disney+ debuts on November 12, they are planning to offer two plans for families to choose from. Families have the option of paying $6.99 a month or a bundle package including Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu+ for $12.99 a month. So far this will be Netflix’s weakness: pricing. With companies competing for the same consumer, the pricing for each will vary, especially when bundles are involved. For this reason, Netflix will be affected since their pricing will continue to rise, especially in some countries. With Netflix struggling, they spent over $1.8 billion on ads last year. Currently the standard rate for Netflix includes $9 a month, $13 a month for HD streaming and two simultaneously viewers, and $16 a month for 4k streaming with four simultaneously viewers. Disney’s payment plan attracts the vast majority of consumers - as opposed to Netflix - so this will be in their favor, especially with the fact that Disney+ is expected to draw an estimated 160 million, more than the 139 million Netflix has been able to attract. In fact, Netflix’s CEO Reed Hastings’ acknowledged the fact that their competition will continue to rise, especially with companies Disney and Apple. (Yahoo) So far, Netflix is blaming their weak content for the dip in sales, specifically with the setback of losing “Friends” and “The Office” to Warner Brothers. In fact, Netflix has lost its “subscriber addition target in the last reported quarter, since the price hike. [Consequently], they lost [approximately] 130,000 US subscribers against the expect[ed] growth of 0.3 million.” (Yahoo) To make matters worse, Disney has banned any sort of advertising regarding Netflix on their television networks, ABC or Freeform. Ever since companies have started to announce their releases of their own streaming services, Netflix has started to dip in the stock market, such as on October 18th when their stock fell 6.2%. The only thing Netflix has going for them is the fact that they have been able to attract international customers and even that is scheduled to slow down as the scale grows smaller for them. They did try when they spent $15 billion this year on content compared to the $12 billion in 2018. (Yahoo) Even that content has its own agenda with Netflix focusing on movies, documentaries, and international content to appeal to consumers. Sophomore Francesca Dello-Strologo said, “Based on the content I watch, I feel their content still seems to be relevant/current enough for teenagers to consider.” Aside from Disney, AppleTV+ is planned to stream on November 1st starting at $5 a month and if one buys one of their devices you can get 1 year free. They expect that since they spent over $6 billion for original contention from ONLY 5 shows this will be able to attract customers, since Apple TV is offered to all the IOS devices out there. Amazon Prime video is also expected to rise to the occasion with the prediction that by 2021 “the number of Prime Video viewers will reach one-third of the US population.” (emarketer.com) Senior Christ-in Berry stated, “From all the options available, I would still choose Netflix since I can resume back to the shows and since I am in Dual Enrollment this allows me to have a discount.” With all the options available, it all depends on the content and pricing to factor in which service you would rather pay for. Recognize that even though Disney among the other streaming services pose a threat, Netflix has its own problems. The main problem is referred to economists as market saturation. “That is when emerging companies reach maturity and their growth slows. In turn, slow growth creates a zero-sum business environment whereby there is a fight for market share, which leads to price wars.” (Forbes) Therefore, “[this is going to] kill the momentum for the company’s stock on Wall Street. (Forbes) Sad to say, that at the rate the streaming service industry is rising cable will soon take hard hits, especially with the services being cost effective. Some cable companies can cost $40+ a month for the basic plan, while the streaming services can cost as little as $5 a month. Freshman Natalia Montgomery says, “The original cable, is practically gone. However, with almost every TV company releasing their own streaming service, we are in a way recreating cable television.” Basically “the market for streaming video has been driven by low subscription costs relative to traditional pay TV.” (Forbes) So far this is what customers have grown accustomed to, which is why companies have been bending over backwards to be one of the best streaming service providers out there.

Your Favorite Freshman Yenni Estevez- Elf because the main character reminds me of myself. He’s just so optimistic and happy that watching the movie makes me happy! Freshman Nicole Fuxman- The Grinch because the main character has a really interesting character development that you don’t usually see in Christmas movies. It’s also a funny movie to watch during the holidays. Sophomore Alyssa Chin- Christmas with Holly because it’s a heartwarming film to watch and I like the bond the characters have with each other! Hallmark movies may be cheesy at times, but this one is very sweet. Sophomore Dahia Remy- Polar Express because it’s heartwarming and makes me feel in the spirit of the holidays. I used to watch it in elementary school and it reminds me of being a kid. Junior Amaya John- A Christmas Story because it’s fun to watch and it’s such a classic! I love watching it because it’s just so funny, one of the best comedy Christmas movies out there. Junior Adrian Lomelli- Good Luck Charlie: Holiday Special because it’s really funny and Good Luck Charlie is a classic! Can’t go wrong with this show during the holidays. Senior Ranen Wise- I loved A Charlie Brown Christmas and Frosty the Snowman as a kid. I like how heartwarming both of them are, that’s the main reason I would watch them a lot! Also the style of Frosty the Snowman screams “I was animated by a Japanese company,” which is really cool.

Graphic By: Rosa Gomez Senior Maria-Luisa Paredes: The Polar Express of course! I don’t remember much when I was a kid, but my mom told me that I would dress up in fluffy socks and drink hot coco whenever I watched the movie, which was a lot! It’s just a movie that can bring out the kid in anyone, I love it even now.

10 ENTERTAINMENT

CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

All I Want for Christmas Is A Good Song BRIANNA BUTLER LIFESTYLE EDITOR

As the winter months approach, one holiday always appears to overshadow any other event. Decorations come up as early as the first days of November, and many have already started getting into the Christmas spirit well before the time has arrived. To reflect this trend, radios have already begun to play Christmas music—much to the joy, or possibly annoyance, of others. Despite the varying opinions of this music, one thing for sure: Christmas songs have a certain uniqueness that separates them from the norm. This proceeds to beg the question: what makes a good Christmas song? One of the easiest ways to identify a Christmas song is based on the signature sound effects in the background. “The instrumental is definitely something to prioritize,” begins freshman Jeylah Vasquez. “Sleigh bells and other festive beats gives a song a jolly tone.” Christmas music is often associated with a very upbeat effect, and many include the sounds of rhythmic bells or a beat that seems to become so addictive it won’t get out of your head no matter how many other songs you play afterwards. “Christmas sounds are a must,” states junior Samantha Lowe. “Jingle bells are always the first things to come to mind.” These tunes become easy to remember and it feels almost impossible to forget how Christmas songs sound like no matter what time of the year it is. Lyrics are another important priority when it comes to making a good, memorable song for the holidays. These songs use vivid details and attempt to create an atmosphere that describes the ideal Christmas. Many have the same settings, from either playing in the snow to enjoying the warm fire with family. “Honestly, a good Christmas song has to have something about snow,” describes junior Nina Ally. “Every iconic hit seems to incorporate it somehow.” Most songs begin the same way she stated, creating the idea of a winter wonderland everyone can picture in their minds—even if they live in Florida. It is extremely difficult to integrate new Christmas songs into playlists, and there are always many iconic hits that never seem to die out. “When it comes to Christmas songs, it all comes down to nostalgia,” states senior Chiamaka Osakwe. “No new Christmas songs can or will ever compare to the classic songs due to the memories linked with them. Whenever you hear one, I don’t think it’s the melody getting you into the holiday spirit, but remembering the past ones.” A perfect example of this is the song “White Christmas,” which has been around since the 1940’s and covered over 500 times. Nostalgia is a large factor in determining whether something is considered a Christmas song, due to its ability to transport the listener back in time to reminisce on previous years. It allows a person to associate the song with positive thoughts and wonderful memories, a perfect way to start a holiday dedicated to kindness. There is no singular way to determine what makes a good Christmas song. However, many people agree on the idea that it must have a catchy tune and familiar sound effects, describe a vivid winter scene, and bring a sense of nostalgia that brings back memories. Graphic By: Rosa Gomez

THE RESURRECTION OF MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE SOPHIA CORTES ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Halloween has always been surrounded with stories of the dead rising from the grave. Entire cultures have based traditions on the belief that on one night of the year, the veil between the world of the living and the dead becomes transparent, almost nonexistent, allowing the spirits of those who have now passed on to return to their loved ones for an evening of remembrance and celebration of life. The last Halloween of the decade holds no exception to this belief, as while people were adding last minute costume changes, getting ready for the hordes of candy loving children to arrive at their door, or preparing for a night of festivities with the start of Día de los Muertos, many others were receiving the shock of their lifetime. Mid 2000s rock sensations My Chemical Romance had crawled out of the decrepit emo grave of the past and were now firmly lodged in the present. Fans from South Florida, USA to Cape Town, South Africa, casual or diehard, young or old, were all collectively losing their minds over the once supposed “dead forever” band that had meant so much to so many people. Twitter was flooded with 30 year olds trying to explain to their bosses why they started crying, to 15 year olds live tweeting how they had to sneak into the school bathroom to freak out in peace. Within an hour, My Chemical Romance was number two on the trending list on Twitter and had surpassed the Halloween hashtag on Tumblr. Graphic By: Justin Pierce The band’s humble New Jersey origins, love of the macabre, and the tragic events of 9/11 are what started them on their first album, “I Brought You My Bullets You Brought Me Your Love,” a hodgepodge of hardcore punk and metal tracks tied together with the lyrics of a 1800s gothic poet. Their avid love for storytelling, passionate mission to give a voice to the voiceless, and otherworldly musical geniuses are what propelled them into the spotlight of early 2000s pop culture, and into the Billboard charts with the gothic “Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge,” rock opera “The Black Parade,” and futuristic “Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys.” For twelve thunderous years filled with soaring highs and crushing lows, My Chemical Romance, armed with love in one hand and passion in the other, rocked the world to its core. Then on March 22nd, 2013, the band announced their death. Fans around the world held vigil for their fallen heroes, while many denied their break up and proceeded to come up with elaborate theories on how and when the band would make their triumphant return from the grave. But the band was over. Forever mourned by those who came before and after the break up. For six years the former band members went on their own separate ways, creating comics, music, and even a hit Netflix show, but with no hope of ever getting back together. That was, of course, until Halloween 2019 when a mysterious Instagram account appeared seemingly out of nowhere. With each cryptic story posted, with each strange tweet tweeted, fans were slowly coming to realize that the impossible was quickly becoming possible. My Chemical Romance had risen from the grave. Within the span of a few weeks, the band had announced a reunion show in California on December 20th, 2019, a festival in New Zealand on March 25th, Download Festival in Australia and Japan on March 20th Japan and March 29th. While no new tour dates nor new music have been announced as of late, fans are excitedly hoping for the possibility of My Chemical Romance performing in their city with new music. My Chemical Romance, as a band, as an idea, has given hope to the hopeless and have fought through their music for the beaten and the unwelcomed. The future of the band is now filled with endless possibilities no one thought would be possible, they faked their death and came back to the world of the living with open arms. While no one knows what the future of My Chemical Romance holds, what is certain is that it will be spectacular.

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the New House of Mouse SAMANTHA CRUZ STAFF WRITER

The saying “where dreams come true” has finally been played out thanks to the release of Disney+. After the long anticipated wait, millions of Disney fans can finally have a library full of Disney classics for their devices. The movie selection is vast and contains many of the all-time favorites, and even includes short films. Even the original short film that started it all, Steamboat Willie, is available for streaming. Many original Disney Channel shows such as That’s So Raven, Lizzie McGuire, and even Hannah Montana are throwbacks featured in the streaming service. Viewers aren’t just limited to children shows however. The Simpsons are also available, offering 30 seasons of the show available for binging. You can also watch films and shows made by National Geographic and Marvel. There really is something for everyone. They also have some exclusive content, such as the live action Lady and the Tramp and The Mandalorian. Parents can now share their own memories and films that they enjoyed as a child with their own children. Prices range as low as $6.99 a month, or $69.99 a year, which is significantly cheaper than Disney’s main streaming competitor Netflix. They’ve even offered the option to bundle their app with Hulu and ESPN. With that being said, because the release date was so soon, the app still being developed for more devices. So far they are only available on iPhones, Androids, tablets, and smart TVs. Disney has really gone to infinity and beyond with the concept of a streaming service limited to their own films. They are slowly starting to take off their content from Netflix, in hopes to gain more attention for their own company. Many people have really been impressed by the streaming service and are waiting for more exclusive content and films, but certain reviews given through customers have featured a little confusion. Some films are not featured on the app, possibly due to the harsh viewpoints featured in them, but some are urging Disney not to try to filter the past and instead feature the whole collection of Disney films. Aside from that, the reviews have been overall impressed and satisfied. As millions across the world enjoy watching films for the generations and make memories together as a family, it’s important to remember one thing. As Walt Disney himself quoted, “It all started with a mouse.”

“Give PAULA Him the Glory” RODRIGUEZ-LILLQUIST Kanye West’s new album, Jesus Is King, has shocked the nation and is soaring in the Billboard charts. The album has heavily contrasted his other songs. In this album he sings to God and depicts when he began looking at the bigger picture in life. Many people are shocked at the changes Kanye has made to his music. In the song making process he stated “I didn’t know how to sing to God.” In this album there is definitely a shift from his original music to this new album. His profanity that has been commonly used in his songs is absent in his work. However, by doing this it has taken a large toll on the views towards his new album. Senior Madison Lopez states, “I don’t know how to feel about this new album. I think that it is pretty cool that he has made spiritual connection but, I don’t know how far his spirituality makes up for past actions.” It is still his style of music but with a deeper underlying meaning. By connecting to Jesus he has also attracted a new audience, Christians and Catholics. While he is Christian, he further connects to the larger religious groups who are alike. Kanye’s political views has surprisingly also had an effect on the audience’s opinion. Freshmen Sofia Benitez states, “The songs that I have listened to feel a lot more spiritual but, I still like his old music better.” A pastor in Georgia refuses to endorse this new album due to Kanye’s supportive view on Trump. While he might have gone off the deep end by certain decisions he has made in the past, many can see how he came back, with most singers we see him being “saved” by another and the realization of something larger. Even though he is embracing God in his life, many believe that this new chapter in his life does not make up for his past actions. His lyrics “Every knee shall bow/Every tongue confess,” strongly relates to his religion hinting at the fact that confession will bring salvation. Over and over again we see him connecting with the audience through religion in this album. While views towards this album might have changed, Kanye’s self-success has soared. Junior Brian Lynch states “I like how he is focusing on religion than other topics.” By focusing on Jesus he has showed how he differentiates from the other rappers. However

TECH EDITOR

has connecting with God in this album sacrificed the beat and style everyone has loved? Sophomore Megan Lear states, “Kanye West’s new album is alright, it’s different from his other music but, I’m not super into the gospels stuff.” This has ultimately lead to mixed views on his music. While the new album had created much controversy and critiques on West’s personal views, this new chapter in his life has many eagerly expecting what the artist has in store with future albums. Graphic By: Carolina Othon

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What Is Something You Are Thankful For That A Random Stranger Did For You? SAMANTHA CRUZ

“I remember one time when I was younger, I was lost in an unfamiliar place,and I couldn’t find my parents. I was getting really worried and I had to ask a stranger for directions. I was really scared that they’d be rude or be unwilling to help me, but surprisingly, they were really kind and gave me clear directions. I’ve had this happen before, and some strangers were really unhelpful, but I was so thankful for this stranger because they helped me during a really stressful moment!” - Freshman Rebecca Lim

“I had gotten in a minor car accident on my way to the airport, clearly our fault. The guy we hit could’ve gotten mad and called the police, but instead he paid us to cover damages and told us to have a blessed day.” - Sophomore Valentina Machuca

STAFF WRITER

“I’m thankful for a random man in Wawa. After my shift at work, I wanted a sandwich and a milkshake but I didn’t have my wallet. This guy came up to me and was wondering why I wasn’t getting anything. As a joke, I responded with “Yeah, would you like to pay for me?” and he’s like’ Yeah sure!” and gave me $20. So I got my milkshake and sandwich and I wanted to thank him and give him his change back but I never saw him after I paid.” - Senior Andrew Sandoval

Photo by: Jeinily Bencon

“One time I was waiting in the drive-through line at Starbucks and the person in front of me paid for my order. It was a simple thing but it really made my day.” - Junior Gina Medich

Kill ‘Em With Kindness

Graphic By: Rosa Gomez

MIA MATEO

STAFF WRITER

student walks down the hall and gets fired at by a bunch of negative comments. They walk around with bruises, not on the outside but on the inside. Being kind is making the most powerful and positive choice in the way you respond to someone. We have to remember how important it is to be kind to others, because we don’t know what’s going on in their life. Kindness is the key to making a person’s day. No matter what someone is going through, if we are kind, we can change their mood completely. Senior Madison Hurtado states, “I believe that everyone is good, so why treat someone bad when you don’t even know what’s going on in their life? If you see something wrong, help out! There’s nothing bad about being good. Just like Ellen Degeneres says, “Be kind to one another.” We have all been in a situation where someone says a rude comment and we don’t know how to respond – we just stand there like a deer caught in the headlights. Instead of firing back with a hateful comment, we can respond with a kind answer. Junior Alejandro Hurtado says, “We should respond to hate with kindness because if you think about it, when you respond with kindness, the hater has not accomplished anything. Also we should learn to love because nowadays many people aren’t shown love and even

the little things can change people’s lives.” Even though it may feel good to respond back to someone with equal nasty force, it won’t feel good upon thinking about it afterwards. Don’t let people’s negativity bring out the negativity in you. People act a certain way for certain reasons. Someone may fire at you with a rude comment because they’ve had a bad day. The natural tendency for people is to respond with equal anger. Our thoughts right away are that they are wrong and out of line, but responding with equal amount of anger won’t do anything to end the argument. To end an argument, we need to look at why we are taking the negative comment personally. Did they even mean it? Are they just trying to look cool? Sophomore Lorenzo Hurtado Muscarella says, “We should respond to hate with kindness; it makes more kids all around the country happier and gives them confidence to be themselves.” If we respond to hate with kindness, people notice. They might not notice right away that you are truly being kind, but once they notice the relationship you have with that person, it will change. Imagine you haven’t eaten breakfast and you got in a fight with someone in your family and it totally changed you

mood. You are walking through the halls and instead of someone coming up to you with a mean comment, they come up to you and compliment your smile. It is way easier to deal with it than getting put in an uncomfortable situation and not knowing what to say. Even if someone doesn’t say anything cruel, we can be kind to people just to spread positivity and make people happy. Being nice to others make people feel more included and it makes people not have to always be worried about what someone is going to say to them. Freshman Rudra Bittner expressed, “It is primitive to be kind to those around you in school. Here at Charter, we are a jaguar family and must be there for each other as we are all going through the same things. To bring hate to a place of refuge for some students is uncalled for and simply needless. The jaguar family should provide an inclusive space and have respect and love for one another.” We are all going through struggles, instead of being hateful to each other we should come together and help each other get through it. Not only does kindness boost your emotional mood, but it also boosts your immune system. Being nice to others can affect the chemical balance of your

heart. Kindness releases the hormone oxytocin, and, according to Dr. David Hamilton, “oxytocin causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide in blood vessels, which dilates (expands) the blood vessels. This reduces blood pressure and therefore oxytocin is known as a ‘cardioprotective’ hormone because it protects the heart (by lowering blood pressure)” (quietrev.com). Being kind not only helps our mental health, but our physical health too. Responding to someone with something positive shows that you are the bigger person and it is something we should all try doing more often. Remember to always be kind to others and go by Amelia Earhart’s famous quote, “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” To further explain, when you spread kindness, you can make someone else start being nice to people because they liked the feeling of you being kind to them. Next time you are about to say something negative to someone, think before you speak.

Photo Donated By: Gabriela Carvajal

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It’s Time to be Kind GABRIELA CARVAJAL STAFF WRITER

ow do you define kindness? It is by someone’s actions, their words, or is it through their body language? Regardless of your definition, this year a local school, Panther Run Elementary, has been promoting this simple characteristic to young students. Imagine a kindergartener lending a pencil to their fellow classmates or even giving them support by being their friend. These actions display kindness in some of the most simplest of ways. In elementary school, one is still developing their traits as well as their core values. Junior Sama Ali believe, “Overall, kindness isn’t that hard when you are trying to teach a 5 year old, but when trying to teach a highschooler the same lesson it is often hard since they are set in their ways. Usually when you instill kindness in a child it becomes a way of life and it follows them for life.” For Panther Run Elementary the spread of kindness is promoted as one of their values. As a school they participate

in the kindness initiative that the City of Pembroke Pines is trying to push, such as the Kindness picnic or Pines Kindness Day. As an elementary student there are a few challenges one can face, especially in terms of bullying. Solving this issue is a prioritized initiative in schools. With the rise of malicious intentions, students must be able to manage these difficulties effectively. Many students end up fighting back, causing problems for both children involved, instead of handling it calmly. As one starts to learn compassion, their outlook on life changes; therefore, they can handle situations of bullying more maturely. If that particular child is bullying you for being different, then this is your moment to spread awareness and compliment them. Most of the time, bullies tend to be conflicted with themselves or jealous of the victim’s characteristics. Freshman Tyler Riesgo stated, “The ways I spread kindness is on a daily basis where I usually compliment my fellow classmates on their hair or even their outfits.” These little actions can be lifesavers and can be used on a daily basis. These characteristics may be forgotten due to the increased pressures elementary students can face. With music being a popular outlet to

reach children Ms. Roulhac’s 4th/5th super class were able to create remixes to Drake’s, “God’s Plan” and Bruno Mar’s, “24K Magic” to spread the power of kindness. Lorenzo Carvajal, a current student in Ms. Roulhac’s class expressed, “I love her class. Even though homework is always there I have learned so much on giving back to my community.” In fact, this teacher also implemented Kids in C.A.P.E.S to her class. Kids in C.A.P.E.S is a program that promotes kindness throughout the school, performs kindness songs, and participates in community service. Some activities include PAW PACKS for the Early Literacy Initiative, (donating coloring books and crayons to Haiti), and the Super Buddies program. Super Buddies is a program similar to Best Buddies at the high school level. At Panther Run Elementary there is quite a large population of autistic kids, so Mrs. Roulhac’s super class entertains the kids by playing board games. Sophomore Jeslyn Chako says, “With school being a strong support when it comes to kindness they should also add assemblies to their campaign. I am thinking since they did the same approach from the ‘Start with Hello’ campaign I believe it will have the same success when discussing kindness.” These are just a few examples of how students learn compassion. It has been said that kindness “increases

your ability to form meaningful connections with others” (teachthought.com). The feeling of acceptance is always a factor that comes into play when dealing with elementary students, so if one student displays positive characteristic others will follow by example. Children who feel well-liked experience higher self-esteem and improved mental health. Remember when we would ask our parents’ if they need any help? Well, “helpers’ high” is something a little kid experiences every time they offer assistance. With that being said, when kids are helping each other this will not only lift one child, but two! These two children would then practice a more inclusive mentality as opposed to someone who wasn’t exposed to kindness at all. In fact at PPCHS, senior Moeed Haq said, “In my time here as a student at PPCHS I firmly believe this school is kind.” Kindness is something we should all possess, and in reality it isn’t hard to do when one can just be holding the door for someone else. Kindness can be displayed in many ways, and the fact that we can not only be nice but care for each other is hoped to be an aid in building a better community. Through the promotion of these characteristics, many hope that students will grow into leaders of society with positive outlooks and viewpoints Graphic By: Justin Pierce

Senior Naveen Farook Spreads Kindness, One Week at a Time KIERSTEN WARREN

indness. A word that means so much to people, but is often forgotten by most. Acts of kindness, no matter how small, can have the biggest impact on anyone’s life and really make a difference. Senior Naveen Farook helps spread kindness to Bangladesh, on the other side of the world by volunteering with an organization dear to her heart. Founded in 1999, by a BangladeshiAmerican, Dr. Iftikher Mahmood, the organization was created with the intention of helping people in need. Naveen expressed, “The Hope Foundation Bangladesh is a non-profit organization that raises money to provide free medical treatment for women and children in Bangladesh.” She’s been very committed to this organization and has been helping the women and children in this South Asian country for a while. “I’ve been a part of it since I was about 7, back when I was volunteering with my sister in 2009. We fundraised for it and watched it grow and expand to such an incredible thing.” To say that this organization has had an impact on her life is an understatement. The amount of volunteering that she’s done is incredible, and has, as a result, made an

STUDENT LIFE

amazing difference in the lives of the Bangladeshi people. Although it may seem far away, there is never a distance too far that prevents us from giving back. Trying to sum up the big influence that the Hope Foundation has made on her, Farook says, “There is something humbling about knowing your time and efforts are being translated into treatment that preserves life. The experience keeps grounded and grateful for the life I’ve lived, that I was lucky enough to never feel that illnesses needed medical attention were a burden.” Bangladesh may be only a small country of only 160 million people, but, not all of the citizens have the privilege of healthcare to protect them. Volunteering for this organization has also helped shape her political views on the topic of healthcare. “I know I’m doing my part to provide what I believe should be a universal right, and I strongly encourage others to go out into the community and volunteer for an effort that they are passionate about.” Naveen agrees that volunteering really puts things into perspective about your life, and how privileged we all really are. Even the little things that we take for granted, like clean water and

shelter, aren’t available to many people around the world. Nothing can put these into more than giving back to people who don’t have them. Spreading kindness can be as simple as holding the door open for people in between classes, but we shouldn’t just limit ourselves to these simple acts of good. Naveen goes above in beyond in spreading her overflowing kindness to people. Volunteering is one of the many ways to make a lasting impact on someone’s life. We never know where volunteering may take us, and no one should be afraid to expand your horizons and open yourself up to new opportunities. Photo By: Francesca Brito

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Photo By: Nico Barcelo

Photo By: Jeinily Bencon

NICOLE LLANES STAFF WRITER

“What I’m hopeful for is to be able to help my family in Puerto Rico. After the hurricane they were tremendously affected and just haven’t been able to be the same. I want to be able to make a difference and help them financially, or any other way possible.” - Freshman Laisha Laracuente

“I hope my grandfather can finally and properly finish rehab. He’s usually stubborn and hard-headed but I hope he’s able to overcome this and finish all the way through.” - Sophomore Carolina Calonge

“I hope my academics are able to take me far in the future. I hope by either gaining the AICE Diploma or Bright Futures, that I can get a full ride scholarship to a school of my choice.” - Junior Bradi Stewart

“I hope after all these years of school that I’ll be able to finally get into the college of my choice, UM. I hope all my hard work finally pays off.” - Senior Dylan Toledo

Photo By: Yoko Witkowski

Graphic By: Shane Wooden

Photo By: Aijah Harper

What Does Hope Mean to You? ARIANA ORTIZ

WEB MANGING EDITOR

ope. The word carries the weight of the world’s spirit in a mere four letters. When disaster or tragedy strikes, the word hope is repeated on a constant loop by everyone involved. “We must keep up hope.” “We just need to have hope.” “At least we still have hope.” We use hope to lift us up when the world seems to be falling down. As a high school student in 2019, it often seems that hope has disappeared in recent years. With social media as prevalent as ever, international news is available at the tip of our fingers. The media is constantly overrun with sorrowful stories of injustice. Every short newscast I get a glimpse of on TV and every ‘Moment’ on Twitter is another devastating event that has striked out country. We live in a world where everyday children go to school hoping that their name won’t be the next one plastered on every social media outlet followed by sympathetic words from people all over the country. We live in a world where people are afraid to go to the movies or shopping malls. We live in a world where people are looked at as terrorists simply because of their religion and

the color of their skin. In the midst of this national divide and deep rooted prejudice, there is one thing that allows spirits to continue to thrive and grow: hope. Our society operates and even flourishes on the idea that hope is still alive. Hope gives us something to believe in. In today’s world, it becomes extremely difficult to keep hope alive, but no matter how catastrophic

the issue, hope has broken through and prevailed each and every time. Rather than dreams of surreal aspirations or an act of miracles, hope is the feelings in our bodies that give us the strength to push through hard situations. Hope is what manifests our desires and ambitions into reality. Throughout all of our lives, there will be times where our ability to

have hope is put to the test and we have to find our hope within ourselves. During these moments we often forget what hope has the power to do. Although hope is not a miraculous solution to the world’s issues, its presence can bring us comfort and sanity in the midst of tragedy. After all, it is when hope is lost that the real tragedy will begin.

Graphic By: Jaxen Wyborny

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Trick-or-treating is seen as a standard

procedure every Halloween for jags. As many students disregard the kids who are not fortunate enough to afford the luxuries we can, Key Club decided to take the initiative in raising money for underprivileged kids. This past Halloween, Key Club designed a fundraiser to help the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), an organization that helps kids all around the world. Unlike many organizations, “89% of every dollar spent goes directly to help children” (UNICEF Organization). The majority of the money collected went directly to the cause, ensuring that every donation to this organization was put to the best use possible. As sophomore and Key Club member Carolina Calongue described it, “UNICEF is focused towards helping children - which is all of us - and I think it’s good to raise awareness for some kids who aren’t as lucky as us to be healthy. For example, trick-or-treat for UNICEF is a current event where Key Club raises money to fund awareness and research for Mothers and Neonatal Tetanus through little orange boxes in every class’s homeroom.” Key Club placed box-

SAMANTHA MIRAGLIOTTA STAFF WRITER

es in each classroom where students can donate money. Whether it be loose change or dollar bills, every donation is appreciated by the club and thousands of children around the globe, as the money will be put towards crises all around the world where kids are desperately struggling. While Key Club is focused on raising money for Mothers and Neonatal Tetanus, this worldwide organization will impact millions. Freshman Daniel Zambrano states, “This organization is very good because it helps kids in need at an international level.” One ongoing project within the organization is delivering polio vaccines to kids in areas who need to build an immunity to it. Malnutrition is another epidemic countless underdeveloped countries all around the world face, and UNICEF has taken the problem into their own hands by helping feed the children and ensuring they receive the right nutrients to sustain their bodies. As evidently portrayed, UNICEF has endless benefits that continue to help children worldwide. While some kids may believe that their small donation of one dollar might not be enough, it is more than enough for the organization to use. With

that one dollar, UNICEF can provide safe water to a child for more than two months. This large and impactful donation will surely have a large effect on people in the area. Additionally, all the small donations continuing to be collected will lead to larger donations. With three dollars, UNICEF can provide seven packets of therapeutic food, which will further result to the end of world hunger. By donating, each student has the chance of helping a child in need which can feel like such a rewarding experience. President of Key Club and junior Zoe Lawerence says, “I have been in Key Club since freshman year and I have to say that trick-or-treat for UNICEF has been one of my favorite events because it’s promoted around my birthday and helps to raise awareness and funds for mothers and babies suffering from prenatal tetanus.” Key Club is helping the worldwide community and further extending the

Photo By: Andres Alfonso

outreach of the children in Pines. As best said by senior Sebastian Metellus, “The money can not only be used for creating an educational infrastructure, but establishing the power of hope in communities. UNICEF is known for supplying basic resources such as food and water. Their impact will mostly likely alter communities for the better with their advanced medical units and their hospitality for others.” By bringing awareness to these causes Key Club has connected Pines Charter to international problems.

The Starry Night’s Light for Poetry NICOLE LLANES SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

it up only by a few dangling lights on the walls and candles along the walkway, were numerous students. With their eyes caught in a gaze and ears wishing for more. Their bodies were on the edge of their seats and their voices silent, hoping not to miss a single line. The minute the bell rang on December 4, students from buildings U to S could be seen rushing to M building. They all had hopes to get the best front row seats, for the amazing event of the week: Recite Night. This event was NEHS 4th annual, and they didn’t disappoint. All through the halls on Wednesday, those anxious few were flipping or scrolling through their poems. Memorizing the lines, the pauses, the emotions, and most importantly the understanding. The anxiety and suspense only grew as the clock ticked closer and closer to 2:15. The Re-

cite Night wasn’t just an event for the students pleasure, but also a challenge. They had to memorize the poem, and be able to showcase the emotion it created through their voices. If done so, they had the opportunity of being part of the Poetry Out Loud competition. However, some of the stress was washed away once they entered Ms.Schwab’s debate room. The debate room was transformed. From an ordinary class with a few desks, some chairs, and posters, to a beautiful starry night. The lights were dimmed, the only lights were those of dangling lights on the walls and candles along the walkway, which all represented tiny little stars. Focused, however, was the single microphone, waiting in the corner for that voice. It was surrounded by a backdrop of stars, with varying shades of yellow, and one pearly white full moon. A freshman, Laisha Laracuente, wasn’t a participant of this event but part of the audience. She stated, “It was amazing the way they were able to transform the debate room. I genuinely felt like I was just staring up at the night sky, with a clear view of all the stars.” The true beauty however, was the performers and their choice of poems. Walking up to the microphone were 30 performers. All reciting their poems over and over again with each step, all think-

ing of that one goal: moving on to the Poetry Out Loud Contest. One contestant, Samantha Villafane, a sophmore, recited the poem “Self-Help” by Micheal Ryan. She claimed, “It was really nerve wracking because you have to memorize it word for word. It was really stressful preparing but I overall hope and think I delivered my performance.” Mutual feelings flowed throughout all the participants. Kelly Bravo, a senior, stated, “After reciting my piece, I felt more confident and empowered to stand up there and recite such a beautiful poem.” She recited “Mad Girl’s Love” by Sylvia Plath. The bravery and focus of these participants could be seen from the seats. Bradi Stewart, a junior and part of the audience, was in awe at all these performers. She explained, “Going up in front of all these people is nerve wracking, especially when you also have to recite the poem perfectly. It’s amazing what all the performers were able to accomplish.” All in all, the Recite Night offered a unique and dazzling experience for the audience and performers. After the last performer recited their poem, a sense of victory danced over all the participants. The stress of performing was over, but now the anxiety of wondering who those lucky few were going to be. The lucky few being those that would move on the Poetry Slam. This event gave students a few beautiful words to live by, and NEHS another successful Recite Night.

Photos By: Andres Alfonso

EDEPTHS SCAPING THE OF THE JUNGLES Rho Kappa

CLUBS 17

CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

SAMANTHA MIRAGLIOTTA STAFF WRITER

On October 24, Charter’s very own high school created an escape room called “Escape the Jungle”. The Social Studies honor society, or in other words known as Rho Kappa sponsored and made the escape room to raise money for their club. The Social Studies Honor society, made the escape room to represent what Charter is about, and pride for their school. The decorations made participants feel as if you were prowling through the uncut, murky rainforest. Senior Reyna Wakeland commented, “The escape room was very challenging, but it was a lot of fun nonetheless, and I would definitely do it again!” It turns out the escape room was a bigger success than ever imaginable for the. The theme “Escape the Jungle” went almost perfectly with our school’s mascot the Jaguar, showing exactly where the mighty Jaguar lives and breathes. When participating in the escape room, students were greeted with a friendly and descriptive video instructing on how to get through each room while using maps and clues to uncover keys. Then they must use those keys to find the door to escape. The escape room was a huge hit at PPCHS. Students like sophomore Lucas Valdes confessed, “It was cool, mysterious, and had character. I for one absolutely loved the designs and creative artwork.” The fun factor was evidently there leaving students speechless and wanting more, which begs the question if Charter High should do more activities like the escape room. Junior Makenzie Ahern said “It is a resounding yes from me, the escape room proved to be worth it.” Due to the success rate of the escape room, students at Charter are definitely at agreement for hosting more escape rooms. “Fear the Paw” and Jaguar Pride Day are all things that inspired the creation of the “Escape Room”. Those who participated witnessed walk-through puzzles and entertainment throughout the visual journey of the fauna and flora of the jungle. Freshman Kaitlin Fernandez stated that, “Although the escape room was a fantastic experience, it was on the downside too short; my group went through it with ease leaving us with a lot of time on our hands.” The escape room left fellow jaguars like Kaitlen Fernandes begging for more. The escape room included everyone to participate, providing challenges and fun. Overall, many students around the school can agree and testify that the escape room captured the essence of our school showing exactly what Rho Kappa has to offer.

Clubs

CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

ROBOTS ASSEMBLE! GABRIELA CARVAJAL STAFF WRITER

It was merely two years ago when PPCHS started

they would discuss important dates

of the results, we are still competing at other competitions, so in the

its own Robotics team, and look at how success-

and the upcoming competitions

meantime we are perfecting our new edition robots.” This is true; in

ful it has grown to be! It is quite impressive to

with the revisions needed. Another

the upcoming months, they have at least 3 other competitions lined up,

see such an aspiration turned into a reality. For

member of the club, sophomore

naming Jingle Bots (December), Robo Slam (January), and then states

Captain Brady Garrison, this day couldn’t have

Alex Garcia-Martin, confessed,

(February). With states around the corner, they have plenty of time to

gone any better. He first found his love for engi-

“For me, I’ve known my team [for]

revise and perfect their masterpieces. Sponsor Ms. Estevez conveys,

neering and robotics when he was very young. To

quite a while, which has granted

“[It is crazy to think how it all started with] just an engineering club,

put his passion to work, he later participated at the

us to work more efficiently. I’m

but when we had kids come from West who desired to have a club at

Charter West Campus’s Robotics team and further

extremely elated about making it to

the high school level, we had to make room for them and combine both

advanced his capabilities and knowledge. His goal

states, so our goal to make it to the

robotics and engineering.” As this team continues to soar, it will only

is to use his understanding in robotics and engi-

world championship is starting to

be a matter of time before they’re recognized nationally, so keep your

neering to help the world. Brady stated, “When

come true.” With the success this

we first started the team, I was very excited to see

team has had, they plan to continue

what we were capable of. So, when we heard the

being a part of the Robotics team

news that we were going to states, I couldn’t help

and will definitely use these experi-

but think how incredible that was. I would have

ences in the future. “Who knows,

never imagined such an opportunity so soon.” For

maybe I’ll use these experiences as

sure, this announcement was a motivational push

a possible career,’’ Garcia-Martin

shedding light on the potential this team has, and

mentions. One can definitely agree

whether this team wins or not, it was still such a

that this Robotics team is break-

successful run.

ing the barriers with their success.

It sure was an incredible experience going to such a competition and qualifying to states. A member of the team, junior Pedro Osorio, expressed, “This competition at Palmetto Bay was our second competition, so it was just as nerve-wracking as the first, seeing dozens of teams on the field scoring unbelievable amounts. But, when we started our rounds, everything melted away.” The members were quite surprised to hear that their placement of 2nd still allowed them to participate in states. For these members to start this club, there are benefits that go along with it. This club not only strengthens STEM skills and promotes a sense of professionalism, but also exposes students to the experience of working and leading others while being respectful and patient. During the meets

Captain Brady quotes, “Regardless

Graphic By: BRYAN LARA

CLUBS CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Stop Judging, Start Loving: Choose Love Showcase Celebrates Friendship and Community SAMANTHA MIRAGLIOTTA AND MARIANA RIANO STAFF WRITER AND CARTOONIST

The Choose Love Showcase is an event full of friendship, community, and love, hosted by the clubs, Best Buddies and OUTLOUD. A myriad of PPCHS clubs came out to the showcase to tell their stories and remind the school that it is important to make people of all backgrounds feel safe and included. Participating members were the Black Student Union, Muslim Student Association, Fashion Club, Latin Dance, Chorus, the debate team, and Asian Pacific Club. Sophomore Sabrina Araugo, a member Best Buddies, said the goal of the performance was “to promote acceptance, choosing love, and accepting others through singing, dancing, speeches, and poems.” This theme was carried into performances, where students shared their own experiences. Many were as much about celebrating the community’s strengths as they were recounting negative experiences with it. Black Student Union performed a powerful act about equality, diversity, and inclusion in the community. Not all pieces were spoken, however; Latin Dance and Asia Pacific stopped the show with lively dances from

around the world, highlighting the variety of demographics present both in Charter and in the larger community. Co-hosting was Senior Jenna Manning, president of OUTLOUD. She said she was excited to see “the members of OUTLOUD… express themselves in a way that is according to the theme [of Choose Love].” Choose Love marked the only OUTLOUD showcase in Charter history, and she hopes it is the first of many. The Showcase was a huge hit among students and performers alike. Sophomore Valentina Menenses from OUTLOUD said that it pushed her far out of her comfort zone. “Even though I look like a potato,” she joked, “I would go again.” A handful of performers were met with a standing ovation, especially the dance groups, who elevated the energy in the room with enthusiastic productions. The electricity of the performances was a perfect reminder of the diversity at school and in the city of Pembroke Pines. It goes to show that when the community puts their strengths together, great things can be accomplished.

Winter Fantasy Preview

KIERSTEN WARREN STUDENT LIFE

As the holiday season approaches, another PPCHS winter tradition continues: Winter Fantasy! The ongoing holiday tradition at Charter continues to entertain and captivate students, along with helping them get in the holiday spirit. The show features everyone’s favorite acts, ranging from musicals and monologues to dances, plays, and songs. The drama department, including all of Ms. Abreu’s classes, have been working hard to produce an entertaining and top-quality show. While this show may be primarily drama-led, other classes in the pines charter elective departments are involved. Due to IE’s being on December 7th, advanced drama students, or students in drama 3 and 4, most likely will perform the same pieces for PPCHS. Since IE’s are this Saturday (December 7th), Ms. Abreu has yet to reveal the pieces that will be in the show, but we can expect that it will be amazing! Tickets go on sale this week during A & B lunch for $5, so don’t miss out jags!

SPORTS CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

SENIORS HAVE BIG FINISH ON

SENIOR NIGHT MICHAEL MUELA

Friday, November 1st was both a special and emotional

night, as eight of the finest players to ever put on a Jaguar football uniform were honored at Municipal Stadium. It was Senior Night for the PPCHS Varsity football team, where these eight players were playing in their final high school game (and maybe the last game in their career) ever. Senior Malik Irons is a starting defensive lineman. When asked about being honored, he said it felt “Great.” He confirmed that he will miss high school football when it’s all said and done. It was a tough game from the very beginning, as senior quarterback Matthew Wong fumbled the snap, turning the ball over on the first play of the game. On the defense’s second possession, Pompano scored on a long pass play (thanks to 2 pass interference calls on Charter), but failed the two-point conversion. Junior Emmanuel Roman was very frustrated with the officials. “We had bad refs that kept making bad calls and it was so annoying. What’s worse is that the other team kept talking so much trash thinking that they’re good when they’re really not.” At the end of the first quarter, the Golden Tornadoes led the Jaguars 6-0. Late in the second quarter, Anthony Dimanche came up with a big interception to give the Jags the football back. Once Pompano possessed the football after another Jaguar punt, they ran the ball, and Charter forced and recovered a fumble. Charter was marching down the field, but time ran out before the Jags could score, and thus they trailed 6-0 at halftime. After the Jags turned the ball over to start the second half, safety Brendan Richardson picked off Pompano’s pass, giving momentum back to the Jaguar offense. But that momentum was short lived, as both offenses stalled heading into the fourth quarter with Pompano maintain-

SPORTS EDITOR

ing their 6-0 lead. 5 plays later, and Pompano pulled off another long pass that went for a touchdown. Following the successful twopoint conversion, the Golden Tornadoes led 14-0. The Jaguar offense still had trouble moving the ball downfield, as yet another fumble gave Pompano possession. Thankfully, the defense did their job, forcing a punt. Charter tried to surprise Pompano by taking a deep shot downfield, but the pass was intercepted. Darius Butler did his job by getting back-to-back sacks on third and fourth down, giving the Jaguars another opportunity to put some points on the board. After 5 plays and a false start penalty, the Jags faced 3rd & 15. Freshman Luca Mancini was “A little disappointed especially with how hard these guys worked.” Attempting another long pass, Charter was intercepted for the second time, resulting in the sixth turnover of the game. Pompano scored on another breakout run, giving the Golden Tornadoes a 21-0 lead. On the final play of the game, the Jags’ pass was intercepted. Following the tackle, the two teams exchanged words, shoving began between the two sides, both sidelines rushed onto the field and an all out brawl ensued. Sophomore Jeremy Rodriguez reacted to the fight. “I was shocked at how we reacted to their constant bickering, but at the same time, I understood what was going on since it was some of our players’ final game.” The game was called off by the officials, as Charter lost 21-0, falling to 3-6 on the season. For the senior Jaguars who played their final game, it was a disgusting end to some great careers. For the Jags who will be on the team next year, they will be suspended six games if they fought on the field, and the senior banquet has also been cancelled.

Photos by Andres Alfonso

Volleyball Season Recap and Senior Night JOSHUA LASARTE STAFF WRITER

The Pembroke Pines Charter Jaguars girls varsity vol-

leyball team finished the 2019 season with a record of 9-8. At the end of the season, the girls hosted Archbishop McCArthy on Senior Night, Wednesday, October 16. The Jaguars ended the season with a 3-2 loss but the seniors will remember this season. In the previous year, the lady Jaguars volleyball went to the second round of the playoffs but lost 3-2 to West Broward. After that disappointing loss, the Jaguars bounced back and went back to the playoffs. Even though they lost a playoff game, the Jaguars are still in the regional playoffs and have hopes to win the state championship. Freshman player Jessica McIntosh stated that “it was a great experience playing with seniors. I learned how they play and how to better myself as a player.” Being able to have older players allows young stars to learn how to lead a team and become the best player they can. With a winning record above .500, the Pembroke Pines Charter ladies volleyball team was ranked as the 237th best team in Florida. The Jaguars were also ranked 4822nd in the country. At the start of the season, the Jaguars had a seven game skid starting them off with an 0-7 record. They then bounced back with a nine game win streak including the playoffs, but that win streak was

snapped by Archbishop McCarthy. Although this was the last season for the seniors, they united this team and are passing down lessons for the younger players. Junior player Natalie Hernandez said, “That the seniors are my best friends and they have taught me how to be a leader and step up to lead the team.” She also said, “We have a 100% chance to win states if we are able to step up and play as a team.” Through ups and downs, this girls volleyball team is sticking together and have their eyes on the trophy. The lady Jaguars were just eliminated from regionals after a 3-0 loss in the playoffs. With this loss, the seniors lost their opportunity to win a state championship, but they have left a mark on the team. The seniors have been able to make the underclassmen step and become leaders that can take this team to the state championship.

Not only do the Jags believe that they can win it all, the whole school has been supporting them and cheering them on. Zachary Phillips, a senior at Pines Charter, stated that “I have gone to every home game to support the best volleyball team.” Students know that this team can be great and has potential to be the best team in the state. Throughout the beginning of the school year, girls volleyball games have had the most consistent attendance. Colin Gonzalez, a sophomore at Pines Charter says, “The volleyball team is the best team in the school right now so we always support them.” With a winning record and a team playing with so much heart, it is no question that they will bounce back next season to be even better. Next year should be a great year because of all the lessons that the seniors left in their final year.

Photo by Andres Alfonso

SPORTS CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

JAG STUDENT ATHLETES Joshua Evans

Matthew Cilli

Dakota Parsons

JOSHUA LASARTE

SEBASTIAN ALVAREZ

STAFF WRITER

Joshua Evans, a senior running back, will go down as Dakota Parsons, a senior fullback, is a vital piece of the one of the best players to step on the field for the class of 2020 as a Pines Charter Jaguar. His impact has been felt by the team, both on and off the field in practice. Evans helped lead the Jaguars to their first home win in the last five years, a moment he will always remember. Joshua said, “Just to see that score on the scoreboard just put a pin in my heart and it was really a heart-touching moment.” Josh has shown how much love and heart he has for the game and it rubs off on his teammates. One of the biggest improvements from this team is their incredible work ethic and heart that they have. Evans said, “The new work ethic helps put us in a good mindset and helps us feel ready because we worked our tails off.” Josh works incredibly hard and displays so much heart on the field in order to help his team win. As his final game approaches, he hopes to put his heart to the test to push his team to victory. Easily his biggest weapon that he uses on the field is not his body, but his mind. Evans said, “I don’t feel pain and no one in my way can stop me, if you are in my way I get you out of my way.” This mindset has helped Evans become a great leader for the team and he now has hopes of playing at the next level. He hopes to play division two football but then work until he makes his way up to division one.

2020 Jaguars and is a current captain for the Jags. Parsons is known to be very loud and vocal on the sideline in order to rally this team to play as one. He says, “I hope we set the path for future classes by showing that hardwork and dedication pays off and gives you the results you want.” Dakota hopes to not only leave a mark as a great player, but an even better leader. As he prepares to play in his final games he wants to inspire the future players to work hard and play with all your heart. Parsons said, “In my final game I want to be carried off the field, I don’t want anything left in me, I don’t want to go back to the locker room and think he could have done this or that.” As a leader, Dakota does not want to quit because he wants to set an example as a hard worker and wants to keep this team’s morale up.

If You Love Something, You’ll Find the Time To Do It: Coral Scottland MAXINE MARTINEZ FEATURES EDITOR

There are only 24 hours in a day and for

Coral Scotland, each one has been calculated to fit in her busy life filled with school, work, and cheerleading. She began her cheer career in 10th grade and has since then made it part of her daily routine. For two hours every day after school, she would or could be seen practicing. This is on top of her commitments to school and her devotion to work. It’s been years since her initial tryouts to be on the cheer team at the end of freshman year. Now a senior, Coral has added one more thing to her busy plate: co cheer captain. The sport already made her preoccupied with many practices and games, but now that time was doubled due to the

planning she was now in charge of. All of this, however, does not come without its benefits. “Cheer has taught me time management, discipline, and the value of teamwork,” expressed Scotland. “Before cheer, all my past teamwork experiences were academic and tended to turn into more of one person doing the majority of work and pulling through for everyone. When you’re on a sports team like cheer, that isn’t an option. Everyone has to pull their weight equally and that’s something I’ve come to value greatly while being on this team.” It is this mindset that has made Scotland such a great and motivating leader. She leads by example and works diligently with her cocaptain, Hailey Marin, in creating a great

Photo by Andres Alfonso

he 5’11” 274 pound beast in Matthew Cilli is one of the 4 team captains for the Jaguars and is a senior. Cilli is a guard/tackle for the team, in other words he makes sure no one of the opposing side gets to the QB to sack him. Matthew is clearly a grit and grind player, and with him being the captain, everyone on the team works even harder to be on the same level as Matthew. He states, “If I don’t lead by example and work hard then my brothers (teammates) won’t be motivated to push themselves.” With Matthew playing all 4 years with the Jags, he’s been through it all, the tough games, the fun ones, and most of all the 1st home game the Jags have won in 5 years. “That home win was definitely the best moment I’ve had with this team. It’s the first win I’ve experienced here at our field and the 1st for the school in 5 years.” Mathhew’s parents come to all of his games. It’s easy to see his mom, Mrs.Cilli cheering for his team, and then his Dad who, normally with his arms crossed, gives the team tough love. “My parents know I love the game, when I get injured they know I’ll go through the pain and continue. Cilli wishes to play football in college but is aware of how competitive it is to make it to a roster. “If it doesn’t work out, then it doesn’t work out. I’m aware of the thousands of players who wish to play on a college football team.” Clearly a realistic mindset is what Matthew has. Either way, he’ll try his best to play college football. “I would love to play football in college, but I’m just not sure where I’ll go. Expect to see a Jaguar play college football either way, he has high hopes and will work hard-

A Lifetime of Cheer: Hailey Marin MAXINE MARTINEZ FEATURES EDITOR

Dedication, sweat, tears, and love. These have been the building blocks of Hailey Marin’s life since she was six years old and first entered the world of cheer. Years later and Marin has outgrown many things, but her passion for the sport is not one of them. A senior at PPCHS and one of the school’s cheer captains, she has devoted her final year to giving a proper farewell to her first love. From the Pasadena Panthers to the Element All-Stars, and finally the Broward Elite, Hailey has cheered on multiple teams and competed all over the country. When she finally decided to stop competitive cheer and focus on her high school team, she quickly became an asset. Only a sophomore but it was clear she had a

talent for leading. Now she is finally a senior and has been given a rightful position as captain. “I wanted to become captain because I started on this team as a sophomore (which at the time was the earliest one can be on the team) and I’ve known all the girls for a long time. I also wanted to fix all the issues that I’ve seen.” Despite the struggles in managing everyone’s schedules, Hailey, along with her co-captain Coral, has managed to make an extraordinary team that highlights everyone’s skills. Despite Hailey’s sadness in seeing her high school career in cheer come closer to an end, it is evident that she has a bright future whether its inside or outside the cheer world.

Photo by Andres Alfonso

SPORTS CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Pines Charter Family Event Brings the Heat

Flashback to the Past: PPCHS Students Remember their Favorite Championship Series MICHAEL MUELA SPORTS EDITOR

KIERSTEN WARREN AND ALLEN MATTHEW STUDENT LIFE AND NEWS EDITOR

The Miami Heat are partnering up with

local schools, but this statement means a lot more when that school is home to the Jaguars. The Pembroke Pines Charter School Foundation, in conjunction with Florida’s most recognizable NBA team, has decided to host a “Family Fundraising Night” at the American Airlines Arena on December 6th, 2019. The move is unprecedented but welcomed as it incentivizes attendance and raises money that goes back into the school system. According to the Charter School Administration email that was sent out, every ticket purchased brings ten dollars back to the PPCSF. Sophomore Alexis Galletta says, “This is a good idea for parents to get hours, especially if they like basketball. It also presents the opportunity for a fun game night for the family.” In addition, as senior Jordyn Mastrosimone observed, “[This opportunity] the school is giving the students helps cover different interests [in] the student body.” The game itself is also set to be an interesting one, with the Washington Wizards coming down to play the Heat, right in the middle of the Miami team’s home turf and their perpetually rooting fans’ cheers. Scheduled to start at 8 p.m., this family night knocks any previous records on ending

times out completely, which admittedly could be less than ideal for a number of parents. Two things make this more manageable, however: the two hours each attending family is given for attending, and the promised post-game foul shot. Freshman Camila King says, “A lot of families that I know are considering going to the game, and that shows that it was a good idea.” Every purchasing guest receives an opportunity to shoot a free throw after the Wizards-Heat game wraps up, which, coupled with the fact that it is a Friday night, is sure to bring out excited supporters out of the woodwork. Junior Ahmari Avin says, “It’s a unique opportunity, and it makes supporting our schools really fun, even if it is just for one night.” In addition, discounted tickets are being sold straight to Charter families, and any questions are asked to be directly sent to Miami Heat representative David Quire. The Miami Heat game on December 6th, is sure to bring out many excited Pines Charter spectators. In fact, the more families that attend this upcoming and promising NBA game, the more money goes to the Pembroke Pines Charter School Foundation, which always benefits the students, one way or another.

In the past, we’ve witnessed some of the most memorable championships of all time: Lakers vs. Celtics, Red Sox vs. Yankees, and Eagles vs. Patriots. These were all great, but students at PPCHS have their own opinions on what the greatest championship is. The NBA is full of great rivalries that have produced some notable championship series, such as the ‘70s and ‘80s Lakers and Celtics, and the late ‘90s Bulls and Jazz. But some students in particular have their own remarkable series. “Raptors vs Warriors,” said freshman Luca Mancini. “I just liked seeing a different matchup than Warriors vs Cavaliers for 3 years,” Mancini expressed. Junior Emmanuel Roman also liked the 2019 clash between Toronto and Golden State. “Golden State was having a four-year win streak and it was upsetting because they always win, and I don’t like a team that always wins unless it’s my team,” he said. “When Golden State lost to the Raptors, it felt like the king had been slayed!” Roman confessed. We can only wait to see who’ll emerge on top this season. In baseball, classic rivalries have resulted in some of the greatest championship series ever, including the 2003 NLCS between the Marlins and Cubs, 2004 ALCS Red Sox and Yankees, and the 2019 World Series with the Nationals and Astros. But

according to one student, none of these are the best series ever. Senior Daniel Dellostrologo really enjoyed the World Series back in 2016. “My favorite World Series has to be the Cubs vs Indians. I think seeing the Cubs win after 108 years in a row made game 7 pretty special for me.” At the time, the Cubs hadn’t won the World Series since 1908. In the NFL, rivalries can turn into championships in an instant: Dallas and Pittsburgh in the ‘70s, San Francisco and Cincinnati in the ‘80s, and New England and the Giants in the 2000s and 2010s. But some students have a different Super Bowl in their memory. Sophomore Jeremy Rodriguez’s favorite Super Bowl was Super Bowl 50 between the Broncos and Panthers because he was there to see it live. He also liked it because of “the activities around San Francisco and because it wasn’t the Patriots.” The Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl the following year. Each sport has produced a championship series that’ll leave their fans wanting more. The MLB has high hopes after the epic 7-game series last year, the NBA expects a lot from the Clippers and Lakers, and the NFL probably wants to see someone other than the Patriots go to the Super Bowl for once. We’re all in the waiting game now.

Name that Sports Capital! GABRIELA CARVAJAL

At PPCHS a wide range of sports lovers can be found, each one more passionate than the one before about a specific team or game. However this is true for schools around the whole country, making it difficult to know where exactly in the US could be the sports capital. In a student run poll, many students at PPCHS feel that Los Angeles ranks number one to being considered a sports capital. Freshman Daniel Gomez quoted, “In the NBA, I feel LA ranks as the sports capital. Even though this league has more games and a longer season, they seem to always have the popular players. So far, when I look at other cities containing good teams, LA is the one who attracts the most because of a bigger platform. Social media as well as the opportunities LA has makes it a more attractive city. Even in the other leagues they are quite noticeable.” However LA isn’t the only town that’s host to sport superstars. Boston, Massachusetts is one of those cities that is already at the top of the list. Historically speaking, Boston is another city reeling in those superstars. In the ’80s they won 3 NBA championships, in the 2000s the Boston Red Sox won 2 World Series, in the ’70s the Bruins won 2 NHL championships, and the Patriots brought home 6 Super Bowls between 2002-2019. With the help of Tom Brady and his supporting cast, Boston has been able to become successful city in the world of sports. Junior Felipe Cunha quotes, “When we are talk-

STAFF WRITER

ing about the sports capital I look into their roster along with their success as a team. Since I favor soccer, I feel LA also brings in the heat as the sports capital. First of all, LA has always had the most famous players, which in turn grants their teams to be the best. Of course, they aren’t the only

on two superstar free agents (Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant), the Giants lost Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns, and the Jets are slowly making their way in the AFC East. With that being said, NY does make a claim, especially when speaking about baseball because of the Yankees!

ones who have had a successful run, yet just as an overall city who has the capability to not only attract players and a solid fan base is commendable enough to be titled the sports capital.” High schoolers just like Daniel and Felipe feel LA is the town to crown, but what about the others? When we look at New York, they have a fan base like no other, even though their teams, besides the Brooklyn Nets have had worse seasons. The Knicks lost out

This team has always made an appearance in the playoffs from 1995-2007 making their 13-year postseason streak one of the longest in MLB history. Indeed, New York can argue as the sports capital with the deep roots this city has with its fans and teams alike. Besides New York, Texas also it a contender to be the sports capital. Sophomore Soel Ledgister claims, “I commend Texas for having noteworthy teams and mak-

ing themselves know; yet, I also feel LA makes the cut as the sports capital. For starters, LA is defined as the entertainment capital making veterans (ie. Lebron James) to flock because of the number of opportunities they have. LA also has many sponsorships making the players’ paydays a bit bigger. The teams in LA have also been quite phenomenal. LA has the Clippers, Lakers, 49ers, etc.; just those teams alone should already declare them the sports capital.” Besides the fact that LA has a hefty argument with the number of popular players they have, Texas has also been able to make their case with their productive Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Cowboys, and the Houston Astros! Those Astros were the headlights of Texas closing in to almost being the 2019 World Series Champions, so let’s not discount their capabilities as becoming the sports capital. Considering the number of cities America can consider the sports capital, PPCHS has emphasized that LA is the sports capital. While LA isn’t the only city to be considered, they seem to have a more inviting environment as opposed to other cities. They are considered the entertainment capital, as they have the most extraordinary lineups with the most popular players, which brings in a concrete fan base. Hence, PPCHS believes LA can be crowned the sports capital. So, what do you think makes a sports capital and where would that be in the US?

Graphic by: Carolina Othon

SPORTS CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Kiedran, Kiedran Jr., and Willis: This Story’s a Touchdown

JOSHUA LASARTE AND SEBASTIAN ALVAREZ

Have you ever wondered who the guy in charge is on the sideline? The Pembroke Pines Charter football team is led by head coach Kiedran Willis, who has been with the team for years. Coach Willis took the head coaching job for the Jaguars football team four years ago and has led the Jags to a record of 3-6, one of the best they have had in recent years. He is not just the head coach for the Jags, but he’s also the defensive coordinator. All of the hard work and leadership shown by Coach Willis has been able to bring in special honors. In 2019, Coach Willis was chosen to lead the South BCAA All-Star Football team and will be coaching four of his senior players in the game. Willis was the youngest of four kids and has three older sisters; yet, he became the first in his family to graduate from college with a bachelor degree that he earned from FAMU in Tallahassee, Florida. Willis said, “My mom put a lot of pressure on me because I was the only one to graduate college and that drove to get where I am today.” In his young life, his mom played an important role in developing him into the man that he is today. She taught him how to be responsible from a young age, while also being a leader and separating himself from people that were bad influences on him. His mom also taught him that in order to be suc-

STAFF WRITERS

cessful and do what you want to do, you have to be focused and determined, a lesson he hopes to pass down to his team and son. Coach Willis also happens to have a son, Keidran Jr., who attends Pembroke Pines Charter, and although his son is not on the football team yet, he hopes there will most likely be a father-son duo leading Charter. Willis said, “That would be a great way to bond and he will love being able to connect through an activity.” Coach Willis hopes to coach his son in high school and believes that it will be one of his greatest achievements. His coaching career began at Fort Lauderdale High School as a defensive line coach. After time he gained experience, he made connections, and open his eyes further to the world of football. With this momentum he would he would get an offer to coach at his dream high school, Trinity high school, “But things didn’t work out” Coach Willis states. And that’s when Pines Charter stepped in. Willis saw that “The school needed that big step.” Shortly after, they welcomed him to the football program. Before becoming the varsity football head coach, Coach Willis was the junior varsity and flag football coach. Coach Willis said “I have always wanted to lead and teach people to go in the right direction.” With this type of drive and mentality, there’s no

question why his players love having him as a coach. When he came to Charter, he made his main focus creating a different culture for the team and taking them to the next level. When he finally became the head coach, he took one player with him to varsity: Joshua Evans. Evans is currently the 1st string running back for the Jags, and he’s a one of a kind player. Coach saw Evans grow as he coached him at the junior varsity level. “I saw how hard he competed, and no matter how much everybody doubted him, he always felt he could do it,” he said. Josh and Coach went to the Varsity level and dominated. They both even won their first home game together, and the duo will always be remembered as a one of a kind pairing in Charter history. The love Coach Willis has for football can’t be explained in words, it’s just something he wants to be a part of everyday. His dedication to the game is off the charts, and you could tell because after every game he forgets celebrating. Instead, he focuses on the next game, which is why the whole culture of the football team is a grit and grind type mentality. Every day practice and film from previous plays is what Coach surrounds his players with. His love for football began with a hint of Lawrence Taylor, who played the same

Photo by Francesca Brito position that Coach played when he played football, which was the linebacker position. He fell in love with the game once he watched Taylor make tremendous sacks, force fumbles, and the big amount of focus Lawrence had, a trait that Willis now carries with him. Coach Willis has other loves such as basketball; but, his heart belongs to football. With this he has many opinions on the sport. If you ask Coach Willis, who is the greatest football player of all time, he’d tell you, “Tom Brady,” and when it comes to the greatest argument in sports, the MJ or LeBron GOAT conversation, Coach simply goes with Michael Jordan. Never be afraid to have a conversation with a tall, big man in Coach Willis. A simple, “Good morning, sir” can go a long way. It may even earn you a spot on the football team.

National Signing Day

Mia Prieto

Ryan Martinez

MICHAEL MUELA

JOSHUA LASARTE

SPORTS EDITOR

STAFF WRITER

National Signing Day is a big day for any high school athlete that’s graduating. It’s the day where they publicly announce what college they will be committing to. For one PPCHS student in particular, this was a very special day. Mia Prieto is one of the stars on the PPCHS Girls Soccer team. This year, Mia is playing in her final season at PPCHS, and she’s really looking forward to it. “It’s kind of a bittersweet feeling,” she said. “I’m happy to be playing my final year, but I’m sad because I know it’s my final year. I want to make the most of it.” Mia started playing soccer at the age of 4, and after getting into travel at 8, she realized how much she loved the game. It made her feel happier about herself. Prieto went through a difficult time committing to just one college, but when she made her final decision, she couldn’t have been more thrilled. “I chose Presbyterian College because even though it’s in South Carolina, it felt like home. I felt welcomed and comfortable, even though it’s a new experience.” One of the other main reasons that Mia chose Presbyterian is that she received a scholarship to play there. Mia claims that the whole reason she signed was because she’ll be playing soccer there. “I’m so excited to play at the next level with a new team and new people.” We want to thank Mia Prieto for her contributions to Charter soccer and wish her the best in the next chapter of her life.

Any sport player knows the amount of dedication that comes with giving your all to the game you love, especially to those who hope to take their career to the next level. After years of hard work, Pines Charter baseball star Ryan Martinez was able to commit to a college for the chance to play college baseball, and as a result accomplished a goal aspired by many. He was one of three athletes from Pines Charter to commit in a single week. Ryan was ranked 8lst in the state and committed to Salem University, which is a small private Division II School located in West Virginia. The official commitment to Salem University came on November 13, 2019. Not only did Ryan set himself up for success in the future, he also had a major impact on his teammates. In high school, Ryan was not just a baseball player, he also played basketball for the Jaguars. Throughout his four years of high school, Ryan has helped his team and his teammates become the best they can be. According to sophomore Dean Guzman, “Ryan is a talented ball player, and is always the life of the team and works hard every day at practice, while making us work just as hard.” Ryan’s impact on PPCHS will continue to be felt even when he is playing in college.

Erika Andal SEBASTIAN ALVAREZ STAFF WRITER

Erika Andal is ranked as the 21st best softball player in Florida by MaxPreps. After she graduates in May, she’ll be heading to Boston College for softball. “They have really good athletic facilities and academic wise, they’re on of the top in the country,” Erika explains on why she chose Boston College. She officially signed on November 13, 2019. She is a versatile player, as she plays 2nd base and center field. This big time university has gotten themselves a grit and grind caliber player. The senior coming out of Pines Charter had her best season during her sophomore year. With a batting average of .526, an on base percentage of .586, 40 hits, and 9 RBI’s in 27 games played, her outstanding play got her into the position she’s in now. Andal says her favorite memory of being a Jaguar was winning the state championship in 2018. “Winning the state title, that was really fun.” She’ll leave the state of Florida with a story to tell for sure. From warm winters to cold winters, Erika will study biology when she gets to Boston College.

Photo by Andres Alfonso

24 LIFESTYLE

CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

Class of 2020 Goes Broke REBEKAH JACOB MANGING EDITOR

Grad

bash, prom, homecoming, senior jerseys, college applications, club dues⁠—these are only a few things that senior year encompasses whos costs altogether are astronomical. And although it’s only been 2 out of the 9 months of the school year, the prices are inevitable and rising higher than ever before as seniors are exposed to new and rather confounding stuff to cover bases with before even thinking about graduation. With this being said, PPCHS seniors are surely up for a challenge this year, and finding ways to maneuver through these pricey blockades. College applications - one of the most daunting tasks that robs seniors out of their money. Varying within different schools, a typical Florida university application cost is about $30. Times that by 4 (the average number of universities a student applies to), and you got a whopping $120 to subtract off your paycheck. However, some PPCHS Jags are applying up to 13 different schools. Senior Maria Paredes says, “My parents want us to apply to as many schools as possible so that I have a “better chance of being accepted into at least one. Senior year in general is very expensive and the additional costs of applications is unnecessary. I’m lucky to have parents that’ll pay the application fee for me but there are some parents who apply to like 3 schools because they just can’t afford it, which to me is utterly ridiculous.” Paredes is applying to 13 schools, 3 being in-state and 10 out-of-state. Furthermore,

out-of-state and/or private universities can cost up to almost $200 per application. And all for what? To see if you may or may not have gotten in? A student isn’t even guaran-

teed a sacred spot at their desired school even after paying a rather unsettling and enormous amount of money. “Having applying to 6 different schools, the costs have already proven itself beyond insane, and I have a gut feeling I probably won’t even get into some of them. It’s disheartening, really, and it stresses me out just thinking about it,” expresses senior

Vince Charles. Students have already found themselves troubled with the anxiety that accompanies the substantial prices of college applications. Senior year does not simply surround college applications, however. Events such as grad bash, prom, and homecoming shouldn’t be forgotten, as the prices altogether add up to a jaw-dropping cost of $400! Yep, that’s right. With grad bash totaling $250, prom equating to about $80, and homecoming $45, seniors are struggling to pay these unbelievably massive costs. Senior Mercedes Mejia stated, “The costs are so high that I’m considering not even going to grad bash. There’s just way too much to cover and not enough money in my or my parents’ wallets.” Additionally, club dues (depending on how many clubs a student is in), is estimated to about $20 per club. This has evidently made it more difficult for students to get involved. Alyssa Miragliotta confessed, “Being involved in so many different extracurricular activities and clubs does become stressful, and expensive! Because of club dues topped with other things like college fees, senior year has easily become the most expensive year.” Costs have already undoubtedly restricted seniors from engaging with their class’ ongoings as well as the rest of the jag community. All in all, seniors at PPCHS have been spending an enormous amount of money on a myriad of things, from college applications to grad bash to prom. And while it can be very pricey, students are nevertheless bound to participate in all senior events to make it the most memorable year yet.

Graphic By: Bryan Lara

More Veggies on the Table PAULA RODRIGUEZ-LILLQUIST STAFF WRITER

Turkey and ham fills households throughout America on one of the most celebrated events of the year. However, my meat-free Thanksgiving is far from it. It is not uncommon for someone to question my lifestyle choices. As a three-year vegetarian, and a three-month vegan (someone who doesn’t eat animal products, ex: milk), I receive comments all the time pertaining to the nutrients I recieve or whether I miss it. People believe it is especially hard during patriotic holidays where it seems that the entirety of the holiday circulates around meat, specifically referencing the holidays approaching in November and December. Since we were all young, it has been embedded in our brains that the turkey symbolizes peace between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. With this piece of meat, we have associated thanks. With my diet change, I thought that this time of the year would be the worst for me, as turkey and pork has had a large impact on my

life in my Puerto Rican culture. Some of my earliest memories were slow-roasting a pig over a fire. Additionally, this event has been strongly advertised in the meat community, which makes it seem even more difficult for vegetarians to make it through. However, with a strong will and

my beliefs backing me up, I am able to power through this time of the year. I like to think about the animals I’m helping and the impact I am making. The main issue people are concerned about is the flavor. They believe that the turkey has a distinct flavor that cannot be matched by simply

plants. As my time as a vegetarian, I have come to realize that it is not the turkey flavor, but the spices and seasoning that really makes it unique. This realization has made the foods that I have tried to be identical to actual meat. With foods like cauliflower wings and jackfruit meat, turkey has become a distant memory. Many of the traditional foods related to Thanksgiving such as mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, stay the same. It can be difficult to find vegan alternatives, but with the growing amount of recipes becoming available to the public, it makes it a lot easier. The most common question I’m asked is “Do you miss it?” and the simple answer is, “No.” With so many alternatives, I don’t feel like I’m depriving myself of anything. Throughout our generation, we see a growing awareness of meat consumption and the problems that are related to it. In the future, I hope that meat-free holidays are not uncommon. Graphic By:

Matthew Morales

LIFESTYLE

A Christmas Carol About Ugly Sweaters CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

SOPHIA CORTES ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose, and Yuletide carols being sung by a choir. Nat King Cole wasn’t wrong in how he described Christmas, but he left out a key detail that has gotten more and more popular each year: ugly Christmas sweaters. Those often bulky red and green sweaters with loud designs have garnered a rising popularity in office parties to after-school gettogethers. “While I do think things like Hallmark movies and Coke commercials make it seem like Christmas sweaters are more popular than they actually are,” states senior Adrian Luis. He continues, saying, “They have become fairly popular, at least more so than before.” But just how did this counter-fashion holiday phenomenon begin? While sweaters have existed for as long as grandmothers have, specifically Christmas-themed sweaters started getting mass produced during the 1950s. In the decade when just about anything was getting commercialized, Christmas was no exception, and “Jingle Bell Sweaters” played a crucial part in spreading holiday cheer. “I always thought that ugly sweaters have been a thing for as long as Christmas has been,”

expressed freshman Alyssa D’Souza. D’Souza expounded on this thought, “It’s such a strong tradition and a great way to get into the Christmas spirit; it just seems like the sweaters have always been there!” It wasn’t until the 1980s when sitcoms featuring unhip dads trying their best in fashion became television norms that ugly sweaters rocketed into mainstream popularity. While the films and shows that featured these types of characters were done in an effort to poke fun at the common stereotype, the ugly Christmas sweater became a must-have for many people. And in a decade when the idea that the brighter the clothes, the cooler you’ll be, this trend was not at all surprising. Unfortunately for ugly sweater-wearers everywhere, these iconic counter-fashion pieces didn’t live long into the 90s, as they died out pretty quickly after people started trading in their puffy vests for flannel shirts. But somehow, the holiday couture survived the new millennium, and if browsing the sweater section in Target during December brings you joy, then you have to thank two Canadian men for bringing the holly jolly sweaters back into the limelight. According to the book “Ugly

Christmas Sweater Party Book: The Definitive Guide To Getting Your Ugly On,” the iconic Christmas tradition has survived thanks to the works of Chris Boyd and Jordan Birch, as they were allegedly the first to host an ugly sweater Christmas Party in Vancouver, British Columbia in 2002. “I think it’s interesting they’ve only reemerged recently,” confessed sophomore Juliana Gonzalez. “Especially considering how ugly Christmas sweaters have become, what could be considered as a staple of an American holiday tradition nowadays!” Gonzalez expressed. Since then, ugly sweaters - Christmas-themed or not - have experienced a renaissance in both normal and designer clotheslines. “Popular fashion today has really gone crazy,” says junior Jack Rivera, “even though not everyone is wearing things like see-through jackets and stuff like that, it’s still pretty out there. Christmas sweaters have also gotten crazy, but I feel like they might be a bit behind considering everything else people are wearing now.” A peruse in Guchi’s website will bring you the wildest of sweaters imaginable, and if you happen to be in New York during Fashion Week, your eccentric grandmother’s old

Graphic By: Shane Wooden knitted sweater won’t look too different from what models will be wearing on the runways. It’s a new age of fashion, where vintage meets modern to create bold and eye-catching looks, so if you’re worried that your red and white sweater adorned with light-up candy canes might be a bit “too much,” remember that Rudolph went down in history for having a bright red nose. So get out there, do the Jingle Bell Rock with your friends and family, and may your holidays be merry and bright!

Deck the Halls with Holiday Histories ALAN MATHEW NEWS EDITOR

It’s in the almost imperceptible hint of chill in the air. It hides in the earlier nights, the subtle change in the seasons, and the new (but did they ever really leave?) Santa decorations at Costco. The holiday season, with all its jingling bells, lit candles, and fake Floridian snow, has made its triumphant return once again. This year the C.H.A.T. wanted to explore a few of the holidays students around Charter celebrate during December— and explore some of the lesser known aspects of them as well! Christmas Christmas is arguably the most famous and most commonly observed holiday of the 21st century, but it wasn’t always this way. December 25, or Christmas, is tra-

ditionally a day to proclaim the birth of Christ, exchange gifts, and spend time with family. But it wasn’t until the 4th century that the Christian church decided to institute the holiday at all; up until that point, Easter was the Christian day. Before then, mid-winter times were far more pagan and far more self-indulgent. Saturnalia, for instance, was one of the most dominant festivals of the time and was known for its widespread revelry, which included free-flowing food, wine, and fun for months at a time. It’s certainly not like that anymore. Sophomore Austin Mathew commented, “What Christmas time actually means has evolved throughout the centuries, but what we have now feels the most important to me. It’s the way it feels in the air and the happiness that seems to be everywhere that makes Christmas the most special for me.” The elements of the holiday have certainly taken on a new meaning in the centuries that have passed, but this change certainly isn’t anything to miss. As freshman Nicole Becerra put it

to the C.H.A.T., “Christmas is important to me because of my family, and even though it’s sad sometimes [without my extended family with me], celebrating all at the same time makes everything really special.” Hanukkah Hanukkah, in the words of junior Emily Danzinger, is a remembrance of “those eight days of light that the Maccabees received from one candle [...] and, essentially, a celebration of the spirit of survival.” Hanukkah isn’t as easily commercialized as Christmas. It doesn’t receive the same attention during the holiday season, which means fewer and fewer people know enough about it. The history of the “Festival of Lights,” as it’s known in some circles, comes from a particularly difficult portion of Jewish history. Full of death, rebellion, and religious strife, the miracle of candlelight is what’s survived the eons and inspired the holiday as it’s known today. Festivities are spread out over the course of a few days and are mingled within cultural and religious observations. Menorahs are lit, families and communities come together, and games, food, and laughter abound. It’s a time to honor and reflect, and considering the firm history Hanukkah comes from, as it will continue to be for ages to come. Kwanzaa Kwanzaa is unique on this list because it

is both old and new. As a holiday, Kwanzaa has only been around for a little over 50 years; at the same time, even though it was created by a professor at a California college, the principles behind Kwanzaa come from centuries-old African harvest festivals (history.com). As a relatively young holiday, junior Jayvyn Dacas explains, “celebrations like Kwanzaa will never really share the spotlight [with] heavily white, or “euro-centric,” religions [or celebrations].” Dacas continued, “I do think more people should be [aware] of it and at least try to engage with the celebration as an attempt to restore those broken or lost traditions and ties to past cultures.” Much of the holiday is centered around principles of unity and highlights principles like cooperative economics and collective work and responsibility, which are “Ujamaa” and “Ujima” respectively in Swahili. The pillars that the seven days focus on are universal, but for African American observers, they reaffirm that black spaces can simultaneously return communities to their long lost roots and still remain relevant in today’s day and age. As senior Jessica Chang observes, “Acknowledging and celebrating Kwanza […] is critical to keeping with the values of inclusion and diversity that we, or at least our generation, pride ourselves on upholding.”

Graphic By: Rosa Gomez

26 TECHNOLOGY

vs Censorship

CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

SOPHIA CORTES

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Photo By: Natali Brito

Ask any teen what social media they

use, and more than likely they will respond with TikTok, a fast-paced, video-sharing platform similar to Vine in both stature and popularity. Over the past year, Tiktok has grown in popularity with almost 1.3 billion users worldwide, and over 110 million in the United States. The Beijing-based app from tech company ByteDance took to fame shortly after rebranding from Musical. ly to their current name, and with its endless ability to create skits and stories, partic-

ipate in fun and funky dance challenges. And hours upon hours of quick-witted, memefilled content, it isn’t a wonder why teens have quickly gravitated towards the app. “I love using T i k To k , ” states senior Maria Paderes, “It’s a fun platform where I get to be as weird as possible… and hopefully get famous from it!” Going viral on TikTok is what many teens have on their mind when opening the app; however, the more clicking is also flooding the feeds of the student consciousness: The rising concern of censorship. Censorship as a concept and practice has been around longer than many social media users have been alive. While it does serve its purpose in protecting media consumers from sensitive con-

tent, censorship on many famous platforms including Youtube, Instagram, and of course, TikTok, is becoming an ever-increasing issue. Many avid TikTok users can attest to the platform’s often unnecessary amount of censorship. “TikTok’s censorship gets out of hand at times,” states junior Emma Mengotti. “I think they really need to take a step back and censor things that really need to be censored,” she continues. However, this issue goes past taken-down comedy sketches, and into the dangerous realm of modern-day fake news and online political censorship. Since this past March, Hong Kong has been maintaining its spot on news headlines and trending all over social media due to protesters taking to the streets of the city to protest the government’s Fugitive Offenders amendment bill which would give China and Taiwan jurisdiction in Hong Kong. This gave rising fears of China’s Communist party taking more control over the region, which lead to many Hong Kong residents to protest the bill. The protests have received an enormous amount of coverage since March, most of the news spreading from social media sites such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. “I don’t think any sort of events like protests should be censored by social media,” states sophomore Leo Graham. He expounds on this thought, “That’s with the exception of graphic content

of course, but in general, online censorship is active in the process of silencing marginalized groups.” And TikTok was surprisingly out of the loop. Current research into the company revealed how the platform’s Beijing origins might have been the reason why. A quick search of #hongkong on the app will provide with a seemingly endless supply of funny dances, food videos, and the typical day-to-day life in Hong Kong, totaling to 138.6 million views, not a mention of any protest in site except for a single video depicting protesters calling for America to lend their help. A search for #hongkongprotest or #hongkongprotests will turn up only 25 videos between the two hashtags, while merely searching up the same hashtag on any other site will prove countless more posts and videos on the ongoing demonstrations. “It’s concerning,” states freshman Agustina Ravera, “the protests should be publicized everywhere, especially since Americans are involved with the Chinese government.” In response to the growing concern over censorship against the protests, ByteDance commented that they have seperate censoring mechanics set in place for their American users that do not coincide with China’s laws or regulations. But the search results and common censorship complaints don’t lie, the Hong Kong protests are being hidden from the American public.

THE NEW GENERATIONS MORGAN LIND STAFF WRITER

Graphic By: Carolina Othon

he escalation of gaming has been seen as an epidemic throughout the ages. With Xbox being one of the main contributors and coming out with a new console in 2020, people have already been showing interest. The new console, “Scarlett,” is already being raved about by many across the globe when it was announced at the E3 2019 Xbox press conference. In the previous years, Xbox has come out with other consoles that have drastically increased their sales such as the Xbox One S and the Xbox One X. Both came out about five years ago, but many advancements and changes have occurred since then. Sophomore and Xbox user Matthew Privat said, “The new consoles are getting more advanced and innovative than ever, allowing them to run miles faster than older generation consoles”. When new and updated products come into the market, they usually become more known and the previous products become obsolete. The new console is ex-

pecting new features such as ray tracing, 8k resolution, and fast SSD. Scarlett has also created competition between competing companies such as PlayStation (PS4), and Nintendo. Due to the information of Scarlett coming out, PlayStation has also created a new console called the “PS5,” and is planning to come out at the end of 2020, just like the Xbox’s new console, creating a battle between the two companies to see which the bigger seller becomes. Fresh-

man Henry Guzman stated, “[Xbox has] better graphics for new and better games, and [they can] make [a good profit].” The race to the release of these games are sparking up debate between the prices of the new vs outdated consoles. When deciding which console to buy, price is a very important contributor. Scarlett is anticipated to cost around $400, which is far more expensive than the previous consoles. “The new Xbox will have some new features compared

to the old one, but it is not worth buying if you have the latest one already,” expressed junior Grant Shamus. When companies keep coming out with newer products, they aren’t always the best ones to purchase. Some of the current products have small additions or fixes that aren’t much needed if you already have the original product. Senior Daniel Dellostrologo confessed, “With the new Xbox console coming out, I think it will have much better graphics and will run a lot faster than the current Xbox One.” Consumers of these products are all about the new and different aspects to each console, and for Scarlett, some just might not be interested. Xbox is a very widely-known brand and has taken over quite a bit over the years. From each new console created, more and more people and consumers have been gravitating towards the product, and with Scarlett, it might just add some more revenue to their pile.

Ditch the Lines, Not the Deals

TECHNOLOGY 27 CHARTER HIGH ACADEMIC TIMES

ALAN MATHEW NEWS EDITOR

yber Monday, the consumer holiday that promises tech savings galore, lands on December 2nd this year. The event, which is always paired with Black Friday deals, price drops, and sales incentives, falls on the first Monday after Thanksgiving every year. This one is set to be no different as stores and companies prepare themselves for what many consider to be the busiest commercial days of the year. Cyber Monday wraps up that sale-fueled weekend, so more than a few technology companies do their best to make the day memorable as to attract as curious eyes and open wallets. With the shift to online shopping becoming more prominent in recent years, Cyber Monday stands to outpace Black Friday by some estimates. According to John Copeland, head of Marketing and Customer Insights at Adobe, “Cyber Monday sales topped $7.9 billion according to Adobe Analytics data, making it the single largest shopping day in U.S. history. [We] saw a significant spike in the Buy Online, Pickup In-Store trend.” The transition to a digital world naturally increases digital sales as well; moreover, the prospect of accelerating that transition by buying tech online is more than a little attractive to some. Either way, there are plenty of items to capitalize on when December 2nd rolls around. In fact, the list’s exhaustive item count is overwhelming at times. Some of the highlights, however, are impossible to miss. Cyber Monday is the perfect stage for big name brands to step up and try to

steer the marketplace ever closer to themselves. “[GoPros are] usually $50 cheaper, at least. The iPad was $250 (and even briefly $229) during Cyber Monday last year [...] There were [also] rare incentives to getting an iPhone XR, and an even better value if you didn’t want Apple’s iPhone, with Motorola leading the pack”

(techradar.com). Marketing takes the forefront as competition gears up, and rest assured that billboards and ads will soon proclaim slashed prices and drastically reduced costs. All the same, Cyber Monday is a shopper’s delight, at least on the surface. Demand is up, prices are down, and business

Photo By: Megan Ingram

A Day Without A Phone

booms as people surge to stores. With online shopping’s increasing dominance, battling crowds becomes less and less of an issue. For senior Daniel Hemmerde, Cyber Monday provided the perfect “opportunity to buy my computer last year.” For junior Ahmari Avin, “The [deals] gave me the chance to get some things that I would’ve had to wait a while for otherwise.” For the both of them, the promotion afforded them the chance to purchase items on a discount. One Charter student even went as far as to suggest combining the day with Black Friday. Sophomore Tobechuku Onoh believes doing so would make the entire shopping process much safer as combining the days would encourage more online shopping, decreasing instances where overeager shoppers hurt others in stampedes and brawls over deals. The idea has serious merit; the preventable injuries could very easily be phased out if the structure of the buying method was altered. The day is here to stay after all. “I think that Cyber Monday is a good time to go shopping because many stores have sales, which is good for around the holidays,” observed freshman Reef Ostendorf. As the countdown continues, even more opportune deals and sales will be announced. The timing is intentional-- the efficiency of online shopping balances out the December gift rush - and there’s never been a better time to be an eagle eyed shopper.

RACHEL RIVRA

Backpack, keys, phone...check. This

morning was just like every other morning, except as I went through my checklist, I remembered that I didn’t need one key thing. Today I was going through the day without my phone. Initially, I already predicted in my head that the day was going to be bad. As a product of Generation Z, I have grown up dependent on technology - more specifically my cell phone. The feeling of panic when you don’t feel your phone in your pocket as if you’ve lost an important part of yourself stayed with me throughout the beginning of my morning. As I began rushing through slides of notes in my AP Government class, I quickly forgot about my phone’s absence. I wasn’t typically on my phone during class but I am guilty of occasionally pulling it out of my pocket to check any missed notifications or to send a quick text. Being unable to simply look at my phone shifted all my focus exclusively to the lesson being taught. Once class was over, reminders of my phone flooded my sight as my classmates pulled out theirs and popped in their headphones to walk to the next period. I was tempted to do the same, but I continued onto my next class and kept myself occupied by talking to classmates on the way. My next class held a strict “NO PHONE” policy,

VOICE VERSUS VIOLENCE

which was easy to get through, because we are always working from bell to bell. As per usual, we were given an assignment at the start of class and instructed to turn it in by the end. I began my work and not a single thought about my phone distracted me. I was now half-way through my day and this challenge began to feel not so hard - that was until lunch. Lunch time was the only time during school that I had absolutely nothing to do. On a normal day, those thirty minutes consisted of eating, talking with friends, and of course, using my phone. Today as I sat with my food surrounded by students who were occupied by their phones, I started a conversation with my peers. Before I knew it, lunch was over and our conversation spilled into the courtyard as we headed back to class. I wasn’t thinking about my feed or missed messages; Instead, I was aware of the people around me and intrigued by conversation. As I entered my last class of the day (math), I sat prepared for the lesson with my full attention. My phone had not crossed my mind in hours, and in the entire period, my focus was heightened on relative frequency and probability. As the bell rang at 2 P.M., I walked out to meet my friends once more before heading home, not having turned on my phone once the entire day.

Overall, I feel like throughout my day I developed a greater awareness of my own connectivity obsession. Although I don’t consider myself overly reliant on my devices, I did realize how dependent I am for simple things such as looking up the meaning of a word or taking a picture of extra notes on the board. This experience gave me the chance to be able to observe other people around me, who were totally immersed in their phones. I have become more conscious to the fact that using my phone so persistently in front of other people can be seen as disrespectful. Technology has its positives and negatives. This experience has allowed me to acknowledge that technology has improved my life and enabled opportunities that were once more difficult to access. However, living unplugged even for a single day led me to recognize that control and moderation are very

important. I appreciate technology and the convenience that accompanies it, but I do agree that too much technology can be detrimental. At the end of the day, I was missing neither social media nor a digital connection. I was happy for the opportunity to challenge my unhealthy daily habits, because this allowed me to give my undivided attention to my classes and interact more with the people around me. Although I cannot give up my device completely, I would like to go more days unplugged and challenge others to do the same.

Photo By: Megan Ingram

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of Kindness

Photo By: Andres Alfonso

ver the past couple of years, kindness has been noticed as the solution to the world-wide problem of bullying. With bullying becoming the initiative, schools have been implementing programs to spread awareness on such a prominent issue. If one doesn’t shed importance, some cases of bullying can lead to unfortunate effects. Today, instead of face-to-face bullying young children, teenagers must carry the burden of cyberbullying where it can follow them around. Imagine you

minding your own business on social media when all of a sudden you get attacked just because you are different. Most of the time, bullies attack when they feel threatened or attacked themselves in some way. The victim can just be themselves when, suddenly, they attack. Regardless of the reason why bullies attack, we must end any sort of bullying. A way we can end bullying is through the power of kindness. In Pembroke Pines, we have implemented this in the local elementary schools to speak on the effect kindness can bring. “When elementary students perform three acts of kindness per week, it significantly

increased their acceptance of peers compared to kids who did not perform three kind acts of kindness” (stopbullying.gov). In fact, a freshman at MLK College Preparatory School in Memphis, Tennessee was being bullied because he was wearing the same outfit since the first day of school. This Tennessee freshman quoted how he has been bullied all his life. So, since he was brutally mocked by his classmates, two football players, Kristopher Graham and Antwann Gatrrett, stepped up and decided to interfere. With the heartwarming reaction, they posted the video of them gifting this freshman their wardrobe with some new outfits to choose from. Freshamn Alinah Adorno claims, “When I first saw this video, I immediately felt bad for him. It wasn’t necessary for him to go through that, but when I saw the other two highschoolers gifting him clothes, I felt relieved and happy for him.” With this going viral on all social media platforms, it evidently brought to life the campaign to stop bullying. Along with that, bullying is something that happens on a daily basis and usually the first day of school is something that we all look forward too. On this day, we get to see our friends after a long break and getting back on schedule with homework. However, those who are bullied dread this day. Imagine (probably that freshman in Tennessee who wanted to skip school and avoid as much reminder of his unfortunate situation as possible). Realize, he isn’t the only one who goes through this on a daily basis. Probably in this school, we have students who suffer through this and we don’t even know it. Senior Jordan Smith quotes, “I myself know someone who has been bullied, and while it was a sad time for them, the experience made them stronger as a person.” This is why

as a school we must instill the mindset of inclusion and togetherness. It may seem like another thing to do, but just by talking to someone new can make their day. Note that “students who are taught kindness are more empathic, more socially aware and connected, and they receive higher grades too” (stopbullying.org). In fact, October is Bullying Prevention Month, so this is the time we should spread the awareness of promoting kindness instead of violence. To spread awareness, “State Superintendent, Mark Johnson on Monday proclaimed October “School Safety and Kindness Month.” [He] also launched the “NC Kindness Campaign” to emphasize kindness in schools as an important part of school safety. “These days we see too much violence in schools and too many problems like cyber-bullying,” Johnson said. “Sometimes, simple acts of kindness can prevent issues that may grow into tragedies” (Pulse.nc policy watch. org). With that being said, this is proof that those even in the education system feel bullying is a crucial message to get out to the public. Ashley Feng expressed, “I myself believe this is an important topic to spread awareness on, and for the school board to take the time and speak on it, it shows the support administration is willing to display.” It is all in a matter of time that society will fully embrace kindness and its positive effects on students and people alike. Overall, bullying and kindness are key topics to instill in children. Sometimes the best way in solving our problems can be by talking it out instead of fighting over it. Most of the times we over-exaggerate our problems that cause it to become bigger than what it really is, so stay calm and keep kind.

Our Voices vs. Violence SAMANTHA MIRAGLIOTTA STAFF WRITER

“Yes, I think that the upgrade in security has made me and other students feel that they are safe from threats and dangers that might come our way in the future.” -Junior, Makenzie Ahearn

“Yes, the newly added security has made feel fairly protected. For instance the fence around the school perimeter is almost as if it were a barrier to keep intruders out, allowing for me and other students to have peace of mind while learning.” -Senior, Alyssa Miragliotta

“Yes, The upgrade in security has made me feel more protected and self-aware of what the SRO’s and security guards do, like constantly keeping an eye and observing us.” -Senior, Constanza Jara

“Yes, I feel safer and securer knowing that the fence, SROs, and security are there for my protection. I also think that the upgrades in school will help us as students keep our minds at rest.” -Junior, Madison Muela

“No, to be honest I haven’t really noticed the improvements nor upgrades in the new security guards and SROs. I don’t see them do much as officers of the school or make me feel safer in any way.” -Freshman, Daniel Penalosa

“No, I do not feel it is making us safer; instead, it makes us feel as if we are in a prison with the amount of gates around the school. There really isn’t a reason for it because the gates are put there only in case of an emergency or if something were to happen, but we shouldn’t live our lives in “what ifs” we should live in the present. Overall, I feel that these precautions are not doing much to improve my safety.” -Freshman,

“No, the upgrade in security has not had much of an effect on me and I do not notice much of change in making me feel safer.” -Sophomore, Victoria Morales

“Yes, because the new SRO officers make me feel more protected within the walls of the school, thus providing a new level of safety. For instance the fence is an amazing way to have us to learn in a safe and violent free zone.” -Sophomore, Marcy Lesmes

Violence Never Takes a Holiday SAMANTHA MIRAGLIOTTA & MIA MATEO STAFF WRITERS

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Unintentional shootings spike during

the holidays, and are more likely to occur than at any other time of the year. A season full of joy and Christmas cheer, can quickly turn gruesome and deadly. A grim reminder that violence in America never takes a holiday, 27 people were killed and 63 injured in shooting incidents on Christmas Day last year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. While most are spending their holidays opening gifts with family, others are finding themselves in dire situations. Years ago, the fear of death may have stemmed mainly from children fearing the loss of their parents. The 21st century has reversed these roles, as now parents fear the life of their children while they are attending something as simple as

school. An idea that is heightened by the fact that school shootings happen just as frequently on the holidays, which might take some by surprise. Recently, on November 4, 2019, PPCHS practiced a mandatory monthly code red drill, while across the country students at Saugus High school in California experienced a real shooting. Two people were sadly killed while there are many that got injured in the process. In an act of fate that was entirely coincidental, students at PPCHS were preparing themselves for an event no one wants to experience, while a school on the opposite side of the country is under real threat. Families, students, and peers should task themselves with staying safe this holiday and make it their duty to prevent another tragic event like this from reoccurring.

GABRIELA CARVAJAL STAFF WRITER

Solidarity Across the 50-Yard Line MARIANA RIANO CARTOONIST

On game night, the The Ford Star

football stadium was still. Texas high schools Eastwood and Plano High embraced each other and prayed at half time. Players bore “El Paso Strong” stickers. A moment of silence was sustained for twenty-two seconds in honor of the twenty-two victims of the racially charged El Paso Walmart shooting. Notable is how vastly different the

schools are. Separated by almost a half day of travel, the schools are situated in districts with vastly different demographic make-ups. El Paso, found at the base of a range along the Tex-Mex border, is 83% Hispanic; El Plano High on the North Central Expressway sits near the mostly white, opulent Dallas-Fort Worth area. The football game, which was originally set to take place about two weeks after

the tragedy, was canceled. School leaders cited safety concerns due to the proximity of the stadium to the site of the shooting, especially as the shooter graduated from Plano Senior High in 2017. The cancelation was met with disappointment, notably from Plano Senior Coach Jaydon McCullough, and criticism from the community. El Paso ISD trustee Freddy Klayvel-Avalos pointed out that

the shooter was not some outside force but a resident of El Paso himself. “It made no sense as to why they were ostracizing these high school kids from our community,” he said. The district was pressed enough to reschedule the game days later. Along with the backlash came support; the Frisco ISD caught wind of the cancelation and offered the Frisco Star, headquarters for the Dallas Cowboys. It was soon made clear that the game would be about more than just football and school spirit. McCullough told news sources that he believed football taught essential lessons about coexisting. Eastwood High coach Julio Lopez also saw the importance of that night’s game. He expressed hope that it would bring El Paso residents together in the trying times to follow. The shooting, perpetrated by a white gunman, was a hate crime against the Hispanic community. Students who had complained about the game being canceled were relieved that they once again had the opportunity to reach across the gap created by the tragedy. As did players, who served as a poignant reminder that they were all united in a common love for football. Players, coaches, and communities alike agree that the game was about unity, not competition, and forging a strong bond between the coexisting racial and ethnic communities in the Lone Star state.

Graphic By: Matthew Morales

31NEWS

State of Emergency Declared over a Paralyzed Chile

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ALAN MATHEW NEWS EDITOR

Graphic By: Jaxen Wyborny

ometimes it’s the news you don’t hear about that forces you to stop and think. Chile is a Latin American country that boasts a population of over 18 million, which is about the same number of people that live in New York and Virginia combined. Chile is known for --among other things-- its culture, art, and landscapes. And as the recent state of affairs has made abundantly clear, Chile is also known for its intense socioeconomic inequality, which has created unrest in the streets, put protesters behind bars, and left several dead over the first few weeks alone. The protests began in the third week of October over what appeared to be inconsequential at first: a subway fare hike of

4%. This price increase, however, while on the surface small, has triggered outcry and resistance on a national level. To Americans, this response may seem irrational or unproportional; nonetheless, the fare hike was simply the last straw in a country where transportation costs alone take a fifth of the average monthly income. Junior Arvin Saji commented, “When prices are that high, widespread apprehension and doubt are inevitable.” Freshman Amanda Roman expounded on this thought, saying, “Many cannot afford this rise, especially since 50% of Chilean workers earn less than 400,000 pesos per month, which is 550 U.S. dollars. There is a growing need for economic and political help for Chile, [therefore], it should be receiving more awareness.” Even in spite of this, though, Chile was considered by many to be the last place in South America to face such economic difficulties. For quite some time Chile had been lauded as a successful, thriving country where capitalism had found firm roots. Yet the nation’s economic prosperity has been concentrated, leaving a large majority of the population to face increasingly challenging times and neglect. Senior Kaiya Roberts considered the government’s lack of a preemptive plan to prevent this notable, saying that the monetary disparities in the nation could have at least been examined at an earlier point before tensions erupted. At this point, though, tensions

have erupted. Chileans are protesting over underlying fundamental issues: they’re protesting “against the poor quality of public health care and education, against low wages and the rising cost of living, [and] against the meager pensions that Chileans receive in old age” (The New York Times). These concerns, according to many protesting Chileans, have not been properly addressed by the Chilean government in recent years. But the protests themselves raise other concerns. The escalation of many of the originally peaceful protests has left Chileans inside and outside of the country worried, including Charter’s own sophomore Astrid Villarroel. In her words, “I am very concerned regarding my relatives and friends in Chile. The protests are to a scale and magnitude that has not been seen in Chile for decades.” She concluded, stating, “Violence and property damage should never be used to try to reach [an] end.” Astrid’s fears come from a very real place - Chile’s president, Sebastián Piñera, has declared that infrastructure damages have risen to hundreds of millions of dollars (cbsnews). Despite this, protests have continued. In fact, many detractors observe that the initial subway fare hike - the action that initiated this unprecedented wave of protesting - has been repealed. And yet, on October 25, “Almost a million people took to the streets of Santiago

for what was believed to be Chile’s largest-ever march, demanding economic reforms and the resignation of President Sebastian Pinera following a week of deadly protests” (AFP News). As of the release of this story, the situation in Chile is dramatic. Depending on who you talk to, Chile is either faced with a scourge of irrational, destruction weaving malcontents or a class of people who’ve been dealt the short-end of the straw for far too long and simply have had enough. Irregardless, an entire country is in turmoil, generations of Chileans stand to be affected, and the future is uncertain. Chile’s current predicament warrants personal, national, and geopolitical attention--as a country so close to home, it deserves no less.

Charter’s Global Rewind

It’s Getting Hot California, but Not in a Good Way

This year California had one of its deadliest and most destructive wildfire seasons ever recorded in history. There has been a total of 6,402 fires burning an area of 250,349 acres. More than 18 million people in Southern California have been under red flag warning since November 3, and many feel this will never end.

The Vaping Culprit Has Been Caught Recent studies have come up to show that many hospitalizations due to vaping, are linked to vapes containing THC. Roughly 86% of 867 patients reported having used THC in the past. THC is a derivative of weed. Along with this, many cases are also linked to products bought off the street from illegal vendors. These illegal vendors possess the ability to give counterfeit products and lie about the amount percentages. These vaping products have taken the life of 26 people.

NICOLE LLANES STAFF WRITER

Hong Kong Says NO! Hong Kong protestors, also known as the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill movement, have recently started controversy, as of March 31, over the introduction of the Fugitive Offender amendment bill, which allows local authorities to detain and extradite criminal fugitives who are wanted in territories. These protests are ongoing and have led to schools and businesses closing down, as well as death; one protestor was shot, another was set aflame, and 10 deaths were due to ‘suicide’. The main goal of the protests is to obtain full withdrawal of this bill and set free those that have been arrested. Protests continue to intensify, as now protesters arm themselves with bows and arrows.

Bolivians Want the Grab Your Truth and Now Jackets America Since October 21, protests and marches have been occurring in response to the claims of electoral fraud in the general election of 2019. Carlos Mesa was going to be the champion for the citizens of Bolivia, but he was the runner-up. Following behind the protestors, he is calling for a second round to be held, so the truth can come forward. However, Evo Morales resigned before one could occur, and his resignation has only led to more disputes.

Fire Isn’t Going Anywhere Australia…

Australia is battling blazes that can be the worst recorded in decades, due to dry conditions and strong winds providing the perfect conditions for the fires to continue spreading. Many states, such as Queensland and New South Wales, have called a state of emergency. Over 100 homes have been burned to the ground, 3 people have been killed, and 350 beloved koalas have perished. It’s expected to take months to control all the bushfires, and for the destruction to only strengthen.

Watch out America, over 70% of the US will experience record-breaking freezing temperatures. This is all due to an arctic blast, that has put over 240 million people under winter warnings, watches and advisories. It’s expected for more than 300 records to be broken with temperatures typical to January to November.

The Fireworks From Killing Machines Islam’s Shin Bet’s planned the assassination of an Islamic Jihad commander in Gaza. As of early morning Tuesday, December 11th, 220 rockets have been fired from Gaza. Around 90 have been intercepted, but the others have killed 19 Palestinians and wounded 69 others.

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How Impeachment’s Turning Up the Heat on America ALAN MATHEW & KIERSTEN WARREN NEWS EDITOR & STUDENT LIFE

Graphic By: Jaxen Wyborney First things first: Impeachment is the process by which Congress raises charges against the president and then decides whether those charges demand a trial in the Senate and a removal from office. However, Congress, and specifically the House of Representatives, is not currently impeaching the president but rather beginning an impeachment inquiry. The difference seems subtle but is critical as everything is still in the investigative phase. The inquiry was officially launched on September 24, 2019. On that day, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi accused the president of attempting to enlist a foreign power into an effort to weaken a

political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden. Pelosi declared the act, which was brought to light by a whistleblower, a violation of his oath of office and a betrayal of national security (NYtimes). Freshman Camila King says, “Positive impacts from Trump’s impeachment could be a more responsible president who can make better decisions in our country.” For better or for worse, unfolding events have reprioritized conversations on other issues in the country. The potential charges center on a July 25th call between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky where, among other things, Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden was discussed. For background, the younger Biden was a board member of a Ukrainian company known as Burisma Holdings, “which faced accusations of money laundering, fraud, and tax evasion” (Politifact). Hunter Biden joined the company in 2014 and only left in spring this year. President Trump, side by side with his personal attorney Rudy Giulani, “have suggested, without evidence, that [then Vice

President] Biden improperly pressured Ukraine to fire a prosecutor who had at one point been investigating Burisma Holdings” (businessinsider.com). If true, this would be a severe, possibly illegal breach of conduct by the elder Biden, but the impeachment inquiry itself doesn’t necessarily focus on that. Instead, it looks to the aforementioned July 25th between the two presidents. The nature of the call was brought forward by a whistleblower (an unnamed intelligence official) who claims that President Trump discussed reopening the investigation into Hunter Biden. Additionally, it’s come out that prior to the call, Trump ordered the suspension of about $400 million dollars to Ukraine (Vox). Sophomore Molly Masson says, “Whether you support Trump or don’t, don’t allow yourself to be persuaded by the news channels and other opinions. Even if the impeachment isn’t successful, the fact that we are allowed to check our president’s power is a right we should all be grateful for.” Different groups have taken these events in vastly different ways. On October 7th, House Democrats subpoenaed the Pentagon and the Office of Management and Budgets, expanding their impeachment web. Stances vary in both the House and Senate, which overarching seem to be for and against impeachment respectively. Students, too, have strong opinions. Senior Swati

Kumar says, “I think this inquiry is an important part of American politics and history as Trump has now become one among the few Presidents–Tyler, Nixon, Johnson, and Clinton–to come close or face impeachment.” While the inquiry is underway, there is no decision to be made either way as the official evidence for or against wrongdoing has yet to be presented. It’s also important to note that such an inquiry has no set timeline and could take weeks to months to complete. Considering the complicated web of motivations, along with the polarization even talk of impeachment is sure to bring up, not everyone views the inquiry process positively. Junior Brandon Nahabetian commented on the whole affair, saying, “I think the current impeachment trials that’s being held is as ridiculous as always. It’s actually kind of sad to see [...] so many people harass and assault the president [in] this manner.” It’s important to remember that during this process, different views, even among our student body, are sure to arise. Since the impeachment is still in the investigative phase, no one really knows if the impeachment will go through. As House Democrats take more action, the media will continue to keep us informed on the impeachment inquiries. Who knows? Maybe these very charges will soon impact the primaries, and the nearing 2020 presidential election.

The Necessary Revolution

The streets were filled with thousands of teens. Some proudly held up signs that read things like “I should be at school but I have to save my planet first” or “Ecological revolution is the necessary revolution.” Others chanted in unison, straining for their voices to be heard by the officials that stood in the governmental buildings a few feet in front of them. All of them, however, were there for the same reason: to partake in the Global Youth Climate Strike.

September 20th is a date that will go down in history as the day thousands of teens around the world mobilized to demonstrate their stance against the current climate crisis and the world’s lackluster response to it. According to globalclimatestrike.net, the official website for the campaign, a total of 7.6 million people took part in the protests from September 20 - 27, ranging from places like Berlin all the way to Istanbul, and even more beyond that. “These numbers prove that a lot of people recognize that climate change is an important issue that needs to be addressed by the people in power,” commented junior Natalee Escobar. Locally, there was a strike outside of Miami Beach City Hall where many students from across Miami-Dade and other surrounding counties could be found.

MAXINE MARTINEZ FEATURES EDITOR

Elijah Ruby, a senior at South Broward High School, was among the crowd on September 20th. But his involvement in the protest came at a cost. As an avid fighter against the current climate condition, Ruby had “hoped to get permission for a school-sanctioned field trip to attend the protest” (Miami Herald). While waiting for a response from the school board Ruby had been given permission to “disseminate information,” so he began to hand out flyers to his school. A miscommunication between the student administrators for Ruby’s flyers ultimately led to his suspension. The news of the suspension traveled through the country and, some speculate, led to the cancellation of Cypress Bay High School’s field trip to the protest, angering many of the students who had signed forms and were prepared to take part in the strike. “I definitely think that schools should be more supportive when it comes to activism, and protesting for different things. [...] there’s a lot of restrictions in doing anything that may be affiliated with the school, so sometimes you do things with your agreement sometime it’s without their agreement. [...] But it’s worth the risk,” expressed senior Naveen Farook. For the students protested it definitely was worth the risk if it means preventing harm to the planet.

September 20th is a part of a bigger plan. Some like sophomore Hansini Koppolu believes that one potential solution in stopping climate change “is putting restrictions on how much fossil fuel we burn up. To go on putting restrictions on things like factories and the number of cars on the road would reduce the rate of change.” It is events like the Global Youth Climate Strike that will hopefully get these ideas heard by officials. As more and more students find the need to fight more necessary. Freshman Isabella Mago expressed that it’s important to strike and protest because “if we don’t in about 23 years we won’t have an earth anymore, and we would have been the ones to do it to ourselves.” Earth’s current state is recognized as harmful by everyone including young adults, and teens are ready to make changes.

Graphic By: Justin Pierce The Global Youth Climate Strike was extremely successful, and many hope it will cause action in government. John Paul Mejia one of the many organizers for the event hopes to see “a declaration of climate emergency and legislation securing a just transition into 100% renewable energy. “ A goal that is very much in reach. In order to ensure humanity’s future the world must be preserved.