Love is in the air at ppchs Pages 11-13
Student Life
Sports
Columns
Mr. Jag and Silver Knight
Girls soccer profiles and recap of the season
Dating in high school: is it really worth it or not?
Pages 4-6
Pages 26-27
Page 36
The C.H.C. Staff Joshua Alleman Editor-in-Chief Melissa Sullivan Editor-in-Chief Victoria Alvarez Assistant Editor-in-Chief Jake Dreilinger - Layout Kyle Moss-Solomon - Video Managing Editors Chatter Daily News Maria Bozo Web Managing Editor Business Manager Mr. R. Simon - Layout Mr. F. Fagen - Content Mr. R. Simon - Video Advisers Mr. P. Bayer Principal
Table of Contents
Student Life...........................................................................3,4,5,6
What would you tell your crush anonymously?.....................................................................3
By The Grade 9th.........................................................................7 Changes in graduation requirements for freshmen..................................................7
By The Grade 10th......................................................................8
Sophomores begin the college search early...............................................................8
Jake Dreilinger News Editor Chelsie Ramos Student Life Editor Anthony Kelleher Technology Editor Chelsi Chang Entertainment Editor Troy Bottom Sports Editor Gabriela Garcia Features Editor Looghermine Claude Lifestyle Editor
By The Grade 11th......................................................................9 Both ends of the spectrum: Taylor Alfonso vs. Katherine Castaner.............................9
By The Grade 12th....................................................................10
Leave your paw prints on PPCHS....................................................................10
Andrea Bellorin Clubs Editor Alexys Nowak Proof-reader Carli Stander Photo Editor Armando Urena Graphics Editor Carmen Pettersen Cartoonist CONTENT STAFF: Brett Alayon, Matthew Deno, Tyra Green, Shakayla Lee, Maribel Maignan, Aaliyah Pasols, Melissa Pierce, Lauren Ramirez, Nicholas Rivera LAYOUT STAFF: Troy Bottom, Emily Deese, Jacob Morgenstern, Fernando Plata PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF: Peter Dourvetakis, Rebecca Gonzalez, Jonathan Harris, Alexis Monge-Rodriguez, Sydney Silverberg, Juan Tellez GRAPHIC STAFF: Matthew Perez, Daniel Vidal CHAT VIDEO NEWS STAFF: Christopher Fernandez, Matthew Fernandez, Andres Gonzalez, Genesis Vesco
The C.H.A.T. is an official publication of the Pembroke Pines Charter High School (PPCHS). The content of our newspaper is not necessarily the opinions of our advisers and administration. The C.H.A.T. staff welcomes any comments to the editors and/or staff. The C.H.A.T is a publication of C.H.C (Charter High Communications) sponsored by the Communications & Technology Department of PPCHS. Pembroke Pines Charter High School 17189 Sheridan Street Pembroke Pines, FL 33331 Phone: 954-538-3700 Email: chc.ppchs@gmail.com Twitter: @_theCHATter Instagram: @thechatnews 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 chc.ppchs@gmail.com
Features..................................................................................11,12,13 Love is in the air at PPCHS.........................................................................12,13
Clubs & Electives..................................................................14,15 Love is in the air with drama sonnets.................................................................15
Entertainment....................................................................16,17,18
Tweet, tweet I like you........................................................................................17
Technology..........................................................................19,20,21 Relive your childhood on your iPhone..............................................................20
Lifestyle................................................................................22,23,24
Is it really love or science?.............................................................................23
Sports........................................................25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33 Soccer profiles..................................................................................................26,27
News............................................................................................34,35 Talk of the town: Charter’s future...........................................................................35
Columns..........................................................................................36 To date or not to date in high school.................................................................36
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Page Name Month 2014
If you could tell your crush anything on Valentine’s Day anonymously, what would it be?
Inside Student Life...
Mr. Jag: the fiercest of them all
Silver Knight Nominees
Student Life February 2014
4
Tatiana Bustamante – Drama
Tatiana has used the prevailing influence of theatre to raise autism awareness and promote acceptance within her community. She served as stage manager and student leader of Pembroke Pines Charter High School’s production of The Other Room. The proceeds of the play were donated to an autism program of a partnering elementary school. In addition, she took on a lead role in the play, Once Upon a Mattress and is going to be playing Rizzo in this year’s spring musical Grease. Tatiana is president of her high school’s Drama Club and is a proud member of the International Thespian Society, as well as the National Honor Society. She also volunteers at the University of Miami Summer Theatre Academy, where she assists in preparing young children and teens to perform in musical productions. Tatiana has been awarded Superior ratings for her Solo Musical performances and is a Florida State Thespians District 13 Musical Theatre College Scholarship recipient.
Anthony Kelleher - Media
Anthony has taken journalism courses in all four years of his high school career. He serves as the Technology Editor of the CHAT newspaper and has also written countless articles and columns for this publication, such as a column on if college admissions should ask questions about sexuality on their applications. Through his interests in his grandfather’s stories and enthusiasm for multimedia journalism, Anthony created the “Loved Ones” project. His mission was to provide the elderly a podium in which to retell their life story and leave a legacy for their families for future generations to come. He established a unique format to honor and spotlight the senior residents of the Miami Jewish Health Systems community. Along with his journalistic pursuits, Anthony is a member of the National Honor Society, is the treasurer of Relay for Life, was the treasurer and activities coordinator of TROOP (Teens Reaching Out to Other People), all while keeping excellent grades and remaining in the top 10% of his class.
Silver Knight Francesca Levy – Art
Carlos Cocuy – Music
Francesca has treasured photography since she was eight years old when she began taking portraits of family and friends and exhibiting her work at children’s art festivals. She began volunteering her time at the Broward Partnership for the Homeless taking family portraits of the mothers and children for Mother’s Day. The mothers at the shelter are always filled with gratitude and joy to have beautiful photos of their children. Francesca also serves as a teen volunteer at Young at Art Children’s Museum, where she watched and interacted with children to enhance and increase their artistic abilities and interest. Francesca is also an exemplary student. She is ranked among the top 1% of her class, an AP Scholar with Distinction, National Honor Society member and a member of the Academic Competition team. She has also been a leader at school, serving as an H.O.B.Y. delegate, treasurer of her school’s Student Government and is the founder and co-president of the school’s Jewish Student Union.
Carlos Cocuy has been an active participant in band since the sixth grade and joined his high school drumline his freshman year. His passion for music, dedication to the band, and drive to help others made him an effective and recognized leader with multiple high-level leadership positions in the drumline. Carlos has also been an active member of the Florida Youth Orchestra and is currently Florida Youth Orchestra’s Principal Percussionist. It provides valuable community service presenting free classical music concerts throughout South Florida with many outreach performances for communities in need. Cocuy founded weekly music lessons at a children’s center for low-income, working families. He is actively planning a fundraiser in order to purchase musical instruments to donate to the school. Academically, Carlos has excelled with a high GPA and good grades. He founded his school’s Calculus Club to help other students with calculus content. He aims to make his community more environmentally-conscious through the Environmental Club’s recycling program and the City of Miramar’s Green Initiatives.
Aditya Iyer – Science
Taylor Trammell – World Languages
Aditya is passionate about science and math, initiating the Science National Honor Society in his school; he is also president of his school’s Mu Alpha Theta. Aditya has started an in-school science competition to engage students and help reach them to a higher level of science. He has promoted science in other campuses by traveling to them and performing experiments with the kids and try to encourage the kids to have a love for science. He wants to make a difference in the lives of people suffering in the world, and when he was pained to see that many people in India didn’t have footwear when he went to visit, he organized a sock drive for homeless twice in 2012 and 2013, partnering with the Broward Outreach Program. He has spread the sport of cricket to the youth by volunteering at the Worldwide Cricket Academy as an assistant coach for the past five years. As for academics, he is an AP Scholar and is ranked at the top of his class.
As the starting Libero for the PPCHS Varsity Volleyball team and one of the top students of her class, Taylor Trammell has shown leadership in both athletics and academics. Through committing her time to things such as coaching children at I-9 Sports of South Broward, helping children at the Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary School to put on a grand performance of Annie, and tutoring young children in math and science, Taylor has shown her love for service. Taylor created a tutoring program for the pupils of the Exceptional Students Education Department at PPCHS, and then trained and supervised her peers to successfully tutor the ESE/ Gifted population at the school. However, Taylor found her true passion when she visited Costa Rica with her Spanish Language class. She was inspired to help the children learn and broaden their understanding of the language through literacy. This inspiration led her to create the Polyglot Program: Using Books to Promote Literacy and Multiple Languages, to collect and buy books to send to the Costa Rican school.
t Nominees
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Student Life
February 2014
Victoria Alvarez – Journalism
Courtney Dart – Athletics
Alex Rose – Business
Victoria Alvarez has been extremely involved in her school newspaper since she was in middle school. During her freshman year of high school, she started out as a Staff Writer and was quickly promoted to the position of Environmental and Health Editor, and then to Assistant Editor-in-Chief for her senior year. Aside from her journalism achievements, Victoria is involved in the National Honor Society, volunteers countless hours with a local health nonprofit, the DependOnUs Foundation, serves as a girls soccer coach for Pembroke Pines Parks and Recreation, and is the Co-Youth Engagement Chair for Relay for Life, benefiting the American Cancer Society – all of which has earned her over 1,000 volunteer hours. Through her passion for journalism and her personal journey as the younger sister of a sibling stricken with cancer, Victoria created a website designed to serve as a support group for siblings dealing with cancer. Victoria hopes that her website will provide a positive outlook for siblings during the difficult stages of a cancer patient’s journey.
Both a Volleyball and Softball leader for Pembroke Pines Charter High School, Courtney Dart has shown exemplary leadership and teamwork at both her school and in the Pembroke Pines community. Traveling one hour to and from to attend her practice for the Miami Stingrays at least twice a week, Dart shows her love for the game of softball and fitness. As a strength and conditioning volunteer, Courtney aims to inspire middle school aged children to lead a healthy lifestyle that includes both a healthy diet and exercise. But, fitness is not the only love that Courtney has. Having to take speech therapy when she was in elementary school, Cortney was more than happy to hear that her high school offered American Sign Language as a class. After having an amazing first year in ASL I, Courtney knew that she had found her true passion. Excelling in the class over the years, Courtney now leads various lessons in some of the ASL classes and tutors ASL to students as well.
After years of observing dumpster loads of wouldbe discarded plastic bottles and aluminum cans at a city’s athletic park, Alex Rose set off to create a Soccer Park Recycling Business Plan which in addition to generating revenue from recyclables for the City of Pembroke Pines, it also benefits students who can experience the impact of being community stakeholders. Alex recruited supporters and was able to establish the Pembroke Pines Charter High School (PPCHS) Soccer Recycling Club. The Plan integrated everything from the type of containers, educational signage, receptacle locations, staffing shifts, and maintenance timeline. Now on its third season, the team has merged with the Science Honor Society Club and expanded to service the Memorial Hospital Miramar Farmers’ Market as well as the PPCHS football stadium. Alex is also an avid musician, Drum Line Captain, an AP Scholar with Honors, Vice President of the National Honor Society (NHS), Secretary Science NHS, in the top 10 of his class, and winner of the Create a Company Business Pitch project.
Sarah Duque – Vocational
Raena Thelwell – English
Aliyah Olaniyan - General
As Key Club’s Class Director, Sarah Duque has been able to play a large role in multiple service projects, such as the Yudaband Project and the Eliminate Project, that the club has been a part of. With a mother who is a breast cancer survivor, Sarah has dedicated a lot of her time to multiple breast cancer awareness events, such as the “Go Pink” marathon and the “Pink Ball” softball game, and has put in a lot of hours volunteering at Memorial Hospital. Sarah brought her passion of service when she went on vacation to Spain over the summer, where she chose to dedicate her free time to reorganizing a library in a retirement club in Valencia, Spain. For days, Sarah spent her time in the home reorganizing books by title and genre. In helping the retirement home, Sarah found her true love for service to others, and thanks to Sarah’s efforts, the library is now open for all to spend endless hours of reading.
Raena Thelwell has been extremely involved in both the PPCHS community and the outside community for her entire high school career. Her ability to dedicate her time to both the school and the community are reflected in her success of taking multiple AP classes and acquiring excellent grades throughout her time at Charter. Thelwell shows her love of service through donating her free time to those in need. Annually, she collects gently used books to give to the children at S.O.S. Children’s Village in Montego Bay, Jamaica as part of her mission to “Empower and Enrich through Education”. With this project, she is able to enhance the minds of young children in need by giving them novels to help better their education, imagination, and love for reading. Her dedication to service is such that it is only fitting that she intends to become a medical doctor and give back to her community with lowcost to free health care in the summers.
Aliyah has excelled academically through-out high school. She is president of the Asia-Pacific Club and historian of both the National Honor Society and the Black Student Union. She has participated in fundraisers such as Pennies for Pasta and various activities at her local senior center. Aliyah is able to balance her academic life and her leadership roles through various clubs and organizations. She has helped send a numerous amount of books to the Philippines as well as raised money for an organization called Love146 that integrates human trafficking victims back into society. She has extended on this leadership and tutoring roles in her desire to help tutor pregnant teens by creating a partnership with Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Broward County Coalition, Inc. It’s a program where high school students are paired with teen mothers and tutor them once a week to better their chances of completing their educational goals and beyond.
Student Life February 2014
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Mr. Jag: the fiercest of them all
Gabriela Garcia FEATURES EDITOR
Sixteen black ties lined up on the wall, each of them flaunting a different boys name in a shimmery gold manuscript. The resonating voices of Karinna Rodriguez
Mr. Jag: Nico Bastidas was crowned as Mr. Jag. Photo by: Carli Stander
and Alden Diaz boomed across the auditorium, pulsating the flashing gold streamers and setting the mood for the night. Each contestant strutted in, decked in all black and complete with a beautiful escort and a beaming smile. These bright boys and their clapping fans had no idea what they were in for the best competition of the year. The night was kicked off by quite an entertaining number, when all contestants lined up on stage to perform their group dance. Choreographed by dance team captain Rebecca Rivero, the jive consisted of a mix between Fergie’s “Fergalicious”, “Don’t Drop That Thun Thun Thun” and “This Is How We Do It”. The boys kept the
audience entertained with every swivel of the hips and head bob. “It took countless practices and several weeks for the boys to get this dance down,” said Rivero (’14), “I am so proud of them. They’ve been so excited to show everyone and they really pulled it off.” Once the applause—and the laughter— died down, the boys all had the chance to showcase their talents in the individual talent portion. Ranging from several magic shows, stand-up comedy jokes and even a freestyle rap, the boys took advantage of this time to show the judges and the audiences just what they were made of. Though these talents were limited to a time span of two minutes, the crowd seemed to find this the most personalized and unique part of the show. As they strutted out in their muscle tees and fancy Nike Free Runs, the boys prepared themselves to find out who could survive the survival of the fittest test. In the fitness portion of the competition, the boys were required to perform a series of sweaty tasks, and some of them simply didn’t make the cut. Andrew Iglesias, Tony London and Omar Noble dominated this scene, and the proof stood in their sweaty faces.
The curtains closed but it was certainly not the end. Decked in sleek dress shirts and ties, the PPCHS Dance Team wowed the crowd with their impressive moves. Backstage, the boys were changing into their formal attire as well, getting ready for the second half of their competition. The judges—Principal Bayer, Vice Principal Battle, and Senior Class Sponsor Mrs. Diaz—discussed amongst themselves the results so far. By the time the dance team swaggered offstage to the sound of clapping hands, sixteen chairs were laid out on the floor, and in each one sat a jittery senior boy in a suit and tie, ready to dart off for the next item called. This portion of the show was called the Scavenger Hunt, where the contestants were required to retrieve any said object from the audience. Shoes were pelted, hair ties thrown and even audience members were carried towards the stage in what became the loudest section of the show. Kenny Felix took the win in this portion, when he reached the final chair before Andy Iglesias could. The show took a bit of a twist during the next individual interview portion. Hosts Alden Diaz and Karinna Rodriguez asked each contestant their own unique question with 30 seconds to answer. By the time the curtains closed this time around, the judges had sneakily slipped backstage with the ballots in hand. The whole River of Grass held their breath during these crucial, definitive moments. Mrs. Battle, Mrs. Diaz and Mr. Bayer finally Crowning: Melvin Lattimore, Raymund Gaviola and Shan Hudson anxrevealed themselves as
At 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday February 11th, an array of students and parents made their way into the PPCHS gym. Tables and colorful displays were set up with different college’s logos promoting their school and providing students with information. It was at this moment that the Pembroke Pines Charter High School’s annual college fair had officially begun. Aside from the over 70 college representatives, companies such as State Farm, Subway, the United States Military and Marine Corps, and even the Ray Dass program
College Fair: Students anticipate their futures at the annual college fair. Photo by: Juan Tellez
were there to show their support. Subway brought 2,000 cookies to hand out, and the Ray Dass representatives were handing out prizes to students who were able to successfully complete a certain math problem. “I found the college fair to be a really useful tool in helping me to decide where I want to go to college” says sophomore Holly Perkins, “I was able to speak with representatives from all the colleges I was
Most Unique: Beeloochee Louis is in shock when crowned as most unique. Photo by: Bella Bobadilla
held once again as the hosts read the sacred ballot. “Nico Bastidas!” cried Alden Diaz, and the crowd erupted in cheers and cahoots as they embraced this year’s newest Mr. Jag. “I’m really happy I was able to compete in Mr. Jag,” said the winner himself, clad in his black and gold crown and sash. “My favorite part of it all definitely had to be being on stage with my friends and just making people laugh.” “This year, our group of boys were special,” says Student Government Vice President Melissa Rueda and the Mr. Jag coordinator, “The audience was laughing and the boys had a good time, and that’s because each boy had something different to bring to the table.”
iously wait to be crowned. Photo by: Bella Bobadilla
2014 College Fair a success Lauren Ramirez STAFF WRITER
every pair of eyes was glued to the ballots. Every participant in the show was awarded with their own personalized sash, each labeling them as things like “Best Dancer” or “Most Talented” in the bunch. The drum roll began and breaths were
interested in, and even learn more about colleges I had never heard of before.” Student volunteers ran around, hard at work assisting the presenters by bringing them water or anything else they needed, and directing students to the displays of whatever colleges they wanted to visit. Many colleges were handing out informational booklets, lanyards, stickers, stress balls, and other merchandise promoting their school. The United States Marine Corps and Military were even handing out baseball caps and beanies to students. “The college fair was a huge success! Unfortunately I could not be there because I was at the Teacher of the Year event, but I had a group of student volunteers that effectively handled everything. All the colleges were there, and from what I’ve heard, we had a great turn out of students” said teacher Mrs. Cabeza, who was in charge of coordinating the event. From digital design schools to schools for the arts, colleges of all kinds were presenting at the event. The colleges in attendance were not limited to just Florida either, colleges and universities from across the nation came put to represent their school. The event ran smoothly and every student seemed to walk away with a bit more insight into colleges and their future, then what they had entered the gym with earlier that evening. The annual Pembroke Pines Charter High School College fair was nothing short of a success, with information for all to run off with!
AP Mock week schedule
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Changes in graduation requirements for freshmen Matthew Deno and David Cha-Kim STAFF WRITERS
The graduation requirements for students at PPCHS are constantly changing. It seems that Broward County continues to alter the needed requirements every single school year. However, this year particularly, there are several official and possible changes in the necessities for graduating high school and the freshmen this year (‘17) will be the first to experience these changes. Taking an online course is no longer a requirement- For students in their sophomore, junior, and senior years, earning at least a half-credit in an online course during their time as a high school student is a necessity to graduate from Pines Char-
ter. For freshmen this year, having to take an online class is no longer a necessity to graduate, however; online courses are still available to students and are a good way to get ahead and take care of other requirements. For example, taking H.O.P.E online would satisfy the needed H.O.P.E credit. Also, students will still be able to have the option of taking an online class either in the summer or during the school year. “I’m glad that having to take an online class is no longer required because I don’t want to be forced to take something and it potentially not benefit me. I would still like to take a class online as long as it is the
right one for me,” said freshman Danny Clark. The FCAT isn’t going away just yet- This past year there has been some speculation that the 2013-14 school year would be the final year of the FCAT, but it has been confirmed that the FCAT is not ending this year. All students will still have to take these exams during their freshman and sophomore years. According to the SunSentinel, the FCAT should soon go away as the Florida education department along with Gov. Rick Scott is looking to replace the test with a better one. This year’s freshmen may be the first wave of students to
experience these changes, but it seems unlikely. As for now, freshmen will have to be prepared and focused when taking the FCAT this year, as it still can affect their placement in classes and the scores will stay on their high school records. Ms. Thomas, director of guidance here at PPCHS, believes that “There will always be state assessments, especially to identify reading comprehension and skills, regardless if the acronym is FCAT or something else. As a public school, we follow state mandates, which ultimately decides what assessment our schools will have.”
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Sophomores begin the college search early
Lauren Ramirez STAFF WRITER
Every Pembroke Pines Charter High School student sits in their homeroom class and listens to the morning announcements, so every day they hear the school motto loud and clear through the PA system “college, citizenship, community”. Being a student in a school with “college” as the first word in its motto can put a lot of pressure on students to get into the best possible university. With the PSAT scores having just been released, those sophomores who received high scores have been bombarded with emails from colleges across the nation seeking prospective students. But is sophomore year too early to be thinking about such a big decision? CBS news correspondent and best- selling author Lynn O’Shaughnessy says no, “Students should begin researching colleges and visiting schools as early as their sophomore year,” she writes, “Your senior year is closer than you think. Before you
know it you will be attending college visits, sending out applications, and waiting for that big acceptance package.” According to the National High School Center, 72% of high school sophomores plan on going to college. The problem is, many do not know what to do to prepare for the big leap into higher education. When looking for potential scholars, admissions officers typically look at a student’s grades, extracurricular activities, and other achievements throughout the entirety of the four years in which a student attends high school, not just their junior or senior year. So cramming all these into one or two years towards the end of your high school career may not be the best idea. Taking study courses for the SAT, which is typically taken junior year, can assist students in gaining higher scores. Starting to study for the SATs your sophomore year will provide a head start as compared to other students who began preparations only a few months before the exam. “I’m
taking an SAT preparation class during sophomore year because I know that it is a smart idea to start studying early in order to succeed” says sophomore Saman Govaria. Something else sophomores should take into consideration when thinking into the future is the number of AP classes they are planning on taking. The more prestigious a school, the more AP credits they look for on a student’s application. AP courses can be the deciding factor on whether a student gets into a school or not, if they perform well in the courses that is. Joining a sports team and volunteering are two other ways sophomores can begin building their college applications early. The more involved a student becomes while still maintaining a high GPA, higher regarded they are to colleges. These activities can help students receive scholarships and get into highly admired universities. Many students already know what their dream college is. An option for these students is visiting the school’s website to
gain more information. This can be very insightful. Many colleges and universities even hold sophomore open houses. But even students who do not know what colleges they are interested in yet can still apply for general scholarships. Many scholarships are out there that students never take the time to apply for. A few minutes of scholarship research can turn up some surprising results, some even sounding a bit too absurd to be true, for example the popular peanut butter company Jif is offering a $25,000 scholarship for the most creative peanut butter sandwich! “I wish I would have looked into colleges and scholarships starting my sophomore year”, says senior Dymin Richardson, “it would have saved me a lot of unnecessary stress later on.” Trying to figure out what path a student wants to take in regards to their future can be an enormous decision, but much of this anxiety can be avoided by researching beginning sophomore year.
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Student supports school through service Nick Rivera STAFF WRITER
As a small school, it is important for students to be active in helping the school. Junior Katherine Castaner is one of the many students that does a great job at complet-
Key Role: Castaner devotes her time to the community. Photo by: Alex Monge
ing her role as a student. As a member of Jag Doctors of Tomorrow (DOT), Science Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Key Club, Katherine makes it her priority to be involved. Believing that it is important to help out the school, Katherine participates in campus clean-ups. By simply taking the time to collect outdated flyers and picking up litter around the campus, she shows her pride in Pines Charter. Aside from cleaning up the campus, Katherine also assists with gathering all of the recycled materials in the school along with the other members of the Science Honor Society. “I like to get in all of my clubs because I think it helps me with my school work as well as making friends. I try to go to as many events as possible and help in whatever way I can,” says Katherine. As President of the international club, Key Club, Katherine plays a huge role in the club’s success, especially recently being awarded the top Key Club in Division J for first semester. It’s her job to organize events for members to attend both in and out of school as well as look over the committee chairs and assist them. She is also in charge of all of the paperwork that is in-
volved in the club. Katherine prides herself on being able to help anyone who needs help receiving leadership positions or earning service hours. “I think the more involvement students have within the school the better they will do in school. I think it makes them more invested into school and gives them a Key Role: Katherine Castaner is a member of Key Club and several other clubs at reason to try harder. PPCHS. Photo by: Alex Monge I also think it helps Katherine has no plans of stopping there. people later in life because they develop With hopes of continuing to be actively inleadership roles and they begin to under- volved in school, Katherine plans to help stand what it takes to have a functioning out after graduation at whatever college system.” she decides to go to. School involvement As only an 11th grader, Katherine plans can really go a long way and being benefito spend her next year and a half of high cial to both the school and the students, it’s school continuing what she does best. She a win-win. will try to keep her leadership positions and possibly gain more, but overall she just wants to do what’s best for the school.
Taylor Alfonso: Gymnast jumping towards success Maria Bozo WEB MANAGING EDITOR Sore muscles, hands covered in rips, hyperextended arms and legs, pulled hamstrings, and cracked joints are only some of the things that come along with being
find impossible. These athletes perfect exercise, Alfonso took home first place tricks and combinations that defy the laws in the all-around in her most recent of gravity. Take 2012 Olympian McKayla competition. This means that she had Maroney’s famous vault for example. She the highest score when the scores of all ran down the runway as fast as four events (bars, balance beam, vault, she could, did a round off onto a and floor exercise) were added together. springboard, a back hand spring “Gymnastics has taught me everything onto the vaulting horse, two and a - life lessons, responsibilities, and rehalf spins ten feet in the air, and spect. I don’t know who I would be if I manages to land on her feet on a wasn’t a gymnast; it’s my life and what I blind landing. While many little like to do the most,” says Alfonso. girls are put into gymnastics, very PPCHS is proud to call Alfonso one of few actually stick with it. their own, as she has achieved success It all began when Alfonso was a in both school and gymnastics. Alfonso few months old and her mom no- Gymnasitcs never stops: Even at the beach, Alfonso has proven herself to be a well-rounded ticed how early Alfonso was able enjoys taking pictures that leave people awe struck. Photo student with a bright future. PPCHS to sit up on her own. Her fast de- donated by: Taylor Alfoso veloping balance skills gave her mom the indication that gymnas- about flipping in the air. tics would be “Gymnastics is really tough and a good fit for I feel like some people underher daughter estimate just how difficult the when she was sport is. On days where I feel a few years like it’s too much, I think about older. Fastthese quotes: ‘Courage is being Dedicated Gymnast: Junior Taylor Alfonso shows her athletic forward five scared to death and chalking up skill on the beach with friend Jessica Clein. years and Alanyways’ and ‘Beam: because Donated by: Taylor Alfonso fonso found killing yourself on the floor isn’t herself at her enough’,” says Alfonso. a dedicated gymnast. Unlike most athletes, very first gymnastics Now 16 years old, Alfonso is gymnasts show up at the gym not with dif- class at the tender age a dedicated level eight gymnast. A winning smile: Alfonso smiles big with her ferent goals than defending a ball or pro- of five years old. At an She finds herself at her gym, Park team and her awards fter a competition. Photo tecting a quarterback. Taylor Alfonso has age where many kids donated by: Taylor Alfonso Avenue Gymnastics, five days a proven herself not only as a great student are focused on getweek for four hours a day, Mon- wishes Alfonso success in the rest of her in school, but also as a powerful gymnast. ting used to being in day through Saturday, taking a gymnastics career. Alfonso and Clein posing with their Gymnast’s work endlessly trying to gen- kindergarten, Alfonso Awards: break on Tuesdays. Although trophy and medals. Photo Donated by: Taylor erate enough force to do what some may was already thinking Alfonso Alfonso’s favorite event is floor
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Leave your paw prints on PPCHS Troy Bottom SPORTS EDITOR
Since 2001, thousands of PPCHS students have walked in and out of Charters trademarked cream and white buildings. They put on khaki shorts and a collared shirt the same way we do, but what did they leave behind? Year after year, freshmen embark on a metamorphosis and come out four years later as 18 year old adults ready to face the big bad world. Some alumni simply attended Pines Charter, got good grades, stayed out of trouble, and graduated on time. With time, these students’ good behavior and good grades will be forgotten and their stamp on PPCHS will be simply a name in the database with a graduation date to the right of it. Every day, Pines Charter gives students the tools they need to make it in life, but what stamp will you place on PPCHS as you enhance your education for the next 4 years? This was the question that needed to be answered by the
class of 2014 in their TEAM classes; more specifically 426 seniors who answered this question via video. Out of the 16 classes, only six were able to submit a video by the deadline, and only one video was selected as the winner. For a little over two months, Mrs. Alongi’s class embarked on this journey to solidify their ultimate message of how to leave your legacy at Pines Charter. It started off slow with a quiet class of strangers, united only by the fact that their last names begin with the same letter. But as the meetings proceeded, something magical sparked and created a room of collaborating young adults trying to coordinate a video that will leave an impact on Charter. Story boards began being drawn up and each student was designated roles for the video by senior Chelsie Beaubrun, who helped oversee the entire operation. “It really was a great experience and rewarding to see the whole project come together,” said Beaubrun. “It was fun work-
ing together with other classmates that you may not have known through the past 4 years of high school.” One by one, members of the class gathered their club shirts, sports jerseys, and time out of their own day to partake in the video. Day after day, the two minute clip began falling into place with the help of strong editing and transitions that allowed for the video to flow smoothly. Midway through this process, senior Emily Belanger added her own little impact on the video with a quote that she says “it helps to really understand what the message of our video is all about. It basically says that there are beautiful things that you can accomplish in life but if you don’t make an effort, that potential beauty may go unseen forever.” The final piece was produced a couple of days before the deadline and was entered in the school wide competition. Every TEAM class then got the chance to cast in their vote, in which Mrs. Alongi’s class won
with a commanding lead. Cheers erupted as her TEAM class heard the news, as each and every one of them will be receiving 1 free prom ticket. “I think the best thing we did was plan everything out every Wednesday we had TEAM,” said reading teacher Mrs. Alongi. “If we weren’t so specific in exactly what we wanted in the video, it would’ve resulted in an unorganized collage of clips.” Although prom tickets were a good incentive, the real motive was about leaving their mark on Charter with this video. Throughout their short film, the main goal was to get students to get involved with a club, sport, or simply excel in the classroom. About midway through the film, Andrea Bellorin is holding up a sign that reads “Be Somebody”. This is a message that this TEAM class hopes will inspire the future classes of Pines Charter and remind them to stand out amongst their peers, and be someone that no one will ever forget.
Love is in the air at PPCHS
Features February 2014
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Love is in the
What is your happily ever after?
February: the month of conversation hearts and flu characterized by the same red and pink shades every for everyone. The CHAT asked their readers what th the results were defi
What is lov Jeremiah Soliman (‘17): “My definition of living happily ever after is having a wife who loves you for exactly who you are and is great in her relationships with other people and the spiritual world.”
Shreeya Singh (‘17): “Being in true love would be my happily ever after. It doesn’t matter what kind of situation I am in; I could be poor, but if I have the person that loves me most, that is happily ever after.
Andrea Carmona (‘16): “If I could choose my life to be happyily ever after I would study in California and become a famous actress and fall in love with a co-star in a movie. We will get married, have kids, and continue making movies until we die.”
Matthew Behnke (‘16): “I want to live in Colorado with a girl that is sweet and funny and who is not afraid to be adventurous and looks at life with a broad perspective. I want to be with someone who cares and lives life to the fullest.”
Karinna Rodriguez (‘14): “To me, love is looking into each other’s eyes and always finding them beautiful inside and out. It’s about being there for someone through the thick and thin.”
Devin Fu (‘14): “Love thing a million times a Love is when you ch of your life with som single doubt about it.”
Do you believe in love at first sight?
Alec Galindo (‘15): “No, I don’t believe in love at first sight. I feel that you should like someone because of their personality and how they are on the inside. By falling in love at first sight, you are falling in love with the way that someone looks.”
Kelly McColman (‘14): “I think people can’t fall in love at first sight. They become attracted to a person by their looks. The true feelings of love come later on when they get to know them and their personality.”
Samantha Mateesco (‘16): “I believe in lust at first sight but not love at first sight. You can’t be in love by just looking at someone, you have to know their personality. Lust is based on their appearance so I understand that, but not love.”
Juan Borde (‘16): “I do, sometimes the person may have something that makes you know they are special and you are intently in love with them, or at least have you believing that in the moment. Either way, the feeling of love is present in that moment.”
Britney Muniz (‘14): “Love is being able to loan all your feelings and emotions onto another person and knowing they’re safe. Love is text messages at weird hours of the night and half asleep phone calls. Love is the butterflies in your stomach and the blush on your cheeks. Love is a lot of things, but one thing is sure, it’s the greatest feeling in the world.”
Lee ‘Sean’ Teng (‘14): “Love is the feeling you get when you find something that can define your life. Something that you want to dedicate your time to, and would be proud to be a part of. Having a commitment to something, while having your life revolve around that, really brings happiness and joy. That happiness and joy from the one special something, is what love is to me.”
Janine Legaspi (‘14): “What is love? Baby don’t hurt me. Baby don’t hurt me. No more. Love is that feeling you get when you are with someone that is irreplaceable. You can’t imagine having to go through each day without their company.”
Romeo Augustin (‘14 not judge, to be ther they need you, to care push them to reach the improve, to care for so that’s love.”
air at PPCHS
uffy teddy bears. Although this time of year may be year, it doesn’t mean that the experience is the same hey thought of today’s most heated love topics, and finitely passionate.
13
Features
February 2014
Are high school relationships worth it?
ve to you?
e is when you do someand never get tired of it. hoose to spend the rest mebody and not have a ”
Hope McNally (‘14): “Love, to me, is when you can be completely comfortable around someone, whether it’s a significant other or just a close friend; someone you can be yourself around.”
Santin Bjorklund (‘16): “I guess high school relationships are actually worth it. I think having a relationship makes high school a lot easier and it makes it go by a lot faster. Being with someone you can relate to makes it especially easy, you have someone to talk to and help you through things.”
Alejandra Garcia (‘16): “No because we are still finding ourselves. We don’t know who we want to be with yet. We should focus more on our career paths and our studies. People go out just to go out, I don’t think anyone truly goes out because they want to spend the rest of their life with the person.”
Deanna Alford (‘14): “Yes because even if they don’t work out, you get to learn what to do in the future. It’s a time to try to find out what personality you like. Then when you go to college you can know what your type of people would be.”
Franklin Marichal (‘15): “We are going through a lot of stress and we have to concentrate on school. Later on in life when you’re trying to find a relationship, you’ll have more experience but in reality it almost never works out in high school. I feel like in the end if you love this person so much and you’re willing to put aside everything then go for it.”
Do you think chivalry is dead?
Kimberly Doan (‘14): “Love is caring about someone so much that you stop caring so much about yourself. Suddenly you want to make them happy because it makes you happy, and seeing that friend or more-thanfriend makes all your problems disappear.”
4): “Love to me is to re for someone when about their worry’s, to eir goals and help them omeone above all else
Gabriel Perez (‘14): “Love is wanting to spend time with someone or something more than with anything else. It’s thinking ‘Man, this is nice but it’d be so much better if I had (insert person or thing you love) here’. Example: This movie would be better if I had Melissa here, or, this movie would be better if I had a cheeseburger here.”
Heather Johnson (‘14): “I guess love is just being best friends with someone. Knowing everything about them, and always wanting to be with them. Never feeling awkward or embarrassed about anything. It’s about being happy with someone.”
Alejandro Rojas (‘14): “I believe it’s alive but given only to the women who have respect for themselves. I like to treat everyone right, but will woo the women I desire with common courtesy and kindness. The average man believes in treating women with hostility and rough housing. That is foolish.”
Jessica Naylor (‘16): “Chivalry is definitely not dead. It’s just that many people decide to ignore it to make it easier to go through life and not do anything for anyone else. There are still many men that are well mannered and as long as we don’t all ignore chivalry, then it will certainly not die.”
Fabiola Moleiro (‘14): “I think there are some guys who really know how to treat a girl, it just depends on who you’re talking about. Like most guys will open a door for a girl and defend her when people are being rude to her, but that’s only a select few.”
Davin Miret (‘14): “Yes, I believe the chivalry we once knew is dead. Chivalry nowadays is mistaken for holding the door open for someone and that is far from what is actually used to be.”
Page Name Month 2013
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Love is in the air with drama sonnets Maria Bozo and Lauren Ramirez WEB EDITOR AND STAFF WRITER
It’s that time of year once again! Students will be seen roaming the halls in Shakespearean era inspired apparel. To an outsider, this may come across as a strange sight, but to the students of PPCHS, it means the beginning of one of the most entertaining events of the year. Every year, Ms. Kidd’s Drama students go from classroom to
classroom putting on a show for each third period class during Silent Sustained Reading (SSR) time. Each drama student is required to come up with their own medieval character. They are then asked to perform a sonnet from their character’s point of view. All the students put in a lot of time and effort into making the sonnets the best possible performances they can be. Sophomore Isa-
bel Feliciano, a drama student, expressed her excitement for the upcoming sonnet activity in her Theatre I class, “I think the sonnets will be an entertaining and engaging way to expose the students at PPCHS to Shakespeare. Instead of just having an English teacher drone on about a play that is hard for the average teen to understand, the literature will come to life before their eyes. This will make the old English words
and phrases easier to understand and get the students more interested in literature. It’s also a great way to spread the Valentine’s Day spirit in early February. I am really looking forward for the sonnets to come to life. The Drama students have been working really hard so I hope that it all comes together well.”
See Love is in the air, Page 15
Also in Clubs...
Saving lives one penny at a time
Charter’s got talent
Love is in the air with drama sonnets 15
Love is in the air from Page 14... Maria Bozo and Lauren Ramirez WEB EDITOR AND STAFF WRITER
It’s that time of year once again! Students will be seen roaming the halls in Shakespearean era inspired apparel. To an outsider, this may come across as a strange
sight, but to the students of PPCHS, it means the beginning of one of the most entertaining events of the year. Every year, Ms. Kidd’s Drama students go from classroom to classroom putting on a show for each third period class during Silent Sustained Reading (SSR) time. Each drama student is required to come up with their own medieval character. They are then asked to perform a sonnet from their character’s point of view. All the students put in a lot of time and effort into making the sonnets the best possible performances they can be. Sophomore Isabel Feliciano, a drama student, expressed her excitement for the upcoming sonnet activity in her Theatre I class, “I think the sonnets will be an entertaining and engaging way to expose Valentine Sonnets: Senior Christian Fontane anxiously studies the the students at PPCHS to Shakesonnet he will perform. Photo by: Christopher Fernandez
speare. Instead of just having an English teacher drone on about a play that is hard for the average teen to understand, the literature will come to life before their eyes. This will make the old English words and phrases easier to understand and get the students more interested in literature. It’s also a great way to spread the Valentine’s Day spirit in early February. I am really looking forward for the sonnets to come to life. The Drama students have been working really hard so I hope that it all comes together well.” Many PPCHS students showed interest in the sonnet activity, the idea of having a fellow student perform for them during their silent reading time sparked the interest of students around the high school. “I love it when the Drama students perform their sonnets during SSR. They’re really funny and it takes an edge off of the boring SSR time,” says sophomore Yasmeen Metellus. The Drama Department will be selling performed sonnets for $3.00 each during A
Clubs February 2013
and B lunches, all of the proceeds will be going to the PPCHS Drama Department. When a student purchases a live sonnet, a drama student will come to their third period class during SSR dressed up in a costume to perform the selected Shakespearean sonnet. They will also receive a card from the performer written by the person who purchased it as well as the lines that correspond with the sonnet piece that was performed by the Drama student. Last February, the drama sonnets were a huge success. The students are looking forward to making the event even bigger and better this school year. Drama students performing their favorite Shakespearean Sonnets for their fellow students is a valued tradition that happens every year here at PPCHS. Pembroke Pines Charter High School looks forward to witnessing a new group of talented individuals to follow in the footsteps of Jaguars that came before them. We wish the best of luck to all of the Drama students who will be performing.
Saving lives one penny at a time Nick Rivera STAFF WRITER
As each period goes by, we think nothing of diseases that are being spread worldwide. However, within these periods while we are learning, socializing, or working, approximately 12 people are diagnosed with Leukemia – about 1 every four minutes. Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects blood cells. According to lls.org, about 48,610 people are diagnosed with Leukemia in the United States every year. An important cause, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society does their best to support the disease, as well as other diseases and our school’s National Honor Society is doing their part by holding the sixth annual Pasta for Pennies fundraiser. By placing anything from loose change to bills in little white boxes placed in each room, 3rd period classes will get the op-
portunity to make a difference by raising money. These small boxes are available to donate in and also to be creative and color on them however the class wishes to. Anything ranging from inspirational quotes to intricate designs, the boxes are there to collect money and motivate students to donate. The money will go towards helping fund for treatments of the thousands affected by the disease. “Last year we raised about 1,400 dollars, which is great, but we have higher aspirations this year. We used to be able to raise three or four thousand dollars years ago and we would like to work our way back up to that point,” NHS president Melissa Gianello says. Currently there is no cure however, recent research has come up with a procedure that has worked on a few patients. In the procedure, compared to “fighting fire with fire”, doctors inject a small sample of geneti-
cally engineered HIV into the white blood sored by Olive Garden, including everycells of the patient which, in some cases, thing from pasta to breadsticks. The bigger eats away the cancer cells and hopefully prize, however, will be knowing that they destroys it. helped a great cause and truly made a dif“A good friend from home (Pittsburgh) ference in the community. just lost her boyfriend to leukemia - he was a happy and otherwise healthy 25 year old teacher who never gave up. He is in my thoughts every day as we continue our fundraiser in hopes that more cures will result from our efforts to fund research,” says NHS sponsor Mrs. Rudd. The class with the most money raised will get a lunch spon- Pasta for Pennies: Mr. Lawrence’s students fill up their box to help blood cancer patients. Photo by: Sydney Silverberg
Charter’s got talent their own talents. Freshman Andrea Roman chose to perform to make friends, “I have been singing On January 30, 2014 all thirty-two rows since elementary school. I decided to enter of the River of Grass Theatre were filled the talent show to put myself out there and with friends and families engaged into an make some new friends.” She commanded the stage as she sang the soulful Adele song ‘Skyfall’, and drew the audience in with her stage presence. Almost as if the audience was transported into a high priced concert, each act stepped on stage in character. The audience was dazzled with tunes from all genres of music ranging from Beyonce, Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus and even the legend JourTalent show: Junior RJ Reyes steals the night with his vocal performance of ney. For some, the talent Faithfully. Photo by: Alex Monge show was their opportuexciting show of talent. All twenty-five nity to showcase their talent; however, juacts stood tall on stage, each performing nior Raul Reyes is no stranger to the stage special skills of their own. Whether it was as he hit the stage with a song dedicated to parading across a stage on the balls of their his mother. He began with one microphone feet performing a dance number or raising stand, and before you knew it, the entire octaves as they sang a special tune, audi- crowd was waving their arms in unison and ence members definitely got a taste of the the energy in the room was electric. Fast talent here at PPCHS. Produced by the forward to three minutes into the perforDrama teacher, Mrs. Kidd and with the mance and River of Grass transformed into help of the Drama students, the sixth an- the American Airlines Arena. Along with singing, the art of dance nual talent show proved to be impressive. The night started off with a singing act owned the night. From pop locking to lyriand ended with one too. The show was cal dancing, every performer had a unique filled with anxious faces ready to perform style that added something new to the Tyra Green STAFF WRITER
show. Embellished in shimmering rhine- year’s production of Grease, which will stones and sparkling in a two piece pur- take place on April 10th and 11th. ple costume, freshman Camille Acevedo “I’m really proud of the outcome. I started moved her hips to the sound of a rhythmic the talent show six years ago to give stutune. Peering out into the crowd, the au- dents an opportunity to take a break from dience took to trying her dance moves in their academic schedule and perform their their seats and joined in by clapping their arts in front of their friends and families,” hands. As the show went on, the nerves of says Drama teacher Mrs. Kidd. The talEmily Ramal bubbled up in the wings. The ent walking through the halls of PPCHS self-taught junior has been perfecting her is endless. PPCHS looks forward to next craft since middle school. She was enter- year’s talent show filled with endless acts ing the stage with a statement: “I first per- and exciting performances. formed at the black history show and I decided to try out for the talent show to show everyone something different from the typical ‘twerking’.” The show consisted of more than just wonderful singing and dancing; it showcased unique talents. Junior Brandan Ortiz channeled his inner Drake when he stepped on stage and shocked the crowd, “This was my first performance, and to be honest I was a little nervous. My rap was a 100 percent original, and after the show people came up to me saying they liked my lyrics a lot. Usually when people think of rappers they think of the stereotypical profanity but I try to focus on positivity”. While the name Brandon Ortiz may not be a household name yet, he is following in the footsteps of many rappers joining his schools talent show. Throughout the night acting skits were performed by the prestigious drama students of PPCHS to promote the upcoming Jaguar production— Theatre at the talent show: Senior Alden Diaz and junior ‘Grease’. The money made at the show Eli Radosevich showcase their passion for acting at the Talthis year will go directly towards this ent Show. Photo by: Alex Monge
Entertainment Month 2014
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Tweet, tweet I like you Alexys Nowak and Hayley Hartwell PROOF-READER AND STAFF WRITER
“#OOMF is so cute!” This common phrase on the popular social media website, Twitter, stands for “one of my followers.” Twitter users use this phrase to refer to someone that they are not confident enough to mention specifically. However,
usually everyone knows who they’re talking about. Saying “#oomf ” just disguises their “secret” crush and allows them to be mysterious. Meanwhile, while the person is tweeting about their special someone, the two have been Direct Messaging (DMing) all day. Now a days, guys get to a girl through her DM’s more
Love ‘em or hate ‘em a lot
frequently than confronting her in person. Many people follow someone on Twitter, realize they are good looking, and continue on their hunt to get to know them. It seems opposite of how it used to be. Rather than meeting someone in person and then getting their number, people flirt online and then try to
meet up somewhere. Online flirting has taken over the current generation of teenagers today, and it seems as if more people choose to follow this route rather than the classic “hi, nice to meet you,” of the old days. See Tweet, tweet, Page 17...
Twerking their way to fame and…college?
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Tweet, tweet I like you Tweet Tweet from Page 17... Alexys Nowak and Hayley Hartwell PROOF-READER AND STAFF WRITER
In the world of Twitter, a simple “favorite” of a tweet means much more than a person agreeing with the tweet. If a girl posts a picture on Twitter, and a guy favorites it, some girls will take this as a sign that he wants to start talking to her. It is rarely seen that someone will actually comment on a picture saying that someone looks pretty; they prefer to favorite the tweet and take it from there. A “favorite” can also lead to more. It has become a trend that users will post a picture saying “favorite this and I’ll tell you how I feel about you through DM.” If the user is brave enough to say what they really think, then it could bring out the true feelings of the other person. People who see each other in person suddenly become more open to sharing their feelings when they are behind a screen. “I always see people posting those pictures on Twitter, but I have never favorite it. I’m older fashioned in that way. I’d rather someone tell me in person that they like me rather than through a message. It’s much more personal and it shows that they aren’t embarrassed for other people to know,” said sophomore Corina Gornes. Teenagers aren’t the only ones who flirt behind screens, however. Eventually, after years of going out, adults may become frustrated when they don’t find that special someone in their city. Instead, they turn to websites such as match.com and Eharmony.com that specialize in finding people their perfect match. According to a study done by U.S. researchers in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences more than one-third of U.S. marriages have started with online dating, so sometimes the odds can in favor of older couples and a marriage can work out. The study showed that Match.com would be the website to try out for online dating considering the
amount of couples who are happily married is so high. Many adults may use these sites, but some prefer to meet in person. Mrs. Larmony, a forensics and physical science teacher, is one teacher at our school who accepts, but is cautious about online dating. While she has not done it herself, she
out often, but it’s very important to proceed with caution. You never know if someone is telling the truth when they make a profile, so they may be someone different when you meet them in person,” said Mrs. Larmony. With Valentine’s Day is around the corner,
Online Flirting: Online flirting as become a worldwide trend for teenagers everywhere. Photo By: Juan Tellez
knows people who have, and does believes that if that works best for the person, then all power to them. “I haven’t tried online dating, but I don’t think anything wrong of it. I think it is a sign of the times because people are more into technology than talking in person. I think that it’s good for people to have a chance to meet someone if they don’t get
many people are trying to find that special someone so they don’t have to spend this romantic day alone. After weeks of preparation and favoriting someone’s tweets the guy will most likely take it to the DMs and ask the girl for her number. Since so many teenagers in this generation have boyfriends or girlfriends, some people feel obligated that they must find a valentine.
Entertainment February 2014
Girls tend to feel bad about themselves if they’re not holding a big teddy bear, flowers, and chocolate, but there is hope for everyone to have a valentine. Twitter has only made this feeling worse, considering the pictures that are put up. Many users are posting pictures saying “12 days to find out if you are alone…” and other disheartening sayings. This causes people to go to the extremes just to get someone to spend that day with, so they turn to their followers. Online flirting happens quite often, so with the valentine’s season coming up there is expected to be an increase, especially in the world of Twitter. “I always see people posting the pictures about Valentine’s Day, and I think it makes sense. It’s easier to flirt online because people don’t get rejected like they do in person. I guess people feel less embarrassed and more confident when they are online. I know a lot of people that have started to talk to someone through Twitter,” said junior Amadeo Gonzalez. Online flirting has worked out for many people and has not been so great for others. There are couples roaming the halls that started out as an online fling and hit it off when they met in person. On the other hand, some boys around school are known for being extra flirtatious on social media, constantly in girl’s DMs and commenting on multiple pictures a day. Some girls may take this as a compliment, but others may be offended because they like the old-fashioned way of getting to know someone. Different people have different perspectives, online flirting might just be the ultimate candidate for teenagers today.
Twerking their way to fame and…college? Aaliyah Pasols STAFF WRITER
nounced via Twitter that he would be teaming up with World Star Hip Hop to launch a twerking scholarship competition: "I'm giving out a 50k scholarship to the best chick that can twerk," he tweeted last summer. Instantly, there was an overwhelming response. Girls were excited to get to show off their moves to famous rapper Juicy J
The rules were simple: Make a video telling or showing Juicy J why you deserve Girls all over have twerked for Vines this money. He would then choose out of and other social media, and now people the top 10 videos the best one and award are twerking for…Juicy J? While that’s the 50k. “This scholarship is a fun one that strange enough, they aren’t twerking for gives girls that aren’t really obsessed with what you might think they’re twerking for. school a chance. I actually like it because They’re twerking for scholarship money. it’s different and not the traditional ‘write an essay’ scholarship,” Ruth Carrion (’15) expresses. Twerking has become a popular phenomenon all over the U.S, gaining even more popularity when the controversy queen Miley Cyrus announced her love for the dance move. Ever since the MTV awards performance, where Cyrus so famously danced on Thicke, it has grown even more popular. It has so far made itself into songs, music videos, TV shows, Vines, and now scholarships. So of course, Juicy J received thousands of videos of young girls twerking for college, all except one. In a humorous twist of irony, the winner of the so-announced “twerking Twerking for College: People across the nation have been sending in a video of their best twerking skills to win a scholarship scholarship” twerked for towards college. Photo By: Jonathan Harris Who would’ve thought that a provocative and win $50,000 towards college. Many 0 seconds. “Fifty thousand dollars is a lot dance like twerking would come together girls started prepping up, dancing in front of money and I don’t want to waste it on with a way to get a future education? of the mirror to get ready to twerk until just some girl twerking her [behind]. You In August of 2013, rapper Juicy J an- they drop. don’t deserve it,” Juicy J announced in his
announcement video. Many contestants were mad at this statement because in his tweet he had clearly stated it was a twerking scholarship but chose a woman who did not twerk at all to win. He defended his reasoning behind this by saying that in the official rules video he never did say you had to twerk. Turns out, no one had to drop that thun thun thun after all. Zaire Holmes, a 19 year old single mom ended up walking away with the 50k. In her video, she explained why she deserved to win the money, and what she planned to put it towards. She explained her plans for the future saying that she aspired to become a doctor and attend UF. She is majoring in biological sciences and plans to continue to study and work hard to fulfill her dreams. (Eurweb.com) Juicy J apparently picked her because he was reminded of himself through watching Holmes talk about her struggles and hardships. (Huffingtonpost.com) “When I heard about the twerking scholarship, I thought it was kind of ridiculous. But the girl who ended up winning didn’t even twerk and she still won. She seems to have a good plan for her future so I think she deserved it,” senior Piero Lissa shared. While many feminists and contestants caught fits over this scholarship, it seems to have worked out nicely. A girl with a good head on her shoulders won the huge amount of money, and can now go to college to pursue her dreams. However, in the end, there are two lessons to learn from this story: 1) twerking is not always the answer, and 2) when a rapper announces a scholarship opportunity, read the fine print.
Entertainment February 2014
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Love ‘em or hate ‘em a lot Chelsi Chang & Anthony Kelleher ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR
In honor of Valentine’s Day, The CHAT has asked students who their most beloved and most disliked couple of the year were. These celebs have been living in the lime light and have been snapped both at black tie events and having cute coffee dates. Some find these pairings perfect, some… not so much.
Favorite celebrity couples
Hated celebrity couples
Michelle Obama & Barack Obama: Monica Rodriquez (‘16): “They are the most powerful couple of the United States. What is there not to love about them? They are always in sync with each other and I feel that they get each other.”
Zayn Malik & Perrie Edwards: Saman Govaria (‘16): “They are such an attractive couple and I am so excited that they are getting married. They click very well together and they are such a cute couple.”
Kanye West & Kim Kardashian: Jessica Lozama (‘14): “Kim and Kanye as a couple are annoying. I like Kanye as an individual and Kim causes too much drama.”
Kourtney Kardashian & Scott Disick: Victoria Antelo (‘16): “They are not a cute couple together. Scott cannot control himself without the partying and Kourtney has no personality and is very hostile.”
Beyonce and Jay Z: Fiorella Anda (‘14): “I always like how they look happy in public. They haven’t done anything crazy and both put out great music.”
Dwanye Wade & Gabrielle Union: Xan Taylor (‘14): “Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union are the perfect athlete couple. A couple that works hard together and plays together.”
Justin Bieber & Selena Gomez: Courtney Dart (‘14): “First of all, I can’t stand Justin Bieber; he is out of control. Selena can do way better and they aren’t a cute couple to begin with.”
Harry Styles & Taylor Swift: Sarah Duque (‘14): “Harry and Taylor were such an awkward couple. They looked like brother and sister more than an actual couple.”
Jason Derulo & Jordin Sparks: Merceadez Marion (‘14): “They look so cute together and they are a powerful singing couple. I just can’t get enough of them.”
Nick Cannon & Mariah Carey: Brandon Prescott (‘16): “I like this couple because they always are happy together and they are both extremely talented.”
Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth: Edgar Casilimas (‘14): “I cannot stand Miley and I think that they didn’t bring out the best in each other.”
Amber Rose & Wiz Khalifa: Kelly Mcname (‘14): “They are an odd couple. I would have never imagined them to be together.”
All Graphics By: Armando Urena
Page Name Month 2014
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Relive your Childhood on your iPhone with “GBA4iOS”
David Cha-Kim STAFF WRITER
Video games were the foundation of happy memories of kids across the world and many miss their childhood and the games they used to love and enjoy in their younger years. People no longer have to feel nostalgic due to the creation of a new series of apps created for the iPhone. Riley Testut, an eighteen year-old app developer and senior at Richardson High School in Dallas, Texas, has revolutionized the iOS gaming world. Testut managed to, from scratch, develop an application that allows iDevice users to emulate the Nintendo GameBoyAdvance and enjoy all of
their favorite childhood games like Super Mario Bros, Pokémon, and the Legend of Zelda. What is an emulator? An emulator is a software that enables a device to mimic, or emulate the function of another device. Riley Tesut develops emulators for Apple Devices, which allows them to be able to do things that other devices are meant to do. Riley Testut is an inspiration for young tech students across the nation. Testut devotes hours of his time into developing and coding the applications and emulators that he makes while also keeping up with
his responsibilities as a high school student. Although Testut is responsible for the development of several applications and emulators for iDevices, he is most widely recognized for his brilliant work on GBA4iOS. GBA4iOS has had hundreds of thousands of downloads across the United States, several countries in Europe, and Japan. Testut and his fellow members of InfiniDev, a group of elite app developers, have also developed emulators for Game Boy Color, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo 64. GBA4iOS and Testut’s other emulators can easily be downloaded directly from
Inside Technology...
8 tech things you don’t need anymore
your iDevices. The process takes less than five minutes and the use of a computer desktop or laptop is unnecessary. Installation can be done by simply navigating to Safari on your iDevices and going to Riley’s own website iEmulators.com or going to coolrom.com. Once you reach the installation page, and follow the instructions correctly, the application will download onto the home screen of your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. See GBA4iOS, Page 20
Technology February 2014
20
David Cha-Kim STAFF WRITER
GBA4iOS from Page 19...
Relive your Childhood on your iPhone with “GBA4iOS”
Coolrom.com has almost every single “I used to love playing Pokémon on my Nintendo game ever released in history Gameboy and DS when I was a little kid available to GBA4iOS users for com- and I love being able to play it again on pletely free. Any GameBoyAdvance game my phone,” says Aspen Oudshoorn, a that you played from GBA4iOS user here at your childhood can be PPCHS and freshman. brought back to life “I was also surprised from your memories to find out that a kid in onto the screen of your high school made it by iDevice after you have himself.” installed GBA4iOS. Even though the current The emulator itself version of GBA4iOS is features a beautiful already outstanding, high definition visual Testut is outdoing himdesign, inspired by the self and is continuing model of the actual to make it even better. GameBoyAdvance. “GBA4iOS 2.0” is set The portrait viewing to come out during the mode imitates the classpring of 2014. This upsic Nintendo style of date is bringing tons of playing with the game new features including display at the top of the support for Gameboy screen with the classic Color games, use of controller layout below. cheat codes, customizGBA4iOS users can Relive the Past: Through the use of the able skins/controller also use the landscape GBA4iOS emulator, many people can play the layouts, and Dropbox gameboy advanced games they remember playmode if they prefer to ing when they were younger, like Pokemon Fir- support, which allows use a full screen while eRed Version. Photo by: Alex Monge users to continue their enjoying their Gamegame progress on sevBoyAdvance games. The in-game music eral different devices. that we all remember from our childhoods Progress of the development of the 2.0 along with the sound effects are also incor- update is being tracked on Operationporated into GBA4iOS. iDroid’s YouTube channel, Mithical’s blog
on gba4ios.mithical.com and Riley Tes- out that GBA4iOS 2.0 wasn’t coming out tut’s own twitter account: (@RileyTestut). until later this year,” says freshman BradMithical and OperationiDroid are two of ley Villard, a common user of GBA4iOS. the forty chosen “Even though we people being alhave to wait, I’m lowed to beta glad that Riley test the new 2.0 has more time to update and they make the applicashare the progtion even better.” ress of the beta Although the and gameplay of fans of GBA4iOS the new and imhave been waitproved update ing for a very with the rest of long time for the the GBA4iOS usnew update, their ers/fans. patience will be 2.0 was origiworth it when nally set to come it finally comes out towards the out, and no one end of 2013, but doubts that TesTestut decided tut will prove his to give himself brilliance once more time to Old Popular Games: Old games like The Legend of Zelda- again. For now, make GBA4iOS The Minish Cap, Super Mario Bros. 3, and Pokemon can be GBA4iOS 1.6 is absolutely per- replayed and enjoyed by those with GBA4iOS. Graphic by: available to all Matthew Perez fect. Moving the iDevice users and release date has given him much more is allowing people around the world to retime to improve the application and its live their cherished childhood memories. features. The very large amount of fans of The application gets more popular every GBA4iOS are eagerly anticipating the re- day and could eventually be released on lease and Testut now has over twenty thou- Apple’s official AppStore and have potensand followers on Twitter. tial for major success on the top charts in “I was deeply saddened when I found the future.
Valentine’s Day takes a techy spin Chelsie Ramos STUDENT LIFE EDITOR
February 14th, Valentine’s Day and the national day of love, has always been surrounded by white, pink and red. However, when it comes to finding the perfect gift for
your valentine, getting something that they love can be difficult—mainly for those who are enthralled with any techy gadget. Finding the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your significant other that mixes both their
love for technology and your love for them can be a hard balance. Some of these gifts can simply be done on your own, without actually having to buy an expensive new phone or gaming console. Instead, these
Valentine’s Day gifts can be a mix of creativeness and techy-ness, so here are some of The Chat’s inexpensive tech Valentine’s Day gift ideas for your loved one.
USB Time Capsule
Digital Picture Frame
Movie Basket
CD/Playlist
So your valentine isn’t into picture frames? Do they want something more portable, to keep your memories together? Then why not get a USB, and inside put together a cornucopia of digital items from a certain time period that you want your significant other to remember. Whether it is combining pictures, letters, and music together, this could be a great way to show your love and care for that special person by putting in just a bit more time on their gift.
If you and your valentine have made memories together, than why not put them all in one place- a picture frame with a reel that never ends. These digital picture frames can be found anywhere from Walmart to BestBuy, starting at around $29.98. These frames will give you endless space to fill all your favorite pictures and memories in one place, for your valentine to be able to cherish and relive forever.
If you and your valentine are the type that love spending movie nights in, then this would be a great gift to give your significant other. Collect their favorite movies, whether it be the classics or the latest action thriller, and package them all together in a decorative basket. You can add in their favorite candies or sweets to make the gift that much sweeter.
If your valentine is a music junky, and then this would be great choice for them. Create a playlist, with songs that they love and songs that remind you of your relationship. This is a simple gift, where you would only need a CD or a simple digital playlist and the list of music that you would like to include.
Photos by: Jonathan Harris
Valentine’s Day can truly be tricky, but by following your instincts and putting in a little creative spin to the typical gifts, means that you will be able to put together a great gift for your special valentine.
8 tech things you don’t need anymore
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Technology February 2014
Looghermine Claude LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Continuously in the tech world, older models are being thrown out as fast as newer ones are being created. With more people in this digital age moving from the old to the new, here’s a list of ten things that used to be really popular, but are going out of use today.
Digital cameras
GPS device
Landline services
DVD and Blu-ray
Owning a camera used to be a necessity for travelers who wanted to get quality shots. Now that phone companies have continued to improve their phone’s camera with each new model that comes out, it’s not really needed. It’s possible, with the right kind of camera phone, an amateur vacationer can take the shots they want without having to carry extra weight.
Yes, you still need GPS to find your way, no you don’t need the extra device. GPS devices are another piece of technology that are being removed by the endless capabilities of cell phones. With GPS apps already installed when you get your cell phone, there’s no need to get a different device just to help you find you way.
With free international calling being offered from services like Skype or Google+ Hangout, and the ever present importance of cell phones, home phones are going out of style. “As of late 2007, 16 percent of U.S. households had no landline whatsoever, compared to just 5 percent in 2004,” (electronics.howstuffworks.com).
Services like Netflix and Hulu are taking over this industry as well. Since these companies allow movies to be watched instantly from TVs, computers, or even on gaming consoles like the Xbox One or the PlayStation 4, people are dishing out their old players. To consumers, it just seems like one more product they don’t have to purchase, and a lot less money that they have to spend.
Photo by: Alex Monge
Photo by: Alex Monge
Photo by: Jonathan Harris
Photo by: Alex Monge
Desktop computer
CD and CD player
Fax machine
Photo by: Jonathan Harris
Photo by: Jonathan Harris
Photo by: Alex Monge
Newer laptops and tablets are making the desktop computers look obsolete. In a world where there is Wi-Fi offered almost everywhere, and everyone is always on the go, it might be impractical to own a desktop computer. Tablets like those in the Windows Surface series, which can lock on to a keyboard and become like a computer, as well as powerful new laptops make having a desktop unnecessary.
One of the other capabilities that smartphones have today, is the ability to play music of the owners’ choice. With the means of carrying all of your songs in one convenient, light, and portable machine, there is no need to carry around a bulky CD player and CDs. Also, with the added bonus of apps like Pandora and iHeartRadio that play random selections of music, the CD is completely out of style.
Email has taken the place of the fax machine in all but a few offices. With the ability to scan and send documents and information to other through email almost instantaneously, writing down a fax number seems like a task meant to those who lived a long time ago. There are also online services like Google Docs which allow users to share documents with other over the internet that contribute to the cause of the fax machines’ decline.
Television
Photo by: Alex Monge
With Netflix delivering multiple TV shows and movies to over 29 million subscribers (statisticbrian.com) as well as Hulu, and Amazon Prime jumping onto the same bandwagon, more people are turning away from cable television. “Just 42% of respondents counted TV as necessary, down 10 percentage points from 2009 and down 21 points from 2006,” says money. msn.com. There is also the added bonus that there are no TV schedules you have to follow when watching shows online, which appeals to viewers more than the strict viewing schedules on TV. Years ago, it would have taken ten different devices to perform ten different tasks. Now with the almost infinite capabilities of smart phones, as well as the new tech devices that are constantly falling into consumers’ hands, hundreds of items that were once deemed irreplaceable are now ending up in landfills.
Flappy doesn’t make happy Jake Dreilinger NEWS EDITOR/MANAGING EDITOR LAYOUT
touches either the pipe or the ground, its game over. Depending on how far a person goes, the person gets a medIt has washed over the naal; bronze for ten points, siltion. The endless tapping ver for twenty points, gold of the screen trying to get for thirty points, and platia two dimensional bird to num for forty points. fly through an opening be“I have a high score of 269 tween twin pipes. The rage points,” said junior Eli Raone feels when their bird dosevich. “I started playing touches one of the pipes. a week ago. After I finished Hours upon hours of endwriting a chemistry lab reless tapping that can enterport, it was 12:30, and I tain anybody. The next big decided to play for a little iPhone app has arrived on bit. It turned into a ten minthe scene, and it couldn’t be ute session. As I passed my any simpler. previous high score of 112, Flappy Bird is at the top I starting calming myself of the app store charts and down. I couldn’t believe has been there for weeks. it!” The point of the game is to Popular and Addicting: Flappy The easiest way to naviget your bird as far as pos- Bird has caught the eye of millions, gate your bird through besible without touching a and while it was available on the tween the pipes is to stay pipe. The bird flies through App Store it was dominating the top low. In order to keep the a twin set of pipes and the charts. Photo by: Sydney Silverberg bird form falling, the player player gets a point for successfully going has to tap the screen to make the bird fly through the gap in the pipes. Once the bird up. When the bird comes in from the bot-
tom of the gap, it gives the bird more room “My high score is 97, and I got it while I to come to the top. Another way to keep the was at home,” said Reid. “I was excited game from ending is to not when I realized that I was get distracted. When the getting a new high score, player looks at the score, but once I lost, I didn’t want it’s the same thing as taking to play again, honestly.” a driver’s off the road. The As of Sunday February gamer is not looking at the 9th, the creator of Flappy bird, and could accidently Bird, Dong Nguyen, took drive the bird into a pipe, down the app from the App thus effectively ending Store, stating “I cannot take their game. this anymore” (cnn.com). Students at PPCHS have Those who already have also gotten into Flappy the app can still play the Birds. Sophomore Leysi game, but those who wish Espinel has gotten a high to download the game will score of 160. “I got the no longer be able to do so. score in my first hour,” EsThe app is so craved that an pinel said. “The entire class iPhone 5 containing the app was watching me play, was sold for $94,000 (metso I got really nervous. I Photo by: Sydney Silverberg ro.co.uk). According to thought I was going to die! CNN, no legal issues were But I kept going. This student who sits next involved concerning the game’s similarity to me and I compete against each other for to the Mario franchise. What the future has the highest score, so I wanted to show him in store for Flappy Bird is unclear, but one my score.” thing is certain, the game has had its fifteen Senior Andre Reid also has a high score. minutes of fame.
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Page Name Month 2014
Is it really love or is it science? Maribel Maignan STAFF WRITER
From the beginning of time, love was considered to be that intense feeling of deep affection someone has for another person. Love is the butterflies in your stomach when you see that special someone. Love is that giddy happiness that comes from just thinking of that special someone, but what if there was a scientific reason behind
love and why it’s so powerful. Researches have been looking for that explanation for a while and asking if there is a scientific reasoning behind that strong feeling. You might have thought it was cupid with his bow and arrow, or sealed fate written in the stars that causes love to come knocking at your door, but really its just nature’s
Treats for your Valentine
beautiful way of keeping the human species alive and reproducing. See we believe we’re choosing a partner, but we may just be the happy victims of nature’s divine plan. “Psychologists have shown it takes between 90 seconds and 4 minutes to decide if you fancy someone. Research has shown that it takes a little more than what
is said to decide if you like someone, with 55% through body language, 38% of the tone and speed of their voice, and only 7% is through what they say,” says youramazingbrain.org. See Is it really love?, page 22
The Asian food lover’s dream
Is it really love or is it science?
23 Lifestyle
February 2014
Maribel Maignan STAFF WRITER
Is it really love? from page 21... There are three main stages of love founded by researcher Helen Fisher of Rutgers University in New Jersey: lust, attraction,
and attachment. Lust is that passionate overmastering desire that keeps you coming back when you least expect it. “The first stage of love is driven by the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen – in both men and women. The second stage of love is attraction, it feels like a magnetic force that entices your brain which allures you to a person causing you to go in for the kill and get to know that individual. Scientists think that three main neurotransmitters are involved in this stage; adrenaline, dopamine and serotonin. The third stage is attachment, attachment is the bond that keeps couples together long enough for them to get married and have children. Scientists think there might be two major hormones involved in this feeling of attachment; oxytocin and vasopressin.” According to the youramzingbrain website. There is more to love then just lust, attraction, and attachThe love is real: For sophomore Matthew Mason and his girlfriend, feshman Andrea Roman, science has nothing to do with the love they ment. Science also plays a mashare. Photo by: Sydney Silverberg jor role in helping to determine whether a relationship will last
or not. “Scientists have said when we are attracted to somebody, it could be because we subconsciously like their genes. There are many factors that comes behind the theory of love corresponding to looks, personality, and even smell. It is proven that the smell of a person immediately makes the liking of a person 10 times stronger. Weird fact: we like the look and smell of people who are most like our parents,” according to bbc.co.uk. “I guess science has a little something to do with love. I mean what’s the cause of us to feel that way, why are we so attracted to that one person. There has to be a reason behind it,” said freshman, Timaya Taylor. “It is to our advantage to mate with somebody with the best possible genes. These will then be passed on to our children, ensuring that we have healthy kids, who will pass our own genes on for generations to come. When we look at a potential mate, we are assessing whether we would like our children to have their genes. There are two ways of doing this that are currently being studied: pheromones and appearance.” According to bbc.co.uk. People are usually in “cloud nine” when it comes to falling in love. With tell tales of flushed cheeks, clammy hands, and a racing heart. It seems as if we have no control when it comes to the power of love.
According to the Huffington Post Canada, chivalry is one of the top 5 things that women look for in a man. A good man who puts other’s first is a great character act, they also have a greater chance at a satisfying and healthy relationship. It’s not really that surprising that selfless people have better relationships than egocentric people do. A survey by the University of Chicago showed that people who agreed with noble statements, like "I'd rather suffer myself than let the one I love suffer," reported more happiness in their marriage than those who did not agree with the statement. This proves that chivalry’s not dead after all. “I treat my girlfriend like a queen because she deserves to be, and in return she treats me like a king,” said sophomore, Oscar Pons. Love is the strongest and most powerful thing on earth. Love is an amazing feeling, not limited to just partners but children, animals, and even strangers. Love is something to embrace, and with nature’s way of keeping the human species alive it may have a lot to do with science. It has to do with body language, the sound of someone’s voice, or just the greatness of chivalry. Love and its greatness will never seize to amaze the world.
Silver Spoon: The Asian Food Lover’s Dream different Japanese and Thai was not going to taste good because I am flavors. Page after page, not a big fan of seafood. I was completely you notice something that shocked to my belief that I actually liked In the Fountains of Miramar shopping you want to try and it makes it. It had a taste that I have never expericenter, you will see a whole bunch of big it more difficult to choose enced before. It was very surprising that I name restaurants such as Panera Bread, what you want to eat, but I liked it because I don’t eat seafood at all; it Starbucks, and Chick-fil-a. In this shop- believe that is a good thing. has never appealed to me until now. Silver ping center, there is a hidden gem that you I ate something in my comSpoon has expanded my taste buds and has fort zone and opened me to a new avenue of food. something Silver Spoon is the epitome of Japanese way out of and Thai food. It offers a variety of entrees my comfort at a moderate price. The restaurant is small zone. The but inviting and has a vibrant and exciting Thai food is vibe with all the pop of orang in the resin my comtaurant. The service was quick and easy. fort zone beThe waiter was very attentive and was very cause I have timely. This restaurant is acceptable for all had it for the occasions from date night to hanging out Sushi for Everyone: Silver Spoon has a sushi for everyone out there. longest time Once you find your sushi, Silver Spoon is the place to go. Photo by: with a great group of friends. I would defiand I have Carli Stander nitely recommend this place to a friend and always loved I cannot wait to go back for a second time. it. Japanese food is not in I ordered the chicken fried rice and a my comfort zone because I California Sushi roll. have never tried it because I have always been a I have been apprehensive fan of chicken fried about eating raw food, but I rice at every restaurant Silver Spoon: Silver Spoon has a huge variety of delicious food you cannot find in many other places. Photo by: Carli Stander decided that I should try it to I have had it. Out of all expand my taste buds. the places I have had can’t find anywhere else. It this dish, Silver Spoon is Silver Spoon which is a takes the cake. The Thai and Japanese restaurant. give a large serving When you walk in, you notice which is always a plus that the place is very small so you can have leftand intimate, but big things overs. It comes with come in small packages. Afthis delicious chicken ter my first experience in the that has a flavor that restaurant, it will be a place is indescribable. The that I will be returning to in fried rice also is mixed the near future. with a medley of vegAs soon as you open the etables making it a menu, you notice the abunperfect dish. As for the dance of choices that appeal California Roll, my Modern and Sleek: The inside of Silver Spoon provides a bar area as well as to all types of taste buds. initial thoughts were comfortable chairs and tables to enjoy a meal. Photo by: Carli Stander There is sushi, chicken, that I was not going shrimp, beef with all of these Location is Key: Silver Spoon is located in a popular area that also in- to like it and that it Anthony Kelleher TECHNOLOGY EDITOR
cludes a Cold Stone. It’s the perfect combo! Photo by: Carli Stander
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Lifestyle February 2014
Simple and Savory treats for your Valentine Melissa Sullivan EDITOR IN CHIEF
Lovely cookies These lovely cookies will make your special one’s heart pump with excitement. The soft, tasty cookie mixes well with the savory jelly in the middle. These cookies also have a great appeal to them, showing your significant other how much you care about them.
Ingredients- Cookies 2 sticks of butter 1/2 cup sugar 2 eggs 2 cups flour
Ingredients- Jelly filling Your favorite jelly 1 bag of coconut
Mix the butter and sugar on high speed for about five minutes until there is an even, creamy consistency. Add other ingredients for cookies and mix well (dough will be thick and sticky). Place dough in the fridge for about an hour (covered). Remove from fridge and roll dough into even sized balls into cocunut and place on cookie sheet. Press thump into each cookie to make a heart shape and fill with jelly. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes and enjoy!
Smokin’ S’mores Pie This mouth watering pie will drive anyone’s taste buds wild. It’s gooey, chocolate brownies will fill the desire the of the person you’re looking to swoon and it scrumptious marshmallows will hit everyone’s sweet tooth in the right ways. Ingredients- Brownie batter 10 tbsp butter 1 1/4 cups sugar 1 cup of unsweet cocoa powder 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 2 eggs 1/2 cup flour 1 pack of large marshmallows
Ingredients- Pie crust 6 tbsp of melted butter 12 graham crackers 1/3 cup sugar
Crush graham crackers, pour into a bowl and mix with sugar and melted butter. Press into an 8 or 9 inch pie dish and set aside. Mix all ingredients for the brownie batter together, slowly adding the vanilla extract. Pour batter into prepared pie crust. Bake brownie pie at 325 degrees for 28 minutes, pull out and top with marshmallows and bake for three minutes or until golden.
Boomin’ Brownies These delectable brownies have made a huge statement around the world in the past year. Their gooey, chewy, choclatey flavors are something everyone will love and enjoy. Bake these at home and you’ll be sure to warm someone’s heart this Valentine’s Day. Ingredients- Cookie layer 1/2 cup butter 1/4 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup white sugar 1 egg 1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract 1 1/4 cups flour 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 cup chocolate chips
Ingredients- Brownie layer 10 tbsp butter 1 1/4 cups sugar 3/4 cup cocoa powder 1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 large eggs 1/2 cup flour
Slowly whisk together all ingredients for the brownie layer until completely mixed then put the batter aside. Mix together ingredients for the cookie dough, slowly adding chocolate chips. When mixed well, put batter aside and spray 9x9 pan with baking spray. Then pour the cookie dough into the bottom of the pan, layer oreos on top and then pour the brownie mix over. Bake for approximately 35 minutes on 350 degrees, and your loved one is ready to enjoy this tasty treat!
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Page Name Month 2014
Follow the signs to signing Alexys Nowak PROOF-READER
Practice every single day. Non-stop traveling around the state and country. Missing social events and losing sleep all for the game. These are all things that dedicated athletes are willing to go through to make it to the next level. But the idea of making it cannot only be based on a player’s talent. There is a whole process that goes into being recruited, and it all starts with getting your name out there. College coaches receive hundreds of thousands of emails prior to a tournament or upcoming event, so it is necessary to make yours unique. They do not
only want to know about your athletic accomplishments, but about your success in the classroom as well. What’s your GPA? What clubs do you participate in and do you have any leadership positions in them? They need to know everything that makes you stand above your competitors. It is also crucial that you provide them a reason for being interested in their school. Maybe a relative went there or they have the best programs for your major. When sending emails, it is a huge possibility that the coaches will show up to a game or two. This can be nerve-wrecking, but the coaches are aware of this. Something to be aware of is that the coach is not looking for an entire team, but certain players that will make his team at the col-
lege better. This means that showcasing yourself is more important at this moment than being nice. You are I competition with your teammates, even if they are your friends. Also, the score is not the main priority when they are watching. If the team is losing but the player of interest is doing well, that’s all that matters. Until the beginning of your junior year, the scouts must go through your coach to talk to you, but you can email and call them as much as you want. They can answer calls, but they cannot call back if they missed it. At the beginning it is very important to keep all options open. Even if you have your mind set on one school, do not shut coaches that are interested out. There always has to be a fall back plan. Senior Mya
Goodman, who played soccer for PPCHS, knows all about the recruiting process. One of the most important things according to her was to make sure you “don’t rush the process.” Goodman said, “If I had any advice for underclassman it would be to not get caught up in ‘committing.’ I didn’t make my final decision until the beginning of my senior year, and I’m glad I did it. I got the chance to branch out and realized that I wanted to focus on schools with higher academics that also had a good soccer team,” Goodman said. See Signing, Page 32
Inside Sports...
Water Polo top 6
Soccer spread
Michael Sam
Sports February 2014
26
Courtney Zaher 5’3 Junior 13 years of experience (3 varsity high school) Forward “Soccer is my life. I’m trying to make a college career of it. It’s my inner peace.”
Patricia Yordan 5’7 Junior 7 years of experience (3 high school varsity soccer) Golalkeeper “Soccer is my escape. Every problem, situation and worry just disappears as I put on my gloves. Everything feels right like I belong to something bigger than myself.”
Hayley Hartwell 5’5 Sophomore 11 years of experience (1 JV high school, 1 varsity high school) Defense “I love soccer because it creates oppurtunity for new friends and it’s a great feeling when you step on the field.”
Emely Sosa 5’1 Sophomore 11 years of experience (2 varsity high school) Center Mid “Soccer has allowed me to meet so many people from a lot of teams and I have gotten so many different opportunities. I hope that they keep coming and that I will get to play college ball. This game is a stress reliever for me; I have no other thoughts when I’m on the field.”
The 2014 La Alexys Nowak PROOF-READER
Alexys Nowak 5’2 Sophomore 13 years of experience (2 varsity high school) Left Wing “It’s more than a sport to me. I’ve met the majority of my close friends in soccer and my family always supporrts me. I hope to get a scholarship and play in college.”
Rachelle Smith 5’5 Junior 14 years of experience (3 varsity high school) Defense “It’s always been a part of my family, it means a lot to make my family proud when I play.”
Houda Baajour 5’2 Sophomore 9 years of experience (1 JV, 1 Varsity high school) Center Mid “To me, soccer is basically everything I have in life. It’s what gets me out of my anger. When I’m on the field I feel as if nothing can touch me. It makes me feel like something in life is worth it.”
Emotions were high when they Lady Jags Varsity soccer team arrived at school on Thursday, February 6th. They had finally made it to the point that they were striving to reach the entire season: the State Finals. The girls traveled to Melbourne, FL on a Charter bus along with Coach Bruns, their soccer bags, and hopes of coming out as State Champions. On the three hour bus ride, the girls occupied themselves by watching “John Tucker Must Die,” and playing games such as heads up on their phones. When they arrived in Melbourne, they dropped their bags off at the Holiday Inn Express where Coach V was waiting for them and went out for a team dinner. At Texas Roadhouse, the girls took up three tables and got the chance to bond over a meal. After they got a healthy meal into their systems, the girls went back to the hotel to settle down for the game the next day. There were four girls per room, and at around 10:00 p.m. they received a surprise form their team managers. Mrs. Eyrich and Mrs. Schmid knocked on their doors and gave every player a bag containing pre-game and post-game necessities such as Gatorade chews and shakes. The bags had the girls’ jersey numbers on them, and had a message saying “we are so proud of our lady Jags!” The girls admired their gifts for a few minutes before settling into bed to get a good night’s rest. At 7:00 a.m. on Friday morning, seriousness
set over the team; it was game day. Slowly, girls found their way to the breakfast room and ate their usual pre-game meal. Whether it was cereal or a bagel, everyone ate what they felt provided them the most energy. At 8:00 a.m. everyone was on the bus ready to play. Coach V gave one of his famous speeches that left the girls motivated to take home the title. When they arrived at Eastern Florida State College, the girls were sent to a practice field next to the stadium where they warmed up. At 9:30 a.m. they were called to the stadium to finish their warm up, and actually got a chance to see what Fleming Island High School was all about. One thing came to mind first: the girls were huge. Not one player on the opposing team was short, but the Jags knew if they worked the ball quickly, size wouldn’t matter. After a team picture was taken, the girls were announced along with their positions and the National Anthem played, it was finally game time. From the beginning of the game, it was clear that it would be a battle. The Jags struggled to get opportunities in the final third while the Golden Eagles made their way down the field quite often. However, with strong defense, the Eagles were not able to capitalize on any opportunities either. Luck was not in the jag’s favor in the first half as they attempted to go towards goal. There were two clear opportunities that should have been a
Sawyer Hall 5’6 Sophomore Forward 10 years of experience (2 varsity high school) “It’s such a different feeling for me to be on the field. It’s not like anything else that I do; nothing compares to how I feel when I play soccer.”
Stephany Rodriguez 5’1 Freshmen 7 years of experience (1 varsity high school) Center defense “Soccer is my passion and it’s my therapy.”
Team C
Mya Goodman 5’7 Senior – Captain Center Mid 11 years of experience (4 varsity high school) “Soccer is one of the things that defines me most. I cannot remember a time when I didn’t have Monday and Wednesday practice, and while some may find that tedious, I don’t. I’m so lucky to play a sport that I love and to be surrounded by such amazing people both on and off the field” Soccer is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
Sophie Fabien 5’5 ½ Freshman 8 years of experience (1 varsity high school) Left defender “Soccer is my one love. It is my way of staying grounded when everything else is going the wrong way.”
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Arianna Schmid 5’6 Senior 11 years of experience (3 varsity high school) Defense/midfield “I just love to be at the field with my teammates. It is a place where I can be completely myself. Playing with the school has brought me closer to a lot of poeple and I’m so pround of our success this year, especially since it was my last year to make a mark.”
Rachel Lorenzo 5’4 Sophomore 12 years of experience(2 varsity high school) Foward “To me soccer is a life style. I’ve gotten so many opportunities to travel around everywhere and out of state. Soccer has been something iv’e been doing for my whole life and i hope i’m able to continue the career.”
Carlos Velasquez 5’5 21 years of coaching experience Graduated from FAU “To me soccer means life. You begin very early in your life dealing with adversity. You experience the greatest moments and the, not so good times. You learn discipline, socialization, and communication. You learn that hard work has its rewards. You continue to set goals and achieve them with dignity, modesty, and integrity. It teaches resolve and perseverance. It is my life.
Sports
February 2014
Gaby Eyrich 5’6 Junior 7 years of experience (3 varsity high school) Defense “Soccer helps me relieve my stress and makes me instantly happy.”
ady Jaguars
Captains
Victoria Pineda 4’10 Senior- Captain Center Defender 14 years of experience (4 varsity high school) “Soccer has given me the opportunity to prove that height doesn’t matter. I love to see people who think they can beat me because they are bigger, and then when I beat them it is so shocking to them. Soccer isn’t about size, it’s about heart.”
Hadley Rosendall 5’7 Freshman 12 years of expeirence (1 varsity high school) Outside Mid “Soccer has been a part of me ever since I was little. The joy I get from being on the field is unlike anything else.”
goal. At one point, senior Amy Etchechury found the keeper on the ground and took a shot, but a Fleming Island defender came out from behind and took the ball right off the line. This was one of the best chances that the Jaguars had the entire game. The first half ended and the score was still 0-0, but the Jags had high hopes. When the second half started, the Jags continued to work the ball around, but still could not get the final shot off. Fifteen minutes in, the Golden Eagles scored when their center mid played the ball to their forward and she took a shot outside of the eighteen yard box. The Jags remained calm; they still had 25 minutes left in the game. They continued to make attempts at scoring and the defenders stopped the Eagle’s offense from getting to goal many times. However, eventually they got another opportunity. This one was a one on one with the keeper and the forward calmly placed the ball into the back of the net. It was now 2-0 with only about three minutes left. The game ended and the Jags attempted to keep their heads up to shake hands. Some tears were shed as they high fived the other team, but overall, they were extremely proud of how they performed not only to get there, but in the final game. Senior captain Mya Goodman was incredibly proud to have even made it this far. “The experience itself was definitely one of the high lights of not only senior year but high
school all together. I’ve been to a final four in club soccer, but high school is different because it’s about representing your school,” Goodman said. “Before this year we hadn’t made it past districts and it was disappointing because we always knew we could, so now in my senior year going to Stats was everything to me. I’m so proud of my team. “ While the ladies did not come out on top this year, they accomplished something no soccer team in Charter history ever has. They made it to the top four and will undoubtedly be there next year. They have a young team that is willing to work hard to accomplish everything next year.
Cheyanne Wakeland- Hart 5’1 Freshman 7 years of experience (1 varsity high school) Forward “I love high school soccer because of the awesome team mates. It’s great to be part of the school and have people I can relate to.”
Veronica Gayoso 5’3 Sophomore 9 years of experience (2 varsity high school) Defense “Soccer is my sense of comfort. Whenever I’m on the field I feel at home.”
Record: 19-5-1 Top Scorers: Mya Goodman (16), Amy Etchechurry (11), and Rachel Lorenzo (10) Assistant Leaders: Mya Goodman (27), Alexys Nowak (9), Emely Sosa (8) Top Performances: 11-4-13 16-0 win over Boyd Anderson, 11-25-13 1-0 win over cross town West Broward, Districts/Regionals Goalie Patricia Yordan recorded shutouts all through districts and in regionals
Amy Etchechury 5’5 Senior 12 years of experience (2 varsity high school) Midfielder/forward “Soccer is a whole other world to me; it’s an escape. I can’t see myself without a ball at my feet.“
Samantha Toribio 5’7 Junior 13 years of experience (3 varsity high school) Left Defense/ Left Wing “Soccer is like food, I can’t live without it.”
Frances Acevedo 5’6 Sophomore 10 years of experience (1 varsity high school) Left Wing Soccer is where I can take my mind off of everything. When I’m on the field, I get rid of all of my other thoughts and just play the game I love.”
Sports February 2014
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Making a Splash: Girl
Mollie Bayer
Victoria Hill
Jessica Cordero
Bears are classified as docile creatures that once disturbed, will show how fierce and powerful they truly are. Give junior Mollie Bayer a water polo ball and throw her into the pool and those very similar traits will emerge. In the pool, she prides herself on her strong swimming background and her hard work to excel in the sport. But like every great athlete, they were once someone only dreaming of reaching the level they are at now. For Bayer, that moment was freshman year when she decided to play the sport after many of her friends persuaded her to join the team. It took a little while for her to learn the fundamentals, show she looked up to the now graduated Carolina Silva for guidance. Since then she has only improved, playing on the wings and delivering solid play game in and game out which helped the Lady Jags make districts last year. “I feel we definitely have the talent to return there,” said Bayer. “As a team we just need to focus on coming together and learn how to communicate well in the water.” As the season slowly gets underway, Bayer is looking to do her best and have a good time with some of her closest friends. Catch her pregame eating some Gatorade gummies and getting in the zone with her teammates. Although having fun is the reason you play a sport, winning is a close second; and it is something Bayer will put all she’s got to accomplish.
For some, determination and motivation is hard to come by in the sport they play in. However, for a select few, it’s impossible not to have it. Junior water polo player Victoria Hill emphasizes her consistent hard work in the pool and even out of it every day. As a matter of fact, Hill has not been playing for long, starting her water polo career as just a freshman. Hill got into the sport because she knew the coach in middle school and had always talked about PPCHS’ water polo team. Her experience in almost a decade of swimming contributes to the ease in which she competes in the water all the time. Hill stresses how much fun water polo is and the love she has for her teammates and for the game herself. With a strong girls team, Hill appreciates how rewarding the sports itself is and how much of a team sport it is. By way of all the hard work the girl’s team has put in already, Hill believes they have a pretty good shot in districts and she’s hoping they can make it beyond that. Hill’s position out in the pool is essential to her team’s success as she plays defensive hole-set on weakside flat which is the “ideal place for lefties” as she describes. “I help keep the team motivated and ontrack when we are practicing to keep the final goal in mind,” said the lefty. Motivation proves to be the driving force for this outstanding athlete, and her contribution to the girl’s water polo team could not be more appreciated.
From swimming as a little girl to playing water polo with the Pines Charter High School team, sophomore Jessica Cordero has earned her spot in the lime-light. Cordero began swimming when she was a young girl under the instruction of Coach Louis, who is the High School water polo coach as well. When Jessica made her grand entrance into high school, her coach coaxed her into joining the water polo team. Cordero says, “My coach basically recruited me as a freshman. Since he knew me from when I was taking swim lessons as a younger child, he told me to join the water polo team when I got to high school. I decided I would give it a try. I didn’t expect to like it as much as I do; water polo is a part of my life now.” Jessica Cordero certainly made a statement as the new freshman member of the water polo team; she won Freshman MVP for the 2012-2013 school year. Whether joining the water polo team was Cordero’s first option as a freshman in high school or not, she is on the team again this year as a sophomore. Her dedication and unwavering work ethic is bound to show again in the 2013-2014 school year.
ls’ Water Polo top Six
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Sports
February 2014
Marcela Gallardo
Melissa Gonzalez
Viviana Calero
She is the captain of not only the swim team, but also the water polo team. Senior Marcela Gallardo is entering her fourth year of swimming and water polo at PPCHS. Now that her high school swimming career is over, she is focused on her water polo career. Water polo isn’t an easy sport to play; it takes a strong swimmer and a fit body to be able to navigate through the opposing team and score. “My parents played sports growing up, so it kind of runs through the family,” said Gallardo. “My dad was a very good soccer player, and my mom played a variety of sports.” Gallardo credits swimming as a motivator for playing water polo. Swimming has given Gallardo the skills and experience she needs to perform well in water polo. Gallardo leads the team, both in the water and out of the water, by using her years of experience to inspire her teammates to play better. “Water polo is a team sport,” said Gallardo. “Swimming is individual sport. In water polo, you have to rely on each other, swimming doesn’t prepare you for water polo, it just gives you some of the skills you need.” Gallardo hopes to get into the University of Florida and play recreational water polo there. As a senior captain, Gallardo hopes to make a big run in the post-season. In her last season, Gallardo hopes to define her legacy as a water polo player and a swimmer at PPCHS.
Melissa Gonzalez is a tenth grader with a starting position on the water polo team. During her eighth grade year she was approached by Coach Luis, who is the head coach of the girl’s water polo team. He was expecting Gonzalez to try out for the water polo team, no questions asked. This coming season will make her second season ever of playing water polo, but having a real passion for the sport is what makes her try her hardest and do her best, which is how she earned the starting position. This isn’t Gonzalez’s first water sport though, she has been swimming since the sixth grade and continues swimming but not during water polo season, because she doesn’t want to strain herself. She swims competitively for the SoFlo Comets, whose home is the Pembroke Pines Charter swimming pool. Gonzalez competes and will continuing practicing during the summer. “I love the intensity that comes with water polo, it’s a very challenging and it makes you think of every play you make before you do it. This game is one where you have to use your brain a lot, which I love about it,” said Gonzalez. Gonzalez shares this sport with her sister, junior Rebecca Gonzalez. Together, they share a bond both in and outside of the pool, the game bringing them closer together. Both sisters plan to continue playing on the Jags Water Polo team for their remainder of their years in high school.
Viviana Calero or “Vivi” as her friends know her is a starting water polo player for the Jags 2014 season. This her second year playing water polo, starting in her sophomore year now starting as a junior. Water polo was not her first passion in the pool, she has been competitively swimming since fifth grade but one day decided to try something new and become a water polo player for the school. She has since quit swimming, but she still loves the sport. In the pool there is 7 players for each team at a time, but the team only has 11 players so everyone is urging girls to come try out for the team. It’s a walk-on team so don’t be afraid go to try out. “I love our team and I like how we work as a family, and we are all very close. Water polo is a team sport and allows you to become close with your teammates. It is a more competitive sport then swimming and that’s what I love.” Calero stated. Calero loves the sport and thanks her friends for making her try something new. She picked the number sixteen to wear because it is her birthday. Calero hopes to have a winning season, hopefully winning districts and regionals.
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Making a Splash: Boy
Alexander Viloria
Blake Kelly
Noah Hernandez
Sophomore Alexander Viloria has engaged himself in a passion for water sports. Beginning on the PPCHS swim team, Viloria just couldn’t get enough. After countless years of swimming ever since he was in first grade, he grew somewhat tired of the sport and decided to take on a new challenge: Water Polo. This game is a seven-a-side game played by swimmers in a pool, with a ball like a volleyball that is thrown into the opponent's net. Viloria usually plays on the outside, as a “fly and wing”. It has now been a year and a half that he has been playing the sport and he absolutely loves it. He enjoys the atmosphere of being able to play around several close friends and being in the water. He enjoys most that the sport is not a mainstream sport. What can we say, he was just made to be in the water. Not only does Viloria play on the school’s Water Polo team, but he also takes part as a member of a club team named South Florida Water Polo Club. His best experience while playing water polo is when he traveled across the country to California to play with his club team. Originally growing up in California, he enjoyed going back to the state and playing his favorite sport.
Water Polo is a game that requires skill and determination in order for those athletes to succeed. After playing for four years, senior captain Blake Kelly has developed the skills that is needed to not only play well, but also inspire those around him. As a captain this year, Kelly is determined to make it to states, all while bringing the team together as one. After completing his first season on the swim team, Kelly was persuaded by friends of his that he swam with to play water polo. “I knew the coach, who is the same coach of the swim team,” said Kelly. “Since I knew some of the players, I figured that it would be fun.” Four the next four years, Kelly has been playing on the team, learning form veterans and gaining more and more knowledge about the game. The change from swimming to water polo keeps Kelly conditioned all year, and the love of the sport keeps Kelly coming back each year. “I love water polo,” said Kelly. “I feel it is a sport that really shows team work and is for anybody.” Kelly plans on going to college; he is still undecided. He wants to play in college, but he feels that it just won’t happen. Kelly has a lot of time to prepare for his last season, which starts February 20th. Kelly is ready to lead his team to success.
The boys’ water polo team here at Pines Charter may not be known all that well, but one player on the team who can definitely change that is junior driver Noah Hernandez. Hernandez started swimming when in elementary school, and realized he felt at home when in the water. During his freshman year of high school, his parents wanted him to try something new, and what better way to do that then play for the school’s water polo team. Able to adjust to the sport quickly, he made an impact on the team right away, and soon earned a spot as a starter in his sophomore year. “I knew that this was the right sport for me because every time I am in the water, it just feels right. The team is great because we all support each other and have one another’s backs.” says Hernandez. Hernandez expects the team to go far this season and hopefully win Districts and go to Regionals. One thing that he needs to improve on is his aggressiveness when it comes to taking shots. He knows that when he shoots, there is a good chance that the ball will go in the net. As for the team, Hernandez thinks that communication will be key in order for them to succeed. In the future, playing in college is something that Hernandez wants to pursue if the right opportunity arises.
ys’ Water Polo top Six
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Sports
February 2014
Adrian Cortez
Stefano Diogaurdi
Tomas Ligaspi
Senior Adrian Cortez started out on the swim team as a freshman, and after being successful there, was urged to play water polo by experienced seniors. “Learning to tread water and hold the ball over your head while someone is trying to drown you was definitely not an easy thing to get used to,” said Cortez. Cortez was not a starter his freshman year, but as he gained more experience he earned his starting position: hole set. From then on Cortez gained confidence in the pool and continued to gain higher expectations for the team. Now in his senior year, Cortez wears number four and looks forward to making it to States with his team. “We are way more dedicated this year to make it to states. There’s nothing I would like more than to make my mark as part of this team by winning our district and hopefully making it to states,” he said. The intensity that the game brings has proven to be Cortez’s favorite part of the game. “There’s nothing like the feeling I get when I demolish another player and bar in or corner a sweet goal,” said Cortez. “And the celebration with the tam on the bus ride home is always awesome. After high school, Cortez would like to continue playing water polo. Most likely, he will not play for a school but for a club team.
There’s an old saying that goes “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”, and that certainly is the case for junior Stefano Diogaurdi. Now on the Charter water polo team, he decided to take up the sport because his father was once a professional water polo player for an Italian league team. With the expertise of his dad, Diogaurdi has been working hard to improve his game ever since the 8th grade. Since he joined the Charter water polo team in his freshman year, Diogaurdi has been a key asset and brings a lot of talent to the team. “I have really improved my game over the last couple of years and am hoping that it really shows this year. The team has the ability to go far this year and even potentially make it past Regionals.” said Diogaurdi. Diogaurdi, who plays defensive hole set, is looking to bolster the team’s defense this year by making an extra effort to prevent opposing player from getting anywhere near the goal. This is the mindset that Diogaurdi believes that will be successful for him and the team as a whole. Once his high school years are over, Diogaurdi hopes to continue playing water polo in college and someday play professionally just like his dad did.
Tomas Ligaspi loves the sport of water polo and everything it has to offer. He loves the camaraderie and all the friendships that have formed between all his teammates. Most importantly he loves the competiveness and intensity of the game. “I love that water polo is a team sport versus swimming being more for yourself and improving your own times. It is great that I have made so many new friends and we can always be having in and out of the pool,” Ligaspi said. Ligaspi started playing water polo his freshman year, after being on the swimming team all of his friends decided to join water polo and he is so glad he followed suit. Ligaspi will be one of the starting seven in the pool this year as a junior. He has worked very hard to earn his starting spot amongst all the other boys competing to start. Attending conditioning during pre-season is not very fun and makes your muscles very sore, but hard work pays off and will make the team better in the long run. Ligaspi plans on continuing water polo in his senior year, so he could say he has played his whole high school career. Every year the team wishes to reach districts, regionals, then possibly states.
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Alexys Nowak PROOF-READER
Signing from Page 25... Goodman was one of the three seniors at PPCHS to sign at PPCHS on February 10th, 2014 to play college sports by following these steps. By playing hard and getting their name out there, Mya Goodman, Troy Bottom and Jordan DeLoeon were all recruited by out of state colleges. Mya Goodman will be moving to Waltham, Massachusetts and playing soccer for the Brandeis Judges which is a Division III school. She got herself in this position by holding leadership positions in the school, going above and beyond academically and
Follow the signs to signing performing well every time she touched the field. Troy Bottom and Jordan DeLeon both played Varsity football for PPCHS and are headed to continue their favorite sport out of state. Bottom will be headed to Valparasio University which is a Division I AA school in Indiana. After receiving ample amount of offers and taking numerous visits to different schools, Bottom made his decision to be a Crusader on Sunday, February 9th, just moments before the big day. As for DeLeon, despite his parents wanting him to stay close to home, he decided to take the path to Walsh University in Ohio. He will continue as a linebacker for the Division II University starting next season.
All of these student athletes are going to schools that are different divisions. This is another area that Mya stressed. She originally wanted to go to a DI school such as UCF, but found that her academics better suited her for Brandeis. In this situation, it is crucial not to compare yourself to anyone else. If you know that you won’t receive the amount of playing time you wish at a D1 school, there is nothing wrong with playing D2, D3 or NAIA. There is a level for every athlete out there, and different coaches are looking for different things, so don’t be frustrated if you are not getting offers from your top choices. Maybe these other schools will turn out to be better suit-
ed for you than you originally thought. The college recruiting process can be stressful to say the least, but if you get your name out there everything will be much easier. By sending out your resume and going to ID clinics that the schools offer, more and more coaches will know who you are. Keeping your options open and not rushing into a decision are two of the most crucial things to remember. When the right school comes along, it will be obvious that you are meant to be there. At that point, you will have no second thoughts and when signing day comes along, you can pick up that pen, sign your name, and place the school hat on your head with pride.
Michael Sam: the Jackie Robinson of our generation Missouri have known since August and they "rallied around me and supported me." The Missouri football team played the whole season with this revelation in No matter who you are, in the NFL, ev- their minds, but they did not let it distract eryone should be treated equally. Just days them, as they went on to have a remarkable ago, Michael Sam, an All-American de- 12-2 record and win the SEC East division fensive lineman from Missouri and NFL title. With Missouri handling this situation hopeful, said that he is gay in an interview well, it poses a question that sports writer with ESPN's "Outside the Lines" on Sun- for the Sun-Sentinel, David Hyde, said day. With this headlining the news, Sam best in a recent article, “Can an NFL team is facing heavy scrutiny heading into this handle an openly gay player as well as the year’s NFL Draft. Assuming that he is University of Missouri did?” drafted, Sam could become the first openly Why do people seem to make such a big gay player in the history of the NFL. deal out of all of this? It may not be them, “I think that Sam earns a lot of respect for but the media certainly has a lot to do with coming out. He is, in reality, a really good it. Junior Zach Racine stated, “The confootball player and he should be embraced stant pressure athletes have to deal with is by every NFL team once he is drafted,” outrageous just because the media won’t said junior Trent Herzog. give them a break. Michael Sam is in a "I understand how tough situation right big this is," Sam now and I personalsaid. "It's a big deal. ly don’t support gay No one has done players in the NFL. this before. And it's I think it creates too kind of a nervous much controversy.” process, but I know Support for gay what I want to be ... people nowadays is I want to be a footunfortunately hard ball player in the to come by and the NFL." fact that Sam’s own As interested father, Michael Sam viewers, much reSr., took the news in spect should be a negative way, just given to Michael makes the defensive Sam for his courend’s situation even age not only as a tougher. However, football player, but there is always light also as the excep- Equality for All: Missouri defensive linemen Michael at the end of the Sam announced publicly that he is gay, and could postional person that sibly be the first openly gay player in the NFL. Graphic tunnel. As the NFL he truly is. Sam had by Armando Urena draft nears, Mialready confided in chael Sam will be a few close friends, and had dated a fel- the top story. No matter what team drafts low athlete who was not a football player. him, Sam is bound to perform well no matLetting his team know almost came as an ter how different he is. Respect is earned, afterthought to Sam, as he stated publicly not given, and Michael Sam deserves more in an interview with ESPN’s Outside the respect than any athlete in professional Lines, that his teammates and coaches at sports.
high
Brett Alayon and Matthew Deno STAFF WRITERS
go Alumni Jake Dreilinger NEWS EDITOR/MANAGING EDITOR
Two PPCHS alumni, brothers Matt and Chris Wittyngham, have changed a lot since walking out of PPCHS and into the tough college life. Both are passionate about sports and both have an interest in journalism; Chris was the sports editor of the CHAT. Matt didn’t get into journalistic field until college. The Wittyngham brother, pass forward a few years are on the road to success, both doing what they really like, sports. Chris Wittyngham, while sports editor at PPCHS, would do hits on the radio about the PPCHS football games. The person he talked with, Bruce Silverman, really liked the talent he with each hit, and eventually, while he was at the University of Miami, he started talking more about other sports. He began interning at FM 104.3 The Ticket for a year and a half. Wittyngham was hired by the station as a producer during the summer of 2012. At the University of Miami, which was going on concurrently with his time at the station, Wittyngham was studying in the field of broadcasting and journalism. His talk show on 104.3 The Ticket is Saturday from 12-2. “I am passionate about play-by-play on radio,” said Wittyngham. “Doing play-byplay is a really awesome experience, and
I want to turn it into a career. I talk about a little bit of everything, although I try to focus on Miami sports. But if, for example, the Super Bowl is being played, I will talk about the Super Bowl.” Matt Wittyngham, on the other hand, is now living in Bristol, Connecticut, the home base of ESPN. After graduating from Charter in 2008, Wittyngham studied journalism at Florida International University. While in college, Matt started working for the Miami Marlins in guest relations. One of his coworkers used to work for ESPN and put Wittyngham in contact with some of the higher ups at the stats and information department. After a seven month interview process, they offer Wittyngham a job. “Stats allow people to explain why a certain player is better than another player,” said Wittyngham. “Stats give another tool to the argument. Instead of just ‘he has the right tools’, we can use stats to explain that ‘this guy is better because he gets on base more’ or ‘he has a better shooting percentage’.” Both Wittyngham brothers have had big success in the years following their graduation from Charter. Both are doing what they want to do as a career, and both are really enjoying it. Their careers in journalism is listen to or viewed by many in the state of Florida and around the nation.
Heat cooling down; is a three-peat still in reach? Brett Alayon STAFF WRITER
What is going on in South Beach? With a disappointing record 7-5 record in their past twelve games, the 2-time defending NBA champions, the Miami Heat, aren’t in the position they’d necessarily like to be as they pass the halfway point of the season. With several key injuries including Dwayne Wade coupled with surprising losses, the Heat find themselves second in their conference and second in the headlines. “It’s a little strange to watch the Heat lose to some of the weaker teams in the league. They still have an outstanding record at 3313, but come playoff time, we cannot afford to “relax” or “rest” in any game,” said long-time Heat fan Anthony Gomez. The Oklahoma City Thunder are rolling with an outstanding 38-11 record thanks to a recent ten-game winning streak in late January. Superstar Kevin Durant is carrying that team on his back without the in-
jured star point guard Russell Westbrook. Also out in the Western Conference, the old San Antonio Spurs are right back at the top with the 3rd best record in the league as Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and head coach Gregg Popovich are determined to get rid of their agony from last year’s Finals de-
Graphic by: Daniel Vidal
feat. The “Beasts of the East” this season only include two teams: YOUR Miami Heat and the power-housed Indiana Pacers. With their recent addition of center Andrew Bynum, Indiana has only improved since their Eastern Conference Game 7 exit to the Heat last season. Paul George has emerged into a MVP candidate, although Kevin Durant appears to be the front-runner, and is keeping his team at a good “pace” with a league-best 36-10 record. Here’s a little fun fact: If the NBA playoffs started tomorrow, the number three-seed in the eastern Conference would not make the playoffs in the Western Conference, proving just how lop-sided the league is nowadays. Oh, one more thing. NBA commissioner David Stern officially retired February 1st, after thirty successful years as basketball’s chief. Basketball fans across the globe have and always will recognize everything Stern has done for the league. “It’s unbelievable what David Stern was able to accomplish.
He truly made the NBA such a widelyknown league throughout the world all by himself,” said junior Michael Ellenbogen. As Stern exits, the NBA goes on. What’s in store for the rest of the season awaits, and so does the Heat’s potential three-peat.
Die Hard Fans: Junior Micheal Ellenbogen is a big fan of the Heat and hopes that his team can win their third consecutive NBA Title. Photo by: Alex Monge
33 Photos By: Rebecca Gonzalez
Junior Gabriella Eyrich
Junior Courtney Zaher
Senior Amy Etchechury
Senior Arianna Schmid
Junior Patricia Yordan
Junior Rachelle Smith
The Lady Jags Girl’s Varsity team
Junior Samantha Toribio
Senior Victoria PInaeda
Senior Mya Goodman
Sports February 2014
News Febraury 2014
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Talk of the town: Charter’s future Looghermine Claude LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Recently, the Pembroke Pines Charter school system has been butting heads with the school board over the future of the school. As the debate continues between these two groups, negotiations are trying to be made that are best for the school in the end. In an effort to try and reach an agreement, there was a City Commission Meeting Wednesday February 5 at 6:30
pm which included topics about the charter school. During the meeting, there were two things on the agenda that related to the charter school that were discussed. First up was Pines Charter’s Save Our Schools (S.O.S.) initiative. Vice Mayor Angelo Castillo wanted to make it easier for the school to make money because he believed that there was too much red tape and restrictions surrounding the process of raising funds. During the meeting, the
Vice Mayor directed City Manager Charles F. Dodge to draft guidelines that could be used to create more opportunities for fundraisers and remove roadblocks. One such roadblock was encountered by a Charter parent, who was prohibited from using the school phone to make calls for a fundraiser. The reason for this obstruction was the fact that she was not part of the school staff. There was also a presentation made by co-chairs of S.O.S. that detailed the fund-
raising currently necessary for the schools. The presentation talked about the parents, students, and teachers at all the campuses that were involved with helping the school at different levels.
See Charter, Page 33
Talk of the town: Charter’s future
35
News February 2014
Charter from Page 32... Looghermine Claude LIFESTYLE EDITOR
“I enjoy the different ways that the school is trying to raise money for S.O.S because it’s not boring. There are really interesting ideas, and I hope that everyone participates in the fundraisers because it’s going to a good cause. I love this school and anyway that I can help and save the school, I will do it,” says junior Soraya Lopez. The second item on the agenda was a resolution asking the state to allocate more capital funds, Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO), to the municipally run charter schools in the state. Those funds cover equipment costs for items like books and computers that will help the school run well and achieve its educational goals. At the moment, the school board receives the local property taxes and they disperse the money to all of the public schools, but the Pembroke Pines Charter schools do not receive that money. Since the school does not receive the money, it relies on less funds to function than the public schools do. For every dollar that public schools get, Pines Charter receives sixty cents to use. This shortcoming of money is the main reason why Pines Charter is asking for more capital funds for the school.
Another battle that is happening against the city and the Pines Charter teachers is concerning a raise in salary. The governor of Florida proposed a raise for educators of $2000 for each. When the state legislature reviewed this proposal, they decided to change the amount to around $2000, allowing the chance for districts to give more or less than that amount to the teachers. They also gave three different ways for the money to be distributed. The first way is for the money to go to all professionals in schools who have a teaching certificate, which includes guidance counselors, ESE specialists, and media specialists. The second way includes all of those in the first way as well as the administrators in the school. The third way is being ignored by both groups. The problem arises because the city wants to give out the money in installments and they support the second way, but the teachers want the pay as a lump sum and back up the first way. Even with this disagreement, the two groups need to reach a decision on the matter before the end of the year, or else they will lose the money. In the future, there will be more talks between the groups so that they can reach an agreement about the subject. In particular, Commissioner Schwartz’s item on the agenda during the meeting spoke of having
a town hall meeting. This meeting would occur between the Pembroke Pines Charter School parents and the Broward Teacher Union (BTU) Executive Team to discuss the resolution created back in December 2013. During this meeting, the BTU will be speaking to the parents, and the parents will have a chance to ask questions to the union. “My hope is that in the future S.O.S. has the chance to meet its fundraising goals in the elementary and middle schools,” says social studies teacher Mr. Curry. “It’s wonderful that so many parents and students are participating, no matter how big or small, to make this school successful. It’s nice to see that we’ve gotten active to help save the school.” The main goal of both sides of in this confrontation is to save the charter school, and in the end that is what they will accomplish. With more negotiations taking place in the near future, the BTU and the school board will eventually come to a compromise about the future of the school and everyone involved with it. Hopefully, the arguments will subside in time for everyone to work together to help Pines Charter’s financial situation.
Gay marriage rulings in Okla., Utah provides hope Matthew Deno STAFF WRITER
This past January, according to Yahoo News, two federal judges in Oklahoma and Utah have removed state bans on gay marriage. Both are for the same reason, bans violate the Constitution's promise of equal
Graphic by: Danny Vidal
treatment under the law. Although that same idea has been the driving force of the gay marriage debate for years, the decisions in Oklahoma and Utah offer a new type of momentum for people pressing the same
argument in dozens of other cases across the country. Experts say the rulings could represent an emerging legal agreement that will carry the issue back to the Supreme Court. The more judges who issue these kind of rulings, the more authority other judges will feel to render similar decisions, according to Douglas NeJaime, a professor of law at the University of California, Irvine, in an interview with Yahoo News. There are speculations made by several news services that there soon may decisions from federal courts in Virginia and Pennsylvania as well. An attorney for the plaintiffs in the Oklahoma case said that the most important question is whether the Supreme Court agrees to decide the legality of gay marriage bans now or whether the justices will wait for their time. “I think that these rulings are a real turning point and stepping stone for getting gay marriage legalized in every state in the United State. Hopefully, other states will use the rulings as a reason to take away the
bans on gay marriage.” said co-president of the Gay Straight Alliance, Annelyn Martinez. The New York Times reports that petitioners in more than three dozen cases are challenging gay marriage bans in twenty separate states. What has triggered the series of rulings now being seen was the Supreme Court decision last summer to strike down part of the Defense of Marriage Act that defined marriage as between a man and a woman. The judges in Utah and Oklahoma refer to that decision heavily, basically interpreting it to mean that same-sex bans are unconstitutional. In the seven months since the landmark decision, the number of states allowing gay marriage has jumped from 12 to 17, but in Utah and Oklahoma, the issue is still pending appeals. “Regardless of whether or not the issue gets appealed, these rulings are definitely a step in the right direction for people fighting for the legalization of gay marriage. This will only make these people stronger and want to fight harder.” said member of the Gay Straight Alliance, Joshua Semander.
School district phone ban promises change Andrea Bellorin CLUBS EDITOR
Broward County school district: gear up for the new proposed policy to prohibit cellphone use in drop-off and pick-up areas. Already implemented in some schools, such as Sunset Lakes Elementary school, the policy hopes to derail dangerous driving habits that are seen often today. Due to technological advancements and phone obsessions, parents are using their phones more and more in the drop-off and pick-up areas. The School Board is considering a policy that would completely ban drivers on school grounds from using their cellphones. This also includes any other electronic devices, even headsets or Bluetooth. The entire issue came to topic when school employees continually begged, almost, for parents to stop using their cellphones while in the car line. In some instances, employees banged on cars to stop drivers from dragging their own kids who are still getting out of the vehicle, according to the Sun Sentinel. Others may believe that it is important to stay in contact with your child when it comes time to pick them up. For instance, searching for your child in a crowd of students may be difficult with-
out communication through a cellphone. 2010 through 2011, at least 85 crashes “I mean, I guess I understand how ac- caused by distracted drivers turned fatal, cidents can occur from using your phone according to the National Highway Trafin these areas. I don’t think it’s necessary fic Safety Administration. This also greatly because if I need to pick up my brother I contributes to the proposed policy. need to be able to contact my parents for This policy hopes to decrease the likeany reason,” says junior Leysha Caraballo. lihood of accidents and the overall slowCertain campuses in Broward County down of the car line in various schools in have already posted signs prohibiting cell- the county. Also, the collaboration between phone use in drop-off and pick-up areas. school officials and parents will better the Unfortunately, it has shown to be a hard school grounds in the effort to make it a time enforcing it without proof from an safer place for children. official rulebook, school officials claim. State law prohibits texting while driving, but only considers it a secondary offense, so a driver has to break another rule to receive a fine. “I don’t have younger siblings to pick up from school but I understand why they would make this policy happen. People need to drive safer and prevent more accidents from happening. If they have to take these measures then I guess it needs to happen,” says senior Desiree Scott. Implemented since October 1st, tex- Phone ban in School: The Broward County school district ting while driving became illegal in now prohibits the use of phones in drop-off or pick-up areas. the state of Florida. In Florida from Photo by: Sydney Silverberg
The Weekend Review Melissa Pierce STAFF WRITER
• Syrian forces kill over 80
people in barrel bomb attacks in Aleppo:
Syrian military helicopters dropped barrel bombs on the city of Aleppo on Sunday, February 2, 2014. At least 83 people were killed; this act is being considered a war crime. Most of the victims were civilians of who were women and children. It seems as if Syria’s struggle for peace will never end.
• Olympic loo-loo: Another twin toilet found in Sochi: On Saturday, February 1, 2014 a set of twin toilets were found in the female restroom at the security screening facility outside the Main Press Center for the 2014 Winter Olympics, in Sochi, Russia. This is the second finding, as a set of twin toilets were found in the men’s bathroom last month. Sophomore Stephanie McDonald states, “The fact that these toilets were side-by-side on two occasions is hilarious. However, it can also be a security concern so things like this need to be watched closely.”
• Iranian minister says nuke talks failure would be a disaster: Iran’s foreign minister claimed that it would be disastrous if they didn’t turn their dispute over the nuclear program into a permanent deal. He decided this after speaking with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday, February 02, 2014. This dispute over the nuclear program needs to be settled by a provisional agreement in Tehran. At least Iran is attempting to come to an agreement verbally instead of physically.
• Medical marijuana amendment gets green light from supreme court: The top court in Florida approved the wording of a medical marijuana ballot on January 27, 2014. This makes Florida join some 20 other states in legalizing the use of medical marijuana. Freshman Mincheska Felipe says, “I think this was bound to happen. I actually think that within the next few years, almost every state in the U.S. will legalize medical marijuana. It’s just a matter of time.”
• Imprisoned Kenneth Bae must serve his 15 years hard labor: Kenneth Bae is a Korean-American Christian missionary who is being held in North Korea. The North Koreans have just recently announced that they will not release him until he finishes his sentence of 15 years in a labor camp. He has been there for over a year and is being held for supposed anti-government activity. I can only imagine how Dennis Rodman feels now.
Say yes to the date Chelsie Ramos STUDENT LIFE EDITOR
It all begins with a timid smile, quick glances at one another, and then the constant texting begins. These simple gestures begin because of a simple infatuation with another person that quickly leads to spending every moment thinking about that them. Your heart quickens at the very thought and sight of them, with a bright smile that crosses your face, then you both decide to take your infatuation one step further- an exclusive relationship. Many people might question your judgment for being in a high school relationship, but don’t listen to them, because these are the relationships that define you. Many people actually go through all four years of high school not knowing if they want to get into a relationship. They give slight smiles and winks to those that they like, but might not pursue their crush. This is all because many people believe that the idea of having a “serious” relationship is pointless during your “glory years” of high school. This is all wrong. Finding someone you can connect with on any level is special. So if you come across this person, while being in hnigh school, who cares? Bond with them in ways you can’t with your friends and family, because that is what a relationship is for. Having a boyfriend or girlfriend isn’t all just about being able to walk hand in hand around school, and kiss in between classes. A relationship is about finding someone who compliments you, in ways that you can’t. They help bring out the best in you that might not always come out during high school, or even at all. It doesn’t matter how many people you have dated in high school, because each one of them has made you grow as an individual. From every person that you date, you take something away from them and that relationship. You will end up learning about yourself in ways that you would never imagine. Dating people while in high school allows a person to learn about the type of people and relationships that they would want to be with. It allows for a person to see the different types of relationships that someone can be in- friendly, distant, or obsessive. If a person goes through a hard relationship, then they will learn from that relationship that, that is not what they want. Instead, they will understand that they deserve better and should be in a relationship where they are treated better. This allows for the person to grow and understand what type of people they would also like to surround themselves with. You will begin to rule out the negative characteristics, while also beginning one with the positive characteristics that you enjoy and would want in a future relationship. This is just one way that high school relationships actually benefit a person, both in the present and the future. Another big thing that has always been centered on high school relationships are high school sweethearts. When you are dating a person, you begin to wonder if this is “the one,” the person that you might one day see walking down the aisle or waiting for you. This idea that you might have known your other half for the majority of your life can be a comforting thought. They would now all the little details and things about you. Things that maybe others in the future, would never see because those tendencies might’ve ended before you walked across the stage for your diploma. It is this comfort that
Chelsie vs. Chelsi
So much for high school romance
many can believe in and helps them justify being with the person too. Now in reality, not many high school sweethearts make it past graduation and the first few years out of high school. Yet it doesn’t mean to give up on high school relationships all together. No matter what anyone says, they will always have an opinion on the issue, but what it truly comes down to is what you want. Having a boyfriend or a girlfriend ultimately gives you someone that you know will be thinking and worrying about you the majority of the day. It gives you the chance to always have someone around who will comfort you, look out for you, and keep you sane in the craziest of times. They can help comfort you when all else fails, and can make you feel better when you think that it is you against the world. But ultimately, it gives you someone else you will stand by you through the craziest and strangest time of your life- high school. You both would be able to push one another along, to better each other, while just being around for any bump in the road that can occur. Being in a relationship also gives you a person who you can spend your weekends with. Those lonely movie nights, will no longer exist once you are in a relationship. Weekends can become full of the cute date nights that you found on Tumblr, and can now finally actually happen. Relationships allow for you to have a best friend, who both looks out for you and loves you. Having a guaranteed best friend, it the best thing that can come out of having a relationship. The idea of a best friend that will walk around standing up and protecting you, seems like the best way to survive in the cramped halls of high school. They give you the chance to relax and not worry about having to impress everyone else, since your significant other will most likely see you as the best. They are also your guaranteed prom date, valentine, and will be around for those random summer nights. These benefits are some of the trivial perks that come out of being in a relationship. Relationships have also become a basic part of the high school tradition. In all, stereotypical high school movies, a high school relationship is always front in center throughout the plot. The movies either surround themselves with the two main characters struggle to get together, or their struggle to get back together. These movies set the foundation for what many believe high school should be like, and due to these types of movies, many think that they should be in relationships. And in reality, the typical high school traditions do revolve around having someone to be with for all of the big part of your high school career. From homecoming to promposals, having a boyfriend or girlfriend allows you to know that you have that special someone for those big moments. Imagine, when prom season comes, the worry and stress that surrounds finding the perfect dress and date, can cause you to go crazy. With a significant other, the worry of finding a date is not on your shoulders anymore. Instead you can focus on just having fun up to that moment, and have a great night. High school relationships will forever be a topic that every generation will have to deal with. They give you a sense of security, while teaching you what you want for your future. The relationships that begin in those tight hallways full of students bring life to the mundane, repetitive schedule that surrounds the typical school day. They allow for a person to grow as an individual, just by simply linking hands with someone as they walk around the school.
Chelsi Chang ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
We see it time and time again: the two crazy kids that met in homeroom and fell madly in love. Their Instagrams are filled with pictures of one another and bios on almost every social media is the date they started dating. They spend every Monday putting a picture of their boyfriend, calling them their “#ManCrushMonday or their #WomanCrushWednesday. That’s it, they’re in it for the long haul, ready to let themselves fall head over heels with the person they believe is their soul mate. In this stage of the game, almost all of us can call to mind a couple that had done this, to the tee. But—coming from the logistic side—falling in love in high school is like jumping into bed with a ticking time bomb(I call it a bomb for more reasons than one); and although the pictures captioned by twelve different kinds of heart emojis and extravagant gift funded by mommy are endearing, it’s just not… practical. Excuse me for sounding like a mother here but we have to face the facts. Which are that only 8% of high school sweethearts actually make it down the aisle and of that minute number, only 3% will survive. (ihigh. com) The odds aren’t in our favor in high school. There are so many factors ripping us away, starting with the biggest and possibly the most important- college. To me, dating in high school is like saying, “yes I’ll like you and date you until (insert graduation date here).” Many of these high school relationships start, ignoring the fact that a couple, they will be leaving each other. It’s a strange concept to thing about when you look at the grand scheme of things but we as high schoolers usually only think of the now, what’s directly in front of us at that very moment. Some couples think that they are the exception to this, thinking they are going to make it all the way. Now, usually these kids are in their freshman or sophomore year and the reality of college and the imminent parting hasn’t hit them like a ton of bricks yet. Going to college is supposed to be new and exciting, you’re supposed to meet new people, go to a new city (at least for most people), and enjoy a whole new life away from the mundane town from which you came. Now, how can you do that if you allow your “high school sweetheart” to climb onto your back burdening you with ‘old’ while you are being tempted by all the ‘new?’ The first week of college is hectic: you’re trying to make new friends, find your way around the campus, adjust to the new class schedule, get the necessary books and programs for your classes, start homework, get to know your roommate, decorate your dorm, call your mom to tell her how it’s going. It’s a lot (note I didn’t even begin mention too much about school) and it’s only going to get worse. Where in those first couple of weeks will there be time to call my boyfriend/girlfriend? You probably won’t. And soon it goes from webcamming, texting, calling and occasional meet ups to just webcamming and calling to just texting until the couple fizzles out. It’s an archetypal story. We forget the naked truth in the saying, “out of sight, out of mind.” It
grows harder and harder to stay in contact with someone once you’ve made new friends and started a new life. The other person soon just becomes a bother and something holding you back from all the new and exciting people from the opposite sex that you haven’t had the chance to properly get to know because you have been held back by some girl/guy from the past. So let’s say you’re a freshman and this really doesn’t apply to you yet. You still have some time left to kill before senior year rolls around, right? The truth is, we are all still just kids. Until we start living on our own, buying our own food, and paying our own mortgage, we are still just little kids with so much left to learn. Jumping into relationships is a high and mature step and so many kids do it just because they feel obligated to. Like just because they are in high school, they need to be dating someone, movies and TV shows make it seem like dating in school is a part of the experience. But for some people, it doesn’t have to be. However, like I said, we are young and impressionable. Some people change everything about themselves just to seem more appealing to the opposite sex or to appeal to their significant other. Too many times, I’ve seen girls and sometimes guys change everything about themselves just so that the person they like will like them too. Some are so blinded by the love and the want to for attention that they forget who they are. Being in high school for four years, I’ve seen some major changes in people and some aren’t so nice. Girls, especially, sometimes become so desperate to please their boyfriends that they are willing to do things they may not be entirely ready for. Why? We are young, this is the time were we should be free of responsibilities and burdens. Dating someone means taking on your own responsibilities and burdens and someone else’s. Not to mention the fact that it’s extremely awkward to date someone when you don’t really have the means to have a mature relationship— as hard as you may try. From freshman to sophomore year, students don’t have a car so it’s mom or dad dropping you off and picking you up on your date. Or, there’s the ever pleasant chaperone date, where one of your parents’ goes to the movie with you but makes you feel like you’re on a date because they go to see a different movie. Either way you look at it, it’s a glorified playdate. It’s uncomfortable because an adult is around so certain things are eliminated off the list of topics, you can’t kiss, and there’s forced conversation with your date’s mother which feels more like an interview. That, to me, isn’t a date. Call me old fashioned, but a date is when the guy picks you up and pays for your meal, at the very least on the first date. But when you’re still a kid and you don’t have money of your own, it’s weird. I see it all the time working at the movies, two little 14 year olds come to the movies, and the girl awkwardly shoved a twenty dollar bill under the opening in the window as the guy watches emasculated because mom wouldn’t give him enough money to buy him a ticket for his date. Finally, there’s gifts. There are the couples that are into giving expensive Michael Kors bags and Calvin Klein perfume but the gifts are funded by mom and dad. It’s weird. It doesn’t feel the same because the money didn’t come out your own pocket. You didn’t work long hours, save up, or give up on going out with friends to buy the gift. It was the person’s mom who gave them the money for it. These things go unappreciated. Then what happens when you break up? Now before you call your boyfriend/ girlfriend telling stating “we need to talk,” remember and understand that I have nothing against high school relationships. There are many benefits in finding something that makes you happy. Sometimes, it just helps to put things into perspective and see where that takes you. Romance is a lovely thing when done in the right time and circumstances.