STANTON COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE
MAY 2019
THE
SENIOR MAGAZINE Including the feature piece, “Kids These Days” by KATELYN COLLEY, Staff Writer
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE
VOLUME XXXV Sports Quiz: Would You Rather? College Edition Photography
Arts & Entertainment
Baby Pictures
Features
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photo obtained from Phoenix Yearbook
Quiz: Which Teacher Are You? Senior Bingo
Opinions
Photography
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Contributing Advocates The Devil’s Advocate is searching for contributing writers, photographers, artists and filmmakers. Contact Editor-in-Chief Rohini Kumar at krohini601@gmail.com, Opinions Editor Tatyana Esquilin at tatyanaesquilin@gmail.com or Digital Media Editor Zahra Casado at zahracasado@ gmail.com.
The Next Level / Eight seniors signed to further their athletic careers in college—here, they tell their stories.
By Isaiah Fluharty
College is an unfamiliar experience for every high school senior. Construct your ideal college experience with this quiz!
By Seth Abouhalkah
Highlights / Some of the watershed moments and popular trends that punctuated the class of 2019’s time at Stanton.
Photos contributed by Stanton student body
A cartoon from our Art Director, senior-contributed artwork, a crossword puzzle and The Record.
By Amra Kajdic, Rohini Kumar, Caroline Robbins, Vaishnavi Suren, Contributing Artists
Test how well you know your peers by guessing the senior in each baby picture!
Photos contributed by Stanton student body
Kids These Days / Generation Z is stepping up to forge an identity for itself and influence the issues that define it.
By Katelyn Colley
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photo by Theresa Childs Photography
The Devil’s Advocate is dependent on our advertisers and our sponsors. When you purchase an ad with us, it reaches a diverse student population that can help your business. We can also design your ads. Our prices are: $35 (1/4 page), $60 (1/2 page), $75 (insert), $100 (full page b/w) or $150 (back page color). For an additional $5 fee, we can advertise your business on our website. Contact Business Manager Amra Kajdic at amrakajdic1@gmail.com or our adviser, Mr. Larry Knight, at knightl1@duvalschools.org.
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photo by Kennedy Cottle
photo by Ysabella Rodriguez
Take this quiz to find out which Stanton teacher you have the most in common with!
By Serene Shibly
Play this game of Senior Bingo and compare your high school experience to your friends’.
By Angela Villanueva
Columns on undermatching, appreciating the journey of high school, being a member of the Devil’s Advocate and more.
By Andrew Abouhalkah, Quinn Conrad, Brandon Deda, Salma Drew, Elijah Michel, Vaishnavi Suren
Bright Lights, Bold City / Prom is generally one of the most anticipated senior year events—here are some photos of it.
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MAY 2019
SENIOR ISSUE
STANTON COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Printed at Florida Sun Printing, Callahan, Fla. Please recycle this magazine.
Photos contributed by Stanton student body
Adviser: Larry Knight Editor-in-Chief: Rohini Kumar Managing Editor: Bettina Huang Managing Editor: Likhita Manchikanti Layout and Design Editor: Emmett Gideon Business Manager: Amra Kajdic Photography Editor: Katie Stevens Associate Photography Editor: Prachi Misra Digital Media Editor: Zahra Casado Associate Digital Media Editor: Brandon Deda Art Director: Caroline Robbins Videographer: Dylan Janson Public Relations Manager: Christa Assi Features Editor: Salma Drew Opinions Editor: Tatyana Esquilin Sports Editor: Jake Nachman Student Life Editor: Phong Huynh Website Editor: Zachary Genus Staff Writers: Seth Abouhalkah, Katelyn Colley, Isaiah Fluharty, Serene Shibly, Vaishnavi Suren, Angela Villanueva Photographer: Kennedy Cottle Photographer: Ysabella Rodriguez
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 3
The Next Level As their high school journey ends, a group of Stanton seniors are going on to particpate in collegiate athletics. By ISAIAH FLUHARTY, Staff Writer
photo by Katie Stevens
The Senior Signees (from left to right, top to bottom), Haleigh Oglesby, Brevan Heaton, David Wrenn, Alex King, Danielle Forbes, Annelisa O’Neal, Sally Calhoun, Aubrey Armes-Johns Not Pictured: Alyssa Brown As the end of the 2018–2019 school year quickly approaches, a select group of seniors at Stanton College Preparatory School have signed collegiate contracts that will take them to the next level of their athletic careers. Each of these athletes have a different story, and varying anticipations of what the future will hold. Most of the athletes went through traditional signing processes, in which coaches reach out to students who they find particularly skilled in their sport. For some of the students, however, this isn’t quite the case. Haleigh Oglesby, a shooting guard on the Lady Blue Devils basketball team who is set to row at the University of Central Florida, has an unconventional signing story. “Originally, I was going to be recruited to play basketball at a Division III school, but nothing was coming together money-wise because Division III schools can’t give out any athletic money,” said Oglesby. “I resigned to the fact that I really wasn’t going to play basketball in college.” However, weeks later Oglesby was contacted by the rowing coach at UCF. The coach had stumbled upon her recruitment profile and was impressed with her athletic skill-set. After a few campus visits, Oglesby was asked to sign and be a part of the UCF rowing team. “I was taken aback because I had never rowed before, and I didn’t think I would be playing any college athletics at all,” said Oglesby. “It’s going to be crazy pursuing a new sport, but being a Division I athlete is something that I
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never would’ve expected for myself, so it feels pretty great.” While Oglesby faced unexpected changes in her athletic career, there are many challenges she and the other athletes can expect to experience throughout their college careers. They all expect to face a rigorous work schedule, and each student will have to adapt to a new environment while also balancing their athletic and academic responsibilities. Annelisa O’Neal, who signed to play volleyball at Johns Hopkins University, expects the hard work and discipline that come with playing college sports to help improve her physical health and time management skills. “College is going to keep me active and that’s something that’s really important to me,” said O’Neal. “A more lasting effect would be that it’ll help teach me a balanced lifestyle and be able to manage having a lot of work without overworking myself.” Some of the students are more hopeful that college sports will help them gain experience as an athlete. Brevan Heaton, who signed to be a shot putter for the track team at Mount St. Mary’s University, wants to use the athletic team building skills he learns in college to help him follow his desired career path. “My goal is to become an outpatient counselor for adolescents,” said Heaton, a four-year member of the track team. “Having competed in college sports will push me to
do coaching and pursue track on top of that career.” As the athletes prepare to graduate and leave home, they all have worries. Some worry that they won’t be skilled enough, while others worry that they may develop performance hindering injuries or have trouble balancing out academics with sports. Aubrey Armes-Johns, a midfielder for the Lady Blue Devils soccer team who signed to play at Oglethorpe University in northern Georgia, worries about adjusting to life in a place far from home. “I worry about meeting new people and getting to know everyone,” said Armes-Johns. “I don’t know a single person going in and I’ll be starting a whole new life, so it’ll be different for me. I’m excited though.” Luckily, the Stanton experience has prepared the athletes for the workload they will have to carry in college. Despite their worries for the future, they all seem fairly confident that the skills they learned at Stanton will help them to succeed and meet their academic goals. “I think I have a good grasp on balancing sports and academics because of Stanton,” said Armes-Johns. “I’ll still procrastinate like always, but hopefully it won’t be too much of a challenge.” The school year is coming to a close, and soon each signee will set out to start a new chapter in their athletic career. The future of the athletes is unknown, but they hope for the best and plan to do whatever it takes to meet their goals.
VOL. XXXV, SENIOR ISSUE
Would You Rather... Directions: Mark the boxes for your preferred choice in each circumstance.
Get a degree in what you love
Get a degree in something profitable
Get free season tickets to your college’s football games
Get to play one game with your college’s football players
Go to your dream school for $40,000 per year
Go to your “backup” college for free
Have a 6 a.m. class with a great professor
Have a 12 p.m. class with a terrible professor
Miss Grad Bash
Miss Graduation
Sleep through all your finals
Get locked out of your dorm overnight without a change of clothes
Redo high school for one million dollars
OR
Move on to college already in debt
Trip while getting your diploma
Look terrible in all your yearbook photos
Eat ramen for every meal
Be able to eat your favorite food but only one meal a day
Your parents visit you every weekend
Your parents never visit you
Have Tom Richey as your professor
Have John Green as your professor
Live in a loud dorm
Live in a boring dorm
Have a large group of acquaintances
Have a small group of close friends
Eat only frozen meals
Eat only from the vending machine
Attend a class with five students
Attend a class with 500 students
MAY 2019
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 5
C L A S S o f 2 0 1 9
H I G H L I G H T S
The (Senior Record Edition)
photos obtained from Google Images and staff photographers
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VOL. XXXV, SENIOR ISSUE
CROSSWORD PUZZLE: SENIOR EDITION ACROSS 2. This faculty member is retiring this year. 3. The last name of both class sponsors 7. The Multicultural Club theme when the Class of 2019 was the freshman class 11. The number of National Merit Finalists in the Class of 2019 12. Stanton was named a National ______ _______ School during the Class of 2019’s senior year.
DOWN 1. 4. 5. 6.
Name of the Student Government Association President This faculty member is also retiring this year. Name of the Multicultural Club President This musician performed at the Class of 2019’s Grad Bash. 8. Name of the National Honor Society President 9. Name of the character who inspired the theme of the 2018 Prom, which was planned by Class of 2019 officers 10. The number of pep rallies the Class of 2019 won during its senior year
STUDENT ART
“Final Finals” by CAROLINE ROBBINS, Art Director
MAY 2019
For the answer key, visit @scpnewspaper on Twitter or check out our website at www. devilsadvocatepaper.com!
“Blush” by VAISHNAVI SUREN, Staff Writer
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 9
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WHO ARE OUR CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS? 1. “Comfort Woman” by Elyssa Mae Cronologia / 2. “On My Mind Lately” by Allison Powell / 3. “Suerte Suprema” by Nicholi Brown / 4. “Unconventional Palace” by Emma Salati / 5. “Cover art for ‘Fellow’ by Hvmmer” by Ron Menorias
11. Noor Toor 12. Amra Kajdic 13. James Dawson 14. Duong Pham
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7. Maggie Tieu 8. Breannah Brooks 9. Likhita Manchikanti 10. Madeline Okenica
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DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 11 3. Nicole Nunez 4. Erika Espinosa 5. Kristi Gentolia 6. Maira Oliva
15. Alyssa Pitre 16. Rohini Kumar 17. Jake Gould 18. Emmet Gideon
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Names: Table of Contents: Quinn Conrad 1. Brian Tieu 2. Amina Katana
MAY 2019 19. Yaoshar Acio 20. Casey Peterson 21. Onija Davis 22. Bettina Huang
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DEVIL’S ADVOCATE I 13
After the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, fear of terrorism became a pressing issue for many Americans.
2001
2000
2008
An influx of new technology created a shift in communications and American life as a whole.
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made history as the first Black president of the U.S.
photo by Kennedy Cottle
The publicization of events combined with the new information age of the 21st Century has created a unique political and social culture for Generation Z. iiiiiWhile the term “Generation Z” commonly refers to the people born between the late 1990s and the early 2000s, the future remains unclear for those entering the world of adulthood. These post-millenials, a by-product of an early digital era and economic recession, foster a culture of global connectedness and social involvement. The graduating class of 2019 at Stanton College Preparatory School are now at the forefront of this changed society. With a sense of acknowledgement of the issues this generation faces, students are given the opportunity to truly define Generation Z. iiiii“I think our generation will be one of the most progressive generations because we are more aware of the issues in the world,” said senior Parth Shah. “We know what’s wrong, what needs to be changed and how to prioritize it.” iiiiiAlthough there are several issues a particular group of people can control and influence, some issues have passed on from generation to generation, leaving Generation Z to be the next to carry the weight of these problems. Climate change, for example, is a topic of political and environmental division with which members of this generation are starting to get involved. According to a 2018 article published in The New York Times, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres stated, “Climate change is the most systemic threat to humankind,” encouraging many people to take action. Teenagers at Stanton and around the globe have responded to this newfound awareness and action concerning climate change. Student trends of recycling, environmental consciousness, veganism and innovations to encourage a sustainable lifestyle have also been conveyed by Generation Z, showcasing what many people are passionate about and emphasize in their lives. iiiii“I think we are going to see a lot of political change, especially leaning toward liberal ideas,” said senior
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Hannah Whitley. “This will also affect environmental concerns and how we deal with them.” iiiiiStudents like Whitley have also recognized Generation Z’s prominent spirit of social and political activism. The March for Our Lives movement, for example, was a student-organized national event, sparked by the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018. Stanton students assembled their own gun violence awareness event in April of last year and held a schoolwide walkout, a step some feel is toward generational
activism and student involvement. Stanton students of all political ideologies and backgrounds also took to social media to spread their opinions and encourage their peers to take action, a significant advancement from previous generations that did not have widespread social media access. iiiii“I think our generation has become more politically involved at a younger age out of pure necessity. We have serious problems such as climate change, the rising cost of college tuition and other issues that will affect us long after our current leaders are gone,” said senior Alvin Gunnion, who was an organizer of the Stanton walkout in 2018. “I think this gives us a sense of urgency and foresight that other generations didn’t necessarily have to grow up with, politically at least.” iiiiiWhile these issues concerning gun control, climate change and other political debates seem to be at the forefront of this generation, there is also a question of whether these problems truly define Generation Z. There is a possibility the characteristics which seem to define this generation are actually a product of every generation’s youth. Progressive ideas and rebellious attitudes are traits commonly associated with young people, so the spirit of activism seemingly embodied by Generation Z may not truly define the younger generation. Part of the Baby Boomer generation, a group born from the late 1940s to the early 1960s, spent their youth as political protesters who rallied in the streets against the Vietnam War. These patterns convey the notion that the current political and social trends of this generation could simply be a teenager phase. Still, students hope to explore these trends in search of what makes them different. iiiii“Generation Z finds itself in a really unique position, where it is hard make accurate predictions regarding our future,” said senior Rafae Jamal. “I think growing up in the middle of a technological age means that we are the most well-prepared for a world that is still uncertain.” iiiiiStudents trying to navigate this uncertainty often fall
photo by Prachi Misra
To many members of Generation Z, mass shootings have played a pivotal role in defining much of youth activist sentiment. Between the Pulse Nightclub shooting in 2016 and the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2017, members of this generation across the U.S. have found a common cause in gun reform.
VOL. XXXV, SENIOR ISSUE
A U.S. Supreme Court case led to the legalization of same-sex marriage throughout the nation.
An increase in gun leads to growing awareness and activism of the younger generation for more stringent gun laws.
2015
2018 2017 Following the outbreak of numerous sexual assault allegations, women were encouraged to share their stories and stand against sexual assault using the hashtag #MeToo. can be perceived as lazy and entitled. The modern-day accessibility of technology can make it easy to fall into the trap of a lazy work ethic, a reliance on a parent’s income or a sense of social exclusion. iiiii“Ironically, technology was made to bring us closer together,” said senior Gannon Nolan. “All it has really done, though, is made us more isolated from each other.” While technology and social media are a gratifying and sometimes negative part of the current society, there is still a debate about whether this is what fully defines Generation Z. The reality is that several factors make up a generation and its youth and because of this, it can be difficult to determine what defines Generation Z. This generation is just starting to produce young adults who can go out into the real world and vote, run for office, become leaders of their entrepreneurial endeavors and take an active role in society. The class of 2019 will have the opportunity to be the new leaders of this burgeoning culture. iiiii“Our generation is full of bright minds with new ideas,” said senior Maxine Christie. “We have the potential to use our knowledge and technology to do great things in the future.” iiiiiThis belief, as Stanton students have noted, is considered essential for progress to be made in both governmental affairs and everyday society. The issues this generation seems to be concerned with, however, always have multiple sides to them. While at first glance these issues may seem liberal in nature, there are still
many Stanton students who take a traditional, more conservative approach to these issues, as well. iiiii“While we have common goals in society, it is how we reach these goals where we begin to differ in opinion,” said senior Sam Woods. “For example, I think we need to do more to stop these school shootings, one way being that teachers can now carry guns.” iiiiiRegardless of political ideology, it is evident that members of Generation Z are seeking their opportunity to address these issues in society. By protesting, communicating with their legislators, joining political clubs or using technology to have their opinions heard, students are attempting to tackle these problems using their own skills and resources. As a result, they will be able to take charge of their fates and participate in the decisions that affect their society. iiiii“We have to take action and make the change ourselves,” said senior Christina Rogers. “That is the only way we can ensure that progress is made in our generation.” iiiiiWhile it can be difficult to determine the future of Generation Z and the political or social change necessary to achieve that future, many Stanton students believe this generation will have a long-lasting effect on the world. As the name suggests, there is a certain sentiment surrounding Generation Z that makes it appear to be a last resort to society’s problems. Bolstered by modern technology and the spirit of activism, the “kids these days” are next in line to shape their growing generation.
“We have to take the action and make the change ourselves.” —Christina Rogers, 12
photo by Kennedy Cottle
With instant access to news and a quick ability to connect people through sites such as Twitter, Generation Z has used the recent influx ot technology to start activist movments. back on Generation Z’s extensive use of technology. This shift to online technology has also been known to cause a social disconnect between teenagers. Other generations have experienced social issues, but have not experienced them on a virtual level. As the pioneers of the social media era, Stanton students and other members of this generation often maneuver this virtual world on their own, sometimes unsuccessfully. While situations such as cyber-bullying, online privacy violations and the use of harmful, fake identities have troubled this group, Generation Z has also used it to spread social change, stay connected and expand their worldview. iiiii“Our generation is the only one to fully grow up on the Internet and social media,” said senior Sage Douglas. “It has really shaped our lives and changed the way we both connect and disconnect with people every day.” iiiiiGeneration Z has seen a dramatic increase in the availability of online communication. This aspect is something to which no other generation has had as much exposure. According to a 2017 article published in the Global Web Index, 98 percent of Generation Z owns a smartphone. This statistic also demonstrates with the rise and prominence of technology, as well as easy accessibility to everyday tools and services, Generation Z
MAY 2019
photo by Kennedy Cottle
Backpack pins, buttons and other small signs of self-expression such as laptop stickers have become trends in recent years through which many members of the younger generation can subtly express their identity or political beliefs.
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE I 15
WHICH TEACHER ARE YOU?
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What is your dream destination? a. Vancouver b. Mars c. Ireland d. Greece
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What is your hobby? a. Avoiding people b. Foraging wild mushrooms c. Knitting d. Cooking What superpower do you want? a. Invisibility b. Mutant healing factor c. Make everyone happy d. Read people’s minds
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What is your biggest pet peeve? a. Slow drivers b. Disrespect c. Dishonesty d. Laziness What core value do you live by? a. Kant’s Categorical Imperative b. Be kind c. Be true to yourself, dare to be different d. Don’t place limitations on yourself
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Which fictional character are you? a. Bart Simpson b. Lt. Ellen Ripley c. Professor McGonagall d. Hermione Granger What movie would you bring to an island? a. Patton b. Mulholland Dr. c. Hiroshima Mon Amour d. Twilight What is your preferred genre of music? a. Jazz b. Norwegian Psych Rock c. Pop d. Showtunes What is your dream job? a. Teacher b. Chef c. Translator d. Casting director What is your perfect weekend? a. Dinner and movie on the couch b. Summer break c. Being in nature with family d. Staying at home with animals
YOU ARE THIS TEACHER... Mr. Aaron Herbig has been teaching chemistry at Stanton for seven years. He has a passion for what he does and couldn’t see himself doing anything else. He implements a tough love relationship with his students. When he doesn’t have a bunch of papers to grade, he enjoys spending time with his wife.
Ms. Noella Griner is a French and Spanish teacher at Stanton but her knowledge of languages goes beyond that. Her life is shaped by foreign influences, as she was born in Belgium, and met her husband in England. She sponsors Knitting Club and it is one of her favorite hobbies.
Answer: Mostly As
Answer: Mostly Cs
Mr. Benjamin Yadon graduated from Stanton in 2001 and now teaches English and serves as yearbook adviser. His favorite thing about Stanton is that its “a very special school environment,” similar to that of a “family.” He has a passion for birds and watching Japanese professional wrestling.
Answer: Mostly Ds
Answer: Mostly Bs
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Ms. Shirley Kirby is a theater teacher at Stanton whose love for the arts is well known. She encourages her students to pursue their creativity. Her students describe her as bold and empowering. Her theatrical skills go beyond Stanton however, as she has also acted and directed in local showings of plays, such as “Mamma Mia!”
VOL. XXXV, SENIOR ISSUE
SENIOR BINGO Fill 5 boxes in a row to get BINGO!
EXPERIENCED SENIORITIS
RECEIVED COLLEGE REJECTIONS
WENT TO GRAD BASH
ATTENDED SENIOR PROM
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY MEMBER
COMPLETED ALL SENIOR EXAMS
CLEARED TEXTBOOK DEBT
FINISHED VOLUNTEER HOURS
ATTENDED COLLEGE TOURS
DECIDED ON SUMMER ADMISSION FOR COLLEGE
MADE A YEARBOOK QUOTE
CHOSE AN OUT-OF-STATE COLLEGE
FREE SPACE
REGISTERED TO VOTE
FULFILLED A LEADERSHIP ROLE
CHOSE A COLLEGE IN STATE
PARKED IN THE SENIOR LOT
SKIPPED ON SENIOR SKIP DAY
PARTICIPATED IN SENIOR WEEK
PULLED AN ALL-NIGHTER
GOT WAITLISTED BY A COLLEGE
ATE LUNCH IN THE SENIOR COURTYARD
FINISHED ALL IA’S
DID NOT GET AN EARLY OUT FOR A PEP RALLY
WORKED FULL TIME
MAY 2019
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 19
Rekindling Writing By VAISHNAVI SUREN, Staff Writer As a future history major, I know most of my time for the next four years of my life will be full of essay writing. Many would affirm Stanton College Preparatory School prepared them for a future in writing; however, there is a different issue that needs to be addressed. It is, “did Stanton make me dislike writing?” which is a much more controversial question for students to answer. I can say after four years of Stanton that I do love writing, but I was not always like this. During the beginning and even the middle of my time at Stanton, I would dread upcoming essays, put off studying for papers until the night before and above all, fear failing. It was this reason more than anything which put me—and probably every other Stanton student—on edge about writing. When writing comes with less freedom and more rubrics, it turns into a chore. Most Stanton students don’t even try to express our own opinions anymore; we instead choose the argument that will score us the most photo by Prachi Misra
points. This has left me feeling trapped between my grades and my desire to freely speak my mind on several occasions. A curriculum based so heavily on writing causes students to succumb to the overjustification effect. By linking self-expression with grades and criticism and then connecting them with self-worth, internal desire to write for
“One’s passion for writing should not be let go due to the constraints of an academic setting.” the sake of writing diminishes. The more I had to write about issues I was not passionate about so I could be rewarded with a grade, the more I felt alienated from writing for myself. Writing ultimately continues to appeal to me because of its ability to widen my worldview. Throughout my journey at Stanton, I have learned the best way to strengthen my own argument is to understand the other side of it. Through my
The Little Things
numerous required essays for the International Baccalaureate program, I discovered I could choose any subjects I wanted to write about. When we learn things on our own instead of being mandated to do so, we find ourselves more willing to explore the possibilities the world has in store for us. Stanton helped me face the reality that I will not always get to learn and write about exactly what I want, but also taught me I can use any information I obtain to widen my perspective. It is understandable to dislike the constraints of academic writing. However, it is beneficial to take the lessons learned about working under limitations, and use them as an advantage when making one’s voice stand out in a sea of papers on the same assigned topic. Stanton provides a place to hone one’s writing skills, as it did for me, but also comes with the danger of losing interest in writing. One’s passion for writing should not be let go due to the constraints of an academic setting. My past four years will always have an impact on me as a writer. The extensive exposure to writing has helped me figure out my voice, and how I can use it to express my own worldviews. It is important to work toward good grades, but not at the cost of losing passion for such a crucial skill in one’s college life, career and beyond.
Born to Perform
By SALMA DREW, Features Editor
By ELIJAH MICHEL, Contributing Writer
As I walk into the senior courtyard every B-day for lunch, I know I’m going to see it. Whether I’m worried about my upcoming Advanced Placement Statistics exam, excited about my weekend plans with friends or dreading the 2,000word paper due at 11:59 p.m., it will be there. Looking back at my freshman year, I never thought the little Nutella sandwich on whole wheat bread would hold any significance; however, the sandwich is beautiful in its paltriness. A staple and primary food source of one of my closest friends, the sandwich has seen everything in the last four years. From new haircuts to college decisions, it has always been there in the background. When I don’t know anything about where I will be, what I will do or who I will become, I can be sure of what I will see in the near future, sitting across from me on a blue table in the senior courtyard. After what felt like a decade at Stanton College Preparatory School, the sandwich, among other smaller, quieter material things, has grown to mean something to me. Between the dropout rate that becomes too prominent by senior year and the promise that we will all finally graduate, ready to begin the rest of our lives in just a few months, the impermanence of everything has begun to manifest. However, it’s the little things that stay hidden throughout our years at Stanton which seem to attend the school with us. Whether it’s my friend’s constant use of only blue Pilot G-2 pens every day in my Spanish class or the little stuffed squirrel in the corner of Mr. Knight’s room that goes unmentioned but nevertheless watches over all of his students, these constants, though quiet and in the background of something far more noteworthy, remind us of home and security in a world of unknowns. As the school year comes to an end and seniors seek to reflect on their time at Stanton, emotions are almost never constant. Feelings toward sophomore year often contradict completely with those of junior year as the colleges we thought we would attend turned out to be far from the path we envision today. Despite the rapid changes in our lives, we will always have our metaphorical Nutella sandwiches on whole wheat in our lives. We will always have the quieter but nonetheless important anchors in our lives to keep us grounded. The little pieces of the previous stages in our lives will always be there for us even when we have moved on to bigger things. When we take a moment of our everchanging and developing lives to remember the constants—the friends, family and places that we know will always welcome us with open arms no matter how different the rest of the world is—we can feel more ready to face what lies ahead.
My hands twitch. My shoulders shiver. My breath shakes. I’m nervous, but there is a smile on my face as I stand behind the curtain. I close my eyes and take a long, deep breath. I get into position, and my face transforms as the music begins. The lights brighten and an audience appears before me. I have always had a natural attraction to performing. My first production was a class flash mob during fifth grade— performing “Thriller” by Michael Jackson—that my teachers helped me plan due to my love for dancing. Once I stepped into the front of the Greenfield Elementary School cafeteria, I felt alive. It was the kindling of a passion that I would hold in my heart for the rest of my life. As I’ve grown, performance has become integral to my life; it’s an outlet and solution to struggles as well as a source of great happiness, allowing me to connect to much of the diverse population at Stanton and develop relationships I otherwise wouldn’t have. Becoming Drum Major was the first step in my journey to becoming one of the most recognized performers at Stanton College Preparatory School. The combination of conducting, dancing and a bright white uniform at football games and pep rallies elevated me to high status within the Stanton community and also taught me many valuable lessons on leadership. The rigid practice schedule, constant training and responsibility associated with large group productions was enlightening and encouraged me to pursue more. Thus, it led me to perform in Stanton’s Multicultural Student Association. The most significant part of that experience was meeting so many different personalities and interacting with the traditions and intricacies of world cultures. I learned more about the importance of cooperation, accountability and open-mindedness because I was a small part of a big picture. Acknowledging my role in the production allowed me to reach higher and eventually become the leader of the West Indies group this year. Working with my co-leader and the rest of our group, we created something beautiful and representative of my roots as a Haitian-American. The pinnacle of my performance career at Stanton was dancing solo in Winterfest. This act pushed me to my physical, mental and creative limits. It was completely self-choreographed and organized. The concept of the feature was developed from dance crews I grew up watching. I spent hours at home making formations, visual effects and choreography, stressing over each detail and placing every dancer in a carefully chosen spot so that everyone got the spotlight and the effects worked. It was an allencapsulating experience and utilized my talents and skills to the fullest—a capstone to my time here. No matter what, I will never stop performing. I may reach a point to where I can’t dance anymore, but performance is more than that. It’s a way of life that can be applied to all sorts of areas. The fire I found in myself in that cafeteria in fifth grade will never die.
photo by Prachi Misra
illustration by Caroline Robbin
20 | devilsadvocatepaper.com
photo by Prachi Misra
photo by Prachi Misra
VOL. XXXV, SENIOR ISSUE
A Chapter’s End
Toward the Sun We Go
By BRANDON DEDA, Associate Digital Media Editor
By QUINN CONRAD, Contributing Writer I would find it difficult to watch the sun rise at 6:42 a.m., trace it across the pink sky, keeping record of the hues born and erased over an imperceptible gradient reflected in wavering clouds, and note its sink at 8:02 p.m. It would be impossible to keep record of what the sun grazes past on its journey from one horizon to another—every tree, every leaf, every branch, every birdnest. Moments will be lost and forgotten, regardless of their pertinence in the present. Conversely, it would be a tragedy to ignore the sun’s journey altogether, staring at the ground in front of you, counting each bump under your sole. photo by Prachi Misra
The sun has many lessons to teach you. I find myself thinking that this isn’t it yet. It feels like the plane is early, yet we bought our tickets 12 years ago, simultaneously. If this wasn’t going on right now, at this very moment, then something would be wrong. It is time, whether you think about it or brush it off, to cry about it or tuck it under your old mattress. Recognizing this right now as opposed to later? I think that’s pretty special...and powerful. For the first time in my life, I feel like I have control. I’ve realized that the entire process of going to high school, earning good grades, learning how to be a social person— all of this was for me in the end. I’m the only one moving on to this next phase in my life, toting all of these lessons with me...towards the sun. And toward the sun we go. And toward the sun we go.
illustration by Caroline Robbins
Undermatching By ANDREW ABOUHALKAH, Contributing Writer This past summer, I was provided the opportunity to attend the Youth Leadership Institute organized by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. The unfortunate truth was that even in a room of qualified Hispanic candidates, 41 percent of them would not apply to a highly selective institution. According to researchers from the University of Buffalo, the students would instead choose to “undermatch” with their colleges. Undermatching is defined by the Brookings Institution as a phenomenon where “students attend less challenging colleges than their academic credentials would allow them to.” This phenomenon is almost exclusive to racial minorities and persons from less affluent households. Many of these qualified students simply opt to not apply to more prestigious colleges, settling for local universities. This trend is detrimental, as according to The Atlantic, the graduation rates for students who undermatch are nearly thirty percent lower than their matched peers. A more severe form of undermatching occurs when many students who are good candidates for local universities elect to not attend college altogether. This phenomenon is not thought to be tied to discrimination, but to the lack of information available to deserving high-achieving students. A potential explanation for this is the misleading “sticker price” of universities. For example, Rice University advertises a single year cost of $60 thousand. This is well above affordable for average Americans, nonetheless low income or disadvantaged populations. The fear of student loans and the lack of information on financial aid disillusions many. photo by Prachi Misra
MAY 2019
However, wealthy private institutions oftentimes offer significant aid and the “sticker price” applies only to the rich. In Rice’s example, they offer free tuition to all students from families earning less than a $130 thousand. For those same families, Harvard offers the equivalent in form of general aid. Undermatching remains a dire issue in academic circles and many universities have attempted to bolster the clarity
“College can no doubt be expensive, but do not allow the perceived cost of college influence your decisions.” of financial aid information. Private Corporations, such as Wells Fargo, have stepped in and funded programs such as the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. There have even been legislative approaches to combat this issue, such as automatic acceptances to college for the top few percent of students within a graduating class. Legislators claim that it provides achieving students from struggling high schools an equal opportunity. This is shown through the demographics of the automatically admitted students, which are significantly more diverse, with three times the numbers of Hispanics. College can no doubt be expensive, but do not allow the perceived cost of college influence your decisions. Talk with your guidance counselors or with one at the university you are applying to. There is a plethora of financial aid and scholarships available to high achieving students. If you feel comfortable that you can thrive at selective institution, don’t fall victim to “undermatching” and explore your options. If you have the academic credentials, the money will follow.
As my last day of high school draws nearer, and the momentary freedom that comes with it is just out of reach, I reflect on my time at Stanton College Preparatory School. Specifically, I have begun looking back on my term as a member of the Devil’s Advocate. As one of the constants in my high school experience, it is safe to say that being a part of the school’s award-winning newspaper has had a profound impact on my life. While some people consider the pinnacle of their high school career to be sports teams, art clubs or being participants in Multi, mine is my journey as a member of the Devil’s Advocate. When I first joined the paper, I was a much more shy, awkward kid than I am now. However, from the moment I first walked into our summer workshop I knew I found a place to belong. The camaraderie of the staff put me at ease in my new surroundings, and allowed me to develop into the more confident, sociable person I am today. The highlight of my time on staff has been working to rejuvenate the Digital Media department beginning in my junior year. At the time our digital presence was less than mentionable. However, our newly selected digital crew dedicated the time to revamp the Digital department. In the process, I got to work on making videos to help bolster content for the site and the channel, which proved to be a source of interest for Stanton students as they navigated to our website to view the creative content. When the Florida TimesUnion awarded us with the first ever award for Best Digital Newsroom, the staff and I were elated to find out our efforts were not wasted. On May 10 of this year, I experienced that euphoric feeling again as we were awarded both Best Digital Newsroom and Best Overall Newspaper for the fourth consecutive year. As I bring my time spent as a high school journalist to a wonderful end, I know that thanks to my efforts on staff, the website and the channel will continue to flourish long after I graduate. Many students are hopeful to leave something behind somewhere in the Stanton community; I am proud to leave my mark on the Devil’s Advocate through my contributions to the Digital Media department. Through stronger social skills both inside and outside of the classroom, increased adeptness and adaptability, and an ever-more enthusiastic passion for producing content for the Devil’s Advocate, I was able to know what it was like to be a dynamic team player. Like many other seniors on staff, I will be saddened in knowing that the end is nigh for my tenure in the paper, but it is with tears of happiness that I know I can look back on those days as a member of the Devil’s Advocate. With joyful nostalgia, I close this chapter of my life and get ready to write new ones further down the road. photo by Prachi Misra
photo by Katie Stevens
Columns published in the Devil’s Advocate represent the views of the writers, not those of the newspaper.
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 21
Saying Goodbye
It’s hard to believe these are the last words I’ll ever write for the Devil’s Advocate. It feels as if just yesterday, I was apprehensively writing my first application essay, wondering whether foregoing an AP or IB class for Journalism 2 was really the right choice. Today, I thank my freshman self for taking that leap of faith because few endeavors in my life have influenced who I am and who I want to be as deeply as the Devil’s Advocate. The brilliant, committed and talented students I’ve worked with over the past three years continue to inspire me every day, and I hope they know how much I appreciate their hard work and support. I also have to thank Mr. Knight—his steadfast belief in my abilities, unwavering adherence to journalistic standards, and willingness to always push me in a better direction are just some of the qualities that make me grateful to have had him as adviser. Being a student journalist was an unforgettable experience for me. I hope it is just as beautiful and formative for the many student journalists to come.
photo by Ysabella Rodriguez
ROHINI KUMAR Editor-in-Chief
iiiiiJournalism 1 was not my top choice for an elective as a freshman; in fact, I it was my most challenging course that year. However, the skills I learned in Journalism 1 and as a member of the Devil’s Advocate staff have impacted my life more than any other part of my high school experience. It has been an honor to work alongside such intelligent and creative student journalists for the last few years. I am so grateful I was trusted with being a Managing Editor for my last year as a Devil’s Advocate staff member. Last, but not least, I would like to thank Mr. Knight for being such a great mentor for the past four years. You inspire me to put care into everything I create and to be the best version of myself. I will never forget your kindness and your words of wisdom. As bittersweet as this moment is, I take solace from knowing that Room 204 will always be my home away from home.
photo by Ysabella Rodriguez
LIKHITA MANCHIKANTI Managing Editor
Growing up, I was always an ambitious child. Thus, it came as no surprise to my family and friends that by the time I was 14 I had the next 30 years planned to a T. I knew what classes I would take, the college I would enter, and the research I would complete. Despite my meticulous planning, as I progressed through Stanton I found myself constantly rewriting the plan I thought was set in stone. However, the unexpected add-ons became the most rewarding aspects of my high school career. As we embark on the next chapter in our lives, I’d like to highlight the merits of being undecided and urge even the most precocious students, like myself, to remain open minded. In 30 years I probably won’t remember the plans I made, but the times I strayed off that path. photo by Prachi Misra
BETTINA HUANG Managing Editor
Words cannot describe how grateful I am to have served as the Business Manager of the Devil’s Advocate for the 2018–2019 school year. Over the course of the past few years being a part of the paper has truly shaped me not only as a student, but as a person. I have learned how to be a part of a collaborative team as well as how to lead and delegate. Room 204 is where I met my best friends and has come to be a place of friendship and family—instantly turning any bad day into a good day as soon as I step into the room. Mr. Knight was a big reason for this; he has always been supportive of me and my work and has pushed me to always do my best. Being on staff has been a huge part of my high school experience and I would not be the same person I am today without it. Through whatever may come, the Devil’s Advocate will always have a place in my heart.
photo by Katie Stevens
AMRA KAJDIC Business Manager
I’ve been on the staff of the Devil’s Advocate for three years and I don’t think anything has ever felt so long and yet so short at the same time. Looking back I only see glimpses of moments throughout the years. For the most part, my memories meld together into a homogeneous blob of routine speckled with glimpses of emotion and moments from classes gone bye. For the most part I don’t remember much from Stanton— namely Calculus—but I do remember how much a large majority of the teachers genuinely cared about us not only as another grade in the book but as people. I’ll miss the people at Stanton but after spending three years climbing the hill to graduation it’ll be interesting to see what lays in store on the path through college. photo by Katie Stevens
EMMETT GIDEON Layout and Design Editor
As the end of this phase in my life comes near I reflect on how Stanton College Preparatory School and the Devil’s Advocate has shaped who I am today. This last year on the Devil’s Advocate has made me realize how essential it is to take part in school activities. The cliché phrase, “high school is what you make of it” comes to mind as I reflect on my time I spent at Stanton. Although there were several moments throughout my high school career that were disagreeable, there were also moments that I will cherish, especially my time on the staff. The relationships that I have made through this experience have lead to some of my closest friendships. The lessons that I have learned in this time will continue to guide my life in the future. I am thankful to have been able to have been apart of an amazing staff and family.
photo by Katie Stevens
ZAHRA CASADO Digital Media Editor
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VOL. XXXV, SENIOR ISSUE
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