DEVIL’S ADVOCATE STANTON COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL
MAY 2020
Class of
SENIOR EDITION
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE Adviser: Larry Knight Editor-in-Chief: Tatyana Esquilin Managing Editor: Phong Huynh Managing Editor: Katie Stevens Layout and Design Editor: Jake Nachman Business Manager: Ysabella Rodriguez Photography Editor: Prachi Misra Digital Media Editor: Zachary Genus Public Relations Manager: Christa Assi Assoc. PR Manager: Angela Villanueva Art Director: Caroline Robbins Senior Videographer: Dylan Janson Section Editor (Features): Katelyn Colley Section Editor (Opinions): Kennedy Cottle Section Editor (Sports): Seth Abouhalkah Section Editor (Student Life): Tatum Bowen Staff Artist: Eden Kershner Staff Writers: Reem Abdelmagid, Brenna Dupries, Elise Gideon, Fabrizio Gowdy, Aulani Marley, Charlotte Rogers, Janelle Tengco Staff Photographer: Austin Mendillo Staff Photographer: Tyler Pottenburgh
Contributing Advocates The Devil’s Advocate is searching for contributing writers, photographers, artists and filmmakers. Contact Editor-in-Chief Tatyana Esquilin at tatyanaesquilin@gmail. com, Opinions Editor Kennedy Cottle at kennedybcottle@gmail.com or Digital Media Editor Zachary Genus at zacharygenus301@ gmail.com.
Ads and Sponsorships 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: $45 (1/4 page), $70 (1/2 page), $75 (insert), $135 (full page), $150 (back page). For an additional $5 fee, we can advertise your business on our website. Contact Business Manager Ysabella Rodriguez at rodriguezysabella16@gmail.com or our adviser, Mr. Larry Knight, at knightl1@ duvalschools.org. Follow Us on Social Media
Twitter: @scpnewspaper Instagram: @scpnewspaper YouTube: Devil’s Advocate Newspaper Facebook: Stanton Devil’s Advocate Snapchat: @scpnewspaper Spotify: @scpnewspaper Printed at Florida Sun Printing Please recycle this magazine.
2 | devilsadvocatepaper.com
12
photo by Freddy Farah
Photography
Arts and Entertainment
Sports
3
8
20
This page has baby pictures of students from the class of 2020. Can you guess who they are?
Two pieces of artwork created by seniors during quarantine.
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, athletes had to deal with the reality of their season being cut short.
BABY PICTURES QUIZ
7
THE NEXT CHAPTER A photo page honoring some of our seniors that are beginning the next chapter of their lives.
28
BLEED BLUE A collection of photos to remind us how much we have changed throughout high school.
Student Life
4
THE ROAD AHEAD A look at the different roads seniors plan to take after high school.
6
THE UPS & DOWNS OF FREEDOM After high school, seniors gain new freedoms as they begin to assume the role of an adult with unfamiliar responsibilities.
FEATURED ARTWORK
10 STAGNATING INDUSTRIES At a time when entertainment is an escape from the news cycle, the industry is facing unprecedented challenges.
11
NO FINISH LINE
22
TEAM MEMORIES As the four-year reign of the class of 2020 comes to an end, seniors look back on the meaningful sports moments of high school.
Opinions
COMICS
24
The senior edition of “The Nerd Herd,” by Caroline Robbins, and “Mane Event,” by Eden Kershner.
A farewell message from the 2019-2020 Editorial Board.
Features
12
EDITORIAL
25
OPINIONS
THE CLASS WITH VISION After four years of trials and tribulations, the class of 2020 has built a legacy in unprecedented times.
Special Features
16
FUN & GAMES Games, activities and more for the senior class.
Reflective columns by seniors Kennedy Cottle, Dylan Janson, Colleen Mackin, Eesha Reddy, Ronak Venkata, and Angela Villanueva.
Other
27
THE RECORD
The senior names, numbers, and notions you need to know.
VOL. XXXVI, NO. 5 (SENIOR ISSUE)
1. Reed Miller 2. Freddy Farah 3. Vatsal Nath
4.Yuri Lizardo 5. Aidan Mitchell 6.Julia Wallace
7. Michael Morodomi 8. Mahmoud Tariq 9. Bayleigh Miller
Check Your Answers Here! one
two
three
four
five
six
seven
eight
nine
Quiz: Guess the Baby Picture Name: Class of 2020 Date: May Period: Finally Graduating
STUDENT LIFE
THE ROAD
35% of high
school students think about taking gap years.
AHEAD
educationdata.org
84.6% was the
By JANELLE TENGCO, Staff Writer
The class of 2020 has had some road bumps, but many students are continuing with their original plans whether that be college, a gap year, or the military. iiiiiThe frequent refreshing of email inboxes and the anticipation of acceptance letters are experiences all high school seniors undergo. After a protracted wait, Stanton College Preparatory School’s seniors received their admission decisions and decided which colleges they wanted to attend. However, the class of 2020 is facing many unforeseen challenges, leaving them with doubt about their plans after graduation. iiiii“Florida State University wasn’t my top choice and I have a lot of uncertainty,” said senior Reed Miller. “I have plans to potentially transfer to the University of Florida after a year. I was waitlisted at New York University and that would definitely be a college I would want to look into more and tour, but I don’t really have that option with the virus.” iiiiiThere are a variety of factors that contribute to the decisions Stanton seniors make after graduation. The ongoing situation in the United States with the coronavirus, known as COVID-19, has already interfered with many goals. Due to state-mandated orders and social isolation meant to limit the spread of the virus, some seniors have been forced to discard their original plans or choose the college they wish to attend without ever visiting it. iiiii“I was supposed to go on a tour and attend information sessions at the University of Florida’s campus but those got canceled,” said senior Chase Virta-Steel. “My family was also considering attending other admitted student day activities but those were all canceled before we had the chance.” iiiiiIn the midst of this pandemic, seniors continue to prepare for their departure to college. Whether they have chosen to attend in-state or out-of-state universities, most seniors still look forward to furthering their knowledge about the subject they intend to major in. iiiii“I am very interested in criminology and psychology, so I might choose something along those lines,” said senior Camille Perrin. “I plan to attend Florida State College at Jacksonville for two years. After that, I am going to transfer to either
4 | devilsadvocatepaper.com
Florida Atlantic University or go to France to be with some family and finish school there.” iiiiiSome students who are keen on attending college are accepted into the university of their first preference, while some are not; these results can affect the expectations seniors had for their college experience. Senior Raha Riazati did not have to significantly change her plans, despite not being accepted into her first choice. Instead, she adopted a new perspective on the second college of her choice: the California Institute of Technology. iiiii“I had to change my expectations of my college experience because of [the college’s] small size and [its] other attributes,” said Riazati. “I didn’t have to change too many of my plans because my first preference was more of a dream than something I thought would actually happen, so I hadn’t even made any solid plans around my first choice.” iiiiiHigh school graduates also have the option to pursue international studies by attending a campus in another country. Senior Olivia Rouse will be attending the American University of Paris to connect with her French heritage while completing her studies there. Her interests in her family lineage and foreign cultures have contributed to her decision as she prepares to face the inevitable challenges of this endeavor. iiiii“When I found this school that would allow me to [complete my academic work] for four years but still have my studies in English for an easier transition, I knew I had to go,” said Rouse. “I am very excited for the opportunity to travel throughout Europe rather easily and to better my French-speaking. However, I’ll likely only be coming home two times a year after four to five months at a time, and being a huge family person, I’m bound to get homesick and miss family and friends.” iiiiiStanton seniors also have the option to achieve higher education without needing to enroll in a university. While traditional colleges place an emphasis on academics, military academies offer the choice to serve in the U.S. military and gain experience prior to enlisting in a branch of the
national graduation rate for the 2019 school year. educationdata.org
73% of Stanton
students are going to in-state colleges or universities. Based on a Devil’s Advocate Instagram poll on April 27, 2020 of 123 students.
58% of Stanton
students got accepted into their first choice. Based on a Devil’s Advocate Instagram poll on April 27, 2020 of 105 students.
armed services. iiiii“I wanted to go to West Point because I felt that it was my best chance to get a top tier undergraduate education,” said senior Charles Woo. “The United States Military Academy looks for a reasonable mix of athletics and academics, so I knew it was my best opportunity to show what I had. Most importantly, I feel like the Army would help me grow physically and mentally in ways that I would not be able to if I enlisted or went to FSU.” iiiiiMany Stanton seniors have established their future plans after being accepted into their desired college. However, uncertainties about the colleges they chose or concerns about the pandemic may cause them to revise their future goals. With a wide range of possibilities and difficulties, there is no particular path that Stanton seniors should take: they can only prepare for the one ahead.
VOL. XXXVI, NO. 5 (SENIOR ISSUE)
WHERE ARE YOU GOING? 20.
19.
18.
17.
14.
16. 15.
13. 12.
21.
11.
9. 8. 7.
10.
3.
5.
6.
4.
2. 1.
Class of 2020 Colleges 1. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Fla. 2. University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla. 3. University of Central Florida, Orlando, Fla. 4. Full Sail University, Winter Park, Fla. 5. Stetson University, DeLand, Fla. 6. University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. 7. Florida State College at Jacksonville, Fla. 8. University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Fla. 9. Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Fla. 10. Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla. 11. Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Ga. 12. Emory University, Atlanta, Ga. 13. Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C.
MAY 2020
14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21.
West Point Academy, West Point, N.Y. Emerson College, Boston, Mass. Northeastern University, Boston, Mass. Hult Int. Business School, Cambridge, Mass. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich. St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind. Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa Biola University, La Mirada, Calif.
Class of 2020 Majors • Psychology • Mathematics • Advertising • Computer Science
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Nursing Philosophy and Government Chemistry Criminology Zoology Cybersecurity Behavioral Neuroscience Business and Management Engineering Biological and Medical Sciences Legal Studies English Language and Literature History Performance and Visual Arts
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 5
THE
UPS & DOWNS
Going off to college allows students to gain freedoms that they previously did not have, but sometimes the added responsibilities can be overwhelming.
illustration by Eden Kershner
illustration by Eden Kershner
6 | devilsadvocatepaper.com
OF FREEDOM By AULANI MARLEY, Staff Writer iiiiiAfter four years of tardy slips, hours of homework, and time spent in countless classes, almost every senior looks forward to the bittersweet day when they leave their high school for the last time. Stanton College Preparatory School’s students have spent years building up their academic resumes and working hard to graduate so they can move on to the next chapter of their lives. As students accept their diploma, they are relinquishing the obligations of a teenager, while also assuming the responsibilities of an adult. This new sense of freedom may be exciting, but it can also become overwhelming when graduates are faced with the more difficult aspects of leaving high school. iiiiiWhen students have completed high school, they have the opportunity to transition into college and explore new experiences in unfamiliar settings. Each area and city has its own unique culture and features, and those moving out of Jacksonville will be facing this change as they transition into new environments. Whether attending school in-state or out-of-state, many will be moving away from home and will need to adopt a more independent lifestyle because they will no longer be under the direct care of their parents. iiiii“I know I’ll come across [challenges such as] the transition from being dependent on my parents to being entirely dependent on myself,” said senior Gabrielle Doctor, who will be attending Florida State University. “[Transitioning to college], people can learn in a new and diverse environment, enabling them to express themselves best, wherever their college may be.” iiiiiAttending a college outside of one’s hometown can be intimidating for people who have not been to many places outside of Jacksonville. Small things such as one’s favorite local restaurant or store are no longer as readily available after moving away. Students may be forced to go outside their comfort zone as they adapt to different environments with new people, activities, and places. iiiii“I anticipate transforming into an extremely independent person; anyone who attends an outof-state institution is forced to grow up faster because they don’t have the comfort of familiarity to fall back on,” said senior Corinne Hart, who will be attending Georgetown University. “In forcing yourself out of the comfort of your [hometown], you are integrated into new cultures and lifestyles in which you alter your perspective on life.” iiiiiMoving far from home offers the benefits of having more opportunities to grow and exploring activities that one would not normally do. While attending high school and living with parents, restrictions on when and where teenagers can go out can be frustrating. When transitioning into an environment away from home, these freedoms are gained and young adults have more control over their actions. iiiii“I was excited about gaining more independence because I was solely focused on the idea I would finally be able to make my own decisions and have adult responsibilities without always having parents in the background,” said Erika Espinosa, who graduated from Stanton’s 2018-2019 class and now attends the University of Central Florida. “[The freedoms I have now] include not having a specific curfew and being able to explore different activities around campus.” iiiiiFor recent graduates, living far away from home and families may be invigorating; however, certain challenges can make it more difficult and exhausting than expected. Bills, jobs, and daily obligations of being an adult combined with college courses can cause additional stress. Milestones such as renting an apartment and having personal space can be exciting at first but may become overwhelming. iiiii“Challenges I foresee about becoming independent are trying to figure out myself and stepping into personal growth,” said senior Yoe Moo, who will be joining the United States Army next year. “With personal growth comes responsibility and learning things such as paying bills, working, doing taxes, cooking, and cleaning.” iiiiiAfter high school, graduates have the newfound freedom to move to an unfamiliar environment and meet people they otherwise would not have known. New freedoms can open up opportunities or they can sometimes lead to challenging times. Either way, jumping into life as a university student is a drastic change from being a high school student that offers new chances for growth and memories.
VOL. XXXVI, NO. 5 (SENIOR ISSUE)
POTTENBURGH
McFARLAND
photo by Tyler Pottenburgh
PROSSWIMER
photo by Freddy Farah
photo by Craig McFarland
KOPPARTHI
photo by Silpa Chinamilli
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
By ELIANA GOSIKER
Routine
Eliana Gosiker is a senior artist in the Stanton Art program. Her work displays the beauty that can be found within the monotonous daily cycles students find themselves in during the quarantine.
8 | devilsadvocatepaper.com
VOL. XXXVI, NO. 5 (SENIOR ISSUE)
By DANIEL ALVAREZ-AREVALO
Vanishing Light
Daniel is a senior artist in the Stanton Art Program. His work reflects the conflict of light and dark in life and the challenges of existence.
MAY 2020
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 9
At a time when entertainment is an escape from the news cycle, the industry is facing unprecedented challenges.
Stagnating Industries
By FABRIZIO GOWDY, Staff Writer
iiiiiWith millions of Americans being ordered to stay home amid COVID-19 fears, many have turned to the entertainment industry as an escape from the tumultuous times. However, unlike previous crises in American history, this pandemic has also caused major disruptions in the entertainment industry. iiiiiAt a time when Americans are watching more movies and television shows than ever, some 120,000 are out of work in Hollywood according to The Guardian, while late night comedians are forced to produce their shows from home without an audience. In New York, Broadway theatres are silent, and all major concerts have been cancelled or postponed. iiiiiThis disruption could have a serious impact on the amount of new content available for those who find themselves quarantined, and are turning to streaming services and movies as a distraction from the news cycle. Like many students nationwide who will finish the school year from home, Stanton students have resorted to “binge-watching” their favorite shows. iiiii“When services like Netflix automatically play the next episode you get hooked and before you realize it you’ve spent hours staring at the screen,” said junior Ashley King. iiiiiKing is not alone; the Los Angeles Times reports the average person is streaming eight hours of content per day, double the time before COVID-19. An April Devil’s Advocate poll of 151 Stanton seniors found that 66 percent consider streaming services to be their primary source of entertainment. In the same poll, 80 percent reported an increase in their time spent binge-watching their favorite shows since stay-at-home orders have been issued. iiiii“Streaming services are seeing an extremely high volume of users right now, with all of us homebound and in search of entertainment,” said Stanton film teacher Brandon Cox. “Netflix reported 15 million new subscribers last quarter, which is a huge boon to their revenue stream.” iiiiiIn response to this increased demand, several services, including CBS All Access and the newly launched Quibi, have rolled out generous free-trial
10 | devilsadvocatepaper.com
infographic by Caroline Robbins
periods lasting up to 90 days. iiiiiAlthough there is a lack of new content being generated, the vast quantities of old shows and movies already in existence ensures that Americans will never run out of items to watch. iiiiiStates have already begun to gradually reopen, and eventually Broadway’s curtains will rise again and filmmaking will resume. However, the entertainment industry could look very different than it did before COVID-19. The pandemic could devastate movie theatres, which had already been losing customers to streaming services and could now see that trend accelerate.
iiiii“The unfortunate truth is that movie theaters have been in a precarious position for some time now,” said Cox, who expects theatres to initially reopen at reduced capacity and smaller films rather than huge blockbusters. “Disney is not about to drop “Black Widow” when half of the seats that it would normally fill without issue are going to be empty by public health necessity.” iiiiiBroadway is better positioned because of the enormous demand for tickets for hit musicals and the limited availability of seats, while late night shows are buoyed by their large TV audiences. iiiiiHowever, any facet of the entertainment industry that relies on a live audience will face similar difficulties, as shows without live audiences may be a reality long after life returns to “normal.” In an April Devil’s Advocate poll of 328 Stanton Students, only 27 percent said they would attend movie theatres, concerts, and sporting events “as soon as they resume,” with nearly three in four planning to “avoid these events for some time.” iiiii2020 had been projected to be a huge year for live concerts according to NPR, with big-ticket artists in nearly every genre set to make massive profits. Now, public health officials warn that concerts may not return until 2021. In the absence of live events, some stars have held Instagram live stream concerts, although there is little potential for profit in this format. iiiiiWhile in-person entertainment takes a hit, remote forms of entertainment are poised to grow. Led by games such as “Animal Crossing” and “Doom Eternal,” video game sales have already increased substantially according to The New York Times. Although several large esports gatherings have been cancelled, the ability of game developers to work from home has generally made the industry more resilient than others in the entertainment field. iiiiiThese emerging forms of entertainment have already been gaining ground on more established segments of the industry. COVID-19, which has the potential to be a revolutionary social catalyst, could force us to make massive changes that push us into a new age of entertainment.
VOL. XXXVI, NO. 5 (SENIOR ISSUE)
The Nerd Herd By CAROLINE ROBBINS, Art Director
COMICS The Mane Event By EDEN KERSHNER, Staff Artist
MAY 2020
r o i n se ! n o i edit
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 11
The CLASS
By CHARLOTTE ROGERS, Staff Writer 12 | devilsadvocatepaper.com
WITH VISION
photos by Prachi Misra, Ysabella Rodriguez, Freddy Farah, Sydney Stelly, Alice Baker, Marc Galindo, and Evan Dodani
After enduring four years of trials and tribulations, the class of 2020 has built a legacy in unprecedented times. DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 13
FEATURES iiiiiAs their final year in high school comes to a close for Stanton College Preparatory School’s class of 2020, the end did not turn out how seniors anticipated. Because of nationwide social distancing practices, this year’s graduates have been dubbed the “class of COVID-19” by social media and news organizations due to the widespread disruptions on traditional high school celebrations. Despite this, the legacy of the senior class is more than just withstanding the current pandemic through their final year in high school; Stanton’s class of 2020 has garnered special memories, endured tragic loss, and grown together through an eventfully unprecedented and emotional four years. iiiiiAs a Stanton student transitions from junior to senior year, there are several unique rites of passage they undergo. On the last day of junior year, students participate in Senior Takeover, where the rising senior class takes part in fun activities and celebrates their new senior status. This event, which occurs on the last day of the
Bridge centered around lunchtime,” said Galindo. “It’s great to see students riding rip sticks and scooters, playing four-square, and dancing with the incoming freshmen.” iiiiiSocializing with fellow volunteers was not the only part of Bridge that seniors found rewarding. Meeting new members of the class of 2023 was also noted by seniors as a rewarding experience. iiiii“Seeing the incoming ninth graders smile was a special part of Bridge,” said Galindo. “I believe one of the reasons we volunteer for Bridge is to express the love and pride that we have for the school.” iiiiiThroughout the year, seniors are also given several other opportunities to demonstrate their school pride. Traditions like pep rallies, football games, and school performances helped to unify the senior class. iiiiiOne specific tradition is the annual StantonPaxon football game. As academic rivals, the competitive spirit transfers to athletics as well, as the two schools spend a week leading up to the
DelosReyes, the 2019-2020 Multicultural Club president. “The energy everyone in Multi had really emphasized the meaning of the finale song ‘Wairua’ which means ‘spirit’ in Maori. I didn’t expect it to be so impactful to the seniors, but I’m so glad it was.” iiiiiWhile events such as these occur every year for seniors, there is much more to the unique history of the class of 2020. Just four months into the 20162017 school year, the nation marked a historic decision in choosing the 45th president of the United States, encouraging many seniors to stake their claim in the political arena. iiiiiThat year, Stanton also held its own mock election, an event which, of the current Stanton classes, only the seniors were participants. Since this event, the class of 2020 has grown not only in how political opinions are voiced, but also in the way politics affects relationships with others. iiiii“As freshmen, I think politics severed a lot of relationships,” said senior Kynna Johnston. “However, as we grew and matured together,
An annual tradition for rising seniors, the class of 2020 participated in their own “takeover day,” in May 2019.
photo by Prachi Misra
school year, is what some believe truly transitions juniors to seniors. iiiii“That day, I felt like I was finally getting closer to the finish line after a lot of hard work,” said senior Carter Rabon. “I was happy, but also kind of sad about being at the beginning of the end.” iiiiiHowever, for other seniors, the smaller moments are what first induce a sense of seniority. iiiii“I don’t think there was one specific moment that made me feel like an official senior,” said senior Sneha Bhakta. “If I had to choose, it would be sitting in the senior courtyard for the first time because we can’t sit there until we are seniors.” iiiiiIn the summer before the start of their final year, seniors were given the opportunity to take on various leadership roles at annual Stanton events. Summer Bridge, a program where current Stanton students introduce incoming freshmen to the school, is one annual event associated with many seniors’ special high school memories. While seniors shared many significant moments over the duration of the weeks volunteering, simpler experiences are what have stuck with senior Marc Galindo, who volunteered at Bridge this past summer. iiiii“As a senior, the most memorable events during
14 | devilsadvocatepaper.com
game taunting one another on social media. The moments shared at the actual football games are what make the experiences so special. iiiii“Football games, particularly the Stanton-Paxon game, were consistently the best part of my year,” said senior Reed Miller, SGA Vice President. “It feels good to have a full student section and kids super hyped up. It feels even better to beat Paxon.” iiiiiWhile the Stanton-Paxon games provided seniors with lasting memories, another popular annual event at Stanton, the Multicultural Extravaganza, allowed students to showcase their creative talents. Practicing for Multi every year is a lengthy process that begins with auditions for student-led groups in the fall and ends with daily rehearsals leading up to the show in the spring. iiiiiOver this time, students acquire new skills and socialize during practices at school and Fort Family Park on Jacksonville’s Southside. All of the year’s experiences and hard work culminate at the performances, where the hard work fully materializes into a show many seniors consider to be a shining moment. iiiii“One of my favorite memories from Multi this year has got to be the finale,” said senior Isabelle
everyone became more socially aware, more accepting, and more responsive to differences.” iiiiiAs the seniors progressed through their four years at Stanton, they also experienced several school wide events that shaped their high school years. In the spring of 2017, Stanton received national coverage with the “SCP good girl” situation. The week before Stanton prom, a flier was posted in the hallway depicting several prom dresses and whether or not they were acceptable to wear. Under the image of what was deemed appropriate, the caption called the student “good girl,” which was regarded as condescending and sexist. The school swiftly removed the flier and apologized. iiiii“It did not sit well with the students at all, and it definitely made a dent in the relationship between administration and students,” said senior Nilsis Marla. “Administration was then viewed in a different perspective and I think they lost the respect of a lot of students and parents.” iiiiiThe situation between school administration and students resulted in protests that included wearing ripped or purple and pink clothing to school with “#scpgoodgirl” written on it. iiiii“I watched as upperclassmen angrily rioted
VOL. XXXVI, NO. 5 (SENIOR ISSUE)
the Stanton dress code, but I could not completely comprehend the seriousness of the issue at the time,” said senior Julie Boulos. “Now as a senior, I realize how Stanton was devaluing girls soley over a prom dress.” iiiiiHowever, “SCPGoodGirl” grew into something greater than a schoolwide issue. Students took to online platforms to protest the poster, and it gained national attention. iiiii“I think going viral gave our class a unique experience and a taste of what can happen when people organize,” said senior Kathleen Kelleher. “Kids had been able to challenge the power dynamic between students and administration in a way our class really hadn’t seen before.” iiiiiAdditional activism was reflected in the senior class when, on Feb. 14, 2018, the fatal Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting occurred. This resulted in a student led movement for gun control and more advanced safety measures in schools. Stanton students responded by organizing its own walk-out and rally in support of the Stoneman Douglas students and the victims of the shooting. iiiii“On March 14, we met at the football field for 10 minutes in protest to gun violence,” said senior Erika Dejesus. “It felt empowering because, as teenagers, I feel like people with more authority typically dismiss our concerns.”
2 0
iiiiiThese demonstrations highlighted the activism and support for national and worldwide issues that still resides in the Stanton student body. However, the shooting’s impact on the class ran much deeper. iiiii“Seeing everyone at the school’s walkout together really gave us a sense of how this feeling of fear and hopelessness was a communal one,” said Kelleher. “The class of 2020 shared an understanding that we all knowingly braved a constant threat of danger just to get our education.” iiiiiIn the years following the shooting, students saw the changing dynamics of new security measures used to keep schools safe. More recently, per district and state legislation, metal detectors, identification cards, and extra school security were implemented at Stanton. As the class of 2020 evolved over the years, so did the school environment around them. iiiiiAlthough there were many changes seniors faced, there was one in particular that posed unforgettable circumstances. On the second day of the 2019-2020 school year, the senior class experienced a heart-wrenching loss that truly tested the spirit of Ubuntu. Students learned of the passing of senior Lance Alip, a friend, scholar, and active member of many clubs at Stanton. At the senior assembly the following Friday, students shared their own memories of Alip, and left the
MAY 2020
FRESHMAN FACES
HEAVYN DOXEY
JOHN CHRISTOVICH
JOHN WRIGHT STANLY
JEANNIE WANG
auditorium in tears. Throughout the rest of the school year, performances, videos, and memorials were dedicated to Alip in his memory. iiiiiSenior Matthew Alberto was one of Alip’s close friends. At the annual Winterfest show in December 2019, Alberto performed a piece in Alip’s memory. iiiii“It was my way of mourning and remembering him,” said Alberto. “Lance never cared about fame or popularity. He thought making a good impact on others and the community was more important.” iiiiiOther seniors sought ways to honor Alip. Senior Nina Negron initiated a plan to build a memorial for Alip this year, however, these plans were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. iiiii“We decided on a garden and a mini mural on the gazebo along with a plaque,” said Negron. “Hopefully we can finish over the summer so the seniors will still be able to contribute.” iiiiiTo the many seniors who were touched by Alip at some point in the previous three years, his death was devastating. It began a year of several hardships and uncertainty for the class of 2020. As a Stanton guidance counselor, Ms. May Ibasco has observed how seniors reacted to Lance’s death. iiiii“Lance’s passing sent waves of emotions to our senior class and set the tone for how their year was going to be,” said Ms. Ibasco. “His passing still continues to impact our students and will leave a lasting impression on us all.”
20
iiiiiWhile the start of senior year is traditionally exciting for students, tragedy deeply affected the course of the class of 2020’s final year. The Stanton seniors still made the most of their final high school year as much as they could, even with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Around the world, COVID-19 has interrupted daily schedules and overall normalcy, including education, and the events connected to the end of senior year. Despite the current pandemic, many seniors are using this time to reminisce about their favorite memories at Stanton, and everything they’ve grown from in the past four years. iiiii“I feel like Stanton sparks a ‘can do’ spirit inside of you,” said senior class president John Wright Stanly. “It opens your eyes to the importance of cherishing every moment of high school, even in the worst times.” iiiiiAs they say their final goodbyes to their teachers, friends, peers, and mentors at Stanton, the graduating class closes a chapter of self discovery. Throughout these past four formative years, Stanton’s senior class experienced both joys and tragedies that equally shaped their journey into adulthood. While the future remains uncertain, the class of 2020 are confident they can carry these memories forever.
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 15
SPECIAL FEATURES
CLASS OF
First day of college 2020
BINGO
Choose your words and fill in the blanks and find out how your first day of college will play out. 1. Time 2. Item of clothing 3. Type of game 4. Adjective 5. Singular noun 6. Plural noun 7. Type of food 8. Noun 9. Verb 10. School subject 11. Animal 12.Food
13. TV character 14. Verb ending in -ing 15. Singular noun 16. Singular noun 17. Verb 18. Verb ending in -ing 19. Plural item of clothing 20. Game 21. Noun 22. Verb 23. Adjective
You wake up at [1], realizing it is your first day of class. You quickly put on your [2] and head out the door. On your way to class, you pass by a group of fraternity boys who are playing [3]. They invite you tojoin them, but you are running late, so you politely decline. In class, your [4] professor asks you to take out a(n) [5] that you can take notes with. When class is dismissed, your professor tells everyone the first exam is Friday, and will cover what you have learned about [6].
THE SENIOR STEREOTYPE
You are studying for your exam at one of the campus libraries when someone walks toward you. They smell of [7] as they pull their [8] out from their backpack. They proceed to [9] with it as you watch in disbelief. When they are done, they just pack up, and leave. You finish studying and put away your textbook and head to your last class of the day, [10]. After class, you feel so hungry you could eat a(n) [11], so you walk to the nearest cafe. You order a [12] for you and your roommate, and take it back to your dorm. You realize you already lost your keys with your favorite [13] keychain. You knock on the door several times before the door opens. Your roommate is [14] while intensely studying a [15] on the floor. You hand them their food and unpack your bag. As you unpack and get ready for bed, you hear a strange noise that sounds like a dying [16]. You decide to investigate and [17] out of your room. Down the hall, it is a room full of students who are [18] while wearing huge [19]. They tell you that they are practicing for their [20] competition. They hand you a [21] but you tell them you need to sleep, so you turn around and [22] back to your dorm, wrapping up your first day at college. What a(n) [23] first day!
16 | devilsadvocatepaper.com
\illustration by Caroline Robbins
VOL. XXXVI, NO. 5 (SENIOR ISSUE)
MAY 2020
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 17
18 | devilsadvocatepaper.com6 | devilsadvo-
VOL. XXXVI, NO. 5 (SENIOR ISSUE)
MAY 2020
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 19
SPORTS Due to t he r e ce nt out br eak of COVID-19, Se nior at hletes had to deal w it h t he r ealit y of t he ir s eas on be ing cut s hor t .
N
H S I IN
F O
E N LI By BR
E NNA
I ES, DUP R
riter St a ff W
photo edited by Tyler Pottenburgh
In the middle of a heated lacrosse game on March 4, senior Autumn Abelon passed the ball as beads of sweat dripped down her face. Abelon played midfield as she enjoyed every minute of her game time before spring break. When the game was over and she walked off the field, she had no idea that it would be the last time in her high school career. All spring sports — baseball, lacrosse, tennis, track, and flag football — at Stanton College Preparatory School were impacted by COVID-19, causing senior athletes to face the harsh reality
and some students are now faced with the reality of that loss. “I feel sad about the year being cut short because no one got to say goodbye properly,” said senior lacrosse player Sofia Coffey. “We all went to our last day of high school without even realizing it.” The biggest loss for many of the senior athletes is their senior season, as many of them had plans to finish strong in their high school sports careers. For senior athletes, their final season before college is their time to show off what they have been practicing for most of their high school careers, but the
supposed to be fully healed from tearing my hamstring last season.” According to Abelon, her senior season was destined to be one of her best following a bad injury the previous season, but the unexpected end of school denied her this opportunity. While COVID-19 has taken away half of their last year in high school, according to some senior athletes, it did not take the memories they made with their teammates. “Our team was off to a strong start in the beginning of the season and I know we would have played strong all the way through if given the
“I will forever cherish the laughs and memories that I had with my teammates and they will always hold a special place in my heart.” -Eleanor white, 12th of their last season being cut short. Although the health and safety of everyone are of the utmost importance, it does not make the loss of the seniors’ last season any easier. Many of Stanton’s seniors left the school and its fields without knowing that it would be the last time as students. They missed out on some of their most monumental senior moments
20 | devilsadvocatepaper.com
pandemic has cut the influential season short. “I’m really disappointed that our season got cut short this year, especially the fact that we didn’t get to have our winning senior season we were all looking forward to,” said senior lacrosse player Autumn Abelon. “It is especially upsetting for me because when we were getting back from spring break I was
chance,” said senior Eleanor White, varsity tennis captain. “I will forever cherish the laughs and memories that I had with my teammates and they will always hold a special place in my heart.” Even though these can be tough times, seniors are looking at the bright side. Being in quarantine allows many of them to practice their sport even if
VOL. XXXVI, NO. 5 (SENIOR ISSUE)
“It really hurts not being able to ficomplete something that you started four years ago, but unexpected things happen all the time and you have to look towards the future for how to make up for it.” -Daniel Rivera, 12th they are not playing at school. “I’ve definitely tried to do a little playing here and there, but with gyms closed and there being no practices, it’s really hard to stay motivated,” said senior varsity lacrosse captain John Christovich. Many seniors like Christovich, are keeping up with their sport by participating in constant physical activity to keep in shape during the quarantine. “To stay active, I keep a workout regime throughout the week,” said senior varsity fastpitch softball captain Catherine Price. “I usually do lots of cardio workouts as well as play softball with friends.” While there was no proper end to their senior season, some seniors have chosen to stay active by continuously participating in physical activity, and hopefully by choosing to look towards the future for comfort in these uncertain times. They are hopeful that college will begin in the fall, making quarantine only a small and temporary obstacle in their greater plans. “It really hurts not being able to finish something that you started four years ago, but unexpected things happen all the time and you have to look towards the future for how to make up for it,” said senior long distance track runner Daniel Rivera. Although this year was cut short, the Stanton seniors are taking this time to practice their sport and anticipate the future. Students have much to look forward to in the future but first they must overcome the uncertainty brought on by COVID-19 this year. The loss of their senior season may have been hard for many, but college is in the near future and with that comes a whole new set of adventures beyond Stanton.
photo by Abigail Hernandez-Carias
photo by Abigail Hernandez-Carias
Top Right: The girls’ lacrosse team holds a team meeting before their game. Middle: Senior Daniel Rivera runs the mile at the Ponte Vedra track meet. Bottom: Senior Ronak Venkata prepares for a serve. photo by Abigail Hernandez-Carias
MAY 2020
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 21
team MEMORIES By ELISE GIDEON, Staff Writer
Girls' Soccer goes to states-2017 As the four-year reign of the class of 2020 comes to an end, seniors can look back on the meaningful sports moments and memories from their time at Stanton College Preparatory School. The most prominent sports memories for the Stanton graduating class of 2020 include football games and school-history making soccer games among other sports wins and record-breaking moments. One of the most notable moments not only for the seniors, but for the entire history of the school, was when the girls’ varsity soccer team went to the Florida High School Athletic Association State Championship in the 2016-2017 school year. “I remember going to States freshman year because it was such a big moment for Stanton girls’ soccer and I got to bond with my teammates and coaches,” said senior Imani Ashman, who played the position of center forward. When the girls’ varsity soccer team went to the State Championships in 2016, it was the first time in Stanton history the team had made it that far. For 90 minutes, the score stayed tied at 0-0. When the Merrit Island Mustangs made a goal, the Stanton Blue Devils quickly made a goal themselves; however, Merrit Island scored a penalty kick and ultimately came out on top. “I was very confident with Stanton’s odds going into the State Finals,” said senior Madelyn Debski, who played as a forward on the team her freshman year. “Throughout the whole season, we were the underdogs. No one had expected us to go as far as we did.” Despite the defeat, the game will forever be known as the first time our girls’ varsity team has made it to states. photo obtained from Instagram @stantonbluedevils
Boys' soccer goes to state semifinals-2020 Like the girls’ team, the Stanton boys varsity soccer team has also had a successful season and good games. “We knew that there would be better teams to beat than just our rival so we kept our head on straight and strived together as a team to go all the way to the final four,” said senior Josh Kim, who played as goalkeeper. “We just focused on our next play and knocking the ball into the net as many times as we could.” This past school year, the boys’ soccer team made it all the way to the State Semifinals and played against Jesuit High School. Despite Stanton’s valiant efforts, Jesuit won 0-3. “When we made it to semifinals, the whole team was at an all-time high, especially considering that every team we had beat were all ranked higher than us,” said Mahmoud Tariq, a senior who plays as a striker on the Stanton’s boys’ varsity soccer team. “It didn’t end with a bang but it was an amazing season. I’m proud of all the guys and it was definitely a season to remember.” Even though the boys team did not come out as victorious in the state championship this year, they played as hard as they could and did exceptionally well for playing in states. photo by Fabrizio Gowdy
22 | devilsadvocatepaper.com
VOL. XXXVI, NO. 5 (SENIOR ISSUE)
Stanton vs. Paxon football game-2017 Another monumental game for the graduating class of 2020 was the 2017-2018 Stanton-Paxon football game. Just like the girls’ varsity soccer team’s trip to the state championship in 2016, this game was historic for Stanton because this was the first game since 2011 where Stanton had claimed a victory over Paxon. Stanton’s win was a glorious moment for the seniors because they got to experience the first win of what would become a winning streak against Paxon for four years and counting. “I was elated when I realized we had won the game,” said Coach Christopher Crider, Stanton athletics director. “I was and still am proud of those student-athletes, especially the seniors who hadn’t experienced a ton of excitement up until that point.” The game between Stanton and Paxon was not only exciting for the student body as a whole, but also significant for the players that made the win happen. The team members at the time, though disheartened by Stanton’s historically poor football record, fought hard to turn the tide against Paxon in Stanton’s favor. “It felt really great to be part of that team to beat Paxon, especially since it was my first year on varsity as a sophomore, so it meant a lot to know that I had an intricate part in turning the tides in the rivalry,” said Aidan Noe, a senior who played as a defensive end in the 2017 game. “It inspired me and the team as a whole to strive to work harder, as we knew that we didn’t want the win to be a one-year thing, so we worked really hard and were able to beat Paxon every year for the remainder of my seasons at Stanton.” The winning streak of the Stanton varsity football team against the school’s rival team, Paxon, gives motivation and hope to the students of Stanton and encourages them to do better. photo obtained from Instagram @stantonbluedevils
Varisty cheerleading goes to nationals-2020 Another team that made it exceptionally far this year in competitions was Stanton’s Varsity Cheerleading team. After having a great season cheering at football games, they went on to competition season and advanced to the Universal Cheerleaders Association National High School Cheerleading Championships. “Going all the way to Nationals this year felt super rewarding especially being a senior and it felt like all of our hard work had finally paid off,” said senior Kynna Johnston, a co-captain and back spot on the varsity cheer team. “It felt good when we realized we had made it as far as we did because it felt good for people to congratulate us and finally understand what we have been working towards. I hope next year’s team goes even further.” The success of the team can be attributed to the strengths and ability of the individuals who make it up. “I was very confident at the beginning of the year that we could make it to Nationals since we also made it the year before,” said senior Treasure Ray, captain of the cheer team. “We were still a very new team, when it comes to competing and so for us to make it to Nationals was a huge accomplishment.” The Stanton cheer team did a remarkable job this past season and excelled even when fellow students and faculty rarely pay attention to the team’s wins and successes. photo by Coach Elysa
What was your favorite Sports moment?
photo by Taylor Brown
MAY 2020
— Taylor Brown, 12th
“Playing on varsity softball. I’ve been playing for 12 years now, and every new player or team always becomes your family.”
“Running cross country, because I met some amazing people. The best part though was running down the competition on race day.”
“My favorite thing about weighlifting was the team work. Regardless of everyone’s individual performance, we always supported and helped each other.”
photo by LeAnna Teuscher
— Matthew Kirkland, 12th
photo by Kennedi Munroe
— Tissa Munroe, 12th
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 23
OPINIONS
From Your 2019-2020 Editorial Board By THE EDITORIAL BOARD
the purpose of journalism relevant when it may seem like it is a dying industry. We have persevered through many challenges during these times to still publish issues digitally. We have struggled with communication, maintaining comradery, and most importantly, the distancing that has separated us from news gathering in Room 204 and our audience. In spite of the unpredictable, abrupt events that have caused us to be far apart, we continue to be unified through our shared dedication and love for the paper. Through our years on staff, we have experienced the familiar: stressing over deadlines, frustrations with technology, arguments in brainstorming about what our audience should know and what they care about, the excitement of distribution days, and the special fêtes where we exchanged our appreciation for each other. The source of these special memories and mutual connections were linked by the paper. The paper has given us what most students hope to find in their four years of high school: a place to belong. From it, we have acquired new skills and more confidence to push the boundaries of our potential. The need to lead made us closer to the staff and among ourselves, becoming a sort photo by Larry Knight
The Devil’s Advocate has long thrived since its first issue in 1983, evolving with the changing field of journalism and the demands of news consumption. Journalists still continue to uphold their principles and morals in the pursuit of truth despite how hazy it may be. As student journalists, we have always strived to enlighten our audience to the current issues and highlight the significance of the individuals among us. Truth is a multifaceted, abstract idea with many perspectives which make it difficult to communicate; however, we have always aimed to fully describe the bigger picture through our words. For words are more alive and meaningful when you read and consider our thoughts with yours, keeping
of second family. Journalism allowed us to meet new people, forming lasting friendships through the feuds and laughs that we shared. Our journalism careers on the Devil’s Advocate have come to a close, but we cherish the experiences we have had with the rest of the staff. With every published issue, we are reminded of the diverse group of student journalists who have come aboard and gone, offering their gifts and creativity to the paper. We wish the future staff the best of luck as they inherit the legacy of our time on staff and the past staff members before us. To our adviser, Mr. Larry Knight, we wholeheartedly appreciate your unwavering dedication to the staff and to the paper. You have provided so much support in encouraging our success and have shaped us all to become resilient and compassionate through our struggles. To our readers, and more specifically to our seniors, it has been an honor to serve as your 2019-2020 Editorial Board. We hope you have enjoyed this year’s run, and that we have given you something to remember your high school career by. We created this issue, the senior issue, as a memorandum for our class. Unfortunately for us, we will not be able to see your faces as you open it, but please know the most important part in every step of the process, was you. You were both our greatest critic and our highest inspiration, an irreplaceable member of our staff. As it is always said, all good things must come to an end. So, with heavy hearts, we wish you all a bittersweet goodbye and hope that success and happiness finds each and every one of you. -30-
photos by Larry Knight
24 | devilsadvocatepaper.com
VOL. XXXVI, NO. 5 (SENIOR ISSUE)
For My Kids
By COLLEEN MACKIN, Contributing Writer When I look back on my high school experience – the end of it so cruelly snatched away – and think about the memories I’ve made, I don’t remember the sleepless nights, tired drives, or neverending rehearsals. What I remember most is the friends I made and the experiences we shared together: our morning talks in my car – all trying to pump ourselves up for what seemed like a never-ending school year – or our late-night sleepovers – trying to stay awake so we could talk forever. Always trying to soak up the most time we could with each other, squeeze in time after dances and before assignments – before the big deadline: graduation. I think of the laughs during rehearsal, surrounded by my friends, truly enjoying ourselves in the last few months of senior year. Or the freedom we all felt on the last day of junior year – we were carefree. What I have learned is that it’s okay to have fun and in fact, finding your ‘fun,’ is what makes life enjoyable and meaningful. Most of all, the times I treasure are those I’ve shared with people I care about and who care about me – that’s what truly matters in life. I have been lucky enough to have a solid group of friends since freshman year, and when you find your people, there’s no better feeling in the world. These people are the reasons I don’t remember any of those painful memories – we stuck by each other, even when the times got tough, helping each other become stronger together. Especially now, while we’re in quarantine, the thing I miss most about ‘normal’ life is my friends – the ones I have been without for almost nine weeks. They’re the ones I want to tell when I’ve had a bad day, or who I want to watch the new cringey Netflix movie with, or who I simply just want to share a meal. And with this situation prematurely tearing my friends from me – with very little warning – I have come to realize the magnitude of friendship to one’s life. Thus, to my kids, I say have fun in high school – yes, do your schoolwork – and take time to truly find your people. Although it may take a few tries to find those that deeply support and care for you, the right friends make a world of difference. In uncertain times, we crave certainty – and like many others – I find safety, security, and love in the arms of my friends. And that is what I want my kids to have in high school – a group of people where they can truly have fun with no worries (even for just a little bit), a place where they can truly be themselves, with no qualms. True friends change life for the better. photo by Lifetouch Studios
photo by Kathy Cottle
MAY 2020
Senior Moments
By ANGELA VILLANUEVA, Associate Public Relations Manager In my final moments as a senior, I acted to a music box rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “Isle of Capri.” I still remember my last walk down the stairs and toward the black box. It was quiet. Spring break had started, but I was stuck after school recording my IB solo project again. While I performed I looked toward the future, thinking of how I would be on that same stage again soon but this time with all my friends during the Senior Cabaret. Little did I know that would be the last time I ever performed at school and my last moments on campus as a senior. I think what the seniors of Stanton College Preparatory School feel is a mutual sense of disappointment in how our senior year photo by Lifetouch Studios
illustration by Caroline Robbins
will end. We lost the events that would have commemorated our final moments together in high school. From prom to Grad Bash, the special memories that would have been made seem like a distant dream. What was supposed to be an easy transitional period between high school and college is now a time of worry for the unknown future. Sometimes I wish we could go back to when we were all wishing senior year was already over. We were so sure and ready to start the next chapters of our lives. It is sad that we have to part with our high school days like this, abruptly and unnaturally. I wanted to end my senior year as strongly as I entered it. Looking back, our time together was short, tough, but ultimately sweet. Our senior year has come to a close and my final moments before quarantine are ones that I truly will never forget. I went out doing what I am passionate about and performed for a small audience of four people that inevitably made my last senior moments under the stage lights memorable. I strongly ended my final moments on the Stanton campus with three of my closest friends and my theatre teacher. We will never have the end of the senior year we expected and plans for graduation are still uncertain. But the memories I made this year are ones that I will cherish forever.
Virtual Film School? By DYLAN JANSON, Associate Digital Media Editor
I will be attending film short film projects for fun. With every film project, school later this fall. At least, I grow closer to those I work with. You have to, I hope so. because that is the nature of filmmaking. Film Attending film school in projects are never one-time experiences; they Los Angeles has been a are chances to improve your filmmaking skills as dream of mine for many you grow your connections with other filmmakers, years now, but due to the ultimately forming a family of creators you trust. outbreak of COVID-19 and Virtual film school also presents another the social distancing policies problem for me and other committed filmmakers: that have been put in place, the loss of a structured and dedicated learning there is a chance that the upcoming fall semester environment. You can learn everything that film will be impacted for many school has to offer for free colleges across the nation. This “With every film project, on the internet if you put your impact could potentially involve I grow closer to those I mind to it, but knowing where prolonged social distancing or to begin is the difficult part. a virtual learning environment, work with. You have to, I work best when I am given which defeats one of the main because that is the nature a starting point from which I purposes of going to film of filmmaking.” can explore my interests in school: making connections. any way I desire, and film One major advantage of attending film school can supply the necessary resources to school, especially in Los Angeles, is making further develop my career as a filmmaker. Virtual connections with other filmmakers. Working with school can make this difficult, especially without and developing deep connections with filmmakers physical interaction with other filmmakers. from all around the country, and even from around While I plan on attending the school I the world, is something that excites me about committed to no matter what, it will be pretty attending film school, but if the fall semester ends disappointing if I have to attend film school up going virtual, then it will be extremely difficult online. I hope to explore my film interests in the to establish these meaningful connections. Many heart of the entertainment industry, and not in of my favorite memories from my four years at front of a computer screen. I hope we can return Stanton involved collaborating with friends on to a state of normalcy some day, but for now, all video projects for the Devil’s Advocate, as well as we can do is hope. photo by Lifetouch Studios
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 25
Senior Year: Expectation vs. Reality By KENNEDY COTTLE, Opinions Editor
At 7:20 AM on Aug. 12, 2019, my unforgettable senior year began. I pulled my squeaky, bright blue car into the senior lot, blasting 95.1 FM, and, with great anticipation, waited for my friends to arrive. I was on the phone with one of my closest friends, both of us envisioning the perfect senior year, like the ones depicted in the coming of age movies; we imagined attending each football game, getting ready for the homecoming dance, and hanging out every weekend. But above everything else, we fantasized about our magical senior prom night, Grad Bash, senior week, and of course, our high school graduation. Now that our senior year has come to a close, I think I can safely say it was nothing like the ideal senior year we had envisioned. On the second day of school, we lost a classmate, a friend, in the worst way imaginable. Now, we are facing one of photo by Lifetouch Studios
the greatest challenges of the decade: the outbreak of a global pandemic — the deadly COVID-19 virus. It closed schools across the nation from mid-March through the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, cutting our last year of high school short an entire quarter, and canceling the events we had been looking forward to our entire lives.
“Now that our senior year has come to a close, I think I can safely say it was nothing like the ideal senior year we had envisioned.” When I found out school was canceled for the rest of the year, I laid sprawled out across my bed and put “Ribs” by Lourde on repeat. I was heartbroken I wouldn’t get the chance to interpretive dance with my friends on that magical senior prom night. I was devastated I would never spend the night at Universal Studios, then pass out from exhaustion on a friend’s shoulder on the drive back to school. I never got to experience senior week, or the cry
Brighter Days Ahead By EESHA REDDY, Contributing Writer
You’re not alone in feeling somewhat down, lethargic, and constantly hungry. The past few weeks have been a rude awakening for all of us; however, let’s not lose sight of the future. Especially for us seniors, this is important. We are so close to finishing out a defining chapter of our lives. The four years we have spent together at Stanton College Preparatory School have made us more aware of the world and our place in it. By graduating, in whatever form and at whichever point in time, we are taking another gigantic step towards our future. Although it’s bittersweet that we haven’t had our ideal last run, life will change significantly soon enough as most of us go off to college and start something new. The next part of our lives will be influential as we further grow into ourselves and figure things out a bit more. Nonetheless, as we prepare for change, take the time to think about what it is that you truly want and how you are going to make it your reality. Don’t let societal expectations, familial pressure, or any amount of self-doubt stop you from taking advantage of the freedom of choice that we have at photo by Lifetouch Studios
this point of our lives. This is the time to focus on you. Be more intentional, bold and unafraid in your pursuits whether it is your choice of major, where you travel, or your career. So let it out; do what you need to do whether it’s having a big cry, taking a long drive, FaceTiming friends, or blasting your music. We have setbacks, some more major or minor than others throughout the course of our lives. But let us not allow our setbacks to define us. Although our current reality isn’t what we planned for, don’t hold yourself back from looking to the future; get out there and take a step forward; many of our greatest moments and victories are still ahead of us.
26 | devilsadvocatepaper.com
illustration by Caroline Robbins
fest that would have been our last day of school as seniors — and as Stanton students. We were robbed of a traditional graduation ceremony, that would be only days away from now. But one day, I sat up with a sudden realization. I began thinking about what I was lucky enough to experience throughout my senior year, instead of continuously zeroing in on what I was deprived of and pitying myself for it. My senior year was cut short, yes. And I didn’t get to have a senior prom or a senior trip. But despite this, I could not be more fortunate to exit Stanton with people I could not be more thankful to call my friends and fellow graduates. We did it. We endured not only four gruelling years of Stanton College Preparatory School, but we were thrown obstacle after obstacle, yet here we still are — stronger and more united than ever. My senior year was unforgettable, thanks to my peers, my amazing teachers, and the memories I have made that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Thank you, Stanton. I could not be more grateful.
The Class of COVID-19 By RONAK VENKATA, Contributing Writer
If there’s one have made their most cherished thing I can say memories in are no longer within with certainty, our reach? it’s that no one, I hope when history looks back and I mean NO on the class of 2020, they will see ONE, from the a class brought together through class of 2020 adversity. A class that has gone could have through more than any other in expected this. recent times and gotten stronger For many of from it, pushing forward no matter us seniors, our last day of school what. I hope they will cite the was a blur: a blend of agonizingly hilarious group FaceTime and Zoom long quarter exams and a feeling calls where we mercilessly made of annoyance fun of each other, hope that when diverting stemming from a “I our burning desire to history looks back on attention from the begin our longaround us. I the class of 2020, they world awaited spring hope they will ask break. Burnt out will see a class brought future students to and ready to start together in adversity.” comment on the our vacations, we funny memes we were dragging our feet forward, just tweeted. But most of all, I hope they trying to get ourselves to the finish see the determination that brought line we cannot get within six feet us through this self-quarantine. of now. When some form of normalcy I remember one of my friends finally arrives, our reputation will joking weeks ago that “years from begin to carve itself out, and I truly now students will be writing DBQs believe the class of 2020 will not be on COVID-19’s legacy as a global marked by this crisis, but instead be pandemic…” What would that look celebrated for our response to it. like? Would it be a melancholic The adaptability and perseverance account filled with pictures of that we have shown as a class will dejected, apathetic students staring be our legacy. And that’s on periodt. into their laptop screens? Would it Columns published in the Devil’s tell of our despair of knowing those Advocate represent the views of the senior traditions that past classes contributors, not those of the newspaper. photo by Lifetouch Studios
VOL. XXXVI, NO. 5 (SENIOR ISSUE)
Source: ivycoach.com
The Record photos retrieved from Google Images
Source: collegeboard.org
Source: ibo.org
Source: businessinsider.com
MAY 2020
Source: duvalschools.com
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE | 27
Photography by Prachi Misra
Contributed by Marc Galindo
Contributed by Sidney Stelly
Contributed by Evan Dodani
Contributed by Alex Roche
no matter how much they change,the class of 2020 Bleed will always blue Photography by Prachi Misra
Contributed by Sidney Stelly
Contributed by Evan Dodani
Contributed by Alex Roche
Photography by Prachi Misra