By CLIONA JOY PILIGAN, Staf Writer
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service of others."
– Mahatma Gandhi
Adviser: Larry Knight
Editor-in-Chief: Sarah Hiott
Managing Editor: Ty’Hana Aldridge
Business Manager: Tatum Register
Photography Editor: Denise Soriano
Digital Media Editor: Cameron Kight
Layout and Design Editor: Jillian Williams
Assoc. Digital Media Editor: Sarah Bernardo
Assoc. Photography Editor: Spurthi Nrusimhadevara
Videographer: Carlos Alvarez
Podcast Engineer: Rowan Kershner
Section Editor (Arts & Ent.): AnaSofa Girardot
Section Editor (Features): Samyuktha Sridhar
Section Editor (Opinions): Zoey Larson
Section Editor (Sports): Raza Cottey
Staf Writers: Kendall Ford, Grace Larson, Shravya Nalla, Amani Okero, Cliona Joy Piligan, Katya Sniriova
Staf Photographers: Anusha Anna, Cindy Lam
Staf Artist: Hawi Said
Contributing Advocates
The Devil’s Advocate is searching for contributing writers, photographers, artists, and flmmakers. Contact Editor-in-Chief Sarah Hiott at sarahhiott275@gmail.com, Opinions
Editor Zoey Larson at zoeylarson16@gmail. com, or Digital Media Editor Cameron Kight at camikight301@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), $135 (full page) $150 (back page). For an additional $5 fee, we can advertise your business on our website or podcast. Contact Business Manager Tatum Register at tatiereg627@ gmail.com or newspaper adviser, Mr. Larry Knight, at knightl1@duvalschools.org.
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The Class of 2023 ended their junior year by symbolically “taking over” the senior courtyard.
Our Beginning
4
WHERE WE STARTED
By The Editorial Board
The Editorial Board takes the Class of 2023 on a walk through our freshman year, looking back on how we have grown and what we learned.
5
CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE
Go on an out-of-this-world experience to relive your freshman year.
6
SHOW ME...
By Spurthi NrusimhadevaraSay the magic words and get glimpses of the Class of 2023’s frst years of high school.
10
A SOPHOMORE YEAR SPECIAL
Climb up the mountain of 2020-21 albums while ranking them from best to worst.
Our Journey Our End
17
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Fill in the crossword puzzle with information from your junior year.
ALONG THE WAY
By Denise SorianoAlthough some friendships prove difcult to maintain at Stanton, they are often the most valuable.
18
BABY PHOTO MATCHING
See if you can match each baby photo to their senior counterpart.
12
A COMMON BOND
By Cliona Joy PiliganThe Class of 2023 is united by the circles that connect them despite difering interests.
19
TO MARS
By Kendall FordThe Senior Class President says goodbye after leading the Class of 2023.
Tatum Register
Cameron Kight
Denise Soriano
Jillian Williams
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Business Manager Digital Media EditorPhotography Editor
Layout and Design EditoriiiiiThe Devil’s Advocate serves as the ofcial newspaper of Stanton College Preparatory School. It is produced quarterly by members of the Journalism class. The editors reserve the right to edit any material submitted into the paper for content, grammar, length and accuracy.
iiiiiThe Devil’s Advocate is a public forum for student expression, which encourages free exchanges of opinions concerning controversial and noncontroversial community and school related issues. The advertisements and ideas expressed within the newspaper are not necessarily those of the newspaper staf, Stanton administration, or the Duval County Public School Board.
iiiiiThe Devil’s Advocate accepts advertisements from all businesses in the Stanton community. The ad contract can be given to a staf member or newspaper adviser Mr. Larry Knight.
iiiiiReaders may contact any staf member or the adviser at (904) 630-6760 or at knightl1@duvalschools.org.
This ffth issue is centered around us, the class of 2023. It is a dedication to the last four years of our hard work and gratifcation as we transition to the next stage of growth. This issue follows each of our years at Stanton College Preparatory School, accompanied by columns from seniors on staf. The feature story addresses the development of relationships and how we choose to maintain them as we grow. Denise Soriano, Photography Editor, discusses the split of AP and IB students and the struggle to continue friendships after this divergence. Finally, staf writer Kendall Ford refects on his high school career and excitement for the future.
These pieces evoke a sense of closure as we refect on our days as high schoolers. With graduation just around the corner, this is a time for both relief and excitement, but the change of leaving high school can cause apprehension. Many seniors will be heading to colleges with peers who they can still maintain friendships with, but some will be attending colleges in new states and will have to build entirely new friend groups. Still, with the guidance of our loved ones, we will soon experience a new and exciting phase of our lives. Though we are all a bit nervous for the years to come, I am leaving with appreciation for the last few years, love for my staf, and new goals.
Our freshman year of high school holds a special place in everyone’s hearts, as it marked the beginning of our incredible journey of self-discovery and growth. While Stanton College Preparatory School has allowed us to grow within its walls and develop into the people we are today, freshman year was diferent for everyone. Looking back on that time, it is hard not to feel a deep sense of nostalgia and sentimentality.
The frst day of high school was a mix of excitement and nervousness. Walking through the hallways, it was easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer size and energy of the school. It was a fresh start for everyone, a chance to reinvent ourselves and leave behind everything in middle school. Everyone was eager to make new friends, fnd their place, and uncover their passions.
As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, everything started to settle into a rhythm. Our freshman year teachers are the ones who essentially introduced us to Stanton, providing a frst impression on what high school would be like. Whether that was Mr. Christopher Macdowell’s study packets, Mr. Aaron Herbig’s labs, or Mr. Larry Knight’s Daily Record half sheets. Even though high school seemed daunting, they were able to help us, walking us through our frst year. As we became more comfortable with the routines of high school, classrooms became spaces of exploration and curiosity, both academically and personally.
Slowly we became more confdent outside of the classroom, with the extracurricular activities ofered by Stanton adding richness and depth to our high school experience. Whether it was joining band, auditioning for the Annual Night of One Act Plays, or being part of a sports team, each endeavor allowed us to explore our interests, discover hidden talents, and forge lifelong friendships. These
activities provided a sense of belonging and taught many the value of dedication, teamwork, and perseverance.
It wasn’t just the academic or athletic pursuits that defned freshman year. It was the friendships that bloomed and the bonds that grew stronger. While some of us had come into Stanton with friends from our middle schools, others started with a completely blank slate. As the year progressed, we became more comfortable and were able to fnd our own groups. We navigated the ups and downs of high school together, supporting and encouraging one another through the challenges that came our way. One of the biggest challenges was the outbreak of COVID-19 at the end of our freshman year, sending us all to online learning without any in-person interaction. While starting a new school is always nerve wracking, our year was interrupted by a global pandemic, creating unprecedented stress for everyone. Even though quarantines and mandates meant we couldn’t see each other, we all still prevailed. We facetimed each other in class, sent funny videos, and socially distanced ourselves when we did hang out. These small but meaningful interactions allowed us to maintain a sense of normalcy, taking away some of the building stress caused by our sudden new circumstances.
Looking back, freshman year taught us invaluable life lessons. It taught us that change can be both exciting and daunting, but it’s through embracing new experiences that we truly grow. It showed the importance of authenticity and staying true to yourself even in the face of others’ expectations. It illustrated that setbacks and failures are opportunities for growth, and that resilience and determination are key to overcoming obstacles. It was a time of innocence, wonder, and self-discovery, laying the foundation for the transformative years that followed.
photo by Anusha Anna
by SPURTHI NRUSIMHADEVARA, Associate
Photos by DENISE
SORIANO,
... words and get class of 2023’s high school.
Associate Photography Editor
Freshman year’s Spirit week SORIANO,
Photography Editor
to all senior athletes!
Scan above to listen to these top ten albums!
“SOUR is a masterpiece from start to fanish.”
i
“The lyrics [in Folklore] are pure poetry.”
‒ Gena Newcomb, 12th
‒ Tyler Leturmy Brown, 12th
It’s a common sentiment that friends are what keep students at Stanton College Preparatory School more than anything else. After the trials and tribulations that come with getting through high school, especially at our high school, it is easy for me to say that the people I’ve met along the way are the most valuable aspect of my experience. I have made beautiful connections and learned lessons even from the simplest interactions, like asking someone for that coveted piece of gum, or being absolutely clueless in chemistry together. These relationships have made me confdent in saying I made the right choice in not only coming to Stanton, but also staying for four years.
Whether we ourselves have considered leaving or if we’ve had close friends choose to attend a diferent school, transferring from Stanton is a very familiar issue. However, the bonds I’ve formed over the past four years have transcended the boundaries of its campus. Despite being physically apart, the value of our relationships never declined. Classmates leaving the school over time has shown me the closest friends I have made are the ones I must go out of my way to keep in touch with. This does not take away from the value of the friends I have made mostly out of convenience, but rather emphasizes the importance of the ones I have made the efort to maintain. Many of my friendships could have easily faded away the moment we did not sit next to each other, yet going that extra mile to build something greater than that consistently proves to be extremely gratifying. I am forever thankful to Stanton for introducing
me to those certain people whom I still hold close, despite not being the right environment for them.
To Jasmine, Nico, Elena, and all our former peers: your impact has not been forgotten here, and we remember your presence as we graduate.
Despite the many relationships that Stanton has fostered, the hand that gives also takes away. For the friends that I’ve made in freshman and sophomore year, the separation of our classes from International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement courses starting in our junior year made it difcult to see those same classmates again. Personally, some of my closest friends are not in the IB program, but it often felt almost impossible to see them at school. I remember my friends and I would all request for the same AP course with hope for the small chance that we get the class together, usually to no avail.
leadership roles in Fashion Club and Summer Bridge has brought me close to so many important people in my life despite the lack of interaction in our academic setting. These experiences have greatly helped me diversify the friends I have, rather than staying within the “bubble” that the class divides tend to form. Expanding my circle of friends has been one of the most gratifying choices of my high school years, leading to invaluable relationships I am sure to carry as we part ways.
• ONE SEMESTER OF SAT/ACT TEST PREP OR DUAL ENROLLMENT SFS + ONE SEMESTER OF PSFR
• REQUIRED FLVS CLASS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL
• STANDARD HONORS CLASSES
• THREE YEAR AP HISTORY PROGRESSION
• GREAT BOOKS
Although it can be disappointing at times, I realize this segregation has encouraged me to form deeper connections with others. I am grateful I made the choice to participate in numerous extracurriculars and still interact with many of my friends within school grounds, but outside of that, my relationships with them were dependent on outof-school interaction. However, this only strengthens the idea that the closest friends are made out of efort. Likely, I will continue to nurture those friendships through college, as I am already accustomed to seeing them mostly outside of school. Besides academic rigor, this trend is another way that Stanton’s class structure prepares us for college. Personally, assuming
• THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE + A ONE SEMESTER CLASS SENIOR YEAR
• IB SCIENCES (CHEMISTRY, BIOLOGY, OR PHYSICS)
• PRE-IB LANGUAGE CLASSES
Between diferent colleges, cities, states, and even nations, leaving Stanton is now a reality all of us have to face. With this impending separation, the value of the people I’ve met has never been clearer to me. Many people, whether they be an acquaintance in a freshman year class to a friend I’ve had the majority of my classes with in senior year, will continue to infuence my lifestyle and mindset for years to come. As years go on, faces blur and names become harder to recall, but the people we’ve encountered in the past four years have genuinely shaped us, even in subtle ways. A concept that has really stuck with me is that we are all mosaics, made of small pieces of people we’ve met, and sharing parts of ourselves as well. Through the small ways we live our lives, like songs we listen to or habits we have, the relationships we’ve built will always live through us.
To all the people I’ve met along the way in the past four years at Stanton, thank you for everything. Thank you for the shared hatred for parallel parking in the senior lot, the emotional support bathroom trips, and on a more serious note, thank you for the perfect balance of being encouraging yet also holding each other accountable when necessary. The strong sense of community at Stanton was often the main anchor for me to stay, as I’m sure it was for many others, and I wouldn’t have traded it for anything.
The Class of 2023 identifes what connects them together despite differing interests and activities.
By CLIONA JOY PILIGAN, Staf Writer
For each high schooler, the seniors of Stanton College Preparatory School undergo their high school experience diferently. Due to Stanton’s various clubs and courses, students can form their own identity. As for the graduating class of 2023, the seniors collectively have one thing in common—graduating in the same year. But amid the diferences between them, each senior has managed to fnd meaningful connections with each other transcending beyond sharing the same grade level.
Before beginning their journey to Stanton, the class of 2023 had
Weldon Johnson, Julia Landon, and Darnell Cookman attract eighth graders to Stanton, students from non-feeder schools are fewer in number.
“I was from St. John’s County, so my friends from middle school did not transfer over. I had no friends, but Summer Bridge really helped me show me that there are people I can connect with,” said William Li.
During his junior year, Li participated in Stanton’s Student Government Association (SGA), eventually becoming its president. By collaborating with SGA ofcers, Li became a spokesperson for the Stanton student body while hosting school dances, college campus visits, and fundraisers.
“I think that it is a good idea that [students] try to be representative,” said Li. “We have class ofcers that we meet with on Instagram or inperson, where they
level), whereas AP classes last only one year. Nevertheless, IB senior Celine Taragjini managed to overcome stressful times with the help of her peers.
“I will admit that it was a little bit more difcult to interact with them because we did not have as many classes together, but I would see my friends at lunch and other times,” said Taragjini. “I think it really boils down to the fact that if they were truly my friends, we made time to hang out with one another regardless of whether we were IB or AP.”
While Taragjini prioritized the time to gather with friends outside of school, AP senior Jovani Pontello highlighted how similar IB and AP seniors are inside the classroom.
“I did not really realize it until this year, but I became acquainted with most of the AP students. Unfortunately, I never became friends with many IB kids,” said Pontello. “But after seeing some of them from their commitment posts, they seem like equally incredible people that I would have as good [of a] time with as my current AP friends.”
Additionally, seniors take courses together regardless of whether they are IB or AP, and sometimes possess diferent levels of enthusiasm. For example, AP Statistics is a course that AP and IB seniors are allowed to take, either as a mandatory course or an elective.
“I did have some IB kids in my statistics class because they were taking it as an elective,” said Pontello. “It was clear that they were having the most fun while AP kids had to do statistics as our required math course for the year.”
transition from a variety of middle schools. For some, this leap into high school was not as troublesome due to long lasting childhood friendships. Although relationships may change or drift apart throughout high school, senior Shalini Mehra continued to remain close to one of her friends, Alexa Loschiavo.
“Our friendship has changed over the years, but it is always nice to know somebody that gets where you have been,” said senior Shalini Mehra. “We stayed close by putting in efort, like talking a little bit more senior year [and] asking them how they are doing.”
While Mehra’s friendship with Loschiavo endured throughout their four years in Stanton, other students had more difculty afliating with their classmates. Reasons for this situation may be due to social anxiety or moving from a farther region. While feeder middle schools such as James
give us updates on what they are doing and if they need any help with anything.”
While students typically make friends in their freshman year, social bonds are often created or tested by Stanton’s academically rigorous reputation. During their freshman and sophomore year, students chose to enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) or the International Baccalaureate (IB) to earn college credits. By junior year, students noticed a shift in academic responsibility with the growing number of AP and IB courses they were assigned to take. IB students have classes that
Regardless of the academic rigor in Stanton’s AP and IB program, the class of 2023 learned to fnd the balance between academics and leisure through pep rallies. Occurring during the fall, winter and spring, Stanton’s pep rallies emphasize the competitiveness of each class with a spirit week consisting of themed dress-up days and games. With the emergence of COVID-19 however, these events including school dances were canceled. After experiencing the pandemic, Taragjini emphasized how important pep rallies were to the seniors.
“I found myself loving pep rallies. It gave us a chance to rally around something that we all wanted, to win,” said Taragjini. “Singing our fght song and cheering for the class of 2023 was something I thought I would not have found joy in, but I did. I was a part of a group, and we all were working to achieve a
A participant in Stanton’sGraduating students gather for the annual Senior Assembly, representing the Class of 2023 and Stanton as a whole.
marching band, senior Cameryn Ray shared a similar sentiment about pep rallies. To optimize their musical performance, senior band members are responsible for guiding underclassmen on their pep rally routine.
“Participating in pep rallies was important for the class of 2023 because it has really helped boost morale and school spirit, and has created a more exciting environment,” said Ray. “My class improved its pep rally strategy by teaching band songs and coordination to underclassmen in order to look and sound the best we can for pep rallies.”
Besides pep rallies, students congregate with each other based on similar interests. For senior Sion King, clubs were an opportunity to easily meet new people
becoming the Step Team’s president for the girl’s section.
“Having new people on a team every year is an opportunity to create strong bonds and new friendships,” said Castulo. “Through the course of the year, practices gave us [a] laugh and enjoyment but we slowly worked towards that.”
In addition to her involvement in Club Unity, Castulo’s participation in Stanton’s Multicultural Club allowed her to meet students who shared her interest in dancing and performance. As the largest club in the school, students in the
Multicultural Club choreograph dances that represent diferent cultures.
“Many of the girls that were in Step (Club Unity were [also] in Multicultural, and even led some groups. It is having a sense of already knowing that person and it gives [you a] ease of mind knowing that you are not the only one there,” said Castulo. “You can rely on having someone you know there.”
While seniors plan to travel to diferent colleges, students can look back and reminisce about the connections they made at Stanton. From making new friends to joining clubs, students have cultivated a collective identity that is unique to the class of 2023.
“Joining clubs helped connect me a lot of people I would not have talked to otherwise. It was easier to make friends and talk to people inside a club than normally” said King. “This led to a generally positive frst impression for most club members in clubs such as Black Student Union (BSU)and Junior Civitans.”
For some clubs like Club Unity (known as the Step Team), performing in front of an audience has attracted the interest of student dancers from all academic and extracurricular backgrounds. Dawned in their black and white uniforms, the members of Club Unity share a passion for rhythmic stepping. According to senior Shalimar Castulo, joining Club Unity strengthened her bond with her friends Angela Li and Erin Ramirez amidst social separation during the pandemic. Despite
“[Pep Rallies] made me feel like I wasn’t some kid just trying to make it through high school.
I was a part of a group and we all were working to achieve a common goal.”
— Celine Taragjini, 12th
2. Who was the class sponsor?
3. What was the prom theme?
5. At what event did Will Smith slap Chris Rock?
6. Who was the junior class president?
7. Who was SGA president?
8. What was the theme of the Spring Pep Rally?
9. Who won the Spring Pep Rally?
13. What school event was cancelled?
15. What billionaire bought Twitter?
ACROSS
1. Who won the Super Bowl?
4. What online word game was popularized in 2022?
10. Who won Miss Stanton?
11. Who hosted the Winter Olympics?
12. What was the Met Gala theme?
14. Who won teacher of the year?
16. What was the homecoming theme?
17. How many games did the football team score in?
For many, when asked to think of the Stanton College Preparatory School insignia, the vibrant Blue Devil immediately materializes in their minds. For me, it is the rising Phoenix. As we approach these fnal days of our senior year, I have grown to understand that our class and our experience is much like our historic Phoenix.
When we frst came to this school, we were still riding the highs of 8th grade, Gradventure, an amazing summer, and for the most part, being able to continue seeing old friends who ended up arriving at Stanton. Not only were there continued friendships, but the blend of several middle schools coming together allowed for new relationships to be built through classes and extracurriculars. At the bottom of the high school hierarchy, as freshman class Vice President, I watched our class rise to the occasion participating in school activities, showing creativity during pep rallies, and developing strong class bonds.
However, as we all know, our development came to an abrupt halt. In the smoldering ashes of quarantine, we were ripped away from our friends and pushed into social isolation that left many of us estranged and introspective. Despite this major setback, as we gradually came out of lockdown,
By KENDALL FORD, Staf Writer
like the fre that births a new Phoenix, our pandemic hiatus reimagined the class and our experience.
Junior year was a year of many frsts. The frst “normal year” since the pandemic began, our frst pep rally win, and our frst prom. This transition from isolation to interaction took getting used to but brought friends back together and provided a traditional high school setting again. Though our initial high school years may have been virtual, leaving the class less than involved and somewhat disconnected, I saw the class of 2023 explode with passion as we progressed from junior into senior year. I vividly remember our class, barely constrained by the senior takeover banner, waiting in the breezeway. After many photos and a suspenseful countdown, we rushed into the senior courtyard to have our frst lunch there, commencing a year of many ups and downs flled with the euphoric stress typical of senior year.
As we enter our last summer before diverging paths, I want these next couple of months to be flled with promises of connections, not goodbyes. Though we are leaving a place we have called home for the past four years, I know our future is bright, and we will always have a home at 1149 W. 13th Street. I know this because we have done it. We weathered the coronavirus, we survived the trials and tribulations of Stanton, and we made it to the next chapter in our lives. I want you to not only congratulate yourself, but those around you – and as
you congratulate them, I want you to acknowledge the greatness with which you are surrounded. Legends have walked these halls before us, and we have just as much potential for success as we graduate. It only takes efort on our part. Leaving Stanton, I encourage you to remember the times we have fondly spent together, but I also implore you to step into your stretch zone and explore the world.
Like NASA, on the verge of exploring Mars, a new frontier, we stand on the precipice of new adventures that will take us many places. Knowing that I have led a class of amazing students who will be future psychologists, diplomats, computer scientists, and more, I am overjoyed to have held this position, and I look forward to seeing everyone’s accomplishments. All that I can leave you with is the hope that I have been able to help facilitate the creation of great memories and the encouragement to launch into the new frontiers of your life and fy high like our beautiful Phoenix. As you take fight, remember you will always have a family and a home with me and the rest of our vibrant Stanton community. Farewell to a great class of students, friends, and family. Explore the stars, chart your own constellations, and share your greatness with the universe.
