The senior
magazine
Including the feature story, “The Road Ahead”
By EMILY ZICKUHR, Staff WriterDEVIL’S ADVOCATE
Adviser: Larry Knight
Editor-in-Chief: Zoey Larson
Managing Editor: AnaSofa Girardot
Business Manager: Anusha Anna
Photography Editor: Spurthi Nrusimhadevara
Digital Media Editor: Sarah Bernardo
Assoc. Digital Media Editor: Katya Sniriova
Art Director: Hawi Said
Marketing Assistant: Jade Bateman
Videographers: Rishi Mudiganti, Arvind Mukund
Podcast Producer: Rowan Kershner
Section Editor (Features): Grace Larson
Section Editor (Arts & Ent.): Amani Okero
Section Editor (Opinions): Shravya Nalla
Section Editor (Sports): Cliona Joy Piligan
Staff Writers: Mena Alchi, Lindsay Johnson, Ariyani Thompkins, Erica Truong, Katie Wong, Emily Zickuhr
Staff Photographer: Garrett Lawrence
Staff Artist: Amina Umar
The Class of 2024 shows school spirit at their junior year homecoming pep rally.
Life
Contributing Advocates
The Devil’s Advocate is searching for contributing writers, photographers, artists, and flmmakers. Visit our Instagram @scpnewspaper or contact Editor-in-Chief Zoey Larson at zoeylarson16@gmail.com to complete an application for the chance to be featured on our website or in a print issue.
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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), $125 (full page), $150 (back page). For an additional small fee, we can advertise your business digitally. Contact Business Manager Anusha Anna at anushaanna06@gmail.com or Adviser Mr. Larry Knight at knightl1@duvalschools.org.
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If the Class of 2024 were characters in a movie, these would be the updates on their future lives.
Predict your senior future with a game of MASH! MASH
ROAD AHEAD Features 7 Classmates unite in a quest to fnd Mama Majova, their unwavering advocate. WHERE’S MAJOVA?
8
Design by
In an alternate universe, what’s your schedule? REWRITE YOUR SCHEDULE
14
Play a classic game of I Spy and fnd the items listed. I SPY
As their journey through high school comes to an end, the Class of 2024 refects on the road they took to get there.
Opinions
17
The Editorial Board discusses the stigma around studying the humanities. WHAT IS SUCCESS?
RUSHMORE
The current seniors voted on their favorite teachers from each year of their high school experience. This is the Class of 2024’s Mount Rushmore.
Featuring columns on Stanton experiences, confronting uncertainty, and the divide between in-state and out-of-state colleges.
Senior Movie Endings
By GARRETT LAWRENCE, Staf PhotographerIf the Class of 2024 were characters in a movie, these would be their final scenes.
John Syla got disqualifed from the Boston Marathon for arriving late.
Predict your senior future with a game of MASH!
Occupation Salary Spouse
• Aerospace engineer
• UPS worker
• Infuencer
• U.S. President
• Salesman
• $1 million
• $152,839.61
• $20,256.99
• $0.02
• $5 billion
Kids
• Two kids
• Eight kids
• 21 kids
• Three kids
• None
• Local librarian
• Jake Paul
• Michael B. Jordan
• Alone forever
• Bella Hadid
DIRECTIONS
1. Draw a spiral with your eyes closed.
2. Draw a line through it and count the intersections.
3. Start from MASH and continue down the other categories and count each option until you land on your number. Once you do, cross the option off.
4. Start again with the next option.
5. Repeat until there is only one option left in each category.
Pets
• Two dogs
• 16 cats
• One axolotl
• 12 rats
• 43 bearded dragons
Location Quality of Life Vehicle
• Casper, Wyoming
• Easter Island
• Maun, Botswana
• Paris, France
• Melbourne, Australia
• Mercedes GT 63
• Honda Civic
• Unicycle
• Monster truck
• Horse carriage
• Amazing
• Successful
• Mediocre
• Could be better
• Awful
WHERE’S MAJOVA?
Classmates unite in a quest to fnd Mrs. Majova, their unwavering advocate.
Courtesy of The PhoenixTheRoad
Ahead
SLOW
Remember to look back!
Stanton College Preparatory School students spend four years on the same path as their classmates, where they share virtually the same experiences throughout their high school careers. As their journey comes to an end on May 28, 2024, students will move on to different life paths. While these new paths can be daunting to forge by oneself, the future can come with exciting new opportunities and experiences. Having to now confront this proverbial fork in the road, seniors
begin refecting on the experiences that led them to their upcoming futures.
This journey began in their freshman year of high school, which brought them a chance to connect with a variety of new and old faces. However, this would not be the case for the Class of 2024. With the persistence of a global pandemic, they faced the roadblocks of virtual learning styles and the diffculties of not seeing their peers, teachers, and classrooms. Throughout the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020, the students missed out on a “normal” frst year of Stanton.
school dances. After-school clubs and activities also resumed, and students joined their desired clubs and sports teams.
With events and extracurricular activities strengthening experiences, the end of sophomore year came, and the memories formed were in the rearview. Though hardships would come in the form of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, the third year of high school would also mark a time of community, as students would endure the same painstaking exams together.
“During freshman year I really felt like I was disconnected from the spirit of school, because that was really what I was most excited for,” said senior Amal Khokhar. “I had to do it fully online too, so I just felt a little bit behind from that.”
Getting a slower start than usual, the Class of 2024’s introduction to high school brought road bumps, but the experience would soon yield clearer paths. With back-to-normal procedures slowly returning to schools, students would get the chance to partake in previously canceled activities. Together, they began sophomore year and gained notable Stanton memories like spirit weeks, pep rallies, sports games, and
Despite the strenuous nature of these tests, the Class of 2024 also encountered fun in their junior year through various school activities such as spirit weeks and pep rallies. Once used to the tradition of Stanton’s events, the juniors took home their frst victory in the Spring pep rally. Reveling in the event, students would hold this event as a memorable one.
“I [vividly] remember winning, and it was amazing,” said senior LouisaElena Elias-Sowers. “That was the only time our class won, but we worked for it because we had the ice cream social and the quarter wars, so that was a lot of fun.”
This pep rally win would mark the end of the Class of 2024’s third year at Stanton. Moving forward as seniors, they experienced newfound freedoms in their fnal year of high school, preparing them for their futures ahead. Choosing colleges to apply to, fguring out new responsibilities, and dealing
with independence all proved crucial in their senior year.
Along with feelings of liberation in rising adulthood, seniors spent their fnal year refecting on the past decisions throughout their time at Stanton. For many, picking clubs and joining sports teams was a key factor in determining how their high school experience went. Whether they joined to make lasting friendships or pursue a passion, extracurricular activities gave seniors special memories to say goodbye to.
STOP
Next Stop
COLLEGE
Exit Three Months
“It does hurt a little bit to leave behind the friendships you made along the way,” said senior Tristen Deditch, a member of Stanton’s football team. “But it also helps in making more bonding moments when I go to college, so then I can make friends that way.”
Throughout their fnal year of high school, seniors enjoyed various special events to mark the occasion. The Class of 2024 experienced the Senior Sunrise and Senior Olympics events that have become a tradition
for Stanton seniors. Celebrating bonds made during their four years, these events allow seniors to bid sentimental farewells to their high school memories and friendships.
With secondary school behind them, the seniors’ fnal stretch to graduation marks an exciting shift in their journey. Embracing one’s adulthood after four years of high school is a nerve-wracking but quintessential part of life. Taking the new trajectory of their lives into action, seniors now leave behind their high school careers to craft the desired paths of their futures.
I SPY
Play a classic game of I Spy and fnd the items listed below.
I spy three 24s, two SGA offcers, one Blue Devil Mascot, six sports items, and three trios.
OUR Mount Rushmore
The current seniors voted for their favorite teachers from each year of their high school experience. This is the Class of 2024’s Mount Rushmore.
Mrs. Krieger
Mr. Spencer Kay
Freshman Year
“He literally changed the way I see literature and writing, giving me a more positive outlook on many things I thought I would never be good at.”
— Luke Tattersall
“I had him for Great Books. He was the main reason I started to question anything that I felt hesitant about. In short, he taught me to question anything and everything.”
— Hollie Blackeagle
“He helped me adjust to high school level writing standards and his instruction made other English classes easier.”
— James Byers
Sophomore Year
“[She] deserves the whole world; she made psychology the [most fun] class I will ever take in my entire life thanks to her energy and funny stories.”
— Jonathan Soleh
“She was the Greatest Of All Time; she was such a sweetheart and made the class something to look forward to. [She] taught the material very well and deserves the world!”
— Jose Toledo-Alvarez
“She helped me fgure out my future career path that I want to go down, [and] her class was an academic subject I genuinely enjoyed.”
— Aitana Caparas
Mr. Mac
Junior Year
“He is truly the most perfect teacher. Stanton needs more teachers who are calm, collected, and make history an interesting subject.”
— Umaiza Toor
“He made a typically boring history class very fun to learn through his activities and humor. It was a great way to start my A-days.”
— Saikrishna Nandamuri
“He cultivated a memorable classroom environment that was always worth showing up for, and was always cool with me chatting with my friends.”— Joseph Menzo
Ms. Johns
Senior Year
mother to me. Having her both freshman year and senior year, her class feels like I have come full circle at Stanton.”
— Austin Adams
“[She] has become a teacher that I feel very safe around, but also a person that I have the utmost respect for. She is probably the best English teacher I will ever have. ”
— Niek Rezaei
“[Her] class has defnitely been my favorite class this year! It’s a very safe space for the students and she really tries to help us succeed.”
— Caroline BowmanDEVIL’S ADVOCATE
Est. 1983 I Stanton College Preparatory School
2023-2024 Editorial Board
Zoey Larson
AnaSofa Girardot
Anusha Anna
Sarah Bernardo
Spurthi Nrusimhadevara
Editor-in-Chief
Managing Editor
Business Manager
Digital Media Editor
Photography Editor
iiiiiThe Devil’s Advocate serves as the offcial 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 staff, 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 staff member or newspaper adviser Mr. Larry Knight.
iiiiiReaders may contact any staff member or the adviser at (904) 630-6760 or at knightl1@duvalschools.org.
Letter from the Editor
iiiiiiWhen I look back at the road that formed my high school experience, there are many things I think I would do differently in retrospect – classes I’d switch, extracurriculars I’d give a try, etc. If I could do it again, I would consider whether I would even go to Stanton. Indeed, my mental health has suffered during my time here, and there have been multiple lows throughout the years. It is hard to forget the numerous times I felt utterly unable to handle everything thrown at me by this school. What pulled me through these moments, though, were the relationships I formed with the people here.
iiiiiiOne lifeline for me has been my time spent on the Devil’s Advocate, whose impact I did not fully realize until I spoke at Open House this year. I realized the gravity and sincerity of what I said as I praised the publication for the opportunities it gives students to express their creativity and contribute to something they are truly passionate about. My time on the staff has given me new skills, perspectives, and most importantly, friends.
iiiiiiTo the Fab Five, the whole staff, and the entire senior class: thank you for making these years special. You are the people who keep this school going, and I cherish you for making it bearable. When I think about the people I’ve met, the friendships I’ve formed, and the love I’ve felt, I realize I would do it all again.
What is Success?
By THE EDITORIAL BOARDAs the time for graduation approaches, the corridors of Stanton College Preparatory School echo with the footsteps of students grappling with a weighty decision: what major to pursue in college. In a school where the pursuit of excellence is synonymous with STEM disciplines, the gravitational pull toward felds like medicine, engineering, and computer science is palpable. Yet, amidst the buzz of algorithms and chemical equations, there exists a quieter, often overlooked path—the humanities.
For those who have found their passion in literature, history, art, or philosophy, the journey can feel like swimming against the current. The prevailing narrative praises the virtues of STEM careers, painting them as the surest path to success and fnancial stability. Meanwhile, pursuing a humanities degree is often met with skepticism, if not outright dismissal. But is this stigma justifed? The answer lies not in the perceived prestige of one feld over another, but in the fulfllment and enrichment that each individual receives from their chosen path. The value of a humanities education extends far beyond the confnes of a paycheck or a job title. It fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of the human experience—the very qualities that make us not just workers, but people of the world.
In a society increasingly driven by technological advancement, it can be easy to overlook the contributions of the humanities. Yet, in times of rapid change and uncertainty, the insights gleaned from literature, history, and the arts become indispensable. They offer us the wisdom of the past, the
perspective to navigate the present, and the imagination to envision a better future. But perhaps the most compelling argument for the humanities lies not in its utility, but in its inherent value. For those who fnd solace in the pages of a novel, or wonder in a piece of music, the pursuit of knowledge is its own reward. It reminds us that success is not measured solely in terms of career advancement or material wealth but in the richness of our experiences and the depth of our connections to the world around us. A student who devotes their time to studying philosophy might not have a clear career path laid out, but they do have a framework for understanding the world that is profound.
Of course, this is not to say the divide between STEM and the humanities is insurmountable. Some of the most exciting developments in both felds are happening at the intersection of the two. From digital media to computational art, there are endless opportunities for innovation and collaboration. By embracing interdisciplinary studies, we can bridge the gap between STEM and the humanities, enriching both felds in the process. Ultimately, the choice of a major should refect a student’s passions and interests, not societal pressures or misconceptions. Whether one is drawn to the precision of engineering or the creativity of the arts, the key to a fulflling education lies in the pursuit of one’s genuine interests. At Stanton, students should feel empowered to follow their unique paths and own beliefs, knowing that true success is found not just in the destination, but in the journey itself.
photo by Spurthi Nrusimhadevara artwork by Hawi SaidFour Lifelong Lessons
By CLIONA PILIGAN, Section EditorAs I write this article, I am still surprised how I managed to stay in Stanton College Preparatory School for all four years of high school. Despite having doubts about my academic achievements, I have found positive aspects in each year that propelled me to stay. As I leave Stanton, I hope the lessons I learned will be retained when facing challenges in my future endeavors.
Freshman Year: By far the worst year I have encountered at Stanton. During this school year, the effects of the coronavirus were at its peak, causing several schools to implement online learning. The events I hoped to participate in upon coming to Stanton, such as Summer Bridge and my frst pep rally were canceled. However, online school quickly became overwhelming for me, and I did not know enough people to receive help. I was overwhelmed and debated on fnishing assignments without cheating. To help my mental health, I signed up for school counseling services and switched back to brick-and-mortar learning. Not only was I able to manage my adjustment disorder better, but I was also excited to meet my teachers. By helping myself, I felt more confdent that I would remain at Stanton far longer than I originally thought.
Sophomore Year: This year was a major improvement from the last, with changes such as the entirety of the Class of 2024 coming back to brick-and-mortar learning and the removal of desk partitions. This year was also about me going outside of my comfort zone. Not only did I join my frst clubs, The Expressionists and Junior Civitans, I performed at Stanton’s WinterFest. The electives I chose, Theatre 1 and First aid, were also benefcial on developing teamwork, preparedness, writing, and personal expression. In general, sophomore year was about having a passion and dedication for learning new topics, regardless of how high the outcome of my grades wiould be.
Junior Year: As the years go by, that same passion would falter. On top of more AP classes, I offcially start the International Baccalaureate program. As I struggled to obtain passing grades, I was presented with a new challenge in my favorite class, journalism. Tasked with writing a feature story on top of completing a research paper for IB, I was beginning to lose hope for my story as I did not have much time to complete it. As I experienced a period of burnout and self-doubt during the third quarter, the Devil’s Advocate helped me realize I could not do everything on my own. Despite my junior year being tough, I learned the importance of persevering through academic struggles together with my friends.
Senior Year: No, high school is still not a musical, even in senior year. While I never stopped procrastinating, I still continued to motivate myself to fnish assignments at the last minute. Afterwards, I was approaching another burnout that greatly affected me, also known as senioritis. As each quarter passed by, my motivation to study decreased. As seniors, I believe that we try our best to enjoy our youth with friends and family. This led me to learn my greatest lesson at Stanton, which is to enjoy the present with the people I am close to. Overall, these experiences are why senior year became my favorite high school year at Stanton.
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Uncertainty
photo by Garret LawrenceThe Swiss philosopher, Henri-Frédéric Amiel, wrote how “uncertainty is the refuge of hope.” In our search for comfort, we cling onto hope, to every imaginable experience or memory we can encounter, before we succumb to the caverns of uncertainty. While we as individuals have been shielded by our parents from such emotions, as seniors, the time approaches rapidly when we ask ourselves as Amiel did, “how does one live with uncertainty?”
For the Class of 2024, most of us were born within the years 2006-2007. As we grew, we have lived through the introduction of the iPhone, the election of our country’s frst African American president, the landing of the Curiosity Rover, and the diversifcation of the United States’ population, representing more nationalities and ethnicities than ever before. We have spoiled ourselves with the successes of humanity. We rarely stop to think how far we have come in our advancements. We have, however, forgotten the uncertainty that spurred all of this.
Almost two decades later, reality seems distorted. We battled through COVID and its lasting effects
By SACHIN SARAVANAN, Contributing Writeron all parts of society; the disenfranchisement of our ability to respect ourselves and those who surround us and to understand that we are all human. Especially for us seniors, we face a disabled government that will affect our future, unable to strut forward. A community divulged in technology, rather than for a beneft, we have employed it as a tool to amplify hate crimes, political divisiveness, and violence amongst ourselves. Frequently, I struggle to comprehend how my community has changed to this; I am lost as to how this issue can be fxed; I am uncertain as to what impact these events will have on me.
I look back to a quote by Fred Rogers, who stated how his mother comforted him when sad events occurred by saying “Look for the helpers. You will always fnd people who are helping.” I constantly remind myself that I am not the only individual who is uncertain about my future. Our growing fears are shared by not only ourselves but by everyone around us. Rather than sitting scared, stressing in solitude over every decision we must make by ourselves, we must remember we are not alone. For many of us, our families will be far away as we attend college; we may feel uncomfortable with our new autonomy. However, remember that there are always people who support us for who we are; easing our discomfort.
As we rehearse for graduation, preparing to take the next major step in our lives, there is a coincidence on this very day. Almost 420 years ago, English colonists sailed on an arduous journey to the Americas, founding the settlement Jamestown in May 1607; the idea of sailing across the ocean to live in an unknown environment would have been thought by others as absurd. Yet their decision to pursue the uncertain helped open our country for further exploration, and a place in history amongst the early settlements of the United States, bringing them success.
Going back to Amiel’s question, I can only say this: In our years in the public school system, we made numerous, unforgettable connections with our friends and teachers; we have created memories and instances where we have learned life’s most important lessons; we chose to tackle challenge together in the face of diffculties; we learned that help will always surround us. We know the risks that are associated with uncertainty, yet we are aware that life was never meant to be depleted away by fear. To accept uncertainty is the path to live a life with “miles to go” and “promises to keep.”
ONE TOPIC: TWO PERSPECTIVES
QUESTION: SHOULD SENIORS STAY IN-STATE FOR COLLEGE?
YAY!
By ARIYANI THOMPKINS, Staff WriterFor me, staying in town, Florida, would give me the chance to work toward my academic ambitions and career aspirations while also having a sense of stability both mentally and fnancially. In leaving the state, I would lose the security of being in a familiar place, mainly one where I could control my fnancial responsibilities with the support of a trusted community back home. In staying, I could work through these issues while not jeopardizing my freedom. In thinking through these matters, I realized staying in town would be the best for me.
A major plus for students staying in town, including myself, is the fnancial aid that Florida has to offer. Coming from a family that is not well-off and with being a frst-generation student, fnances are a major source of concern for many students in my predicament. Pursuing my high school education at Stanton College Preparatory School and being an International Baccalaureate student meant I could be rewarded with Bright Futures scholarship upon receiving my IB diploma, which only applies to Florida colleges. This would cover my entire tuition and the cost of other applicable fees including transportation, health, and books. This would not cost me the opportunity of receiving a good education as universities in Florida are comparable to that of other state colleges, ones I would attend if I went out-of-state. Between FASFA, IB Scholarships, and need-based aid scholarships, staying in town is the most fnancially realistic and sustainable option.
The in-state community would be a major support system that would be diffcult to fnd anywhere else. For me, studying in Florida would ease a lot of the college anxiety that comes with being in a completely new environment. Since I am attending the University of Central Florida, which is approximately two hours from Jacksonville, coming home from UCF would not be a concern. Many Stanton students are attending UCF, or schools in the Orlando area, including some of my closest friends; this would give me the opportunity to be around people I trust and minimize the fear of having to get to know new people. This stability is hard to fnd if I attended school out-of-state.
The biggest proponent in my decision to stay in town is that my college education would not be diminished by going to a Florida university. UCF has a lot of educational opportunities, such as study abroad, which is something I value. It also has a fourishing student life, allowing me to meet people and involve myself in clubs and other educational opportunities easier. As I am still exploring my future endeavors, staying in town would give me the chance to fnd what’s right for me while navigating college life.
NAY!
By ZOEY LARSON, Editor-in-ChiefDeciding where to go to college is no small feat, and I know it was a diffcult decision for myself and others to make. When choosing between in-state and outof-state colleges, there are a lot of factors that come into play. Ultimately, I chose to go out-of-state for my own safety, as well as to branch out socially, and I encourage others to consider doing the same.
As a member of the LGBTQ community, getting out of Florida is a matter of safety for me. With recent legislation and leadership, I genuinely do not see a way I could feel safe at a Florida university, whereas both the leadership and student body in northern schools are more reliably accepting. While there is the chance of prejudice everywhere, the school I’m attending, Wellesley College, prides themselves in diversity and acceptance. With recent changes to schools like New College of Florida, I do not see this state having similar values I could depend on for my own safety.
It was also important for me to branch out socially. While I treasure the friends I have made in high school, I want to make new ones as well as I start this new stage of my life; I do not want to be surrounded by the same people I have known for four years. Instead, I am the only Stanton student from this graduating class to attend my college of choice. Though this fact is slightly intimidating, it was a positive factor in my decision because I want to diversify my experiences as much as possible. Florida has a lot of great colleges, but I know they would all be flled with my classmates, and as I move on from high school I want my social life to refect that as well.
However, I fully understand that going out of state is often expensive and not doable for many. I myself am taking a risk by taking on tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt, so I am entirely aware of the negative aspects of going out of state. The expense is no small factor in anyone’s decision, and I understand the aversion to taking on that high cost. Despite it, though, I see a lot of benefts in stepping outside of your state and opening yourself up to new people and opportunities in a new environment.
There are so many schools out there, and the perfect one for any one person might not be in Florida. It is always benefcial to explore all of your options when considering your future plans, and you should not let the distance from home discourage you from fully considering out-of-state options. Personally, I champion going outof-state so that you and other students can broaden your horizons and feel more secure in a unique and new community, rather than continuing to be sheltered in a similar community to that of your high school.