Issue 1 issuu

THE

SHIELD

Bishop Kenny High School Volume 65 | Issue 1 Jacksonville, Fla. www.bktoday.org

Sailing into Uncharted Waters

BK’s New Sailing Team

Letter from the Editor

Best BBQ near Kenny

Page 3

Page 7

Page 12

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A Change of Pace

News

October 2017

Kenny students embrace change to a longtime schedule

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or the first time in more than 20 years, students at Bishop Kenny began the school year with a new schedule rotation. The change includes eliminating X mod, the former stationary first class of the day, which means students have to go to a different class every morning. The schedule also features a new fleX mod which allows for school-wide events such as Mass and pep rallies to be fit into the schedule without losing class time.

While the change could seem significant at first glance, most students have not changed their daily routines.

“It just took about a week to get used to the new schedule. It really hasn’t changed my daily routine much,” senior Matthew Cratem said.

Having a class that students attend first every day has its advantages and disadvantages. Students are embracing the change to eliminate X mod.

“I think it was a good idea to get rid of X mod,” junior Elias Deeb said. “Teachers’ X mod classes always got way ahead of their other classes. Other

classes you could wait a day to complete their homework if you didn’t have them the next day. It was also unfair if you got home ec for your first class and someone else got math.”

FleX mod can be used to catch up on school work or study for a upcoming test.

“I think fleX mod is a great way to finish your homework. It is the length of a regular class period so it is plenty of time.” Deeb said. “The only thing I don’t like about is that it is the second class of the day so you don’t all your homework for the day. If it was the second to last class or the last class I would like it much better.”

Overall, the changes to the school schedule do not majorly disrupt student’s daily routine. The students believe changes were easy to become accustomed to, and the addition of fleX mod presents a chance to relax and catch up on work. Whether or not students believe the changes are positive or negative, they are here to stay.

Photo by James Ragonese

James Ragonese | Copy & Design Editor

Senior Steven Olavarria checks his schedule to find his next class.

A Club That Will Go Down in History Bishop Kenny students institute new history club Dean Michael Broach said. “It was a smooth process from start to finish.”

After the club’s approval by Saladino, the future of the club was in the hands of principal Todd Orlando, who also approved the club, much to the excitement of its founders and sponsors.

The newly established history club has plans of providing service opportunities and off-campus visits.

“Some students are interested in exploring these sites and don’t really have an outlet or don’t want to go by themselves,” Mosley said. “It’s just a different experience than it is going with your family to go with a group of fellow students and teachers who are interested in the subject.”

The history club has plans to spread civic awareness as well. The members aim to inform students of historic days and events, such as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in December.

“History is not meant to be forgotten,” Schroder said. “It is meant to be remembered, honored, and celebrated. The history club hopes to inspire students to remember the past, so they may shape the future.”

Photo by Emily Willis

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early a year ago, three junior girls approached history teachers Lauren Mosley and Shelby Thompson with the idea of a history club. These girls, Ana Hernandez-Abdallah, Faith Pfeiffer, and Rylee Schroder, wanted a way to incorporate history into their lives in a new and exciting way.

“It was our chance to start a club the way we, as students, thought a fun club should be like,” club officer Hernandez-Abdallah said.

In November of 2016, the founders began the process of applying to create a new club on campus. They had to write a constitution, develop bylaws, decide how they wanted to structure the club, finalize the club dues amount, and articulate the ways in which the club would benefit Bishop Kenny’s student body.

“Getting a club approved and successfully running is no small task, nor is it meant to be done by one person,” club president Schroder said.

After they drafted an outline, Mosley and Thompson approached Vice Principal of Operations Vincent Saladino with the proposal.

“Mr. Saladino had a very organized approach,” AP U.S. History teacher and Academic

Emily Willis | Staff Reporter

History Club officers Rylee Schroder, Ana Hernandez-Abdallah and Max Montana directing the first club interest meeting.

The Shield

Features

Sailing into the New School Year

3

Kenny’s adventure into the vast new world of high school sailing John Bogush | Staff Reporter

Photo courtsey of Jodi Weinbecker

Allison Weinbecker (senior) and Reedy Monahan (sophomore) compete for the FYC Junior Race Team in a Laser sailboat.

Photo courtsey of Tim Monahan

T

he calm rustling of a canvas sail on the high seas is often supplemented by the steady pitch of rolling waves. Your vision is overwhelmed by a collage of turquoise and navy blue, and the wild fragrance of the salt air cleanses your mind of all prior dilemmas. At a moment’s notice, the tempo is increased. The soothing sea breeze and gentle warmth of the midday sun are suddenly obscured by a sharp rush of adrenaline. The boat is listing on its edge, and your heart is beating harder and harder as you battle to maintain your course. Leaning far over the edge, you dance on a fine line between safety and peril in order to maintain the perfect balance.

Sailing is a game of inches, and BK is certainly not falling short.

“Since I was a freshman I’ve wanted Kenny to get a sailing team,” team captain Allison Weinbecker said. “When Mr. Saladino finally agreed it was like a dream come true.”

Insurance difficulties, high operational costs, limited dock space, and many other complications prevented this dream from becoming a reality, Weinbecker said.

Head coaches Dustin Domer and Jodi Weinbecker both contributed to the creation of the Bishop Kenny sailing team.

“There were a number of obstacles we had to overcome in order to form this program,” Domer said. “We had to figure out logistics such as transportation and insurance. We solved these problems by doing everything through the Florida Yacht Club, which also provides the boats we practice in. Vice Principal Saladino was also crucial in the formation of this team and has provided us with an abundance of help and support.”

In the summer of 2017, the Bishop Kenny sailing program was officially established. All twenty members regularly practice and compete at the Florida Yacht Club. Sailors race in pairs and each person takes on a different role. The skipper is in charge of the rudder and the main sail, while the crew controls the sail at front of the boat. In order to sail effectively, the skipper and crew must be synchronized and precise. One second of miscommunication could cost the team the race. In order to master

The Kenny sailing team celebrates its third place finish at the first sailing competition in Brunswick, Georgia on September 23. racing, sailors practice for over six hours a week. zones, and to achieve faster times on the race course.

“During practice, I work on rounding the

Practices consist of two phases: classroom leeward mark because in a race there are usualsessions and physical training. Classroom sessions ly a lot of other boats trying to round the mark at are designed to highlight the strengths and weakthe same time,” sophomore Reedy Monahan said. nesses of each individual’s technique, as well as

The Bishop Kenny team plans to compete in learn from the mistakes of others. With the help of regattas throughout much of the Southeastern Unitwhiteboards, diagrams, and film review, each sailor ed States.

Races will be held in North Florida, Georis able to see and understand their own mistakes. gia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Louisiana, and Physical training offers each sailor the opportunity to Alabama.

Some races may require a ten hour drive. fix these mistakes and to practice maneuvers on the

Despite the challenging schedule and open water. During these sessions, sailors are given long hours, the team agrees that having a their own boat and are instructed to run through a chance to sail with their friends and learn new series of high-intensity drills. These drills are deskills will prove itself worthwhile in the end. signed to stretch individuals out of their comfort

Meet the Captain Hailey Farah | Staff Reporter

Allison Weinbecker began her sailing career at four months old, when she accompanied her parents in an ocean sailing race with her parents. When Weinbecker turned three, the Weinbecker family began moving up and down the East Coast of the United States on a sailboat, because of the Weinbecker’s ties to the military.

Weinbecker’s father was in the Navy and then the U.S. Coast Guard, serving a total of 20 years.

“We would sail to the place we had to

move, and we would live on the boat until we found a house,” Weinbecker said.

The Weinbeckers lived in Maryland, New Orleans, the Bahamas, and now Jacksonville.

For eight years they sailed far and wide, traveling wherever the wind would carry them. The Weinbeckers chose to end their migratory lifestyle since they wanted their children to attend all four years of high school in the same place.

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October 2017

Features

Claire’s Wears BK student earns money on YouTube while fulfilling her passion

Favo at the entrance of the Snake Alley Art Fair.

Q&A

Photo courtesy of Claire Favo

Photo courtesy of Claire Favo

t the tender age of 16, junior Claire Favo is living every adult’s fantasy: she gets paid to do what she loves.

Favo is a YouTuber with a channel that specializes in the creation of colorful rubber bands using Rainbow Loom, a tool that is used to weave small rubber bands into bracelets and charms.

The concept was invented by Cheong Choon Ng in 2011, after witnessing his daughters make rubber band bracelets. Over the years, millions of teens like Favo have gotten their hands on the colorful rubber bands, creating unique pieces of jewelry.

YouTube pays Favo to upload videos of her-

self making the bracelets and doing similar crafts.

She has been looming bracelets and filming videos since her 13th birthday in October of 2013. Since then, Favo has uploaded a total of 278 videos to her channel, Claire’s Wears, with a total of 33 million views and counting.

In addition to receiving income from YouTube, Favo sells her creations at the Snake Alley Art Fair in Burlington, Ala. every year on Father’s Day and has been supplied Rainbow Loom to promote the product multiple times. The Shield had the pleasure to interview Favo, providing a closer look into her YouTube career.

Photo courtesy of Claire Favo

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Franchesca Peralta| Staff Reporter

Favo with Choon, the creator of Rainbow Loom.

A Rainbow Loom craft done by Favo.

Who are your biggest supporters and why?

A: Definitely my parents and brother. My parents encourage me to post videos and give their opinions and name ideas for my designs. My brother helped me pick out a nice computer and editing software for my videos, as well as set up Adsense so I can earn money from my videos.

Q: What is the greatest number of views you

have received on one video?

A: My Spirilla Bracelet has a little over 9 million views as of the time of me writing this.

Q: Do you get paid to make these videos?

A: Yes, I get paid between a few cents and a dollar for each ad shown on my videos. I’ve had a few people sponsor me in the past, and they paid me by giving me a product of theirs for free.

Q: What do you do with the money you make?

A: I’m saving most of it for college, and use some of it to fuel my crafting addiction.

Q: Is there any advice that you would like to

give to aspiring teen YouTubers?

A: Always put school and family first. Enable Adsense so you can earn money towards college, and make sure you maintain a good reputation on the Internet (so the colleges you’re saving for will actually accept you).

Q: If you could describe this YouTube experi-

ence with three words, what would those three words be?

A: Lucrative, educational, and unexpected

Duval artwork courtesy of Sydney Donath

The Shield

5

Features

BK Grad Retires from Peace Corps Kenny graduate returns home after serving other oversees

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ishop Kenny graduate Tim Crowley’s feet were submerged in the waters of a North Florida coastline as he battled the heat of an oppressively huid American summer. After spending over fifteen months in the remote territory of central Moldova in Eastern Europe, he was once again subjected to the conditions of everyday American life.

Although many individuals would revel at the opportunity to take a fifteen month European escapade, the reason at the heart of Tim’s adventure was charity, rather than pleasure. As a member of the United States Peace Corps, Tim Crowley set off with the goal of establishing comfort, prosperity, and hope in an area commonly forgotten by the rest of the world.

The United States Peace Corps was originally created via an executive order signed by President John F. Kennedy on March 1, 1961. Kennedy wanted to provide young Americans with an opportunity to not only serve their country, but to express care for individuals around the world. Since its formation, the Peace Corps has employed over 200,000 Americans and extended its reach to 140 countries. A few of these countries include Fiji, Ghana, Kenya, Nepal, Indonesia, Macedonia, and in Tim’s case, Moldova.

Moldova is a small country located near the Black Sea and shares a border with Ukraine and Romania. It has a population of roughly three million people, and has been a target of Peace Corps operations since 1993. In the early stages of Tim Crowley’s tour, he was immersed into Moldovan culture by rooming with a host family in the city of Danceni.

The host family opened up their home to Tim, educated him, fed him, and introduced him to daily life in a city which was behind the Iron Curtain for nearly fifty years. “One of my favorite aspects of Moldovan life was the people,” Tim recalled.

After a few months Tim was relocated to the city of Glodeni, and was treated with a very unusual set of accommodations. He roomed in an office building which had been converted into a makeshift apartment complex. Tim had his own apartment with a bathroom, kitchen, living room, and bedroom.

There was also a public hallway dividing his space in half. If he wanted to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, he would have to get dressed and cross the busy hallway to the other side of his house. His next door neighbor was also the local parole office, so Crowley didn’t make many late night bathroom trips.

One of the most important skills Tim had to master was the Moldovan language. The Moldovan dialect is primarily based on Romanian; however, many Russian and Turkish words are added to the mix to form a collage of tone and syntax.

Tim primarily served as an economic advisor. He was in charge of writing international grants for development, and aimed towards bringing money and resources into the country. One of his many accomplishments included providing bicycles to individuals for recreational and commuting purposes.

When asked whether or not he had a particularly memorable event from his travels, Tim responded quickly: “Winefest.” Winefest is essentially Moldova’s version of Germany’s Oktoberfest, and is celebrated in the capital city of Chisinau. It is the pinnacle celebration catering to Moldova’s culturally rich wine industry, which dates back to the 1400s. The celebration takes place during the first week in October, at the end of the grape harvest period. It serves as a showcase for all individuals who produce Moldovan wine and unites

“Pack light, grab only the essentials, and always utilize your carry-on.” the fractured population together as a whole.

The stated mission of the United States Peace Corps is “to promote world peace and friendship by providing qualified volunteers to interested countries in need of trained manpower.”

Although the Peace Corps was not fresh on his mind when Tim Crowley graduated from Bishop

Photo courtesy of Jack Crowley

John Bogush | Staff Reporter

Tim prepares for his two year journey in Maldova.

Kenny in 2007, he did state that “Kenny’s professionalism, emphasis on responsibility, and its large workload,” all contributed to his success overseas.

As for any individuals who are intrigued at joining the Peace Corps or who are interested in international travel, Tim recommends, “Pack light, grab only the essentials, and always utilize your carry-on.”

6

Opinion

Since You Asked...

Q

A

Emily Willis| Staff Reporter

You could take a roll of the dice, or you could come to me for advice. Here are some tips and tricks on how to live your life in paradise.

Q A

“I low-key don’t know how to tie my shoes and my friends make fun of me. I need help.”

- Undercover Velcro User

Don’t feel bad for not knowing.

It’s never too late to learn anything. In this digital age, children have bypassed many simple life skills. The mastery of tying your shoes may have been pushed aside in favor of Velcro shoes or flip-flops.

If you’re learning how to tie your shoes now, you must learn how to tie your shoes correctly. The way most people tie their shoes is actually the wrong method, according to a two year study at UC Berkeley.

The authors of the study, Christina Gregg and Christopher Daily-Diamond, found that shoelaces come undone using the old method because a shoe hits the ground at seven times the force of gravity, giving the knot too much additional slack.

The stretched knot is loosened further when “the swinging leg applies an inertial force on the free ends of the laces,” according to research.

In layman’s terms, when you run, your shoes are likely to come untied. Gregg and Daily-Diamond have discovered a new way to tie your shoes that will keep them from untying.

1. To tie the strong knot, hold an end of the shoelace in each hand.

2. Wrap the left end over the right end and pull it through.

3. Make a loop with the right end.

4. Hold the loop in your right hand and wrap the left end around it clockwise, not counterclockwise, before pulling it through to finish the knot.

5. Viola! Your shoes are tied and will stay tied as you go about your day.

“How can I get a good night’s sleep?”

- Fatigued Freshman This is a question that haunts teenage dreams, but one that is wise to rectify sooner than later.

In a recent survey, only 16% of Bishop Kenny students reported sleeping eight or more hours each night. The stress of homework and tests, as well maintaining a social life, extracurricular activities, jobs, and taking care of ourselves, can often take over our lives and leave us exhausted. Sleep may not seem essential when you think about all the “more important” things that weigh over you (Curse you, Quizlet!). But sleep is actually one of the most important aspects of students’ lives.

Lack of sleep puts you at a disadvantage for learning, makes you more prone to acne, leads to aggressive behavior, weight gain, and can cause health issues. There is a strong correlation between feelings of depression and lack of sleep, according to a poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation.

Below is a list of tips for teenagers, put together by the aforementioned foundation, outlining the steps you must take to get a full night of sleep. If you follow this advice, you are more likely to get a good night’s sleep and feel less tired throughout the day.

- Make sleep a priority.

- A 20 to 30 minute “cat nap” can be very helpful in making you work more efficiently. A nap that’s too long or too close to when you go to bed, though, will interfere with your sleep.

- Don’t take pills or vitamins before you go to bed.

- Don’t eat, drink, or exercise in the hour before you go to bed.

- Don’t leave your homework for last minute.

- Avoid watching TV and being on your phone and computer before you go to bed.

- Create an established bedtime and wake up time, and follow it on weekends too. When you have a sleep routine like this, you body begins to follow these natural patterns and you will be less tired throughout the day.

- Start taking a bath or shower before you go to bed. This has two positive effects: your body will become accustomed to performing this activity before sleep and it will free up time in the morning.

- Make a list of the things you have to do in the morning. This will keep you from lying awake and stressing over it.

October 2017

Kenny Kupid The Shield proudly presents, Kenny Kupid, a love satire.

Bring your romance dilemmas to room 224 and yours truly, Kenny Kupid, will lampoon your love life.

I am in love with a freshman and I am a junior…

I don’t know what to do.

We both have gym class during F mod, and his hair just aligns perfectly with the Bishop Kenny stencil on the gym floor. His eyes are more blue than my Crayola crayon and deeper than the sea on a stormy night.

Kenny Kupid, I need your help because I am so in love, yet so scared.

Do not fret; Kenny Kupid is here to help. If you seem to be falling for a freshman, here are some steps you should take: Step 1: Do not be afraid of age… Age is just a number, unless you’re over 18.

Step 2: Take initiative and test the waters.

Step 3: Find out his schedule, teachers, and lunches.

The more he sees you, the more familiar he will be with your eyes.

Step 4: Get to know his friends and start to make interactions. His friends will deeply appreciate this.

Step 5: Start to gather information on activities he is interested in, places he likes to eat, music he likes to listen to, his heart rate, and maybe even where he lives.

Step 6: Say hello and automatically tell him how you feel.

Step 7: If he hasn’t run away or is still interested, ask him on a date.

Step 8: When he asks where the date should be held, suggest his house, since you obviously already have it mapped in your phone, that would be convenient.

Step 9: Get a promise ring and ask him to be forever yours.

After all these steps, do not forget that you have ask his mother for permission to take him places.

Be certain to love and cherish the life you guys have ahead of you because if he stays, he is the one.

The Shield THE

Shield

The Shield is a member of FSPA and NSPA. It is published four times a year by journalism students at Bishop Kenny High School 1055 Kingman Avenue, Jacksonville, Fla. 32207 phone: (904) 265-9390 fax: (904) 398-5728.

The policy of The Shield is to provide a forum for student expression.

If you are interested in advertising in The Shield please call (904) 265-9390 for more information.

Letters to the editor are encouraged. Please submit them to room 224.

Letters must be signed; names can be withheld upon request.

Editor-in-Chief Allison Weinbecker Copy & Design Editor James Ragonese Business Manager Maddie Dyro News Editor James Ragonese Feature Editor Allison Weinbecker Opinion Editor Maddie Dyro Arts & Entertainment Editor

Allison Weinbecker Sports Editor James Ragonese Staff Reporters Taylor Brazinksy John Bogush Olivia Burch Max Montana Franchesca Peralta Keith Stokes Niah Aleger Hailey Farah Julia Rodriguez Megan Yates Emily Willis Adviser Jessica Durbin

Follow The Shield on Twitter: @bkhs_newspaper

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Opinion

7

Letter From the Editor W

My two cents on how to make your life worth a lifetime Allison Weinbecker | Editor-in-Chief

e all have our lazy days where we sit around and binge watch a whole season or two of The Office or Breaking Bad. Attempting the grueling trek from our cozy beds to the freezer to grab that barrel of extra chocolate mocha caramel chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream seems like running a marathon, but overall, these days embody the epitome of life. Although this lethargic behavior has become habit to many, this lazy lifestyle should not dictate our lives.

My generation, the millennials, are often labeled lazy and unproductive by the older generations, such as our parents and grandparents.

This is the stereotype that my generation has been given, and frankly, I see why. We are lazy because of greater accessibility to more technology, less responsibility for less consequences. We do not work hard because no one is expecting anything out of us.

That said, we all have one life and the ability to do something great with it. We are all living in this strange world at the same time. This is the reality. How we choose to face it is up to us. We all have the power to choose whether this reality is going to have a positive or a negative impact on ourselves and the people around us. We might only be alive for 100 years, so do not waste these fleeting moments on insignificant experiences.

There are so many ways to make sure that our lives don’t go to waste. Set your goals unrealistically high. An easily reachable goal is not a high goal. A high goal should have to be worked for constantly and should not be accomplished without work. Setting realistic goals is setting low goals and this is an anticipation of failure. As much as we might not want to admit it, none of us wants to fail.

Just imagine walking down the main street in the town of your dreams wearing your brand-new

pricey shoes, or no shoes at all, living the lavish lifestyle you have always dreamed about. You are going to look back proudly on high school and college and think ‘wow, I did absolutely everything in my power to get where I am,’ and that’s how it should be. To get a chance to go to a prestigious college and eventually set up a future for ourselves, we have to invest some effort into it.

How you live today is forming the you in the future. Your work habits and study skills are going to affect your high school grades, which determine your college, which determines your job, which determines your future. It is all connected and it all started yesterday. Yes, your parents want you to be the best you can possibly be. This might include, getting good grades, not staying out late, getting enough sleep and folding your laundry, but that should not be the only reason you want to excel in life. You should want to do well for your own maturity and personal growth.

A personal gain that we have all experienced is that feeling we get when we finally finish our homework and, for a few fleeting moments, we are stress and worry free. The feeling of accomplishment is one of the happiest feelings a human can experience, according to the teachings of Matt Case, a psychology and sociology teacher at Bishop Kenny. Go to that concert. Go for that run. Take that hike. Be the person you long to be because the time to change is now. One day we will regret the meager amount of work we spent preparing ourselves for what comes next. One day we will realize that this life we were given could have been so fruitful if we chose it.

Don’t let your fears get in the way of the goals you deem ‘unrealistic’. Unrealistic goals are only ‘un’real if you let them undermine your true value.

Photos courtesy of Caroline Chappano and Mary Shoemaker Artwork courtesy of Hannah McConnell

A&E

10

KEEPIN’

IT

LOCAL

Your new and affordable hometown cafe

Allison Weinbecker | Editor in Chief

I

t is 2:35. The last bell just rang and you are starving. As you speed walk to your car, you think long and hard about which of the thousand Jacksonville restaurants you can get a bite to eat at without breaking your wallet or your nutty health obsession.

It may be time to stop dreaming, because tucked away behind The Players Grille is the new and affordable Jacksonville hangout destination: The Local.

At the intersection of Hendricks Ave. and San Jose Blvd., The Local remains a hidden gem that could easily be overlooked by our wandering eyes. At first glance, some might say that The Local looks like an ordinary coffee shop, but this cafe is distinctive in its ability to turn the looks of a charming coffee shop into a five star experience.

“When you walk in, you think ‘coffee shop’, but as you engross yourself into the smell and then finally the food, you realize how wrong you really were”, said senior Ana Hernandez.

Along with The Local’s freshly brewed coffee, you can find just about anything your are craving. With all of The Local’s homemade recipes being offbeat from the classic “coffee and doughnut” style menu, it is definitely a struggle to choose from the limitless assembly of delectable food combinations.

Any item you choose from The Local’s diverse menu is dressed to impress with many of their homemade sauces. One in particular, similar to the famous Chick-fil-A Sauce, is kicked up a notch with a creamier texture and fiery flavor.

The Local has a variety of menus. The Fresh Start menu, the Breakfast menu, the Build Your Own Bowl menu, and their signature Special Toast menu all contribute to The Local’s diverse cuisine.

These menu items all contain fresh and handcrafted ingredients, which is an obvious upgrade from your usual unhealthy fast food eating experience.

“I saw that they had chicken nuggets and I was sold sold sold”, continues Hernandez. “Then I tasted them and wondered why Chick-fil-A is even still in business.”

Whether you are looking for a quiet place to get hours of homework done or an affordable restaurant to have date night, The Local and its provoking menus will be jubilant to accommodate.

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The Shield

Ja Ga V

11

A&E

es’ es

The age old question of PC vs. console gets its answer; sort of

ideo games have been a pastime for millions of people young and old since the days of the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. While today’s technology is much more complex and powerful, the reasons why people play video games haven’t changed. Players wish to be entertained, challenged, and immersed into an entirely different reality.

Games that can take hundreds of hours to complete transport the player into a whole new world.

While it is agreed that video games are a great way to escape from reality and to test the skills of players, the idea of a superior platform is not universally recognized.

Among the many platforms on which video games can be played, there are two main types that account for the vast majority of players: a console, or a computer. Microsoft and Sony compete with each other to create the better console year in and year out. Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation have battled side by side for years. However, their biggest competitor might not be a different console, but a different platform.

It’s no secret that the personal computer, or PC, draws much interest among serious

James Ragonese | Copy & Design Editor

video game players. The sheer amount of possibilities one has with a PC drives people to spend hundreds, or even thousands of dollars to build a PC that will run games at lightning-fast speeds.

So, which platform is superior? Good question. Both platforms have their own strengths and weaknesses, and it’s hard to determine which is truly a better way to play video games.

To start, the prices of both platforms vary immensely. The average new console generally costs around 300 dollars at release at minimum.

Over time, this price drops as new consoles are introduced and the originals become outdated. Unlike a PC, there are no performance upgrades available to purchase. Each individual product will run at the same speed and have the same storage space.

A PC, on the other hand, has seemingly infinite possibilities because buying a PC is like buying a car; the newer, and higher quality the PC is, the higher the cost. PC’s can be bought for as little as 200 dollars, but maximum prices shoot well into the thousands. Dedicated players will spend the extra money to ensure the computer will run games quickly and smoothly.

Senior Paul Ashley believes that

the gaming PC brings a more enjoyable and in-depth experience than a console.

“A PC allows for much more control over your gaming experience, and a PC can have better graphics than consoles,” Ashley said. “PCs have a wider variety of games and have more free games you can download online. PC gaming makes it easier to play with other PC gamers.”

While players may believe that one platform is outright better than another, the choice truly comes down to preference. A player who likes a simple and cheaper option might prefer a console, while a player who seeks a deeper and more flexible platform will spend the extra money to buy a gaming PC.

There will always debate over which platform tops the other. Personally, I prefer the console over the PC because of its convenient and simple nature. Consoles are a cheap and rudimentary way to start playing video games, while PC’s require extra programs to use. This is why the console will always be a better option for people like me, who just want to pick up a controller and play.

Good Vibes Take Center Stage The Unity of Music Festival Attendees Taylor Brazinsky | Staff Reporter

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aint thrown everywhere. People jumping up and down. Music blasting through the air and lights dancing around the sky.

Welcome to the world’s largest paint party!

Life in Color is a touring music festival that I attended recently in Orlando, Fla. But what is the difference between a music festival and a concert, you might wonder.

Used as a place to gather and form human connections while listening to music and having a good time, music festivals have been around since the Pythian Games in Delphi during the 16th century BC. Obviously, music is still the centerpiece, but festivals have evolved over time.

By the 1960s, music festivals such as Woodstock began to hold thousands of people. Out came the rolling 90s, when rave culture began its progression and was played illegally underground until Berlin’s Loveparade, where people took the streets and make a motto for their activities stating, “Peace, Joy,

Pancakes,” in hope to listen to their music freely. Festivals have now evolved to a form in which any type of music can be played and people can come together from all over the globe to experience unity without the issues of diversity, religion, and intolerance.

When someone thinks of a music festival, they normally think of hugely popular Coachella, where celebrities strut around and take photographs, but lesser-known music festivals can also offer spectacular experiences and the chance to meet people from all over the world.

Music festivals often get a bad rap as crazy places where irresponsible individuals collectively party too hard, but that is an over-generalized stereotype of festival-goers.

“Music Festivals allow me to see the world as it should be seen: no problems, no judging, just able to feel free and be free, “ experienced raver and UNF student, Ashlyn Lanier said. “You are

constantly surrounded by love, happiness, and good vibes. Music festivals are my second home.”

For me, Life in Color was a place to show appreciation for the sounds people create and for the opportunity to be worldly and meet and understand people from all over the world.

One girl I met was from Puerto Rico.

Though she wasn’t a native English speaker, our experience transcended language barriers.

“Peace, love, unity, respect,” Mal said, connecting our fingers in the shape of a peace sign, a heart, and then lacing our fingers together and passing her bracelet from her wrist to mine.

She completed the specific festival tradition of “Kandi,” a bracelet trading system used when two ravers meet and experience a deep connection with each other.

The ritual symbolizes the love between two strangers, and the remembrance of the spectacular festival attended.

Woody’s Bar-B-Q

Woody’s Signature Baby Back Ribs • Price: $10.99 • Fall Off the Bone: not fall off the bone, but disconnected from bone with little effort once bitten • Flavor: homemade-like taste, gives a really home-y vibe like the wings • Texture: a median between moist and dry

Racking

The Best Barbeque within 2

Mojo’s Bar-B-Que

Dry-Rub Spareribs • Price: $17.00 • Fall Off the Bone: once you took a bite, the meat came clean off the bone.; took very little effort at all for the bone to be revealed • Flavor: very well seasoned and could be eaten without dipping in one of their sauces but it is recommended for the full experience • Texture: tender, not dry at all

As the long, warm summer days come to an end, the crisp and cool fall season is upon us.

We will slowly start to say goodbye to the sunny beach days, and say hello to the visits to the pumpkin patch. We’ll trade in our favorite tank tops for our gently used ankle boots that have been tucked away in our closets all year.

Franchesca Peralta| Staff Reporter

Fear not, there experience the taste sweet, saucy, tender cle serves at his back Within a mere 20 m pus, there are, as t South, “umpteen” b

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there is still a way to e taste of those fresh, tender ribs your unis backyard barbeque. e 20 minutes of came, as they say in the een” barbecue joints.

Bono’s B-B-Q

St. Louis Ribs • Price: $11.99 • Fall Off the Bone: once bitten, meat would fall off the bone and into your mouth (or hopefully, the plate) • Flavor: smoky, tastes the best with Sweet and Tangy sauce • Texture: not dry at all, very moist in the middle

4Rivers Smokehouse Half Rack of St. Louis Ribs • Price: $16.99 • Fall Off the Bone: If you looked up “fall off the bone” on Google, this is what would pop up.

The smallest bite made the meat fall clean off the bone.

• Flavor: pre-sauced in a smoky, tangy sauce identical to the chicken wings • Texture: very juicy, tender

I recently dined at four local restaurants, sampling a BBQ staple: ribs. I have rated each based on the price, how easy the meat “fell off the bone,” the BBQ flavor, and texture, to ultimately reveal the restaurant that takes the spot for the best BBQ joint near campus.

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The Shield

Sports

15

Just Keep Swimming (and Diving) A new year brings new coaches, new faces, and new goals

igorous practices, restful nights, and a focused nutritional diet accompany the 38 student athletes who enter the pool as this year’s swim team. Goals such as beating times, winning meets, and making it to states will not be easily obtained alone.

In order to achieve their set goals, two new coaches will bring a new light of motivation and preparation to the team. Religion teacher Robert Sims and history teacher Shelby Thompson will aid head coach and geometry teacher Cecilia Rhoden and assistant coach, science teacher Taylor Malewicki to help lead the team to victory.

Successful athletes require a physical, mental, and emotional balance. As Sims is new to the

“Nothing worth having in life is easily obtained, but achieving a goal you set for yourself is the best feeling in the world.” swimming world, he helps the athletes stay true to their Catholic identity by organizing weekly morning Masses and leading prayer before each meet.

“[I would like my athletes to learn] that God is first in all things,” Sims said. “Also, whether in the pool or in life, perseverance is a great virtue.”

Thompson has been a swimmer for the majority of her life. She understands the significance of technique in the different strokes. Along with the importance of obtaining a physical build, she helps the athletes improve their technique so they do not injure themselves in the long run.

“One thing I want my athletes to learn is to always work hard to achieve what they want,” Thompson said. “Nothing worth having in life is easily obtained, but achieving a goal you set for yourself is the best feeling in the world. I want them to

have a drive in all aspects of life, not just in sports.”

The swimmers practice five days a week for two hours a day. A typical practice consists of stretching, warm up laps in the pool, which are then followed by the main set of laps. After finishing the main set, the athletes are instructed to cool down, which keeps them from being sore the next day.

The team starts to form strong bonds with one another due to the constant encouragement they show.

“The friendships [are the best thing about being on BK’s swim team],” junior Caitlin Taylor said. “We always find a way to make each other laugh and support one another.”

Apart from the swimming aspect of the sport, there is also a dive team. First, the divers warm up by practicing basic dives like the backflip straight. Divers then go into more difficult dives like the double backflip.

Swimming has taught students numerous lessons that can be applied to other aspects of their

everyday lives. Junior Joseph Ernst and sophomore Katie Yarborough have learned the importance of time management and being disciplined in their practices due to only having so much time to perfect their skill because of their busy schedules.

The benefit of their hard work and determination reveals itself in competition. At the first meet of the season at Episcopal on August 29, sophomore Haynes Grant placed first in the 50 and 100 freestyle, freshman Maddy Thornton placed first in the 100 breaststroke, and junior Casey Hayford placed first in the 100 backstroke, which lead the girls’ team to a close finish with Episcopal, losing by only 10 points. However, there is always room for improvement. The team agreed that without growth and progress, success will be hard to achieve.

Under the guidance of Coach Rhoden and new assistant coaches Sims and Thompson, 38 swimmers will put forth their energy, strength, and perseverance as they achieve

Photo courtesy of Kaitlyn Manson

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Franchesca Peralta| Staff Reporter

Coach Shelby Thompson helps the swim team to prepare for their upcoming race.