The BluePrint - Volume 15, Issue 3

the

blueprint Hagerty High School

Vol. 15, Issue 3

Dec. 16, 2019

Oviedo, Florida

SINGING ALONG Chorus students performed in the winter concert to get in the holiday spirit, and the event included a special appearance by guest Grinch, principal Robert Frasca.

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ANIMATED Senior Chris Tabares, a freelance artist, is pursuing a full time job as classic cartoonist, an alternate path to the typical post-high school plans.

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ON THE REBOUND Boys varsity basketball goes to the break after a 2-4 start, but the team is confident in the direction they are heading.

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WINTER WEEK WELCOME Holiday festivities take place all week as second quarter comes to an end pg. 12 photo by Peyton Sutch

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Winter Week: school celebrates holiday spirit Alexis Madlang

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Staff Reporter

fun, easy week of winter-inspired events for students and staff raised excitement for the upcoming holidays and winter break. The first Winter Week ever, leadership created the event as another good way to add school spirit activities into the year.

One of the main events was the dodge ball tournament, aptly named, “Snowball Fight” to compliment Monday’s dress up day. The finalist game was a team of select football players versus members of administration.

On Thursday, a Christmas movie showed in the cafeteria for “Flick on the Fifty.”

Even though it was originally located in Sam Momary Stadium, the movie was moved due to rainy weather. The classic Christmas movie “Elf” was chosen through students voting on eCampus on their class pages.

Each day of the week had a dress up theme: The week started with “Frasca’s Frost,” a white out to create a Winter Wonderland. “Ugly Sweater Weather” had everyone wearing their favorite holiday related ugly sweater on Tuesday. “Santa’s Workshop Wednesday” was dedicated to wearing the best north pole inspired outfit. “Friends, Family and Flannels Oh My!” finished off the week, getting a group of friends together and coordinating like a family would take a Christmas card photo.

“I like seeing the kids enjoy the teachers dressing up,” said math teacher Erika Keller.

The most popular day with the highest participation was the “Snowed In” theme on Thursday where they dressed up in their favorite holiday pajamas.

The most popular pajama pants were long plaid pajamas or “Grinch” pajamas.

“My favorite thing about the week was dressing up with my friends and taking pictures,” sophomore Giorgia Gambacorta said.

To encourage everyone in taking part of Winter Week, leadership decorated the hallways and railings by creating holiday crafts and using wrapping supplies.

At lunch, they rewarded students that dressed up by leaving them goodies.

“This is the first year we are doing it but it will probably happen again next year,” senior class president Kaitlin O’Donnel said.

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2 1. HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT Junior EJ Syzmanski prepares to launch a ball at the opposing team. The “Snowball Fight” was open to anyone who applied and free to watch. photo by Peyton Sutch

2. SANTA’S LITTLE HELPER Senior Grace Maddron prepares to watch ”Elf” in the cafeteria. Students were able to prepay for tickets. photo by Andrea Izaguirre

3. SWEATER WEATHER Junior Tally Chamblin wears an ugly sweater, complete with multicolored tassels.

Many have been gifted cheesy holiday sweaters over the years, making Tuesday a great opportunity. photo by Mia Campese

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NEWSBRIEFS BAND HOSTS RHAPSODY IN BLUE CONCERT

On Friday, Dec. 6 band held their annual Rhapsody in Blue concert. Starting at 7 p.m. the concert featured music that the band has been practicing since the end of marching season.

Both jazz bands, concert band, symphomic band, wind ensemble and every section performed pieces. Pieces written by section leaders and band leadership were played at the concert which added a unique and personal touch. Sections had props, including santa hats, baloons, and crowns.

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I/ITSEC 2019 MOD AND SIM

From Monday, Dec. 2 to Friday, Dec. 6, Modeling and Simulation took a field trip to I/ITSEC, held at the Orange County Convention Center. I/ITSEC is the largest modeling and simulation conference in the world, with big businesses present such as Lockheed Martin. Students had the opportunity to check out the simulations that large corporations use. It also allowed students to network with different business people at the conference and understand more about possible career paths.

4. POSE IN PATTERN Junior Madison Donaldson (right) takes photos with friends in their festive attire. photo by Mia Campese

GIRL UP SELLS STICKERS TO RAISE MONEY

Girl Up, an organization that raises money and awareness for girls around the world, has been selling stickers for $2 to raise money to send eight girls to school. The stickers are made from water resistant material that are made for water bottles or folders, and they have a simple blue background with the Eleanor Roosevelt quote “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” All proceeds will go directly to the foundation.

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news

Chorus holds winter show Haley Hibdon and Alexis Izaguirre Staff Reporter and Journalism I

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n the evening of Dec. 10, people flooded into the auditorium to hear the chorus sing in their annual winter concert. The students were looking forward to a festive performance to put them in the holiday spirit.

All five choir classes gathered on stage to sing 13 songs. Most songs were classical but there were several holiday tunes as well.

“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” was performed by the Huskafellas, an all-male choir. During this performance, principal Robert Frasca appeared on stage dressed as the popular holiday character “The Grinch.”

Students were delighted to see their principal on stage with the choir.

The sets were ordered by song placement, with Chorale first, followed by Hagerty Singers, Huskafellas, Concert choir, Voices of Hagerty, JHMS Treble chorus and the combined choirs following after.

The Huskafellas were the third choir to perform in the set, giving them plenty of time to worry about their performance.

“We all had to calm down before we sang Silent Night,” freshman Nathan Epperson said.

Solos were placed in between each performance to even out the song placement.

Each class sang two songs and then three songs together as a group. Around 140 Hagerty students performed and 24 students from Jackson Heights sang at the event as guests.

Students from both schools came to enjoy the show. Chorus teacher Christopher Hickey

was very impressed with how the students performed.

“They self-evaluate and grow with every rehearsal. If they didn’t work so hard, it wouldn’t have sounded as amazing as it did,” Hickey said.

Tickets were sold in the cafeteria before the concert and at the door, and with a last minute influx of audience members, the auditorium was filled.

“We expected a good turnout, just not something that big,” freshman Corbin Whitlow said.

The choirs prepared for the event for the past month, rehearsing several days after school in the days leading up to the performance. The students used their time after school to work on the transitions and movement that would appear in the performance, as well as to perfect all of the songs that they would be singing.

During the show, there were minor technical difficulties. The sound booth lost signal to the wireless handheld mic that was being used on stage. Despite these difficulties, Hickey and the choir students continued the show and kept it organized.

Hickey looks forward to planning and organizing the upcoming concerts that will occur during the rest of the school year, and is eager to see how the choir improves overall.

“I can’t wait to see how all of our experiences next semester will add to our personal and program growth,” Hickey said.

The next choir production takes place on Friday, Dec. 20, at Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays for the annual Candlelight Processional.

TAKING THE STAGE Chorus members perform on stage in the annual winter concert under the guidance of chorus teacher Christopher Hickey. Hickey prepared the choir by leading their rehearsals in class and after school on the days leading up to the show. Before the concert seniors were given boutineers, which are traditionally pinned on by the juniors. photos

by Sarah Hinnant

Band to perform on Germany trip Skyler Glenn

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Journalism I

fter a year of planning, 75 members of the marching band will depart for their Christmas markets tour of Germany and Austria on Dec. 14.

“I wanted to go because it is a once-in-alifetime opportunity,” clarinet player Avery Descheneaux said.

This is an optional trip that was open to all members of the marching band. The band will be performing at one of the famous German Christmas markets. They will play traditional Christmas songs in small brass and woodwind ensembles.

“I like the pieces we are playing. They sound good and I enjoy them,” trombone player Riley Walsh said.

The band members will be visiting big cities like Munich and Salzburg.

They will see tourist attractions ranging from the sights from popular film “The Sound of Music,” and the scene at Germany’s esteemed Christmas markets. The group will also tour places of history, with the most important being the concentration camps from the Holocaust.

“I’m most excited to go visit all the different places. It’s going to be a really interesting trip with different scenery,” Descheneaux said.

The group will depart from the Orlando International Airport on Dec. 14 and take a layover in Iceland.

The first flight to Iceland will last seven hours and 15 minutes, followed by a shorter flight to Germany. They will return on Dec. 22.

With any school trip, decorum and manners are expected of all the attendees. Students are to be on their best behavior and follow all rules that their guides and teachers give.

JAN

GIRLS BASKETBALL

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FEA ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

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NOPE PRESENTATION

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CUPCAKE FRIDAY

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CURRICULUM NIGHT

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THE SOUND OF MUSIC Trombone player Cameron Mostecki practices music he will play in Germany. He is part of the 75-person group that left on Saturday. photo by Skyler Glenn

Despite strict rules in place to keep students safe, the excursion is expected to be fun and intriguing by the people going.

Many say that they “can’t wait” for the trip that takes place in less than two weeks. Some have never been out of the country before and they look forward to making international memories and learning about previously unknown cultures.

“I don’t know much about foreign countries,” Walsh said. “It will be interesting, but I’m sure it will be a good experience.”

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Varsity girls basketball team will go up against Lake Mary at home. The game starts at 7 p.m. in the competition gym.

Tickets cost $5 at the door for parents and students. Junior varsity will play at 5:30.

After school, Future Educators of America will sell ice cream sandwiches after school. They will be available for $1 by the bus loop and the parking lot. Students can buy them for a quick after school snack before leaving campus.

At 7 a.m., The Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Care Task Force will be giving a presentation on a drug abuse. Their goal is to decrease the amounts of overdose deaths and their impacts on society.

Cupcake Friday will be hosted by PTSA on Jan. 17 during both lunches. Cupcakes are sold outside of the cafeteria for 50 cents each. Students and teachers are welcome to purchase as many as they want.

At 5:30 p.m., curriculum night allow teachers and clubs to present their class or organization to students and parents in the practice gym. Their presentations will give basic information and why people should join.

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Opinions

OUR TAKE

Being friends with the smart overachiever

by Alexis Madlang

Focus on positive change that defines our decade

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s the 2010s inch forward to their demise, we look back on the questionable music released (looking at you “Starships” by Nicki Minaj,) shows that defined our childhood, and the now-outdated technology that would entertain us for hours.

Moving into the age of never-ending, outrageously priced Apple products, the gradual presence of Amazon in our day-to-day lives, and the rise of influencers and Instagram models, the past 10 years have been substantially different.

Ten years ago, we were heading to elementary school, excited for the day ahead of us. Holidays were exciting; we looked forward to dressing up in extravagant costumes for Halloween and presents during the festive season. Free time was spent outdoors, playing with our best friends, who all lived in the neighborhood.

Now, the focus is on all the bad things that have happened over the years. Gone are the days of unchecked excitement; The pressures of standardized testing, getting into a good college and finding a job (in this economy?) are too real. And now we must be cautious and careful when going to class; the events at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have hit close to home and left a long lasting impact.

The burgeoning pressure of climate change has put a heavy burden on us to solve the current environmental status; an issue that grew and snowballed over the years.

For some, the decade has brought more individual pressures. The prospect of starting a family, or finding your soul-mate seems out of reach and so far away. People are busy with their own lives and spending genuine time with friends and family is rare.

This decade has brought upon many hardships, which can be depressing. However, when taking a look at the overall time period, the mood gets a little brighter after acknowledging the progress and strides we have made regarding social issues.

The #MeToo movement and the growth of feminism for young girls around the world have empowered women and raised awareness for equality as well as promoting the end of sexual harassment and abuse.

Black Lives Matter has also made a significant appearance in the 2010s. Inequality against AfricanAmericans and protests against systemic racism have been louder and broader. The LGBT+ community also celebrated history when same-sex marriage was legalized in 2015. The ruling on Obergefell v. Hodges applied for all states moving forward.

Furthermore, students and staff have the future to work for. We envision a future at college or at their dream job. In the coming years, students will be able to experience the real world, which can be full of exhilarating moments.

Within the next decade, we will become the next generation of doctors and lawyers, make new questionable songs, and overall learn from our past years.

Of course looking in the past can be sad, but the future is where we can make the most change, both in our lives and society.

The decade coming to an end is simply the start to a new chapter.

the

blueprint Hagerty High School 3225 Lockwood Blvd.

Oviedo, FL 32765 hagertyjourn@blueprint.com Phone: (407) 871-0750 Fax: (407) 871-0817

Volunteer outside of the holiday Charlotte Mansur

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Online Editor

hen we think of volunteering, we picture crowded food pantries and homeless shelters filled with towering stacks of cans waiting to be distributed.

People are packing boxes of food and scruffy men wait patiently with blankets draped around their shoulders.

While this image might be accurate, it is not the case year round. The holiday season is a time of goodwill and kindness where people are more encouraged to help those in need. As great as it is to donate food or help in a shelter during this period, people need help all year, not just during the month of December.

Organizations see a flood of volunteers and donations during the holidays, but the numbers decrease as the months go by. The Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership reported a 200% increase of help during fall and winter months, compared to spring and summer in 2017.

People deserve hot food and a warm place to stay all year, not just when it is most convenient for you to donate forgotten food in your pantry. If you really want to help people, help them when they need it instead of jumping on a peppermint-fueled bandwagon.

Food drives are an easy and useful fundraiser that can be done year round. There are a number of places that collect meals for people in need throughout the year. For example, all Seminole County Public Schools have food pantries that are always in need of donations. Some students rely on the food given to them at school because of instability at home, so schools send students home with food for their families.

Other organizations that do not have holiday affiliations need volunteers, too. After winter break animal shelters need help due to the influx of unwanted animals that were given as gifts.

Summer camps, libraries and even petting zoos always need assistance with daily needs.

People often volunteer to fill a requirement for Bright Futures or honor societies, but it would be nice if people pitched in because they wanted to aid others that would truly show holiday spirit. We live life doing things for ourselves – it is refreshing when you get to do things for the community.

Helping out can be fun and benefit the volunteer, too. Inviting friends can turn projects into a party, and packing chicken noodle soup to Michael Jackson is always a good time. Plus you get to meet a bunch of new people, who you know are good folks because they are spending their Saturday night folding paper napkins into rabbits for a charity event.

The BluePrint is a student-produced newspaper in which the student editors make all content decisions.

The newspaper belongs to the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association and the Florida Scholastic Press Association.

Opinions expressed within the newspaper do not represent the staff’s views as a whole (except for Our Take), the views of Seminole County Public Schools or Hagerty High’s administration and staff.

For information about advertising in the paper, please contact us via e-mail or phone. We reserve the right to reject any advertisement.

Editor-in-Chief Jessica Maldonado Print Editor Zoey Young Online Editor Charlotte Mansur

Local Volunteer Opportunities Seminole County SERV program (Sanford) Environmental research and conservation Phone:407-665-5601

Central Florida Zoo (Lake Monroe) Educating the public on local wildlife Phone: 407-323-4450

Pet Alliance of Orlando (Orlando) Entertain and take care of animals Phone: 407-351–7722

Second Harvest Food Bank (Orlando) Package and distribute meals to those in need Phone: 407-295-1066

Love Missions (Sanford) Raise money and pack essentials for human trafficking victims Website: https: lovemissions.net

Crealde School Of Art (Winter Park) Help students create artwork Phone: 407-671-1886

Savannah Court and Cottage (Oviedo) Help senior citizens with daily activities Phone: (407) 278-7237

News Editor Sharika Khondaker Lifestyles Editor Lukas Goodwin Opinions Editor Andrea Izaguirre

Staff Reporters Haley Hibdon Noah Kemper Chanson Cadet Leah Luedeman Sophie Woodburn Laura Shaw Alexis Madlang

Graphic Designers Milea Dozier Parker North Business Manager Alexis Madlang

Adviser Brit Taylor Principal Robert Frasca

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Do something worthwhile

There is more to saving the Earth than eliminating plastic straws Now, any effort is better than nothing, but plastic straws are a tiny percentage of the millions of tons of plastic taking over laciers have melted, forests are being a “reduce ALL plastic” sticker if you really our oceans, lakes and rivers. So, burned and animals are trying to want to eliminate plastic waste.

This problem not only exist in obsessing over not using plastic keep up with the mess humans have America but also in other regions. straws is not worth it. caused due to our desire for a more modern of plastic If you really want to make a and consumerist society. There is trash In East Asia and the Pacific, significant difference in trying and plastic waste engulfing our oceans and where, according to Our World In waste was Data, 60% of the plastic is to decrease our plastic waste, intruding in wildlife’s homes. We are mismanaged. conserve our Earth and save the never endangering life on Earth, and In every elementary sea turtles, try avoiding plastic it is deteriorating the time we recycled and middle school bottles at all cost and switch to a of have here. We all know this, science class, we get reusable water bottle. Try reviving but not enough is being done ocean plastic drilled on the benefits of your knowledge from school on recycling to fix it. recycling and the whole process and put it to use. You could even go a step While all of this is consists of of it. Yet, according to Royal further and switch to using renewable energy, concerning, refusing to use Statistical Society, in 2018 90.5% of help pick up trash in your community or even straws the plastic straw is not going plastic waste was never recycled. plant a tree. to make a difference in our

We should, in all means, try There are so many options and organizations pollution problem. I acknowledge to do everything in our power to save our that you can join as well, such as Union of that we have a plastic problem and I am happy we are attempting to fix it, but it is oceans, forests, our animals and try to increase the Concerned Scientists, Natural Resources time Earth has left. For some, that may mean not Defense Council and Environmental Working simply not enough.

According to National Geographic, only using plastic straws, but if you are going to lose it Group. Do not just stand in the Starbucks line 0.025% of the eight million tons of plastic over someone’s plastic straw, are you also getting with your arms crossed and your eyes beaming that flow into the ocean every year consists militant over every plastic utensil, over every at people as they unravel their straw and take a sip of their coffee. of plastic straws. The number one item grocery bag and over every plastic Starbucks cup.

Jessica Maldonado

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found in the ocean is single-use food and beverage

Editor-in-Chief containers. Trade your “metal straw” sticker in for

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Barking Mad

“Learn to walk faster in the hallway please.”

-Chloe Browning 11

“Not enough DeCosta.”

-Nick Cryan 10 “When ever something bad happens the administration doesn’t deal with it properly.”

-Rad Majed 10

Barking Mad is a collection of short submissions about things that tick students off around school. If something at school makes you mad, e-mail us at hagertyjourn@gmail. com and it may be featured here.

“Ids make me angry because when I wake up in the morning and can’t find it, I cry.”

-Cullen Vaughn 9

“The gym is always really hot.”

-Olivia Price 10 “The school approaches conflict in a way that isn’t necessarilly beneficial.”

-Olivia Tulloch 10 “Sometimes teachers assign so much homework that you have to choose between grades, friends and sleep.”

-Helena Celentano 10 “I don’t think they do senior quotes here and I don’t know why.”

-Billy Bohan 10

CHAR-CASM

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Hallmark movies deserve more respect Charlotte Mansur

etween Black Friday blowouts and uncle Dan bringing up the electoral college at family dinner, the holidays can feel more frightful than festive at times. You can escape seasonal tension with a gingerbread house or ice skating, but nothing compares to the calming effect a classic Hallmark movie marathon. Sure, they have the cinematic quality of an old shoe, but there is something about them that makes you feel warm and cozy inside.

Hallmark movies end one of two ways.

The lead girl will leave her fiancée for the hot scruffy Christmas tree farmer, or realize her arch enemy, most likely a competing business owner, is the love of her life. Either way the guy gets the girl and everyone lives happily ever after in a giant townhome filled with snowflakes. These endings may seem annoying or cliche, but when everything else is falling apart around you, it is nice to take comfort in knowing that happiness is a Hallmark constant.

Other Christmas movies like “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” are filled with an abundance of unfortunate events that leave people like me panicking in a corner wondering what the family is going to do with a burnt Christmas tree and randomly chainsawed furniture. Hallmark movies provide a stable form of entertainment that requires no heavy thinking, and no emotion. They entertain you in the moment, and you never really have to think of them again. I consider that a win.

Another bonus, you don’t have to pay full attention to enjoy a Hallmark movie. The soothing background music and calm voices make it a great soundtrack for homework or other activities. Plus the plot line is simple, so you can pay attention again an hour later and still understand what is happening.

Hallmark’s successes comes from their visuals. Their movies are always set in cute little towns like Harmony or Mistletoe Hollow that make you want to just jump into the TV. Everything is so pretty, the soft snow, the glistening lights and most of all the actors. It is almost as if Hallmark grows these people on trees or something; they all look like Barbie dolls.

Many of their movies allow “washed up” actors a second chance to be on the big screen.

Lacey Chabert, for example, used to play Gretchen Weiner in “Mean Girls.” Now she is a Hallmark superstar staring in over 20 movies in the past few years. Other familiar faces include Candace Cameron-Bure from “Full House,” and Chad Michael Murray from “One Tree Hill” and “Another Cinderella Story.” I never knew I needed to see these people ever again, but seeing them fall in love with each other over in over in slightly different settings makes me realize I need them in my life.

I get that these movies can be super corny, but sometimes making fun of them is even more entertaining than the movie itself. So grab some popcorn maybe even a peppermint stick and give Hallmark movies a shot. Who knows, maybe the people of Mistletoe Hollow will surprise you.

“Definitely the IDs. They don’t do anything to make feel safer than the way that it was before.”

-TJ Massiah 12 “They took away the brownie cookies at school and those are my best friend and my favorite.”

-Ashley Monroe 10 “Things are not as efficient as they could be at school. I get off the bus in the morning and they only have two doors open and they are in the center. It would be better if they were on the sides.”

-Ben Bianco 10

“The buses are dirty.”

-Sophia Iregui 9 “I think the school needs more spirit.”

-Ashley Sharma 12 “IDs are annoying and people wear other people’s faces on top and the media center is always closed for testing.”

-Abigail Stimpson 11 “We need nutritional lunches and bring back popcorn chicken.”

-Mckayla Greenier 10

Gaming LE Video games, internet have created an industry that will only continue to grow Jessica Maldonado and Leah Luedeman Editor-in-Chief and Staff Reporter

OBSESSED WITH GAMING

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itting in his bedroom in front of a CyberPower PC with components he added on his own, all of Senior Sergio Alcala’s attention is on the League of Legends tournament he and his team of four is playing.

Alcala plays up to seven hours a day on his computer and up to 10 hours with seniors Austin “Really intense English and Evan Bogert and sophomore team coordination and Keenan Xiong, practicing for tournaments.

This past weekend, the team placed first communication.” in two tournaments defeating seven other - Alcala teams in League of Legends.

“We were pretty hyped when we won because right before we were making jokes that we were going to lose the first game because it was a single elimination tournament,” Alcala said.

In preparation for these tournaments, the group sets scheduled practices almost every day against other teams, playing for two to three hours. In addition to this, they practice in regular games for a couple more hours, and by the end of the night, they reach up to five hours

playing on their computers.

Xiong, introduced to the game by his older brother, has been playing for four years but does not spend that much time during the school week playing.

“On school days I have lots of homework, so I play up to an hour, but during the weekend, if I have time I play more than that,” Xiong said.

Senior Alec Lusher, while not involved with tournaments that much, does play other games for up to nine hours on weekends like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Halo Reach, and Rainbow 6 Siege to unwind.

According to Gameindustry.biz, the average teenage boy will spend more than 16 hours per week playing video games. The stereotypical gamer can be painted as a lazy person who wastes their time staring at a computer screen. However, that negative perception is changing.

“League requires really intense team coordination and communication. We have to think of and change our game plan depending on each game,” Alcala said.

A SOCIAL COMMUNITY Around school during lunch or before the start of the day, students can be seen on their phones with earbuds in. Although it is hard to tell what they are watching, a good number are watching internet videos of people playing video games.

The gaming world gives players a wide variety of opportunities for social interaction, whether it is in person or online using social media. Alcala watches usually an hour a day of video gaming content on YouTube and Twitch.

YouTube, a popular streaming service, has over 1.3 billion users, and almost 15% of the content uploaded on the video platform is about gaming. The gaming channel created by YouTube has 83.2 million subscribers.

This channel houses the top live games, live streams, trending videos about games, and recommended gaming videos based on subscriptions. The channel puts everything into one place, so users do not have to search for what they want, and it increases the community.

Online communities, such as the one formed by YouTube videos, allow people to bond over favorite characters and games. It makes it easy for people to find a common interest. Users can also watch creators to find more about their opinions on things, or just to watch them play the game. Most gaming channels have thousands of subscribers, so fellow users can discuss games with others in the comment sections and enjoy the social experience.

Twitch is another video platform that is specifically used for live streaming gaming content, with the same impact on the community as YouTube does. It has around 140,000 viewers at any time and has more than 4,500 user channels. This makes it easier for fellow gamers to bond and communicate as the service is for people that have the same hobby. They can comment on videos with the streamer and other viewers that could reply instantly.

“I like tyler1. He’s a pretty good league streamer, who’s pretty entertaining to watch,” Alcala said of a Twitch streamer he commonly watches.

Not only is a community built by the internet, but one is formed with gaming tournaments hosted around the world like the ones Alcala, English, Bogert, and Xiong

“If the opportunity came up, I would take it in a heartbeat.”

- Lusher

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EVELS up play in. Each game has its own tournament, attracting gamers with similar interests.

Social networks are not formed only by watching people play or playing competitively, but many online games have social features and multiplayer opportunities.

In multiplayer games, gamers have to work with others in order to achieve their goals, forming a bond.

BIG BUSINESS To fit with the changes in video game style, the business model has evolved to keep up with demands.

With two and a half million gamers around the world, the video game business, according to Forbes.com, is estimated to reach $300 billion by 2025.

The first major adjustment that led to increased popularity was moving games away from physical media and making them available as digital downloads.

More people are likely to buy something that they can get instantly with one click and they do not have to fight crowds or worry about their item being out of stock in the store.

This change has caused businesses to gain revenue because mobile games earn money with paid add-ons and special content, beating out physical copies of games that rely on consumers paying large amounts of money up front, and then buying sequels and future releases in the store.

While the traditional video games can typically be purchased online or in stores now, free-to-play online games have become increasingly popular and earn money from in-game purchases. Fortnite, a free-to-play

The video game business is estimated to reach

$300 billion

online game, made $2.4 billion in 2018 with over $1 billion made with in-game purchases.

The introduction of multiplayer games are relatively new, whereas 10 years ago, video games were for one solo player against the computer. The social features change the way companies have thought about game development because they no longer need to focus on selling new versions as it would be too costly to switch for such a large user base.

The Call of Duty franchise in 2016 showcased this phenomenon when the new version earned less than half of the 2011 version’s sales, despite having a larger number of users. Meaning, it would be more costeffective to make purchasable updates regularly than making a new version.

Popular video game companies such as Nintendo, EA Sports, and Sony Computer Entertainment have made these changes, switching to digital games in order to increase revenue and popularity. They fit their games to what users want. In the case of EA Sports, they update sports teams with new players and have better graphics to hook more and more players in.

The gamers who play these games often become the employees who work for these companies, and they often take classes in high school that lead to these jobs.

Modeling and Simulation, the program of emphasis at Hagerty, provides a starting path for this opportunity.

Students who play these games can see if they want a job dealing with game design or programming.

“We have four previous students that are working for bigger companies. We got one working for a doctor, a medical office and doctor hospital and we got three doing

internships,” Mod and Sim teacher Samuel Adorno said.

THINKING AHEAD As video game companies constantly update their games and lure players to buy or play more, some players not only take an interest in playing the newest version, but the magic behind how games and social media platforms can intertwine. Especially with the uproar of people getting famous off “We have four of streaming, such as PewDiePie. While Alcala is more interested previous students who in majoring in Economics and are working for minoring in Math, he wants to start streaming as a hobby and see where that goes. Lusher, on the other .” hand, would not mind taking the - Adorno opportunity to stream for a living.

“If I was confronted with an opportunity I would consider getting serious about it, but right now I mostly play to have fun with friends,” Lusher said.

Lusher took AP Computer Science Principles his junior year and Modeling and Simulation all four years.

“I would like to major in computer engineering or computer science and work at large tech companies like Intel or AMD,” Lusher said. “But again if the opportunity came up I would take it in a heartbeat.”

The gaming industry is huge and will continue to grow. Whether winning a tournament, beating every level or even getting a career in the field, gamers have a more legitimate place than ever before.

bigger companies

The average teenage boy will spend more than

16 hours

per week playing video games.

by 2025.

Design by Jessica Maldonado Illustration by Milea Dozier

8

entertainment “Three Days of Christmas” (Netflix)

R R E E V V II E E W W B O X

A dramatic change to the normal Christmas television scene, Spanish Netflix Original show, “Three Days of Christmas,” released on Nov. 26, provides drama and lots of secrets in only three episodes. It is centered around four sisters, as well as the rest of their family, who harbor a dark secret that looms on Christmas Day. In the first episode, the show does a great job of establishing the tone. On top of that, the show manages to make the time jumps smooth; it does not confuse the audience and actually contributes to the story.

- Zoey Young

“Everyday Life” Coldplay

Released on Nov. 22, Coldplay has again gifted the music community with their eighth perfect studio album. The double-album format splits the 15 total tracks into two collective works titled “Sunrise” and “Sunset”. Specific songs like “Cry Cry Cry,” “When I Need a Friend,” and “Daddy,” have the lyrical metaphors and smooth melodies that Coldplay fans are well accustomed to. Overall, “Everyday Life” strongly upholds Coldplay’s legacy as one of the most successful and consistent British pop-rock groups to date, despite the creative liberties they have taken with their sound over the years.

-Andrea Izaguirre

“High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” (Disney Plus)

On Nov. 8, “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” released its first episode.

Before watching the show, expectations and interest in watching was low, but after the first episode, binge-watching was a must. The idea of the series is not what was expected.

Rather than being a recreation of the original “High School Musical” movies, the main characters are drama students attending East High, preparing to perform the musical. It was an brand new story, with great camerawork.

-Alexis Madlang

“Romance” Camila Cabello

From swaying in the background of Fifth Harmony, to releasing her second studio album, Camila Cabello has successfully revived her fan base of avid “Camilizers” with the release of “Romance” on Dec. 6. With the prior release of hit song and chart topper “Senorita,” featuring Shawn Mendes, the buzz surrounding the album was already centered on Cabello’s inclusive use of Spanish lyrics.

Songs like “Liar” and “This Love” highlight Cabello’s extensive vocal range and remind the public why she is arguably the most successful product of Fifth Harmony.

-Andrea Izaguirre

“A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby” (Netflix)

“A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby” was released on Dec. 8 as the third addition to the “A Christmas Prince” series on Netflix.

There was a very strong Hallmark Christmas movie plot watching the third movie. The movie soon turned boring due to its easy predictability. There was a Christmas crisis involving an unsigned treaty,a dungeon, and the possibility of a cursed baby. But of course, everything was solved in the last 20 minutes and everyone had a Merry Christmas.

- Alexis Madlang

“The Knight Before Christmas” (Netflix)

“The Knight Before Christmas,” available on Nov. 21, was a poorly executed rom-com, with little chemistry between the actors. The story follows Brooke (Vanessa Hudgens) who learns to love. Brooke manages to find knight Sir Cole (Josh Whitehouse) a time-traveler.

While there were jokes to keep the movie comedic, they were unfunny. Moments where Cole learns to use 21st Century technology, the same quip is repeated so many times it gets old. “The Knight Before Christmas” was a waste.

-Zoey Young

“Frozen II” keeps it cool Sharika Khondaker

News Editor

With crashing waves, Earth Giants, and chaos amongst the four spirits, “Frozen II” has a lot to unpack. It sets up an unexpected storyline, drastically different from the original blockbuster released six years ago. The sequel is action-packed, and tackles bigger issues head-on, while retaining light humor with fan favorite characters like Olaf.

Released on Nov. 22, “Frozen II” takes place three years after the events of “Frozen.” The opening scene is a flashback with King Agnarr (Alfred Molina) telling a story of an enchanted forest to little Elsa (Idina Menzel) and Anna (Kristen Bell), setting up the background to the film. In present-day, Elsa hears a mysterious voice that no one else hears over and over again, and she disturbs the four spirits of fire, water, air and earth, trying to figure out where this voice comes from. With the kingdom of Arendelle in grave danger, Elsa, Anna, Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) and Olaf (Josh Gad) set off into the unknown to find the source of the voice and unveil the secrets of the past.

In addition to a solid storyline, the character dynamics Disney established in the previous

movie continued to be a highlight of the franchise. Not only are Elsa and Anna two strong female leads, they inadvertently work together even when separated. While both heroines continue to worry, Olaf keeps it light, bringing his unique sense of cheeriness with him.

Though all of the characters develop well, Olaf is still the funniest character. His musical sequence “When I am Older” provides audiences of all ages with a sense of comedy and relatablility, as he faces chaos in the forest.

Anna’s presence in the film feels more intense as well. While the focus on the previous film was on Elsa and her powers, Anna stays more in the spotlight this time around, as a strong character who can accomplish feats.

For example, Anna’s destruction of a dam to restore peace. The dam was originally meant for malicious purposes, hence the need to destroy it.

While less exciting, the “Frozen II” soundtrack still delivers. Most of the songs take on a depressing or adventurous tone. Some of the “Frozen” soundtrack feels reminiscent in the background of the new songs, especially in “Into the Unknown.” They did sound very similar. Regardless, the songs do an excellent

RISING POPULARITY “13 Reasons Why” has become one of Netflix’s most popular TV series since season one came out in 2017. Season three was released Aug. 23.

job of expressing how the characters feel.

Another key highlight is the animation.

The producers really enhanced the presence of magic in Elsa and the surrounding environment. They also pull this off with great execution. It really felt like the audience was immersed within the magic on-screen, and the vibrant color contrasts made it a very visually appealing watch.

“Frozen II” does not seem to have a single “bad guy” as it did in the last film; the plot is

driven by the journey and the transformation of the characters in the enchanted forest. This was a good choice by the producers, as the plot could have become too complicated otherwise.

I did not have high expectations for this movie, as the trailer was vague and confusing.

However, combined with the detailed story-line, character development and animation, “Frozen II” keeps the audience on its toes.

Despite conflict throughout the movie, it ties up loose ends from the first movie nicely.

9

LIFESTYLES

Passionover

Practicality

Andrea Izaguirre

W

Staff Reporter

ith the holiday season and visits by extended family, teens across the nation can expect a flood of interrogative questions. While most students are annoyed with having to answer “So what do you want to do with your life?” or “ Have you considered being a doctor?” some students dread their responses simply because their post-high school passions seem out of the ordinary.

Having rejected the idea of the classic 9-5 work routine, these students aim to make their dream careers a reality despite the pressures.

Senior Chris Tabares has been set on obtaining a cartooning career for as long as he can remember, however, pursuing professional cartooning comes with a unique set of drawbacks and pressures.

“Art is kind of subjective, so you never really know when you’re good enough. Tabares said.

“Like, am I good enough to get into like, Nickelodeon Studios? I don’t know, so I just have to keep working at it.”

Despite consistent doubts from others, Tabares still encounters people who share their vision and encourage them to pursue careers that may be non-traditional.

Tabares’ decision to pursue cartooning, while it was first met with disbelief, is now better supported by his surrounding friends and family.

“Once I actually started making money off of my work, more people started seeing the potential,” said Tabares.

Acting as a freelance artist, Tabares operates primarily on Instagram and ranges his commission pricing by charging five dollars for a basic sketch, $10 for a lined and color bust and $15 for a full body illustration.

Aside from the general costs, alternative pricing according to the level of complexity is also taken into account when

accepting commissions.

“I found that by always having a fixed price [for everything] I would run into problems when customers wanted something that was [outside] the traditional price,” Tabares said.

“My favorite commissions are the ones where I get to do caricatures of actual people and those usually run from $20 to $25 each depending on the amount of detail.”

Supported or not, having a vision for the future is one thing and preparing to make advancements toward unusual future goals is another.

Students choosing to explore uncommon career paths occasionally find themselves preparing far in advance in order to be able to fully commit to their interests.

Tabares made the decision last year to drop out of all art classes at Hagerty due to their primary focus on realistic techniques that went against his cartooning principles. Instead, Tabares focused on developing a brand for himself.

“It’s all about connections and networking. I’m constantly talking with other storyboarders, following other storyboarders and just getting my work out there,” said Tabares. “Everything now is through social media.”

Having spoken to Nickelodeon artists through Instagram, Tabares is devoted to advancing his current skills and web of connections to someday grasp a position at his studio of choice.

“A good friend of mine actually currently does [storyboards] for Spongebob,” said Tabares. “I’ve also spoken to people who’ve worked on projects like Ed, Edd and Eddie.”

Unusual or not, students who are passionately inclined toward a specific occupation post-high school have to work past public doubts and utilize their time to advance their skills in order to succeed.

“I always tell people: Do whatever you wanted to do as a kid. I wanted to draw cartoons and look at me now, I’m on the way and I couldn’t be more excited,” Tabares said.

"I'd show up to work at Nickelodeon if they didn't even

pay me.”

“If you know you don’t want an office job drooling on the desk, do something that’ll get you somewhere else,”

All images on thie page were drawn by Tabares.

ney o m gan @af

10

lifestyles CHAY’S CLOSET Is there such a thing as too much skater boy?

Chanson Cadet

Shifting into high gear REVVING UP Senior Jake Ferry gets in his green Camaro to head home. He got a vinyl wrap on it to replace its original red coat. photo by Lukas Goodwin

Lukas Goodwin

O

Lifestyles Editor

f all the liberties students gain as upperclassmen - privilege days, a reserved senior section at pep rallies, even joining the powderpuff team - driving to school every day is the most popular. Teenagers can get their driver’s license as soon as they turn 16, so juniors and seniors get to park their shiny new (or really, old) cars right in front of the school for everyone to see.

Almost all students inherited their cars from their parents, like junior Celeste Dixon and her sister, Dessa. Celeste owns a gray convertible, and Dessa has a dark, striped van.

Dixon’s parents let her older sisters choose their own cars in the past, so the tradition was carried on for her and her twin.

“I don’t think she really cared what car she would drive,” Dixon said. “I didn’t want to

drive the big van, so I took the cooler car.”

Even with used cars, drivers like to personalize them to stand out. Junior Haley Hernandez bought her gray and pink Chevrolet Camaro used off the internet. The car is from 2010, but Hernandez decided to give it a fresh style with custom LED lights.

“I saw them on other cars,” Hernandez said.

“I wanted to see how they would look on my car.”

Senior Jake Ferry, who also owns a 2010 Camaro, got it as a hand-me-down when he turned 16. Not liking its original red paint job, he decided to customize it with a green vinyl wrap.

“They say I drive a booger,” said Ferry. “But it’s great. It looks better than red.”

Some who inherited their rides from their parents, like junior Devyn Cannata, were faced with a certain challenge: stick shifts. In a world where stick shifts are nearly extinct, it can be

jarring for some teenagers to learn how to drive it.

Cannata, like other high schoolers, only got her Honda Accord so long ago. Likewise, there was a learning curve in becoming skilled at driving it.

“It took a long time to get the hang of it,” said Cannata. “It’s challenging. You have to pay attention.”

Despite such challenges, young drivers appreciate the tradition of passing down cars through the family. Dixon holds many memories of family drives, in her what is now her sister’s van, to visit her grandparents.

Although her convertible likely will not last long enough to be passed onto her own future kids, Dixon still values the idea of giving kids their own car.

“I think it’s cool,” Dixon said. “It’s sort of helping them get involved more… without being a direct part of [their lives].”

can be a fear of a specific thing or of a social setting, and is more extreme than a fear, often requiring some sort of aversion therapy.

According to VeryWell Mind, approximately 15 million American adults are affected by irrational fears and about 30 percent of those with social phobia have a severe case.

From fearing a killer clone to being afraid of a regular old bug, phobias stem from childhood traumas and bad experiences. Though Sam does not normally run into clones, it impacts her mental health and levels of anxiety.

“I’m not the act in a play, and thinking about that gives me serious anxiety,” Sam said.

Senior Sydney Goergen is afraid of swinging objects and ceiling fans. As a kid she went religiously to her local gym. She would swing and jump from ropes into the ball pits, but one day Goergen walked into her gymnasium and felt her heart start to race, her palms start to sweat and a sick feeling bubble in her stomach.

“It was just like a switch. One day I was fine and the next I felt serious anxiety. My anxiety eventually got worse so I stopped going,” Goergen said.

Being afraid of string and swaying objects affects all aspects of her life.

“I had to get a fan that doesn’t have strings because I wouldn’t sleep in my room because of them,” said Goergen.

Everyone has fear, but not everyone has phobias or irrational fears. According to a survey by Gallup News, the most common fears are the fear of heights and fear of the dark. One in five people are afraid of spiders or snakes.

When thinking of the fear of insects, most would think of spiders or cockroaches, but sophomore Marianne Duncan runs from dragonflies.

“I don’t know why I hate them so much, they’re just creepy,” Duncan said.

Duncan used to be afraid of scorpions, and when her sister told her that dragonflies were flying scorpions, her fear grew.

Everyone is afraid of something, but in extreme cases, it can be hard for those deep rooted phobias to be weeded out. Not many are willing to reach out for treatment. According to VeryWell Mind, only about 40% of people with social phobias are being treated.

“My family was confused at first. They didn’t understand and made fun of me for it, but now don’t tease me as much,” said Goergen.

Fright, Emotion, Anxiety and Revulsion Sophie Woodburn

O

Staff Reporter

ne day, junior Xiomy Sam is living her normal life, and without warning, killer clones of her family come to attack her. Sound familiar? This was the plot of the blockbuster movie “US,” directed by Jordan Peele, and the worst fear of Sam. Debating the validity of an irrational fear can be difficult. Fear is defined as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat, like a clone.

“They copy your every move and use your identity like a toy. I don’t want to be treated like that,” Sam said.

Fear presents in a range of severity, whether it is social anxiety, or running from bugs.

Irrational fears are also known as phobias, overwhelming, irrational and persistent fears that lead to avoiding the object or situation. It

FEAR FACTORS

An estimated 9.1% of Americans, have a specific phobia.

Agoraphobia is the inability to go beyond known surroundings because of intense anxiety.

More than twice as many women as men have specific phobias.

Social phobia generally appears for the first time in adolescence, at 13 years of age.

Some neuroscientists claim humans are the most fearful creatures on the planet.

Jared Tyler is the coolest boy in school, a heartthrob skater that can have any girl he wants. He skates to school on his board every day and carries it around so everyone knows that he’s a fan of “Rick and Morty.” With his shaggy hair and stylish yet comfortable outfits, he is the perfect choice for prom king, except for the one thing holding him back: his black and white checkered Vans.

Converse were all the rage since, well, forever. The canvas shoe was comfortable enough for everyday wear and stylish enough to wear with leggings and jeans. But over the past few years, a new brand has taken over with the same level of comfort in a shoe that is not for running: Vans.

Vans was established in 1966 as an American skateboarding shoes and apparel manufacturer with a reach that includes multibrand retail shops, an online site and over 300 of their own retail locations.

They have certainly become well-known but, let’s be honest, they are way too overhyped. Everyone is wearing them, but what is the appeal?

Walking from lunch to fifth period, I counted 40 pairs within 30 yards. All of the Vans I saw were the plain white slip-on vans or just plain black.

It is not that Vans are terribly ugly, and I can appreciate the functional purpose they serve, but they are just boring. The shoes were made to be practical for skaters, but have been adopted by teenagers like the fluffiest puppy at the pet store.

The Vans have been trending for years with the “Damn Daniel” vine and Van flip challenge, but they have become overrated.

With everyone wearing the same checkered, white or plain black Vans, the shoe game is lacking flavor. It is almost like someone decided to season people’s shoe choices with salt but then removed some because it was too “spicy.”

The Vans company is not getting the recognition it deserves. After browsing their website there are a lot of interesting options.

It made me wonder why more people are not exploring all the hot new kicks on the market.

If you want to be considered a more fashion-forward individual, stop copying and pasting the same items everyone else is wearing into your own wardrobe. The best way to get people to notice your fashion genius is to wear the things that no one else is.

Still follow trends, but make them your own by choosing an original pattern, texture or sole design.

If your goal is to perfect the “skater” aesthetic, there are still more shoe options available: Converse, Nike and Adidas are some of the more well-known brands but do not be afraid to go a little outside the box.

Shoes are the wrapping paper of an outfit.

Even if your fit is a bit bland, the right pair of shoes can spice it up.

SCAN THIS CODE

View a Pinterest board with some alternative shoe options.

11

sports

Boys basketball looks to rebound St. Cloud. They dropped the first game against Apopka, 43-67 and another against Timber Creek, 68-71. Kohn identified the offensive issues after the loss to Oviedo, 52-72, and the team made the changes necessary to beat Lake Hayden Turner Howell 66-58 and St. Cloud 69-51.

Sports Editor “We have added more offensive plays,” issed free throws, blocked lay-ups, Kohn said. “We needed to have patience in poor shots—after an 0-3 start to the order to score, something we lacked in the first regular season, including a loss to three games.”

Oviedo, the boys’ basketball team was looking Along with the scoring struggles, the team for solutions. is also trying to find their rhythm on the free The team had to change the scoring dynamic throw line. After going 9-19 from the line after losing three seniors and a leading scorer against Timber Creek and 5-18 against Oviedo, Brice Sensabaugh, who transferred to Lake they shot 15-20 from the line against Lake Highland Prep. They incorporated more ball Howell and 17-22 against St. Cloud. movement and encouraged shooting rather “It’s obvious that we win more games when than running isolation plays like they did last we shoot good from the line,” Kohn said. season.

Other than the Timber Creek loss, the other Regardless of Sensabaugh’s departure, losses were by a large margin, but guard Gerold head coach Josh Kohn Manderville believes that it knows that it will not have “We are all getting on will all come around soon any bearing on how they and the team will start the same page.” will score during the year. big strides. guard Paolo Raymundo making “We aren’t changing the “We played those first offense at all,” Kohn said. “Someone will step games nervous and scared,” Manderville said. up and score.”

“We got some new guys this year, so we just Guard Jah Nze has been a focus of the need better chemistry and keep playing.” team’s offense, averaging 23 points and seven The game at St. Cloud was the best game rebounds per game. for the team as of late due to the scoring Forward Tyler Pate also made key efficiency and performance at the free throw contributions to the offense, averaging 12 line, even after a lackluster start. Nze put up points per game, and Paolo Raymundo lead the a season high of 36 points and Pate scored 16. team in assists, averaging seven per game.

“As a group we all brought something that “The team is making plays and attacking, stirred momentum for us,” Nze said. “Working so I am able to draw the defense away to help as a team really builds that.” teammates get an open shot,” Raymundo said.

After winter break, the team will take on The season opened with a six-game Lake Howell on Jan. 7 at home and travel to road stretch against Apopka, Timber Creek, Lake Mary on Jan. 8.

Oviedo, Lake Howell, Lake Highland Prep and The district tournament starts on Feb. 10.

Team tries to rebound from early season losses to Oviedo and Timber Creek

M

ON THE REBOUND Foward Tyler Pate attempts to rebound a ball against an Oviedo offender.

The team would lose that game, 52-72. photo by Faith Marino.

ATHLETE OF THE ISSUE who

Randy McClean

team

Boys Varsity Soccer

date

Nov. 20

what

Scored two goals vs.

Oviedo

where

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Sam Momary Stadium On Wednesday, Nov. 20, the boys varsity soccer team tied district powerhouse Seminole 3-3 after a stellar performance from foward Randy McClean. After being down one at the half, McClean stepped up, scoring two of the three goals in the final half. “Every time we had gotten ahead, Seminole would equalize,” McClean said. “This is what drove my ambition to really change the game.” The team is currently 5-1-2 and will face Lake Mary Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. at Sam Momary Stadium. “There’s still a long way to if we want to be successful,” McClean said.

sports

12

Boys soccer starts season on a hot streak

Early six game streak includes two highlight wins over Oviedo Laura Shaw

G

Staff Reporter

oing into the season, the boys soccer team did not expect that six games in, they still would not have a loss.

Last year, many of the graduating seniors were good leaders and the team thought that it would be hard to replace them. But players from every part of the field have stepped up and are big contributors to win after win. The chemistry seen on the field is one of a team that has been playing together and running the same plays for years.

They also maintained their four year winning streak against Oviedo, which is of big importance to the team. They beat them twice, 1-0 on Nov. 22 and 3-1 on Dec. 6.

Their streak can be attributed to the team dynamic shown on the field.

“Good communication in the back and hard work in the middle,” defender Andres Montez said.

Team captain and forward Randy McClean credits the quality playing to the overall frame of mind of the entire team.

“Our mentality has been very good,” McClean said. “We’ve been very focused going to every game and we’ve played hard even if the team might have been more skilled than us.

We put in the work to make sure that we were able to get the results out.”

McClean averages 0.6 assists and 0.4

goals per game while the other captain Parker Wickizer averages 0.5 assists and 0.7 goals.

Teammates agree that the strong attack by strikers is a big factor to the team’s success.

Forwards McClean, Wickizer and Brandon Seymour are credited with much of the offense’s success.

“I think up top with myself and Parker has really been able to help us because that’s a little bit of chemistry [on the field] that we have left over from the years prior,” McClean said.

Goalkeeper Ryan Schmitt, as of Dec. 12, has 46 saves, the most in the district, averaging 7.7 saves per game.

Schmitt also feels that the teamwork on the field comes from personal history most of the players have.

“Everyone is good friends and most of us have played together before,” Schmitt said.

“We are pretty in-sync now.”

Even though Schmitt proved himself as a keeper, defense is a key factor in any game.

“Leadership from [defenders] Scott [Beliech] and Joe [Paccione] in the back helps us to play cohesively,” McClean said.

Up until the 1-0 loss against Trinity Prep on the Dec. 11, the boys were undefeated for the season, with a 4-0-2 record.

Midfielder and team captain Brandon Adams thinks of the loss as a humbling experience.

“It’s actually a good thing that we lost so we don’t just focus on trying to stay undefeated,” Adams said.

The boys have nothing but good feelings and lots of hope for the rest of the season.

“No matter what we do this season it’s just winning one day at a time,” Montez said.

SPORT SHORTS

CHEERLEADING WINS MASTERS CLASSIC

On Saturday, Dec. 7, the cheerleading team traveled to Tampa to participate in the UCA Regionals. The team placed second out of ten teams with an 87. Also, in order to receive a bid for Nationals, they had to get over a 70, which they did. The team also traveled to The Masters Academy to compete in the Masters Classic. The team bested rival Bartram Trail, a state powerhouse, with a score of 88 to win the competition.

“It was really energetic,” Downing said. “A bunch of teams were supporting us and watching. It meant a lot to the team.”

WRESTLING WINS CLASH OF THE TITANS

On Dec. 7, the Clash of the Titans tournament was held at University High School. Senor Dylan Kohn was voted most outstanding wrestler in the tournament en route to the team’s first place finish. During the event, each wrestler competed in their weight class and can earn points toward the team’s total score. The team was led by champions Jason Shaw (113lbs), Kamdon Harrison (126lbs), Joe Gonzalez (138lbs), Dylan Kohn (152lbs), Ryan Cody (160lbs) and Logan Perkins (170lbs). “Our team fought hard and competed well throughout the tournament,” said head coach Scotty Diaz.

GIRLS SOCCER FALLS TO LAKE BRANTLEY

On a rainy match up, the girls soccer team lost to Lake Brantley 3-0 on Tuesday, Dec. 10. In the first half, midfielder Sophie Aguilar missed a shot on goal off the crossbar. Toward the end of the first half, Lake Brantley scored a goal from inside the box, with 12 minutes left in the first half. The team allowed two more Lake Brantley goals in the second half. Their record is 1-4-2, and play their next match on Tuesday, Dec. 17, against Lake Howell. “We played very well at times, but we had a couple defensive breakdowns,” head coach Angie Densberg said.

GREAT SAVE Goalkeeper Ryan Schmitt jumps up for a close save in the game against Seminole on Nov. 10. The boys would go on to tie this game 3-3. photo by Juliana Joyner

Weightlifting wins on senior night Noah Kemper

O

Staff Reporter

n senior night the girls weightlifting team placed first in 12 of 14 weight classes, easily defeating Lyman on Thursday, Dec. 11.

With family members in attendance, the 11 seniors received goodie bags, sashes and flowers before the 4 p.m. match, and seniors shared post-graduation plans and favorite memories.

After the celebration, the team got down to business, and junior Emma DuCharme led off the competition in the 110-pound weight class with a 100-pound bench press and a clean and jerk of 135 pounds for a 235-pound total.

DuCharme won the weight class for the team, earning them five points and starting the night off with momentum that would never stop.

In a match, first place for each class is awarded five points, second place is awarded three points, and third place is awarded one point.

The first senior to compete was in the 154-pound weight class. Abby Welling placed second with a bench press of 110 pounds and a clean and jerk of 110 pounds to finish with a 220-pound total. Sophomore Hali Fildes followed with a 125-bench press and 145 clean and jerk, winning the class.

Another first place came from Katy Enot, who competed in the 183-pound weight class.

She finished with a 170-pound bench press and a 175-pound clean and jerk, finishing with a 345-pound total.

“All the girls supported each other, allowing us to put forth our best team effort,” Enot said.

After the 183-pound weight class, junior

Karlie Marini led the 199-pound weight class with a personal best 150-pound bench press.

She finished with a total of 320 pounds and also won first.

Senior Olivia Lipari also finished first with a bench press of 145 pounds and a total of 335 pounds, winning the 129-pound weight class.

“A lot of us were able to put up big numbers tonight, and we all had strong performances,” Lipari said.

In the final weight class, junior Haleigh D’Amico finished with a 135-pound bench press and a 275-pound total, earning the 12th win of the night for the team.

“Everyone performed amazingly, and we did a great job competing against Lyman,” senior Jillian Lawrenson said.

The team finishes the regular season at 4-1 and will next compete in the Seminole Athletic Conference championships on Jan. 8 at Winter Springs High School.

CLEANING UP THE COMPETITION Junior Emma DuCharme lifts 135 pounds to lead the team, adding to her 100-pound bench press. photo by Maggie Taylor