The BluePrint - Volume 5, Issue 3

blue the

3225 Lockwood Blvd

Hagerty High School Oviedo, Florida 32765

print s d n a B e h t f o Battle Page

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news

Promway: Models in the 2nd annual Project Promway display dresses from local shops.

an award-winning paper

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lifestyles

Double up. Additional college classes help students get a head start for the future.

volume 5 issue 3 february 26, 2010

What’s inside

news....................2 lifestyles..............5 middle.................8 opinions.............10 sports.................14

News bites

College Day: The next college day for seniors will take place on Monday, March 9. If you have not already filled out a senior privilege form, you must do so immediately to be able to participate. Forms can be turned in to Mrs. Foley.

Senior information: Graduation is rapidly approaching. If you have not already purchased your cap and gown, you must do so before April 30 in order to be allowed to walk.

Graduation tickets will be given out during the graduation rehearsal.

Each Senior will receive 10 tickets.

Graduation rehearsal will take place on June 7 at 2:30 p.m. at the UCF Arena.

FCAT dates: FCAT reading will take place on March 9. FCAT math will take place on March 10. FCAT science will take place on March 11. Revised bell schedules will be announced soon.

Lost textbooks: Lost textbooks are available in the media center. Please check the lost and found textbook list on the school website to find your missing books.

Prom tickets: Prom tickets are now on sale. This year’s prom theme is Midnight Masquerade and will take place at EPCOT’s World Showcase Pavilion from 7 p.m. to midnight on May 1. Tickets will be on sale for $60 on February 16-26, $65 on March 1-19, and $75 on March 22-April 21.

ACT online test prep: The ACT online test prep program is now available for student use. Each student has a specific username and password. Speak with your English teacher for login information. The web address is available on the Hagerty website.

Husky poll

graphic by jem mason

Based on a survey of 300 randomly selected students compiled by Jem Mason

graphic by sarah landers

Blue Print event rocks out Jem Mason

A

staff reporter drenaline filled the air and music shook the auditorium walls on February 19 as The Blue Print’s first ever Battle of the Bands took over the stage.

Battle of the Bands was hosted to collect funds for The Blue Print’s past and future printing fees. By the end of the night the staff raised $1,200 in profit.

Months in advance, the staff created a committee led by former intern Nick Baldwin to organize the details of this event.

They designed posters and tickets, solicited sponsors for the grand prize, gathered bands to perform, and found unbiased judges to decide upon a winner.

Random Gong Recording Studio donated to The Blue Print three free recording and mixing sessions valued at $650,to give as a grand prize to the winning band. Operator of Random Gong, Stephen Shapiro, also acted as a judge.

Alongside Shapiro as judges were physics teacher Christopher Adams and former chorus teacher Meredith Rice.

The show began with DJ Zero Wolf’s colorful lightshow that danced in tune with his electronic/trance style music.

“I loved the reaction of the audience to my light-up shirt,” - Garrett Kessinger, DJ Zero Wolf, aka sophomore Victor Herrea, said.

“

From the antics of Diver Mountain as they jumped onto amps and joked with the crowd, to the short-lived mosh pit initiated in the middle of the performance byDeath by Asphyxiation, a night full of musical talent was guaranteed.

“It was very fun and the students are very talented,” sophomore Alyssa Younker said.

Solace, With Wind Comes Cleansing, and Guy Harvey were also featured in the show. The transition band, We Wrestle Alligators, filled the silence between acts.

The final band to play, Old Bear Run, impressed the judges enough to bring home the grand prize of the free recording sessions from Random Gong.

“I was excited after I learned we won,” Old Bear Run lead guitarist Garrett Kessinger said.

“We are writing songs right now to record using the prize.”

The feedback from the bands and audience members was good, despite technical problems.

“It was really exciting to hear all the different varieties of music at our school,” junior Brianna Canonico said. “But some of the all photos provided by Austin Seward instruments were too loud and the microphones weren’t on.”

Many of the bands said they would love to come back and participate in future Battle of the Bands. The Blue Print hopes to hold another Battle of the Bands next year with more bands and prizes.

“I look forward to being a part of this fundraiser next year; Old Bear Run guitarist it was spectacular,” sophomore Mehak Rahman said.

I was excited after I learned we won. We are writing songs now to record using the prize.

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Issue 3

BPA enters nationals

Hagerty

Megan Amend

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• “The sewing class just taught me the basics to using a sewing machine, but I’m mostly selftaught. Making clothes got pretty easy after a little bit of practice,” King said.

photo prov ided by am y kohlberg

Mattie King • Junior Mattie King began to make her own clothing in sixth grade, after she took a sewing class at her middle school.

news

• King has made all of her backpacks for the past year out of jersey shirt material and designed and created her own homecoming dress this year out of clearance material from Joanne Fabric’s craft store.

• King’s daily outfits include at least one article of homemade or borrowed clothing, and often are completed with some sort of homemade jewelry like a toothbrush on a chain as a necklace.

• “Most of my clothes are my mom’s old clothes that I cut up and specialize into garments I wear to school, or are made from random fabrics I find on sale at craft stores,” King said.

co-lifestyles editor

tudents from across the state who plan to enter into the business world gathered at the Walt Disney World Hilton in Jan. These students are all members of Business Professionals of America (BPA), an organization for middle school, high school and college students who desire to enter into the business world as adults.

Juniors Andrew Short and Austin O’Connor individually competed at the state competition in the integrated office procedures division. At the competition, Short and O’Connor used the Microsoft Office program to create a variety of documents including databases and spreadsheets in a timely manner.

Senior Amanda Rodwell competed in the interviewing skills division. She created an application and a resume previous to the competition and then was interviewed by a panel of judges at the state level.

Junior Vanessa Ruiz competed in the entrepreneurship division. Previous to the competition, she prepared a unique business plan that encompassed everything necessary to open a new business. Ruiz presented her business plan to a panel of judges at the competition.

Juniors Nicholas Mercuri, William Goodman, Austin Sanchez and sophomore Lyle Griesemer competed as a team in the video production team division. Previous

to the competition, the group created a video of a local hero. Their video placed first and the team will attend the national BPA competition held in Anaheim, Calif. in May. Schools around the country have their own chapters of BPA. Members attend a regional competition that provides the opportunity to continue to the state competition. There are four categories of the BPA competition: financial services, administrative support, information technology and management/marketing/ human resources. Each of the categories is broken down into several divisions. If a student places first or second within their division, he or she is eligible to progress to the state competition.

BPA sponsor Diann Williams will attend nationals with her students. Williams works with members once a month to prepare them for competitions. “[Williams] gives you a test and you do what it tells you,” Ruiz said, “It’s very self guided activity.”

To be a part of BPA, members must be previously or currently enrolled in a business class because the club revolves around the class work.

“I encourage [my students] to join,” Williams said. “BPA is a good way for students to experience the business world since we have guest speakers who can give real life stories and it is good for students to meet students with the same interests.”

• King also enjoys creating jewelery by braiding hemp or using cheap chains from craft stores like Michaels.

“

I started making most of my own clothes because I usually don’t get to go school clothes shopping more than once or twice a year. It’s a lot of fun to take risks with fashion and show my creativity

”

compiled by eileen dombrowski

photo provided by diann williams

Nicholas Mercuri, Lyle Griesemer, William Goodman and Austin Sanchez stand proudly as they recieve awards for their video of a local hero.

Some student scholarships spell “strange” Elaine Lam

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illustrations by sab

rina chehab

staff reporter tudents are asked to flaunt intelligence, leadership, and athletic achievement as they search for ways to pay for college. Although these qualities help students who search for financial aid, out-of-the-box qualities such as creativity, physical characteristics and particular interests can also help students.

“These odd scholarships would be money in your pocket,” college room volunteer Mary Cullen said.

In the eyes of many students, the customary process to obtain a scholarship requires a student to maintain high

grades, do community service and/or write automobile safety. Duck Brand Duct Tape an essay, such as Florida Bright Futures. Stuck at Prom Contest and Seussvile: Oh, The Bright Futures scholarships is often The Places You’ll Go! College Scholarship the first choice of many students, but these are examples of more eccentric competitions traditional standards are being broken as offered to students. students are being For certain rewarded for other “SchoIarships are usually very s c h o l a r s h i p s qualities. students are postive and philanthropy is “I believe that not required to something American can be all scholarships are do any work, proud of.” wonderful. [They] besides placing - Roger Campbell help a student an application utilize their talents and waiting and allow them to pay their way through for the return. These scholarships college,” Cullen said. award students for specific physical During their senior year, students begin characteristics including writing to search for ways to pay for college. habits, height, and race. Through Scholarships are a logical method. A certain physical characteristics, majority of scholarships are for students students can alleviate college planning to enter college the next year, but costs through awards such there are opportunities for younger or as the Scholarship for older students to reap these rewards Left-Handed Students. as well.

The donors award “People are intrigued with the idea up to $1000 to leftof receiving something for nothing,” handed students who upper house guidance counselor Roger plan to attend Juniata Campbell said.

College in Huntington, Students who flaunt their talents Pennsylvania. The Little through creative projects or essays People of America may be awarded with substantial sums Scholarship and the Tall of cash. The American Automobile Clubs International allow Association (AAA) Auto Club hosts students of an uncommon an essay contest awarding $36,000 height to acquire some kind of to students who are able to write about financial aid.

For students who don’t play a sport but wish to earn an athletic scholarship, the National Marbles Tournament Scholarship which allows students to compete for a prize by playing marbles, is an option. The Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) Award gives money to athletes who take pictures of themselves with a milk mustache to promote the consumption of milk. The Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest would award money to high school seniors who can show off their ability in performing various duck calls.

“Scholarships are usually , very positive and philanthropy is something America can be proud of,” Campbell said.

Companies are willing to give out these rewards to promote learning in various majors past high school education. Scholarships do not necessarily just promote the c o m m o n l y assumed qualities such as academic and athletic achievement among high school students.Strange forms of creativity and a show of resourcefullness can also reward a student.

news

page 3

February 26, 2010

Drastic changes to come next December

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staff reporter ver the past two years, the return to school after winter break has signaled the end of vacation and the beginning of semester exams.

The Seminole County School Board has changed next year’s school calendar so that semester exams occur before winter break.

Consequently, the upcoming summer break will be two weeks shorter compared to last year’s.

Seminole County was classified as a high performing district which allowed the school board to change the school start date. The school board decided to modify the calendar so that the first semester would finish before winter break.

“I believe that [the new calendar] will provide a much better measure of what [students] have learned during the first semester of school,” Principal S a m Momary said.

Teachers will no longer be required to especially hard since we are on a block review information that was taught before schedule now, and we don’t have every the break to prepare students for exams. class every single day.”

This will allow Some students them to use the find that these “I believe [the new calendar] will instructional time difficulties place provide a better measure of what for other tasks. stress upon their [students] have learned during However, many winter break. the first semester.” teachers feel that “I couldn’t - Sam Momary students’ academic truly relax over performance the break because will vary depending on each I knew I would have to review when I got particular student despite back,” junior Chelsea Liles said. “This way which schedule is in place. I can relax over break knowing my exams “Performance depends are done.” on each individual Teachers can sympathize with this issue student,” pre-calculus and and support ending the semester before geometry teacher Aglaia winter break begins.

Christodoulides “When exams are scheduled before said.“The highly winter break, there is a clean break and motivated and ending, so you feel like you have closure,” high achieving American History and Sociology teacher students do fine Robin Grenz said. either way, but the Although students look forward to the less motivated benefits of exams being completed prior s t u d e n t s to winter break, many students are still benefit from disappointed in the shortened summer the constant break this year. repetition and “I like that the school board has made consistency.” the logical decision of going back to Students struggle to having exams before the break,” junior maintain knowledge of Branden Oliver said. “I believe they were the information from their shortsighted in changing our exams to after classes when a two week winter break in the first place, and now break is scheduled before we have to suffer with two weeks less of exams take place. Many summer break.” students prefer the benefits Many students feel the changes to the offered by consistent course schedule are necessary and worthwhile. instruction.

“I think that the shortened summer “It’s hard to retain break is just a small price that students all the information from have to pay in order to be able to take your classes,” junior semester exams before winter break Steven Gottfried said. “It’s begins,” freshman Josh McIff said. illustration by justin moser

Kristin Elias

Exams before winter break...

graphic by sabrina chehab

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Issue 3

Profits from Project Promway Jem Mason

graduation, prom is one of the biggest events of the year and it is exclusively for he auditorium was filled with senior students.

Prom is scheduled for May 1 at Disney’s activity as the stage became3 a fashion show fit for the best of Epcot World Showcase from 7 p.m. to Hollywood stars. On February 6, the midnight. Ticket sales have begun and will second annual prom fashion show, Project continue until April 21.

The senior class officers started Promway, took over the stage.

Senior girls and boys modeled prom planning for the prom May 2009 and it has fashions from So Sweet Boutique, been a slow process of planning since then.

Butterflies Prom and Men’s Warehouse. Prom favors and invitations are within There were nine salons and makeup artists the responsibility of the officers, but on location plans like lights and food is where that did the girls’ hair and makeup.

Disney will come in.

The idea for the fashion show was “Disney is really good at event not new, but Carla Prendergast, head planning so basically it is in their coordinator of Project Promway, hands,” senior class president Saabira wanted to make it better than the one Mohamed said. “We tell Disney what conducted last year. we want and they magically put it “I wanted it to have a together for us!” more contemporary feel,” The officers decided the prom’s Prendergast said. “We theme will be masquerade, after they wanted to update the visited the World Showcase and saw designs it and make it feel the venue. more modern.”

“The colors inside the location are Project Promway raised deep and royal colors,” Mohamed said. $1,500 for Project Graduation, “So we felt masquerade fit and really an all night party at Wet N’ Wild liked the idea.” for seniors on their graduation Although masquerade is the night. The party is hosted to theme, students will not be ensure there is no drug or allowed to bring masks of alcohol consumption their own. The masks will involved in all the be provided at the prom for senior celebrations. those who attend.

“The turnout “The hardest part about was great and planning the prom is everyone had trying to please everyone a blast,” in some way and make Prendergast the night rememorable,” said. “All the Mohamed said. “You seniors are want someone to go excited for home with something prom night.” photo provided by sabrina alaya they will remember for Along Senior Kelsey Walker models her one of the rest of their life.” w i t h a kind dress during the fashion show.

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staff reporter

news

lifestyles

page 5

February 26, 2010

Student habits exclude nutrition and health Kristin Krawcyzk

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business manager arents and teachers pester teens about the foods they eat, the amount of sleep they receive and how they study. But do students ever stop to think that the adults might be right?

If students do not get appropriate nutrition, it is difficult for them to pay attention throughout the day. Without the recommended amount of sleep, staying fully focused throughout the day is impossible. Students’ grades suffer due to the lack of proper study skills and sleep.

“A lot of students don’t know good ways to study, but the ones who [have good study habits] are far ahead of the game,” AP Psychology teacher Greg Vaughn said.

Vaughn says that the best way to study for tests is to study for 20 minutes every day.

“For the most part, ninety percent of students [at Hagerty] have good study habits,” Life Management teacher Kelly Fate said.

Most students are under the impression that if they cram for a test the day

before, they will remember more. That is not necessarily true. Students who study a little bit every day have the information stored in their long term memory. Those who do not study until the day before store the facts in their short term memory, but that does not help when they have tests on that subject again months after they crammed for it.

“I remember a lot of what the teacher says in class and I take good notes, so I don’t have to study as much,” junior Dan Bradley said. “I usually wait until the last day to study, but I do it on purpose so it’s fresh in my mind.”

Because students stay up late to work on homework and study, they do not get enough sleep to function properly the next day. Sleep deprivation can cause moodiness, poor performance in school and depression. According to Vaughn, students need at least n i n e

hours of sleep at night in order to function at full capacity.

“If I don’t get eight hours of sleep, I get very cranky and I can’t pay attention,” junior Kristine Bateman said.

Because teens wake up after only a couple hours of sleep, they feel compelled to skip breakfast in order to wake up a little later. According to nutrition.about.com, this is the worst possible thing to do. The brain needs glucose throughout the day. If people do not start the day with the proper amount of glucose, their energy level diminishes causing sluggishness.

According to the American Dietetic Association, more than half of male teens and more than two-thirds of female teens do not eat breakfast on a regular basis.

“When I don’t eat breakfast, I don’t concentrate well and I think about how hungry I am,” Bateman said.

Students assume that if they do not breakfast, they will lose weight, which is not true.

It actually causes them to gain weight because they

are more tempted to eat junk food during the day to make up for the nutrition they missed by not eating breakfast.

Nutrition is a whole other category in the lives of teens. According to Fate, nutrition of students is not up to par. “[Students] have sports, jobs, and parents who aren’t home, so they tend to go to fast foods,” Fate said.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 15 percent of teens, equal to nine million, in the United States are overweight. This has tripled in the last 20 years.

“I think it’s their fault [that they’re overweight]. They have a choice to exercise and eat right. Some people don’t make the right choice and have to live with it,” Bradley said.

True or false?

• Skipping breakfast is a good way to cut calories.

False.

• Students who eat breakfast before standardized tests perform better.

True.

• Eating breakfast can help people to lose weight.

True.

• Eating a big breakfast helps one feel energized throughout the day. photo by kaitlan aries

True.

Junior Dan Bradley crams his studying into the night before the test and tries to stay awake with the help of unhealthy soda.

GSA fights harassment Robyn Smith

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news co-editor hey are mocked, they are put down and they are treated as outsiders; but they continue to fight for what they believe in.

Members of the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) gather to battle ignorance and to raise awareness in the school environment.

Students meet on Thursdays in room 6-109.

The initial idea for the club came last year from Kayla Mensah, a 2009 graduate, but students did not actually begin to create the club until this year. Students enlisted Dr. Romina Jannotti as sponsor because she has a strict policy in her classroom that bans sexual orientation harassment.

Once the club was approved, the first goal was to generate membership. In the beginning, about 60-70 students attended each meeting. Leaders of the club worried that only a certain group of people would come to meetings, but soon found that it attracted both straight and gay members.

“I’m straight, but my best friends are bisexual and gay so I’m glad there’s a club like GSA where there’s no persecution,” sophomore Alex Johnson said.

Club members come to meetings to socialize and find acceptance. Leaders of the club try to make meetings a safe place to assemble and to talk about problems.

“We hope to accomplish the fact of getting us out there. It’s not a taboo and that gay or lesbian isn’t wrong, that people who look down upon it can see that we are successful,” co-president and senior Amy Tunno said. “It’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Although GSA promotes acceptance, lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans gender

photo by kaitlan aries

GSA members Wyatt Rocker and Ian Daum participate in the meeting.

(LGBT) students are still harassed. While the administration and faculty has been supportive of the club, fellow students make fun of members with derogatory comments and slurs. “[Members are] harassed on a daily basis,” Jannotti said. “Either people in their classes as a joke who say “That’s so gay.” or when they say things in a flippant fashion without really being sensitive. They do take that personally. They do internalize it and that is a form of harassment.”

Even though members are mocked, the club’s open door policy attracts different types of students and many people come to meetings to support their friends. Right now, the club hopes to attract new members and provide support for anyone who needs it. The main goal for GSA’s students is to fight homophobia through tolerance.

“It’s a new generation and I feel like we should be moving forward, not sticking with old rituals,” co-president and senior Lindsay Sutch said. “A lot of kids are [staying the same]. You have to open your mind to move forward, and I feel like it’s time to move forward.”

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Issue 3

lifestyles

Dual enrollment gives headstart to students Sohani Kasireddy

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news co-editor he difficulty of high school courses has seen a dramatic rise within the past few decades. With the increase in the number of Advanced Placement (AP) courses offered and the addition of the International Baccalaureate program (IB), students now take on more challenging academic schedules.

The latest advanced program for students is the dual enrollment program, also called “Early College.” High school juniors and seniors have the opportunity to participate in college level courses at a local community college or university.

Upon completion of a course, students earn a credit for both their high school and college transcript. According to the Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) Executive Director of Secondary Education Walt Griffin, there has been a 43 percent increase in the number of students participating in Early College between 2007 and 2009.

Seminole State College (SSC) offers Early College to upperclassmen who attend

high school in Seminole County. Students are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and the proper SAT, ACT or College Placement Test (CPT) scores. January 2010 marked the start of a new semester in which fourteen students enrolled as students at SSC. Among those dual enrolled include juniors Nicole Kauffman and Alesha Mastramico. Both attest to their experience in a college course as one much different from that of a high school classroom.

“It’s unlike high school because teachers are much more relaxed and they don’t care about you as an individual student that much,” Mastramico said.

However, Mastramico was quick to say that the relaxed attitude in the classroom is not a sign of the heavy workload or overall difficulty of the class. Students are expected to be responsible for their work and complete assignments even if teachers do not check up on them. The work load of these classes is heavily dependent on the type of class; however, students can expect up to five hours of work throughout the week for core academic classes.

The length of college classes varies

from a regular high school class, as they may last anywhere from one to three hours.

High school students are often restricted to the times during which they may take classes because of conflicting schedules. Students like Kauffman and Mastramico must take night classes, whereas other students would rather take classes over the weekends.

Many of the classes are taught only once or twice a week making it difficult for a student to catch up if they miss one class.

“It’s similar to block schedule since we don’t have class every day,” Kauffman said. “I like getting out of school early but sometimes it’s difficult [because of the length of the classes].”

Although these classes require a heavy commitment from students, they have benefits as well. Students who participate in the Early College program are excused from all the regular fees (tuition, labs etc). Dual enrollment classes also ensure students a college credit upon successful completion of the course. In high school, however, students must pass an exam at the end of the year in order to receive credit for an AP course. In addition, students benefit from the exposure to the environment surrounding an actual college class rather than a college-level class taught in a highschool setting.

“I highly suggest it for people who are trying to take AP classes,” Mastramico said.

“I honestly think that going to the class and

having the experience is much better than taking [an AP] class at high school.”

Students enrolled in two Early College courses are permitted to leave campus early or come to school late every day.

Students with dual enrollment classes during first and second period come to school later and those with classes later in the day, fifth and sixth period, are allowed to leave school early.

However if a student is in only one Early College, he or she is not excused from coming to school late or leaving early every day. A student b heha c who is enrolled for a in sabr n by o i t a college class during a tr illus fifth period is permitted to leave campus early only on days students attend periods one, three, seven and five.

Upper house guidance counselor Dan Cannon cautions students who are interested in this program about the commitment it involves. Cannon encourages students to be aware of the time and effort that is required of a college class.

“The student is treated just like a college level student,” Cannon said. “There is no contact between us and the [professors] because the students are treated like adults.

It’s all up to the student.”

lifestyles Bilingual benefits

page 7

February 26, 2010

you have higher salaries [for bilingual staff reporter workers]. There’s more of a need for ook around you. If you see at least bilingual people in every aspect of the four people, one of them can hold business area,” Spanish teacher Patricia a conversation in another language. Lopez said.

From college admissions to getting a job, The two years of required language are bilingualism is crucial to today’s student. not good enough, according to Lynch.

Current trends of state and local colleges “What you’d want to do…is get at least represent an increase in competitiveness. four years so our students are actually The University of Central Florida’s 2008 semi-fluent in the language,” Lynch said. acceptance rate was 48.3 percent, and the Several students speak different school is now officially categorized as languages either as their native tongue or one “more selective” according to US News. they learned early on. Junior Sara Gomez Collegeconfidential. says that knowing com also lists fluent Spanish in her personal knowledge of a second life has helped her to “There’s more of a need language as one of the better communicate for bilingual people in top qualifications for with people in her every aspect of the college admission. neighborhood, as well High school as her community. business area.” students and teachers “I definitely think -Patricia Lopez share much of the [knowledge of a same sentiment. second language] is Pamela Lynch, the important. No matter foreign language department chair and where you live you should try to learn a French teacher, said that bilingualism is different language. It really opens up a lot important for future success. of opportunities for connecting with a lot “There is no such thing as an American of different people,” Gomez said. workplace anymore,” Lynch said. “It really This is a view held by the current is a global economy.” administration as well. Two years ago Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of President Obama made it publicly known Labor state that bilingual employees are in that he supports the idea that every child demand in areas such as financial services, should know at least two languages, and social services and public service. These has made several steps towards promoting jobs are also increasingly profitable; cities a bilingual agenda. like Los Angeles and Austin pay premiums “It’s good to have as many advantages to bilingual employees such as nurses, as possible in the world,” Gomez said. policemen and firemen.

“Knowing a foreign language is just “If you look at our area in particular, another way to get ahead.”

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On the job training heightens student experience Mehak Rahman

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staff reporter igh school is referred to as the mouse race to prepare students for the rat race. High school seniors embrace the essence of hard work though the On-Job-Training program (OJT).

Statistics from Human Resource Magazine document that the OJT program is the most widely accepted form of training for high school students.

Coordinated through the school, OJT allows students to experience an off campus internship for a temporary period of time.

The major purpose of OJT is to provide opportunities for students to learn about work in reality. OJT prepares students for doctor/dental office work, restaurant sales clerk, and research assistants.

Shanon Eaton is responsible issues that pertain to students involved in the program, on campus.

“I recommend this class to students because of the great opportunity; students will start getting work experience and it allows students to get supervised job training that could lead them to become a manager. Who knows it [training] could inspire them to want to become an owner

of a business,” Eaton said Diann Williams is the site coordinator for the program. Williams has been involved in the program in this position for two years. The site coordinator typically takes care of relations between work and school. While students are at school, the site coordinator handles employment changes and job resignations.

“Students normally think that they go to work, get a paycheck and then go home. It is a lot more than that. After they complete the program I see that they know how to budget their money and act responsibly.”

Williams said.

“The training program focuses on appropriate behavior while in the work force.” Mraz said.

Students’ are observed while they work. Their evaluation depends on numerous factors: attitude, hours worked, and behavior. All these points filter into the students nine weeks’ grade.

Work site agreements emphasize the students’ agreement to follow policies made by the company for employees. The minimum allotted time to work is 10 hours a week. As a part of a student’s grade the supervisor must clear hours over or under

better perception of sufficiency and efficient this amount for their shift to be valid.

“The program does not only focus on work habits. Statistics also include that at least 75 percent of previously enrolled OJT responsibility, but there is a lot of emphasis students have better experience in the work on time management.” Mraz said. force, and obtain jobs at a faster To manage a part time job with rate than students go into office homework is another aspect of the program work, without any experience. that students handle. The time of the class

“I learned to be is set up in such a way that students’ responsible for obtaining academic classes are not conflicting. information and not to Toward the end of the program the rely on teachers as students’ grade in the class is reflected much.” Mraz said. through their overall performance in Studies from the their employment. Factors that are put Student business into this grade include behavior, hours magazine worked and whether or not mention that appropriate policies 17.6 percent of were followed. inexperienced Relevant to college students studies done by cannot obtain the Center for employment within Training and the first year of college.

Development, They wait about one w h e n year before obtaining a students job. After her experiences complete in the program she will courses that not be anxious; Mraz is involve job h landers confident that she can join development photo by sara they have a Senior Derek Eiflander works at McDonalds; the race with a steady start. one of the OJT sites students can choose.

The Hagerty Blue Print thanks all those who attended and participated in the 1st annual Battle of the Bands.

You guys rock!

page 8

Issue 3

Experiencing

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ew families know the anxiety of a deployment, but for those who do, the absence of a loved one is a constant stress.

Veronica Quintero and her family are all too familiar with this concern. Her brother, Gustavo, is currently deployed as a member of the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.

He has been overseas for months, initially stationed in Italy.

“It’s really hard to deal with. It’s scary,” Veronica said. “We’re always worried, especially my mom. Sometimes communication is bad so we don’t know what’s going on.”

Even though her brother enjoys then new challenge of Army life, Veronica’s family has experienced apprehension and mixed emotions.

“He’s not home, so I don’t see him or hang out with him. It puts awkward tension in my household between my parents,” Veronica said.

Fortunately, the family has been able to keep up steady communications on Skype, normally four to five times a week. Gustavo has kept the family well informed of his actions which alleviates some of the stress.

Despite their misgivings about Gustavo’s deployment, Veronica’s family supports him.

“We have stickers on our cars supporting [the military], and we’re always trying to do things to help him,” Veronica said. compiled by Patrick McCormack

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he wars may be rising, more an college. Even te wars’ impact. W

photo provided by veronica quintero

Veronica Quintero’s brother, Gus, signed up for the military last year. He was initially assigned in Italy.

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photo provided by branden oliver

unior Branden Oliver knows the burden of everyday life without a parent.

For one year, Branden’s father Colonel Chris Oliver was stationed in Iraq as part of his service in the United States Army.

“I had more responsibilities around my house,” Branden said. “Every day we had to do more things my dad would [ordinarily] do like cooking and cleaning.”

The lack of contact with his dad added stress to Branden’s daily life.

He was able to e-mail his father every day and talk to him on the phone once a week. But the time difference and demand of his dad’s job created communication difficulties.

“You’re always worried about how he’s doing because you don’t know what’s going on,” Branden said. “He wasn’t allowed to tell us everything; it was on a need-to-know basis.”

Branden feels that his dad’s service forced him to mature and despite the challenges it presented for Branden, he wants to join the Army as well.

“I want to go in, but I wouldn’t want a family [while in the service],” Branden said. “That was particularly hard on my dad.” compiled by Megan Amend

Branden Oliver’s father Colonel Chris Oliver served for one year in Iraq in effort to improve the lives of the Iraqi people.

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elinda Elmer lives her life as a daughter, wife and mother of a military family. Her father and husband are both pilots. Her son, Trip entered the Marines. He trained from January through September of 2009. Her daughter, Paige starts marine training this summer.

“I’ve been the wife, the mother and the daughter. When I was a young girl, my father flew three tours in Vietnam. At the time, I realized how lucky I was to still have a father. And I still have my father,” Elmer said.

Elmer worried for her husband who was a pilot like her father.

The anonymity of her husbands’ whereabouts kept her in the dark and she constantly questioned his safety.

“As the daughter of a pilot and the wife of a pilot, I lived in constant fear. I would make my husband call me whenever he landed so I would know he was home,” Elmer said.

Living with a father and husband both in the military, Elmer had to accept her son signing over for the Marines, and now her daughter.

“As a mother, it was definitely harder. To me he was just a kid. And I knew that once he signed that paper he belonged to the government. It tugged at my heart,” Elmer said. compiled by Mehak Rahman

photo provided by belinda elmer

Belinda Elmer’s son, Trip, at his Marine Corps induction ceremony.

From the battlefield to America’s backyard, soldiers serve our nation with their lives, work, and dedication. All photos provided by family and friends.

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page 9

February 26, 2010

Unsung Heroes The military relies on those behind the scenes and on the battlefield

e overseas, but students still feel the effects at home. With the number of military recruits nd more seniors choose to join the military either straight out of high school or after eenagers with relatives in the Armed Forces find themselves experiencing life with the While the soldiers fight for our freedom, students give their own forms of support.

Fast track to military Students choose military first...

Aidan Coffey

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Staff Reporter

ost seniors will go on to college to join the work force. Most seniors, though, are not like Nate Bryant and Edwin Velazquez who plan to enter the armed forces instead.

For seniors like Bryant and Velazquez, life as a soldier cannot wait. Recruits serve their tour of duty first, then receive a college education—grad school included—and a pension for housing from the government after. Even with the lure of a college education, the main motivation for military-bound seniors is usually patriotism.

“I always wanted to serve my country, and I always thought the Marines was the best way to do that,” Bryant said, who wants to become a paralegal within the United States Marines.

A family history of service also plays a strong role in a student’s motivation.

Senior Edwin Velazquez has two grandfathers who served in the army,

one with a tour of duty in Vietnam.

“My grandfathers really [inspired] me. That and respect for servicemen [are my main motivations],” Velasquez said.

He also cited his JROTC experience as important in influencing his decision.

Velazquez has signed on for four years and hopes to be trained at Fort Sam Houston as a combat medic.

“I’m going to try to get at least sergeant rank so I can become part of the Green Berets,” Velazquez said. “I’ll probably transfer and go onto officer ranks [after that].”

Despite similar motivations, the preparation to enter the military differs between the two recruits. Velazquez has extensive involvement within the JROTC program and hopes the training and discipline will benefit him in the military.

Bryant, however, visits the Marine office every week with other trainees where experienced Marine drill sergeants whip them into shape.

“We go to the office and the

recruiters beat the crap out of us with physical training,” Bryant said.

The recruits are tested by trainers on the first Saturday of every month, with common exercises like crunches, pull ups, and running.

Response to the seniors’ life-changing decisions is split into stereotypical reactions. For Velazquez, the men of the family are proud and happy in his decision. He says that he has received lots of respect for his dedication to his goal.

“It feels really good when your parents are proud of you,” Velazquez said. “[Also], when you’re showing them that you’re dedicated and you already know what your goals are and you’re following them.”

The women in Velazquez’s family are sad to see him join the military, but are also just as proud as the men.

“To the people who sometimes are negative or not as happy, you have to understand where they come from and accept their opinions,” Velazquez said.

Although LaPorto will serve in the Marines and Lowe will serve in the Army, both plan to attend college for four years and then enlist in the military.

Lowe will make use of a Bright Futures Scholarship and the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship to pay for college fees. The scholarships will help cover a portion of tuition and will provide $37,000 for room and board.

While Lowe hopes to study criminology at either the University of Florida or the University of Central Florida, LaPorto will head to one of the major bases in Tallahassee for his education. There, he hopes to study aviation.

“Once I sign [my contract], they give me my GI bill and basically they pay for me to go to school as long as I pass the classes,” said LaPorto.

After college, LaPorto will have a mandatory service of four years to serve and hopes to be stationed in Italy.

“I would like to do my four years and then hopefully re-enlist,” LaPorto said, “Eventually, I want to end up doing security

for the embassies in other countries so I can basically just go see the world.”

Lowe, on the other hand, will serve for eight years. He is willing to go wherever the military sends him, but would like to be on the front lines.

Receiving a college education before they enlist in the military provides Lowe and LaPorto with multiple benefits. Since they each will have a college degree, they can become officers. As an officer they will receive higher pay and responsibilities than they would if they enlisted right out of high school. “[In the military], certain ranks require certain degrees. If you don’t get that degree then basically the Army will send you home,” said Vasquez.

Both Lowe and LaPorto plan to reenlist and renew their contracts after their time is served. They each wish to make careers out of the military.

“I’d want to stay in the service as long as I can,” said Lowe, “My father is a police officer right now for the Orlando Police Department. If I ever got out of the military, that’s what I would do.”

Books before combat boots Students choose education first...

Shannon Dunne

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Staff Reporter

tudents tend to go into the military without any previous college education, but seniors AJ LaPorto and Kevin Lowe have something else in mind. Both plan on completing their college education prior to active service in the military with the benefits of military scholarships. They each find inspiration from the service of family members.

“In the last ten years I have seen that most of the students enter the branch that their parents were in. They want to follow their family member’s footsteps,” JROTC instructor Jose Vazquez said.

LaPorto was motivated by his grandfather’s and uncle’s service in the Marines. His relatives’ pictures and stories instilled a sense of pride in LaPorto and a desire to follow in their footsteps.

Lowe drew inspiration from his father’s service as a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army.

“I’m following in his exact footsteps,” Lowe said, “[but] I hope to go further than my father did.”

Robyn Smith

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Co-News Editor

ost children spend a typical day “at the office” on Bring Your Child to Work Days.

When I went to work with my father, I shot M-16s instead.

Because my dad, Army Col. Perry Smith, is in the military, I grew up differently than other children. I moved around for most of my childhood; my family never lived in one state for more than three years because my father was re-stationed.

My father manages the systems that train soldiers around the world to prepare them for the conditions they will face once they are deployed in combat. He develops virtual simulators that teach soldiers to drive tanks and react to explosions. He uses laser-taglike systems and technology similar to gaming systems.

For three years, he lived away from us in New Jersey while we stayed in Florida, so that we did not have to move again just for his job. While in New Jersey, he was in charge of the development of jammers designed to neutralize roadside bombs in Iraq.

He also managed Intelligence and Surveillance systems that located cell phones and radios used by insurgents so that soldiers can capture them.

He only returned home once a month while he was stationed in New Jersey, and mostly, I could only talk to him on the phone. It was hard not to have both parents around all the time and I learned to appreciate things that I used to take for granted. The time I spend with him is now more special.

While my dad does not physically fight in the war, he manages the weapons save the lives of soldiers around the world. He is not less of a soldier because he works in an office. Without the efforts of men and women like him, the war could not happen. Although the soldiers overseas actually fight for our freedom, the efforts from my father and other support personnel allow the warriors to stay alive and keep fighting for us.

My dad has spent 28 years, over half of his life, dedicated to the military.

For my entire life, I have been a soldier’s daughter and I would not change that for anything. I would have missed out on a lot if it were not for my dad; I would have never learned how brave soldiers are, I would have never shot that M-16 and I would not be the person I am today. Members of the military are the true heroes of this world; my father is just one of the many unsung heroes.

“Like most others, I [continue to serve] for the soldier,” Perry Smith said.

“They are putting their lives on the line every day and deserve the best. They rely on us to give them the very best equipment to make them more effective and keep them safe. The Army wants me to continue serving, so as long as I add value to the mission, I will.”

opinions

page 11

February 26, 2010

affirmative action play Back Talk: Should a role in college admissions?

NO

YES

“...affirmative action is the only way to bring the much-needed element of diversity to American colleges.”

“Not only is it ridiculous to place skin color above intelligence, but it fits the textbook definition of racism.”

- Will Henken

Will Henken

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staff reporter n idea as revolutionary as it is controversial, the concept of affirmative action has been in legislation since the 1960s.

Opponents of the system may refer to it as “reverse discrimination,” in actuality, affirmative action is the only way to bring the much-needed element of diversity to American colleges, as well as make sure that talented minds born in lower social conditions do not slip through the cracks.

The main argument poised against affirmative action is that it is “reverse discrimination;” the advancement of minorities over whites simply because of their race. However, this is untrue.

No one advocates a system where African Americans or women are given special treatment just because of their genetics. The purpose of affirmative action is to ensure that anyone who has experienced the hardships that come with a particular background (e.g. poverty or discrimination) is allowed the same chance as anyone else from any other background or gender to attend college.

Even white college applicants do not see this process as racist, as illustrated by a 2005 Gallup poll in which Americans were asked who among two equallyqualified students, one white and one black, would have the better chance of being accepted into college. 47 percent said the chances for both were equal, 29 percent said the white student was advantaged and only 20 percent thought the black student had a better chance.

This proves that the consensus among the population is that white students are still advantaged over minorities, even with affirmative action. Interestingly enough, when blacks were surveyed they tended to say that white students would have the advantage and whites tended to say that black students would have the advantage.

These results reduce the “debate” over affirmative action to what it really is: glorified finger-pointing and nay-saying between races about how the other race is supposedly “cheating.” In the end, either race’s claim is false. Affirmative action

“[Yes], because women and minorities need to be on an equal standing with everyone else.”

- Takashi Worrell, 11

- Aidan Coffey

Aidan Coffey is a healthy system that staff reporter provides equal opportunity to everyone in the population and at igh school the end of the day does not tip the students would scales unfairly against any race. be shocked to Diversity is crucial to every discover exactly how much place of education. Any school racism lies within American needs to practice inclusiveness and colleges in today’s world. open-mindedness with other The colleges have dressed races and creeds. Learning this racism up in enough in a diverse environment is legislation and given it the the only way to gain these social shiny name of “affirmative communication action” to disguise skills. And the its true purpose. af·firm·a·tive ac·tion only way to make Affirmative colleges sufficiently n. the encouragement of action was once diverse is through increased representation of considered a the process of necessary tool to women and minority-groups increase minority affirmative action. definition provided by dictionary.com Those opposed enrollment after to affirmative action the desegregation may say that prejudice no longer exists in of schools in the ‘60s. Now, affirmative colleges and that the only discrimination action threatens to endorse a form of remaining is the kind affirmative action reverse racism and continue a vicious creates. This is untrue. circle of hate and prejudice that has A study conducted by sociology plagued America. professor Thomas Espenshade published Public and private universities take in the Daily Princetonian shows that “Of affirmative action to absurd levels. For students applying to private colleges in example, universities use a point scale 1997…white applicants with 1460s and to grade applicants. GPA, SAT scores Asian applicants with perfect 1600s [had and AP classes all award points that the same chance of being accepted.]” determine whether or not the applicant Not only must racial barriers will be accepted. Schools often award a be broken, but so should financial point bonus simply because an individual obstacles. The median white family belongs to an ethnic minority. The income is $48,000, according to the University of Michigan went so far U.S. Census Bureau. The median black as to place skin color above academic family income is $30,000, which is achievement. They awarded 12 points also the standard the Bureau sets to be for a perfect SAT score and 20 points for considered “low-income.” So by helping being an ethnic minority. The 20 point blacks, we also help those in lower bonus minority applicants received placed socioeconomic brackets. them at 1/5 of the total 100 points needed With college educations provided for admission. Not only is it ridiculous to from this assistance, the poverty gap will place skin color above intelligence, but it steadily lower as individuals from poorer fits the textbook definition of racism. families can work better jobs.

The Supreme Court has since ruled Bill Clinton once called affirmative that affirmative action “quotas” are in action “an effort to develop a systematic violation of the Fourteenth Amendment in approach to open the doors of education.”

Gratz v. Bollinger, but universities have In the end it is not about color or creed, found a loophole. Universities claim that but making sure people of all backgrounds they need a “critical mass” of minority are on an even playing field. This is truly students in order to achieve a fully diverse the action needed. and functional learning environment,

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Tell it like it is...

“[Affirmative action is] needed because racism still exists, especially in the south.”

- Alex Amos, 12

“No, because it might limit the atmosphere that the college could potentially have.”

- Nathan Rodriguez, 10

which serves as a de facto quota system.

But diversity does not come from color; true diversity comes when factors such as color are ignored. Diversity is really found in a person’s personality and interests and not the shade of their skin.

The minority students who are included under this “critical mass” system are often from wealthy families, while poor white students are excluded. If schools are going to play favorites, they should do so by applicants’ economic backgrounds —not by their skin color.

Even if one disregards the unfairness inflicted upon hardworking majority students, affirmative action still brings nothing but trouble. First of all, affirmative action must be insulting to minority students as it basically assumes that minority students are not clever enough to get into the top schools without government assistance. Affirmative action policies reinforce negative stereotypes rather than eliminate them. Minority students in the workforce will be regarded with suspicion by their peers, who may suspect that their degree was awarded based on skin color instead of skill.

Affirmative action’s goal was to give minorities a better chance of entering college and motivate them to work harder.

However, affirmative action has had the opposite effect. If a minority student knows that he or she will get into Harvard with a 3.2 GPA, then that student has no reason to put forth the extra effort to obtain a 4.0. Essentially, affirmative action is its own worst enemy.

Affirmative action once served a significant purpose in an era when college officials’ judgments on who should enter college were clouded by racial prejudices.

But, the American people want this practice to end.

An NBC news poll shows that 65 percent of American people oppose affirmative action. An in-depth poll by the magazine American Demographic says that 80 percent of Caucasians and 71 percent of Hispanics oppose affirmative action. If America’s largest ethnic minority believes it is time to end affirmative action, America needs to listen.

“It’s not about what color you are; it’s about how smart or well-rounded you are.”

- Kaylie Catlin, 9

page 10

Issue 3

opinions

Plagiarism reaches new heights Sabrina Chehab

Letters to the editor are encouraged, but cannot be anonymous. Please submit to Helen Reed’s mailbox or to room 6-201. For more information about advertising in the paper, please contact the staff via one of the methods listed above. We reserve the right to reject any advertisement.

Principal Sam Momary Adviser Helen Reed Editor-in-Chief Naveed Clarke Managing Editor Sarah Landers Lifestyles Editors Megan Amend Sabrina Chehab News Editors Sohani Kasireddy RobynSmith Opinions Editor Kait Moorman Sports Editors Kaitlan Aries Patrick McCormack Graphics Editor Jeff Howell Photos Editor Kaitlan Aries Business Manager Kristin Krawczyk Staff Reporters Jacob Calloway Aidan Coffey Eileen Dombrowski Shannon Dunne Kristin Elias Will Henken Elaine Lam Jem Mason Justin Moser Mehak Rahman Scott Strauss

illustration by justin moser

when incorrect information is copied and test grades begin to drop when students no longer practice skills learned in class.

Translation web sites such as Babel Fish and Google Translator not only promote laziness but provide blatant inaccuracies. Some students use these sites to complete assignments from foreign language classes. A huge problem presents itself because there are several problems with these sites: there is no regard to grammar, context usage, or verb tense.

If students take the time to double check the translations, they may even find embarrassing mistakes.

Actually, Babel Fish almost caused a huge diplomatic problem between Israeli journalists and Dutch foreign ministry officials. The latter received an email from journalists with questions

like “What in your opinion needs to do opposite the awful the Iranian of Israel?” and “Why we did not heard on mutual visits of main the states of Israel and Holland, this is in the country of this?”

Amazing, these translators.

Educated teachers and carefully written textbooks provide credible sources for language assistance, and little effort is required to consult them. In fact, it’s easier to use a textbook rather than a translation site because examples of sentence structures with properly-conjugated verbs are everywhere.

It seems as if students no longer care about the quality of their work. Web sites that provide answers with little to no effort and zero credibility should never be used.

It’s shameful to post a homework question on the same site where people ask if Jedi light sabers can cut through Superman.

of internet use and the decline of grammar lessons in school.

Teens desire speed when talking online so words and phrases become abbreviated to type faster. The more time spent online, the more a student uses incorrect English.

Because students are not being taught enough grammar in school, the bad habits developed outside of school are not countered. By the time students enter high school, they are behind in what they should know.

Despite their apparent lack of grammar, many teens feel like their education in grammar is adequate enough and that they need not learn any more about it. But it is these same teenagers who consistently misuse their homophones, create run-on sentences and fragments, and probably wouldn’t recognize a semicolon if it was dressed up as

Santa Claus and covered in neon lights.

This does not mean teachers should spend valuable time reteaching things students should already know. Instead, grammar should be incorporated into lessons every day.

There are countless opportunities for grammar to be mixed into daily curriculum. From having students write grammatically complex sentences with vocabulary words to interpreting how sentences are written in literary pieces, grammar can easily become a daily activity in every classroom.

Proper grammar is also important outside of English class. Essays are a part of every subject and often contribute to a large percentage of students’ grades. Even important aptitude tests like the SAT have an essay section.

The ability to compose grammatically correct papers goes far beyond school. At one point or another, everyone will need to apply for a job. Employers are more likely to hire an applicant knowledgeable about grammar over an ignorant one.

There is no escape from grammar. It is a life skill, as are reading and math. High schools need to incorporate this essential skill into the curriculum. Students need to take the initiative and use the grammar they know or else they will end up appearing uneducated by writing, “Your stupid.” My stupid what?

Students don’t do grammar good Jem Mason

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staff reporter here be a problem. It has emerged in schools, on the internet and even in the media: bad grammar.

It runs rampant from teenage school essays to Facebook statuses.

The consistent misuse of homophones, punctuation and basic sentence structure is difficult to miss.

This problem is due not to lack of intelligence, but to pure ignorance. Students should be taught simple punctuation, the nine parts of speech, possessives and other basics of grammar in elementary school according to the K-12 Reading & Language Arts Standards.

The Florida Standards also stated that students should be able to use advanced punctuation such as commas, colons, semicolons and dashes, know their parts of speech and proper usage of them, and form complex sentences by ninth and tenth grades.

In elementary school, students are taught basic homonyms and spelling rules, but they lose these skills through the years. This loss of knowledge can easily be attributed to the rise ehab

Opinions expressed within the newspaper do not represent the staff’s view as a whole, and do not reflect the opinions of Seminole County Public Schools, the school board, or Hagerty High School’s administration and staff. Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service.

h rina c

The Blue Print is a studentproduced newspaper published six times a year in which the student editors make all content decisions. The newspaper belongs to the National Scholastic Press Association and the Florida Scholastic Press Association.

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Hagerty High School

lifestyles editor he internet has become too convenient for the student population. Multiple web sites are available that provide “help” with homework. In reality, though, these web sites promote laziness in students and inaccuracy in their work.

The most prominent of these sites includes Yahoo! Answers, a communitydriven web site that allows anonymous strangers from anywhere in the world to post questions and answers to various topics. Any kind of question is allowed, and there is no system to filter correct answers from incorrect answers.

To ask questions on the site, an individual must acquire points. The only way to gain points is to answer questions asked by other users Low-quality answers are practically encouraged.

When a student types a question from a homework assignment into the search bar, there is a high probability that the same question will appear verbatim as a result on the Yahoo! Answers web site.

The student can then proceed to copy an answer posted by a random stranger, call it his or her own, and turn the assignment in the next day.

There is no credibility by doing this. Students learn nothing when they plagiarize someone who claims to be a college professor. The purpose of homework is to practice skills learned in class so students can be successful on future exams. Students are misinformed

Our view:

A

Texting should be allowed at lunch and break

ccording to the Student Code of Conduct, texting is currently not permitted on campus during school hours. However, this does not prevent students from sneaking texts under the radar. Such undercover action may not be necessary much longer.

Seminole County school principals have discussed the possibility of allowing students at their respective schools to use their phones during school hours. Hagerty is considering

the allowance of texting and phone calls during lunch and during the 15 minute break on blue and black days.

Other schools in the county such as Oviedo have already consented to let their students text at certain times throughout the day. Studies show that such schools have seen a decrease in discipline problems since the rule was put into effect.

We support the idea of a rule that allows students to text on campus during

school hours. Such a rule would result in a decrease in misbehavior here as well. It will also enhance teenage communication skills and permit students to contact their parents from anywhere on campus during the school day if necessary.

Administrators fear that such a rule would yield an increase in theft of these electronics, but we feel it will reduce the thievery levels, as students will have a better eye on their belongings.

opinions Humans responsible for climate change page 12

Issue 3

fight for climate justice and for a fair and guest columnist ambitious treaty.

When COP15 began on December 7, or two weeks this past December, more than 45,000 people descended non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from around the world started pressuring on Copenhagen, Denmark for the United Nation’s Framework Convention’s negotiators to craft a just and scientifically based deal on climate change. The youth 15th Annual Conference of the Parties delegates continued what they had agreed (COP15). I was among these hoards, to do at COY. Serving as a voice of moral a 17-year old organizer with the Sierra reason, called for action on the part of our Student Coalition (the SSC). leaders and reminded them that our future I was there because two years ago in Bali, the world decided that a treaty would is in their hands. That is the real story of COP15: activists and young people calling be established to ensure a comprehensive on delegates to deliver a treaty— one strategy regarding how the planet would that incorporates the rights of indigenous deal with climate change. people and acknowledges the necessity for In early October, I received an email survival of all life on the planet. from the SSC asking me to apply for their Unfortunately, the world did not get delegation to COP15. I applied on a whim that deal out of Copenhagen. Instead we and, in mid-October, I received a phone call welcoming me to the delegation. That received the “Copenhagen Accords,” phone call was the start of a journey I will which are neither scientifically based nor binding. They were acknowledged by always remember. the COP, but not ratified, meaning that As delegates, our goal at the COP negotiations will resume this year, and was to secure a future without the risks we will continue to push for a treaty that of climate change for ourselves and for meets our needs. Although the political the children and grandchildren we one process failed to produce the desired day hope to have. We quickly found results, I believe COP15 provides insight ourselves linked by that common purpose to what is possible in the future if we - a purpose that I discovered was not commit to change. uniquely American, but rather one shared Throughout the 11 days of COP15, by thousands of young people worldwide.

I saw Chinese and U.S. youth sit down Two days before the conference, I and frankly and openly discuss what each joined over 2,000 students from all points respective nation must do to help put an on the globe for a Conference of Youth end to global warming. I participated in (COY). At COY, I heard stories from releasing a joint statement from Kenyan around the world, each with a similar and American message. A student youth outlining named Adel spoke “I am the face of our concerns about about water drying up climate change.” climate change in Algeria. Ella from - Joseph Manning to President South Africa and Obama. I linked Rohan from Australia arms with students from Canada to call expressed concern that the similar thing for the closing of the Tar Sands, and was occurring in their countries. Melissa and Gabriel informed me about increasing the protection of indigenous peoples.

I attended that Blue-Green Alliance sea levels surrounding Singapore. reception with labor leaders where union As COY came to an end and COP15 representatives assured me that their prepared to start, I was filled with membership is committed to embracing anticipation. Young people had united green jobs and the technologies they under a common slogan: “Survival is employ. I also watched individuals risk non-negotiable.” We were determined to Joseph Manning

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photo provided by joseph manning

Manning fights for climate justice with fellow delegates in Copenhagen, Denmark. arrest in a formal sit-in at the Bella Center in an attempt to remind the world that we need real action from the Summit negotiations, not unfulfilled promises.

Despite this, most nations are still not ready to make the commitments required to even begin to solve the climate change dilemma including the U.S. We still have debates in America despite an overwhelming body of scientific evidence proving the occurrence of climate change.

All doubt goes away when a boy the age of 14 from the Maldives looks you in the eyes and tells you that the water is rising outside of his home. Then you realize that the entire Florida Keys and parts of Miami, the Mississippi Delta, New York City, the Chesapeake Bay and Boston lie at the same sea level as this boy’s island home and therefore, will also be washed away during this century if we do not modify our course.

Many propose that it is President Obama’s fault that a climate change treaty still does not exist. All I can say as one who logged over 100 hours volunteering during his campaign, I was very disappointed by his lackluster showing at Copenhagen. I am upset with the administration’s failure to consider tougher targets than what they had already

proposed. They plan to reduce the 1990 emissions by 4 percent by 2020. This is, forgive the pun, a COP-out when you consider that other industrial nations proposed between 20 percent and 30 percent reductions and that science actually calls for a 40 percent reduction.

The Senate has also failed to be an effective leader on solving climate change. Ask a senator and he or she will say there is not sufficient support for this legislation from constituents. The truth is that it is everyone’s fault. There has been very little efficient action on the part of our nations leaders and not enough pressure from civil society.

The face of climate change is the face of that boy from the Maldives; Ella from South Africa; Rohan from Australia; Adel from Algeria; Melissa and Gabriel all the way from Singapore. It is also the boy from South Boston, the girl in New Orleans, the baby born today in Miami and the child being pushed in a stroller through Battery Park in New York City.

I am the face of climate change. Your children and grandchildren are the face of climate change for the future. They will inherit the world we hand over to them.

So the age old question remains: Do you consider our survival negotiable?

As in most instances with group work relatively simple math concept. Teaching in schools, the smarter, harder-working the theorem the “old-fashioned” way students end up doing the work for would have taken little more than 10 to 15 the whole group while the others are minutes of teacher instruction.

When middle school students who unfocused or off-topic. learned using inquiry methods come into While the groups sit and “work,” the high school, the change in teaching styles teacher wanders about the room. This will hit like a lead weight. Lessons each gives more opportunity for the students day and lots of homework in high school to be off-topic because the teacher’s will quickly overwhelm students who attention is focused on one group at a were comfortable in inquiry math classes. time. Students who are not on task gain Proponents of inquiry math say it is little from the activity. Although students necessary for kids to understand math in a traditional “teach and practice” conceptually in order to pass the math class may get off topic, there is a myriad of standardized state and far greater chance for that in an inquiry classroom environment. national tests. However, a recent Inquiry math’s study by limited teacher Claremont intervention University and group in work California activities showed decelerate that “no the learning significant to go more group in-depth with difference” its topics. But existed at what cost? between A math class inquiry math at Rock Lake students’ test Middle School scores and in Longwood those in spent 23 days non-inquiry discussing the math classes.

Pythagorean When there is Theorem, a a difference, illustration by sabrina chehab

the inquiry math students usually fair worse than non-inquiry math classes on standardized tests.

In 1996, California adopted a variant of inquiry math curriculum. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) filed a report the same year, showing that Californian eighth-graders in inquiry math classes were eight points below the national average in math proficiency. An astounding 39% of eighthgrade students were performing below the basic math level in California that year.

Since the 1990s, inquiry math has been used in countless school districts across the nation. Nearly every time the class was added to the curriculum , it was thrown out and discredited within a year of its introduction due to its ineffectiveness and unpopularity with the teachers, students and parents alike.

Unless teachers are well-seasoned and have experience integrating inquiry math in preexisting lesson plans, the curriculum style will likely fail miserably in Seminole County. Unfortunately, many math teachers do not have the experience with inquiry math needed to teach it effectively.

When inexperienced teachers are at the helm of inquiry math, the classroom becomes even more chaotic than before.

For years, the “math wars” have raged between inquiry math advocates and opponents. The only losers are the inquiry math students, ill-prepared for higher math classes.

Inquiry math program fails to make the grade Justin Moser

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staff reporter war is raging. The combatants, education experts who develop new techniques and teachers and parents who watch as the techniques fail, fight bitterly over what is the best way to teach math.

The war seems to be at a stalemate with no victors. There are only losers in this war: the children taught using the new teaching techniques.

Inquiry math, an umbrella term used to describe a controversial approach to mathematics, is meant to foster critical thinking skills and independence among its students. Instead it fosters inadequate skills and preparedness for high school math courses.

One variation, the Michigan State University’s “Connected Math” curriculum, has been used in Seminole County middle and high schools for three years to help students who fall behind.

This year, the school board expanded it to all middle school math classes.

But unless the curriculum is adjusted to accommodate for the expansion into advanced courses, the lack of a challenge in math will stifle high-level students.

The idea behind inquiry math is that students work in groups to help each other solve problems with little teacher intervention. It seems like a good idea to promote working in groups with the students, but the plan usually backfires.

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February 26, 2010

page 13

page 14 Patrick’s picks Patrick McCormack

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sports editor o call this decade in sports less than riveting, groundbreaking and scandalous is nothing short of criminal. In fact, it is not entirely out of line to call this one of the most thrilling sports decades ever for stories both on and off the field.

In recognizing the best sports franchise of the decade, it is hard to ignore the New England Patriots or the Los Angeles Lakers; however, the Florida Gators steal the show in my rankings. Considering their two national championships in football and basketball, few can question their position as a dominant factor in college sports. On top of their back-toback basketball championships (2006, 2007) and their football championships (2006, 2008), the Gators came to the 2009 football season ready to play. Despite a loss in the SEC championship, they embarrassed Cincinnati at the Sugar Bowl 51 to 24. Florida also produced the second sophomore Heisman winner in college football history, Tim Tebow.

Super Bowl XLII (Patriots versus Giants) takes best game for this decade.

In one of the most surprising upsets in Super Bowl history, the New York Giants defeated the 18-0 New England Patriots.

Though a low scoring game, the real thrill came in the fourth quarter. With the Pats leading 7-3 through three quarters, the Giants took their second lead early in the fourth quarter. However, another Patriot touchdown won back the lead, at this point 14-10, with only 2:42 left to play. Through a series of miraculous plays including the legendary “helmet-catch,” the Giants scored a final unanswered touchdown, with 35 seconds to play, for the win.

The most exciting finish of the decade, however, came in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.

Boise State defeated Oklahoma State 4342 after a thrilling end to both the fourth quarter and overtime. After 25 unanswered points by Oklahoma, the Broncos needed a touchdown to tie the game. They had fourth and eighteen with 15 seconds on the clock. A surprise hook and lateral slipped past the defense allowing for the tying touchdown and overtime. Then, when they needed a two point conversion to win in overtime, the Broncos used a Statue of Liberty (faking a pass and letting the back take a secretive handoff behind the quarterback) that baffled the Sooners and brought a stunning victory.

Perhaps one of the most debated “best of” awards is that of athlete of the decade.

The Associated Press awarded Tiger Woods this honor for revolutionizing the game of golf, but many think Michael Phelps’ Olympic dominance deserves the award. Some would even nominate Usain Bolt for reviving track and field. In my opinion, however, the honor should go to Lance Armstrong. A cancer survivor, he won one of the most grueling endurance tests around, the Tour de France, an unprecedented seven times! None can debate the effects Woods had on golf, but the exposure Armstrong won for cycling was tremendous, especially in America.

While, previously, only a small fan base followed cycling, a completely new group emerged because of Lance’s success.

Furthermore, his philanthropic efforts raised millions for cancer research.

Unfortunately, my selections merely scratch the surface of this decade’s most interesting stories. From steroids and Barry Bonds to the Lakers’ four championships, this decade has ushered in new eras in sport and given rise to volumes of new stars.

Issue 3

sports

Basketball team reaches new heights Scott Strauss

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staff reporter ack of seniors on a varsity team can result in chaos and confusion among the players because of less experience on the court. The varsity basketball team has recently experienced the loss of many seniors who led the team to the playoffs in the previous season.

Currently, only two seniors play on the basketball team: Jacob Kurtz and Talib Booker. Both are leaders and on and off the court.

“The seniors have excellent work ethics, and set an example to the younger players of how you are supposed to carry yourself,” head basketball coach Josh Kohn said. “They are better people than they are players, and they’re great players.”

Last season, eight seniors played on the varsity basketball team. This season, the juniors and seniors have had to step up to new roles, and managed to set the school record for wins. One freshman, guard Luke Doyle, is currently a member of the team. Four sophomores also play on the team, and one, Aaron Bodinger, is a starter, making him the first sophomore varsity starter since the introduction of the first senior class. The underclassmen rely on the seniors to give them direction while on the court.

“The underclassmen will come up to me and Talib and ask us questions like ‘what do we do in this situation’ since we have been there before,” senior forward Jacob Kurtz said.

Kohn’s hope is that the underclassmen will see and emulate the way the seniors carry themselves.

“Our seniors are the captains of the team and without them and their experience we would not be as good as we are,” sophomore guard Ira Smith said.

“KG is God.”

photo by sohani kasireddy

Senior Talib Booker makes a free throw in a home game against Deltona High.

Despite the almost four year age difference between freshman and seniors, the varsity coaches treat the underclassmen the same as the seniors and juniors on the team. They are still varsity players, and according to Kohn, the expectations for them are the same as everyone else.

“I think the underclassmen have been better than I thought they would be,” Kohn said. “I knew they had some talent, but to get out and play every night against kids that are 17 and 18 years old is very impressive.”

The team finished the season with a record of 17-9, and reached the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

“It was good to make the playoffs, and maybe even have a run at the state tournament,” Kurtz said. “Unfortunately it was cut short, but we had a lot of fun.”

According to Kurtz, the highlight of his final season was when they won two big

games in one week, first against Orlando Christian Prep (OCP) and then The First Academy, showing everyone that the team could really play.

The coaches have had to maintain their patience with the players and give them more freedom. Juniors have also had to take on new roles.

“You have to allow them to make mistakes, and I know they will make mistakes. We just have to go out there and be more opened-minded,” Kohn said.

For the underclassmen on the team, the transition to varsity has not been an easy one. According to Smith, he will have to improve all aspects of his game to be a core player as well as a leader on the team.

After losing only two seniors this season, Kurtz does not think that next season will be one for rebuilding. Instead, the team will have to come together and rely on each other much more.

Albers exemplifies dual sport athletes Shannon Dunne

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staff reporter is brain is split in half. Half football and half basketball,” basketball coach Josh Kohn said. “He is competing against other kids who are just concentrating on basketball or football; it’s tough what he does, but I think that he is one of the kids who can handle it.”

Sophomore Ethan Albers transferred to the varsity football team halfway through his freshman season, but soon after he suffered a broken foot. A fellow teammate landed on his ankle during a practice and caused him to miss the last half of the varsity season. Through a couple weeks of physical therapy and advice from the coaches, Ethan was nearly healed and joined the freshman basketball team.

“I was a little bit more timid when I first got back on [my foot],” Albers said, “I was trying to play in a way that I wouldn’t reinjure it.”

Last year, he was a member of the freshman basketball team. This year, he skipped a step and is now a power forward on the varsity level.

“I listened to what the coaches told me I needed to work on and over the summer I really worked on improving. I guess it paid off,” Albers said.

Kohn said that Albers treats basketball practices as games, but lifts weights and does strength training on his own.

“He goes 100 percent no matter what and he doesn’t care who gets the credit,” Kohn said. “He can play for fifteen minutes straight, not score, and still be fine. He is truly a person who wants Hagerty to do well.”

Albers has practiced both sports for a while. He has played basketball since

kindergarten and football since the third and participates in mission trips. He is also grade. He is now a wide receiver on the a member of an Amateur Athletic Union football team and finished third among (AAU) basketball team. them in receptions. Though he had a Albers hopes to gain a scholarship for successful football season, he said that either sport. Since he has earned over a 4.0 he prefers basketball because the game GPA, he will have a number of opportunities constantly moves. that athletes do not normally have. Both of Albers excels both in sports and school. Albers’ coaches said that his work ethic Due to his work does not just provide ethic, he has found him with multiple “He goes 100 percent no a balance between accomplishments matter what.” schoolwork and and opportunities, - Josh Kohn two demanding but it also sets an varsity sports. He example. has been able to “When his guard himself from overtraining and yet teammates see him work as hard as he maintains a 4.4 GPA. does, they want to work that hard as well,” “I think that what separates Ethan is Gierke said. not just his desire to play two sports, but Albers is an asset to both the to be great in both sports,” football coach basketball team and the football team.

Nate Gierke said. “He has an outstanding He sets examples for his teammates and work ethic and is the very definition of a demonstrates maturity through hard work ‘student-athlete’.” in everything he does.

Not only does Albers play two major “He is coachable, a great teammate, and varsity sports, but he is involved in his a really good athlete,” Kohn said. “That’s church. He engages in charity work there, rare.”

sports

page 15

February 26, 2010

Compact conditioning weeks strengthen athletes Jacob Calloway

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staff reporter re-season conditioning is an integral part of the preparation process for endurance related sports.

Unfortunately, pre-season conditioning usually ends with the notorious “Hell Week.” A term originally used to describe the five and a half days of continuous conditioning experienced by the Navy SEALS, hell week is now commonly used throughout sports such as lacrosse, baseball and water polo.

The hell week for sports like baseball, lacrosse and water polo is a necessary evil for all those who participate. After school conditioning drains athletes physically, especially when the difficultly level rises exponentially throughout the week.

The athletes experience fatigue which compounds as coaches implement harder exercises on bodies already weakened by the previous day’s conditioning.

Although exhausting, players agree that hell week is essential.

“I think they’re very difficult, but they help us prepare for [the competitive] season. You go from dying after one lap to dying after 70 laps,” senior lacrosse player Nick Siciliano said about the lacrosse version of hell week.

Conditioning is vital to sports that focus around speed, agility and long-distance running. An athlete who can compete on a consistent level is much more effective than one who can hardly breathe as the clock winds down. Stamina must be built up over a long period of time, and is not the number one priority when regular season practice begins. Initially, practice time is limited before the team begins to compete in games.

“We’re not allowed to begin practice until FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) gives us a date, but as a group I try to make sure we’re doing something

before [practice can begin],” head lacrosse coach Mark Ayad said.

Hell week is about more than just physically conditioning players before tryouts and regular season. It is an opportunity for coaches to judge a player’s work ethic and willingness to fight through physically difficult situations.

“People who are willing and try to get better are people you can rely on at tough spots in the season. [The] mental aspect is more important; that’s the hardest thing for coaches to teach,” head baseball coach Jered Goodwin said.

Evaluating a player’s character is difficult to do on the tryout date. A coach is overwhelmed with the multitude of players, trying to document their different skills and abilities in the limited time they have. Hell week allows coaches to examine more than just a player’s raw ability in a more manageable time frame.

“I’m a person who believes that effort

and attitude will make up for lack of ability,” Ayad said.

By spending time with the players outside of the stressful situation during tryouts, coaches get a chance to get acquainted on a more personal basis. With the months of offseason conditioning almost at an end, the athletes push themselves to display their utmost potential. “[The] cream rises to the top because they see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Goodwin said.

It brings out the true drive of the players and establishes the limits of which they are willing to go to achieve the best possible level of conditioning. Coaches and players alike agree that hell week is beneficial in more ways than one.

“I think they’re helpful if the level of difficulty increases. It’s a good way to weed out the people and they make you stronger,” junior water polo player Olivia Kain said.

Extended conditioning programs build endurance Megan Amend

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co-lifestyles editor any athletes dread the prospect of pre-season conditioning, but to coaches, off-season work outs are a necessity. Coaches of all sports implement some form of preseason conditioning in order to prepare their athletes for the upcoming season; however, their methods vary.

“I like how [conditioning] was progressive because it showed improvement,” sophomore varsity lacrosse player Erika Huffman said. “I could look back and know I could do something I couldn’t do last week.”

According to the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, “A conditioning program should begin at a tolerable level of exercise and progress in intensity and volume toward a targeted goal for the individual athlete.”

Girls varsity lacrosse coach Belinda Elmer uses a progressive conditioning schedule for all prospective players prior to lacrosse tryouts. This year, Elmer’s conditioning lasted a total of 12 weeks; however, athletes were responsible for three weeks of individual conditioning due to Thanksgiving and winter breaks.

“Conditioning builds up. I don’t start out ridiculously hard,” Elmer said. “The

whole reason [behind] conditioning is to prevent injuries and improve limits.”

Elmer emphasizes arm, leg, and core workouts throughout her preseason conditioning. She also reminds her athletes to eat well, hydrate constantly, and get plenty of rest. Her goal is to improve the endurance and stamina of her players during the off-season so they are physically prepared for the regular season.

“The girls don’t realize how demanding [the game] is and they don’t expect such rigor,” Elmer said. “You can’t get out there and play if you don’t condition.”

For this reason, Elmer says that girls who attend conditioning prior to tryouts have a better chance of making the team.

Girls’ varsity basketball coach and girls’ junior varsity lacrosse coach Brittany Campbell finds that the girls who are the most dedicated to their sport are willing to attend conditioning. “[Girls] come to get bigger, better, and stronger,” Campbell said. “All of [my players] whine, but they can all do it.”

Campbell works with her basketball players throughout the fall to prepare them for their winter season. Within every week of off-season conditioning, Campbell designates two days to condition, two days to practice and one day to play. She

keeps her players in shape through sprints and long distance running, but she uses stations that are specific to basketball skills as well.

Campbell chooses this method of conditioning because constant training keeps her girls in shape and prevents them from losing strength they have built up.

“I remind them of the rewards of winning if they push themselves,” Campbell said.

Both Elmer and Campbell agree that there is more than just a physical aspect involved. Conditioning also gives athletes the opportunity to push themselves past their limits so they are mentally equipped to overcome any challenges that are presented to them during the regular season.

“Conditioning was both physically and mentally challenging because I had to have the strength to do it and the mindset to get up every day and condition,” Huffman said.

Despite the common complaints from the athletes, many athletes recognize the benefits from the effort they put forth during the off season.

“In the long run [conditioning] helps the team as a whole,” senior varsity lacrosse player Gabby Schiavenato said. “I think it’ll help us beat the more challenging teams that usually beat us in speed.”

page 16

Issue 3

feature

Find a Focus Picture perfect: tale of a teenage artist Kait Moorman

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At a recen t photo sho ot, Amy Ko her friends lberg captu having fun res an clude grad uate Kahre d posing. Models inl C Zajan, junio epeda, sen io rs Conner Smellie, Em r Shelby Sydney To ma Bouton por, and fr , eshman Sh Photos on th annon Top e left by Ka o r. it on the righ Moorman.

All photos t are by Am y Kolberg, of Verb-M as products e photogra phy.

opinions editor our models splatter various colors of paint on a canvas of white mattress sheets. They laugh and play and pose as a photographer captures their colorful happiness on film.

Most people who find an interest in photography do not transform this passion into anything more than a hobby. Junior Amy Kolberg, however, does not fit into this category. Recently, Kolberg began a career in photography. Her primary interest is portrait photography, with a focus on people and fashion.

Kolberg’s photographic interest began three years ago when she first picked up a camera.

“I had no interest in anything in my life at that point. I had no interest in college. I had no drive,” Kolberg said. “I had no inspiration to do anything.”

Kolberg continued to take pictures with her friends throughout the summer and realized that photography had become her passion, one that she would eventually like to turn into a career.

“I love it because I get to be creative and I get to do whatever I want to, no matter how weird. There’s no limit,” Kolberg said.

To express her creativity, Kolberg designs and builds her own sets from scratch for every photo shoot. According to Kolberg, they are “usually very simple,” consisting of two 6x4 foot plywood boards covered by mattress sheets that are decorated to fit the theme of the shoot.

Each photo shoot and corresponding set usually illustrates a message that, according to Kolberg, “pertains to people of this generation.”

Kolberg’s photography often depicts the same people: friends she has named her “models”— specifically, juniors Mattie King and Emma Bouton, senior Shelby Zajan, and Kahrel Cepeda, who graduated from Hagerty last year. “[I like] everything [about modeling]: The creativity, the different themes.

I get to spend time with the group and everyone’s really close to each other,” Cepeda said.

Over the past three years, Kolberg has developed multiple photography websites and her buisness, Verb-Me Photography, has become popular among her peers.

“I like Amy’s photography because her ideas and pictures are realistic, as in she’s not trying to find people that most people would consider ‘model material’— she picks real people who may not necessarily live up to these standards. But she finds beauty in them anyway and uses it to her advantage,” Verb-Me Photography fan junior Sydney Topor said.

Kolberg’s photography goes beyond friends, sets, and photo shoots. She has been paid to be a photographer at weddings and parties and some students have paid her to take their prom pictures.

Marion Paige, a graduate of Winter Springs High School, is glad that she had Kolberg take her prom pictures.

“She’s very sweet and easy to work with. The pictures were lovely,” Paige said.

Kolberg’s photography career began in May 2009. Her first photography job was a sweet sixteen birthday party. Although she prefers the freedom offered through freelance photography, she feels the photography she gets paid for provides a challenge because she must overcome the fact that she does have all the control about the set, lighting, and poses.

“I don’t enjoy doing parties, but I still enjoy the picture aspect of it,” Kolberg said. “I like that I’m getting paid for capturing their memories on film.”

Kolberg’s parents are supportive of her photography and are confident that she can continue in the future.

Her father Kenneth Kolberg said, “[Amy’s] expressed an interest in photography, and I support that 100 percent. It’s a good way for her to express herself.”

Kolberg plans to be a full-time fashion photographer after taking photography classes in college and gaining more experience.

“The first thing I want to do out of college is explore the U.S. doing fashion photography. Eventually, I want to have my own business, my own studio. That way I can do whatever I want, paying whatever I want and have the best models and photographers. That’s my dream,” Kolberg said.

Kolberg has already been accepted into Daytona State College and plans to attend classes there for two years after she graduates from high school. She wishes to transfer to UCF as a photography major.

“Photography isn’t all about pretty pictures. It’s also about sending a message.”

- Amy Kolberg, Verb-Me Photography owner