The BluePrint - Volume 9, Issue 4 by Hagerty Journalism

HAGERTY HIGH SCHOOL

volume 9, issue 4

3225 LOCKWOOD BLVD. OVIEDO, FL 32765

ONLINE

the

blueprint

Go to Hagertyjourn.com for extra content, including:

 ICE Awards cancelled  High honors debate  Kiwanis Project beneﬁts  Eating

in class a distraction

Feb.�19, 2014

Back to Basics

EOCs required for seniors to achieve top diploma option story on page 3

photo by Jake Burton

stories�to�read�this�issue

 PARKING PANIC

Security is cracking down on students who have not purchased parking stickers, earning more students referrals. page 5

 SAM STRONG

The community has rallied behind Sam Wainman’s ﬁght against Lymphoma cancer by hosting ping pong, cornhole and more. page 7

 GOING JANPANESE

Reviews on local Japanese cuisine restaurants will help in the search to ﬁnd the perfect roll of fresh, ﬂavorful sushi. page 9

 TECH SAVY PARENTS

The age of the Flappy Birdplaying, Candy-Crushing, Facebook-updatng, tech-savy parent is here, and it just might ruin your life. page 18



LIFTING THE BAR Girls weightlifting placed in the top three in sectionals and sophomore Olivia Albano heads to the state championship. page 22

2 Hoops 4 Heart scores with success Jessica Jeffers

Opinions Editor

he basketballs hit the ﬂoor on Jan. 24, raising money and awareness about the 56 percent of deaths in student athletes that occur from heart attack, and also overall awareness of the American Heart Association. In order to make students and student athletes more aware, leadership put together events such as the Hoops 4 Heart game and Zumba 4 Heart event. The second annual Hoops 4 Heart game against Lake Mary was held in a gym colorfully decorated with heart monitor lines and posters, and ﬁlled with supporters of the cause, wearing red and cheering on the team. “It was a great experience being able to promote such a great foundation, and it was different because the crowd was larger than

previous games,” shooting guard Isiah Domino said. The game raised money through ticket sales and paper hearts that students could purchase to write the name of a person who had a heart attack or heart disease. Many students and audience members did this to bring awareness of how many people are really effected by lack of heart health and heart awareness. Prior to the game students could also purchase shirts with the event logo “Kohnheads” and Hoops 4 Heart written on the back. Although the team lost to Lake Mary, 50-49, parents and students were able to give to the cause, raising $430 by selling hearts and donations. “We sold a lot of hearts the night of the event, and we also had people going around with donation jars, which raised a lot of money as well, for such a great cause,” junior

what’s news?

FCAT WRITES APPROACHES

The FCAT Writes test will be administered to all sophomores on Thursday, Feb. 25. Freshmen will be required to take a practice version of this test the same day. Photo IDs will be required for all students taking the test, and test locations will be posted outside of the cafeteria and media center.

ROBOTICS FINISHES 13 IN STATE

On Feb. 1, the robotics team traveled to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach to compete in the Florida Robotics Championship. They competed alongside the top 24 teams in the state with hardware and software inspections, qualiﬁcation matches and elimination matches. The team ﬁnished 13.

UNCF ACCEPTS DONATIONS

Seminole County has collaborated with and is seeking donations for the United Negro College Fund, which allows seniors of all racial and ethnic backgrounds to receive scholarships and attend various colleges across the country. Last year, 10 Seminole County seniors took advantage of the UNCF scholarships. Donations of any amount can be made online at http://give. uncf.org/scps.

ASL COMPETES IN WORLD LANGUAGE FESTIVAL

On Saturday, Feb. 8, nine students from the ASL department traveled to Lake Brantley to compete in the annual SCPS World Language Festival. Students of all levels competed in a total of three categories, including Declamation, Impromptu Speaking, Skit and Entertainment. The ASL students all performed a song in the entertainment category following the competitions. Instruction from Renee Geary, Grace Wilken-Yoder and Barbara Chaves, as well as two practices per week since winter break, led to excellent and superior scores.

Rodney Shaw said. The event this year included vendors and a comedic half time show with appearances by the dance team and senior Drew Sullivan. The food truck vendors supplied items from Thai food to juice. The proceeds the trucks raised that night also went to the American Heart Association. The day of the game, there was a pep rally to get students excited for the game. Sullivan, Sean Consentino and Marcos Arroyos danced for the cause, and even gave some previews for the halftime show. The halftime show included the Unleashed dance team with two performances by varsity and JV dancers. Varsity performed a jazz routine while JV performed a Broadway routine. Then Sullivan made a free throw, which won the student section free Huey Magoos for that night.

Even though the event raised money, there was still difﬁculty that was presented the night of the event. There was miscommunication between leadership students and sponsors. Some things were not as perfect as they wanted it to be, but it was an improvement from last year’s game, which had limited decorations and less donations. The night after the Hoops 4 Heart game, leadership also hosted a Spanish style workout for students and faculty - Zumba 4 the Heart. The event lacked attendance because of states cheerleading competition and SAT testing that morning. The events still led to an impactful night, where students came together for a cause. “It impacted me by showing me how much of a supportive school we are when we all come together,” Domino said.

news

Photo by Jamie Benedict

DANCE FOR THE HEART. Senior Sean Consentino dances at the pep rally. Zumba was held the following morning after the basketball game.

Breathing life into education Kallie Delis

Staff Reporter

elect students go out of their way for the opportunity to achieve titles such as a certified lifeguard or babysitter. Others take courses in self-defense, like martial arts and karate. CPR is another important safety skill, but with that talent, one could end up saving a person’s life. Because of the significance of CPR certification, two students, executive board president Lexi Rossow and senior class president Matthew Murray, are pushing for it to be enforced as a graduation requirement. On Thursday, Jan. 23, and Tuesday, Jan. 28, Rossow and Murray presented their proposal of adding CPR into Personal Fitness curriculum to the Seminole County School Board. The school board members will decide whether or not to agree to the students’ pitch to apply CPR to the Personal Fitness curriculum. The representatives are insisting because attaining the ability to perform CPR could help in unexpected high school situations, as well as benefitting

students beyond their educational life. “When 70 percent of American adults are overweight and obese, that leads to high blood pressure and heart issues. It seems only beneficial to add this into our curriculum,” Personal Fitness teacher Josh Kohn said. If the pitch is put into action, then being able to perform CPR will become required. Dummies would be included in the course, and Murray is hoping that the county or American Heart Association could help pay for the required materials. In order to become certified, each student has to properly execute CPR to an instructor. The CPR course will be incorporated into the Personal Fitness curriculum, and since Personal Fitness is already a mandatory credit to have, every student will be exposed to the roughly four hour CPR education program. The fact that all coaches must already be certified to teach CPR makes the implementation of this program much simpler. A teacher, though, would have to become an instructor certified in CPR to be able to certify others. Either that or the county may supply instructors

for the school. However, there are some coaches, like Kohn, who try to go through the class every year. It is encouraged to stay up to date, since a few minor changes have been put into effect over the years. “It doesn’t matter if you’re 16 years old or 56 years old, this

still

helps,”

Kohn

said.

Steps to perform CPR 1. Call 911: See if victim is conscious and breathing normally. 2. Pump: If not conscious or breathing then begin chest compressions. Force your hand down 2 inches in the center of chest and repeat 30 times. 3. Blow: Raise chin, plug nose, and cover the mouth with yours and force your air until you see the chest rise. washington.edu

3 Differences in diplomas cause confusion news Ryan O’Connor

Staff Reporter

he toughest part of getting a high school diploma is usually passing all your classes, but for seniors this year, the toughest part seems to be trying to get the diploma that they want. The school district has offered students four diploma options: SCPS Scholars with Distinction, State Scholars Diploma Pathway, State Standard Diploma Pathway and State Merit Diploma Pathway. However, confusion soon arose between the Scholars with Distinction and State Scholars diplomas, which hold different requirements. The State Scholars is one of the diplomas that the state of Florida offers with the highest requirements and was the diploma that many seniors saw as the best that the school has to offer.

However, the State Scholars was not even an available diploma until November, when it was released to the county principals at a district meeting. “The superintendent of Seminole County Public Schools decided to make the diploma option available to seniors, and principals were told to release the information at an assembly before December was over,” principal Mary Williams said. Williams also said that the district wanted current seniors to take their EOCs in December, but the principals requested more time for students to prepare. The new diploma is causing much of the chaos for seniors. Even though it has the same requirements as the previous diplomas in Math, English, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts and Physical Education credits, the diploma differs on World Languages

where it requires students to have two credits of a foreign language class, and have an unweighted 2.0 GPA. The confusion stems from the GPA requirements, as the State Scholars diploma is viewed as more prestigious than the county Scholars with Distinction diploma, but the GPA for the State Scholars is lower. “The different diplomas are an option as result of what courses students take and what scores they get on EOCs,” guidance counselor Charlotte Barolet said. However, further confusion soon came up between the requirements for State Scholars and Scholars with Distinction and what requirements were needed for which diploma. The details of the county Scholars with Distinction were mentioned freshmen year but many seniors feel that they were not well informed over the years following. Many students

State Standard Diploma Requirements

State Merit Diploma Requirements

*Total of 26 credits *Passing score on FCAT 10 and Algebra I EOC *An unweighted GPA of 2.0

*Announced November 2013 *Total of 26 credits *Passing score on FCAT 10 and Algebra I EOC *An unweighted GPA of 2.0

went through the trials of AP classes thinking they were going to obtain the Scholars with Distinction diploma, only to have the state come out with a new diploma that will require students to take EOCs. These EOCs for many of the seniors are in classes they took freshmen year. “I thought it was kind of ridiculous that they were making all of us retake EOCs if we wanted that sticker,” senior Karina Yap said. Originally the EOCs that the seniors would have to take were going to be held in Decemeber. However, the SCPS principals pointed out that students would not have enough time to prepare for the tests. They decided to offer EOCs in May so that the students would be able to study for classes that many have not had since their freshmen year. “I wasn’t going to try for it cause it seemed kind of unimportant. I just

kind of wish they thought it through more when they set up the diplomas,” senior Paige Bundy said. Another reason that many seniors have been confused about the differences between the two diplomas, State Scholars and Scholars with Distinction, is that the school attempted to explain these options in a January assembly, halfway through their final school year. The school held a meeting which marked the distinctions between all four diplomas and the different classes and tests needed to obtain them. The explanation by the school led many students to see the distinction between the two as only a sticker and and thought it was not worth it to take the EOCs for seniors. “I don’t want to have to take it again just to get a sticker that may or may not mean anything in the future,” senior Jacqlyn Shiery said.

SCPS Scholars with Distinction Requirments

State Scholars Diploma Requirements

* First available to 2014 Graduating *State Standard Diploma Requirements *3 consecutive years of the same foreign language *A weighted GPA of 3.75 or higher *6 credits of AP, DE, or Approved Indudustry Certification *EOC’s not required

*Announced November 2013 *State Standard Diploma Requirements *Two consecutive years of the same foreign language *Passing scores on the Biology and US HIstory EOC *1 credit of AP, DE, or Approved Indudustry Certification

Strict parking policy brings mixed reactions Taylor Ferraro

Staff Reporter

veryone knows about the people who park in the student parking lot without the proper sticker. Many students have come to hate and become annoyed with these so called “rule-breakers.” In the past these offenses were not taken seriously and cars were only marked with an orange warning slip. However, this never scared any of the students because no one was ever ticketed or towed from the parking lot. “It bothers me that some students have to pay a lot of money to have parking privileges while others

can get away with parking for free without any kind of punishment for their actions,” junior Katie Krawczyk said. Students refuse to get the parking pass because it is too expensive or because they feel no one checks for the stickers. But, what they do not know is that the $70 that students pay for the pass also pays for the security guard’s salary and is required to be collected by SCPS. So if students do not pay for a pass, then they are taking away from the salary of an administrator. Although this had been the pattern since the school opened, the policies are now being more seriously enforced. A couple of days before

winter break some of the students who drive to school and pulled into their daily spot without a sticker have been given referrals without any warning. No one has been towed yet. Not every student in the school is so comfortable with the changes going on within the school. Junior Maddie Bohlen was one of the few who was affected. “I think it is completely unfair that I was given an immediate referral for parking without a sticker one time,” Bohlen said. “They should have at least given me some sort of warning first like they normally did in the past with the students who park without a sticker.”

Some of the teachers have been telling students that the parking policy will change next year to let each student have his or her own assigned parking space for the entire year. “This new policy has its pros and cons, but I think that it would make the parking policy more fair to the students who actually follow the rules of the school,” junior Stephanie Steedle said. Principal Mary Williams dismissed all of this gossip and said that the parking policy will remain the same. Students will receive the two warning stickers for parking improperly in result of their first two offenses and after that will be called

into Dr. Cruickshank’s office to be briefed on the current parking policy. If a student then decides to park without a sticker again, then their vehicle will be towed without any further warning from administration and they will have to pay the towing fine. Even though the school’s parking policy may not seem “fair” to some students, there are many reasons why it has been imposed. “Students parking without paying for a sticker is not fair to the students who followed the rules and pay, often creating a scenario where the student who paid cannot find a spot, and leads to an unsafe parking lot situation due to the number of cars,” Williams said.

4 Twirlers spin to ﬁrst place Katie Curley

Staff Reporter

he baton twirling team took ﬁrst place out of a total of 10 high school teams in a competition held at Narcoossee Middle School in St. Cloud on Jan. 11, starting the competition season off on a high note. “We brought a lot of energy and knew the routine well, plus there was only one drop, which is really good for a group routine,” junior Seema Wilku said. With a team consisting only of juniors Isabella Cortes, Natalia Murray, Wilku and sophomore Rachael Tse, they are well under the average of eight members but make a formidable team under the supervision of coach Candace Dowdy. Sponsored by the National Baton Twirling Association, high school, middle school and company teams participated in the competition in Narcoossee. Teams competed in the ﬁrst half of the day in group

competitions, and individuals were held in the second half of the day. As it was a small competition, the team only competed against a few other high school teams. “[We were] very conﬁdent. We didn’t have many nerves,” said Wilku. While most people expect baton twirling would just be twirling and throwing the baton, there is more movement incorporated. Toss cartwheels, toss walkovers and toss leaps are just some of the moves they do. Tossing the baton is also tricky; twirlers have to change the height depending on what trick they are doing. “A lot of people think we just stand there and throw it, but we do a lot more than that,” Cortes, captain of the baton twirling team, said. “We toss it up obviously, but we also have dance moves and gymnastics moves underneath it.” In the past year, the baton twirling team has won ﬁrst place four times in four separate competitions. In 2013 the team went to the Junior Olympics

and won silver; two years ago they won gold. In March, the team will go to a qualiﬁer to compete in order to get a bid for this year’s Junior Olympics in Iowa. The baton twirling team not only participates in competitions, but in parades as well. The most recent one was the Winter Park Christmas Parade in December. However, the biggest and most popular parade they have twirled in was the Memorial Day Parade in downtown Orlando, where there were over a hundred ﬂoats. In this parade they twirled a routine in front of the crowd. On a regular schedule, the baton team holds practice every Monday and Wednesday after school. To further prepare for the competition, extra practices were held every once in a while and the girls were told to practice at home and stay healthy. “We were told to try and stay in shape and go running. Like don’t eat junk food,” said Cortes. The pep rally on Friday, Jan. 24 helped raise awareness for the twirlers. Winning more trophies and

GO HUSKIES! Mathnasium is… Expert Math Tutors Personal Instruction Proven Results Convenient & Affordable Custom Learning Plans Homework Help Test Preparation Summer Programs

$100 OFF Call today to schedule your appointment!

www.mathnasium.com

We Make Math Make Sense ®

Mathnasium of Oviedo 1793 E. Broadway St. Oviedo, FL 32765

(407) 365–MATH (6284)

Offer expires 3/31/14 Valid Only at Mathnasium of Oviedo

www.mathnasium.com

news

photo by Tyler Copeland

JUST KEEP SPINNING. Sophomore Rachael Tse twirls with her team in their ﬁrst pep rally performance of the year. Their routine consisted of a couple drops, gymnastics and dance moves, all of which impressed the crowd.

medals will also contribute to make more people aware and interested in this sport. “I hope for my teammates and I to continue improving so we can

get people to see what baton is all about,” said Cortes. “We want to get more schools to offer baton twirling so we need to show them what we can do.”

things�to�do� this�month

Universal Mardi Gras [Feb. 8 - May 31] Universal Studios Mardi Gras Grand Celebration is on select nights Feb. 8 through May 31. Come enjoy a dazzling parade, beads by the handful and a continued concert line-up. Disney Princess Half Marathon [Feb. 20 - 23] Here is your chance to join the Disney princesses in a weekend of runs in the Most Magical Place on Earth. The events can be signed up for at rundisney.com. Taste of Oviedo [March 8] This annual event features food, live entertainment, a car show and events for the whole family, including ﬁreworks at the close of day. The event is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Oviedo Mall. Miley Cyrus Bangerz Tour [Mar. 24] Come to the Amway center at 7 p.m. to see Miley Cyrus perform her highly anticipated Bangerz tour. The tour kicks off on Valentine’s Day, visiting 38 cities throughout the United States and Canada. Central Florida Fair [Feb. 27 – March 9] The Central Florida Fair on West Colonial Drive has rides and one of the largest livestock shows in Florida. Prices begin at $10.

seminolestate.edu

news

Second annual Art Show showcases artistic variety Jeannie Williams

Staff Reporter

here is only one place where a recreation of a classic Van Gogh painting can be found next to a kiwi wearing pants. The art department’s second annual Student Art show ran from Tuesday, Jan. 28 to Friday, Jan. 31, where works of art from 2-D, 3-D and Digital Art classes were displayed. An assortment of the year’s productions were displayed in the media center for all students to see. Several pieces included in the show had already appeared in other shows such as the Maitland Rotary Art Festival, Seminole County Student Art Show and the Sanford Art Walk. The majority of art shows are not close enough for students to see their peers’ work, so the Student Art Show made it possible for all on campus students to view the work. “It lets them appreciate things. There are band concerts and musicals, but all of our art shows are

off campus except for this one,” art teacher Tess Vallone said. The show was started last year by art teachers in order to have a showcase of all the students had accomplished throughout the school year. Though the show was developed to show off art students’ accomplishments, it also targeted middle school students, particularly eighth graders, who were invited from Jackson Heights and Lawton Chiles Middle Schools. A big part of department recruitment comes from reaching out to the incoming freshmen. The art department originally planned to have the show at the end of the school year but moved it to January, when students begin selecting their classes for the next school year. “What we really wanted was to promote our department and build up numbers,” art teacher Mary Marinel said. An evening opening reception was held Thursday, Jan. 28 to

promote the art show. Teachers wanted their students to be able to interact so they could see what kinds of projects the other classes created. 2-D art students often do not have an opportunity to see the kinds of art 3-D art students produce and viceversa. “I think it helps them [students] to see all the work that’s done in all the art classes,” Vallone said. The majority of art students had work displayed in the media center. Selections were not made by comparing students with one another. Teachers wanted to encourage students to try to do their best with their work and reward effort. The art program offers an opportunity for students with a passion for art to sharpen their art skills and to interact with students with similar interests in AP Art, 2-D Art and 3-D Art classes. “It’s a great way for me to channel my art ideas and to be challenged by other students in the class,” junior Brianna Barrett said.

artwork by Madison McGinley

PAINT WHAT YOU SEE. Senior Madison McGinley’s hallway painting was one of many featured in the media center as part of the second Student Art Show.

New policy impacts attendance, credits Sarah Gibson Staff Reporter eachers and administration agree that attendance last year was far from ideal, which led administration to put a new policy into place for the current year. The policy states that a student is allowed five parent notes and nine unexcused absences in a class per semester. An absence is defined as over five minutes late to a regular period, or over 10 minutes late to a block period. Once absences pass the limit, credit for that course will be denied. As the first semester of school has passed, students have lost credits due to attendence. A total of 70 students have been denied credit in anywhere from one to seven classes, which accounts for 3 percent of the student population. The numbers do not show, however, how many students would have lost credit regardless of attendance, due to a failing grade. “I thought the number would be a little bit higher, but I think we did a really good job getting the

information out to the students, parents, and community at large about the attendance policy and the consequences. I’m not surprised at all by the number that lost credit,” Administrative Assistant Jesse Walker said. Many students did not take the policy seriously because in years past, the policy was not enforced. Students believed they could miss class after class, as long as they made up assignments on their own time. “I think it’s stupid. If you earn a good enough grade to pass the class, you shouldn’t lose credit just because of absences,” senior Nick Brizendine said. According to some students, the attendance system seems to be disorganized. Notes have been lost, and students have been mistakenly denied credit. “They thought I had a bunch of unexcused absences. I wasn’t getting credit because they lost my notes, and then they found them after we called multiple times,” sophomore Zach Mattzinger said. In regards to sports, the loss of

credit does not affect participation. The grade earned for the course is still factored into a student’s GPA, only the credit itself is lost. “The grade doesn’t show up as an F; the student just doesn’t receive credit. As long as the grade earned still measures up to a 2.0 GPA, the student can participate in sports and other activities,” athletic director Jay Getty said. Conflicting opinions still spread across campus between students and teachers, however teachers have been seeing positive results. “I love it. The attendance has dramatically increased which falls right into students doing better in class,” English teacher Helen Reed said. Administration believes the new enforced attendance policy is proving to be successful in keeping students in school. “The policy has been successful because more students are coming to class, whereas before, they didn’t feel the need. Now having had their credit denied, students are more likely to be here on campus,” Walker said.

lifestyles

STAY SAMSTRONG SERIOUSLY STRONG. On the day before winter break, a Ping Pong tournament was hosted in the old gym raising awareness and funds for Sam Wainman. Junior Chris Carpenter won the tournament and all proceeds went to Sam’s family.

Lexi Rossow

“I

Managing Editor

t was one of those what-if moments,” sophomore Madeline Kemper said. “Like what if this happened to someone and then, it did.” What if a sophomore student found a large lump under his arm that turned out to be an enlarged lymph node? What if, when tested, the lymph node contained cancerous cells after it was removed in surgery? What if a healthy young man who played football and lacrosse, participated in Leadership and enrolled in multiple AP classes, was diagnosed with Stage 3 Lymphoma cancer over Thanksgiving break of his second year in high school? Sophomore Sam Wainman has already undergone three rounds of chemotherapy since discovering he had cancer in November. This sudden diagnosis caught his family, his friends and everyone who knew him by surprise, but just like the “strong family” they are, the Wainmans have dealt with the shock well. The rest of the community has also jumped into action to help. Though Sam is doing well and keeps up with his classes, the process is draining. “I’m always tired now,” Sam

said, referring to the chemotherapy treatments. Across social media, Lucas Wainman, Sam Wainman’s older brother, started hashtaging “#teamwainman” and it exploded across Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Tom Wainman, Sam Wainman’s father, started a website to keep all of the family and friends educated throughout their journey to recovery. He updates the website as often as possible, and adds pictures and links Tweets of all the friends and family sending love from across the Internet using the hashtag “#teamwainman” to connect the website. The community and his family refuse to leave Sam to battle this cancer alone. “Even people from my high school are reaching out,” Tom Wainman said, “through the website, Twitter and Facebook.” Senior Cory Faiello hosted a PingPong tournament in the old gym the day before winter break while Leadership sold green t-shirts with the words “Stay Strong for Sam” on the front and the hashtag “#teamwainman” on the back. All proceeds were returned back to the Wainman family for medical expenses, and they have been more than thankful

for all the support. Students have been deeply touched by Sam’s story, such as senior Meghan Fuerst, who made a letter box for people to put uplifting letters in. Sophomore Rhett Wilson set up a large banner in the media center and cafeteria to sign and write notes to Sam Wainman. “Sam is my best friend and my dad was diagnosed with cancer as well, so it has really touched me,” Wilson said. The banner will be hung at the first lacrosse game of the season, and when he does return to school after chemotherapy, Sam Wainman will have a welcome banner to greet him. Friends have collaborated efforts to get Sam his homework from his various AP and honors classes, so he does not fall too far behind. The Hagerty community has not been the only part of Oviedo helping out “Team Wainman.” Friends of his older siblings who both go to college far from home have sent love over the distance. “A lot of Lucas’ and Lyndsay’s friends have been deeply affected,” Sam’s mother Kim Wainman said. “He is like their little brother too.” Alumni Austin Wilson and a friend of Lucas Wainman organized a cornhole tournament to raise funds, and alumni Ethan Albers, along with other friends, have shaved their heads in support for Sam. Lyndsay, Sam’s sister, had 200 of her sorority sisters purchase wristbands, whom wear them daily. “Watching the community come together over Sam, I think it shows that just because you don’t know somebody personally doesn’t mean you can’t care,” Wilson said. The Wainmans have been supported by the community through fundraisers and kind acts. Sam only has three more chemotherapy rounds to go through , but he is also now performing an experimental study with a new medicine that should lower the effects of the chemotherapy. “I don’t think there will ever be a time we’ll worry about him not making it, it’s just how it’s going to affect him for the rest of his life,” Kemper, his girlfriend, said, “You’re never technically cured of it, but there’s not going to be a good chance of it ever coming back.”

Home Jeff Driskel @jeffdriskel Good luck to @samuelwainman as he battles through these tough times. You have a lot of people in your corner. #teamwainman Christian O’Rourke @ChristianO_5 Playin for my bro Sam today! #teamWainman #Samstrong @samuelwainman

Blake Bortles @BBortles5 S/O to my boy @samuelwainman just diagnosised with lymphoma and is no doubt going to beat it! #teamwainman #samstrong Christy Bryce @christy_bryce These kids continue to amaze me with how they support their own. #teamwainman

#TEAMWAINMAN

The Twitter trend “#teamwainman” was started by Sam Wainman’s older brother Lucas Wainman and his father, Tom Wainman. Once it began, the trend exploded over the Oviedo community and brought social media attention to Sam Wainman’s illness. The benefit Ping Pong tournament originated completely on Twitter between seniors Cory Faiello and Joe Marinelli.

8 That sounds familiar... Random acts of whales Matilda von Kalm Editor-In-Chief nly in Florida could the temperatures be high enough Christmas Eve for the large woman sitting in front of me to pass out from heat exposure in a SeaWorld show arena. At first I ignored her complaints about the heat and focused more on how her small child kept smacking me in the face with his Shamu balloon. Soon another man turned around to the large woman to see if she could get the him to stop. “Leave me alone,” his mom said. “I can’t do anything about it, I’m going to pass out.” I looked down at the man in front of her to confirm with someone else what I thought I had just heard. The man looked at her, still annoyed, and turned back around to enjoy the show. Honestly, that was my first reaction, too. It stemmed back from what I had always been taught; don’t involve yourself unless the person is worth involving yourself for. She was not anyone I had ever met before. Was I willing to pretend nothing had or would happen? My dad wasn’t. He was the only one who rushed to her aid, calling over the paramedics. He didn’t think it was a wasted effort to help out a stranger. When was the last time I had really gone out of my way to help a stranger? Random acts of kindness don’t all have to be saving lives. Just telling someone you like their hair can turn their day around. You never know how you might be repaid either. Turns out the lady we helped out had Disney tickets and passed them on to my dad. Plus, our family totally got a “thanks a lot” flipper wave from Shamu. Or maybe it was just a different flipping gesture toward me.

lifestyles

Online resources ignite problems Haley Gaeser

Lifestyles Editor hile browsing the Internet in search of extra information for a first semester exam, a student was able to get their hands on the answers to the AP Environmental exam. The student was searching for a website to help study, but instead, found a lot more than they bargained for.. The student found an online review which contained the majority of the questions and answers from the actual semester exam that AP Environmental teacher Yvette Pigott was planning to give out to her students. She threatened to change the test last minute but chose not to after she found out the student found the information online rather than stealing them off her desk as she initially thought. This incident was not the first of its kind to happen this year. AP Government teacher Matt Malkovich had the same issue with his semester exam where students were able to get their hands on the answers through the use of the Internet. AP exams go online three years after they have been administered, allowing anyone the chance to see them. The answers for the exam questions were released at a later date, which is why students were able to get the answers. As much as teachers have tried to put a stop to cheating, there will always be someone able to break the barrier and get away with it. With all the technology available to students as resources, they essentially have more opportunity to find all the things they do. “The way I look at it, cheating has evolved with social media,” Malkovich said. “Students used to copy papers, now they take pictures with their phones.” The real question is where is the line for cheating drawn? Should it be the teacher’s fault for not making up a new test or the student’s fault for using the information? “If a teacher does not do their best to create

original exams then it is their fault,” APUSH and standard United States History teacher Craig Johnson said. “Although it does hurt the students because if they are just searching for the answer, they are going to miss the bigger picture.” The consequences for students found cheating can involve a call home, a written referral and an invalidation of their test. Cheating also alters class averages as some teachers give curves to low scoring tests so if a student were to go above the norm and score high, the rest of the class would not receive the added bonus. While not every situation ends up with this as a result, students often lose the teacher’s respect and give themselves a bad reputation. Tests are not the only thing students use the Internet for. There are a variety of websites available to help students with their homework, such as ocs.cnyric.org for AP Psychology and quizlet for AP United States History. Both websites, give detailed answers to homework questions. Quizlet is more often used for quizzes where if you type a question into Google, the answer will appear on ﬂashcards on the quizlet website. The accessibility for students on these sites makes even the hardest take-home test or homework assignment that much simpler. “The online website is incredibly useful. It helps me stay on track instead of just guessing and not understanding the chapter,” junior Annie Raby said. “If we have helpful resources to help our learning and understanding then we should use them to our advantage.” Due to test banks, keeping test answers a secret is near impossible for teachers as they themselves have even come across a lot of the test information online. The only thing they can do is to create multiple tests last minute and to scramble up the multiple choice as best as they can. “In this day in age, students want everything to magically appear on Google search,” Malkovich said. “The way I see it, the critical thinking era has come to an end.”

Common “Resource” Websites:

ocs.cnyric.org: created by Onondaga Central Schools which contains almost all AP Psychology homework questions with their answers

quizlet.com: User-generated website which

allows anyone to upload “ﬂashcards”, many of which pertain to AP U.S. History

lifestyles

in ork

o use SparkNotes or to actually read the book? That often is the question among students when a new book is assigned in English class. With the many online tools readily available, it seems to be an easy choice whether or not to actually read the book or to just read a quick summary on SparkNotes. SparkNotes was originally created in 1999 as a study guide of sorts for Harvard students. Now, SparkNotes is full of online chapter summaries, paragraphs explaining the overall plot, character analysis and even quizzes at the end to “test your knowledge.” “SparkNotes is a resource in its simplest form,” English IV Honors and AP Literature teacher Heather Bent said. “It can be useful, but sometimes I think it dumbs down things way too much.” But does just reading SparkNotes end up doing more harm than good? “I feel like you’re cheating yourself if you just read SparkNotes,” sophomore Madeline Schmitz said. “I don’t mind when other people use them, but I would never personally read them.” Teachers have to ensure that their tests and quizzes have to be an equal amount of detailoriented and plot-based questions. SparkNotes just provides a general idea about a book and leaves the student without much detail. In

getting passing grades on their quizzes and tests just by reading SparkNotes. “I usually get all A’s on the tests and quizzes [without reading the book] because SparkNotes gives me a good enough understanding of what is going on in the book, but I do not get perfect scores all the time; sometimes I need more details,” senior Sarah Whipple said. While juniors and seniors are familiar with the site, few freshman or sophomore students know what SparkNotes are. This could be because they have not had an encounter yet with a book that they dread when they simply crack open their backpack for a piece of paper. “I do know what SparkNotes are; sometimes my teacher endorses them since she says that they are a good way to study,” freshman Hannah Kelley said. “Not many of my classmates use them or know what they are, but I have found that SparkNotes really do help when I am out of time or when I do not understand something.”

en S

Staff Reporter

sink their grade quicker than the Titanic. On the other hand, some students look to SparkNotes as a clariﬁcation tool not because they had lack of motivation or time but to help them better understand what they have just read. “If I don’t understand what I’ve read, it’s easy and only one click away and I can get a quick summary,” junior Amanda Moberg said. It is a split decision whether or not teachers condone the use of SparkNotes. They are a helpful tool but only when used for clearing up a questioned topic during a time crunch. Certainly it is not suggested to have all knowledge based off of what is read on SparkNotes. “I think that if they use it as a tool it is ﬁne, in my opinion, if the student reads the chapter summary on SparkNotes and then reads the chapter [to clarify] afterwards,” English IV Standard and AP Literature teacher Vicki Browne said. “Because I promise you that they will not pass my quiz if they just read SparkNotes.” However, many students get by without reading the book. They end up

hic by B

Sam Sorkin

more demanding classes, students need more information than would be found in a “short and sweet” summary. “Freshman and sophomore year, I didn’t even read the books, I just read SparkNotes,” senior Kelly Carpenter said. “During junior and senior year I started actually reading the books since in AP, the discussions are in depth and you won’t know what you are talking about if you don’t actually read the book.” Socratic circles and other class discussions also require a deep knowledge of the book for full participation. Plot-based summaries typically do not help the student fully understand what is going on in the book. Books eventually become harder to comprehend from just a plot based view; further analysis is required to get the full aspect of the book. If a student comes into a discussion with little to no detailed information, they may seem like they do not know much about the book. “I think SparkNotes used to help me if I needed a general idea, but now that I am in more advanced classes they expect you to know more about the book and read the text more in depth because otherwise it really doesn’t cut it,” senior Anna Diatzikis said. Whatever level students are, whether standard, honors or AP, they are all required to read books of varying levels of difﬁculty. As students move on into college level AP classes or higher level honors classes, they are expected to read more at a quicker rate than students who may have chosen a standard English class. “It might just be ‘senioritis’ but I have had little motivation to read the books sometimes when they are assigned in class,” Diatzikis said. “During freshman and sophomore year, I could read SparkNotes and get as on all of my tests, but if I continued [just reading SparkNotes junior and senior year], I would obviously fail.” Juniors and seniors are coming into the ﬁnal stretch of their public school careers so they might have to have more than a little push to read their assigned books. Cue the extra credit book checks during class and pop quizzes. The last thing a student wants is a pile of zeroes in the grade book to

gra p

Sparking a Debate

SParkNotes serves as resource, crutch for class texts

lifestyles 10 Hospital volunteer learns more than medicine Ellie Bonck

Staff Reporter

or the average student, volunteer opportunities to earn Bright Futures hours usually include the animal shelter or the nearest elementary school. But for sophomore Elizabeth Smith, it is quite different. On the list of approved programs, she was looking at the volunteer opportunities at hospitals and stumbled upon the Arnold Palmer Hospital Teen Volunteer Program. Unlike other programs, her hours are spent caring

for sick individuals. Once a week for four hours, Smith volunteers at the Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in the neurology and orthopedic departments. She gets to help patients with problems ranging from seizures to broken bones. Smith works with the nurses to sort donated clothes and snacks, and to deliver socks, blankets and pillows to the patients who need them, helping to provide a rare moment of comfort in their lives. “I love when patients seem so happy when they get their favorite food or a good movie and I like that

I am able to help them,” Smith said. In order to volunteer at Arnold Palmer, students must apply, and 40 percent of those who apply are accepted. Teens must submit an application, along with their transcripts and recommendation letters. If applicants make it past the first step, the last step is an interview to decide if they are right for the internship. After Smith was selected, she attended orientation the next week and then began her internship. “When I was brand new I had no idea what to do. So I was very intimidated to ask questions, but then

I realized the only way I was going to learn was to ask,“ Smith said. Every Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Smith provides assistance to the patients and nurses of Arnold Palmer. The uniform, including khakis and a polo, would not be her first outfit choice, but that is one of the few things she dislikes. She also recieves free meals while on shift. During the summer, she will be able to extend these hours to either one eight-hour shift a week or two four-hour shifts. “It is inconvenient during school, but I love it,” Smith said. During one of her shifts, Smith

are once again engaged in the lurring temptaions of technology. “With my iPhone, there is definitely the thought on my mind that I can do something else when I’m bored,” junior Catie Mason said. “I always have my phone on my desk; it’s like my child.” Despite the increase in cell phone usage for academic purposes, possessing a cell phone for a nonacademic reason is not taken lightly. According to administration, in the past school year a total of 72 referrals have been written up for cell phone usage. Secretary Lisa Ryan has witnessed these numerous referrals throughout the course of the year, but still believes technology should be embraced “I like the idea of incorporating cell phones into the classroom, however, when you’re done they need to go away,” video production teacher Donna Parker said. “That’s where the line is blurred and the

students feel like they can have their phones out all the time.” This “blurred” line has resulted in multiple student/teacher mix ups. In every classroom, different teachers handle cell phone usage based on what works best for them. Students simply have to adapt to the different policies in every class, accepting when they have to put their phones away. “Having a cell phone is kind of like a double edged sword,” junior Kelly Broderick said. “In some classes, I can literally watch Netflix all period while in others I know I’d get a detention if I even took it out.” Similar to every rule, the line drawn for cell phone usage continues to be tested. Despite this, the policy remains the same: Cell phones may be used in class for educational purposes only. “Unfortunately, cell phone usage has become a reflective lack of etiquette in our society,” English teacher Lisa Gendreau said.

(180) DAYS OF TEXTING. Seniors Chad Russell and Gunner Lambert take advantage of using their cell phones during class. Cell phones have become a major part of a student’s life in the classroom.

Phone usage creates blurred lines Adeline Davis

Back Page Editor

wenty years ago, distracted students doodled or passed notes on crinkled pieces of notebook paper. Now, if students find themselves bored out of their minds, they can text, play Candy Crush, Snapchat, or surf the Internet with just a swipe of a finger. The student code of conduct states that any “disruptive and inappropriate exposure/use of cell phones, text messaging or web access” is considered device misuse. However, it also states the “principals at each school have the option of permitting wireless/electronic devices for instructional purposes.” In order to better engage their students, teachers have begun to incorporate cell phone usage into their everyday lesson plans. For example, AP Lang students are frequently permitted to look up quotes on Google or participate in extra credit races to see who can look synonyms up the fastest. Naturally, these activities help make the class more engaging; however, cell phone usage can quickly go from being “instructional” to “disruptive” or “inappropriate.” The initial temptation cell phones possess for students has proven to be nearly overpowering. Once students open up the Internet browser in class, they start to venture off onto sites like Netflix, Pinterest or Facebook. In less than 10 seconds, their brains

had to take one of the patients down to the lobby to go home. Smith was able to meet the family who was very thankful, and Smith now maintains a friendship with the patient. Another one of the patients Smith has maintained a friendship with attends Apopka High School. The two eat lunch together every week, and share the similarities and differences between life at the two different high schools. While she does perform minimal tasks, Smith gets the opportunity to explore the career field, and one day hopes to enter the field of nursing.

lifestyles

Self-ie Expression Sophie Hill

Staff Reporter

elfies have exploded from sideline photos to primetime features on social media accounts spanning across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The popular picture stereotype, originally known as any photo of yourself taken by yourself, has expanded to include a multitude of categories known through their partnering poses, hashtags, emojiis and comments. “When it comes to selfies its rare to find one that’s unique. There’s the dressing room selfies and car selfies and ‘I don’t want to be here’ selfies,” junior Jenna Bakke said. “Then there’s the duck face selfies, the #nomakeup selfies, and, of course, the bathing suit mirror selfies.” But has the influx of billions of selfies on the Internet caused the selfie to lose its appeal? “I love selfies and take plenty of them to carry conversations and have a laugh with my friends,” junior Amanda Moberg said. “I want to see you for you and while a ton of selfies will definitely make me judge you, I still want to see your face and I want you to see my face.” The selfie spree, spanning from its Australian-forum birthplace to present day, has gained so much hype that Oxford English dictionary not only added the word to the ranks of Oxford’s collegiate dictionaries, but, named it as 2013’s word of the year, causing controversy across genders and generations. “It’s wrong that [selfie] is a word and honestly there are better words to describe 2013 than selfie,” sophomore Paige Peterson said.

“Portrait is a word. A self-portrait is a thing. But selfies are just a no.” So has the selfie lost its appeal in the new year because teens do not think much about the quick snaps of egocentrism through the front camera on their smart phones and tablets? “Selfies are a form of art, a form of expression. They’ve become such a big part of our culture because they reflect how our generation chooses to express ourselves,” sophomore Cameron Yap said. “Everyone takes selfies because selfies are a great way for people to relate to each other.” Selfie-takers like sophomore Mackenzie Scroggs and Moberg agree that selfies are a way for people to laugh together and become closer. “I know that when I feel ugly I like to take tons of silly selfies to remind myself that it’s ok to be who I am,” sophomore Mackenzie Scroggs said. But the epitome of selfie sharing began in November when the selfie Olympics rocked Twitter and continues to rack of millions of uploads under its hashtag, as a way to pass time until the Sochi Olympics. It began as a trend where participants took the most ridiculous selfie possible in their bathroom or bedroom mirror, but has escalated to include antics with the Pope, poses with the president and actual Olympic athletes snapping selfies between events. Junior Isaac Sprang claims the selfie Olympics are all about stretching the selfie to epic proportions to ensure the selfie never loses its novelty. “Selfies are timeless. [They] are straight up a way to communicate and have fun and that will never grow old.”

Selfie Spree

From Top to Bottom:

American History teacher Craig Johnson fakes an angry selfie. Senior Sarah Antinucci snaps a selfie to celebrate the season. Senior Delisia Bromfield and Environmental Science teacher Mark Pooler pause class for a quick selfie. Sophomore Cameron Yap captures his towel turban to share with friends.

12 So

middle

APPLES APPLES OF OF DISCORD DISCORD

De si g

lay

middle

TEACHER EVALUATIONS UNDER RADICAL CHANGE Matilda von Kalm Editor -in-Chief

“It seems no one knows where the new evaluation system is going from here.” - MARY WILLIAMS

lorida teachers used to be evaluated based on their respective school’s FCAT scores. This determined the effectiveness of both the school and individual teachers, regardless of which teachers taught students who actually took the FCAT. “Teachers who taught twelfth grade curriculum were evaluated as effective or not effective based off of how freshmen and sophomores did on the FCAT,” AP Statistics teacher Lauren DiNapoli said. “The system wasn’t reflective of teachers who didn’t teach FCAT benchmarks.” Now a new evaluation system is taking shape, handed down from the state and interpreted by the districts; one which encourages more specific evaluations of individual school subjects through End-of-Course testing. In this evaluation system, every course offered will have its own EOC exam, which, when graded, will be compared to the results of the same course in other schools around the state. How the teacher compares to all the teachers who teach his or her subject will determine his or her effectiveness in the classroom. If a teacher cannot improve their effectiveness in three years, they could potentially have their teaching certificate revoked. “The new evaluation system is connected with the emphasis put on the new Common Core standards so that a student’s grades in Florida are as valid as in any other state,” principal

Mary Williams said. Williams also said that the new system encourages merit-based pay, meaning that a teacher who is evaluated as “very effective” for their subject would be paid more than a teacher who is evaluated as “effective” for the same subject area. However, many classes currently do not have EOCs for the subject taught, making it impossible for those teachers to be evaluated on the same scale. Because of this, teachers this school year who were not handed down EOCs from the state were required to come up with their own final exam to serve as a transition into next year, where every class will theoretically have an EOC. Instead of being compared statewide, however, non-EOC exams will be compared throughout the school’s respective district. “The final exam requirement made me nervous because my final exam now evaluates both me and my students,” first-year teacher Justin Roberts said. “These new rules are demanding on teachers.” Advanced placement classes will be evaluated differently as well. This year, AP teachers will create their own final exams for evaluation. Next year, however, AP teachers will be evaluated based on how their students perform on the Advanced Placement test at the end of the year. Though the AP tests will affect teachers, students will continue to have no negative consequences, other than not receiving college credit, by failing to pass their exam. “It’s frustrating because as a teacher you want your students to do

well, but the students should have some accountability,” DiNapoli said. “AP teachers are going to have to start weeding out kids from their class that don’t have a good chance of passing the exam.” One of the biggest issues with the new evaluation system is how to evaluate school employees who are considered teachers but do not have a regular classroom setting. Currently, the method of their evaluation, and consequently their pay, is set by the Florida Department of Education as “to be announced.” “Though I’m not a traditional teacher, I collaborate and work with teachers; I view the school as my classroom,” media center director Po Dickenson said. “I agree that the previous evaluation system needed an update, but when a system comes down that doesn’t reﬂect every teacher’s worth, it makes you feel like everything you’ve done is not enough.” Though this year is a transitional period between the former FCAT evaluations and the future EOC evaluations, the exact dynamics and methods of next year’s teacher evaluations and merit-based pay are still obscure. “As a district, we work hard to educate our kids with dedicated and loyal employees,” Williams said. “I hope the new evaluation system becomes clearer before next year, because there does seem to be a lot of confusion. We accept that things change continuously with education standards, but it seems no one knows where the new evaluation system is going from here.”

53% $59MILLION MILLION

the passing rate for the Agebra I EOC

2011

The cost of the Pearson standardized tests that will be potentially implemented throughout Florida schools next year.

STUDY STUDY HALL HALL One of the courses eliminated from the curriculum of high schools because of its lack of a teacher evaluation system.

350++

The number of courses that now need some sort of final exam created.

Data collected from “The Ramiﬁcations of Standardized Testing on our Public Schools.”

12 So

middle

APPLES APPLES OF OF DISCORD DISCORD

De si g

lay

middle

TEACHER EVALUATIONS UNDER RADICAL CHANGE Matilda von Kalm Editor -in-Chief

“It seems no one knows where the new evaluation system is going from here.” - MARY WILLIAMS

53% $59MILLION MILLION

the passing rate for the Agebra I EOC

2011

The cost of the Pearson standardized tests that will be potentially implemented throughout Florida schools next year.

STUDY STUDY HALL HALL One of the courses eliminated from the curriculum of high schools because of its lack of a teacher evaluation system.

350++

The number of courses that now need some sort of final exam created.

Data collected from “The Ramiﬁcations of Standardized Testing on our Public Schools.”

POLL:

student connection Twitter Feed Do you know how to perform CPR?

Yes:

High school students do not usually put learning CPR at the top of their to-do list. They do not expect anyone around them to go into cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrests can happen to anyone at anytime. According to the American Heart Association, 5800 kids under the age of 18 go into cardiac arrest each year, and between .001 and .28 percent of 100,000 high school athletes die from cardiac arrest each year. To get certiﬁed for CPR, students can either take a class online or get certiﬁed at American Red Cross centers. Learning CPR could help save the life of a loved one.

No:

34%

66%

100 people surveyed graphic by Kate Cousins

SOMETHING OF INTEREST Origami Dog

Start with a square piece of paper and fold it along the diagonal to make a triangle.

Time: 2 to 5 minutes Junior Steven Carolus goes against the normal hobbies and gets involved with the art of origami.

Fold that corners together to create a crease and then fold the dog ears down using the crease as a guideline.

Fold the top and bottom of the head and once the dog is done, add eyes and a mouth!

“It is just something fun that I happened to pick up one day. I like it because it’s amazing what you can make with a simple piece of blank paper.” Steven Carolus, 11

Diploma Changes

“Soo I have to take an exam over a course I took 3 three years ago. Makes sense.” senior Danielle Miller @ItssDaniellee “Diploma with distinction gets you… ..A STICKER” junior David Crider @davidcrider

Anti-Bully Week “Be you. Don’t let anybody tell you differently. #huskyfamily” freshman Kara Scott @kscott608 “All of you are beautiful #Huskyfamily” sophomore Emily Elwood @emilyelwood_

Food Cravings “Waking up to Chick Fil A breakfast and Netﬂix. Yeah, I guess you could say it’s a pretty great morning” junior Isabella Cortes @bella_cortes5 “Chipotle deﬁnes food baby” senior Brian Pak @minginotminjee

Inspirational Moments “The thing about failure is that it can destroy you, or make you so mad that you work harder to become the winner you know you are” junior Savanah Courtney @savcourtney “Extraordinary things only happen to extraordinary people, so maybe you’ve got an extraordinary destiny” junior Lilly Van Sickle @LillyVans23 “I’m not going to chase you, if you want me then ﬁght for me.” junior Sophie Maguire @Sophiemaguire8

student connection “Eve” McKenna Calabro, 12 “I wanted to combine a religious concept with a modern idea such as feminism.”

Art Corner “Self portrait with hands” Hayley Boulicault, 11 “I made it so that the colors would show contrast against the black and white face.”

“Trinity” Brianna Barrett, 11 “The cross and the green grass and the blue sky represents the pure Irish Catholics, while the British flag is trying to smother it as they industrialize.”

“Spring Tree” Rachel Plescha, 12 “It was based off of a Van Gogh painting.”

Check it out 94 Seconds

A look at what’s hot in apps, videos and technology

Mom Song 60 (Old Spice)

94 Seconds is a timed quiz “Mom Song 60” is a Youtube app. The player must video promoting Old provide a word that Spice. It tells the story of coincides with the given despairing mothers losing topic and required beginning their sons to girlfriends letter. It provides 94 seconds because of the boys’ new, to come up with as many ‘manly’ smell. The mothers corresponding words as also follow their sons possible. This app is around, going undercover available on iPhone and regardless of how ridiculous Android. it may seem. It has had over 7 million views. Lauren Neldner, 10 “It’s a fun game and it Hannah VanBuren, 9 makes you think on your “It’s absolutely bizarre, but toes.” it’s funny nonetheless.”

Flappy Bird

Breaking Bad

Quiz Up

Flappy Bird was a game that focused on a disproportionate bird flying through obstacles that doubled as levels in the game. When you passed Quiz Up is a trivia game that safely through each Mario-like has over 250 topics to choose pipe, a small number at the from. Each theme contains top of the screen increased, multiple quizzes for the player showing the player’s score. to take. You can challenge Flappy Bird was released your friends or simply be in May of last year, only matched up with a stranger. As booming in popularity recently you gain points from until its deletion Febuary 9. correctly answering questions, There are now spin-off games you progress to higher levels like Squishy Bird and Iron within that category. Pants. Blake Vanover, 12 “Quiz up is a quick, entertaining game that helps the time pass when you’re bored.”

Lauren Culbreth, 10 “It’s infuriating but I just can’t stop playing. It is so addictive.”

On Feb. 28, the final eight Breaking Bad episodes will be coming to Netflix. People have been raving over this series, especially the grand finale they had been waiting for. The show follows a high school chemistry teacher turned methdealer and his previous student assisting with the finding of clients. However, be warned, because the show contains intense drug-related and adult themes. Madeline Bohlen, 11 “My excitement can’t be described; I almost cried when I went to watch season six on Netflix and it wasn’t there.”

Queen of the Hill

Thanks for the love, Mom Sophie Hill

Staff reporter

Nothing had ever made me feel like more of a loser than opening the annual heart-shaped box of chocolates from my mom accompanied by a sticky note hastily inscribed with the words, ‘you’ll always be my valentine xoxo.’ It’s a yearly tradition, which at first started out as a cute way to get fiveyear-old-me happy on Hearts Day, but, has now turned into a pathetic excuse for me to eat my loneliness in the form of caramel-filled pockets of broken dreams. It’s the yearly tradition of Valentine’s Day, probably the lamest, most commercialized glob of hooey that has ever taken center stage in the realm of modern holidays. It’s a day where girls, including me, always hope for a bundle of flowers from that super-special someone, and are let down year and year again. It’s a day where guys are pressured into buying overlypriced pink crap that sits on the shelves of ungrateful, overly attached girlfriends for weeks on end until it’s eventually thrown away when the entire relationship crumbles. It’s a day where we all hope something special happens, when, in fact, we all secretly know that Valentine’s Day sucks. And it seems this year like every year we resolved to not care or not get our hopes up for not be single on Valentine’s Day when, in fact, the holiday never fails to be a cheap way for stores to rob us of the money we hastily borrowed from our parents the night before. But I guess at the end of the day spending Single’s Awareness Day over a box of chocolates from my mom wasn’t that embarrassing. I’m glad to know someone always there for me, whether or not its February, and whether or not my sweatpants match my t-shirt. So thanks to my mother, who sings ‘my milkshakes bring all the boys to yard’ when she makes dinner, and thanks to my best friend, who reads as avidly as I do, for having been my valentine this year. Just know that next year I’m totally ditching you two for the first guy that asks me out so I never have to spend another high school Valentine’s Day single.

opinions

the

blueprint

Hagerty High School 3225 Lockwood Blvd. Oviedo, FL 32765 Telephone: (407) 871-0750 Fax: (407) 871-0817

The Blue Print is a student-produced newspaper in which the student editors make all content decisions. The newspaper belongs to the Columbia Scholastic Editor-in-Chief Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association and the Florida Matilda Von Kolm Scholastic Press Association. Opinions expressed within the newspaper do not represent the staff’s views as Managing Editor Lexi Rossow a whole (except for the Our take), the views of Seminole County Public Schools, or Hagerty High School’s administration and staff. For more information about advertising in the paper, please contact the staff at Business Manager Madeline Kemper hagertyjourn@gmail.com. We reserve the right to reject any advertisement.

Designer Specialist Staff Reporters Ellie Bonck Adeline Davis Sarah Gibson Sports Editor Jeannie Williams Spencer Thompson Kallie Delis Reviews Editor Katie Curley Madison Garr Winnie Meyer Ryan O’Connor Photo Editor Opinions Editor Nathaniel Kauffman Jake Burton Jessica Jeffers Ben Clyatt Student Connection Sophie Hill News Editor Lauren Lee Taylor Ferraro Daniella Parcell Graphics Editor Kate Cousins Ben Sorkin Sam Sorkin Lifestyles Editor Adviser Principal Haley Gaeser Brit Taylor Mary Williams

Our�take: State scholars diploma unfair

hough Florida schools are adept to dealing with changes in policy, the new rule concerning requirements for the State Scholars Diploma was not dealt with effectively, especially for seniors. The new policy, which comes from the state, says that in order to receive a State Scholars diploma, students must have passed the Algebra I, Biology and US History EOC was put into effect halfway through this school year. An orientation explained the requirements of the different diplomas that students could receive after completing their senior year, but because the EOC

requirement was explained so late in the current senior class’s year, there was little seniors could do to earn the top diploma. Furthermore, at no point throughout the conception of EOCs, during the current seniors’ sophomore and junior years, were the new EOC requirements for the new State Scholars diploma brought up to the class of 2014. Seniors were ﬁrst alerted of the new EOC requirements in January of this year, when it was too late for most to be taking any of the classes that currently require EOCs. Seniors were then told that if they wanted to receive the State Scholars diploma, their only option was to go

back and take the Algebra I, Biology and US History EOCs and receive the correct diploma certification after graduation. For most seniors, Algebra I was taken in middle school five years ago and Biology was taken freshman year, four years ago. Though some seniors may find no need to take three EOCs just to receive a special diploma, those seniors who want to take the required EOCs should be given the help and guidance needed to pass the exams. Teachers could offer crash courses after school to reteach some of the most important lessons or study guides to complete at home to

review material from freshman and sophomore year. The county could even work with schools to determine a special day for current seniors to take their EOCs, like a senior skip day near FCAT, so they would not be missing any AP class material. The problem is not with the requirement itself, but with the late notice current seniors received from the state of the change. Seniors should not have to be worrying about how to ﬁt in three underclassmen EOCs around their other classes and college to earn a diploma that right now is merely a prestigious title with no real value.

Wikipedia friend to students, foe to teachers Daniella Parcell

News Editor

f an English teacher was to pick the devil of online research, it would be Wikipedia. However if a student chose, Wikipedia would serve as a heavenly being. While guidelines and topics vary from project to project, the hardly justiﬁed hatred teachers hold of Wikipedia remains. For the majority of teachers, the central argument against Wikipedia is that “anyone can go online and edit it,” which makes the content “too unreliable.” But is anything on the Internet truly reliable? Dickgregory. com, for example, claims that African American John Hanson, a man “lost in history,” was actually the ﬁrst president of the United States, and even provides a clear photograph of him during his 18th century presidency for proof. Furthermore,

in a 2008 study, researchers searched for answers to 80 drugrelated questions on both Wikipedia and the supposedly more credible Medscape Drug Reference site. Though it provided fewer answers, no factual inaccuracies were found on Wikipedia, compared to the four found on MDR. Not everyone can simply login to Wikipedia, create an account and post whatever they want either. A community of dedicated Wikipedians thoroughly ﬁlter the site’s potential users so much that anyone who attempts to make an account through the Seminole County School Board’s IP address is blocked for mulitple offenses of “innaproppriate use,” “vandalism” and “unhelpful changes.” The most recent offense, reported in January, had the block reinforced within the same month. Approximately 31,000 editors work to eliminate questionable content and

users as quickly as possible. However, the majority of these 31,000 people refrain from making changes to pages. Afraid of the 0.7 percent of the Wikipedia community who actually make edits, teachers prohibit the website for inaccuracies that could occur on any page of the Internet, which they even more frequently preach as treacherous and untrustworthy. In contrast to its rival research sites, Wikipedia “flags” poorly written articles for improvement and identifies “damaged” content on the site, 42 percent of which is fixed immediately. Often given specific warnings that information on the page may be misleading, any student who has made it into ninth grade can evaluate for himself if a page appears credible or not. These literal red flags are provided on few other websites, even though anything can be just as inaccurate.

While teachers reasonably claim that Wikipedia, along with any other encyclopedia, may not be a source to be cited, its usage should not be altogether prohibited. According to website founder Jimmy Wales, the online encyclopedia provides students with “good, solid background information to inform [their] studies for a deeper level,” acting as a starting point for research. As it presents information in a more reﬁned way than any average search engine, Wikipedia acts as a straightforward basis for student research, and if students intelligently use it as a gateway, the inaccuracy that teachers fear so much (and redundantly back every anti-Wikipedia argument with) is eliminated. Despite its reputation as a research villain, Wikipedia serves only a beneﬁcial purpose for knowledgeseeking high schoolers and even inept adults.

barks

& bites

Jessica Jeffers

Opinions Editor

 A BARK to the student section

for their support of boys basketball, especially the game against Oviedo. Students whited out the stands to show support for the players in a stressful and fast paced game. Although the team lost, students continue to show support through wearing one color to create a more united student section.

A BITE to sitting in desks that are

wobbly and broken. Assigned seating creates the anxiety of not knowing whether a desk will be wobbly or tolerable. These desks need to be ﬁxed, as they are a reccurring situation in the students life, creating even more unnecessary stress. They can be easily ﬁxed, instead of having to stick the tip of a shoe under the shorter leg of the desk.

BARK to the Hagerty Remind A 101, which keeps students in

the loop with new information and reminders. Remind 101 is an app that faculty and staff are able to use to text students on a professional basis. This allows for students to be further connected to not just homework but school events, for example the Husky Trot 5K, sent out on Jan. 10. This is a good edition to announcements, which can lead to missed information by noisy students in classes.

A BITE to the cutting of Study

Hall and other classes that do not offer an End of Course exam. Students with rigorous schedules need a break for their heavy AP course load, much of which is accomplished through Study Hall. Study Hall also helped students who play sports after school, and also students who have jobs. The new End of Course requirement has made these courses, obsolete.

opinions

Should End of Course exams be changed?

Great preparation for college

Three quarters of work wasted

Madison Garr

Lauren Lee

Staff Reporter

icture a volleyball game of six against one. The team of six would obviously dominate because they have an unfair advantage. This is exactly how education is today; not exactly fair. Some teachers are tougher than others, giving their students more homework or harder tests, resulting in a better or worse opportunity to learn the information. However, EOCs will level out the academic playing field. EOCs are crucial to ensure that a student knows the material required of the class. If a student pays attention all year and does all their work, then a test on that material should not be hard. Just as in AP classes where students are required to pass the AP exam in order to receive college credit, students need to pass EOCs to receive high school credit. This will ensure that students do not slack off during the year because without these end of the year tests, the intensity of the class would drop severely. Having the EOC also ensures that all students are receiving the same experience. No matter the teacher or school, EOC testing will make sure that students learn and are tested on the same information. By doing this, the state will be able to evaluate teachers and the course intensity at each school. Then the best teaching methods can be identified to better education. Having uniform tests for every class is great preparation for uniform testing that students will encounter in the future such as the SAT or ACT. With uniform teaching and EOCs, it is easier to ensure that students are prepared for college. It would only allow students who pass and know the material to move on, because if schools allow them to move on and they do not know the material, students are set up for failure. While EOCs are not perfect, they do benefit students more than they hurt them. Not allowing students to pass a class due to the fact that they did not pass the End of Course exam would benefit them in the long run by giving them the motivation to relearn the material, giving them the opportunity to excel in the material. When students who take Algebra I early in the eighth grade do not do well on the EOC, teachers recommend that they take the class a second time their freshman year in high school. Personally, I did this and I now understand Algebra so much better. By taking the EOCs, teachers can help students understand where they are at in the curriculum, and set them on the right track in their future. EOCs can now determine whether a student receives credit for the class, depending on if they pass the exam. They can also count as 30 percent of a student’s grade. While this test has a big impact on students, it is necessary to level the academic playing field. In the interest of the each student’s future and to ensure that every student has the ability to learn what they are required, EOC tests are necessary.

“It helps to determine where we are in terms of education.” Jonas Small, 10 College grades are based exclusively on tests. Shouldn’t high school prepare for that?

they should

they should not

S E Y O N

Student Connection Editor

student walks into the media center to take her EOC. She has a 102 degree fever, and did not feel well enough to eat breakfast but was still required to come to school. Because of this, she fails her exam in the class even though she has had an ‘A’ the entire year. This is a ﬂawed system, since one test should not determine an entire year’s worth of work. There should be other ways for a student to be able to pass a class even with an EOC. In 2011, 39 percent of sophomores passed the FCAT Reading. If this was the EOC, that would mean only 39 percent of students would get credit for their English class. FCAT, however, along with other standardized tests like SAT and ACT, have measures in place to help those who do poorly on the test. For FCAT, a student is signed up for remedial classes such as intensive reading or intensive math to look past the score. SATs and ACTs can be taken multiple times and even if a student gets a bad test score, colleges may be able to look past it if a student’s GPA is high enough and if they have exceptional extracurricular activities. However, with EOCs, if a student is a bad test taker, the chances of passing a class just got a lot slimmer. If students already have a high grade in the class, they have proven that they have extensive knowledge of the class and a good work ethic. Three quarters of hard work will go to waste all because of one EOC. EOCs count for 30 percent of a ﬁnal grade but are also able to determine whether or not a student should pass a class, but this should not be the case. Discounting the EOCs may be a little far-fetched, so as a less radical but effective solution, perhaps only important classes should require EOCs, such as Math or History. For elective classes like chorus, a student may fail a test but be a great singer, so an EOC does not make sense. If a student does not pass the course and does not pass the EOC exam, the student has to repeat the course and the exam, but if the student does pass the course and does not earn a passing grade on the EOC they retake the exam and register for the summer boot camp. A boot camp makes sense for core classes only, but for something like Culinary Arts, a cooking boot camp seems outrageous. What will happen with 100 new EOCs? Will every day of summer have an EOC retake? The EOC boot camp is one of the only backups that a student can take if they fail the exam. It is designed as a quick refresher course to help prepare, through review and test taking strategies, for a retake. EOCs are good for student and teacher evaluations but there are issues that need improvement, such as alternatives to failing the test. These may include remedial classes during the school year, projects for elective classes, and testing only in core classes.

“EOCs just show you can test, not what you learned.” Drew Folta, 11 Only 39 percent of sophomores passed FCAT Reading. What happens if EOC pass rates are the same?

opinions

No, Mom, don’t talk to me about Twitter Winnie Meyer

Review Editor

t is a scary thing to have your 46-year old mother ask if you have seen Bat Dad’s most recent antics on Vine. There are just two appropriate reactions to this: One, send your mother to bed because she has fallen horribly ill. Two, ﬁnd shelter because the zombie apocalypse has arrived. Finding parents who know just as much as their teenage counterparts is not uncommon anymore. The age of the technological savvy parent is here – and it sucks. It begins with email, and soon after, your techno parent’s plague covers the Internet and onto social networking. In 2011, Mark Zuckerberg was an icon and Facebook was an adolescent realm. As of January 2014, 31.1 percent, the majority of Facebook users, are in the 25-54 age bracket, while the number of teens and young adults with accounts fell 32.8 percent from what it was in 2011. Teens responded and took refuge at parent-dead domains, including Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and Vine. After requests on Farmville, your techaddicted parent resorts to everything you, the

teenager, has and enjoys. This will ruin your life. From apps like Flappy Bird and Temple Run then to Instagram and Pinterest, not only do they enjoy it, but parents are good at the apps as well. As frightening as it was to have your 46 year-old mother ask about Vine, it is just as frightening to have her inform you that her current level on Candy Crush is 363. A tech-dead parent is almost as bad: your

Facebook Users

getting the hang of social-networking, he is free to embarass you in a whole other medium. He does not understand that commenting a winky face on his teenage neice selﬁe is considered inappropriate, nor does he realize how liferuining it is to post a status about how his son has tickets to see “That Beaver Kid” in concert. The line between virtually shareable and not shareable no longer exists. Despite his tech-faults, your tech-addicted mother is still far worse. There is no pause in her technical adventure of terror. Sometimes she forgets to pick your little brother up from his bus stop because she is so engrossed in season two of “Downton Abbey” on Netﬂix. Or worse, she’ll send you to get him for her. Your day is even further ruined when Dowager Countess Crowley becomes more important than dinner. Some of us need to have a heart-to-heart with our tech-struggling parents. Showing your 47 year-old father how to work email without your help can save hours on hours of time. And teaching your 46-year old mother Internet etiquette and begging her to not tag you in posts on Twitter or any website might make our lives a bit easier. And ‘accidentally’ deleting your 46-year-old mother’s Vine account is not a bad idea either.

28.7% teens and young adults. 31.1% ages 25-54. 40.2% 54 and up. 47-year old father doesn’t understand the Microsoft Word software or how to work the new computer. Because your mother now has a Facebook, he would like one as well. And because he does not understand how the website works, he is not the one posting pictures on his account: it is you he calls to do so. Even though you create everything, your 47-year old dad ends up being the one to delete it all. Not only does he not understand the way it works, your 47-year old dad does not comprehend Internet etiquette. After sort of

I don’t like the attendance policy because I should get credit for a class I have an A in, regardless of how often I show up to class. If I skip, it’s on me to make it up. – Joey Schulz , 11 When people randomly stop in the hallways, because then people end up running into each other and most people are trying to get somewhere. It’s almost like a car accident. – Kennedi Martin, 10 I hate how Hagerty does the parking passes. I’ve been waiting for ﬁve months to get my parking pass, and I still haven’t gotten it. – Ben Tidwell, 11 Graphic by Ben Sorkin

I don’t like the attendance policy this year, because it forces you to come to school, even when you are sick. -Garrett Cox, 12

Barking Mad is a collection of short submissions about things that tick students off around school. If something at school ticks you off, go to hagertyjourn.com and submit I don’t really like when teachers are too nice, because kids will just be on their phones or talking the your entry to Ask the Editor, and it may be entire class period, and it’s hard to focus. featured here. - Kiandra Rackley, 9

Graphic by Ben Sorkin

I hate how short the breaks are, they’re hardly even a break. I wish they were longer. - Emma Tardrew, 10 I hate how the water fountains never work around school. – Syndey Lilly, 9 I don’t like the lunches here, except for on Monday, because on Monday they have cheeseburgers. – Richard Orcutt 9 Lower house people don’t know how to walk in a hallway, and it’s always congested in lower house, while in upper house you can see it’s more organized and easy to get to your class. –Aadit Vyas, 10 I don’t like how we have so much standardizing testing. I think it takes away from valuable class and instruction time, and I think it’s kind of pointless. – Steven Carolus, 9 I don’t like the parking lot because it’s too crowded. - Wade Watts, 11

reviews

Eating Japanese

Sushi Pop Lexi Rossow Managing Editor lowing neon pink in the plaza along Mitchell Hammock Road, the Sushi Pop sign draws attention from the anyone who drives by. Sushi Pop restaurant is a unique cross between Asian pop culture and Oriental cuisine where animated waiters serve high quality sushi. Sushi Pop’s location restricts parking and table space inside, but future arrangements to expand to the venue next door are planned for the summer. The dark dining room has exquisitely decorated walls and clean tables, with multiple flat screens playing original Anime cartoons. The prices can be a major red flag for the shallow pocket high school student, ranging from $8-$14 sushi entries each. But the price is easily worth it—the high quality ingredients, fresh fish and artistically prepared sushi rolls are mouthwatering and refreshing. The Royal Treatment roll is adorned with fresh crab and salmon and complimented with a sweet gingershallot sauce.This roll captures the Asian cuisine excellently, and allows you to taste one of Sushi Pop’s true masterpiece rolls. For more of an American taste, the Hot Mess roll has bacon and cheese piled on the salmon, yellowtail, tuna and flounder roll with savory honey kabayaki. This classy dining experience in Oviedo is exotic and tasteful and the customer service is welcoming to any request. For any quality date night or celebration dinner, Sushi Pop would meet your tastes into another culture’s food exquisitely.

Takeyama Sushi Kate Cousins Staff Reporter ext to the ever-popular Tijuana Flats off Lockwood Blvd., the average student wouldn’t think twice about Takeyama Sushi, a quaint little restaurant that offers various Asian-inspired dishes for lunch and dinner. But upon further inspection, Takeyama Sushi radiates friendliness and an atmosphere that takes it just a step above the average mealtime destination. Upon walking in, guests will be greeted with attentive, helpful, and timely service. For the chopstick-challenged, forks and knives are offered by the staff as well. Takeyama’s charming atmosphere makes dining a pleasure. Menu options ranging from seaweed salad to baby octopus bring to mind all the ﬂair of a typical Tokyo sushi bar. After the extensive list of food options has been explored, dishes will be delivered hot and fresh. Each plate’s contents are tastefully arranged and appealing to the eye as well as the taste buds. If patrons are feeling up to an appetizer such as mushroom soup or veggie tempura, the portions are generous but still leave everyone wanting more. Entrées like the chicken teriyaki or shrimp soba noodles are equally as ﬁlling, and offer the authentic taste craved by customers. Sushi, the main attraction, will more than meet expectations. While the price range is a little higher, it is about average in comparison to that of other sushi bars and restaurants. The extra money is well worth it at Takeyama Sushi.

私は猫が好き

私は料理が好き

Tokyo Tapas Adeline Davis Backpage Editor he mouthwatering smell of sizzling Hibachi chicken wafts through the tiny restaurant. Red lanterns dangle from the ceiling, illuminating the exotic paintings displayed on the walls. People excitedly look up at the huge blackboard menu, licking their lips in anticipation. When they make their decisions, they quickly go to the ordering counter, where they are given a number and are seated. Every minute of waiting is antagonizing. When the steaming dishes finally arrive, their taste buds are sent into pure bliss. This is Tokyo Tapas. Located on 1813 E. Broadway St., sandwiched between a Chinese restaurant and a sweet shop, Tokyo Tapas seems small in comparsion. However, this little restaurant’s amazing food leaves a big impression. For one thing, the restaurant is reasonably priced. Its prices range from $4.45 to $10.45, making it possible for a family of three to eat for under $30. Tokyo Tapas also offers a special discount on Funday Sundays; if an adult purchases a meal over the price of $8, their children receive a free meal. Not only are the prices great, but the food is definitely worth every penny. Tokyo Tapas adds a unique flare to every dish, merging traditional Japanese styles with their own. Their appetizers include seared veggies, white sauce Hibachi rice, Teppan Noodles, and steamed white rice. Thankfully, these entrees are served in small portions, allowing the guests to actually be hungry for the

rest of their meal. For the main course, guests can go the classic route, with either edamame, salad, spicy fried potatoes, or crispy chicken Gyoza. Speaking from experience, the spicy fried potatoes are to die for. The orange sauce drizzled over the seasoned potatoes, provides the perfect blend of sweet and salty. If guests are looking for the traditional Japanese appeal, they can ﬁnd it at Tokyo Tapas. For those looking for a more unique appeal, the Hand Battered Street wings, Fried Chicken Bites, Street Tacos, Blue Crab Mofongo, and Shrimp Tempura rolls are very satisfying. All meals are displayed with perfect elegance. For an even more unique twist, all soda drinks are bottled, making one feel as if they are in an 80s movie. Whether you are in the mood for something hearty or you want a lighter meal, Tokyo Tapas provides it all. Menus are provided for vegans, vegetarians, and gluten free guests, making everyone’s dining experience enjoyable. This little restaurant may be small, but it puts a neat spin on Japanese food.

寿司はおいしいです

reviews HORRIBLE

What’s on your

iPod?

Stephen Penfield, 12 “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk

“I appreciate that ‘Get Lucky’ is different from other pop music.” “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band “Demons” by Imagine Dragons Joseph Conigliaro, 10 “Rap God” by Eminem

“There’s a really fast part that Eminem does that I really want to learn to do.” “Battle Scars” by Guy Sebastion ft. Lupe Fiasco “Counting Stars” by One Republic “Moonshine” by Bruno Mars Ben Hogan, 11 “Young Legends” by Sleigh Bells

“Sleigh Bells is the first band I ever saw in concert, they’re loud but they still care about what they’re writing “3s and 7s” by Queens of the Stone Age “Mercury” by Moon Taxi “God on the Ceiling” by The Black Keys

GOOD

OUTSTANDING

Dandelion Communitea Café offers unique taste

Ellie Bonck

Staff Reporter

he Dandelion Communitea Café is not what is usually found in the afﬂuent Thornton Park neighborhood. Found in a safe neighborhood, this remodeled home turned café gives off a warm welcoming feeling that matches with its friendly variety of customers. Everyone at the café, customer or employee, has their own unique vibe. When walking in you are immediately greeted with impeccable customer service that lasts the entire visit. This café is unique to others because it only serves organic, vegan items. Menu choices may not sound appetizing to those who enjoy meat, but the food has a deliciously different taste to what is usually expected from vegan cuisine. The Bean There Done That wrap, complete with organic beans and fresh vegetables has a fresh taste and just the right amount of spice, giving the wrap a tasteful combination of delicious ﬂavors. This café also offers a variety of sandwiches, soups and kid friendly items like the classic grilled cheese.

Though they serve meals that taste like they came from a five star restaurant, Dandelion’s prices are all less than $10 and do not bust your wallet. One of Dandelion’s claims to fame is the infused tea selection. A wide variety of green, black and herbal teas is offered. Each day, there is a different tea named as the Tea of the Day. The tea is served in a rustic mason jar, matching the quaint atmosphere of the café. Tea is only $2, and for the tea of the day, there are free refills. On Tuesdays from 8-10 p.m., customers are lucky enough to observe the weekly poetry slam, one of the most sensational things you can experience. Different types of people sign up to perform poems, stories, comedy and even music. Individuals are given five minutes to say whatever they please. The thing that makes this such a unique experience is the passion each person puts into their work. Each piece gives the audience a glimpse at the author’s life and their emotions, adding to the truly one-of-a-kind atmosphere of the Dandelion Communitea Café.

Communitea

Wise Owl SAT tutoring

Haley Gaeser

Lifestyles Editor

wo of the most important tests you will ever take are the SAT and ACT, and while some can take either and pass with ﬂying colors, others need a little extra help in order to succeed. Wise Owl Tutoring in Winter Park gives students exactly that. This tutoring site is located in a small plaza on Winter Woods Boulevard, and if you do not look close enough, you will most likely miss it. Once you get there though, the atmosphere inside is very welcoming. Bettie Wailes opened Wise Owl Tutoring in 2002 and it has been thriving ever since. The facility has tutors who are experienced in every ﬁeld a student could need. While pricing is a tad steep at $45 a session or $50 for Wailes herself, the

outcomes prove that it is worth it. My tutor Ashley Shackelford has helped me prepare for the SAT and ACT, and I have felt conﬁdent taking them both. She gave me multiple strategies to use while testing and a wide variety of ways to help me succeed. The facility offers complimentary snacks and beverages to their students and has a room in the back where students can study or work if they get there early. Each tutoring session lasts approximately 60 minutes and the tutors never rush you. Wise Owl also offers SAT and ACT group classes and crash courses as well as subject tutoring. They also give out helpful packets and practice tests. While a little far from Oviedo, Wise Owl Tutoring is deﬁnitely the place to go for quality help.

SAT Review

Photo by www.randomhangers.com

A restaurant or a home. Dandelion Communitea Cafe was originally a house. Its new owners have turned it into the tasteful restaurant that customers love.

Cup Pasta full of ﬂavor Jessica Jeffers

Opinions Editor

he Oviedo Mall was rumored to be dead, with few stores and some okay places to eat. But the mall underwent a new change, bringing a delicious Italian pastaria into the Oviedo Townsplace. Cup of Pasta is located in the food court, tucked in between a vegan bakery and the older mall classics. Immediately upon walking up, the greetings from staff begin. First, pick the size of the cup. The small size cup will leave some leftovers for later, and is good for packing in a lunch box for school the next day. The medium and large sizes seem daunting, being able to feed anywhere from two to four people. Although the sizes are big, prices range from $5 to $8, and a meal is $7 to $10 per person.

Next is pasta. The staff asks whether you want a hard or soft pasta. Fiorellini soft pasta is the funniest looking, but the most delicious. They cook the pasta in front of you, in a boiling frier. The process takes up to seven minutes, which is the downside. If you aren’t ready for a wait, then this is not the place for you. When the pasta dings, the choices of sauce are given in taste testers. There are two options, a creambased or tomato based sauce, the best being CupPasta, a white sauce with a twinge of bacon. If you are going with the tomato-based sauce go with the pesto, full of a basil ﬂavor that gives the classic italian feel. Then it is complete and you are left to savor the amazing pasta that will stay with you in your dreams. Cup of Pasta is the perfect mix of American culture and Italian cooking.

Cup of Pasta

sports

sports shorts

BOYS BASKETBALL SEASON ENDS VS SPRUCE CREEK The boys basketball season ended with a 50-47 loss on Feb. 7 in the district semiﬁnals against Spruce Creek High School. Senior Eric Castaneda had a team-high 14 points, and senior Henry Torres’ three in the fourth quarter helped get the team close, but it was not enough. The team ﬁnished 15-12.

TENNIS STARTS SEASON OFF WITH LOSS TO OVIEDO

Girls and boys tennis were defeated at home against Oviedo on Monday, Feb. 10 in their ﬁrst game of the season. The girls lost, 5-2, and the boys lost, 4-3. Seven out of 10 on the girls team are new, and seven out of eight are new for the boys. “There’s a lot of inexperience on the team, but a lot of new, good players,” said coach Josh Kohn.

GIRLS WATER POLO TO START SEASON

The girls water polo team will be competing in their ﬁrst match on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. against Lyman High School at the Oviedo Aquatics Center. The team is conﬁdent to begin their season. “We have been showing a lot of effort and improvement since last year,” wing Sarah Ashby said.

HUSKY TROT RAISES $6,500 FOR ATHLETICS

On Feb. 8, the athletic booster club hosted the Husky Trot 5K. The course of the 5K was most of Lockwood and Old Lockwood boulevards. Awards were given to the top ten runners in the female and male students divisions and the female and male adult divisions. The school had over 400 runners register for the run, which raised $6,500. Senior Dakota Hoppe came in ﬁrst in the student male division with a time of 18:37, and senior Kerstin Sosa won the student female division with a time of 20:47.

GIRLS BASKETBALL FINISHES AGAINST SEMINOLE

The girls varsity basketball team concluded their season on Jan. 29 against Seminole High School. The team was in the ﬁrst round of districts but lost 58-42. They ﬁnished their season at 7-14.

The HIGHLIGHT box Girls Soccer vs. Oviedo, 1/28 Game Summary

On Tuesday, Jan. 28, the varisty girls soccer team recieved a bad case of déjà vu, as the team faced Oviedo for the regional semifinal for the second year in a row. The game was slow to start as neither team had scored in the first half. However, both teams came out of hafltime more aggresive. The only score of the night came off a foul, when senior Carly Jaskulski bumped into Oviedo’s Sarah Buckley. Buckley shot from midfield and scored what would end up to be the only score of the night with 20 minutes left. The girls would never get into a rhythm after that and lost 1-0.

Quotes

“That split second where they scored, everything we worked for, there it goes. That was the problem. The game wasn’t over, but that’s what everyone’s initial thought was,” senior Sydney Schilling said. “It’s a 90 minute game. You can’t focus on one play. That goal should’ve ﬁred us up and made us want another goal back,” Jaskulski said.

Stats

Defensive Stops Savannah Courtney- 1 Tia Menna- 1 Kiele Mohre- 1 Saves Nicole Mattson- 4

Boys soccer makes historic run Nathaniel Kauffman Staff Reporter

“E

veryone just started screaming, no one really thought; we just ran and dog piled. It was a great feeling,” senior Kyle Ings said. With just over three minutes left in the second overtime of the district semi-final against Winter Springs, senior Nathan Tardrew scored the winning goal that sent shock waves through the entire field. “I just stood there for about four seconds. I couldn’t believe what just happened,” senior goalie Andrew Reilly said. After boys soccer took the first district win in school history, they followed up with this semifinal last-second win. With that win the team earned an entry to regionals, uncharted territory for boys soccer. The soccer team has a lot of reasons to be surprised. Season after season had ended in disappointment. Last year exemplified that with a 3-13 season. “To be honest, [last season] sucked,” sophomore Ryan Dooley said. “A lot of times I thought we could maybe win this game but then we would get crushed.” But this year the team completely turned it around and finished 10-3-5, nearly flipping their losses with their wins. The change was clear from the start as the team destroyed Colonial High School 8-2 in the season opener. They also had big wins over Seminole, 6-2 and at New Smyrna 5-1. “[The wins] got everyone fired up. We weren’t used to winning, and winning those games got everyone really pumped,” Tardrew said. A big reason for this turnaround was new coach Mike McAvoy. He implemented a system unlike other seasons and was filled with enthusiasm. He used shorter yet more demanding practices, brought fitness to a higher level of importance, and also communicated to players on the field. “I was really apprehensive at first, but coach McAvoy has been a

photo by Jake Aurthur

MAKING A MOVE. Junior Charles Lynch dribbles between two Oviedo Players to advance downﬁeld. The team went on to tie Oviedo 1-1.

better coach then I hoped he would be. He has really brought this team together and made us successful,” Reilly said. Aside from coach McAvoy, this year’s team had 11 seniors, including lead scorers Tardrew and Alec Sarcevic, who each scored seven goals this season. The team’s four captains were seniors, and so was star goalie Reilly, who had a total of six shutouts this season, two of which came in the playoffs over Lake Mary and Winter Springs. “What makes the shutouts possible is mainly communication between me and my defense. Communication is really big for the team but especially the defense.” Reilly said. The team relied more than just seniors to step up during big moments. One of those players was

sophomore Jake Brinker, who led the team with nine assists. Another was sophomore Dylan Chopra who served as the last line of defense on the team. “We have a lot of returning players and that brings a lot of experience to the team,” junior Charles Lynch said. “They have matured and have been working in the offseason, they’ve gotten a lot better.” The teams historic season ended on Jan. 30 when the team was defeated by West Orange in the regional quarterﬁnal, 3-0. But this team’s effect is nowhere close to gone, the 2013-14 varsity boys soccer team owns the best season in school history. “It feels great and I look forward to seeing in the future years Hagerty’s success. It was good to turn around the boys soccer program,” Ings said.

sports

Boom! goes the dynamite

Girls soccer suffers heartbreak on the field

Preseason Expectations Create Pressure

“S

Nathaniel Kauffman Staff Reporter or a few weeks last season, the boys basketball team was in every local newspaper, on every local radio show, and was the topic of every conversation. That is what happens when your team wins states on an impossible run, hitting last second shots and beating one high profile opponent after another. “What happened last year, happened last year. It is nice but it is a new season. We can’t care about that,” senior Eric Castenada said. Even if they were not focused on last season, other teams were. No team was “just playing Hagerty” this year. Instead, they were playing the defending state champs and they practiced and prepared that way. No matter what sport is played the pressure to repeat is great. In the NFL, only 17 percent of teams have repeated, 15 percent in the MBA, 26 percent in the NHL and 23 percent in the NBA. And all of those are pro teams with smaller numbers of teams and much less turnover. “I think it’s a little more difficult than most people think. Expectations are through the roof, pressure is higher. People expect you to win every game and they expect you to do what the last team did,” coach Josh Kohn said. The team’s season ended against Spruce Creek in the second round of districts. They won a district game and they had a winning record. The only blemish is that this was nowhere close to the success of last year. Success tends to put an unreal expectation on people just as in this case and no one’s putting the blame on pressure. This season has humbled the team, but they’ll be back.

to stoop down to [Oviedo’s] level,” Spencer Thompson Sports Editor Mucherera said. In fact, the only score of the game ometimes it just feels came off a foul. Oviedo midfielder like the soccer gods Sarah Buckley made a penalty kick are against us,” senior from midfield, which put the Lions Sydney Schilling said. “It’s not up 1-0. “I felt like I was going to throw always a matter of who’s better or what the record is. Soccer’s funny up,” senior Alex Mastrobuono said. “I felt like everything that we had sometimes.” It would seem as if the soccer worked so hard for the whole season gods had fun tormenting the varsity went down the drain .” The girls had played Oviedo three girls soccer team over the past two seasons. On Tuesday, Jan. 28, the times prior to the regional semifinal. girls fell short to Oviedo 1-0 in the They went 1-1 in the regular season, regional semifinal game, the same including a shutout, as well as a win in the district final, 3-0. The girls way the girls lost last year. The game was slow to start, never failed to put up at least three with both teams heading into the points against Oviedo throughout the half tied 0-0, but both teams came entire season, however, Oviedo was out aggressive to in the second half. not what worried the girls when they Freshman Sarah Thrush got hit and scored. “Instead of focusing on what we was sent to the ground three times, while junior Kiele Mohre was sent needed to do to win the game, we off the field with an ankle sprain with focused on what we needed to do nine minutes left to play in the game. in order to not lose,” Schilling said. On the other side of the ball, junior “That was the biggest deciding factor Ru Mucherera received the only of the game, nervousness that we only yellow card of the night, after she had 20 minutes left in our season.” However bad the loss may seem, was sandwiched between two Oviedo players and threw one to the ground. the girls will always look back on this “I had to remind my team not season with some positives.

photo by Jake Burton

FIGHTING TEARS. Senior Sydney Schilling comforts fellow senior teammate Alex Mastrobuono after the 1-0 playoff loss to Oviedo.

“We were the underdogs this season,” Mastrobuono said. “We came from a low point where we were tying Lake Howell, and playing teams that shouldn’t even be playing on the same field as us. We were underdogs throughout the season, and the fact that we made it this far, no one thought that would happen.” The girls look to come back with

a strong team next season. The team has 11 returners. The players and head coach Angie Densberger alike have the same goal in mind: to make it further. “You’ll have bumps in the road, and your true character is how you bounce back,” Densberger said. “I hope the returning players can remember what this feels like and can change it next so we don’t have the same result.”

mark and make it far. Others weightlifters, such as Albano, who still have two years remaining, hoped to place second or third at Sectionals, which would allow them to advance . “I am really excited, I made it last year but I placed fourth and only the top three go on,” Albano said. The girls continued to lift daily in preparation for sectionals. However, Albano was the only one who advanced onto states from sectionals, placing second in her weight class. She advanced to states on

Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Kissimmee Civic Center. “I am very excited to go to states. After I qualified, I ate a lot of food since we had to cut weight. I am sad though that none of the other girls get to come with me,” Albano said. Albano finished seventh overall at states. Competing in the 110 weight class, her best bench press was 130 and her best clean-and-jerk was 135. This gave her an overall score of 265. Alexandra Hamilton from Clay High School placed first with an overall score of 320.

Girls weightlifting raises the bar at states Maddie Garr

Staff Reporter

magine having to run every day in two pairs of sweatpants, multiple shirts, with your hair down. Imagine not being able to eat or go to the bathroom all day until you weigh in because you are required to meet a certain weight. This is exactly what weightlifters have to experience up until weigh in day and the day that they have to lift. In weightlifting athletes are put in a weight class based off their weight. At certain points this year, the girls team had to cut and gain weight on a short notice. However hard the struggle, these precautions led them to meet their weight class and place in the top three at the Conference meet. Five girls - sophomore Olivia Albano, sophomore Tia Menna, senior Kiley Dechau, sophomore Erin Catlin and senior Kelly Dunne - moved on

to the sectional weightlifting meet after the conference meet on Jan. 6 at Lyman. Albano and Menna both won their respective weight classes, while Dechau and Catlin finished second, and Dunne finished third. The meet on Jan. 23 at Spruce Creek marked the first time Matthew Malkovich went as the head coach. “As an assistant the previous five years, we have had girls make it to the sectional meet and then on to state. It is an exciting part of the season to say the least,” Coach Malkovich said. Malkovich had great confidence that all five girls would come out at the sectional meet and lift more than they had all season. All five girls needed to do so in order to advance to the state level. “They know how to lift their best and they will be prepared to do so,” Malkovich said. As Dechau and Dunne’s senior year, this was their last year to leave a

Sunday, March 19th @ 6:45 Entry Fee: $25 Day of Race: $30 Checks payable to: JHMS Oviedo Mall 1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd

sports

Something to cheer for Ben Clyatt Staff Reporter There were two goals going into this season: win states and finish at least seventh at nationals. After finishing as runner ups in state and seventh in nationals last year, the girls cheer team was just looking to show improvement. Not only did they walk away from Silver Spurs Arena with the title of state champions, but also earned the titles of both world champions and national champions. Only seven days later, the varsity girls finished in first place at regionals to qualify for nationals. They then finished first again at the state competition on Jan. 31 and moved on to win both the national and world competition a week later, on Feb 9, at the Disney’s Wide World of Sports. The competition was televised nationally on ESPN the next day. Varsity went up against 31 other squads for the national title, and 10 other squads for the world championship, and still managed to come away victorious both times. “If someone would have said a week before [the competition] that we were going to win nationals, no one would ever believe it, because that’s impossible. You just don’t win. Some random team from Oviedo, Florida doesn’t just come in and win nationals, and we overcame that and did it,” junior Alexis George said. Last year, the girls varsity team was runner up to the state title, and finished seventh in the nation. The year before that, they ended up in third place for states. “I think this team honestly had the best bond than any other team before. There’s not one person on the team that doesn’t get along… In previous years, we wanted it, but we didn’t realize how hard we had to work for

it, and this year we were willing to push and try a lot harder,” senior and team captain Anjelique. Pertuz said. Varsity’s biggest roadblock in the past has been Winter Park High School, but this year Winter Park moved down to a smaller division, leaving Hagerty with an easier path at the state competition. “We knew that the door was wide open because we’ve always been just barely behind them. Now that they’re out of our division we had a better chance. It didn’t make us work harder, but at the same time I feel like even if they were in our division or if they weren’t, we wanted to win states, no matter how hard we had to work,” Pertuz said. The girls’ biggest challenge they will have to face next year is the fact that half of the team will be graduating. During this May, 13 of the 26 current varsity cheerleaders will be graduating, which means there will be a lot of fresh faces on the squad next year. “If you’re on JV, you want to move up to varsity next year, and you want to win too. The seniors have helped show the JV girls what it’s like to work hard,” coach Kim Hackman said. But this might not be as hard as it sounds. JV experienced historic success as well this season too. They went to nationals with varsity for the ﬁrst time in school history, and ﬁnished in 10th place overall. “The two teams worked hard to come together and make it a successful season and represent Hagerty on the national level,” senior Lauren Hayden said.

Varsity cheer wins state, national and world championships over the course of two weekends

Seniors Morgan Curtiss and Sabrina Rodriguez perfom their compeition routine.

Photo Provided By Duane George

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS. The varsity cheer team poses for a picture in their national championship jackets. The girls went on to place ﬁrst in both nationals and worlds.

back

Softball sights set on state titles Madeline Kemper

Business Manager

icking colleges can be stressful, especially for those who plan to play their sport in college. Varsity softball players have prided themselves in their dedication to softball on the field and academics off the field. “I felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. I knew all my hard work and dedication paid off and I felt like I ended up where I was meant to be,” senior Alex Miller said. Miller, who earned First Team AllConference honors as well as First Team AllState honors as a catcher, will be attending Florida Atlantic University. Senior Kiley Dechau, varsity’s First Team All-Conference outfielder, will be attending Georgia Gwinnett College. Junior Samantha Worrell, the All-State Pitcher of the Year last season, has verbally committed to playing for the University of South Florida Bulls after her senior year. “Our girls know that we hold them to both high athletic standards as well as high academic standards. One hundred percent of the girls on our varsity roster have GPA’s over 3.0, and half of them over 3.8,” varsity coach David Stone said. These standards have allowed girls to get

recruited from a variety of colleges. “I was a freshman and I was really young with the recruiting process, so once I got the offer I went back and I took it with no hesitation,” Worrell said. The University of South Florida found Worrell through her Miami travel team that she was playing on her freshman year. This was a similar process for Miller as well who did a lot of tournaments and showcases through her travel team in order for the right college to see her play. However, for Dechau, the decision did not come so naturally. “I went to a lot of colleges; it was exhausting, so exhausting. For me I had to like the college and not go just for the [scholarship],” Dechau, who visited 10 different schools, said. Coach Stone credits the players’ parents, saying the parents have done their job by providing these girls the opportunities to succeed in an area that they are talented in. Though scholarships and high GPA’s are important, the team still has work to do on the ﬁeld. “Our ﬁrst season was rough (2012,6-12 record), as everyone was trying to get used to me as the new coach. There were many growing pains,” coach Stone said.

The next season, however, the record improved, and the girls missed out on states with a loss in the regional semiﬁnals and a second place ﬁnish in the academic state championship, with a record of 27-2. “We should have made it last year and we chocked so bad, but we have the talent and the dedication to make it to states and so hopefully that will happen for us this year.” Miller said. How much varsity has improved is partially due to the new leadership of some of the key players, who, along with all of the other players, have formed a common goal throughout the season. “Our slogan this year is very simple: State Squared! Not only do we want to be softball state champions, we also want to earn the academic state championship title as well,” Coach Stone said. For these committed girls, the start of the season also means their last in high school season. “Senior night will be the worst night ever, I am going to miss them so much. I’m going to miss playing with my sister and my best friends. My best friends are my teammates,” Miller said. The team will be playing DeLand on Feb. 20 at home as well an away game at Lake Mary on Feb. 21.

photo by Jake Burton

Batting For a Win. Senior Kiley Dechau prepares to bat at the plate. Dechau is signed to Georgia Gwinnet College to play softball.

SCORE higheR SAT/ACT GRE

GMAT

FTCE

Check out our NEW Core Math Review!

UCFTestPrep

Exam Preparation & Professional Certification Review testprep.ucf.edu

407.882.TEST