The BluePrint - Volume 10, Issue 6

HAGERTY HIGH SCHOOL

3225 LOCKWOOD BLVD. OVIEDO, FL 32765

INDEX

the

blueprint

News............................... 2-4 Lifestyles........................ 5-6 Senior Issue...............Insert 5k Reviews.........................7 Student Connections........ 8 Opinions............................9 Sports......................... ..9-12

volume 10, issue 6

May 18, 2015

Out with the old, in with the new

Old band uniforms transformed into pillows as new marching attire arrives. story on pg. 4

Photo by Jake Arthur

Five­things to see on hagertyjourn.com w PATTERSON POWER

Ever wonder why subsitute teacher Eric Patterson implements girl power/boy power? Humans of Hagerty has the answers.

wNATEFLIX

Be sure to catch what’s hot and what’s not on Netflix for this summer’s endless hours of couch potatoing fun.

w WEIS GUY

Sophomore Zachary Weishampel will be traveling to New York City to present his awardwinning science project.

w HAKUNA MATATA

With dreams to someday continue the magic for others at Disney, sophomore Liza Simkins’ rough childhood does not diminish her unbound compassion for others.

w “HAPPY VALLEY”

ANYTHING BUT HAPPY With a confusing plot, a hard-to-follow format, and poor execution, Happy Valley failed to deliver the powerful story of Jerry Sandusky’s trial.

Find the dog: Whenever you see the above HJO logo, scan the page with the Aurasma app to see extra content. You must follow hagertyjourn for it to work.

2 news appointed dean Brett Hamilton takes Going for a double-double Newly on promotion while still coaching basketball Sarah Gibson

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Photo by Angelica Norris

DEAN MACHINE. Brett Hamilton adjusts to his new job. As dean, he will have more work with administration but will continue mentoring students.

Calendar Controversy Madeline Kemper

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News Editor

nstead of gingerbread houses and relaxing, next year’s winter break was almost filled with textbooks and cramming for tests. The school year was set to begin Aug. 24, which would have caused students to cram for daunting exams filled with material that was taught months earlier.

Thanks to a passed bill, however, this has been avoided. The official start of the year will be Aug. 17, allowing students to finish the semester before winter break.

The school year, which typically begins no earlier than two weeks before Labor Day, caused much controversy.

Seminole County has long advocated finishing the first semester before winter break so that students can complete their exams before they are given a two week break. This issue prompted superintendent Dr. Walt Griffin and school board members to encourage their representing bodies

to lobby the legislature to start the school on a fixed day in August.

Throughout the deliberation between differing schedules, Seminole County posted both calendars so that students and parents could have access to both sides of the decision.

“The reason we had ‘Tentative’ on our original calendar [was], so families would not make summer plans,” Griffith said.

On April 13, Rick Scott approved a bill so that in Seminole County the school year allows school districts to start as early as Aug. 10. After this was passed, the school board passed the new Student Attendance calendar, with the official start date of Aug. 17.

Having exams before winter break is beneficial to students and faculty. Finishing the semester in December mirrors the semester of SSC and UCF. This schedule, which is the same as previous years, most evenly divides the 180 school days required for all public schools.

This will continue to be something that is readdressed yearly.

Staff Reporter

f forced to choose, Brett Hamilton would pick basketball coach over dean every time. However, since he is allowed to continue his coaching career, Hamilton has now accepted a position as dean.

“It feels just like my first week teaching, or even that I’m a substitute teacher,” newly appointed dean Hamilton said. “I’m still trying to figure out what to do and how to do it, and I’m nervous. I’m unsure of the unexpected.”

With his recent change in position from PE coach to dean, Hamilton agreed that he will have new tasks to learn as he moves into the administrative side of education.

However, the main aspect of his career - mentoring students - has not changed.

“Coaching and administrating are alike in that you still have a chance

to interact with kids, help them deal with issues and get past their struggles,” Hamilton said. “Now my job is just a little more one-on-one.”

This was not the first time he had applied for the position, however. Last year, he applied but was declined the position when Nate Gierke took over. Once the position opened up after Gierke’s resignation, he applied again through the county and was seen as best-fit among the other applicants.

“At the beginning of my career, I thought I’d be coaching PE for 30 years. Now I’m a dean,” Hamilton said. “Who’s to say I won’t move up to assistant principal later in my career, although it depends on how I perform in this position.”

At Hamilton’s old school in Indiana, a position entitled “dean” did not even exist. His school had a quarter of the kids he works with now.

The only administrative positions offered were simple and in short

supply, including resource officer, assistant principal and principal.

“I didn’t even know what a dean was until I came here, and I still don’t completely understand it because I’ve just started the new position,” Hamilton said.

Despite his new job, Hamilton will still be assistant basketball coach next winter, but admits it will be tougher to balance than in the past.

“He is a very hardworking guy,” junior Alex Keel, one of Hamilton’s basketball players, said. “He’ll fit the role perfectly.”

Regardless of the possible upcoming stress, Hamilton works with supportive people who will always motivate and encourage him.

“That’s the reason I’m in this position right now. If they told me I couldn’t continue to coach as a dean, I’d be coaching PE down in the gym right now,” Hamilton said. “I love basketball too much. I couldn’t give that up.”

news

Chorus concludes succesful year with high scores

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Courtney Dziewior Online Managing Editor

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acing heartbeats, shaking legs and nervous breaths abounded on stage with the choir on Thursday, April 30, at the First Presbyterian Church in Lakeland.

Voices of Hagerty and Concert Choir attended the state Music Performance Assessment to be judged and work with a clinician on the three songs that each choir had been preparing for in class.

Concert Choir received one Superior and two Excellents, giving them an overall Excellent rating, whereas Voices of Hagerty earned two Superiors and one Excellent, giving them an overall Superior rating.

Since February, the choirs have been working on the pieces while also practicing sight reading. They prepared and received Superior ratings at district MPA which enabled them to continue to state at the behest of administration and chorus teacher Tori Rathbun.

For Voices of Hagerty, attending state MPA entailed continuing to prepare the two songs, “Lift Thine Eyes” by Felix Mendelsshon and “Bist Du Bie Mir” by Johann Sebastian Bach.

They performed these songs at districts and

HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE. Voices of Hagerty rehearses their state MPA songs before their performance at the end of April.

prepared a third piece, “Poor Man Lazrus,” by Jester Hairston.

“It was nerve-racking because I had the beginning solo in our first song so I was the first thing the judges would hear,” junior Olivia Andrews said.

Concert choir also had to prepare an additional piece, “How Can I Keep From Singing” by Greg Gilpin, as well as their original two: “Neighbors Chorus” by Jacques

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Offenbach and “If Love Should Count You Worthy” by James Mulholland.

“We faced a lot of challenges and had to get out of our comfort zones for the pieces,” Andrews said.

State MPA had a higher caliber of judges with more advanced education from colleges like Stetson University and University of South Carolina. One of the judges, a clinician, worked with the choir in another room after they

Photo by Angelica Norris

finished performing.

The clinician would discuss issues with their performance using notes he had taken. The limited amount of time they had to work with the clinician was focused on more important aspects such as proper diction, musical phrasing or dynamics.

“With both choirs, I think that was the best performance we ever had and I am proud of it,” junior Jordan Rhody said.

Testing causes complaint Madeline Kemper

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News Editor

ou can see it with each passing day, the students are exhausted and their minds have turned to mush,” Spanish teacher Patricia Lopez said.

As students attempt to balance testing and learning, the scale has been tipped with the introduction of FSA and SBA on top of the already stressful AP and nine week exams.

The new Florida Standards Assessment controversy peaked when it was cancelled for eleventh graders. The test was still given to ninth and tenth graders who then experienced difficulty in proctoring and exam execution, not necessarily the exam itself.

“It has some glitches simply because it is a new program and you have to figure out how well it works with the amount of students and the kind of technology that is required,” school administrative manager Cassara Camille said.

Students who are used to FCAT found new aspects of the test especially upsetting.

“I was typing for the writing portion of the English FSA and my computer said, ‘Thank you for ending your test,’ so I had to get back in and retype the whole thing,” sophomore

Emily Sorace said. “The whole thing was very frustrating.”

One common misconception surrounding the FSA was how it compares to end of course exams. However, the two are the same thing.

Another testing debate questions whether there should be end of course exams or FSAs on top of nine week exams. And of top of this, lawmakers, educators and students wonder to what extent the curriculum should be standardized.

“I think you have different types of students that have different needs and to test everyone under a general umbrella kind of says everybody is the same,” Camille said In an effort to reduce this, Gov. Rick Scott has taken steps towards scaling back on testing, passing a bill that places a maximum of 45 hours that students are allowed to spend testing.

This bill, however, does not give specifics for which tests will be given next year and does not provide aid for schools with equipping testing technology.

“A loss of important resources and time definitely impacts achievement which then impacts the numerical value of our educational effectiveness,” social study teacher Robin Grenz said.

4

news

Repurposed uniforms sustain memories

Big sister is watching

Courtney Dziewior Online Managing Editor

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Bye Bye Pooh Bear Jessica Jeffers

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Senior Staffer

ucked on the other side of Lockwood

by SR-426 lies the small community of Oviedo Forest, which every other day on their Facebook page reports bear sightings in the area. Less than a thousand feet away is the Flagler Trail, a nature reserve known for access to the Econolatchee River.

Bear sightings are causing public concern in communities across the state of Florida.

Because of this, last month a bill was taken to the state legislation to allow bear hunting for the first time since 1970. Many of the areas complaining about sightings are only a few miles away from a bear habitats, and are results of housing developments expanding over wildlife environments that have been undisturbed for decades.

Only three years ago, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission took the bears off the state’s threatened species list. With only about 3,000 bears left in the state, wouldn’t a bear hunt just put them back on the list?

Florida illegalized bear hunting in the late ‘70s for a reason. Who’s to say this time the exact same events won’t be repeated?

If Florida properly regulates this permit, then things will go dandy enough. But if this issue turns into a way for the state to make money off of permits, then this has the potential to get out of hand really fast.

One season is enough to correct the “population problem” but if they open up more seasons after that, the likelihood of over-hunting increases.

According to the Florida Wildlife Association, Florida has long been known as “a paradise for devotees of the rod and gun.” The effects of sport hunting of deer and wild hogs on the Florida panther were considerable in the late ‘60s, and are still seen today. Florida panthers have an unusually large number of health problems, which can be attributed to Florida allowing big game hunting to run out of control.

Kate MacFall, Florida’s director of The Humane Society, perfectly sums up the issues of this argument. “If you go into the woods and kill bears minding their own business, that doesn’t address the problem bears. The real issue is large-scale trash management in bear country.”

he colors black, blue and silver sparkle with memories of high school years as old band uniforms are turned into pillows to be sold as a fundraiser.

After purchasing new uniforms, band directors Brad and Brian Kuperman made the executive decision to have the aged uniforms repurposed into decorative throw pillows as a means of commemorating students’ years in the band and raising money for the program.

“The idea came from myself and [Brian Kuperman] sitting in our office asking if we really want to put these uniforms in storage,” Kuperman said. “Or do we want to do something with them that will be great for the students.”

An overwhelming number of seniors wanted to keep their uniforms when they left high school, but were overturned by the county, who ruled that the uniforms either had to be put in storage or sold to make money for the band program.

“You form a special bond with your marching uniforms over the years,” junior

Kasey Brizendine said.

Band students bonded to their uniforms wearing them every Friday night during marching band season. The uniforms hold memories for the students, such as the time they spilled Gatorade or lost a button. Graduating seniors who were present when band won the FHSAA State Band Championship in their freshman year have gone through four years of adrenaline rushes following their pride in donning uniforms that have been by their side through it all.

“I was wearing the same jacket then and it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life,” senior Adriana Caamano said. “Just being in band has been so important to me and I spend every day of my life in high school thinking about it.”

Caamano plans on purchasing the jacket and putting it in a frame to symbolize her four years of high school that have been dedicated to band.

“I’m buying a pillow so that I will always have the memories with me,” sophomore Bailey Meyer said.

The old uniforms needed to be updated to keep in the increasingly modern marching band

styles. There is a point where uniforms go out of style and do not represent the level the band is at. The old uniforms have long since begun to show their age, despite frequent dry-cleanings, and the new uniforms will stand out better against the field and in competitions in contrast to other schools.

“In a part, I am sad about it, but it is really nice to see the band moving and getting new uniforms because the old ones were stinky,” senior Robert Burke said.

Jackets and pillows are the two options that will be available for recycled uniforms.

The jackets will cost $65 and pillows $40. The jackets will be dry-cleaned and students are guaranteed to have the same one they wore whereas the pillow could be any jacket. To make the pillow, the jackets will be taken and the front and back will be cut and sewn together with the famed husky in the center.

“They are cute and a good way to remember your time in the Hagerty band,” junior Kasey Brizendine said.

The pillows and jackets will stay with students as a memento to their years of musical performances, prowess and prestige.

AP Lang classes say goodbye to extra prep Adeline Davis

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Senior Staffer

his year, the T-shirt for the AP Language exam featured a survival kit consisting of tissues, mounds of work, coffee and a Safe Assign logo. Due to the extra standardized testing for students, the most used item was definitely the tissues.

Usually, AP classes get to bypass county testing, but this year, students were inundated with three 90-minute blocks of Discovery Ed testing and three 90-minute practice writing tests, cutting into their class time significantly.

To add to the stress, AP Language teachers Helen Reed and Lauren Hamilton felt the need to do something that had never been done in AP Language history: cancel the mock exam.

Students were made aware of the Saturday, April 18 mock exam date on the first day of school through Blackboard and the syllabus, and were frequently reminded in class. Even though an ACT test was scheduled on the same date, teachers warned their students to clear their calendars. However, as the exam date neared, over 50 students said they could not attend due to the ACT. Reed and Hamilton were swamped with phone calls and emails until they made the decision to cancel the mock.

“DUE TO LACK OF INTEREST THE MOCK EXAM IS CANCELLED.”

This Remind 101 text, sent out April 15, caused students to hyperventilate or cheer.

Junior Lauren Culbreth was one of the students who went into a state of panic when she received the news. She attempting to organize her own mock to make up for the lost practice.

“I really want to pass the exam,” Culbreth said. “I hadn’t had the experience of getting to take a mock exam, so I was really disappointed when it was cancelled.”

In an effort to help others be successful, Reed made her students aware of an online mock exam and collaborated with Hamilton to assign in-class practice.

Reed felt the most difficult part of the exam was time management, something the mock

exam would have helped the students practice.

“That’s why we were so freaked out when the mock got cancelled,” junior Peyton Jackson said. “We could write essays, we just were not used to writing them back-to -back.”

To add to the stress, the directions for the AP exam changed. In the past, students were required to take a mandatory 15 minutes to analyze the passages before they began writing.

This year, students were free to decide how they wanted to manage the two hour and 15 minute time limit.

From 2012-2014, Reed and Hamilton’s average score on the AP exam has been a 3 and their pass rates have been between 75 to 80 percent, a goal they hope to maintain in 2015.

5

lifestyles

Teachers take leave after years of service Carla Baird leaves after 10 years

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arla Baird, the front desk secretary, might be better known as a friend to everyone. She has either volunteered or worked at the school since it opened 10 years ago, but now she has decided to retire.

“I love Carla because she’s always happy to do her job and has a bright and smiling face when you come into the office, no matter what,” senior Lyndsey Lewis said. “I hate to see her leave because this school loves her and wouldn’t know what to do without her.”

The decision to leave, while not an easy one, is necessary for her to move on with her life and find herself in new and exciting ways.

“It’s time to pass the torch,” Baird said. “I started as a younger woman. I’m an old lady now and my multi-tasking has left me.”

Baird began her job when her eldest son, Jordan, became a student as part of the first graduating class. She thought the position would be a great opportunity to keep an eye on him and her other son once he began high school as well.

“They have come and gone and have done

their thing and it’s time for me to go and do my thing,” Baird said.

While it has not been officially announced to everyone, Baird has signed the papers and word has started to spread around about her leave of absence.

Many students have held a strong bond with Baird and are sad to see her go.

“She is honestly the glue that holds this school together,” senior Annie Raby said. “You seriously can’t have a bad day if you run into her. She is so sweet and 100 percent dedicated to helping you with anything.”

Baird describes her experience here as life-changing, and the thing she will miss the absolute most is the kids.

While she does not plan to visit often in the beginning due to a long commute, she will eventually come back to see students and the faculty and staff.

“I’m trying hard not to cry,” Baird said.

“My mother always told me ‘leave the party while you’re still having a good time’ and that’s what I’m doing.”

Haley Gaeser

Senior Staffer

Kathy Koons retires after 30 years

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erman teacher Kathy Koons always wondered when the right time to retire would be, and after the school told her three years ago they would be phasing out German, she knew the time was now.

Koons has been teaching for 30 years. She began her teaching career in Maryland, then taught in Arkansas and finally moved to Florida.

The enjoyment she receives from the kids is what has kept her teaching for so long.

“I like talking to teenagers and watching them understand what I’m saying,” Koons said.

“When kids get excited about something and their eyes light up when they get it, that is cool.”

Once school ends, Koons plans to travel.

Her husband, a classical musician travels a lot to places like China and now she will be able to join him. She also has a goal of visiting all 50 states before she hits 60 and only has Oregon left.

“We’re freed up with time,” Koons said.

“We can now even take a trip in May. How awesome would that be?”

Koons also is looking forward to working

on her miniatures after retiring. She is currently the president of her miniatures club and has been building all sorts of models for them.

Another reason Koons is retiring is because of some physical issues involving fibromyalgia that have been getting worse. She hopes leaving will allow her to get her illness in check and quit her medicine.

“I think getting rid of the stress of school will help a lot,” Koons said.

The students who have been in her German classes since freshman year are disappointed as they are unable to take AP German next year, but they are more upset to see her go.

“She has a quick sense of humor and it made the class really fun,” junior Madeline Schmitz said. “Her class has always been my favorite and not having it next year will be really sad.”

Koons leaves new and upcoming teachers with a little advice to be prepared and to make every day as enjoyable as possible.

“Enjoy your students. Really enjoy them,” Koons said. “If you don’t enjoy teenagers, this is not the place for you.”

6

Seniors choose to serve country

Surviving Suburbia

Katie Curley

Hillbillies and suburbanites collide

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Winnie Meyer

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Senior Staffer

f there is one thing that can put true fear in a teenager, it is the possibility that their closet-hidden family may be unearthed to their friends - missing teeth, accents and all.

With graduation parties on the way, more soon-to-be-graduates are slowly cocooning ourselves in this fear. Your embarrassing relatives from Small Town America have decided to make the trek down to suburban Florida and cannot wait to see their favorite niece walk across stage in a “pertty” dress.

Worse yet, your friends cannot wait to meet your strange family and sample their casseroles.

Though they provide plenty of entertainment and tales to share with your friends, you never want these stories to become more than two-dimensional. You may like Law and Order, but you don’t want the villains to jump out of the screen. In the same way, you don’t want Aunt Louise to jump out of Minnesota and greet your friends with her unwashed leather gloves and garbling speech.

The obvious solution is simple: don’t invite them. Unfortunately, because they are family, you can’t not invite them. It’s rude, and you’ll miss out on graduation money.

It’s not like your friends don’t know about the embarrassing side of your family: from the time your cousin’s baby licked a dog to your aunt and uncle’s decision to buy a double-wide trailer off eBay to live in the middle of their cornfield. They’re local legends.

At this point, everyone is excited except for you. Well, maybe you’re slightly excited because in truth, you’re just like your cooky relatives and you slightly miss them and their wild boat races.

Though your friends know about your crazy family, they don’t know that when you make the trek to visit, you may as well have “hillbilly” branded to your forehead.

You’re afraid they’ll find out about the mountain of dirt your family has on you.

You’re afraid the accent that twangs your voice when visiting will make an appearance.

But your biggest fear is that they’ll discover that you do love your family, no matter what casserole they bring to the party.

Senior Staffer

hile some look forward to partying every day with only four classes a week, other seniors choose a more serious path. For those going into the Armed Forces, this is the case; students either go into a specialized military university or go straight into service. Whether it be the Marines, Army, Air Force or Navy, these seniors are prepared to give up college fun to serve their country.

Senior Steven Burton chose to go into the Marine Corps. As he is currently in JROTC, he has been exposed to the hard environment that he will experience. Since age 12, Burton knew he wanted to serve and make it his career.

“I love my country, and I feel like I’ve taken from it, so I want to give back,” Burton said.

On the other hand, fellow JROTC member Sam Ortiz decided to go into the Army, as he wants to be in the military police and become a paratrooper. Like Burton, he knew at a young age that he wanted to join the military. “[I want to] serve this country for the founding fathers and all the men who have died in my place before me,” Ortiz said.

JROTC cadets are not the only ones who want to serve. Senior Troy Holland also plans to become a Navy SEAL after graduation. He will go to California for training later in the year and start his career in the service. “[I look forward] to traveling the world and

helping people; as a SEAL I will be able to do both,” Holland said.

Other seniors have decided to go into a military university to begin their training and continue their education. Seniors Kiele Mohre and Matt Medla have committed to the U.S. Air Force Academy, which has a long and tedious application process and a selective admissions board. The Academy is so selective because it is rigorous in both training and academics.

“The first year they give you a lot of rules that you have to follow,” Mohre said. “It is basically their year to torture you in a sense to see if you can handle it.”

The decision to serve stemmed from both family and experience. While JROTC has prepared many for military life, family is the source of their love for their country.

“My uncle is such an inspiration in my life; he was in the Army. I want to follow in his footsteps,” Burton said.

The same thing can be said for most other seniors planning to serve. Ortiz wants to become an Army paratrooper, mirroring his uncle.

Holland’s grandfather inspired him to make the Navy a life-long career. Both Mohre’s brother and mother have served in the Air Force.

“I haven’t always wanted to serve,” Mohre said. “But after seeing my brother graduate from basic training, it was just really cool to see them all together; the camaraderie of it all.”

Many things contribute to the decision to serve. Whether moral obligation or family, these

Photo by Jake Arthur

STANDING AT ATTENTION. Senior Matt Medla salutes his superior. As battalion commander, Medla is experienced with the strict atmosphere he will experience in the Air Force Academy.

seniors share a fierce loyalty to their country.

All of them will begin basic training later this year, where they will be put through a rigorous course where they will learn everything they will have to do in the military. First they learn to serve and then they will go on to lead.

Siblings learn science through robotics Daniella Parcell

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Senior Staffer

ith just a centimeter between her and the opposing team, senior Sarah Parker sat restlessly on a set of bleachers in Perry, Ga., silently wishing she were at the more relaxing llama show taking place outside. Thirty minutes and 14 awards later, her nerves were finally put to rest as her team stormed the field to accept the Chairman’s Award, the most prestigious honor in robotics.

“I was freaking out the whole time, I was so nervous,” Parker said. “I put my heart and soul into it, and it’s really great for your hard work to be recognized.”

For Sarah and her brother, sophomore Phillip Parker, these instances have been the norm since 2011 when they first joined the robotics team, Exploding Bacon. With 29 other students from 12 different schools, the Parkers attend both regional and global robotics competitions hosted by For Inspiration and

Recognition of Science and Technology, where they work to show off their robotic skills while inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.

“I first thought, ‘It’s just for nerds, I would not want to do this’ but then I realized that FIRST has more to offer than just robots,” Sarah said.

The driver of the robot, Phillip is one of three people on the field during competitions, making him integral to the robot’s success in the game. Not only was this Phillip’s first year as a driver, but it was also a successful year for the team, giving him the pressure of driving at the FIRST World Championship in St. Louis.

“At times it can be extremely stressful,” Phillip said. “The stress of knowing that within one second you could win or you could lose – that’s the hardest part.”

Though the team’s success in the game is important, another portion of competition is the Chairman’s presentation, which involves an essay, a brief video, a live presentation and

responses to short-answer questions, all of which detail the team’s efforts to integrate Science Technology Engineering and Math subjects into the community. As the Chairman’s Lead, Sarah is in charge of writing and organizing all of these projects, tasks that have brought not only the short-term honor of her two Chairman’s Awards, but also the confidence and leadership skills that will help her prosper in the future.

“Three different people have expressed that I’m a role model for them and that they want to be as passionate and dedicated to Bacon and STEM subjects as I am,” Sarah said. “That has been really touching, better than any award.”

Through FIRST and Exploding Bacon, both Sarah and Phillip have discovered their passions for STEM, with Phillip aspiring to be a mechanical engineer, and Sarah hoping to work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While their time with the team must end after high school, both plan to use the skills they have learned through robotics in their future educations and STEM careers.

Dear Class of 2015, Congratulations on achieving the momentous milestone of earning your high school diploma! The class of 2015 has continued the tradition of excellence that is prevalent on this campus. Hard work, dedication, passion and perseverance are characteristics demonstrated by the senior class of 2015!

This school year has gone by so quickly and has been an amazing one! Our exceptional senior class has led all of our students to achieve at remarkable levels in academics, the arts, athletics and community service. Our fine and performing arts groups have won many honors and praises, our athletic teams are outstanding, and our student-led community service projects have endeared our students as kind, caring and thoughtful young adults. The faculty and staff of Hagerty High School have been honored to work with our wonderful students and will miss the class of 2015.

As you move on to your next endeavor, know that you have completed the mission of Seminole County Public Schools and that is, “you have acquired the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be productive citizens in our great country and in the global economy.� We wish you the best as you leave Hagerty High School and know that you will continue your success through high standards of excellence on whatever path you choose. Have a great life and as always, Go Huskies!

Sincerely, Dr. Mary Williams

S2

Academic Awards Night Community Awards

Air Force Academy Matthew Medla Kiele Mohre Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Colby Floeter Oviedo Winter Springs Lions Club Scholarship Evangeline Rockburn Krewe of Leaders Aaron Santomauro Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Sanford Alumnae Scholarship Analysia Hart PTSA Scholarship Brianna Barrett Katerina Bourova Casey Crawford Nina Kumar Conner MacFarlane Joseph Simone HHS Athletic Booster Club Scholarship Michael Beaudry Nicole Mattson HHS HERO Award Kelsea Johannes Hagerty Family Scholarship Olivia Dansereau Danish “Well-Rounded student” Scholarship Kristen Aubin Erica Cannon Mikayla Hermenau Oviedo Historical Society Robert James Lawton Scholarship Katerina Bourova National Automotive Tech Competition Peter Callin Gates Millennium Scholar Ibraheem Alinur Sam Momary Tradition of Excellence Award Charles Lynch Seminole County South Rotary Rising Achievers Conner McFarlane Noor Mutawe HHS Mu Alpha Theta Scholarship Grant Elliot

Colleges/Universities

Seminole State Academic Scholarships Claudia Mendoza Joseph Simone Seminole State College Board of Trustees Felipe Nieves University of Central Florida Scholarships Kevin Anderson Robert Burke Steven Carolus Vasilios Diatzikis Madison Marcano Lauren McLendon Brandon Moser Craig Stuart University of West Florida Football Scholarship Michael Beaudry

University of West Florida Nautilus Scholarship Michael Beaudry Arizona State University New American Scholar Dean’s Award Kelly Broderick North Greenville University of Trustee and Athletic Scholarship Christoper Carpenter JM31 Scholarship Christopher Carpenter University of Tampa Minaret Merit Scholarship Adeline Davis University of Tampa Minaret Merit Scholarship Savannah Davis University of South Florida Scholar’s Gold Award Haley Gaeser Jacksonville University Dean’s Scholarship Katie Krawczyk Florida Region of US Volleyball Scholarship Katie Krawczyk Clemson University Academic Scholarship Brandon Margio Cotty College Scholarship Laura Mickler University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Athletic Scholarship Ru Mucherera Johnson & Wales University Campus Award Cara Petrullo Orange County Classroom Teachers Association Scholarship Cara Petrullo University of South Florida Directors Award Emily Robinson University of South Florida Honors College Scholarship Emily Robinson University of Central Florida National Hispanic Scholarship John Royero University of Alabama Engineering Scholarship Trevor Schwalm University of Alabama Presidential Scholarship Trevor Schwalm

National Merit Award

National Merit Finalist Grant Elliott Samuel Henken Nina Kumar Yasamin Sharifi Prerna Sharma National Merit Semifinalist Grant Elliot Alexander Finster Samuel Henken Nina Kumar Yasamin Sharifi Prerna Sharma Semifinalist National Achievement Scholarship Award Ibraheem Alinur

senior section TUESDAY, APRIL 28 6:30 - 8:30 P.M. National Merit Siemens Scholarship Yasamin Sharifi Prerna Sharma Stephanie Steedle National Hispanic Scholar John Royero

Department Awards

Mathematics Grant Elliot English Department BluePrint Award Lauren Lee English Department Award Language & Letters Daniella Parcell English Department Award Creative Voice Hannah Sydnes English Department Rhetoric Award Gabriel Balasquide ESOL Department Award Mary Katherine Poko Interior Design Award Shannon McNamara Culinary Awards Emily Feldt Early Childhood Education Department Award Emma Maxwell Computer Programming Award Matthew Alvarez Robotics Award Victor Vargas Science Department Award Anatomy Cory Schulte HHS Science Department Award Biology Sarah Parker Science Department Award Environmental Science Steven Carolus Science Department Award Physics Jack Royero Science Department Award Environmental Science Brianna Barrett HHS World Language Department French Award Victor Vargas World Language Spanish Award Madison Marcano ASL Award Dalymar Zayas-Boccheciamp English Department Award Cinema Studies Jacob Shank Social Studies Department Award Yasamin Sharifi Principal’s Leadership Award Ru Mucherera Rodney Shaw Principal’s Citizenship Award Christopher Carpenter Alexis George

Graduation

May 20, 9 a.m., UCF Arena

Class Orators Christian Rosa Class Orator What book has inspired you to achieve your goals?

“Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. It really showed me that you have to put a lot of time into something if you want to be good at it. I have to work at what I want to work at because I’m not just going to sit around and become what I want to be.”

Kiele Mohre

Top Ten speaker What movie character has been your main source of motivation?

“Hermione Granger has been my idol since elementary school. I’ve always wanted to be her. Also, I liked Katniss Everdeen’s character in Catching Fire. She didn’t need anybody to take care of her.”

Alexa Serino NHS President

What is one thing you want students to take away from your speech?

“In life, you’re going to have a lot of times where you’re not going to succeed at first, but don’t give up, because that’s life and you should keep going.”

Prerna sharma Valedictorian

What is a challenge you have had to overcome that helped you get where you are today?

“For me, the hardest thing was transferring from Seminole in the middle of the semester. It made me stronger and more prepared for not being in my comfort zone all the time; it prepared me for the future.”

S3

senior section TOP Team - FALL: Boys Bowling Place: State final Record 15-1 Accolades Conference champs, district champs, state runner-up “Last year, they were disappointed, and they followed that up finishing second in the state this season. That was a great finish for them.”

Adam stansbury

TOP Team - winter: boys basketball Place: State Final Record 22-9 Accolades District champions, regional champions, state runner up “This was a classic example of team. They took a team that didn’t have very high expectations to the state championship.”

josh kohn

TOP Team - spring: baseball

TOP Team - FALL: Girls Bowling Place: State semifinal Record 15-1 Accolades District champs, third in state

“They strived for team goals. Doing that with only five girls and no substitutes is a really big accomplishment.”

adam stansbury

TOP Team - winter : cheerleading Place: State final Accolades State champions, eighth in the nation, second in the world

“Being able to come back and win another state championship goes to show how dedicated they are.” kim hackman

TOP Team - spring: softball

Place: Regional quarterfinal

Place: Regional quarterfinal

Record 19-9

Record 28-4

Accolades District champs

Accolades District champs, state runner-up

“The biggest part of this year was that each kid was willing to fight for one another to achieve something that was greater than themselves.”

jered goodwin

“I’m really proud of all of our girls. We grew as a team and battled together. We played some great competition throughout the season.”

david stone

S4

Athlete of the Year Ryan mountcastle, baseball

senior section

Athlete of the Year sam worrell, softball

Position: Shortstop

Position: Pitcher

Years on varsity: 3

Years on varsity: 4

Committed to University of Central Florida

Committed to: University of South Florida

Accolades: Under Armour All American MVP

Accolades: MaxPreps national player of the year

“There hasn’t been anybody that’s come through Hagerty that has worked harder than him. He’s one to get up and do the extra things and it’s really shown up on the field. The biggest thing that happened this year was that he really showed some leadership qualities that helped us especially late making a run in the state playoffs. I know he’s got a tremendous future.”

“To be blunt: Sam is simply the best. She’s self-motivated and her evolution as ball player has taken her to a level that others can only dream about. She has become one of the most recognizable players in our state, and is well deserving of the all the awards she has been nominated for. We couldn’t be happier having her as a representative of Hagerty High School Softball.”

Multi-Sport Athlete Jon burnham

Academic Athlete Alexa serino

- Jered Goodwin

Multi-Sport Athlete ru mucherera

Sports: Football, weightlifting Positions: Linebacker Accolades: State champion,

- David Stone

Academic Athlete charles lynch

weightlifting

Sports: Soccer, weightlifting, track Positions: Forward, shot put Accolades: Seminole County player of

the year

Sports Cross Country, Track GPA 4.43 class rank: 22

Sports Soccer, cross country, Track GPA 4.55 class rank: 7

“Jon Burnham has been a phenomenal athlete. He is one of the hardest working, most dedicated and focused students that I’ve every coached.”

“Ru is a fantastic athlete. I honestly don’t think there is a sport that she couldn’t excel at. It’s cool to see a threesport athlete as successful as Ru.”

“She was a representative for the FHSAA all state academic team. She is a multisport athletes and she is extremely successful in the classroom as well.”

“He was also a representative for the FHSAA all state academic team.

Charles represents what we believe to be the ultimate student athlete here at this school.”

- Luis Chacon

- Matthew Malkovich

- Jay Getty

- Jay Getty

S5

senior section Concert band

jazz Band

Theater

theater tech

ROBERT BURKE

rICKY MONTECALVO

ALEXA JOHNSON

lyndsey lewis

Position: Band President “Robby is a person that we can count on to not only know his part and what he’s working on, but also what’s going on with the band.”

Position: Drummer “Ricky has improved a lot within the past two years. He’s gotten very good at adding to the music to fit the style or soloist or whatever is going on.”

- Brad Kuperman

Position: Thespian President “Alexa Johnson is one of the most intelligent, prepared students I’ve ever had. She brings maturity to performances that is incredible.”

Position: Theater Technician “Lyndsey is the epitome of a true leader. She has the ability to be strict yet sensitive to her peers’ feelings.”

chorus

Color guard

Dance

Art

kayla bridge

jenna ionadi

Genesis diaz

lauren Lee

Position: Voices of Hagerty Singer “Music just flows out of her. She’s in my room always at a piano and she’s always willing to help out. She is a great role model to the younger girls. Her heart is definitely in it.” -Victoria Rathbun

Position: Color Guard Captain “Because of her enthusiasm, commitment and performance, Jenna has been an outstanding color guard member this year.”

Position: Varsity Co-Captain “Genesis is 100% dedicated to the team. She has given and given all four years and has played an instrumental role in the development of the team over the years.”

Position: Digital Art Student “Lauren stands out among her peers because of her positive attitude, hard work ethic and her many creative ideas and talents.

She is always ready to take on a challenge. ” - Mary Marinel

- Brian Kuperman

- Nellie Montecalvo

- Trevor Southworth

- Diane Hasenbank

- Trevor Southworth

S6

Charles Lynch

ROBBERT BURKE 5

Prerna Sharma

cOFFEY trinity college

GPA: 4.7 Major: Chemical Engineering If you could go back to any point in time, when would it be and why?

Pangea, so I could roadtrip across the world without plane expenses What has been your most difficult class?

Computer Science; it’s like learning a new language

7

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

ALAINE

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Rose Hulman Institute of Technology

GPA: 4.675 Major: Economics What would be your ideal last meal on earth?

Steak and a baked potato What would you do with $1 billion?

Never attend school again

GPA: 4.579 Major: Aerospace Engineering If you could go back to any point in time, when would it be and why?

Elementary school, where I could have the opportunity to get a good sleep What would you do with $1 billion?

Become a professional food taster

f o al ss

c

air force

5 1 0 2

GRANT ELLIOT UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA GPA: 4.698 Major: Physics and Math What would you do with $1 billion?

I don’t think about what I would do with pocket change What is your dream job?

NBA player

o

n e T p

Nersisyan

9

GPA: 4.552 Major: Electrical Engineering If you could have lunch with any person at any place, who and where and why?

I would have lunch with John Lennon in Colorado and ask him what was his inspiration for writing Yellow Submarine What would be your ideal last meal on earth?

A burger from In-N-Out

GPA: 4.52 Major: Economics and Applied Math If you could go back to any point in time, when would it be and why?

I would go back to 212 B.C. to see how Hannibal of Carthage’s army and elephants crossed the Alps to attack Rome What is your dream job?

I always wanted to be a Santa Claus

6

Yasamin Sharifi

GPA: 4.6 Major: Undecided Science If you could go back to any point in time, when would it be and why?

1960s–1970s, to meet my uncle and grandmother and see all the changes during the 1960s Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully finishing a Ph.D/doing research in science

Narek

UC BERKeLEY

KIELE MOHRE academy

yale

S7

GPA: 4.56 Major: Engineering/Pre-Med If you could go back to any point in time, when would it be and why?

The early 20s, because I have always wanted to see a flapper If you could have lunch with any person at any place, who and where and why?

Hermione Granger at the Leaky Cauldron because she is amazing and my lifelong idol

Tyler

Reilly

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

SAM

HENKEN

8 GPA: 4.52 Major: Civil Engineering If you could go back to any point in time, when would it be and why?

Prevent Yoko from meeting John and save the Beatles Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Moderately successful engineer by day/vigilante superhero by night

GPA: 4.52 Major: Pre-Med If you could go back to any point in time, when would it be and why?

1980 Miracle on Ice. U.S. [hockey] upsets Soviet Russia What is your dream job?

NBA baller

10

University of Florida

S6

Charles Lynch

ROBBERT BURKE 5

Prerna Sharma

cOFFEY trinity college

GPA: 4.7 Major: Chemical Engineering If you could go back to any point in time, when would it be and why?

Pangea, so I could roadtrip across the world without plane expenses What has been your most difficult class?

Computer Science; it’s like learning a new language

7

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

ALAINE

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Rose Hulman Institute of Technology

GPA: 4.675 Major: Economics What would be your ideal last meal on earth?

Steak and a baked potato What would you do with $1 billion?

Never attend school again

GPA: 4.579 Major: Aerospace Engineering If you could go back to any point in time, when would it be and why?

Elementary school, where I could have the opportunity to get a good sleep What would you do with $1 billion?

Become a professional food taster

f o al ss

c

air force

5 1 0 2

GRANT ELLIOT UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA GPA: 4.698 Major: Physics and Math What would you do with $1 billion?

I don’t think about what I would do with pocket change What is your dream job?

NBA player

o

n e T p

Nersisyan

9

GPA: 4.552 Major: Electrical Engineering If you could have lunch with any person at any place, who and where and why?

I would have lunch with John Lennon in Colorado and ask him what was his inspiration for writing Yellow Submarine What would be your ideal last meal on earth?

A burger from In-N-Out

GPA: 4.52 Major: Economics and Applied Math If you could go back to any point in time, when would it be and why?

I would go back to 212 B.C. to see how Hannibal of Carthage’s army and elephants crossed the Alps to attack Rome What is your dream job?

I always wanted to be a Santa Claus

6

Yasamin Sharifi

GPA: 4.6 Major: Undecided Science If you could go back to any point in time, when would it be and why?

1960s–1970s, to meet my uncle and grandmother and see all the changes during the 1960s Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully finishing a Ph.D/doing research in science

Narek

UC BERKeLEY

KIELE MOHRE academy

yale

S7

GPA: 4.56 Major: Engineering/Pre-Med If you could go back to any point in time, when would it be and why?

The early 20s, because I have always wanted to see a flapper If you could have lunch with any person at any place, who and where and why?

Hermione Granger at the Leaky Cauldron because she is amazing and my lifelong idol

Tyler

Reilly

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

SAM

HENKEN

8 GPA: 4.52 Major: Civil Engineering If you could go back to any point in time, when would it be and why?

Prevent Yoko from meeting John and save the Beatles Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Moderately successful engineer by day/vigilante superhero by night

GPA: 4.52 Major: Pre-Med If you could go back to any point in time, when would it be and why?

1980 Miracle on Ice. U.S. [hockey] upsets Soviet Russia What is your dream job?

NBA baller

10

University of Florida

S8

TeacherFarewells

senior section

We are really proud of everything that you have accomplished. Now is the time when you get to decide how will you make your mark on the world. In the great words of Joseph Campbell, “Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.”

Romina Jannotti

You are a child of the universe, no less than

the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should, ...and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful.

Strive to be happy.” - Desiderata Teresa Decio

Class of 2015 - don’t forget to floss and wear sunscreen :)

Mary Cullen

Live by the words of Robert Frost, “I took the

one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference,” and your time will be well spent.

Best regards, Robin Grenz \

I would have to tell the seniors to always

stay true to themselves! Life is a challenge and it’s all about what you make of it. The most importance piece of advice I can tell a senior DO NOT TAKE OUT CREDIT CARDS. They ruin you ;) Erin Isaacs

Although this marks the end of an important

chapter, it is just the beginning of your life’s amazing story. Stay true to yourself, always be kind and never stop learning! As we leave, know that you have left a lasting impression on your teachers and we could not be more proud of your accomplishments. I will miss all of your smiling faces on campus, especially my lovely daughter, Olivia. Congratulations and best wishes to all.

KIM Dansereau

Times being what they are, do not partake of

strange potions to try and change yourself. Make sure you know the difference between truth and story truth. Do not allow anyone to measure your brain or to try to send you off to the heart of darkness. Be careful of your actions so that you wear no albatross. You are the machine in the machine of your future. Do not take political advice from witches. Two phrases to get you through when life seems impossible: “Lay on, Macduff.” And CALM BLUE OCEAN. Make sure to always know your MOWAAW and especially MOYOL…Meaning of Your Own Life. Do not always try to rule in hell, heaven might be a very nice place. Be careful what you wish for or it may come back to haunt you and be chased through the North Pole. Try to find that one special Slurpee flavor for you and grapple (it) onto yourself with hoops of steel. Make sure your relationships mean more than just a curtain blowing in the window. Remember what a piece of work is man and that one should always eat muffins quite calmly. And this above all, to thine own self be true …thou canst not then be false to any man. HEADS!

With love and quotes,

Vicki Browne

Good luck seniors! I wish you much joy and happiness in the future. Now go out there and do amazing things!

Yvette M. Pigott To all my seniors: Thank you for a

wonderful preschool year and for all of your hard work and dedication to the Husky Pups.

I wish miss you all so please keep in touch.

Always remember to do your best with a smile on your face!!! Now go forth and prosper!!!

Thank you, Jenny Burrell

DEAR JERDS: Conferences, late nights, tears...

when the deadline scars fade I will remember our years of ‘lab life’ with fondness. Both yearbook and newspaper (plus the websites, SmugMug, Twitter...) have had an incredible run, and I can’t imagine what the next year will bring, except sadness that you’re gone!

BRIT ’TAYLOR GANG’

“People will forget what you said, people

Seniors, remember to never settle for anything

The time has come seniors. Your hopes and dreams have just begun. Never lose that hope, for it’s “a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”

The Shawshank Redemption

LISA Gendreau

Thanks to all of you for sharing this sliver of time in your lives with us.

Every single one of you have the potential to be GREAT and to make a difference! Always keep an open mind and an open heart, believe in yourself, be positive and make sure to spread the love - YESSS! Peace to all, Heidi Grasso

will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Maya Angelou Seniors, you have been amazing role models not only for your peers but for all students at HHS. Your guts, determination, and attitude have propelled you to achieve incredible feats.

The best of luck to you all as you continue on the path to greatness!

Helen Reed

less than what you deserve and to always believe in yourself! You are capable of doing anything you put your mind to. Now go out into the world and make something of yourselves!

Love you all, BCAM.

Go Huskies!

Brittany Campbell

Voting is super cool!

18 or older? You can register to vote today 16 or 17? You can pre-register to vote today

www.VoteSeminole.org

senior section

Congratulations seniors and good luck!

-Coach Diane Hasenbank

S9

S10

Congratulations

senior section

Class of 2015

A list of the graduating seniors and their destinations for next year, provided for those who responded

A

Genesis Abreu Bridget Adkins Molly Adkins Aimad Ajjane Shane Albert Ibraheem Alinur Matthew Alvarez Alexander Amin Prithivraj Anandakumar Allyn Anderson Kevin Anderson Daniel Angel Miranda Arcelay Armin Aryafar Kristen Aubin Radhia Azad Mark Azer

UCF FSU Undecided Valencia Undecided Northwestern Undecided UCF USF SSC UCF- Honors SSC FGCU FSU FAU UF NSU

B Sofia Baerga Garay SSC Bethany Bailey Adventist Jacob R. Bailey NFU Jacob S. Bailey Business Rachel Bain Valencia Jenna Bakke SSC Gabriel Balasquide UCF Cheyenne Baldonado SSC Bradley Ballew UCF Jayk Barker USF Jane Barresi Valencia Brianna Barrett Rollins Tia Bass Undecided William Batten Michael Beaudry UWF Marina Behrends SSC Patrick Bell Valencia Alexandra Benitez-Beauchamp Valencia Conner Berdine SSC Sydney Bodecker Valencia Madeleine Bohlen USF Ellie Bonck USC David Bonet-Ruiz SSC Timothy Borza Norwitch Hayley Boulicault Valencia Katerina Bourova Embry Riddle Andrew Boyd Rollins Meghan Bradburn Valencia Michael Bradley Undecided Neenah Bradley Clemson Hunter Brandenburg FGCU

Kayla Bridge Kelly Broderick Kori Brooke Johnathan Brown Justin Brown Brianna Bryant Hope Bryant Matthew Bryson Nathaniel Buckhalter Robert Burke Jonathan Burnham Reiner Burns Steven Burton Durron Butler

SSC Arizona State Central Florida USF MGCCC UNF UCF Actor / Model UCF- Honors FSU Undecided Undecided SSC

C Adriana Caamano FSU Helen Cabanillas SSC Amanda Cacioppo Valencia Peter Callin SSC Kenneth Cange Undecided Erica Cannon UCF Tristan Canto SSC Robeson Capps Undecided Steven Carolus UCF- Honors Christopher Carpenter North Greenville Kirsten Carr SSC Brian Carver SSC Carter Cassidy Undecided Jonah Castro UWF Adriana Cavazos Valencia Jacqueline Cedatol UCF Kevin Cekani SSC Julia Cha UF Nick Chen Undecided Keith Clowney SSC Austin Coates Undecided Evin Code FSU Alaine Coffey Trinity College Alexander Colon Gabrielle Colon SSC Thamara Colon-Nazario SSC Haley Comeaux SSC Christopher Connelly SSC Emily Cook Abigail Cordrey Valencia Salvador Corona Isabella Cortes FSU Frank Cotugno UCF Amber Courtney SSC Savanah Courtney Albany Casey Crawford UWF

Kiara Crawford Louis Cribb David Crider Tiffany Crouch Katerin Cubillos Kathryn Curley Shannon Curran

UCF USF Business Undecided BYU-Idaho UF SSC

D Thomas Daly Olivia Dansereau UF Emily Darden UCF Adeline Davis University of Tampa Savannah Davis University of Tampa Hunter Dechau Army Jessica Dehn UCF Rachel Descalzo Flagler College Gabrielle D’esposito UCF Vasilios Diatzikis UCF Genesis Diaz UCF Anne Marie Dickinson UNF Christopher Diehl SSC Sophia Dimeglio Valencia Brandon Dishman Undecided Jack Ditmyer UCF Jaquavis Dixon U.A. Ohio Melissa Dixon SSC Larry Domino North Carolina Dalton Dorsch Kristin Douglas FGCU Brendan Downes SSC Natalie Doyle LSU Micah Dubose SSC

E Chance Edwards Austin Ekern Grant Elliot Matthew Ellis Theressa El-Shedraway Caleb Enot Zoe Escue Arianna Eskew

SSC FSU UF Valencia UWF Undecided Embry Riddle

F Edward Faberlle Abigail Faust Madison Feagan Emily Feldt Megan Fernander Taylor Ferraro Taylor Figueroa

SSC FAU UCF Valencia Warner University FSU Pikes Peek

Kevin Finegan Valencia Sarah Finger Velencia Alexander Finster Valencia James Flannery Ohio Dominican Maureen Fleitas Colby Floeter FSU Andrew Folta SSC Dale Francis SSC Luke Franco FSU Taylor Frank Undecided Samuel Frankson SSC Gabrielle Franze Seminole State Jeaneva Frawley SSC Douglas Fray SSC Brandon Funke South Northern Institute

G Haley Gaeser USF Chevelle Garcia Ryan Garick South Northern Institute Taylor Garick FSU Madison Garr Newberry College Adrienne Gasbarro Dominic Gasbarro UCF Jeremy Gast SSC Alexis George USF Anthony George UCF Alexander Georgiopoulos UCF- Honors Bianca Gifford UCF Bryce Gilliard SSC Summer Giovagnorio SSC Anika Glick Valencia Wesley Glock Liberty Bryan Goins Le Cordon Blue Ginelle Gonzalez SSC Rebekah Gonzalez SSC Derek Goodwin UCF Ryan Goodwin Undecided Ashlyn Gorton UF Virneldia Graham Chad Greenspan SSC Alexander Griffith SSC Jessie Grissom St. Johns Thomas Grotkopf SSC Johan Guasp-Mojica Undecided Victoria Guild Flagler College Sarah Gunn Undecided Kevin Gutierrez SSC Deniz Guven Valencia Robert Guzman SSC

H

Caroline Hadee Undecided Matthew Haibel FGCU Kyle Haley FSU Brian Hall Columbus State John Hamann UF Kay Hammack Northern Arizona Cole Harper David Harrold UNF Analysia Hart FGCU Conner Hart SSC Jessica Hartmann Undecided Holli Hastings FAU Kaley Hatcher Undecided Alysha Haupt SSC Rachel Hawkins SSC Austin Hayes Joshua Haywood UWF Aliyah Headley St. Johns Patrick Heaslip BSU Alexander Heim SSC Samuel Henken UCF Mikayla Hermenau UCF Laura Herrera BYU-Idaho Elizabeth Hertz UCF Cassandra Hess Rollins Andrew Hester MMA Chaylan Higgins SSC Leanna Higgins LSU Julianna Hilbert FAU Jordan Hilton-Brown Valencia Benjamin Hogan FAU Troy Holland Military Charity Holt SSC Kirsten Hopgood Valencia Trevor Hosterman UCF Austin Houk Undecided Gracie Humbert FSU Gassan Hussein Undecided Neva Huttula Sante Fe

I Emily Iddins Jenna Ionadi

SSC SSC

J Brittani Jackson Garrett Jager Delano Jarrett Jessica Jeffers Malik Jenkins Alysha Jimenez Kelsea Johannes

SSC Valencia Navy SSC Full Sail UNF

S11

senior section Alexa Johnson Jacob Johnson Kaia Johnson Garrett Jones Ane’ Jonigan Selena Juarez Moises Jusino

FSU Undecided SSC SSC SSC SSC SSC

K Theresa KalinowskI SSC Katherine Karkkainen Valencia Dallas Kaviani Undecided Tarra Keating Embry Riddle Mitchell Keefer SSC Joshua Kelly Tanner Kent Undecided Alaina Kinard SSC Joshua King Undecided Payton Kitchens USAF Haley Klein UCF Nigel Konz Music Justin Kotlaba Valencia Britton Kran UCF Kate Krawczyk Jacksonville Maria Kritikos Shelby Krupar FGCU Nina Kumar University of Miami Richada Ky UCF

L Corey Labrecque Undecided Chase Lach Undecided Zachary Larison Campbell University Tyler Lebeda Undecided Alanah Lebl UNF Jesse Lebrecht UF Ray Lebron Valencia Mccall Leduc Lees Mecrae Lauren Lee UCF Kareem Leith UCF Sabrina Leverett UCF Lyndsey Lewis SSC Alexander Liedberg SSC Juan Llenza SSC Marisa Lloyd UCF Robin Loh Germany Enrique Lopez Le Cordon Blue Joshua Lopez Marines Navier Lopez UCF Amanda Lover FGCU Lelah Loree Undecided Nicholas Loveland UCF Charles Lynch Rollins Honors John Lynch UCF

M Conner Macfarlane Brenden Macmillan Leonardo Madruga Larissa Maggard Natalia Maray Madison Marcano Brandon Margio David Markgraf Luis Marquez-Duprey Nicole Martinez

SSC USMC SSC SSC SSC UCF Clemson Undecided SSC

Macks Massengill SSC Gabriel Matos Dark Horse Institute Mark Mattera SCAD Nicole Mattson Florida Southern Andrew Matyko Emma Maxwell SSC Kristina Mcdowell Blake Mcelroy Sam Mcginnis Valencia Lauren Mclendon UCF- Honors Troi Mcmanus SSC Joy Mcnair Undecided Shannon Mcnamara FSU Rayann Mcpherson Undecided Ryan Mcvay Air Force Casey Mecabe SSC Matthew Medla Air Force Academy Harrison Meekins SSC Claudia Mendoza SSC Madison Menear SSC Lauren Menke SSC Abigail Merckel SSC Winnie Meyer LSU Erin Micalizzi Le Cordon Blue Laura Mickler Kaylee Milam SSC Blake Miller Army Brandon Miller Brandon Miner SSC Zachary Mitchell SSC Amanda Moberg FGCU Kiele Mohre Air Force Academy Denisse Mojica Richard Montecalvo William Moore Undecided Mariana Morais UCF Vincent Moreschi SSC Rachel Morgan UCF Jolene Morris UCF Brandon Moser UCF Ryan Mountcastle UCF Ruvimbo Mucherera UNC Sofia Muffoletto USF Daniel Muise Morgan Mullins SSC Sharmilla Murril Noor Mutawe UCF Myranda Mutton Valencia

N Rani Navicky Christopher Negron Sarah Nelson Narek Nersisyan Adam Ng John Nicho Felipe Nieves Garrett Noble Angellica Norris Jason Nuwayhid Isaac Nze

\ O

Austin O’Connell Robert O’Hare Caitlin O’Neil

USF Stetson SSC Berkeley SSC SSC Army Undecided Valencia Becker College

Navy TCC

Samuel Ortiz Brie Ortize Vincent Ossana Christopher Overbaugh Jesse Owen Luis Oyola-Guzman

Army SSC SSC Undecided

P Freddy Padrino SSC Kean Pakniat SSC Daniella Parcell Florida Atlantic Sarah Parker UCF- Honors Bryce Parrish Anthony Pascuzzo SSC Jordan Pate Devan Patel Valencia Collin Payne Madsen SSC Brianna Peery Alabama Danielle Pellegrino Undecided Maylena Perez Shannon Perry UCF Deanna Petrosky-Fowler SSC Cara Petrullo Johnson and Wales James Piechock Matthew Pieper UCF Holly Poko SSC Mary Poko SSC Megan Poko UF Ariana Polanco Daytona State Sonja Polchlopek SSC Sarah Policastro SSC Tenley Porcher University of Georgia Christopher Projahn Undecided Katherine Puglisi TCC

R Elizabeth Raby-Holmes Claudia Ragosta Seth Rahrle Danny Ramirez Rene Ramirez Kristen Ramos Brooke Raymond Chelsea Raymond Rhiana Raymundo Bronson Reano Logan Reid Tyler Reilly Caitlin Richard Steven Richart Kaylyn Richmond Carla Rincon Miranda Rincon Jessica Ritchie Ariana Rivera Imani Rivera Oscar Rivera Noah Roberts Torii Robertson Emily Robinson Evangeline Rockburn Lissa Rodriguez Llanes Alexander Rodriguez Jazmyne Rodriguez Sydney Romanzi Brittney Roquevert

Christian Rosa Emily Rothfuss John Royero Cherokee Rush

UCF UCF SSC Valencia SSC SSC Point Park UCF UCF UCF UF Rollins UCF SSC UNF SSC SSC SSC Undecided SSC USF Belmont SSC Undecided Undecided SSC

UF-Honors Aveda Institute UCF Undecided

S Walker Sackman Undecided Alfred Salas FAU Alexander Salinas SSC Jacob Sanderson Randy Santana Undecided Abiezer Santiago Cruz SSC Aaron Santomauro UCF Ramon Santos-Rodriguez Alberto Sarabasa SSC Ariana Sasso SSC John Sawyer Undecided Mohammed Sayyed SSC Taylor Scalora UCF Jacob Schaefer SSC Alexandra Schmidt SSC Cory Schulte UF Joseph Schulz Rollins Trevor Schwalm Alabama-Honors Sarah Schwinden SSC William Searcy SSC Alexa Serino FSU-Honors Jose Servin Mandujano Aaron Shaffer Army Jacob Shank SSC Yasamin Sharifi Yale Prerna Sharma UF Shiv Sharma UCF Caroline Shaw Rodney Shaw SSC Caitlyn Shoaff Florida Southern Jaquasha Simmons Navy Joseph Simone SSC Kunwar Singh SSC Nicholas Skiados UCF Nicole Smathers Undecided Frederick Smith Harley Soares SSC Alexis Sotomayor-Mendez Claire Spear University of Tampa Nathan Spear SSC Shelby Spradley SSC James Sprang USF - Honors Logan Stacey UF Stephanie Steedle UCF Hunter Stone SSC Craig Stuart UCF- Honors Jordan Summerfield UCF Shelby Sutch UCF Grayson Sweeney SSC Lauren Swinford UCF Hannah Sydnes Valencia

T Aaron Takacs Anna Tamayo Evren Tasci Mckayla Tawney Hunter Terrell Kristen Terrell

Spencer Thompson Gabriel Thorsted Jarod Thue Andrew Tobon-Velez Alexis Tolan Marissa Torres Jacob Townsend Austin Traub Nicholas Trimboli Tyler Trombley Thomas Trotter Dominick Tucciarone Katelyn Tuck Zachary Turner

UF Army SSC Harvard SSC Valencia SSC Undecided UCF Valencia

FAU SSC

U Jenni Urban

SSC

V Maxwell Valade Timothy Valentin Lillian Van Sickle Andrea Vanegas Victor Vargas Mariano Thalia Velazquez Hunter Ventura Bailey Viator

UNF Undecided Rollins FGCU UCF SSC Valencia SSC

W Kristin Walker SSC Kelly Walter UCF William Walter Sante Fe Kayla Watson SSC Wade Watts Undecided Victoria Waugaman SSC Alexandria Webster Julianna Weidler SSC Dasheaqua White Undecided Dylan White SSC Jessica Whittemore Liberty University Robert Wilferd Simrit Wilkhu UCF Julian Wilkinson Brooke Williams Heidi Winters BYU- Idaho Hunter Winters BYU Amanda Wise UCF Harry Wise UCF Megan Witt UCF Megan Woodson Daytona State Matthew Workman Music Samantha Worrell USF Logan Wright Jeremy Wydra UCF

Y Andrew Yoches David Yun

UF Illinois

Z Undecided St. Leo UCF SSC UCF SSC

Victoria Zarbo Denise Zayas-Bazan Dalymar Zayas-Boccheciamp Joseph Zollo

UCF SSC RIT

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Prom, dress-up days highlight senior week PROM

On Saturday, April 11, the Marriott World Center hotel in Orlando hosted the annual senior prom with a theme of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

From elaborate decorations of projections, water bottles filled with assorted candy and a chocolate fountain to dip deserts in, the theme

was carried out throughout the entire ballroom.

At the end of the night, seniors Ryan Mountcastle and Taylor Scalora were crowned king and queen of the dance.

“Winning prom queen was an amazing feeling, it is something that I will never forget,” Scalora said.

Senior Week

The week leading up to prom was dedicated to seniors with dress up days such as 10 Years Forward, 10 Years Back, Gender Swap, Senior Citizen Day and Spirit Day. Students brought in props like

scooters, walkers, teddy bears and rollerblades to play their character to the fullest.

“I loved gender swap day because I got to wear the most comfortable clothes; chubbies are the best,” senior Jessica Dehn said.

On Wednesday, for 10 Years Forward, the students

were able to either dress up as their future profession or switch places with an employee at the school.

“Senior Switch Day is good because it gives people venturing out in the real world a chance to experience a real world environment,” athletic director Jay Getty said.

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reviews MOST ATHLETICALLY CHALLENGING

MOST LAID-BACK

Watermelon 5k, July 4, Winter Park

The Watermelon 5k is an enjoyable tradition on the Fourth of July for families that provides an especially welcoming atmosphere. Families can celebrate their run – and America – with a fresh watermelon slice and a relaxing walk exploring the sponsors’ tents.

SavageRace, Oct. 24/25, Dade City

The obstacles featured in the SavageRace include sliding down mud tunnels, clambering over slippery walls, trekking across rope bridges and army-crawling under wire nets.

Created for the toughest of the tough and those willing to run, jump, crawl and fight their way to the finish.

Warrior Dash, Feb. 6, Clermont

Run for the Trees 5k, April 25, Winter Park

As an international organization and the longest running 5k mud-run series, this 5k is well put together with action-packed fun and elaborate post-race extravaganzas. Held on challenging, rugged terrain, runners scale massive obstacles, tromp through tons of mud and even leap through fire.

The Run for the Trees 5k is an easygoing run or walk event held on private property opened for this occasion only. Regardless of whether the participant runs or walks, all can appreciate the naturally canopied course and the fact that each runner receives a young tree to take home at the finish line.

Gotta run BEST RACE FOR A CAUSE Operation Giveback 5k, mid-May, UCF

The Operation Giveback annual 5k/15k, held at UCF, is a great way for running enthusiasts to get involved with their community. Operation Giveback is a charity centered around providing resources for wounded military servicepeople and their families, specifically in the Central Florida area.

Fittpalooza 5k, Sept. 13, Orlando

The Fittpalooza 5k is put on by the Orlando Magic’s Magic Fit Program, emphasizing the importance of healthy living. The race will feature Fitt Zones throughout the course where runners learn exercises they can do at home, making this a perfect race for every runner.

A sampling of Florida’s finest 5ks

BEST VIBE Blast ‘n Dash, May 31, Orlando

What better way to begin a hot summer day than getting pelted with water balloons? The Blast ‘n Dash 5k equips every runner with a water gun and two bottles of ammo to start off a course, stocked with volunteers waiting with water balloons to create a wet and funfilled run.

Color Run, date and time TBA

The single largest event series in the world, no runner participating in the Color Run can escape the fate of becoming a living rainbow. Although no color race dates have been announced yet for late 2015 in Florida, participants can be sure this run is a vibrant event.

PRETTIEST COURSE Turtle Krawl, Sept. 12, Indialantic

Not only does this race support a great cause, but the course alongside the ocean makes for an unforgettable event. With the sound of crashing waves, the Turtle Krawl 5k is the perfect way to start a Saturday.

Lighthouse Loop, Oct. 25, Port Orange

Running across a bridge on a crisp autumn Sunday morning is the dream. The Lighthouse Loop 5k and half marathon courses allow participants to run next to the ocean docks and possibly catch a glimpse of a dolphin silhoutted in the sun rise.

Reviews by Katie Curley, Kallie Delis, Sophie Hill and Jeannie Williams Design by Peyton Whittington

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POLL 1-3

8%

4-5

15%

6-8 9-12 13+

How many exams are you taking?

32% 18% 27%

student connection Double Take

100 random students were surveyed and responded to the poll that asked “How many exams are you taking in the 4th quarter?” On average, students replied with 6-8 exams, with 13+ exams scoring second. Exams in the poll included SBAs, FSAs, EOCs, AP exams and any other exams students would be taking in their classes. This poll was asked to showcase that standardized testing has increased to new levels, with excessive amounts of tests being administered to students.

100 people surveyed

POEM

Instagram Highlights

Neptune’s Cold

By Morgan Wagner, 9 Before the sphere had froze away to ice Tis not the sun’s heat conquers the cold Within cold grasps of a gagged dark price Tethered this heart gone dark and bold.

Seeing thus what stars bring, unwelcome is light Among pale white ground, taking all sound Softening snow white out of red stains, take mite Become a slain of men, burning dark dread.

@cheese_wojitisak Freshman Amanda Wojtiask helps with the chalk art at the Relay for Life walk to show her support.

@sierrahittel Sophomore Sierra Hittel plays as Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland.

@jessi_sings Senior Jessi Whittmore stars in her last play at school as Dolly Levi.

@rrachiiboo Freshman Rachel Robbins shows her passion for dance on International Dance Day.

Come to the glaciers peek of winter’s breath Letting only a thin cloth protect from the death Warm kiss be what ice took to waters grave Loving mind to hope turn to staggered breath Far from Earth to the ocean froze icy blade Forever in the burning brisk of Neptune’s shade

Truth about twins lies in Twinsburg Kallie Delis Staff Reporter Ever wondered where twins come from? Picture it: tens of thousands of twins, gathered in one city. Twinsburg, Ohio is the birthplace of all twins.

Okay, I’m kidding. Twins are born everywhere, but Twinsburg could be the source of twin culture. The town was founded by twin brothers and there is an annual Twins Days Festival in honor of all doppelganger pairs.

Each year brings a new theme, like last year’s groovy “Twinstock.” The parade is the main activity, drawing an enormous crowd. Food vendors, booths and games set up on the festival grounds. Competitions are held, such as “twins who look the most alike.” There’s even a stand complete with personnel who can test whether or not twins are identical.

My sister Emma and I were lucky enough to go last summer. The event is so huge that twins come from all over the world, including Japan and Australia.

And what a celebration it is. People from nearby towns come to gawk at the double-take-inducing spectacle. I was under the impression that being surrounded by twins makes a single set of clones (such as us) less noticeable. Insignificant, even.

But I was wrong.

The moment we stepped foot in the welcoming building, we became famous.

Everyone wanted to snap a picture of us.

I can’t tell you how many pictures I was in with 40 or more other twins. My cheeks burned from smiling for so long.

The second day is the parade, which we took part in. Thousands of twins walk according to age range. We dressed up like hippy flower children and marched alongside others in-costume.

And the festival ended with a gigantic group picture of all the twins. The photographer needed to be hoisted up on a crane to get everyone in the frame.

You don’t necessarily have to be a twin to go to Twins Days, but if you want a twin, they’re probably selling in Twinsburg.

See this column’s twin by Adeline Davis online.

opinions

Hagerty High School

Overtested and underplanned, standardized tests still rocky

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hen the county removed mandatory standardized testing for elective classes, students whose teachers decided to not pursue extra assessments found themselves with a brief reprieve in a sea of scantrons, #2 pencils, and black or blue pens.

This step in the right direction, provoked by Gov. Rick Scott’s legislation to reduce testing, proves the county is looking out for its students and is progressing toward a system focused on retaining a conceptual education and not teaching to a test. Between juniors no longer being required to take the FSA, and elective teachers no longer being forced to give irrelevant exams, the process of cutting down on standardized testing has hopefully begun. However, students should not hold their breath. Although commendable, the measures taken to reduce over-testing, or to at least ensure the state is capable of delivering exams to their ideal caliber and format, are sub-satisfactory.

Standardized testing is inevitable. However, the issues surrounding the lack of reliability in standardized assessments are abundant and significant, making testing cumbersome and tedious. FSAs began in April and announcements concluding testing for the day due to inadequate servers have seemed endless. Less privileged schools have found themselves without even enough computers to conduct testing. This, coupled with the fact that districts do not have access to sufficient Internet bandwidth to run inadequate servers shows that the transition to computerized testing is sloppy and schools are unprepared. If the state is going to require a computerized test, or frankly any standardized assessments at all, it needs to provide the funds, equipment and personnel required to carry through with it.

The FCATs were tolerable due to their reliability and consistency.

Students knew when they had to test, what tests they had to do, and what passing or failing their tests meant for their academic future. This year, the state has been so indecisive in its scheduling for standardized testing that students have found themselves unsure of whether or not their tests count towards passing/failing their classes, or even if they have to take certain tests at all.

While the county has made a step in the right direction, there is still a long way to go to ensure the new testing is reliable, let alone conducive for academic and personal growth. Cutting down on testing makes everyone happy, but the next best thing is ensuring students are informed and have access to assessments without the chaos and confusion of this year.

barks & bites

A BITE to the lack of accommodations for seniors taking AP tests.

It was not well thought out and students were given no warning they would be taking SBAs that week. It was also unclear if all the seniors who took AP took all of their exams that week or just the ones they would be missing because of AP exams.

A BARK to Vicki Browne for everything she does for her classes. The AP Literature teacher goes above and beyond, having written letters to all of her students at the end of the year, given graduation and prom advice and even pep talks to fight the chilling senioritis. On the day of the AP Lit exam she even gave a pep talk to her students.

blueprint

the

OUR TAKE

The BluePrint is a student-produced newspaper in which the student editors make all content decisions. The newspaper belongs to the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association and the Florida Scholastic Press Association.

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

For information about advertising in the paper, please contact us via one of the above methods.

We reserve the right to reject any advertisement.

Senior Staffers Spencer Thompson Haley Gaesar Daniella Parcell Winnie Myer Katie Curley Jessica Jeffers Adeline Davis Taylor Ferraro Maddie Garr Lauren Lee Ben Sorkin Jessica Ritchie Editor-in-Chief Sophie Hill

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3225 Lockwood Blvd.

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

Twitter Editor Managing Editor Nathaniel Kauffman Jeannie Williams Online Editor-in-Chief Staff Reporters Justin Baronoff Peyton Whittington Kallie Delis Online Managing Ed Sarah Gibson Courtney Dziewior Alex Grace Senior Photo Editor Photographers Jake Arthur Courtney Dziewior Business Manager Bailey Fisher Madeline Kemper Adviser Sports Editor Brit Taylor Ben Clyatt Principal News Editor Dr. Mary Williams Madeline Kemper

Either be tardy or go party Jessica Ritchie

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Staff Reporter

ositive Behavior Support is a collaborative group of students, teachers and administrators working to help make the school better with positive reinforcement.

One incentive PBS created was to leave school five minutes early one day an effort to decrease the number of referrals caused by tardies.

“Between the students that were present and the teachers who were giving the tardies, the idea came to give students an extra five minutes at the end of the day,” lower house secretary Nellie Montecalvo said.

However, those who thought that leaving early was a good idea were mistaken in the amount of motivation

A BITE to how full the A BARK to this year’s student parking lot has senior week. Everything been. At the beginning that was done for the of the year, parking on seniors was a lot of fun, the curb of the OJT lot including the bingo game was a rarity. Now, it during both lunches that is something students Monday which had the have to do in order to lunch room erupting in park in the parking lot both laughter and screams at all. If you come in of “Bingo.” Even the late, you are probably student teacher swap out of luck. Too many was well planned out, extra parking passes including a lunch in Mrs. have been given out in Bachand’s room during the second semester and that teacher’s lunch there is no room left. period.

that students had. Administration was trying anything to get the student body to show up to school, but it did not work as planned.

While the thought was good, as it got closer to the end of the year, student motivation plummeted.

Students do need a reason to get out of bed, but the five minute incentive did not go anywhere. The idea of an incentive was excellent, but the execution of it was poor, only getting mentioned over the announcements with a couple of promos.

There are many reasons as to why the incentive was ineffective in getting students to school on time, but the fact that it did not work shows PBS that next year they need to have a better policy to help keep tardies down. Next year instead of giving

students early dismissal, perhaps they could randomly select a class that had zero tardies, and hold a party, maybe with Chick-fil-A chicken biscuits.

Teenagers will do anything for free food.

Making it all or nothing for the entire student body is a long shot, so PBS could break it up by class.

Grouping the whole school together stops students from thinking that they will make a difference if they are late. By splitting it up, those few kids who did not show up on time do not ruin other’s odds of receiving the incentive for others. Students get competitive; just walk into a class of students playing Kahoot. Adding competition between students is a way get students coming to school instead of coming late with Starbucks.

Back of the pack

A comic by Peyton Whittington

10 Track continues postseason run Sarah Gibson Staff Reporter

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roving that they can go the distance, the girls track team was crowned conference champions for the third time in school history. Both the boys and girls track teams have developed and continued to expand, leading athletes to top finishes at the state championship for the past six years in a row. This season seniors Caleb Enot and Ru Mucherera reached the state championship, but their journey to states originally began weeks earlier at the district tournament.

During districts, the girls team fell three and a half points short of first place to Winter Springs, while the boys placed eighth in a 12 team field. Junior Tia Menna claimed the only victory of the day in the 200 meter dash with a time of 25.21 seconds. Second place finishes included junior Paige Peterson in the 100 meter hurdles, Menna in the 100 meter dash, sophomore Nicolette Worrell in the 1600 meter run, senior Tarra Keating in discus and Mucherera in shot-put. The girl’s 4x100 meter relay team, made up of junior Olivia Albano, senior Analysia Hart, Menna and Mucherera, also finished in second to qualify for regionals.

The team advanced a total of 15 events to the regional championship at Flagler Palm Coast.

“The district effort was pretty solid,” head coach Matthew Malkovich said. “We could have had a better finish in a couple of areas, but all in all, I was pretty pleased.”

Regionals was an especially challenging meet to move past, as the teams compete in 4A Region 1, commonly known as the “region of death” throughout the state. Competing beside some of the state’s most elite runners made the road to states a bumpy one for some, and for others makes victory that much sweeter.

“Our region is arguably the best in the entire state and giving even your very best isn’t good enough,” Malkovich said. “We performed well but fell a little short.”

Feeling the reality of a fifth place finish, with only top four moving onto states, were Worrell and junior Andrew Stivers, both in the 1600 meter run, along with the girl’s 4x100 meter relay team.

“There is no excuse for not pulling out fourth place. Having your season come down to .17 seconds in a mile run is heartbreaking, but at the same time a blessing,” Stivers said. “This is a huge motivation going into my final year and adds even more drive to get as close as possible

sports shorts

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES EARN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS Twenty-three student athletes earned college scholarships.

BASEBALL Ryan Mountcastle UCF Anthony George UCF Casey Crawford West Florida BASKETBALL Isiah Domino North Carolina Wesleyan FOOTBALL Michael Beaudry West Florida Jonah Castro West Florida James Flannery Ohio Dominican Jaquavis Dixon University of Akron

LACROSSE SOFTBALL Anna Tamayo Samantha Worrell St. Leo’s South Florida Caitlyn Shoaff Megan Woodson Florida Southern Daytona State Christopher Carpenter Jessie Grissom North Greenville St. John’s River State College ROWING Shannon Perry VOLLEYBALL UCF Madison Garr Newberry College SOCCER Nicole Mattson Ru Mucherera Florida Southern North Carolina Katie Krawczyk Alanah Lebl Jacksonville North Florida University Savanah Courtney University of Albany WRESTLING Charles Lynch Zach Larison Rose Hulman Indiana Campbell

to a state championship.”

Notable finishes in sixth-place include senior Matthew Workman in pole vault and Enot in shot-put, though Enot continued to move onto states for discus.

Joining Enot in moving onto states was Mucherera in shot-put, both athletes hoping to continue the tradition of an athlete medaling each year. With both of them members of the throws team, they worked and trained each weekday leading up to the championship with throws coach Tim Davis.

“I was ranked fifth going into the competition and everyone threw really well,” Enot said. “I was pleased with my performance but I knew I could have done better.”

Though she qualified, Mucherera missed the meet due to a soccer commitment. During the state championship at University of North Florida, Enot placed fifth overall with a throw of 152-4 feet – good enough for a personal best and a new school record.

“Caleb had a great season and I am very proud of him,” Malkovich said.

Keeping the tradition alive, the track team has moved athletes through every level of competition and continued their streak of medaling athletes at states each year.

sports

Photo by Jake Arthur

ON THE RIGHT TRACK. Sophomore Nicolette Worrell competes in the 1600 meter run during the Freshman/Sophomore Conference Championship.

Sand volleyball impresses Ricardo Valle González Journalism 1 hroughout the school year, the student body has enjoyed watching traditional high school sports, such as football, basketball, softball and baseball.

Now, nearing the end of the school year, a new team has emerged.

For the first time in their history, schools across Seminole County are creating their own sand volleyball team, and with winning the first game of the season April 8 against Lake Mary, the school’s team has made a name for itself. The team won its first five games, and took their only defeat in the last match of the season on Wednesday, May 13 in the Pairs Tournament.

“It’s awesome to be able to start something new,” sophomore Karly Harms, one of the fifteen players on the team, said.

Sand volleyball is different from indoor volleyball, in the sense that there are different rules and the way

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that it is played is different. For example, in sand volleyball, there are clean sets with no spins, a smaller court size and no open hand tips. “[Sand volleyball] is just a different type of game,” sophomore Gabriella Diomede said.

In indoor volleyball, six players are on the court at a time for each team. In sand volleyball, however, only two players for each team play at a time.

“There are five different teams... and every team plays [at each game],” freshman Allyson Mattson said.

Not only is the sport different in how many players are involved in the actual game, but it is also different in the amount of positions available. Where indoor volleyball has positions such as setter, outside hitter, middle blocker, opposite and libero, or defensive specialist, sand volleyball only has two positions: left or right side.

The sand volleyball team, which began playing together for the first

time in the spring, has proven to be getting along well. Juanita Hitt, who also coaches the indoor boys and girls volleyball teams, serves as head coach for the sand volleyball team as well.

“We have the same coach for indoor [volleyball], so we already knew [her] pretty well,” Mattson said. “Half the girls are from the indoor team, so we all get along very well.”

Unlike most other sports, sand volleyball does not have a championship game, nor a postseason.

Because of the lack of a postseason, all play ends at the conclusion of the regular season.

Now nearing the end of the school year, the sand volleyball team can say that they had a successful first season.

They hope to continue their winning streak next year and continue to have such a strong bond between team members. For now, they say goodbye to the sand pit, and hello to beach sand.

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sports

Piling on a tradition of winning Maddie Garr

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Senior Staffer

hough the baseball team was upset by University 1-0 in a regional semifinal game on March 5, the playoff run and overall season were memorable.

Imagine run ruling the opponent in a district championship, capturing the 8A2 title for two years in a row and then rushing into a dogpile of teammates. This happened on Friday, April 24 at Deland’s Conrad Park against University Orange City with a final score of 12-2. First baseman Joey Schulz went two-for-three with a double.

“Winning districts felt better than the first home run I hit,” Schulz said.

Their momentum and success through the season led up to the championship. In the first round of districts at Lyman, Joe Sheridan pitched seven innings, allowing no runs and striking out seven batters. Second baseman Casey Crawford also contributed to the 4-0 win, going 3-4 with two doubles and two RBIs. The team advanced to play Seminole in the second round, and Travis Hosterman pitched the entire game, allowing no one to score and striking out seven. Outfielder Tristan Tucker went two-for-two with three RBIs, which made the final score 3-0.

“It felt good to help the team because the

seniors have been working hard and we got to advance, so it wasn’t their last game,” Hosterman said.

With the second round win against Seminole, the boys advanced on to regionals.

Advancing to regionals in the first round on Wednesday, April 29 the team faced Mandarin at home, winning 5-2, putting them in the Sweet Sixteen. Sheridan pitched six innings, and finished with 10 strikeouts.

The final game of the season, regional semifinals, took place at home against University Orange City, ending with a close score of 1-0. The game was tightly contested, with both teams struggling to get on base, and a University run in the fourth inning proved too much for the team to overcome.

“I feel blissful looking back on this season, I’m glad to be a part of something as wonderful as Hagerty Baseball,” Schulz said.

Photo by Jake Arthur

SWING, BATTER. Pitcher Joe Sheridan pitches six innings, with 10 strikeouts, against Mandarin. The team came away with a 5-2 victory to advance to the regional semifinals.

Football springs into season training Justin Baronoff

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Staff Reporter

pring football is back, and head coach Phil Ziglar is going into his third season with the varsity football team. After finishing 5-5 this past season, Ziglar looks forward to the changes coming for the team.

“We will definitely be an improved team,” Ziglar said. “We will have more leaders than last year, and it will be a new era.”

One of the changes that will be seen in the spring game and the upcoming season include new offensive coordinator Charles Nassar, and with him, a new offensive scheme, the singlewing offense.

Nassar has been a longtime assistant coach of many Orlando high schools, including Apopka, and he was the head coach of Leesburg for eight seasons.

“I am so excited to see what Coach Nassar has to bring,” wide-receiver and safety Alex Swenson said. “He’s a really good coach who knows what he is talking about, is always ready

for practice, and makes us work harder.”

Coming into the next season, the team will be without former quarterback Michael Beaudry, who will be playing at the University of West Florida. Ziglar has announced that rising senior Zach King will be the new quarterback.

“He is a very good, confident quarterback,” Ziglar said. “Quarterbacks do not really know how to handle the single-wing offense, but Zach said ‘If it will make us win, that is all that matters.’”

King did not play much last season, except on Sept. 12, when he lead the team to a comeback 15-8 win against Winter Springs after Beaudry left the game at halftime due to sickness. Before the Bishop Moore game, King suffered a broken leg in practice and did not play the rest of the season.

King rested for a couple months before getting back to work on his speed, footwork and throwing. “I feel 100 percent and can’t wait to help turn this program around,” King said.

Although there will be many changes, one thing that will stay will be running-backs Gabe

Diaz and Tristan Tucker splitting the same reps.

“Nothing will change between Tristan and I, but my goal is to get 1,000 yards next season,” Diaz said.

Before the spring game on Friday, May 15, the team started full pad practices Wednesday, April 27.

In the spring game, the team played Lyman, who they beat 20-7 in August.

“It does not matter what the scoreboard says at the end of the spring game,” Swenson said.

“It is a very important time to learn and for college recruitment.”

After the spring game, the team will move into summer workouts and start the fall regular season Sept. 11 against Oviedo. The team will also be playing in a new division starting next season, moving down from 8A to 7A. “I would say next season we will be at least district champions,” King said. “I believe that moving to 7A gives the team a new mindset to make it far.”

For coverage of the spring game, and other information, go to www.hagertyjourn.com

Ben vs.

A year of sports education Ben Clyatt Sports Editor he end of the year is always a time for reflection. Seniors are leaving, classes will meet for the last time and we can’t help but look back. What could we have done differently? What would we have kept the same? What was the best thing that happened? The worst? If you could take one thing away from this year, what would it be?

If you take one thing away from my column, I hope it’s this: no matter what you may think, the athletes you see on the fields or courts are incredibly skilled and better than most of us could ever hope to be.

This year, I was at a football game and one of the receivers dropped a pass. My friend couldn’t believe it.

“Are you serious? How do you drop that pass? You were wide open! I could be out there playing better than him! Put me on the team, coach, I’m your new best player!”

Now, for the record, this friend sucks at football. He couldn’t play better than the guy on the field. It takes serious skill to be out there playing, whether we believe it or not.

To put this to the test, I’ve taken on numerous athletes from numerous sports. I went for the big sports in basketball, soccer and volleyball and got destroyed. Even the smaller sports, where the belief that anyone can do well is more rampant, like bowling and golf, saw me get my booty whooped.

The reason my booty received a beating was simple: I haven’t put in the amount of work the athletes I took on have. The reason athletes are in the position they’re in, whether it be on varsity or #D1Bound, is because of the work they put in to get there.

A recent study showed that the average D1 athlete starts playing their respective sport when they’re 7 or 8 years old, so by the time they’re seniors in high school, they’ve trained for a decade. Us fans, meanwhile, have spent that time bingewatching Netflix, sleeping until noon and stuffing our faces with Taco Tuesdaze at Tijuana Flats. Despite this, we still believe we could perform better than the athletes we see playing.

What I’m asking for is this: let’s maybe appreciate the athletes a little bit more. They got to where they are because of the work they put in, not because they played NBA2K or Madden every day when they got home.

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Softball finishes third in state Taylor Ferraro Senior Staffer Girls softball caused fans to do a double take with their almost perfect record, district championship and regional championship because they seemed to be on the same road as last year’s team. The road to the state championship. However, this road took an unfortunate detour and ended at the state semifinal game on Friday, May 8 when the team lost against Newsome High School with a score of 1-0 in an extra inning.

“My mindset before the game was just me thinking to myself that this could possibly be my last high school game ever and I really didn’t want it to be,” pitcher Samantha Worrell said.

The team battled hard as they made it to the final four tournament and played against Newsome High School. The game eventually

lead to an extra inning after seven innings stayed at a stubborn score of 0-0.

Most of the game was a battle between pitching and defense which proved to be quite solid with the continuous tie of 0-0 all game.

Overall, Worrell had five strike-outs while Newsome’s pitcher Claire Feldman ended with nine strike-outs.

But in the eighth inning, Newsome’s Liv Chandler hit a ball to center field which allowed her teammate Cassidy Davis to run home, ultimately grabbing the win for her team and qualify to go onto the state championship game that was on Saturday.

After the outcome of the game, most of the team was in tears and highly disappointed. This was not the way the team wanted to end their season and say goodbye to their seniors.

“The feeling I had after the game ended was the worst feeling ever,” Worrell said. “I couldn’t believe that this is how our season had ended.”

Photo by Jake Arthur

NO PLACE LIKE HOME. Teammates mob Ashley Worrell after her home run against West Orange. The 1-0 victory advanced them to the final four.

Despite the unwanted ending of the season for the softball team, they are one of the only teams in the school to say that they have made it as far as the final four this year. Even though their journey to states ended, they traveled a long way to get to where they were that all started with a regional and district championship in the beginning of their post-season.

“Winning both the regional and district championships was nice,” first-baseman Lauren Basen said. “It was nice for hard work to pay off and it felt good to hold those titles for the second year in a row.”

In the regional championship match against West Orange High School on May 1, the girls softball team was able to walk away with a win despite being tied for the duration of the game at 1-1. The game had to go to an extra inning, and the team won by a home run hit by freshman pitcher Ashley Worrell which made the final score a 2-1 for a win and a regional

championship trophy.

But before the team even had a chance at the regional championship, they first had to prove themselves in the district championship and they ended up doing so. On Apr. 17, the girls softball team took a 6-4 win over University Orange City, one of the 3 teams they lost to in the original season, in order to obtain another district title under their belt.

Although the softball team did not make it to the state championship match like they did last year and hoped to this year, they made it awfully close and nabbed two titles – district and regional champions – in the meantime.

Titles that they now hold for back to back seasons: 2014 and 2015.

“It was a good overall season, I have to admit,” Basen said. “Unfortunately we did not reach our goal of winning states, but we still made it extremely far with a fantastic record of 28-4.”