Red & Black takes you through what life could be like under President Donald Trump for THE NEXT FOUR YEARS | p. 7-9 Brace for impact: exam week is almost here. See the schedule and START STUDYING | p. 2 Be a MAN WITH A PLAN and peep our guide to keeping an agenda for your schedule and more | p. 6 The GREATEST HOLIDAY CHALLENGE is upon us: What movie to watch? Don’t worry, we got you | p. 10
GRAPHIC BY ANNIE AGUIAR
2
December 2016
snapshot
VERSUS VERSES
Red & Black BELOW Denzel Pierre, the first place winner of the Poetry Jam performs his poem “The Last Laugh,” expressing the duality of man by using passionite hand gestures. | PHOTOS BY CAROLIN HEARNE
Students perform original poems in Poetry Jam competition
ABOVE Reciting his poem, Nikeo Miguel sits and starts to raise his hands as he continues to read his work.
ABOVE Reading the poem she wrote for the Poetry Jam on Nov. 17, junior Erica Fuentes uses her hand to express her poem.
ABOVE Looking out to her peers, junior Genesis Brown places her hand on her heart as she continues to perform her poem. RIGHT Looking down at her poem, A’mya Kelly (9) points to her peers as she finishes reciting.
We’re in the bright green building at 5127 N. FLORIDA AVE. in Seminole Heights! We have our handcrafted ice pops, plus house-made gelato, superfood açai bowls and locally roasted coffee. Come on in; IT’S ALL GOOD! whateverpops.com
ABOVE Left to right, second-place winner junior Jenesis Miller, host Wally B, first-place winner senior Denzel Pierre and third-place winner sophomore Patrick Lewicki stand together at the close of the Poetry Jam.
campus
hhstoday.com
December 2016
3
STUDENTS AND STAFF COMPETE IN BIGGEST LOSER
LEFT During the Biggest Loser meet up, Reading Coach Colleen Mascherin watches herself lift weights. MIDDLE After group exercises, junior Erica Mack runs laps up and down the bleachers. RIGHT Freshmen Anna Pendergrass (left) and Karynn Vitiello do sit ups, tossing a ball back and forth. | PHOTOS BY JUBILEE GONZALEZ Panting and sweating profusely, thoroughly exhausted, teachers and students pair up to run laps. After a couple, coach Jean Wiser calls everyone in to meet. And then the real work begins. The Biggest Loser Competition puts students and teachers to work as they compete in pairs to lose weight. The partners who lose the most weight by the end of each week win Biggest Loser T-shirts and whichever pair loses the most weight overall by the end of the program wins a reward of $300 each.
There are 43 teachers and 35 students participating in this year’s competition. Each competitor pays a fee to join which goes to the winning pairs reward; students pay $5 and teachers pay $10. Every Monday, students go to Wiser and teachers go to the clinic in order to be weighed so they can keep track of their progress and to determine the winner of the week. On Thursdays, the competitors meet up to do warm up stretches and work out with their partners. “I guide them and give them [exercise] suggestions,” Wiser said. “Sometimes others have exercises already planned.”
Some of the competitors are not interested in the money prize, but are drawn towards the outcome of the program. “My goal is to lose eight pounds,” reading coach Colleen Mascherin said. “I plan on doing that and gaining muscle definition.” Wiser motivates all students and teachers to set a goal for the week and for the entirety of the competition. “I like helping people improve their health and seeing students and teachers get excited about being healthy,” Wiser said. She hopes for everyone involved to understand and acknowledge what she expects from
WINTER FORMAL PROPOSAL POSTPONED Administration recently rejected the Junior Council’s plan for a winter formal. The council envisioned the winter formal as an event similar to homecoming, but held in the gym instead of at an outside location. With a proposed requirement of a 3.0 unweighted GPA, the potential reward for high-achieving students was denied by AP Mick Boddie. “We just lost too many days,” Boddie said. “Like hurricane days, and activities we just could not fit in.” According to Junior Council sponsor April Fiore, adminstration dropped the planned event because they didn’t want to “spend another night out” like they did with Homecoming. But Fiore sympathizes with administration. “It’s not that we have this boring administration that does not want to have fun,” she said. “They have a busy schedule so it’s understandable.” Last year, the Senior Council also planned to host a winter formal for students, but it too was rejected. According to Junior Council President Laurie Rodriguez, the reason the council decided to plan for a winter formal this year was because they saw the reaction Homecoming received and wanted to replicate it.
“After we came back from homecoming every one was like ‘wow, that was fun’,” Rodriguez said. “We want to make an event similar to that.” Although their plans may have been rejected, the Junior Council is still pushing for a winter formal. They changed their original plan of having it after school to hosting it during school instead. “Since they didn’t approve our original plan of holding it after school we came up with the idea of holding it during sixth and seventh period,” Rodriguez said. “But they still haven’t approved that either so we have to wait.” According to Fiore, one other major concern the administration has is that there would not be enough security at school after hours. “If they had it during school that wouldn’t be much of a problem because we have on-site officers,” she said. While their plans may not be approved, the student council still hopes to hold a winter formal next year, and maybe even a spring formal this school year. STORY BY JORGE GARCIA
them. According to Wiser, each week she heightens her expectations of their weekly achievements to influence them to do better. “I work them harder or make them do more each time,” Wiser said. The program drives competitors to reach their expectations and encourages them to have the determination and an optimistic mindset to achieve all of their goals and plans. “My goal is to be healthier and get fit,” junior Erica Mack said. “It’s really motivational and makes me want to better myself.” STORY BY JUBILEE GONZALEZ
SEMESTER EXAM SCHEDULE Monday Dec. 12
Block 14 exam 7:35- 9:35
Tuesday Dec. 13
Block 11/ Pd 1 exam 7:35- 9:35 Block 21/ Pd 2 exam 9:55- 11:55
Wednesday Dec. 14
Block 12/ Pd 3 exam 7:35- 9:35 Block 22/ Pd 4 exam 9:55- 11:55
Thursday Dec. 15
Block 13/ Pd 5 exam 7:35- 9:35 Block 23/ Pd 6 exam 9:55- 11:55
Friday Dec. 16
Block 24/ Pd 7 exam 7:35- 9:35
Regular early release day for traditional students on Monday GRAPHIC BY MADISON FORBIS
4
campus
December 2016
Red & Black
FACULTY REPOSITIONED AFTER BUDGET CHANGES The school is making adjustments across several departments after the school district’s budget was cut this year. Every year, Hillsborough County Public Schools works to balance its budget, adjusting its incoming and outgoing money. The district hired Gibson Consulting Firm this year to find items that were overbudgeted and advise them on how to resolve these issues. Among other imperfections in the budget, the firm found that there was a surplus of teachers after comparing with other counties similar in size. This could be due to the fact that Hillsborough adheres more strictly to the student-teacher ratio policy than other counties. Because of this staff surplus, the county is undergoing a hiring freeze to save money. The county has also terminated jobs, but is avoiding firing people by relocating them to new positions. Most of the positions being cut are coaches and specialists. Faculty holding these positions are being relocated to other departments or other schools. These changes are impacting the school recently, for worse or for better. Media secretary Susan Hunt moved to a new school earlier this year when her position here was eliminated. Different departments have been affected as well.
History teacher Tom Paloumpis took on all IB economics classes after a teaching position was cut; his history classes were condensed to accommodate the new classes in his schedule. Former writing coach Monica Sleeter was also moved into an unfilled classroom teaching job when her previous position was eliminated. To combat the termination of positions such as these, Principal Gary Brady is working to keep as many staff members on campus as possible. “I think everybody here is extremely important,” he said. “Obviously, we want to have as many qualified people here in front of the kids.” This is why certain positions have been taken up by new faculty members. Brady is also able to see the benefits to the changes in the budget. “In a couple situations, we had openings that we were able to fill with those budget cuts,” he said. “To me, it was beneficial to get someone in front of the kids in place of a substitute teacher.” Brady also believes that in the future, these changes to the budget will mean more spending on the students and the quality of their education. “For right now it hurts, but we want to make sure the money is being spent well,” he said. “In the long run it’s the most effective way to help the kids.” STORY BY MADISON FORBIS
ANOTHER ITEM ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK: COURTESY BUSING In most cases, students who live within two miles of the school are excluded from riding the bus to school. Courtesy busing is when students who live in certain areas are allowed to take the bus to school anyway; the district aims to reduce this to save money.
PHOTO BY JULIANA LECHNER
The measure, on the school board’s agenda for this week, would affect nearly 7,500 students in the district, including 93 who attend Hillsborough High, roughly 12 percent of HHS bus riders. BY ANNIE AGUIAR
MATH TEACHERS WINS TOP HONOR AGAIN For most teachers, winning Teacher of the Year Award would be a once in a lifetime achievement. But for her, it’s been there, done that. Yolanda Driskell won the award five years ago. But just because she’s won before, doesn’t mean the award isn’t an exceptional accomplishment to her. “I’m excited to know that my colleagues recognize me for the hard work that I put in,” Driskell said This is Driskell’s 17th year working at Hillsborough, where she has taught Algebra 1, Liberal Arts and Saturday school classes. “In my heart I always wanted to be a teacher,” Driskell said. With a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s in math education, Driskell has found that the corporate world has helped her in her teaching career. Driskell typically tries to break down concepts in the class. “I try to make it simplistic,” she said. “I think I can create a fun classroom environment when sharing my life with them, [and] sharing jokes with them.” Her ultimate goal is to make sure that what she calls the “foreign language” of algebra is something that her students can understand and continue to excel at.
Clarke named top diversity educator Jazmine Clarke was the recipient of this year’s Ida S. Baker award. “I’m gonna be honest, I was floored,” Clarke said. She teaches AVID and a College Success Skills Dual Enrollment course. Her AVID class has recently taken part in Project Innovate,
which provided each student with their own computer. “It’s allowed them to have access to scholarship opportunities and [the ability] to communicate with different colleges online,” Clarke said. “We wouldn’t have had that access if it wasn’t for the Project.” Winning this award specifically means a lot to her because her godfather is related to Ida S. Baker, the namesake of the award. “I was really excited that the new faculty that have come in see that I actually try to help my students and all students in this high school succeed,” she said. Even in her 10th year of teaching, she continues to have former students come back and call her “Mama Clarke” and invite her over for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Fugate earns support employee award The job title of Assistant Principal Curriculum Secretary encompasses a wide array of responsibilities, which earned Lindsey Fugate the Non-Instructional Employee of the Year Award. Fugate takes care of calling in substitute teachers, covers emergencies in addition to handling testing, non-sponsored field trips and report cards. Fugate says her job is something she puts her all in, it’s easy to tell how much Fugate cares about her job simply by asking her about it. “I want to try and help the teachers, student body and administrators as much as I can,” Fugate said. On being the recipient of the Non-Instructional Employee of the Year award, Fugate felt a range of emotions. “I can’t explain how it makes me feel, I truly believe that I’m loved here [and] that’s the best feeling in the world.” STORY BY CAROLIN HEARNE
PRESS WINS NATIONALLY Both the Red & Black newspaper and Hilsborean yearbook, along with the HHSToday.com news website, have been named Crown winners by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. Crown Awards, which recognize overall excellence, are the highest recognition given by the organization, based at Columbia University in New York City. The newspaper is one of 56 in the nation to win in the hybrid category, which also considers work published online. The yearbook is one of 66 winners in the country, but one of only three in the hybrid category. Last year’s book, the 100th edition, featured more than 100 companion videos. “The Crown is essentially the Pulitzer Prize of high school journalism,” said adviser Joe Humphrey. “We’re grateful for the recognition and eager to continue producing quality work based on a motto I like to use – live up to the hype.” CSPA gives both Gold and Silver Crowns; those decisions will be revealed in March. In addition, students won national CSPA Gold Circle awards for individual achievement. Junior Moryah Wells and former student Daniel Garrison placed first nationally for their personal opinion columns. Graduate Kathy Xie earned an honorable mention for news page design. Also, the October 2016 r&b magazine was recognized with the third-place finish in Best of Show for newspaper special edition at the National High School Journalism Convention. At that convention, held Nov. 10-13 in Indianapolis, seniors Annie Aguiar (feature writing) and Amber Shemesh (review writing) received honorable mentions for their entries in the national write-off competition. STAFF REPORT
world
hhstoday.com
December 2016
WHICH TRIP WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Teachers are offering two competing Europe for summer 2018; here’s everything you need to know in order to decide.
TOUR A
TOUR B
∙22 days ∙Costs $5,185 ∙Berlin, Munich, Tyrol, Venice, Florence, Rome, Assisi, Lucerne, Paris and London ∙If interested, contact Zaan Gast in Room 206S
∙15 days ∙Costs $4,834 ∙London, Paris, Provence, Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla and Costa del Sol ∙If interested, contact Michael Mikulec in Room 221
5
CUBA’S LEADER DIES The former Cuban leader who led a revolution across Cuba in the late 1950s, Fidel Castro, has died. State-run television on the island reported that Castro had passed away on Nov. 25 at the age of 90. Upon his death, the Cuban government has declared national mourning until Dec. 4 to honor the life of Castro and his legacy. Cuban-Americans in Miami celebrated his death in the historic neighborhood of Little Havana with many chanting “Cuba libre!” Leaders around the world have sent condolences to the Castro family, while President-elect Donald Trump sent out a tweet simply stating, “Fidel Castro is dead!”
100 DEAD IN IRAQ AFTER BOMB A suicide car bomb has left over 100 people dead after it detonated at a gas station just south of Baghdad. At least seven buses with Shia pilgrims were targeted in this attack which ISIS has claimed responsibility for.
LONDON
BERLIN
MUNICH
PARIS
TYROL
LUCERNE AVIGNON
VENICE
PROVENCE
CARCASSONE
FLORENCE
BARCELONA
MADRID
SOUTH KOREA RESISTS RULE
ASSISI ROME
SEVILLE COSTA DEL SOL MALAGA
Seniors enjoy their Europe trip from this past summer in cities like Paris, London and GRAPHIC BY ANNIE AGUIAR Lucerne. | PHOTOS BY MADDIE DHONDT
For several weeks now, people in South Korea have been taking to the streets in Seoul demanding that President Park Geun-hye step down from office after a recent corruption scandal that has been paralyzing her administration for weeks now. Park appeared on national television offering now her third apology to the South Korean people and asked that Parliament decide whether or not she should step down or not before she is impeached.
STORIES BY FERNANDO ROSAS GRAPHICS BY JULIANA LECHNER
What is your best advice for someone planning to choose a Europe trip? “Wake up really early and do a ton of fun stuff that’s not on the tour.” ALEX HERNANDEZ, 12
“Enjoy the company you’re with.” TAYLOR BOTT, 12
“If you’re going to London, visit the museums because they’re all free.” EASWAR PRABAKARAN, 12
“Take a ton of pictures and keep an up to date journal.” MADDIE DHONDT, 12
Check out hhstoday.com to see:
• More on Fidel Castro’s death • Protests in Standing Rock, North Dakota Add us on Snapchat and Twitter @hhstodayonline
6
December 2016
red&black VOLUME 118, ISSUE 3
life
Red & Black
Unnoticed Morning Show
editors-in-chief Annie Aguiar, Bianca Cegatte web editor Amber Shemesh deputy web editors Alyssa Ierna, Maddie Dhondt PAGE editorS Madison Forbis, Jorge Garcia, Juliana Lechner, Matt Lutton, Tegan Smith, Michael Strobl, Anthony Suarez
LEFT Senior Jared Rumball records and interviews a student for the morning show. RIGHT Senior Aeron Daclan edits a video for the morning show in a program called Adobe Premiere. | PHOTOS BY MAKAYLA BROWN
assistant editor Katie Delk staff writers Makayla Brown, Jubilee Gonzalez, Carolin Hearne, Lauren Komar, Denzel Pierre, Varun Puri, Fernando Rosas, Yesha Shukla, Mercy Tsay advisers Joe Humphrey, MJE Jill Burns, MJE PRINCIPAL Gary Brady about content decisions are made by student editors red & Black belongs to the Florida, National, and Columbia Scholastic press associations awards 2015-2016 FSPA All-Florida 2015-2016 NSPA All-American, 2015-2016 CSPA Crown receipient 2015-2016 4x NSPA Best of Show awards The EDITORIAL reflects the view of student editors and can be found in the opinion section. Bylined columns represent the viewpoints of their authors. We welcome your letters, which may be edited for brevity and clarity. Submit via email, deliver to Room 506 or mail to Red & Black, 5000 N. Central Ave, Tampa, Fl 33603. advertising content is subject to approval of the editorial board. visit us online at HHSToday.com CONTACT Phone: (813) 276-5620 Fax: (813) 276-5629 Email: hhstoday@gmail.com Twitter: @HHSTodayOnline Snapchat: @HHSToday
With a camera and a microphone in their hand, two students prowl the H Patio daily to hunt down people to interview, once they find someone they ask multiple question and hear their opinion. This is a daily task for the TV Production students who create the morning show. The morning show is not required by administration for everyone to watch on a daily basis, yet two classes are set out for morning show during the day. Students have commented on the lack of attention that the morning show receives. The morning show used to be required by administration to watch due to the daily announcements that used to be incorporated into the morning show. According to Mike Patrick, the TV production teacher, the two class periods dedicated
to the morning show are divided into four groups each to create the show. These class periods put large amounts of work into creating a show that many feel goes unappreciated. “You have to record the show based off of ideas you create, then you upload it to the computer and edit it,” senior Jared Rumball said. The assumption is made that not much or any work goes into creating the morning show, but “a lot more work goes into it than you would think”, Rumble said. Senior Amber Velezquez thinks otherwise; she is also in the class where they create the morning show, but she does not think it should be required for everyone to watch. “I don’t think that the student body should necessarily be required to watch, but a lot of ef-
planning ahead Wait, we had homework? We’ve all had a moment like this. Suddenly, the teacher asks you to pull out an assignment you were supposed to do, but you completely forgot. A simple way to avoid this: use a planner. Successful individuals, from businesspeople to students, have been using agendas to stay organized, and with good reason. While it may seem like extra work to update a planner every day, it’s worth the effort. A 2014 experimental study by the University of Kentucky showed that students who started using planners reported better organization, time management, academic performance and less stress. Students at Hillsborough have seen the same results. Junior Serena Jonas uses a weekly agenda every day to keep her classes in order. “I’ve always used a planner in school,” Jonas said. “It helps me figure out what I need to do each night and how I can get ahead in school.” STORY BY VARUN PURI
fort is put into us creating the shows daily,” she said. The idea that the time put in to make the shows isn’t fully valued was also expresses by Velezquez. “I feel maybe we could try to get more advertisement showing like where you can watch the morning show and what topics that we cover.” The students who create the morning show think the value of it has somehow been lost over the past few years. Although the morning show is no longer currently required to be watched during school, the work that the TV production students create still has its value. The show can currently be viewed at www. schooltube.com. When looking for the morning show, type in Hillsborough High School and the shows are listed in order from newest to oldest. STORY BY MAKAYLA BROWN
Having trouble staying organized? then check out this quick guide to choose the right tool for you Daily Checklist | Use a notepad or a phone and make a list of what you have to do. As you finish items on the list, check them off.
Weekly Planner | Use a normal agenda to look at the week ahead. You can see tests and due dates so they are not a surprise in class.
Monthly Calendar | Organize important events far in advance, like holidays, competitions and exams. Using a calendar lets you plan ahead and prevents double-booking.
graphic BY VARUN PURI
life
hhstoday.com
December 2016
7
THE TERRIERS’ CAFE Culinary students cook and prepare food for staff members during lunch
TOP Juniors Israel Castellanos and Alexis de la Rosa gather ingredients as they begin the process of preparing and serving lunch for the staff. LEFT From knives to colanders, students learn how to use the equipment necessary for cooking various types of meals. ABOVE Culinary students are taught correct procedures for handling the oven and other dangerous equipment. | PHOTOS BY TAYLOR JORDY
MORE THAN JUST
CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Vegetables are sizzling in pans, soapy dishes are clanking in sinks, orders on tickets are being shouted throughout the kitchen. It sounds like the everyday hustle and bustle of the back of a restaurant, but that isn’t where it’s coming from, it’s coming from the kitchen in Hillsborough’s 400 hall. The students in the kitchen are preparing to sell lunch to teachers and faculty out of the café, which serves as “our own mini restaurant for the school,” according to senior Mayah Garcia, who helps run the café. While it is facilitated by culinary teacher and chef Dalton Dunn the café is run almost entirely by students. “Chef doesn’t really have to do much because we all know what we have to do and get it done,” said junior Sean Wacker, who is also involved in the café. However, Dunn is able to help facilitate the students’ restaurant by buying groceries and coach them in making business decisions. “We’ll discuss things and they’ll give feedback,” Dunn said. “I listen to them like they’re my own children, and I’ll scold them like my own children.” In the past, Dunn has even bought live lobsters and a whole duck for the students to cook with. “Its just fun because you never get to see that type of stuff,” Dunn said. “Anything you can do to try to give kids a reason to come to school, have fun and want to learn.” The café program is intended to prepare students to take on culinary-based careers in the future. “The main focus is to give the students real world experience in how to run [a kitchen], organize, formulate menus, discuss advantages in sales,” Dunn said. Students in culinary are also given the opportunity to become certified to serve food properly through a
program called ServSafe. Gaining this certification can help students to get jobs in the field in the future. “We can get [the certification] for free here and that’s really helpful,” Shin said. The students make an effort to gain experience by developing an effective system to run their kitchen. “We tried to create a system where we can serve teachers and teach everyone [in the kitchen] life skills,” Garcia said, “not just cooking, but stuff like cleaning and discipline.” A system is in place for each station of the kitchen – the line, the dishwashers, and the bakers, along with the press station, the flattop, and the hot box station. “Everyone has their own part,” Garcia said. While the student-chefs are all responsible for their respective stations, they also all come together to create the menus. “Every Monday we get together for a meeting,” Garcia said. “We all come up with ideas.” While these systems do help the café run more smoothly, the students acknowledge a few weaknesses in the kitchen. “We need to improve on communication,” Wacker said. “Sometimes orders get mixed up and that wastes time.” “There’s a lot of stress that comes with being on the kitchen,” Shin said. “Not everyone can do everything at once.” While communication can be worked on, the students manage to run the kitchen well by working together. “At the end of the day everybody gets it right and we all get along,” Garcia said. “There’s always respect and love.” STORY BY JULIANA LECHNER
Two students share what the holiday season means to them, their past experiences and memories of celebrations past
Asia Elbooz, 10 Sophomore Asia Elbooz’s dad is Muslim and her mom is Catholic. In December, she celebrates Christmas. “Even though my dad is Muslim, he still agrees with it and is fine since it’s been my mom’s tradition for her whole life” Elbooz said. She celebrates holidays from both parents including Eid Mubarak with her dad which fell on September this year. For her, Christmas Eve is the prime festivity. “Like for Italians, it’s more important than Christmas Day because we stay awake until 12,” Elbooz said. With her parents and sister every year they eat seven different fish and have a grand dinner. Elbooz goes to Italy every summer but stays home for the winter. “If we were in Italy for Christmas, it would be a big family, the whole family would be there like the 17 million people,” she said. In addition, her mother has the Italian Presepe with Jesus and on Christmas once he is born, they turn it.
“I really like the Christmas spirit, it’s the only holiday we celebrate and we do the decorations and the Christmas tree,” she said.
Yanni Nunez, 12 Dressed in a red and green plaid dress, senior Yanni Nunez said she loves Christmas. She enjoys “giving presents, getting presents, seeing people’s reactions, decorating, cute Christmas outfits and ugly sweaters and having Christmas parties and giving people cupcakes and candy canes.” Every year, Nunez and her grandmother go to the mall on Christmas to see the big tree and Christmas shop. They also drink hot chocolate together. As a child, she went to New York as well. To Nunez, Christmas is more than receiving presents, the fun songs and good food. “It’s not about receiving presents, it’s about giving and spending time with your friends and family and it’s about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ,” she said. STORY BY KATIE DELK
TOP Sophomore Asia Elbooz opens up presents with her family early christmas morning. | PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY ASIA ELBOOZ LEFT Senior Yanni Nunez dresses in a festive red and green plaid dress for school . To Nunez, Christmas is a time for giving to others. | PHOTO BY KATIE DELK
8
focus
December 2016
IT’S HAPPENING.
Now that the dust has settled after the 2016 election and with the inauguration of President Donald Trump inching ever closer, many are worried about what the next four years is going to look like. Here’s a sneak peek at what the Trump administration may have in store
A large part of the discussion over President-elect Donald Trump focuses on the things that he’s said (or tweeted), with controversial statements a plenty stirring vitriol amongst his many critics. Here’s a look back on some of his statements and what his campaign rhetoric means for various domestic issues over the course of his administration.
TRUMP ON “...when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything... grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything.”
“I think they’re trouble. I think they’re looking for trouble.” FOX News Interview, September 2015
During his campaign rallies Trump and his supporters frequently clashed with Black Lives Matter supporters, often kicking them out of protests. Post-election protests of Trump’s win have also featured Black Lives Matter rhetoric. Trump has said he wants to restore order in the black community by adding more police officers to poor communities, and reached out to black citizens within his support base while campaigning, once remarking that a black man at a rally was “[his] African-American.”
TRUMP ON MEXICAN
IMMIGRATION From the start of his campaign, Trump promised to build a wall to keep immigrants from passing through, and make Mexico pay for that wall. Trump intends to lower the amount of illegal immigrants by creating a larger deportation force and getting rid of Obama’s executive orders. By doing so, Trump believes that he will restore job opportunities for Americans. His 10 point plan for removing immigrant’s includes detaining immigrants and removing job benefits that they seek when illegally immigrating. He also wants to reform legal immigration, believing that by doing so, it could give America fairness it previously had not achieved.
During his campaign, Trump blacklisted several news agencies including the Huffington Post, Politico, Buzzfeed and The Washington Post from interviewing him or being at his rallies. Throughout his campaign, Trump criticized the “failing” New York Times; after they obtained and published pages from his 1995 tax return showing that he’d claimed a loss of $916 million to avoid paying taxes for the next 18 years, his criticism intensified. Recently concerning free speech overall, Trump inspired controversy with his tweet that those who burn the American flag should be stripped of their citizenship or imprisoned for one year. This directly conflicts with the 1989 Supreme Court case Texas v. Johnson, which categorized flag burning as a form of protected speech.
LGBT RIGHTS
TRUMP ON LGBT RIGHTS:
“[A]mending the Civil Rights Act would grant the same protection to gay people that we give to other Americans – it’s only fair.” Interview with The Advocate, February 2000
BLACK LIVES MATTER:
Trump said that women who get abortions should receive “some kind of punishment” in a March 2016 interview. His goal is overturn Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed abortion rights on a federal level, and instead turn the decision over to the state. Trump also wants to defund Planned Parenthood as well as create a paid leave that possibly excludes anyone who isn’t a married mother. Trump’s been criticized for his comments Megyn Kelly, Rosie O’ Donnell, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Hillary Clinton and others, and for remarks perceived as sexist to critics.
Candid remarks, 2005
BLACK LIVES MATTER AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY TRUMP ON
WOMEN’S RIGHTS
WOMEN:
Red & Black A peek inside Trump’s proposed cabinet
Trump’s views on LGBT issues has been at times unclear and contradictory. He has said that reversing last year’s Supreme Court legalization of gay marriage in every state is impossible, although he has expressed support for religious freedom laws which some say discriminate against LGBT people. However, Trump’s Vice President-elect, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, and many of Trump’s cabinet members have criticized the legalization of same sex marriage; Pence also has said that conversion therapy, a controversial practice used to change people’s sexual orientations that’s been banned in five states, should be government funded.
The president-elect claimed China’s presence in the World Trade Organization is “killing” America. “China is sucking us dry. They’re taking our money. They’re taking our jobs,” Trump said. According to Trump, China has absolute control over North Korea even though they don’t admit it. And because of this, Trump wants them to make Kim Jong Un “disappear.” He has also talked about starting a trade war with China. China’s government has not spoke on Trump’s win in the election.
ONE MORE TIME:
Presidential candidacy announcement, June 2015
JOURNALISM AND FREE SPEECH TRUMP ON JOURNALISTS: “They’re scum. They’re horrible people. They are so illegitimate. They are just terrible...” Campaign rally, October 2015
MEXICO?
CANADA?
SYRIA?
RUSSIA?
Trump’s call for a wall along the United States’ border with Mexico, and his promise to make the other country pay for it, is one of his most controversial plans of his campaign. If he proceeds with the plan to build a wall, the American alliance with Mexico will be threatened. The American-Mexican relationship was called the “most important bilateral [one]” by former President George W. Bush.
Trump has previously claimed that he loved Canada, but has since criticized and questioned their economic and security policies and pledges to renegotiate NAFTA (see economic section). Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has agreed to work with Trump and discuss renegotiating the trade agreement, but the possibility of reopening talk on NAFTA depends on if Trump follows through with his plans.
The relationship between Syria and our president-elect looks rocky considering Trump’s promises on immigration. He plans to create new screening procedures, implement immigration laws and stop incoming immigrants from dangerous regions with histories of harboring terrorism, temporarily. His strategy to take down ISIS is to operate with Middle Eastern allies and overcome the radical Islamic terrorism ideas, according to his campaign website.
Trump plans to create an alliance with Russia despite his going back and forth on his relationship with Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin. America’s future with Russia looks bright. Both leaders have said they liked each other. Putin said Trump was talented and bright. Trump repaid the compliment, “I like him because he called me a genius. He said Trump is the real leader,” said Trump. He sees improving this relationship as critical to simplify conflict in Syria.
After alleged evidence of hacking involved in the voting machines used in the election, former Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein is calling for a recount in three key swing states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. Stein, who won one percent of the popular vote, said on CNN that if tampering took place, “it would be most likely to be discovered in the three states where we are looking.” A goal of $2.5 million dollars was needed to order a recount of those three states. In a matter of 48 hours, Stein reached that goal and is now filing to have those states recount the votes. According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, Clinton and her For the outcome of the election to change, Clinton aides see the recount as a waste of resources. Trump has criticized the rewould need to win all three states, changing the re- count as a ploy for Green Party fundraising. sults from 306-232 to 272-266 and giving her the win. STORY BY FERNANDO ROSAS, GRAPHICS BY ANNIE AGUIAR
Stein calls for recounts
When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best ...They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.
STORY BY DENZEL PIERRE, GRAPHICS BY ANNIE AGUIAR
How can a Trump presidency affect our relationship with... CHINA?
IMMIGRANTS:
STORY BY CAROLIN HEARNE, GRAPHICS BY ANNIE AGUIAR
UN Ambassador NIKKI HALEY
1) Cuts are coming Trump wants the personal income tax rate to drop by 6.6 percent as the seven tax brackets are consolidated into three, the corporate tax rate to drop 20 percent (making it a big draw for multinational companies), taxes on small businesses to drop to 15 percent, the estate (or "death") tax to be cut entirely. Beyond taxes, Trump also wants to eliminate regulations on energy companies and other organizations in addition to stopping all new agency regulations. How he intends to pay for these tax cuts or go about changes in regulations have yet to be outlined.
2) RIP to TPP (and NAFTA, maybe) The Trans-Pacific Partnership, an Obama-backed proposed agreement between the United States and 11 other Pacific Rim nations aiming to set new terms for trade and business investment, has died in the wake of the election after both candidates opposed it on the campaign trail. Up next for Trump: the North American Free Trade Agreement, also known as NAFTA. NAFTA, an agreement made in 1994 forming a trilateral trade bloc between the United States, Canada and Mexico, has been a frequent focus of attack for Trump, who called it "the single worst trade deal ever approved in this country" during the first presidential debate. As NAFTA only concerns trade with Canada and Mexico, which composes less than five percent of the GDP, some fear destroying the agreement would mainly serve to hurt U.S. relations with Canada and Mexico.
3) Bye, bye Obamacare On the "Healthcare reform to Make America Great Again" section of his website, Trump outlines his plan for replacing Obamacare, going as far to say that the call to Congress to repeal it will happen on the first day of the Trump administration. Trump plans to remove regulations against health insurance being sold across state lines, allowing full competition in the healthcare market. Other plans: Medicaid to become a grant program, the extending of the tax exemption on employer-based insurance to individuals purchasing their own coverage, the importing of prescription drugs, reforming mental health institutions and other proposals. "By following free market principles and working together to create sound public policy that will broaden healthcare access, make healthcare more affordable and improve the quality of the care available to all Americans," the website reads. STORY BY ANNIE AGUIAR
What are your thoughts on Jill Stein’s call for recounts in key swing states? I’m in favor of the recount. I’ve read several articles that say that the turnout was much less than the 2012 election, and in every state that Trump won, he won by just the amount that he needed. PATRICK LEWICKI, 10
This recount won’t change much. All of those farmers in rural places voted for Trump, so this recount is not going to change any of the results most likely. GRACE BICKING, 9
I feel like President-Elect Trump is already in office and this whole recount is just to stir up controversy or something. It’s kind of dumb. KADINA KING, 11
9
Recount isn’t going to change the result because Trump is already President-Elect, so it doesn’t matter. ANNA OLIVERAS, 11
I think either way, people are going to be mad. ODESSA CHURCHILL, 12
Haley’s policies include enforcing laws that immigrants should carry their documentation with them at all times. She is Governor of South Carolina and originally supported Marco Rubio.
Defense Sec. JAMES MATTIS In appointing “Mad Dog” Mattis, a retired Marine general, as his nominee for Defense Secretary Trump is questioning a prohibition against someone serving as chief of the Defense Department within seven years of retirement.
CIA Director MIKE POMPEO Pompeo, a Representative from Kansas since 2011 and a member of the Tea Party, was a Kansas representative on the Republican National Committee, a commitee for developing and promoting the party platform.
Attorney General JEFF SESSIONS Sessions is the junior Senator from Alabama and has been ranked as the fifthmost conservative U.S. Senator by National Journal in 2007. Before being a senator, Sessions was the Attorney General of Alabama.
Education Sec. BETSY DEVOS A billionaire member of a wealthy family, DeVos is an advocate for school choice and voucher program. DeVos is chairwoman of the Windquest Group for technology, manufacturing, and clean energy.
HHS Sec. TOM PRICE Price is a member of the Republican Party and is currently U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 6th congressional district, serving since 2005. He was nominatedSecretary of Health and Human Services by President-elect Donald Trump.
Transportation Sec. ELAINE CHAO Chao served as the 24th United States Secretary of Labor under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, and Deputy Secretary of Transportation under President George H. W. Bush.
Commerce Sec. WILBUR ROSS Ross is an investor, and former banker, known for restructuring failed companies. He specializes in leveraged buyouts and distressed businesses. In August 2014, Forbes magazine listed Ross as one of the world’s billionaires worth $2.9 billion.
Treasury Sec. STEVEN MNUCHIN Mnuchin is a banker, film producer, and political fundraiser. For 17 years he was a partner for Goldman Sachs earning a net worth of about $40 million. He then founded the motion picture firm, RatPac-Dune Entertainment. Announced as of Dec. 5 STORY BY ALYSSA IERNA PHOTOS COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS
10
December 2016
opinion
Red & Black
an editorial looking at the 2016 election and what we do next Protests erupt around the country with citizens all over not recognizing Donald Trump as their president-elect. Reports of hate crimes rise as white nationalists celebrate. The increasing polarization of news and voters leads some people to say that if their friends or family voted for the other candidate, they’re now sworn enemies. This has been one of the most divisive political campaigns ever. To the shock of the polls, the media and many Americans, Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in Electoral College votes, to become the president-elect. We didn’t expect this. Many members of our staff were shocked at the results. Some were ashamed, others afraid. Trump’s insulting and undermining rhetoric towards minorities, women and LGBT citizens has not gone unnoticed. We are aware being president doesn’t give Trump total power. We know that his presidency probably won’t lead to fascism or the dissolution of the American government. But we are aware that his election is indicative of an unsure future. There’s not much we can do about that. We could move to Canada, but we’ve heard it’s incredibly hard to get a visa, we’re still not sure if the website is back up and boy, it’s cold up there. There’s also the almost negligible chance that the Electoral College will decide Trump should not be president. Given that this has never happened in the history of the United States, or America’s existence, we’re doubtful. This is what the next four years looks like, and everyone regardless of political leaning needs to accept that. There has been speculation as to how Trump won, but the conversation about the cause isn’t going to change the effect. Whether through polling creating complacency, the email scandal right before the election, the inciting of racial tensions and anti-immigrant rhetoric or third party candidates such as Gary Johnson taking votes in key states, Trump won. Instead of trying to sway the results of the election that already happened, it’s time to hold Trump more accountable for his actions. We can’t accept lies, like his claim that he actually won the popular vote despite it losing it by two million. It is time for us, the future of this country, to become involved in the political process. We can’t complain if we don’t act. While it’s important to not normalize the fact that Trump gained votes in part by eliciting base fears about multiculturalism and immigration in America, not everyone who voted for Trump is racist, sexist and homophobic. Many are working class people responding to hardship. Someone came along and promised to make their America great again, and they set their hopes on that promise. Hating Trump or Clinton supporters or those who didn’t vote is not the way to change people’s minds. Arguments attacking people on a personal level only lead to hurt feelings, not changed opinions. Instead, we need to find solutions to fix the deep rift this election has exposed. While the candidate someone chose does matter, it’s not going to determine their character for the rest of their life. One day in November doesn’t make someone a villain. We need to be productive, not hateful. Donate to the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association for Advancement of Colored People, the Trevor Project and other organizations devoted to the marginalized. Protest if Trump enacts a harmful policy. Better yet, let’s not repeat this election cycle. Both candidates had historically low presidential candidate approval ratings. We need to work everyday to assure people that the rights of all citizens matter. Whatever this election has meant, it’s time to get involved in the political process and treat the presidential election like we should: as one part of a much larger, much more significant political system. And not just the presidential election; midterm elections have historically pitiful voter turnout. Let’s change that. If we want America to be everything it can be, we have to look forward. America can be great, but it needs to start with us.
These 31 pictures of members of the student body are just a fraction of the force of change behind the greatness that America needs. | PHOTOS BY ANNIE AGUIAR, DENZEL PIERRE AND JUBILEE GONZALEZ
hhstoday.com
December 2016 11
opinion
DID THE DISTRICT STEAL CHRISTMAS? The decision to move exams prior to winter break, consequently shortening summer, has raised eyebrows - both in excitement and frustration Eggnog, warm sweaters, fun times with loved ones, 15 types Eggn of cas casseroles and the impending death of your GPA as well as yyour entire future. One of these things is not like the others. othe And, surprisingly, it’s not the eggnog. The holidays should be a time to relax and get together with family, not stress and try to learn four and a half months’ worth of calculus in two days. m The school board’s decision to move semester exams before break, although irritating at first, makes life so be much better muc Trust me, I complained my fair share about the fact that T summer summ was exactly two months this year. Cutting a summer break by even a day is just short of inhumane. But consider the fact that we get out ou earlier now, and how much better life will be during Christmas b break. The semester is over, so you can successfully forget everything you have learned this year. Listen to Grandma chat incessantly about “Kenny West,” and “Netslix.” You can sleep and not have to make up for it by pulling an all-nighter the last day of break. Just picture it. A break where you don’t have to work to try to pull a Hail Mary with your grades the second you get back. All the rest, with none of the stress. By getting the cramming before semester exams out of the way, we can focus on cramming our extended family tree before the annual Christmas party. (Thirty-five cousins is a lot, OK?) And let’s not leave out the teachers and administrators in all this. With semester grades and exams wrapped up, they’ll have fewer papers to grade, fewer grades to finalize and generally fewer things to do. They, too, get to actually enjoy their break. This is not to say that the few weeks leading up to break aren’t crazy. They are, of course, hectic to say the least. But isn’t it better to just get the misery of exams out of the way before your mind is occupied with keeping your family from talking politics at the table? So when you’re stressing about the fact there’s only a couple days to bring that D+ to an A- left and are cursing Hillsborough County School Board’s name, just keep in mind: Summer is coming early this year. COLUMN BY MADISON FORBIS
NO!
The decision to shift the schedule ule was a tremendous mistake that will haunt the school board for years to come. This is a classic case of government officess making decisions without considering anything but the most obvious effects. Let’s look at one immediate eff ffect students have already suffered: a shortened summer. If this past summer seemed to fly by even quicker than usual,l, you weren’t imagining things. As part of this policy decision, 20 days were shaved off, creating problems for teachers and students. Not only were vacations shortened, d, but we were given less time to prepare for the oncoming school year. For students who work during vacation, and in many cases rely on that money, the change was as even more disastrous. This schedule shift robbed them of money ney they could’ve earned and I seriously doubt any efforts are going ng to be made to reimburse them. If the past few months have seemed emed busier than expected, you have the schedule change to thank as well. As common sense dictates, students are more productive and capable when well-rested. With the original schedule, students can rest more in November, study in December and enter exams prepared. The new schedule forces students to work continuously through mid-December, removing the opportunities for crucial relaxation prior to exams. Although it might not seem like it this year, this decision will have profound effects on students’ ability to enjoy the holiday season come next year. With school tentatively scheduled to let out for winter break next year on Dec. 22, students will be unable to enjoy the holiday season as they slog through pre-break exams. Those celebrating Christmas will have two days and those celebrating Hanukkah fare even worse; their holiday will come to an end right in the middle of exam week. A better alternative would’ve been to make the change in small increments for the next few years rather than do it through a large, immediate shift. This wouldn’t solve the issue of the holiday season being diminished, but it would at least lighten the immediate consequences of the schedule change. This schedule change likely had good intentions, but it comes at the cost of students’ ability to enjoy the holiday season and summer vacation. COLUMN BY MICHAEL STROBL
HOW I MADE MONEY ON BLACK FRIDAY H It was almost midnight when the ambulance pulled up in front of the glass double doors at a depu partment store. I juggled a stack of baby clothes in pa my hands, watching in curiosity as they rushed a m stretcher to the back of the store. COLUMN BY I knew where they were headed: the electronics BIANCA section; the same location several men and women CEGATTE were fighting over the new Xbox console. My bagger, Jacob, and I looked at each other in an attempt to persuade the other to spy on the incident. Yet, we both knew we couldn’t leave our spots even if we wanted to. There was a stampede of dazed and crazed people of all ages lining the walls of the store, impatiently awaiting my words. “Next in line,” I yelled. “Register sev-” Before I could even finish, a middle aged woman dropped dozens of items on the counter and urged me to begin checking her out. As I scanned the items, I looked at her other overfilling cart helplessly. What a long night. I understand why people would come take advantage of the great deals on Black Friday. Premium television sets are over half off. Expensive jewelry is sold for the price of a candy bracelet. It all sound reasonable. Questions were only raised when customers
YES!
One girl’s quest of turning commercial carnage into cash
seemed to lose all aspects of ethics and morals. Somewhere along the way, we decided that good, old-fashioned manners lose out to half-priced PlayStations. Our manager told us this would be the case a half-hour before the doors opened. He stood on top of a counter and stared determined at a sea of red shirts as he discussed the policies, our strategy and, most importantly, emergency action plans. “We’re going to need two bigger guys by the doors,” he said. “If you see anyone fighting or stealing, do not say anything. Just call [security].” I’ve been working at this store for almost a year and never would I have imagined the soccer moms and sweet grandmas that usually make up our customers fighting or stealing anything. But everything changed when the shoppers attacked. We opened our doors at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. A wave of people pushed their way through the doors and I was met with a strong stench of marijuana. A handful of men ran straight to me with special tickets in their hands that read something along the lines of, “TELEVISION ONLY $99.99! REDEEM AT ANY REGISTER TO CLAIM!” The store stayed open a full 36 hours. By the time we finally locked our doors, there was nothing left – not in the store, nor in
me. I remember looking around the war scene that the once wholesome store had become. Our electronics section was now just debris of empty cases and useless locks. Jacob had lost his hair tie after hours of dodging bundles of clothing that were carelessly tossed aside by customers who changed their minds. Nothing was left of me, but the shiny nametag that somehow managed to withstand the crusade. We were mighty soldiers, ready to retire. I lost a significant amount of faith in humanity that week. How can we allow a couple of mediocre deals on materialistic items completely take over? Regular customers who are usually so kind and patient were huffing and puffing throughout the aisles, ready to blow the store down. Throughout every hour of every shift, I watched petrified as the customer frenzy roared on. One thing did keep me sane: I knew that when all of those customers went home with their shiny gadgets and fancy apparel, they’d be forced to watch in horror as their bank accounts read significantly lower numbers. I, however, will be beaming with pride and sitting comfortably on the stack of money given to me on payday. Maybe Black Friday isn’t so bad after all.
12
entertainment
December 2016
F R O S T Y
F L I C K S Liked some of the movies in this flowchart? Make sure to catch your perfect movie on ABC Family during this holiday season, and celebrate Christmas to its fullest.
Red & Black
FIND YOUR PERFECT CHRISTMAS MOVIE Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Discover the meaning of Christmas with Jack Skellington as he first discovers the holiday and creates his own version.
Start Here! Do you miss Halloween?
Yes
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) No
Do you enjoy Romance?
Kris Kringle, the mall Santa Claus by chance, will take on a whole new life when he tells people he is the real Santa Claus and fight to bring belief back to two special people.
Swoon
Dec.1 The Nightmare Before Christmas 11:20 p.m.-12:55 a.m.
Dec. 2 The Polar Express 9:20-11:25 p.m
Comedy
Comedy or Classic?
Gag
Dec.3
Do you enjoy chocolate syrup on your spaghetti?
Disney’s A Christmas Carol Noon-2:05 p.m.
Dec. 4 ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas 7-7:30 a.m.
Classic
Dec.5 The Year Without a Santa Claus 4-5 p.m
Do you enjoy hot chocolate?
Elf (2003)
Dec.6 Scrooged 5-7 p.m.
Dec.7
It’s in my blood
Elf 9-11 p.m.
No
Dec.8 Deck the Halls 5-7 p.m.
Dec.9 Frosty’s Winter Wonderland 11-11:30 a.m.
Dec.10 Snow Buddies 1:40-3:45 p.m.
Delicious!
Polar Express (2004) Follow the adventures of a boy who learns the spirit of friendship, bravery and Christmas in a magical train trip.
A human elf named Buddy goes on an adventure to teach the true meaning of Christmas to his family and the people of New York City.
Ew...
Home Alone (1990) Come along with Kevin as he spends his Christmas fending off burglars from his home… alone
Have you ever said Bah Humbug?
Bah Humbug
Dec.11 The Little Drummer Boy 7-7:30 a.m.
What?
Check out hhstoday.com
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
A Chirstmas Carol (2009)
When the Grinch steals Christmas from the Whos of Whosville, he will come to discover the deeper meaning of Christmas.
Ebenezer Scrooge truly does not care for anything else but when visited by the ghosts of Christmas he will realize the more important things in life.
to see the full schedule! COMPILED BY MERCY TSAY
December 2016 13
entertainment
hhstoday.com
Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, the Death Star and a group of Rebels pioneer a new chapter in the Star Wars universe that’s not a link to the main story ry What are your thoughts on “Rogue One”?
DARTH VADER AND DEATH STAR COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS LIGHTSABER GRAPHIC BY MICHAEL STROBL
Gift-giving is common during the holiday season, but on Dec. 16, Star Wars fans will be getting an especially big one as the galaxy far, far away changes forever. For the first time in the history of the franchise, a movie that is not directly a part of the main story will be released. Instead, “Rogue One” will act as a spinoff film and tell the story of how the Rebel Alliance acquired the plans for the Death Star, leading into the 1977 classic. Directed by Gareth Edwards (of “Godzilla” fame), the film will feature a bevy of new characters, chief among them Felicity Jones’ Jyn Erso, who appears in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and Inferno, as the movie’s main protagonist. She’ll be facing off against her father, played by Mads Mikkelsen (of “Hannibal” fame and in his first post-”Doctor Strange” movie), who has been tasked with building the Death Star. New characters aren’t the
only thing Star Wars fans have to look forward to. For the first time since 1983’s “Return of the Jedi,” James Earl Jones will be reprising his voiceover role as iconic villain Darth Vader in a movie. Jones recently returned to Vader for “Star Wars: Rebels,” but this will be his first time voicing the villain on the silver screen in over 30 years. Although the size of Vader’s role in the film remains unclear, his reappearance has been a key selling point for the movie. In the previous films, Darth Vader was a staple point, and the fact that he wont have such a major role, is nonetheless different. In fact, anticipation for “Rogue One” is so great that when tickets went on sale at midnight on Nov. 27, ticket sales website Fandango crashed. Fortunately, some fans were still able to access the program through mobile devices. For less fortunate fans, Fandango created a queue system that, while ultimately effective,
LAURYN HILL COMES BACK TO FLORIDA
--BUT WILL SHE BE ON TIME? After touring in every continent but Antarctica, Lauryn Hill is making her way back to Florida. It has been two years since she’s performed here and has two concerts planned for Dec. 6 and 8 in St. Pete and Orlando, respectively. However, there’s no guarantee she will be on time. Hill has developed a reputation for lacking punctuality and apologies. It is not unusual for Hill to arrive up to four hours late for a concert. She does not express any regret for her tardiness and begins her performance as if it isn’t 1 a.m. and you haven’t been twiddling your thumbs waiting for the concert you paid over $100 for. At one of her concerts earlier this year she arrived more than three hours late and only performed three songs before the concert was
still left a long wait for many ticket purchasers. The new movie will serve as a crucial piece of Disney’s overall plans for the Star Wars films. Beginning with last year’s “The Force Awakens,” Disney plans to release a Star Wars film every year. However, episodes in the main series of films will only be released every other year. Between episodes, single-story spinoff films will be released. “Rogue One” is the first such film, with the next (in 2018) exploring the life of a young Han Solo. For Star Wars fans this means that new movies will be relaeasing frequently. Now fans wont have to wait every other year for a new movie to come out. Will the Force be with “Rogue One,” or will the franchise turn to the dark side? Fans will have their answer come Dec. 16. STORY BY MICHAEL STROBL
Dec. 6 and 9, Hill performs in St. Peterburg and Orlando
cut short due to the venue’s curfew. However, if Hill is on time, she performs up to 26 songs. Her set list ranges from covers of Bob Marley, Nina Simone and her work with the Fugees. Most of the songs Hill performs are from her only solo studio album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” This album earned her five Grammys in one night and is her claim to fame as a solo artist. At the concert, it’s possible for Hill to surround herself with instruments from harps to timpani drums. Her music is influenced by soul, reggae and hip hop, so she utilizes many diverse instruments to add depth to her music. Hill is known as a talented soul singer, rapper and lyricist, a versatile performer whether she is on the stage for two songs or two hours. STORY BY TEGAN SMITH PHOTO BY LISA LIANG COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS
I’m very excited for “Rogue One.” It’s gonna be pretty awesome! COLE MCCARTY, 11
I think it’s going to be really animated because of Disney. JIMAYLA JONES, 11
It might be good or it might be bad. I don’t know yet. RYAN PAIS, 9
GRAPHICS BY JACOB KIRCHHEIMER
14
December 2016
sports
Red & Black
WRESTLING WITH WEIGHT The team is busy getting new teammates ready to tackle the upcoming season, but weight limits are an issue With the new wrestling season starting up, coach Michael Patrick is busy getting the team prepared. However, this season is different than the past seasons because the team is facing an issue fitting into weight classes. In wrestling, there are 14 weight classes, which range from 106 to 285 pounds. The team is struggling because a minimal amount of wrestlers fall in the lower classes. “So right now from about 150 up to 285 we have plenty of guys, but from 150 down below we’re not getting hardly any little guys at all,” Patrick said. “Individually I think they’ll do fine, but as a team it’s hard to win when you’re giving up so many forfeits, and we’re struggling with the smaller weights.” The team has been forced to forfeit all the smaller weight class competitions because they don’t have the people to compete. With the season quickly approaching, the team has only been practicing for one full week. “Everyday I tell my assistant coaches that I can’t believe that nobody’s quit yet,” Patrick said. “Out of the group that’s been coming nobody has just come and quit and not showed up again.” Currently, the team only has five experienced wrestlers. “A lot of the new guys are trying out the sport, I guess you could say, but most of them I’ve seen actually like it a lot,” junior and third-year wrestler Jhett McCarthy said. “They’re here everyday, they’re good teammates, and they seem to like it enough to want to be here, training everyday, and I hope to God they stay.” “Its mostly brand new guys, so we’re kind of starting all over,” Patrick said. “There’s only a couple guys with experience.” But despite the last of experience, the wrestlers put in the work. “There are people that are really dedicated and consistent. They’ll show up and do some hard work,” sophomore and first-year wrestler Telvin Jones said. “But there [are] some people who don’t come and think it’s a joke, but its not a joke, this is serious, you’re constantly moving.” While some new teammates are not being as serious as anticipated, the team does have new members excited about joining. “You learn a lot and it’s a good work out, but it’s a lot harder than I thought it would be,” junior and first-year wrestler Ralph Porcaro said. “They all do want to be here and that’s good for a team,” McCarthy said. “They’re not here just so they can say they did this sport, they’re here because they want to be here, and they want to learn wrestling.” STORY AND PHOTO BY LAUREN KOMAR
Daniel Sanders and Dejohn Jones grapple during a wrestling practice. The team focuses on the fundamentals of take downs in most practices.
SWIM TEAM PLACES AT STATES
Swimmers practice their dives before a meet. Five students made the State Championship. | PHOTO BY MADDIE DHONDT Record breaking. That’s what sums up this season for the event. The girls’ relay got two medals that day, finishing in the top Big Red swim team. The girls’ swim team finished the season undefeated while eight in the preliminaries with a 1:42.38 and 7th in the night the boys’ team went 3-2. The girls placed first at Western Con- meet with a 1:42.55. They broke the previous school record, ference while the boys took fourth. The team also won second 1:47.00, in the preliminaries. “I honestly didn’t think we would even qualify for the top in districts and individual swimmers qualified for multiple reeight spots; it was definitely a surprise,” Chang said. gional and state events. Fitzhugh Rawls also broke a school record with a sixth place The state championship was a two-day event. When the swimmers first got there, they had to report to a evening meet time of 21.61 for his 50 free. He placed 12th in the 100 backto be timed in their events in order to be put in their designat- stroke, and he broke a school record for the backstroke coming in at 52.86. ed “heats,” which are separated by Ellwood got 13th for both her individual times. “I honestly didn’t think we would even 200 individual medley and her 100 The next day, they swam in a qualify for the top eight spots; it was breaststroke. She did not break the preliminary meet in the morning. definitely a surprise.” school record for her individual If swimmers place in the top medley but she did for the breasteighth in the preliminaries, they SABRINA CHANG, 12 stroke, clocking in at 1:07.82. receive a medal; if they place in the With three out of five of the top 16, they move on to the night swimmers graduating, Madeline Rawls and Jonas are still optichampionship meet. Five swimmers were able to qualify in both districts and mistic about the years to come. “We’re losing a bunch of people, regionals in order to make it to states: senior Fitzhugh Rawls, but I am hopeful because it all depends on who decides to come senior Victoria Ellwood, senior Sabrina Chang, junior Serena and next year’s freshmen,” Jonas said. “We definitely have some holes to fill next year, and we will Jonas and sophomore Madeline Rawls. The four girls were all in the 200 free relay, with Ellwood miss our seniors. But we still have a strong team, and hopefully and Madeline Rawls being the only girls who swam individu- we can add to it,” Madeline Rawls said. Even though their high school swimming careers are over, al events. Ellwood swam the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke, these seniors are likely not done swimming. Fitzhugh Rawls while Madeline Rawls swam the 100 freestyle. “I knew I would make states for my individual races because said that he “plans to swim in college” and probably “wouldn’t once you make it, it’s easier to make it in the future. I made do anymore swim meets … just open water races for fun.” Ellwood has verbally committed to swim at Florida Atlantic states for the first time my sophomore year,” Ellwood said. Fitzhugh Rawls, the only boy to qualify for states, swam in University, and Chang is looking into the opportunity to pursue intramural swim at the college she chooses to attend. the 50 freestyle and the 50 backstroke. STORY BY MADDIE DHONDT In her individual 50 free event, Madeline Rawls placed 17th in the preliminaries, making her unable to proceed to the night
December 2016 15
sports
hhstoday.com
First year head coach Brittany Ridley watches her team from the sideline. The girls lost the home game against Alonso 67-16 and are now of 0-3. | PHOTO BY MATT LUTTON The girls basketball team is being led by an unfamiliar face this season and with only two returning players, the team seeks guidance to rebuild. The new head coach Brittany Ridley, who left her assistant coaching job at Melbourne High, has brought a focus on real world lessons in addition to on-the-court coaching in an effort to promote team unity and chemistry. “When I first got here I tried to sell it to them to be a team,” Ridley said. “One unit to be proud of and be a part of. We did team building things and we started conditioning pretty early. I set the expectations and the standards and they’ve all exceeded that.” But when she’s not teaching plays or running
This attention to more than just basketball drills or preaching pace of play, Ridley teaches performance has won Ridley admiration from other kinds of lessons. “I feel coaching any sport you are teaching the her players. “When she helps us off the court, students life skills, how to be sociable, respectful, I feel like I have better communication skills,” time management and things like that,” she said. freshman Shaelyn Fleming said. “I’m trying to graduate and get as “I focus on not just many scholarships as the sport but the ac“My main focus for the girls is not really possible, so I think tual life.” how many wins and losses we have, but that she’s trying to Ridley stresses to just the fact that we make progress with help us learn how to her players the value each practice and each game.” get better in the real of education and getBRITTANY RIDLEY world, not just on ting a diploma. “I’d the court.” rather all our girls “She knows how to teach,” junior Zaria Tygraduate versus how many points or rebounds they get. My main goal is for them to graduate son said. “Our last coach didn’t discipline us. Her model was if you know how to play basketball and walk across that stage,” she said.
you don’t need to be disciplined. [Ridley] disciplines us and teaches us to be better on and off the court.” Ridley took over for Kelsey Gatz, who led the Terriers to a 4-19 season in her only year as coach. In 2015, the team was coached by Babita Artabasy, who led the team to a district championship. However, she understands the reality of the team, which has more freshmen than returners. “This year is pretty much rebuilding from the ground up,” Ridley said. “My main focus for the girls is not really how many wins and losses we have, but just the fact that we make progress with each practice and each game.” STORY BY MATT LUTTON
GIRLS SOCCER STRIVES FOR SUCCESS After being defeated four games in a row, the girls soccer team earned two wins to end their losing streak. In order to continue, they aim to focus on building skills and getting stronger. “We are going to practice and focus on some issues and strategies we can use in order to play better,” captain senior Taylor Bott said. The team believes they’ve had a difficult start to the season. “We’re working on the season and it’s been kind of tough,” head coach Ted Pamplona said. “We had four losses but our scores keep getting better and better.” They stand optimistic as the scores keep improving. The season started with a loss of 8-0 against Newsome on Nov. 2. As the games went by, they continued to allow fewer goals: 5-0, 3-0 and 2-1 against Robinson with their first goal of the season scored by junior Katherine Bowers. “We were losing 2-0 so putting something on the scoreboard shows how much effort we put into the game,” Bowers said. “It gave us some hope.” Bowers’ score heightened spirits and expectations for the team. “It made everyone realize we can score and we just have to
keep trying,” Bowers said. The girls earned their first win against Leto on Nov. 17. The team scored six goals, more than all of their previous games combined. According to junior Jayla Prayon, the girls held a strong defense and were first to the ball throughout the entire game. Although winning is important to the team, it is not their only goal. “I’m more excited for improving my skills as a player and getting to know the team better,” Prayon said. “I like learning new techniques and getting new experiences.” Girls on the team like to focus on bettering themselves and their relationships with the other team members. “We practice every day on skills that need improvement on,” sophomore Michie Guzman said. “We also help each other since each person has a different strength. We always help each other out whenever we need it.” Pamplona is proud that his team has started to win, but winning isn’t the most important aspect of the game. Head coach Ted Pamplona holds a meeting with the team after “Just play hard and play with a lot of heart,” Pamplona said. their first win of the season. | PHOTO BY JUBILEE GONZALEZ STORY BY JUBILEE GONZALEZ
16
December 2016
HHSTODAY HITS
web
Red & Black
Go to HHSToday.com for sports coverage and scores, campus, multimedia and world news updates and more!
People protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline before the Obama administration blocked its construction; check HHSToday.com for the full story about the DAPL along with audio clips from students’ opinions. | PHOTO BY FIBONACCI BLUE , COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS
HHSToday.com provides continual political and news coverage. Twelve stories covering Election Day were published throughout the day. In addition, during the subsequent days, the site produced an article outlining Obama’s legacy along with video and news coverage of a Trump Resistance protest.
THE U.S. NEEDS TO
DO SOMETHING
ABOUT THE SYRIAN
REFUGEE CRISIS Thousands of children forced out of their homes seek safety in a hastily arranged maze of tents. They have been relocated to a temporary home in a country where war is not temporary. They seek safety but safety is not what they find. Instead, they find a future that is uncertain and hundreds more people just like them, wondering what the next day will bring. Continue reading this column by Marin Fehl at HHSToday.com.
“DR. STRANGE” IS
CINEMATIC MAGIC
SE MURIÓ Days after former Cuban leader Fidel Castro died, HHSToday.com provides coverage of what his death means to Cuban-American students and the world as a whole.
Imagine the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen. Now give it neon and swirl filters. Odds are, what you’re imagining right now is only half as wild and trippy as the visuals presented in Marvel’s latest cinematic offering, “Dr. Strange.” “Dr. Strange” tells the story of a brilliant but arrogant surgeon who, after damaging his hands in a car accident, turns to mystical remedies in hopes of finding a cure. Instead, he finds himself embroiled in a multi-dimensional struggle between good and evil. Read more of this review by Michael Strobl at HHSToday.com.
Follow us on all our social media for updates! Twitter: HHSTodayOnline Instagram: HHSToday Snapchat: HHSToday* *or, if you don’t feel like typing it out, scan this: If something’s going on here, we’re covering it. Go to HHSToday.com to stay updated on your school!