November/December 2019 by The Patriot Post

The The

Patriot Post VOL. 23 ISSUE 3 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

One

Decade Later...

As the decade comes to an end, we take a look into what the past ten years brought us.

Staff Editors-in-Chief Maia Fernandez Baigun,12th Kristen Quesada, 12th Online Editor-in-Chief Joanne Haner, 12th Assistant Editors Alyssa Herzbrun, 12th Bella Ramirez, 11th Zoe Persaud, 11th

Dear Heritage, As the last issue of the Patriot Post for the 2010 decade, we wanted to highlight how our world has changed in these past 10 years. At the start of the decade, our top concern was trading Silly Bandz and our businesses of selling Rainbow Loom bracelets. Now, 10 years later, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve survived freshman year biology, lived through the SAT struggle and have almost finished the Kristen college process. Maia While one decade in adult life simply means 10 more years of aging, one decade at Heritage shapes children into the adults theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be for the rest of their lives. We hope this issue brings you nostalgia of both the good and bad of the past decade.

Online Assistant Editor Kayla Rubenstein, 11th Adviser Ms. Diana Adams

Kristen

Kristen Maia

Kristen

The

Patriot Post the American Heritage student news magazine

Copy Editors Kristen Quesada, 12th Joanne Haner, 12th Zoe Persaud, 11th News Editor Zoe Persaud, 11th Opinion Editor Alyssa Herzbrun, 12th Features Editor Emma Remudo, 11th Entertainment Editor Bella Ramirez, 11th

Sports Editor Sammy Rosenthal, 11th Cover Story Editor Maia Fernandez Baigun, 12th Social Media Editor Madison Lynn, 12th Staff Writers Sebastian Figueredo, 11th Emily Anderson, 11th Jack Shechtman, 11th Noor Sukkar, 10th

VOL. 23 ISSUE 3/ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 The Patriot Post is sold on a bi-monthly basis for 50 cents. American Heritage has 1,950 students and 160 faculty members.

Do you have a response to a column or article that was published in the news magazine? We accept and encourage letters to the editor by students, faculty or parents in response to any opinion pieces. Physically hand the response in to room 9114 or email it to patriotpost@ahschool.com.

2 Table of Contents

American Heritage School 12200 W. Broward Blvd. Plantation, FL 33325 954-472-0022 ext. 3300 patriotpost@ahschool.com ipatriotpost.com

News 5

Opinion 9

Features 12

Cover story 14 Entertainment 19

Sports 23 (Graphic and Photos/Alyssa Herzbrun, Joanne Haner, Maia Fernandez-Baigun, Bella Ramirez, toopicks.com)

Editorial Policy The Patriot Post limits opinion to opinion articles, columns and editorials. All editorials reflect the majority opinion of the staff. Opinions detailed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of administration, faculty or the student body. At our own discretion, we will publish letters to the editor either in print or online at ipatriotpost.com. We reserve the right to edit these letters for grammar and layout restrictions and will not publish any content we deem libelous to any students, faculty or members of the community.

@ipatriotpost Patriot Post

Our Mission Statement The Patriot Post is an award-winning, student-produced hybrid publication that informs students about events, influences readers through editorials and entertains through features and reviews, all achieved through responsible reporting held to high journalistic standards. We strive to create content that adheres to the highest possible standards of journalistic integrity. Any queries about our content can be directed to patriotpost@ahschool.com or to a staff member in room 9114. With new posts on our online newspaper almost every day, the content doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop at the last page of this magazine. Visit www.ipatriotpost.com for more information, and subscribe for email notifications.

Table of Contents 3

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News

NEWS BRIEF

Kayla Rubenstein | Online Asst. Editor pl226461@ahschool.com

TEDx

(Photos/Joanne Haner)

hile many may have heard or seen TedTalks in class, a new twist to the organization came to the school in the form of a night of student-produced TEDx presentations Nov. 13. Following the theme of “Breakthrough,” each of the eight presentations ran 10-15 minutes, with students in grades seven through 12 auditioning beforehand to secure a spot. Organized by senior Theodore Rackauskas with the help of Mrs. Melanie Hoffman, the event cost $20 per ticket and was only open to Heritage students and staff and their families. With a more informal atmosphere, attendees had the opportunity to listen to speeches written and delivered by sophomores, juniors and seniors.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE CIRCLE: Eight students, including junior Aryan Ranjan (left) and sophomores Emilin Mathew (center) and Shana Xia (right) took to the theater stage to speak at the inaugural TEDxAmerican Heritage.

very year, the Upper School PTO (USPTO) hosts the Holiday Bazaar, a themed indoor mini-market where attendees can shop at booths set up by vendors. The Holiday Bazaar will take place Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the gymateria, with around 50 vendors setting up shop. This year, the USPTO voted “The Wizard of Oz” as the theme, making this the 12th annual Holiday BOZaar.

UVAMUN

he Model United Nations (MUN) team spiced things up by traveling to a conference members haven’t attended before: University of Virginia’s MUN conference (UVAMUN). Traveling to Charlottesville, Va. from Nov. 15 to 17, 33 MUN delegates competed in a high-level conference, bringing the team’s top members. “As great as UVAMUN was, the best times on the trip came outside of committee sessions,” co-President Logan Kapit said.

JH Math Invitational

unior high (JH) students with an affinity for math in Broward and Miami-Dade counties will come to compete in the American Heritage JH Math Invitational. The competition, which will occur Dec. 14, features two individual tests, one multiple choice and one free response, with content written by Mu Alpha Theta members. “I really enjoy the test writing process,” Testing Coordinator senior Connor Gordon said. “So often we take tests written by teachers, so it’s a nice change to write our own.”

(Graphics/Bella Ramirez)

Holiday BOZaar

SWEATER WEATHER: Braving the cold, 33 members of MUN competed at University of Virginia. “This trip was reserved for our experienced ‘All-Stars,’ so all spots are filled with our best of the best,” Lacewala said. (Photo/Cinzia Baracco)

News 5

Project Alive: almost there Jack Shechtman | Staff Writer pl235751@ahschool.com

roject Alive exists as a nonprofit organization partnered with high school English teacher, Mrs. Jennifer Estevez, to help her son Sebastian and other kids. Around two years ago, they discovered he had a rare disease known as Hunter syndrome. Hunter syndrome is a fatal disease that slowly takes over the body, removing motor functions. Over the last two years, Project Alive has worked to fundraise and

bring awareness to the cause, as a research team in Ohio developed a possible cure. Fast forwarding to recent news, Project Alive has made enormous progress in achieving its mission. “We are really close to reaching our goal,” Mrs. Estevez said. The organization“has been approved for the use of an Investigational New Drug (IND) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” according to Mrs. Estevez. This means that they can basically begin with the clinical trial. The drug involves gene therapy and has already been manufactured, but the Project Alive team patiently waits to start the procedure, as some final approvals are needed due to some legal barriers. As far as funding goes, the organization’s goal at the start two years SWINGING TO SUCCESS: Mrs. Jennifer Estevez appears here with her son, Sebastian, in 2017. Sebastian was diagnosed with Hunter syndrome and the charity for this cause, Project Alive, has reached its fundraising goal of $2.5 million. (Photo/Jennifer Estevez)

Hunter syndrome affects 1 in 100,00 to 1 in 170,000, primarily males. There is no cure for Hunter’s syndrome (yet). The original fundraising goal, 2.5 million dollars, has been surpassed. ago was $2.5 million. As of now, almost all of the final goal has been met, as the group is just $200,000 short, but the organization still has enough money to get the trial going. It remains important to keep spreading awareness and raising money for Project Alive, so that more kids with Hunter syndrome can enroll in the trial. The final goal is almost complete, but the help of the community is still needed to make this miracle happen.

NSPA: NOW MORE THAN EVER Alyssa Herzbrun | Co-Assistant Editor pl231251@ahschool.com

ow more than ever, journalism matters. With the growing political, social and economic turmoil within the country, many would agree, which is why a certain convention board thought it would be the perfect convention motto. The National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) held in Washington, D.C. Nov. 2024 had over 8,000 journalism students and advisors attend the event to hear speakers from around the country and workshops about a variety of journalism-related topics. The highlight of the conference, keynote speaker Chuck Todd, a moderator of “Meet The Press” and a host of MSNBC, spoke about the representation of politics through different media outlets. With such a political split in today’s society, journalists often report the information people want to hear. Todd encouraged young journalists to report the facts straightforwardly. Other

6 News

speakers included writers of POLITICO and The Washington Post, professors from around the country and Mary Beth Tinker from the 1969 court case Tinker v. Des Moines, who advocated for student activism in nonviolent ways. Competitions for students accompanied the workshops Nov. 21-23. Students wrote and designed based on specific prompts given to them at the convention, and even copy edited papers. Co-Editor-in-Chief, Kristen Quesada received an Excellent for News Editing and Co-Assistant-Editor-in-Chief junior Bella Ramirez, received an Excellent for Broadcast Feature Story and an honorable mention as writer of the year. Online Editor-in-Chief, Joanne Haner also received an honorable mention for editorial writing. Even though journalists are sometimes portrayed as the bad guys in modern media, they keep citizens informed.

TRUTH BY THE YOUTH: Publication students managed to fit in some sight-seeing of monuments in the nation’s capital after attending several hour-long workshops and competitions over the five day trip. (Photo/ Joanne Haner)

BRINGING JOY TO THOSE IN NEED Alyssa Herzbrun | Co-Assistant Editor pl231251@ahschool.com

Students from different organizations fundraise to better the community

ith more than 80 clubs on campus, a day usually never passes without at least one charity club fundraiser. As students near the holiday months, many of the fundraisers gear toward helping others in their time of need. In November, the First Priority club held its fundraiser Operation Christmas Child. This particular fundraiser was introduced to the school 22 years ago but Dr. Mercedes Torres took over from Ms. Carolyn Gonano 14 years ago and opened it up to students of all religions to participate. Students filled shoe boxes with toys for boys and girls living in the Bahamas. Those who donated received stickers, a prayer card and a code to track their package. Once the package was delivered, students received a photo with the child holding the package. “This fundraiser is good because you know where your package is going. You hope that when you send a package, it goes to the right place,” Dr. Torres said.

The BETCHA club, also advised by Dr. Torres, invited students to write letters to people in the Bahamas, giving them hope and encouragement after the hurricane damage. “After the horrible things that happened in the Bahamas, people need these types of things to give them hope,” she said. NHS also hosted two fundraisers, for both Sophia Hurtado and the Angel Tree Program. Senior Flora Ranis, NHS president, used the colors blue and yellow to create bracelets and ribbons which represent Cushing Syndrome to spread awareness about Sophia Hurtado, who has the disease. The Angel Tree Program fundraiser raised money from Upper School classrooms to purchase gifts for children who would otherwise not receive any during the holiday season. The toys are then wrapped and delivered to The Salvation Army for distribution. These are only some of the ways students involve themselves in the lives of those less fortunate.

SOPHIA STRONG: During the excitement of Homecoming week, juniors Jewel Kyaw and Zaneer Mitha sell bracelets in support of Sophia Hurtado. “We want to show Sophia that we, as her AHS family, recognize how strong she is and will support her as she continues to fight,” NHS President Flora Ranis said. (Photo/Zoe Persaud)

PLAY BY THE RULES Zoe Persaud | Co-Assistant Editor pl238511@ahschool.com

dministration instituted several changes this school year such as the partnership with The Princeton Review for SAT prep, introduction of new classes and teachers, several new clubs and the construction of the 2500 building. With these changes come new rules and regulations that affect the student body. Previously, uniform violations accumulated “points” with the consequence of suspension after a student received 18 points. Currently, five repeated uniform violations auto-

matically lead to immediate suspension regardless of points. This revision to the rules works to ensure safety and security because the uniform (including belts, IDs and clear backpacks) easily identifies students. “Some teachers are very good at stressing compliance. The students are not compliant,” Dean of Students Mr. Dean Nolle said. “Quite often they ‘tuck it in’ going into the classroom and immediately untuck it leaving class. The untucked shirts and rolled shorts has to stop.” The frequent defiance of dress code prompted administration to consider eliminating shorts as an option and enforcing an “all-pants” policy, similar to that of other private schools. “Pants are a definite possibility if girls’ shorts continue to be an issue,” Mr. Nolle

(Graphics/Zoe Persaud)

said. “The rule changes have helped [enforce dress code] but the move to pants is very real with the shorts problem. Unfortunately, it will be the few who ruin it for the many.” New signs have also appeared in the school restrooms, reminding students that only one student is allowed per stall. “One person in the stall is a rule,” Mr. Nolle said. “That’s all that should be in there.” As we juggle classes and extracurriculars, we must keep these rules in mind to ensure a safe and fun school year.

News 7

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Opinion/Editorial

Editorial: Hip Hip No-rah

igh school is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, with only so many hours in a day, it’s not uncommon for students to have an energy level that some would consider subpar. This lack of energy often translates to a deficit of school spirit. With so many exams to study for and enough assignments to last a lifetime, students can feel too tired to attend a football game on a Friday night, much less a varsity soccer game during the week. Homecoming week brings out whatever spirit we students have, but since school doesn’t stop for high school traditions, we often struggle to balance festivities with academics. We shouldn’t be cramming all of our school spirit into one week, and we shouldn’t focus it all toward one sport, either. Some students consider freshman adviser and English teacher Mrs. Jessica Burns to be one of the most spirited teachers on campus, and she believes that by modeling her school spirit, she can influence her students to follow suit. “Building school spirit helps to create a sense of belonging and bonding for the class,” Mrs. Burns said. “High school is the experience that you make it. You only get these four years, so make memories and have fun.” Over the last few years, Mrs. Burns has seen an increase in administration’s

school spirit and more participation in events such as Homecoming week. This year’s senior class clown, Kelly Torres, takes pride in her school spirit. “Everyone thinks school is boring and lame but going to football games, dressing up for Homecoming and having an amazing pep rally is what makes school fun,” Torres said. “School spirit gives you something to cheer for, have fun with and represent an institution you are proud to be a part of.” Forbes reports p s yc h o l o g i c a l studies that show taking breaks from jobs or stressful environments provide opportunities for relaxation and recharging. Taking a few hours off from homework and attending one of the many sporting games on campus can do just that. In the large scheme of life, high school is a time for growing and experiencing life, so let’s let that Patriot pride shine. (Graphics/Alyssa Herzbrun)

Implementing classroom introductions Alyssa Herzbrun | Co-Assistant Editor pl231251@ahschool.com

any of us can probably name at least a few dozen students in our grade, but how well do we actually know each of them? Probably not much. One way to get to know our fellow students on a more personal level would be to bring introductions into the classroom. One teacher who emphasizes the benefits of class introductions is senior English Honors teacher Mrs. Jennifer Caprara. Four years ago, at the end of second semester, she realized her students had spent the whole year in the same classroom and some still didn’t know the names of their peers. Because she grew up in a small town and knew most of her classmates, she was shocked to find this out. The next year, she began implementing student introduc-

tions and discussions to try engaging her students more. Students may stick to the comfort of friendships they have already made and not spend time getting to know other students. We have such a diverse school with students full of stories, yet we sometimes feel we don’t know others well enough to start a conversation. “We have such a culturally diverse student body that learning about the family or childhood of a classmate is enlightening,” Mrs. Caprara said. She believes that through these introductions, students may find something in common with each other and build friendships. Not only do class introductions at the beginning of the school year allow for students to get to know each other better, but with all the careers that involve speaking to groups

of people, students can practice impromptu speaking. The presenters can share whatever they choose in a calm environment. Some of the qualities students learn about their own classmates include favorite vacations, family dynamics, favorite restaurants, number of years attending Heritage, favorite teachers, number of languages spoken and work experience. By learning these things, students may feel more of a connection with each other and more comfortable speaking up in class. “My favorite part is learning something I might never have known and asking questions myself after the student has given his or her speech,” Mrs. Caprara said. If students knew each other better, our large school of more than 1,900 Upper Schoolers would feel just a little bit smaller.

Opinion 9

The florida baker act Coined after Maxine Baker, a former Florida representative known for her work on mental health issues, the Florida Baker Act allows involuntary commitment to a mental health treatment facility for up to 72 hours if the person in question meets certain criteria. The law, established in 1971, specifies that there must be a reasonable assumption or confirmation of mental illness, clear refusal of voluntary examination from the individual and a serious threat of harm to oneself or others. Here are two of our staffers’ take on it.

PRO: Finding The good in getting help Noor Sukkar | Staff Writer pl243541@ahschool.com

nce defined, it’s important to look at the misconceptions of the act in order to understand its benefits. The process is not in any way meant to be a painful or forceful process. The state of Florida Department of Children and Families Mental Health Program Office outlines the act’s intent, which is to admit people to facilities voluntarily when care is needed and unavailable otherwise. The law ensures that any involuntary examination or treatment be carried out in the proper clinical setting, which will ease the person’s transition back into the community. Most obviously, it guarantees individual dignity and human rights of all persons who are admitted, and the less intrusive methods are personalized for every patient. The Baker Act offers aid that may not otherwise exist for certain individuals. Many negative concerns surround the act’s process, but it should be noted that proper procedure does not involve harsh action. With proper training, health pro-

fessionals, caregivers and law enforcement involved in carrying out this process should provide care that fulfills the act’s intentions. The act itself is not flawed, but rather the execution of it. Through proper training, the act’s purpose can be fully maximized. This way, any malpractice can be avoided. In an interview with The Ledger, Timothy Jordan discussed his many Baker Act experiences due to his abusive childhood. “A lot of times when I got Baker Acted I needed it because I needed time to rest and needed to settle down… the Baker Act’s what saved my life,” Jordan said. He continued to talk about how the people involuntarily put in these facilities might need the help, but aren’t aware they need it or don’t want help. This is where the act’s intended aid can be applied: to rehabilitate and assist those in need of it most. Psychologist Dr. Beth Pomerantz spoke about the benefits of the Baker Act. “I have found the Baker Act

to be extremely helpful in getting swift psychiatric care for children and teens who have been harmful to themselves or others,” Dr. Pomerantz said. Despite any negative connotations that may surround it, the Baker Act successfully helps patients in need and their communities.

(Photo/Noor Sukkar)

CON: Temporary Solutions do not work Zoe Persaud | Co-Assistant Editor pl238511@ahschool.com

(Photo/Kayla Rubenstein)

10 Opinion

he intentions behind the law seem good-hearted, but after almost 50 years, the Baker Act needs to change if it aims to cause change. After 72 hours without discharge, the facility can ask for the person’s consent to continue treatment voluntarily or an administrator can file a petition through the circuit court for involuntary placement. This means that treatment through the Baker Act may begin a road to recovery and, oftentimes, save lives. However, the Baker Act can cause serious problems that only further hurt the patient. The Health Law Firm, a law firm dedicated to providing legal services in subjects surrounding health care, addresses several common cases such as lack of appropriate medical care, misdiagnosis, separation from the patient’s usual psychiatrist or therapist and erroneous placement (i.e. a child assigned to a facility unfit for children).

“Over the past decade, the number of people Baker-Acted statewide has increased by 64%,” according to the Florida Times-Union. With the influx of people admitted to mental health facilities, doubt arises about the validity of admittances. Florida resident Ayana Lage recounts her experience with the Baker Act and how she felt during her treatment. “My hospital stay was unremarkable, and it also didn’t provide any groundbreaking insights into my mental health,” Lage said to the Tampa Bay Times. “As I began to talk to friends about my hospital stay, they shared their own involuntary commitment horror stories — watching loved ones being admitted against their will and released with little support.” This first-hand report shows the realities of the Baker Act and its inadequate practices. The Florida Baker Act helps remove people from dangerous situations, but in the matter of mental health across the nation, the law needs reform in order to provide proper treatment for those in need of it.

Cancel Culture: Bella Ramirez | Co-Assisstant Editor pl235031@ahschool.com

The Beginning of the End said. “I know influencers, and I will unsub-

Morality exists as a fluid concept; it is the reason why our political system uses checks and balances and court cases use juries. Working off only one person’s depiction of morality allows people to get “cancelled” for small actions. The worst part about cancelling is it completely destroys any ability for growth. Many celebrities and influencers are cancelled on the premise of something they did when they were younger. While this successfully shows a higher moral code for the community and general growth of society, it rejects a second perspective: What if the person grew since then? “When people [in their teens] make a mistake and now they are 50 years old, and it has leaked, I feel like they should apologize for their actions and address what they did is wrong and it is just not accepted by society now. But, at the same time, we shouldn’t hold that one thing against them and cancel them,” junior Lily-Rose Sheedy

scribe from them if they do something I disagree with.” Beauty influencer James Charles lost more than 1 million subscribers after an outcry on how he treated men. However, allegations against him were proven false. Cancel culture can end careers before they even begin. In a world of immediate gratification, checking the facts becomes second to cancelling others. “I guess people have to be more cautious of what they say or do, especially if you are in the public eye,” Sheedy said. “Especially now with technology, everyone can catch everything— you can be at a party and someone will videotape something you did or said. You really have to watch yourself.” While we now have to live in a world of cancel culture, we should not perpetuate it. Allow room for growth and check your facts before eliminating artists, celebrities and friends.

of Leeds tested whether cheap clothing would outlast more expensive items. The results concluded that fast-fashion shirts and jeans typically out-performed their luxury counterparts in terms of wear and tear. “Jeans from one fashion brand lasted twice as long as a designer label jeans, cost onetenth of the price,” head researcher Dr. Mark Sumner said. The same outcome held true but to an even greater extent with T-shirts. According to Dr. Sumner, T-shirts were the worst performing in all of the durability of clothing tests. On the contrary, he explained fast fashion T-shirts held up the best. So if designer brands don’t even mean the clothing’s quality is better while being far more expensive, why do people continue to pay so much for them? It’s all because of the brand name. Designer brands have developed a name of such prestige that just the name itself can turn people onto the clothing. When people are impressed by somebody wearing designer, not only are they DRESSED TO IMPRESS: Junior Joseph Jorge shows considering the artwork of the clothing,

but, more importantly, they look at the clothing’s brand. The brand name itself promotes social status and a sign of wealth. Researchers who looked at “Social benefits of luxury brands” conducted multiple tests on the social effects of wearing high-end brands. They found that people wearing luxury clothing were given favorable status in social interactions. They conducted two experiments to obtain that conclusion, and both of them allowed the researchers to state, “people treat the same person better when he or she wears more expensive clothing.” Although studies suggest that designer brands give an individual a favorable appearance to their peers, wearing these clothes is still overrated. Unless you really like the artwork of a shirt, do not buy it just because of the name. Designer clothing is extremely overpriced for something of low quality, and you should wear something rather that you think looks good and represents your persona. Wearing clothes you think look cool seems like a much better way to spend your money rather than wearing overpriced clothes for the sake of a name.

hen referring to next week’s math quiz or an impending reading check, “cancelling” may bring a positive emotion. However, for celebrities and regular people alike, getting cancelled on the internet can end careers, friendships and any opportunity to improve. “Cancel” refers to making a person irrelevant due to past actions. Fake “woke” individuals take it upon themselves to determine what is worth getting cancelled over or not. This can lead to mass overreactions. Not only does this create an unfair scale reached by a minimal amount of people, but it also stops humans from doing what humans do best: evolving. Since at times only one person determines cancellation, cancel culture creates an imbalanced scale for justice. Humanity, as a whole, is diverse in opinion and judgment, thus, morality is something that cannot be decided in one fell swoop; instead, it’s fluid. Jack Shechtman | Staff Writer pl235751@ahschool.com

common when it anything: While this holds items, this

saying is often considered comes to buying almost You get what you pay for. true for purchases of most does not apply to buying designer brands. Whether it be Gucci, Prada, Balenciaga, Versace, or any other on the long list of designer brands, all of them are extremely overpriced. Not only do the prices for designer clothes or accessories typically reach quadruple digits, but the quality of these products is not even better than that of items hundreds of dollars cheaper. A study conducted by the University

Not So supreme Elevated prices do not always equate to elevated style

off his outfit before going out to a party. “I just enjoy having limited items,” Joseph said. (Photo/Joseph Jorge)

Opinion 11

PETER KRIMSKY, D.D.S., P.A. Cosmetic & General Dentistry

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Making money: Student entrepreneurs

Features

Kayla Rubenstein| Online Assistant Editor pl226461@ahschool.com

Zachary Dishinger

ith this mission in mind, Dishinger met with chemists to develop a unisex makeup brand. Beginning with a multipurpose lipstick, Dishinger named one of his first (and favorite) lipsticks Bowie after the musician David Bowie. He has since branched out to more makeup products and hopes to include more in the future. As Dishinger gains popularity, he hasn’t forgotten his initial purpose. “What motivates me most about the brand is that makeup has the power to help people. It’s not just makeup; it’s a movement.” Check out Dishinger and Formula Z Cosmetics at formulazcosmetics.com or on social media at @formulazcosmetics and @zachdishinger. LIPGLOSS POPPIN’: Through his company, Zachary Dishinger wants to distinguish himself. “As I always say, if you want to be heard, wear lipstick,” Dishinger said. (Photo Submitted by Zach Dishinger)

Yanelle Hernandez

he main theme for her merchandise centers on financial success. “My slogan is ‘Obtain success and get a bag,’ which inspires those of all ages to go out and achieve their goals,” Hernandez said. “On all my products there’s things that have to do with money.” Because the importance of a company’s name cannot be overlooked, Hernandez took time deciding on the right one. “I had many different name ideas. When you think of a group, you think of a little gang of people. I was going to call it like a mob of people, going out to achieve their goals, but instead I chose ‘mafia,’” Hernandez said. “It’s like how the mafia used to go out and do things for money. I’m taking my own twist on the word, one with a positive connotation.” Now, Hernandez promotes her merchandise at vendor events and on social media. “Being able to watch people go out and do such good things while wearing my shirts brings a big smile to my face,” Hernandez said. (Graphics/ Madison Lynn)

Danielle Bess

any people are no strangers to the makeup field. Senior Danielle Bess takes a hands-on approach to this industry by applying synthetic eyelashes to customers’ own eyelashes. Bess began her company, Dani Cosmetics, about a year ago. “I’m really into cosmetics,” Bess said. “I like making people feel better about themselves. I like making myself feel better. I said, ‘Okay, this is what I want to do.’” In order to get her company up and running, Bess began selling the synthetic lashes without actually applying them. After she saw she had a market, Bess became a certified beautician who applies the lashes to her customers. Bess sees herself continuing this line of work in the future. “I want to open my own cosmetics line with lashes, lip gloss, everything,” Bess said. Check out Bess’s company on Instagram (@danicosmetics.co).

LOVELY LASHES: Danielle Bess applies synthetic lashes to customers’ lashes that last three to four weeks. This process leaves customers’ eyelashes appearing longer, such as the ones pictured above. (Photo submitted by Danielle Bess)

GET A BAG: Yanelle Hernandez’s t-shirts center on the company’s slogan, “Obtain success and get a bag.” (Photo submitted by Yanelle Hernandez)

Features 13

The end of an era Throughout these past 10 years, our community has seen changes in almost every aspect of our lives. From physical changes and hard-hitting news in our county to worldwide, the 2010s defined our childhoods. Maia Fernandez Baigun | Co-Editor-In-Chief pl212601@ahschool.com Sebastian Figueredo | Staff Writer pl237771@ahschool.com

The entertainment

very form of entertainment reached a new peak this decade. Films such as “Black Swan,” “Get Out,” “Hereditary” and “The Lighthouse” stood out in the horror genre. Top-grossing films of the decade — “Captain Marvel,” “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” — showed public interest in strong female roles. Remakes and sequels saturated the market this decade with two “Toy Story” installments coming out, remakes such as “Little Women” and new versions of horror classics such as “Carrie,” “It” and “Child’s Play” being released. Teen comedies headed toward realism with films such as “Booksmart,” “Easy A” and “Eighth Grade,” unafraid to talk about sensitive topics. Dramas such as “Lady Bird,” “The Shape of Water” and “Gone Girl” stood out this year, especially in award season. Standout musical artists this decade include Beyonce, Ariana Grande and Drake. Alternative music rose to popularity with artists such as Lana Del Rey, Billie Eilish and Rex Orange County blasting into the charts and high social media status, gaining a number of fans with their work. Entertainment this decade became more experimental and stronger, a variety of different genres of music and film pushing the mold.

The global

he events of Sept. 11, 2001 brought the threat of terrorism to a level of national attention and has continued to be a serious concern these two decades. Environmental initiatives and new scientific discoveries brought some good news. The “#MeToo” movement created waves in Hollywood in the past few years, moving a spotlight onto the culture of sexual assault in the entertainment industry. In 2015, same-sex marriage became legal nationwide in the United States, marking grand progress in the movement for LGBTQ+ rights. Civil rights activists brought a lot of noise to the issues of police brutality and the role that racism plays in daily life. Saturated with news, this past decade contributed great advancements in multiple categories worldwide.

2010 14 Cover Story

(Photos and Graphics/Maia Fernandez Baigun)

2019 The Political

he 2016 Presidential Election defined politics this decade, marking one of the first times that social media played such a major role. According to Pew Research, 62% of adults get their news via social media, making social media the newest, and most instant, source of news for all generations. Politics have rarely been as chaotic as they have been since 2016. Beyond the terms of Obama and Trump this decade, emphasis on civil participation expanded with many of the younger generation urging fellow young adults to go to the polls and become politically active. Civil involvement and social media changed this decade’s politics into something not seen before.

The Trends

ver these past 10 years, trends have come and gone. From Silly Bandz and Rainbow Loom bracelets to the rise of social media, the 2010s brought fast but fiery trends, capturing a large number of young adults. The resurgence of past fashion came in boldly, taking over the industry and bringing items such as chokers, hair clips and mom jeans back into stores. Not only did these physical elements gain international attention, but the 2010s also brought hashtags such as #selfie, #breaktheinternet, #yolo and #AlexfromTarget. These years brought short comedy and lip-syncing clips on a variety of social media platforms. Vine launched in 2013 and created yet another hub of online creators and influencers such as King Bach, Logan and Jake Paul, Lele Pons and Thomas Sanders. It was taken out of the app store in 2017, but this only allowed for other video apps such as Dubsmash, Musical.ly and most recently TikTok to continue Vine’s trends. YouTube grew immensely, skyrocketing from 2 billion views a day to more than 5 billion this year. This has been the home to hundreds of thousands of comedy sketches and challenges, ranging from the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness for ALS to more dangerous challenges such as the Cinnamon Challenge or the Fire Challenge. Trends throughout the decade brought irrational danger, but also brought back many trends from prior decades.

The Sports

hroughout this past decade, many sports fans saw glorious wins and heartbreaking defeats. From the Saints winning their first Super Bowl in 2010 to the U.S. Women’s Soccer team winning their fourth FIFA World Cup, sports have gotten more competitive as well as more popular among a broader audience. 2016 was the year for Chicago Cubs and Cavaliers fans as the Cavs came back from their 3-1 deficit in the NBA finals and the Cubs won the World Series, ending the curse of “the Billy Goat.” The Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics introduced the world to gymnast Simone Biles, who broke the record with four gold medals. American former professional road racing cyclist Lance Armstrong was acquitted at first of using drugs but later found guilty, stripping his seven Tour de France titles in 2012. The sports world in the 2010s saw its ups and downs, but has gained hundreds of thousands of views on streaming and televising platforms since last decade.

Cover Story 15

2020

And Beyond...

From environmental changes to growth in the entertainment industry, here is what the next decade has in store.

ith the 2010s in our rearview mirror, it’s time to turn on the headlights and see what might be coming as we speed into the new decade. According to Politico, the next Congress will likely be the “most racially and gender diverse” in American history, a feat representative of the motions forward regarding the issues of racial and gender equality. The 2020 election comes into full swing, kicking off the new decade in politics. Almost two-thirds of Americans polled in a CNBC poll (61%) believe that the election will come down to issues about the economy. Meanwhile, the younger generation polled cited the environment as the most important issue in their eyes. An intense focus on the environment, including legislation about its protection, and human rights can be expected to saturate the political conversation, especially due to its importance among the younger generations that emphasize voter turnout and ensure their voice does not go unheard.

Social media and its place in the modern-day political process promises an interesting election that will likely change directions of favor as it progresses. According to Forbes, debt will occupy most political issues in the coming decade as it builds in the United States and will proceed to have a strong effect on the country. Many countries have already declared goals for the new decade, including China aiming to land a probe on the dark side of the moon and India attempting to establish an optical fiber broadband network in order to bridge the digital divide present in the rural areas. The Paris Climate Agreement matters greatly in environmental news as the world shifts its focus to the issue of

Protests and civil action in political matters will easily impact future elections and legislation, a prediction highlighted in a Harvard study concerning itself with how protests effectively lead to political change. 2020s Hollywood begins with many sequels and remakes with the releases of films such as “The Little Mermaid” (2021), “The Batman” (2021) and “Halloween Kills” (2020) popping the cork off the champagne of the decade’s entertainment. The announcement that a CGI rendition of James Dean will star in a new film this coming decade raises concern regarding the use of post humous CGI, something already present in films such as “Star Wars” which used a CGI Carrie Fisher in her legacy role. Physical music copies will likely become obsolete, rendered useless by the rise of streaming services in the past decade. The music-focused publication Vibe believes that new genres will emerge although hip-hop continues to become more popular.

climate change. Developments regarding the environmental issues that the world has encountered throughout the last years of this decade will matter in the coming decade due to the political importance and civil involvement in these environmental issues.

Cover Story 16

When They Were Us:

MRs. Evelyn Silva

(Photos submitted by Mrs. Evelyn Silva)

Have you ever wondered what your teachers were like in high school? In our monthly faculty profile, we take a trip back to the past and explore what teachers were like ‘When They Were Us’ (WTWU). Noor Sukkar | Staff Writer pl243541@ahschool.com

rowing up in Cuba, AP Spanish Literature teacher Mrs. Evelyn Silva experienced a very different childhood from most students here. From enduring an unstable economic time period to attending a highly competitive vocational school, Mrs. Silva had a unique experience as a student. After taking academic tests, she was able to attend an exclusive government school called Vocational Pre-University Institute of Exact Sciences in Cienfuegos, Cuba. These schools were highly academic and offered STRIKE A POSE: Mrs. Silva dressed up in several outfits and visited scenic spots in Cuba for her quinceañera photoshoot.

courses similar to AP classes to prepare students for college, of which only a few existed in Cuba at the time. Mrs. Silva would spend 11 days on the school’s campus living in a dorm and would come home to see her parents every other weekend. “It was a very competitive school because they prepared us very well to take the test to get into university,” she said. At 15, her daily schedule went as follows: attend classes in the morning, work in the countryside picking oranges in the afternoon, return to school to clean up and return to her studies. She and her peers worked long and arduous hours picking citrus as government labor. She did this daily, all while maintaining a grade average of 85 or above in core classes, or else she would have had to leave the school. The university system in Cuba was not easy, with students often ending up studying something they didn’t like if they didn’t have the right grades. “I’ve always wanted to study something related to humanities, something like philology. It included literature, history and lan-

guage,” she said. “I had a lot of friends who wanted to study medicine but did not have the grades they needed and ended up being a different major instead of doctors.” When asked what her hobbies included in high school, Mrs. Silva said she had none. “There were no hobbies in Cuba; there was surviving. Surviving was a hobby in Cuba,” she said, referring to the Special Period in Time of Peace. This was an economic crisis in Cuba due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and this depression was at its lowest in the mid-90s. For Mrs. Silva, living in these conditions consisted of scarce, if any food and no necessities like soap or toothpaste at times. If she needed water, she would have to walk to a well, gather water in a bucket which was used for bathing, brushing her teeth and drinking. “Life was miserable, and it was terrible. Everytime that you talk to someone in Cuba about the 90s, it was one of the most difficult times. I would not change my life in Cuba for anything. I am the way I am because of those experiences.” From lessons she learned in her high school years, she preaches her wisdom to pass on to students. “You are only a teenager once,” Mrs. Silva said. “You are all so focused on the goal of the future that you forget to live in the moment. Share happy moments with someone else who doesn’t have happy moments to share with anyone.”

Features 17

EHAS Everyone has a story

ERIN BRYAN We are on a mission: to prove to you, our reader, that everyone, and we do mean everyone, has a story within them, both unique and interesting. Cue our bi-monthly feature EHAS: Everyone Has A Story, where a Patriot Post staffer sets off on a quest to find and extensively interview a Heritage student at random to prove that everyone does, in fact, have a story. Kristen Quesada | Co-Editor-in-Chief pl208162@ahschool.com

or this random EHAS selection, I wanted to keep with the Thanksgiving theme. After filling up a mason jar with candy corn piece-by-piece, students gave me slips with their guesses. Only the third person to guess, senior Erin Bryan, Co-Editor-in-Chief of The Patriot Post’s sister publication, Spotlight yearbook, was a mere one candy corn away from the 324 pieces in the jar, guessing 323. As for how she entered yearbook, she hands credit to Mrs. Ashley Hendricks. “I was in yearbook in middle school and was Editor-in-Chief in eighth grade,” Bryan said. “Afterwards I told myself that I would never do it again, but after freshman year, Mrs. Hendricks really pushed me. She was like, ‘You should do it. You’d be really a great fit for it and you already have experience. I said, no, no, no and no, but eventually I said yes, and that was probably the best decision I’ve ever made.” While her parents were the ones to put her in dance at 3 years old, Bryan learned to love

18 Features

it on her own. “I literally cannot remember a time where I didn’t identify as a dancer,” she said, “but around second grade, I was like, ‘I’m not really into this anymore. Let’s do karate.’ Never got around to that. Instead, I stuck with dance, and I’m so glad that I did because it’s provided me with a sense of community and a family that I don’t think I would’ve had otherwise.” However, Bryan can’t neglect her STEM side. “I’ve always considered myself a very creative person, but my family is really very STEM oriented, so that’s what I’ve been always surrounded by,” she said. “The more I pursue it, the more I realize that I want to pursue STEM for the rest of my life because the satisfaction I get from completing a math problem and being able to say, ‘Yes, I did it; that is the correct answer,’ is really satisfying to me, versus being an English major where there are no right answers and I don’t know if I could deal with that.” Her love for math and science comes with mixed feelings, though. “I have joined robotics every single year and then dropped out after a month, but I keep springing back to it again and am now an officer on the robotics team. My brother was a director when he was a senior and I was a freshman, so that’s what introduced me to it,” Bryan said. “The more I realized that I could separate myself from his legacy and be my own person as part of the club, I accepted that I could actually be a part of this and enjoy it.”

(Photo submitted by Erin Bryan)

As for her college pursuits, Bryan plans to major in Material Science and Engineering. “No one probably knows what that is; it’s the study of materials themselves, both fabricating and analyzing them,” she said. “But I’ve never really known a life as not a dancer, so I’ll probably end up continuing it in college, whether it’s just classes for fun or pursuing it as a minor or even a double major.” Society tends to constrain individuals to the binary of left brain or right brain. However, no one can pin Bryan into a single category. “It’s really important that I have both no matter what. I need my yearbook and literature, but I also need my math and physics,” Bryan, who is currently taking AP Physics 1 and AP Calculus BC, said. With a diverse range of interests, Bryan has learned to enjoy her own path without the need to tie herself to any one area, giving herself room to explore the other aspects of her personality. STRAIGHT TO THE POINTE: Bryan plays Dew Drop, the lead in “Waltz of the Flowers,” in “The Nutcracker” while wearing pointe shoes. (Photo submitted by Erin Bryan)

Entertainment

alternative music DEfineD

Zoe Persaud | Co-Assistant Editor pl238511@ahschool.com

volving from a foundation of 1970s punk, the genre of “alternative” ay music encompasses nul p ld merous sub-genres including o C grunge, indie rock, indie pop and country. With such a broad classification and fusion of multiple genres, alternative music has evolved since its emergence. In the 1980s, the term “alternative” became a universal phrase for underground punk rock artists who recorded with independent labels and received recognition “Alternative” used universally

80s

through mostly word-of-mouth. Artists such as R.E.M. and The Cure broke the “cult-classic” connotation of alternative music and achieved commercial success in mainstream media. The genre continued its rise of success with the breakthrough of Nirvana and the growing popularity of grunge and Britpop movements in the 1990s. According to online music publication Devine Lie, alternative music “is a huge form of expression,” revolving around the sincerity of lyrics and subject matter such as depression and substance abuse. The

90s

Genre rises with R.E.M. and The Cure

Continued success through Nirvana and Britpop

scope of “alternative” also includes messages “about hope, battling addiction or depression and promoting peace, freedom and positivity.” Alternative music now plays a major role in the music industry. Many well-known and award-winning artists such as Coldplay, Billie Eilish and Imagine Dragons fall under the genre and garner critical acclaim for music once restricted to small groups of listeners. As artists continue to fuse different sounds and produce meaningful lyrics, the alternative genre will continue to grow.

Now

Wider creativity through modern artists

“Alternative” grows in popularity

Concerts: it’s just business Joanne Haner | Online Editor-in-Chief pl184941@ahschool.com

hether you listen to rap, country or Latin music, concerts can be an amazing experience. Unfortunately, standing and cheering for your favorite artists loses some of its appeal when ticket prices enter the picture. For those of us who listen to artists in their starting stages, we may be fortunate enough to see them in concert at a fairly low price. For example, half•alive tickets at the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale sell for $22 plus handling fees. A few years ago, Billie Eilish was in the same position. However, with the release of her

Rex Orange County

latest album, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” and the announcement of her 2020 arena tour, average Eilish tickets go for a whopping $234 each. Tickets for her March 9 Miami show sold out almost instantly, with resale tickets cost-

half•alive ing as much as $208 for the 400 level on StubHub. If you want to try and spring for a floor ticket, though, you’ll need to cough up around $400. While we can attribute these high ticket bills to classic supply and demand, concert culture is also to blame for the recent rise in prices. With higher prices come higher ex(Photo/GQSSA,Vox, Fuse Tv) (Graphic/Bella Ramirez)

pectations, which in turn results in artists putting on more expensive shows. If an artist’s Billie Eilish career takes off, however, they find themselves needing larger venues, hiring bigger staffs and, that’s right, creating more expenses. It’s not uncommon to see lesser-known artists at venues with smaller capacity, but then they run the risk of selling out tickets and losing possible profit. For example, Rex Orange County announced his “Pony” tour Sept. 19, and tickets sold out by mid-October, leaving fans desperate for fairly-priced resale tickets. Had Rex Orange County booked a venue larger than Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale (which has a capacity of 1,300), such as the The Fillmore Miami Beach (which has a capacity of 2,713), he might have sold more tickets at slightly higher prices, and made a larger profit.

Entertainment 19

SP Madison Lynn | Social Media Editor pl231251@ahschool.com

rom the time she received a Project Runway Drawing Book for her ninth birthday and began by designing outfits for classmates during recess, senior Lidya Sezer has immersed herself in fashion design. Approaching the end of high school, Sezer not only remains passionate about fashion design but has developed a passion for digital photography as well.

TLIGHT Lidya Sezer

After taking various digital and film photography classes, Sezer discovered her love for the art. “Although the film courses at school were interesting, it wasn’t until we started studying digital photography that I was 100% involved with the art. I got my first camera in ninth grade which shot only film. It was a Nikon I named ‘Vivian’ after Vivian Maier (an American street photographer). Now I shoot with my Canon camera, ‘Mercutio,’ named after one of my favorite Shakespearean characters,” Sezer said. Currently taking Photography VI H, Sezer recalls numerous accomplishments she has achieved within the medium of photography. “I’ve taken pictures for the fashion company ‘Steps New York,’ the jewelry store ‘Another Earth Shop,’ and various models that have walked Fashion Week,” Sezer said. “I am also the first marketing intern for AHS.” Apart from photography, Sezer has also had accomplishments within her fashion design interest. She started the AHS Fashion Club along with her friend, senior Marly Kaufman. She was a contestant in the 2018 YAA Recycled Fashion Show, and she received straight superiors for costume design at the 2018 District Thespians Festival.

Aside from her interests in the arts, Sezer also plays on the varsity volleyball team, writes poetry and creates her own jewelry. For her future plans, Sezer aspires to combine fashion and photography by taking a more editorial approach with her photoshoots. “I want to take environmentally impactful shoots. For example, taking photos of a model wearing a gown made of recycled materials would be a way of showing my passion while also bringing attention to pollution,” Sezer said.

(Photo submitted/Lidya Sezer)

FANTASTIC PHOTOGRAPHY: Senior Lidya Sezer has attended Heritage since the fifth grade and found her passion for photography here. Senior Hannah Petit-Jeune posed for Sezer in one of her photography projects. (Photo/Lidya Sezer)

20 Entertainment

Maia Fernandez Baigun | Co-Editor-in-Chief pl212601@ahschool.com

n today’s society, we are constantly exposed to countless options when it comes to media: television, movies and music. Naturally, we are drawn to entertainment that projects our beliefs and ideas that embody our identities. Mikaela Straus had this in mind when she started producing music. Better known as King Princess, Straus pulls together a fresh, funky but most of all relevant voice for her listeners. One of her first releases, “1950,” came with a flood of reactions, with many of them being positive. She co-signed this single with Harry Styles and took inspiration from her own personal life as well as hinting at her sexual orientation. She quickly followed this single with her next song, “Talia,” which sculpted King Princess into the LGBTQ+ community.

Soon enough, she was not just another pop idol, but a queer idol with whom listeners could relate to. King Princess released her debut album Oct. 25, 2019, titling it “Cheap Queen” and shouting out the drag community. She appears on the cover of the album with a full face of drag makeup, similar to that of drag queens. But what sets this album apart from others is its message. Yes, it is full of love songs, but she focuses more on the renegotiation of space between exes and heartbreak anthems rather than the happy-go-lucky and butterfly-stomached emotion one has during a relationship. “Homegirl,” a slower-paced song, tracks the ever-so-dreaded party scene where she realizes she has the same crush as two other men, turning it into a competition. With more than 40 songs written within the last year, King Princess looks for new

(Photo/Fandom.com) (Graphic/Joanne Haner)

Obscura: King Princess

ways to describe her life and tie it back to relatable experiences, but, at the same time, wants to transform the “queer pop” genre into just pop, aiming to stop singling out the LGBTQ+ community. “I hope that people start to see identity in music as just a fact,” King Princess said in an interview with NPR. “It makes it seem like straight music is the norm, and I’m bored. I’m bored of that.”

Christmas Music: Stuck in the Past Emily Anderson | Staff Writer pl238251@ahschool.com

s the year comes to an end, lights, decorations and Christmas trees pop up all around in preparation for Christmas. Holiday music inevitably accompanies the season as Christmas music blares from radios and in department stores alike. However, in recent times, holiday music seems to be stuck in nostalgia.

The reason why so many people listen to Christmas songs made in the 1940s and 50s is due to tradition. Celebrating Christmas has a lot to do with the fond memories of holiday seasons of years past, associated with these traditional songs, that people try to replicate each year. Due to this, many modern artists try to reflect that tradition in their songs. For example, Mariah Carey’s holiday hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You” features

Top 10 Christmas Songs 1. Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms 2. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams 3. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee 4. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Burl Ives 5. All I Want for Christmas is You - Mariah Carey 6. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Michael Bublé 7. Jingle Bells - Frank Sinatra 8. A Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives 9. Sleigh Ride - Ronettes 10. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Bing Crosby (Graphics/Kristen Quesada) (Compiled by Radio Ink)

typical Christmas sounds, such as bells reminiscent of Santa and his reindeer, adding this modern tune to the untouchable Christmas song archive. Although modern artists reflect some aspects of tradition in their songs, they choose to single others out. According to the Washington Post, many artists are finding it challenging to come up with new Christmas songs because a kind of “checklist” has been developed to create the perfect song. Artists are now expected to include an upbeat tune, personal experiences, Christmas-like imagery and a religious essence without specific mentions of Jesus. With such a long list of criteria, artists find it increasingly challenging to create more holiday content, resulting in the avoidance of holiday music in general and an unchanging Christmas playlist from year to year.

Entertainment 21

Gifted, ADHD, Learning Disability and Autism Spectrum evaluations Beth Pomerantz, Ph. D Licensed Psychologist Director of Psychological Testing at Hollywood Psychology Center

Call for appointment at 954-854-5881 22 Advertisements

Sports

Chilling Expectations for Winter Sports Jack Shechtman | Staff Writer Sammy Rosenthal | Sports Editor pl235751@ahschool.com pl218212@ahschool.com

Weightlifting he weightlifting program in the past couple years has competed fiercely, as Patriot weightlifters hold many records in certain lifting competitions. “This season, we have higher expectations than last year because we have more kids coming in that are more focused on weightlifting and our players from last year have only gotten stronger,” senior Roberto Martinez said.

Wrestling eading into the wrestling season, coach Matthew Burnett has high hopes for his squad. “This year, I feel positive about the wrestling season because we have a large turnout and some of the young kids are already working hard,” he said. VETERAN LEADERCoach Burnett expects to “be able to fill out all the weight positions” and SHIP: “I try and make sure have his wrestlers’ work translate into a successful year. SENIOR STEP-UP: Senior the team is focused and in guard Andrew Volmar Hockey the right mindset for the games. I’ve been playing fter not having a team last year, the varsity hockey team will look to revive pulls up from deep to put varsity soccer for four years the program with a strong season. Despite a slow start, “we still have a lot three points on the board. With star players gone this so I consider myslef a leader of potential for the rest of the season,” junior forward Gianna Clemente said. year, he hopes to step up on the team,” junior striker “We’ve been trying out new lines and trying to find chemistry. We’ve got the as a key role in a winning Nigel Muirhead said. depth and the talent. It’s just a matter of working together,” she said. The Patri- season.(Photo submitted/ (Photo submitted/ ots just hope to mesh more as a team and improve with every game. Sammy Rosenthal) Nigel Muirhead)

H A

Soccer

Boys ith two championships in the last two seasons, the boys are under the pressure of winning a third season in a row. “As we discovered last year, as difficult it is to win a state championship, defending one is much more difficult,” coach Todd Goodman said. Losing 14 seniors this year, players will need to step up. “With a returning nucleus of players and some young, talented, players, we look forward to competing at our best,” Goodman said. Over the course of this season, “[we will] continue to improve and we may be very young, but we’ll mature quickly and make our run come playoff time,” he said.

Girls fter taking home the title for the second year in a row, the Lady Patriots have an opportunity to become the only Broward girl’s basketball team to complete the three-peat. This year, coach Greg Farias will have to work toward the three-peat without star players Jenna Laue and Paris Sharpe. “I am confident that we will be able to account for the loss of Jenna and Paris because we had players last year that helped the team win doing the little things that didn’t show on the score books,” Coach Farias said. “The road to any state title has its challenges,” but Coach Farias has confidence in his team to bring a third consecutive banner back to Plantation.

Basketball

Boys ntering its first season under new head coach, former NBA player Raja Bell, the boys basketball team will look to rebound from last year’s 11-11 record. Although the team faces some scoring holes to fill after former Patriot Zaire Wade transferred to Sierra Canyon High School, Coach Bell has his sights set on pushing his team toward a title run. “Our coaching staff is very excited about our team,” he said. “Our goal is to establish a mentality within the boys basketball program. If we are able to do that, we are confident that success will follow.”

Girls fter last year’s state championship season, the girls varsity soccer team looks to keep their momentum going forward. “Our team will always work our hardest, keep the same energy as last year to get that state championship once again,” junior starting goalie Jenna Lowery said. This year, the team faces a challenge as they will play without last year’s six star seniors, who all went to play Division 1 college soccer. “Our schedule this year is definitely the most challenging since I’ve attended this school,” Lowery said. With odds turned against the Lady Patriots, they still focus on a season just as successful as the last.

Sports 23

Breaking the boundaries W hen picturing your average cheerleader, a man in long pants holding a plastic megaphone does not always come to mind. However, for juniors Jiawei Zhang and John Callanan, going against the stereotypes of sports teams is second nature. “I would’ve never thought I was going to be a cheerleader,” Callanan said. “I’ve gotten some ridicule for being a cheerleader just because I am a male, and it’s a mostly female team, but I think I break [stereotypes] because I participate in cheerleading.” Callanan originally joined the varsity cheerleading team after participating in powder puff and realizing how much he loved the thrill of cheering. “To me, it’s all about school spirit. I mean, I’m 5 feet, 5 inches, 125 pounds; I’m probably not going to play on the football team, and I don’t dance. So, the closest thing is cheer,” Callanan said. Both cheerleaders agree that their work is inviting others to open the door to cheer and other opportunities they otherwise would not consider. “I know a few people who have wanted to cheer in the past but have been too scared to GOING FOR IT: “I would hate to look back and see pictures of different friends who experienced different things that I didn’t experience because I did not want to put myself out there. I’m just trying to experience all that I can in these four years because once that happens then you can never go back to high school,” John Callanan said. (Photo/Bella Ramirez)

Sports

make that step. I hope us doing this will help them go beyond that so they can experience what they want to experience in high school,” Callanan said. Still, societal pressures are high. In the NFL, only two out of 36 teams have male cheerleaders. The inclusion of male cheerleaders only began last year with the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints. “I still find it’s kind of hard because you can’t just change everybody’s mind overnight; it’s going to take some time and more people joining,” Zhang said. “[Cheer] helps me be more open minded and brave to try new things. I’ve always been adventurous but it helps me be even more adventurous.” Callanan and Zhang are not the only ones going against the grain in their choice of sport. Sophomore Grace Perkins, one of three girls on the inaugural Ice Hockey team, notes how her work on the ice is shaping her newfound perspective on the sport. After training as a competitive figure skater for nine years, Perkins found her love for hockey last year and ran with the sport, describing it as a “good change.” “Figure skating is composed of primarily women and hockey isn’t, so there was a little bit of a deviation there. Since I wasn’t part of the majority anymore, I had to kind of adapt to that,” Perkins said. Even in today’s NHL, the first woman to try out for a hockey team, Manon Rhéaume, tried out in 1992. This only took place 17 years ago. “I think me playing ice hockey is definitely helping me break down those barriers, especially with the high school league. They’re really trying to push lots of young girls to try hockey, and I think it’s really great, and it’s definitely helping to show and promote it because it’s not just for the men anymore,” Perkins said. Each of these hardworking athletes are pushing past the norms to create a new mantra for the modern day: you can do any sport, no matter your gender.

These three Patriots are setting new standards in sports Bella Ramirez | Co-Assistant Editor pl237961@ahschool.com

FAIR PLAY: “Now, I think men and women have a lot of opportunity and freedom to do what you actually want to do. Maybe 10 or 20 years ago, I wouldn’t be allowed to play hockey for my school and now I can and I think that’s great,” Grace Perkins said. (Photo/Weston Photography)

JUMPING FOR JOKES: Junior Jiawei Zhang originally joined cheer as a joke. Complementing with his background in dance however, cheer is now an integral part of his school life. “I came from a different country so we didn’t even have football there, but I did see girls on TV do this,” Jiawei Zhang said. “It changed my perspective.” (Photo/Bella Ramirez)

With the results in the books, we recap fall sports Sammy Rosenthal | Sports Editor pl218212@ahschool.com

A The Patriot swimmers concluded their season after participating in the state competition. “In going to states, I made one of my dreams come true,” junior Daniel Watson said. (Photo submitted by Daniel Watson)

Falling out of Season

SWIMMING

fter both varsity swim teams advanced to states, the girls team finished off the season in 13th in the 200 medley relay, tenth in the 200 free relay and ninth in the 10th free relay, while the boys team placed 10th in the 200 medley relay and sixth in the 400 free relay. Individually, senior Daniel Escobar held the top finish for the boys team, finishing third in the 500 freestyle and 13th in the 200 freestyle. Junior Olivia Mason claimed ninth in the 50 freestyle to lead the girls team.

Cross Country

A Coach Damian Sutton, Trent Guy, Connor Glass, Connor Steward, Lucas Bauman, Mehki Hoo, Sebastian Salgado, Jayden Geathers and Coach Barnes unite following the team’s finish at state. (Photo submitted by Trent Guy)

fter qualifying for districts and regionals, the boys varsity cross country team became the first such team in school history to advance to states. Girls cross country runner eighth grader Ashley Fitzgerald became the first such qualifier since 2012. Junior Sebastian Salgado posted the fastest time for the boys team, and out of the total 230 girls competing, Fitzgerald finished 17th.

Volleyball

hile the varsity girls’ volleyball team lost to Barron Collier in the regional semifinals to end the season, its victory in the regional quarterfinals was its first appearance in the regional semifinals since 1998. “I am proud of the focus and work ethic from so many of the girls,” head coach Mrs. Lisa Moreau said. “Their understanding that team success is more important than selfish wants is the reason we came as far as we did.”

GOLF

fter being crowned district and regional champs, the boys and girls varsity golf teams each finished the season as runner-ups at state. The boys team lost to Ponte Vedra at posting 610 to their Ponte Vedra’s 604; the girls team carded a score of 645 to first place Archbishop McCarthy’s 643. To pace their respective teams, sophomore Luke Clanton finished tied for second with 147 and sophomore Kelly Shanahan posted 152.

Visit IPatriotPost.com for a recap of the Varsity Football team’s season

Kayla in Sports:

When’s the next water break? Kayla Rubenstein| Asst. Online Editor pl226461@ahschool.com

Every issue, our assistant Online Editor PRACTICES WITH SPORTS TEAMS AND GIVES HER TAKE. This is her experience with varsity soccer.

fter I played soccer for eight years, I figured practicing with the junior varsity girls’ soccer team would rank less difficult than other sports I’ve tried. Coach Tammy Melton began practice by having us complete footwork drills. While in the beginning I often chased the ball, I became progressively better. However, as my abilities increased, so did my heart rate; I took multiple water breaks, determined

not to pass out. Practice put this goal to the test when we scrimmaged five-on-five. Because of my experience as a defender, I immediately volunteered to play defense. Throughout the scrimmage, my soccer instincts kicked in, with me covering offensive players and blocking the goal. Thanks to my aggressive approach, though, I later sported a circle of bruises. I peaked when I scored from defense, kicking the ball into the top right corner. From there, my energy seemed to disappear, and I had to take quick breathers, remembering one of the reasons I stopped playing: the amount of running. While I don’t see myself signing up to play soccer any time soon, I’m glad I went back on the field. This practice, though, gave me a new appreciation for water.

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(Photo/Maia Fernandez Baigun)