SNN February 2013

Lakewood High School - February 27, 2013

snntoday.pcsb.org

Vol. 4, No. 4

LOCKDOWN AT LAKEWOOD Get the lowdown on pages 12-13

Spartans cope with depression

...pages 4-5

stricter dress code on the way ..page 3 i tried it: gun range ...page14

Three-time Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist

the hub

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A word from

SNN

By KAYLA GARCIA SNN Editor in Chief

After the Newtown, Conn., shooting, there were many schools who took safety precautions to a new level to protect students more thoroughly.

The goals of these measures are to keep incidents like the shooting from reoccurring. SNN wanted to clarify these procedures to keep the Lakewood community harm-free: Check out the safety spread, pages 12-13.

Take a look at an in-depth story about teenage depression and how it affects some students at Lakewood. Two students, one male and one female, talk about their struggles and coping mechanisms: pages 4-5.

Got Ink? Well some staff members here do, too. For more information and pictures, check out tatted teachers on the back page.

Siblings are competitive enough at home, but put these two boys on the track together and the heat is on. The Persha brothers, DeVontae and DeRon, may be “the backbone to the track team,” said coach Anthony Snead. To find out how they train and how they handle the competition, see page 21.

How would you dress for date night?

SNN staff writers Alex Ison and Daijha Wimberly put together outfits they deem appropriate and cute to be wearing out - at the movies, family night, the beach or a party with friends: page 19.

While other seniors are stressing about getting into college and waiting for acceptance letters, Lakewood had six students confirm their futures at signing day this year. To find out which students, see page 20.

One senior at Lakewood found out submitting just one application could change his life. To find out more on how Kent Fernandez received a full ride scholarship to the University of Chicago, see page 11.

Do you remember the first time you got behind the wheel of a car? Read about first-time driving experiences for some Lakewood students, page 8.

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DOMONIC EAVES | SNN

Lakewood High School wrestler Kevin Jones, on right, begins a match with a grasp hold. Lakewood competed against Boca Ciega in the Lakewood gymnasium on Jan. 23. “Wrestling has become more than a sport, it’s become a way of life for me,” said Jones, a senior.

On the web...

Check out the following news and multimedia stories on the Spartan News Network’s website.

Go to snntoday.pcsb.org.

Senior dates to remember April 27: Grad Bash at Universal Studios in Orlando (4:30 p.m.-4 a.m.)

• Mac vs. PC: What do LHS students think? By Quindon Nolton.

May 6-17: AP testing from 8 p.m.-12 a.m.

• Chemistry audio slideshow: Check out an experiment done in George Garbutt’s AP Chemistry class. By Naudia McDaniel.

• Child Development: Kayla Bryant tells her story of carrying around a realistic doll in Faith Walker’s child development class.

By Bob Camel, David Hock and Destiny Johnson.

• SNN rap: Take a look at the promotional rap video done by Jalissa Jordan, Monica Scruggs and Sacaree Wright.

• Jalissa’s Closet: Jalissa talks to junior Shannon Scotti about fashion accessories.

By Jalissa Jordan and MeKell Phillips.

• Sports Injuries: Watch a video about how Lakewood athletes have recovered from sports injuries. By Laterian Latimer and Romello Presley.

• Wrestling: Take a look at a multimedia piece and story about Chris Granger and the wrestling team. Story by Dre Walker, with multimedia by Kamdon Martin and Domonic Eaves.

Page 1 design by Scotty Schenck.

May 11: Prom $50 at Gulfport Casino May 24: Senior Picnic/Breakfast at Lake Vista Park, permission slip needs to be signed. (7:45 a.m.)

May 28: Reflection Ceremony: Students

receive awards and reflect on their past and future.

May 31-June 5: Exams June 5: Seniors must attend school

in order to participate in the graduation ceremony.

June 6 - Class of 2013 graduation on Spartan Field, 7 p.m.

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Modified dress code coming next year

By KAYLA GARCIA SNN Staff Writer

Next school year, Lakewood will have to adhere to the rules of a new, modified dress code. This decision was based on a dress code survey, in which 64 percent of those who voted were in favor of one.

The dress code is not yet set, but a committee is being put together to work out the specifics. Assistant principal Harriet Davis will be in charge of putting together the committee, which will be made up of students, school advisory council members, parents and teachers.

Although the dress code is not established, Principal Bob Vicari said he knows what the dress code will not look like. “If we can see their belly button, that’s not what it looks like,” he said, though he added,“you’re not going to have to wear your Catholic girl plaid.”

The dress code will allow jeans with no rips and Lakewood gear, meaning T-shirts and club shirts, said Vicari. It also may allow polo shirts and khaki pants.

“I think just because we’ll have a modified dress code doesn’t mean (the clothes) have to be ugly. I think the committee can come up with some very fashionable stuff,” he said.

Volunteer coordinator Vanessa Morris said she researched popular lines of dress code clothing with Sears.

“When going to dress codes, you want to make sure it’s carried locally at a good price,” Vicari said.

Lakewood is one of four high schools, including Boca Ciega, Dixie Hollins and Gibbs, that took the dress code survey, but not all of the schools are moving forward as Lakewood is.

Gibbs parents voted down a modified dress code this year. Despite this, Gibbs is will go back to the drawing board to propose a different dress code, said Michael Vasallo, the Pinellas County Center for the Arts (PCCA) administrator. The proposal will be based on feedback received from the survey.

“We’ve seen strong data that supports that (a modified dress code) has helped improve (schools’) culture, especially at the high school level,” Vasallo said.

While parents at Gibbs may not have agreed, some of the teachers at Lakewood said they are looking forward to the change taking place.

Lakewood basketball coach Anthony Lawrence said his wife voted in favor of a modified dress code in the survey, and he is happy with the results.

“I’m all for the dress code,” he said, explaining that when he attended Lakewood students weren’t allowed to

wear shorts. “There’s too much skin being shown in school now. Kids need to focus on academics instead of what they wear.”

Although computer teacher Melissa Heeren didn’t vote, she agrees with Lawrence.

“I think students need to focus on getting to school in appropriate attire and getting to work,” she said. “It’s not brain surgery.”

Students show mixed feelings about having a modified dress code. Freshman William Rhymer voted in favor.

“I like them, I usually just throw on what’s on the top of my pile.” Rhymer said he believes it will help reduce time students take deciding what to wear.

Sophomore Kenneth Goolsby agrees. “I think it’s good because it’ll eliminate some of the ‘ratchetness’ at school.”

Some students, however, flat out do not agree with the modified dress code.

“It’s stupid; I don’t want it. I hate it,” said junior Suzanna Tran.

- SNN Staff Writer KC Shelton contributed to this story.

Lebo leaves Lakewood

By BOBBIE WRIGHT SNN Staff Writer

In Darlene Lebo’s Spanish class, students picked up their heads and abandoned their tests when they heard the question: How do you think the students feel about you leaving?

“We’re sad!” they said without hesitation.

Lebo, who taught Spanish at Lakewood for 18 years, recently left to become the assistant principal of athletics at St. Petersburg High School.

Although Lebo isn’t Hispanic, she is fluent in the language. She learned it because her grandparents hosted foreign exchange students when she was young and she picked up the language easily before going on to take Spanish from ninth to 12th grade and traveling abroad to Spanish speaking countries.

Lebo’s husband, John Toronski, is also a teacher at Lakewood. He said he is supportive of Lebo’s transfer to St. Petersburg High.

“It’s a great opportunity for her and I know she will do a great job,” Toronski said.

In addition to teaching Spanish, Lebo coached the girls’ soccer team for 15 years and organized the Spanish conference for eight years. Lakewood placed in the top three in seven of those years.

Toronski was happy and excited for his wife, saying it was something that she just couldn’t pass up.

“Overall the transition process was smooth. It was really just a matter of learning the ropes and how things

are done in another school,” he said.

Lebo said she wanted the position at St. Petersburg High School for a while and has taken numerous exams and interviews to get it.

“The whole process has taken a year,” said Lebo. “Although I have been preparing to leave for a while, knowing I’d have to part with the students, it’s still hard.”

Linda Santiago is HARLEY WALLER | SNN teaching the majority Spanish teacher Darlene Lebo talks to a student from her desk on Jan. 30. Lebo’s of Lebo’s classes now. last day at Lakewood was Feb 5.

“She’s very knowlward to her getting me through all four years of Spanish, edgeable about the including AP Spanish. That’s the biggest disadvantage of language, so the students are in good hands,” Lebo said. her leaving,” Panico said.

Sophomore Rachel Panico has taken two Spanish In the eyes of Toronski though, the biggest disadvanclasses with Lebo. For Panico, it will not be an easy adtage of his wife’s transfer was a little different. justment.

“We can’t share a ride to school anymore,” he said.

“I really like her teaching style and was looking for-

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An insight into depression

By VICTORIA BISCHOFF and KRYSTAL IVY SNN Staff Writers

She was in eighth grade when her sister died. Being sad was normal, but the sadness continued. She wasn’t laughing, she wasn’t showering, she was barely even eating. She was slipping into chronic depression.

“It’s not something that you wake up one morning and you realize ‘Hey, I’m depressed.’ It doesn’t work like that. It’s a slow progression of things,” said, a Lakewood girl, now 17. (SNN is keeping the girl’s identity anonymous to protect her privacy.)

Depression is a mental illness characterized by prolonged sadness and loss of interest in normal activities. Among teenagers, depression is commonly viewed as abnormal when, in fact, it’s the opposite.

“Depression is a normal part of life.

Everyone experiences depression at different times and for various reasons,” school social worker Deborah Belk said. “Depression, however, can become problematic when it persists over time and isn’t necessarily related to an event.”

Clinical depression is caused by a chemical imbalance. “When this occurs, it’s important for the individual to seek professional help from a physician, psychiatrist or licensed mental health provider, as they may need therapeutic counseling support and/or medication,” Belk said.

Sometimes, people with depression are prescribed antidepressants, but it’s that person’s choice whether or not to take the medication.

“I have thought a lot about it, and right now it’s not something that I really want because I feel like I should have enough strength in me to get through it,” the 17-year-old girl said.

Sometimes, there is a stigma about PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ALEX BRACKX depression, but the illness isn’t something Depression is a mental illness characterized by prolonged sadness and loss of interest in normal activities. people have control over. “A lot of people of cutting myself and they are very worried about my game. I just play a mindless, numbing video game, or I think that depression can just be plowed health,” she said. “It also stresses them out sometimes … purposely make myself do my makeup in the morning so through by willpower and whatnot and rainbows and sunbecause there’s not much for them to do about me being that I feel pretty, or while I’m dressing I look at my body shine, and it’s just not that,” the 17-year-old said. depressed, other than just sort of sit there and listen to me in my mirror and I make myself pick out one thing that I Belk works with students and families to dispel the like, every morning,” she said. stigmas about depression. “Having a chemical imbalance Depression has become more common over the past and/or being diagnosed with a major depressive disorder five decades and is now recognized at increasingly younger should be no more stigmatizing than having the need to ages. According to teendepression.org, 8.3 percent of teens have insulin shots for ... diabetes,” Belk said. suffer from depression for a year at some point in their The girl, a senior, agrees. “You wouldn’t tell somebody lives, which is about three percent higher than the general who has cancer to just get over their cancer or somebody population. who has a risk of having a heart attack ‘don’t do that, that’s “It’s a lot more common than people realize because bad.’ People don’t understand that,” she said. and sometimes give me advice on things, but not much can people think that just because you have a caring home and Though the girl’s friends know about her depression, be done.” a hot meal on your table every day, you don’t have other there is not really much they can do to help, she said.

However, she said she has her own ways of coping. things to be depressed about,” the 17-year-old girl said.

“It causes my friends to worry about me because along “I take an hour away from my night and play a video with my depression, I also have a history

“You wouldn’t tell somebody who has cancer to just get over their cancer.”

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‘I couldn’t handle it anymore’ A 16-year-old Lakewood boy has battled depression for about two years. The junior talked with SNN about how depression has affected his life and how he tries to cope with it.

By VICTORIA BISCHOFF AND KRYSTAL IVY SNN Staff Writers

What’s your story?

I attempted suicide last year, a couple weeks before first seeing my therapist.

Obviously it failed, but … at that moment I felt like I couldn’t take it anymore. I couldn’t take years of being friendless, bullied for being weird, not knowing social things, my parents arguing, being picked on, yelling (and) knives being thrown in front of me. I couldn’t handle it anymore.

What happened when you tried to commit suicide?

On the day I attempted, my dad wasn’t there and neither was my mom. I was home alone. (My friend) knew I was going to be home alone, because I had said to her earlier on that both of my parents were going to be out doing something. …

She actually drove over to the apartment I was living in, and when she went upstairs to check on me, she found me about to kill myself. I didn’t expect this, but she tackled me to the ground and took the knife I had away from me and then tossed it away somewhere, probably under the couch. … I had the knife pressed up to the upper part of my wrist when she opened the door and she tackled me to the ground. After that I just sat in a ball crying to myself while she was trying to get me to tell her what happened.

Were there any specific events that triggered your depression?

It was a culmination of a bunch of different things happening; from over the years of being bullied in my middle school and also my parents having fights.

How do you cope with your depression?

I currently have been seeing a therapist for about a year and two to three months,

... that’s really how I’ve been trying to cope with this. I’m probably going to be seeing my therapist for the next, who knows? Several years, a decade?

How open are you about your depression?

Most people don’t know. Most people assume I’m carefree, happy. I really don’t show it, I tend to put on a more happy face than I actually am.

How does it affect your relationships?

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Symptoms of depression • Constant sadness • Trouble sleeping • Low energy/fatigue • Significant weight change • Feeling guilty for no reason • Loss of interest in daily activities and hobbies • Self-loathing • Reckless behavior • Aches and pains

If you need help • 24-hour suicide hotline: 1-800-273-TALK(8255) • Tampa Bay Crisis Center: 2-1-1

My relationship with my dad is strained due to him partially causing the onset of it, along with my mom, but my relationship with them is getting slightly better.

I don’t really have that many friends, and all but a couple don’t know that I’m depressed, so this would be news to them.

This hasn’t really affected any friendships; I just have never really been that outgoing.

Do you think depression is something to be ashamed of?

I obviously haven’t told most of my friends, so I guess I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m depressed. I think that people shouldn’t be embarrassed, … but it’s tough to say anything, it’s tough to admit that you’re weak, that something’s getting to you.

Do you think depression is more common than people realize?

I think that depression is much more common than people might realize. A lot of people could be depressed, but it might just be minor depression, while major depression is also a lot more common than people think. People just assume, “Oh they’re just a little sad today, they aren’t depressed.

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Higher-level math at Lakewood

By SCOTTY SCHENCK SNN Staff Writer

Center for Advanced Technologies senior Clay Plumridge counts cards as part of the newest math class at Lakewood High School. Discrete math is one of the highest level math classes offered in Pinellas County.

Plumridge’s project in the class, “deck probability and card game theory,” focused on the same things that allow people to cheat at card games such as poker and blackjack. “(It’s) one of the most interesting classes I’ve taken in high school,” said Plumridge, who for his next project hopes to outline how artificial intelligence works.

The class started at Lakewood this year because there was no class for students to take after they complete calculus.

Mathematics teacher Thomas Penkethman said he was inspired to bring this course to Lakewood after seeing a course called higher-level math in the International Baccalaureate program.

He says the IB course is like Algebra 3. However, he wanted to do something different, something that math students would see as rigorous but fun.

“Math can be a lot of fun when you have the freedom to explore topics that interest you,” Penkethman said.

The course is offered not just to CAT students, but any

student who has passed calculus, he said. However, Penkethman said he will make exceptions to allow motivated math students taking Advanced Placement Calculus BC at the same time to take the class. Currently, he has one period, with 19 students. He said that he looks for students who enjoy math and will have fun with various topics.

CAT senior Tiffney Kitiratanasumpun said she enjoys the course, which is project-based and doesn’t have homework or tests. For the first six weeks, Kitiratanasumpun worked on a project making an algorithm, or process, more efficient.

“People think that since it’s one step above calculus, it’s really rigorous,” said Kitiratanasumpun.

Penkethman says that although it is a higher level math SCOTTY SCHENCK | SNN course, he doesn’t consider it harder than calculus. In Senior Tyler Pinheiro reads proofs from his computcollege, math branches out into specialties and in discrete er screen in math teacher Thomas Penkethman’s math, students have the chance to choose the topics they new discrete math class on Feb. 21. want to do projects on.

So far, the students in the class have covered topics such ity point. Although there is no college credit involved, as set theory, number theory, graph theory, group theory, Penkethman said it is still valuable because students will game theory, probability, combinatorics, cryptography, have a “leg up” on other college students going into similar algorithms, logic, proofs and problem-solving techniques. classes.

The course is college-level course and carries a qual-

Junior sketches for state thespian festival

By LINDA CORBETT SNN Staff Writer

Junior Symone Brown started sketching fashion designs at the age of 10 when her grandmother gave her a sketchbook to put her dreams and innovations on paper. Her idol was Kimora Lee Simons, a model and fashion designer for Baby Phat.

When Brown heard about a competition involving costume design for the district Thespian Festival, she designed an entry based on the costumes in Legally Blonde the Musical. Her entry was rated superior by one judge.

Now she will be competing at the Florida State Thespian Festival in the category of costume design.

“Fashion sketches are an on and off thing for me.

It will always be a part of my life,” Brown said.

Brown said her entry on the state level will be different. This time her inspiration for her costume designs is Marilyn Monroe. She will study Monroe’s wardrobe and costumes to create her designs. Art teacher Larry West is helping Brown with different techniques and coloring, she said.

Each year a few of Lakewood’s students get chosen to go to the festival in Tampa, which will be held on March 20-23 this year. Five people from each troupe can compete in the festival, but the drama class can bring as many students as they want to watch, though they have to have been involved in the district competition.

Picking students for this competition is based on how well they do at districts, drama teacher Colleen Coughenour said. At districts Brown received one superior and two excellents. The two excellents that Brown was awarded were one point away from being superior.

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“I thought it was very innovative. … The judges really liked her presentation. She handled herself very professionally with the judges and they were impressed,” Coughenour said.

If Brown gets a superior at state level she will receive a medal or trophy and a possibility to advance to nationals. In the seven years that Coughenour has been the drama teacher at Lakewood, no student has gone to nationals.

Brown said she also did a monologue at district, but won’t be able to perform it because she got an excellent, not a superior.

NILAJA KING | SNN

Freshman Satchel Smith plays the trumpet during jazz band practice on Jan. 30 in the band room.

Band is jazzin’ it up

KRYSTAL MITCHELL | SNN

Junior Symone Brown holds her portfolio of fashion sketches outside B-wing on Jan. 28. Brown is going to present her sketches at the Florida State Thespian Festival in March. “Whenever I feel the need for artistic therapy, I just draw in it,” Brown said.

Stand near the vending machine closest to the auditorium, and band music echoes through the hollow hallway, entertaining you with the sweet tunes of jazz. The jazz band practiced every Wednesday for two-and-a-half hours and it has finally paid off.

On Feb. 8 Lakewood’s jazz band performed at this year’s Music Performance Assessment and got a superior rating. To hear the jazz band play at MPA and to see a multimedia piece about Danny Stagnitta and Kenneth Goolsby, go to snntoday.pcsb.org and click on multimedia. “I know I was nervous just because there was a lot at stake and we worked really hard to get where we did and achieve the results that we wanted,” Stagnitta said.

- NILAJA KING

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Shifting gears in driver’s education

By BRIANNA JOHNSON SNN Staff Writer

Teacher Victor Williams has transitioned from the Exceptional Student Education department to teaching driver’s education after long-time educator Reuben Coffin retired on Dec. 21.

Coffin taught for 37 years and said he will miss teaching very much. “It’s going to be weird not getting to be around students all day. I’ll truly miss it,” said Coffin before leaving. “But I think it is time that I step back and start living out my fantasies. It’s time that I pass the torch to the next teacher.”

Williams taught in the ESE department where the classes were small, only containing a few students. Now, he is going to be teaching average size classes.

“It’s going be to more challenging,” Williams said, “But also more varied.”

Williams said he wants to be a driver’s ed teacher because it’s something that students want to learn, rather than are forced to learn. “The class provides the freedom they want; it’s a milestone that will move them on to other things in life,” Williams said.

Driver’s ed teachers need a teacher’s certification and nine hours of a traffic and driving safety course. Williams is now the permanent teacher, though he is currently working on getting his certification.

Coffin landed his first job as a driver’s education teacher in 1975 at a small school in Southern Georgia.

At the time, Coffin was a basketball coach and was willing to take up any job he could.

Coffin said he taught and coached at various schools before coming to Lakewood. As time went by, Coffin said he really began to enjoy being a driver’s ed teacher and decided to only do that.

“I’m teaching students a lifelong skill. Plus, they’ll never forget me,” Coffin said. “No one forgets their driver’s ed teacher.”

The most rewarding part of his job, he said, was having former students taking time to thank him for his help and telling stories from his class that he completely forgot about.

With all the time now on his hands, Coffin has made big plans. Coffin is spending a couple of weeks in Atlanta with his sister; his schedule before wouldn’t allow him to do so.

This month, Coffin planned to go scuba diving in Costa Rica for the first time. In April, Coffin will renovate a home in Dunellon that his mother left to him and his sister when she died.

NAUDIA McDANIEL | SNN

New driver’s ed teacher Victor Williams explains tailgating to his fourth-period class. Williams has been at Lakewood for three years, previously working in the ESE department. “I enjoy seeing my students get their learner’s permit,” Williams said.

LHS drivers tell tales of being behind the wheel

By DAIJHA WIMBERLY SNN Staff Writer

Many first-time drivers have those nervous jitters because they are unsure what might happen while on the road.

Others do just fine because they’ve taken a driver’s education class, passed the test and practiced with their mom or dad. The big moment comes when they actually go out alone with nobody telling them what to do. Here are some of their stories.

“I was driving my mom’s car.

Her car is different from mine.

The car in front of me slammed on the brakes and I hit their car. They didn’t know and they kept going. I got out and looked at the front of my mom’s car and there was a little dent. I was freaking out. My friend that was in the car with me was laughing at me. I never told my mom. She might find out if she ever reads this paper.”

-Haley Michalski, senior

“My step dad picked me up from practice and he asked if I wanted to drive home. All the way home I was doing pretty good, doing the right speed. When I was turning on the street where I lived he told me to park the car. When I was parking I didn’t know the pedal was so sensitive, I put it in reverse. I hit a light pole and my stepdad’s whole bumper fell off.

My stepdad is Jamaican so he was yelling and cursing me out in Jamaican.”

“It was scary because you get nervous and you’re not supposed to panic. It was scary but fun, too. I was with my best friend, and we were going to the movies.

My friend was scared to ride with me at night. I was driving too fast and almost crashed, but I didn’t. After that she made me stop and she took over.”

-Brianna Butler, senior

“My first time driving I drove my dad’s truck.

He parked and let me drive. When I was backing out I didn’t realize how sensitive the gas pedal was and I almost hit someone’s car. He was scared but he still let me drive. I was scared, too.”

-Eric Brown, senior

-Anthony Haugabook, senior “I was at an intersection, turning right, and I had the right of way.

The person across from the intersection was turning left. They went. I had to stop really quick to avoid getting hit. I was more annoyed than scared.”

-Clarissa Bradfield, junior

“My first time driving I was going to Thurgood to pick up my cousin. I ran three stop signs and I almost ran a red light.

I actually did run the light because I was in the middle of the road, so I just kept going. I didn’t notice it until I looked in my rearview mirror. I almost hit a dog, too.”

-Keysha Dilworth, sophomore

“My first time driving I got into a little fender bender in the parking lot.

I was backing up and thought everything was okay but I hit the side of someone else’s car. I was afraid of what my mom would think. I was so sad that I hit somebody else’s car.

-Sapheria Samuels, senior

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By ZOE BLAIR-ANDREWS SNN Staff Writer

NAUDIA McDANIEL | SNN

Teacher Christopher Borg is adopting a boy named Alexander from Ethiopia, who should be arriving in July or August. “I wish he was here now. Even though we’ve never met him, we already feel like he’s our son,” Borg said.

Baby boy for Borg

By ALEXANDRA DORN and LATERIAN LATIMER SNN Staff Writers

Computer teacher Christopher Borg and his wife Tasha, a family physician, didn’t have to go through a pregnancy. They didn’t have to go through doctor visits for nine months, and she didn’t have to go through labor and delivery.

Instead of nine months, the process they went through took two years - and is still ongoing.

Soon, however, Alexander Gemechis Borg will be joining the Borg family. The 2-year-old boy from Ethiopia will finally be coming to the United States, hopefully this summer, Borg said.

Borg said he began thinking about adoption after reading They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky, a story about four boys wandering in Sudan.

“It really opened up my eyes to that whole region,” Borg said.

After looking into adoption in Sudan, he and his wife realized it was not a stable place and decided on Ethiopia. They visited the country, and knew it was a good place to adopt from, he said.

“I am very excited for them,” said athletic trainer Erika Miller. Miller has been helping with the process and also had to write a letter of recommendation so Borg could adopt.

They started the paperwork in February 2011, and submitted it for review in March 2012. After that, representatives from the state visited the Borgs’ home to make sure it is a stable living area.

They found out they were getting a little boy the day after their anniversary, Jan. 14.

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“My wife is setting up the room already,” Borg said.

Borg and his wife aren’t the only ones excited. Borg’s mother has already started buying things for Alexander, his father can’t wait, and his sister wants to fly down to meet the child. Borg comes from a big family.

“I’m afraid of him being overwhelmed by family and friends,” Borg said.

Another concern is the language barrier.

Borg and his wife plan to fly over to Ethiopia and go to court to finalize the adoption in March or April. They have the chance to meet the child’s dad, sister, aunts and uncles, if the family wants.

Borg is also concerned about being two white parents raising a black child. Borg said he lives in a rural area. “It’s not an ethnically diverse neighborhood,” he said.

Borg attends a church that is mostly white and he doesn’t know how people will react to Alexander.

Senior Samantha Roberts said she thinks Borg will be a good dad because he is funny but will practice tough love, which is needed in all relationships.

“He can help his kid get certified in Word,” Roberts said jokingly. She said she knows Borg has been waiting forever for the adoption to come through, and she can already tell he loves his son.

Borg said he is unsure if he will take a leave of absence when Alexander joins the family. It all depends on how their son settles in.

Every morning students drag themselves into Lakewood High School, rubbing their eyes and holding coffee cups. First period – which starts at 7:05 a.m. - becomes nap time for some who are just too tired to keep their eyes open.

“I don’t think kids realize how much not sleeping hurts them,” Advanced Placement psychology teacher Gabriella Squarciafico said.

Whether it’s hectic schedules or late-night studying, some students pull allnighters to get everything done for the next day.

“I have a busy schedule, with school, sports and my job. And teachers give more than enough homework or extra assignments,” junior Caitlin Schnell said.

Participating in sports can take a toll on sleep habits. Sophomore Tyriek Hopkins said he gets an average of three to four hours of sleep per night.

“I don’t get enough sleep because I do a lot of activities, sports and school,” Hopkins said.

After a late night or a night with no sleep, some find it hard to concentrate in class.

“I fall asleep in class, and sometimes I do a slight daydream,” Hopkins said.

However, having no sleep affects more than just having a hard time keeping your eyes open in class.

“Kids with back-to-back days of little to no sleep can be prone to hallucinations,” Squarciafico said.

Other side effects of hardly any sleep include: difficulty standing, diminished productivity, tendency to make mistakes, irritability, fatigue, weight gain and suppression of your immune system.

A lot of times teens don’t know how much sleep they need to stay healthy because everyone is different.

“It depends on the person, not everyone has the same amount needed… Some need eight hours, which I know students don’t do,” Squarciafico said.

When anyone goes through periods of time where they don’t get the amount of sleep they personally need to stay healthy, they acquire “sleep debt.”

“Sleep debt is when you owe your body sleep…you’re harming your body in every way, shape or form,” Squarciafico said.

If you acquire sleep debt, it is possible to make it up.

“You can make up sleep debt, if you increase the amount of time that you sleep per night,” Squarciafico said, though she added, “The more you accrue, the harder it is.”

Contrary to popular belief, sleeping long amounts of time during the weekend does not make up for the lack of sleep during the week.

“There is such a thing as too much sleep,” Squarciafico said, “Your body doesn’t need 15 hours...your body has a biological clock, and you mess that up when you sleep for 15 hours.”

Another way teens attempt to compromise for lack of sleep is by drinking large amounts of caffeine.

“I think students drink insane amounts of caffeine,” drama teacher Colleen Coughenour said. Along with not helping to decrease your sleep debt, drinking unhealthy amounts of caffeine has serious health effects.

“Caffeine can aggravate certain heart problems…although caffeine is sometimes used to treat migraine headaches, it can make headaches worse for some people,” according to the website TeensHealth.

Some blame the little amount of sleep teens get on staying up too late, while others think the solution is to push back the school start time.

“We start way too early ... if we started later, then everyone wouldn’t be so tired and grades would be better,” Hopkins said.

Teachers recognize the difference in performance level from a student who is well rested and a student who is sleep deprived.

“Sleep loss is definitely detrimental to how students perform,” Squarciafico said.

However Coughenour also points out that sleep deprivation is an issue that spans out into the community as well. “We have a culture that’s sleep deprived…no matter when the start time is, we’re all going to drink caffeine and we’re all going to be tired.”

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Woodle shapes music from wood

By NIA CUMBERLANDER SNN Staff Writer

Junior Chris Woodle is among a lucky few. He is able to do something he’s passionate about with the possibility of making money. Woodle, who goes primarily by his last name, calls himself a “luthier.” It’s an antiquated title for a person who is skilled in making stringed instruments such as guitars.

It began with a love of craftsmanship.

“I started out as a kid. I’d basically make anything.

I’d make small things I didn’t want to go out and buy,” Woodle said.

When he got to middle school, Woodle started playing the bass. Over the years he began to expand his musical repertoire, earning the respect of fellow musicians, including music teacher Jacob Merrett.

“As a musician he’s very talented and he knows what he’s doing without a lot of direction,” Merrett said. He’s played with Woodle in several events, including the Honors Jazz Combo, Taste of Midtown and Motown in Midtown.

Woodle soon grew to like the five-stringed models, a deviation from the typical four-string bass, because of its greater range of sound. With the power tools he inherited from his grandparents, he set out to make his own custom instrument. One just wasn’t enough: He’s now completed three guitars.

Making a quality custom guitar is not a simple process.

After reading books on guitar building and with the support of fellow builders on forums like sevenstring.org, he learned the tricks of the trade. To start, he said he uses the

but it is in some ways the most arduous. Woodle made a makeshift paint booth out of his shed by building a special door with fans on it to circulate the air inside. This prevents dust particles from settling into the paint. He said the most trying part is that the paint takes three to six months to harden.

Because Woodle is still a student, he can’t work on the guitars full time, so he said the time to make an instrument takes anywhere from six to 18 months. It can cost a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars to make.

“If you worked full time it would take a week or two, not including design time,” he said.

Woodle says once it’s all done he feels “pure inspiration” from his hard work. He said he’s learned valuable lessons throughout the process.

“I’ve learned patience, lots, lots of patience and careful KIMBERLY McENTEGART | SNN planning. One mistake could ruin hundreds of hours of Sun shines on Chris Woodle on Feb. 8 as he plays his handmade guitar. Woodle has been building his own gui- work or cost you a couple of fingers,” he said. tars for five years, and so far he has made three. “BuildWoodle doesn’t just make guitars for his own enjoying (the guitar) is the first half of the adventure. Playing it ment, he also takes custom orders from serious customers.

Because of the expense of ordering his own parts and is the second half,” he said. often making one instrument at a time, a buyer can expect program SolidWorks, a computer drafting software that the price to start around $1,000, but it varies by order. helps to make a 3-D model of his designs. He selects his “I think it’s really cool because I know the time and materials carefully, sometimes ordering parts from overdedication it takes to make a good quality instrument,” seas. He carves the wood by hand and inlays the electrical said fellow junior James Picker, who played the eightparts in his instruments. string guitar Woodle made. “I thought it was really good “After building it, I have to finish it,” he said. By “finfor something one of my friends made. … He’s just good ish” he means painting the body and headstock and doing at what he does.” other last touches. This final step may seem the easiest,

Lakewood kids share their undying love of kicks

By DONNELL D. MIDDLETON SNN Staff Writer

Sneakerheads - yes, one word - we love our shoes. We’ll camp out, wait in line for our shoes, lick our icy soles and talk about kicks for hours if we have the chance.

Some hypebeasts have hundreds of kicks.

Senior Eric L. Brown has about 20-30 pair of shoes. He had more, but he sold most of them because his feet grew.

“My favorite shoe is the Reebok Emmitt Smith ($140) because they have the weirdest style,” Brown said.

The shoe that started his obsession was the all-white Air Force 1 High. He said he likes sneakers because of the different styles and “the shoe game,” where people collect dozens of shoes.

However, he does not like it when people, who are called resellers, buy dozens of one shoe and sell them on eBay for double, or even triple the price. This makes it more expensive for the people who really want the shoe.

“I hate those people,” Brown said.

Brown works at the Central Avenue

Footlocker, but he used to work in Tyrone Square Mall, where he said it was more fun.

“I’m anticipating the all-white Nike Air Foamposite One ($235) that comes out March 29. But if I can get one shoe, it would be the Nike Air Mag that they had in the movie Back to the Future.”

The price of the Air Mag varies, but on eBay one pair was recently selling for $5,000.

Sneakerhead Sher-Shawna Hart, a junior, said she fell in love with sneakers in elementary school.

“Sneakers are different and creative,” Hart said.

Hart’s favorite shoe brand is Jordans.

“They have new styles and things that people have never seen before,” she said.

The shoe that started it all for Hart was Jordans.

“I have about 20-30 pairs of shoes, most of them Jordans,” Hart said. “My parents pay for all my shoes.”

Hart said her parents give her money to buy the shoes. “My mom is like ‘why don’t you wear any slides?’ But my dad doesn’t really care.”

Fellow Sneakerhead Marcus Bradley, a freshman, is all about his LeBron X. “My favorite shoe is the Nike Basketball Lebron X ($200). They feel good and, oh, yeah, they glow in the dark,” Bradley said.

Bradley said his mom buys the shoes for him, and then gets angry at herself for ELIJAH FLEWELLEN | SNN spending so much money. The shoe hoardJunior Sher-Shawna Hart sports her Air ing started for Bradley when his cousin was sponsored by Nike for basketball and Jordan XI outside of C-Wing on Feb. 1. gave him a lot of shoes.

“My most anticipated shoe for the year To see more Sneakerheads and photos of is the LeBron XI that comes out in the nice kicks, go to snntoday.pcsb.org summer,” Bradley said.

Brown, Hart and Bradley are only a few of the Sneakerheads who walk the halls of Lakewood.

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I Tried It: Taking aim

By JALON EDWARDS SNN Staff Writer

When Tracy Johnson and I walked into the St. Petersburg Police Pistol Club, the first thing we saw was old military veterans sitting at a wooden table cleaning their guns and talking about their “glory days.” We also saw National Rifle Association signs plastered everywhere.

I was a little nervous, I tried to keep my cool, but all I could think about was “I am about to fire off a gun.” I wanted to back out, but I couldn’t because we had already paid. We had to fill out cards with our information. I told the guy at the register that I was at the pistol range for a story for our school newspaper.

“I wish that they allowed us to do this while I was in school,” he said.

He then told us about how a lot of people are buying guns, because of the gun control debate that is happening across the nation. He said that people are worried about the possibility of stricter gun control laws and the safety of their families, and more are coming there to practice firing their guns.

Then, it was time…

The man gave us headphones to protect our ears from the sound of the bang and glasses to protect our eyes from the shells that fly back into your face. My dad bought bullets and the guy also gave us targets. We walked through two doors before we got to the indoor range. The walls were gray, and it had that look and feel as if I walked into a scene of Miami Vice.

My dad, Lakewood campus monitor Derrick Pollock,

was our teacher at the gun range. He was a St. Petersburg police officer who retired in 1999.

He put our targets up and put his gun together. He showed us how to hold the gun and he told us to be sure that we don’t jerk the gun back, and that the end of the gun should always face down range.

We used his gun that he had when he was on the police force. He keeps his gun in a safe place locked and away. My sisters and MOLINSEAI ELCIUS | SNN I don’t know where it is, Senior Jalon Edwards holds up his target from shooting at the gun range and I believe that’s the for the first time. “I really enjoyed shooting and I hope to go back and do it way it should be. again,” he said.

Okay, now it was really time…

I really enjoyed shooting and I hope to go back and do Tracy went first; he didn’t look nervous or scared. He it again.

But the question now is do I really want to own a looked calm, cool and collected. But when it came to be gun when I get older? Yes, but I would only want to use it my turn, my hands were sweating. My dad put up my tarfor recreational activities and hunting. get and sent it back 10 yards. He told me to fire the rest of I don’t think that as a citizen of the United States that I the bullets. So I walked up and grabbed the gun, I lined it would use it to kill another person. But as a soldier in the up down the range. I squeezed the trigger and… POOOW! military, it would be different. I also think that no citizen My first bullet hole was two centimeters away from the should have assault rifles, only military personnel and pocenter. My next four bullet holes all landed in the center. lice officers who are trained and on duty should have those When my dad brought back my target, he looked at Tracy types of weapons. and said, “You don’t want to mess with him.” I thought to Guns should be something that everyone enjoys, not myself, “That’s all Call of Duty training.” fears.

Next for drama club: southern comedy

By CIERRA CHAMPAGNE SNN Staff Writer

JULIE SMITH-FRAZER | SNN

Junior Symone Brown and senior Alex Brackx audition for the spring play, Dearly Departed. Brown got the role of Marguerite. “I auditioned because it was always my dream to be in the school play,” Brown said.

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The spring play this year is a “southern-fried” comedy called Dearly Departed about a small-town Texas family. The father, Bud Turpin, dies, and the rest of the family tries to pull themselves together for the funeral.

However, the funeral isn’t the only difficulty the family faces. The first born son, RayBud, drinks a lot. The younger son, Junior, has financial problems, a wife that thinks he is cheating and kids who are terrible. The daughter, Delightful, copes with the death of her father by eating junk food.

“It’s a really good, funny show,” said junior Ryan Rhodes, who plays Ray-Bud, the son of the deceased, “It’s just been a fun experience and a lot of cool people are coming together.”

Auditions for the spring play were held Jan. 28-29. Rehearsals started on Feb. 5 and run through April 17. Lakewood drama teacher Collen Coughenour came up with ideas for a few plays then let the Drama Club officers make the final decision.

“It’s about relationships and family - with a healthy dose of chaos and eccentricity,” Coughenour said.

Senior Amanda Dodge, who plays Raynelle, said of the decision to choose Dearly Departed: “I like it; it’s funny and I get to do a southern accent and the play shows an interesting portrait of a southern family.”

Coughenour said production dates are April 18 and 19, and tickets will cost $5.

“We have a great cast, and I am looking forward to seeing them each find what is authentic and comedic in their characters,” she said.

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features

Senior earns full ride to University of Chicago The $250,000 scholarship came from the Quest Bridge program.

By SYMONE BROWN and NILAJA KING SNN Staff Writers

Seniors heading for college are faced with the hefty price tag of a higher education. Once out-of-state college fees are tacked on, the price for one year ends up well in the thousands: -Cost of books: $2,100 -Cost of room and board: $13,500 -Cost of tuition: $44,574 -However, tuition for senior Kent Fernandez: Priceless.

With $250,000 granted to him to attend the University of Chicago, money will not be an issue for this senior. Fernandez was one of about 300 students selected out of about 8,000 applicants in the nation to receive a full-ride scholarship to the college of his choice through the Quest Bridge scholarship program.

“This means that I don’t have to worry about any financial burdens, with loans and all. It makes it easier on my family, since I have three younger siblings,” Fernandez said. “I’m glad that everything is taken care of.”

His four-year scholarship includes cost of tuition, room and board, books and cost of transportation, which is about $60,000 a year. Quest Bridge is a program geared

toward low-income students; it grants full-ride scholarships to 35 of their partner colleges, including Harvard University, Yale University and the University of Notre Dame.

Fernandez, a student in the Center for Advanced Technologies, got his scholarship through the College Match program on questbridge.org.

“A friend told me about it, and I was going to look it up, but then Quest Bridge sent me a letter in the mail before I got the chance to,” Fernandez said. On top of wanting funds to go to an out-of-state college, that was his cue to go forward.

He filled out the application to be a Quest Bridge member - which required transcripts, recommendation letters, essays and more - then applied for the College Match program. From there, he was selected as a finalist went on to get the scholarship. Out of his eight college picks, University of Chicago (his fifth-ranked college) chose him. This September, Fernandez will be moving to Chicago to attend school.

He plans to major in environmental science. “I just like that it was a big field and comprised a lot of different things that I’m interested in, like chemistry,” Fernandez

NAUDIA McDANIEL | SNN

Senior Kent Fernandez reads in his American Government class. Fernandez has received a full academic scholarship to the University of Chicago. said. He said that with his degree he wants Junior Denisha Thornton said she to help clean up nuclear waste and provide admires his accomplishment. “I’m really third-world countries with clean water. proud of him,” Thornton said.

Fernandez said his parents and friends Fernandez, who has a 3.8 GPA, said getare proud of his achievement. ting scholarships doesn’t stop with academ“My parents were really excited and ics. “You really have to sell yourself, let happy that I got it. I get to go to a good them know who you are, what you want to school and not have to worry about finando and why you want to do it,” he said. cial burdens, like loans and debt,” FernanHe also advises students applying for dez said. “They are just glad I’m set for the scholarships to look for obscure scholarfuture.” ships and to not give up.

His friends share the same enthusiasm.

“My advice is don’t not apply because Senior Tiffney Kitiratanasumpun said you think you won’t get it, because I that she’s happy for Fernandez, her friend definitely didn’t think that I would get this since sixth grade. “He always wanted to do scholarship, but sometimes things just hapsomething big, and this was his chance to pen and work out,” Fernandez said. do it.”

CATCOM holds ‘Dynamic’ fundraiser

By LAURA HAAN SNN Staff Writer

RACHELLE GADDY | SNN

Junior Marilyn Parker asks contestants junior Ivan Summers and senior Shabazz Waller questions about their relationship as best friends at the Dynamic Duo show on Feb. 14.

The colorful lights flashed and music blared as students filed into the auditorium on Valentine’s Day. They had come to see the Dynamic Duo show, the first in Lakewood High history.

Junior Marilyn Parker and senior Jesse Sokolov were the hosts for the show, which was organized by CATCOM as a fundraiser on Feb 14.

The event cost $3 and took place during seventh period.

The Dynamic Duo show had participants in pairs answer questions to test the strength of the relationship.

It had three rounds and the winners of each round battled it out in the finale. Seniors Michael Wos and Cornelius Copeland won the game.

The contestants used white boards to record

their answers to the questions given. They wrote down an answer for themselves and their partner.

If the couple got both answers right, they received a point. If one answer of the two were wrong, they received nothing. The hosts gave points to the duos with low scores if they completed a challenge, which included singing and dancing. Songs like Harlem Shake by Baauer fueled the dance competitions and hyped up the crowd.

Sophomore Elijah Thistle competed in one of the dance challenges.

“I didn't completely know I was taking part in the event until the day prior,” said Thistle, who made it to the finale round with his partner, Carson Schlather. “But it was fun and I'm glad I did it.”

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LAKEWOOD LOCKed-D BRIANNA JOHNSON | SNN

Do you know what to do during a lockdown?

• Principal Bob Vicari announces on intercom that the school is in lockdown.

• All exterior doors are locked.

• Teachers lock classroom doors, cover windows and turn off lights. Students in the hallways should go to the closest unlocked door or the Lakewood auditorium.

• Students in the classroom sit silently, away from doors and windows. They are not allowed to use electronic devices under any circumstances.

• If a student is injured in the classroom, the teacher slides a red card under the door.

• During a drill, administrators in the hallways will knock on doors and try to open them. Teachers are instructed not to answer.

• During a drill, the lockdown is over when Vicari announces it over the loud speaker.

• In an actual emergency, no doors are opened until law enforcement or the principal unlocks them.

LEON TOMLINSON | SNN

Tech teacher Anthony Snead preps his classroom for the lockdown drill on Jan. 9.

T

In the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting, Lakewood security is tigh

he year 2012 left bullet wounds in history.

The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., put school safety up for debate across the nation, from the Oval Office to the principal’s office. Many schools, including Lakewood High School, have been trying to prevent becoming America’s next tragedy by re-examining their security.

According to Lakewood assistant principal Harriet Davis, the school has been locked up even tighter since the Newtown tragedy. The gates near the portables are now locked, as is the eastside entrance to the faculty parking lot. Only the westside entrance to the faculty lot is kept open during the day.

Students now have to take a less direct route to the student parking lot, promoting easier identification of incoming vehicles during school hours. All the doors leading on and off of school grounds are locked, and anyone who wants to enter has to come through the main front office.

Principal Bob Vicari said two holes and a gap in the fence south of Lakewood near Lake Vista Park will be fixed. “As things happen we try to fix it and try to be proactive,” he said.

In addition to tightening up security, Lakewood’s lockdown procedure is practiced through a drill once every semester. When the lockdown alert is announced over the intercom by Vicari, all the exterior doors are locked. (See lockdown procedures at left.)

With so many drills one would think a disaster, such as the one in Newtown, was implausible.

“We have a crisis plan, Officer (Lerric) Boyd does, all my staff do,” Vicari said. “(But) the bottom line is, if someone is sick and wants to get a gun into the school, there are windows, there are doors…there are all kinds of ways.”

As algebra teacher Phillip Morgan said: “There is no way of making a school 100 percent safe.”

Simulated trainings

Lakewood has a crisis team made up of administrators, the school resource officer and campus monitors.

If an emergency were to happen, each has a job they are responsible for.

In Pinellas County, every middle and high school with the exception of fundamental schools has a school resource officer. These SROs have been put through simulations during non-campus hours to prepare if someone dangerous were to come onto campus.

“A scenario will be created in which someone will attempt a mass-murder and the officers must find a way to safely stop the intruder as quickly as possible,” police Sgt. Steve Fields of Pinellas County schools said. The scenarios are created based on what a potential mass murderer could

School shootings near and far

do using information from past shootings such as Columbine and Newtown, he said.

‘Illusion of safety’ Sophomore Gianna Sheppard said she thinks Lakewood has an “illusion of safety.”

“I think it’s ridiculously easy to bring a gun to school; anyone could do it, it’s not hard,” she said. “There’s nothing stopping someone from hurting me.”

She worries, she said, that students don’t take lockdown drills seriously, and she admits that she is one who doesn’t.

“I’ve been doing them for so long that they’ve just become boring, and it’s just an excuse to get out of class for a few extra minutes.”

Sheppard is not alone.

“I know that it’s not a real-life situation, so I can mess around and there won’t be any repercussions,” senior Justin Wells said.

Sophomore Emily Williams said even though students joke about lockdowns, “I feel like if there was a (real) scenario, I think we’d all know what to do and we’d take it seriously.”

‘Expect the unexpected’ Though it is impossible to say how they would react, many teachers say they would go beyond their role as educators to assure the safety of their students should someone with a gun come onto campus.

“I would do as much as possible to make sure my students remained safe and out of harm’s way. My students may joke with me about this, but I honestly would take a bullet for any of them,” history teacher Lynsey Turner said.

Biology teacher Justin Bending agreed. “I would make sure that all of the students in my classroom were safe and that the room was secure,” he said. “From my experience here so far I have not felt threatened at all, but I was raised to always expect the unexpected.”

Turner, who has a 10-year-old stepson, said though she thinks teachers should not carry guns for protection, having a police officer in each school would be a good preventive measure.

“An incident like at Sandy Hook Elementary could happen anywhere. Over the last 15 years multiple school shootings have occurred all over the country, and frankly all over the world. There will never be a perfect plan on preventing school shootings.”

English teacher Kristie Dowling has a different opinion.

She doesn’t think elementary schools need police officers.

In fact, she said, “I don’t even think we need a police offi-

cer at Lakewood. If a can be called in to help makes the campus fee She also does not th protect their students. happening. Had the m lous amount of assault couldn’t have happene such an arsenal in thei she said.

Dowling said thoug Hook could happen an it. “If you live your already dead insid

Should teach After each debate over cently after statements on campus carry weap school in T police depa teachers to p Some of t however, said teachers to hav their students.

“The more gun tial for violence,” teacher who is t not going to going to wa his gun?”

Turner, th came to Lak school that ha incident one te were killed. Afte always kept a gun secr case anything ever hap not agree with.

“I do not think teac tion,” she said.

Assistant principal that teacher’s should h “Not at school. I ha getting upset and a stu one’s hand and all of a

Feb. 11 at Pinellas Park High School Pinellas Park, Fla.

April 20 at Columbine High Littleton, Colo.

A 15-year-old student, Jason Harless, shot two assistant principals and injured a student teacher in the cafeteria. Assistant principal Richard Allen died six days later.

Two students entered Columb and killed 12 students and on er. They injured 21 more, an killed themselves

1988

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DOWN

htening up.

student commits a crime, the police p. Having a police officer on campus el like it is somewhat like a jail.” hink teachers should have guns to “Guns are partially at fault for this murderer’s parents not owned a ridicut rifles and automatic weapons, this ed. There is no reason people need ir homes and certainly not at school,”

gh she realizes incidents like Sandy nywhere, she tries not to dwell on life always in fear, it’s like you are de,” she said.

hers be armed? h mass shooting, there is an initial gun laws. One debate sparked rethe National Rifle Association made encouraging more armed officers s and suggesting that teachers should pons as well. In fact, an elementary Texas, which is far from the nearest artment, has trained and armed its prepare them for emergencies. the staff members at Lakewood, d they do not think it is necessary for ve guns in school in order to protect

ns that you have the more poten” principal Vicari said. “If I have a trained to teach art, he’s probably want to handle a gun. What, is he ash the clay off his hands then grab

he history teacher, said before she kewood she worked at a private ad a shooting occur. During that eacher died and multiple students er the incident, she said, one teacher retly hidden in his classroom, just in ppened again, something Turner does

chers need to keep guns for protec-

Harriett Davis also doesn’t believe have guns. ave dangerous visions of someone udent wrestling a gun out of somea sudden ‘pow pow’,” Davis said.

BRIANNA JOHNSON | SNN

Communication is key Officer Lerric Boyd, who oversees the halls of Lakewood High School, is a certified St. Petersburg police officer and is trained to handle medical emergencies.

Boyd said Lakewood is more than equipped to deal with any threat of a trespasser on campus.

However, while the administrators have made changes and are responsible for student safety, it ultimately falls on the students’ shoulders to keep safe, he said.

“Looking around, I can usually identify all of our students. If someone walks in wearing a hood, I can’t look at him or her and go ‘Hey, you’re a student here,’ and that’s an unsafe situation,” Boyd said, mentioning an incident in a previous year where an unknown person entered the school with a knife, supposedly intent on attacking someone. When Boyd did not recognize him, he stopped the man and kept him from potentially hurting one of the students.

Boyd said he can’t stress more that communication is key to a safe school.

“You keep me just as safe as I keep you,” he said. “If you see anything suspicious, just tell somebody. It’s completely anonymous, it won’t be held against you, and could potentially save lives.”

Vicari agrees.

“There’s only one of me, four assistant principals, one police officer. However, there are over 1,300 students,” Vicari said. “We’re all in it together, we all want everyone to be successful and safe…so, talk.”

WYATT KNOX | SNN

Students say they often use this hole in the fence near Lake Vista Park to enter and leave campus. Principal Bob Vicari said he was unaware of the hole and would get it fixed as soon as possible. “As things happen, we try to fix it and try to be proactive,” he said.

School

April 16 at Virginia Tech Institute Blacksburg, Va.

Dec. 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary Newtown, Conn.

bine High ne teachnd then

Seung-Hui Cho killed 32 people and himself, and also wounded 17 others on the campus. This is the deadliest shooting incident by a single gunman in U.S history.

Adam Lanza, 20, killed 20 students and six staff members before killing himself at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

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2007

Administrators have ramped up security at Lakewood High School since the shooting in Newtown, Conn.

Here, Lakewood students rush to class early in the morning.

2012

Story by Amelia Alberts, Victoria Bischoff, Ben Effiom, Krystal Ivy, Wyatt Knox, Marilyn Parker and Shana-Kay Suragdeen Design by Scotty Schenck

opinion

W e d n e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 7 , 2 0 1 3

Editorial

Gun debate stalemate is costing lives

The animosity between Republicans and Democrats is at its worst. We are ripped apart down the middle with guns being the crack between us. You are either for stronger regulations on firearms, or you aren’t.

Very few people reside in the middle.

Extremist Democrats need to realize that the right to bear arms is written in our Constitution and has been interpreted to mean that all American citizens, not just the military, have that right. They should also understand that outlaws will always be able to acquire firearms regardless of the laws in place.

Extremist Republicans, though, should realize that an unrestricted gun policy will lead to rash and unprecedented lethal confrontations. They should also come to the acknowledgement that the way to fight fire is not with a bigger fire.

People are allowed to have various opinions, though; a compromise has to be made. Neither the conservatives nor the lib-

erals will be 100 percent satisfied with the conclusion, but President Barack Obama’s gun control proposal is mild, bipartisan, logical and reasonable.

American citizens need to see the logic and practicality on both sides of the argument. Prohibiting assault rifles or armor piercing bullets won’t stop criminals from acquiring them, but it will make it more difficult to do so. Banning high-capacity magazines won’t stop someone from killing numerous innocent people, but it will take that extra couple of seconds more to reload.

Spending an estimated $4.5 billion on grants to train and instruct police officers and school officials, to develop emergency plans and to maintain the current number of police officers, won’t end gun violence, but it will reduce it. Requiring background checks and psychological evaluations to purchase a firearm at any location won’t stop criminals and the mentally ill from

obtaining one, but it will create that extra hoop to jump through.

These little changes are not going to drastically affect a law-abiding citizen’s life and right to bear arms. These minimal precautions should not even bother a healthy, law-abiding citizen because they should have nothing to hide. And if people are so desperate to own a firearm then they should be willing to go through these obstacles with a clear mind knowing that they are doing their part as a citizen. These regulations are going to save lives. Not all of them, but if even one life is protected, then it’s worth it.

Suck up your pride and come to a middle ground on this issue before it’s much too late.

-This editorial reflects the opinions of the SNN staff and was written by opinions editor Chelsea Helt.

Your Voice - Gun Policy

Andrea McDougal | Librarian | “I have no problem with people who are licensed, but not with people who carry guns in public, because you will never know what that person is capable of doing when something is said in a disrespectful way.”

Gianna Sheppard | Sophomore | “I think there should be stronger regulations on the Second Amendment because not everybody should have a gun ... to ensure our safety.”

John Willet | Junior | “I like what Obama is doing, but regulation must be a slow process. If not, people get angry.”

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Editor-in-Chief: Kayla Garcia Managing Editor: Katie Blevins Chief Photographer: Leon Tomlinson Chief Sports Photographer: Rachelle Gaddy Sports Editor: Devon Rogers Opinions Editor: Chelsea Helt Entertainment Editor: Tristan Shuler Multimedia Editor: Alex Brackx Design Chief: Scotty Schenck Online Editors: Molinseai Elcius, Jessica Thornton Copy Editors: Zoe Blair-Andrews, Caroline Dunning

As journalists for the Spartan News Network, we work together as a community with respect, professionalism, accuracy and curiosity. We collect information and dig deep to get to the bottom of the most current events to produce and distribute hard-hitting and honest news to the Lakewood community in a timely manner. SNN is an open forum that strives to accurately report a balanced and truthful depiction of the news while remaining objective. Our main goal at SNN is to build and maintain trust with the people, to give a voice to the voiceless and to succeed at not just painting the picture, but telling the story behind the art.

SNN is produced by the students of Lakewood High School.

1400 54th Ave. S St. Petersburg, FL (727) 893-2916, ext. 2163

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, This is concerning the article “to cheat or not to cheat” on page four of the January issue. While I agree that sharing homework answers is cheating, I don’t think it should be considered cheating if you do homework with a partner, if both people are participating.

I think you also should have gone more in depth into why students feel the need to cheat and ask the teachers if they think that the amount of homework they give causes more students to consider cheating. Furthermore, if the teacher found out that most of the class felt the need to cheat, would the teacher consider lessening the class’s homework?

-Sterling Lovelady, 11th grade

Staff

Code of Ethics

How do you feel about stronger regulations on the second amendment (the right to bear arms)?

Matthew Garner | Senior | “I feel that strict gun laws solve nothing. Most people that are going to commit these crimes will not be concerned with the law.”

Spartan News Network

SNN is printed

by Lakewood’s business partner, the Tampa Bay Times.

For more news, go to the SNN web site:

snntoday.pcsb.org

Share Your Opinions

Letters to the editor should be sent to tobink@pcsb.org. They should concern an opinion on a featured editorial or news story.

They must be signed, accurate and at most 150 words. Letters may be edited for taste, length and grammar.

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opinion

Columns

Bullying: life lesson or hateful crime?

Bullying is not something to blow off as insignificant. The victims deserve all the help they can get.

Though bullying cannot be condoned, it can make victims better equipped to handle the world.

By JAKOB BARKER

By CHELSEA HELT

SNN Staff Writer

SNN Staff Writer

Never before have we seen such an outcry against bullying in schools and online. There are countless campaigns with the goal of exterminating bullying. This is, however, an impossible feat. It is in our nature to set up a hierarchy of status, often established through bullying.

While ridding the world of bullying is a wonderful vision, the reality is that it will always be a part of our lives. Though it is a crude way to look at it, bullying is a device of natural selection. If the criticism received is too severe to deal with, bullying victims need to learn to use the support around them. They could confide in a teacher, administrator or parent for petty, non-criminal teasing. If the bullying escalates to stalking and physical attacks, victims need to contact a police officer.

Resources are made readily available for students, and the victim has to take initiative to make use of those resources.

There are many successful people who were bullied in adolescence, including Chris Rock, Bill Clinton and Rihanna.

They attribute a portion of their achieve-

ments to the teasing they received, saying that it made them more resilient to the obstacles that life presented to them. The world outside of school is harsh and cruel.

The reality is that the real world doesn’t care about you and isn’t going to cater to your sensitive nature.

Additionally, I have near to no sympathy for those bullied online. You can disable anonymous messages so you are no longer subjected to faceless harassment.

You can easily log out, delete or deactivate your account, or simply get off the computer altogether. Web sites have also made it exceptionally easy for a victim of “cyber bullying” to report and block a person who is distressing you. I see no excuse for any kind of anguish caused by online victimization.

Don’t confuse my point of view with accepting or supporting of any kind of prejudice. Nor do I encourage bullying. My point is that bullying is not a purely bad thing. Bullying is a part of us growing up and helps us get ready for what lies ahead after graduation. It is a necessary evil.

Bullying victims are currently not getting “pampered too much.” That is far from the truth. Bullying is a horrible thing that can severely affect those who are the victims, potentially holding back one’s normal growth and causing depression or even suicide. A bullying victim has a two to nine times higher risk of considering suicide than somebody who has not been bullied, and one-half of all successful suicides involved bullying in some way.

Our government recently decided to acknowledge that bullying is a serious issue.

So far, 49 states have anti-bullying laws, (Montana is the odd one out). While these laws vary in how comprehensive and strict they are, they all address the same thing: protecting students who are being put down by cruel souls. To say that we should stop “babying” them and let them fend for themselves is a ridiculous statement that would only lead to more hurt for those affected by bullying.

This problem is especially bad for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students. About nine out of 10 have reported being harassed, according to numbers from bullyingstatistics.org, with

many staying home from school every day out of fear. They also have an absolutely staggering rate of suicide attempts, with between 30-40 percent of all LGBT youths attempting it at one point or another. Saying that they should in effect just toughen up and stop being crybabies would just lead to more pain and suffering.

This is not just a problem here in America, though. In the United Kingdom, for example, nearly 50 percent of children and teenagers have reported being bullied at some point in their lives. There is also an anti-bullying movement there, extremely similar to ours, which is fighting for more protection for the victims.

Trying to deny bullying as a serious issue and claiming it is a “necessary evil” is an insult to victims everywhere, both those alive and those who have died because of it.

Bullying is not, and should not, be a necessary evil to have in our schools.

While we may never truly be able to eliminate it, we can at the very least keep fighting against bullying and minimize its traumatizing effect on the next generation.

the opportunity to learn and go to school.

However, many students take this opportunity for granted and just don’t care.

After many chances to behave and actively participate, it is obvious the student doesn’t have an interest in learning.

Trying to persuade or force a student into trying will not work if the student has already decided that school isn’t important.

With less time being taken up trying to get a student to try hard, teachers could actually teach instead of acting as babysitters.

One solution to this problem at Lakewood High School is to start giving out more suspensions and fewer warnings. If a student wants the opportunity to learn,

he or she will have to try harder to stay out of trouble. If students want to be at school, then their behavior and attitude will improve, and there will be no need to give these student a suspension.

When administrators give out so many detentions and referrals instead of suspensions, the school is telling students it is acceptable to behave how you want, even if your behavior costs you your education or future career. Suspensions should be given out more to make everyone’s educational experience worthwhile.

Suspensions- The improvement we need

By VICTORIA LANGE SNN Staff Writer

Walking through the hallways of Lakewood High, you see students deciding not to go to class and lingering in the halls.

They likely aren’t at school to learn, but rather to please the adults in their life. The only punishment those students will receive is a detention or a referral. This is obviously not effective because the behavior persists. If administrators really want behavior to change, they should start giving these students suspensions.

The majority of students are at school to learn, but there are a select few who do not care about their education. These few redirect the attention of the teacher from actually teaching to babysitting. If suspensions start getting handed out more, the students who want to learn will keep learning without the problem students inhibiting them.

In addition, when students aren’t learning, the schools are wasting money.

If students who refuse to do work get suspensions after many warnings, schools will save money and be able to spend the money on more important things.

I agree every student should be given

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Yippee Ki-Yay, Mother Russia

By TRISTAN SHULER SNN Staff Writer

At 57, actor Bruce Willis continues to set the standard for hard-hitting, gun-toting and foul-mouthed action stars, young or aging. With his newest installment in the Die Hard franchise, A Good Day to Die Hard, Willis revives no-nonsense cop John McClane to stop another - wait for it - terrorist plot. This newest addition to Willis’ expansive filmography is good for the price of admission and the large popcorn, but not the drink.

The best part of the film is about 10 minutes in which a car chase occurs between McClane, his son Jack, who is played by actor Jai Courtney, and a Russian Special Ops armored vehicle. While not as good as the chase scene from Bullit, which was great due to its simplicity, McClane’s driving skills and the sheer number of flipped and crushed cars as well as a scene with a

road-raging Russian make the rest of the movie seem tame in comparison.

The movie deviates from the plot of Jack’s CIA mission of escorting a Russian political prisoner out of Russia too often into daddy issues. This attempt at some form of relating to the audience is almost boo worthy, except that it always ends in McClane proving to his son who is top dog in some humorous manner.

Another exceptionally humorous scene occurs when McClane, Jack and Yuri Kamarov, the political prisoner, reach a safe house. They are then targeted by sniper fire and Jack’s partner is killed almost five minutes after his character is introduced.

The humor comes when the middle-aged McClane single-handedly holds back half a squad of Russian Special Operatives by firing an LMG (light machine gun) from

YouTube fills void

BY EPITHANYE SHERMAN SNN Staff Writer

Television shows are becoming less entertaining and more annoying, filled with new shows that show disrespecting your parents is cool, and screaming and getting drunk on national T.V. makes you a role model. YouTube videos are picking up the slack and giving us something genuinely entertaining. Here are three of my favorite channels that will make you laugh, cry and scream in frustration.

IllWillPress: This web-toon created and voiced by Jonathan Mathers depicts a squirrel named Foamy, who is the neurotic pet of a goth girl named Germaine (voiced

by Dawn Bennett). Foamy is shown as an angry, “wisdom-spreading” cult leader who rants about society and all of its stupidity.

Foamy has 244,799 subscribers.

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Team4Star: A group of anime lovers who spend their time and talents making parodies of anime. Their most popular series is a parody of Dragon Ball Z. They have also done Yu-Gi-Oh (Gx and 5D’s) and Hellsing Ultimate. Team4Star has 1,269,481 subscribers.

Pyschadelicsnake: “My Horror Is Your Comedy.” With over a thousand LP (Let’s Play) videos ranging from horror to roleplaying video games, Pyschadelicsnake (real name Lee Baker) has 41,067 subscribers. No matter how terrifying a game is, he makes it funny with his girlish screams, string of curses, and tell-it-like-it-is attitude, even if his in-game decisions make absolutely no sense.

the hip as the operatives blindly rush down a small hallway. The sheer ridiculousness of the sequence after the pinpoint precision ambush seems just as unlikely as an Oscar nomination for Courtney for Best Supporting Actor.

The film proceeds at an almost boorish pace as all the twists and plots are explained until it reaches the final big shoot out. With McClane’s catchphrase, “Yippee Ki-Yay (you know the rest)” growled in the most manly of ways and in the most manly of situations – when he drives a semi-truck hauling weapons-grade uranium out of the back of a flying assault helicopter - and all the father-son tension out of the way, the audience can let out a collective breath that the film did not end up crashing and burning as it very well could have.

20th Century Fox

Web comics are underappreciated

By JAKOB W. BARKER SNN Staff Writer

Web comics are one of the more underappreciated forms of entertainment that we have. Despite being located on the Internet, they have not been lucky enough to become as popular as many other sites. While a few have a mainstream reach, such as Homestuck and xkcd, the vast majority do not reach anywhere near their level of popularity.

Web comics as a medium have existed since the 1980’s; the oldest currently ongoing web comic is Kevin & Kell at 18 years. Many web comics have only been running for about 10 years at most, with the previously mentioned Homestuck not even four years old yet.

Homestuck is about four kids who originally just play the beta of a game they got in the mail. Very quickly, however, it becomes an odd blend of fantasy, Sci-Fi, with somewhat surreal humor and drama. Despite the odd blend of genres, the comic’s author Andrew Hussie manages to make it work. You must note, however, that Homestuck is also the epitome of love it or hate it, due to the genre blending and sense of humor it has along with the drama it contains.

Xkcd is a gag-per-day comic that has no overreaching storyline to speak of, although there are a few recurring characters such as “Black Hat Guy,” who has…a black hat.

Many of the comic’s jokes tend to be rather nerdy, with many of them being based around math, physics, various computer-related things, and Internet memes. There is also, however, the occasional romance and sex joke to mix things up. The humor tends to be told very well, if you can understand the math and science that gets thrown around.

Most web comics firmly fall under the brand of comedy. What type of comedy, however, is as varied as the comics themselves. Some have a rather surreal sense of humor (such as Homestuck), while others have an extremely nerdy one (Darths & Droids).

Others go for more of a gag-per-day style (xkcd), where there’s no overreaching storyline to be found.

Web comics as an entertainment medium are vastly underappreciated and deserve much more attention than what they have gotten so far. They are wide-ranging in their appeal, and there is bound to be a web comic for everybody – you just need to take the plunge and find it first.

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entertainment

Snicket asks wrong questions New Snicket series brings new troubles, enemies and mystery.

By TRISTAN SHULER SNN Staff Writer

To be brutally honest, if you have never read a Lemony Snicket novel in your life, then you had a sad childhood. With the ending of his bestselling saga, A Series of Unfortunate Events, readers had to wonder how Snicket could ever live up to the epic tale of the Baudelaire orphans. Snicket did not end up disappointing fans with the first installment of his newest series, All The Wrong Questions, starting with Volume 1. “Who Could That Be at This Hour?,” which was released in October 2012.

The story centers around a young Lemony Snicket and the events that happen

after he is saved from an uncertain fate by his less-than-competent mentor at a teashop with his parents. He is then dragged after his mentor in a search for a statue of the Bombinating Beast, which may or may not have been stolen from its rightful owners.

Along the way Snicket encounters a helpful librarian, underage twin taxi drivers, police officers who are also married, a girl looking for her father and the man who may have stolen him.

Snicket continues his tradition of portraying adults as either incompetent or

meaning well but oblivious to evils right in front of them. Seeming like a children’s cartoon where the most fleshed out characters are the other kids and the adults are bumbling oafs, Snicket quickly gets to the bottom of the case and along the way rescues not one, but two damsels-in-distress.

Snicket continues his distinct writing style masterfully and has once again created a series that leaves the reader craving for more. The sequel will undoubtedly have none of the right answers, and all of the wrong questions.

Little, Brown, and Company

New blood saves ‘Idol’ from death throes

Doctor, Who?

Prepare for a feels attack. Good thing you have the Doctor.

By KATIE BLEVINS SNN Staff Writer

Fox

By SYMONE BROWN SNN Staff Writer

Starry-eyed hopefuls belt out melodies in hopes of becoming America’s next singing sensation in front of a panel of judges. Behind the panel sit renowned “somebodies” in the music industry, beat-making producers and chart-topping entertainers alike.

Among the panel, I would have never guessed the woman with pink hair, topped with a leopard print captain hat, would be the most sensible of the group. The infamous Nicki Minaj, along with gifted contestants, makes the latest season of American Idol worth watching.

American Idol returns with its 12th season and millionth judge rotation. The new faces this season include country-crooner Keith Urban, animated rapper Minaj, and the ubertalented Mariah Carey. These novel additions to the television show have been effective at revitalizing the show’s dying popularity.

This success is partly credited to the hyped-up Nicki Minaj vs. Mariah Carey feud.

Don’t get your hopes up to see an on-air blow out between the two delusional divas; if you want to see a good catfight, you’ll have to tune into Bad Girls Club on the Oxygen network.

The drama among the judges may hook your attention, but it’s the contestant’s talent that will reel you in. Standouts Lazaro Arbos, Curtis Finch Jr., and Charlie Askew survived the final rounds of Hollywood Week and will go on to compete in the Top 40. These endowed vocalists dodged the cuts, where the good were weeded out from the great. My favorite, Arbos, a flamboyant pretty boy, belted his way to the top with his chilling rendition of Lady Gaga’s chart-topping hit Edge of Glory.

So far, Season 12 of American Idol has been worth the watch and looks like it will survive on air for seasons to come.

Doctor Who. No, it’s not a cheesy show about a hospital (although that was my first thought, too.) No, this show is much, much better. It’s about a man who calls himself the Doctor and his magical blue box that’s bigger on the inside and can travel anywhere in time and space.

Now in its seventh season after a 16year hiatus, Doctor Who has developed a large and loyal fan base (spanning about 50 countries) and it’s not hard to see why.

This show matches excitement, danger, drama, adventure and the occasional romance with the right amount of sci-fi to get anyone hooked.

The Doctor, currently played by Matt Smith, is a mysterious man who’s actually the last alien from Gallifrey, a now destroyed planet that was once home to the mighty Time Lords. When the Doctor appears, danger and destruction always seem to follow. Good thing, too, so the Doctor can save the day, typically using only his signature sonic screwdriver.

Not one to travel alone, the Doctor tours the universe with friends he finds on Earth, commonly referred to as his “companions.” Generally, these companions leave with heart-wrenching goodbyes, such as Rose Tyler’s in Season 2.

The final episode of the first part of

Season 7 saw the departure of long-time companions Amy and Rory Pond, played

by Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill, leaving a spot to be filled by newcomer JennaLouise Coleman.

Although the show has a habit of sending off your favorite characters and the characters you grow to love - right when you start to like them - it’s still one of the best shows on television because Dr.Who manages to replace them well enough to keep you interested. So, if you’re not already a Whovian, season seven, part two airs on BBC March 30, giving you plenty of time to get started on the first seven seasons. Hurry now, you’ve got a lot of watching to do.

BBC America

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Students get addicted to fiction

By CAROLINE DUNNING SNN Staff Writer

Entering A-212, the first thing one would notice would be the number of students there. The fact that more than 40 people have arrived to attend the first meeting of the new Fiction Addiction book club would make one feel slightly claustrophobic. Every seat is filled, with quite a large remainder of students left to stand.

Three students stand in front of the class, awaiting silence so that they can begin the meeting.

“The teachers in A-wing have their own book club, and we kind of took the idea from them,” said sophomore Rachel Panico, who holds the title of vice president.

Panico, as well as sophomores Carson Schlather and Kalya Subramanian, created Fiction Addiction, the newest addition to the long list of Lakewood clubs. It’s hard to forget that catchy name. And where did the name originate?

“We actually were brainstorming in research and it was between that and Chapter Chat,” Schlather said.

So far, the club has decided on five books to read. According to Schlather, each meeting will consist of discussion among groups that are separated by book. The groups will each discuss their book and talk about their favorite parts.

“We decided to do multiple books since we have so many conflicting interests,” Panico said.

Here are some brief summaries of the novels they are currently reading:

1. Anthem, by Ayn Rand, tells the story of a community in which there is no individuality and there is only brotherhood.

2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky, is the story of Charlie, a teenage boy who is depressed and abused and writes letters to an anonymous friend.

3. 1984, by George Orwell, is about Winston Smith, who is basically controlled by the Party, as they watch everyone through telescreens.

4. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley, is about a place where embryos are sorted into one of five castes, ranging from a leader to a nobody.

5. 13 Reasons Why, by Jay Asher, is about a girl named Hannah who commits suicide, but sends tapes of the 13 reasons why she killed herself to her crush.

Panico and Subramanian share a common book interest: Brave New World. Schlather plans to read 13 Reasons Why. Fiction Addiction will meet every other Friday in A-212 or the library. If you are interested, visit A-212 to choose your book and find out more information.

“And there will probably be snacks and that’s always a plus!”

Panico said.

Director Stanley Kubrick is a god, really

By ALEX BRACKX SNN Staff Writer

“HAL, could you write 2001 Space Odyssey review?”

“I’m sorry, Alex. I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

Maybe it’s a good thing there aren’t any HAL 9000s now. But if you haven’t seen 2001: A Space Odyssey, a science fiction film released in April 1968, you would see shocking parallels to technology now.

Produced and directed by cult-filmmaker Stanley Kubrick, 2001: A Space Odyssey is a polarizing film because of its intricate and unique style of cinematography.

Characterized by long shots of slowmoving objects in space, over toned by brilliant chords and harmonies of a booming symphony, 2001: A Space Odyssey was hailed as “the world’s most extraordinary film” by The Boston Globe.

After becoming enchanted by the idea of space and space travel while working on his film Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, Kubrick met with science fiction writer Arthur C. Clark. Working together, Clark and Kubrick transformed one of Clark’s short stories first into a novel, and then a screenplay.

2001: A Space Odyssey begins with a

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stunning one-point perspective of three celestial objects. That shot brings about the first chapter of the film, The Dawn of Man, and defines the rest of the movie.

Anthropomorphic apes then growl and grunt and gargle on screen for the next 15 minutes, enough to turn many off from the feature. Looking past the lack of dialogue, Kubrick tells one of the earliest tales of life, death, prosperity and most importantly evolution. The remainder of the film takes place in a scientifically advanced world, where space travel is a new yet accessible frontier.

This film was the debut of Kubrick’s iconic style of using new cinematography techniques including front projection with retro reflective matting – used to film most of the Dawn of Man sequences.

2001: A Space Odyssey pioneered the idea of technically-advanced special effects in movies. The Star Gate sequence, with a blast of lights and geometric patterns flying by, was one of the first instances sparking the thought of CGI and even today is a comely and enthralling scene.

This film has inspired millions since its release and is a must-see for any cinefile.

Kubrick created an intricate and metaphori-

Warner Brothers

cal story of space, technology, aliens and life. 2001: A Space Odyssey’s hypnotizing shots and thrilling story, with themes like those of epics long ago, will be enough to keep anyone on the edge of their seat until the final shot of the Star Child.

Atlantic Records

True North = True Punk

By TRISTAN SHULER SNN Staff Writer

Punk may not bring to mind the imagery and emotions it once inspired on this side of the pond, but the true spirit of punk has not died. With the release of their 16th studio album, True North, on Jan. 22, the punk-rock band Bad Religion reminds listeners what punk-rock sounds like when not produced by a trio of kids who were in elementary school when punk was a movement sweeping across the United States.

Returning with their signature blend of punk and harmonic vocals, Bad Religion blazes another staple for the punk catalogue. Staying true to punk form, only one of the songs on the album clocks in at over three minutes. Surprisingly, after 34 years of making albums, the band sounds just as sharp and hard as their debut.

Critics less familiar with their work may say all the tracks sound alike, but this shows the listener’s inexperience, as each song off the album demonstrates a different aspect of the songwriting ability of the members of Bad Religion. The lyrics of the album remain consistent with the theme of social and religious commentary that has carried on throughout Bad Religion’s albums since the band’s christening.

This album would be a good introductory album to someone wanting to get into punk rock or punk music as it carries many punk-rock qualities without being too harsh for those of a less musically refined punk palate. The album overall brings samples of the punk glory age combined with Bad Religion’s experience as a band and 34 years’ worth of music making.

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entertainment

Girls, we got you covered: Fashion advice from two unique points of view

By ALEX ISON and DAIJHA WIMBERLY SNN Staff Writers

Alex’s picks:

From date night to a day at the beach, senior Alex Ison and junior Daijha Wimberly have hand selected outfits for you. Alex chooses fun and laid-back outfits, while Daijha chooses a classy and sophisticated look always paired with super high heels.

Date night:

Daijha’s picks: Date night:

I love that top Daijha, but I don’t know about that skirt! It’s too much for me. The outfit below is one that I would definitely wear on a date night. The shirt is bright and fun, paired with some black skinny jeans to level out the outfit, and of course my black Adidas’s.

Going on a date, like dinner and a movie, I would want to look nice, dress up and look fancy for my date. I would wear a nice skirt and a crop top so the entire outfit complements my body.

Forever 21

Peurfashion

Forever 21

Day at the beach :

Day at the beach : DE’ME DAVIS | SNN

PacSun

This is a chill outfit that I would wear on a hot day at the beach. I’ll be keeping it stylish with the high- rise shorts and tank. Of course I’ll have my bathing suit on underneath, and some sandals to keep it cool.

Urban Outfitters

Party with friends:

To a party with my friends I would keep my outfit casual. I never wear dresses.

Some highrise jeans from Urban OutfitUrban Outfitters ters and a cool shirt to catch attention, who knows, might even spark up a conversation with someone. Vans are perfect kicks to top the outfit off.

A night at the movies:

Once again I’ll be keeping it casual at the movies. This tank is perfect to wear with a zip-up hoodie, because movie theatres are always cold inside.

Pair the outfit with skinny jeans and some moccasin booties. This is a perfectly comfy outfit to wear out.

A night at the movies:

Forever 21 Forever 21

I like the jeans you chose, but I wouldn’t be so casual. I like to dress up whenever I go out. It could either be “fancy” or “simple.” For the movies I would simply dress up.

I like the top that Alex chose, but I wouldn’t want to wear too many clothes just to go to the beach. It’s simple: wear a high-low dress with sandals to feel the breeze. This way I can walk in the sand and across the water.

Forever 21

Party with friends: I would wear the leather, high-low dress because it’s comfortable, cute and you can never go wrong with black. I would also want to show a little leg so that’s why I chose a high-low dress.

Forever 21

PacSun

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Star Spartans sign their future

By DEVON ROGERS and JALON EDWARDS SNN Staff Writers

Feb. 6 marked a momentous day for six Lakewood studentathletes. National Signing Day is celebrated across the nation as the day the best high school athletes choose where they will attend college. SNN asked our six signees about their choices.

Shaquill Griffin University of Central Florida (Orlando) for football Finalists: Alabama, Arkansas, Toledo On what sold him on UCF: “(Going to UCF) went good with the package deal, and the coaches and I will be on the same page because the coaches are also young.”

On the recruiting process: “The beginning was easy because I committed early, in July, but when Alabama and Arkansas offered, it might have changed our minds.”

On how choosing UCF will affect his life: “(The decision) was good, because I will not be too far from home, but it is bad because my parents are too close.”

RACHELLE GADDY | SNN

Senior Marquez Valdes is interviewed by News Channel 8 after he signed with North Carolina State on Feb. 6 also known as National Signing Day.

Marquez Valdes North Carolina State University (Raleigh, North Carolina) for football Finalists: Arkansas, Missouri, South Florida On what sold him on NC State: “It was comfortable, I liked the coaches, and the players were cool.”

On the recruiting process: “It was crazy. I had 30 offers.”

On how choosing NC State will affect his life: “It was the best decision. NC State is a big place.”

On the best thing about NC State: “Everything. The atmosphere, the facilities, the city, and the people.”

Tracy Johnson

Haley Michalski

Texas Southern University (Houston, Texas) for football Finalists: Georgetown, Florida Atlantic, Howard

St. Andrews University (Laurinburg, North Carolina) for softball Finalist: Ole Miss

On what sold him on Texas Southern: “I liked the environment and the coaches.”

On what the coach told him: “I will be the starting quarterback next year and it is an up-and-coming program.”

On the recruiting process: “It was fun, but it had off and on moments.

It was a good experience.”

On how choosing TSU will affect his life: “This decision had a good outcome. I will be able to balance life and be a studentathlete.”

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On what sold her on St. Andrews: “(St. Andrews) directed me into the major I want. It is one of 20 (schools) in the nation that has the (forensic psychology) program.”

On the recruiting process: “Stressful. I am greatly relieved and it was the right decision (for me).”

On the best thing about St. Andrews: “The softball team and the coach and I will get one-on-one time with the teachers.”

On why she chose St. Andrews: “(St. Andrews) has greatly affected the field I want to go into.”

RACHELLE GADDY | SNN

Six Lakewood senior athletes signed to their future colleges on National Signing Day, Feb. 6. Tracy Johnson (top left) is going to Texas Southern, Marquez Valdes (top right) is going to North Carolina State University, (bottom left to right) Rodney Adams is going to the University of Toledo, Shaquill Griffin is going to University of Central Florida, Haley Michalski is going to St. Andrews University and Shaquem Griffin is also going to University of Central Florida with his twin brother.

Shaquem Griffin

Rodney Adams

University of Central Florida (Orlando) for football Finalists: Arkansas, Toledo

University of Toledo (Toledo, Ohio) for football Finalists: Cincinnati, Oklahoma State, Alabama

On what sold him on UCF: “It’s close to home, and it has my major, exercise sports science. The coaches and players are good, and I will get playing time.”

On what the coach told him to get him to go to UCF: “I will get an equal opportunity and (a chance to get) a master’s degree.”

On the recruiting process: “I feel like a big weight has been lifted.”

On how choosing UCF will affect his life: “This will put me in the right direction (for the future).”

On the best thing about UCF: “The campus was big and they have a variety of majors.”

On what sold him on Toledo: “The young coaching staff, (the ability to) play as a true freshman, and (former Lakewood alum Bernard) Reedy goes there.”

On the recruiting process: “It was fun but hectic, because the coaches were pressuring me to choose their school.”

On the best thing about Toledo: “The best thing was the food because they have exotic foods and unlimited foods.”

On the recruiting process ending: “I am relieved now because so many people would stop talking to me about choosing a school.”

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A little brotherly competition never hurt Track and field coach Anthony Snead says the Persha brothers could be the “backbone” of this year’s team.

By TRACY JOHNSON SNN Staff Writer

Freshman DeRon Persha grew The competitive tension up watching his older brother, brings out the best in them DeVontae, run track, a sport the when they train together. “He younger Persha also came to love. tells me I can’t squat 300 When they were young, they pounds, then I do it and tell him never competed against each other, ‘get like me’,” DeRon said. “I but now that they are both in high tell him I can beat him every school, they will face each other day to get in his head.” directly.

Even though DeRon likes “Being the youngest, I work hard to compete with his brother, to try to be better than my brother,” DeVontae doesn’t, because he said DeRon, whose goal is to go to likes when both of them win. college on a track scholarship.

Though DeRon has only beaten “I think he’ll be better than me if his brother once he brings it up he keeps training,” said DeVontae, every time they talk. a junior who made it to states last At the age of 4, DeVonyear. tae began running track for a The Persha brothers run 35 neighborhood Amateur Athletic miles a week, or around five miles Union (AAU) track team, the a day. “The goal is to not get tired,” St. Pete Striders.

DeVontae said.

DeRon began his track caThey also travel to Orlando evreer at the age of 7, also for the ery other week to train on an indoor Striders. The Persha brothers rubber track with a personal trainer. breezed through the rankings DeVontae trains for the 400 rapidly, both brothers well remeters, 800 meters and the 4x400, spected in their age group, comwhich consists of four athletes runpeting in the AAU track league. ning a 400 meter race, while passing DeVontae competed in the 800 a baton to each other. DeRon trains meters, and DeRon competed in for the 800 meters, 1500 meters and the 1500 meter race. the mile run.

DeVontae says his goals are “Just the motivation of wanta lot different from the avering to be the best, that’s why I age track star. He plans to go train,” said DeVontae, who broke a to Embry-Riddle AeronautiLakewood High School track record cal University, not one of the last year, running 1:57 in the 800 well-known schools for track. meters.

He said he wants to attend RACHELLE GADDY | SNN Track coach Anthony Snead says flight school to become a DeVontae (bottom) and DeRon Persha goof around outside the gym on Jan. 11. “My goal for the two brothers are talented runpilot, though he also dreams of the next four years are to be better than my brother...Be the best!,” said DeRon. ners. “I think that they will be the becoming a pro track athlete. backbone to the track team this year,” he said.

DeVontae said he has been contacted by the University of Tennessee, South Carolina and He said being brothers brings out the work ethic in them, and others on the team folNavy so far. low and look up to the brothers with their minds set on getting better.

After getting a taste of states as a sophomore, DeVontae is “hungry” he says. He feels “DeRon should make it to regionals in the 400, and DeVontae should at least place in like he can break his school record from last year and bring home a couple first place states this year, fourth or better,” Snead said. medals this year. He received a fourth place medal in the 4x800 meter race in states last First-year track runner Marquez Valdes agrees, saying the brothers have an “amazing year. work ethic.”

“I think we can bring it home this year,” DeVontae said.

“DeVontae leads the pack in his events at practice, while DeRon is trying to keep up with his brother,” he said.

“It can get very competitive,” said DeRon, who wants to attend the University of South - To see a multimedia project about DeVontae and DeRon Persha go to snntoday.pcsb.org Florida for track and field and later join the military.

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New softball coach brings new talents Edie Shankle used to be assistant coach at St. Petersburg Catholic.

Now, she hopes to lead the Lady Spartans to big things.

By ALEXANDRA DORN SNN Staff Writer

All it took for new softball coach Edie Shankle to fall in love with the game was a gift from her dad, a softball glove. Fifteen years later, in the summer of 2008 Shankle established the St. Pete Fury travel ball team, a team where players get to experience tournaments in different regions. So when Shankle saw the opening for Lakewood softball coach, she applied and met with athletic director Deb Fabrizio.

“She offered me the position, and the wheels in my head have been turning ever since,” Shankle said.

Shankle takes over for former softball coach Haley Forsyth who said she resigned from the position because she wanted to focus on her AP human geography pass rates.

Shankle has had plenty of experience with the game of softball. She played throughout high school and a few years at Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pa., she said.

After an injury took Shankle away from the game, she said she was ecstatic to find that her daughter shared her passion for softball. St. Petersburg Catholic softball coach Tommy Fabian asked Shankle to be assistant coach and she led the team to become district champions in 2011.

Now, as the new head softball coach at Lakewood, Shankle said, “I’m completely and

utterly excited to coach this team. I believe this team is going to do great things this season, so what better fit is RACHELLE GADDY | SNN there than that- a coach New softball coach Edie Shankle stands on the Lake who not only wants great things to happen, Vista softball fields on Feb. 12. Shankle took over as coach for history teacher Haley Forsyth. but feels great things are going to happen.”

Junior Andrea Vargas is happy to have a coach with so much experience. Like Shankle, she also has a lot of confidence that the softball team will do well this year. Vargas said the team will do better with Shankles’ drills, which will help with the team’s technique, which was lacking last year.

“I think we’ll transition well,” she said.

Softball season now in full swing

By RASHAUD JACKSON SNN Staff Writer

With the Lady Spartans softball team getting in shape for the season, SNN got to know the three team captains a little better.

Haley Michalski

The captain of the Lakewood High School girls’ softball team, Michalski, a senior, began playing the sport of softball at 5 because her dad made her. She plays second base and also enjoys playing outfield. “I’m fast and I’m a great fielder. I think the season will go fantastic. We have a lot of new girls and they are good. I think we will have a chance of going undefeated.”

Mariah Watts

A co-captain of the girls’ softball team, Watts, a junior, began playing the sport at age 11. She says it runs in the family. Watts has had seven offers from colleges, but has committed to the University of Wisconsin because of the journalism and mass communications program. “I like pitching because it teaches me how to have a good mentality and not show emotion when I’m under stress or frustrated.”

Andrea Vargas

A co-captain of the girls’ softball team, Vargas, a junior, has been playing softball since she was 9. Vargas first started playing because she needed something to do and she got tired of other sports. Vargas said she plays outfield because she’s good at it and makes plays. If there were any other position she could play it would be third base. “In a way you have more reaction time ... but it is more challenging mentally because you have to read the batter. You have to be on point because there is nobody to back you up,” said Vargas.

- SNN staff writer Caroline Dunning contributed to this story.

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LEON TOMLINSON |SNN

Math teacher and assistant coach Thomas Penkethman throws junior Mariah Watts a ball during practice on Feb. 21.

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Sports updates

Girls Basketball

Coach: Necole Tunsil The Lady Spartans have completed the state tournament, which started on Friday with the state semifinal against Tallahasee Rickards at the Lakeland Civic Center. The Lady Spartans won 64-38 and were scheduled to play Dillard on Feb. 23 in the Class 5A final. (Check snntoday.pcsb.org for the story and photos from the game) .

“Everyone understands that they will have to give 110 percent with no excuses,” Tunsil said.

Baseball

Coach: Jayce Ganchou Record: 2-3 “We started out hot, but better teams have taken advantage of blown innings,” said Ganchou.

Softball BRIANNA JOHNSON | SNN

Senior Laterian Latimer tumbles after he steals home plate, scoring the first run of the game. Lakewood was playing Tarpon Springs at the Jack Russell Stadium for a championship title on Feb. 16. Lakewood lost 4-6.

Baseball aims for postseason fences The Spartan’s goal is to win districts, but they have to beat the powerhouse north county schools to do so.

By OWEN DYCHES and KAHIL HOLMES

Coach: Edie Shankle “The season hasn’t really started yet because of rain,” said assistant coach Tom Penkethman. “I hope that there will be good results this season. We have a strong team.”

Tennis

Coach: Brian Taylor Records: Boys: 1-3 Girls: 3-1 “The girls are going really well. They have only lost to Palm Harbor because Palm Harbor is on a 20-game win streak,” said Taylor. “The boys are decimated by injuries and have been playing with alternates.”

All records and results as of print time, Feb. 22.

Sports updates compiled by Jalon Edwards.

SNN Staff Writers

After last year’s disappointing regional tournament loss to Dunedin, the Lakewood Spartans baseball team is looking for a new start under new head coach Jayce Ganchou, who was the assistant coach for the team last year.

About 25-30 players tried out for this year’s spring team and Ganchou picked 18 for the final roster.

“We have two young catchers ... so we have to build them up,” Ganchou said.

Ganchou likes the way his team looks.

The starting lineup is solid, but he thinks they have a lot to improve on, considering the north county schools are generally powerhouses in baseball.

“If we want to win districts, we have to get through Dunedin. They’re the big boys,” he said.

Ganchou expects seniors like Cornelius Copeland, Antonio Lovett, Melvin Dandridge and Jordan Ingram to lead the team.

Ingram, an outfielder, believes the team can compete this year.

“I think we’ll dominate south county,” he said. In fact, the team beat Dixie, by an 11-1 mercy rule, in the fifth inning. On Feb. 6.

Junior Lance Smith pitched four innings and Dandridge hit a two-run triple off the right field fence.

Ingram has been on the team for three years and believes he is a good leader for the younger players on the team. “I like to think I lead by example.”

Dandridge, also an outfielder, is optimistic about the team’s chances this year, though he says “our freshmen have a lot to learn.”

“I think we’re going to go further than last year in the district competition. We can go to states,” Dandridge said.

Dandridge missed last season because of a late physical and recorded video of the games for the team to “stay connected.” He also missed his 10th grade year due to a broken arm.

So far, the team is 2-3, with wins against Dixie Hollins and Clearwater Central Catholic, and a tie against Northeast in a preseason tournament. They still have key games against Dunedin on March 1st, Dixie on March 12th, and Shorecrest Prep on the 19th.

“We would like to be in the postseason.

That’s where we want to be,” Ganchou said.

DE’QONTON DAVIS | SNN

Senior Avni Agrawal serves a ball during tennis practice on Feb. 7. “Our season so far has been great,” said Agrawal. “I’m really excited about districts because I think we can go further.”

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Tatted Teachers

Designed and written

by KATIE BLEVINS Photos by HARLEY WALLER and JULIE SMITH-FRAZER

Tattoos on teachers are a more common occurence at Lakewood than you may have thought. Check out snntoday. pcsb.org for more teacher tattoos and advice.

Phillip Morgan • math teacher • Tattoo count: 4 • Location: left arm • Favorite tattoo: family crest • Latin phrase ‘Dum Spiro Spero,’ meaning ‘While I breathe, I hope.’ • “(I tattooed) my family crest just because it represents my entire family, those that are most dear to me.”

Haley Forsyth • history teacher • Tattoo count: 1 • Location: right foot • Tattoo: “Let it be” • Meaning: “I’ve always been a fan of the Beatles. It’s my favorite song by them.” • “I think it’s a good motto to live by.”

Ivana McIntosh • English teacher • Tattoo count: 4 • Locations: all over • Greek meaning: “And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.” • “I was going through a really hard time in my life and it was sort of like a gift to myself. It’s from my favorite poem, Ithaca. It’s basically a life motto for me.”

Justin Bending • science teacher • Tattoo count: 4 • Location: back, chest, left arm, right arm • Favorite tattoo: Legend of Zelda Triforce • Means: “power, wisdom and courage.”

• “Legend of Zelda was my favorite video game series. I love the story of it.”