SNN November 2012

i tried it ap pass rates

... page 4-5

... page 12

HOMECOMING 2012 ... pages 10-11

Three-Time Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist

Lakewood High School - November 7, 2012

snntoday.pcsb.org

Vol. 4, No. 2

the hub

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A word from

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By KAYLA GARCIA SNN Editor in Chief

College - one of the focuses of this issue - is expensive. People work hard to apply for scholarships, putting in their community service and writing long essays. That is all good, but there are other things you can do to make college affordable, such as dual enrollment.

In the past year I completed 30 college credits and am currently enrolled in four classes at St. Petersburg College. By the time I graduate from high school I should have about 54 college credits. At SPC this has saved me about $5,710. I plan to finish my Associate of Arts degree over summer.

When college starts in the fall I will be entering as a junior.

Dual enrollment is a program that allows you to take college classes at SPC for college credit while attending high school.

The classes and books are fully paid for.

If you take classes off campus, you only have one two-hour and 40 minute class once a week or two one-hour and 15 minute classes a week. Each class is worth three credits.

At Lakewood you can take up to four dual enrollment courses. To be dual enrolled you still have to be on a high school campus for at least four periods. There are specific requirements that need to be met to be eligible. (See guidance counselor Tara Davidson for more information.)

With dual enrollment you get to choose from several classes that can help you complete an AA before you graduate.

Nearly every college requires the same general pre-requisites and by doing dual enrollment you can knock most of them out. In fact, with the allotted number of classes you are allowed, you can graduate high school with about 54 college credits.

Since college freshmen seem to mess up their first year because of new freedom, dual enrollment is a huge advantage.

Dual enrollment is great for anyone who wants to attain his or her AA quickly and cheaply. College can be cheaper with hard work and dedication. Just applying yourself can change your future.

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DEMÈ DAVIS | SNN

Running back Zamarie Johnson, a senior, toughens up and takes the pain from an ice bath with teammates wide receiver Tyrae Boykins, a junior, and defensive lineman Dallan Bolden, a senior. Football coach Cory Moore says these chillng baths help the boys’ legs recover faster after a hard work out. “You have to do things you’ve never done to have things you’ve never had,” said Johnson. Go to snntoday.pcsb.org to see a full slideshow of the images.

On the web...

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

Go to snntoday.pcsb.org.

• What’s your favorite NFL team? A multimedia piece in which students talk about their favorite teams. By Algernard Brown and Basil Rolle • Eyes of Lakewood: Students interview each other on what their eyes have seen and what they hope to see. By Staff • Bathrooms: Andrea McDougal’s college readiness class focuses on dirty restrooms and how to keep them clean. By Linda Corbett and Nilaja King

• Jalissa’s Closet - Episode 2: She focuses on simple but cute fashion. This episode features English teacher Elizabeth Halstead.

• Listen to me: SNN journalists team with PBS Student Reporting Labs to find out how people feel about current politics.

By Harley Waller, Alex Ison, Julie SmithFrazer and Areil Ward.

Page 1 photo by Sherice Johnson: From left, seniors Dallan Bolden, Shaquill Griffin, TJ Holmes and Lidell Golden show their spirit by dressing up as homeless men for flock day, Oct. 25.

Top left, science photo by Naudia McDaniel

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“I Tried It” Paddleboarding photo by Rachelle Gaddy

SNN receives honors

Spartan News Network has won its third consecutive Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medal. To receive Gold Medalist status, newspapers must get between 800-1000 points in an evaluation. SNN earned 948 points and two All-Columbian honors out of three. An All-Columbian Honor means the newspaper earned 95 percent in each category.

The judging includes print and online content. “Your coverage is among the best I’ve seen this year,” said one judge from the CSPA.

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news

CATCOM no longer producing Fox show

By SYMONE BROWN SNN Staff Writer

After rolling out of bed on Saturday morning, some Lakewood students flip through the television channels.

With remote in hand, pictures of cartoon characters and news anchors flash across the screen. They search for a familiar face of a fellow Spartan on Fox 13. But now, watching the CATCOM-produced news show, Fox ThirTEEN Magazine, can no longer be a part of their morning routine.

This year, their weekly program has been replaced by Live! With Kelly and Michael, a talk show featuring Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan.

Fox ThirTEEN Magazine debuted more than seven years ago on the CBS-affiliated local television station WTSP. Since then, Fox ThirTEEN Magazine has switched to local television station WTVT, also known as Fox 13.

The award-winning show catered to the teen audience by delivering news features, like covering the Gasparilla Kid’s Parade and the Comic-Con convention. This took place 52 weeks out of the year.

Multimedia and CATCOM teacher C. David Schneider said the show was beneficial to the CATCOM students.

“The weekly television program provided our students

with a professional real-world outlet for their productions,” said Schneider. “It also benefited the community, organizations and individuals we featured.”

Some former crew members said they are disappointed that the show was taken off the air. Senior Samantha Roberts, former Fox ThirTEEN Magazine and CATCOM anchor, says she’s saddened by it.

“I was crushed,” Roberts said. “It was so cool to have your friends be like ‘Hey, I saw you on TV.’” Roberts, who is no longer in CATCOM, also said that it was “an awesome opportunity to be the voice for your school.”

Others view CATCOM no longer doing Fox ThirTEEN Magazine in a positive light.

CAT assistant principal Peter Oberg said that it gives CATCOM a chance to explore other opportunities. “I think it was good practical work experience … having weekly deadlines. But because we were on those deadlines, it kept us from taking other opportunities,” Oberg said.

But the discontinuation of Fox ThirTEEN Magazine doesn’t stop CATCOM from trucking out productions. The

Cheaper Net for students

By AMELIA ALBERTS SNN Staff Writer

Internet use is prominent in classrooms today. From online science labs, to typed English papers, most teachers’ assignments involve computers and the Internet.

“I have a lot of classes that I need the Internet for, like Spanish and math,” said freshman Kealan Sullivan.

Sullivan, like many students today, does not have access to the Internet or even a computer on a daily basis.

Because of situations like this, Connect2Compete has been introduced. Any family with at least one child enrolled in Lakewood High School who receives free or reduced school lunches is eligible for the program. Its main features are home cable Internet service and a computer offered at a discounted cost. The cable can be purchased for $9.95 a month (plus tax), and a computer for only $150 (plus tax). There are no hidden or equipment fees, price increases over time or required deposits.

The Internet service is provided by Bright House, and students can get a desktop computer or a refurbished laptop through a company called Redemtech, said Norm Kelton, the Pinellas County schools chief of technology and information systems.

English teacher Kristie Dowling thinks

the idea is an exellent one, but she worries that the letter about the offer won’t get home to parents.

“I hope it doesn’t become just another letter in the drawer,” said Dowling.

Students are prone to stuffing school letters in the bottom of their backpacks, or forgetting about them altogether. On the other hand, the students who do notify their parents may reap the benefits.

Freshman Quashavia Long gave the letter to her parents, who plan on looking into the discounted services.

“Now I can just be at home, lying in my bed, and doing my homework. It’s nice,” said Long.

Long must visit the library or someone else’s house for computer access. Having the service readily available is helpful and really a necessity, she said.

“Soon, there will be no books in classrooms; kids will be on their phones, using an online dictionary to look up a word’s definition. Teachers will have to accept this, no matter if it’s a good thing or bad, because it’s going to happen; that’s a fact,” said Dowling.

For more information on the program, visit Connect2Complete.org.

LEON TOMLINSON | SNN

CATCOM studio is still producing its daily school morning show Fast Forward and other multimedia projects, including a promotional video for the annual Art Arbor fundraiser.

And this isn’t the end for future extracurricular productions for CATCOM. It is currently in talks with other broadcast partners.

“When one door closes, others open,” Schneider said.

“This is an opportunity to start something new, fresh and contemporary.”

Guidance Corner - Seniors: Pay close attention to deadlines and get a senior credit check.

- The ASVAB test will be on Nov. 27. You can sign up with any counselor.

- Look for Bright Futures informational meetings Dec. 3 and 4 in English classes.

- A senior class meeting will be held in December before winter break.

- Sign up for dual enrollment for next semester- see Tara Davidson.

-The next ACT test will be Dec. 8 (sign up: late registration fee due by Nov. 16) - Report cards come out Nov. 11.

- Juniors: be on the lookout for college fairs.

- Visit: College.gov and Collegeboard.org Counselors: * Cathy Heatly – juniors, seniors A-G * Tara Davidson - sophomores, seniors H- Ni * Veronica Pruit – freshman, seniors Ni-Z * Barbara Stambaugh - All CAT students

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Advanced Placement pass rates: A deeper look Take a look at where the school, individual teachers and classes stand within Pinellas County and Lakewood High School.

BRIANNA JOHNSON | SNN

Junior Henry Moench receives help with his work from teacher Laura Lake during her eighth period AP calculus class.

AP Teacher Pass Rates

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By KAYLA GARCIA and CHELSEA HELT SNN Staff Writers

Of the four high schools in Pinellas County that are under state supervision (Boca Ciega, Dixie Hollins, Gibbs, and Lakewood) Lakewood has the highest Advanced Placement (AP) pass rate for tests given in May 2012. Throughout the county, Lakewood ranks right in the middle, eighth out of the 16 high schools, according to Pinellas County records.

The overall AP test pass rate for Lakewood has increased from 35.2 percent in 2011 to 35.9 percent in 2012.

Principal Bob Vicari said he gives credit to the teachers for the higher scores.

“We have a hardworking dedicated staff,” Vicari said. He said the teachers are more focused, especially during the planning periods. “The teachers are talking about how to reach kids in different ways,” he said.

Each May, students in AP classes must take a test to receive college credits. The test is required and you need a score of three or higher to pass.

In 2012, the highest pass rate for a Lakewood AP class was 78.3 percent in AP calculus BC. The pass rate was third out of six high schools that offer the course in the county. St. Petersburg High School surpassed Lakewood’s score with a 100 percent pass rate. Palm Harbor University had an 80 percent rate.

Most schools did not offer the AP calculus BC course, however. Those that did include Osceola with a 61.9 percent pass rate, East Lake with a 58.3 percent pass rate and Dixie Hollins with a zero percent pass rate.

Laura Lake teaches AP calculus BC, along with AP calculus AB and AP statistics. She is not surprised by Lakewood’s high pass rate for AP calculus BC. “Students at this level of mathematics have a greater aptitude and motivation,” Lake said.

Her high pass rate was not the result of a radical teaching style change, she said.

The content of the course and her basic approach stay the same, but she said she tailors the class to each group of students’ needs.

The lowest individual passing score for the 2012 test was 10.6 percent in Robert Tenzca’s AP computer science class.

Tenzca took the 2010-2011 school year off from the Center for Advanced Technologies (CAT) program at Lakewood to teach at the International Baccalaureate program at King High School. He said he thinks this affected his pass rate, which had been as high as 100 percent in previous years.

“It was a readjustment, but now I’m back on track,” he said. As a result of missing a year of teaching at the CAT program, he was unable to prepare his sophomores for taking the AP computer science class.

Melissa Heeren also teaches AP computer science classes. She agreed that Tenzca leaving affected the scores.

Heeren said that with the loss of a teacher, there was only enough available space to teach two classes instead of four. Once those classes were full, CAT students, who are required to take three computer science classes, were forced to take a year off.

- See AP Pass Rates, next page

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features

- AP Pass Rates, from page 4

Heeren said the seniors who hadn’t taken the AP computer science class as juniors, because of class space, had to skip a year. Those students then had to take the AP class the next year.

She said she believes the time out of class before exams and a motivational difference between juniors and seniors affect the AP exam scores.

“I think all of our students are great, but all of our students have complicated lives, … so we’re working to keep the motivation,” Heeren said. “Our students put a lot of pressure on themselves.”

She said she understands a lot of students have vigorous course loads, including dual enrollment courses and other AP classes.

Although Tenzca had the lowest pass rate at Lakewood, AP Spanish language teacher Darlene Lebo had the greatest decline from the 2011 test to the 2012 test at 17.9 percent.

Lebo said that last year only seven students took the AP test and four of them passed. She said three of the students skipped a level of Spanish (Spanish 5) and went straight to taking the AP class.

“Why discourage them to get the AP credit?” she said. “I know what their levels are for the most part. The three that skipped were kind of stretched.”

Lebo said she thinks the block schedule hurts AP classes. “Foreign language needs constant reinforcement,” she said.

-SNN staff writer Zoe BlairAndrews contributed to this story.

AP Pass Rates Percent Change from 2011 to 2012

AP Pass Rates in Pinellas County

Charts by CHELSEA HELT

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Self-Segregation: Plain as bLACK and white

By NIA CUMBERLANDER and K.C. SHELTON SNN Staff Writers

ALEX BRACKX | SNN

A group of girls hangs out next to the library on Oct. 4 during lunch break.

RACHELLE GADDY | SNN

A group of students spends break together in the breezeway between A and B wing on Oct. 31.

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Separate but equal.

In today’s times, this infamous slogan is no longer in place. Jim Crow doesn’t have to segregate us anymore…we do that ourselves.

During lunch, the racial separation is as plain as black and white. The cliques huddled together contrast by complexion. On the right side: black students, on the left: white students.

While steps have been made to increase diversity in schools, it is clear that race still divides us.

Talking about race and ethnicity is uncomfortable for many people, but race remains one of the most common ways that people separate themselves. Although it’s been since 1971 that Pinellas County schools desegregated to give students of all races access to a quality education, many still separate themselves based on race all on their own.

---------------Sophomore Demè Davis, a black student, spends her lunch break with mostly other black students.

“A big population of this school is black, so it’s not uncommon to see big groups of all black kids hanging out,” Davis said. “I think we’re racially separated by choice. I think there’s a racial stereotype here. We categorize people, and we only hang out with people in our category.”

Those who know about Lakewood’s past also have opinions on integration in schools.

Coach Necole Tunsil, a Lakewood High alumnus, said that she has actually seen a decrease in diversity since she was here as a student in the late 1980s.

“I feel like within our Lakewood community we have a diverse community, but with people choosing magnet programs, it kind of really hurts our school,” said Tunsil. The neighborhoods surrounding Lakewood High School are diverse, she said, but once you’re inside Lakewood, it does not seem that way.

This is because students hang out with their own racial groups, and are separated by magnet programs.

Junior Wesley Abadal, a white student, says the group he hangs with at lunch is diverse.

“Black, Asian, white, Hispanic,” said Abadal.

Though Abadal’s crowd is diverse, he doesn’t think that other students’ crowds are as well.

“There’s always that bit of segregation

that comes with programs. CAT kids hang out with CAT kids and the majority of CAT kids are white,” he said.

Approximately 61.6 percent of the Center for Advanced Technologies (CAT) 352 students are white. In the newer Center for Journalism and Multimedia program (CJAM), 81.6 percent of students are black and 13.2 percent are white. The Aquatic Management Systems and Environmental Technologies (AMSET) program has 38.5 percent black students and 46.8 percent white students.

But the problem, Abadal said, is deeper than learning communities.

“There aren’t enough out of class gettogethers (with students of different races).

You might be friends with a black kid in school, but outside of class you don’t really hang out,” Abadal said.

Substitute teacher Frank Cartisano, however, said he thinks Lakewood is pretty well integrated, though he doesn’t see many Asian students. Cartisano thinks there has been a change since he began teaching here in the 1970s, as far as who is friends with whom. Now, he said, people of different races are more likely to interact.

Cartisano said the goal of having a diverse group of friends – where students choose to have friends of different races – is an important one.

“It not only matters, I think it’s crucial,” said Cartisano.

Advanced Placement language and composition teacher Ray Waters, who remembers his high school in North Carolina being desegregated in the 1970s, said he also thinks diverse friendships are important.

“You don’t grow as a human being if you’re around the same people all the time,” he said.

Like Cartisano and Waters, Bill Maxwell, a columnist for the Tampa Bay Times, has witnessed how race relations have changed since the civil rights movement began in the 1960s – but he laments that it has not changed enough.

“The Civil Rights Act (of 1964) was not for integration; it was for desegregation,” Maxwell said.

In other words, he said, the law can make public institutions and schools desegregate, but the schools cannot force students of different races to interact or be friends.

“I’m not going to say how great we’ve become with race. It just isn’t true,” he said.

- SNN Staff Writer SYMONE BROWN contributed to this story.

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features

Lakewood students ready to serve

After high school, many students plan to continue their education by attending college, but for some Lakewood students, the military is the way to go. If you’re interested in joining the military after graduation you must sign up to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test, ASVAB, in the guidance office. The next test will be on Nov. 27 in the Lakewood auditorium at 7:30 a.m.

SNN caught up with a couple students who will be joining the military to find out why they chose this route, and one teacher who served in years past to find out about his experience.

By CEDRIC WHITLEY and BEN EFFIOM SNN Staff Writers

Senior Joshua Krantz is one Lakewood student who will be joining the Marine Corps in the fall of next year. Krantz first knew he wanted to join the military in seventh grade.

He also considered joining the Air Force because he has a cousin in the Air Force. But he later chose the Marines because “the harder you work, the faster you rank,” he said.

Krantz said he likes what the Marines stand for: “tradition and history,” referring to the Marine’s motto Semper Fidelis meaning “Always Faithful.”

Krantz has already signed up for the Marine Corps as an aviation technician. In addition to serving in the Marines he plans to take college classes online. He hopes to graduate with his bachelor’s degree by the time he’s out of the Marines. He thinks with all of this experience, he will have a good future for himself with a lot of job opportunities.

“You have a degree plus hands-on training plus experience, which is what a lot of jobs look for,” said Krantz.

The Marine Corps has physical training for all incoming recruits on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but Krantz says if you’re already in pretty good shape then they don’t really care if you go or not. Krantz will start basic training in August 2013 at Parris Island, S.C. Junior Daniel Godfirnon-Petrino is another Lakewood student heading for the Marines.

He’s wanted to join the military for about a year now, and says he never really considered any other branches of military.

Godfirnon-Petrino hopes to join the infantry, which is the combat unit of the military.

“I just have this feeling… I want to serve my country,” he said.

He is unsure whether to go to college after the Marines or not. “You don’t join the Marines for the money or college; you join to serve your country,” Godfirnon-Petrino said.

ATIERA HOPKINS | SNN

Sgt. Inja Gordon gives students information on life in the military at the college fair in the Lakewood Auditorium on Oct. 2. The fair was organized by volunteer coordinator Vanessa Morris.

After serving in the Marines, he said he plans to be a defense contractor, selling guns and ammunition to the government.

At 17 years old, the military was the best option for physical education teacher Michael Culbreth. After high school, he said he wasn’t really sure what he wanted to do. He wasn’t planning on attending college, but he didn’t want to stay home either.

“A lot of my friends were hanging out in the streets, and I didn’t want to go to college, but I wanted to do something positive,” said Culbreth.

So he joined the infantry division of the U.S. Army. After the military, Culbreth attended St. Petersburg College, Liberty University, University of South Florida and Capella University to become a teacher.

He says the military is good for kids who don’t really have direction in their lives, those who aren’t going to college and those who don’t want to have a minimum-wage job for the rest of their lives.

In cybersecurity, students learn computer defense skills

By SCOTTY SCHENCK SNN Staff Writer

Cybersecurity, a new class at Lakewood High School, teaches ethical hacking because if students know how to hack, they will know how to protect themselves from other hackers.

“You have to have a good offense in order to have a good defense,” said teacher Chris Borg. He said this class gives students “the tools they need” in order to defend themselves.

Students are required to sign a code of ethics, stating that they will use what they have learned for educational purposes only.

Borg decided to bring the class to the Center for Advanced Technologies (CAT) program two years ago after Pinellas County asked him to take classes on the subject.

CAT senior Bailey Kay joined the class because she wants to major in the field of cybersecurity. She said she hopes to be a security specialist for the Boston Police Department. She was a software engineering intern at the MITRE Corp., the company that developed the course. At MITRE, she developed software for the corporation. “It’s such an important field,” said Kay, because the need for cybersecurity will not go away.

The class is an honors course alternative for many CAT

students to the third-year computer class requirement, Advanced Placement computer science.

Students who take the class will be certified by CompTIA by taking its “Security+” test. Borg said it is worth more than an Advanced Placement course because it teaches real life skills and gives a certificate. “To me a certificate test is worth more than an AP test,” said Borg.

CAT program coordinator Peter Oberg agrees with Borg that the industry certification has more real-world value than an AP test.

Borg worked with Oberg, along with the county and state school boards, to bring cybersecurity to Lakewood’s classrooms. The original costs to have students attend a “dual-enrollment” course at the Pinellas Science Center would be $1,000 for one semester. The county was interested in offering the course in some schools, so Borg took the course at this center and they started to develop the curriculum.

CAT senior Eddy Mojica wanted to take the course because he knows “how passionate Mr. Borg is about his work.” He also said he enjoys learning how to use the internet in a safer and more secure way.

WILL BOLINGER| SNN

Cybersecurity teacher Chris Borg hands back coorected tests to students in the new cybersecurity class on Oct. 1. The class teaches students the ins and outs of computer security and document encryption. "The class is still new, and we're learning the material at the same time Mr. Borg learns to teach it," junior Martin Hood said.

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Extreme Heights Find out about the advantages and pitfalls of being the tallest or shortest student or teacher at Lakewood High School.

The tall guy around campus is junior Lance Smith. At 6’9” Smith takes pride in his height. “I like being tall. I feel superior because you’re above everyone, literally,” said Smith.

Though he feels superior at times, he has had some difficulties with his height, too. Often he hits his head when going through doorways, especially in B wing. “They’re lower there for some reason,” he said.

With the length of his legs he has to special order his 36inch pants. Smith, however, wears an average size shoe for a tall guy: size 12.

Smith said another disadvantage is he always gets questioned about his height: “Everyday, all day, all the time. It’s annoying.” People also always ask him to do favors, like to grab or reach for things high up. Smith’s mom is an average 5’7” while his dad is standing at 6’3” and his brother is 5’10”.

Smith said basketball coach Anthony Lawrence is always asking him to play basketball.

Though he played when he was younger, he said he likes baseball better. **** Imagine being labeled the shortest student in your entire school. Junior Brittani Pryor, 4’9”, may be the shortest student at Lakewood High School.

She wears a size 6 ½ shoe and says she likes being short because she can fit through small spaces.

“One time I was hiding from my sister in the dryer and they couldn’t find me. Then, I finally came out, but I got in trouble,” said Pryor.

She said she gets asked every day about her height and she gets aggravated with it. Pryor says it feels good being short because she can get away with certain things.

At the same time she has difficulties with her height. “People don’t see me and I can’t reach certain stuff,” said Pryor. Both of her parents are short, with her mother being 5’2” and her father being 5’4”. She has a sister who’s 5’.

Despite being short, Pryor still goes about her life as a normal person. “Even though you’re short and can’t reach stuff, you’re still above some people,” said Pryor.

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Stories by DAIJHA WIMBERLY and RASHAUD JACKSON SNN Staff Writers

Freshman experience teacher Anthony Lawrence is about the same height as junior Lance Smith. Coming in at 6’8½”, he wears a size 15 shoe. Talk about big.

“I was short and fat as a child. I got tall around ninth and 10th grade,” said Lawrence.

He said he has many difficulties with his height. For example, he can’t ride in small cars and he has a hard time finding certain clothes. Also, he says he hits his head on doors all the time.

Lawrence has an uncle who is 6’4”, his son is 6’5”, his dad is 6’6” and his brother is 6’7”. It all runs in the family.

“I get questioned all the time about my height. It’s fine at times but other times people make you feel like a circus freak,” said Lawrence.

He says he has a few advantages with his height.

He can see over crowds and can see if girls have weave in their hair or not.

“I enjoy being tall. It fits my personality: overbearing, big, boisterous, tall, dark and handsome,” said Lawrence. **** Guidance counselor Veronica Pruitt is the shortest staff member at Lakewood High School, standing at 4’11”.

“It isn’t all negative, though,” said Pruitt. She says it feels fabulous being short. “I get all the special attention first,” said Pruitt.

She also likes being short because she says she can move through crowds easily and can wear heels without being taller than her husband.

“When I was in high school, the football players used to pick me up and swing me around like a doll. It was embarrassing,” said Pruitt.

She tried to go into the military after she graduated from high school but was denied because she was told that she was too short.

She often gets questioned about her height but she says it doesn’t bother her. Pruitt’s parents are short as well. Her dad is 5’2” and her mother and sister are 4’11”.

“Like life has its up and downs, being vertically challenged has its up and downs,” said Pruitt.

Photos by ROMELLO PRESLEY Design by KATIE BLEVINS and SCOTTY SCHENCK

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Lakewood Leaders

By KATIE BLEVINS and ZOE BLAIR-ANDREWS SNN Staff Writers

Student organizations are often the heart and soul of activities in high schools. But at the backbone of every organization is a good leader. SNN found out what drives the students who run our school, what inspired them to become the leader of their organization and what they like the most about their clubs.

Spanish Honor Society president | Samantha Roberts | senior “(I became president because) one of my goals in life is to be fluent in Spanish, so I thought what better way to get more comfortable with the language than to be president of (Spanish Honor Society). …

(My favorite part is) the food; it tastes so good.”

CATCOM co-producer | Julia Pohlmann | senior “(I became a producer because) I was interested in both broadcasting and media journalism. … I decided that CATCOM was the way to go. … (I like) knowing my job is over the second we go live.”

Student Government Association president | Malachi Johnson | senior “(I became president because) I feel like I’m a good leader and I can help contribute to making the school better for the students. … (My favorite part is) coming together with other members of SGA to help the school.”

Key Club president | Justin Watts | junior “(I became president because) I wanted to take action and get (Key Club) off the ground. …We did a few (service) projects last year, and it was fun. We haven’t done any yet (this year) but we plan to.”

Girl’s Service League president | Avni Agrawal | senior

National Honor Society president | Victor Noriega | senior

“(I became president because) I knew I had great ideas for the club and that I could make a difference at Lakewood. … (My favorite part is) working with all the officers and girls. I don’t really find it work, I find it fun.”

“(I became president because) I wanted to help make a difference for the honor society. …(I like) having an effect (on) the people, members and community through volunteer work.”

Debate Team president | Liz Smiley | senior “(I became president because) we needed someone who could lead and have everything on time and go to meets.

I would like if the entire team, all 15, could go to nationals. That would be the dream. … (I like) hearing everybody’s opposing opinions and even though everyone has a different point of view, we can all respect each other’s views.”

Future Business Leaders of America president | Eddy Mojica | senior “Just seeing how passionate my adviser was made we want to become a better leader and take charge. … My favorite part about FBLA is just how many people I get to meet and the networking aspect of it.”

Photos by Atiera Hopkins, Sherice Johnson and Alex Brackx Look for more Lakewood Leaders in the next edition of SNN.

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Right: Caught in the colors, seniors Shawn McCort, Leon Tomlinson and Exavier Jones sport gold soccer jerseys for black and gold day, Oct. 22.

Below: Junior Zachary Snell stands with his friends at the homecoming dance on Oct. 27 at Club Nova.

BRIANNA JOHNSON | SNN

ALEX BRACKX | SNN

MOLINSEAI ELCIUS | SNN

Above far right: Gold headbands and black and gold rhinestones are some of the fashion statements senior Julia Cooper sported on black and gold day, Oct. 22.

Right: Junior Marilyn Parker didn’t venture too far from her own name for character day. Parker chose to walk around as Marilyn Monroe.

Far right: Senior Rebecca Halfast, dressed as rapper 2 Chainz, shows off her tattoos on character day, Oct. 23.

JALISSA JORDAN | SNN JALISSA JORDAN | SNN

SCOTTY SCHENCK | SNN

Senior Sapheria Samuels celebrates on Oct. 26 after being named homecoming queen during halftime of the football game.

RACHELLE GADDY | SNN

Above: Junior Akelah Middleton runs from senior Amanda Dodge as referee Cory Moore officiates the flag football game during powder puff.

Left: Sophomores Maria Barros and Elijah Thistle-Adams dress in blue to show their spirit on class color day, Oct. 26.

JALISSA JORDAN | SNN

JALISSA JORDAN | SNN

Far left: Dressed up as thugs on flock day, seniors Ryan Callihan, Kerim Karic and Justin Wells gather outside on Oct. 25.

features

W e d n e s d a y, N o v e m b e r 7 , 2 0 1 2

I Tried It: Paddleboarding

Paddleboarding requires balance and strength. Read on to see how SNN reporter Kimberly McEntegart faired when she tested her skills for the first time.

By KIMBERLY MCENTEGART SNN Staff Writer

Everyone said that it would be hard, that I would fall, but I stood up right away with no problem. That’s how I roll... well, in this case, paddle!

On Oct. 12, Rachelle Gaddy and I went to Sweetwater Kayaks on Weedon Island to try paddleboarding for the first time.

It’s an activity that a lot of people started doing this summer, and I really wanted to try it but never had the time. When the opportunity came up to try it, I took the chance.

While instructor Erik Stephenson gave directions on how to use the paddle the right way for a smooth ride, all I could think about was my plan for not falling.

Stephenson said that most people will start on their knees and progress to standing up. I knew the best way to experience my first time was just go straight to standing up and skip the baby steps.

Being an athlete, I already had the core strength along with the balance that you need to stay up on the board and I had a little faith to go along with it. Also, I think it was easier for me because I already knew

how to snowboard, wakeboard and long board.

I wouldn’t consider myself a pro yet, but it was easy to stand up and move.

Turning around and going backward were harder challenges. When I stood up, I didn’t wobble and started moving forward – but then a tree got in the way.

Once I got out into the water and started heading down the trail, the ocean was calming and made it easier to focus on changing my grip as I paddled from side to side.

It was an easy experience and I would do it again. I would recommend it to all who are interested.

You won’t have a problem if you have the upper body strength, but if not be prepared for some sore muscles.

If you go: Sweetwater Kayaks Weedon Island Preserve Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10-5 Saturday, Sunday 9-5 Stand-up Paddle $20 For reservations, call (727)570-4844 Sweetwaterkayaks.com

-If you have an idea for an I Tried It column, come to SNN and let us know!

RACHELLE GADDY | SNN

Junior Kimberly McEntegart paddleboards near Weedon Island on Oct. 12. It was McEntegart’s first time paddleboarding.

Kids with a sweet tooth for business

By DONNELL D. MIDDLETON SNN Staff Writer

One is half chocolate and half vanilla with a swirl of peanut butter, topped with a Reese Cup candy. Another is baked in an ice cream cone with pink frosting and sprinkles.

These cupcake creations were made by Heaven’s Sweets Inc., a business started in May 2012 by Lakewood seniors Kiara Flantroy and Ieasha Larracuente. Flantroy and Larracuente started by bringing cupcakes to school to see if friends liked them.

“We started out with just cupcakes because that’s something we’re both good at making,” said Larracuente.

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This grew into a full menu that includes cupcakes, brownies, giant cookies and chocolate-covered marshmallows.

The business has catered several events.

“So far we’ve done it for a baby shower; we’ve done it for birthdays. One guy did it for his child’s soccer game,” said Larracuente. Heaven’s Sweets has also baked sweets for weddings and parties. Besides baking, the business delivers for a $5 charge.

The girls say they make about $50 to $60 dollars a week or on average $300 a month. The main customers for Heaven’s

Sweets are students at Lakewood, family and friends.

The parents of Flantroy and Larracuente are very supportive, with Flantroy’s mom helping them financially, and Larracuente’s grandparents helping them buy supplies.

Flantroy, who takes care of the business side of Heaven’s Sweets, said she wants to be a lawyer, but if the business were to get popular she would open a bakery.

Larracuente, who decorates and frosts the cupcakes, said she would like to go to college and eventually go to culinary school.

HARLEY WALLER | SNN

A student holds a cupcake made by Heaven’s Sweets at break on Oct. 12.

Seniors Kiara Flantroy and Ieasha Larracuente own Heaven’s Sweets.

“We started out with just cupcakes because that’s something we’re both good at making,” Larracuente said.

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features

TEACHER FEATURES

Elizabeth Halstead isn’t your average-dressing teacher.

By KRYSTAL IVY SNN Staff Writer

Elizabeth Halstead is the quirky English and creative writing teacher who catches the eye of various students around Lakewood by the way she dresses and presents herself.

Some students refer to her as the “hippy” teacher.

“I have a bohemian attitude, and I embrace my open mind. I love everything which makes me a hippy,” said Halstead, 34.

Students and some teachers admire her style in the clothing that she wears. She usually wears colorful clothes with mix and match prints. Senior Daisha Lamont, who is in her creative writing class, likes the way Halstead dresses.

“She has her own style and she is unique,” Lamont said.

Her love for fashion came from when she went to Hunter College in New York. She said she paid attention to up-and-coming fashion designers and often shopped at thrift stores where she learned how to mix and match clothes. She would choose to wear an inexpensive top with an expensive bottom.

“She dresses better than other students at this school,” said Lamont.

Halstead comes from a family of teachers. She said that her mom, who is a retired Spanish teacher of thirty years, had influenced her to become a teacher. This is what made her to get a master’s degree in elementary education.

“I love working with children,” said Halstead. “Why not teach?”

Senior Kevin Jones, who is also in her creative writing class, said he likes the way she teaches. He says that she is a spontaneous teacher.

“She is fun, wild, crazy and creative,” said Jones.

Outside of her sense of fashion and teaching career, Halstead has hobbies including being with family, baking, running and photography.

To see a multimedia piece featuring Halstead, go to snntoday.pcsb.org and click on Jalissa’s Closet.

MONICA SCRUGGS | SNN

English and creative writing teacher Elizabeth Halstead poses for a photo on Oct. 2. Halstead likes to wear clothes that have a hippy vibe. “I have a bohemian attitude, and I embrace my open mind. I love everything which makes me a hippy,” said Halstead.

Larry West has been teaching for 27 years, 25 at Lakewood.

By AMELIA ALBERTS SNN Staff Writers

LEON TOMLINSON | SNN

Art teacher Larry West helps students complete an assigment on the computer in his digital art class on Oct. 15.

A modern song, with a steady beat and thumping bass, leaks its way out the doorway of C105. Inside, a simple set-up of stools surround long tables, which are useful to spread out work or correspond with others.

The walls are decorated with finished art projects and favorite pieces accumulated over the years. There is no such thing as a heavy atmosphere here; creativity comes without pressure or restriction. This is the classroom of Lakewood High School art teacher Larry West. The classroom is a place where many students come ready, hopeful and full of inspiration.

West, 54, has been teaching since 1984. He realized his passion for art as a student at Pikeville University, a Kentucky liberal arts college, on a basketball scholarship, with the initial intention of becoming a doctor.

After some time West pursued an art career and later became a teacher because of his desire to work with teenagers. It wasn’t until 1987 that he decided to come to Lakewood High School, after teaching at St. Petersburg High School for three years. In 1989, West added coaching to his repertoire.

“Basketball coaching is similar to classroom teaching. In basketball, you take students through drills and go into the game; in art, you take students through concepts and set them up for a project. You need just as

much motivation for both,” said West.

West’s teaching style is unique. He is laid-back, but focuses on discipline in order to form a good relationship with students, with mutual respect and understanding.

“He lets us do our work and focus on what we want.

He is mad chill, like a patient god. …In his class I can express myself; I don’t have to worry. If you listen and do the right thing you will succeed,” said senior Rebecca Halfast, a student in one of West’s art classes.

West also promotes student involvement in the arts, no matter what the educational, social or physical situation may be. West said he believes if students are unable to partake in school associated art, they should reach out to the community. Budding artists should visit museums, help beautify the community, or work with a local art program, he said.

“Some people work well with kids, some with teenagers and some with adults,” West said. “I’ve always been involved with teenagers. It was always teens.

I couldn’t see myself teaching anyone else. It’s the sense of camaraderie. I like their energy, creativity and ambition to just do something great. I like to tap into that, to steer them in the right direction.”

-Staff writer Wyatt Knox contributed to this story.

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opinon

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Editorial: College Edition

DE-STRESS YOUR SEMESTER

The first semester for seniors is a nerve racking one. As college application deadlines quickly approach, students’ heart rates increase proportionally. There doesn’t seem to be enough time for seniors to keep up with their regular school work AND work their way through the labyrinth that is the application process. Even for underclassmen, the prospect of college is worrying.

Many don’t understand that they should probably start thinking about college sooner than senior year. SNN hears your cries of anxiety and is here to help with the do’s and don’ts of college.

DO make sure GPA, test scores and class rank come first – These are first and foremost. Make sure they are your absolute best. Extracurricular activities cannot save you from poor grades and test scores.

DO have an amazing essay – This is typically the only part of your application that you can show your personality in. You want the college to see how amazing you are. This essay has to be a masterpiece. So start on it early, and have others critique and proofread it. Make it your best piece of writing ever.

DO reach high – You don’t know for sure if you’ll get into that dream college or not, so apply to it! Don’t limit yourself to safe

schools.

DO look for ways to save – For example, if you are on free or reduced lunch, you can get fee waivers to take the ACT and SAT tests and you get four college application fee waivers. And make sure you file your FAFSA- deadline is after Jan. 1.

DO schedule time for yourself – This is a crazy time full of stress and anxiety but you won’t be producti ve if you’re running on empty and not having fun. Make sure you’re enjoying your senior year! Breathe!

DON’T overlook freshman and sophomore year– Junior year is the most important year for high school, but your first two years count too. Don’t blow them off; they seriously affect your GPA. DON’T take on more than you can handle – You want to challenge yourself academically, but you also have to know your limit. There are only so many hours in a day and so much energy you can give.

Don’t spread yourself so thin that you break down.

DON’T wait until the last minute – The earlier your application is in, the better the chances are that you will be accepted.

Make a schedule of all of the deadlines and stick to it.

DON’T discount private colleges – The sticker shock of $20,000+ tuition can be

Your Voice - College What do you want to study? Where do you want to go? How are you handling the stress?

Sean Carroll | Senior | Business management | Louisiana State University | “I usually listen to music or find something to keep me active.”

Amanda Dodge | Senior | Pre-med | University of Central Florida. |“I try to distract myself with other things like reading, listening to music or just relaxing.”

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Elizabeth Smiley | Senior | Bio-medical engineering or law | Duke or University of Florida | “I just ignore it and then it gets bad and then I cry.”

Quaid Phillip | Senior | Anesthesiology or medicine | University of Miami or the University of Central Florida | “I handle stress by sleeping.”

Spartan News Network Staff

Art by SYMONE BROWN

sobering, but don’t write them off; these colleges give a lot of financial aid. You could be missing out on an amazing school that could be cheaper than a state school thanks to all the financial aid.

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

WAYS TO DE-STRESS Work out – You may feel like you could be doing better things with your time, like studying for the ACT, but it will help you in the long run (pun intended). So go out to the gym, run, swim, ride your bike, dance or whatever you like to do to get your body moving.

Make a friendship bracelet – Why not make something pretty to de-stress?

You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment when you’re done. You can either wear it yourself or give it away to a friend who you may not see next year because of college.

Watch a TED video – It’s always cool to learn something new and interesting and TED.com has a lecture on every subject that could possibly interest you. The lengths vary from 5 to 60 minutes to accommodate your schedule.

Meditate – Cliché, but useful. Meditating really does work and there are studies to prove it. Go somewhere quiet, sit down, close your eyes and focus on your breathing. After only about five to 10 minutes, you’ll feel revitalized and ready to handle that application.

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

Code of Ethics 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 SNN is printed

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

For more news, go to the SNN web site:

snntoday.pcsb.org

W e d n e s d a y, N o v e m b e r 7 , 2 0 1 2

opinion

Columns

Loads and loads of student loans When applying for colleges, seniors have many choices to make, one of which is whether to take out a loan. Some look at them as a necessary evil while others won’t touch them with a ten foot long pole.

By JAKOB W. BARKER

By CHELSEA HELT

SNN Staff Writer

SNN Staff Writer

Many students avoid college loans like the plague. I understand that students are concerned with future financial burdens, but occasionally, the education quality and prestige factor of certain colleges are worth the loans.

I see students with potential to go to very high-ranking and distinguished colleges disregard a school because of the mere possibility of loans. They turn down and do not even consider these colleges. If a high-achieving student goes to a college with lower criteria, then in some sense, their hard work has been put to waste.

It is no secret that the education you would receive at Yale or Princeton would probably be better than what you would get at University of Central Florida or Florida State University. The professors are generally better qualified, there are minimal teacher assistants or graduate students teaching, the class sizes are smaller, and there is more attention toward the individual. All of these aspects add up to a topnotch and superior education. With superior

education comes superior knowledge, and knowledge is something that can never be quantified.

To go to a college that is “prestigious” is to go to a college that many people know of (and respect), that is difficult to be accepted by, has rigorous course work, and is expensive. The expense of a prestigious college, though, can be looked at as an investment. The prestige factor of a college is becoming increasingly important in this day and age. A bachelor’s degree is becoming more and more like a high school diploma. This means that you will need some other kind of standout factor besides simply being a college graduate. Going to a college with prestige shows your worth.

Employers know that only highly talented and hard-working people graduate from such colleges, which gives those people a higher probability of getting a job.

College-bound students should have a more open mind to student loans. While they most definitely shouldn’t be the first response to a lack of money to attend college, they also shouldn’t be looked at as untouchable.

Going into debt in order to get into that expensive, out-ofstate college of your dreams is a terrible idea.

In our current economic situation - which will most likely persist for the next few years - only 51 percent of college graduates have a full-time job, 11 percent are unemployed, and the rest are working part time. Of those who are working, 43 percent have said that the job they have doesn’t need a college degree, according to a story in The Atlantic magazine.

Very few college graduates have the ability to pay off their school debts, and so they have that ominous financial cloud hanging over their head for the foreseeable future.

I have never been in favor of going into debt in order to get things in the now. I am adamantly against getting any more than one credit card, which would be used only in cases of extreme emergency. My dad,

who is over $10,000 in debt himself, managed to instill in me this “no-debt” attitude before I made his mistakes.

Any piece of debt to me feels as if it’s going to be my undoing. I could not conceive of possibly taking tens of thousands of dollars in loan to get a degree from some fancy school, when that degree has a high risk of not being able to pay itself off for decades. During that time, interest on the loan would make things even worse, to the point where some people wouldn’t be able to pay off their debts ever.

Student loans are just flat-out sink holes, into which all of your cash will disappear.

You will be stuck with it dragging you and your credit down until you either finally pay it off, or you default. Not even bankruptcy will discharge your student loan debt, according to the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, so if you default you really and truly would be in a horrible situation.

All I could say to you then was: “I warned you.”

We don’t need no (further) education

By TRISTAN SHULER SNN Staff Writer

People who choose not go to college are often looked upon as failures, but college is not for everyone, and that is okay.

Not everyone has to go to college and not everyone should go to college either.

For some, college is simply not an interest. Some would rather go straight into the work force. In an age where technology is becoming increasingly prevalent, many students know a significant amount about code and a degree is not a necessity for them. A few students may start their own business with a classmate or join a family-run shop. Some may want to become religious leaders. The exceptional few may even land a lucky recording, modeling or movie contract.

Vocational, or trade schools, are frequently forgotten among the

mountain of universities. Trade school degrees are achieved faster and cheaper than a college degree. Those who graduate from a trade school are typically employed quicker and have higher than average salaries. There is high job security as well; everyone needs plumbers, right?

Many young men and women may feel the call of duty and join our armed forces. The opportunities seem tremendous in this economic time: four years guaranteed room and board, exciting travel opportunities, plenty of chances for promotion and life skills you just can’t learn anywhere else.

Those who choose not to go to college should not be viewed as lazy or bumpkins, by any means. They are just choosing a different way to make a living. College will never be a necessity to live your life, and it never should be.

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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entertainment

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Paranormal Activity’s ghosts are sure to haunt your wallet

By SYMONE BROWN SNN Staff Writer

Paranormal Activity is back with yet another, and hopefully the last, addition of the spooky series. Released on Oct. 18, Paranormal Activity 4 is the sequel to Paranormal Activity 2. Unlike its predecessor, the latest installment fails to freak me out.

The movie opens with a quick recap of where Paranormal Activity 2 left off: a possessed Katie murders her sister, Kristi, and abducts her infant nephew, Hunter, and the both of them disappear.

The movie then jumps to teenage Alex, played by Kathryn Newton, filming her little brother Wyatt’s little league soccer match.

After the game, Alex shows her boyfriend Ben, played by Matt Shively, around her old tree house in the backyard.

They’re welcomed by an unexpected guest: the creepy little kid, Robbie, from across the street. Alex escorts Robbie back to his home. A day later, Alex’s family volunteers to take in Robbie while his mother, Katie, is admitted into the hospital. Ghostly encounters and bizarre occurrences begin after Robbie’s arrival. Alex sets up cameras around the house to get to the bottom of these

uncanny events. Shocker.

This found footage flick, just like every movie in the Paranormal Activity saga, follows the same blueprint laid out by the first film: Strange things happen to a seemingly normal family and they set up a camera that captures everything from their haunting, and eventually their demise at the hands of a demon entity.

This idea was fresh and exciting in the debut film but became stale after the makers of Paranormal Activity repackaged it and delivered it to the fans, film after film. After watching all three films before, the scare tactics in this movie are played out. Unexplainable moving objects and spontaneous destruction no longer get a rise out of me.

I got more of a kick out of watching the overly dramatic audience cower in fear. But it’s not worth paying for a ticket to see teenagers flip out; I could see that at school for free. Do yourself a favor: Don’t waste your $8 and your Friday night.

Summer was hot… but G.O.O.D Music made it hotter Kanye West lets summer finish with a high level collaboration.

By QUINDON NOLTON SNN Staff Writer

Rap artist Kanye West and his label G.O.O.D Music took over this summer with its first compilation album Cruel Summer. The album features the rapper Ma$e and R&B singer The Dream in the song Higher.

Singer R. Kelly is also featured in the song To the World. This album, which was released on Sept. 14, reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Top Rap Albums chart and G.O.O.D Music sold 205,000 in the first week.

2 Chainz is also featured and has one of the best verses he has ever written in the song The Morning.

“If there’s a cruel summer then there’s got to be a cruel winter right? … That’s all I’m saying,” G.O.O.D. Music rapper Q-Tip told MTV News in an interview, referring to a second album that’s in the works.

Pitchfork.com, a music website, gave the album a 6.5 out of 10, but the quality and the lyrics of the songs and the beats are awesome, so don’t be discouraged. The G.O.O.D.Music label, which stands for “Getting Out Our Dreams,” was founded in 2004.

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Paramount Pictures

Burton resurrects early career with clay canine

By TRISTAN SHULER SNN Staff Wrter

Tim Burton, the Stephen King of the silver screen, returns with the latest addition to his resume, the animated film Frankenweenie. The film is many firsts for Burton. It is the first black-and-white feature film and first stop-motion film to be released in IMAX 3D. The film, a remake of Burton’s 1984 short film of the same title, allows Burton to fully express himself as an established and developed director. Burton returns to his classic medium of stop-motion clay characters and comparative interactions between light and darkness.

Set in the fictitious suburban city of New Holland, the main character, Victor Frankenstein, follows in the footsteps of the famous Dr. Frankenstein (no relation) after his dog, Sparky, is killed. The process of reanimating the dog is a frightening show of lightning, sparks and the most amazing small scale closed circuit you will ever see. In true Burton style, the rest of the film deals with the townsfolk’s xenophobic reactions and escalates towards a ridiculous climax with a heartwarming ending.

The movie is Burton’s most family friendly film with a stellar cast list, starring Charlie Tahan and Winona Ryder with a cameo by Christopher Lee, and enough classic horror movie references to keep even the most uptight horror movie buff satisfied. The film continues to prove Burton’s mastery over stop-motion animation and gothic films tailored for mainstream audiences.

Walt Disney Pictures

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Oldies but Goldies

Cartoons

Loony Tunes: A series of short animations dedicated to showing violence in funny ways using loveable characters like Bugs Bunny, Yosemite Sam, Road Runner and Elmer Fudd. (1930) Pink Panther: A short animated series about the tricky adventures of the Pink Panther as he attempts to remove himself from multiple sticky situations. (1969) Scooby Doo: A group of four teens and their dog, Scooby, spend their free time getting in the middle of seemingly dangerous crime. Each episode includes the person you least expect using outrageous means to get either revenge or money, but they always get stopped by “those meddling kids and their dog, too.” (1969) Popeye the Sailor Man: A short series about a sailor who seems to have the detective skills of Sherlock Holmes, combined with an extreme imagination. Popeye, who gets a major power up from spinach, continuously fights a brute named Bluto for the hand of the beautiful Olive Oyl. (1930) Flintstones: Set in the Stone Age in a place called Bedrock, the show is about the daily lives of the Flintstones, Fred and his wife Wilma, and their neighbors, Barney and Betty Rubble. They use elephants as showers and pigs as garbage disposals to mimic modern-day conveniences.

(1960)

entertainment

Every year new and glamorous pieces of media are released. However, the greatest pieces reside in the past. The writers of SNN have compiled lists of the best classics and the all-time masters.

Arcade Games

Centipede: Released in 1981 this horizontal shooter surprisingly was one of the first to have a significant female player base.

Space Invaders: This 1978 shooter actually caused a 100 yen coin shortage in Japan when released. Its pixelated alien enemy is often seen as the face of retro video games.

Pac-Man: This is the unarguable face of video games. This maze-like game spawned merchandise and a top-10 single in 1980 and went on to become the most profitable arcade game ever.

Tetris: This Russian puzzle masterpiece released in 1984 is available on nearly every piece of tech known to mankind.

Pong: The Kitty Hawk of video games and one of the earliest multiplayers, this 1972 game was the first developed by legendary game company Atari.

-TRISTAN SHULER

FILMS

Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark: Archeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis, in a film filled with action and adventure.

(1981) Casablanca: A man must choose between his love for a woman and helping her husband, a Czech Resistance leader, escape from the city of Casablanca to continue his fight against the Nazis. (1942) The Breakfast Club: When five completely different high school students get detention, they get to know each other and find out that they have more in common than they ever would have believed. (1985) A Nightmare on Elm Street: In the dreams of teens, a child murderer stalks the children of the members of the Lynch mob.

In a world where nightmares become realities, you will view things on your screen that will scare you out of your wits. (1984) The Wizard of Oz: A young girl named Dorothy living in a small home in Kansas is thrown into a tornado and her house is sucked into the air. When Dorothy awakens, she is propelled into a world filled with witches, munchkins, flying monkeys, wizards, and lions, oh my. A fabulous story that people of all ages will enjoy. (1939)

-CAROLINE DUNNING

- EPITHANYE SHERMAN

NOVELS

Dracula: When did the blood-thirsty creatures of the night come into view with their fangtastic beauty and cold skin? This is where the vampire films got all their crazy logic.

Vampire Count Dracula leaves Transylvania for a finer life in England. However it stirs up a battle among a group of men and women led by Professor Abraham Van Helsing.

(Bram Stoker, 1897) Tale of Two Cities: The story takes place before and during the French Revolution where decisions were based out of love, wealth and betrayal. (Charles Dickens, 1859) A Wrinkle in Time: A young girl named Meg Murry is seen as a troublesome student but her parents know she can do anything humanly possible if she sets her mind to it. However, her father, a government scientist, has mysteriously disappeared after working on a top secret project called the Tesseract. (Madeleine L’ Engle, 1962) The Lord of the Rings: A complex story in which a hobbit and his fellowship returns The Ring to where it was forged. The book is influenced by mythology, religion, industrialization and the author’s experiences in World War I. (J.R.R. Tolkien, 1954) The Chronicles of Narnia: Ever wanted to escape reality and be able to go to a magical land where you can do whatever you want? In this book there is a land called Narnia where mythical beasts, knights, talking animals, and even humans can live among each other in harmony. (C.S. Lewis, 1950)

-DIONNE SANCHEZ

-Photo credits: Warner Bros. Animations, Warner Bros., Grateful Dead Records, Namco, George Allen & Unwin

MUSIC ARTISTS

Janis Joplin: After leaving her first band “Big Brother and the Holding Company” in 1968, Janis shot off in her solo career, delivering soul filled blues songs with her powerful vocal talents. The majority of her fame was conflicted by her heroin addiction and substance abuse. She died of a drug overdose in 1970. (1962) The Who: Four young musicians banded together to create The Who. Their persona’s merged to create unforgettable performances, awarding them a place in the rock hall of fame alongside artists such as The Rolling Stones. (1964) Grateful Dead: An American band, formed in 1965 in California, had the world’s most dedicated fans, labeled “Deadheads”. Followers of the band were enthralled by the mixture of bluegrass, jazz and folk music that the band delved into over the years up until 1995.

(1965) Bob Dylan: A folk-rock singer who writes, composes and performs his own work: something rarely done in the industry today. His music could only be described as soulful and unforgettable. Fans would agree his music (even now) seems to bring a humbling, nostalgic feeling over its listeners. (1961) James Brown: Dancer, song writer, activist and singer, James Brown did it all. He has been rightly crowned “The Godfather of Soul”. From the meager earnings of a shoe shiner to famous music legend was no small feat. James Brown was a gifted man who rose to stardom and inspired many others along the way. (1945)

-BOBBIE WRIGHT

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sports

W e d n e s d a y, N o v e m b e r 7 , 2 0 1 2

‘And lo and behold, we’re back together’

Two former Lakewood stand-outs continue a long friendship as they lead their teams.

By VICTORIA BISCHOFF SNN Staff Writer

After graduating from high school, teachers Necole Tunsil and Anthony Lawrence went to college, played professional basketball overseas in Europe and later started on their separate careers.

Then they each found their way back to Lakewood.

“We stayed in touch throughout our professional and collegiate careers. And lo and behold, we’re back together,” Tunsil said.

Tunsil and Lawrence, both 42, met at Lakewood in the mid-1980s. Tunsil graduated in 1989 and Lawrence graduated in 1988.

“We were really, really good friends in high school,” said Tunsil.

“She and I are like brother and sister. We’re very close … like family,” said Lawrence, a former Lakewood basketball player.

Lawrence first moved to St. Petersburg from Colorado in 1985.

“Basketball was what really helped me out, because … I didn’t know anybody,” said Lawrence. “It helped me to get to know a lot of people; I gained a lot of lifelong friends.”

Tunsil met Lawrence during her freshman year.

“Through basketball we developed a friendship,” she said.

Former girls basketball coach Larry West, an art teacher at Lakewood, coached Tunsil when she was in high school and he also knew Lawrence.

“They were sociable friends, they would talk a lot … they would always be in the gymnasium,” West said.

West remembers Tunsil as “a very good leader.”

“She was always out front in most of the things that you would see around campus; clubs, things that are organized, she would always be a part of it. She just had those good leadership skills,” he said.

He remembers Lawrence as “a tall, wrangly kid, about 6’9’’.” “(He was) a very personable person, he always smiled, always had a lot of passion. …

Amongst the crowd he would stand out as being one of the liveliest students at Lakewood,” said West.

Senior Kasey Drayton has known Tunsil and Lawrence since her freshman year.

“They have a good friendship,” she said.

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“They’re always yelling across the hallway at each other. They joke around with each other. …

They’re like brother and sister.”

After finishing college, Tunsil ran Pinellas Marine Institute for five years and coached basketball at Eckerd College. Lawrence worked for Tech Data Corporation for six years and later became a Child Protection Investigator.

Both Tunsil and Lawrence agree that Lakewood hasn’t changed much since the 1980s.

“It’s kind of funny coming back and working here because the hallways are still the same.

These are the same hallways that I used to try to skip class in and cheat. The students today use the same type of techniques that we used back in the day,” said Tunsil.

“High school was similar to what it is now …

We all have a lot of pride in our school, the kids have fun,” Lawrence said.

Tunsil described Lawrence as “a big teddy bear.”

“He tries to show no emotions on the outside, but he’s a very caring person and he’s at Lakewood High School for all the right reasons,” she said. “He tries to do his best to touch the lives and make a positive impression on all the kids that he comes in contact with. And I’m proud of him; to be his friend, it really makes me proud to see the positive effect he has on the kids here at Lakewood.”

Lawrence described Tunsil as “crazy in a good way.”

“She’s very passionate about everything she does, especially with kids. She’s a loving mom to the girls and all of the students. She’s a tremendous friend, she’s very loyal,” he said. “I could go on for hours; she’s a very special person.”

Tunsil and Lawrence both said they are happy working at Lakewood and aren’t planning on leaving.

“I plan on trying to put in as many years as I can here at Lakewood,” Tunsil said. “I think Dan Wright set the bar as a teacher and as a basketball coach here in Pinellas County, and I think I would love to follow in his shoes and try to be here at least 25-30 years until I retire.”

“You never know what the future holds, but right now I’m very comfortable where I am, with what I’m doing.” Lawrence said. “I like being here at Lakewood; it feels at home.”

ABOVE: Necole Tunsil (top picture, second from right) and Anthony Lawrence (bottom picture, far left) appear in a local newspaper with their Lakewood basketball teams in the late 1980s.

LEFT: Lawrence and Tunsil stand in the halls of Lakewood on Oct. 24.

W e d n e s d a y, N o v e m b e r 7 , 2 0 1 2

Former Lakewood stand-out returns to coach

By TRACY JOHNSON SNN Staff Writer

New math teacher Jonathon Crouch, a former Lakewood High School soccer stand-out, has returned to take over the team he once played for.

“I (got) into teaching to come back to my alma mater and give back,” said Crouch, who is a 2008 graduate of Lakewood. He helped lead the Spartans to a district championship title in 2005.

With the departure of last year’s boys’ soccer coach Matthew Gorny, Crouch has filled in the job, striving to focus on unity and improving team-oriented play.

As a junior at Lakewood, Crouch was named first team all-county, and in his senior year he made the all-state team. He later took his talents to college, attending Florida State University.

Crouch joined an FSU club soccer team as a freshman, playing outside back, outside defender and midfield. As he studied to become a math teacher, Crouch began to coach the club soccer team at the university.

Crouch graduated in 2012 with a teaching degree in math and applied to Lakewood High School for a job. “It kind of fell in my lap,” Crouch said. “It was a choice between Lakewood and a different school, and of course I wanted to come back to my school.”

Crouch is teaching intensive math, helping his students to pass the end-of-course exams and FCAT. Crouch accepted the teaching job and was then informed that the former soccer coach had resigned. He then became the head coach shortly after.

Senior Exavier Jones has been playing soccer for 11 years. His current position is center midfield and defender, similar to what Crouch played in high school. “I think he’s a great addition to the team and just to get trained by him is exciting,” Jones said.

Jones’ goals for this year are to finish the season strong and become a team that plays together as one. “I’m very excited for seeing the new team and the freshmen additions,” Jones said.

Crouch began playing soccer at the age of 4.

He attended Seminole Middle where he played club ball for Strictly Soccer then later moved up to play for Gulf Coast United. While in high school, Crouch played for Largo United.

“I’ve played soccer for 20 years, in high school and college, as well as club ball, I decided that the only way to stay connected to the sport and keep playing was to coach,” said Crouch.

sports

LHS takes on St. Pete in Mayor’s

Cup

By DEVON ROGERS SNN Staff Writer

JULIE CHRISTIANSEN | SNN

Math teacher and new soccer coach Jonathan Crouch hands out papers to boys trying out for the team on Oct. 15, at Lakewood High School’s soccer field.

Spartan parents have perfect attendance

By JALON EDWARDS SNN Staff Writer

Two Lakewood football players have parents who are so committed to the Spartans that they have never missed a game since 2006.

The parents of twins Shaquill and Shaquem Griffin, seniors on the Spartan football team, have not only attended the games, they have recorded every game. Tangie and Terry Griffin aren’t LHS graduates, but they show their support at every game, even spring games.

“I think it’s great that parents come and show their support to the team,” said Lakewood football head coach Cory Moore.

Tangie Griffin, 47, went to Mainland High School in Daytona, and Terry Griffin, 45, went to Osceola High School. However, the Griffins became true Spartan fans when Terrel and Dre Griffin, Shaquill and Shaquem’s older brothers, and their cousin, Bernard Reedy, played football here.

Terry Griffin records every game, because Shaquill and Shaquem like to watch them and their father will critique how they played. They have recorded every game since Shaquill and Shaquem were 5 years old and playing little league football. Terry Griffin even records for other players, too. He makes highlight films, so that the players can send them to colleges during the recruiting process. “(The boys and their father) look at the films after the game or the next day and they learn from their mistakes,” Tangie Griffin said.

Shaquill and Shaquem hope to do the same thing for their kids when they get older and start a family.

“They gave back to the community, and we think that we should do the same thing and give back,” Shaquill said.

RACHELLE GADDY|SNN When Shaquill and Shaquem graduate from Lakewood, their parents plan to go to Terry and Tangie Griffin support their sons, all of their college home games. Right now, Shaquill and Shaquem are verbally comseniors Shaquill and Shaqueem, during mitted to the University of Central Florida. the Lakewood-Gibbs game on Oct. 5. The Even when their sons graduate and move on, Tangie and Terry Griffin say their parents go to every game near or far to support for the Spartans won’t end. record and support the twins.

“We will still attend Lakewood games and show our support to family and friends,” Tangie Griffin said.

The Lakewood Spartan football team will be under the lights again Thursday night. Thursday, however, the lights will shine a little brighter and the stakes will be a little bigger. Lakewood will take on the St. Petersburg High School Green Devils at Al Lang Stadium at Progress Energy Park in the Bright House Sports Network Mayor’s Cup High School Classic.

The Mayor’s Cup is an annual football battle between two of St. Petersburg’s high school football teams. The winner of the previous year’s game gets to host the next year’s game. The Spartans won the honor of hosting this year’s game after beating Gibbs 27 to 7 in the first Mayor’s Cup game last year. The Spartans will look for the same outcome in this game.

This game may not be close, as St. Pete has struggled this year. St. Pete was 4-4 as of print time Friday morning. They took on Countryside on Friday night.

Despite the bigger stage, the Spartans are not changing their preparation for the game at all. “We play under the lights every Friday night. It will be the same as playing an away game,” said Lakewood head coach Cory Moore. “The cold will be the biggest adjustment.” The temperature at Thursday’s game was expected to be 68 degrees.

Moore also said he will consider the game a victory as long as “we all finish healthy.”

The Mayor’s Cup game between Lakewood and St. Petersburg could be big for the Spartans, who were 7-1 as of Friday morning. The Spartans traveled to Spoto Friday night. This is the last game before the playoffs.

The game will take place on the big stage at Al Lang Field, 230 First St. S, with kickoff set at 7:06 p.m. If you cannot make it out to the game, it will be televised live as the Bright House Game of the Week on Channel 47, HD 1147.

Tickets are $6 and go on sale at the field’s box office after 5 p.m.. Gates open at 6 p.m. and parking is $5.

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Best Rides In the parking stalls sit the brag-worthy rides of the students and staff at Hollywood High. These impressive whips rival most cars in the lot and on the road. In this issue, SNN features the key-holders to these eye-catching cars, from bubblegum-pink Volkswagen Bugs to candy-red Dodge Chargers.

Scan this QR code with your smart phone to see the multimedia video about the best cars in the lot.

Owner: Senior Avni Agrawal Make: Mercedes-Benz Model: White E350 Coupe Year: 2012 Miles: 8,000

BRIANNA JOHNSON | SNN

Owner: Student Services Assistant Nathan Washington Make: Dodge Model: Gray Magnum Year: 2007 Miles: 85,000 Kelly blue book value: $17,169 “I feel like I own the streets,” said Washington.

SHERICE JOHNSON | SNN

Owner: Senior Danny Ramdhani Make: Dodge Model: Red Charger Year: 2012 Miles: 14,000 Kelly blue book value: $26,872 “I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world,” said Ramdhani.

BRIANNA JOHNSON | SNN

Kelly Blue Book Value: $45,800 “I love it, it rides so smooth. It doesn’t even feel like I’m driving,”said Agrawal.

BRIANNA JOHNSON | SNN

Owner: Volunteer Coordinator Vanessa Morris Make: Volkswagon Model: Bug Year: 2000 Miles: 100,000 Kelly Blue Book Value: $3,970 “I call her Frenchie. She’s the pink lady from Grease,” said Morris.

Owner: Senior Chavez Davis Make: Ford Model: Orange Mustang GT Year: 2004 Miles: 75,660 Kelly blue book value: $7,897 “I love the color of it.

It’s so bright and stands out,” said Davis.

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Owner: Senior Clayton Jett Make: Chevy Model: Red Silverado Year: 2002 Miles: 80,000 Kelly blue book value: $9,863 “If I could trade it, I would, for like a Bentley or something extraordinary,” said Jett.

DEMÈ DAVIS | SNN

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SHERICE JOHNSON | SNN

Design by BRIANNA JOHNSON AND SHERICE JOHNSON