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NOVEMBER 2023
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An attitude of gratitude
07
This November, we set out on a mission to uncover what MPSH students and faculty are grateful for. After getting responses from over a hundred students, one thing stood out: they had a lot to be grateful for this year.
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One pill can kill: 03 DISPOSABLES AND DIGITALS 04 A schoolwide initiative Generation Z has pioneered the revival In 2022, the U.S. had more than 110,000 drug overdose deaths, 75% of them caused by the opioid fentanyl.
STEPPING INTO THE RING: MPSH' MPSH's wrestlers 10
After months of practice, their time has come: Miami Palmet to Senior High’s wrestling season has begun. The wrestling team has drilled, sparred and scrimmaged in preparation for their first tournament set to commence in a few week’s time.
of disposables and digital cameras, finding ways to capture their teenage years in a rustic-looking lens, adding a vintage touch to the modern age.
faceoff: does social media help 12 SOCIETY during periods of conflict?
With social media becoming a leading tool in spreading information in the political scene, is it really a good thing?
NEWS | 03
ONE PILL CAN KILL: A Schoolwide Initiative For Awareness and Prevention
According to the most recent United States Drug Enforcement Administration report, in 2022, the U.S. had more than 110,000 drug overdose deaths, 75% of them caused by the opioid fentanyl. Fentanyl is a lethal drug and taking as little as two milligrams can result in death. The drug is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Miami-Dade County Public Schools, in an effort to raise awareness of the drug’s effects, has implemented a county-wide fentanyl awareness initiative. Within the county, Miami Palmetto Senior High held its presentation on Nov. 16. Through t h i s presentation, M P S H Principal
Victoria Dobbs hopes to make students more aware of what is happening worldwide with the use of fentanyl. “The risk of fentanyl is something that we are seeing across our country, and it’s really dangerous. You see cases all the time where people are purchasing drugs that appear to be over the counter, but they are fabricated, and they are not the real thing. And a lot of times, taking one pill and that’s it, it ends their life. It’s just become such an epidemic that it’s really important to bring awareness,” Dobbs said. Students with sixth-period English classes reported to the auditorium and had the opportunity to listen to the presentation of Grogory Swan, a father who experienced the deadly effects of fentanyl on his son. “My son Drew, died of an overdose. And it’s a type of pain that’s almost not even worth trying to describe. But at his funeral, I said, ‘I’m hurting in places I didn’t even know I had places’. And I was kind of a zombie walking around the earth, not even caring, alternating between despair and hopelessness,” Swan said. In 2018, after witnessing the increase of fentanyl being brought over the Arizona border, Swan gathered a group of fathers who shared similar experiences and founded Fentanyl Fathers — the organization that conducted the presentation. The assembly features five components: a message from a bereaved parent, information from a medical expert, an emotional movie, a true story and how to use naloxone — the resuscitating drug that blocks opiate receptors in the nervous system. With the presentation, Swan aims to educate adolescents on how fentanyl is sold through social media apps, like Snapchat, and emphasizes that under no circumstances should one take an unprescribed pill.
Seven out of 10 unprescribed pills lead to overdose. “Fentanyl is ordered up. It is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Two milligrams will kill you. To give you an example of how small it is, 2000 milligrams is a packet of sugar. So it’s just a little bit it’s put into pills,” Swan said. Drug addiction, as a whole, has no leading cause. There are multiple ways one may use drugs and become addicted: oftentimes as a tool to cope with mental health problems or stress occurring around them. Continued use of drugs causes the brain to develop a tolerance, resulting in addiction. “The longer you take drugs, the dosages you take, and why you’re taking it triggers how often you’re taking it, which can cause you to become addicted. And what you’re taking is critical as well. Specifically with fentanyl, just the size of the tip of a pencil is what it takes to kill someone,” Mental Health Coordinator Meghan Romero said. The death of an individual takes the largest toll on the family and friends of the victim. “Their life is ruined, one bullet takes out three people, the parents immediately as well as the kid, and then you have the siblings, the friends, cousins, they’re just so much sadness,” Swan said.
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04| LIFE
DISPOSABLES AND DIGITALS:
The Retro Revival of Photography
Gathering silver and iodine vapor, in the mid-1800s, Louis Daguerre exposed a copper sheet to light and mercury vapor and, while coating it in salt, captured a still black and white image. The origins of photography in daguerreotypes created a new age of art, freezing a moment in time and keeping seconds of history preserved. After the initial flash of a camera, new photographic methods evolved: film, Kodak cameras, Polaroids and digital cameras, all making the art of photography quicker and more practical. Despite the creation of mobile phone cameras, the revival of retro mediums of photography has made an influential comeback, preserving authentic artistic styles and capturing unforgettable moments in just one click. Generation Z has pioneered the revival of disposables and digital cameras, finding ways to capture their teenage years in a rustic-looking lens, adding a vintage touch to the modern age. Oftentimes, this comes in the form of digging up their parent’s old digital, film and video recording cameras, or downloading apps to capture this nostalgic feel. “There’s a surge in retro things coming back into style, and there are so many apps on your phone that create the appearance of a retro photo that people are now realizing where that came from and wanting to explore that aspect of it and then realizing that it’s a lot more hands-on and a lot more fun,” Photography and Advanced Placement 2-D Art and Design teacher Katherine King said. Students at Miami Palmetto Senior High have unleashed their creativity by expressing their artistic ability through photography. For senior Sebastian Fonseca, taking King’s class was the catalyst for his passion toward photography; more specifically, sports photos, and he expresses his appreciation for using higher technology to capture his art. “[Photography] is something I picked up my sophomore year because I took her class and I enjoyed it. So I kept doing all the levels of her classes, and as I went through I just liked it more and more…I like the art aspect and I also like taking pictures at school sports events,” Fonseca said. Though most high schoolers typically utilize their phone to capture valuable moments, using a camera has a different, more unique feel. “The [higher technology] pictures are a lot more detailed. They come out a lot nicer. So, it’s not the same as sitting on your phone that does the settings on its own. It’s good to go on your camera, add your own settings and download your pictures,” Fonseca said. Before teenagers of today got their hands on disposables and digital cameras, previous generations grew up on film, using a
time efficient and hands-on process to obtain the perfect shot. Having studied Black and White Film Photography, King has mastered the filmmaking process and spent her college years capturing her social life through film. “There’s a lot of steps. There’s a lot of people who just think you take a picture and then it’s done. But you put a lot of hands-on elements to it, where you’re loading the film into the camera, and then you’re taking the pictures and it’s not an instant gratification where you see the image right away; you have to wait to develop the film, and that takes another couple of hours. And then you can go [into] the darkroom and then start to see what it is. And then you take the film to create the actual print of the image and there’s just so many steps. So my favorite part is when you’re done developing your wall of film and you see the image for the first time,” King said. Experimenting with vintage methods like film has caught the attention of high schoolers today, keeping the custom alive while partaking in an artistic pursuit. “So the film camera I have, it’s a really bad one from Amazon. It was $10, but I just wanted to get it so I could start trying out how to do it and stuff,” junior Helena Kawamura said. “But this year, I want to get a bunch more film cameras, really good ones like the Olympus cameras. And I prefer film over digital, so I’m trying to get more into that. I feel like the ‘vintage-y’ look, it feels more like you’re watching a movie instead of just HD pictures. I feel like it has more emotion to it.” Overall, the experience of producing one’s own photos provides students with the ability to add their personal touch on their art, leaving a sense of magic and putting real meaning in the common phrase, “take a picture … it’ll last longer.” “When you take a picture on your phone, it’s more of a documentary style capture, you’re seeing exactly what it is on your phone. There’s nothing really too artistic about it unless you involve some editing. But when you’re using a film camera, there’s something different about how it looks. There’s like a little bit of grain. There’s a little bit of a light leak. There’s a little bit more of ambiance to the photo where it almost captures that air and it just makes it more magical,” King said.
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NOVEMBER COLUMN PIE OR DIE
Did you know the tradition of pie as a Thanksgiving treat came from New England tradition?
I wish I had some pie...
Oh! A pumpkin pie!
But there are so many other flavors...I think we should have more!
Perfect!
FEATURE | 07-09
An Attitude of Gratitude: Expressing Thanks this November This November, The Panther set out on a mission to uncover what Miami Palmetto Senior High students and faculty are grateful for. Students from all across campus were approached, including from the courtyard, behind the science wing and, of course, from the Pawvilion. After getting responses from over a hundred students, one thing stood out: they had a lot to be grateful for this year. Students at MPSH are grateful for everything the school has to offer, from friendships to relationships to the opportunities provided by their teachers. For some students, MPSH provides them the space to make their first true friends. “I’m grateful for all the friends I’ve made [at MPSH]... I finally have a clique now, and I am very happy,” sophomore Pheonix Mirzoyan said. For the faculty, MPSH has also given them reasons to be grateful this year. “I am grateful for the great environment here. I love it. I retired [last year], and I came back, and it’s because of you guys. I love being around teenagers,” MPSH Registrar Balbi Dominguez said. Outside of school, students are grateful for what makes them unique and brings them excitement in their day-to-day lives. “I’m grateful for college football… because all members of my family have gone to different universities, and all of them are really into football and college football just makes my Saturdays that much better,” junior Matteo Scalla said. Overall, the MPSH community has many blessings in their lives to be grateful for. MPSH is an atmosphere full of students and faculty who come from diverse backgrounds, but all are united at this time of year to celebrate what makes them grateful.
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Stepping Into Into the the Ring: Ring: Stepping
MPSH’s Wrestlers Wrestlers MPSH’s After months of practice, their time has come: Miami Palmetto Senior High’s wrestling season has begun. The wrestling team has drilled, sparred and scrimmaged in preparation for their first tournament set to commence in a few week’s time. MPSH is home to a variety of sports, from football to bowling. However, the wrestling program, a sport that has seen success in the MPSH athletic sphere, garners less attention than the typical high school sport. Last year, the wrestling team had an exceptional season, with multiple players making it to the state competition and two even reaching state semifinals. “Last season, we had five guys go to the state championships. Two of them, which were Ronald Butler and Richard Alexander, both made it to the state semifinals so they were one match away from being in the finals, which was really cool,” Varsity Wrestling Head Coach Anthony Fadelle said. Fadelle and his players work tirelessly to maximize their performance for the upcoming season. In response to last year’s two state semifinalist performances and seven state qualifiers, the wrestling team has set the threshold higher for the coming season. “We plan to finish top three in every tournament we go to including the state championship,” Fadelle said. “We have about five or six guys that have a legitimate shot to win state championships as well as individual.” In the wrestling world, a weight class refers to the groups of players placed into
groups according to their respective body weights, shedding light on a wrestler’s responsibility to remain within the threshold of weight for their group. A vital aspect of maintaining a certain weight is paying close attention to the amount and type of food they consume during the season. As per their strength and conditioning rules, when it comes to adding muscle, a wrestler should take in at least 500 calories per pound of their body weight per day. “They might cut their intake, but they should be eating correctly, eating protein. Eating light carbs, fish, chicken, things of that nature, vegetables. We tend to stay away from soda and juice trying to drink a lot of water, things like that,” Fadelle said. Along with maintaining their given class’ physical weight, wrestlers must also face the mental challenges associated with perfecting their game. When
addressing this issue, Fadelle notes the importance of mentality when in matches. “Mentally, it’s just knowing what you want to win and you’re going to do whatever it takes so learning how to fight through pain and other things that make your mind tell you that you need to keep going is key,” Fadelle said. Weight maintenance is not the most challenging part of wrestling for some players: maintaining a strong mental attitude holds priority. “Definitely the hardest part is mentally. The conditioning is the same as everything else — it’s hard — but it’s something like you can push through. But the [hard part of the] mental aspect is doing it day after day,” sophomore and junior varsity wrestler Derrick Ragan said. These players have been training since the summer in preparation for their first tournament in December, with the date to be announced. Their practices take place every Monday through Friday, starting at 3 p.m.. Motivation is also key to maintaining the team’s morale, especially considering the vigorous amounts of training the players endure. Every player has a different source of motivation. For Ragan, his motivation is his brothers. “I have two other brothers and they pushed me,” Ragan said. “What pushes me is thinking about what my brothers would think if I stopped or just quit.”
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SPORTS | 11
12 | OPINION
YES:
In an age where screens and the digital era illuminate our lives, social media orchestrates a symphony of connections, forming a platform that builds a community and transcends geographical boundaries. In times of conflict, social media becomes a powerful tool for spreading awareness, fostering solidarity and connecting people globally. Social media platforms give people the opportunity to amplify their unheard voices and enable collective movements for positive change. Social media is a catalyst for solidarity and support during crises where individuals often feel isolated and powerless, with social networks creating digital communities that foster a sense of unity. People can connect with others and express their feelings and perspectives, as well as exchange personal experiences, offer assistance and express empathy. Currently, social media has created a community for those who are dealing with the stresses of the Israel-Hamas war, providing people a platform to voice their concerns about Hamas, a terrorist organization that has taken the lives of thousands of innocent Israelis and Palestinians. Millions have turned to social media to comprehend the brutality of the war in real time. Because of social media, internet users are able to discover raw, unfiltered footage to gain a better perspective of what is going on in Israel. Activists can leverage these platforms to shed light on human rights violations and mobilize support. Hashtags have emerged as a symbol of resistance and solidarity, amplifying movements and drawing global attention to critical issues. For example, the hashtag “#blacklivesmatter” combated acts of violence and created a space to speak out against racism. The takeover of social media has displayed that there is a positive impact on individuals and groups during times of crisis by forming online communities, spreading real-time information, expanding education and providing a voice by giving rise to freedom of speech through digital platforms. Alexis James
FACEOFF:
Multimedia Photo Editor
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Does Social Media Help Society During Periods of Conflict? NO: Click, share and repost. Millions of people around the world use this social media “formula” to spread awareness and their views about various global topics. Such a phenomenon became prominent when the Black Lives Matter movement came in full swing, taking over social media profiles. People were able to utilize their online platforms to share information with a mass audience, taking a stance against political issues. While social media has positively united people across America against important social issues, these platforms have grown into a battle of “who’s more woke?” The infamous cancel culture of TikTok has spread to other social media platforms, prompting those with platforms to take stances on topics they do not know much about. As a result, such platforms have been transformed into hubs of misinformation. With this, millions of social media users are susceptible to reposting tweets full of false accusations and videos that are often misleading without knowing any better. For example, on Oct. 7, following the terrorist group Hamas’s attack on Israel, a video circulated claiming to be evidence of an Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip; however, the footage was of fighting that occurred in May 2023. Some may manipulate dates or content to skew perspectives to promote their agenda. In addition to what has unfolded since the October Israeli-Palestinian conflict, social media has seen a rise in both Antisemitism and Islamophobia. Jewish celebrities, such as Noah Schnapp and Ellie Zeiler, have fallen victim to comments of hate speech such as variations of, “Hitler had the right idea.” The same goes for the Islamic community, where Palestinian-American model Bella Hadid has lost numerous jobs for her pro-Palestinian activism. Social media has fostered an unsafe environment for both parties involved. Social media has been the ultimate weapon in enabling hate and hysteria in times of crisis. When looking at political posts, remember to research topics from an unbiased source from an outside perspective before falling into the click, share, repost routine.
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DONATIONS | 13
Special Thanks To Our Donors! Aazylia Baid Anna Levitt Donovan Campbell Leslie Webb Santosh Govindaraju Ben Harris The Perodin Family Andrea Carneiro Allan Marks Luceru Cartagena Amy Levy Sara Wehmeyer April Stuzin Jacquie O’Malley The Snyder Family Ana Harris The Martin Family Marisel Strohmeier H.K. Skip Pita Shannon Del Prado The Albury-Barlow Family Helen Garcia Eric Hawkins
the
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STAFF EDITORIAL Indigenous people are characterized as descendants of native people living in the Americas, the Pacific and specific areas in Asia and Africa, before each region’s colonization by European powers in the 15th and 16th centuries. Within the U.S., Indigenous women are increasingly targeted as victims of hate and violence. Daughters, sisters, wives and mothers of native descendants, despite living in what is believed to be the leading nation of the world, live in fear. Under the public’s nose, women are torn away from their families and have their lives permanently altered. Over recent years, attacks toward Indigenous women have increased from over 5,000 reported missing Indigenous women in 2020 to almost 300 Indigenous people missing in Alaska as of August 2023. No woman of any race or ethnicity should succumb to this fate; it is time for the U.S. government to aid its citizens and fight against the rise of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). Three. It is three times more likely for an Indigenous woman to be murdered in comparison to any non-native woman. Murder is the third leading cause of the death of native women, even though the Indigenous population only accounts for 2% of the U.S.. Rather than uniting to bring justice to Indigenous women, our country continually succeeds in letting these tragedies occur and go unnoticed. As the media focuses on other issues, movements such as the Savanna Act — passed to improve law and justice protocols in MMIW cases — have gone overlooked. The majority of MMIW cases are unsolved, leaving both the women lost and their loved ones in an unimaginable state. The Savanna Act, passed in 2020, must be fully implemented in our government to certify the safety of our female Indigenous population and change their existing conditions. 86% of Indigenous women have reported that historical trauma impacts their livelihood. It is up to us as a country to dissolve this statistic and ensure that our cultural populations are supported and feel safe in their home country.
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MISSON STATEMENT The Panther staff aims to inform fellow students and parents about school-wide, local, national, and international news. The Panther’s content aims to represent the student body. Editorials feature the opinions of staffers. Features of other students, teachers and clubs further promote the spirit, culture and personality of Miami Palmetto Senior High School.
EDITORIAL POLICY The Panther is a monthly publication of Miami Palmetto Senior High located at 7431 SW 120th Street Miami, FL 33156, (305) 235-1360 ext. 1124. The views expressed are solely those of The Panther staff. Students who wish to respond to an article in this publication or discuss another issue may write letters to the editor and submit them to room 1124 or e-mail us at a.shapiro. thepanther@gmail.com. The Panther has professional membership in NSPA and CSPA. The Panther prints 1,100 copies per issue for distribution. The Panther is distributed for free to all students in school. Please visit our paper online at thepalmettopanther.com.
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The School Board shall comply with all Federal Laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination and all requirements and regulations of the U.S. Department of Education. The Board will enforce its prohibition against discrimination/harassment based on sex, race, color, ethnic, or national origin, religion, marital status, disability, age, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, gender identification, social and family background, linguistic preference, pregnancy and any other basis prohibited by law. The Board shall maintain an educational and work environment free from all forms of discrimination/harassment, which includes Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX prohibits sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct such as unwelcome touching, graphic verbal comments, sexual jokes, slurs, gestures or pictures. All students, administrators, teachers, staff, and all other school personnel share responsibility for avoiding, discouraging, and reporting any form of prohibited discrimination or harassment against students by employees, other students and their parents or guardians, or third parties. This policy prohibits discrimination and harassment at all School District operations, programs, and activities on school property, or at another location if it occurs during an activity sponsored by the Board.