The Panther 2019-2020 Issue 2: It's Game Time

PANTHER

the

V 62|N2

Miami Palmetto Senior High School

7460 SW 118 Street, Miami, FL 33156

ITs Game Time

Thursday 31 October 2019

October

contents

Life

8

Hispanic Heritage Month

6 News

It’s No Joke Campaign

15 11

Feature

Sports

Winter Sports Warm-Up

Next Level Hoco Planning

Opinion

21

School Rites of Passage

Behind the

COVER Nicole Markus (11) takes pictures of Jakob Gundersen (11) and Valentina Caceres (11) playing video games in their homecoming attire.

NewsBRIEFS Local Journalist Steven Sotloff, a Pinecrest native, was killed by ISIS almost five years ago in an attack ordered by Abu Bakr alBaghdadi. Sotloff’s death came as a shock to the Pinecrest community, who gathered at Reform Jewish synagogue Beth Am to mourn him and celebrate his life. On Oct. 26, 2019, al-Baghdadi was killed by a U.S. raid, something that brought closure to Sotloff’s family, according to CBS Miami.

National

Letter to the

EDITOR

Dear Editor,

I like the quotations from the interviews [in “Tik-Tok” on the Clock] that were used. I appreciated the way that you stayed objective with your article. You managed to put your opinions of “TikTok” aside to provide an unbiased article for your readers. I also like the word choice and the way you used students at Palmetto as an example.

Gabriel Salvat (9) *Submit letters to thepanthermpsh@gmail.com. or Room 911B. Letters may be edited for length, grammar and clairty.

Check out our website www.thepalmettopanther.com

On Oct. 17, 2019, around 25,000 educators across Chicago went on strike with the Chicago Teachers’ Union (CTU) for higher salaries, smaller classes and better funding to hire nurses, counselors and psychologists. The strike will continue until Chicago Public Schools and CTU reach an agreement. In the meantime, school remains cancelled for over 300,000 students.

International Brigid Kosgei, Simone Biles and Coco Gauff are three young, female athletes who made history this month. Kenyan runner Brigid Kosgei ran this year’s Chicago Marathon in 2 hours, 14 minutes and 4 seconds, not only winning the race but also beating the women’s world marathon record by 81 seconds. American gymnast Simone Biles became the most decorated gymnast of all time after winning a 24th world championship medal, and American tennis player Coco Gauff, 15, won her first Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tournament, making her the youngest WTA winner since 2004.

Katriona Page Copy Editor

k.page.thepanther@gmail.com

Nicole Markus

Print Editor-in-Chief

n.markus.thepanther@gmail.com

4|NEWS

AN INTRO TO THE

Impeachment Inquiry

HOW THE PRESIDENT’S ACTIONS WILL AFFECT THE 2020 ELECTION Through a whistleblower complaint, President Trump was recently accused of abusing his executive power by asking the Ukranian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, to investigate Trump’s 2020 presidential race competitor, Joe Biden. Within the federal bureaucracy, there lies a system of checks and balances designed to protect the rights of its constituents. Put in place in an attempt to prevent government corruption, the whistleblower protection allows bureaucrats to report any unlawful activity occurring at the federal level; It should give hope that bureaucrats would be heard by the federal government. According to the Washington Post, this, among other political scandals, encouraged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to open an impeachment inquiry into the president’s possibly illegal and unconstitutional actions. Backed by a Democrat majority in the House, the inquiry has begun, with investigations aimed to check the credibility of the claims made against the president.

“The House of Representatives has opened an investigation into whether or not the President should be impeached.

To my understanding, [it is] based on an arrangement that he tried to reach with Ukraine, where Ukraine would investigate whether or not Vice President Biden and his son had been engaged in some nefarious dealings in Ukraine,” AP U.S. Government teacher Kenneth Spiegelman said. “In exchange, the President would release military funds or aid for military funds that Congress had already authorized. So it’s a question of whether or not there was a quid pro quo.”

The Trump-Zelensky call happened this past summer when President Trump acted on the suspicion that Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, were involved in corrupt deals in Ukraine, according to the Washington Post. Hunter Biden worked with a board member for an oil company called Burisma Holdings. They had ties

to former Ukranian president Viktor Yanukovych, whose corrupt leadership led to his removal from office. While there lacks proven ties between the Bidens and corruption, President Trump sought information from Volodymyr Zelensky to confirm or deny the rumors.

“The President has a constitutional executive duty to negotiate with foreign powers to investigate (or restart an investigation that was shut down under suspicious circumstances) corrupt politicians in the U.S., using certain powers at his disposal. The call transcript never explicitly showed any indication of blackmailing and strong army,” AP U.S. government student and self-identified Republican Dang Duong said. “...the president’s request is simply an offer for cooperation of both nations to uncover corruption of both sides’ politicians.”

Since the phone call, no evidence incriminating the former vice president or his son has surfaced. However, if any links were revealed, Biden’s presidential campaign would take a serious blow, hurting the Democrats’ chances of winning, as he is one of the party’s frontrunners. This means that President Trump’s chances for reelection would significantly improve.

The whistleblowers and those in favor of impeachment claim that the president abused his position in order to gain more votes.

“It’s a difficult question to answer

because the facts are still being sort of sorted out by the House of Representatives.

But there’s a considerable amount of smoke at this point. There’s a fire and we’ll have to wait and see what the House finds,” Spiegelman said.

The impeachment inquiry does not mean that the president will be removed from office or even impeached; it only means that the House of Representatives has an interest in examining the constitutionality of the president’s actions.

For impeachment to occur, the Democratmajority House must vote to impeach the president, and the Republican-majority Senate must hold a criminal trial to decide whether there is legitimate evidence that proves the president should be removed from office. Despite the large support for impeachment coming from the House, party loyalties may make it unlikely for the president’s removal from office. This process could take several months to a year, depending on how quickly Congress would like to move with this process.

“I believe the Senate will have a lot of control over how this scandal impacts the 2020 election... If the process stops there, though, and the Senate does not convict him and remove him from office, a lot of people might believe that the entire debacle was just a ‘witch hunt’ without any real basis in fact,” AP U.S. Government student and self-identified Democrat Marissa Tellam said. “This could really hurt the Democrats’ reputation and their chances of winning the presidency in the next election. However, if the Senate does remove him from office, which is very unlikely, many voters might become distrustful of Republican candidates and vote blue in 2020.”

As the impeachment inquiry continues, it is important for voters to stay informed on the ever-changing political climate.

“Pay attention, learn the facts for yourself and don’t forget to vote,” Spiegelman said.

Isabel Wilder

Senior Copy Editor

i.wilder.thepanther@gmail.com DESIGN BY ANA MARTINEZ

FLORIDA BANS

NEWS|5

SANCTUARY CITIES

On May 2, 2019, the Florida Senate passed S.168, which would ban sanctuary cities in the state. On June 14, Governor DeSantis signed the bill and it became law, and on Oct. 1, it went into full effect. Still, Florida does not have any city that denominates itself as a sanctuary, making the law purely political symbolism, according to the Miami Herald.

In sanctuary cities, local police decides how much to collaborate with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). When an undocumented immigrant gets arrested for minor crimes — like traffic infractions — he or she gets their fingerprint matched with the FBI’s database. If they are identified as undocumented, ICE sends a detainer request. Local police then have the option to either honor the request and hold the immigrant, or let them go after their arrest period.

In cities with large immigrant populations and high percentages of undocumented immigrants, limiting the

police’s collaboration with ICE can make a difference regarding the safety of residents. Greater collaboration between these forces prompt the undocumented community to feel unsafe, and therefore making them less likely to report crimes that have been committed against them for fear of being deported. Mistrust between members of the community and the police can result in ineffective protection for them.

Yet, when cities designate themselves as sanctuaries, they may lose funding, which was the case for Miami. Since 2013, Miami had identified itself as a sanctuary city, but in 2017, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez issued an order that ended the city’s status. He explained that the decision was a result of pressure from the federal government, which offered almost half a million dollars in grants if the municipality ended the status.

Despite not having any sanctuary cities in Florida, there was still a long fight for the prohibition of the designation in the state, culminating in S.168. The law serves as a political statement promised

by Governor Ron DeSantis during his campaign for office.

In a city with a predominantly immigrant community such as Miami, the ban is more than a symbolic act.

“ICE, to my students, represents fear

of a group of people that are against them for no reason,” English for Speakers of Other Languages teacher Maria Sanin said. “I don’t think they see them as officers that are trying to do their jobs and follow the law. That’s their job.”

Dealing with undocumented students, Sanin understands that many students live in constant fear of immigration enforcement agencies, to the point where coming to school is seen as a potential risk.

“They cannot touch you here at school,” Sanin said. “Even if ICE was coming, we don’t make referrals to ICE. Even as an undocumented citizen, you have the right to free public education in this country.

Just because my students are undocumented doesn’t mean that I can refuse their education.”

Kristine Villaroel Life Editor

k.villaroel.thepanther@gmail.com DESIGN BY ANA MARTINEZ

MIAMI’S SANCTUARY TIMELIME October 2019: Measure takes full effect.

2016: Miami gets labeled as a sanctuary city in the justice department report.

2012

2014

December 2013: Miami stops collaborating with ICE.

2016

2018

January 2017: President Trump signs EO13768 declaring sanctuary cities ineligible for federal grants.

2020 May 2019: Florida senate votes to ban sanctuary cities.

6|NEWS

ITS NO JOKE

WHAT THE NEW CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY MIAMI-DADE COUNTY MEANS FOR STUDENTS Last month, Miami-Dade school officials launched a new campaign started by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) amid the rise of students jokingly posting threats against schools online. The campaign, entitled “It’s No Joke,” aims to prevent these threats in Miami-Dade County.

The DJJ launched the campaign due to a recent increase in annual school threats. According to the DJJ, charges for school threat-related offenses have increased statewide from 629 charges in the 2016-2017 school year to 779 charges in the 2018-2019 school year.

The rise of school threats also occurred in Miami-Dade County.

According to the DJJ, the county has already received 24 threats this school year. Six of these threats have ended in arrests.

“In every instance, you have to treat [these situations] as if they were real threats. And you have to fully investigate it, look into it and resolve it as if it was a real threat,” said Victoria Dobbs, principal of Miami Palmetto Senior High School. “Fortunately, it usually never is a real threat.”

Miami-Dade County Superintendent Alberto Carvahlo held a press conference on Oct. 1 regarding the “It’s No Joke” campaign, where he gave advice to students regarding online threats.

According to Carvahlo, posting online threats brings “long term consequences to the individuals who make [them].”

School threats include making false reports concerning bombs, explosives or firearms

and possessing or discharging weapons or firearms on school property or at a schoolsponsored event. Any threat of this kind, whether done online or elsewhere, could result in a charge or felony by the DJJ. “[School threats] aren’t a joke,” Palmetto No Place for Hate Club secretary

Hannah Saavedra said. “It’s a serious problem that’s been going on for awhile.

It really hurts me to see how rude and disrespectful people can be by posting these things.”

The “It’s No Joke” campaign remains

important to all Miami-Dade schools.

Moreover, clubs such as No Place for Hate at Miami Palmetto Senior High School promote kindness not only in school but on social media as well.

“I don’t think it’s funny,” Alyssa Gallo, president of the No Place for Hate Club, said. “It’s not my sense of humor, and I just think some people don’t realize how insensitive the things they say are. 10 to 20 years ago, ‘school shootings’ wasn’t a popular phrase and now it’s a thing everyone goes around and says, and as a student it’s scary.”

The “It’s No Joke” campaign encourages students, parents and teachers to report threats to authorities. Florida’s FortifyFL app sends reported threats or other suspicious activity to trusted authorities or school officials so they can take appropriate measures to ensure students’ safety. With quick and easy ways to report tips or call 911, FortifyFL helps keep students and faculty safe inside school as well as outside.

“It is truly sad that our children need to learn these serious life lessons at such a young age, but social media is a major part of our lives now. We all need to learn to use it for good and not for evil,” Palmetto parent and former PTSA president Linda Dwyer said. “If children do not learn this lesson quickly, they will have serious long term consequences. Sad, but that is our new normal.”

Ana Martinez Design Editor

a.martinez.thepanther@gmail.com DESIGN BY ANA MARTINEZ

LIFE 07

PUBLIC transit in south florida

THE GOOd, THE BAD AND THE efficient DESIGN BY CAMILLA BONDY PHOTO BY JACK MEYER

Students at Palmetto have varying ways of getting around Miami, whether they are going to school or an after-school activity. Some have their parents drive them and some drive themselves. However, more public transportation options have started opening up through Pinecrest and Miami to accommodate students who cannot drive every day.

Early in 2019, the Village of Pinecrest reached an agreement with Freebee, an environmentally-friendly shuttle service that offers free rides to patrons through an app. Freebee dispatches multiple electric-based shuttles in their respective service areas; some notable areas include Downtown Miami, Coconut Grove, South Beach, Palmetto Bay and Pinecrest.

Since Palmetto falls directly within Freebee’s Pinecrest zone, several students utilize Freebee as an easy and free way to get where they need to go after school.

However, Freebee is not the only method of transportation Palmetto students can use to get home. Several people also make use of the Pinecrest People Mover⁠ — a shuttle bus service that takes Palmetto students directly to and from school. While in the past the People Mover used two buses that took two separate routes, the Village of Pinecrest recently added a third bus to accomodate for more stops and allow more students to reach their stops faster.

“Sometimes the People Mover gets really crowded, and then it’s not a fun experience,” freshman Matthew Lewis said.

“I think that multiple buses for the more frequented routes… would make it a great experience.”

In addition to the People Mover and Freebee services, some students also rely on Miami-Dade county public transit, such as the Metrorail and Metrobus. The Metrorail serves as a great method for students looking to get downtown quickly, while the Metromover solely navigates the downtown area.

Metrorail costs $2.25 a ride, while the Metromover does not cost any money. Meanwhile, the Metrobus spans from the

Florida Keys to Fort Lauderdale and boasts a wide variety of stops across South Florida.

The Metrorail recently introduced a new line of train cars after purchasing 136 new Metrorail cars from the Italian-based company AnsaldoBreda. The $313 million-dollar deal was completed in November 2012, with train deliveries happening over time. According to the Miami Herald, Dade County does not expect it to wrap up until 2020 or later.

The Metrorail does have some flaws, such as maintenance and large crowds, especially during rush hour traffic. During these busy times, train service also slows do wn due to a limited number of trains and sometimes the trains exceeding their maximum capacity.

“Many times [the Metrorail] can be very crowded and dirty,” junior and Metrorail user Lucas Sama said. “It usually smells quite a bit and may take longer than private transportation.”

These methods of transportation are not mutually exclusive, however. Some students use Freebee in order to get to Metrorail, serving as a quick and easy way to get from point A to point B without even having to get in a car.

While a lot of students rely on driving places to get to where they need to go, riding in your car is no longer the only option to get from place to place. With Pinecrest and Miami DadeCounty providing several viable options, Palmetto students have plenty of choices as to how they want to get to their destination. Whether a student is heading to the McDonald’s a block away or a Miami Heat game downtown, public transportation in South Florida has these students covered.

Jack Meyer

News Editor

j.meyer.thepanther@gmail.com

08 LIFE

pALMETTO CELEBRA LA HISPANIDAD

La gran mayoría de los miembros de la comunidad dentro de la escuela resalta la diversidad como un factor crucial de la hispanidad.

“Traemos mucha vida y sabor con nuestra diversidad,” dijo Mariano Gama estudiante de último año, quien participa en actividades para celebrar la hispanidad con su iglesia.

El significado de la apreciación hacia la cultura hispana también se basa en el efecto que tiene la identidad al llegar a una nueva cultura.

“Me siento muy orgullosa de ser Latina, y más que Latina, de ser venezolana,” dijo Samantha Bravo estudiante de último año, quien llegó a Los Estados Unidos hace un año y medio y siente el honor de representar sus raíces en un nuevo país.

Miami Palmetto Senior High School tiene una población mayoritariamente hispana, con el 55% del cuerpo estudiantil identificándose como hispano. De acuerdo con el reporte demográfico más reciente de la escuela, 1501 estudiantes se consideran hispanos.

“Tengo mucho orgullo por mi origen hispano pero me parece que no se habla tanto,” dijo Bruno Wencelblat estudiante de segundo año, quien también se siente muy orgulloso por su herencia argentina. También nota que la cultura merece más más atención en la

Adalberto Martin

Los Estados Unidos celebran el Mes de la Herencia Hispana desde el 15 de Septiembre al 15 de Octubre. Este mes es dedicado a distinguir la cultura y tradiciones de la comunidad Latina. El inicio de este mes concuerda con la fecha de independencia de Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras y Nicaragua, de acuerdo a la Biblioteca del Congreso.

“Yo pienso que como gente tenemos que conducirnos de una manera que nos aporte orgullo,” dijo la profesora de AP Lengua Castellana, AP Literatura Hispana y jefa del departamento de Lenguas Extranjeras Lila de Puch Marsee. “No por ser hispanos tenemos orgullo, sino que tenemos que demostrar que somos buenos porque somos hispanos. Eso es lo que a mi me da orgullo” La cultura argentina de Marsee, quien ha estado enseñando por 29 años y ha visto multitudes de estudiantes con distintas raíces y experiencias, la lleva a tener una gran apreciación a la variedad de actitudes presentes en la cultura.

“Somos muy regionales. Hispanidad es lo que nos une a todos, pero en realidad tiene que ver con cada lugar en especial y todos al mismo tiempo,” dijo Marsee.

Para estudiantes que han inmigrado recientemente, su identidad se ha convertido en una fortaleza.

Karen Bonilla, estudiante de penúltimo año, quien hace solo seis meses vino desde Venezuela, se identifica fuertemente con la comunidad y resalta su hermosa complejidad.

“Ser hispano no es simplemente hablar español,” dijo Bonilla. “[El lenguaje] es una de las formas de poder expresar lo que nosotros somos.”

Samantha Bravo (12)

Karen Bonilla (11)

LIFE 09

CELEBRANDO EL MES DE LA HERENCIA HISPANA comunidad. “Es algo que se debería hablar más.”

Como inmigrante Cubana, la Vicepresidenta de la Sociedad Honorífica Hispana Maria Fernanda Capote, estudiante del último año, se siente profundamente comprometida con su cultura y las enseñanzas culturales que han definido su carácter.

“Tengo la responsabilidad de mantener ese estándar de orgullo,” dijo Capote. “Mi cultura soy yo.”

La Sociedad Honorífica Hispana (SNHS por sus siglas en inglés) permanece como la única organización estudiantil que representa a la comunidad hispanohablante en la escuela.

La sociedad está enfocada en contribuir a la comunidad y ha iniciado múltiples proyectos que han ayudado a multitudes, tales como recolectas hechas en los años pasados a beneficio de Puerto Rico luego del huracán Maria, para Venezuela dada su actual crisis, a niños en Uruguay vía la fundación Ronald McDonald y a la comunidad local mediante actividades recurrentes tales como la distribución de comida a personas sin hogar de manera quincenal.

“El primer reto más grande que tuvimos que enfrentar [con] la sociedad [este año] fue el cambio de patrocinador, y el hecho de que no hubo un reconocimiento a nuestra anterior patrocinadora [Marsee] por el trabajo que llevaba haciendo

por siete años que, en mi opinión, fue inmensamente lo que la llevó al punto en el que está hoy,” dijo Capote.

El profesor de español y nuevo patrocinador de SNHS, Adalberto Martin, está entusiasmado por celebrar este mes.

Nacido en Cuba, Martín se siente muy honrado por tener esta posición “Me siento muy entregado porque tengo una directiva de estudiantes [quienes] están encima de todo. Estamos listos para trabajar este año,” dijo Martin.

La comunidad hispana en Palmetto tiene un panorama diverso desde el punto de vista de la cultura e identidad individual y las experiencias que la definen. La meta de fomentar la apreciación a las raíces es un propósito común entre los que representan la tradición hispanoamericana en un nuevo país.

“Tener el valor de presentar y decir; me apego a lo de los Estados Unidos y abrazo y me entrego a esta nueva cultura; no quiere decir que abandone quien soy, quien fui, y quienes fueron mis antepasados,” dijo Marsee.

Lissette Martinez Feature Editor

l.martinez.thepanther@gmail.com

Kristine Villarroel Life Editor Lila de Puch-Marsee

Maria Fernanda Capote (12)

k.villarroel.thepanther@gmail.com

PHOTO BY JACOB GRINDSTAFF DESIGN BY CAMILLA BONDY

MARIANO GAMA (12)

BRUNO WENCELBLAT (10)

10 LIFE

Pum p THAT up JAM!

PO DO YOU LISTEN TO MUSIC BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP? YES:

NO:

52% 48% As soon as it reaches your ears, music evokes happiness. According to a study

by Ashford University, music triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that puts the listener in a pleasurable state.

Depending on the music genre one listens to, it can trigger a variety of emotions.

Many people also use fast-paced music to exercise. According to the New England College, there is an optimal rhythm to exercise to ⁠— around 120 beats per minute (bpm), or twp beats per second.

“I listen mostly to rap music,” junior marching band trombone player and AP Music Theory student David Spiegelman said. “It’s fun to listen to. It’s energetic.”

Music also helps reduce anxiety and stress levels. According to studies in the Trend of Cognitive Sciences journal, patients who were about to undergo surgery had lower overall anxiety levels after listening to music as opposed to those who did not. Just by listening to a few songs, music can help the brain wind down.

“I like to listen to classical music and instrumental music,” Advanced Placement Music Theory teacher and band director Angela Lin said. “It’s just more relaxing for me to not hear lyrics.”

Many students often listen to music to stimulate focus and relaxation. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults who listened to 45 minutes of music before bed slept longer and faster through the night than those who did not. The music that provides the deepest relaxation has around

60 to 80 beats per minute.

“I listen to music because it helps me find a way to think about something or get my mind focused on a task such as studying, doing homework, playing or exercising,” sophomore orchestra bassist Adam Lee said.

Musicians also reap the benefits of playing music. According to Kent State University, playing music enhances curiosity, creativity and concentration.

“Being in a rehearsal space allows them to learn to practice and have good etiquette and time management,” Lin said. “The music program at this school definitely makes a person well-rounded.”

Music allows for self-expression in the same way painting or writing provides.

“Because to me, being able to express that emotion or idea through your own music is better than finding someone else’s music,” Lee said.

Along with the psychological benefits, music provides a unique connection between people.

“I think music is the most social thing because music is able to bring people together through simple stuff,” Spiegelman said. “That’s why music is important to me.”

Gemma Torras

DO YOU LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE STUDYING? YES:

80%

NO:

20%

PALMETTO STUDENTS FAVOTITE GENRE OF MUSIC

37% POP: 52% ROCK: 33% RAP:

CLASSICAL:

7%

THIS SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BY W@THEPANTHERPAPER ON INSTA-

Senior Design Editor

g.torras.thepanther@gmail.com

PHOTO BY JACOB GRINDSTAFF DESIGN BY CAMILLA BONDY

FEATURE |11

PHOTO BY VALENTINA CACERES

PHOTO BYNICOLE MARKUS

PHOTO BY JACOB GRINDSTAFF

PHOTO BY VALENTINA CACERES

THE ROAD TO HOCO Miami Palmetto Senior High School celebrates homecoming, a week-long celebration of everything that makes it unique: the students, the football team and the spirit. While homecoming may look seamless and easy, there are many people who put in countless hours to ensure that it goes according to plan and that students enjoy it to the fullest extent.

Between the spirit days, Panther Prowl, the homecoming football game and the dance, the “Road to Hoco� is long and complicated. Ultimately, it allows the school to come together and show their Panther spirit. The Panther explores these elements of Homecoming, and how student-led organizations like Student Council put on one of the biggest Palmetto events of the year.

THE WEEK Homecoming week’s dress-up days, planned by senior and Head of the Senate Mariano Gama, centered around the main Arcadia theme of Palmetto’s 2020 Homecoming Dance. The “Next Level” concept of the dance included 80’s arcade games that gave the dance a vintage feel, which was reflected in many of the costume days this year.

“Since the theme is ‘Arcadia,’ everything is supposed to be from the 80’s so that’s why Monday is throwing it back to the 80’s,” junior and Special Events chair Gabrielle Rousseau said. “It’s very vintage-themed…Disney Day entails more kidfriendly characters from movies like Wreck-ItRalph, stuff like that. Class color day is a tradition we’ve always had of the rivalry between classes.”

Class Color day coincided with Senior Bonding day, in which all Palmetto seniors gathered in the gym to watch a few classic movies, catch up with old friends and share in the excitement of the last homecoming week of their high school careers.

For seniors, this day was an exciting time to deck themselves out in their bright red t-shirts and relish in the memories they have created over the last four years, proving to be a joyful yet emotional day.

Palmetto Spirit Day brought out the best in Palmetto’s students, with many arriving in their prized blue and white to generate excitement for that night’s homecoming football game. Video game character day finished off the week, with Mario Bros. characters and PAC-MAN ghosts overrunning the school that Friday.

PHOTO BYJACOB GRINDSTAFF

.

PHOTO BY VALENTINA CACERES

THE PROWL Panther Prowl is one of the oldest traditions in Palmetto history, yet Student Council still puts in extensive effort to put it on every year and make it the best event possible. As Student Council’s only fundraiser for the year, the lip-syncing competition relates to the yearly homecoming theme. This year’s theme was 8-bit, a play on 80’s video games.

Prowl brings together almost every aspect of the week: the dress-up days, the hallway decorations, the class competition and Homecoming court. The performance features lip-sync battles from both classes and clubs that are evaluated by a panel of judges not affiliated with Palmetto.

Those involved in creating the skits put in a lot of time to perfect them and ensure their chance of winning best skit. Peyton Mandelbaum, who choreographed the junior skit, spent weeks with the participants to teach them the skit and help them execute it.

“I had to talk to Sam Zelaya, who was doing the music… And I had to wait for the right cuts of the music, and then also there was a storyline that went around to it because it’s not just dance moves. It’s a whole skit performance,” Mandelbaum said.

Prowl ended with a senior victory in the class skits, hallways and spirit. The thespians won the club skit and hallway, and Psi Alpha triumphed in the honor society hallway.

THE GAME Although homecoming is full of costumes, dances and fun, the main purpose of the week is to cheer on Palmetto’s football team. Palmetto ultimately won this year’s homecoming game by 35-0, defeating the Miami High Stingarees.

While this annual game draws large crowds of students, the football team puts in the same work and dedication to their homecoming game as they do for any other game they play in the year.

“We practice every day… they always go hard, we always push each other, making sure we do exactly what we’re supposed to do, just preparing for the game,” Offensive Line Kameron Darville said. “We’re excited for every single game that we get to play. It’s a great opportunity to do that and just have fun.”

This years’ homecoming was also Senior Night for the football team, making it even more important to those who have dedicated themselves to football since they entered high school.

“It’s a big event for the seniors,” Palmetto varsity football coach Michael Manasco said.

“But homecoming is always... a big event, just to be able to showcase the entire week and have activities for the game and then... play a good opponent.”

PHOTO BY VALENTINA CACERES

PHOTO COURTESY OF MADDY SCHAIN

THE DANCE

Preparation for the homecoming dance began in August this year and required extensive time and effort from Palmetto’s Student Council.

Specifically, the Special Events Chairs, Public Relations Chairs, Historians, Photographers and Student Council Board members along with Activities Director, Elizabeth Valero, took charge and ensured the dance went according to plan.

“We hire a decorator to decorate the actual venue but other than that it is totally done by us,” Valero said.

Regarding the dance itself, decisions were made this year that increased the inclusivity and overall participation through the Arcadia theme.

“This year is going to be more interactive.

We’re going to have actual arcade games to go with the theme so people can actually play them and get prizes so that the dance can include more activities,” Rousseau said.

As an added incentive to attend homecoming, Valero and her Special Events team hid Mario mushrooms around Palmetto’s campus to entice students to search for them and collect their winnings — a free homecoming dance or Panther Prowl ticket. This built up anticipation prior to the main event on Oct. 18.

“Homecoming is a labor of love for the school on behalf of Student Council,” Valero said. “It’s the best event of the year because it involves the entire school.”

Nicole Markus

Print Editor-In-Chief

N.Markus.thepanther@gmail.com

Jane Heise

Managing Editor

J.Heise.thepanther@gmailcom

ALL INFORMATION FROM INSTAGRAM POLLS @THEPANTHERPAPER

STUDENTS WHO...

INFOGRAPHIC BY SYDNEY CAMPBELL

DRESSED UP FOR 80'S DAY

72%

DRESSED UP FOR CLASS COLOR Day

82% DRESSED UP FOR video game character DAY

16% ATTENDED THE DANCE

63%

DRESSED UP FOR DISNEY DAY

64%

DRESSED UP FOR spirit DAY

74%

ATTENDED PANTHER PROWL

65% ATTENDED THE GAME

45%

15 SPORTS

WARMING UP FOR

WINTER SPORTS

As Miami Palmetto Senior High’s students settle into their classes and fall comes to a close, the countdown for the start of the winter sports season begins.

Sports like wrestling, basketball and soccer require diligent students with peak physical capabilities and experience.

Each sport varies tremendously, and therefore requires distinct training methods in preparation for tryouts.

“We lift weights. We do a lot of strength training. We do preseason wrestling, which is where we travel around the country to wrestle. We went to North Carolina and Virginia,” Palmetto wrestling coach Anthony Fadelle said.

To prepare for this sport, STACK Fitness, a sports blog, recommends running to increase aerobic and speed endurance, lifting weights to increase muscle endurance and capacity, and to use workouts that have the explosive strength and power a wrestler uses on their opponent. They also advise consuming an adequate amount of calories to fuel your body and protein to allow protein synthesis. This process builds body muscles, vital to the strength required for wrestling. However, remain wary of decreasing muscle mass and strength when trying to lose weight for a lower weight class; aim to lose fat and preserve muscle.

For students interested in joining the

Mobolade Presley Staff Writer

m.presley.thepanther@gmail.com DESIGN BY JULIA STRASIUS PHOTOS BY JULIA STRASIUS

team, paperwork should be turned in to the Athletics Director, Mr. Batten, by Nov. 7 and tryouts will be held on Nov. 12 in the wrestling room. With these deadlines approaching, every coach employs a different method of training and preparing their players. While wrestlers are scored individually, basketball players operate as a team with one total score.

“I’ve been holding conditioning [at Palmetto] every Saturday for the past two months, so weaker players can strengthen their skills…remember not to overwork yourself. Get enough sleep and let your muscles rest,” Palmetto basketball coach Donnie Martin said.

While exercising the entire body and increasing full body strength holds importance, also take special care to train and to maximize mobility of your feet thoroughly, according to USA Basketball, a non-profit organization that governs basketball in America. Train your core muscles as well, because it is the center of your body’s movement and train unilaterally, meaning one side of your body at a time, at least once a week.

For girls, paperwork should be turned in

by Thursday, Oct. 24, and girls’ basketball tryouts are held on Oct. 28 in the gym. They play their first game on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

For boys, paperwork should be turned in

by Thursday, Oct. 31 and boys’ basketball tryouts are Nov. 4 in the gym. Their first game takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 26.

“Make sure to get all the paperwork aspect completed in advance...do prior cardio fitness training as soccer is a sport which requires constant movement, staying away from high-sugar foods will reduce the chance of a crash in energy, so

I would stay away from these…” Palmetto soccer coach Patrick Larco said. “I would also stay away from any extreme activities without a proper warm up.”

SportsRec, a fitness blog, advises getting comfortable practicing alone by passing with a wall, doing exercises like sprints as well as long distance running and building a fitness routine to practice various skills. Take advantage of not having any specific drills you have to follow and use that flexibility to build your personal weaknesses.

The last day to turn in paperwork for both teams is Thursday, Oct. 17. Girls can try out Oct. 21-25 on the field with their first game on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Boys can try out on Oct. 21 on the field with their first game on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

It would not make sense for an athlete to train without knowing what their coach is looking for. As the winter sports season begins, eager athletes await tryouts.

When playing basketball, soccer or wrestling, remember to put in your best effort and play hard.

16 SPORTS

BANDING TOGETHER As cheerleaders dance, Palmetto’s sports teams play and people cheer, attendees may not always notice the steady thrum of music playing in the background. From “ESPN” to “Big Ballin’,” Miami Palmetto Senior High’s marching band is always ready with the next song, even when not under the limelight. Unbeknownst to students at the school, the marching band has to do a lot of preparation for each performance.

With practices on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., every member has to not only pay full attention and go all-out for these rehearsals, but they also have to deal with Miami’s scorching heat while carrying heavy instruments.

Even after the school practice sessions, members must practice their instruments on their own to see improvement.

Whether playing for friends or family or rehearsing in front of the mirror to perfect the conducting of the music, the independent practice is vital to the band’s success.

The marching band also includes roles that do not involve playing an instrument, but will benefit the band in one way or another. Junior Ellen Yang not only plays the flute and piccolo, but also takes on the role of the band’s Media Officer. This job entails overlooking the

band’s social media, promoting it and regularly updating the school on each game and performance.

“As the Media Officer, I have the chance to expose the amazing players in our band to the public and give brief samples of how our band plays together,” Yang said. “It is a very fun role for me to have because even without playing an instrument at all times, I feel as though I am a part of the marching band ‘family.’”

Senior Paul Nameth took on the role of drum major, another vital role in any marching band. As the drum major, Nameth is in charge of leading the marching band in each song, ensuring that each person plays on beat and in tune. Although this task is a lot of responsibility, Nameth enjoys watching all of the time spent practicing come together from a different perspective than someone playing an instrument. “[My] favorite part of band is probably seeing everything come together, like everybody’s individual efforts and practicing and then the group rehearsals and then once we are on the field. Seeing that all come together, especially from my perspective, and running it all over to perfect the performance,” Nameth said.

Being a part of the marching band does allow for one to have a creative and musical outlet, and serves as a way to

socialize and show school spirit as well.

After many practices, the work finally pays off when going to a sporting event for Palmetto. At each football game, the band has the opportunity to show off their skills, while being able to cheer on Palmetto with each piece they play.

“It’s fun, especially this year since our football team is pretty good so we get to watch and cheer at the same time,” Yang said.

Whether in freshman or senior year, the marching band allows students to fulfill their passion and create a bond with those who share a love for music.

Though the practice may be timeconsuming, the results reflect members’ dedication and commitment. While often overlooked, the Palmetto marching band is an irreplaceable aspect of Palmetto, with the members’ obvious love for what they do shining through at every practice and sporting event.

“Band made me enjoy music more,” Yang said. “I’m able to play with my friends and also improve and appreciate working in a group.”

Allison Gould Opinion Editor

a.gould.thepanther@gmail.com DESIGN BY JULIA STRASIUS PHOTOS BY VALENTINA CACERES

PUBLIC SUPPORT After homecoming week passes by, the craze of attending school events and games dwindles down, eventually becoming unimportant to some. However, the value of students engaging and remaining an active part of school-sponsored events and games does not.

There is a common trope of high school sports games in movies based on American high school, and sporting events make up a large part of the overall high school experience. Despite this, high school sports teams actually lack a large amount of public support from their fellow peers; frequently facing neglect and nearminimal support from classmates.

Many athletes here at Palmetto believe public support at their games impacts their overall performance. “...Student body support for the g i r l s

17 SPORTS

AT GAMES

soccer team is important because it helps build our confidence,” junior and member of Palmetto’s varsity girls’ soccer team Emma Pardo said. “At away games it gives us a sense of pride that even when we’re away from our home and our school, we still maintain that same energy.”

Albeit some students tend to agree with this sentiment as well, people still fail to show up to many sports games, despite having friends on the team – as a result of a wide range of external factors.

Palmetto junior Priya Mahabir has actively attended many sports games all throughout her high school years but acknowledges that many of her peers fail to do the same.

“Although I personally find it greatly important to go to the sports games and events here at Palmetto, which allow me to have fun while supporting my fellow classmates; a lot of my friends are unable to do the same, the most frequent reasons are either homework or not having a ride,” Mahabir said.

While the future of school spirit might seem bleak, there are clubs in place that serve to boost school spirit amongst students.

Palmetto’s pep squad, for example, actively

involves themselves in nearly all of Palmetto events, from sports games to pep rallies. Through such clubs, students can see the many ways to show support and pride for your school.

“Public support from students is very important for both school and sporting events,” Honors Economics teacher and pep squad sponsor at Miami Palmetto Senior High, Armando Gonzalez said.

“Many students wear blue and white and their class colors paint their faces and go all out to show support for one another and that’s the most important way to show support.”

There is always an atmosphere of support – whether it be a home game or an away game. Sporting and school events provide an excellent opportunity for people to come together as a community.

The beauty of these events lie in the power they hold, as the impact they have on students, athletes and members of the community is paramount. These events enable students to feel a sense of unity, otherwise nearly impossible to replicate.

Senior Andrea Risquezes-Gete, has continuously supported Palmetto by appearing at events and sports games for the past four years.

“There’s so many students, that I don’t know or am friends with, but it’s really cool to see the majority of Palmetto’s population come together to support one thing which is our school,” RisquezesGete said.

Jacob Grindstaff Multimedia Editor

j.grindstaff.thepanther@gmail.com DESIGN BY JULIA STRASIUS PHOTOS BY VALENTINA CACERES

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20 PERSONAL ESSAY

MY

mental health journey

Even as a preschooler, I had anxiety.

I constantly worried about everything, from who to play with on the playground to making a mistake while drawing. As time went on, those constant worries transformed into crippling anxiety.

At school, I conducted myself in a perfectionist manner, but at home I completely let loose, lashing out at my family when life’s challenges became too much to cope with, such as failing a test or receiving bad news. Come fourth grade, the pressure of a tough school year and outside stress impacted my mental health, and my parents decided that I needed to see a therapist. After a couple months of talking through my stress, it became more manageable, and I stopped going to the sessions.

Fast forward to freshman year, and everything came tumbling down. Not only did the start of high school and academic stress weigh on me, but the constant selfdeprecation and comparison to others caused my mental health to rapidly deteriorate. Rather than being a proud and supportive sister of

my overachieving brother, loved by all around him, I saw him as my competition.

I threw myself into the challenging classes and numerous clubs in hopes of outshining his legacy.

I continued pushing my mental limits like this throughout my freshman and sophomore year, which inevitably led to breakdowns and panic attacks at both school and home. At one point I developed chronic stomach aches and nausea as a result of the anxiety. I spent almost every morning, shaking my mother awake, pleading her to let me stay home.

It worked at first, but eventually she realized that I could not keep escaping my problems this way, as it ultimately hurt me more. My parents begged me to see a mental health professional, but I refused. I did not want to get help; I did not want to get better or change. Change, even positive, terrified me. Eventually, my mind would no longer allow me to get anything done, and thankfully, my parents made me get help.

When I finally saw a psychiatrist, they prescribed me antidepressants, in hopes of reducing my anxiety. While I thought medication would instantly make me happy, I was far from right. It was a process. I had to adjust my medications multiple times and change brands until I found the right dosage and regimen for me. This took over a year. When medication alone did not prove enough, I opened up to the idea of therapy. It took a while to find someone that I felt comfortable talking with. After visiting a new therapist every week, I finally found

someone that I could relate to, they helped tremendously, and I still see them today when necessary.

However, the summer going into junior year, depression settled in. While at a summer journalism program, I had one of the biggest panic attacks I have ever experienced. Tears poured down my cheeks, as I called my mother, shaking.

After keeping it in for so many months, I revealed to my mom that I had been having thoughts of hurting myself. Really though, I did not actually want to do that.

I consider myself a rational person, and the worst part was that while I knew my thoughts were unnecessary and foolish, I could not control them.

From junior year until now, I have worked with my therapist to learn coping and management skills to stop my mind from going to a dark place. After being in therapy and on antidepressants for two years, I remain in a stable place both mentally and physically.

I wrote this to show people, especially other students at Palmetto, that it is okay to not be okay. These feelings have become so prevalent among people, especially teenagers, but because of the stigma concerning them, no one feels comfortable enough to talk about it. I see a therapist, and I take antidepressants. Saying this does not scare me; it shows that I strive to get better. I still suffer from anxiety and depression, and I probably always will, but I have learned how to manage it as I continue receiving help and working on myself.

If you find yourself in this situation, you are not alone. There is always someone you can talk to, like a trusted teacher or counselor, and there is always hope.

Olivia Solomon

Advertising Chair

o.solomon.thepanther@gmail.com DESIGN BY GIANNA HUTTON

face off: are school events a rite of passage?

OPINION|21

YES

From stressing over classes to focusing on relationships, high school is of utmost importance in a teen’s life. The realization hits in the future — when tests are long forgotten, as well as the name of friends who at one point mattered so much — that the most vivid memories are those of events attended in high school. Past, present and future generations have all experienced these same activities, making them a rite of passage for high schoolers.

When some ask their parents about stories of their own teen years, they might hear fond recollections of events they went to with friends. They recall the fun times they had at activities and how they consider these moments the highlights of their high school experience. It was their time to let loose with friends at a school-related occasion not associated with the most dreaded aspect of school — stress.

Events such as homecoming serve as a way to unite the student body. It combines school and fun into one, allowing students to show off their school spirit.

Students feel a sense of anticipation and excitement as they plan what to wear for spirit week, carpool with each other to events such as Palmetto’s very own Panther Prowl and coordinate where to take pictures before the homecoming dance. Opportunities for making memories arise from taking part in these experiences.

When one’s years as a high schooler come to an end, the memories that remain are the joyful times one spent with friends at these activities.

According to a poll by Gallup, 54% of adults describe high school as a great time in their lives. So, a word of advice: be open to new experiences and have fun.

NO

While some may associate high school with spirited pep rallies and school dances, one can achieve the same growth and fulfillment through involvement in other activities.

Aside from the social aspects, student organizations and clubs provide benefits for the future. Students involved in clubs have a gateway to developing crucial life skills such as commitment, leadership, and collaboration. They allow individuals to branch out and meet students outside of their immediate social circle. With over 60 clubs, Miami Palmetto Senior High School creates an environment where all students have an opportunity to flourish and explore their interests.

Extracurricular activities, such as sports, also provide a chance to reinforce lessons learned in the classroom, offering students the ability to apply academic skills in a real-world context, creating a well-rounded education. The number of participants in high school sports increased for the 29th consecutive year in 2018, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Extracurriculars also provide a leg up for students on college applications that school events simply cannot do. For many students, they are a fun activity, but certainly not a necessity to achieve the full high school experience.

Becoming involved in high school is of utmost importance, no matter what the involvement may be. It is not crucial for students to participate in school events or dances.

Students can skip out on the pain of wearing heels for five hours or wondering if their hair appointment will give them enough or too much time between then and group pictures.

Although fun, at the end of the day, attending events such as football games, dances and pep rallies are not a fundamental component of having a complete and enjoyable high school experience.

Priscilla Bermudez

Julia Strasius

p.bermudez.thepanther@gmail.com

j.strasius.thepanther@gmail.com

Copy Editor

PHOTOS BY SOFIA VINUZA DESIGN BY GIANNA HUTTON

Design Editor

STAFf editorial

In major cities like Chicago and New York City, teens can easily get around without a car, thanks to their accessible subway lines. But in Miami, our public transportation is extremely lacking.

Though the Metrorail functions similar to a subway, it has limited stops and covers minimal ground, which in turn leads to poor ridership. Because of this, getting around Miami without a car poses difficulties.

For teens, getting rides from friends and parents is an efficient and environmentally-friendly way to get places. Having a friend that can provide a ride to and from school makes trips stressfree and enjoyable. Another efficient way to get places is through ridesharing apps such as Uber and Lyft. Though a bit more costly than public transportation, these apps pick up a person and drops them off to wherever they need to go.

The Village of Pinecrest has tried to help those who find it difficult to get around by offering a few free transportation options. While Palmetto does provide buses for those who live outside the school’s two-mile radius, the Pinecrest People Mover fills in the gaps and takes students who live within the two-mile radius to and from school. However, the overcrowded Mover may not get you to your destination in a timely manner. The Freebee is another free service offered by Pinecrest, but it too, is overextended, leading to long, impractical wait times; do not use the service if you need to get to your destination in under an hour!

For all of Miami, accessibility needs improvement. People of lower economic standing or environmentally-conscious individuals deserve a means of transportation that can properly cater to their needs. If methods like Freebees had more cars or larger vehicles to transport people, they could cut-down wait times and expand to include a greater clientele.

Sincerely, The Panther Staff

Florida, man

Just Florida Things: Amusement Parks Chances are, if you live in Florida, you’ve been to Universal Studios or Disney World, or both. Sure, any person in the country, or even the world, can take a weekend off and fly down to Orlando for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

But for Floridians, it’s more of a once every few months experience. Everyone else in the world has to plan their trips months in advance and treat it as their “big vacation.” But Floridians can just book a room at a hotel in Orlando and take a quick four hour drive whenever they feel like it.

Plus, for Florida residents, the options for tickets are limitless. From annual passes to

Florida resident deals, theme parks are like a second home for all Floridians, whether one lives in Miami or Tallahassee.

And yet, despite the fact that the average Floridian knows more about these parks than most theme park experts, they all still go full tourist mode by taking enough pictures to create a virtual tour and buying the same souvenirs everytime they go, from Mickey Ears to Harry Potter wands. But no matter how many times Floridians go to these parks, they truly never seem to lose their magic.

Jack Meyer

News Editor

j.meyer.thepanther@gmail.com

MISSION STATEMENT The Panther staff aims to inform fellow students and parents about schoolwide, 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 7460 S.W. 118th Street Miami, FL 33156, (305) 235-1360 ext. 2337. 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 911B or e-mail us at thepanthermpsh@gmail.com. The Panther has professional membership in NSPA and CSPA. The Panther prints 3,000 copies per issue for distribution. The Panther is distributed for free to all students in school. Subscriptions (for cost) are also available. Please visit our paper online at thepalmettopanther.com.

BYLINE POLICY:

All creative work (such as illustrations, graphics, photos and writing) excluding staff editorials and staff member pictures will include byline credits.

CORRECTION POLICY:

Any errors in print will be acknowledged in the next print issue in a correction box. Any errors online will be acknowledged immediately. Errors include facts, figures, misquoting and name misspellings.

ADVERTISING POLICY:

Ads will be designed by the advertiser and include all information the advertiser wants included. If the advertiser asks the staff to design the ad, the individual who sold the ad will design the ad or the Ads Manager will.

Ads will be approved by EICs, the Advisor and the Ads Manager. If an ad produced is illegible, contains false information, or the advertiser does not like it, they will receive a free ad in the next issue. If you would like to advertise, please contact us.

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY 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.

STAFf Editor-In-Chief

Allison Strasius

Print Editor-In-Chief Nicole Markus

Online Editor-In-Chief Joanna Salvat

Managing Editor Jane Heise

Senior Copy Editor Isabel Wilder

Senior Design Editor Gemma Torras

Advertising Chair Olivia Solomon

Feature Editor

Lissette Martinez

News Editor Jack Meyer

Life Editor Kristine Villarroel

Sports Editor

Valentina Caceres

Opinion Editor Allison Gould

Multimedia Team Valentina Caceres Jacob Grindstaff Sofia Vinueza

Copy Team Priscilla Bermudez Katriona Page Kate Stuzin

Design Team Camilla Bondy Sydney Campbell Gianna Hutton Ana Martinez Julia Strasius

Staff Writers Catalina Arbe Kun Liu Zaviera Presley

Adviser

Laura Aviles

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