Identities in Danger - Eagle Eye News - Volume 9, Number 1 - October 2023

DESIGN BY Julia Landy

Identities in

Danger Also in this issue...

12

20

18

HISTORY BLACKLISTED

WHO RUN THE WORLD... GIRLS

OPINION: ERASING EDUCATION

New African American history standards and banned AP African History Studies course create controversy

Teen girls help support US economy by following influencial figures who symbolize female empowerment

Florida Government pushes Black and LGBTQ+ students into further oppression

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School October 2023 • Volume 9 • Number 1

FEATURE • Local Farms 01

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

5901 Pine Island Road Parkland, Florida 33076

Quarter One 2023 • Volume 9, Number 1 EagleEye.News

@MSDEagleEye

@MSDEagleEyeNews

News

04

MSD in Brief

07

Diyas and Days off

09

Meet Mr. Johnson

11

@HumansofMSD @MSDEagleEye

New developments occur at MSD Hindus in Broward County petition for Diwali to become a school holiday Assistant Principal Robert Johnson reflects on role he plays in MSD students’ lives

Over Enrolled, Under Funded Enrollment numbers impact teachers’ rosters and student schedules

Feature

Blacklisted 12 History New African American

Opinion

history standards and banned AP African History Studies course create controversy

Education 18 Erasing Florida Government pushes

and Prejudice 14-17 Pride LGBTQ+ students at MSD

Mo’ Money Mo’ Problemz

Black and LGBTQ+ students into oppression

struggle with recent targeted legislation

Football players risk their careers for contract renegotiations

Sports

Arts & Leisure

Fumble, Fracture 24 Fall, MSD Student Athletes sustain injuries participating in high school athletics

27 MSD welcomes new Game Changers coaches Executive Editor-in-Chief Rayne Welser Associate Editor-in-Chief Jessie Gesund Alison LaTorre Brynn Schwartz Photo Editors Chelsea Townsend Glory Lee Carolina Ochoa Podcast Editor Javier Otero

Section Editors Dhaanya Balaji Jasmine Bhogaita Grace Brill Andres Fuenmayor Aisha Hashmi Anna Horowitz Andie Korenge Lyla Sachs Ryan Shimony Social Media Editor Ashveen Saini

run the world... Girls 20 Who Teen girls help support US economy

Media on the Side 23 Social MSD students use social media to promote their businesses and hobbies

Cover

DESIGN BY Rayne Welser GRAPHICS BY Rayne Welser

Publication Policies Staff CJ Allison Zara Dautruche Lincoln Miller Rio Rice Ava Thomas

Eagle Eye News is an open forum for student expression created by Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students. Eagle Eye News does not represent the views of of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School or Broward County Public Schools.

Eagle Eye News seeks to recognize the individuals, events and ideas relevant to readers. Our organization is committed to fair reporting, providing a platform for student voices and equitable coverage.

To read our complete set of policies and editorial procedures, please visit us at www.eagleeye.news The publication is a member of the Florida Scholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the Southern Interscholastic Press Association.

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DESIGN BY Rayne Welser

to the

Letters Editor On the Clock Dear Editor, My main problem this year is how isolated the 1300 building is from the rest of the school.

I have to speed-walk to get to class on time, which isn’t great. I have to go from the 900 building to the 1300 building and then run to the 1500 building. I wish I had more time between classes so I wouldn’t have to rush to class on burgundy days. I don’t even know why we only have six minutes where there’s plenty of people facing the same dilemma. The school should extend the period between classes to 8 minutes to provide students with a sufficient amount of time to transition through classes.

NIKITA SINGH, 10

School Spirit

Dear Editor, We need more schoolwide events. Now, there may be a significant portion of students who only see school events as a boresome obligation, but that’s only the case because this school hasn’t put anywhere near enough effort into making engaging, fun events for the students.

A Halloween bash or a Thanksgiving celebration is perfect for creating a sense of community within the school and can add some variety to shake the tedious monotony of students’ school lives. It’s time to rebrand school from a “necessary evil” that students dread to attend to a less evil, more engaging environment students are proud to call their school. Maybe I just miss sports day, but I feel like students need a fair share of excitement every now and then, and school can be the perfect place for that to happen, we just have to make it so.

ANDRES OLMOS, 11

Homework Hassle

Dear Editor, I’ll admit that homework assignments can be good and useful, but I think we get too much. We already learn and do so much during class; I don’t see why we have to do more of that at home. Even if each of your classes only assign a quick 20-minute worksheet, that adds up to over an hour of homework each night. It just feels like a waste of time in most cases.

Homework can be very stressful and overwhelming. That often makes me want to put it off until the last minute, which just makes the situation worse. I know that I and many other students struggle with procrastination and lose valuable sleep and free time trying to get all their homework done.

I think that most homework should be optional. If you’re not doing well with a certain lesson and need more practice with it or to study, you can do homework. Or homework could be assignments or notes that you didn’t have time to finish in class.

Homework usually just feels overwhelming and pointless for me, and I wish I didn’t have to do as much of it.

MADISON RYAN, 12

A Sticky Situation Dear Editor, Gum under desks. Nasty! I hate putting one leg over the other just to feel my knee swipe the bottom of the desk where the sticky, stretchy, grossness is. That was in someone’s mouth, and they stuck it under the desk.

Or when I am readjusting my desk and my HAND swipes the gum.

Now I have to go to the bathroom and

Climate Calamity

wash my hands while also wanting to cry.

Simply getting up to throw out gum is not hard. I can attest to that because I do it everyday, I use my legs and walk to the trash.

It is not hard.

In conclusion, if you leave your gum under desks for people to touch, you are lazy and disgusting.

RHIANNON MARKAJ, 11

Banning Books Dear Editor, There are so many books that are prohibited nationwide; 41% of books are currently banned. Because of certain material, books are being removed from libraries, bookshops and schools. This is undesirable because it creates a fear-based perspective in society.

There have been 1,586 books banned between July and March 2022 in 86 districts across 26 states. People claim that if books like these are removed, future generations won’t be aware of history and that these books explain stories in realistic or explicit terms.

“Gender Queer,” by Maria Kobabe “Looking for Alaska,” by John Green “The Hate U Give,” by Angie Thomas and even, “Charlotte’s Web.” They reject books about individuals who are different or who violate or fail to conform to the standards of society. They want people to simply listen to what they have to say without learning anything, so that in the future, we would only believe what they say.

We cannot get rid of these books. Afterall, we have voices for a reason.

ZAINUB SIDDIQI, 11

Restrictive Reading

Dear Editor, Most people I have met absolutely despise reading. I find myself to be a person that enjoys reading in my spare time, so I thought this was a strange opinion. However, after much thought, I realized that school makes people dislike reading.

When English assignments have to do with reading any passage, let alone a whole book, is usually followed by many groans of annoyance. You might ask: how does an education make people lose interest in

reading?

It is simply because they do not have the freedom to express themselves. Being given the option to choose your own book makes it even more interesting because YOU chose it yourself. School assignments force many people, including me, to associate reading with annoyance because they are forced to do it for a grade. If students are even given the option to choose what they read, I believe more of them will enjoy reading.

JACQUELYN CHEN, 9

Beyond the Screen

Dear Editor, Social media is becoming a trap for people worldwide, especially teenagers.

When I think about our childhood, we were happier before we even had phones. At school, we interacted with our peers, engaged in learning, and talked face-to-face with people. Nowadays, teenagers can’t function without their phones. Phones have become a disruption, especially for school.

Social media lowers people’s self-esteem and, as we all know, causes depression, selfhate and anxiety, leading to more serious

issues. It’s also become addicting. When we go onto social media, we become intimidated and insecure and start comparing ourselves to the “pretty faces” and “perfect lifestyles” we see.

This is the reason why everyone feels unsure about themselves. We set too many beauty standards and expectations for how things should be when things are wonderful.

Social media is sucking the meaning out of life. I hope this can be minimized so we can all enjoy the little things in life as we’re supposed to. We only live once.

Sumayah Stephens, 12

Send Us a Letter Have something to say about the school? Have something to say about a local, national or global issue? Have something to say about this issue of Eagle Eye News?

We want to hear your opinions.

Email submissions to: MSDEagleEyeNews@gmail.com Submissions must be between 100-200 words

Dear Editor, It is easier to deny catastrophes if you are not affected. As new record highs roll in for the year, I find myself surrounded by more people who are in denial about our climate. The melted soles on my shoes beg to differ, but others insist that everything is fine. Increased concerns sweep over empty minds as a depressing reality approaches us.

With every passing summer our country, especially our home state of Florida, becomes unlivable. For those without access to water and air conditioning, the heat is deadly. In my years as a Florida resident, I have watched each summer progressively rise in temperature, with no turn around in sight. I fear for the longevity of our state and hope the uninformed open their eyes.

MATEA COHEN, 11

Pride Predicament Dear Editor, The recent rules by the Florida Board of Education are ridiculous. They have gotten to the point of banning teachers from using nicknames without parental consent to make sure no transgender student can be called their preferred name at school. Although they never explicitly state this as the purpose of the new rule, their motive becomes very evident when looking at recent Florida legislature. Our state government keeps trying to test the limits on how much they can censor LGBTQ+ content.

I believe most rational people would agree that attempting to ban AP Psychology from high school students is unreasonable. Even with the argument that topics of gender identity and sexuality are inappropriate for younger children, are high schoolers really not mature enough to be able to be told “gay people exist” without being brainwashed? The real issue is that education on LGBTQ+ topics leads to acceptance, and our state wants to avoid that at the cost of its queer students.

DAYNA KAPLAN, 12

Attendance Anger

Dear Editor, I am writing to you about the 10-10-10 rule. I know this rule was thought out in good-will, but the establishment of this rule is extremely flawed. I could understand if the 1010-10 rule circulated over unexcused absences, but it is not. I personally find it ridiculous that there could be a case where a straight-A student with near perfect attendance could be denied senior privilege if they ever find themselves in the hospital for a few days.

As someone who missed a few days of school last year due to my chronic illness, I can’t even express how horrible it felt knowing I had to show up to school in severe pain, or else risk losing my senior privilege. I understand that this attendance rule is of good intent, but I also think that it could have been laid out in a better way. Should students really be pressured to come to school while they are extremely sick, just so they don’t find themselves losing out?

JENNIFER SCHECKOWITZ, 12

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 03

MSD

in brief

New developments occur at MSD

for your information

HOMECOMING WEEK. MSD held its annual Homecoming Spirit Week from Sept. 18-22 in order to promote excitement among students in the days leading up to the Homecoming dance. This year, each days’ theme was inspired by the “Wizard of Oz:” Midwest Monday, Twister Tuesday, Which Witch is Which Wednesday, Follow the Burgundy Brick Road Thursday and There’s No Place Like Homecoming Friday.

HOMECOMING DANCE.. MSD held its annual homecoming dance on Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort. Students who attended were given light-up bracelets and homecoming-themed sunglasses when they arrived.

HOMECOMING GAME. MSD played against Monarch High School for the Varisty football Homecoming game on Friday, Sept. 22 and were defeated 26-7. Approximately 2,300 tickets were sold, and it took over an

hour for some people to get through security and inside Cumber Stadium.

NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS. MSD had four National Merit Semifinalists. Seniors Serkan Aymaz, Arya Gujarathi, Caleb Hebert and Piper Bourne all scored high enough on their PSAT junior year to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR. Math teacher Cari Buddman was names MSD’s Teacher of the Year. Buddman teaches Algebra 1 and Geometry and is highly regarded by many MSD students.

NON-INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR. Raul Bermudez was named MSD’s Noninstructional Staff Member of the Year. Bermudez is a custodian at MSD and works closely alongside head custodian Eduardo Suarez, who won the award last year.

form frenzy

FORM A LINE. Spanish Club sponsor Maria Garcia collects after school authorization forms for the annual Multicultural show tryouts. The forms had to be signed by each student’s guardian and were turned in by every dancer who stayed after school the week of Sep. 11-15.

PHOTO BY Carolina Ochoa Lozano

04 NEWS • Briefs

New state rule requires students to submit signed forms to participate in club or after-school event

START WITH HELLO WEEK. The MSD participated in Sandy Hook Promise’s Start With Hello Week during the week of Sept. 18-22.

Students were encouraged to wear green, and peer counselors wrote positive messages in chalk around the school.

established a new program at MSD to improve students’ English scores on the SAT by exposing them to more advanced vocabulary words. Students who use the selected words of the month in their English class will have their names entered in a raffle for a prize.

MEN’S GOLF. The MSD men’s golf team competed in the Morrison Invitational for the first time on Wednesday, Sept. 27. The team was the lone public school invited to the tournament and finished in fifth place out of 10 schools.

LATINOS IN ACTION. Latinos In Action held a spirit week at MSD the week of Tuesday, Oct. 3 to Friday, Oct. 6. Participating students wore tourist outfits on Tuesday, “Hispanic Hero” outfits on Wednesday, red or black on Thursday and jersies on Friday.

PIG BOWL. The MSD men’s varsity football team won their first game of the year at the Pig Bowl against Coral Springs High School on Friday, Sept.

29. The Pig Bowl is an annual tradition against CSHS in which the losing team’s principal has to kiss Petunia the pig.

PSAT. MSD freshmen, sophomores and select juniors took the PSAT on Wednesday, Oct. 11. This was the first digital PSAT offered to MSD students and matches the upcoming digital SAT that will be implemented in March 2024.

ELA WORD OF THE MONTH. Reading coach Gabby Prochilo

S

ince Aug. 22, Broward County Public Schools has implemented new procedures to comply with new Florida State Board of Education rules. Florida Administrative Code R. 6A-10.089 makes it necessary for all students to submit forms reviewed and signed by their parents in order to participate in after-school clubs and events. Without these forms, students are unable to partake in said club or event, which includes regularly scheduled meetings.

For some clubs, these forms will not affect them at all, or may even benefit them. Clubs can now have a more finite visual of who should be at their meetings and who should not.

“The new forms are meant so that we can make sure we have everyone accounted for when we go to meetings,” Marjory’s Garden Club co-President Riley Walsh said. “I feel as though having them can make it more organized.”

For others, these forms pose a threat to students who wish to participate in clubs that their parents may disagree with–particularly clubs that revolve around politics, race, religion, gender or sexuality.

“I know that a lot of kids that had come to our club previously are not out to their parents,” co-President of the Gender-Sexuality Alliance Sage Gregory said. “It’s already really hard because a lot of kids don’t want to lie to their

REPORTING BY Brynn Schwartz, Ryan Shimony and Carolina Ochoa

parents because then they could still get in trouble. It’s really dangerous.”

The reason the administrative code was initially implemented was due to an issue that began with Boone High School in Orange County, Florida. In March, a local drag queen attended a Queer and Ally Alliance meeting after school. No performance occurred, but this raised parents’ concerns about the activities their kids were engaging in after school.

The new code states that after-school activities must ensure the safety of students, as well as “protect the privacy of educational records as set forth in Section 1002.22, F.S., as well as the privacy interests of all students and parents.”

“It’s [...] so the school knows who’s on campus and where students are at, and then the parents know that their students, that child, is taking a club or an activity after school,” athletic and activities director Albert Guzzo said. “So it’s just basically for precaution and safety.”

Club sponsors distributed club forms to students during their first meetings. Forms are also available on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School website. Students who wish to join a club should see the club sponsor ahead of time to complete the forms before attending club meetings.

STORY BY Ava Thomas

DESIGN BY Alison LaTorre

refresh, revamp and refurbish MSD completes media center renovations

CAPTIVATING CARPETS. Over the summer, the media center was refurbished. One main addition is the new carpet that made the library more vibrant.

O

ver the summer, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School completed renovations to update the media center.

The changes were unveiled to students during the second week of school, starting on Monday, Aug. 28.

In the media center, the old carpeting was torn out and replaced; this was the biggest improvement to the library.

“I think the new carpet adds countenance and vibrancy to the room, bringing a peaceful and calm atmosphere; however, I wish they incorporated more works of student-made art,” sophomore Saoirse Popen said.

Media specialist Diana Haneski has helped plan the changes and has been going through all the books deciding what to get rid of. The books that are old, tearing apart and are not relevant anymore are taken out and will be replaced by new ones. The stickers are still going on and the new books will be ready for checkout in the coming weeks.

The layout of the media center has also changed. There is no longer shelving lined up at the front of the library. Curved shelves that have sections and can be moved together in different ways replaced them. The new shelving helps make the layout of the library more open as it takes up less space.

Towards the back of the library, the Promethean boards have been reorganized.

They were once placed together and are now more spread out.

RADIANT RENOVATIONS. New window wraps decorate windows both inside and outside of the media center.

This window wrap was created from a photograph in the Everglades taken by Chemistry teacher Sean Simpson.

PHOTOS BY Chelsea Townsend

CAPTIVATING CARPETS

“I love the drastic changes to the media center, the layout change makes it look so great and I love the peaceful atmosphere the media center gives off,” junior Sammi Pham said.

On the windows, there are new window wraps that allow you to see out when inside the library, but from the outside, you can only see the design over the windows. This is similar to several other spots on campus, including the front office.

“Every year I’ve done something to improve the media center, but this is the first time that you actually could see it because so much was

done at once,” Haneski said.

Haneski tries to update the media center every year with different developments. She is very happy with this year’s improvements and is excited to RADIANT RENOVATIONS continue the improvements in SMART stands for Safety, Music & future years.

Art, Athletics, Renovation, Technology The renovation cost over $50,000, and the and is funded through an $800 million funding came from Broward County Public voter approved bond measure that School’s SMART bond program, as well as a passed in 2014. portion of the annual school budget for the STORY BY Rio Rice media center.

tending to attendance M

MSD’s new 10-10-10 rule aims to improve student attendance

arjory Stoneman Douglas High School has enacted a new attendance policy dubbed the “10-10-10 rule.”

According to the new mandate, each year of their attendance at MSD, students are allotted 10 absences, 10 sign-ins and 10 sign-outs. If anyone exceeds the number in any of the three categories, they will not qualify for senior parking or senior privilege, which allows seniors to have off-campus study hall. The count resets each year, and breaking the rule in any year will have the same effect.

The policy was announced on Aug. 16, the week before school started, in a newsletter to MSD parents. Both unexcused absences and excused absences, including sick days, will count towards students’ 10 days. Whether extended absences due to special circumstances like hospitalization or surgeries will count for a specific student will be determined on a case-bycase basis.

“10-10-10 was created out of a need to establish a policy concerning student attendance, sign-ins and sign-outs,” assistant principal Sandra Davis said. “Especially when it relates to privileges that you get as seniors [senior parking and privilege]. It is also a safety issue for us, because kids are coming on and off campus and security has to be available to open gates for senior parking or the red gates, and we can

clearly see an abuse of the sign out policy last year.”

The rule’s creation is a direct result of an excessive amount of sign-ins and sign-outs by MSD students that in the past has created a long line and a chaotic environment in Student Services. Additionally, many MSD students had over 20 days of absences.

Administration felt this was an issue and created the 10-10-10 rule in response, which was also embraced by teachers who voted to adopt the rule as part of the MSD progressive discipline plan.

“10-10-10 has absolutely had an impact on the total number of days students are coming to school in addition to the sign-outs on a daily basis,” Davis said. “The overall goal is to keep kids in class so they get a quality education.”

While administration feels they have found a solution for students’ excessive absences, sign-ins and sign-outs, these new rules have been a cause for concern for some students at MSD. “It takes away something students don’t even have yet for the purpose of limiting the amount of class they miss,” freshman Jake Stein said. “This 10-10-10 rule just makes students and parents nervous about missing class, more than they already would have been, for no good reason.”

Initially, this rule was brought up by

TRACKING TARDIES. Senior Lukas Avila signs-in late in student affairs office during first period. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School administration is tracking attendence; students who have more tham 10 absences, sign-outs/ins or tardies will no longer be able to obtain senior parking or senior privilege, also known as offcampus study hall.

PHOTO BY Chelsea Townsend

concerned parents at the year’s first School Advisory Committee meeting. Multiple parents posted their concerns and complaints on Facebook regarding the rule. Commenters’ reactions to the rule were mixed.

Many who support the rule, including teachers, believe it can help better prepare students for the future.

“As someone who has dealt with issues surrounding attendance and tardies at two different schools, I think the 10-10-10 rule is a great incentive to keep kids motivated for more than just their education,” AP Human Geography teacher Lauren Saccomanno said.

“This motivates students, especially those who want a parking decal or senior privilege their senior year, to continue showing up and coming on time. I think it is a much more realistic view of how students will be expected to behave in the real world after high school.”

Administration’s goal is to hold students accountable and promote better attendance.

However, the effectiveness of the new policy cannot be determined until the year’s attendance data is collected and analyzed.

STORY BY Alison LaTorre ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY Lincoln Miller

NEWS • Briefs 05

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GURU GATHERING. Sophomore Ria Sethi gathers with family and friends to listen to prayers for Diwali. They listen to a Guru who recounts stories of the significance of the holiday.

At the conclusion of the event, the participants will celebrate with a feast to honor the holiday.

LIGHT THEM UP. Diyas are lit on Diwali to bring good luck and fortune to the holiday. The dim flame represents the triumph of light over the darkness, representative of the holiday’s significance.

PHOTOS BY Jasmine Bhogaita

DESIGN BY Brynn Schwartz

ritual recap Hindu families celebrate traditional Diwali rituals

On Diwali, families light diyas as a way to give thanks and receive blessings from the gods.

GURU GATHERING

LIGHT THEM UP

Diyas and Days Off

Fireworks illuminate the night and serve as a symbol to guide Lord Rama home.

Hindus in Broward County petition for Diwali to become a school holiday

H

indus of Broward County have created a petition to add Diwali as an official day off of school for Broward County Public Schools effective the 2024-2025 school year. Led by the Coalition of Hindus of North America and the Networking for Hindu Professionals, the petition aims to raise awareness around the issue, as well as garner support from Hindus. The goal is to obtain 50,000 signatures, which represents the estimated 50,000 residents who observe the holiday in Broward County, and then bring the petition to the School Board of Broward County for consideration.

Every year, friends and family come together to celebrate the Hindu holiday Diwali: the festival of lights. The holiday, also known as Deepavali, celebrates the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. It only lasts for one day, but the extravagant festivities and preparations can commence for two days before and after. All day, families work to prepare a spread of food and sweets and exchange gifts and blessings.

Diyas–small, colorful oil lamps–are lit around the home, and fireworks go off in the air. Lively music plays as people chat with their loved ones.

But for many students, trying to enjoy Diwali after a long school day takes away from the cultural experience.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students who attend school all day cannot begin celebrations with their families until they finish their schoolwork. Some of these traditions require participants to wake up early in the morning or stay up late at night. These can affect a student’s performance in school or on their exams.

“My normal day on Diwali is to wake up

at 5 a.m. for a two-hour puja [prayer], then get dressed and go to school. After I come back, I do my homework right away, so I can go to the Gurudwara [religious ceremony in Sikhism],” sophomore Manpreet Chhabra said. “If Diwali were a day off, not only would I have more time with my family, but I would also spend the day helping my mom so we can prepare the house.”

In traditional Hindu mythology, Diwali honors the day Lord Rama defeated the demon king Ravana and took back his Kingdom of

go to the temple and do a prayer,” freshman Neal Sethi said. “I think that right now it is hard to do that because we have school.”

For students at MSD who choose to stay home on Diwali, they will receive an excused absence if their parent or guardian calls within two days. This is in accordance with the BCPS Policy, which gives excused absences for religious holidays and events.

Currently in Broward County, days off and holiday breaks are given to most other religious groups. This includes Christmas and Easter for Christians, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur for Jews, and most recently, Eid ulFitr as an observed Muslim day off.

The case of Eid ul-Fitr is especially noteworthy, as Neal Sethi, 09 after effort and promotion Ayodhya after a 14-year banishment. To mark from the Muslim community, the holiday was his return, the people of Ayodhya lit diyas and voted in as an official day off from school. With a adorned their porches with rangolis, or colorful similar effort by Hindus in Broward County, the patterns made of chalk and rice, to help light the same effect can be achieved for Diwali. path for Lord Rama back home.

“I think it is important for everyone to show The holiday is of extreme importance to the interest in signing the petition to have Diwali as Hindu religion and culture, and young children a holiday in order to actually have an impact,” and teens play an especially vital role in the day. Nookala said. “The more people that are on By not having a day off to celebrate and learn, board with the petition, the more likely we are to some students feel that the school district is not make a change.” representing the Hindu and Indian culture.

This effort follows a continuous movement “I feel that Broward County Schools should to make Indian and Hindu representation within give Diwali as a day off of school to allow those Broward County more prevalent. Earlier this who celebrate to spend the day with their family year, BCPS declared November to be Hindu and to embrace their culture without having to Heritage Month. worry about homework or the stress of school,” With collective work from people across the Co-President of the Indian Student Association county, Diwali can become one step closer to Aneesha Nookala said. becoming a recognized day off, furthering the Students also felt that the way they celebrate cultural diversity and inclusivity of the county Diwali could be more involved and closer to and its representation of the different students traditional ways of celebrating if they had more who live within its boundaries. time in the day to express their religion.

STORY AND DESIGN BY Jasmine “If we got the day off, my family and I would Bhogaita

“

If we got the day off, my family and I would go to the temple and do a prayer. I think that right now it is hard to do that because we have school.

Rangoli, made of sand or powder, are arranged on doorsteps by young children.

Families create offerings to deities to show their appreciation for their good fortune.

Henna, or mehndi, is applied in intricate patterns as a way to bring good luck.

Scan the QR code to sign the petition to make Diwali an official school holiday

NEWS • Diwali 07

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aving been granted the position of assistant principal this year, Robert Johnson plays an integral role in daily life at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Seeking to build bonds with students and create a learning environment in which they feel constantly valued and supported, Johnson is unfailingly dedicated to his position here. From collaborating with other members of school administration to dealing with disciplinary issues, he feels he helps run the school in the most efficient and inclusive manner possible.

What does your job as assistant principal entail?

I oversee the 11th grade and the English Language Arts/Reading department. Some of my other responsibilities are professional development, acceleration and School Advisory Council. The most important aspect of my job has to do with teaching and learning. I make sure that teachers have the requisite technology at their disposal and work with students on an individual basis to make sure that they have everything they need to be successful.

What tasks must you perform that you dislike, and why do you dislike them?

I won’t lie, I struggled with this question.

I think the most honest response I can give is that I hate doing computer work. I prefer to be in front of people and helping them. The time I have to spend on the computer is what I dislike the most. My wife works from home most of the time, and I would absolutely hate that.

What are some aspects of your job that you look forward to doing, and why do you look forward to doing them?

DESIGN BY Andie Korenge

Meet

Robert Johnson

Assistant Principal Robert Johnson reflects on his teaching journey and the role he plays in MSD students’ lives

having a passion for it. My career path wasn’t the most traditional. I spent a few years as a sales manager overseeing a team and— when I eventually made my way back into education—I took those skills with me and it ended up working out.

What were you doing when you first began working in education, and how have you managed to further your career to where it is today?

My first ever job in education was a teacher assistant at a charter school in an inner city in New Jersey. As far as furthering my career, I have been very fortunate to meet the right people at the right time. I say that, but I have also worked very hard.

If you’ve ever been in my office and we talk about your future, odds are you’ve heard me say the line ‘the harder you work the luckier you get.’

Was being an assistant principal always your goal and how does it feel knowing that you have achieved it?

Always? No. I would say it was my goal for the last 5-7 years or so. I genuinely can’t answer how it feels to accomplish this goal.

I’ve sacrificed and done a lot of different things to get here. I would say I feel very lucky and fortunate to be where I am with the people I am with. I have had jobs that I have hated and worked for companies that I hated.

To be able to work for a great school, in a great area, with great people; I am blessed.

What are some hardships you’ve overcome to get to where you are today, and what have you learned from them?

Douglas High School?

At this point in the year it’s difficult to say. I could talk about how I worked on the literacy plan, genius bar or senior parking, but honestly, what I am most proud of is how I handled the discipline referrals last year. I didn’t just assign consequences and move on; I got to know students and gave them strategies to overcome their struggles and some did. That’s my most significant impact thus far, but there is a lot more to come.

This is a loaded question for me, What are some of the things you personally. Instead of focusing on the want to do in the future to further My favorite part of the job is when hardships I will focus on what I have learned. improve our school?

I have kids in my office and we get a I have learned that life is not linear; it will I’d like to see more kids graduate with chance to connect. I don’t care if it’s for a lead you to where you need to be and college credits, whether that’s through disciplinary issue or because I saw them doesn’t care about your plans. As long as you Advanced Placement or dual enrollment. I doing something good and want to give them do what you love, you’re in the right place. would even like to see more kids graduate some type of reward. When I think back to with industry certifications. There are so my teachers or administrators in school, I What things do you feel are many options out there after high school and don’t remember much of what they taught; I important for students to know the opportunities to get ahead now are unlike remember how they made me feel. My hope and understand about you— any that there were even 20 years ago when is that I give some positivity to the kids that personally or professionally?

I was in school. Kids need to know about and come in contact with me.

What students should know about me start taking advantage of them. personally is that I care about their success. I What prompted your decision to want to see them reach whatever goals they What do you value most about work in school administration, set for themselves. I am rooting for them and what you do at MSD? and how did you get into it? want to be a part of their journey.

Without a doubt the students. That’s why I wasn’t the type of person that wanted to we’re all here. I work with a really talented go into teaching or education when I was in What would you say is the most and unbelievably dedicated department high school. I selected education as a second significant impact you’ve made in English Language Arts. Working with major and back up plan but ended up really here at Marjory Stoneman this group of teachers makes my life as an

ON AIR. Assistant Principal Robert Johnson’s voice comes on clear over the loudspeakers as he does the daily morning announcements.

Having taken over announcement duty this year, Johnson has developed a signature sign-off in the hopes of conveying to students how valued and appreciated they are at MSD. He does this by stating, ‘If no one has told you that you are loved today, know that you are loved,’ as an uplifting and motivating means by to bring the announcements to a close.

PHOTO BY Andie Korenge

administrator much easier and they do such an amazing job.

What are some of the ways in which you collaborate with other members of administration to run our school?

We all serve as a sounding board for one another. We ask each other what they would do in certain situations. We may not take the advice, but we factor it into our decision making. One of the things about working for [Principal Michelle] Kefford is that she never admonishes anyone for bringing ideas to the table, almost everything is a group decision.

Finally, what is your life like outside of MSD? At this point in my life, I spend all my time with my kids. I have a 6-year-old and a 4-year-old. During the week, it’s homework, and on the weekends, it’s karate, gymnastics, play dates and hanging out in the pool.

REPORTING BY Andie Korenge

NEWS • New Assistant Principal 09

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DESIGN BY Anna Horowitz

Over Enrolled,

Enrollment numbers impact teachers’ rosters and students’ schedules

Under Funded E

LESS CROWDED

COMPACT CLASS

OVERCROWDED LESS CROWDED. Advanced Placement Statistics teacher Chris Mathew instructs a class that holds a below-average number of students for a core academic course.

The average number for students in a core course is normally 25-30, this class only has 20 students.

PHOTO BY Alison LaTorre COMPACT CLASS. Laurie Edgar teaches her 6th period Adanced Placement Literature and Composition class which has over 35 students. Her class’s roster for her 6th period was doubled after her 7th period class was collapsed, and one of her periods now has over the average number of students in a class period.

PHOTO BY CJ Allison OVERCROWDED. Students in Hospitality teacher Mitchell Albert’s class work on their daily warmup. All of Albert’s classes are full, with over 40 students per period.

PHOTO BY Ryan Shimony

dwindling down Enrollment numbers show smaller freshman class compared to other grade levels

718

858

848

858

Freshmen Sophomores Juniors

Seniors

ven before schools open their doors for the first day, for MSD, which was projected to be $14,001,021, is lower than it there are flocks of students eager to get their schedules originally was, which is now $13,540,362, and administration has to changed. Some do not want a specific class or they simply compensate for that. are not in the correct course. It is not uncommon for Enrollment number projections determine how students students to want to change their schedules but it is the student’s are distributed in classes and how many classes there should be. choice and done on their accord. One week after school started, Schedules are planned months in advance from the first day of some students and teachers were greeted with a rude awakening: school. Because this year’s enrollment number is less than the unannounced schedule changes. enrollment projection, some teachers have less than the average During the second week of school, 15 classes were collapsed, number of students in a class. impacting between 100 and 150 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High “What we have to do is look at where the schedules fell, which School students. The collapsed classes varied in subject areas: classes were the lowest enrolled and then collapse classes or merge from Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition to classes accordingly because not all of the sections were needed,” Drama.

Kefford said.

Laurie Edgar, an English teacher at MSD whose 7th period class With low enrollment numbers and the budget issue, guidance was collapsed, had one of her rosters doubled after some students had no choice but to collapse classes with fewer students and place from her 7th period were added to her 6th period. Now she only them elsewhere to use the budget equally and balance the number has one AP English Literature and Composition class, and her 7th of students in classes. period is a planning period.

The alternative to collapsing sections to balance the budget “I certainly don’t think it’s ideal, especially in an English class, to would be to eliminate teaching positions. have 37 students; it makes things more challenging,” Edgar said. “In “We try to make the changes early as possible,” Kefford the end, it always should be about the kids and what’s best for kids.” said. “There’s really no way to do it in advance because when Students were also frustrated with the changes, most having you’re expecting students sometimes if they don’t come, we don’t gone to their first periods of the day and being told that they were necessarily find out ahead of time; we find out when they don’t not on their teachers rosters anymore. show up to school. Unfortunately, there comes a situation where we Senior Isha Patel was switched out of Edgar’s 7th period class have to add classes, or we have to collapse classes. So it happens… and placed in Andrea Kowalski-Rospierski’s 4th period class. Like We do try to do it with the minimum amount of impact to many other students.” students, multiple This year, the classes on her freshmen class has schedule got around 725 students switched around, enrolled, compared affecting more to the 800+ students than her English enrolled in the class. Patel’s sophomore, junior English class and senior classes. change affected That is an unequal her Teacher’s ratio compared to Assistant class more recent school Principal Michelle Kefford period, and since years where freshmen her teacher could not have a TA that period, she had no choice but enrollment has typically been higher than other class enrollment. to change her schedule again.

Although this year’s enrollment number is down by “I don’t mind getting a switch because I know they have to approximately 100 students- last year’s enrollment was around move classes and sizes but at least ask me before [you change my 3,398 students and this year’s enrollment is around 3,300 students; schedule],” Patel said. “Then I can go get a second schedule change MSD’s student enrollment is still over capacity. The enrollment of the day, which is just hectic and annoying, and it’s just too much cap for MSD is 3,077 students, 223 students less than the current work. At least ask me or think it through.” enrollment.

One of the main reasons classes were collapsed was due to the There is no clear overarching cause for this year’s low school’s enrollment numbers and the corresponding budget. Every enrollment, but an intertwining of decisions could be at the root. year, schools are funded based on what the state of Florida considers Last year, the School Board of Broward County adopted a new Full-Time Equivalent students, also called FTE. boundary plan, which turned away at least 90 students who would Each year in October and February, schools count their have enrolled at MSD as freshmen for the current school year. enrollment numbers for FTE, which is based on the or the number Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also signed Senate Bill 202 into law, of students that show up for school that week, and are given a which took effect on July 1 and provides money to families through budget by Broward County Public Schools. vouchers, allowing them to apply to scholarships to private schools.

Teachers’ salaries are part of the money budgeted, and if These two reasons, as well as students moving or enrolling at a enrollment is down, the budget is reduced. Every student’s worth different high school, were circumstantial for MSD and could very in the budget depends on the services they require, so every student well affect future year’s enrollment numbers. lost is worth a different amount, but the base allocation for a student “I don’t like disrupting student schedules, that’s if I’m able to in the state of Florida is around $8,000. prevent it. If schedules are changed I can tell you, you know on In planning for the next school year’s budget, school principals our end we really try to make it as least disruptive as possible,” project a number of students that they believe enroll in a school Guidance Director Veronica Melei said. “I’m sorry that these had to months in advance and must coordinate with the county. This year, happen. I know it could be a little tough, but we try to do it as least the county projected 3,400 students would enroll at MSD, and disruptive as possible; we try to look out for them in that aspect.”

Principal Michelle Kefford projected 3,350 students would enroll at There’s no way to know whether student enrollment at MSD MSD. will continue to decrease in the future or increase again. However, it The number of students that were enrolled in the beginning is clear that it the student population continues to get shrink, MSD’s of the school year was 3,300, 100 less than the county’s projection budget and extra periods supplements for teachers will too. and 50 less than Kefford’s projection. Because of this, the budget STORY BY Anna Horowitz

“

Unfortunately, there comes a situation where we have to add classes, or we have to collapse classes. So it happens… We do try to do it with the minimum amount of impact to students

NEWS • Enrollment Changes 11

History Blacklisted New African American history standards and banned AP African History Studies course create controversy

*Names indicated with an asterisk were changed to shield the identity of the faculty member and protect their privacy bout 400 years ago, the first groups of enslaved Africans were brought to America via the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade. Over 200 years later, the 13th Amendment abolished slavery. In 1896, the Supreme Court decision of Plessy v. Ferguson protected Jim Crow laws. About three years ago, the murder of George Floyd triggered an influx of support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Today, people fear Black American history is being censored in Florida.

The Florida State Board of Education approved new African American history standards in July, which revises the way slavery and civil rights history are taught.

Within the 216-page document, the most objected standard was SS.68.

AA.23, in which teachers are required to teach “how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied to their personal benefit” when discussing the duties performed by slave including agricultural work, painting, tailoring, blacksmithing, transportation, etc.

One standard suggests that enslaved African Americans have benefited from slavery because of the potential skills they may have gained from slave labor. Critics pointed out that this is in direct contrast to the horrific lived experiences of slaves in the U.S. The increased rhetoric about teaching “both sides” of slavery has been a reason for concern to many, and critics believe the new African American history standards are altering the truth of Black history.

“I personally feel like they are just trying to cover up and water down the facts of what actually happened to make the history of African Americans seem less significant and it’s unacceptable that these new standards were

A

banning history Florida officials regulate how African American history is taught

breaking it down New African American history standards cause controversy

July 2022

August 2022

HB 7, the Individual Freedom Act, dubbed the Stop W.O.K.E. Act, bans the teaching of Critical Race Theory from public schools and in workplace training.

College Board begins piloting Advanced Placement African American Studies in 60 high schools across the country. It covers Migrations and the African Diaspora, Intersectionality, Creativity, Expressions, and the Arts, Resistance and Resilience and Critical Race Theory.

SS.68.AA.23 “Examine the various duties and trades performed by slaves (e.g., agricultural work, painting, carpentry, tailoring, domestic service, blacksmithing, transportation).” The clarification of this standard reads: “Instruction includes how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.”

SS.68.AA.23 Social Grade African Standard Studies Levels American Number HOW TO READ A STATE STANDARD

12 FEATURE • Changes to African American History Education

passed,” MSD Black Student Union President Alexandra Lewis said.

At one of his presidential campaign events in July, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis asserted he was not involved with the approval of the standards but still defended the new revisions.

“The reality is, all that is rooted in whatever is factual,” DeSantis said. “I mean, these were scholars who put that together. It was not anything that was done politically.”

In addition to SS.68.AA.23, SS.912.AA.3.6 for grades 9 through 12 includes instruction on “acts of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans but is not limited to 1906 Atlanta Race Riot, 1919 Washington, D.C. Race Riot, 1920 Ocoee Massacre, 1921 Tulsa Massacre and the 1923 Rosewood Massacre.”

The main point of controversy for SS.912.

AA.3.6 is the instruction on violence “by” African Americans as it contrasts the history of the 1920 Ocoee Massacre, in which 30 African Americans were murdered by white mobs while attempting to exercise their right to vote.

African Americans have historically been hampered from freely voting in instances like the 1920 Ocoee Massacre and through other methods like the Grandfather Clause and literacy tests. By implying that African Americans have possibly perpetrated violence when exercising their voting rights, critics contend students will learn African American history in a warped, “dual-sided” context.

Eagle Eye News spoke to one teacher, Jane Doe* who disagreed with the new standards.

“Sometimes people like to put their personal values into state law and that’s not really what’s best for the constituents or the people itself,” Doe* said. “Regardless of how I teach it, if you think a certain way, you’re only gonna hear what you want to hear. So I think moving forward, we’re at a point now where kids have figured out a way to think for themselves.”

Coupled with SS.68.AA.23 and 912.AA.3.6, the Florida Board of Education approved Prager

July 2022

August 2023

Florida Department of education denies College Board approval to include AP African American Studies in Florida’s approved courses list.

Florida State Board of Edufation approves new state standards for teaching African American history in grades K-12.

SS.912.AA.3.2 “Describe the emergence, growth, destruction and rebuilding of black communities during Reconstruction and beyond.” The clarification number two reads: “Instruction includes acts of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans but is not limited to 1906 Atlanta Race Riot, 1919 Washington, D.C. Race Riot, 1920 Ocoee Massacre, 1921 Tulsa Massacre and the 1923 Rosewood Massacre.”

DESIGN BY Grace Brill

Critical Race Theory - an academic theory that studies how racism is upheld institutionally through laws and policies, outside of individual prejudice, as a part of American society. Examples include the high mortality rate of Black Americans at the hands of law enforcement, the school to prison pipeline and the racial gap in home ownership.

University Kids lesson plans and animation videos to be shown in K-12 classrooms as of July.

Prager University is a conservative advocacy group founded by Dennis Prager. The unaccredited digital “university’s” goal is to “indoctrinate kids at a young age into a far-right belief system,” according to the PragerU Kids website. This objective can be observed through their commentary regarding various topics which include slavery, racism, immigration and antiLGBTQ+ topics.

In one PragerU Kids animation series “Leo and Layla’s History Adventures” video, the main characters of the same names as the title meet American educator and author Booker T. Washington, asking him many questions, including if he would have rather lived elsewhere in the world. Despite Washington’s many retellings of his experience with slavery, such as describing himself as “always frightened” in his book “Up From Slavery,” his animated character says in the video that he was “proud and thankful” to be an American.

The animated Washington claimed “America was one of the first places on Earth to outlaw slavery.” However, this is untrue, as the U.S. was one of the last places in the Western Hemisphere to ban slavery when they did so in 1865; Haiti abolished slavery in 1804, Mexico abolished slavery in 1829 and Britain abolished it in 1833.

In another PragerU Kids video, an animated Frederick Douglass, a leader of the abolitionist movement, excused the Founding Fathers for keeping slaves, saying they “made a compromise to achieve something great.” With videos like these, PragerU Kids has re-written history.

The School Board of Broward County is not adopting or encouraging teachers to use the PragerU platform in their lesson plans. However, Jessica Wright, who is a former teacher and the Vice President of the Florida Freedom to Read Project, said the videos could still make an appearance in BCPS classrooms.

“Teacher contracts largely protect them to

have the autonomy to build this in their lessons should they choose to,” Wright said in an Aug. 9 interview with WLRN. “And so a district may be able to say, ‘we don’t recommend this, it’s not in our curriculum maps, we do not promote it being used,’ but the teacher could still have the autonomy to use it, and virtually have no negative repercussions for it, because it’s been endorsed and promoted by the state.”

intersectionality, creativity, expressions, the arts, resistance and resilience and Critical Race Theory.

Soon after the AP African American History outline was shared, the Florida State Board of Education banned the teaching of this course in the state of Florida, saying it violated state law and lacked educational value.

The legislature, backed by DeSantis, banned

sophomore year,” MSD Black Student Union event coordinator Eleasha Augustin said. “It was an exciting class period, we would talk about different eras of African American history. Not just slavery, but your main influential African American leaders, and also how much each [leader] affects society as a whole for African Americans today.”

Elizabeth Ziolkowski, a Holocaust and African History Honors teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, said she cannot comment on the standards or the teaching of them as the this year is her first teaching the African History Honors course.

“I can see why some people think that the changes were necessary, but I don’t because it is my first year teaching [the subject],” Ziolkowski said.

However, Ziolkowski expressed concerns that the new standards, instead of adding a new perspective to teach “both sides,” are rather Eleasha Augustin, 12 taking away one side.

Florida state Sen. Rosalind Osgood held a the teaching of Critical Race Theory from public “I’m skeptical anytime the standards sort of community meeting on Thursday, Aug. 24 at schools and in workplace training through House undergo a change like that because I think that First Baptist Piney Grove in Lauderdale Lakes Bill 7, Individual Freedom and W.O.K.E. Act, more often than not recently, we see it excluding to discuss the school district’s possible course of respectively. Since the AP African American different narratives instead of broadening action with the new standards. While the meeting History course discusses race, ethnicity, class, the scope of what students can learn about,” gender and religion its content violates this law as Ziolkowski said. did consist of current and previous Broward County school board members, the meeting itself of July 2022.

The recent changes to Black American was independent of BCPS. “In Florida, we are taking a stand against history has made people worry about how it will “I believe that many of these standards have the state-sanctioned racism that is Critical Race affect future generations of kids and has caused been set because of a fear of what teaching Theory,” DeSantis said. “We won’t allow Florida people to advocate for change.

African American History can create,” MSD tax dollars to be spent teaching kids to hate our “Black history is everywhere and in Black Student Union vice president Jason country or to hate each other.” everything whether people like it or not.”

Johnson said. “Education allows people to Supporters of CRT argue that racism is a Augustin said. “Pay attention to the news around become free thinkers with their own opinions part of daily life, whether white or non-white you, it’s easy just to move on and think this won’t and beliefs.” people intend to fuel it or not, while others say affect me so why care. Don’t think it is not your In 2022, College Board announced that CRT targets white people to feel guilty about fight, it’s everyone’s and we each need to take they would be piloting their new AP African their ancestors wrong-doings. part in it.”

Prior to the piloted AP African American American History course in 60 high schools STORY BY Zara Dautruche History course, Marjory Stoneman Douglas across the U.S. and would eventually make ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY High School already offered an African History the course available to all high schools by the Andres Fuenmayor Honors class as an elective for its students.

2024-2025 school year. The new class covers ILLUSTRATION BY Dhaanya Balaji “I first took the African History course my topics of migration and the African diaspora, GRAPHICS BY Grace Brill

“

Black history is everywhere and in everything whether people like it or not. Pay attention to the news around you, it’s easy just to move on and think ‘this won’t affect me, so why care?’

Don’t think it is not your fight, it’s everyone’s and we each need to take part in it.”

SUPPRESSING STUDIES

MSD offers African History Honors course

history at work

LAWS AND LIMITS

SUPPRESSING STUDIES. Social sciences teacher Elizabeth Ziolkowski instructs her Honors African American History class.

The course has been offered at MSD for several years and is an approved state course, despite the state’s ban on the College Board’s African American History Studies GOING BY THE STANDARDS

LAWS AND LIMITS. Students in Elizabeth Ziolkowski’s Honors African American History class listen intently as she brings her lesson to a close. The topics this course can discuss have been greatly restricted, particularly because of the “Stop WOKE” Act, which limits how race can be taught in Florida classrooms.

GOING BY THE STANDARDS. Students sit in Elizabeth Ziolkowski’s work on their computers as she teaches an African American History lesson. The Florida State Board of Education approved new African American History standards in July, which, among other things, require that students be taught the ways in which slaves may have benefitted from their enslavement.

PHOTOS BY Andie Korenge

FEATURE • Changes to African American History Education 13

“...reflect upon your woke sky .”

-Rep. Clay Higgins “between a man and a woman.”

-Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft

“Transtifa.”

-Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene

“pansexual poetry hour in Portland.”

-Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz

“genital mutilation.”

-presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswany

“trans cult.”

-Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene

PRIDE Prejudice and

*Names indicated with an asterisk were changed to shield the identity of the student or faculty member to protect their privacy onflicted, a student pauses outside the bathroom entrance. Weighing the risk of staying true to her identity against punishment, she remains standing there amidst inner turmoil. With the women’s room within inches of her, it is still so far out of her reach. Reluctantly making the decision to avoid trouble, she wills herself to take hesitant, dreadful strides towards the men’s room—betraying herself in the process. As she inches nearer and nearer, she cannot help but think about the fact that she does not belong in there; about how unfair it is that she is being forced to conform to others’ perceptions of her gender identity. Finally breaching the door, she resolves to never use a school bathroom again– until she can use the women’s restroom–because anything would be better than going through this unbearable pain again.

While local and state governments have frequently taken aim at the LGBTQ+ community over the last several years, the quantity has drastically increased. According to American Civil Liberties Union data, 496 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in state legislatures in 2023, up from 38 in 2018 when the ACLU began tracking anti-LGBTQ+ bills.

The state of Florida has been a leader in this specific category, among 17 other states with over 10 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in 2023.

The bills have addressed a wide variety of topics, including preferred names, pronouns, healthcare, bathrooms, sex education and sports.

Dubbed the “Don’t Say They” law by its teachers. In a survey of 37 MSD teachers, 57% critics, HB 1069 updated and further extended “strongly disagreed” with the preferred name the restrictions established by the 2022 law HB and nickname policy.

1557, nicknamed the “Don’t Say Gay” law.

“We all just feel like, when we talk about Parents across Florida were made aware of it… we all just feel that it’s ridiculous because, I these name policy changes largely via emails mean, if today the nickname the student wants by their school districts, roughly a week before the teacher to call is ridiculous or offensive to school would start in their respective counties. some other people, then of course, we have our “To say I was shocked was an own judgment,” Advanced Placement Calculus understatement. The form is blatantly targeting teacher Chung-Chiang Feng said. “We all talk trans[gender] people that want to express about this ridiculous legislation because basically, themselves with their names,” freshman it took away that big possibility we can build Theo Johnson* said. “Not only does it target a better relationship with the students. And I trans[gender] people, but people that just like a think that’s a key part because if we don’t want nickname better than their actual name. The fact that a teacher can get in trouble for just calling someone a nickname or preferred name is terrible.”

In Broward County Public Schools, parental permission is required on the Emergency Contact Kurt Williams*, 12 Card that now has a line allocated for nicknames and preferred to build relationships, then they can all go to names. While Johnson*, who is genderqueer and Florida Virtual School, right? You don’t have to prefers to go by a gender-neutral nickname, did have an interaction to students, go online. Take obtain a parental signature, he is having issues the lesson. Here, we are all human beings and with the processing of the paperwork and is want some interaction.” currently being called his legal name by teachers.

While much of national media attention has “I can’t imagine my closeted friends find focused on the nickname aspect of the new rule, Nicknames and Pronouns much acceptance or happiness in constantly it affects many transgender students who go by a Among several other new restrictions, Florida being misgendered and deadnamed by their name different from what was given at birth.

House Bill 1069 requires school districts to teachers everyday,” junior AJ Burrows said.

“I don’t think the media has covered the obtain parental permission for a student to be “The repercussions teachers face if they call the recent attacks on trans[gender] youth enough,” called any name other than their legal name by student what they want to be called is absolutely senior Sage Gregory said. “A lot of people don’t school personnel. This includes both preferred insane to me. Why should someone lose their really know what’s going on right now because a names and nicknames, which means that if a job simply for respecting someone? I think this lot of it is just being ignored.” student named Isabella wished for their teachers whole thing feels like an attack on the queer Gregory went on to say that the new laws to call them “Bella,” they would need to obtain a community, specifically trans[gender] students.” were a source of anxiety for both them and their parent signature.

The policy is unpopular among MSD friends, particularly their friends “who aren’t out

C

“

LGBTQ+ students at MSD struggle with recent targeted legislation

to their parents but were out at school.”

“I think this law is just thinly veiled transphobia,” senior Kurt Williams* said.

“I haven’t seen any students who use actual nicknames complain about the new policy because parents can just write down nicknames they already call their kid. This law is only having a true impact on trans[gender] students who don’t have accepting parents.”

Williams*, who is a transgender man, has struggled with this in particular. His parents were not accepting of his identity, which he called both “really isolating” and “disappointing.” His mother refused to sign off on his chosen name being used by teachers.

“I don’t want to ask teachers to risk their career by using my preferred name, but I know most of them would if they were allowed to,” Williams said. “This law advocates for ‘parents rights’ but last year, several of my teachers called me by my preferred name and my parents weren’t affected in any way. This policy only hurts trans[gender] students and teachers that want to help them.”

Williams’ conclusion that his teachers would use his preferred name if allowed is one that rings true for 89% of MSD teachers, with another 8% reporting in an anonymous survey that they will continue to refer to a student by their preferred name regardless of the law. As a solution, Williams asked his teachers to refer to him by his surname; all of his teachers have complied with this request.

“I think if kids have a name they prefer to be called, then I think I should honor that if it’s not something outrageous or ridiculous,” Feng said. “If they want to be called something that is very, very bad words or something ridiculous, then that will be a different story, and we all have common sense.”

In the survey of MSD teachers, another

I think this law is just thinly veiled transphobia. I haven’t seen any students who use actual nicknames complain about the new policy because parents can just write down nicknames they already call their kid. This law is only having a true impact on trans[gender] students who don’t have accepting parents.

14 FEATURE • Florida LGBTQ+ Legislation

DESIGN BY Brynn Schwartz and Andie Korenge GRAPHIC BY Andie Korenge

“trying to erase women.”

-Rep. George Santos “degenerate.”

-Rep. Lauren Boebert

matic e l b o Pr cal Politi a gand Propa

“demons and imps.”

-state Rep. Webster Barnaby

teacher expressed similar sentiments as Feng about how teachers’ judgment should be trusted.

“The attack on the LGBTQIA+ community is the beginning of a fascist society,” the teacher wrote. “The Nazis attacked teachers [and] education first, which is what is happening here with book banning and the censorship of the historical truth of slavery and the direct attack on those who are not white, straight or ‘Christian.’ Teachers are professionals who should be trusted to educate.”

transgender community. Therefore, it would be difficult for them to use the bathroom of the sex assigned to them at birth without creating a disturbance.

“Not only is this law bigoted, it just does not work,” Williams* said. “Transphobic people seem to think they can always tell if someone is trans[gender], but the truth is that they can’t…

HRT, surgery, voice training, etc, can make a transgender person look indistinguishable from cis people. If a transgender man follows this law and uses the female bathroom, it would be an Sports and Bathrooms outrage because society sees him as a man. This Outside of names and pronouns, the Florida law does not take passing transgender people legislature has also passed other laws that affect into account because they plan on passing more transgender individuals, restricting their access to bills outlawing gender-affirming care and even bathrooms, locker rooms and sports teams that socially presenting as a gender you weren’t correspond with the sexes they identify with. assigned at birth.”

Having taken effect on July 1, 2023, HB Furthermore, since it is a crime for an 1521, also known as the “Safety in Private Spaces individual to enter a bathroom designated for Act,” banned people from using a bathroom or use by the opposite sex, they can consequently locker room that does not correspond to the sex be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor assigned to them at birth. Not only did this law if they are 18 or older. While this only applies simply ban people from doing so, but in some to adults, students under 18 will still face cases even criminalized it. consequences that are written into schools’ This law impacts all K-12 schools, disciplinary procedures. Broward County Public postsecondary educational institutions and many Schools, in their updated “Inclusive Schools other public facilities in the state. As a result of Support Guide,” maintained that in compliance HB 1521, these places are required to have at with state law, they will offer accommodations for least one bathroom designated for use by the unisex bathrooms or “changing facilities.” “male” sex and one designated for use by the The new “Inclusive Schools Support “female” sex as per the laws definition of the Guide” is 18 pages, down from 101 pages in the word.

2022-2023 school year. The former guide was As stated by HB 1521, sex is the classification LGBTQ+-specific and worked on in part by of males and females based on, “the organization current MSD Principal Michelle Kefford when of the body of such person for a specific she was a principal at Flanagan High School. reproductive role, as indicated by the person’s sex “The work I did really started because I had chromosomes, naturally occurring sex hormones, two transgender students that came to the school and internal and external genitalia present at from other schools as a result of being bullied,” birth.”

Kefford said. “I became involved because I Alternatively, gendered bathrooms can be wanted to make sure that they felt safe and to avoided if these institutions have at least one make sure that it didn’t happen again to any “unisex” restroom instead. The same rules apply child. I wanted to make sure that no child felt to locker rooms and other changing facilities. unsafe or bullied or would be in any way made to This poses many implications for transgender feel uncomfortable at school.” people. For one, it restricts them from entering SB 1028 or the “Fairness in Women’s Sports the bathrooms and locker rooms of the gender Act” also affects transgender individuals. This they identify with and forces them to use the law went into effect on July 1, 2021 and barred facilities of a gender they are not. transgender female athletes from playing on girls’ Additionally, many transgender individuals public school teams. who have transitioned and done procedures Proponents of the law argue that transgender and practices, such as voice training or surgery, women have an inherent advantage when outwardly appear as the sex they identify compared to cisgender women, however recent with, or are what is known as “passing” in the studies dispute this claim. In fact, the Canadian

Center for Ethics in Sports released a report based on its analysis of all existing scientific literature in English released in the years 2011-2021 that discuss transgender women participating in elite-level sports. The report concluded that, “trans[gender] women who have undergone testosterone suppression have no clear biological advantages over cis women in elite sport.”

Thus, many transgender individuals and LGBTQ+ rights advocates and Transgender: organizations strongly someone whose gender oppose the law because identity does not match they believe it is only their sex assigned at birth another means by which to discriminate against Cisgender: transgender individuals. someone whose gender The Human Rights identity does match their Campaign even took sex assigned at birth; action against this by filing someone who is not a federal civil rights lawsuit transgender against SB 1028.

Sexual orientation: “It’s disrespectful, someone’s identity in they’re women just as relation to who they are much as the rest of the attracted to sexually; competition and their can differ from romantic teammates,” senior Lucas orientation according to Davis* said. “It’s not fair the Split Attraction Model to restrict them the way that they’re being restricted Puberty blockers: just because they used to a reversible treatment have extra testosterone prescribed to someone in in their system… They the early stages of puberty worked just as hard as to block the effects everyone else to be there. of someone’s natural I’ve heard the argument puberty; puberty is shown that trans[gender] women to resume as normal when are inherently stronger, the treatment is no longer but people have to realize administered that there are plenty of cisgender women who are just as strong if not Sex assigned at birth: stronger.” sex assigned to an infant, This law has also based on physical or received criticism biological characteristics for enforcing gender stereotypes and does not bar transgender men from playing on men’s sports teams, bringing about speculation as to

lgbtq+ glossary Gender identity: one’s personal sense and identity of one’s gender

Gender dysphoria: a recognized medical disorder that causes gender incongruencerelated distress

Gender affirmation surgery: a category of surgeries meant to alter sex characteristics to be more aligned with their gender identity (ex: metodioplasty to construct a male sex organ)

Hormone replacement therapy: often abbreviated to HRT; a treatment often prescribed for gender dysphoria that replaces someone’s natural hormones with hormones that produce secondary sex characteristics more in line with their gender (ex: estrogen)

Story continued on page 16

FEATURE • Florida LGBTQ+ Legislation 15

Story continued from page 16 why that is.

“I feel like the argument that trans[gender] women have a physical advantage is a way of enforcing gender roles by saying females are weaker than males,” Williams* said.

“Trans[gender] men are rarely ever mentioned at all. This could be because they don’t see trans[gender] men as a threat to cis men. Either way, it forces sports fans to be critical of athletes’ appearances, making sure female athletes don’t look too masculine.”

If a female on a sports team decides that they have been deprived of an athletic opportunity or suffer any alternative forms of harm as a result of a violation of SB 1028, they are then permitted to pursue legal action.

teachers.

“The idea that teachers are grooming children is utter nonsense, we can’t even get students to do their schoolwork nor can administrators get them to follow a dress code,” teacher Rory Doe* said. “Any claim that acknowledging a student’s identity as legitimate is sexualizing them is intellectually dishonest.

Queer people exist; they deserve to exist in society, just like anyone else. Acknowledging a person’s identity isn’t sexualizing them; it’s human, and to assert otherwise is actually part of a twisted fallacy that’s actually sexualizing children.”

Another controversial part of the 2022 “Don’t Say Gay” law is the part that would force

“This is a law; if a student comes to me, then we are obligated to say that, and that breaks the trust…” Smith* said. “And now obviously, since the law is in place… sometimes, you know, if we want to put ourselves out, ‘Okay, I hear you, but I didn’t hear,’ unfortunately.”

AP Psychology In a move that was later reversed, the Florida Department of Education “effectively banned” Advanced Placement Psychology from being taught in Florida schools according to an Aug. 3 announcement by College Board.

Florida superintendents were instructed to remove any “foundational” content of gender and sexual orientation; AP Psychology includes this in Unit 6.7 in topics of gender, gender roles, stereotypes and sexuality.

“The reason Florida tried to ax AP Psychology is that they mention the LGBTQ+ community. I took AP Psych last year,” Williams* said. “It was in the unit about personality, identities and development. All they said was that LGBTQ+ identities are not chosen and are scientifically valid. How long did that lesson take? One class. It’s a pointless ban and helps no one, and luckily, this one didn’t make it to law, at least not yet.”

FLDOE reached out to College Board officials and asked them to remove this content.

College Board refused, maintaining that removing the gender and sexuality content “would censor college-level standards for credit, placement and career readiness.”

“It’s part of the curriculum; you want to take a part out and you are only the state of Florida. You ask College Board to change that… internationally… Who are you?” Feng said.

“Okay, if you don’t want to participate in that program, that’s fine, but I just found that it’s very, very disturbing to me that you [are] a state.

You ask College Board, that has this curriculum and that is correlated to the college credit for all the universities, higher level, and you want them to take that last section out to fit your state law.

And, regardless, these are international courses.

I personally think it is very disrespectful, and I’m so glad… they kind of reversed it.”

Feng went on to emphasize the importance of gender and sexuality discussion in AP Psychology by comparing it to limits in AP Calculus AB, one of the three areas of math Feng teaches. Limits are the core subject of Unit One of AP Calculus AB and set the stage for later topics in the course, such as derivatives and integrals.

“Just for example, you can say if I’m teaching math, let’s say calculus: ‘Okay, let’s get rid of all

“

“Don’t Say Gay” Laws In June 2022, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 1557, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, into law. It went into effect on July 1, 2022 and restricted classroom discussions of gender and sexual orientation for grades K-3, citing those topics as “developmentally [in] appropriate.”

The law was later updated in 2023 with HB 1069 which removed gender and sexual orientation discussion up to eighth grade.

For ninth through 12th grade, the discussion must be “age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate.”

This law led to BCPS cutting out sex education entirely for the 2022-2023 school year.

The district has since released a survey to parents and teachers about what they consider to be age appropriate topics to teach; the survey included a question that asked whether students in grades nine through 12 should “receive instruction in gender identity and sexual orientation to include topics such as defining gender identity, sexual identity, explanations of the range of identities related to sexual orientation (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender) and ways to show respect for people of all identities and orientations.”

“How will we be prepared to deal with many of these things in the real world if school won’t teach us?” Burrows said. “There ha[ve] been pretty good advancements in furthering financial literacy by making it a graduation requirement.

So why can’t we do the same with the social aspects of life too?”

Supporters of the law fear that teachers are “pushing” or “indoctrinating” students to be LGBTQ+ through classroom discussion and open expression. One LGBTQ+ teacher argued against this narrative in the survey of MSD

students who are out to their parents do not have accepting parents.

“Schools always put up propaganda about making all kids feel welcomed and adding these rules takes away from just that,” sophomore Camila Cifuentes said. “Kids that cannot come out at home can’t even come out in school.”

Not only do some students come out to teachers when they cannot come out at home, many come out in the hope of getting guidance from teachers on how to come out.

“In Taiwan now, it’s so open that you can see our shock and all the children’s shock [of Florida laws],” Feng said. “You know, you can see [transgender people] on a TV show, talk about how they go through the process and…

The idea that teachers are grooming children is utter nonsense, we can’t even get students to do their schoolwork nor can administrators get them to follow a dress code. Queer people exist, they deserve to exist in society, just like anyone else.

Acknowledging a person’s identity isn’t sexualizing them, it’s human, and to assert otherwise is actually part of a twisted fallacy that’s actually sexualizing children.

MSD teacher Rory Doe* teachers to “out,” as in forcing someone “out of the closet” without either their knowledge or consent, their students to their parents.

This section faced immediate backlash from both LGBTQ+ activists and educators.

For many LGBTQ+ students, teachers are considered a safe place; 68% of MSD teachers have had students come out to them.

“This will kill kids, [Ron DeSantis],” former teacher and LGBTQ+ advocate Chasten Buttigieg tweeted following the introduction of the bill. “You are purposefully making your state a harder place for LGBTQ kids to survive in. In a national survey [by the Trevor Project], 42% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide last year. Now they can’t talk to their teachers?”

The concern of students not being able to come out to their teachers was a worrying one for many LGBTQ+ people because teachers became an outlet for students who cannot be out at home. In a survey of 334 MSD students, Eagle Eye News found that 20% of MSD

increasing intrusion

gay people will go out to say how they come out to their parents. And of course, a lot of the time, they talk to their teacher first and the teacher guides them.”

Despite the violation of the law, 70% of MSD teachers surveyed would not out their students; another 27% were unsure.

“I’m not[going to out my student to their parents. That’s a big issue. That means they have a great trust in the teacher, and if we took away that trust, then what kind of relationship between will happen between the teacher and the student?” teacher Robin Smith* said. “I strongly believe that in order for me to be able to deliver my teaching material and instruction, I’ve got to have a good relationship with my students.

When they are ready to choose to… talk to their parents about this, there will be times and places when they are ready. For me, I will never ever tell parents this information.”

Smith* later elaborated, stating he would deny a student came out to him were he to be facing consequences.

Anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in 2023

Anti-LGBTQ+ bills signed into law in 2023

LGBTQ+ people across the U.S. face influx in bills restricting LGBTQ+ rights GRAPHIC BY Brynn Schwartz

0

16 FEATURE • Florida LGBTQ+ Legislation

1-3 4-6 7-9 10+

0

1-2

3-4

5

6+

Source: American Civil Liberties Union

the limits,’” Feng said. “Then, you took a very big foundation out. Of course, I cannot really compare math to psychology, but that’s a part of psychology.”

The ban of AP Psychology in all Florida high schools was later lifted and school districts could decide themselves if they would offer the course or not. BCPS opted to continue to teach AP Psychology, but now requires a parental permission form before a student enters the class.

Florida Virtual School, along with six other Florida school districts, still opted not to offer AP Psychology.

Book Bans School library and classroom library books are another area of education greatly affected by recent Florida legislation. HB 1467, a law enacted last year, dictates that the books selected by schools to appear in their libraries must be “free of pornography and prohibited materials harmful to minors.” The prohibited materials referred to by the law include that of gender and sexual expression.

The language requiring novels containing talk of gender and sexuality expression to be removed from school libraries has caused controversy, as the LGBTQ+ community finds it upsetting.

“I find it very sad that kids will not be able to read and find books that appeal to their group or identities,” Cifuentes said. “Sex and homosexuality is a completely normal thing to see in nature, yet humans seem to be the only ones against it. Sex is not inappropriate if taught in an education[al] way. It feels like we’re slowly getting brainwashed.”

Additionally, HB 1069 has made the process of challenging books and having them removed from school libraries much easier. New guidelines allow any county resident to challenge a book for any reason, which then results in that book being pulled off of school bookshelves until a decision has been made about its presence in the school’s library.

In the 2022-23 school year, Broward County has received a total of 12 book challenges–11 more than in the previous school year. As a result, nine of these books were banned across specific grade levels, and three of them were banned across all grade levels.

Of these 12 books, five were restricted to certain or all grade levels because of their gender identity content. The books were “This Day in June” by Gale Pitman, “Different Kinds of Fruit” by Kyle Lukoff, “It Feels Good to be Yourself ” by Theresa Thorn, “George” by Alex Gino and “A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo”

by Jill Twiss.

The socially conservative group Moms for Liberty has been a driving force behind book challenges across Florida. The nature of many of the books they have challenged, has led a number of people to believe that the group is specifically targeting LGBTQ+ individuals.

“They’re targeting trans[gender] children and LGBTQ children and those kinds of themes,” Broward school board member Sarah Leonardi said in an interview with NBC 6 in January 2023. “I’m not seeing them target plays

by Shakespeare, ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ which has extremely sexually explicit themes. I’m not seeing them target that.”

The banning of LGBTQ+ novels in Florida and across the U.S. has gained so much traction that it has even caught the attention of the Biden administration. In an effort to protect LGBTQ+

“Today, the Court, for the first time in its students, administrative officials have said that they will be establishing a book ban coordinator, history, grants a business open to the public a constitutional right to refuse to serve members who will train school districts and make them of a protected class,” SCOTUS justice Sonia aware that their bans could become a violation Sotomayor said in her dissenting opinion that of federal civil laws.

Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson The PEN America’s Index of School Book joined.

Bans found that in the first half of the 2022-23 While the SCOTUS case specifically school year there were 1,477 instances of book established that the plaintiff could legally refuse banning in schools, affecting a total of 874 to provide content creation services on the basis separate book titles. Of these books, over a of religious beliefs, the decision has created fear fourth of them contained LGBTQ+ themes or among the LGBTQ+ community that the ruling characters. could be applied to other services.

Additionally, the American Library Taking a page out of Texas’ book, the Association unearthed a similar trend when state of Florida enacted a complete ban on looking at the list they compiled of 2022’s most transgender minors accessing gender-affirming challenged books. “Gender Queer: a Memoir”

by Maia Kobabe, was discovered to be the most healthcare, such as puberty blockers and hormones, this year in Senate Bill 254. Violation challenged novel, mainly due to its LGBTQ+ of the law could result in the parent or guardian content. Besides this novel, six of the others losing custody of their minor child if they allow books on the list were also challenged due to them access to gender-affirming healthcare. their inclusion of LGBTQ+ content.

Gender-affirming healthcare is a label for a Florida is second only to Texas in the number of book bans that have been implemented across the state.

“There’s lots more of these [antiLGBTQ+] types of laws in place or on the way,” Williams* said.

“Ron DeSantis already restricted the books or media school libraries have access to, even Camila Cifuentes, 10 in high schools and colleges. They restrict our First Amendment wide variety of healthcare that can look different for each person; however, the most common rights and make Florida a worse place to live examples of gender-affirming healthcare overall. Sometimes I feel like I have to flee transgender people utilize are puberty blockers the state or even the country because of these harmful laws and politicians who only care about for minors, hormone replacement therapy and gender affirmation surgery. power and money.”

SB 254 went into effect on July 1, though in Still, Williams* is by no means the only member of the LGBTQ+ community who feels the months prior, there was a ban in Florida on transgender youth accessing gender-affirming this way. Many LGBTQ+ organizations have raised concern over the ways in which book bans healthcare from the Florida Board of Medicine are disproportionately affecting LGBTQ+ youth and the Board of Osteopathic Medicine.

Critics of the law expressed their across the state. disagreement with the ban on gender-affirming “More LGBTQ youth are out than ever before and banning books won’t change that but healthcare for minors, specifically puberty it sends a dangerous message about who belongs blockers. They pointed out that puberty blockers have been used for decades for cisgender children and is welcome,” Gay and Lesbian Alliance that experience early puberty in children under Against Defamation President Sarah Kate Ellis 10 years of age and are reversible. said in an interview with The Hill.

“GnRH analogues don’t cause permanent GLAAD and other similar organizations physical changes. Instead, they pause puberty,” fear that schools, which were once considered Mayo Clinic said in an article about puberty safe places for LGBTQ+ students, are now blockers for transgender minors. “... When a becoming another place that rejects them and person stops taking GnRH analogues, puberty their identities. starts again.”

Healthcare Access This means that if a child believed they The interaction of religious freedom and were transgender but ultimately realized they anti-discrimination laws have been considered identified more with the sex they were assigned a “hot button issue” in the last decade. Florida at birth, they could stop puberty blockers; their toes this line with its 2023 law SB 1580, or the body would begin making their natural sex “Protections of Medical Conscience” law. hormones again.

SB 1580 allows healthcare providers to refuse “What someone else’s kid does should be to provide any healthcare services to someone up to the child or parent, not the government,” on the basis of religious, ethical or moral Johnson* said. “Also… that the law prevents beliefs. The law, while of a different subject, older teens, who are capable [of] mak[ing] good is reminiscent of a controversial 2023 U.S. decisions, [from feeling] more comfortable in Supreme Court decision, 303 Creative LLC v. their body is disgusting.”

Elenis, that allows a website designer to refuse to Johnson* is personally impacted by this design wedding websites for same-sex wedding legislation because he was planning to go on couples due to her religious beliefs.

HRT “in a few years.” However, current Florida

“

law prevents him, even though he has a family that supports his identity, from accessing this healthcare.

“The new law makes me devastated I can’t be comfortable in my own body anytime soon…” Johnson* said. “I am scared I won’t be able to be my true self my entire life. It is scary to think about.”

Johnson*’s concern about the ban affecting his gender expression for the rest of his life is one shared by many other transgender adults or minors hoping to access gender-affirming healthcare in the future. SB 254, while specifically targeting minors accessing genderaffirming healthcare, also increases barriers for transgender adults hoping to access genderaffirming healthcare.

Specifically, transgender adults must fill out an informed consent form in person to be prescribed HRT, in which a doctor must read to them the nature and risks of the medication.

The law specifies that the form must be filled out with the physician “physically present in the same room,” which bans transgender adults from being prescribed their HRT or other genderaffirming medications via telehealth appointments.

“Making it harder for adults to receive it is horrifying, especially for adults who currently take it and have to suddenly stop an influx of hormones in their bodies,” Williams* said. “It could be really dangerous. It’s also so hypocritical of Ron DeSantis and his cabinet to approve laws like this while easing gun restrictions during an epidemic of mass shootings.”

Both Williams* and Johnson* described potential plans to “flee” the state or the country in response to anti-LGBTQ+ policies enacted in the state of Florida.

SB 254 also restricts transgender adults, specifically those who use Medicaid for health insurance, as the law banned Medicaid coverage in the state from including gender-affirming healthcare. A federal judge later struck this section down as unconstitutional and politically motivated.

The ban was met immediately with both backlash and a lawsuit. The lawsuit, Doe v.

Ladapo, caused a federal court to temporarily halt enforcement of the ban while the suit awaits trial.

The cumulation of legislation focusing on LGBTQ+-focused issues and topics has begged the question for many on whether this legislation is a concerted effort to target LGBTQ+ youth and their educators.

Regardless of the intentions of the legislation, many educators have felt they have been placed in an unwanted, impossible situation, grappling with wanting to support their students that feel targeted by legislation while not wishing to risk their teaching license.

“It’s all for students,” Feng said. “The bottom line is we’re here for students, not for politics.

That’s the bottom line.”

STORY BY Brynn Schwartz and Andie Korenge ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY Andres Fuenmayor DESIGN BY Andie Korenge and Brynn Schwartz

I find it very sad that kids will not be able to read and find books that appeal to their group or identities. Sex and homosexuality is a completely normal thing to see in nature, yet humans seem to be the only ones against it. Sex is not inappropriate if taught in an education[al] way. It feels like we’re slowly getting brainwashed.

FEATURE • Florida LGBTQ+ Legislation 17

Florida Government Prevents Schools from Discussing LGBTQ+ and African American History

Erasing Education

Florida government pushes Black and LGBTQ+ students further into oppression

school and also cannot join their school’s gender sexuality alliance club.

Genderqueer students are also restricted from playing sports and using the bathroom ystemic racism and homophobia that are associated with their gender identity. have been allowed to take hold in the They are restricted from having teachers curriculum, policies and practices of or school staff use their preferred pronouns schools across the state of Florida. The without parental permission, and no instruction actions of a variety of state officials, from the on gender identity is allowed in the state for Florida legislature to the Florida Department students before ninth grade. It is reprehensible of Education, prove that multiple layers of how the Florida legislature treats their queer government are working deliberately to increase students in schools, a place that is oftentimes the oppression of some of the most vulnerable considered a safe haven for LGBTQ+ youth and marginalized groups: LGBTQ+ students who live in unsupportive, homophobic or and Black students. transphobic homes.

Proof can be found within the two new Bringing these laws into the classroom consent forms that have been rolled out in every hinders teachers’ abilities to adequately educate Florida school district to comply with Florida students for life outside of school. It completely Administrative Code Rule 6A-1.0955. The first decimates the potential relationship that could requires parents to provide permission for their be formed between a teacher and student. The student to be called something other than their legal name, including nicknames and preferred names.

If a parent does not fill out this form with a student’s preferred name, a teacher could lose their teaching license for calling the student anything other than their legal name. Teachers are also prohibited from referring to students by their preferred pronouns. Teachers should not have to walk on eggshells around laws that disproportionately target transgender teens to avoid losing their jobs.

It is obvious that the consent form was not government is trying to wipe queer existence rolled out so that “Johnathan” would not be from society and force them back into the closet called “Johnny” unless their parents agreed; by dismantling whatever safe space they may this was not to stop students from being have. called nicknames, but rather an accidental Florida officials effectively banned an entire repercussion of the new transphobic law. class simply because one of the nine units briefly The second form requires parental consent touches upon how being queer affects a person’s for students to attend any afternoon activities upbringing is a clear attempt to dismiss nonfrom club meetings to events. This ensures that heteronormative identities. Advanced Placement students cannot join clubs that do not align with Psychology courses have a unit in which gender their parents’ political or other belief structure and sexual orientation are discussed in relation and restricts students’ abilities to try out new to socialization and development. clubs or be exposed to new ideas without The confusion created in August by the back parental consent. and forth between the FLDOE and the College The forms were purposefully made to ensure Board over this course, left school districts that trangender students who are in the closet unsure of whether or not they were allowed to to their parents or have unsupportive parents offer the class. could not have their gender identity respected at Ultimately, some school districts either

S

dropped the course and switched their curriculum to include other psychology classes because they are so afraid of running afoul of the state’s laws on gender and sexuality instruction in schools. Others, including Broward County Public Schools, required an “opt-in” form for parents to consent to their students being taught the material.

If students are seeking to be taught collegelevel courses, then they are mature enough to be informed on who and what the LGBTQIA+ community is. AP students are at the age where people begin to question their identity and with it their sexuality and gender, as described in Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, which officials would know if they took AP Psychology.

The Florida Department of Education also took aim at how African American history is taught. The FLDOE banned College Board’s

into two-dimensional caricatures which are a far cry from the horrific realities of Black Americans.

Preventing the younger generation from learning about the systemic issues that are built into the fabric of our society also prevents them from being able to precipitate change. The point of restricting their knowledge is a ploy to keep social progress at a standstill.

FLDOE’s changes use faulty reasoning. The principles they base their arguments on depend on altering American history to accommodate a more attractive version. Whitewashing history and erasing any evidence of wrongdoing ensures that the lasting effects will continue to develop at the expense of minority students.

Once again, politics compromise the quality of Florida students’ education.

The actions of the Florida Legislature, the governor and the FLDOE places their racism on full display, despite them trying to erase all traces of oppression in history. It ensures that students never have to understand the truth of the kind of horrors that ensued to create today’s America. This country was built off of the work of African American slaves. Failure to acknowledge the labor they were forced into is abhorrent and further to pretend like it never happened is worse.

The recent changes have not been made with the students’ best interests in mind, and most trade students’ rights to explore new ideas newest AP course: AP African American with parents rights to control their children.

Studies. In a letter to Brian Barnes, a senior When students do not learn these key concepts director at College Board, the FLDOE and ideas, they become ignorant and less denied the organization permission for school empathetic of the different issues their peers districts in the state to include the class in their may face. curriculum, claiming that “the content of this Discussions are the backbone of course is inexplicably contrary to Florida law understanding; without them, social change and significantly lacks educational value.” becomes stagnant, which may very well be the This ban is not the only controversial issue point. in teaching African American history. The The bigoted agenda of Florida officials is state also adopted changes to the state’s African obvious to anyone paying even slight attention, American History standards, which affects the yet they are allowed again and again to get away instruction of every student from grades K-12. with their actions. It is unjustifiable that their Most notably, students now have to be persistent bias has and will continue to impair taught how violence was perpetrated by African the lives of Florida’s queer and Black students.

Americans and how being a slave taught them EDITORIAL BY Eagle Eye News valuable skills. These standards were revised to Editorial Board simplify centuries of institutionalized oppression GRAPHIC BY Liliana Griffis

“

The bigoted agenda of Florida officials is obvious to anyone paying even slight attention, yet they are allowed again and again to get away with their actions... their persistent bias has and will continue to impair the lives of Florida’s queer and Black students.

18 OPINION • Florida’s Oppression of Black and LGBTQ+ students

DESIGN DESIGNBY BYJulia Grace Landy Brill

Mo’ Money

Mo’ Problemz O

ver the past few years, professional football players have become holdouts, which means they refused to play without new and improved contracts. A player who does this feels unwanted if he does not receive a paycheck representing what the player believes he is worth. At first, this may not seem like a huge dilemma; however, this increasing trend hurts the competitive and loyalty aspect of football.

Players are choosing a paycheck over their love of playing the game.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell’s decision to hold out of the 2018 National Football League season in the hopes of receiving a long-term extension began this trend.

The Steelers refused to pay Bell for the duration of his ten-week holdout. During this time, he lost out on almost $9 million in pay. Before his leave of absence, Bell was considered one of the best running backs in the game. However, he never recovered from this mistake and never found success in the NFL again.

Following Bell’s departure from Pittsburgh, the New York Jets signed him to a four-year deal.

However, he did not last; the Jets released Bell in the middle of his second season. Additionally, his career statistics fell. According to ESPN records, he averaged 4.3 yards per carry with the Steelers and just 3.3 with the Jets. After being released, he then played for three different teams: Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since being released by the Buccaneers in 2021, Bell has yet to make a return to the field.

The NFL does not prioritize running backs. Football now favors the passing game, diminishing the importance of this position.

Most teams do not sign running backs for more than a two-year contract. As a result, running backs are most likely to hold out on playing

in an upcoming season unless their contract is negotiated.

Before this year’s NFL season, a group of running backs refused to play under their current deals, including Austin Ekeler, Tony Pollard, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Jonathan Taylor. For some of the affected teams, the fact that they were going to lose a key component of their offense was alarming. These players can be difference makers on the field and represent a

Arrogant football players needlessly risk their careers for contract renegotiations

2021 season, he struggled to stay healthy in 2022, ultimately failing to live up to high expectations many had for him.

It is strange that Taylor expected the Colts to give him a long-term deal. He did not prove himself under the spotlight of last season.

Although it was likely a difficult decision, the Colts made the right one given Taylor’s unwillingness to play for the franchise.

Athletes refusing to play over a minor

a professional level is a privilege, not a right, and players like Bell must understand that failing to perform leaves them susceptible to the consequences of their actions.

If a team is ever in a predicament about whether to pay a holdout player or not, the answer should be no. Often, when a team refuses to give a large extension to a player, the player demands a trade, which demonstrates that they have no loyalty for their team. A championship team is built by players who have special connections with their teammates and devote their lives to making the organization better. This form of dedication is rarely seen anymore, as players just follow the money.

Teams should not entertain this trend of player holdouts. It is rare to see one of these players perform to the value of a significantly large negotiation. Players that make arrogant claims about the pay they deserve are almost never backed up by the appropriate skill to significant factor to winning for their teams. disagreement like this show their involvement in match, as evident through cases like Kyler Whether a franchise will renegotiate a the sport for the money opposed to the core of Murray, Chandler Jones and Bell. Murray has player’s contract under their refusal to play the game itself – and should be a sign to teams been out since November 2022, due to an injury is a brutal decision. Ekeler, Pollard, Barkley and coaches to stay away from that player at all that he has not put in the effort to heal. Jones and Jacobs threatened their organizations and costs. was recently cut from his team, and Bell had a received new deals. Each of these players only Additionally, it is important for these athletes significantly worse season after the holdout, than received one-year contracts that were below their to consider what happened to the players in the year before. asking price. They accepted these lesser deals previous years who chose cash over loyalty. Bell Arrogant players ask for large contracts, in hopes that it will lead to larger and longer is a perfect example of this as he later said that large contracts lead to sloppy players, and sloppy contracts for next season. he regretted his disloyalty to the Steelers, as it players lead to underperforming teams. The Meanwhile, the 2021 lead rusher, Taylor, has destroyed his career. longer that this trend continues, teams all across still not obtained a deal. On Aug. 29, Taylor and “I never apologized to the fans for really the league will see a continuing pattern of highly the Indianapolis Colts were still unable to reach sitting out, or leaving the Steelers,” Bell said in valued players in poorly performing positions: a compromise, which means he will not play in an apology on X, formerly known as Twitter, on something that will lose teams money, drop the the first four games of the season.

July 16. “I never apologized. So I want to say I skill floor of the league and ruin a fan’s Sunday Taylor’s continual holdout is a bold move. He apologize for leaving the best damn fans there is game. If teams want to fix this, they will learn went from leading the NFL with 1,811 rushing in this damn world.” that these high-paying contracts are doing much yards, 18 rushing touchdowns, 106.5 rushing Bell’s situation is a testament to the fact that less than they are worth. yards per game and 2,171 total scrimmage yards being a professional athlete is never a guaranteed OPINION BY Ryan Shimony to not being on a roster. Following a tremendous job; players get cut on a daily basis. Playing on GRAPHIC BY Grace Brill

“

A championship team is built by players who have special connections with their teammates and devote their lives to making the organization better. This form of dedication is rarely seen anymore, as players just follow the money.

OPINION • Football Player Contracts 19

Who Run the World...

G

GIRLS Teen girls help support US economy by following influential figures who symbolize female empowerment

The

Swift Effect

T

aylor Swift: singer, songwriter, producer, director, actress and businesswoman. Among Swift’s many jobs and talents, she is, at her core, a pop culture icon.

Though, according to social media assumptions, Swift was long viewed as a “silly” pop singer that writes songs about her “laundry list” of exboyfriends for her self-named “Swiftie” audience, there is little denial that Swift is the biggest pop star of the moment.

Swift has become such an influential pop culture icon that her almost cult-like following has garnered the attention of millions around the world through her 2020 sister albums “folklore” and “evermore,” the nostalgia of her re-recorded albums, viral TikTok videos of “The Eras Tour” and hidden “easter eggs” that send fans promoting wild theories on social media.

While over 50% of U.S. adults say they are fans of Swift according to a Morning Consult survey, the heart of Swift’s fan base are the teenage girls and the now-grown girls that have been a part of her rise to a cultural icon for years. These fans are likely now feeling vindicated with Swift’s rise from stardom to something on an entirely new level.

Swift’s stardom and devoted fanbase has left her open to projects

and promotions that other artists may be restricted from. For example, Swift has reignited the once-dying vinyl industry. Swift’s 2022 album “Midnights” is the highest-selling vinyl of the 21st century. One in 25 of all vinyls sold in the United States in 2022 were one of Swift’s 10 albums.

According to Time Magazine, Swift made over $939 million from just the U.S. leg of her “The Eras Tour.” She is projected to surpass $1 billion on her international tour.

In a survey of 350 students, over 37% of girls at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School attended or are planning to attend The Eras Tour. Her tour has boosted the economy of host cities exponentially, likely due to the influx of non-locals purchasing from local businesses, eating in local restaurants and staying in local hotels.

This tour has boosted tourism in major cities, ultimately helping the hospitality/tourism industry, small businesses and the economy overall.

12+21+6172024

How much did you spend on your Eras Tour tickets?

24%

$301-$400

20%

$201-$300

*Results from a survey of 352 MSD students

12%

$401-$500

21%

$600 or more

6%

$100 or less

17%

$101-$200

20 ARTS & LEISURE • Teenage Girl Effect on Economy

irls run the world, or the economy at least. Teenage girls play one of the largest roles in today’s growing economy. Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Barbie are just three of the pop-culture icons helping girls mark their place in the economy. Recent trends show how powerful of an economic force this demographic is. Over the summer, teenage girls pumped billions of dollars into the economy, largely through three main channels: Taylor Swift and her worldwide “The Eras Tour;” Beyoncé’s album “Renaissance” and its subsequent “Renaissance World Tour;” and the new Greta Gerwig- directed “Barbie” movie that broke box office records. All three of these icons and so many more help girls create a sense of individuality and create a safe space for younger, maturing girls.

STORY & DESIGN BY Alison LaTorre & Lyla Sachs PHOTOS PERMISSION FROM Tribune News Service

37+63T 37%

of female MSD students have seen the Eras tour/ are going to an upcoming tour date

“

While Taylor Swift’s music is what made us fall in love with her, it’s her unwavering commitment to being herself and her unapologetic authenticity that has empowered women all aroung the world to feel comfortable with themselves, embrace their individuality, speak up for themselves, and achieve their goals... her ability to empower her fans is what sets her apart from other artists.

Aneesha Nookala, 12

DESIGN BY Alison LaTorre and Lyla Sachs

Swarm to the

BeyHive B

eyoncé has been a staple in the world of music since the 1990s. She got her career start as a lead singer in the famous girl band Destiny’s Child, and has been a household

name since. Since May 10, Beyoncé has been on a world tour for her most recent album from 2022 “Renaissance,” which is estimated to earn $2.1 million dollars, according to Forbes

“

Magazine. Twentyfive percent of girls at MSD have either seen or are planning to see the Renaissance tour when Beyonce comes to Florida, and 30% have already bought Beyonce Merchandise.

I love how Beyonce shows me to be on my own and take care of myself without relying on anyone else. She impacted me growing up especially all of the women that grow up having to support themselves.

Riley McCleary, 11

Beyonce has shown me my self worth and that I deserve better.

She showed me that I should never let any man walk through me and tell me otherwise.

“

”

Paige Joyner, 12

Beyonce is someone I grew up with. She has always been that female role model of what you could do. It was a really white-dominated crowd of pop music, so to see Beyonce rise to that level she it meant everything to me. It meant I could do that too.

Kennedy Coleman, 11

It’s a Barbie

World

I

n 1959, the doll that showed girls and women all around the world that they could be whatever they want to be was created. Barbie has become an iconic, and perhaps controversial, symbol of empowerment for women across the world for over 60 years.

In the summer of 2023, Mattel, the creator of Barbie, and Warner Bros Production Studios made a live-action Barbie film that earned over $162 million just on opening weekend. In total, the film has grossed over a billion dollars at the box office.

The film was directed by Greta Gerwig, a prominent female director. Gerwig broke records for female directors with the film.

This movie brought in sales that surpassed the opening weekends of movies like “Top Gun: Maverick,” as well as multiple Marvel films.

“

One thing I enjoyed about the movie was the message of Barbie having an existential crisis. I love the theme of identity, and I wish they did that more.

I wish the storyline around feminism and women’s empowerment was written better.

Amaiya Edwards,11

76+24T 76%

of female MSD students have seen the Barbie movie

How many times have you seen the Barbie movie?

69%

21% 10%

Once

Twice

More than twice

*Results from a survey of 352 MSD students

ARTS & LEISURE • Teenage Girl Effect on Economy 21

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MSD students use social media to promote their businesses and hobbies

Inzley Lwin, 12

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I have a baking account on Instagram where I show all my desserts and creations that I have made because it is one of my hobbies since I was young and something that makes me happy.” @butterduckbakehouse 106 followers

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On my social media I promote my small business where I make and sell handmade jewelry. My accounts have really helped me promote my jewelry and grow my online community. I sell jewelry to people across the world, and connect with other jewelry accounts.” @alexsjewels

169 followers

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ARTS & LEISURE • Social Media Artists 23

South Florida orthopedic surgeon Brandon Shallop offers injury prevention and treatment advice for student athletes

sports to-dos

from a pro

1

Warm up and Stretch. People like to just get on the field and play. You really have to spend time to get on the field early or before a game to stretch and warm up. You should also stretch after playing sports. If you are having aches and pains, icing is a really good habit to get into for when you get off the field.

2

Rest. We are not designed to throw

baseballs or footballs seven days a week. If you do not have enough rest days in between your workouts and sports, overuse and fatigue injures happen and put people at a higher risk for major injuries on the field.

3

Hydration and Nutrition.

Dehydration is a major contributing factor to a lot of players having injuries, sport-related injuries but also health related injuries. Making sure you are putting good, nutrient-rich food into our bodies is also important for sustaining energy on the field and optimizing one’s performance. It also facilitates recovery.

QUICK OFF THE FIELD. Defensive Back Daniel Barraza (25) walks off the field with help of the two trainers after tearing his ACL in the first game of the season.

Barraza was out the whole 2022-23 season. “I don’t really remember this, but I remember my knee buckl[ing] and getting up, and I couldn’t walk,” Barraza said. “My heart sank; at that moment, I knew it was wraps.”

PHOTO BY Carolina Ochoa Lozano

24 SPORTS • Injuries

Fall, Fumble,

T

MSD student athletes sustain injuries participating in high school athletics

Fracture

he sidelines at a lacrosse game had never been so Students who play high-contact sports like football, lacrosse, quiet. Before the uproar died, attack Lilly Shortz (20) basketball and hockey are at risk of long-term injuries. Multiple looked to the goal with only 30 seconds left in the concussions can lead to brain damage and other neurological game. Down by two goals, she cradled the ball in her issues. While many students enjoy playing sports, the lasting lacrosse stick as she saw two opposing players running towards effects of injuries can be carried with them into adulthood. her from either side. Waiting for the blow of the hit, Shortz was “A lot of younger sport-related injuries turn into advanced unprepared for the popping feeling in her knee. Before she knew arthritis, which is wear and tear of the cartilage and different it, she was on the ground, cradling it in agonizing pain. joints, and leads to pain and stiffness when [student athletes] get Shortz knew something was wrong. After being helped off older,” Shallop said. “We have to mitigate those symptoms using the field, Shortz’s mom rushed her to the doctor and got her an different medical managements to keep [older patients] active MRI. She found out she had torn her anterior cruciate ligament, while the pain in their joints is catching up to them.” the tissue that connects the thighbone to the shinbone at the MSD follows Florida High School Athletic Association knee. regulations when it comes to injuries. The FHSAA 2023-2024 “My coach had also torn her ACL, so she knew before I had bylaws, policies 40-43, detail the symptoms, treatments, removal even gotten scanned what my diagnosis would be,” Shortz said. procedures, recovery periods and sanctions for coaches regarding “I went to a pediatric orthopedic surgeon who luckily got us in concussions, exertional heat illness and sudden cardiac arrest. with a doctor, and I was put on crutches until I got surgery.”

The bylaws say that in the situation that a player is suspected After surgery and equipped with a full knee brace, Shortz of having a concussion, coaches must follow the “Heads Up” was unable to play lacrosse for at least nine months. Weekly four-step action plan, which involves removing an athlete from physical therapy and consistent stretching became part of play, evaluating them by a health-care professional, informing her schedule, along with checkups and sitting on the bench to their parents about a possible concussion and keeping them support her teammates. out of play until they have been cleared by a health-care “I was really sad that I had to take the sidelines because I professional. could not play lacrosse, but I also could not do other things like “The one thing I want to do [when a player is injured] is skiing and wakeboarding,” Shortz said. “My arms hurt from the make sure they’re okay, so for example if it’s a severe injury we crutches, and I had a hard time want to make sure they are not going focusing in class because my knee into shock or bleeding,” men’s Cross was constantly uncomfortable Country and Track coach Michael from being straight or bent for Mauro said. “Once we [the coaches] too long. It also just sucked seeing assess the injury, we establish all my friends play lacrosse, but I whether we need to treat the injury couldn’t.” immediately, if we need to send the Out of the 30 million athlete to urgent care or the trainer children and teens that and how long or short of an injury it participate in sports in the United is going to last.”

States, approximately 1.2 million In an effort to prevent injuries, suffer from sport-related injuries, Broward County Public Schools according to the John Hopkins requires all student athletes to Lilly Shortz, 12 Medicine website. Many teens, complete National Federation of including Marjory Stoneman State High School Associations Douglas High School athletes, end up in casts from the physical courses that cover all illnesses listed in the FHSAA Bylaws. trauma caused by sports, cutting their athletic seasons short.

Before students are able to play, they have to get a physical “I was very upset about it [my injury] and I couldn’t go to from their physician and take imPACT tests, which stands for the gym to get better everyday either,” pitcher Luke Cherry immediate post-concussion assessment and cognitive testing.

(1) said, who endured a shoulder superior labrum anterior and According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, “It’s posterior tear playing baseball. the most effective tool for comparing a person’s neurocognitive Although some sports are more physical and commonly state before a concussion occurs.” result in bone fractures, there are also thousands of different Still, there are a lot of things players can do at home and injuries one can endure besides a broken limb. Repeated motion on the field to prevent injury. This includes wearing equipment, of a muscle can lead to injury and is the most common cause of such as helmets and pads, appropriately- a safety measure injury in the U.S., according to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brandon Shallop believes can make a big difference. After all, equipment Shallop. needs to be correctly fitted and worn by each player to ensure Shallop, who is fellowship trained in sports-medicine, points that it is doing its job. out that there is no offseason for Florida athletes. With 365 days Stretching is also exceedingly important for athletes to of warm weather sports can be played year round, muscle and minimize injury. Muscles become more compliant to stress and tendon sprains are common amongst high school athletes. are able to maintain a range of motion when they are stretched “Overuse injuries could lead to long-term consequences, and on a regular basis according to a 2022 Harvard Health article with so many kids playing without an offseason, overuse injuries entitled “The Importance of Stretching.” Stretching before and are undervalued,” Shallop said. “Our bodies are not designed to after participating in a high-intensity activity, like sports, can do that.” create a difference in game and muscle performance.

Some students overexertion of their muscles can lead to “We do a half mile to a mile warmup for cross country bigger injuries. Senior Jayden Thuraisingham has Degenerative and track, and then we do about 20-30 minutes of really good Disc Disease in his L5, or lumbosacral, joint. According to the stretching to try to make sure their [the athletes] hips are open UC Davis Health Spine Center website this disease involves the and their knees aren’t going to snap,” Mauro said. “Once we are “gradual loss of normal structure in the structure and function done with practice, cooling down is just as important as warming of the spine over time.” up, because you don’t want to go from running a really fast Before Thuraisingham knew that he had this disease, he sprint to letting your body cool down because that’s when things thought it was just muscle pain. However, when the pain got get stiff.” so severe that he could not get out of bed, he decided to see a The risk of injury is something that student athletes must be doctor. cognizant of if they are going to participate in sports. With this “With the way I swung the golf club, repeatedly, it was fall’s football and volleyball seasons already in full swing, making deteriorating my back, and I almost cracked a vertebrae,” sure an athlete is properly protected, stretched and not overThuraisingham said. “My coaches and teammates didn’t realize exerting themselves can help them recover quicker or prevent how serious my injury was until my diagnosis.” injury altogether.

Sport-related injuries at a young age can be devastating.

STORY AND DESIGN BY Jessie Gesund

“

I was really sad that I had to take the sidelines because I could not play lacrosse, but I also could not do other things like skiing and wakeboarding

SPORTS • Injuries 25

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Coach Keith Hindsley Varsity Football Coach

I have been coaching for 26 years and I’ve played in college for 4 years. I’ve been playing football since I was five years old. I’m just excited about seeing our kids grow and get better and take what they learn on the football field to their everyday lives. Our goals are just to keep getting better and just keep working hard and coaching them harder to reach their goals.”

Coach Jonathan Smith Women’s Golf Coach

I feel really good about the potential the team has to be successful this year and I am really working on putting together a program that we can build on moving forward. The reason I am very encouraged about the program is we have a lot of young players with a lot of talent and drive to get better so the opportunity is there for me to be able to build a program the way I feel will be the most successful.”

“

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Coach Darren Levine Men’s Golf Coach

When I first started coaching, it was after coach Jim Roper had retired. I got into coaching and we had a pretty good run for seven years. We went to districts where we won regionals a few times so we had a pretty good run for those seven years. And so you know, the time is right, the opening was there. And I just felt like I wanted to come back and you know, continue, what kind of started almost 15 years ago.”

Coach Aidan Gidon Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Coach

I’ve been coaching for a few years now, but never at a school. I wanted the opportunity to be able to coach every day since club teams only practice a few times a week. My goal for the team this year is to make it to states... it’s definitely attainable. I want to create a long-lasting culture at this program of hard work and dedication.

As long as we work hard and come together as a team to fight for a common goal, the sky’s the limit for us.”

“ Game MSD welcomes new head coaches for the upcoming sports seasons

Coach Shaune Cannon Head Basketball Coach

I have been the head coach of Ramblewood Middle School... I was also the head coach of Everglades High School... and went to regionals. Last year... I served as assistant coach to Douglas’ Head Coach Teddy Lyons. Lyons decided to step down and asked me to assume the head coaching position... the goal for this season is to return to the district championship for a rematch against the defending district champs of Deerfield High School.”

Changers

SPORTS • New Coaches 27

DESIGN BY Julia Landy

28 FEATURE • Local Farms