Design by Dara Rosen
Ending on a high note
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n Saturday, Nov. 17, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s marching band, the Eagle Regiment, competed at the 2018 Florida Marching Band Championship at the Tampa Bay Rays’ Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Eagle Regiment brought home the 5A state championship for the second year in a row. Scoring a 92.95, the victory was secured by a close margin of 1.95 points against Timber Creek High School from Orlando, Florida, who scored 91.10 points. “When we found out we won, it was such a relieving moment,” junior Briana Eyzaguirre said. “We have a really strict work etiquette which allows us to be very productive, and we really worked hard for our title this year... which proves that if you put in enough hard work into something you’re dedicated in, there are always good results.” They competed in class 5A, the largest class based on band sizes of over 101 wind and percussion players in the FMBC circuit. Eighty-nine schools competed at FMBC with only 11 competing in the 5A class. “This year was different because we had all eyes on us,” junior Chloe Espey said. “Being from Douglas, we had tremendous support from everyone there. For the first time, our rivals felt like friends.” This year was very emotional for the Eagle Regiment. Following the events of
Feb. 14, they performed and completed without two valuable members – Alex Schachter and Gina Montalto. “What was different is that the people who passed away last year weren’t here to perform with us. A lot of people dedicated their performance to Alex and Gina, also in honor to Heather Quinn, who passed recently due to cancer, and wrote their names on their wrist,” Eyzaguirre said. The Eagle Regiment was judged on music, visual and general effects. The music category consists of the sound and composition chosen. The visual category incorporates the shapes and designs each band executes throughout their performance. General effects refers to the wow factor given off throughout the performance. Each component contributes to the final score, which is a summation of the points accumulated in the three main categories out of a possible 100 points. To most Eagle Regiment members, band is much more than a simple extracurricular activity. “Band is a break from school; it’s a break from it all,” junior Alec FerrazEsper said. “All the kids there know each other, are comfortable with each other, they’re all friends.” The Eagle Regiment worked long hours perfecting their performance for the competition. They practiced every Tuesday and Thursday for 4 hours, in
addition to weekend practices, rehearsals and local competitions. Competition days can be as long as 16 hours. “Although band is a lot of work, I wouldn’t trade it for all the free time in the world. Our program is huge but each member brings something different to the group,” Espey said. “Through all the long Saturday practices and 16-hour competition days... all of our ups and downs are faced together.” The band’s biggest rival, Park Vista High School, did not compete against them at FMBC because they marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, Nov. 22 in New York City instead. “They’re our big rival, and last year we didn’t expect to win. But, all the work we did paid off – in competitions our score would get inch closer and closer to theirs, until the moment at states when we got 91.7 and Park Vista got 91.35,” Eyzaguirre said. The following day, Sunday, Nov. 18, the Eagle Regiment celebrated their victory by enjoying a day at the Busch Gardens amusement park in Tampa, Florida. They returned to MSD later that night and were greeted by friends, family and faculty, congratulating them on their win, On Tuesday, Nov. 2, a celebratory ceremony was held in the courtyard at MSD congratulating them on their achievement. The entire Eagle Regiment dressed out in their uniforms and ran
Under Investigation
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n March 5, 2018, Gov. Rick Scott signed the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Safety Act into law, allowing law enforcement to seize weapons from individuals under the Baker Act and raising the legal age to purchase a gun to 21 years old, in addition to other statewide reforms. The act also established the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission to investigate the events surrounding the shooting at MSD on Feb. 14, 2018 and to develop recommendations to prevent such tragedies from occurring again. “The commission was formed… to hold those accountable for the mistakes that contributed to the lives lost that day and to develop the best practices for school safety to give other schools across the country guidance on how to further ensure their school’s safety,” Max Schachter, father of slain MSD student Alex Schachter, said. This committee functions within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Each commissioner was hand picked by one of three appointers. Gov. Scott appointed Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley, Brevard County Superintendent Desmond Blackburn, Miami Shores Police Chief Kevin Lystad, former Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families Mike Carroll and Ryan Petty, father of slain MSD student Alaina Petty. Florida Senate President Joe Negron appointed Lauren Book, Citrus County
School Board Member Douglas Dodd, Indian River County Undersheriff James Harping, licensed mental health professional Melissa Larkin-Skinner and Martin County School Board member Marsha Powers. Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Richard Corcoran appointed Schachter, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Chief Assistant State Attorney Bruce Bartlett and City of Auburndale Chief of Police Chris Nelson. Since April 6, 2018, the commission has met five times. Each meeting lasts for a minimum of two days. Videos of the meetings can be found on the Florida Channel website. The commission members discuss a different safety topic each time and reflect upon the causes leading up to, as well as the actions taken on Feb. 14. “So many changes have happened already, and many more are too come,” Schachter said. “The need for an official code red policy in the district, that each classroom has to have a safe space for children to hide in an event of an active shooter.” The information that was discussed by the commission led Broward County Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie to reassign MSD assistant principals Winfred Porter, Denise Reed and Jeff Morford along with Security Specialist Kelvin Greenleaf pending an investigation.
Eagle Regiment wins states for second consecutive year
We are the Champions
Prized Possession We are the Champions. Band Director Alex Kaminsky celebrates the Eagle Regiment’s victory in the courtyard on Tuesday, Nov. 20.
Photo by Nyan Clarke
Prized Possession. On Tuesday, Nov. 20, senior Steven Blake, juniors Nico Fraser and Angelina Brier and sophomore Jeremy Weschler, show off their state trophy to MSD students and staff.
Photo by Nyan Clarke
through the inflatable eagle used for the football team. Principal Ty Thompson gave a speech praising the band and recognizing band director, Alex Kaminsky for his hard work and dedication to the Eagle Regiment program. Story by Taylor Yon
Public safety commission continues investigation into MSD shooting
“We identified staff members that did not do their job on Feb. 14,” Schachter said. Not only does the commission review the actions of MSD staff members in response to the shootings, but they are also looking into other organizations and programs that were connected to the tragedy. “There was a severe lack of training in the district as well as Speaking of Safety. Sheriff Scott Israel speaks to the Marjory problems with the Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission PROMISE Program,” Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. Photo courtesy of Mike Stocker/South Schachter said. “We Florida Sun-Sentinel/TNS discussed how the school has to let law enforcement have access to The commission has also investigated their cameras so they can have real-time the lack of communication between intelligence when they respond to an the Coral Springs and Broward Sheriff’s emergency.” Office. According to a WPLG Local 10 Following his resignation, former news report from Nov. 15, commission Deputy Scott Peterson, the resource members praised the Coral Springs Police officer at MSD on the day of the shooting, Department’s actions after their chief, was subpoenaed to appear before the Clyde Perry, testified. commission in the following month. On The commission hopes to further Nov. 15, Peterson was scheduled to attend investigate the events leading up to and the meeting and give a testimony, however on Feb. 14. Their goals are to ensure the he failed to show up. safety of not just Florida schools, but all “[Peterson’s] attorney showed up and schools throughout the United States and said he wasn’t going to testify,” Schachter to prevent any more tragedies. Story by Ava said. “We were very upset.” Steil
News • MSD in Brief 05
