Apr. 2020 the
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J.W. Mitchell High School 2323 Little Road New Port Richey, FL 34655
https://connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us/jwmhs-hoofbeat/
Issue 5 Volume 18
hoofbeat
Performing with the competitive winterguard team in a mock championship on Mar. 1, Christina Kausas (‘20) celebrated the last show of a season cut short due to COVID-19. Story on pg. 5 Photo by Adam Kral
Issue Five Table of
Contents
News (page 3)
• Cancellation of state FBLA competition • A calendar of the new online AP testing dates • Up to date information on COVID-19 cases
(pg.14)
Photo by Emma Diehl
Lifestyles (pages 5-7)
• Spring break trips cancelled or postponed • A look into the Mustang Morning News • Information on the philosophy club • Activities to keep you busy during quarantine • Students taste test new peep flavors • How to join the walking club after break • Trinity Oaks Elementary School parade • Winterguard sponsors host a mock championship for the cancelled season • Dylan Bromberg’s (‘22) sister fights cancer with • support from his friends from the school
Centerspread (pages 8-9)
(pg.12) Photo by Avery Weber (pg.11) Photo by Emma Diehl
• March Madness recap
Sports (pages 11-13)
• Track and field team faces a shortened season • Boys and girls varsity lacrosse teams hit records this season • The tennis team takes on new players • Boys varsity baseball team aims to defend their national title • Softball team reflects on their season • Gregg Schindler Athletes of the Month • Students volunteer at the Special Olympics
Entertainment (page 14)
• Disney films evolve from animations • Recap of the final pep rally of the school year • COVID-19 leads to the cancellation of Rho Kappa’s annual history fair • Students form a local rock band
Opinions (page 15)
• Staff editorial on social distancing • Faces in the Crowd: What is the best or • worst part of quarantine? • Postponing prom to the end of May
Back Page (page 16)
• Should the tobacco law be age 18 or 21?
Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram at
@mhshoofbeat
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HOOFBEAT
CONTENTS
(pgs.8-9)
(pgs.8-9)
Photo by Emma Diehl
Editorial
Policy
Published six times a school year, the student newspaper of J.W. Mitchell High School is a public forum with its student editorial board making all the decisions concerning its contents. Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board. Letters to the editor are welcomed and will be published as space allows. Letters must be signed, although the staff may withhold the name upon request. The paper reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and all letters are subject to laws governing obscenity, libel, privacy and disruption of the school process, as are all contents of the paper. Opinions of letters are not necessarily those of the staff nor should any opinion expressed in a public forum be construed as the opinion or policy of the school administration, unless attributed. All clip art from Vecteezy.com
Photo by Hayley Fliss
HoofbeatStaff Editors
Morgan Fliss
Bailey Illig
editor-in-chief
editor-in-chief
Richard Daley
Hailey Kroll
sports editor
Emma Diehl
ent. editor
Ostina Myrtil
feature editor social media manager
Reporters Davis Burnette Luke Cartiglia Riley Curie Isa Desiante
Savannah Henslee
news editor
business manager
Emma Rogers
Ashley Hoskins
Hayley Fliss
Maddi Smyth
Laynie Mazur
Valerie Farrar lifestyles editor
opinions editor
Gracie Glover
Susan McNulty
back page editor
adviser
Tori Marjan Jelayna Vasquez Avery Weber
Coronavirus: this means business
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) experience a change of plans for this year’s state conference competition Isa Desiante staff reporter
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) compete every year at a state competition during Spring Break. States allows qualified students to compete against different schools and have the opportunity to showcase their business talents. This year, students were about to board the bus at River Ridge High School when Ms. Aschell Glaves (FAC) and Ms. Emily Lamb (FAC) received
a phone call that States was cancelled due to the coronavirus. Running behind, Shruti Patel (’20) was on her way to the pick up spot and had been texting her friends that were already there to tell them she would be there shortly. Once she got there, everyone was already informed the conference had been cancelled and to go home. Patel, the secretary of Pasco’s chapter, placed second in the District Rally and did not qualify for States this year, so she was going as a voting delegate and
to attend certain meetings with the state leadership board. “I have been to States every year since I was a freshman and I was really looking forward to my senior year. We always have so much fun and it was so disappointing when it got cancelled,” Patel said. Competing for her third time, Sofia Salazar (’20), prepared by attending FBLA meetings, taking business classes, and being District President. She wants to pursue business and management as a future career.
Avoiding COVID-19
The coronavirus is extremely contagious, but how does one avoid it?
Maddi Smyth opinions editor Once every year, a mass proliferation of germs and viruses occurs in the height of winter, when human beings cram indoors to avoid cold weather, becoming vulnerable to these microscopic nuisances. We call this flu season, as many inevitably contract the flu, cold, or other such bug. Recently, a more severe outbreak known as coronavirus, spread around the globe. The spread of this virus created major disruptions in normal society, as the consequences of leaving it not contained can be severe. “The coronavirus is a form of virus that has a halo around it when they look at it under a microscope. It’s been around for a while and some people are saying it’s not new because
25.5% 8.5%
if you look at a can of Lysol spray, coronavirus is one of the viruses that Lysol claims to kill. But there are different forms of coronavirus, so now they’re calling the current coronavirus COVID-19 to differentiate it from former coronaviruses,” Ms. Mary Davis (FAC), school nurse, said. We identify this new illness caused by the virus as COVID-19, but the name for the virus itself is SARS-CoV-2. We understand it to have originated from the province of Wuhan, China, most likely the result of a spillover event, when animals and humans come into contact. The prime suspect for this event is bats, as they carry a number of other coronaviruses, but more information must be acquired to confirm such a hypothesis. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), symptoms of this disease most
Percentage of all Florida cases in each age range as of Apr. 8, according to the Florida Department of Health ages 0-24 ages 25-44
35% 31%
ages 45-64 ages 65- 85+
Florida and Pasco County COVID-19 data as of Apr. 8, according to the Florida Department of Health
15,456 total Florida cases 1,956 total Florida hospilizations 309 total Florida deaths 125 total Pasco County cases
commonly present as fever, dry cough, and a shortness of breath, as it attacks the respiratory system and causes an immune response in the form of inflammation and fluid in the lungs. Being new and unstudied, this virus’ incubation period of 2-14 days after exposure is based on the incubation period of similar, more understood coronaviruses. Those who are most at risk of developing serious complications from this virus are older adults (around 65 years of age and above) and people with underlying medical conditions that contribute to a weakened immune or respiratory system, such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, asthma, etc. Signs of serious medical complications caused by this virus include: trouble breathing, continuous pain or pressure in the chest, disorientation or lack of consciousness, and/or a blue tint to the lips or face. These are signs of a life-threatening medical emergency that should be treated by a doctor immediately. If you are displaying symptoms of the virus and seeking medical help, call your healthcare provider beforehand so that they may prepare for your arrival and ensure the safety of others in the facility, as you are a highly contagious patient. As this is a constantly evolving situation, the most updated information about COVID-19 cases specific to the state of Florida and Pasco County can be attained daily on the Florida Department of Health home page, floridahealth.gov. For a broader understanding of the country’s state, look to the Center for Disease Control. As humans, we strive to find a remedy for every malady in the
“I was very excited to compete at States this year because I would have held meetings for the District officers and represent my school,” Salazar said. Placing first in Health Care Management, Brooke Minaca (’21) qualified for States two years in a row. This would have been her first year going to the State conference, so she is still planning on competing next year to see if she can qualify for a third time. Her category revolves around the medical field, which is the career path she has
chosen. Minaca works in office management at her job, so this category best suited her. “I was super excited to go to States, as I placed first in the district in my competition. I was looking forward to seeing how well I would do in this conference, since I did well at districts,” Minaca said. Under the circumstances, the State conference was cancelled and will not be rescheduled. This year the competitions will be done virtually, so wish these students luck!
AP Testing Info Here is the updated AP testing schedule. For more information on each AP exam, visit apcoronavirusupdates.collegeboard.org 4:00pm
United States Government and Politics
2:00pm
Calculus AB, Calculus BC
4:00pm
Human Geography
May 13
2:00pm
English Literature and Composition
May 14
12:00pm
May 11 May 12
2:00pm 4:00pm May 15
May 18 May 19
12:00pm
Spanish Literature and Culture Chemistry Physics 1: Algebra-Based Art History
2:00pm
United States History
4:00pm
Computer Science A
2:00pm
Biology
4:00pm
Environmental Science
12:00pm
Music Theory
2:00pm
Psychology
2:00pm
English Language and Composition
4:00pm
Microeconomics
May 21
2:00pm
World History: Modern
May 22
2:00pm
Statistics
4:00pm
Spanish Language and Culture
May 20
book, to save lives and of course maintain our quality of life, but viruses are consistently the hurdle we find difficult to clear. “The problem with viruses is that they mutate, and so you can’t come up with something that’s going to necessarily kill that virus like an antibiotic will kill bacteria. They know that this antibiotic will kill a staph infection, that antibiotic will kill a strep infection. But, since viruses mutate and don’t live long outside of the body in a lab, it’s difficult for them to come up with something,” Davis said. All infections, new or old, pose a risk to a portion of the population, so it is important to maintain a sense of normalcy throughout a pandemic.
NEWS
Practicing personal hygiene is the most effective way of warding off the virus. “If they’re coughing or sneezing, they [need to] do it in a tissue or in their sleeves so that the droplets are not sent off into the air where other people can inhale it. You need to keep your hands away from what we call the T-zone: your eyes, your nose, your mouth. They say that you should wash your hands for 20 seconds,” Davis said. Despite the rapid spread, COVID-19 is not a world-wide death sentence, and there are simple ways to avoid becoming sick: avoid touching your face, avoid contact with others who are ill or when you yourself are sick, and WASH YOUR HANDS!
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"She” won’t stop, even with a pandemic
Since winterguard season was canceled, the staff created a mock championship so the members could perform one last time Emma Rogers business manager
As Molly Triassi (‘20) ran out from a clump of her teammates during her performance at Durant High School, the crowd buzzed with anticipation when they noticed a sabre in her clutches. Her teammates formed a line parallel to her and started a ripple of movement as Triassi prepped for her soloist moment. Once Triassi released her grip, the sabre entered the air and spun six times before landing right back in her hands. The audience erupted when the sabre successfully connected with her hands.
Molly Triassi (‘20)
“At the beginning of the show, it’s stressful because we don’t know how the show is going to turn out, but once the music starts you enjoy what has been put together. When it’s a good show, the crowd is really loud, so you know your team is doing good and that we are accomplishing something together,” Triassi said. Winterguard presents their 2020 show called “She”. The show highlights the struggles single mothers go through, as well as the empowerment they represent when raising their children. The music of the show portrays the mood shift throughout the program that causes the winterguard to change performance tactics. “This show makes me feel empowered. The struggle that single moms go through is incomparable to anything I have ever experienced especially at my age, but it makes me confident that I can get through anything that life throws,” Daelynn Benitez (‘21) said. This year, the winterguard would have made school history by partaking in national championships in Dayton, Ohio for the first time. However, Winter
Guard International (WGI), the company in charge of national championships, cancelled the competition, as well as their state championships that would have been in Daytona, due to the threat of COVID-19. “When we first heard we weren’t going to Dayton and Daytona, I was devastated. This was a very special season, so for it to be cut short was upsetting. I appreciate the time we did have together so much more because it was cut short,” Caitlin Barkley (‘20) said. The guard competed in the Tampa Regional competition hosted by Durant High School on Feb. 22, before all WGI events were cancelled. The competition followed a format of preliminary performances to the finals portion, skipping the semifinals since the competition was only a day long. After performing their program in the preliminary portion of the day, the winterguard placed seventh overall and advanced to the finals. After their last performance, the winterguard broke 80 points on a 100-point scale and placed fourth overall of the remaining ten teams. “The finals run was very good for the team [because] we all felt closer afterwards. We can only
Photo by Adam Kral
move up from there,” Bianca Willson (‘22) said. Even though the season was cut short, the winterguard still had a chance to perform for a crowd one last time. Mr. Joel Quina (FAC) and Mr. Tony Perez, organized an event on Mar. 13 consisting of Sunlake High School’s indoor percussion group, both of their varsity and JV winterguard teams, and both of Weeki Wachee High School’s varsity and JV winterguard teams. This allowed each team to perform and simulate an end-ofseason competition. “With all the events getting canceled, I’m a big believer that this won’t define the Mitchell colorguard. We’re based on perseverance and adapting to situations and making the best out of everything,” Perez said.
Photo by Adam Kral At the end of the show, Dakkotah Van Norman (‘20) runs towards Daelynn Benitez (‘21) portraying a child running to give her mother a hug to reassure the mother that she is doing everything possible for her child’s needs.
Showing endless support to save a life
Emily Bromberg is currently battling stage four melanoma and gains support from her brother and his friends at the school
Luke Cartiglia staff reporter When she was just 15 years old, Dylan Bromberg’s (‘22) sister, Emily Bromberg, was diagnosed with stage 2B melanoma. She won that battle and went into remission within the year and left cancer in the past. Now six and a half years later, she’s battling a worse type of cancer, stage 4 melanoma on the right frontal part of her brain. Dealing with chemotherapy has been an extremely tough battle for everybody affected, according to her brother.
“My friends have played an enormous role throughout the entire journey. There have been many days where emotions just bottle up, and become overwhelming, and my friends have been there to support me. Sometimes, all you need is for someone to just listen to you. Even just being in the presence of friends and loved ones is beneficial. The extra laughs always play a huge role. In addition to this, my football coaches and teachers have all been extremely supportive, as well as understanding. A specific example was when Emily
Photo provided by Dylan Bromberg Bromberg and his friends ran a race back in Feb. to honor and support Emily’s fight against cancer.
had just started her YouTube page, where she talked about her experience with cancer. I wanted to help Emily grow the channel, and I took it to social media. In just a couple of hours, enough people reposted it for Emily to gain over one thousand followers. I couldn’t thank my friends, and the community enough. It has been tremendously helpful,” Bromberg said. One of Bromberg’s closest friends, Brayden Krapfl (‘22), has been there with Dylan and his family throughout this entire process. He has seen all parts that the journey of overcoming cancer entails. “Me along with all of our friends, have been there for Dylan every step of the way to support his sister and his family. Dylan is the type of person to keep a smile on his face and try to always make others’ days better,” Krapfl said. She has been on multiple different steroids and sometimes
there are many side effects Even just acquaintances have felt the pain they both have gone through. “She is fighting with all her strength. She is the strongest person I know and will continue to always fight no matter what comes her way,” Krapfl said. Emily is continuing to fight to win this battle with cancer. Back in Feb, Bromberg’s closest friends entered a 5K together and all ran the race for Emily. They have also created a Gofundme page to help pay for all of her medical expenses. As of Mar. 25, they have raised 20,915 dollars out of their 35 thousand dollar goal. Every donation is appreciated to help support Emily in her fight against cancer.
FEATURE
Photo provided by Dylan Bromberg
Photo provided by Dylan Bromberg Due to frequent hair loss from chemotherapy, Emily decided to shave her head with support from her family. In the bottom picture, Emily just found out that she was rediagnosed with cancer, but kept a positive attitude.
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A different Spring A peek behind the scenes Break than usual
From their own homes, the news crew still works to produce their show Laynie Mazur staff reporter
COVID-19 leads to the cancellation of many out-of-country trips for students Ashley Hoskins staff reporter The new outbreak of COVID-19 affects people across the globe, due to its quick spreading by viral measures. This virus quickly escalated into a pandemic, limiting those traveling out of the country. Julia Walter (’21) intended on going on a trip with her sister and classmates to Italy, England, France and Switzerland. Planning months ahead for her adventure, Walter discovered news that may endanger herself and her traveling companions. “They didn’t want to put us in danger from COVID-19, since it had already spread extremely bad. While we were there, I planned on going to see the museums and historical sights. Our trips were planned months in advance. I found out last week that we couldn’t go, but it’s going to be rescheduled, so it’s not that bad,” Walter said. The spread of the virus dictates whether citizens can go on vacation for spring break or even reunite with family overseas. Ms. Victoria Mudry (FAC) planned on traveling to San Remo, Italy to visit her grandfather with her daughter, son-in-law, and 18-month-old granddaughter. However, do to the safety risks, she was unable to travel to Italy this year. “We wanted to go so my granddaughter could meet her 1-year-old cousin and stay a month with our big family.
We’ve waited three years to go to Italy. I usually go every summer and not [being able] to see our family is really hard. Delta Airlines gives a refundable change fee of $200 to $500 and change flights to next summer, but won’t refund the purchase of the tickets, even though we spent about $5,000 on our tickets to Italy. It’s scary when traveling with my 18-month-old granddaughter. If she gets sick or one of us gets the virus, then we would be separated,” Mudry said. Jordan Utterback (‘20) planned on traveling to London, England for the week of Spring Break. However, to prevent the spread of the virus, her trip was postponed to a later date to ensure her and her family’s safety. “I’m going with my dad as a graduation present, and we’re just doing all the touristy stuff. We found out early March that Italy is out of the picture because 16 million people have been quarantined. We’re discussing taking the trip during the summer instead of spring break when all the virus stuff calms down,” Utterback said. In the end, the outbreak of COVID-19 led to cancellation of almost all spring break trips, whether traveling out of the country or not. Many country borders closed, restricting travelers and natives in their own nation. Until the pandemic comes to an end, guidelines have been put into place to look out for the well-being and health of people.
Quarantine Activities
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Remodel your bedroom or house with paint or furniture
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The first bell rings at 8:23 a.m., and the Mitchell News broadcasts onto every TV in the school. Taking about fifty minutes to create each episode, the team must work together to get everything done during their first period class. Director Aiya Aceti (‘21), works on the overall management of the crew. “Sometimes it can be a little insane; we’re running around screaming at each other and no one is messing around. But in the end it’s worth it because the show is the best it can be,” Aceti said. In addition to the production and recording elements of the show, the team gathers information to broadcast to their classmates. To ensure no events are missed, the team searches for facts found on the school website and national news. Carson Decker (‘21), the sports anchor for the news, focuses on upcoming athletic events. “It’s my forte—we try to find the stuff people want to see for the news and since I’m reporting for the sports cage, I know what
to find,” Decker said. Decker finds himself most comfortable when sitting in front of a camera. While he does not see a future in the news field, he sees one in film and production. “I think I’m pretty good at reading scripts and being on camera. Taking classes with Mr. Taylor my freshman and sophomore year is what really got me into it,” Decker said. Editing the show backstage, Tanner Wojchowski (‘20) focuses on the production of each episode before broadcasted to the school. “I’m the backstage guy; I edit the shows together and manage my friends to make sure their videos are looking great. This is my favorite part about being on the news,” Wojchowski said. All three members found that the friends they made along the way, is one of their favorite things about the news crew. “We’re always having a great time. I think it’s super great to be able to interact and bond with people who have the same interests as you,” Aceti said. Even from home students can tune in to the Mustang News and
Photo provided by Susan McNulty Mr. Leith Taylor (FAC) assists students as they work to create the morning news show.
catch the current events both for school and in the country. Every episode can be viewed via Mymustangnews on YouTube. “It’s great to be able to reach out to the students and give them the information that they need to know, whether it is happening on campus or nationally. I think it’s really beneficial,” Wojchowski said. The news crew is currently working from their own homes to have a new show filmed and up on their social media by Apr. 13.
Time to talk about philosophy Members of the philosophy club, meet weekly to hold various discussions Grace Glover backpage editor According to Webster’s Dictionary, philosophy is the study of the foundational nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially as an academic discipline. Philosophy club creates a space for students of different grade levels and different mindsets to get together to discuss abstract topics that they do not get a chance to discuss in a classroom setting. “This club was created so students could have a safe place to stimulate these types of upper-level discussions. They’re very student-led, so there are
no restrictions on what we talk about and how we talk about it,” Jordan Utterback (‘20) said. Members of the club do not have to speak on a topic they do not feel comfortable with. Students get the choice to discuss or to just listen, which creates a mellow atmosphere. “We sit down, then [the leaders] will start off with a question and then we all discuss. Usually it’s whoever wants to talk, so it’s really relaxed. It is a time to hang out with your friends and talk about the really hard questions of life. We talk about many things like love and
problems in the world,” Daniel Slort (‘21) said. Philosophy club ponders the difficult and more complicated parts of life such as, relationships or any personal questions a member may have. “We pick a broad topic every week like love or time, and we see where we can go from there with our discussion. A lot of the time, a member has a question on their mind that they bring to the club and we develop it from there,” Utterback said. Philosophy club meets on Thursdays in Mr. Joseph Gifford’s (FAC) portable.
Here are some simple activities that can keep you busy for the rest of quarantine!
Go through your closet and get rid of clothes you don’t wear or are too small
LIFESTYLES
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Go through your camera roll and pick out favorites to make a photo book
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Pick up a new hobby like knitting or crochet. YouTube has dozens of tutorials to teach interested beginners
New peep flavors
Students taste tested six new peep marshmallow flavors and scored them on a scale from one to five. Out of the four students, the average scores are shown below
Cake Peep Cotton Candy Peep Fruit Punch Peep
The root beer flavored peep was probably the worst one of all of them. The powder was very heavy and the flavor was stuck in my mouth for a while.
Erik
Hendrickson (‘21)
The most memorable one was the pancakes & syrup flavored peep because it was a very interesting flavor that I’ve never experienced before.
Caitlin
Howry (‘23)
Pancakes & Syrup Peep Rootbeer Peeps Sour Watermelon Peep
The fruit punch flavored peep [was my favorite] because the flavor is different, but I never knew that they could make one of my favorite drinks into a peep and it would taste the same.
Leanne
Lucas (‘20)
The sour watermelon flavored peep [was my favorite] because it was a very sugary and sweet marshmallow that also tasted like bubblegum.
Brianna
Maser (‘22)
Walking with others Showing love six feet apart Students use their lunch time to get fresh air Valerie Farrar news editor On Wednesday, Feb. 12, Mallory Bachmann (‘21) decided to try something she has never done before; she joined the Walking Club, where students can walk the campus as a group during their lunch. “I joined because it was a good time to just kind of go outside and escape the usual routine of school, and I also got to walk around with my friends. My favorite part is probably just getting to talk to friends and not be stuck inside all day,” Bachmann said. The Walking Club was created by Laura Burness, a volunteer who has been coming to Mitchell once a week since 2015, when administration asked her to start the Walking Club. “My daughter graduated from here in 2011, and I’ve been in a Pasco school since she was in kindergarten. Everywhere she went, I went too. I really did like this school, just because of the people; they’re so much like a family. So when they asked me to do this, I knew everybody’s right behind me and everyone is right with me.” Burness said.
Every Wednesday, during each lunch period, she holds a sign in the cafeteria reading “Come walk with us” to encourage more students to get involved. “I can’t believe it; I’ve got at least ten kids coming out every lunch hour, much more right now, especially. This is it, for everyone to just be happy, stay in a group. It’s just wonderful.” Burness said. Another student who recently joined the Walking Club every Wednesday, along with Bachmann, is Jackson Leiby (‘21). “I joined the Walking Club because my friends were doing it. During the club, we walk around the school and talk about our lives, so we get to know each other better. It’s a really nice experience and it’s really relaxing; it’s like a break throughout the day,” Leiby said. Anyone interested in joining the Walking Club can join Burness on Wednesdays during the last half of their lunch period, once school resumes “Try it once, see how you like it, and bring a friend because that always makes it much nicer. If you don’t like it, you can go back to the cafeteria and sit there, or you can be out in the sunshine with us,” Burness said.
With the help of Mitchell students, Trinity Oaks Elementary School staff drove around neighborhoods to show how much they miss their students Hailey Kroll ent. editor With the closing of schools upon the return of spring break, the teachers at Trinity Oaks Elementary School (TOES) missed their students and wanted to do something to uplift them. They decided a parade of cars going through nearby neighborhoods of the school would be the most successful way to provide cheer while staying safe during the uncertain times of the COVID-19 outbreak. After two days of planning, the event organized by Jill Curie, the principal’s secretary, took place on Mar. 27. Faculty and staff decorated their cars with signs featuring uplifting messages letting students know their teachers haven’t forgotten about them during these uncertain times. “We had the parade to show our students and families how much we care about them and miss them. Seeing our students wave and smile made me joyful while we drove around to all the different neighborhoods,” principal of TOES, Ms. Allison
Hoskins, said. Jill’s daughter, Delaney Curie (‘20), participated in the parade with her family. As an active volunteer at the school, she was used to seeing the students on a daily basis. “I participated because I missed seeing the kids I usually volunteer with. Seeing the kids gave me something to look forward to. It made me happy seeing how excited they were to see everyone else,” Delaney said. As of now, all schools are closed until May 1, and distance learning as already started. As online school continues for students of all grades, faculty and staff are working to help their students as much as possible to keep them safe. “I feel very concerned about the possible effects on people in our community. I want them to stay positive and use this to spend time with family,” Hoskins said.
LIFESTYLES
Photo by Hailey Kroll
Photo by Hailey Kroll In the top picture, Trinity Oaks Elementary School principal, Ms. Allison Hoskins and her daughter, Ashley Hoskins (‘22) drive through Thousand Oaks. They hang handmade posters and signs out of the window for all of the students to read. In the bottom picture, families stand in their driveways on Mar. 27 to wave at all the staff members driving by in their decorated cars. The staff’s goal was to show their students how much they miss them.
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MARCH MARCH MADNESS MADNES
Hayley Fliss lifestyles edi
From March to the 13, the we called March Madne took place. The week was filled with fun activitie and dress-up days in which students had the opportunity to participate in. T dress-up day consisted college day, cla
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h9 eek ess
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ass
color day, spirit day, twin/dynamic duo day, and tacky day. Aidan Milton (‘20) participated in the talent show held on Tuesday and showcased a performance with a few of his friends. “My act was pull up bar dancing and I have been practicing for almost a year. I wanted to bring my favorite music to life by doing this. I am a MetalStep and DeathStep fan and the music inspired me. I wanted to do something totally different and I took a chance with how unique it was,” Milton said. Milton and his friends completed their three-minute routine and were assessed by three judges. In the end, Milton won the talent show, competing against five other participants. “I felt proud of my accomplishment and doing the skit with my friends was the icing on the cake! It was all teamwork and appreciation, and everyone had a good time doing it. I went out with a smile on my face and a time that I will never forget,” Milton said. Archery tag was a new activity added into March
Madness by Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and was held on Wednesday. Sarah Logan (‘21) participated in archery tag with a group of her friends against 17 other teams. “I was terrified at first because all the other teams were really intimidating, but once the game started I got in the zone and focused on not getting hit. I would participate again because it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be; however, it turned out to be really fun,” Logan said. Four square was held on Friday afternoon and was a battle to win between each class. Mitchell Kasimov (‘20) won the activity as a whole out of 60 students that played. “It was a very exciting moment to win four square and represent my fellow friends and senior class,” Kasimov said. Other events held such as dodgeball and archery tag allowed teachers to participate in this week and interact in games with students during March Madness. With all the activities that took place, students had a chance to make new memories and enjoy their high school years.
WINNERS WINNERS OF OFTHE THEWEEK WEEK MONDAY: College Day
Dodgeball
The event was run by Student Council Class of 2021 They raised $700 towards their class and had two teachers teams
TUESDAY: Tacky Day
Talent Show
The event was run by Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Aidan Milton (‘20) was the winner of the event against five others
WEDNESDAY: Twin Day
Archery Tag
The event was run by FCA sponsors, members, and volunteers There were 18 teams that competed and they raised over $800
THURSDAY: Spirit Day
Pep Rally
It was the black light pep rally where spring sports were announced Milton showed his talent show winning performance
FRIDAY: Color Day
Four Square
The event was run by Student Council Class of 2020 The winner of the event was Mitchell Kasimov (‘20) on behalf of the seniors
Tips to stay successful during distance
learning
Ms. Jessica Schultz (FAC) and Ms. Jill Cortier (FAC) provide tips to students via Twitter and the JWMHS website
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Choose a time that works for you- The learning plan and curriculum is flexible, so chose a time where you can best focus and learn.
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Teachers are still available- All teachers are still available for you to reach out for help. Make sure to advocate for yourself and contact your teachers if you need any guidance in your classes.
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Be patient- This program and style of learning is still new to everyone so you must be patient. There may be glitches and problems with the software but everyone must work together to get through this!
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Remain active in classes- Attendance will be taken as students log in to their courses. Please make sure to log in and complete your assignments weekly.
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Make a weekly schedule- Since all classes are now active, create a weekly work schedule to track your progress. This allows you to see what is due and what you still need to complete, making it easier to manage your time. Stay focused- Work somewhere where you can stay focused without everyday distractions such as a phone, television or other people.
Take notes- Take detailed notes from each lesson to use to study for your tests and quizzes.
Get involved- take part in as many Zoom meetings as you can, to stay connected with your classmates as well as further your understanding of the material.
Running laps Shooting to victory The track and field team practices after school every day to perfect their skills for competitions. They competed in six meets before their season was cut short.
Photo by Emma Diehl
Victoria Rodriquez (‘21) participated in long jump at the River Ridge meet on Mar. 4, jumping a distance of eight feet and 11 inches. Rodriquez also participated in the 200 meter race later in the meet.
The boys lacrosse team started their season off with an improved record from last year
Emma Diehl sports editor
With an overall win-loss record of four to two this season, as of Mar. 31, the boys lacrosse team worked to improve from their previous season, where they only won five games total. The team practices multiple days a week after school to improve their technique for games. Justin Fisher (‘21) plays long stick midfielder (LSM), a defensive position for the team. “We run through all the basics. We do face-offs, ground balls, passing and catching [drills]; just all parts of the sport,” Fisher said. Team members like Fisher, receive help in training from their coaches, Mr. Ethan Quinlan, Mr. Tony Ferrini, and Mr. Lloyd Hillimire. “The person that influences me the most would have to be Coach Ferrini. He’s able to give me special tips, whereas the head coach would not be
able to. [Ferrini] is the one [coach] that I have drawn closest to,” Fisher said. Team captains Robert Sinibaldi (‘20), Noah Midthun (‘20), and Nicona Williams (‘20), helped lead their team to multiple wins so far this season. “The one who influences me the most is probably Noah Midthun. He motivates everyone, and he does not want anyone to feel bad,” Robert Mirabile (‘22) said. In order to make it to the district championships, team members agreed that the team must be able to work together. “I think if we all focus more, and we just keep going at it every single day, we can make it [to districts],” Sinibaldi said. The team’s season was interrupted by COVID-19, causing it to be suspended. Midthun expressed his regret about the virus possibly
ending their season. “I felt horrible. Now, with lacrosse suspended, I’m left with a feeling of what could’ve been, and especially with the season just being suspended right now, I don’t know if I am ever going to play lacrosse again,” Midthun said. After only being able to play six games, the future of the season is still undecided and is being monitored by district.
Justin Fisher (‘21) Photo by Cate Miller
New year, new record
The girls lacrosse team is prepared to beat their previous record from last year’s season
Photo by Emma Diehl
Photo by Emma Diehl
Bethany Bradshaw (‘20) took part in the four by 800 meter relay at the River Ridge meet with Emily Redmon (‘20), Genavieve Newton (‘23), and Jordan Bradley (‘22). “I think [the best thing about the team] is the bond I’ve made with all of my teammates. It’s been really fun,” Bradshaw said.
Emily Redmon (‘20) competed in the javelin competition during the track and field meet at River Ridge on Mar. 4. Her furthest javelin throw was 17.34 meters, placing fourth in her event. She also placed 15th in the 400 meter run, sixth in the 4 by 400 relay, and second in the 4 by 800 relay.
Photo by Emma Diehl
Dean Washington (‘22) participated in the triple jump event.“This is my second year doing track. [I joined] because I like to run. I’m not good at running long distance, and jumping is fun for me,” Washington said.
Davis Burnette staff reporter
The girls varsity lacrosse teammates high-fived and congratulated each other after another winning game against the Pasco High School Pirates on Feb. 4. The team started their season with a record of six wins and one loss compared to last year, and looked to continue their season using the teamwork and technique they learn in practice. Presley Sartori (‘22) shared the team’s best aspect. “Honestly, I love our team overall but my favorite is how everyone lifts each other up, and pushes through a hard game no matter the outcome. Our team communication is at its best,” Sartori said. The team’s encouragement helps to keep morale high, even with their loss at
Steinbrenner High School on Feb. 3 ending their five-game winning streak. Hannah Judd (’22) shares the importance of the team being able to work through challenges and problems they face, to improve their team. “For one of our games we
My favorite part of being on the team is that it feels like a family.
Paige
Peters (‘23)
were really struggling with catching and throwing the ball, so the next practice we did drills that involved those skills to improve them,” Judd said. This season, the team has won more games than they
SPORTS
did at this time last year. After the first seven games last season, they had five wins, while this year they have six. “I believe that the team this year really gets along and has great playing strategies together, and everyone does whatever is possible to come out with a win,” Sartori said. Along with their improvements on the field, every player is working to have a better relationship with each other, to create a positive team atmosphere. “My favorite part of being in the team is that it feels like a family,” Paige Peters (‘23) said. Their season is currently suspended, along with all other spring sports, due to the pandemic of COVID-19. As of right now the girls lacrosse team played a total of nine games and is at a season record with eight wins and one loss.
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Swinging the racket The tennis team reflects on their season while COVID-19 halts matches Avery Weber staff reporter As the girls and boys tennis season came to an early end due to the COVID-19 pandemic, players reflect on their 2020 journey. The girls team ended their season with a win-loss record of 4-3 and the boys team concluded the short year with a record of 5-2. Despite its sudden end, both groups accomplished many things and welcomed new and returning athletes onto the court. “The guys are very friendly. I joined the team because a friend of mine on the team introduced
me. I’ve only been on the team a short time and I already feel like I’ve gotten to know everyone,” Austin Erickson (‘20) said. Erickson and Sofia Salazar (‘20) describe the team environment as friendly, fun, caring, and supportive. Whether players have been active in tennis for a long time, or are new to the sport, they all say that the team is very connected. “I have been playing tennis for four years. I think that we are a more connected team this year than previous seasons. It’s not always about winning. It’s about having fun and enjoying the sport,” Salazar said.
In addition, the girls team welcomed a new coach this year. Ms. Maria Virgilio (FAC) works in student discipline and is very enthusiastic about tennis. Hailee Brown (‘22), who has been on the team for two years, says that she has helped the team become closer and enjoy matches more. “The match environment is competitive but in a good way. It is always a good feeling when you win and it just brings the team closer together,” Brown said. The girls have been conference champions for four consecutive years and the boys achieved the title in the 2019 season. This
Photo by Avery Weber Sofia Salazar (‘20) swings her racket in an attempt to earn a point for her team at the first home match of the season. Salazar has been on the team for the previous three seasons and acts as a leader to the athletes on the team.
year, the teams were originally scheduled to compete at districts on Apr. 13-14 at River Ridge High School. However, due to the spread of COVID-19, districts
have been canceled and it is undetermined whether they will be rescheduled or not.
Seven games in and still undefeated The nationally ranked baseball team looked to stand apart from their competition before their season got put on hold Richard Daley sports editor The varsity baseball team started the season off looking to make a deep playoff run. Last year, the team went undefeated in the regular season before suffering two losses in the District and Regional Quarter Finals, bringing their final record to 25 wins and two losses. “I feel like coming off how we ended last year, it didn’t end how we expected it to. But I feel like we were able to take that as a step forward, rather than a stepback, and learn from it and take advantage of the opportunities we have,” Kyle Murphy (‘20) said.
The team made a name for themselves against the competition and garnered national approval in the process. As of Mar. 9, the boys held the seventh spot in the MaxPreps top 25 national high school baseball rankings. Though this seemed like a big deal to students, the players tried not to get caught in the hype. “We try not to look at any of that stuff because it’s just numbers and that doesn’t really mean anything because baseball is baseball and anything can happen. We try to put that to the side and just play our game,” Aidan Miller (‘23) said. Although the team’s season only just started, they are
already undefeated. According their job and the situational stuff to MaxPreps, the team’s batting like playing small ball and using average, on base percentage, everyone’s skills in a way that home runs, helps the rest stolen of the team. bases, and We just take We just take it one fielding it one game game at a time and one at a time and percentages all one practice practice at a time. We exceeded at a time. We take every day as a new take every day the national average. as a new day day to get better. However, to get better,” the team Ezra Brennan maintained (‘21) said. a level head Although and looked the season for ways to was brought grow. to an end by the coronavirus “We don’t really look at stats. pandemic, the boys still won by We mostly look at who can do standing out from the elite teams
Ezra
Brennan (‘21)
and coming together to create a determined mindset. “We’re more of an underdog school. For the past few years not many people saw us as this super national ranked team, so being able to put a name out there and let people know that it’s not all about names, it’s about the program and how hard we work and the dedication we put into the game,” Murphy said. Despite the obstacles they faced, the players relied on their positive attitude and hardworking spirit to persevere and make a name for themselves. While the season is currently paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team finished undefeated, with a record of 7-0.
Hitting home runs and earning points The 2020 softball team strives for success with a team full of underclassmen and new student leaders Luke Cartiglia staff reporter The new players on the softball team looked to senior players to guide the underclassmen to a winning season. With a team of 12 freshmen and four sophomores, the four senior girls led by example as they posted a record of six wins and two losses. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic their season was cut short, and it is still undecided whether or not the games will be rescheduled. “As a senior on a team with a lot of freshmen, I think being committed to play at the next
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level really shows them how dedicated I am to our sport, which motivates our freshmen to hustle even more. I think that’s one way I display leadership,” Marina Rao (‘20) said. In the game against Land O’ Lakes on Feb. 21, the score was 5-4 until the third inning, when the Mitchell girls came together to score nine runs in one inning. Land O’ Lakes tried to come back in the fourth inning, but got outscored by five more runs in the fifth inning. The final score ended up being 18-8. “They have played a leadership role by pushing us to our limits
SPORTS
with everything that we do which causes us to become a better softball team overall.” Mareena Spiridis (‘23) said. As of Mar. 8, the team had five wins and one loss according to MaxPreps. The team’s combined batting average is .389 and have hit four home runs in just six games. At a home game on Mar. 3 against Tarpon Springs, the score was 1-0 for a while until they rallied together to score 12 runs in one inning to win the game 13-0. “We have shown that we are all really good and that we all can work really well together to
win games.” Kinnah Kreidler (‘23) said. Although softball season was cut short after playing only eight games, the team finished with a final record of six wins and two losses. The future of the season is still undetermined but is being updated as more information develops on the COVID-19 pandemic. Number 11, Marina Rao (‘20), stands on home plate ready to swing her bat at a home game against Tarpon Spring High School on Mar. 3. The girls softball team defeated the Spongers with a shutout score of 13-0, making it their fourth win of the season.
Photo by Luke Cartiglia
More than the game Throw the distance Mason Miller (‘20) was awarded the March Gregg Schindler Athlete of the Month award for his skills on the baseball field Morgan Fliss editor-in-chief
Photo by Addisen Kollross
After a rocky start at the Steve Georgiadis Memorial tournament at Dunedin High School on Feb. 17, Mitchell High School’s Mason Miller (‘20) led the team to victory over Sunlake on Feb. 25. Miller picked up a bat and started playing and developing a passion for baseball when he was just five years old, and credits his parents for helping him get to where he is today. father His was on a college team and played the sport for one year at Eastern Carolina, but his career was cut short by an injury. “My parents are [my biggest influence] because they make me a better person every
single day,” Miller said. This year, Miller earned the position as starting pitcher for the Mitchell Mustangs. He debuts his strengths at the plate with a .529 batting average, the highest on the team as of Mar. 6. He practices every day after school hours and consistently trains with the goal of making it further than regional quarter finals, which is where their season ended last year. Miller focuses on strength training with the help and guidance of his fellow players. “Our teammate, Kyle Murphy, acts as our trainer. It’s what he wants to do when he’s older, so he’s been studying to help the team become stronger and faster. He makes these circuits that we do, which helps to build endurance and strength to make us ready for the long games,” Miller said. Coach Howard Chittum (FAC) coached Miller since his freshman year, and helped him improve as a player over the course of the last four years. “When I am [stressed out], he helps me relax, and he tells me not to let anything get to me because when it does, everything goes downhill. He’s really
helped me concentrate and focus on what I need to do to succeed,” Miller said. After five games as of Mar. 6, the Mitchell baseball team remains undefeated. Due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rest of the season is still unknown. Miller is committed to Florida Gulf Coast University for the fall of 2020, where he plans to further both his athletic and academic career.
Emmersyn Chefero (‘20) was awarded the March Gregg Schindler Athlete of the Month award for javelin Addisen Kollross guest author
Emmersyn Chefero (‘20), a four year track athlete, decided to try out javelin this year. She spends her practice time focusing on mechanics and strength to improve her javelin throw for the track and field team. The javelin, a 2.5 meter spear, is thrown and measured by the distance of meters it traveled. The sport is new to Florida high schools this year, and Chefero decided to try out this new event.
“I have been doing track since seventh grade. I always did the 100m, 200m, and 400m race. I was not bad, but I have never been the best. As soon as I heard that something new was starting, I wanted to try it out. The first practice we had, I really liked it so I started to train and stuck with it,” Chefero said. After training for one week, Chefero went to her first track meet of the season and competed in the javelin throw. Scoring 26m, she placed second in the entire meet out of 40 girls. “All the girls we were competing against had been practicing for a while but it was only my first time. One of my opponents was actually helping me and showing me the mechanics. I just kind of went for it and I ended up doing good,” Chefero said. Chefero currently holds the record for Mitchell High School women’s javelin throw and is second in the region. Chefero believes that being on the weightlifting team earlier in the year helped her reach her accomplishments. “Doing weightlifting definitely
has helped with my distance. It allowed me to have the strength and flexibility needed. Also, just practicing the mechanics and the little details has allowed me to improve,” Chefero said. By the end of her high school track and field career, Chefero hopes to beat her school record and achieve 30 meters. Chefero plans to attend the University of South Florida in the Fall of 2020 to major in psychology and minor in criminology.
Photo provided by Katie Chefero
Helping others one high-fi ve at a time
Students from various clubs volunteered at the Special Olympics event that took place at River Ridge High School on Feb. 20 Davis Burnette staff reporter On Feb. 20, the Pasco County Special Olympics welcomed athletes across the county to River Ridge Middle High School. The Special Olympics is a training and competition for children with intellectual or physical disabilities to allow them to develop physical fitness and create relationships with teammates. The National Honor Society (NHS) was one of the many clubs that created a volunteering group to assist in the success of the local Special Olympics. “We had games set up, and we played with the kids as they walked around and handed out prizes,” McKensie Myers (‘20) said. The opportunity provided to the athletes leaves them positively affected at the end and those that volunteered shared in their positive experiences. “The sports we play really build
come together to support valuable teamwork skills for the individuals who really deserved a athletes, and challenges them day for themselves. I will say that positively,” George Estafanous these special ed kids and Special (‘21) said. Olympics in general, inspired Myers, an officer of the NHS me to really include everyone. volunteering group for the It has taught Special me a valuable Olympics, lesson to explains how It has taught me a always be volunteering valuable lesson to someone that for the event will accept benefited always be someone everyone her. that will accept and talk to “I learned anyone. You what is like everyone and talk to never know for others anyone. what someone and what Logan will need and they get joy being there from and it for some of was really these kids nice to see really made me feel great about the kid’s faces light up when myself,” Stephens said. playing games,” Myers said. The Special Olympics was an Logan Stephens (‘20) is a event that provided beneficial prominent member of the Ranch learning experiences to the Hands club and is someone that athletes and volunteers alike. many of the athletes look up to. “My favorite part about Special Olympics, was seeing all of these incredible and inspiring people
Photo by Courtney Thurber
Stephens (‘20)
Photo by Jillian Misemer
Photo by Jillian Misemer
SPORTS FEATURE
On Feb. 20, students traveled to River Ridge Middle High School for the day, to volunteer at the Special Olympics event. Students like Kendall Gruwell (‘23) volunteered at one of the various games held at the field.
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Disney shifts film production tactics
Walt Disney Studios recreates classic films into live-action movies, but the audiences prefer the original fairy-tale cartoons Hayley Fliss lifestyles editor From 1928’s “Steamboat Willie,” Walt Disney Studios evolved from black and white to live-action movies. Disney produced 19 live-action movies, based on animated classics including “The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Aladdin.” With more live-actions such as “Mulan” coming out in 2020 and “Cruella” coming out in 2021, Disney attempts to recreate these classics into modern-day office hits.
Students like Isabella Cortier, (‘20) prefer the classic cartoons over today’s live-action movies because they build the foundation of Disney. “I think that the classic cartoons are the original stories that Disney comes up with, and they use the live action movies to bring it to life even more,” Cortier said. Jamie Cavalieri (‘21) first saw “Beauty and the Beast” when she was eight years old. She loved the message behind the movie of how people should not be viewed by their
appearance because the inside is what counts. “I feel there is no point to the live-action films made nowadays and that Disney should continue to create new movies in cartoons like the classics,” Cavalieri said. John Martinez (‘20) acknowledges how Walt Disney Studios did well with collaborations and ideas from outside sources to put together the classic movies. In addition, the original thought behind the stories makes them better because there is no basis to recreate. “There are limits when you
The last hurrah
March Madness spring pep rally concludes yearly celebrations
In animation you can draw and create whatever you want whereas in live-action you have limits with money and technology.
John
Martinez (‘20)
remake these original cartoon movies. In animation you can draw and create whatever you want whereas in live-action, you have limits with money and
History on hold
COVID-19 leads to cancellation of club’s annual History Fair Riley Curie staff reporter
Photo by Emma Diehl
Photo by Emma Diehl On Mar. 12, Logan Stephens (‘20), led the senior class into the gym for the last time. The varsity baseball team supported and cheered on Scott Pirozzi (‘21) while he asked girlfriend, Julia Shell (‘20), to prom. To the right, Axel Deraspe (‘20) won the raffle ran by National Math Honor Society and got to pie Mr. John Scott (FAC).
Photo by Emma Diehl
technology. Sometimes the live action movies [alter] the original movie, which kind of ruins the [baseline] of the original story just to save an extra buck,” Martinez said. Walt Disney Studios is currently in the process of filming additional live-action movies based off of the classic films. According to screenrant.com, movies such as “The Little Mermaid,” “Lilo and Stitch,” “Pinnochio,” and a few others are in development with no release dates available yet.
Rho Kappa puts on the history fair every year where members of the club create stations to represent different eras of history. It takes place in the gym and students are able to go during the day to participate in the activities. This year, due to the coronavirus outbreak, the fair was canceled. Mrs. Lucille Hampton (FAC), sponsor of the club, chose to cancel the fair. Members of the club spent all year preparing for the event but there would not be enough time to put on the fair if school returns. “Since we won’t be going back to school until at least May, there would not be enough time to pull everything
together in the last month of school. The officers worked so hard to make Rho Kappa a success this year and a lot of effort was put into planning the event,” Hampton said. This was the last chance for senior members of the club to express their love of history. Nicholas Fernandez (’20), is the president of Rho Kappa as well as a senior who lost his last chance to participate. “I was discouraged by the cancellation. This entire year spent reforming Rho Kappa was with the intent to make the fair end game. We had such lofty plans for it and it’s a shame that it’s been canceled. I can only hope the officers next year can carry out our original vision for it,” Fernandez said.
Local rock band in the talent spotlight Combining their own original sounds with those of former rock bands, Animal Hospital breaks barriers Laynie Mazur staff reporter During the summer of 2018, Daniel Rosario (‘20) and his friends Alex Cuccio, John Wall, and Brandon Fugate formed rock band, Animal Hospital. The band plays local shows at venues in the Tampa and St. Petersburg areas. “The band means a lot to me and everyone in it. We’ve put a lot of ourselves into this,” Rosario said. Before adding guitarist John Wall to their lineup, Animal Hospital went by the name Modern Medicine. Leading
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the group since the beginning, singer and lyricist, Alex Cuccio, plays a large role in the image of the band. “Alex has poured so much into the lyrical and guitar parts of our songs. It’s our baby,” Rosario said. Taking inspiration from former rock band Slint, their shows are full of energy and motion. Fan of the band, Noah Ealy (‘20), attends shows for the action. “Their shows are always an enjoyable experience. My favorite part is when their heavier songs play and the small pit opens up [because] the energy flows and everyone cuts loose,”
Ealy said. Photographer of the band, Craig Moore (‘21), acknowledges the ingenuity the band displays while maintaining a diverse genre reaching multiple audiences. “They’re a very fun band to photograph. Capturing the spirit of both the music and the members, is one of my most rewarding projects ever. I like Animal Hospital because of their originality. Each personality of the members gets to resonate in the music. I think it’s pretty awesome,” Moore said. The band’s progression from house shows in Oct. 2019 to bigger venues in the beginning
ENTERTAINMENT
of this year, shows the development of their fanbase. “Everybody that comes to the concerts is there for the music, so when the band starts playing everybody is Photos by Craig Moore (‘21) completely in that world,” Animal Hospital’s instagram page provides their fans a taste of Moore said. the band and their personalities. To uncover more of Animal Hospital, visit the page via @realanimalhospital.
Prom Postponement Be a hero, stay home Due to the coronavirus, prom is postponed to Sat. May 23
A staff editorial about the importance of social distancing
Jelayna Vasquez staff reporter
On April 1, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a 30-day stay-at-home order to help slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). This mandate means that all 21 million Florida residents must stay indoors at all times, except for essential activities like grocery shopping, or providing essential services, like those doctors and nurses. Many state lawmakers criticized DeSantis for not mandating a stay-at-home order sooner, given the numbers of people testing positive, being hospitalized, and even dying are accelerating rapidly; the number of people who tested positive for COVID-19 nearly doubled in the four days leading up to DeSantis’s order. Before the stay-at-home order was put into effect, social distancing and self-quarantining was still heavily recommended by lawmakers and medical professionals. Social distancing means staying at least six feet away from other people, and self-quarantining is staying at home without visitors for at least two weeks. This fourteen-day period provides enough time for people to know whether or not they are sick and thus contagious to others. Many people chose to ignore the experts’ recommendations to practice some form of social distancing. According to a poll conducted by the Morning Consult magazine, only eight percent of adults between the ages of 18 and 29 practiced social distancing, as of March 20. Refusing to practice social distancing or self-quarantining is not only irresponsible, but also dangerous. While these protective measures will not completely
are a lot of unknowns and this is a very fluid time, so anything is possible. We are hoping for the best possible outcome here, however, if things need to be This year, prom was initially on Apr. modified, we will do the best we can,” 10, which happened to be Good Friday. However, due to the recent increase in the Ms. Bakomihalis said. With prom being rescheduled, it is coronavirus outbreak, Ms. Rachel Herny important that seniors don’t let doubts (FAC) and Ms. Kasey Bakomihalis (FAC) get the best of them. Keeping a positive decided to move prom to Sat., May 23. attitude is essential right now. Prom night is considered one of the “To deal with the doubts I’m having, most important high school experiences. I’m trying to keep a Seniors wait four years positive mind and I to make the memories remind myself that of that night. So, I was just disappointed everything happens for with the anticipation that it got moved a reason. This may not building up, it only be the ending that us makes sense that farther. However, it does seniors wanted but we the Class of 2020 is give me a longer time shouldn’t let it ruin our feeling wary. to get a suit. whole year because “I feel disappointed we can still make great because, for me, prom memories,” Abby is a time where I get Villafuente (‘20) said. to see my beautiful Hawkins(‘20) Ms. Tracy Illig (FAC) girlfriend dress up and understands that the we get to spend time seniors are going together and share a slow dance. I am still happy that it is going through an especially tough time at the moment but she is working to make sure to happen, I was just disappointed that it that the chance to make those prom night got moved farther. However, it does give memories is intact. me a longer time to get a suit,” Caden “As a class sponsor to ease the Class Hawkins (‘20) said. of 2020‘s minds about prom I’m working To choose the new prom date, Ms. behind the scenes to ensure that if it’s not Bakomihalis and Ms. Herny contacted the prom that they imagine it will still be a Innisbrook for available dates in May prom nonetheless,” Ms. Illig said. that also coordinated with their event The best thing for any anxious students decorator. They are hopeful that the date to do now is remain positive and hold will not have to be changed again and have assured that prom will have the same on to the hope that prom will soon be checked off their high school bucket lists. location, time, food, and music. “I believe in waiting to worry. There
Caden
Faces in the Crowd Forgetting the Faces in the Crowd pictures on a computer at school and having to start all over.
Morgan
Fliss (‘20)
The worst thing is I don’t get to spend time with my friends and go to Disney.
Hannah
Rider (‘22)
I think the best thing about quarantine is the quality time that I get to spend with my family.
Sofia
Chianella (‘23)
prevent the spread of coronavirus, they will slow it down immensely. This concept is called “flattening the curve.” If everyone carried on with their lives as usual, there would be a sudden surge of sick patients in a short amount of time, represented by a tall, narrow curve on a graph. This outcome would likely result in a shortage of hospital beds, equipment, or doctors, leading to a much higher death rate for all patients. On the other hand, with protective measures in place, that same large amount of people become sick and arrive at the hospital at a much slower rate over the course of a few weeks, represented by a longer, flatter curve on a graph. This outcome is much more desirable; the healthcare system is not overwhelmed, and each patient has a better chance of receiving adequate care. Social distancing is especially crucial for people who are more at risk of catching the coronavirus. According to the World Health Organization, older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. Obeying protective measures is vital to ensuring the health and safety of people who have a lower chance of recovering if they catch the virus. If everyone does their part in social distancing and self-quarantining, we can successfully “flatten the curve.” With new protective measures in place from DeSantis, this outcome seems more attainable. Stay at home-- not just to keep yourself healthy, but also to protect others.
What is the best, worst, or hardest thing about being quarantined?
Quarantine sucks because I don’t get to go out and spend time with my family, go out with my friends, and spend time with my girlfriend.
Michael Garcia (‘22)
OPINIONS
The worst is not having the in person experience to learn like videos and notes can only help so much. It’s not the same to learn from teachers face to face.
Heather
Perez (‘21)
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Raising the age:18-year-olds aren't adults President Donald Trump signs law into action that changes the legal age to buy tobacco and nicotine products from 18 to 21 Tori Marjan staff reporter Going to the bathroom and seeing multiple pairs of legs in one stall is a regular occurrence for people in their teens; it is a right of passage for students in high school. Teen tobacco users can be found everywhere at any anytime. Tobacco use refers to the habitual use of the tobacco plant leaf and its products. The primary use of tobacco is by smoke inhalation of cigarettes, pipes, vapes, and cigars. Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical found in the tobacco plant. Tobacco use is a cause or risk factor for many diseases, especially those affecting the heart, liver, and lungs, as well as many cancers. In 2008, the World Health Organization named tobacco use as the world’s most significant preventable cause of death. Recently, President Trump signed the bill that included a provision to raise the minimum legal sales age for all tobacco products from 18 to 21 nationwide. Currently, retailers cannot sell any nicotine products to anyone under the age of 21
legally. than 25 years for them to reach maturity. A critical reason the age to legally buy About 90 percent of adult smokers tobacco products should be 21 is to first use cigarettes before turning 19, reduce young people’s access to tobacco and almost all smokers start before age when chances of addiction are high and 26, according to an Institute of Medicine when brain development still study published last year. The study takes place. Studies have also concluded that raising the found that nicotine, the age to 21 nationwide would primary addictive significantly reduce access ingredient in to cigarettes for people cigarettes, can under 18 because most impair cognition children get tobacco Psychologists have among from older friends proven that the young and relatives. human brain is not people. “The legal age fully developed until At 18, all that to buy these products is developed should be 21 because 25-years-old. in the brain is underage kids should the prefrontal not be smoking at cortex and all. It’s extremely cerebellum. Most harmful to their lungs, notable are the reward and most of the time, systems, which are they don’t realize the especially excitable during big effects it has on adolescence. Research you. It can cause a lot of shows the brain is not damage and can effectively anywhere near being change their lives,” Vann Jones (‘22) developed at 18 and that it can take more said.
Florida is one of several states that supported “Tobacco 21”. The official age change emplacement started in January 2020. The raised sales age of 21 makes the difference as it will help counter the tobacco industry’s efforts to target young people. Although nicotine is addictive, most of the detrimental health effects of tobacco use come from other chemicals. It increases the risk of heart disease, which could lead to a stroke or heart attack. These chemicals do not only affect the user but people near them as well. Each year, nearly half a million Americans die prematurely of smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. Another 16 million live with serious illnesses caused by smoking. Now that the federal law has been put into action, all states are required to comply. Instead of 18, the new legal age to buy tobacco is 21-years-old. This change could save thousands of lives and prevent many injuries, as it is essential to prevent teens from smoking tobacco or nicotine products and their harmful effects that follow.
VS Keep it 18:Let adults make their own choices Raising the age to purchase tobacco products from 18 shows that government hesitates to let adults decide for themselves
Richard Daley sports editor
that they pose the same health risks at 18 as they do at 21. “When someone is 18, they are In the final weeks of 2019, President considered an adult so they should be Trump signed an unavailing bill into law able to make their own choices for their that saw the federal age to purchase body, no matter if it’s ‘harmful’ for them,” tobacco products raised from 18-years-old Hannah Spinney (‘21) said. to 21-years-old in an attempt to combat Consider what the United States allows the vaping epidemic. adults to do at Although the President 18: go off to war signed the law with the for their country intention of reducing the 18-year-olds are allowed and risk their number of people using lives fighting. If to vote, take out loans, tobacco products, the the government go to jail, and go to war. law overreaches federal willingly lets power. The decision They should be allowed adults lose their for adults to purchase lives fighting to buy tobacco products. a controlled substance overseas, then rests on their individual it seems logical choice. Noah to let adults Once an individual choose what turns 18, the law treats they put in their them as an adult, so the bodies and fact that the government accept the risks that go along with them. denies them their right to purchase “If you’re allowed to give your life for tobacco products because of health risks your country, you should have the ability raises questions, especially considering to destroy your life through tobacco
Ealy (‘20)
products on your own accord. 18-yearolds are allowed to vote, take out loans, go to jail, and go to war. They should be allowed to buy tobacco products,” Noah Ealy (‘20) said. Prohibiting the use of tobacco to anyone below the age of 21 to combat the vaping epidemic is pure foolishness, considering that the central issue of concern asserts that kids continue to use more vaping products while decreasing the use of genuine tobacco products. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 27.5 percent of high school students reported in 2019 that they used a vape in the past 30 days, which was an increase from 1.5 percent reported in 2011. By comparison, 5.8 percent of high school students reported in 2019 said they smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days, which was a decrease from 15.8 percent in 2011. Even though the government holds good intentions, raising the age will not stop the issue at hand. Proper restrictions must be put in place to guarantee that underage people will not illegally
purchase vapes and other tobacco products. “It is an appropriate response to combat the rising amount of youth smokers. However, even if someone is 14 and they want a vape, they can and will get one. This law restricts law-abiding citizens more than underage smokers,” Conner Lewis (‘20) said. Although tobacco remains a harmful product, restricting 18-year-olds from using it because of the health risks reflects the infringement of individuals’ personal decisions by the government. Purchasing tobacco products means understanding the risks associated with them and giving people a choice not to buy them. 18-yearolds often buy products for themselves, but also share and even sell them to others. So, signing this law into action will not stop 18-year-olds from getting tobacco products. They will just resort to illegal ways of obtaining said products which can be more dangerous than allowing them at a younger age.
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