December 2019

PO’P Volume 93, Issue 2

Pep O’ Plant H.B. Plant High School 2415 S. Himes Ave Tampa. FL 33629

December Issue

Self Care? More like Self Destruction Page 26

Falling Through Fabric Page 13

Tall Girl Falls Short Page 24

All Out All Season Page 37

Contents

5

News

11

Band 7 Crossing Out Cancer 9

Aerial 13 Winter Wonderland 15 Urban Farming 17 Mr. George 19 Astronomy 21

Features

Opinions

23

Netflix 25 Self Care 27 Secret Santa 28 Latkes 29 Editorial 30 Mario Kart Pro/Con 31

Sports

33

Jackson Hacker 34 Volleyball 35 Golf 27 Swim 39 Cross Country 41-44 Winter Sports 47 Special Olympics 49

Policies

Code of Ethics:

Students are expected to adhere to the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics. Consequences for knowingly or unintentionally violating this code include, but are not limited to, probationary status on staff, zero credit for the assignment and removal from leadership positions.

Editorial Policy:

The editorial board will make all decisions for the publication. Editorial board members will discuss controversial issues and consider the advice of the adviser before making decisions regarding coverage. Unsigned editorials reflect the opinions of the majority of the editorial board. Signed opinion columns and reviews do not reflect the views of the entire staff, adviser, faculty or administrators of Plant High School.

Letters to the Editor Policy:

Letters to the editor can be emailed to pepoplantnews@gmail.com.

Letters may be no more than 250 words for publishing purposes.

The editorial board reserves the right to edit for length, clarity and grammar in order to meet Associated Press style guidelines. Letters may be rejected in cases of obscene, threatening or libelous language. Unsigned or anonymous letters will not be published.

Advertising Policy:

The Pep O’ Plant has advertising space available in print and online for members of the school and local community. See the Advertising tab on PHSnews.com for pricing information. Advertisements are submitted by businesses or designed by staffers upon request. Advertisements which promote services or products that are illegal or harmful for anyone under 18 will not be considered.

The editorial board has final approval over all advertisement content and design.

Corrections policy:

Errors printed and brought to the attention of the staff will be remedied in the “Corrections” box of the next printed issue. Errors found online will be fixed and accompanied by a note from the editor detailing the correction, as well as tagged to identify it has been corrected.

Full list of policies online.

PO’P Staff

EIC: Graham Hill Managing Editor: Michelle Tutor Print Editor: Alexis Perno News Editor: Carol Kornworcel Online Editor: Nicole Prus Opinions Editor: Ariana Cimino Features Editor: Ava Nelson Photo Editor: Brenna Anderson Copy Editor: Hartley Hill Lily Phenis Design Editor: Elena Bassart Lily Riopelle Sports Editor: Kate Caranante Sports Manager: Chris Pisciotti Webmaster: Riley Schofner Social Media Managers: Clio Bruno Jessie Larrinaga Designers: Sydney Daux Aryma Moore Avery Owens Juila Peterson Mia Solano Olivia Zavala

Find Us

Staffer: Mariah Alvarez Izzy Antilla Lauren Azevedo Kate Bernstein Ari Dolgin Gaby Jones Salena Kahassai Samantha Macuare Cole Morgan Gracen Rivera Addie Robey Audrey Taylor Julia Wolfe Contributors: Panther Tales Staff Summer Purks Chloe-Amelie Aikman Adviser: Christina Porcelli Plant High School 2,398 students 143 faculty& staff 2415 S. Himes Ave. Tampa FL,33629 (813)-272-3033 Free distribution 1000 copies printed

Contribute your work:phsnews.com/ Expressions PO’P is a member of Quill and Scroll, National Scholastic Press Association, Columbia University Press Association, Florida Scholastic Press Association and Southeast Interscholastic Press Associations.

twitter

online

snapchat

pintrest

@plantpop @plantpop

phsnews.com pepoplantnews

instagram

@pop.phsnews contact us

Design Lily Riopelle

pepoplantnews@gmail.com Send a letter to the editor or contact us to advertise.

As seen in Scout Magazine

Selling your neighborhood for over 35 years.

Ed Gunning & Mary Pond REALTORS® Bringing together Tampa Bay’s buyers and sellers for more than 35 years. Their successful partnership comes from their deep understanding of the local market, as well as a commitment to exceeding their client’s needs.

Ed Gunning 813.690.7902

Mary Pond 813.294.8867

GunningPond.com 4 I Ad

Past vs. Present Hockey prepares for alumni game

T

he hockey team will host their seventh annual alumni game Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Brandon Ice Sports Forum.

Students who played in years past will play against the current team.

“It’s a ton of fun,” senior Carpenter Mooney said. “You get to play with old friends and catch up with people you haven’t seen in a while because they are either off at college or even adults now.”

The purpose of this event will be for the current players to reunite with the older players and find out where they are and how much they have improved.

“It will be nice to chirp with last year’s graduates that are playing D2 club hockey in college and catch up with them since we haven’t seen them in a while,” senior Matthew Brkljacic said. “It will also be interesting to see who has been playing in college and has improved their skill.”

The tradition was started in 2013 by former team manager Mike Bell. The game will give the younger players a chance to learn from the older players and help them learn more about the sport.

“It’s going to be exciting to play against my old teammates,” sophomore Turner Mooney said. “I will get to play with my oldest brother Scotty who is now a sophomore at the University of Florida. I will get to see how far our team has come since past seasons.”

Skating, senior Trevor Woodall follows the puck. This season, Woodall has competed against people he’s worked alongside with during travel hockey.

News

Hockey: Story Ari Dolgin; Photos Julia Wolfe; Design Elena Bassart Coach Weiner: Story Alexis Perno; Photo Kate Caranante; Design Elena Bassart

FHSAA grants Weiner’s

appeal Before the August 23 game against Armwood High School, head football coach Robert Weiner watches the football team. Weiner was reported for violating FHSAA rules in early October, but a recent appeal overturned his salary fine.

A

fter the school self-reported an incident in October, the Florida High School Athletic Association has overturned football coach Robert Weiner’s salary

fine.

Originally, Weiner and director of football operations Misty Winter were suspended six weeks, but an appeal in October reduced that to three weeks. This latest appeal does not take away the $2,500 fine Weiner faces for impermissible benefits but eliminates the $5,000 to $7,500 fine deducted from Weiner’s salary, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Winter’s case, including the fine, was dropped.

Weiner said that his main goal was to bring the issue to light with the FHSAA and create dialogue to institute rules that support coaches and their ability to support students and athletes.

“It was an exhausting process,” Weiner said. “Along with my director of operations Misty Winter, we really felt it was important for us to take this as far as we could take

it not for the sense of us being exonerated of any charges or anything like that, which of course happened and that’s great, that’s a great byproduct, but the more important thing was to talk about the health of young people- the mental health and the physical health.”

Weiner said that if the outcome would have ended differently, the ruling would have ‘handcuffed’ coaches across the state in similar situations where students needed help.

“Any time that you talk about issues, you have to bring it down to the ‘boots on the ground’ level, the front line level, like who’s on the front lines of fighting these battles and you have to find out how these rules and policies will actually fit into real life,” Weiner said. “I think that’s why it’s important that this conversation ended up taking place because the people involvedthe kids, the coaches and educators- those are the people on the front battle lines of trying to keep kids safe.”

News l 5

Ride with the tooth buggy to a healthy smile.

4501 North Armenia Ave., Tampa, Florida 33603

813.879.7167

6 I Ads

Southern Spirit

Band wins regional awards, receives national results in December

Story Michelle Tutor; Photography Michelle Tutor; Design Elena Bassart, Aryma Moore Kneeling, junior Connor Vera plays with a child at the End 68 Hours of Hunger fundraising event.

Trumpet in hand, junior Andrew Essad performs at the last marching competition of the season. Essad was first chair in symphonic band this school year.

Smiling, senior J.T. Hill performs at a food truck rally. In the past, Hill played with Clemson drumline during their Senior Day. Instrument in front of her, junior Hannah Mongoy competes at Braden River High School with the rest of the marching band.

Mongoy has been a part of the band program for the past three years.

T

he band program was recognized by the National Band Association, NBA, as a Southern Division Winner of the 2019 Programs of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award, in September.

“The whole band was so excited [when we heard] and we are so honored,” senior Tabatha Vera said. “We worked really hard and having this kind of group dynamic where everyone is so dedicated and appreciates the process of making great music is so rewarding.”

According to band director Brian Dell, there are only three other schools in Florida that have been awarded this title.

“It’s a big honor,” Dell said. “Though this award is relatively new... it’s a good way to recognize programs comprehensibly both within their community and on a national stage as well.”

The application was a 12-part process that required three years of documentation of various events, ranging from marching band

competitions to honor band performances to jazz band concerts. Most of the materials sent were audio recordings and judges’ sheets.

The longest tape submitted was from wind ensemble’s performance at states last year.

“I believe that the states recording was our best recording out of the whole year,” band captain senior Marshall Ferrell said. “I think it was the mindset we were in when we entered the stage to perform, we had been practicing for months and this was the big moment that we had all been waiting for and I think that everybody tried their hardest on that recording.”

All division winners are automatically included in the applicant pool for the National Programs of Excellence Award. Eligibility for nationals comes out in December, during an NBA conference in Chicago.

“We’ve got a lot of awards flying our way, which is a good thing,” Dell said. “It’s not about gaining accolades, it’s just taking the hard work that our students do... and just

getting it exposed out there. All that does is bring notoriety and recognition to Plant High School in general and our band program. It gives these students an opportunity to put [awards] on their resumes when they’re applying to college and knowing that when they’re playing their instrument, [they’re] in a program recognized nationally which gives them something else to stand out in their college applications.”

Receiving acknowledgement past the regional level could offer more possibilities in the future for the program.

“This award could be the reason we win other awards or get accepted into other performances,” drum major junior Ainsley Neil said. “Being recognized on a national level for our playing ability could pique the interest of conferences across the nation or associations that give out awards. If we had national recognition on our resume, it could be appealing to award Plant or invite us to play at various venues.”

News l 7

Reaching the finish line, sophomores Arlie Rubin and Maggie Malizia smile. Malizia personally donated $50 to the cause.

Standing beside senior Alix Rubin, Academy of the Holy Names sophomore Grace Odmark and senior Megan Hughes address runners before the race.

As a board member, Rubin helped fundraise for the last three years.

Looking ahead, seniors Anai Peterson and Joel Brown run together. Peterson placed at 164 and Brown placed at 137 out of 291 participants.

Mid-stride, sophomore Penny Markowski and her cousin Sophia Shinas jog side by side. Both kept a pace of 5 minutes and 12 seconds during the race.

Head tilted, sophomore Vaishnavi Vangani holds a lit lantern at Light The Night. Vangani is on the board of the High Schools Against Cancer club as Events chair.

Sky Full of Lights Students volunteer at Light The Night Q: What was the highlight of the event for you?

A: The highlight of the event was giving back to the community with my friends and family. Seeing the immense love and kindness in the crowd was a feeling like no other.

Q: What did you take away from the whole experience?

A: The experience I had at Light the Night taught me the value of celebration. I truly learned the meaning of the quote I love to live by: the more you celebrate life, the more there is in life to celebrate. A huge part of the night was learning to cherish the little things with compas-

Photo Michelle Tutor; Design Elena Bassart

8 I News

sion, affection, and care.

Q: Will you participate next year? Why or why not?

A: Definitely. The night was so fulfilling, beautifully organized, and fun. I’d love to go back. In fact, I plan to volunteer with the Leukemia and Lymphoma society in the future, as well.

Racing to Lend a

Hand

Story Kate Bernstein; Photography Kate Bernstein; Design Elena Bassart

C

ross Out Cancer organized a 5k race Nov. 16 at Picnic Island Park to raise money for Johns Hopkins All Children’s hospital.

Students participated in a variety of ways, from volunteering to competing in the race, as well as serving on the fundraiser’s board. Senior Tristan Van Horn, a member of the board, emphasized the importance of supporting those affected by cancer.

“The event is super important to me,” Van Horn said. “Being able to help out families that are affected by cancer is a thing that everyone should strive to do. Hearing from one of the doctors talk about a specific family that has benefited from our donations is really special and shows just how much we can help.”

Student volunteers arrived at 8 a.m. to help set up for the event. One volunteer and board member, senior Elizabeth Eudaly, found personal significance in the effort produced by Cross Out Cancer.

“Cross Out Cancer has been an amazing way to fight pediatric cancer,” Eudaly said.

“Having had a brother with a brain tumor, this cause hits really close to home and so I love being able to serve those in need at Johns Hopkins.”

Members of the girls’ cross-country team collectively took part in the race. Cross country team member and sophomore Maggie Malizia not only appreciates the charitable work done, but also the community she’s found through her participation in the event.

“I think it’s a great community and for a great cause and it’s fun being out there with your friends,” Malizia said. “It’s not exactly about the race, it’s just being out there for the purpose.”

Students not directly involved with cross

country also had the opportunity to engage in the fundraiser. Senior Joel Brown, who ran in the 5k, set out to aid those in the fight to end cancer.

“It was important to me because I’ve had family members that have been in fights with cancer,” said Brown. “I felt like it was a good thing to help support... [fundraising against] cancer.”

The event raised more than $83,000, all of which will be going directly to the families of Johns Hopkins patients. The money will fund different amenities, from house and car payments to grocery bills. Senior Alix Rubin, an executive board member, enjoyed seeing her and other organizers’ work pay off.

“It’s a culmination of all of our hard work,” Rubin said. “It’s really fun to see the big turnout and the final number that we’re going to end up presenting to Johns Hopkins.”

Subhead: Students participate in cancer fundraiser Cross Out Cancer organized a 5k race Nov. 16 at Picnic Island Park to raise money for Johns Hopkins All Children’s hospital.

Students participated in a variety of ways, from volunteering to competing in the race, as well as serving on the fundraiser’s board.

Senior Tristan Van Horn, a member of the board, emphasized the importance of supporting those affected by cancer.

“The event is super important to me,” Van Horn said. “Being able to help out families that are affected by cancer is a thing that everyone should strive to do. Hearing from one of the doctors talk about a specific family that has benefited from our donations is really special and shows just how much we can help.”

Student volunteers arrived at 8 a.m. to help set up for the event. One volunteer and board

Students participate in cancer fundraiser

member, senior Elizabeth Eudaly, found personal significance in the effort produced by Cross Out Cancer.

“Cross Out Cancer has been an amazing way to fight pediatric cancer,” Eudaly said.

“Having had a brother with a brain tumor, this cause hits really close to home and so I love being able to serve those in need at Johns Hopkins.”

Members of the girls’ cross-country team collectively took part in the race. Cross country team member and sophomore Maggie Malizia not only appreciates the charitable work done, but also the community she’s found through her participation in the event.

“I think it’s a great community and for a great cause and it’s fun being out there with your friends,” Malizia said. “It’s not exactly about the race, it’s just being out there for the purpose.”

Students not directly involved with cross country also had the opportunity to engage in the fundraiser. Senior Joel Brown, who ran in the 5k, set out to aid those in the fight to end cancer.

“It was important to me because I’ve had family members that have been in fights with cancer,” said Brown. “I felt like it was a good thing to help support... [fundraising against] cancer.”

The event raised more than $83,000, all of which will be going directly to the families of Johns Hopkins patients. The money will fund different amenities, from house and car payments to grocery bills. Senior Alix Rubin, an executive board member, enjoyed seeing her and other organizers’ work pay off.

“It’s a culmination of all of our hard work,” Rubin said. “It’s really fun to see the big turnout and the final number that we’re going to end up presenting to Johns Hopkins.”

News l 9

Florida Transportation Systems and Blue Bird Buses wishes the very best of luck to this year’s Plant High School students.

FLORIDA TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS | FTS4BUSES.COM | 800.282.8617 BLUE BIRD | BRAUN | ENC | MICRO BIRD | GOSHEN | WORLD TRANS

10 I Ad

Features

featured photo

Photography Brenna Anderson; Design Lily Riopelle

Inspired by Vogue’s “73 Questions” video series, features editor Ava Nelson interviews in “About 12 Questions with Derek Thomas”. Watch this satirical video to learn more about the inner workings of Thomas.

Scooping food onto their plate, junior Joseph Davis and freshman Elyse Braddock get their meals at the start of the annual Thanksgiving potluck. Best Buddies continued with the Thanksgiving tradition for the 12th year in a row.

Margaret to Margaret What does the naming tradition mean to you?

It’s something fun. I have a deep family connection and so it makes it interesting to think I am still tied to people in the 1800s or 1700s so it’s something fun to bring a modern twist to an old-fashioned name.

How long do you hope the naming tradition lasts?

I hope it lasts as long as the tradition can go. I hope our daughter gets excited about it enough to see how cool of a connection it is to keep it up. Maybe because her first name is Margaret her daughter’s first name would be.

What does the naming tradition mean to you?

I think it’s something that unifies us and brings us together. Like I have this aunt I hardly get to see but her name is Jenny Margaret, so I feel like I have this connection to her even though she lives in Seattle and don’t see her.

What do you think is unique or different about it?

Well most naming traditions aren’t girls' names. Most naming traditions are fathers naming sons after themselves or grandsons. So, it’s not that common for girls to have naming traditions.

The first girl born in each generation of AP Environmental Science teacher Margaret Drumsta’s family has Margaret somewhere in her name. The tradition has lasted six to eight generations.

Holding her daughter in front of Niagara Falls, AP Environmental Science teacher Margaret Drumsta poses for the camera. The trip happened earlier this year while visiting New York and she said she enjoyed the experience.

Features l 11

MIKE HYDORN Each Keller Williams office is independently owned and operated

RealtorÂŽ 813.335.5241

Home is where your story begins

12 I Ads

Falling Through Fabric Students perform aerial arts

Story Julia Wolfe; Photography Remi Aylesworth; Design Mia Solano, Lily Riopelle

S

uspended in the air, performers use scarf-like fabric to dance, hang in the air and fall in rhythm. Aerial arts is a form of dance that three Plant students have been participating in for years.

According to freshman Remi Aylesworth, the art form has had a major impact on her daily life for almost five years.

“I really, really love aerial arts,” Aylesworth said. “It’s kind of what I look forward to every week. It’s so much fun, and I think just being in the air is such a crazy feeling.”

Aerial art originated in the beginning of the 1960s in the French circus.

Now, it’s a growing activity in America that recently started having competitions. The practices and tricks involved in the art form are important according to Aylesworth.

“It’s kind of just muscle memory,” Aylesworth said.

“You can’t think about it too much because if you do, you’re not going to do it right. You kind of just have to get whatever move you’re doing down, and then you execute. There’s

no overthinking, you just move.”

Aylesworth, along with sophomores Emma Zientara and Sofi Thomas, perform at New Level Dance Company. Together they perform in the fourth level out of the four possible classes at their studio.

“You’re there every week, sometimes twice a week, and I think you make such good friends,” Aylesworth said. “The

most like you’re flying.”

The sport itself has been said by Zientara to be long and strenuous work, but very rewarding. Each girl works twice a week, for hours at a time.

“There’s lots and lots of pain,” Zientara said. “But when you get something it feels really good because you feel really accomplished.”

When Zientara started performing in aerial arts, she didn’t start her experience at New Level. Since she started using New Level though, Zientara explained that she’s become friends with everyone there and is having an amazing experience.

“I was looking at new studios because I was leaving the one that I was at, and my friend saw this class that we didn’t have at the old studio,” Zientara said. “We tried it and just fell in love with it.”

Now, the performers spend several days a week practicing, falling and getting back up. While they’ve found it hard work, the girls say they enjoy what they do and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

“Falling is a lot more fun than you’d think it would be” people in my class, we’re all very close. It’s just so much fun because we’ve been through our best and worst with each other, so we’re very close.”

Besides competitions, the performers also have a recital every year in June, where people come and watch them.

“There’s dramatic music and we do drops and cool tricks,” Thomas said. “It’s really fun for the audience to watch, and it feels al-

Emma Zientara

Mid-butterfly move, sophomore Emma Zientara practices at the New Level Dance company.

Emma dances there a few days every week.

Sofi Thomas

Hand extended, sophomore Sofi Thomas goes over the curly fry. Sofi worked with her role model, coach Trinity Morgan, for the past six years on improving her skills.

Remi Aylesworth

Smiling, freshman Remi Aylesworth works on back-balancing. In previous years, Aylesworth and her friends rehearsed for recitals after lessons concluded.

Features l 13

Winter Wonderland Students and faculty share their favorite parts of winter Story; Audrey Taylor Design; Mia Solano, Elena Bassart

The Festivities “Hanukkah is pretty nice, getting presents that I don’t have to pay for and my family always gets together from up north so it’s nice seeing them.”

Lauren Ross (12)

“I love the winter Charlie Brown specials. I drink hot chocolate every day and I’m excited for it to not be judge-able in the winter time, and Christmas music.” Preslie Price (12) “Christmas, we always tend to make orange biscuits, it’s a family tradition we have.”

Georgia Chandler (9)

“Christmas when it’s really good, because when I was growing up it could either be really bad or really good.” Assistant Principal Napoleon Wade

“Boxing day, I always have a party, there’s soccer and friends and barbecue. It’s the day after Christmas so it’s a reason to exhale after everything.” Art teacher Brian Taylor

“I like the time change because it affects not just one day, but my life for a while. The second would probably be Christmas Eve, I think it holds the fondest and longest lasting memories.”

English teacher Kristina Renaud 12 4 5

The Food “I guess I really like apple pie.... “Turkey, because I don’t get to eat turkey a lot. I eat turkey other than around the I like apple pie because it’s overall feel like I never holidays.” Lionel Lowry (9) just like a flavorful and sweet and crisp food. It’s probably one of the “Cookies, because Santa eats most homemade meals you can it, and I want to be like Santa.”

Nathan Salzman (9) make.” Austin Crews (11)

14 I Features

The Drinks “I’m Filipino, so in the colder seasons, my family makes a lot of hot tea. Sometimes I’ll take it to school, and it just keeps me “I love Pumpkin Spice warm throughout the day. Usually, the Lattes at Starbucks. I like cold bothers me too much but it’s still nice coffee. I work at a coffee to have a drink.” Duncan Runas (11)

“Apple cider. It’s delicious and warm for the cold days and yummy, and just happiness in general.” David Tuohy (12)

shop so it’s cool.” Tyler Harahan (10)

“Hot chocolate, I need to have hot chocolate. And sweaters because I like knitting.” Gabriel Moore (10)

The Weather “My favorite part of winter is the cool weather of course and getting to wear quarter neck zipper shirts. I like it because I don’t have to wear a shirt and tie all the time.” Principal Johnny Bush

“It’s colder and it’s taper season so in swim, you don’t work as hard.”

Gillian Chorrushi (10)

“Wearing boots. I don’t really appreciate cold “A break from the heat and humidity. I like to weather however if it’s chilly enough that I run so it’s great in the winter, you can run and can wear a pair of boots with my outfit, then not die.” History teacher Adam Gadnis I’m happy.” History teacher Tamara Phillips “How cold it is, even though Florida doesn’t get as cold, it’s nice. It also reminds me of when I lived in Alabama, it was really nice and a lot of memories.” Alexandria Rogers (11)

“The change of pace. We have one season for ten months and for a month or two we get a break from the heat.” English teacher Michael James

Features l 15

Story Izzy Antilla; Photography Izzy Antilla; Design Sydney Daux, Elena Bassart

Sherman Lacost shares experience keeping bees

B

uzzing bees float seamlessly through the air as senior Sherman Lacost tends to the hive. For the past four years, Lacost has kept and maintained bees, during which Lacost said he has learned many skills that he and his family use to care for the bees. While starting after encouragement from his dad, Lacost continued for personal enjoyment.

“I worked together with my dad, he wanted me to get into it to start another hobby other than drawing,” Lacost said. “It’s better to work as a team so you can check each other for mistakes made.”

After learning the process of taking care of and housing bees, Lacost started to enjoy the results that he received from it. Typically, Lacost spends an hour a week taking care of the bees; managing their space, making sure the queen bee is laying, and controlling pests.

“I enjoy most harvesting the honey and seeing the rewards,” Lacost said. “It’s nice to see after all the hard work that we put in.”

After purchasing the initial equipment for the bees, Lacost was able to produce honey for himself and other people. The proper tools to keep bees allowed Lacost to see

Buzzfeed The relationship between bees and food

Story Izzy Antilla; Design Sydney Daux, Elena Bassart

16 I Features

the process of pollination and its impact on daily life.

“Keeping bees lets you know where your pollination comes from and how their pollinating affects your life,” Lacost said. “From food you eat to the trees and flowers in your yard.”

Over the last four years, Lacost said he has learned a lot about bees including facts, trivia and traits. According to Lacost, even though caring for the bees takes a lot of effort as there are many precautions, he still encourages the hobby to others.

“I would recommend beekeeping, however, that’s if you are willing to put the time and effort in that is required,” Lacost said. “If you don’t take care of the bees properly, then they will just fly away.”

Even though Lacost has other hobbies such as rowing and art that consumes much his time, he enjoys beekeeping and plans to continue it in the future. Currently, Lacost sells and produces honey with his family in two holding facilities and looks forward to continuing the family business.

“I would continue to keep bees as a hobby,” Lacost said. “I enjoy seeing how the whole hive works together towards a common goal over a large scale.”

• Bee’s diet consists of two things, pollen and nectar. Nectar is a sweet water produced by plants and pollen is a protein-rich powder.

• Drones are male honeybees; they are unable to collect nectar and pollen, so the females perform that job.

• It is estimated that one third of the food we consume relies on pollination from bees.

• An average bee only makes 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey throughout its whole lifetime and it would take • pollination two million flowers to make one pound of honey.

• The queen bee eats a substance called royal jelly that she receives from the glands of the worker bees’ heads.

Hey,

Honey

Sitting by where he keeps his bees, senior Sherman Lacost poses with a group of bees that he cares for. Lacost has kept bees after being encouraged by his father and said he looks forward to continuing in the future.

Cats&dogs&chickens,

OH MY!

Katherine Roy cares for various pets

Story Graham Hill; Photography Graham Hill; Design Sydney Daux, Elena Bassart

Surrounded by chickens, biology teacher Katherine Roy’s dog, Rocko Roy, sits in the yard.

Roy said that the chickens and Rocko both love each other.

F

Smiling, Roy poses for a photo with pet chicken Donna Jean and pet dog Rocko Roy. Roy shared that Rocko loves to interact with the chickens.

rom beehives to chicken coops, biology teacher Katherine Roy is creating a small farm in her backyard. Roy has a dog, Rocko Roy, a cat, Boots Buchman, and four chickens, Donna Jean, Winnie, Claire and Susan Beakman. Roy also maintains six hives of honeybees.

“It’s just so much fun,” Roy said. “I love caring for them. They are all so sweet and loving.”

When owning multiple pets, interactions between pets are important according to Roy. Roy says that her pets are able to interact well with each other for the most part.

“Rocko Roy loves the chickens, and they love him,” Roy said. “Rocko and Boots get along. Rocko does not like the bees, he’s been stung like twice.”

Rocko is three years old and Boots is ten.

Roy and her husband, Rob Roy, have been caring for the bees and chickens for about two years. Roy says she and her husband have had some memorable moments with their pets over the years.

“I drove all the way from Texas to Florida with my cat,” Roy said. “I didn’t know what to do, so I let him out of his crate and he ran

around the car the entire time. It’s definitely something I will never forget.”

Roy said that caring for several pets brings Roy and her husband follow a daily routine to care for their pets that works around their schedule. Waking up early is amongst one of the many chores Roy and her husband share.

“I wake up early, feed Rocko and Boots, clean Boots’ litter box, and make sure they both have food and water,” Roy said. “In the afternoon, I clean the chicken coop and collect any eggs and make sure they have food and water. Rob usually goes and checks on the hives on the weekend.”

Roy hopes to expand her little farm in the future by adding more pets to her troop.

“I really want to get some baby goats,” Roy said. “I would love to have more dogs and chickens too. I’ll have to see what Rob says about that.”

While she performs many duties in taking care of her pets, Roy said that she doesn’t mind how much work it is.

“I love caring for all of my sweet pets, no matter how much work it is,” Roy said. “I love living at the Roy Farms.”

Features l 17

18 I Ad

Be a Friend Teacher reflects on decades-spanning career

A

Story Graham Hill; Photography Samantha Macuare; Design Julia Petersen, Lily Riopelle

regular at Plant High School, “Biggest change in Tampa, I think, is er, George volunteers at Rocky Point, a local Frank George substitutes two or probably getting major league sports,” George golf course, as a starter. three times a week. A Korean said. “And the growth of population east and “The advantage of being a volunteer: you War veteran and teacher with over north.” work a few hours, but you get free golf, which fifty years of experience, George is He taught social studies at Chamberlain is nice. I play quite a bit,” George said. “Got always willing to share stories and advice with and coached the girls and boys golf teams, to keep your game up.” students. But his own story began long before who competed at the state level.

Over the course of George’s career, he has his teaching in Peoria, Oklahoma, population “We had a girls golf team that won three been able to see many of his former colleagues 189, during the Great Depression. state championships in a row,” George said. “I and students go on to achieve some distinc“We had good times, they were rough had some good talent.” tion. George taught at Chamberlain with Bob times, but we were close to everybody and While he was still at Chamberlain, a friend Martinez, who would go on to be mayor and trusted everybody more or less,” George said. suggested to George that he do something governor, and also taught current mayor Jane “You appreciate Castor. what you have now “She was a good more than back then basketball player at when you didn’t have Chamberlain... that’s much.” another thing; you After World War see the kids come 2 and the ensuing along and really economic recovery, develop into someGeorge was then thing.” George said. drafted into the For George, the Korean War in 1952, best part of teachbeing just one of over ing has always been a million men. encountering students “It was a pretty later in life and seebad war,” George ing how far they’ve said. “We signed a come. truce and came home “Having kids come in ‘53. Those were back years later and hard times.” say how much they George met the appreciate you, that’s woman who would a big thing; to see become his wife, them later is really Susanna Kim, in great, to see what Frank George smiles for a Christmas photo with his wife Susanna Kim. The two met during Korea, where she worked the Korean War, where George served in the army and Kim was a nurse at a military hospital. they’ve accomplished,” as a nurse in a military George said. “It’s a thrill to hospital. The war also afforded George the with humor, saying “You tell a lot of jokes. go like in the mall and someone comes up and opportunity to go to college on the GI Bill, You got to start something with that.” George says ‘I remember you and you were my best enabling him to attend the University of met up with Duck Edwing, a cartoonist for blah blah blah,’ you appreciate that.”

Oklahoma to earn his teaching degree. the Tampa Tribune, and Edwing would go on George wishes that if he were able to “I wanted to coach because I liked sports,” to illustrate George’s comic ideas. impart only one lesson through his years of George said. “I started in 1958, coaching at “You know, I taught at Chamberlain for teaching, it is a hopeful and positive one. a school in the country. Coached everything 30 years... you meet a lot of people and you “Treat everybody as you would like to be and I got a $150 supplement.” meet a lot of people with stories and things,” treated,” George said. “Treat your fellow stuAfter teaching in Illinois, George and his George said. “That’s how I got the ideas.” dents like you would like to be treated. To be wife moved to Tampa in 1964. George has After teaching since 1958, George retired honest, how many kids have a friend they can seen many changes over the course of his time in 2000 to help his wife take care of his aging really trust? It’s important to have someone in the city: the end of a large-scale streetcar mother, though he still coached for a few you can rely on. Be trustworthy, be a friend. system, the creation of new schools and the more years. He has been substituting ever That’s important.” growth of the city. since. In addition to being a substitute teach-

Features l 19

PHS 1/4pg Ad Ver3.qxp_Layout 1 9/23/19 1:06 PM Page 1

DreamsBecomeReali ty

The Jordan & Kieffer families are proud of their 2 generations full of Plant alumni.

CUSTOM HOMES

•

ADDITIONS

sunsetoftampa.com

•

•

REMODELS

813.876.4800

NISSAN • VW • KIA

WE

PRO U D LY

SU PPO R T

PL AN T HI GH

SCHOOL 888-603-7506 • WWW.LOKEY.COM

20 I Ads

Caught “ it’s extraordinary. inthe STARS

I think everybody has some if you think interest in about the universe for just a minute,

-Jeffery Keene

“

space...

Astronomy club prepares for new year

Story Salena Kahassai; Photography Kate Bernstein; Design Aryma Moore and junior Alex Langer said.

“Mr. Keene knows a ton about space, so he usually talks to us about it while we are stargazing.

All around, it’s a pretty relaxing club where we go and learn about space.”

Chemistry teacher Jeffrey Keene is in his second year as the club sponsor. Keene was an astronomy teacher at Brandon High School and now hopes for astronomy to be a class at Plant.

Keene expressed the respect he has for astronomical observations and exploratory opportunities found through observing space.

“There’s so much up there for us to discover,” Keene said. “I think everybody has some interest in space...if you think about the universe for just a minute, its extraordinary.”

The club does different events throughout the year, such as Dale Mabry Elementary’s Space Night, where they help set up and do activities with the elementary students. The club also plans to coordinate a few trips throughout the school year.

“We’ve been talking about a field trip to the Kennedy Space Center which is really exciting,” secretary of the astronomy club and sophomore Amy Cha said.

“I’m most excited for seeing a live launch because it’s something I’ve always wanted to experience.”

Looking at the stars, seniors Julie Elorza and Eric Zhao, junior Shibani Rana, and sophomore Julie Cortez gather to discuss the results from meeting, Oct. 23, outside the new building. This was the astronomy clubs first meeting of the year.

Upcoming Astronomical Events:

A

t school in the black of night whilst snacking on spacethemed food and peering through large metal telescopes, members of the astronomy club gather for a typical meeting.

Students who share an interest in the study of space often join the club to participate in group discussions and observe the planets, stars, and the moon.

“I joined my freshmen year because astronomy has always been a passion of mine,” president of astronomy club and senior Julie Elorza said. “I wanted to be involved in a science extracurricular where I could find similar people.”

The club has monthly meetings where they set up telescopes and look at the planets and the moon, a specific interest of freshman Matthew Daly.

“I have a really huge interest in space,” Daly said. “I just hope we get to look at stars. I’m excited to look at different planets too, I think it’s all really interesting.”

Board members also give presentations about current astronomical events while members enjoy stargazing.

“We have two huge telescopes we bring out, and there’s always new stuff to look out at in the night sky each month,” presenter

Dec 12: Full Moon phase Dec 13-14: Geminid meteors Dec 21-22: Ursid meteors Dec. 21- 22: Winter Solstice.

Dec. 26: New moon Dec. 26: Annular solar eclipse.

Jan. 3-4: Quadrantids meteors.

Jan. 20-21: Total lunar eclipse.

Features l 21

Caroline Hill chill@soleildb.com Office: (813) 839-9363 4321 W. Bay to Bay Blvd.

22 I Ads

Fall or Winter?

“Fall is better because it is not as cold as winter and I really hate the snow.” Alexis Brown (9) “I like winter much better, it is much cooler and there is a breeze.”

Wilhelm Dueffer (11)

Fall Winter

132 out of 345 213

What is the best seasonal drink?

“I think hot chocolate is the best seasonal drink, I love hot chocolate and drink it all the time. No matter what season it is.”

Reyna Guggino (12) “Apple cider is the best because I love the taste of apples and it sounds really good to me.” Nikita Boburviski (10)

Apple out of 345 51 Cider Other 89 Hot 205 Chocolate Is “The Nightmare Before Christmas” a Halloween or a Christmas Movie?

“Nightmare before Christmas is a Christmas movie because it has Christmas themes that are throughout the movie.”

Tyler Warhola (10) “I think it is a Halloween movie because there aren’t many Halloween movies so we kind of need more of them and it can classify as one.” Nicole Oaks (9)

Xmas

144 out of 345 Halloween 201

Opinions

Design Elena Bassart

What Movie

?

Should YOUSee What do you like to do for fun? a. Watch Netflix b. Go outside c. Read d. Hang out with friends

What genre of movie do you enjoy the most? a. Informative b. Action/Sci-Fi c. Romance d. Comedy What is your favorite school subject? a. Math b. Science c. English d. Social Studies How would you describe yourself? a. Intelligent b. Spontaneous c. Quiet d. Outgoing/Funny Which of these animals are your favorite? a. Dog b. Dinosaur c. Lion d. Bird

What profession are you most likely to pursue? a. Lawyer b. Pilot c. Historian d. Scientist What is your favorite ice cream flavor? a. Mint Chocolate Chip b. Cake Batter c. Strawberry d. Chocolate What is your favorite outdoor activity? a. Observing the scenery b. Hiking c. Picnic d. Playing a sport ANSWERS AND HOW TO GET THEM: Just Mercy (mostly A’s) Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (mostly B’s) Little Women (Mostly C’s) Spies in Disguise (Mostly D’s)

What time of day are you most active? a. Afternoon b. Night c. Morning Would you rather explore the untouched parts of the Earth, or outer space? a, b, c the Earth d. Space

Opinions l 23

Tall Girl

New Netflix Original Movie ‘Tall Girl’ fails to Recognize Genuine Oppression

Falls

Art Summer Purks; Story Gaby Jones; Design Elena Bassart

N

etflix is well-known for their production of teenage coming-of-age films and their cheesy depictions of high school, and in the new movie ‘Tall Girl’, Netflix attempts to do this while tackling the concept of not fitting in. This seems to be a common theme in high school movies, but in this film, the main character’s insecurity stems from one thing: being “too tall”.

The director and writers say the movie is supposed to be about overcoming real-life insecurities, but with this being the focus, it is executed very poorly.

The movie starts with the main character Jodi (portrayed by Ava Michelle) reading a book in the school library and then locking eyes with a boy across from her. They talk from their separate tables and when the two get up to make plans to hang out, the unnamed potential love-interest is taken back by how Jodi towers over him.

This introduces my first issue with this film. They exaggerate Jodi’s height with camera angles and dramatic expressions. She’s 6’1”, which is obviously taller than the average female height in America, but they try so hard to make her look like a giant.

The average height for women in the U.S. is 5’4”, but it’s not uncommon to see teenage

24 I Opinions

girls exceed this height. I could understand if Jodi was seven feet tall, but the movie is so unaware of how the audience probably knows a girl that is around 6 feet, and they don’t care nearly as much as the characters in this film.

The entire time I just want to tell the characters, especially Jodi, that it’s just not that deep. The movie had so many chances to acknowledge the irony and it didn’t. It failed to have any substance.

They did address something that other tall girls could probably relate to though, which was guys being disinterested or intimidated by their height. However, the movie contradicts itself even with this because Jodi has three love-interests in the film. The one legitimate issue they could’ve pushed was made insignificant when it showed that all three boys learned to not care or never cared about her height within the first 45 minutes of the film.

They could’ve just ended the movie with her picking one of the boys, but it goes on for another hour. After numerous irrelevant plot complications, it finally gets to the end, and to some surprise Jodi ends up with one of the love interests. I was not expecting her to choose the person she did; the movie does not spend time developing a romantic relationship between the two characters.

Something I thought they would’ve ad-

Short

dressed is that fact that Jodi is a white, upper-class, and conventionally pretty girl and the only thing she can complain about is her height and she takes every chance to.

Jodi would narrate and say, “You think your life is hard? I’m a high school junior wearing size 13 Nikes.” A lot of teenage viewers collectively saw this as a ridiculous statement, and it became a meme on social media where kids would state their valid and serious personal issue after playing the clip.

With lines like this you start to wonder if you are supposed to take this movie seriously.

The director, Nzingha Stewart, states it’s about “learning that thing you are ashamed of makes you special.” This statement confirmed for me that the film was meant to be taken sincerely.

It was so ironic to me that one of her best friends was African American and they then decided to tell a story about the struggles of being tall in America as if it were an actual issue. The writers could have made this a satire about how the least oppressed group of people want so badly to be oppressed. It would have then been insightful because there are so many people with that mindset.

The movie is unsuccessful in making any points that truly reflect height insecurity.

I would not recommend this film if you are looking for anything close to that.

Las Mejores Series en Español en Netflix Las mejores series de Netflix, en mi opinión, son: La Casa de Papel, Élite, y Narcos.

N

arcos se trata de los narcotraficantes más grandes de Columbia en los setentas a noventas, de la batalla de los narcotraficantes de Columbia con las policías de Columbia y la DEA de los E.E.U.U y entre ellos mismos.

Las primeras dos temporadas en mi opinión eran más emocionantes, porque se trataban de la escalada de Pablo Escobar, quien fue uno de los narcotraficantes más grandes.

La serie hablaba de su “viaje” de ser un criminal cualquiera al narcotraficante más buscado en el mundo.

Aunque a veces es asquerosa la violencia, las escenas están llenas de acción y suspenso. Además, para mi es interesante tener una vista interna de un capo de la droga quien fue unas de las figuras más notoria del siglo 20.

Un personaje quien pienso que es muy interesante es Pacho, porque él era un homosexual, cuando no se aceptaba ser homosexual en esa época. Él podía cambiar su personalidad de ser un hombre homosexual, a poder matar a la gente sin piedad. Pacho fue un personaje principal en la tercera temporada donde estaba en el cartel de Cali después

8/10 que Escobar murió.

La tercera temporada se basa en las vidas del cartel de Cali, tras la matanza de Pablo Escobar. El cartel está conformado con cuatro hombres, dos de ellos son hermanos, y su hermano mayor es Hilberto Rodríguez, el jefe de un cartel.

Al contrario de Escobar, ellos prefieren no hacer actos violentos abiertamente, y prefieren usar métodos más políticos para llegar a sus fines.

Algo que no me encanta sobre la serie es que no hay muchas mujeres. Para concluir, para los que no le importa un poquito de violencia en su televisión Narcos es una vista interesante y emocionante de ese período de historia y ese elemento que nosotros no escuchamos mucho.

Story Sam Macuare; Design Elena Bassart

L

9.2/10

a Casa de Papel es una seria dramática donde seis estafadores quieren robar un banco.

Básicamente los estafadores entran y mantienen a la gente que trabajan en la fábrica de moneda y timbre y los fuerzan a imprimir dinero para que los ladrones se lo puedan llevar.

Lo que me encanta de esta serie es como todos los personajes son como familia. Cuenta una historia de atraco, pero detrás de eso el verdadero mensaje es cuanto significa la familia y no hay nada que no harían por

el otro.

Siempre está llena de acción y al final siempre te quedas con miles de preguntas. El profesor es el jefe y el que organiza todo.

El siempre está dos pasos por adelante y es súper inteligente.

Río es mi personaje favorito, porque es muy lindo. Él es el genio de la tecnología y se encarga de todo lo que tiene que ver con teléfonos y computadoras.

La Casa de Papel es una serie muy buena, especialmente si te gusta acción y drama. Esta serie se lo recomendaría a todos.

8.5/10

E

lite es una serie de romance y drama.

Hasta ahora solo hay dos temporadas pero acaban de terminar de grabar la tercera.

En mi opinion la primera temporada no era tan buena pero la segunda si era buena.

Mi parte favorita de toda la serie son las relaciones que se forman en la serie. Me encanta a Nadia y Guzmán, y como su relación es bicultural y Nadia toma un riesgo saliendo con Guzmán porque ella sabe que

su papa no lo aceptaría. Aunque Carla no sea la mejor personaje, a mi me gusta mucho la relación que tiene con Santiago.

Yo creo que ambos benefician de la relación, porque no tienen muchos amigos y cuando la pasan juntos, no se aburren.

A mi me gusta mucho Elite, pero si la primera temporada fuera tan bueno como la segunda temporada, le hubiera dado una puntuación más grande.

Yo compararía Elite con Gossip Girl, que tambien es una de mis series favoritas.

Opinions l 25

Self- Care? More like

SELF DESTRUCTION

Self-Care is About Mental Health, Not Facemasks

Story Izzy Antilla, Salena Kahassai, Gaby Jones; Art Chloe-Amelie Aikman; Design Lily Riopelle, Avery Owens

T

ypically, practicing self-care can be defined as doing a facemask, taking a bath or just not doing your work, which leads to the use of the term as an excuse to avoid responsibilities.

But honestly, what is self-care supposed to represent: excuses or caring for yourself?

For me it’s not like I have some self-care routine that I abide by religiously, self-care for me focuses more on principles that I live by every day. I believe it’s your responsibility to yourself to strive to make decisions that are best for you and you only. It’s about not making decisions for the benefit of others; it’s about making decisions sometimes that are only for personal gain.

Another principle of what I believe to be self-care is making choices that aren’t detrimental to yourself, like doing drugs or skipping school.

When bad decisions are made it doesn’t help the person in the present or the person in the future.

Self-care also includes looking out for your mental health. If you do not properly tend to your needs and let others know you that you need help, you aren’t caring for yourself.

26 I Opinions

Even though typical depictions of self-care can be fun, it’s not like they are doing anything but serving as a temporary fix to problems.

Seeing posts reading “forget your homework and do self-care” really emphasizes the fact that fake self-care pushes deadlines and makes people more stressed in the future.

It’s not that all stereotypes of self-care are necessarily harmful, but that they aren’t accurate representations of what it means to care for yourself. Though they are fun and a way to relax, they aren’t what it means to care for yourself.

Instead by making decisions that will not just benefit the current you but the future you as well, you are caring for yourself in more ways than one and addressing problems head-on. While it’s essential to have time for yourself and hobbies, it’s also important to have long-lasting solutions to problems, not temporary.

In the end, caring for yourself shouldn’t be a material or temporary fix, but principles of decision making, problem-solving and making time for yourself.

TIPS WITH AVID ORGANIZATION

1- AVID Binder System: have one 3-inch binder for all of your classes to

1- Use All Available Time: Use time before school, after school, during lunch, during free periods, and any other available time you have.

2- Follow a Routine: Create a set schedule or routine to follow every day to help keep track of time and keep up with everything you have to do.

3- Use a Planner or To Do List: Write down everything you have to do so you can keep track of your work and figure out how to fit everything into your day.

1- Different Types of Note Taking: Research and choose a type of note taking that makes sense for you, such as 2-column notes, Cornell notes and graphic organizers.

2- Color Code: Color code notes based on topic, class, lesson, etc.

Color can help create motivation to study and take more organized notes.

NOTE

TAKING

OVERWHELMED

Friends: Study with a study buddy or a group to help each other.

2- Find Someone with a Different Teacher: Different teachers teach in different ways and if you don’t understand your teacher, find someone with a different teacher to help you. You may understand a different teacher’s approach more.

3- Go to Tutoring: Beta has tutoring Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays after school in the media center and Friday mornings at 7:45 a.m. in the guidance office.

Another resource is private student tutoring. More information can be found in the guidance office.

4- Be efficient: Study harder subjects that take more time first.

Leaving the easy stuff for last ensures you have enough time to study the subjects that may take longer.

5- Have Accountability: Hold yourself accountable for your mistakes and make sure that a “five minute break” doesn’t become a two hour break.

Physical symptoms such as loss of appetite and fatigue: • • •

Thoughts about self-harm Large negative reactions to small tasks Lashing out in anger

Ways to reduce stress: • • •

Make sure to get good rest often.

A well-balanced diet and frequent exercise can lower stress.

Find outlets such as talking to friends and other activities to relax you.

Share ways to combat stress with friends: •

•

ADDRESSING Students and teachers get advice to manage stress

?

Talk to a teacher, guidance counselor or AP to find ways to manage your stress.

Seek out psychologist Jim Landers and social worker Leland Schardt in the guidance office.

THE STRESS

School psychologist Jim Landers discusses stress management Q: “What is the link between stress and tension in everything we do. A little bit of

Q: “How do you evaluate your type of not feeling well physically? What physical stress helps you alert yourself. It becomes a stress?” effects are common due to stress?”

A: “It’s hard because it’s so A: “Headaches, stomachaches, innocuous at times. It builds, is like a balloon, and just body tension, muscle aches, so you get more used to it. I’ve and pains. A general feeling of when we continue to fill that worked with kids who have been tiredness. Over time more serious with things, it just pops out of necessity. overwhelmed since elementary, physical things can occur... Docbut they are so used to the feeling tors have linked stress to coronary There is no place else for all the things to that they don’t understand that it artery disease, heart disease, and has gotten to a significant level.” inflammation. There is definitely and the Q: “Which age group do you a connection between the two think experience the most stress?” thing is to prevent the balloon from things.”

A: “I think it is universal Q: “Is there a difference between popping by, possibly amongst all age groups. There is good stress and bad stress? If so, always that stress in your life. You letting some of that explain the difference.” always have to expect it and learn A: “Oh yeah, I think whether it how to cope and manage how you is getting up and driving yourself to work problem when so many little things cumu- think and feel about the world around you or having to interact with your family, and experiences that come to you.” latively heighten your stress level.” there is always motivation and a little bit of

“ Stress go,

balloon

important

air out

“

TIME MANAGEMENT

keep everything together.

2- Clean Out Binder: take out unnecessary or old papers that can be left at home. Organize papers to keep by subject and put them in date order.

3- Create Good Habits: try not to shove all of your papers in you backpack or in a pocket in a binder or folder. Hole punch papers and put them in the prongs. If using dividers, put papers in the correct section.

ARE YOU FEELING

STUDYING1-withStudy

Opinions l 27

Secret Santa

The Superior Tradition

Secret Santa is the best way to give your appreciation Story Julia Wolfe ; Art Chloe-Amelie Aikman ; Design Avery Owens

E

very year around this time, holiday traditions can be found around every corner. Between work and friend functions, our calendars are suddenly filled with events, games, food, and festive music, and - almost always - someone suggests Secret Santa or White Elephant. Taking the time to buy your friends a present is a sweet sentiment but can take a wrong turn at any given moment if not through Secret Santa.

The concept of White Elephant has very broad borders and allows for anxiety-provoking encounters trying to purchase a gift. First, you and your group set a monetary limit, and then all go aimlessly choose a random present that anyone will mildly enjoy. It’s frustrating

28 I Opinions

and difficult to acquire a gift that any one person could use and enjoy.

Then, all the gifts are chosen at random, which never goes your way. Whether you like it or not, you’re stuck with this new gift that may not be enjoyable or even have a practical use. On top of that, if you managed to choose a gift you like, someone who picks after you can steal your gift, leaving you with the luck of the draw to salvage something else left. At the end of the night of a White Elephant, you’re left with something you don’t know or like.

With Secret Santa, you get to pick a name and have a much better idea of what you’re looking for. It’s more personal because you’re allowed the opportunity to find something that’s sentimental between you and that

person.

If you don’t have a close connection with the name you chose, this opens new opportunities for you to learn more about them like their passions, interests and dislikes. You may even have a tighter bond with them because of the time you spent with them and the entire Secret Santa experience.

Barring the chaos of overplayed Christmas songs, midterms and family drama, the holidays are a time to enjoy being around the people you care about. Secret Santa is a clever concept that enhances the best part of the season: showing your appreciation for someone in your life. With Secret Santa, there’s no boring presents or stealing - there is only giving.

Story Ari Dolgin, Carol Kornworcel; Art Summer Purks; Design Elena Bassart

Latke

Loyalty T

Latkes are best enjoyed plain Latkes are fried potato pancakes, which people top with sour cream, applesauce or nothing. While the food itself is liked by many, the spread is what causes controversy. I personally, am a no-topping kind of person, but others believe that latkes aren’t latkes unless they have sour cream or applesauce on them.

Being a no-topping person, I don’t believe that either sour cream or applesauce should go on the latkes. Sour cream is already gross as-is and adding it onto fried potatoes just adds an unsettling feeling in your mouth. Applesauce is sweet and on potatoes, which again are fried, just isn’t a good mix.

My family and friends always tell me that it’s a lot better with toppings on it, and think I am crazy when I eat them plain.

Though I have tried latkes with sour cream or applesauce on

them, I don’t like the way the latkes get soggy.

Latkes are probably the best Hanukkah foods because of the way they are made and how they taste. To me, latkes are the best part of Hanukkah. They are very delicious, always fill you up and you can eat them throughout the entire year. Potatoes in general are very good, but there is something different and yummier about latkes than eating a regular cooked or fried potato.

During Hanukkah my family makes latkes and around the table we have different opinions on what should be on them. My parents prefer sour cream and my brother prefers applesauce. I prefer no toppings on my latkes because not only are they good as-is but adding on odd flavors on top of them is just not their purpose. Sometimes keeping foods simple is better than decorating them like crazy.

he Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, also known as the festival of lights, begins on Dec. 22 and will last until Dec. 30.

Hanukkah commemorates the destruction and recreation of the second temple in Jerusalem. The name Chanukah (or Hanukkah) means dedication, symbolizing the dedication of the Jewish people rebuilding the second temple. In the days of the temple, oil was used to light a menorah, a religious seven-branch lamp. When the temple was destroyed, the

Jewish people only had a drop of oil to light the menorah, and the miracle of the menorah remaining lit for eight days is the reason oil is such an important factor of Hanukkah. Different fried foods like latkes are eaten to symbolize the importance of the oil. Latkes are fried potato pancakes that are smaller than normal pancakes. Because of that, many can be eaten in one meal and make great snacks.

The dilemma comes with what one might place on top of their latkes. It could be simple as nothing, tart as sour cream or sweet as applesauce.

Applesauce on latkes is the way to go My topping preference is the sweet applesauce. Some might question putting apples on potatoes; however, this is not your ordinary baked potato. It’s fried and oiled with onions, salt and peppers. The combination of the sweetness of the applesauce and the saltiness of the potato make a great eating combination and happiness for your taste buds.

Eating latkes with sour cream is not a good taste for me. Sour and salty is never a good taste in any food. The texture of the sour cream mixed with the crispy potato has a very weird

feeling in my mouth. Eating them with nothing doesn’t work for me either. It has a bland taste and it just doesn’t do justice. It’s similar to eating fries without ketchup.

That leaves us with one option: applesauce. It has a sweet taste making it a great dipping sauce. The combination of sweet and salty food always ends up well. It is a satisfying taste that makes me want to take another latke and keep eating them until they are all gone. It is a great addition to the Hanukkah meal that I can enjoy for eight consecutive nights.

Opinions l 29

Driving Back To

Story Cole Morgan and Alexis Perno; Photography Brenna Anderson; Design Sydney Daux, Lily Riopelle

Mario Kart Tour brings back best elements from past games

PRO

Since Super Mario Kart came out on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992, the franchise has been adored by millions and has brought family and friends together for hours of pure fun. Conveniently, a game adored by millions worldwide is now free and accessible to anyone with a smartphone, bringing fans together in a way may would have considered impossible ten years ago.

As of now, only certain characters and tracks are unlockable, which I enjoy as it extends the amount time that players will find interest in the game. Most tracks within the game are from previous Mario Kart installments with one new track, “New York Minute,” available now. I love the addition of tracks based on the real world, as no Mario Kart game has put this concept into effect before.

In future updates, many more aspects of the game will be expanded. Additional characters will become available, such as Luigi, Rosalina and Wario, as well as additional tracks such as Waluigi Pinball, DK Pass and new Paris and Tokyo-inspired tracks as well. I love how the game brings back memories of playing on previous installments throughout my childhood. I am excited for the eventual release of multiplayer mode, as it will enable me to race with my friends in real time and will make Mario Kart with a group more accessible than ever before.

Special items are a feature brought back from Mario Kart: Double Dash on the Nintendo GameCube, which allows for players to only receive certain items only while playing as a specific character.

Certain characters, vehicles and gliders also receive additional boosts in number of items received and points earned for playing. This is a wonderful implementation as it increases the variety of characters and vehicles present on the tracks and solves the issue of experienced players using the same character/vehicle combination for every single race.

In app purchases, such as the gold pass, enable players to unlock characters and vehicles even faster, while also unlocking an exclusive 200cc mode for the most exhilarating racing experience. For the casual player just looking to have a good time with their friends, the necessary features are easily unlockable with in the game without having to spend a penny.

30 I Opinions

CHILDHOOD Mario Kart Tour delivers unexciting gameplay

CON

I approached the announcement of Mario Kart Tour, Nintendo’s app version of the treasured Mario Kart, with extreme dread. After downloading the game and playing a few rounds, my worst fears weren’t realized, but the app still fell short of first place.

When a company decides to turn their successful video game into an app, the intention is to draw new audiences into the franchise- take Pokémon Go for example.

However, the difference between Pokémon Go and Mario Kart Tour is clear: Pokémon Go brought a refreshing new experience.

Mario Kart Tour was the same concept, just less fun.

Various versions of our muchloved characters would have made the app something worth keeping on my phone; users would want to keep the app in anticipation of event costumes, fun car designs and more characters. Instead, the only way to get characters (with rare costumes being even more difficult to obtain) is through a lottery based on in-game currency. Give me witch Rosalina, already.

Before I even dive into the actual driving portion of the gameplay, let me say that my criticisms do not stem from my performance. My first cup in 150cc, I placed second, third and first with the starter car. No matter the speed, everything felt slow in the weird camera angle the game delivers: not quite first person, but not as vertical as on the Switch version. There are no new powerups that I could receive- and the tracks left much to be desired.

I played with automatic steering, which was fine, but the controls felt like an early 2000’s racing game: overly sensitive, until they suddenly were not sensitive at all. The unpredictability of the controls led to minor frustrations and unexciting wins. The three races and single time trial felt terribly repetitive, and the lack of good prizes from the character lottery left me wondering why I would continue to play. And so, as I predicted earlier, I uninstalled the app shortly after getting it.

Mario Kart Tour was not the worst it could have been, but why should we settle on this lackluster app when Mario Kart for the Switch and Wii exist? Mario Kart Tour found a grave in the footsteps of these giants, and if changes aren’t made to improve the app, it will be buried under the weight of disappointment.

ADVANCED PROBLEMS

Various pressures force students into AP classes

Art Summer Purks ; Design Lily Riopelle

n the extremely competitive environment of today’s college application process, one of a student’s most potent weapons is the AP class.

The number of classes offered, as well as the number of students enrolled in them, grows every year (according to College Board’s website, since 2006, the number of students taking APs has about doubled), but it brings an important issue to light. While APs are great for students looking to be challenged in certain subject areas, there is too much pressure driving students who may not be ready into these advanced classes.

In 2017, Plant ordered 3,570 AP exams, more than any other school in the county. Only two other schools, Steinbrenner and Newsome, had more than 2,000. Pressure from a variety of sources, including family, friends, counselors, or a student’s own drive, can push them into overloading their schedules. It is not uncommon for juniors and seniors to take upwards of five AP classes a year, which is an unreasonable course load and is rarely something the student really wants, or even something that truly benefits them.

The purpose of AP classes is supposedly college preparation (though some colleges have expressed skepticism about this, saying that APs increasingly are about passing an exam and not ensuring students master content), but for most students, they are a way to go as far as they can in

a subject they love.

Pressuring students who do not truly enjoy a subject into APs hurts everyone. The student in question is stressed and unhappy in a class they never really wanted to take, the teacher must deal with an unenthusiastic pupil and some other students may feel held back.

APs, of course, have a place in schools. High-level students need challenging classes like these to excel. But, far too often, unready students are forced into these classes by pressures from family or the school itself. AP classes should not be thrust upon everyone, and instead ought to have only students who truly want to be in these courses.

In this vein, the current administration should be commended for its efforts to tweak the system slightly. According to assistant principal Kimi Hellenberg, PSAT scores, exam raw scores and a student’s intended field of study will all be considered, in addition to teacher recommendations, when placing students in classes. This minor adjustment to the system should ensure that students are receiving the curriculum best suited for them.

Students should not feel obligated to participate in the AP arms race so many are drawn into, and instead should feel free to focus on where their interests truly lie, and pursue them to the fullest.

I

Opinions l 31

32 I Ad

Day in the Life Soccer player, junior Quinn Ryan discusses her game day routine Photography and Story: Samantha Macuare

Sports

Design: Elena Bassart

“

I wake up at 7 a.m., 30 minutes before I need to leave the house.”

“I make breakfast (eggs, toast, and fruit)” “I get dressed.”

“I pack my uniform and water.”

“I leave the house around 7:45 a.m.”

“I go to school and go to class.”

U.S. History Customer Service AP English Lunch Marine Science Math Analysis TV Production AP Psychology

177

Would you rather watch or play a sport?

Winter or Fall sports?

24

49

out of 250

Holding the ball, junior Quinn Ryan has been on the varsity soccer team since freshmen year. A tradition Quinn and her teammates have is a team dinner before they play each game.

126 124

out of 250

65

out of 250

185

Rays, Bucs or Lightning?

Featured

Photo Shouting, senior Birdie Frierson celebrates after a score during the first postseason game of the year.

Varsity has made it to postseason all four years that Frierson has been on the team.

“During the day I drink a water bottle per period to stay hydrated.”

“After school we have team dinners at someone’s house or cafeteria if it’s a home game.”

7 p.m. “I leave to get to the field an hour before the game starts for warm-ups.”

“In the car I listen to my pregame hype music.”

“Once I get there, I get my cleats on and tape my ankle and knee or anything that’s in pain.”

8 p.m. “I play my game.”

“After I get food on the way home.”

“Once I get home, I take an ice bath.”

“I use STEM (which is a machine which shoots electrocuted shocks) on my ankle and knee.”

10:30 p.m. “I rub magnesium on my body which numbs out and heals my muscles.

Photography: Gracen Rivera

Sports l 33

“

#5 STRONG In wake of injury, teammates come together

T

Story Kate Caranante; Photography Kate Caranante; Design Julia Petersen, Lily Riopelle

here was something slightly different about the starting linebackers on Friday, Oct. 4 as the varsity football team took on Steinbrenner High School.

When senior linebacker Ben Hestorff took to the field, he was not wearing his normal number 24 jersey, he was wearing number five. Jersey number five belonged to senior linebacker Jackson Hacker before he sustained a season-ending injury when he tore his ACL playing against Gonzaga High School in Washinton D.C., Sept. 27.

“It meant a whole bunch to me,” Hestorff said. “I just knew how devastating the injury was to him and I knew he wouldn’t be able to play again, so I just wanted to play for him in the long run.”

As the team punted the ball to Gonzaga High School, Hacker ran down the field in attempt to tackle the return man, but he did not get a chance to get himself set before the tackle and was pushed, causing his ACL to tear.

“Jackson was a captain and probably our most experienced defensive player,” head coach Robert Weiner said. “In his captaincy he is kind of a spiritual leader for us. He is still a very significant and important part of our whole team and crucial to our success.”

Hestorff was not the only player to honor his teammate. The following week, when the team traveled to Palm Harbor University High School and earned their first win of the season, senior quarterback Tucker Gleason chose to wear Hacker’s number five jersey instead of his normal number four jersey.

“This is his senior season, so

34 I Sports

the injury was devastating for him because he had put in so much work during the offseason to get to the point he was at,” Gleason said. “He never really got to show what he fully could do so I just wanted a way to honor him on the field and to know that he was still with us.”

In the following weeks, senior linebacker Christian Carvajal and junior linebacker Brooks Bak traded in their regular jersey numbers for the Wharton and Robinson games in order to show respect for their teammate.

“It’s just cool to see them wear my number because I remember watching Micah McFadden wear Ty Thompson’s number,” Hacker said.

“It’s such a sucky experience, but it’s cool that they could do that.”

Hacker underwent surgery on his ACL Tuesday, Oct. 15. Hacker said he woke up in a lot of pain due to the fact that his nerve block didn’t work.

“The first two days were really bad,” Hacker said. “But my physical therapist said I’m ahead of schedule with my range of motion and everything, so I guess the recovery is going well.”

After his surgery Hacker still made it a point to be on the sideline at every game in order to support his teammates as they finished out their season with four straight wins.

“I made it a really big point for myself to be able to walk out with the captains at our home games and stuff,” Hacker said. “It’s a different perspective when you’re on the sideline and not playing, but it was awesome and I’m glad that I was there to support them and still coach them up.”

Watching the offense line up, senior linebacker Jackson Hacker prepares to keep the opposing team from scoring.

Later in the season Hacker would sustain a season ending injury.

Looking to the sideline, senior quarterback Tucker Gleason talks to his coaches. Gleason is honoring his injured teammate and senior Jackson Hacker by wearing number five.

Preparing to face Armwood High School, senior linebackers Ben Hestorff and Jackson Hacker walk onto the field holding hands. Hestorff later wore number five to honor his teammate.

All out, All season

Volleyball team says farewell to the season

Jumping in the air, sophomore Reese Friar and seniors Elizabeth Price and Birdie Frierson celebrate after a score. The victory against Windermere meant the team won regional semi-finals.

Accompanied by senior Haile Gould and sophomore Lily Frierson, senior Sam Caglianone rushes to the net. The match consisted of three sets, all of which were won by the Plant team.

Reaching into the air, students cheer on the varsity volleyball team during their playoff game against Steinbrenner High School. Students waved towels and dressed in all white, participating the first in white-out night of the season.

Story and Photography Julia Wolfe; Design Elena Bassart

I

t’s two o’clock on Nov. 9, and the semi-final volleyball game against Hagerty High School is about to start.

Last year, the girls defeated Hagerty in the region final. This year, however, the girls took a 3-0 loss, ending their season.

Despite the loss, several players said they had a good season and enjoyed the time the team had together. This year the girls ranked number 12 in the entire state of Florida.

“It was a lot of like hard work and long practices,” outside right side sophomore Sterling O’Neil said. “From being a new person on the team, it is kind of difficult because you didn’t get to play as much but you still had a lot of practices, but I think in the end it was all worth it.”

Every day from 5:30-8 p.m., the girls had practice. Being together for so much of their season really made the players feel connected according to many of the players, including junior Georgia Lowe.

“It’s been really good and really nice; they kind of feel like older sisters to me,” Lowe said. “They’re always like there, and the seniors especially are really sweet and nice.”

During the off season, the players can use their time to practice, along with any others interested in being a part of volleyball in a less competitive setting. Lowe has been in the volleyball club since freshman year and joined varsity this year.

“Playing at a higher level has taught me that I can like do certain things that I didn’t know I could,” Lowe said. “It’s been a really great learning experience.”

This year, the team had a range of girls from seniors to a freshman. These players had the opportunity to travel around the state and even went to a tournament in Phoenix, Arizona.

“When we were in Phoenix, we were just with each other nonstop for like four days,” senior Birdie Frierson. “Normally you’d get annoyed with your teammates after that, but like every time we would get together it just kept getting more and more fun.”

Frierson, an outside hitter for the team, has been playing on varsity all four years of high school and watched as the team has evolved. She herself has said she’s changed and improved and that the experience has

been amazing.

“Every year you have a different perspective,” Frierson said. “Like when I was a freshman, I thought everyone on the team was like, so much older than me, and like, insanely amazing and now I’m in the position looking down at the younger kids and I think the same thing. Watching them grow and knowing how good they’re going to be one day.”

One of the youngest players, freshman Jade Bedell, despite having six years of experience under her belt, still sees herself improving all the time.

“It’s been an amazing experience; I’ve learned a lot,” Bedell said. “The seniors and everybody, the higher classmen, helped me a lot. It’s been really good.”

Since the season has ended, 78u said she was grateful for the time spent with the other varsity girls on the team. She has said she sees them as sisters.

“It’s just a really good experience just to be with them and finally get to play with them after like looking up to them for so long,” Lowe said.

Sports l 35

TALK BIRDIE TO ME Boys and girls golf ends season

B

Story Salena Kahassai ; Photos Abby Turner, Julia Levine ; Design Lily Riopelle

oth the boys and girls golf teams officially finished their season after the boys placed eighth at states. The girls won at districts but did not qualify for states at

regionals.

The girls golf team lost two games in the regular season to Steinbrenner High School and Academy of the Holy Names. At the First Tee Invitational, the girls placed third.

“I knew going in that I was going to have to focus and give it my all,” sophomore and team captain Claudia Hofmeister said. “I didn’t perform as well as I would have liked to in districts so regionals for me was all about improving and just trying to get my team to states.”

The girls practiced twice a week for a few hours each. Outside of practice, the team worked on bonding by riding together to matches and eating dinner together after competitions.

“When we were all together, we had a great dynamic,” freshman Samantha Paradise said. “I think team bonding taught us sportsmanship and brought our team together.”

At regionals, the girls placed fifth with a score of 346 strokes. They competed at the Heritage Oaks golf and country club in Sarasota.

“We went with high expectations because we won districts,” junior Annika Johnson said. “We tried our hardest at regionals but some things we could do differently for next year is know who we are up against a little more. We were surprised to be competing against some really good teams.”

The team this year is made up of 10 girls with no seniors. The lack of seniors has not negatively affected the team, junior team captain Leila Ossi said.

“The lack of seniors has given many of the girls more opportunities to play,” Ossi said.

“If we had seniors on the team, they would take up more playing spots and many of our freshmen girls wouldn’t have had the chance to play as much. We are all similar in age and

“

know each other in a very close way. Without seniors, I feel that we can connect better.”

Sisters Annika and Dagney Johnson have been playing on the Plant golf team together for 2 years. Sophomore Dagney says that she enjoys playing on the same team as her sister.

“Being on a team with my sister means more bonding time for us,” Dagney said.

“Annika and I get to practice together and play together which is a lot of fun for the both of us. We push each other to be the best we can be on and off the course.”

Ossi says the team hopes to improve for next season and make it to states.

“I hope we can go to states next year,” Claudia said. “I know if we do go, we’ll perform really well. Hopefully everyone will

ue the success. Honestly, a big part of why I chose Plant is to be on a team that wins all the time.”

Hunter says the competitive environment within the team helps to push the boys to strive to improve. The boys practice twice a week for about three hours. The team also practices and plays on their own or with their teammates away from team practices at other courses such as Palma Ceia.

“We’re all really close,” Hunter said. “We enjoy practicing and hanging out and competing together. I think it really helps our team that everyone wants to beat each other for things like bragging rights and position on the team, so we all work really hard on our golf games.”

Five of the six starters are upperclassmen, one of those being Hunter, who says he seeks to set an example for the underclassmen. Hunter also says the upperclassmen give advice on several things including improving swings, course management and mental approach.

“The upperclassmen are great leaders and are very knowledgeable and skilled in many aspects,” sophomore Augie Hofmeister said. “They are the leaders of the team and bring us all together.”

Coach Randal Hough said he appreciates the group of seniors.

“The seniors are a very talented group of kids,” coach Hough said. “We are losing 4 seniors overall. 3 of the seniors have been playing all 4 years and are really good. They are truly the backbone of the team.”

The team has been working on improving their team dynamic this year with the help of coach Hough.

“I think the boys bonded really well,” Hough said. “I believe in strong team bonding and all of the guys being together helps the team atmosphere.”

In the end, the team placed 8th at states after winning districts and regionals.

“The boys worked hard all season,” Augie said. “To not win the state title just adds more of a reason to get better and win next year.”

I knew going in that I was going to have to FOCUS & give it

“

36 I Sports

MY ALL

practice and really perfect their skills before next season starts.”

The boy’s golf team, made up of 11 boys in all 4 grades, went undefeated during the regular season with an 11-0 record and won the Vinoy Invitational.

“We’re all proud to be part of another undefeated regular season,” junior Logan Hunter said. “We had some great finishes in invitationals, with a 3rd place finish at Lakewood Ranch and a win at the Vinoy Classic. It was great to win big in districts and even better to get the win by two shots at regionals.”

The boy’s golf team has gone completely undefeated during the regular season for several years.

“We’ve had a really strong team for a while now,” Hunter said. “We haven’t lost in the regular season in at least 6 years but it could be longer. We’re lucky enough to have gotten good new players consistently to contin-

Picking up his gear senior Robby Bateman looks towards the course. After an undefeated season, the team placed eighth at states.

Posing with the cannon, the boys golf team smiles after shooting the cannon. After an undefeated season, the team placed 8th at States.

After her swing, freshman Sammy Paradise watches the ball. Paradise attended golf camp two summers ago and tried out for the team shortly thereafter.

GOING FOR THE GREEN Junior Logan Hunter talks golf

Q: A:

How did you get started playing your sport? How long have you been playing?

“I was introduced to the sport with a set of plastic golf clubs when I was a baby. My grandpa first took me to a course when I was 3, so I’ve been playing for 13 years. I’ve been playing competitively since I was 8.”

Q: A:

What is your favorite aspect of the sport?

“My favorite part of the sport is just getting better. There’s nothing more gratifying to me than seeing hard work pay off on the golf course.”

Q: A:

How has the sport shaped you into who you are today?

“This sport has changed my life by essentially creating my schedule. It has led me to meet new people and I have made many good friends including my teammates through golf. Also, I think the discipline it takes to improve my game has made me stronger mentally.”

What is the most important thing you have learned from playing the sport?

“The most important thing I’ve learned from golf is that it takes patience to succeed.”

Q: A:

Sports l 37

Plunging Photography Kate Bernstein ; Design Elena Bassart

Preparing for her heat, junior Lilly Haight waits for the signal to mount the diving board.

Haight competed in the girls 500-meter freestyle and the 50-meter freestyle.

Halfway down the lane, junior Luke Sprague swims breaststroke. Sprague competed in six events at the third meet of the year

Swimming breaststroke, freshman Andrew Sanchez races down the pool. Sanchez participated in four of the events, ranging from a 400yard relay to a 100-yard fly.

38 I Sports

Nearing the edge of the diving board, sophomore Emma Walker prepares for her first dive at Spike and Splash. The event raised a record amount of proceeds this year, over $20,000 to benefit Moffitt Cancer Center.

into

Post-Season Plant’s Swim and Dive team finish up competing

Sporting a cancer awareness ribbon on his cheek, senior Max Smith swims breaststroke. Smith committed to Providence College where he intends to continue swimming.

Pushing off against the pool wall, junior Maggie Rowan finishes the second half of her lap Sept.

Rowan placed in five events at the meet, ranging from breaststroke to freestyle.

Sports l 39

About Us:

727-725-7090

Murphy Valuation Services LLC BUSINESS VALUATION, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT APPRAISAL & LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES

Providing Independent valuation / appraisal services for Individuals I Businesses I Lenders I Law Firms relating to: • • • • • • • •

Income Tax / Gifting / Estate Purposes C to S Corporation Conversion General Corporate Purposes Marital Dissolutions Partner / Shareholder Buyouts / Disputes Business Transition / Exit Strategy Planning Business Sales / Acquisitions Special Assets / Business Dissolutions

Scanned by CamScanner

Dr Ron O’Neal - (813) 253-5303 3733 W Neptune St, Tampa FL 33629

For more information, please visit our website at www.murphyvaluation.com

www.TampaBayFamilyDentist.com

Family.

Friends.

Community.

EŽǁ ĐĐĞƉƚŝŶŐ EĞǁ WĂƚŝĞŶƚƐ Jim Cornwell, Agent 4305 Bay To Bay Blvd Tampa, FL 33629 Bus: 813-835-8892 www.jimcornwell.com

^ĐŚĞĚƵůĞ zŽƵƌ ƉƉŽŝŶƚŵĞŶƚ dŽĚĂLJ͊

We’re all in this together.

State Farm has a long tradition of being there. That’s one reason why I’m proud to support Plant High School. ®

;ϴϭϯͿ ϲϬϵͲϯϴϭϬ ϯϭϬ͘ ^͘ DĂĐĚŝůů ǀĞ͕ ^ƵŝƚĞ ϮϬϭ

Get to a better State . ®

dĂŵƉĂ͕ &> ϯϯϲϬϵ

"You’ve Never Been Treated So WellΗ

1211007

40 I Ads

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

RACING TO THE

FINISH Cross Country teams finish the season at states

Story Hartley Hill ; Photography Kate Bernstein, Michelle Tutor ; Design Lily Riopelle

A

t the break of day Nov. 9, the girls cross country team approached the start line of the FHSAA 4A state championship meet with the anticipation of a back-to-back state title riding on their shoulders.

Unfortunately, the team fell short of a potential 12th state title and placed sixth out of 32 teams, although they still considered their season successful as they became district champions and regional runner-ups.

“I think the difference from last year to this year was that last year everything came together for us really well in the end,” senior Elizabeth Eudaly said. “This year we weren’t so lucky. We all worked really hard this year, but it just didn’t come together like it needed to in the end.”

The team won Plant’s 11th girls cross country state championship last year with no graduating seniors on the squad.

“Things went extremely different last year because before we didn’t know each other as well and we knew who the competition would be at state,” senior Olivia Manno said. “We didn’t know that we had a chance to win state until districts happened last year. For this year’s state, we weren’t sure what to expect because the competition got harder and our team had some downfalls that we didn’t expect to happen.”

As more teams were added into the 4A classification, there was more competition this year, but another state title was still a prospect for the team. At the beginning of the season, the team beat Newsome, their biggest competition, so a back-to-back championship seemed attainable.

But then the girls began facing some hardships.

Sprinting ahead, senior Anai Peterson runs next to freshman Elyse Braddock during a meet. Peterson broke her previous personal record with her new one of 23:48 this season.

Sports l 41

“Last year we really had no injuries and no Maggie Malizia said. “Going into state we knew emotional about racing my last race because problems throughout the year,” coach Roy we weren’t favored to win, but it didn’t phase us I knew in the moment that I would miss the Harrison said. “This year was different as we one bit. We were confident in the training we sport of cross country so much and that this lost Lily Fitzgerald for the year because of an had been doing all season and trusted we would goodbye would be one of the hardest with the injury, and we had a couple more injuries and run to the best of our capabilities.” many to come in high school.” medical problems that set us back.”

Malizia finished fourth for the team with The training for states began the day after Junior Lily Fitzgerald developed muscular a sub-20 PR. Malizia brought her time down school ended in May. Since then, the girls have atrophy (lost leg muscle) and a pinched nerve from a 22:41 at the beginning of the season to been running together every day under Harin her left leg. The pain was limiting her ability a 19:59 at the state race. rison, who has been coaching the girls cross to run, bringing her to the tough decision to Elizabeth (20:15), Manno (20:23) and We- country team for 38 years and has earned 11 stop running for the rest state championships—a reof the season. cord number for any girls “I didn’t want to give cross country coach in Florida. in and end my season “Coach Harrison really early, but I knew that at helps to build the team and the rate I was going, I makes us closer,” Mary Ellen wouldn’t be able to persaid. “He builds a relationship form to the best of my with the team and creates suability come regionals per enjoyable team dynamics. and states,” Fitzgerald In terms of training, he is said. “I felt that giving up always pushing us and makes my spot on varsity was sure we all reach our full cathe right thing to do. I pacity in workouts. He helps wanted someone else on us to peak at the right time for my team to have a chance states and keeps us healthy. to run on varsity and poI don’t know what our team tentially run at states.” would be like without him.”

In addition, senior With his training, Mary Olivia Manno and junior Ellen broke the 18-minute Sarah Weber faced injubarrier for her first time at reries of their own. Because gionals with a time of 17:52, of these disadvantages, a school record. Rubin also Plant got bumped down broke 19 minutes for her first to second in rankings for time this season, setting a new the remainder of the seaPR of 18:37. son, right behind New“Breaking 18 minutes has some but still in front of been a goal of mine since the Chiles, Sarasota and G. beginning of freshman year, so Holmes Braddock. Newto finally be able to run sub-18 some was favored to win was really special as I was able at states, but the second to see my training and workthrough seventh places outs pay off,” Mary Ellen said. remained up in the air Hugging her teammate, senior Elizabeth Eudaly wraps her arms around sophomore “The season overall didn’t go for any team to grab. exactly how I wanted, and I Penny Markowski. At the state meet, Markowski broke twenty minutes in the 5k and “I was expecting a top ran her personal best time. kept getting cramps so PRing three finish at state and and and breaking that barrier was pretty disappointed,” Harrison said. “Not ber (20:42) completed the 5k race as the fifth, really meant a lot, and I definitely owe it all to everyone ran their best at state.” sixth and seventh runners. my coaches and teammates.”

The girls came in sixth with a score of 228 “For our season to end the way it did I With the top four runners on the team points. Sophomore Mary Ellen Eudaly led the was not sad at all,” Manno said. “I remember being sophomores, there is hope for another team, placing 16th with a time of 18:54, and crossing the finish line and believing that all possible state title next year. As of right now, trailing two places behind her was sophomore my teammates and I did the best we could and the girls will prepare for track season starting Arlie Rubin (19:04). Sophomore Penny Mar- there was nothing to do that would change in February. kowski crossed the finish as the third runner that.”

“Our team has grown a lot this season due to with a personal record (PR) of 19:57.

For seniors Elizabeth Eudaly and Olivia all of our hard work,” Markowski said. “We’ve “This year’s team had a sense of family -- Manno, this was their last cross country meet. all realized that working as a team really means not always focusing on the winning part of “As a senior, my feelings have been based everything in a sport like this and that the hard the sport but working as a whole,” sophomore off the idea of ‘lasts,’” Manno said. “I was very work really does pay off.”

42 I Sports

Aside his opponents, freshman Joey Coyle runs against Robinson High. Coyle improved his personal best for in three different mile categories this season.

Looking down, senior Olivia Manno runs through a winding course. Manno said she bonded with her teammates during overnight meets and team dinners.

Looking ahead, junior Ethan Jennings runs during the meet. Jennings placed sixth out of 147 in the boys 5,000-meter race.

Despite missing a podium finish, the boy's cross country team wrapped up their season with a successful performance at the FHSAA 4A state championship meet, finishing third out of 32 teams with the best team time in the history of Plant boys cross country. The state finals were at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee Nov. 9.

“We were expecting to compete for the championship and give our best race,” junior Wynne Thomas said. “We came up a little short of what we wanted to do.”

Having been ranked second in the state for most of the season, the team was expecting to earn a spot on the podium (first and second place). However, Nease High School came in second instead with a score of 140, beating the Panthers by just five points and placing them in third with a score of 145. Steinbrenner High School, who was favored to win, came out victorious, scoring 129 points.

“I think we were really close to doing something special,” Thomas said. “It’s just not everybody was there. A lot of us have good days and some of us have bad days. Overall it was a good performance.”

Plant was in first for most of the race. It wasn’t until about the last half mile that Steinbrenner and Nease pulled through and came out on top with faster times.

Sports l 43

Earmuffs on, senior Trey Carlson looks away from the canon. Carlson along with his teammates fired the canon to celebrate making it to states Looking ahead, junior Ethan Jennings runs during the meet. Jennings placed sixth out of 147 in the boys 5,000-meter race.

“I would do it again the same,” coach Mike Boza said. “We had to go out aggressively. We were the underdogs and had never beaten Steinbrenner before. We used an aggressive strategy and it almost paid off.”

The team had an average time of 16:16 and a spread of only 54 seconds, making this race the team’s fastest of the season and Plant boys cross country history.

“I thought it was a great performance,” Boza said. “We still came up short, but it wasn’t because we didn’t run great; it was just because a couple of other teams ran a little better.”

Senior Lee Gibson (15:54) and sophomore Ryan Maney (16:01) earned medals as they placed in the top 15. Thomas ran a season best of 16:14, finishing as the team’s third runner. Sophomore Ashton Stringer ran a personal record (PR) of 16:23 and coming in fourth for the team. Junior Nathan Dye ran 16:49 as the fifth runner, meaning that all five runners broke 17 minutes.

“I am very pleased with how the team has developed, because we have eight boys who are now in the top 40 times of Plant history, and we have three boys who are in the top ten times of Plant history,” Boza said.

This race was the last for seniors Lee Gibson, Trey Carlson (17:19) and Alex Coffey (17:22).

“It’s kind of weird being able to just say that was my last race,” Carlson said. “Being able to run with those guys, no matter what kind of race it is, it’s a good race.”

The boys have been training together since the beginning of summer by running on the track, hills, trails and Bayshore. This year they placed first at districts and second at regionals.

“We have definitely grown tighter,” Carlson said. “Last year we didn’t really have the team chemistry we have now, just to be able to kind of go

44 I Sports

out and do things outside of running.”

Boza has trained the boys cross country team for nine years. He coached from 2007-2012, took four years off, and is now back for his third year with the team.

“This team is special because they’ve been building up to this for the past three years,” Boza said. “Since I’ve been back into the program, we’ve slowly built up how hard we work and how many miles we run, so they’re now getting a chance to get the benefits of their hard work.”

Gibson has climbed his way to #6 in the state with a breakout cross country season, breaking 16 minutes for the first time at the North Port Invitational Sept. 21 with a time of 15:42 and two weeks later PRing again at the Great American Cross Country Festival in Cary, NC, running a 15:36. Maney trails right behind Gibson as #10 in the state with his best time of 15:52.

“I feel like Coach Boza has gotten us here just by helping us put in the miles over the summer and really focusing on how you just have to work hard to achieve your goals,” Maney said. “It’s not just going to come to you without working on it.”

Under Boza, the top five finishers’ times at the state meet were faster than the team’s second finisher at the same meet last year.

“I think we have come a long way from all the way back in June when we started training, and I think we just built a strong program,” Thomas said. “We’re going to be good the next few years. I’m looking forward to it.”

With Gibson being the only senior in the top five scorers, boys cross country has the potential to win a state title in the future.

“It just made us hungry for next year,” Boza said. “We are very hungry.”

Go to phsnews.com Ad l 45

Winter Arms out, freshman Tatum Tishler protects the ball from an opponent. Tatum joined the team as wing forward for the season.

Prepping to kick the ball, senior Cole Ryan attempts to get the ball closer to the goal. Cole is one of the 4 captains on the team this season accompanied by seniors Ciaran O’Rourke, Jake Iller, and Tristen Owens Arm extended, sophomore Hayden Stern yells a play Hayden made 3 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal during the home game versus Jefferson.

Photography Julia Wolfe, Sam Macuare, Brenna Anderson Cady Studios; Captions Michelle Tutor, Sam Macuare, Brenna Anderson

46 I Sports

Sports Working on their drop drills, varsity wrestling prepares for the upcoming season. The four team captains this year are seniors Jason Swejkowski, Ian McGary, Antony Talmage and Tanner Heath.

Supporting their flyers, freshman Caroline Phillips and sophomore Zoe Hamlin act as bases for sophomore Reagan Williams and senior Gracie McNulty at their first competition of the season. It was McNulty’s first last competition after having cheered all four years of high school.

Arms extended, senior Izzy Shein looks ahead. Boys won 5344 against Plant city.

Huddling, freshman Brenden Sickles, juniors Josh Weinstein and Devin Martinez and senior Carpenter Mooney stand between two referees. Martinez stepped in as goalie at the beginning of the season.

Sports l 47

TT W W TT

RESTAURANT DESIGN SERVICES OFFERED: +Accessibilit y Construction +Accessibilit y Design +Exterior Remodeling +Deck Repair

+and many more!

ADDRESS: 1111 N West Shore Blvd - Ste 202A PHONE #: (813)286-9150

48 I Ads

From States

Seasons to

Special Olympics wraps up fall sports

Captions Gracen Rivera; Photos Lina Chen, Lauren Clark Story Sam Macuare; Design Elena Bassart

Football in hand, junior Nicholas Welsh outruns senior Jaden McCray during practice.

This is McCray’s first year involved with Special Olympics.

Demonstrating a move, junior Gabby Fasulo helps coach cheerleading.

Fasulo has been in the Special Olympics club since her freshman year.

Bending down, junior Emma Welch snaps the ball to junior Carolee Jones.

Flag football competed at the All Peoples Life Center for states.

Striking a pose, senior Aarushi Pratap, juniors Addie Lennon and Emma Jones rehearse their routine during cheer practice. The Special Olympics cheer team will compete in the summer games April 2020 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports center in Orlando.

I

t’s a sunny Florida day, and there are fans ringing a lush green field to cheer on groups of athletes who compete in contests of strength and agility. There’s something unique about these contests and these athletes: they are participants in the long-running program Special Olympics.

Special Olympics comprises many sports, from cheerleading to sailing to flag football.

The sports that are played are inclusive and involve both the athlete with a disability and a partner, someone who is there for support.

“Unified Sports promotes inclusion and it also has improved our athletic skills,” Special Olympics advisor Mary Beth Radigan said.

“The unified Special Olympics also endorsed the healthy athlete concept as well as building long lasting friendships.”

Senior Aarushi Pratap participates in stand-up paddleboard, swimming, cheerleading, basketball, track, and bocce ball.

“I like Special Olympics because the

partners are friendly,” Pratap said. “I went to a Special Olympics sports banquet and I danced with my friends and had a lot of fun.”

One power lifter Dara Mizell won a gold medal for bench press and deadlift. Dara started her powerlifting journey early this year.

“I started doing power lifting because I wanted abs,” Dara Mizell said. “I think I did well because of my mom, I lost my mom from cancer this year and I think I wanted to do best for her.”

Flag football made it to states, where the team proceeded to win bronze medals. Junior Lauren Webster attended, making this her third year going to states with flag.

“My buddy is Anna Shoop and helping her play flag football brought me so much joy every time,” junior Lauren Webster said.

“It didn’t matter if we messed up, we just went out there and had fun together. Special Olympics has given me a new perspective on

every sport and how we play. Just wanting to win, often the fun gets forgotten. In Special Olympics we make sure that the feeling of joy and having fun is never forgotten.”

The partners also compete with their buddies in addition to cheering them on.

“One of my favorite memories was when Daniel, one of our athletes with down syndrome, dove for the end zone and got it,” junior John Decaro said. “Afterwards he looked like the happiest dude alive, I just thought it was super cool that he got to do something he doesn’t normally get to do.”

Runner and sophomore Martin Ramirez beat his previous time and ran 11 minutes and 45 seconds “I run with my buddy Trey Carlson, so he made me run fast for every race,” Ramirez said. “I usually do 3000 meters and I couldn’t be able to do it without Trey’s help, so I want to thank him for all the support he has [given me].”

Sports l 49

Fisher Phillips Proudly Supports

Plant High School Fisher Phillips is a national labor and employment law firm serving employers. With more than 400 attorneys in 35 offices, the firm is committed to providing the highest level of client service for every matter it handles. www.fisherphillips.com 101 East Kennedy Blvd.

Suite 2350 Tampa, Florida 33602

On the Front Lines of Workplace Law.TM

JUMPSTART YOUR CELEBRATION

& EARN CASH! CHEER ON YOUR BANK ACCOUNT

BY MAKING THE SWITCH.

Whatever you buy with your personal First Citrus Bank debit card can earn you cash back with First Citrus Bank Cash Back Checking.

To learn more, visit us at: firstcitrus.com/cash-back

CALL US TODAY AT 813.287.0992!

Equal Housing Lender Lender,, Member Member FDIC. P Prroducts oducts and ser servic vices es are are subject subject to to bank/credit bank/credit appro approval. al.

50 I Ads

Congratulations, Pep O’ Plant Staff Seven staffers attended the National Scholastic Press Association Fall Convention in Washington, D.C. to compete against newspaper staffs around the country.

Graham Hill for earning EXCELLENT in commentary writing Kate Caranante for earning a honorable mentions sports writing Jessie Larrinaga for earning a honorable mention in review writing Alexis Perno for earning a honorable mention in poetry Audrey Taylor for earning a honorable mention in news writing

order your yearbook at:

yearbookforever.com

Ads l 51