March 2017

PO’P pepoplant.com

ca

PEP O’ PLANT |

eine f f cRA Z E pages 14-15

March 9, 2017 | Volume 90 | Issue 6 H.B. Plant High School | 2415 S. Himes Ave. Tampa, FL 33629

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

TWITTER

News

@plantpop INSTAGRAM

What You Missed, Robotics takes third place at state competition, Yearbook staff receives national award nominations

Features Eno takes over Tampa, Girl Scout raises awareness for human trafficking, Upperclassmen make plans for upcoming Pantherilla

4-8 10-12, 16 14-15

@humansofplanthigh

Opinion SNAPCHAT

Trump deters freedom of the press, Face Off: Advance Placement courses vs. Dual Enrollment courses

Arts & Entertainment @pepoplantnews WEBSITE

pepoplant.com 2 | Table of Contents

‘Adams Family’ rehearsals continue, Tampa provides options for staycation

Sports Athletes reflect on playing more than one sport, Girls softball unites with young players, Freshman-majority lacrosse teams continues winning season

20-22 24-27

MISSION STATEMENT: The Pep O’ Plant is the student-run publication serving the community of H.B. Plant High School. The mission of the Pep O’ Plant is to provide an open forum for the free exchange of ideas.

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Staff

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY: Members of the staff are expected to use personal and publication social media accounts in a mature, responsible and professional manner. Students who do not follow these guidelines will lose the privilege of posting on the Pep O’ Plant social media accounts and may face additional consequences. Unsigned posts on a publication account will be removed.

EDITORIAL POLICY: The editorial board will make all decisions for the publication. Editorial board members will discuss controversial issues and will consider the advice of the adviser before making decisions regarding coverage. Administration will be made aware of any sensitive topics in advance. 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, advisor, faculty or administrators of H.B. Plant High School.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY: Letters to the editor can be emailed to pepoplantnews@gmail.com. The editorial board has the right to revise, edit, condense and reject any letters. Unsigned or anonymous letters will not be published.

OBITUARY POLICY: Any current student, staff, or faculty member who dies during the year will be recognized in the newspaper with a 300-word obituary and one mugshot photo. The editorial board may decide to cover the deaths of alumni or former staff/faculty members when appropriate.

ADVERTISING POLICY: The Pep O’ Plant has ad space available in print and online for members of the school and local community. To receive advertising information, email pepoplantnews@gmail.com. Advertisements that 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.

Editors-in-Chief Savannah Lowry Rachel Ferreri News Editor Zoie Ashmeade

Features Editor Darnell Henderson Centerspread Editor Zoe Antinori Opinions Editor Sam Werner Art & Entertainment Editor Maggie Fitzsimmons Sports Editor Jacob Robinson Business Manager Natalie Grant Public Relations Pershia Haj Emilia DiFabrizio Copy Editors Jake Criser Dean Criser Sports Writer Reed Frevola Staff Writers Isabella Ank Sydni Bates Thompson Draper Elizabeth Hancock Cole Maines

Faculty Adviser Louisa Avery

Policies | 3

What Y u Missed...

Pep O’ Plant Retweeted New Planets @NASA

News in 140 characters or less

NASA has discovered 7 earth sized planets that are sustainable for human life. #Trappist-1 Source wikimedia commons

Source NY Times

Zack Simons, senior

Pep O’ Plant Retweeted Snapchat Stocks @Snap Snapchat’s stock has now gone public on the New York Stock Exchange for $17 a share. #GetSnappy Source Fortune.com

Alex Alonso, junior

Pep O’ Plant Retweeted House Bill 407@HB407 Legislation has passed in order to create alternative paths for students who cannot pass the English FSA and the Algebra 1 EOC. #HB407 Source Myfloridahouse.gov

Christi Quevedo, sophomore

Pep O’ Plant Retweeted Bayshore @TampaBay

“It will allow more students to go to college and pursue what they want to without worrying about the stress of a test as much”

Source 83degressmedia.com

Kacie Lavender, freshman

Pep O’ Plant Retweeted Art @ Plant @PHSART Art teacher held a competition in order choose a collaborative installation to put up in the main hall staircase. #PHSART Stacy Rosende, art teacher

4 | News

“It will give them the opportunity to expand and it will give them the way to expand with other companies and grow. Improving their service and creating other applications”

“I think it [The bayshore renovation] is stupid and it won’t help anything really.”

Bayshore has plans for improvement including reducing the speed limit, size of traffic lanes and installation of flashing sidewalk signs.

Source wikimedia commons

“I like to think there’s another world out there that is better. I feel like In the future the rich people are going to move out there,”

“Installation that was designed, installed and created by the students. It wasn’t me guiding it, they actually came up with the whole project,”

Designed by Darnell Henderson Compiled by Zoie Ashmeade, Rachel Ferreri

Visit pepoplant.com Search Plant

Website of the Champions Iam.

Designed by Mia Amizic

Support your local Children’s Cancer Center to make an immediate difference in the life of a child.

To make a donation or attend our events, visit:

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Advertisement | 5

Robotics takes third place at states

Robotics members revise their robot for the state competition. They meet three times a week after school to prepare for their competitions. Photo By Natalie Grant Natalie Grant much as the robot can.” Brown said. as we figure out what works and what Business Manager Not only did the Robotics Team doesn’t and we get everything working make it to states in 2014, but it was also as well as possible,” Swaich said.

After placing at the state competition the first year the club was founded by To establish these revisions the the robotics team is preparing to com- members Brown and Ryan Hicks. team looked at various problems they pete at super regionals.

“We are third in state and fourth in had previously encounter. That way, “States is a competition where basi- world. So it feels good. We feel confi- once the competition came around they cally where the top twenty teams in the dent that we will be able to move on,” wouldn’t have to face the same probstate compete to go on to regionals. senior Ryan Hicks said. lems again.

States is an awesome thing to acIn order to stay productive, the team “We looked at what failed at the last complish because it shows how you can takes specific measures to stay focused. competition and what gave us trouble make it all the way up to states even This includes the division of tasks in or- and we took those designs and refined though there is a mass number of teams der to spread out the work among the them in hopes that we will eliminate in the state of Florida,” senior Nicholas team members. those challenges for the state competiSwaich said. tion,” Brown said.

The challenge is announced earlier In competing in states the team was in the year so teams can begin prepa- “We looked at what failed at the last able to place third overall and are able rations. competition and what gave us trouble to move on to the next competition, su“This year the challenge was to pick and we took those designs and refined per regionals. up balls and throw them into the goals. them in hopes that we will eliminate “Competing at states was definitely And so the robots goal is to pick up the those challenges for the state compe- an interesting experience seeing all the balls and actually shoot them into the teams from different places all around tition,” goals,” senior Jaxon Brown said.

Florida. There were also much better However there is more to the comteams, which made it more of a chal-Jaxon Brown, senior petition than completing the one goal. lenge for us during the competition,” There are a variety of steps that must be freshman Mackey Jones said . looked at in order to win. For instance The team will travel in a few weeks the team must work with other teams in “Each member will execute and to Athens, Georgia in order to compete randomly generated alliances. complete a certain task for the day. We with a quarter of the United States. If In addition, the team must also take usually divide up tasks into groups of they are successful on this platform they into account the judging presentation. two to three people and at the end of will move on to the world competition.

The presentation is another factor that the day we hope to have all of those can also advance the team further into tasks completed,” sophomore Marcus the rounds.

Melck said.

See more on the “We do more than just build the roHowever the team mainly focuses on robotics team bot too. For the judging presentation, revising the previous robot for the State online there is a number of awards that you Competition. pepoplant.com can win that can advance you just as “It goes through a lot of revisions

“

“

6 | News

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Community.

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real let’s get

Yearbook staff receives national award nominations

Zoie Ashmeade News Editor

The 2015-1016 staff of The Panther yearbook have now become finalists for a Pacemaker award from the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) and a crown winner from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) , the highest award given by both organizations.

Last year, Christina Porcelli took over the yearbook after the departure of Michelle Moore and changes were made within how the yearbook was run.

“The theme focused around on the fact that the students decided they wanted to tell the real story of the year,” Celebrating their crown win, members of the yearbook staff gather for a staff reading teacher Porcelli said. “Previous party. Former yearbook advisor David Webb provided food for the school’s yearbooks glossed over events and just first crown win. Photo Courtesy of Christina Porcelli focused on clubs and the more popular The staff is eligible for either a gold known as the Pulitzer Prize of student people, so they decided they wanted to change that. So that was the biggest or silver crown at CPSA. They will re- journalism.

“Amy, Maddie and I have pretty much change that we had to make to the year- ceive their crown at the convention in New York during spring break. heard about and dreamt about getting book coverage.”

“Most importantly, I hope we win. a Pacemaker since we were in seventh Current Co Editor-in-Chief, senior Maddie Johnson was on staff last year But I also hope we are able to gain new grade,” senior co editor-in-chief Hope and experienced the change in manage- knowledge about what is trending and Kurth said. “It’s really the highest award other things that will make our year- we could’ve gotten and it’s so great to ment.

“We completely threw out every- book better for future classes,” senior receive it in our last year of yearbook with Porcelli.” thing and started over. Building teams team leader Lyndsey Tyl said.

NSPA will be held in Seattle, WashIn regards to this year’s yearbook and going chronological is completely new and having technically skilled de- ington where the staff will find out if the staff hopes to continue to receive they have won a Pacemaker, which is awards. sign and copy editors,” Johnson said.

Columbia Scholastic Press Association

72 Print yearbooks chosen nationally as finalists

8 | News

51 High school print yearbooks

2 Print yearbooks chosen in Florida

Source Columbia Scholastic Press Association

National Scholastic Press Association

70 National yearbook finalists

17 Finalists in category 337 pages or more

4 Flroida yearbook finalists

Source National Scholastic Press Association

Compiled by Zoie Ashmeade

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Eno takes over Tampa

Reading a book while laying in his Eno, senior Stephen Jenkins’ go-to spot is at Swann Circle Park. This is an ideal spot for those who want to relax in quiet. Photo by Pershia Haj Pershia Haj Public Relations Manager Eagles Nest Outfitters’ release of their personalized hammock referred to as the “Eno” has become a popular, unique hobby among many.

Coming in two sizes, “SingleNest” and “DoubleNest”, these light, portable products are durable through all types of weather.

Made to be hung high up in trees, Tampa has several locations where students may go to Eno. Students participate in a range of activities while enoing. Some include reading, doing homework, hanging out with friends, and/or listening to music.

10 | Features

Swann Circle This location lies within the neighbor-

hood of Swann Avenue, sitting in a more hidden region of Tampa. Providing peace and quiet, this spot serves as a suitable site to study and read books.

“If I have a lot of homework or a test to study for I will go eno because it’s not as hectic as say a Starbucks and I can actually hear myself think.”

-Isabel Avriett, senior

“It’s convenient for me since I live within walking distance and I always bring my speaker to listen to music.”

“I love taking my homework with me -Stephen Jenkins, senior while I Eno at Swann Circle because the scenery helps me stay relaxed and concentrate.”

-Christine Rioles, senior

University of Tampa

Covering over 110 acres of land, this university offers all the space needed to Eno. The vast amount of trees, water front, and alluring scenery add to this tranquil location. A destination to relax and enjoy downtown Tampa’s views.

“Me and my friends hangout and listen to music at Swann Circle, we bring our phones and blankets.”

-Katie Ganther, freshman “I love enoing with my friends here when I just want to kick back and chill. I make sure to bring some food and a speaker to listen to music.”

-John Zambito, sophomore Sharing a laugh whil hanging out in their eno, freshmen Parmida Haj and Maddie Jarrell sit water front at UT. This destination offers many spots to hang an Eno. Photo by Pershia Haj

Davis Island Choose to eno in this location to enjoy a nice waterside

breeze. Along the Seaplane Basin park lies plenty of trees to set Enos up in, with beautiful scenery. No need to worry if all the trees are occupied in this area- another alternative spot with plentiful trees is right by the Davis Island Garden Club.

Waterfront and right near the tennis courts, this is a more secluded zone if looking for a quieter scene.

“I do it because it’s relaxing and a good way to catch up with my friends, spend quality time, and make jokes.”

-Carter Meyers, senior “My friends and I usually bring a speaker and food with us and hang out here for hours, just talking and stuff. It’s just a relaxing way to hang out with friends and catch up.”

-Abby Feeman, senior “It’s fun because it encourages me to go outside and hang out with my friends.”

-Susannah Wertz, junior

“It’s very relaxing and super fun to take at night because you get to sleep in nature and watch the stars.”

-Laurel Thaxton, junior

Quick facts: Eno Edition Where to buy an eno Dick’s Sporting Goods Tampa Bay Outfitters West Marine EaglesNestOutfitters.com

Price Ranges

Single Nest Eno: $45-$60 Double Nest Eno: $55-$90 Complied by Darnell Henderson

Features | 11

Girl Scout raises awareness for human trafficking Elizabeth Hancock Staff Writer Senior, Haley Hansen brought awareness to the issue of human trafficking by bringing the Red Sand Project to campus and getting students involved by spreading red sand around the courtyard. As a Girl Scout, her emulation of the project helps her to receive the highest achievement in the organization, the Gold Award.

“The movement was started by a woman in New York named Molly Gochman, It raises awareness against human trafficking.” Hansen said. “I found a passion and a niche in this topic. I realized I had no idea what actually happens in human trafficking and what the victims go through. That inspired me to bring the Red Sand Project to Plant High School and try and make a change in high schoolers lives. I knew it would be perfect for my Gold Award.”

Hansen worked to spread her goal of bringing the Red Sand Project to campus and gathered a group of fellow students to help spread awareness.

“La Sertoa service club helped volunteer and gather participators but the Red Sand Project has a hashtag and is really involved on social media.”

Hansen said. “I put it all over Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter so people would see when and where the project was Trimming the read sand to fit in the “Strength through Unitaking place.”. ty” motto, sophomore Sarah Regan Borucke participates Hansen worked in the Red Sand Project. The project was meant to unify with La Sertoa and students through the cause of human trafficking preventhe school admintion. Photo courtesy of Jade Starkey. istration to make junior Genevieve Greminger said. her idea of bringParticipating students from all grades ing the project to campus possible.

“I wanted to get involved because it worked together to spread the sand sounded like a great way to spread the over the seal and throughout the lunch word and I felt like it was a great thing area in the courtyard.

“I had been hearing about [the Red for the school to be involved in as well,” Sand Project] a lot around school and I wanted to be apart of spreading awareness to show that it really matters.” freshman Grace Avriett said.

Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery and can usually either be categorized as sex trafficking or labor trafficking. Florida is ranked as the third worst state for trafficking and Tampa specifically is known as one of the largest trafficking hubs in the United States.

“Human trafficking is a big problem here in Hillsborough county so I think it’s important that we’re advocating for an issue thats near us.” sophomore Kelsey Epstein said. “By making the project interactive I think more students wanted to participate which helped raise awareness.”

Hansen and the students she inspired to participate worked together with the goal to raise awareness for human trafficking so people everywhere can recognize the issue and find ways to help.

“Girls my age and younger are involved in this horrible situation and I will The red sand trickles and lands into the brick courtyard as junior Isabella do as much as I can to stop this because Gonzalez guides the bag. Many students got involved in the hands on process I know I would want someone fighting during their lunch to raise awareness. Photo courtesy of Jade Starkey. for me if I were them.” Hansen said.

12 | Features

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Advertisement | 13

caffeine c

Sod a

“It tastes good and it’s cheap. My favorite kind is Coke,” John Woodward, sophomore

* Sleep: Obviously, getting more rest at night will make you feel more awake throughout the day

z

z

z

* Exercise: Getting active, especially early in the morning, is one way to increase energy as it improves blood circulation and also promotes better sleep at night

14 | Centerspread

* Natural sugar: Foods such as nuts and whole grains provide you with healthy carbohydrates which are crucial to maintaining high levels of energy

H2O

Healthy Alternatives:

* Hydration: Your body is made up of 60% of water, so being dehydrated will quickly lead to feelings of fatigue and deplete energy levels.

a

“[I like drinking energy drinks] before hockey games, it gets me going. ” Brenton Wadsworth, junior

So d tea

What’s your caffeine of choice?

“It wakes me up. My favorite place to get coffee is Dunkin’ Donuts,” Erin Fields, senior

DRINK

coffee

varying amounts to foods and drinks that we encounter each day. Drinking coffee, for example, has become a normal part of students’ days and that is where the caffeine habit has begun. More and more foods that contain the substance are reasons that students have started this addiction early on.

ENERGY

&

Rachel Ferreri Maggie Fitzsimmons Editor-In-Chief Arts and Entertainment Editor Caffeine is a part of life that has become prevalent across cultures, places and eras. This naturally occurring stimulant acts as a drug when consumed, and excites the nervous system and brain to create feelings of alertness and fights fatigue. In its purest form, caffeine is a white powder that is very bitter, and it is this substance that has been added in

“I feel like it doesn’t stain my teeth as much as coffee and it tastes a lot better. ” Emily Huynh, freshman

* Eat Breakfast: Skipping a wellbalanced meal in the morning leaves your body without the energy it needs to wake up and * Vitamins: begin feeling Research has energized proven that vitamins such as B12, thiamine and others improve the bodies ability to metabolize nutrients and increase energy

craze Amounts of caffeine in your drink:

Average 12 oz. can of soda

120.5 mg

Pros:

Average energy drink

* Maybe reduce the risk of contracting liver, mouth and throat cancer

Average 8 oz. cup of coffee

* Boosts long term memory

Average 8 oz. cup of tea

100 mg

Effects of caffeine on the body:

* Regular caffeine drinkers have statistically lower rates of suicide * Protect against type two diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, cardiovascular disease and stroke * Improves alertness

Cons: * Can cause an upset stomach, insomnia, restlessness, and muscle tremors

29 mg 26 mg

* Increases rates of nervousness, depression and anxiety * Withdrawal symptoms can result if an addiction develops, such as severe headaches * Some caffeinated beverages can stain teeth * In children, caffeine can stunt children’s growth Source Mayo Clinic website Centerspread | 15

Prom:

Upperclassmen make plans for upcoming Pantherilla

Quotes complied by Zoe Antinori, Centerspread Editor Designed by Darnell Henderson, Features Editor

“I’m going to go because it’s my last year to be able to, I feel kind of obligated.”

-Zena Davis, senior

“Bring a date because then you can spend the entire night with someone instead of just floating around.”

-Choice Miller, senior

To date or not to date?

Are you in or out?

“Honestly I think if you’re with the right group of friends it doesn’t really matter, just be with people you like.”

-Grace Summers, junior

“I think I’m just going to go to take pictures because I don’t want to spend the money plus I still have next year” -Alex Philippides, junior

“Bus because you can be with all your friends.”

-Sarah Munkwitz, senior “A good place to get ready is your house and the mall. A fun place for pictures is Ulele or the Tampa Yacht Club, for dinner it’s convenient to eat where you take pictures, and for prom you need an outfit you are comfortable in.”

-Claire Haney, junior

Bus or limo?

“Limo because you can fit more people and you really get a prom vibe.”

-Kinley Larson, junior

But what about dinner?

Pictures?

And what to buy?

“A good place for diner is somewhere like Jacksons and then the Riverwalk or UT for pictures. I need to buy a new suit and a corsage for prom.”

-Parker Byer, junior

16 | Features

“Have a movie marathon or go to Rolling Loud, a music festival in Miami.”

-Julia Metz, junior

Alternative choices “Go bowling or to United Skates of America.”

-Kaylyn Ferguson, senior

“Go to a park and have a BBQ party.”

-Reuben Mercado, junior

Advertisement | 17

Trump deters freedom of the press

FROMthe

HALLS

What media source do you trust the most?

18 | Opinions

the internet, not even on the website for Harvard Center for American Political Studies, which is the supposed producer for the poll.

The most harmful feature of Trump’s newest trend of rants is that it deters the nature of Freedom of Speech.

Trump states that he loves the First Amendment, but the action of declaring some news sources good, while others an enemy just because he doesn’t like what they say about them is practically stomping on the fact that reporters have a right to write on whatever they please.

Trump is also ignoring the fact there are already laws in place protecting officials from the actions of libel or slander and he does not need to use his twitter account as a form of policing.

Such a principle brings attention to that fact that Trump ignores what a bias is. Yes, his deemed crown jewel of media, Fox News, is comparably more conservative than other organizations such as NBC or CNN, but Trump fails to realize that a political bias does not create fail-

ure among news. Bias is created by who determines how news is presented and is just an unavoidable concept among a group of people.

Trump is lacking a realization that an extremely important factor of journalism is bias, as that requires a citizen to reach out to multiple sources to obtain the full story. Trump is enabling a large group of people who will rely singularly on one conservative source- a practice that is terrible for one’s political efficacy, and would be the equivalent situation if a president was persuading people to stick to solely the other side of the spectrum.

To maintain a politically literate society every American needs to embrace the right the freedom of the press and read news from all networks. No news platforms are failing as long as they have the support of the people, and none are the enemy as long as they are just doing their job of presenting the news to the people.

“ “ “

From the PO’P Staff

PO’P Grace Summers

“ “ I trust the Phillip Defranco show on YouTube.

-Tyler Wolf, senior

I use TBO, watch the news on TV. I use all the sources available to me.

-Alana Cortes, junior

“

I use Fox 13.

-Jenna Curl, sophomore

“

I use Fox.

-Will Neely, freshman

“

Trump’s repeated action of calling a majority of what the media produces “fake news” is harmful to the journalism world, as it inadequately takes away validity from a craft that is only doing their job.

The twitter feed of the current president houses a majority of anti media propaganda including, “The FAKE NEWS media (failing @ nytimes, @NBCnews, @ ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American people.” Additionally, all of Trump’s rages on media target the organizations he deems as liberal.

The main issue with Trump’s continued rants is that they are not backed up, or in some cases even quite hypocritical.

For example, Trump told supporters at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) that “the fake media doesn’t tell the truth” and that reporters should not be allowed to use anonymous sources, but just earlier that day an unidentified White House administration official provided a briefing on a condition.

Also, a Trump approved source, The Hill, used the source of a Harvard-Harris Poll, stating “Americans largely oppose sanctuary cities”, but no piece of information on this poll can be found on

Which class is right for you?

Advanced Placement

PO’P Thompson Draper

Sam Werner Opinions Editor Freshman, sophomores and juniors are starting to be approached by their guidance consolers about scheduling for the upcoming school year. Students receive the option to take regular, honors, AP or dual enrollment classes. Although these different classes all offer different advantages, dual enrollment classes are the most beneficial for students to take.

Dual enrollment classes give students the opportunity to take courses on a college campus.

This experience is invaluable. Since most high schoolers are working towards attending a college this program would make the transition easier once they get to college. Students get the opportunity to write papers or conduct research, which are valuable skills in a college career.

Dual enrollment classes are essentially the same curriculum as AP

Thompson Draper Staff Writer In high school, there are two options for classes that are harder than normal classes, in order to raise your GPA. Both Advanced Placements and Dual Enrollments courses are good alternatives to normal classes, and are a good thing to have on college applications.

Even though both are helpful in their own way, AP courses are the better of the two to take.

Advanced Placements courses are college level classes offered in high school, and offer a challenge to the students who would otherwise get straight A’s without a problem. There are a wide variety of advanced courses, ranging from AP Art to AP Calculus to AP Human Geography.

These classes are helpful in raising weighted GPA, as they are college level, if they are passed. They also are not too difficult to pass, as the curve is usually classes, but students who take the AP versions of these classes are assigned a lot more work which essentially “pads” their grade.

Another major advantage to dual enrollment classes is the weight on a students GPA. Each Dual Enrollment class a student takes adds a point to their GPA, similarly to an AP class. But since each dual enrollment course is only a semester long, each student can take twice as many classes, and add twice as many points to their GPA. Although students are offered lots of courses for students to take at school, a college campus offers a lot more. When taking dual enrollment classes, students are given the opportunity to explore the types of courses they are interested in and aren’t forced into generic English or elective classes.

Dual enrollment classes allow students to think for themselves, explore new things and experience a level of freedom that will never be given in a high school setting.

large enough to push most people to a passing grade, given that they did not bomb it.

Dual Enrollment courses are beneficial too, as they give experience of a college class, and still help in raising the GPA. Although they are helpful, they are not as effective as AP courses, as these courses are taught in school, unless taken online, whereas Dual Enrollment classes are taught at different college campuses.

AP’s are able to be taken by any student who wishes to take them, and can be helpful in increasing the chances of getting into more advanced colleges.

Colleges do not only look to see if the grades are sufficient enough to get into their school, but they also check to see if the student took advanced classes to challenge themselves.

Advanced Placements are a very effective and advantageous way of making sure any student’s most desired college is obtainable.

Dual Enrollment

PO’P Sam Werner

Opinions | 19

‘Addams Family’ rehearsals continue Emilia Difabrizio Public Relations

and walk through the scenes and feel what feels right. And we do music rehearsals too, so we learn the parts for all the songs," said Musco.

Other members of the cast include Jonathan Clements as Gomez Addams, Stuart Lindquist as Fester Addams, Harrison Reed as Lurch, Gabby Fehring as

an ensemble character, but it has really cool dance numbers, and it's really fun.

So rather than focusing on memorizing Students in Dan Franke's theatre delines and stuff like that, we can focus on partment are rehearsing in anticipation dancing and singing and having a good of the production of the musical "The time on stage," said Santigosa.

Addams Family". The production is set Senior Chloe Goodwin plays Morticia to be performed in March.

Addams.

Junior Laura "Generally the Delaney said rerehearsals will eihearsals have been ther be like recordgoing well. ing for your vocals "We had a little or staging, and as block because of we get closer to chorus and Rick's it, we'll have all of Café, but we're them together, but getting back on right now we're track. We still have working on the a little bit of time, specific aspects. but we're getting So this one is a into crunch time, staging rehearsso we're having to al so we're going really push into reover blocking," hearsals," Delaney said Goodwin. said.

Senior Stuart The set is comLindquist will act posed of two as Uncle Fester wooden staircases in the upcoming on wheels paintshow. ed black with a “What I’m dodoorway in being personally is tween.

Delaney, I’m looking at my who works on stage Performers rehearse opening number, “When You’re An Addams”. The proscript at home and direction, described duction involves a great deal of choreography and singing, which has been watching videos of the set. rehearsed tirelessly. Photo by Emilia DiFabrizio. the performances "We have two big online,” Lindquist staircases, and the Grandma Addams and James Calzon as said. thing in the middle – we're using it as Pugsley Addams.

The students have been working tiremultiple different things -- it's going to Senior Caileigh Potter is an Addams lessly to prepare for the production be like our front door. The stairs con- Family ancestor. and are anticipating the opening night. nect so we can go up the stairs and the "I'm the saloon girl ancestor," said The group hopes to see many students, stairs move,” said Delaney. “They're on Potter. "I'm really excited because ev- teachers, friends and family members at wheels, and during the songs we're go- eryone in the cast is really, really talent- the performances supporting them. ing to move them back and forth and ed. We also have amazing dance numcreate new sets.” bers that are really, really hard, and as Senior Maggie Musco is playing a dancer I'm so excited for them. We all Wednesday Addams, the daughter of get to tango, and we might get to tap March 30 & 31 the Addams family. dance. I'm really excited for that."

"We have been rehearsing for two Senior Carolina Santigosa is an anApril 6, 7 & 8 months – or maybe not two months. It cestor like Potter. She, too, expressed doesn't seem like that long, but we've her excitement.

All shows begin at 7 p.m. in been rehearsing every day after school, "I'm Frida Khalo Addams. I'm one of the auditorium and we learn choreography, and we the ancestors. I'm super excited. It's block the scenes – so we go up on stage

Showtimes

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Tampa provides options for staycation Top 5 things to do throughout Tampa Bay during spring break Sydni Bates Staff Writer Spring break is slowly but surely moving its way up on the calendar. For those who aren’t spending their spring break overseas or out of town, Tampa has many things to do. The city will have several different events booked through the week of spring break. From Broadway to sports events, there’s plenty to do here.

1

The Bay Area Renaissance Festival

The Bay Area Renaissance Festival is an event hosted by MOSI that travels all the way back into the 16th century. The Bay Area Renaissance Fest is a seven weekend adventure that features a different theme each weekend. Over a hundred different merchants make up the 16th century village atmosphere. The festival is open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. all seven weekends. Enjoy live armored jousting, 12 stages of entertainment and different types of food to enjoy. Tickets range from $10-$90. Dress up (or not) and contribute to the 16th century environment. “[The Festival] sounds interesting, and I love the 16th century,” freshman Isaac Huechan said.

2

Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival

Over the Break

The Food and Wine festival is a nine weekend event that takes place at Busch Gardens from March 4 to April 30. The Festival will include a lineup featuring DNCE, Young the Giant and for the old school cats, Kool and the Gang. The festival will have 15 culturally diverse food cabinets. Festival passes start at $30, not including general admissions which starts at $82. “I went to the Food and Wine festival last year. I enjoyed it and I might go this year,” junior Megan Tice said.

SaturdayMarch 11

Sunday March 12

Monday- TuesdayMarch 13 March 14

3

Gasparilla Music Festival (GMF)

The Gasparilla Music Festival is at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in Downtown Tampa. GMF features tons of local restaurants and food trucks to enjoy all throughout the weekend. There’s a long line-up of artists from several different genres. This year’s line-up will feature Cage the Elephant, Ryan Adams and more. Ticket prices range from $30-$150.

Bring blankets and lawn chairs, kickback and enjoy the live music. “I went to the GMF last year. It was really fun and there was so much food,” sophomore Ansley Sampson said.

4

Game of Thrones Live Concert

5

Forbidden Broadway

For all of the Game of Thrones fans out there, on March 12th Amalie will be hosting the Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience. According to HBO, it’ll be “An immersive music and visual experience that will bring the seven kingdoms to life on a scale never seen before”.

Although the show’s stars Kit Harrington and Peter Dinklage won’t be attending the concert, it’s definitely sure to be a unique occasion. Tickets start at $35. “[The concert] sounds fun, Game of Thrones is Rad,” junior Chris Pressor said.

Forbidden Broadway is the longest running musical revue in the world on its 35th year. The musical is a parody, spoofing everything between The Lion King and Hamilton. Entertainment Weekly calls it “A Comedic Masterpiece.” The musical is playing from January 10 to March 12.

Tickets start at $40 per person. "I love broadway. It seems like it would be super fun to attend," senior Elena Machado said.

Wedneday-Thursday Friday Saturday March 15 March 16 March 17 March 18

Sunday March 19

Gasp. Fim Fest.

Frida Khalo @ Dali

Bay Area Ren. Fest.

Bay Area Ren. Fest.

LIVE: G.O.T

BG Food and Wine Frida Khalo @ Dali

BG Food and Wine

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Athletes reflect on playing more than one sport Jacob Robinson Sports Editor

Hard work and dedication can dictate the success of making and doing well in two varsity sports. Keeping your body in shape year-round is no easy task, according to these athletes.

“If you take care of your body the right way, it won’t really have an effect on yourself. But it’s not the same for everyone else,” junior Dexter Brown said.

The hard work and determination to succeed in multiple sports drive these athletes, and it is nothing unwanted.

Jones, Brown, and Johnson all choose to pursue both sports based on their athleticism, love and drive for these sports.

“Both Track and Cross Country are as hard as you want to make them. Your successes achieved in the season depends solely on the effort you are willing to put forth at practice and in the off-season,” Jones said.

Student athletes push their bodies to the extreme levels that most people wouldn’t think of, especially for one sport. But for those who play for two or more teams, they push themselves yearround.

“I am playing basketball and track so you have to have a very different mindset in transitioning from one sport to another,” freshman, Duff Hammer said.

The effect of the year-round exerDuring the opening drill of practice cise is the beating one’s body endures. on Feb. 28, Junior Sydney Johnson Junior Sydney Johnson recognizes the works on ball control for warm-ups. struggle that comes with being a twoShe was the starting point guard for sport athlete. the basketball team under Coach “Playing two sports definitely takes a Mahon and will now play under toll on your body,” junior Sydney JohnCoach Puckett for flag football. Photo son said. “By going from sport to sport, I don’t really get much of a break for my

by Jacob Robinson body to recover with practice every day and games two to three times a week.”

The grind is alive and well for these scholar-athletes. Balancing AP classes, schoolwork, and the rigorous schedule for workouts, practices and games can be a daunting task. It’s recognized by everyone who plays more than one sport during the length of the school year.

“At meets which can last four hours, I will bring a textbook or two and get some homework done. I have been able to keep a healthy academic and athletic balance all four years,” senior, Laura Jones said.

Sophomore, Bobby Gough, who plays both baseball and basketball, recognizes as well the challenges and positive consequences that comes with it much like Jones did.

“Playing two sports helps me stay in shape. I wanted to continue playing both because I couldn’t decide which one I liked more,” Gough said.

Playing two sports makes you become teammates with two teams worth of players, something Gough During the beginning part of practice on Feb. 28, Senior Payton Paro participates recognizes.

“It helps me adapt to real life sit- in a catching drill with her partner. In addition to playing Golf, she also helped the uations and meet new people within girls basketball team get to the Regional Semifinals against Winter Haven. Photo

by Jacob Robinson the sport,” Gough said.

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softball unites Up to Bat: Girls with young players Cole Maines Staff Writer The softball team lost ten seniors last year and have assimilated new students.

As the season for the girls is hitting its stride the unity shown through thenew and veteran athletes has aided in development and results. Exercises and activities have helped freshman assimilate and new players make friends.

The relationships the team exhibits begins in the leaders and the team captain Erin Field, senior, has translated that.

“We are like a family,” Fields said.

“We are with each other every day and we have become really close.”

The coach of the team, coach Tina O’Neal, notices the togetherness as well.

“Our girls feel like family,” O’Neal said. “As the season has progressed our girls have gotten closer and have become more of a cohesive unit.”

“It’s like a second family everyone acts like sister’s.” sophomore Courtney Collins said.

The bonds between the “sisters” on the softball team resonated with the younger players they have.

“I like that I can count on anyone,” freshman Sofia Valdez said. “They are really supportive and cheer for you no matter what.”

O’Neal has unity come from the traditions, exercises and customsthey do. The favorite of the girls that were interviewed is having Secret Softies.

“It’s like secret Santa and it is where everyone writes on a sheet of paper what they like and every home game your Secret Softie gets you what is on your paper and puts it in your locker,” Valdez said.

“These girls can get closer as time goes on,” junior Makenzie Herman said.

“And when you have a close united team it will lead to positive results.”

The players new to the team know it too. Both Valdez and Collins responded

26 l Sports

During introductions the team makes a tunnel of high fives for number 9, sophomore Kit Longshore before their game against Plant City High School.

The team suffered multiple defeats this season, but looks to improve. Photo by Leonard’s Photography. similarly on the same question.

“It shows on the field in our communication and sportsmanship,” Collins said.

The players echo eachother that the bonding they put emphasis on enhances their performace.

“It results in winning, you can tell our communication and unity when we start winning, especially when we are feilding,” Valdez said.

Valdez also talked about how the friendship shown by the team has helped her assimilate to school.

“The team helps me not to feel like an outsider all the time,” Valdez said.

Fields has helped freshmen to get in the grove of things at school.

“We hang out a lot after school, and help one another with homework,” Fields said. “We are like sisters and I think it helps the get used to school.”

And the love on the team is evident in everything the team does.

“The interactivity is good because

you have a chance to get to know someone you might haven’t talked to before,” Herman said. “Even on the team not everyone is super close to each other and doing the traditions we do kind of helps people get to know one another.”

As the season continues so will the unity the team incorpates everyday.

“A more coheasive unit,” O’Neal said, regarding what all the activities are for.

Season Stats:

Record: 1-4 District Record: 0-1 Winning Percentage: .200 Runs For: 11 Runs Against: 36

Freshman-majority girls lacrosse team continues winning season Emilia DiFabrizio Public Relations The Lady Panther Girls Lacrosse team played Berkley High School for another win, leaving them at 9-1 for the current season.

During the first water break, senior Grace Owens said the team was off to a slow start.

“Well right now we’re getting off to a slow start, but I hope that during the half time, we’ll make some adjustments that are necessary so we can pick the intensity back up,” said Owens.

Sophomore Lexi Ashby assisted and scored for the team, which she said has a lot of new freshman.

“The majority of our team is freshmen, and I think that they’ve really stepped up their game. They are proving to everyone that they can play at the next level, and they’re working really hard,” said Ashby. “I think that the addition of all of them has bettered our team because we’re a much harder working team now, and I think that we’re going to have a good season.”

Senior Delaney Turton assisted and scored multiple times throughout the game as well.

“I feel like this isn’t our best game, but we have big games tomorrow so it’s like a good practice game leading up to that. We definitely need to work on our stick skills and catching and throwing, but it’s a fun game on Friday,” said Tur-

Season Stats:

Record: 10-2 District Record: 4-0 Winning Percentage: .833 Goals For: 170 Goals Against: 82

ton.

Turton said their strengths lie in their unity as a team and their weakness is in transferring that to the field.

“We work really well together.

We understand how everyone plays together, but sometimes we have troubles transforming that onto our skills on the field as far as During a game against Berkeley Prep on March 3, senior that goes with Delaney Turton runs up field while being guarded by a stick skills, with our shots, with Berkeley defender. The team went on to win the game by our passing and a score of 11 to 6. Photo by Emilia DiFabrizio stuff. So a lot of times that can be ty, doing a good job so far. Goalies are kind of detrimental for us, but we get killing it, too.” past it the next game,” said Turton.

Coach Jayne Chapman was positive “We’re playing pretty hard, pretty about the game’s outcome and optimisintense,” said junior Alexandra Schob- tic for the season’s future. ert. “We’re just trying to keep the en“I’m happy with the outcome,” said ergy up.”

Chapman. “I thought we played pretty Team manager and former player, sloppy, so that was a game where we senior Hannah Diasti spoke positively of probably should have had better conthe season and the team’s dynamic. trol, but at the end of the day, everyone “I think the season’s going really well played and had some fun.” so far. We have a lot of freshmen this The team remains undefeated in the year, but we seem to be working well district with high hopes. together. The team is really clicking, “That was a district matchup so we’re which I think is helping with the fluidi- 9-1 on the season now. We’ll hopefully ty of the game and how the girls work play our last district game next Friday, together on the field. I think they have and if that’s a win, we’ll go in ranked potential to go far this year, and I’m ex- seated first for the post season. We have cited to see how the rest of the season aspirations to go farther than last year, turns out,” said Diasti. which would mean out of the first round Sophomore Kelsey Epstein #11 also of regionals,” said Chapman. assisted in the team’s victory.

“The first half was a little rough, but we’re really picking it up. And I’m proud See pictures of all the freshman for stepping it up – from boys because that’s mostly our team now. The lacrosse online upperclassmen are doing a great job,” pepoplant.com said Epstein. “Keeping up the positivi-

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