Pop march cover

PEP EP O‘ PLANT Caught on film Learn about a student’s project to document drama Page 11

H.B. Plant High School 2415 S. Himes Ave. Tampa, FL, 33629 March 20, 2015 Volume 88 Issue 7

Hungry?

Discover the small business built by cupcakes Page 4

Opposite Effect

Check out a horror movie so awful it’s funny Page 11

Spring Prepping

Read a Q&A with a four year flag football player Page 14

March 2015

2 • News

Previously @ Plant FEEL THE RHYTHM Cast members of “Rick’s Cafe” perform a song from “The Lion King” musical. The Africaninspired number occurred during the second half of the show.

IT’S SHOWTIME Seniors Maddy McKay and Alanna Gonzalez perform a duet at “Rick’s Cafe.” The girls are both members of Varsity Chorale, the most exclusive section of chorus.

Courtesy of Bella Fernandez

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY Junior Jachai DeJesus and sophomore Lizbeth Calvo dance at Multicultural Day. Booths at the event offered unique entertainment.

Courtesy of Bella Fernandez

PO’P Emily Griewe

PLANT HAS PEP Students grapple for themed t-shirts at the spring pep rally. The event featured games as well as performances by the Danceros and drumline.

VAULTING TO VICTORY Adam Tamargo, junior, pole vaults at a track meet Feb. 23. Students competed in various track and field events that night.

PO’P Ysabella Canto

PO’P Haley Babbitt

CONNECTED THROUGH MUSIC Seniors Gabe Siewert and Kevin Howlett of “Pep” put on their own rendition of Flobots’ “Handlebars” at Brotherhood/Sisterhood Week. In addition to lead vocals, Howlett added a trumpet version of the song’s chorus.

PO’P Emmalee Herrera

March 2015

News • 3

Obama proposes free community college “My main concern is that all of these people will get degrees and then we won’t have enough jobs to provide them with,” Laura

Jones, sophomore, said. “Giving someone an education does not mean that they will use it to become successful.”

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Part-time Enrollment in Public Two-Year Colleges

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idea because we are $17 trillion in debt and we do not need another government handout and people should value what they work towards,” Isabella Pittman, sophomore, said. “They will not strive for educational goals if they know they will get it for free.”

Ann Glenn, Economics and Law Studies teacher, explained that nothing is free and someone has to pay for it.

“Having a talented workforce is important although two years at a community college may not be the right solution,” Glenn said.

This proposed bill created another contrasting topic of discussion between liberals and conservatives.

According to an online article written by Jonathan Alter for The Daily Beast, Liberals believe the bill should only be directed at the people with low income and conservatives think that community college will be too expensive to offer free to both the middle class and the low income class.

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President Barack Obama has proposed a plan that would allow two years of a tuition-free community college in order to make secondary education more attainable for the general public.

Obama’s initiative would help with the growing demand for skilled labor in the U.S. by providing a two-year free education at community colleges.

However, the plan is estimated to cost the government $60 billion.

“I think that it would increase our taxes and give other people an incentive not to pay for college which isn’t fair for people or parents who have worked their whole lives to be able to put themselves or their children through school,” Elizabeth Porter, senior, said.

One of the nation’s current issues involves the lack of workers qualified to perform in higher-class jobs. These advanced jobs

require a college degree, which people previously unable to afford college education could earn with Obama’s plan.

“I think that this bill could help students when they earn the associates degree and go to apply for jobs. Most jobs require at least a one year certificate and they were earn a two-year Associates’ degree through Hillsborough Community College,” Ashley Carl, Director of Marketing at HCC, said.

Rahm Emanuel, the first White House Chief of Staff during the Obama administration influenced the proposed G.I. Bill and suggested it in a 2006 book, “The Plan: Big Ideas for America.”

Specific details are currently uncertain although this proposal will need cumulative support.

In order to succeed, the plan needs funding from the state, consistently good grades from students who attend the community college and growing rigorous programs offered at the schools.

“I do not think that it is a good

Total Enrollment (millions)

Rachel Ferreri Staff Writer

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Years Information from College Board PO’P Rachel Ferreri

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March 2015

4 • Features

Student’s sugary confections sweeten school days Katie Whitson News Editor

For fellow students, watching Margaret Colby, senior, tote around empty containers smeared with frosting has morphed into a common hallway sighting. Offering 15 different flavors of cupcakes on her menu in addition to three types of cookies, Colby’s baking hobby has grown into an emerging enterprise with the creation of Margaret’s Cupcakes, a local bakery service.

About three and a half years ago, Colby’s older sister Liz moved into her own apartment and began cooking for herself.

“I basically did whatever she did, so I started cooking too,” Colby said. “[I chose baking because] I think I just liked the idea of frosting. You can’t decorate chicken.”

From cupcakes inspired by Pixar’s “Monster’s Inc.” to golfthemed cupcakes featuring individual blades of grass, Colby’s baking repertoire has matured a considerable amount since the discovery of a box of angel food cake mix in her family’s pantry initiated her hobby.

“There’s honestly not one type of event that I bake for, there’s

a lot of variety, which keeps it fun,” Colby said. “By the end of February, I will have done four baby showers. So while that’s a fraction of the events I’ve done, that’s the type that I will have done the most.”

‘‘

I think I just liked the idea of frosting. You can’t decorate chicken.

-Margaret Colby, senior The student-entrepreneur bakes once or twice a week, totaling an average of about 12 hours per week.

Colby often brings her confections to school for class parties, or if she ended up with

extras from a batch.

“Margaret is one of the sweetest people I know and makes the best cupcakes,” Savannah Townsend, senior, said.

Colby has treated fellow schoolmates to Valentine’s Day pastries inspired by conversation heart candies, as well as Calculus-themed cupcakes for Kelly Rayburn, math teacher, and her BC Calculus class.

“I think it’s wonderful when kids can take something they love and turn it into a profit... they were worth the wait,” Rayburn said.

Students often devour entire batches of treats long before the end of eighth period.

“Her cupcakes are delicious!

The decorations on the top are so intricate and detailed that sometimes [they] look too good to eat,” Kiely O’Keefe, senior, said.

Colby names a particular graduation party last year as her most extensive baking job.

“It was right after the [AP U.S. history] exam, and I had spontaneously decided to go to Busch Garden’s for my friend’s birthday…so there was this huge time crunch, but I was lucky because my friends helped with the expe-

Courtesy of Margaret Colby

Senior Margret Colby proudly works one of her homemade pastries, University of Florida themed cupcakes. Colby has enjoyed baking as both a hobby and a business venture for the past three and a half years.

rience and just made the whole experience more fun!” Colby said.

While Margaret’s Cupcakes offers three sizes of cupcakes as well as cookies and full-sized cakes, Colby’s favorite things to bake are peanut butter cupcakes and cinnamon rolls. Colby attended a macaroon class in Paris in 2014, and has recently added macaroons to her menu.

Colby intends to continue baking after graduating high school.

“I think that I just want to be a stay at home mom who does

baking on the side for fun,” Colby said.

Those interested in using Colby’s cupcake business for future events can visit margaretscupcakes.weebly.com for more information.

Price per dozen (mini) Decorated: $12 Undecorated: $8 Minimum order: 1 dozen

Women’s History Month empowers women worldwide Melissa Jassir Features Editor Unknown to many, the month of March honors women through Women’s History Month which aims to pay tribute to women who have contributed to society.

Women’s History Month traces its roots back to a celebration organized by the school district of Sonoma, California in 1987.

Students in the county wrote essays highlighting the essence of a “Real Woman” and their contributions to history and the world.

As Sonoma’s efforts to teach the significance of the contributions of women gained notoriety, it became a national issue. President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980 as Women’s History Week.

States around the country joined in the participation of this celebration. Throughout one week in March they would sponsor essays, hold parades and celebra-

tions and ultimately try to raise awareness of this project.

A conglomeration of the states that participated petitioned to Congress to increase the week of recognition to the entire month of March. In 1987, Congress finally declared March as the official National Women’s History Month.

Each year the National Women’s History Project selects a theme to represent and share the ideas promoted. March 2015 represents “Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives.” It recognizes that women create history both through their individuality and their unity.

As the 35th anniversary of this celebration, the leaders of this project hope to inspire other women as well as men to remember the way women have encouraged others through their stories.

Young women around the school are currently motivated by the achievement of women from the past.

What woman in history inspires you the most?

PO’P Ysabella Canto

“Marilyn Monroe. She changed the music business. She also inspired people through her music.”

“Annie Oakley. She was a sharpshooter and was better than guys. She made history by doing that.”

“Byzantine ruler Justinian’s wife Theodora was the quintessential symbol of promiscuity, yet she was also remarkably intelligent.

She had a strong influence over her husband and didn’t partake in the demure lifestyle that women were expected to lead.”

-Brittany Urso,

-Natalia Eanell, sophomore

-Cecilia McLaren, junior

freshman

March 2015

Advertisement • 5

March 2015

6 • Features

Pre-Pantherilla primpin’: students share prom plans Allyssa Ashmeade Staff Writer Prom does not plan itself. Hairstyles, makeup, photo locations, dinner reservations… all of this must be planned in advance. Each of these choices must be made in order to ensure “the perfect prom night.”

However, the night holds several options to choose from. Some students spend hours driving around from nail shop to hair salon in an effort to achieve prom perfection. Others prefer to take a more frugal approach, relying on friends and family for their makeup and hair needs.

After getting all dolled up, prom partakers must then decide on a location to document these memories. Once again, many students opt to take pictures at a friends house for convenience.

Other favorite locations in the past have included Curtis Hixon Park, the University of Tampa and on the front steps of school.

A few students have decided to share their pre-prom plans:

PO’P Ysabella Canto

“I’m looking forward to strutting my stuff up and down the dance floor at prom.”

-Savannah Townsend, senior

“I just love the atmosphere at Pantherilla. I really hope to be king.”

-Zakee Arth, senior

“I’m wearing a vest to prom.

Vests not cummerbunds.

Vests are just classier.”

-Michael Greer, junior

“It’s going to be a night to remember. Absolutely promazing.”

-Libby Ruff, junior

12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m.

Nails at Shellak Nails 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Make up at Melt Out 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Hair at Salon Lofts 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Have dinner and take pictures at a friend’s house 8:30 p.m.

Leave for prom

5:30 a.m - 2:00 p.m.

Regatta in Sarasota 5:15 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Getting ready 6:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.

Pictures at Curtis Hixon Park during the sunset 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Dinner at Pizza Fusion 8:30 p.m.

Leave for prom

4:10 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.

Take a shower 4:20 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Get ready 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Take pictures at the front of Plant High School 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Ocean Prime for Dinner 8:20 p.m.

Leave for prom

5:15p.m. - 5:45p.m Style hair 5:45p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Apply makeup 6:15 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Take pictures on top of the Floridan Hotel 7:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

Chipotle for Dinner 8:30 p.m.

Leave for prom

Students plan prom routes in advance

- Prom - Savannah Townsend - Zakee Arth - Michael Greer - Libby Ruff PO’P Melissa Jassir

March 2015

Features • 7

Farmers’ markets get fresh

PO’P Rachel Ferreri

People shop at the market in Hyde Park for fresh produce and other products held on the first of March. Many vendors sold products there.

Fresh produce is available at the market. It was held in Ybor City.

Truffles are sold in Hyde Park. They are imported products from Italy.

Rachel Ferreri Staff Writer In South Tampa, pedestrian-friendly farmers’ markets are flourishing. In these markets, there are a minimum of 50 vendors, including local groups, businesses and non-profit organizations.

One of these local markets is in Hyde Park Village. On the first Sunday of every month, people can enjoy live music, cooking demos and outdoor seating.

Homemade, handmade, artistic and agricultural goods are available for purchase as well.

Among the organic coffees and baked foods, one man runs his business, Casa Truffle. He imports fresh truffles overnight from Italy.

“I usually attend the markets in Carrollwood, Hyde Park, Seminole Heights or St. Pete,” Nikki Jaffe, senior, said. “I buy all of my produce, flowers, headbands, clothing, jewelry, soap and even my hula hoop.”

Jaffe said the best part of these markets is that every product is a

fair trade, sustainably and locally made.

“It’s so wonderful seeing how much they have grown in popularity over the past year,” Jaffe said.

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I buy all of my produce, flowers, headbands, clothing, jewelry, soap and even my hula hoop.

-Nikki Jaffe, senior

Gilly Minnehan, sophomore, said that her favorite market was the one in Hyde Park. She thinks that it is a great way to spend a sunny morning and they have really great ice pops.

“Along with the trendy shops that stay open, I love the fresh produce that they have as well as the live music. It makes mornings fun,” Minnehan said.

Ybor City also hosts another large market every Saturday morning. This market sells fresh

breads, gourmet food, herbs, plants, pet treats, cigars and more.

During October to April, it opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m.

Local vendor, Gary Parke, sells strawberries at five different markets each week. A third generation Plant City strawberry farmer, he has a hydro farm, which enables him to grow these berries year round.

“I like working with people.

Farming is something I have always wanted to do but not the commercial kind. I like customer interaction and my heart is in this business,” Parke, said.

Lutz Nutz sells different types of tree nuts like cashews, almonds and hazelnuts.

“I like building relationships with both customers and other vendors. I have been selling here [Ybor Market] since 2006 and it’s been a great experience,” the owner of Lutz Nutz said.

“When I had just started out selling there was a tropical storm.

The market wasn’t canceled and we even made sales,” the owner said.

8 • Opinions

Pep O’ Plant 2415 S. Himes Avenue, Suite 103 Tampa, Florida 33629 (813) 272-3033 ext. 247

Print Editor-in-Chief Jessica Jagodzinski Online Editor-in-Chief Robby Killette News Editor Katie Whitson Features Editor Melissa Jassir Opinions Editor Bennett Taylor Arts & Entertainment Editor Helen Kahassai Sports Editor Erce Phillips Centerspread Editor Meg Barrett Photography Editor Haley Babbitt Public Relations Allison Figueroa Webmaster Henry Jetmundsen Business Manager Matt Blydenburgh Copy Editor Emily Greiwe Staff Artist Nikki Lund Photographer Emalee Herrera Ysabella Canto Circulation Manager LaNae Fluellen Staff Rachel Ferreri Katie Chae Allyssa Ashmeade Faculty Adviser Louisa Avery The Pep O’ Plant is Plant High School’s student run newspaper. Opinions expressed may not reflect the views of the entire staff or school. We welcome signed letters to the editors. Letters can be brought to room 103 or placed in Louisa Avery’s school mailbox. We reserve the right to edit, condense, or reject any letters. Some material courtesy of MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service. Professional associations include Florida Scholastic Press Association, Southern Interscholastic Press Association,the National Scholastic Press Association and Quill and Scroll.

Follow us on Twitter @plantpop Follow us on Pinterest pepoplantnews Follow us on Instagram @pepoplant

March 2015

Current news media needs expanded coverage

F

Editorial

Free speech in America allows citizens to freely express their opinions publicly, privately and online. Duh. That’s basic knowledge for anyone living in the world today.

Polarizing itself on the other end of the knowledge spectrum, remembering the other parts of the 1st Amendment often loses itself in translation.

What resides permanently at the White House, while also making regular appearances to the Sears Tower, Macdill Air Force Base and the Dallas Cowboy’s Stadium?

Journalists do. They exist on every level of life here in the U.S. - and, as a result of the industrialization of the 1920s and the rise of mass consumerism, news sources appear in the daily life of people like a menacing flu strain.

Students watch headlines daily from New York City, talk shows on the west coast and popular news updates nightly on TV. Expansive news sources ensure that news presents fair, honest reporting with real sources and quotes.

Free speech guarantees that, right? Look again.

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Sources of mainstream news fail to report stories that will affect their audiences in the future

Consolidation of major news corporations should cast doubt for a reader seeking honest reporting.

CBS owns nearly 100 local news stations across the country, all reporting on local events that correspond with a national news group who focuses on politics and international news.

Dow Jones owns an expansive list of papers, from “The Wall Street Journal” to local papers in Nantucket (Columbia Journalism Group.)

Even local papers consolidate themselves under companies like Community Newspaper Holdings, llc.

While owning and running a successful business reflects the best of the American middle class, consolidation of major news corporations should cast doubt for a reader seeking honest reporting.

Markets for newspapers can be compared to the real estate market directly following the 2008 recession: booming.

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway bought up a multitude of papers, such as the Media Group’s chain of sixty-three newspapers (not including our hometown Tampa Tribune!) and Buffett’s hometown paper, the Omaha World Herald.

Multitudes of companies buy up newspaper chains, citing low prices and chances to expand as major factors for their purchase.

Consolidation leads to agendas for news reporting, while cripples a free press.

Stateofthemedia.org presents a case for the bias and lack of hard news on the most popular news sources.

According to an article published by “Forbes,” 85 percent of news reported on MSNBC qualifies as soft news, with editorials and news articles that clearly favor the Democratic party.

The Pew Research Center also demonstrates that FOX News equally favors the Republican party.

Do you know what the news has reported on in past weeks and months? Has North Korea made headlines under international

POP Nikki Lund

conflict? Has Greece’s economic struggles reached you through the news? Unlikely.

These stories hardly ever make to local news - only cat videos and other filler occupy screens, as films like “Anchorman” cleverly form a satire against the current news environments.

Boatloads of modern news pieces are laughed at by the public for their soft, unnecessary message that doesn’t give any real information to the readers of each publication. This kind of news gives no real value to readers.

Constant consolidation and bias reporting harms journalists seeking the truth, while sounding a lot like the press in a communist or socialist country.

If citizens can’t hear the whole truth, with minimal bias, then why does the First Amendment exist?

What does it matter if free press exists in the Constitution, only to be damaged and crippled by chains who enforce an agenda upon their papers.

Let the journalists report.

News sources report what’s happening; but they haven’t. Few citizens know the role America plays in the current environment of the world, as well as what we do in our own country.

In order for more people to understand their world, big news corporations must learn to write in a way that explains, that teaches.

Sources who expand and apply knowledge to legitimize stories have to be prioritized by these companies. With these sources, stories that at one time would be too complex for viewers could now be better understood.

By rationalizing intricate events, more people can learn about what the world around them is doing, as well as what’s happening to it.

Big news sources need to expand coverage to include background and context in reporting, giving citizens insight to fields and areas of study that average viewers would be unavailable to know.

March 2015

Opinions • 9

Exam exemption system in dire need of change

Adding more excused absences would aid seniors who are burdened physically, mentally

Column Nikki Lund Staff Artist There are 117 days in the second semester. Seniors may only miss five of those days if they don’t want to face exams. That means seniors must be present for 96 percent of the second semester.

Senioritis affects a large portion of the senior student body. This dangerous disease occurs from the realization that seniors are halfway out the door of high school.

Symptoms include, but are not limited to, fatigue, loss of interest, loss of motivation and angst.

Between mental breakdowns related to stress levels, health issues and college orientation, which is held mainly over 2-3 weekdays, seniors can’t catch a break.

That is unless, they desire to attend school on exam week, abbreviating the summer before their long college careers.

It’s already difficult to just get out of bed at this point - especially when stress finds a nice warm place to curl up inside the brains of students trying to keep up with everyday life.

Prospective universities also require orientation in order to confirm enrollment.

These orientations last 2-3 days and are almost always hosted during the week.

So for kids going to a university, who generally do well in school,

POP Nikki Lund

that cuts their absence allowance in half.

College visits are not school business, and therefore not exempt from the five-day rule.

This rule is also extremely unfair to students that suffer from chronic illness and mental illness, especially the latter.

Chronic illness can be, with much inconvenience, excused by a doctors note. Whereas mental illness cannot be excused.

Those who suffer from chronic illnesses may find it difficult and expensive to come up with a doctor’s notes for every episode.

Tweet at us at: Do you have @plantpop an interesting opinion on a trending topic?

We want to hear it!

For example, a student has epilepsy. That person shouldn’t be penalized for missing school after an occurrence, but it is difficult to receive a note for every such episode excusing their absence.

Nationally, 17 percent of students between the ages of 14 and 18 suffer from some kind of mental illness.

There are roughly 2,500 students at Plant. This means there are an estimated 425 students that have a mental illness.

The most common forms of mental disorders among teens in the U.S. are depression, anxiety,

eating disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

These common disorders all interfere with a student schooling.

Depression and anxiety are the two leaders of the list, both of which negatively affect a student’s drive, interest and self worth.

All of these factors warp school into a place of discomfort and stress.

If the number of students was distributed evenly through grade levels, about 100 of our seniors ail from mental disorders.

That is 100 students that dread dealing with school for another

117 days for reasons other than being exhausted.

If these seniors miss over five days, they have to stress themselves to study for exams.

This increase of stress can cause destructive behavior in teens, such as self-harm and suicidal thoughts. The teen years are a very sensitive span of time.

Around 14 percent of teen deaths between 15 and 19 are attributed to suicide.

Many students with mental illnesses cannot afford psychiatric help, and many have parents that don’t believe they have a legitimate illness. This makes it difficult to get any form of doctor’s note excusing their absences.

Even despite mental illness, seniors generally find attending school very difficult.

Unearthing the motivation to leave their beds every morning can prove to be quite strenuous.

Exams are stressful and require a significant amount of effort to review for. Seniors would rather not have to take them unless necessary. Allowing seniors a mere five days absence could be classified as cruel and unusual punishment.

Plant should increase allowed absences two-fold, and excuse college orientation as school business.

If seniors were allowed five days a quarter as opposed to a semester, it is assured that the stress levels of the senior class would diminish exponentially.

Email us: pepoplant.com

Letters to the Editor can be pepoplantnews@ submitted through email, online, gmail.com or mailed to the school ATTN: Pep O’ Plant

10 • Advertisement

March 2015

March 2015

Arts & Entertainment • 11

‘The Lazarus effect’ boasts comedy in a horror film Column Bennett Taylor Opinions Editor

PO’P Emalee Herrara

Maddy McKay,senior, films a “Cabaret” drama department rehearsal. McKay attended numerous after-school play rehearsals during February and March in order to capture original footage for her student-produced documentary.

Student documentarian captures school spring musical through lens Katie Whitson News Editor A budding documentarian, senior Maddy McKay will capture the behind-the-scenes creation of “Cabaret,” the school’s spring musical.

McKay’s movie marks the first time that a student has created a documentary of this caliber on a school production.

As an aspiring filmmaker, McKay hopes that undertaking this project will allow her to expand her skill set for the future.

“This is what I want to do as a profession. Nothing like this has ever been done and that’s why I want to do it,” McKay said. “ I wanted to create something real.”

“I want to show the whole pro-

cess of a show, not just the final product,” McKay said.

Senior cast members displayed a particular sentimentality regarding their final school production.

“At some point in my life I will want to look back at my high school theatre experience. ” Nick Russo, senior, said. “Who knows what she’ll capture on tape!”

Although senior members of the cast appreciated McKay’s documentation of their last play, underclassmen cast members on “Cabaret” shared a similar sense of excitement.

“I think this will be a really fun experience,” Elizabeth Doney, sophomore, said. “I think it will be interesting to watch it all come together after we’ve finished.”

Involvement in McKay’s documentary left some cast members

with a newfound appreciation of the process of integrating all of the elements of a show.

“Documenting all of the steps we have to take to achieve our goal of a great show has given me a different outlook on the creation of ‘Cabaret’,” Marissa Sandler, junior, said.

While some of the cast and crew of “Cabaret” might have regarded the documentary with skepticism initially, a consensus seemed to exist that the additional project did not interfere with rehearsals.

“We get so focused on what we’re working on that you almost forget she’s filming,” Doney said.

McKay’s documentary will conclude when the show opens to student viewers in April.

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Classic horror movies of the 70s and 80s full of ketchup red blood, mushy brain matter and incredibly creepy clowns haunted a generation of viewers who now stream the same films on Netflix to enjoy a little nostalgia in their downtime. Even high schoolers today love to watch a good old-fashioned horror like “The Shining.”

A biblical allusion for a title aroused my suspicion. Multiple recycled sound and special effects confirmed my fears.

Instead of boring my dear audience by listing every awful scene and effect, like flashing lights and pop ups, I’ve decided to list my favorite deaths in order of which one caused the most laughter. Just a warning- spoilers! Everyone died. Sorry to those who might

ggggg be reading who would actually see this travesty of a horror film.

A quick plot synopsis before we begin. Medical students at an unnamed research facility work on a magical serum that brings humans (and animals) back from the dead in a dark laboratory. After the scientists list off the mumbo jumbo of the science of the serum, they inject it into a dead dog that revives it. But an evil company finds out and buys out the lab and shuts down the operation. However, the head of the project, Frank, decides with his fiancée Zoey, group members Clay and Niko, and videographer Eva to break back into the facility to reproduce the experiment.

Once in the factory, a random experiment electrocutes Zoey.

Frank, in a desperate plan, injects the “Lazarus” serum into her, turning her into an evil monster that kills all inside.

Now, to the list!

4) Starting off at number four, we have the poor death of Niko, the technology wizard with a secret crush on Zoey, the deranged monster.

For, after her conversion to an evil devil creature, Zoey used her newfound powers to push Niko into a closet and compress it to kill him.

But that’s only number four on the list!

3) At number three is the death of the final survivor, Eva. To make it short, she becomes possessed by Zoey and experiences Zoey’s childhood horrors in a cruel vision. . After she came to, a fireman appeared to rescue her. But it was evil Zoey! A neck snap ended it for Eva.

2) Clay brings us to number two on the list of strangest death.

For some reason, Clay thinks he’s cool because he has an e-cig that

he puffs on regularly. But after back talking evil Zoey, things change.

That same e-cig flies down his throat and he falls to the floor, dead.

Smoking kills, kids.

1) Drumroll please! Our number one spot goes to our dearest friend and colleague, Frank. Having created the monster that is Zoey,

he earns the most strange and likely impossible death. After trying to hug Zoey, his face is caressed by her hands, which proceed to squeeze.

Foaming at the mouth, he pops into a pool of blood, dead. That concludes the list!

March 2015

12 • Arts & Entertainment

March concerts Genre

♪ Rock ♪ Indie Pop ♪ Pop ♪ Rap

Artist

Date

Venue

Price

Agnostic

March 20

The Orpheum

$11+

Bleachers

March 25

State Theatre

$44+

Nickelback

March 27

Midflorida Credit Union

$31+

♪

Atmosphere

March 27

The Orpheum

$38+

♪

Eric Church

March 28

Amalie Arena

$56+

♪

The Devil Wears Prada

March 31

State Theatre

$38+

♪ ♪ ♪

PO’P Helen Kahassai

Tag your concert photos and they can be featured in the next issue of the Pep O’ Plant.

#POPconcerts

March 2015

Arts & Entertainment • 13

Mr. Penguin’s ice cream parlor slides into South Tampa dessert scene Mr. Penguin 1920 W Platt St, Tampa, FL 33606

Phone:

(813) 251-5750

Hours:

Monday - Friday 12p.m. - 10p.m.

Saturday - Sunday 11a.m. - 10p.m.

PO’P Emily Griewe

Review

aaaaa Emily Griewe Copy Editor

For as long as most adolescents can remember, South Tampa eatery options have been utterly steadfast. Able to be listed on one hand are the choices for meals and even fewer are appealing options for after-dinner delectables. Save a few failed radical ideas (remember Taco Fusion? How about the entire store dedicated to Dippin’ Dots?), hungry students and families have remained doomed to perpetual rituals of eating out at the same restaurants and dessert parlors weekend after weekend.

Mr. Penguin, at 1920 W. Platt St., opened as the newest addition to the quickly transforming

foodie scene of South Tampa in December 2014 near Tijuana Flats. Housed in a building that resembles a retro gas station, Mr. Penguin specializes in “gelati,” a unique twist on ordinary ice cream that layers Italian ice and soft serve in a single cup.

In the later half of 2014 and now continuing into 2015, an explosion of new restaurants seem to be springing up on every street corner from Howard to Ashley, boasting new and alluring, even exotic, concepts. These new hotspots like BurgerFi and Epicurean challenge classics like CDB’s, and Miguel’s. Small businesses like Datz Dough rival large chains like Coldstone.

Driving into the ice creamery parking lot, the size of the building gives the false impression of a spacious inside parlor. However, seating to enjoy a soft serve and Italian ice is available only outside, in a patio with simple tables matching the colorful exterior.

The outdoor seating perfect for hot summer days (and warm January ones), but could present a problem for the few colder days of the year.

In a simple fashion, customers place their order with a friendly

employee at a counter on the side of the building and select either Italian ice, soft serve or the gelati combination. To create a personalized gelati, one first selects an Italian ice for the bottom layer out of a selection varying from savory peanut butter or salted caramel to more fresh and fruity flavors like blueberry, green apple, cherry and more. For the next layer, a soft serve flavor is chosen; vanilla, chocolate or swirled. According to an employee, the most popular combinations are strawberry or mango and vanilla or peanut butter and chocolate. More than 20 flavors tempt customers from a brightly colored menu above the ordering window.

The first dollop of soft serve melts seamlessly across the tongue,the smoothest and creamiest of any ice cream I have experienced. Dipping further into the gelati, the spoon hits the first layer of Italian ice folded into the mixture. The two textures are different but blend together to create a pleasantly cold and even smoother taste than soft serve or Italian ice alone, options also offered at Mr. Penguin.

Ice cream and gelati come in sizes small through large, and a

kids size is available if ordering soft serve alone. However, the free and unlimited samples Mr. Penguin offers during the decision making process are almost filling enough to satisfy a sweet tooth. Prices are far more reasonable than those of chains such as Yogurtology who stingily measure and charge the consumer for every ounce of product. Flat rates of soft serve are a bit more expensive than Dairy Joy, but Mr. Penguin offers a far wider variety of flavors and when you consider the numerous possible combinations of gelati.

Although the aesthetic presents somewhat confusing, bright outside posters and advertisements promoting their products are oddly complemented by a gaping parking lot of bare pavement, the product that Mr. Penguin produces tastes more than satisfying to the frozen cream connoisseur and young children alike, and because of their success at a grand opening event in addition to rampant word of mouth promotion by staff, the new business is likely to keep it’s cool in South Tampa.

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From 3p.m. - 4p.m. free medium sub with purchase of chips and a medium drink

Mr Penguin folds gelati with layers of soft serve and serves 30 unique flavors at a time. The store operated in mid November.

March 2015

14 • Sports

I’ll tell you what...

Buccaneers must pick up Jameis Winston in draft

Column Robby Killette Online Editor-in-Chief Last season after recording a 2-14 record the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the worst team in the NFL. Being the worst team, they will be selecting the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, April 30.

There have been debates on who the Bucs should take with that pick, the top two candidates being FSU quarterback Jameis Winston and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.

I think “Famous Jameis” should be the right pick for the Tampa’s struggling football team. Despite being notorious for having off the field issues, and having a craving for crab legs, Winston is by far the best quarterback prospect not only in the 2015 draft, from the last three drafts.

His ability to make all NFLesque throws, his starting caliber size and pocket presence, brilliant football IQ, to which some NFL scouts compared him to the likes of Peyton Manning, most importantly his history of winning, make him the top quarterback prospect.

He recorded only one loss in 27 total starts in his college career. He has won the National Championship, and the Heisman along with an excess of other prolific awards like being named a consensus All-American and receiving the Walter Camp award

in 2013.

Besides bringing hope to the Buccaneers, Winston would fit the pro style offense perfectly.

When he led FSU to the National Championship his number one passing target was current Panthers receiver 6’5 240 lb Kelvin Benjamin. The Bucs have two receivers who are similar in size and skill to Benjamin, in Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, so it would be a familiar fit for Jameis. Winston recently visited One Buc Place for a meeting with Bucs GM Jason Light.

During the meeting Winston was introduced Vincent Jackson and said that he hopes to be his quarterback one day.

Then, there’s Marcus Mariota.

Mariota has a great personal record off the field. He has won the Heisman, gone to the National Championship game and even beat the Winston-Led FSU Seminoles in the Rose Bowl last season.

So what’s wrong with him?

Well, his passes are inaccurate, has tendencies of a college system quarterback that won’t fit in the NFL, his pocket presence is sub par, his football IQ needs work, he hasn’t called a play since High school and the list just keeps going.

There are upsides to Mariota’s game like his ability to run the ball with blazing speed combined with his 6’4 figure. Mariota is full of potential but, potential takes time to develop and the Bucs don’t have any time to waste.

I’ll tell you what, the Bucs need to draft Jameis Winston. He fits Lovie Smith’s offensive scheme, he’s NFL ready, he was never convicted of small certain crimes.

Plus, as prepared as he may seem Mariota isn’t ready to start in the NFL and his style of play won’t translate over. But who knows, the Bucs will probably just end up taking another darn defensive end.

PO’P Haley Babbitt

Girls on the flag football team practice as they enter the beginning of their season. This is just one of the many practices that has taken place in order to train during the season, which kicks off in March and finishes up in May.

Player preps for flag football Chae Chat Katie Chae Staff Writer Flag football athletes have begun conditioning and preparations for the rest of their season, which takes place throughout March.

The team will prepare to go up against rival teams from other schools and overcome challenges of tough opponents, injuries, and school work. Only with this dedication can they get to the Capital City Classic Tournament in Tallahassee, Fl on April 10 and 11, the District Tournament Games at Robinson High School on April 27 and 29, the Regional Rounds May 2-5, and finally, the state final at Tallahassee May 8 and 9. But first, they will need to achieve the goals they set.

The first flag football game of the season started on Mar. 2 at Bloomingdale High School., and the team is now well under way to begin their route to the postseason.

Kelsey Dimisa, senior has been your biggest Q: What accomplishment? the team for four years A: ...making in a row. got you started into Q: What playing flag football? sister used to play flag footA: My ball. was your biggest Q: What challenge?

A: Learning all the plays. was the best advice you Q: What were given? always keep on trying your A: Tohardest. do you set your goals Q: How when you play? always try to be the best I can be A: Iwhen I play.

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March 2015

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March 2015

Only available online Best Buddies ‘spreads the word to end the word’ Follow Humans of Plant High,

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Allison Figueroa Public Relations It’s a large sheet of butcher paper, royal purple, a color barely visible under hundreds of signatures. President of Best Buddies McKenzie Kennedy sits behind it, dishing out Crunch Bars and other treats to thank students for their pledge to not say the R-word.

“We’re trying to end the use of that offensive word,” Kennedy, senior, said. “Its a nationwide campaign.”

Mar. 4, Best Buddies held their annual pledge promotion to end the ableist word, and there’s no better time; March is Special Needs Awareness month, and Best Buddies is leading the charge to abolish the slur. “[People using the R-word] don’t know how disabled people feel, they think they don’t understand,” Caroline Medina said...

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March Poll What is your favorite dorky dance move?

• The Running Man •The Worm • The Sprinkler • The Cabbage Patch • The Shopping Cart

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PO’P Meg Barrett

Multiple students signed the “Spread the word to end the word” banner during all three lunches, including sophomore Jared Hansen. When the students signed the banner they pledged to stop saying the “R” word.

‘The Duff’ meets expectations as another pass at crude high school humor Nikki Lund Staff Artist

I am very angry at myself for spending $10.69 on such a pile of garbage. I should have known what I was getting myself into after seeing the numerous cringeworthy trailers- a terrible scenario of high school pressure played out by 20-year-olds.

“The Duff ” is set in a suburban high school, with some flipping to the houses of main characters, and without much transition. As for the film itself, it also had little variation from other high school dramas.

The predictability of this movie was so apparent that it was painful. As soon as the lights dimmed and I heard the infamous All-American Rejectsstyle intro music. I knew exactly

what I was in for. The main character delivered her cheeky, overused introduction on her best friends, the hot guy, and herself, accompanied by a series of slides with pictures and those awful notebook paper doodles. It was set up for failure.

The main character, Bianca, with her conventionally attractive face, average body type and pristine eyebrows, is immediately identified as the immensely less attractive element of her triad of friends. One of them a typical white girl yogi and the other a Latina tough girl, whom is subject to many racist jokes.

Bianca is indicated as a “D.U.F.F.” or “Designated Ugly Fat Friend.”

I cannot stress how much...

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Guy D’Alema/CBS Films/TNS

While sitting in a forest, Wesley, actor Robbie Amell, and Bianca, actress Mae Whitman, share a moment. “The Duff” was released Feb 20. as one of the many teen-centric comedy films to be added to the massive pile.