POP May 2014

Pep O’ Plant

May 30, 2014 • H.B. Plant High School • Volume 87 • Issue 9

Welcome to Summer fashion: See how four teens Check out guides to look hotter than the are spending their summer concerts high temperatures summer and movies Page 6 Page 8 & 9 Page 11 - 13

2 • 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

Opinions Editor Bennett Taylor

News Editor Katie Whitson

Features Editor Melissa Jassir

Arts and Entertainment Editor Helen Kahassai

Sports Editor E.V. Phillips

Centerspread Editor Meg Barrett

Photography Editor Haley Babbitt

Public Relations Allison Figueroa

Webmaster

Henry Jetmundsen

Online Editor Morgan Robinson

Business Manager Matt Blydenburgh

Copy Editor Emily Greiwe

Photographer Emalee Herrera

Staff

Haley Billig Ysabella Canto Carson Collins Katherine Gabler

Faculty Adviser Louisa Ogle

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 Ogle’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.

Read Online: www.pepoplant.com Like us on Facebook pepoplant Follow us on Twitter @plantpop Follow us on Pinterest pepoplantnews Follow us on Instagram @pepoplant

May 2014

Sterling intensifies racism debate Neglected sport cases need attention from public

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Matthew Blydenburgh Business Manager

hree days after audio of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling making racist remarks to his mistress were leaked, he was given a fine of $2.5 million, the largest fine in NBA history, as espn.com reports. Sterling was also given a permanent lifetime-ban from all NBA activities.

The chairman of the NBA, Adam Silver, is also moving to force Sterling to sell the Clippers, requiring a three-fourths majority vote from the league’s owners.

Ranging from sports such as professional basketball, football, and soccer, racism has gained notice in recent years. Incidents have ranged from Liverpool’s Luis Suarez’s use of racial slurs towards Manchester United’s Patrice Evra during a match, “... at least 10 times.” theguardian. com reports, to Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper’s drunken racist comments threatening to fight black concert attendees. Though each of these offenders faced monetary punishment for their actions, many cases of discrimination have gone unnoticed or unannounced throughout sports history.

Dating back to the inception of professional sports, most participating teams throughout the world were shocked at the idea of having entirely

integrated teams compete on their playing fields. Segregation remained a prominent issue in sports up until the 1940s when Jackie Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Even after Robinson’s successful career, racist fans, players and coaching staff still showed their biases in cruel displays of despicable remarks and physical action towards players of different races than their own.

However, in many cases of sports, racism is overlooked. High school athletes fail to understand the reasoning behind racism, and have trouble dealing with the feelings associated with discrimination. Professional athletes, and celebrities in general, don’t understand the influence they have over their young fans.

The frequent mis-handling of racism cases in professional sports only furthers the imprinting on students by famous athletes, promoting that hateful comments are okay to say, as long as they go unpunished.

This neglect by both the accused, as well as the accusers, threatens the self-esteem of high school students and the feeling of safety each student deserves every day. Professional sporting associations need to pay closer attention to cases of racism in their businesses, and should be treated as serious as the offense. Reported cases of racism throughout any form of professional sports deserve much closer attention and identification in order to avoid further implications on students’ well being.

“Most professional athletes, and celebrities in general, don’t understand the influence they have over their young fans.”

Too many exams multiply stress County should reevaluate exam requirements Carson Collins Staff Writer Before students can trade in their books for bathing suits this summer, they are put through rigorous tests that can drain their energy and focus.

Many schools are implementing alternative forms to generic tests such as the FCAT and the SAT. A common debate amongst high schoolers is whether students should be tested with both AP exams and final semester exams. Students should not have to be tested on the same material by both AP exams and semester exams AP exams are a vital part of college applications and are essential to any well-rounded student’s official transcript. All year long, students study and prepare for the final examination, referred to as the AP exam, which determines whether or not they will receive credit when enrolled in college. AP exams cause great stress among students, and many decide to not study for every exam and take chances studying for the many different exams on their schedule.

In addition to the stress of AP exams themselves, students are forced to retain the knowledge from their AP classes until almost a month later, when they are tested by the county during final semester examinations.

Except for seniors who qualify for exemptions, all students are required to take all semester exams, including those for which they have already taken an AP exam. Many students argue the fairness of this order and say that they should not be tested on both AP exams and semester exams.

In some Florida counties, such as Orange County, students are not

tested on both AP exams and semester exams. Instead, their grades are made up of their semester work and a much smaller test that counts for a much smaller portion of their grade. This system allows students to focus less on the same material for over a month and focus more on the material in the few weeks leading up to the AP exam.

If this system works in other schools across the nation, why are so many schools still forcing students to take both examinations? Too many students are breaking down by the end of the year and not trying as hard due to the burnout they receive from the frequent testing that makes up the last few months of school. If students were no longer required to be tested on the same material twice, they might be more encouraged to study harder for their AP exams, raising scores and improving their college applications.

This matter could very well be causing many students to break down and tarnish their grades when they are so close to the end of the year.

The last way people want to spend their summers is regretting their exam grades and/or their AP exam scores. In order to decrease stress and increase morale, students should only have to be tested once, on the AP exam, on the knowledge they acquired throughout the year.

Often the mutter of AP or semester exams can cause a teenager to cringe. However, if they were not stressed so much, it may increase their confidence and their work ethic, causing them to come back even stronger in the fall. Hillsborough County should do away with semester exams, and replace them with a smaller test at the end of the year to fill the necessary grade requirement.

May 2014

Opinions • 3

Vending machines generate controversy School food must comply to the new health standards by July 1 Healthy habits Henry Jetmundsen Webmaster Bringing healthier food options into schools has been given serious consideration. Providing students with food that could lead to healthier lives in the future is key to a successful generation.

Plant should be proud to be a part of this initiative by adding healthier options in their vending machines.

This might help students make healthier choices in the future as well as improve their behavior and mood.

Unhealthy diets can lead to obesity, diabetes, heart attacks and many other problems that could be avoided by dietary change. Students may also experience drowsiness when they are on an unhealthy diet. This could affect students lives and grades for the worse.

Michelle Obama has been a large supporter of the new health trend. Since President Barack Obama entered office, his wife has worked to campaign and support providing healthy foods to public school students. She founded the “Let’s Move!” organization that provides a healthy lunch to as many public school students as possible.

Since the official launch of “Let’s Move!” on Feb. 9, 2010, the organization has made it their goal to reduce the popular trend of childhood obesity as much as possible. By the end of 2013, 25 percent of public schools were supported by Let’s Move and they plan to support 90 percent of American public schools by the end of 2018.

By making these changes to the vending machines, students will hopefully make changes for the better in their food choice. People need to recognize that these changes are only for the better.

A majority of the students will probably hate these changes now, but they are a necessary step towards a healthier lifestyle and better habits in the long run.

By the Numbers

100,000

Elementary, middle, and high school students enrolled in the National School Lunch Program

230

Milligrams of sodium allowed in snacks

200

Maximum calories snacks can have under new USDA standards

12

Portion size, in fluid ounces, for beverages Source: smartsnacksinschool.com

Lays for days Emily Greiwe Copy Editor

Since Michelle Obama’s beginnings as First Lady, she has focused on health in our country, specifically the health of America’s youth. In February 2010, she officially announced her initiative to end childhood obesity, the Let’s Move! program. The primary goals of the campaign are to encourage healthier food in schools, improve food labeling and increase physical activity for children.

Only a short 2 months after the new guidelines were published, Plant is already beginning to transform the type of products sold in the vending machines on campus. Many students rely on their afternoon sugar rush supplied by Mountain Dew, or M&Ms to carry them through the day. Soda is no longer an option to purchase, replaced by flavored, sparkling water promoted in conspicuously vague wrappers. Nuts and granola bars are set to slowly creep their way up the shelves from E9 to B4, superseding anything chocolate or containing fake cheese.

However, the obesity crisis in America is not going to be solved by simply placing healthy food options in a glass case. As long as sugary alternatives are available at other locations in the school or from outside vendors, teens will continue to choose the unhealthy packaged foods they’ve been snacking on their entire lives.

The students’ education should be given more attention than the bag of Lays they purchase before 4th period. Instead of putting standards on the snack food sold in America’s schools, the public should advocate for stricter standards on grade level education. Following a plan of action directed towards education, kids and teens will have a complete understanding of why they should consume healthier food and may choose the more nutritious option without being forced by national initiatives.

How do you feel about the changes to the vending machines?

Lauren Lastres, sophomore “I never really bought soda but it probably made a lot of people angry.”

Paul Anderson, junior “I feel indifferent because I don’t drink soda.”

Grant North, junior “I think that it’s not smart because they’re not gonna make as much money.”

Compiled by Haley Billing; Photos by Haley Babbitt

Mindi Neuman, freshman “I don’t like it at all. They would make more money if they kept the junk food. I feel like people don’t go to them anymore.”

May 2014

4 • News

Students opt for alternative schooling A

Katie Whitson News Editor

s students begin to plan their summer activities, dual enrollment at local community colleges and online learning have become increasingly mainstream options.

However, alternative learning, such as enrolling at colleges like Hillsborough Community College (HCC), is a polarizing topic of debate. While many students choose to supplement their high school transcripts over the summer, others caution against stepping outside the bounds of traditional education.

Class ranking is based on weighted GPAs, encouraging students to accumulate credits through dual enrollment and online classes in addition to taking honors and Advanced Placement classes at school.

Guidance counselor Louan Tolbert said, “This year there seems to be more interest in dual enrollment than in the past. Some students are trying to bolster their class rank and others are just taking advantage of the free college credits.”

Credits earned through dual enrollment and online classes apply to college transcripts. The fee waivers provided to dual-enrolled students make college classes free. Some students may choose alternative educational opportunities in

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order to focus on extracurricular activities.

Junior Ally Donahue has taken six classes through Florida Virtual School (FLVS) in order to make time for swimming. Donahue said, “Online learning is hit or miss. You have to be really dedicated to doing your work to survive.”

However, many students are skeptical about the benefits of alternative learning.

Junior Jackson Hill chooses to take additional classes through FLVS, but does not support dual enrollment. Hill said, “It takes away from the high school experience. Extra classes are fine to an extent, but it shouldn’t be the only thing to focus on.”

Recent trends support the claim that education is in the process of becoming more virtual. More traditional fouryear colleges have begun offering online courses in the past few years. According to the Tampa Bay Times, $119 million in 2011 tax revenues was allotted to FLVS programs and the state of Florida now requires each student to complete an online course in order to graduate.

Guidance counselor Cheryl Hardy said, “I think it’s a good thing for the right person. Just remember that the grades you earn will affect your college GPA. Make sure you can do well in the classes that you choose.”

I think it’s a good thing to have college experience. It’s still just a class. You get to have a different teacher.

– Jack Walker, junior

Are you eligible for dual enrollment?

Visit the Guidance office today to inquire • List an alternate class in case your first choice is unavailable (alternate courses must be approved).

• The earlier you apply the better.

• Students limited to 9 hours per semester.

• Students must maintain a high school GPA of 3.0 and an HCC GPA of 2.0 to remain eligible.

• One (1) attempt per dual enrollment course (including withdrawals) – don’t blow it!

• The grades you earn in these classes will forever be part of your college transcripts. Do your best!

I think it’s alright, but you shouldn’t be valedictorian if you take classes at HCC and never come to school. You should be at school for most of the day.

– Avery Bilodeau, junior

source: PHS Guidance Department

Dual enrollment is an alternative option... but I choose not to dual enroll because I enjoy the student life I am involved in here at Plant.

– Landon Turner, junior

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May 2014

News • 5

Teens relay against cancer E

Katherine Gabler Staff Writer

senior, had renovated. They allowed people to tour the inside of the bus as they grilled hot-dogs and cheeseburgers outside. “Relay was so much fun and I especially enjoyed seeing all the people and all the activities at the tents”, Honor Garrett, junior, said.

Later in the night, with all the lights turned off, everyone gathered around to watch the Luminaria Ceremony, in order to remember those who have lost the battle to cancer, those who are still fighting, and those who have survived and that they want to honor. Two words, HOPE and CURE, shone brightly on the bleachers as everyone walked one lap in silence, and they continued to burn along with the other luminarias until the morning. Hannah Archer, junior, said, “We like the luminaria ceremony because it gives hope and brings everyone together under one common goal.”

Many students decided to stay and spend the night at the event, while others left in the evening. In either case, as the Relay for Life saying goes, “Cancer never sleeps,” so it is up to the public to raise funds and awareness for cancer treatments.

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very year in cities across the United States, the Relay for Life movement helps to raise funds for the American Cancer Society to aid discovery of cures and treatments for cancer patients. This year, many interest clubs are choosing to be a part of this movement including SADD, Beta Chi and FCA, Delphi, and the Danceros. Service clubs like Zeta, Kiwi and La Sertoa, Delphi, and Anchor are also joining together to help support this growing movement. Michelle Moore, Zeta sponsor, said, “Relay for Life is an amazing opportunity for students to see people directly impacted by the funds they raise for the event, and it is also powerful because it honors those who have lost their battle to cancer.”

At each Relay for Life event, people of different backgrounds share their stories and come together to fight for the similar cause: finding a cure cancer. Some, like junior Savannah Walker feel a connection to the cause

because a family member or a loved-one has been affected by the disease. Walker said, “I’ve had family members and friends who have lost the battle to cancer. I do it not to only remember them, but so that I can help people.”

This year, Relay for Life was hosted on Friday, May 9, and ended later the next morning on May 10, at Robinson High School’s track and field. With 714 participants and 60 teams, this year’s Tampa Relay for Life event raised over $94,000 to help fund cancer research and treatment methods.

With a variety of different activities, an array of food, and other crafts and products to buy, this Relay event had it all. Hope Shields, freshman, said, “I enjoyed eating all the food and playing the different games.” One of the fun activities was a corn-hole tournament put on by FCA and Beta Chi, which the winner received a $50 gift card to Sports Authority. This year’s winner was science teacher, John Feeley.

The Delphi service club showcased a school bus that owners Olivia Kalpakis, junior, and Robert Binkowski,

Participants line up to decorate and buy colorful mason jars from Kiwi and La Sertoa. All of the proceeds went to funding cancer research and treatments.

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Sophomores Caroline Carter and Isabella Moya assist Zeta sponsor Michelle Moore in selling ice cream at Relay for Life. They were one of many clubs to participate in the event.

Juniors Hannah Archer and Nikki Cobb spend the evening at Relay for Life. The event began at 6 p.m. on May 9 and ended 18 hours later.

Juniors Landon Turner and Honor Garrett set up the FCA volunteer tent.

Robinson High School hosted the event.

May 2014

6 • Features

Hot temperatures influence fashion trends Season brings bright colors

Junior Marissa Johnson wears a bright colored dress, long, champagne colored cardigan and royal blue staple necklace.

Helen Kahassai Arts & Entertainment Editor Every year fashion changes, new trends appear, and some old styles make modern reappearances. So, put away the fuzzy, over-sized winter sweater and pick up a radiant sun dress.

Rose Shimkus, employee at {A} Haleys Boutique said, “This season summer dresses, cocktail dresses, and maxi dresses are in.”

Floral and tribal patterns have gained popularity along with colorful,vibrant shirts. “Floral [clothing] is cute and bright and happy so no matter how overdone, it’s still good,” Nikki Lund, junior, said.

This summer, there are tactics to stay stylish even in the sweltering Florida heat.

Sheer layering styles and crop tops have been consistently featured in prominent fashion publications including Elle, Lucky, and Glamour magazines. The upcoming summer season is predicted to bring new interpretations. “Crop tops were supposed to be a fad, but we’ve gotten a lot of them lately,” Shimkus said.

The new season offers opportunities to also express a love for color through bold colors and pastels. “Turquoise, orange, and yellow are colors that are in right now. Staple necklaces and turquoise jewelry is a big trend,” Shimkus said.

Summer trends for boys are similar to the girls, for example,bold colors and the numerous style of prints are common. “This summer is all about creative prints and bold colors. You’re going to see a lot of Aztec prints, Indian print and floral prints. You’re also going to see bold colors and some neons. Printed tank tops are in this season and apparently chubbies are as well,” Jachai Dejesus, sophomore, said.

Scan Here: pepoplantnews

Scan here to for a Pinterest board that has ideas for summer fashion, including accessories, casual dresses, and tanks for boys.

or visit pinterest.com/pepoplantnews

Students share summer style What’s your go-to style for the summer?

“My style for summer would be Aztec prints and neon colors to make my tan stand out more in the summer sun.”

Kate McDuffy, freshman “I would wear something simplistic, loose, color coordinated, Jordans, a hat, and a watch.”

Eric Sardinas, sophomore “During the summer I wear light colors and light-weight clothes to be cool and cute.”

Ashley Dempsey, sophomore

PO’P Helen Kahassai Sophomore, Jachai Dejesus wears pastel shorts, floral tee, and accessorizes with a gold watch and mustard yellow shirt around his waist.

“I would wear a cute summer floral dress with some simple sandals or high waisted shorts with a colored crop top.”

Nora Richardson, junior Compiled by Helen Kahassai

May 2014

Features • 7

Study techniques key to final success Jessica Jagodzinski Print Editor in Chief AP exams have passed and the constant stream of movies in class has begun. The end is near. June 6 marks the end of the school year, but before summer students have to pass the last educational obstacle: finals.

Underclassmen and select seniors are required to show they have learned something in the past 36 weeks, or at least pretend they did by memorizing their notes the days before the test. There are local hot spots available for a quiet, intense, or all-day study session.

pepoplantnews

Panera Bread hhhhg There are three Panera Bread Restaurants within a 5-mile radius of school. There is an average amount of seating, offering both indoor and outdoor seating at each location.

Opening at 5:30 a.m. on most weekdays, it is possible to stay all day with access to free WiFi and the option of pricey food from a full bakery and restaurant.

However, the latest the restaurant stays open is 9 p.m.

112 West Shore Blvd.

(Mon-Sat) 6 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

(Sun) 7 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

A collection of tips, techniques, and resources to aid studying for finals

709 South Howard Ave. (Mon-Sat ) 6 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

(Sun) 7 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Starbucks hhhhg A limitless supply of caffeine is what is offered when studying in a coffee shop. However, seating is ‘first come, first served’ due to the small size of most Starbucks. The menu offers a limited selection of food but the plentiful coffee is reasonably priced. Wi-Fi is free and shops remain open late until 11 p.m.

Locations are dispersed throughout the South Tampa area, including shops on Westshore Boulevard and Bay to Bay Boulevard.

118 S Westshore Blvd (Sun-Thurs, Sat) 5 a.m. - 11 p.m.

(Fri) 5:15 a.m. - 11 p.m.

3409 Bay to Bay Blvd (Sun-Sat) 5 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Local Library hhhgg Slow Wi-Fi, occasional lack of air conditioning, and noisy children are what is to be expected when visiting a local library.

Bringing food inside the building is unacceptable and the library’s alternative is stale food located in the vending machine. Though, there are multiple tables, couches, and computer stations to study at.

Around finals week, there are more people situated in the library, somehow able to study because of the studious library atmosphere.

Jan Platt Regional Library 3910 Manhattan Ave. (Sun) 12:30 - 5 p.m.

(Mon-Wed) 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

(Thurs) 12 - 8 p.m.

(Fri-Sat) 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Barnes & Noble hhhgg Barnes & Noble has developed into an effective center for the academic community as it is one of the largest bookstore chains in the United States. The standard Barnes & Noble offers quiet spots ideal for studying throughout the store, free Wi-Fi, and hosts a Barnes & Noble Café placed next to a larger section of tables and chairs.

The Café serves Starbucks brand coffee and a variety of high calorie food. At the end of the school year, the bookstore sees an influx of tutors and tutees; thus, getting a place study can become difficult.

213 N Dale Mabry (Sun) 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

(Mon-Thurs) 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.

(Fri-Sat) 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Home For the student with no car, no money, and no way to escape the limitless procrastination opportunities that come with working from a bedroom, studying at home can be a struggle.

Though, staying home typically provides a stressing teenager with a supply of food and a good Wi-Fi connection, family life can interfere with maintaining a strong focus. With the use of headphones, smart phone applications such as Coffitivity can provide a mix of the “calm and commotion” matching sounds heard in a coffee house. Spotify and 8tracks hosts a collection of popular play lists to study to. It’s up to the stay-athome student to create the effective workspace.

Places to Study W Kennedy Blvd.

W Swann Ave.

S Howard Ave.

S Himes Ave.

S Dale Mabry Hwy

S Manhattan Ave.

Westshore Blvd.

W Palmira Ave.

Bay to Bay Blvd.

Euclid Ave. PO’P Compiled

by Jessica Jessica Jagodzinski Jagodzinski

May 2014

Rower assists beginners

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I would enjoy sharing the sport with others and I know that I can really get them excited about the sport.

– Kevin Howlett

PO’P Haley Babbitt

8 • Centerspread

Haley Babbitt Photography Editor Summer break is a time a lot of students use to work on earning the service hours they need to receive the Bright Futures Scholarship.

There are so many options when it comes to choosing an avenue for volunteer work, and if time and effort is put into it, one can find opportunities that could either be enjoyable or provide them with skills they will be able to apply later in life.

Kevin Howlett, junior, will be gaining service hours this summer through his crew team.

“I plan on earning hours by going to learn to row camps and assisting new rowers in learning about the sport and how to start rowing over summer break,” he said.

The camp is for new rowers, both incoming freshmen and upperclassmen who are uneducated about the sport Participants are introduced to daily routines and workouts they will partake in when the sport begins in the fall.

The returning rowers are encouraged to assist in training the beginners for service hours, not only to make the beginners feel more comfortable but also to keep them active throughout the summer so that the team can maintain their intensity for the upcoming season.

Howlett is passionate about the sport and is excited to teach novices.“I want to earn hours that way because I love to row and spend a significant portion of my time rowing. I would enjoy sharing the sport with others and I know that I can really get them excited about the sport,”

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he said.

If a volunteer opportunity interests a person, acquiring the minimum hours for Bright Futures, 100, may not seem as difficult. Howlett plans on knocking out 50 service hours through the learn to row camps, leaving him half way to his goal.

There are a lot of different opportunities out there to accommodate each person’s unique interests.

Junior referees paintball PO’P Morgan Robinson

Meg Barrett Centerspread Editor

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Anders Carey, junior, will be spending his summer at Orbital Paintball in Thonotosassa, Florida.

He is a referee, meaning that he is assigned to a group of people for most of the day. Carey teaches them how to play and what the safety rules are, and he keeps their games running smoothly.

“I actually got a job offer originally because I have been playing at the field so long,” Carey said. He has been working at Orbital Paintball for almost two years.

“I really like introducing people to paintball. Some of the groups really enjoy it and decide to get their own gear and make it a regular thing. It is awesome to get to help them have a great time,” Carey said.

“There’s a great community of guys who play a lot.”

Carey begins his day at 9 a.m. by setting up the inflatable field and preparing the rental gear, like the

markers, or paintball guns, the paintballs, and the masks, and getting it ready for use. Then, after distributing the gear to the players, he works as the referee to a group of paintballers. Carey enforces the rules, such as making sure that everybody keeps their masks on.

“Then when we’re ready to close,” Carey said, “I put the gear away, deflate the inflatables, and empty all of the trash barrels into the dumpster.”

This summer, Carey will be working the paintball camps, along with the weekday reservations and weekend walk-ons.

“It [working at Orbital Paintball] is an opportunity to be a leader and it’s a lot of fun,” he said.

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It is an opportunity to be a leader and it’s a lot of fun.

– Anders Carey

May 2014

Centerspread • 9

PO’P Morgan Robinson

Student wears overalls for 30 days

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A lot of my friends have told me that they hear people saying they think it’s gross or weird.

– Avery Bilodeau Meg Barrett Centerspread Editor

In the mountains of Andrews, North Carolina is Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters (SWO), a summer camp focused on helping teenagers begin or mature in their Christian faith. Avery Bilodeau, junior, enjoyed his first time at SWO so much that he will be returning on June 9 for his second year.

“I enjoy going to the camp because it’s honestly a break from everything. All of the walls we have built up and the cliques we associate with are broken down,” Bilodeau said. “I met so many people the first time I went to SWO, and I’m friends with people I never thought I’d be friends with.”

The camp helps the students deal with many of the cultural and personal issues that they face on a daily basis.

The counselors and staff equip the campers with the knowledge they need to manage the problems they encounter by incorporating their faith into their decisions.

SWO is also recognized for its recreational activ-

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ities.

“They jam-pack your schedule to make sure that you’re never bored,” Bilodeau explained. Activities at the camp include white water rafting and tubing in the surrounding rivers, zip-lining, and mountain biking. “SWO provides you with ample opportunities to have a good time with your friends.”

“The first year I went, I accepted Christ, so I’m excited to head back this year and see all the change that’s happened [in me],” Bilodeau said.

Bilodeau had such a great time at camp, and he’s agreed to wearing the same pair of overalls for 30 days in order to attend SWO for free. At his student ministry, those planning on attending the camp could sign up for the opportunity to sport a pair of white overalls, and he was one of the lucky two chosen.

“A lot of my friends have told me that they hear people saying they think it’s gross or weird that I wear them everyday, but at the same time, I’ve gotten a lot of support from unexpected people,” he said.

Bilodeau sported the overalls decorated with paint and signatures of friends until his 30 days ran out on May 27.

Teen travels to Europe Traveling over the summer gives students a chance to take a break from their day to day environment and explore other areas in which they normally do not have the time to see.

This summer, Derek Thomas, AP Language and Composition teacher, and Stephanie Sharpe, AP English Literature teacher, plan to take a group of 50 rising seniors on a European excursion. Those chosen to attend the trip were enrolled in the American Studies class, including student Alexa Ruiz.

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out of the country. Others, like Ruiz, have been and are using this trip to further their knowledge from a different approach.

“I went to Europe last year and did a lot of sightseeing with my family. I decided to go back to get a different take on things because we’re going to see more historical stuff.”

Ruiz said.

The trip begins on June 11 and lasts until June 20. The group plans to visit London, England and Dublin, Ireland.

It will help me to appreciate the literary works we will read next year.

– Alexa Ruiz

PO’P Haley Babbitt

Haley Babbitt Photography Editor

Going to Europe with two English teachers, the students will learn a lot about the European literature that had a part in the formation of the great American Pieces currently used in the English curriculum.

Many of the students going are excited because they have been learning about some of these authors throughout the school year and will be gaining knowledge on other authors whom they will be taught about next year.

They will be able to further their understandings of these authors through real life experiences. “I hope to learn about the different authors we will talk about. It will help me to appreciate the literary works we will discuss next year.” Ruiz said.

“Going to different countries with my best friends is super exciting. Also Mr. Thomas and Ms. Sharpe are the best teachers to go with, and I think it’ll be cool to see firsthand where some of the most famous writers did some of their best work.” Ruiz said.

Some of the students going have never before been

May 2014

10 • Features

Rising seniors break records before their final year begins

Academics -GPA: 5.8 -Member of Mu Alpha Theta, Latin Honor Society, National Honor Society, Beta Honor Society and the Order of the Gold and Black

Board Positions -NHS President -Sergeant at Arms for the Order of The class of 2015 is made up of a the Gold and Black variety of award-winning and even -FCA Board record-breaking students. This incoming -Senior Class President senior class is one that has already set the standard incredibly high for classes to Extracurriculars follow. “This year’s class has astonished -Captain of the basketball team me with their brilliance and work ethic. -Member of Executive Board They’re my favorite,” Derek Thomas, AP Community Service Lang teacher said. Juniors have broken records for their individual sports, been -Member of Key Service Club recognized for their academic ability, and -Participates in monthly FCA carried their teams all the way to state service visiting housing projects -Volunteers at Moffitt Cancer championship titles.

Center over the summer -Helped run the Plant Youth Basketball Camp Morgan Robinson Online Content Editor

Future Plans -Current Top College Choices: Duke, Columbia -Wants to go pre-med and study to be a neurosurgeon or a neurooncologist Fun Facts -Favorite show: “Spongebob Squarepants” -Favorite movie: “The Other Guys” (and he can quote every line, beginning to end) -Will go to Tijuana Flats over any restaurant -Is a Florida Gator fan -Is deathly afraid of snakes -Wants to go to Australia more than any place in the world

“Our class is just a really competitive class built on all the extremely talented kids who excel in every aspect of life.”

-Chip Stern, junior

Rachel Goding

Academics -GPA: 5.48 -Member of National Honor Society, Beta Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society, Science Honor Society, National English Honor Society and the Order of the Gold and Black

PO’P Morgan Robinson

2015 Chip Stern

Juniors set pace for class of

Community Service -Member of La Sertoa Service Club -Started an art class at a non-profit organization for homeless high school students with junior Sam Fowler -Member of Teens in Action class of 2011-2012 - Worked with the Crisis Center and their Take Back the Night event -Leading the 2014 La Sertoa Relay for Life team

Board Positions -Executive Morale Officer for Chorus Future Plans -Spirit for La Sertoa -Projects Coordinator for the Order of the Gold and -Current Top College Choices: Vanderbilt, Furman, UNC Chapel Hill, UVA Black -Her goal is to work at a great breakfast/brunch place in college -Interested in studying Science/Health, especially Extracurriculars Occupational Therapy -Works as an assistant in kids’ art classes at Beth Kokol Arts Fun Facts -Pole Vault: school record holder (broke it 4 times -Can draw caricatures sophomore year), 2013 St. Pete Times Athlete of the Week, 2013 4A FHSAA State Runner-Up, 2014 -Will climb a tree on command County Champion, 2014 District Champion (4A), -Great impressionist -Persuaded her parents to get her a pet hedgehog 2014 Regional Runner-Up (4A) -Chorus: voted “Most Dedicated” in her class freshman year, member of Varsity Women’s Chorus, received a Superior rating at Solo MPAs (2014)

“Senior year will give me a chance to get involved in the school deeper than ever and I can’t wait to see what being top dog brings.”

-Rachel Goding, junior

May 2014

Arts & Entertainment • 11

Drama department thrills audience Carson Collins Staff Writer

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Light glitches and lack of air conditioning could not hinder the performance by the talented cast of “Go MAD”. The Drama department is known for putting on outstanding pieces of work from varying genres, from religious musicals such as “Godspell” to fantasy plays such as ‘Alice vs. Wonderland’.

Drama students have been tirelessly working for the last few months in order to make “Go MAD” a success. Following auditions, students had required after school rehearsals in order to make this show spectacular. Kimberly Richardson worked with the students in order to fine tune their skills before they hit the stage.

“Go MAD’” centers on the lives of ambitious,talented teenagers trying to survive in a world dominated by competition and jealousy. The students of Music Acting Dance (MAD) are training to be the world’s top performers in their chosen field of profession. The play follows the lives of Ruth, Bogota, Nikos, Sharon, Jeff and Lois, a group of high school friends juggling their rigorous schedules with their hectic social lives.

The director, Kimberly Richardson, was approached with the idea of ‘Go MAD’ by Elizabeth Edelson. Edelson is the sister of Barry Robins, the writer and creator of the original television pilot for this production. Edelson proposed adapting the television show for the PHS stage.

The Plant adaption for ‘Go MAD’ involved the simultaneous stories of sophomores and juniors at the prestigious school. The performance had two casts, black and gold, in order to display the talent of the entire drama department.

One of the main characters, Ruth Johnson (portrayed by Marissa Sandler, sophomore, and Gabrielle Sosa, senior) struggles to find her passion in acting and the real reason she wants to make the “big time.” At her side is Jeff (played by Nick Satanach, senior, and D.J. Broyles, sophomore) an aspiring dancer who hopes to help Ruth realize her dreams.

Sharon, a very promising ballerina, and Nikos, Sharon’s boyfriend, battle balancing their time dedicated to their craft and the time they have for each other. Also in the fold is Bogota, PO’P Carson Collins a musician and “chocolate heiress” from South America and Lois, a frazzled, yet dedicated Senior Anthony Castano, senior Nick Russo, senior Nick Santanach, sophomore D.J. Broyies sing “Don’t Bring Me Down.” This was the final drama performance on the Plant stage for seniors. actress.

“Go MAD” was a perfect way to end the drama season. It excited the audience and engaged them with a tale of modern teenage struggles. The cast effectively relayed a dramatic message through their exceptional talents in singing, acting and dancing. As the acting program loses its graduating senior thespians, it prepares for another promising year under the spotlight of the stage.

To see more “Go MAD” pictures visit pepoplant.com

PO’P Jessica Jagodzinski

Hashtag concert photos with #POPshows and you could be featured in the next issue of the Pep O’ Plant!

May 2014

12 • Arts & Entertainment

Spiderman swings into theaters Bennett Taylor Opinions Editor Comic book adaptations are overwhelming theaters with varying degrees of production value and story lines, while sequels appear like pop-ups on a sketchy website.

Yet, Marc Webb delivers a sequel with depth and personality with “The Amazing Spiderman 2”. Starring Andrew Garfield as a humorous, passionate Peter Parker and Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, a phenom who somehow is still in high school, this sequel uses sly jokes and interesting story revelations to propel the plot.

This PG-13 film showed a more complex, conflicting storyline without a sexualized charge that dominates modern film,a refreshing twist to recent blockbusters. Romance and relationships serve as a major theme in this Spiderman film, as Spiderman’s main plot has been in any film adaptation; a conflict between Peter Parker’s love for Gwen and the need to protect the dark area of New York.

The only area of the city shown is Times Square and a power grid, as well as Peter Parker’s quiet suburban home.

As the story progressed, characters proved dynamic. The two villains of the movie, Electro and the Green Goblin, begin as innocent workers of the evil Osgood Corporation. Even the minor characters, such as Aunt May and Gwen, develop along with the events in the story, something which is missed in other modern films. The refreshing touch of these dynamic characters differentiated this

film from most action films from the past few years.

As filmmakers and audiences alike push for more special effects, producers often appear to overshoot the capacity of their production teams. Action scenes and high-tech worlds turn into cheap looking, overused effects, such as the offices featured in “Spiderman”, where every surface is a touch screen. If one of the employees rests his or her head on a table, only to flip into multiple screens flashing in front of his or her eyes, the whole system of the company could be taken down by snoozing workers.

The movie debuted with $92 million over opening weekend, proving that modern sequels can yield a high quality plot line with developed characters and complex themes. The biggest credit should go to the writers, who masterfully were able to present the conflict of Peter Parker versus himself and Peter Parker versus random villains with powers ranging from huge suits of body armor to electric powers that were, frankly, shocking.

With a strong plot, deep characters, and quality special effects, “The Amazing Spiderman 2” proved to provide a quality sequel, which likely will lead to a third film. The only flaw appeared in the final scenes, which appeared a little cliché. Even so, this scene proved to be tiny in comparison to the overall production value of the movie. If the writers of this series continue to churn out complex story lines, viewers will still flock to their local AMC theatre to watch Spiderman swing across the friendly community of New York.

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DC, Marvel franchises battle for fans Robby Killette Online Editor in Chief To some, the argument of DC comics against Marvel Comics is too geeky or nerdy for them to care. But to others,it’s worth the debate. Detective Comics, more commonly known as DC Comics,produced the three highest rated superhero movies, according to IMDB. The three movies are from the same series: “Batman Begins”, “The Dark Knight” and “The Dark Knight Returns”. Marvel has come close, but none of their films have reached the high standards set by movies in the Batman trilogy.

Before there were movies and TV shows about superheroes, the only way to experience some crime-fighting fun was by reading comic books. DC was founded in 1934 and their first book “The Big Comic Magazine #1” was published in 1935.

DC also created Superman, who is arguably the most

popular superhero in history.

There are many more aspects of the DC franchise that intrigue fans. One thing that readers enjoy is that all events throughout the DC universe correspond with each other. Say a character dies or aliens invades Earth, that event will be relevant in the next Green Lantern comic and the next Flash comic. Also while keeping the fan’s imagination running, DC relates their characters to the people in real life. For example, Bruce Wayne (Batman) had to grow up as an orphan after his parents were murdered in an alley after a play. So despite being a superhero, Batman’s life isn’t perfect and never was. Most DC characters go through tragedy sometime in their life just like most readers nowadays.

There are plenty of arguments that support each side, but when it comes down to it, DC towers overs Marvel for the best comic company.

Jessica Jagodzinski Print Editor in Chief

Clay Enos/DC Comics/MCT

Marvel Entertainment Inc./MCT

A sequel, prequel, and completely new franchise are all premiering summer 2014, courtesy of the thriving Marvel Comics.

Starting in 1939, Marvel Comics has created and evolved new characters with the aid of the legendary Stan Lee, creator of superhero icons such as Spiderman, Thor, and members of X-Men and the Avengers.

Marvel characters have unique story lines and are used as symbols for real-life, controversial issues. For example, the X-Men franchise can be seen as a continuous analogy to racial discrimination. Marvel has captured their audience’s attention by compelling them to relate to the storyline. The same effect is not accomplished by DC Comics, which is why their superhero franchises are suffering.

However, according to IMDB, “The Avengers” is

ranked third on the list of highest-grossing films in the United States ever. The Marvel flick earned over $623 million, outselling all other superhero action movies.

The seventh X-Men movie, “X-Men: Days of Future Past”, was released in May, a testament to the continuing loyalty of the fans.

Premiering in April, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” earned an impressive 89 percent critics rating according to Rotten Tomatoes.

The newest addition to the Marvel Multi-verse is marked by the upcoming release of “Guardians of The Galaxy”, and excitement is already building among fans of the comics and new superhero seeking moviegoers.

Marvel Comics has not been perfect in their movie making decisions, as seen in the Fantastic Four movies, though they have never released any movie as overwhelmingly disappointing as “Man of Steel”.

May 2014

Arts & Entertainment • 13

Fans eagerly await release of ‘The Fault in Our Stars’

Meg Barrett Centerspread Editor Bibliophiles are anxiously awaiting yet another bookto-movie adaptation to be released in theaters on June 6.

“The Fault in Our Stars,” based on the New York Times best-selling novel by John Green, tells the story of a Hazel, played by Shailene Woodley, a teenage cancer patient who is forced by her parents to attend a support group. Once there, she meets and falls in love with Augustus Waters, played by Ansel Elgort, who happens to be in remission.

Woodley and Ansel play love interests in this film, but in “Divergent,” another young-adult book-turned-movie, the two play siblings. Woodley joked that it wasn’t weird at all because she’d always wondered what it would be like to kiss her brother, resulting in raucous laughter from the rest of the cast.

The movie also stars Nat Wolff as Isaac, Sam Trammell and Laura Dern as Hazel’s parents, and Willem Dafoe as Peter van Houten, Hazel’s favorite author.

The book was released in 2012 and quickly climbed to

the number one spot on the New York Times’ best-sellers list. “The Fault in Our Stars” is Green’s most recent work.

Two of his other novels, “Looking for Alaska” and “Paper Towns” have also been on the New York Times best-seller list. “Paper Towns” is also set to made into a motion picture, starring Wolff as the protagonist, Quentin.

The title “The Fault in Our Stars” refers to the line in Julius Caesar, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves…” meaning that bad things don’t happen because of fate or destiny, but rather because of something said person did. Green chose the title because some things, like having cancer, don’t happen for any particular reason, but instead are “in the stars.”

“The Fault in Our Stars” merchandise has increased in popularity, including the phone cases, t-shirts, and key chains, all donning Hazel and Augustus’s trademark motto: “Okay?” “Okay.”

The movie was given a PG-13 rating, due to “some sexuality and brief strong language.” Soundtrack is now available on iTunes.

Coming to a theater near you!

The Sacrament

Rated R June 6

Edge of Tomorrow

Rated PG-13 June 6

22 Jump Street

Rated PG-13 June 13

The Signal

Rated PG-13 June 13

Think Like a Man Too

Rated PG-13 June 20

Jersey Boys

Rated R June 20

The Rover

Rated R June 27

Snow Piercer

Rated R June 27

Earth to Echo

Rated PG July 2

Tammy

Rated R July 4

Planes: Fire & Rescue

Rated PG July 18

What If

Rated PG-13 August 1

Netflix adds new shows, higher prices Allison Figueroa Public Relations Anyone who watched the tenth anniversary streaming of “Mean Girls” on Netflix can sit with us. If not, don’t worry. Every month, Netflix changes the movies and shows on instant streaming and replaces them with fresh, unwatched visual goodies.

Unfortunately, if a person is not already subscribed to Netflix, watching these newly added shows will cost an additional few dollars, according to a statement released by the company.

“We have greatly improved our content selection (in the U.S.) since we introduced our streaming plan in 2010 at $7.99 per month,” the statement said. “Our current view is to do a one- or two-dollar increase, depending on the country, later this quarter for new members only.”

A few extra bucks probably wouldn’t deter the company’s dedicated television enthusiasts, especially since Netflix is experiencing a profitable growth spurt. In the first quarter of 2014, the company gained four million subscribers. With such tremendous growth in the company, it’s no wonder why they would want to cash in on Netflix newbies.

Whether an individual is a longtime subscriber, or will have to pay extra money to stream these new shows, no one can deny the influence of Netflix, causing large populations to ‘marathon’, or watch entire seasons of a show in one weekend.

Netflix entertains people from all walks of life, and promotes togetherness under a communal love of television. It’s basically a big cake filled with rainbows and smiles that everyone eats and it makes them happy.

Throughout summer, catch all these great titles and more. Revisit some newly added seasons of old shows, catch up before the fall premieres, or show someone else a favorite series.

PO’P Allison Figueroa

May 2014

14 • Sports

Student races through records

EV Phillips Sports Editor

FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) hosted the Florida Track and Field state finals in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, May 3. Track and field runner Jack Guyton, junior, not only broke school records for Plant in both the 1600 Meter and 3200 Meter runs, but also became the state champion in both events.

In the 1600 meter race, more commonly known as the mile, he placed first with a school record time of 4:11.

Later, Gutyon broke another school record, gaining another state champion title.

He competed in the 3200 meter race, a distance twice the length of his first run, and finished with a time of 9:20. “It felt like all the hard work paid off,” Guyton said, recalling his immediate reaction to winning both races.

A lot of preparation and training goes into preparing for some of the biggest races of the year. “Mentally, I try to stay focused and ‘get in the zone’. Physically, I hydrate and warm

up my muscles by stretching and doing a bunch of drills,” Guyton said.

Bryan Garcia, the coach of the long-distance runners on the Track and Field team, has played a large role in assisting Guyton throughout the season. “This track season was a challenging, yet very gratifying year,” said Garcia. “Jack is such a great runner, he has so much potential and heart. His season was a very special one.”

As a junior, Guyton still has one final year to run for the Track and field team.

Before another season of track, Guyton will be running for the cross country team in hopes of competing in a playoff season. “He ran tough and impressively at the state meet and will continue to get better as he goes on to his senior year,” said Coach Garcia.

Before beginning another season of competition, there is a long gap in the summer that is dedicated completely to training. “Jack’s gonna run a lot more this summer, and his experience will help him improve as well,” teammate Rob Leverone, sophomore, said.

Guyton has a few goals the year. “Run further and faster, train harder, and give more of an effort,” Guyton said.

Courtesy of Bryan Garcia

Jack Guyton celebrates with long distance track and field coach Bryan Garcia after winning in both the 1600m and 3200m races. Guyton broke school records in both of these events.

This year in sports Baseball

Girls Basketball

Became District champions Participated in the District before reaching and being championship before being eliminated in the Regional eliminated in the first semi-finals. round of the State playoffs.

Flag Football

Football

Boys Basketball

Boys Cross Country

Girls Cross Country

Reached the District semi-finals.

Became champions in Districts and Regionals before reaching States and placing 15th.

Became champions in Districts and Regionals before going to states and placing 6th.

Golf

Boys Lacrosse

Girls Lacrosse

Became District champions Became District champions Undefeated in the regular Became District champions before reaching and being before becoming eliminated season before going on to before reaching the in the semi-finals of the become District champions second round of the State eliminated in Regionals.

State playoffs. and place 10th in states.

Tournament and losing.

Softball

Swimming

Went on to Districts before being eliminated in the District semi-finals.

The girls became District champions and Western Conference champions and the boys team became District champions.

Tennis

Track and Field

Undefeated in the regular season. Went on to become District champions before losing in the first round of the State Tournament.

Volleyball

The girls team placed Runners Jack Guyton and Became District champions second in the State Carlos Andino raced in the before being eliminated in championship and the 1600m at States. Guyton the first round of the State boys team became District placed first in the 1600m as playoffs. champions. well as the 3200m.

Compiled by Bennett Taylor and EV Phillips

May 2014

Football team springs into action

Sports • 15

‘On ye mighty Panthers!’

Carson Collins Staff Writer Some students spend their summers on the beach, others spend them on exotic vacations to all corners of the world, but the members of the football team spend their summer days on the field.

Spring/Summer training has officially begun at Plant, and this year, players are out for blood. Their 2013 season ended in a 29-45 loss to Apopka High in the FHSAA State Semifinal. The 2013-2014 squad made great improvements following their 2012-2013 season that ended in a heartbreaking loss in the regional semifinal. The same strides can be hoped for as the new season approaches.

The 2014-2015 team, which will feature over 40 returning players, will be out to reclaim the 8A State Championship title for the first time in three years.

Coach Robert Weiner says, “It’s exciting to

PO’P Carson Collins

Football players line up for a play at the Gold and Black Game. The Gold and Black Game took place on May 16 at Dad’s Stadium and gave players a look at the potential roster for the football season in the fall.

NBA Playoffs heat up

Though NCAA’s March Madness has finished, basketball fans are still watching games and following brackets, through the start of the NBA Playoffs April 19.

The NBA playoffs cause a surge in viewership to a massive extent. Though this can be good for the league’s overall viewership and popularity, it can create a dilemma through people that pretend to be die-hard fans of a team, who are most popularly known as “bandwagon fans”. “If [a fan’s] team is no longer in the running it’s understandable for them to root for someone else, but if they claim to be anything more than a band-wagoner, it’s not cool” Carl Rhodes, sophomore, said.

Teams in the playoffs are seeded, much like qualifying teams in the NCAA Championship tournament are, with the top seeded teams facing off against the lowest seeded teams, and

middle seeded teams versing each other. This year, some of the top seeded teams include the Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, and 2013 NBA Champions, the Miami Heat.

Many students who follow along in the tournament since the beginning have already picked favorites to become the 2014 NBA Champions, and though the seeding of teams is often used as an indicator of what teams have the best shot based on regular season record, a variety of predictions have been made as to who will be crowned the victor.

However, although they are not seeded first in the East, many students seem to predict the Miami Heat to win the tournament. Joseph Ferris, sophomore, says “They have Lebron James and previous experience with a championship, and they have a great cast to support Lebron.” Drew Miller, freshman, seems to think the same. “They have the experience and depth in their team,” said Miller.

Who’s in the playoffs this year?

Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/MCT

Oklahoma City point guard Russel Westbrook drives through Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul. The Oklahoma City Thunder advanced forward into the Western Conference finals and are facing off against the San Antonio Spurs.

2014 Record: 56-26

2014 Record: 54-28

2014 Record: 62-20

2014 Record: 59-23

Head Coach: Frank Vogel

Head Coach: Eric Spoelstra

Head Coach: Greg Popovich

Head Coach: Scott Brooks

Avg. Points Per Game: 92.5

Avg. Points Per Game: 99.2

Avg. Points Per Game: 105.5

Avg. Points Per Game: 104.5

Top Scorer: Paul George

Top Scorer: LeBron James

Top Scorer: Tony Parker

Top Scorer: Kevin Durant

Source: stats.NBA.com

EV Phillips Sports Editor

watch a good group of players grow so quickly together as a team. At the beginning it’s about trying to find where their talents fit and where they fit together.”

The official Spring Football season began May 1 and will end May 31. However, many of the players train together in the gym during the summer break from school in order to stay in shape and not lose their athletic ability before the start of their fall season in August.

The football team’s spring season was highlighted by their Spring Jamboree held Thursday, May 22. This jamboree featured Plant’s team, along with teams from Jefferson, Leto and Robinson High.

Members of the community are hopeful that Plant will have another energetic audience as the “Gold Rush” returns to support the football team.

Students will have much to look forward to in the fall when the football team takes the field once again.

May 2014

16 • Online

What’s POPin’ online?

Guava Festival excites fans

To read more articles and view pictures go to pepoplant.com

Wounded Warriors face-off against NFL alum in charity football game

PO’P Robby Killette

The Wounded Warriors warm up before the game with former NFL players on May 20.

Jeff Garcia, who was the last quarterback to take the Bucs to the playoffs, gave tips to quarterback Rex Culpepper, sophomore, before practicing with the Wounded Warriors.

PO’P Robby Killette

Westshore Plaza welcomes Dick’s Sporting Goods

A huge crowd gathers for Grouplove at Big Guava Music festival. The band performed on Sunday, May 4.

Enter to win TWO TICKETS TO WARPED TOUR! 6.13.14 Scan code or visit pepoplant.com for contest details

PO’P Alexa Castellano

Dick’s Sporting Goods is where Saks Fifth Avenue was located. It opened April 25.