PEP O PLANT
H.B. Plant High School• 2415 S. Himes Ave. • Tampa, FL, 33629 • October 2016 • Volume 89• Issue 2
Happy Halloween! One Candy to Rule Them All: Which Halloween treat was declared best by the student body? Find out on Page 10. Opinions • Page 13
Arts and Entertainment • Page 15
Sports • Page 19
Trick or treating: Are high school students ruining the traditions of Halloween or livening the holiday spirit by participating in trick or treating?
MunchPak: Tired of the same boring snacks? Learn about MunchPak, the service that delivers snacks from all over the world, in this review.
Swim Season: Read an exclusive interview with two student athletes as their swimming season kicks back up.
2 • News
Previously @ Plant
October 2015
Homecoming Week
For the win
Zach Anderson (12) calls the field goal in the first double overtime at the homecoming game. He and other seniors are a part of the “spike squad” and attend all the home football games.
P’OP Blair Eustuce
Out of this world In the lights
The drumline lights up the stadium the night of Panther Prowl making for a very colorful proformence. They took the field after all the service clubs danced for their competition to give time to the judges to choose their winner.
Haley Hansen (11), Raquel Pallera (11), Peyten Patillo (11) and Emmy Adams (11) dress up for Out of this World Wednesday. This was one of the five days during Homecoming Spirit Week which also included Marvel Day, Team Spirit Day, Tie-Dye Day and Black and Gold Day. P’OP Gianna Cacciatore
P’OP Gianna Cacciatore
News • 3
October 2015
Students take redesigned PSAT Maggie Fitzsimmons Copy Editor This year, students saw various changes to the content and format of the PSAT, as it was meant to be structured similarly to the redesigned SAT, which College Board will begin to administer in March 2016. The redesigned PSAT was administered to freshman, sophomores, and juniors on Wednesday, October 14. “[The redesigned PSAT] focuses more on critical thinking and higher level math concepts than the old test,” Lauren Spinka, college and career counselor, said. The format of the PSAT has also changed, including that the test lasted two hours and 45 minutes rather than two hours and ten minutes. Also, the redesigned PSAT offers only four multiple choice answers, instead of five. “Another important change is that, on the redesigned PSAT, students’ scores will not be penalized for guessing a question incorrectly,” Terry Hoke, guidance
PO’P Gianna Cacciatore
This chart shows the average scores of students who took the PSAT in 2014. These indicate that students at our school preformed well on the test, and this is expected to be the case again when PSAT scores for 2015 are received, even though the scoring system will have changed.
counselor, said. For students, this change means that answering all questions, even the ones they don’t know the answer to, will not hurt their score. Many students say that they did not know this information about the PSAT, and many others don’t see the value in taking the PSAT at all.
“[The PSAT] is a waste of my time, since we are going to have to take the actual SAT for the next two years. It’s unnecessary and a waste of paper,” Garrett Peterson, junior, said. Many teachers and students, though, disagree. They believe that the PSAT is a great resource for students and provides them
with valuable opportunities. “The PSAT is important for students because it provides them with practice and exposure to the test,” Spinka said. Also, for juniors, the PSAT is especially important because their scores can qualify them for National Merit Scholarship. This scholarship is helpful for paying
college tuitions, and is also a prestigious award to be able to put on college applications. Another change to the redesigned PSAT is the scoring system. Unlike previous PSATs, the redesigned PSAT scoring system is identical to that of the new SAT’s, potentially making it a more accurate indicator of students’ progress and easier to understand. “Another new feature for the PSAT is that students can sign up for ‘Khan Academy’, which uses their test scores to help them prepare for the SAT in areas they may have had difficulty with on the PSAT,” Hoke said. Students who took the PSAT this year will receive their scores as a paper copy in the mail in January. They can also receive their scores early if they use their College Board account, where they can get a code to view their scores online.
October 2015
4 • News
College visits introduce important admissions staff Allison Figueroa Centerspread Editor
The College Resource room is currently hosting college visits, with sign ups on Family Connection. The admission process is often more in-depth and complicated than most students realize. Prospective students at high-ranking universities know the general guidelines--average test scores, required classes, letters of recommendation-- but many schools still expect them to show interest by connecting with the admissions representatives in some way. Even if a student selects a college, making an impression is often difficult. Touring a campus in person is time-consuming and expensive. Actually getting through the hoards of other students trying to stand out can be almost impossible. But talking to a representative in a smaller space with the homefield advantage is often the best route. The
College Resource room is more aflutter with representatives now than any other time, so snagging a spot is essential to benefit fully from this opportunity. "Being prepared and knowing in advance what's on the website will impress a representative," Lauren Spinka, College and Career Counselor in Room 101, said. "What they want to talk about is the intangible stuff about their campus- what makes their campus different and great. They don't want to repeat what you can find on their website." The week of September 21st saw the University of Alabama on Wednesday with representative Beret Bondi and Boston University on Friday with representative Michael Convicer. Bondi, as she puts it, is the direct initial local contact for students. During the presentation, Bondi focused on highlighting what makes the Boston University campus special. "We have all the benefits of a
large school at a small scale. We have 37,000 students but our average student to faculty ratio is 19:1," Bondi said, standing in the middle of a circle of about 20 students. She spoke on the uniqueness of a public university having 47% of the population coming from out of state. Ending the meeting with a roaring fight song of "Roll Tide!" showed Bondi's passion for the school. Convicer, representative from Boston University, chose a more intimate setting, talking more softly and sitting at the edge of the circle on level with prospective students. He spoke about the type of student that thrives at BU: motivated, proactive students who will contribute to the community with authenticity and passion. “Our students come from all over the world with many different interests. There's nothing cookie-cutter or cliquey about our campus,” Convicer said. “Our students are proactive and really
P’OP Joseph Rosenberger
Georgia Institute of Technology admissions officer, Katie Mattli, speaks to prospective students about the opportunities her school is known for.
want to make sure they’re maximizing the quality of their time there to increase their chances of employment, graduate school, or whatever it may be.” Convincer Essay Tips: This is your chance to show us who you are as a person. Be authentic; don’t necessarily be something you’re not. Find the things that make you unique and special and highlight those. We want to know how you’re going to contribute to our community; we don’t care what you’re doing as long as you’re doing something with passion and enthusiasm. Don’t get too bogged down in
the essay topic. Write whatever you want to write about. Bondi Essay Tips: Answer the question! If they ask you about a significant experience in your life, don’t give me two pages about your cat Fluffy. I don’t want to hear about Fluffy. Make sure you pay attention to length. If there’s a certain amount of length they restrict, make sure you follow it. If you use the same essay for multiple schools, change the name of the school. That’s paying attention to detail, and grammatical error. It really shows that the student pays attention to detail.
October 2015
Advertisement • 5
6• Features
October 2015
Fall creates fun opportunities Sam Werner Circulation Manager 1.) Cooler Weather Zoe Solar, freshman. “I like cooler weather because if you get cold you can wear a sweater, but if you’re hot you can just take it off.” 2.) Pumpkin Spice Lattes Sarah Rossi, senior. “Pumpkin spice lattes because it’s my favorite coffee flavor. I look forward to it every year.” 3.) Holidays Stephen Jenkins, junior. “I like the holidays because it’s a time that you get to spend with your family and make memories.”
4.) Carving Pumpkins Becca Sloan, sophomore. “I like carving pumpkins because I get into the Halloween spirit.” 5.) Fall TV Shows Lindsey Brinson, junior. “I love all the new premieres of the fall TV shows because my favorite show, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, comes back on.” 6.) 13 Nights of Halloween on ABC Family Maggie Musco, sophomore. “I like 13 nights of Halloween on ABC Family because I love Halloween movies cause they’re really entertaining.” 7.) Boots and Sweaters Zoe Gholson, junior.
“I like boots and sweaters during fall because they’re cute and comfortable and it’s always so hot in Florida so I never get to wear them except during the fall season.” 8.) Football season begins Reed Blevins, freshman. “I like football because I enjoy watching it with all of my friends.” 9.) Seasonal Food Julien Cuevas, sophomore. “I can be with my family and eat really nice foods such as gingerbread cookies and snickerdoodles. It’s a really fun time of the year.”
PO’P Ysabella Canto
Starbucks recently released the Pumpkin Spice Latte for the fall season. 10.) Warm Fires People waited almost all year for this fall drink to return to the Starbucks Sarah Segrouchini, junior. “I like bonfires because I enjoy menu. making s’mores with my friends.”
Features• 7
October 2015
Faculty recall past fall traditions Emilia Difabrizio Copy Editor With the fall season in full swing, Plant High School students and faculty carry on past Plant traditions, such as Panther Prowl and Homecoming. “It was always fun. Everybody
stayed the whole time. Everybody knew who all the candidates were for homecoming queen,” Natasha Walker, English teacher and Plant High School alum, reflects on her Homecoming dance. Walker, a former Dancero, recalls watching the court go onto the football field in their cars, a
Mark Ely scores four touchdowns against Robinson at the Homecoming game in 1965. This was Plant’s first win at Robinson’s Jack Peters Field with a score of 26-12.
Principal David Webb, or dances that students would attend after football games. Webb also notes the change with dates, as students today are more likely to go with a friend rather than a romantic interest, reflecting a more inclusive environment.
discontinued school tradition. “[There was] a sense of complete fun and school spirit… we all stayed at the dance the whole time. We really had fun,” Walker said. Art teacher Ginger Goepper says Homecoming has increasingly become a family
event. “Sometimes groups of friends go. It doesn’t always have to be couples,” Goepper said. She calls it a positive change, saying, “Just go with your friends, and everybody have a good time.” Plant had sock hops in the fifties, recounts Assistant
Homecoming court is announced by a teacher in 1978. The king and queen were the stars of the dance.
Girls gather together before the 1957 Homecoming dance. They dressed up nicely for the event with all of their friends and they styled long gowns.
8• Features
October 2015
Students share opinions on presidential candidates Savannah Lowry Arts and Entertainment Editor
Q: What is your political party association? A: Republican, because I believe in having a free market economy with little government interference in my economic decisions. Paxton Rhoads, sunior Q: Who is your favorite candidate? What help do you feel they can bring to our country? A: In my opinion, there are so many candidates I’m not really sure who I would choose, considering they are so focused on Donald Trump that they don’t know what they want. Jung-Sun Gonzalez, junior
Q: Who is your least favorite candidate? What detriments do you feel they could cause our country? A: Donald Trump. I feel like he might be a great business guy, but his ignorance about others could get us in some problems with other countries. – Yonathan Alem, senior Q: What are your thoughts on campaign funding? A: I think that it is important for campaigns to get funded and for the message to get spread throughout the country, but sometimes it’s unfair because some candidates get funded more than others, and in my opinion
getting your ideas out there through campaigning is like a make or break situation. –Jessica Mayts, senior Q: Do you consider yourself an informed citizen? Why or why not? A: Yes, because I take a lot of classes that involve the government and I watch the news. –Carson Murray, sophomore Q: How well do you think the female candidates will do in the race? A: I don’t think they’re going to do that well because I don’t think they are good candidates, not because they are female. –Katia Tzezairlidis, sophomore
PO’P Zoe Antinori
PO’P Zoe Antinori
October 2015
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10• Centerspread
October 2015
October is finally here and with it comes heaps of candy and usually a few extra pounds on the scales. Once a year kids are freely allowed to stuff their faces with candy. By the time October 31st comes around, the craving for candy is, for most people, unbearable.
Many of the “classic” candies are put to the test this holiday season. Some of the candies in question are Candy Corn, Dots, Double Bubble, York Peppermint Patties, Milky Ways and others. The responses from Plant students have varied from
arguable candies ranged all the way from complete adoration to utter hatred. The worst and best candies were summarized in pie charts. Students from all grade levels were surveyed, giving a grand total of 74 responses.
person to person and each of the descriptions from the students are unique. Pep O’ Plant asked Jenna Curl, freshman, Leo Albury, sophomore, Hanna Smaus, junior, and Bennett Shuford, senior, their opinions on the candies of the season. The thoughts on these
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Students review popular halloween candies
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“It tastes like cough syrup
Tootsie R o Cher ry
ll
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rame te & ca
cola ith cho made w
HERSHEY’S MILK CHOCOLATE
Bennett Shuford Senior
Starburst “I like putting two of them together... it enhances the starburst explosion.”
“I don’t like eating it alone because it makes me thirsty.”
“It’s like a frozen caramel ball.”
riginal a’s O eric Am
Double
Reese’s “Probably the best peanut butter candy ever.”
“It’s like a fruity explosion in your mouth.”
Bubble
“That reminds me of my grandpa because he would always give me candy when I came to visit, it would always be Double Bubble.”
Best
Take
Roll TootsVaie lla ni “The wrapper looks like its going to let you down but its actually pretty good.”
Milky Way
Snicker
Starburst
Candy C
Survey of 7 Copy by Zo Design and Photos
D O T S
3 Musketeers
“It tastes like other candies, like a green jolly rancher.”
“It tastes like dirt.”
Hanna Smaus Junior
p.”
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Centerspread • 11
October 2015
TWIX “It’s pretty much heaven in my mouth.”
Y MILKY WAY
“It was okay, but not good. Tastes like pumpkins.”
“It tastes like happiness.”
Leo Albury Sophomore
Almond Joy Milk Chocola
Coconut & Almotneds
ll Tootsie Ro “This is like really gross. It tastes like plastic, rubber and it’s really tough.”
“This tastes like I’m on a tropical island.”
Snickers “[It’s] crunchy, savory, tastes like meatloaf.”
Kit Kat Kit Kat
e One
Worst
“It’s not as good, it’s like plain, and not as peanut butter-y.”
york
rs
Twix
Reese’s
Corn
Kit Kat
Hershey Bar
74 students oe Antinori by Allison Figueroa
“This reminds me of their commercial with the cold breeze.”
Jenna Curl Freshman
12• Opinions
Pep O’ Plant 2415 S. Himes Avenue, Suite 103 Tampa, Florida 33629 (813) 272-3033 ext. 247
Editors-in-Chief Bennett Taylor Erce Phillips News Editor Joseph Rosenberger Features Editor Rachel Ferreri Opinions Editor Matt Blydenburgh Arts & Entertainment Editor Savannah Lowry Sports Editor Jacob Robinson Centerspread Editor Allison Figueroa Photography Editor Ysabella Canto Public Relations Zoie Ashmeade Webmaster Gianna Cacciatore Business Manager Katie Chae Circulation Manager Sam Werner Copy Editors Emilia Difabrizio Blair Eustace Maggie Fitzsimmons Staff Artist Zoe Antinori Photographer Darnell Henderson Staff Writer Pershia Haj Faculty Adviser Louisa Avery
The Pep O’ Plant is Plant High School’s studentrun 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.
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October 2015
College stress culture needs overhaul Editorial Collegiate institutions somehow dominate the attention of high schoolers worldwide, and not just that of seniors; at the first freshman town hall meeting, have first year students not heard the importance and grades and discipline, even in freshman year, in college admissions? Like a staircase, the stakes of college take another step in each year of school, as standardized testing, culminating in SAT’s and ACT’s, begun to flood the minds of students seeking the top institutions in the world. Countless hours of expensive tutoring, heavy review books and stress all accompany these tests, all solely used to determine college readiness. And when senior year comes knocking, the rush of essays and applications rule senior’s lives until deadlines come and go, inciting huge waves of burned out students to give up, simply claiming “senioritis.” In a school culture dominated by college prep, our students take unimaginable amounts of Advanced Placement classes, with
PO’P Artist Zoe Antinori
some opting to even use Hillsborough Community College as a source of additional schooling, a way to get a boost on an individual’s GPA. And while some students naturally belong in these rigorous schedules, able to bear the brunt of advanced concepts and hiked up workloads, many are not. AP classes are meant to bring a sense of the college classroom to high schools- to give select students a taste of how hard college will be. But they are not for everyone.
The road to college cannot be generalized to any two students. And thus, the idea that everyone will be admitted to these top institutions is silly, as each student carries unique gifts and skills that advanced classes cannot encompass. So, as a school, we need to relax a long established culture of constant college stress, of pressing the idea of creating schedules for students that far overshoot their capabilities and talents, as well as convincing each other that partic-
ipation in every school activity essential for admission to any form of higher education. By no means does this carry the idea that high schoolers should cruise through school, not being challenged or worried at all about their future plans. We should be involved in the extensive range of extracurricular opportunities that make our school one of the best in the nation; we should strive to challenge ourselves with advanced courses that will better prepare us for whatever future we have, collegiate or not. Strike a balance; exercise resources to ensure that your academic career properly challenges and matches your own talents. Get involved with a few organizations, and strive to make them better, instead of putting names down on everything imaginable. Come senior year, each member of the class should be able to say that they challenged themselves, that they took advantage of opportunities to serve and lead. Only then should full attention to college selections be given; and after learning about personal abilities and limitations, the college of choice should come naturally.
Mid-term progress reports deserve less redundant replacement
Matt Blydenburgh Opinions Editor Midway through each quarter, students are handed out a single piece of paper that lists out each course that they are currently enrolled in, as well as their grade in that class midway through the current quarter. To some, progress reports allow students and parents to gain a better understanding of the student’s current progress in that class and determine where improvement may or may not be needed. However, to most students, midterm reports only create unneeded stress to simply add onto their already difficult lives by putting out grades in classes without
enough data to accurately represent a student’s progress. While some classes may have a decent amount of grades to accurately represent a student’s capabilities in their classes, many others simply don’t have enough time to allow for a clear representation to be made. Quite often, midterm grades are heavily skewed through such a limited amount of grade input in classes. One low grade in a mix of average grades could significantly decrease a student’s class average, which then may cause confusion among both the student and their parents upon reporting their scores once they get home from school. Since the school has utilized such websites as Edline and Edsby through the years, would it not make more sense for parents to simply monitor their child’s performance online and view a much more comprehensive description of how those grades have been calculated? Some parents may often look at progress report grades in the same light as they would grades on a report card. While it would
Artist Zoe Antinori
be understandable for a parent to give out punishment for unexpectedly low grades at the end of the quarter, it would be ridiculous for a student to face punishment for having a low grade only mid way through the reporting period. If these reports were eliminated and parents simply utilized the programs that the school pays to be a part of, this unnecessary stress would be eliminated from these families’ lives and a better comprehensive understanding of a student’s grades would be universal. The county takes part in these
programs to promote communication through parents, students and teachers, so having classes distribute forms to tell parents what they already know seems to be redundant. Parents and students should aim to maintain communication with one another in order to eliminate the need for progress reports. Through a constant and attentive viewing of class grades while they are continually updated, families will have a much more accurate understanding of their students’ performance.
October 2015
Pro Vs. Con:
Opinions• 13
Should teenagers go Trick-or-Treating? Teenagers liven trick or treating
Rachel Ferreri Features Editor If you are not planning on trick or treating this Halloween, you should reconsider. Teens should trick or treat on Halloween because this is only one day a year that people have the opportunity to go door to door dressed up as whatever they want and ask for candy. People assume that the age of people who trick or treat door to door every year is usually middle schoolers and younger. What they do not realize is that teenagers are not too old to trick or treat. Thinking about Halloween generally, people dress up as characters from their favorite movies and books and go door to door for candy. But when you enter high school, teens can trick or treat with their friends and adventure all over the city. Dressing up to trick or treat is one of the best parts since teens
can pretty much be whatever they want for the occasion. It gives people the opportunity to take on a new persona for a night and play pretend. After you’ve decided what you want to be and planned out what you will wear, you plan a route for going around town. A fun way to do this is by meeting up with friends along the way. By the end of the night, candy has been eaten and people can hang out with all of their closest friends. Some teens do not trick or treat because some of them deem it as “uncool” to do so. They regard it as childish since most of the people trick or treating are younger, so their parents accompany them. However, trick or treating in high school is different. Teens can go in big groups and it is a way for harmless fun. Adventuring around Tampa is a perk of going trick or treating. Since Tampa is big, there are many places to wander around and hang out with friends. So one reason teens do not trick or treat is that parents think they are scary. Most people’s Halloween costumes are not! Most are cats, bunnies, or characters from popular movies that are recognizable. Start a new trend. Go find a fun costume and get a group of friends together to keep this fun tradition alive.
Artist Zoe Antinori
Teenagers corrupt Halloween
Darnell Henderson Photographer If you are planning to trickor-treat this Halloween, you may want to reconsider. There are many other options and activities that students can do in place of partaking in the child’s practice of asking for candy. Halloween is one of the most favored holidays. Parents relinquish their “no candy from strangers” policy, letting children go house to house, of completely unknown citizens, and allow them to receive an assortment of delicious candies from strangers. But this tradition has an audience geared toward younger children, not high school students. While dressing up in a mildly creative costume, and asking the simple question of “trick or treat?” seems like an easy way to score a pillowcase bursting with candy, consider all the other people, more importantly kids, who are also trick-or-treating that night. Children, unlike teenagers, have a sense of enthusiasm for the trick or treating, and aren’t just solely in it for the candy. Kid’s purpose for trick or treating is for the merriment of the night. To wear their highly anticipated costumes, to be acknowledged as princess or a superhero for just one night. To ask the magic words and be gifted scrumptious sweets. Meanwhile most teenagers are in it for the free candy, and don’t even bother to dress up.
They also disregard the fact that most civilians turn in for the night early, and try to trick or treat at houses with no light on. This inconsideration and lack of meaningful purpose are one aspect that students should reflect upon when deciding if they should trick or treat. Furthermore students lack adult supervision. This can lead to them causing mischief and impeding or disrupting children’s and parents pleasant holiday evening. Are you going to be the one who dampens adolescents Halloween? Pranks are also popular amongst teenagers. Depending on the severity of the prank they can cause a serious amount of damage. Add in peer pressure and students can then delve into pranks that can push the boundaries of legality. That could result in a not so enjoyable Halloween night. Halloween is a holiday reserved for youths, and students should have enough maturity to realize that trick or treating is not teenager appropriate and is an immature way to spend their Halloween when there are other options present. Some alternative activities include having a thrilling horror movie marathon, carving complex designs on pumpkins, going to Halloween parties, going to hand created haunted houses and distributing candy to kids, passing on the delight of Halloween. Students can also attend the haunting Howl-O-Scream, which will be held at Busch Gardens and will be open select nights in October, having a night filled with screams and laughter. Halloween, more specifically trick or treating, is a childish affair. Students should discontinue this ritual by the end of middle school, and begin to reform their Halloween plans as they ascend towards adulthood.
14 • Advertisement
October 2015
15• Arts and Entertainment
October 2015
MunchPak: An International Roller Coaster for your Taste Buds New snack delivery service provides goodies from different countries Erce Phillips Editor-in-Chief To be honest, I probably would have never even heard of the name “MunchPak” if it weren’t for a casual conversation between classmates and a perked interest based on my constant hunger levels, but to the very minute I sit here typing this, I regret not learning all about MunchPak earlier. What MunchPak, a small company started back in 2013, offers is a service with a brilliant yet simple design, one that provokes thoughts of both “Mmm” and “Why didn’t I think of this?” at the same time. The whole idea behind MunchPak is broken down into just a few steps: first, visit the website to sign up for your first membership, then from there, choose which size and repetition in which the snack packs are delivered, either weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Buyers can then customize the package to your liking by asking for more or less of specific flavors or snack types for a small additional cost. For example, purchasers can choose
to have less meat-based snacks and more sour snacks, but what is delivered overall is still completely randomized. After these simple steps, enter payment and shipping info and wait patiently for that tasty care package to arrive at the door. Essentially, the whole plan is just like a magazine subscription, but with more flavor. Now, the idea of getting assorted snacks from all over the world can raise some questions, as it’s understandable to see why getting completely random foreign snacks may not be worth the money. To save the masses the trouble and get the overall feel of the product, the Pep O’ Plant staff decided to subscribe to the service and put me in charge of playing gastronomer. Here are my overall thoughts on every piece that came in the mail. Cheetos Horneados Bolitas, Mexico This bag of chips is labeled as Cheetos, but that’s about the only thing that this particular
PO’P Gianna Cacciatore
snack has in common with what is normally associated with the brand that U.S. citizens have come to know and love. The texture was that of a cheese puff, but the initial taste was more bland than cheesy. Yet, there was a hint of spice the whole way throughout that gave it an en-
in the bag.
Pizza Kraker, Turkey
Now, the most noticeable feature about these snacks was not the actual food inside, but the fact that the packaging does not lie. Though the bag was about the same size as the Cheetos, this one was filled to the brim with little triangle-shaped crackers, leaving hardly any room for air and filthy corporate lies. The Pizza Krakers smelled like pizza, and the overall taste could be described as, yes, pizza. But when chomping down on a few of these crackers, the taste can’t be described PO’P Gianna Cacciatore as simply as that. The pizza flavor isn’t strong, and the joyably spicy taste, which kicked two flavors that really stuck out in and lasted, creating a tingling were bread and tomato. Overall, feeling on the tongue that lasts these tasted indescribably decent. for the perfect amount of time. Better than an average chip, but The spice levels seemed perfectly nothing too mind-boggling. balanced; not too much, not too little. Though this was perfect for Pretz Tom-Yum flavored a spice wimp like me, this may sticks, Thailand be too little for more hardcore connoisseurs that aren’t phased Upon seeing the shrimp, lime, by even the spiciest Hot Cheeto and soup pictures on the box as
PO’P Gianna Cacciatore
well as the untranslatable text from the far east, I was actually rather worried to taste these cracker sticks. However, these snacks were by far the most diverse and interesting thing that came in the care package, and was a prime example of how although the contents in the MunchPak are unique and completely random, they should not be a total turnoff. The taste kicked in almost immediately as the lime flavoring took no time getting to the point in making the consumer question whether they like the sticks or not. The strong taste actually was reminiscent of soup broth, and the tingle that was left from the lime flavor stung the roof of the mouth like that soup broth was still hot, creating a perfect imitation. It was not until a few breaths later when that shrimp picture on the box came to life, and it truly went from zero to 100 when all I could make out of the aftertaste was seafood. This was definitely interesting to try, but probably not something the average snack-eater would have in mind to purchase alone.
PO’P Gianna Cacciatore
October 2015
Money-grabbing sequel drains emotion from ‘Maze Runner’ Column Bennett Taylor Editor-in-Chief Barely fitting through the swiftly closing door that is the teen dystopian series turned movie adaptation, “The Maze Runner” squeezed out the rest of the profit, stemming from the wallet of preteens parent’s wallets, begun by “The Hunger Games”. Imagine it as a near empty toothpaste tube, with an excessive amount of force and effort required to just get that last drop of fluoride infused paste onto the brush; was that drop worth it, or should it just be thrown out, replaced by another new tube? Such is the practical question of the entire series. As books, the series was mildly interesting, a story intriguing enough for a required school read. But, translated to film, and a half a decade between the film and the novels, “Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials” did not appeal to the mystery and adventure that had captivated me as a 13 year old. Context and exposition simply do not appear in this cookie cutter, predictable storyline. Our hero, Thomas, continues a wholly irritable attitude of incessant curiosity, completely flimsy
Arts and Entertainment • 16
Flixster getting in on the hype Ysabella Canto Photography Editor Apps these days are constantly being updated with new features and tools; notifications are popping up every other day for the same few apps. These apps obsession with Theresa, a girl he include Snapchat, Instagram, thinks he may know somehow, Facebook, Twitter, the list goes and irrational decision making on. One app that has added a that should warrant death and very useful new feature is one destruction in a world lacking that hardly any high schoolers order and safety. But, in the spirit have. That app is Flixter; a movie of the teen hero, his stupidity and application that shows reviews, quest for ethical and moral purity trailers, show times and now somehow always works out fafeatures a specified search for vorably for him, much like any of Netflix movies. the protagonists of any other of The new feature can be found similar series, such as Katniss in on Flixster under the DVD “The Hunger Games”. tab. Clicking “On Netflix” in Call it cynical craving for that page will show you movies error, but the wide spectrum of available on Netflix that you can overused plot elements turned search filter by genre, release date, this film into a laughable produc- and ratings/reviews. Those who tion, regardless of whether you do have Flixster will know that it read the books or has a rather large user base that not. When the squad from the original maze sits down for chow in the apparently modified prison cafeteria, they engage in small talk with supposed members of other mazes. In this small talk, the separate members of each group use MCTCampus the exact same terminology in describing their respective mazes, down to what they called the machines that tortured them, and even terms for new members of the mazes. That is simply impossible in sociological and psychological terms. Will the third installment of this series fulfill any number of questions from puzzled viewers? Will I be able to watch a fight during daytime hours? We can hope.
contributes feedback and reviews on the movies. Before a movie is even out in theaters there will be critic reviews up on Flixster telling the user whether or not
really know how good or bad the movie is unless they watch it or research it. Flixster has essentially eliminated the guessing out of the equation. It has brought to the table an extensive collection of movie critics and reviews and applied it to Netflix films is an easy-to-use fashion. Although the new feature to Flixster is simple and very useful, no one is talking about it. A recent poll has shown that only three in 25 students actually have Flixster and only a third of those who have it actually use it often. Of those 25, only six had ever heard of the application and 10 use the AMC theaters app for Flixter.com their movie information. the movie is worth seeing. So despite the new feature, Now while Netflix does have Flixster hasn’t managed to catch a star rating system in place the attention of the average for its movies, it does not offer high schooler. So the question reviews to be seen or placed. This, remains, “Netflix and chill?” of course, is a strategic move by Netflix so that users don’t
17• Arts and Entertainment
October 2015
Chorus delivers October concerts and prepares for following fall productions Joseph Rosenberger News Editor Students who enjoyed the chorus department’s production of their Fall Concert on Oct. 1 can look forward to the upcoming shows of the Madrigal Dinners and the Winter Concert this December. For only $5 tickets, the Fall Concert put together a performance involving the entire school chorus. Due to all the preparation required, school shows like this occur only so often in the year, leaving students wanting more and excited for the next one to come. Even though the fall concert arrived only a few weeks after the Drama Department’s take on “Putnam County’s 25th Annual Spelling Bee,” the next show won’t open the curtain until later this year. Chorus Director Bruce Yost weighs in on why students should look forward to viewing the Winter Concert and
Madrigal Dinners for several reasons. “Number one, I think they’re going to be able to see their peers doing something that they probably have never seen their peers do before,” Yost said. “Number two, I think they’re absolutely gonna hear some musical styles and sounds that they maybe were not even aware existed.” Not to mention the entertainment that comes with it. As a recreation of a medieval feast, the Madrigal Dinners will feature a staging of a version of Shrek The Musical that promises to impress fans of the classic ogre and invites students of all musical tastes to visit. Later in December, the Winter Concert will continue to display variety as it is in conjunction with the orchestra. The Fall Concert is evidence of how entertaining school productions can be. It featured several Broadway numbers, choreography and a great variety
of music like drums and bass. “It doesn’t just come down to people standing on stage and singing the whole time,” Yost said. One special piece that was new at the Fall Concert is entitled “Past Life melodies” by Sara Hopkins, an Australian composer. According to Yost, the song, requiring what is called harmonic overtones singing, is a haunting and fantastic inspiration. “It will change the way you think about chorus music,” Yost said. “I was most excited to see the new talent of this year’s chorus classes and the first fall concert of the new a acapella group,” Andrew Howard, senior, said. Chorus members looked forward to the benefits they could reap. “We get food afterwards,” Rebekah Kaufman, senior, said. With daily rehearsals put into these stagings, the small cost is well worth the payoff. The chorus is already in preparation for those upcoming and promising shows.
PO’P Blair Eustace
Varsity Chorale sings “Past Life Melodies” at the Fall Concert. The Australian piece features harmonic overtones that create high pitch frequencies.
18• Sports
October 2015
Bottom line is...
‘‘
MLB postseason poised for exciting, endless entertainment
Column Jacob Robinson Sports Editor This year, we will see three top teams ending their playoff droughts by clinching spots in the postseason back in late September. The playoffs for baseball are in full effect, with the wild card matchups ending on Oct. 6 and 7. For all baseball fans, this will be the most exciting postseason baseball has seen since Steve Bartman in 2003 and the comeback of the Boston Red Sox in
2004. The New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros all end droughts of not being able to play in the postseason this year. The last time the Mets reached the playoffs was nine years ago, like the Houston Astros, and after trading for prized outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, they went 37-22 after the trading deadline, easily winning the NL East Title. For the Toronto Blue Jays, their last playoff run was when they won it all, in 1993. For the Chicago Cubs, they haven’t been on the hunt for a title since 2008, and this year they will look to end ‘The Billy Goat Curse’, and win the World Series for the first time in 107 years. Even with an abundance of sleeper teams making playoff appearances, regular contenders are still looking for a title. The St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals, and New York Yankees (although they
were eliminated) are going back to the playoffs for another year. If you’re watching baseball for the first time, this year would be a good year to start. There will be an abundance of close finishes, highlight-reel plays, and spectacular moments. Baseball is arguably the best postseason sport, which is due to of all these close finishes, as well as upsets and cinderella stories, like last year’s Kansas City Royals. No matter who wins between any of the 10 current playoff teams, it will be an exciting run to watch. This is the last year we could see from many greats in the playoffs as they end their careers, so they will be looking to end it with winning it all, like New York’s Carlos Beltran, Texas’ Prince Fielder and Cole Hamels, or Los Angeles’ Chase Utley. The top storylines for this year, besides the new teams, are also the top tier pitching matchups in the division series. For the Los
Angeles Dodgers, they will be led by Clayton Kershaw, who leads the league in strikeouts. They will also be led by Zack Greinke, who leads the league in WAR, ERA, and Win-Loss Percentage. Other good pitchers include Toronto’s David Price, Chicago’s Jake Arrieta, and New York Mets’ Jacob deGrom. It will be fascinating to see how this postseason plays out, as well as how these pitchers do in particular. They will have to face powerful hitters, like Los Angeles’ Yasiel Puig, New York Mets’ Yoenis Cespedes, as well as others. Bottom line is… the MLB postseason is poised for endless entertainment. That’s why the majority of baseball fans tune in come mid-October - to see winor-go-home games, drama and victory. So, tune in this postseason to watch a year ending with a solid month of great basetball, capped off with a Chicago Cubs World Series victory.
Tune in this postseason to watch a year ending with a solid month of great baseball, capped off with a Chicago Cubs World Series Victory.
Sports• 19
October 2015
Swim splashes into fall Zoie Ashmeade Public Relations Q: What events do you swim? Morgan Tankersley, sophomore: I swim the 50 freestyle, 200 freestyle, and 500 freestyle. I also swim the 200 backstroke, but that’s a club swimming event and isn’t in high school meets.
Q: What keeps you motivated during the swim season?
Q: Who on the team inspires you the most?
Tankersley: My goals motivate me, as well as my teammates, coach, and parents.
Tankersley: My entire team and all my coaches inspire me.
Malizia: It’s always swim season so most would think I would lose motivation, but the whole team is like family and makes it fun.
Kent Malizia, junior: 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, and 100 backstroke.
Krause: The people on the team keep me motivated for practices and meets.
Morgan Krause, junior: The 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle.
Q: Do you have any plans for swim in the future, after high school?
Q: How many years have you participated in swimming?
Tankersley: I really want to swim in college. Both of my parents did and I think it would be a great experience.
Tankersley: I’ve been swimming competitively since I was eight. Malizia: I think ten years. Krause: Since I was six,
Malizia: I don’t think I will swim in college, but anything could happen. Krause: Not after high school.
Malizia: The person that inspired me the most was Tyler Heath because he was always encouraging and supportive of everyone on the team. Krause: Abby Kynes.
Kent Malizia practices his backstroke during a session of the teams swimming practice. Plant’s swim team practices at Bobby Hicks Pool, a facility across the street from Robinson High School that holds an Olympic-sized pool perfect for swimming laps.
Q: What has been the accomplishment you’re most proud of during your swimming career so far? Tankersley: Qualifying for Olympic Trials is definitely my biggest accomplishment. Malizia: I don’t have a biggest accomplishment, I consider it a big accomplishment every time I get a new personal record because it shows I haven’t stopped improving. Krause: Getting better each year.
PO’P Ysabella Canto
Junior Morgan Krause cascades over the water as she shows off her freestyle. She has shown her dedication to the team the past three years.
20 • Advertisement
October 2015