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PEP O PLANT
H.B. Plant High School • 2415 South Himes Avenue, Tampa, Florida, 33629 September 15, 2014 • Volume 88 • Issue 2
The Evolution of Technology The recent B.Y.O.D Laws are in effect after 50 years of progress Read More: pages 4, 10, 11
Administration takes on Ice Bucket Challenge Page 4
See why faking sick harms society, your reputation Page 9
Review: Michael Cera quietly releases indie music album Page 13
September 2014
2 • News
FSA replaces FCAT Rachel Ferrari Staff Writer
S ince 1998, students have been taught according to the Florida Comprehensive
Assessment Test which follows Sunshine State Standards. Now, reading passages will be more rigorous and the writing will be geared more towards an AP class style. The new assessment, FSA, or Florida Standard Assessments will be introduced. The questions will be in multiple choice format, similar to the former test, but now there will be paragraph responses to measure higher-level critical thinking skills. “I am not looking forward to it because the English/writing portion requires you to write about a passage you’ve never seen before”, Kent Malizia, sophomore, said. Because the test is new, teachers cannot advise students like they have in the past. They are as equally unfamiliar with the material as the students are. “It scares me because I don’t know what kind of test I am taking since I went to private school and now I am taking a new test that no one knows anything about”, Hannah Cadrecha, freshman, said.
As with last year’s FCAT, the FSA will be administered online. Beforehand, online practices will be offered to students who are curious and wish to practice this new and different format. Principal Rob Nelson advises students to do their best and focus in class, as well as, “answer every question with depth.” Besides being unfamiliar with the test, some students face another disadvantage. Because the test is given online, students without access or with limited computer access may have a tougher time adjusting to the format. Besides trying to make the test more modernized and tech-savvy, the school is trying to move from FCAT to FSA is because the costs are lower. Currently, the price is $36.17 per student. The new cost per student will be $34.23. Similar to the FCAT, the FSA will be most heavily weighted during sophomore year. This is because sophomore year reading scores are used to meet graduation requirements. Sophomores will still be taking the FCAT 2.0 this year to get the scores they need for graduation. This will be the final year sophomores take the FCAT 2.0 to earn the scores they need for graduation.
PO’P Jessica Jagodzinski
September 2014
News • 3
Ferguson shooting sparks controversy Matthew Blydenburgh Business Manager
The evening of Aug. 9 in Ferguson, Missouri, unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot and killed by Police Officer Darren Wilson after a brief struggle between the two of them, Washington Post reports. As a result, different members of the community have gathered to take part in one of two activities: peaceful protesting to condemn the actions of the officer responsible, or violent rioting and looting into the late hours of the night. Because of these actions, 32 people were arrested, at least 12 businesses were looted, a shot was fired at a police helicopter and two officers were injured, one being hit by a brick while the other suffered a knee injury, KSDK St. Louis reports. Due to the fact that Brown was black, many considered this to be a hate crime and relate it back to 2012’s case of Trayvon Martin. Information of these events spread quickly and has become a popular topic of discussion. “It’s terrible that race is still an issue in our day and age.” Matt Hafer,
sophomore, said. However, others have felt as if the case has become more of a racial issue than one of police brutality. “I think the whole hate crime thing is stupid. You shouldn’t care
in recent weeks, many people still have trouble understanding the full extent of what transpired at night. “I’m not fully read on the issue, and I know it’s rather contentious, but I think more than
Oliver Douliery/ Abaca Press/ MCT
Hundreds gather at the gates of the White House in protest of the death of Michael Brown. His death raised debate over how the national government should address police brutality cases.
that the guy was black, you should care that a man was gunned down by a police officer. Black or not you can’t shoot a man in the back.” Bryce Muniz, junior, said. Despite the rapid spread of this story
anything it exemplifies an unfortunate sort of situation that is happening all too often nowadays with our law enforcement. It’s an arguably systemic problem that needs to be fixed soon.” Xan Miñan, junior, said.
“Honestly I feel like I am misinformed. I do not want to be ignorant of the situation, but I have not viewed as much press as I would have expected on the issue.” Claire Anderson, senior, said. “In addition I feel like most of the available information surrounding the issue is biased. To my knowledge the death of an unarmed teenager is the main cause of the riot. This is something that needs to be brought to national attention not only because of the victims race or background, but because of the sad fact that this is a continual problem that should not fade in the media’s attention after riots in Missouri have calmed, yet is a problem that demands a solution.” “I definitely don’t think the boy should have been shot more than once.” Maddie Robinson, freshman, said. Three autopsies have been conducted on Brown, hoping to provide some answer to how the struggle played out and who initiated the confrontation, CNN reports. A funeral for Brown took place on Monday, Aug. 25, which included such guests as Reverend Al Sharpton, deputy director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, Marlon Marshall and Heather Foster, an advisor for the office.
Plant High School wins National PTA Award Allyssa Ashmeade Staff Writer
Plant High School won, “One of the most prestigious awards given by the National PTSA,” Beth Garcia, president of the PTSA, said. This award is known as the National PTA School of Excellence Award. According to the National PTA guidelines, this award is only given to schools that have an exceptional relationship with their Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) while working together to enrich the educational experience and overall well-being for all students. “The National School of Excellence Award is one of the most prestigious awards given by National PTA,” Beth Garcia said. This is the only school in the district to receive this award and continues to stand out on a larger scale. Plant is one of only 10 schools in the state and one of 165 in the nation to qualify for the award. “It is a pretty big deal,” Principal Rob Nelson said. In order to qualify for National PTA School of Excellence Award, candidates must conduct surveys that reveal the overall family involvement within the PTSA. After submitting these surveys to the National PTA, the school must work to address and correct any problems addressed in the survey results, and better the community. In Plant’s case, two surveys were
conducted within the last year to address student and family needs. “We chose ‘support student’s emotional and mental well-being’ as our goal for the year,” Beth Garcia said. This included a Healthy Family workshop that brought in area psychologists and social workers to help families deal with stress and other challenging factors. After all this, an application is sent to the National PTA to decide whether the school exemplifies what it means to be a National PTA School of Excellence Award winner. In comparison to other schools in the area, Plant High School has the largest PTSA in Hillsborough County and one of the largest in the state. However, besides the comparatively large size, what really marks Plant’s PTSA different from others is its mutualistic relationship with the school and their commitment to together serve families and students in the area. “Our PTSA is very fortunate to have strong parental and administration support.” Beth Garcia said. “The relationship that the PTSA has with the school benefits us in so many ways,” Principal Rob Nelson said. “From teacher and student scholarships, to community workshops, to teacher incentives, to our writing center.” The PTSA continues to succeed in achieving the highest status and serving the needs of parents, students and teachers alike.
PO’P Allison Figueroa
September 2014
4 • News
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge absorbs nation Allison Figueroa Public Relations Standing in the searing heat of a Florida summer for a long period of time could be considered a challenge. But getting soaked with a bucket of freezing water afterward to benefit Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis research is a different kind of undertaking. “It was actually very refreshing,” Assistant Principal Lauren Otero said. “Especially because we were outside for over an hour before we got the water dumped on us.” Lauren Otero wasn’t the first, and won’t be the last, to take the icy plunge. Millions, including celebrities, teenagers and administrators alike have already taken part in the Ice Bucket Challenge. “I’d definitely do it again”, Trevor Barksdale, junior, said. “I love being doused with cold water in front of Wolfgang
Flowers.” Although the dare is usually done in groups, it still isn’t anything like the average Internet challenge sensation. The Ice Bucket Challenge won’t choke you like the Cinnamon Challenge, or burn you like the Ice and Salt Challenge. Instead, its purpose is to raise money and awareness for ALS, while getting people drenched with ice water.  “At first I thought it was stupid,” Catherine Munn, junior, said, “People just dumping ice water on their heads. But when I figured out the meaning, I was happy to contribute!” The first contribution to the Challenge started in Massachusetts. Pete Frates, a 29-year-old and former Boston College baseball captain, was diagnosed with ALS. Then he started posting about the disease on social media, leading to the spread of awareness and eventually, the viral Ice Bucket Challenge. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s
Disease, degenerates the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to a steady loss of muscular functions. More than 30,000 Americans have ALS at any given time, as stated by ALSA.org. Many patients in later stages become completely paralyzed, and many pass away within 2 to 5 years of diagnosis. ALS is inherited in only five to ten percent of cases, the rest of the time, it occurs randomly, according to the Mayo Clinic. Pete Frate’s diagnosis was especially unusual for his age, as ALS more normally affects those between 40 and 70 years old. As a result of Frate’s efforts and his connections to the Boston baseball community, many local athletes became the first people to accept the Ice Bucket Challenge. The local news stations picked up the story and, before long, the Challenge had spread to the top of the A-list, as well as the top of America’s executive branch of government.
Courtesy of Michelle Moore
Although President Obama denied having an actual bucket of ice dumped on his head, instead he elected to donate $100 to the ALS Association. This action is perfectly acceptable by the rules of the Ice Bucket Challenge. When someone is nominated for the Challenge, they have 24 hours to film themselves getting drenched, or make a donation to ALS. Despite this rule, many people decide to do both, which is likely what led to a 1000% increase in fundraiser profits from last year for the ALS Association. “I’d do it again. It was fun and for a good cause.” Samantha Morales, freshman, said. Ice Bucket Challenge participants have raised more than $2.3 million dollars to the ALS Association, according to the Huffington Post. “I would definitely encourage others to do it,” Ms. Otero said, “It’s literally five seconds, and its for such a good cause.”
“It’s literally five seconds, and it’s for such a good cause.” -Assistant Principal Lauren Otero
Cold water rushes over administrators in the courtyard. The Challenge was done on Aug.18 at the teachers’ back-to- school barbecue.
New “Bring Your Own Device” laws introduced in Hillsborough Nikki Lund Staff Writer In 2010, according to sdhc.k12.us, the National Education Technology Plan was introduced in America as an attempt to integrate modern electronics into school curriculum, leading to the pilot of the Bring Your Own Device laws in Florida. Launched originally on April 11th, 2013, the laws allow students to use their laptops, tablets, smart phones, and e-readers, during class. This is at the discretion of the student’s teacher, and may also only be used for educational purposes. “I don’t think it will really affect the future of our education, technology use doesn’t have a lot to do with intellect.” Nadia Stratton, sophomore, said. As of the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year, the
wireless at Plant now requires a user name, password and an agreement statement to be granted access. “I don’t know how to access it.” Lauren Vu, senior, said. “If it is supposed to be common knowledge, why don’t more people know it?” Many students, once logged in, have found that they cannot access Google, Snapchat, Instagram, or Twitter. Another student observation has been that the server now has noticeably more restrictions than the old wireless did, and the connections to certain websites seem to waver throughout the day. The new laws will allow administration to view files, messages and activities occurring on devices connected to the server at any time. “I don’t like it. I don’t want people looking through my phone!” Brandea Rafferty, junior, said.
However, many Plant High staff members welcome these new laws, believing it will improve the overall quality of modern-day education, expanding the reach of student knowledge. “Technology is here, and teachers need to be modeling and instructing on how to make the best use of devices towards education”, Sharon Schram, the media specialist, said. “It’s about time Hillsborough County acknowledged the fact that technology can influence not only student participation, but the depth of learning.” Kristina Renaud, a teacher of AP Language & Composition, said. Florida education is now expanding its reach into technology, and the “BYOD” laws promise to bring about a new change about our school system.
September 2014
6 • Features
Photography teacher wins national bike race E.V. Phillips Sports Editor AP Art History and Photography teacher Bill Renninger took gold in two major events over the summer for cross country cycling. Renninger won both the USA Cycling Florida and USA Cycling National Championship races in May and July, respectively. The Florida Championship served as a qualifying race for Renninger and other bikers competing to move on to the National Championship in Bear Creek Resort, Penn. Renninger took nine months to prepare for his upcoming races, which not only served as a method of training, but also a method of being mentally focused during the races. “I would tell myself, ‘I spent nine months training for this’ as a way to get myself prepared,” Renninger said. The course of the race itself, according to Renninger, was “really rocky, nasty, and gnarly.” The 13-mile race was made up of two 6.5 mile loops, which were composed of a 2.5 mile uphill section and a 3.5 mile downhill section. “I was suffering. Everyone was. The race was all about how much misery you could endure. There was lots of mental preparation
I had to do before hand. I really tried to push myself by thinking that I wanted to truly give it my all, so that afterwards I wasn’t thinking ‘Man, I could have done more’” Renninger, along with achieving his desired goal, also ended up securing a victory with a time of 1:15.25, which was roughly six seconds faster than the second place finisher. “When I was all done, I felt like I left it all out there,” he said. Renninger’s family was out to support and spectate him during his race and first place finish as well. “My family is actually from Pennsylvania, which is convenient, so my dad and mom came out to support, along with some of my friends,” he said. “I wasn’t really an athlete during high school, so it was really cool for them to see me competing at 42-years-old.” USA Cycling officially announced the location for the upcoming 2015 and 2016 Cross Country Mountain Biking Championships, and the race will take place on Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Ore. The new location, according to the official USA Cycling website, “will provide exciting racing for competitors and spectators alike.”
Source: Ann Renninger
AP Art History and Photography teacher Bill Renninger races through tough terrain in the USA Cycling National Championships Cross Country race in Bear Creek Resort, Penn. Renninger placed first in both the Florida and National races.
September 2014
Features • 7
Outdoorsmen Alliance forages for members
Source: Mark Gauthier
Junior Mark Gauthier displays the fish he caught on a recreational fishing trip. An interest in hobbies such as fishing inspired Gauthier to create the Plant Outdoorsmen Alliance.
Katie Whitson News Editor As students settle into new classes and resume participation in extracurricular activities, school clubs are preparing for the year. While many club names are familiar on applications, the Plant Outdoorsmen Alliance is brand-new this year at Plant. The Outdoorsmen Alliance was founded by junior Mark Gauthier, who is now president of the organization. “The Plant Outdoorsmen Alliance values conservation, outdoor education, and passing on our traditions to others,” Gauthier said. Gauthier and Vice President Stratton Patterson, junior, are planning events for club members to participate in this year. Ideas for club-sponsored outings include an opening barbeque on Sunday Sept . 28 at Hillsborough River State Park. “Well, since freshman year, Mark and I have been discussing ways to start a club for students who like being outdoors and doing things like hunting and fishing. As the Vice President, I help Mark, the founder, with planning events and even outings for the club”, Patterson said. The Outdoorsmen Alliance anticipates a wide variety of opportunities for interested club members. “We are working on getting the club into fishing and archery tournaments and camping outings. We have a few seminars planned with professional hunt-
ers and fishermen,” Patterson said. Club sponsor Richard Ferlita, math teacher, shares the board’s enthusiasm for the future of the club. “There are a tremendous amount of students who enjoy the outdoors at Plant. I’m most excited to just share the knowledge about hunting and fishing that I’ve acquired in the more than forty years of experience that I have”, Ferlita said. Ferlita hopes that the club will benefit Plant and serve as a way for both male and female students to gain an appreciation for the outdoors. He hopes the club will provide opportunities for students who have never tried some of the club’s activities before to gain some experiences. “I’ve been hunting and fishing my entire life. It’s my entire lifestyle. I feel I’d be a good mentor to these kids,” Ferlita said. Ferlita also mentioned possible involvement from assistant principal David Webb, an experienced scuba diver and camper. “Our goal is to unify our student members, provide them with outdoor-related opportunities, and educate them about the outdoors. During our first year, we are very excited about getting this club off the ground and the great events we have scheduled”, Gauthier said. The Outdoorsmen Alliance has a Facebook (Plant Outdoorsmen Alliance) and Twitter (@POAPlant) to inform students interested in learning about club activities.
Derek Thomas leaves his mark Morgan Robinson Online Content Editor
After ten years at Plant High School, Derek Thomas is leaving his post as English teacher to become the AP Coordinator for Hillsborough County. “It’s a great challenge and a very appropriate next step for me,” Thomas said. Thomas took on the responsibility of sponsor for the Order of the Gold and Black, created the AP American Studies course, traveled to Europe with students and has done many more things to further the greatness of Plant High School and its student body. “The one thing that I will miss immensely is hanging out with students everyday,” Thomas said. His last day at Plant will be Sept. 16th. Go to pepoplant.com to see student’s reactions to the news of Mr. Thomas leaving. Read Online at www.pepoplant.com
September 2014
8 • Opinions
Pep O’ Plant 2415 S. Himes Avenue, Suite 103 Tampa, Florida 33629 (813) 272-3033 ext. 247
Print Editor-in-Chief Jessica Jagodzinski Online Editor-in-Chief Robby Killette News Editor Katie Whitson Features Editor Melissa Jassir Opinions Editor Bennett Taylor Arts 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 Staff Artist Nikki Lund Photographer Emalee Herrera Staff Ysabella Canto Rachel Ferreri LaNae Fluellen Katie Chae Allyssa Ashmeade Faculty Adviser Louisa Ogle
Ferguson: First Amendment violated STAFF EDITORIAL
T
he United States prides itself on being a free nation, a country where a single document provides equality and freedom; the Bill of Rights. These 10 Constitutional amendments made the emigration of millions of people plagued by discrimination and persecution possible. In addition to these liberties, the First amendment provides for the liberty of the press. Events that transpired in Ferguson, Missouri limited the freedom of the press. Modern society buries its face into social media on phones, computers, tablets, even on electronic watches that sci-fi fans ooze over. This social media creates a stream of constant news feeds, as anyone can tweet news from around the world. The Ferguson riots created a feed of news and reporting that brought many sides and stories of the riots to the attention of the public. Seventeen journalists were arrested at the Ferguson riots. Perhaps the most famous arrests were of Wesley Lowery of the Washington Post, and Ryan J. Reilly of the Huffington Post. They tweeted that they were arrested at a McDonald’s for not moving fast enough out of the building after officials cleared the restaurant out. Forty-five minutes later, they were released without being charged. The hindrance of open reporting in Ferguson presents complex issues if unaddressed. A free press exclusively exists in a democratic society, where reporters have access to public records, political meetings, and complete access to any issues that present themselves. As a nation, the
PO’P Nikki Lund
free press informs a coast-to-coast audience about current issues on a local, state and federal level. Reporters deserve their constitutional right to report the news freely and fairly. If anyone restricts the work of a journalist, they should be punished by law and investigated, as their actions likely involve illegal, underground actions. As a country, increased protection of journalists should be defined specifically by law in order to protect the work of reporters nationwide. The Ferguson riots exposed the discrimination of reporters on a local level. Yet, it may stand as a symbol of abuse against the news media if the neglect of reporters continues to go untamed. As citizens of a free country, people must raise awareness to the need to allow open reporting in an ever-changing world. If news cannot be openly discussed and shared, this country’s ideals of freedom might as well not exist.
Man on the street: What do you think of the dress code?
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.
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PO’P Emalee Herrara
PO’P Allyssa Ashmeade
“I like that you can wear short shorts but I wish I could wear spaghetti straps.” - Isabella Pittman, sophomore
“I think dress code is really bad. I like to wear those nice Nike shorts but I can’t. I want to show off my legs.” - Josh Nantz, freshman
Visit Pepoplant.com to read more on the debate!
PO’P Emalee Herrara
“Dress code is dumb. If I could wear pajamas I would, it adds to the college experience.” - Tripp Holland, senior
September 2014
Opinions • 9
You’re boring, it’s not cool
Anti-social teens romanticize mental illness Allison Figueroa Public Relations Netflix is a great way to “binge-watch” whole seasons of a television show. Sometimes, it can be like visual superglue, trapping a person there for an entire weekend,when they think they should be hanging out with their friends. Instead, they’re stuck watching “Orange is the New Black”, or “American Horror Story” alone in the dark, with the glow of a computer screen. This is all fine and dandy. But as soon as they return to civilization, someone giggles about it and says, “Oh my gosh, I’ve been in my room all weekend, I swear I have an antisocial disorder or something.” Why do so many people believe that a simple choice such as staying in for the night, sitting alone at the library to study or watching a season of Netflix qualifies them to say they have some kind of personality disorder? Now, self-diagnosis is one thing, and it can be a valid first step if someone truly believes they have an illness. But taking the problems of other people and projecting them back onto yourself is different. When someone giggles about an issue that others really struggle with, it becomes disrespectful and insensitive. This doesn’t just apply to antisocial disorders or introverted personalities. Those
shrugging their shoulders about needing a ruler to make a chart because they’re “so OCD”, or having one bad day and saying they’re “depressed” are also guilty of misappropriating a disease. People need to keep in mind that when they throw clinical phrasing around, it degrades the validity of that mental illness. In the same capacity that a decent person wouldn’t use the “R” word because it is offensive and derogatory, one should never call themselves “bipolar” for going through two moods in one day. Not to mention the ablest undertone that goes along with all of these flippant words and phrases. However, it all fits under the same category, whether the intention is ablest or not. A person wouldn’t say, “I need chemo” if they have a cold. A person wouldn’t say, “I’m a refugee” if their parents kicked them out for a day. They wouldn’t say, “I’m in poverty” if they still have a house, a bed and a fridge full of food. Maybe people say these things because assigning some particular disorder or problem that has a specific treatment absolves them of any responsibility of actually addressing the issue themselves. Humanity would be better off if we all meant what we said. Confucius did exactly that by saying, “When words lose their meaning, people lose their freedom.”
Apathy creates new way to annoy friends, appear undesirable Melissa Jassir Features Editor When people ask their friends what they did over the weekend, the response is often times “nothing.” The new trend is that “being boring is cool.” However, this is more damaging to society than seen at first glance. Instead of doing nothing, kids should be active- whether it be playing a sport, going out or doing something to positively impact their futures. This new fad is toxic. It is unrealistic to accept that certain people don’t care about anything. By not caring and trying to be purposely uninteresting, these people are being hypocritical. They are caring about being cool and about following the trend. Choosing to not do their homework, study or participate in after school activities, students decide to sit around all day sleeping or watching movies. When they tell their friends of how they did “nothing” and how their day was boring, they actually sound proud. Others mistakenly envy these people and their nonexistent accomplishments, thinking that they would be better off if they dropped their responsibilities in order to rest too.
Why are teenagers bragging about being boring? The idea that being uninteresting and dull is desirable is a misconception. While unambitious people might think that it is “cool” to do nothing, it is just inhibiting potential. If the students that waste their day doing nothing would apply themselves- for example in school, in a sport, in community service or in a hobbythey would mature and grow with the extra benefits of activities outside of school. Teenagers are preferring to adopt a careless personality as a shield. Students are scared to reveal who they really are, their passions and what makes them the person they are. Concealing these traits does not solve anything, rather escalating their self-consciousness and pushing them to continue faking their way through life. Students have to find a balance between relaxing and being active. Students should find their passion and dedicate time and effort into that activity. They should also budget time in which they can decompress, watch movies and just unwind. Teenagers need to stop promoting the idea that being boring, having no accomplishments or passions or doing absolutely nothing with their free time is something to be envied.
PO’P Nikki Lund
September 2014
10 • Centerspread
EVOLUTION of Ysabella Canto Staff Writer
In the 1950s and 1960s, computer mainframes were much too large and expensive to have in schools. Although United States legislators recognized the need for new technology in schools, resources were limited and few teachers even knew how to operate a computer. It was the creation of the programming language, Logo, by Seymour Papert that jump started technology usage in education. In the following years, computer use was limited in secondary schools to a computer lab with only one teacher, and younger students used Apple II computers for quizzes, tutorials and learning games. When the Apple II Works suite came out in 1984 with word processing, high school students could finally use their computer skills for multiple subjects and platforms. Those students could now type essays and organize data on a spreadsheet. By the early 1990s, high school typing classes were transitioning from typewriters to computers. However, the use of the Internet in schools began in 1995 and the school system has forever changed. Finally by 2003, 11 years ago, 100% of schools in America had Internet access, according to Everett Murdock’s article, “History of Computers in Education.” With this advancement in technology came the need for adjustments in school rules, curriculum and even state law. Lissie Elorza, junior, said, “Technology can be beneficial in schools if used in the right way, for instance if we could carry tablets with all our books in it so we don’t have to carry around huge textbooks. However, it must be controlled to avoid tempting distractions.” Schools
have learned that by blocking certain applications such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat they can eliminate a good deal of those “distractions”. Though the advantages that technology gives to education are numerous, it can also provide a source of information that gives students numerous ways to cheat on their assignments. Major issues also include cyberbullying and illegal downloading, both of which have been at their highest in the past five years. School boards across the nation have come up with multiple policies involving students and their online activity in and out of school. These policies are put in place to make Internet access safe and productive for educational purposes, but some students don’t even think the new technology needs to be incorporated into schools. “ I think that many (students) have learned in school before technology and we can learn without it now, Jesse Harbaugh, freshman, said. Because the technology industry is fastpaced and ever-changing, staying updated is a reoccurring problem for schools. Technology outside of the classroom is evolving fast, but there will be a delay before the school system can get up to date. When new technology is released, for example when the Apple Mac came out, the cost for schools to catch up is often too far out of budget. This leaves schools with outdated models, especially inner-city or rural schools that can’t afford the update even when prices are inevitably lower. Schools in affluent, suburban neighborhoods have the advantage over other schools. However, despite the pros and cons of new technology, its grip on the school system has already taken hold and there is no knowing if it’s for better or worse.
Senior Ali McGary, junior Ryan Tap
September 2014
Centerspread • 11
f TECHNOLOGY
PO’P Meg Barrett ppouni, freshman Stephannie Benner, junior Cameron Brown, senior Brian Nazareth, senior Michelle Beadle, freshman Chloe Sysk, junior Nicholas Tiradl, sophomore Jessie Dominici, senior Cameron McKenzie, senior Patrick Pichling
September 2014
Arts & Entertainment •13
Michael Cera-nades indie fans Meg Barrett Centerspread Editor Michael Cera, known for playing awkward teenagers in movie and television shows such as “Juno,” “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” and “Arrested Development,” pulled a total Beyoncé and quietly released his debut solo album on his BandCamp profile on Aug. 8. The 26-year-old’s low-fi album, “true that,” came to the public’s attention on Aug. 12 when Jonah Hill tweeted that Cera was not only a great actor, but also a great musician. The folky, 18-track, minimalistic album
sounds exactly like the soundtrack of a lived relationship with a girl in a bar. quirky indie film that Cera, himself, would “Coming through the filter, sweet upon star in. From the ragtime-influenced my lips / The smoke mollifies the lung instrumental “Of A Thursday,” to the gentle acoustic “Ruth,” “true that” is a cool, rainy evening in autumn. Picture a silent movie scene where the male and female leads are dancing together and their love for each other is rapidly increasing. This is what listening to “Of A Thursday” feels like. The song transitions from a classical vibe to a ragtime-energy in a matter of seconds, but it still seems to flow nicely to the end. The seventh song on the album, “Steady Now,” has a washy reverb on the vocals that makes the whole song sound slightly like shoegaze, a subgenre of alternative rock named because the musicians in this genre stand still in an introspective state, sometimes staring Bandcamp at their shoes. The beautiful lyrics take Michael Cera is a Canadian actor and musician. His the listener to another, dreamier world, album dropped on Aug. 8. and when Cera asks, “When will we see yourself / Try to forgive yourself ?” it will definitely make them think. into which it rips,” Cera sings. Despite “Ruth,” one of the more popular songs the seemingly satire feel, the vocals sound on the album, tells the sad story of a short- genuine and sincere.
The folky, bedroom pop, which sounds like it could easily be the background music to an “Animal Crossing” game, was not Cera’s first endeavor in music. He played mandolin and sang background vocals on Weezer’s “Hang On,” and toured with indie rock band Mister Heavenly. He is also a member of the off-the-cuff rag-tag band, The Long Goodbye. For the “Juno” soundtrack, Cera and Ellen Page covered “Anyone Else But You” by The Moldy Peaches, an antifolk group founded by Adam Green and Kimya Dawson. This debut makes listeners want to throw on a Bill Cosby-esque sweater, brew up some blueberry, raspberry, ginseng, sleepy time, green tea, green tea with lemon, green tea with lemon and honey, liver disaster, ginger with honey, ginger without honey, vanilla almond, white truffle, blueberry chamomile, vanilla walnut, constant comment or… earl grey tea, and listen to the rain. The album can be streamed for free or downloaded for $7 on his BandCamp page. Cera says that at this point, he has no plan to release any more music in the future, but he is not opposed to the idea.
Robin Williams, forever in our childhood memories Bennett Taylor Opinions Editor When Robin Williams died, the acting community lost a prominent figure who had shined for 30 years in a wide variety of films. His abilities and talent spread across all mediums; Grammys, Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and other awards bear witness to his talent to entertain. He’s won awards as a supporting actor, topped the music charts with multiple albums, and shined as a comedian and an inspirational ...the original
character in his movies. Robin Williams succeeded in starring and personifying a variety of different roles in his career. From “Hook”, a childhood retelling of Peter Pan, to “Good Will Hunting”, a brilliant story of a M.I.T janitor who finds his purpose from a psychiatrist, the variety of films that Williams plays a role in shows his ability to change into any character, and perform it well. One role that Williams played in was “Jumanji”, a thriller released in the 90’s. While it did not win any major roles, it did
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captivate all elements of William’s ability; his witty humor, his strong personality, and his ability to succeed in a lead role. Jumanji was released as a child-friendly film for the whole family. But it turned out to be a bizarre, poorly animated film where a game causes a group of people to be constantly beaten down and hurt by a variety of jungle-themed predators, from elephant stampedes to tigers and anything in between. Williams portrays the character of Alan with great charisma and humor. As per
usual, he slips in clever references wherever possible, including “What happened to you, the Clampetts have a yard sale?” referring to the little girl’s outfit. The impact of Robin Williams can not be measured in awards; rather, his talent and ability to entertain inspired a new generation of actors to perform at their very best. His career in film and music spanned decades, as albums and films constantly entertained the public with stellar performances.
September 2014
14 • Arts & Entertainment
New shows, same plot lines Fall TV series lineup prepares to un-satisfy cravings for new, exciting television Gracepoint
Drama
Comedy
Black-ish
Comedy
Comedian Anthony Anderson stars as Andre Johnson, a successful man living with his wife and four children in a large suburban home. After realizing his family’s wavering cultural identity, Andre sets out to help his kids establish themselves in their own culture. His first obstacle: his son is begging for a bar mitzvah despite not being Jewish. Premieres Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 9 p.m. on ABC.
The Flash
Superhero Fiction
Bad Judge
The murder of a young boy triggers a media riot, disturbing the victim’s family and community. The Americanized version of the British series Broadchurch, stars “Dr. Who” actor David Tennant and “Breaking Bad” actress Anna Gunn. Premieres Thursday, Oct. 2 at 9 p.m. on FOX.
Regular guy Barry Allen acquires powers after being struck by an explosion at the S.T.A.R. Labs particle accelerator. With new super speed abilities, Allen becomes The Flash a crime-fighting, justice-seeking, awe-inducing superhero. Adapted from the D.C. comic books, The Flash is also a spin-off of the CW’s other popular super show Arrow. Except to see Green Arrow make appearances this season. Premieres Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. on the CW.
Kate Walsh stars as Rebecca Wright, an esteemed L.A. criminal court judge. Though she seems to have it all, Wright’s personal life is out of control and her love life’s a mess. Will she be able to overcome this predictable and overused storyline? Watch Walsh make her third attempt (“Grey’s Anatomy”, “Private Practice”) at starring in a prime time television drama. Premieres Thursday, Oct. 2 at 9 p.m. on NBC.
Happyland
Drama/Comedy
Lucy is a cynical teenage girl raised in a popular theme park and the daughter of a princess. Well, her mother dresses up like one. Lucy is ready to escape the world of make-believe happiness until she meets Ian, the attractive son of the park’s new owner. On the verge of romance, a scandalous secret is revealed that can make their hearts stop and their stomach’s sick. Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 11 p.m. on MTV.
Selfie
Comedy
Finishing her career on “Dr. Who”, Karen Gillian stars as Eliza Dooley, a young adult obsessed with Internet stardom. However, on her quest for followers, she loses her IRL friends. Desperate to rebuild her image, she hires Henry Higenbottam, played by John Cho, to help her get a life outside of cyberspace and rebuild her selfie-steem. Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. on ABC.
September 2014
Arts & Entertainment • 15
New competitor runs for best Mexican grill
Haley Babbitt Photography Editor
Bright green and yellow walls, exceptionally large beer inflatables, and a salsa bar. The first step into the restaurant Lime makes people feel like they are going to get the Tex-Mex cuisine they came for. It also has cushioned booths, which is always a plus! The time between the dinner and lunch rush, between 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., is the best time to go. If one is looking for a late dinner or a late night snack, Lime is open until 10:00 p.m. The customer service is quality. The cashiers are welcoming and treat the customers with respect and care. After I ordered and was paying for my meal, the cashier took an unreasonable amount of time to give me my change because she was unsure of her math. She politely apologized for possibly making a
mistake in the change she gave me. Later, after I had received my food, the cashier came over to my table and offered me a complimentary cup of guacamole or queso. I told her that the change was the right amount, but she continued to insist on giving me a side. Needless to say, I felt important and cared for, which is the way a customer should feel. The atmosphere was fun and inviting, and unlike Chipotle and Moe’s, Lime brings the food to the customers at their table. Pricing was about average for this type of Fresh Mex food. Customers should expect to spend an avPO’P Jessica Jagodzinski erage of about $12.00 on a meal per person. The food, however, was nothing extrava- Lime offers an alternative to big-chain Mexican grills. The restaurant is located near International Mall on Westshore Boulevard. gant. The ingredients were fresh, but nothChipotle and Moe’s is the personalization. Chipotle doesn’t even have one to compare ing about the meal stood out to me. Compared to its competitors, Lime’s tor- People shouldn’t go to the Lime if they are it to. looking for a build-your-own dish type of tilla’s were crisp, and almost stale tasting. The location of Lime is not the most The tacos are semi-dry, because they do format. convenient. It is on Westshore Boulevard, The salads and quesadillas, however, are a which comes to a dead end, at to the corner not put any sauce in the them. There are no basic options for burritos bit more impressive because of the unique of Boy Scout Road. It is easy to drive past either. There is one with beans, cheese, and dill, ranch-like sauce that they come with. and not easy to get back to. One thing customers should look forveggies but no rice, and other options that Overall Lime is not worth the money. ward to is the chips and queso at Lime. The experience is more of the reason to go have unusual mix-ins such as bacon. One reason people like the concept of It is more flavorful than Moe’s queso, and to this restaurant than the food.
September 2014
Features • 17
Knights move to Dad’s Stadium LaNae Fluellen Staff Writer Corroded screws and unstable seating weakly hold together the fan bleachers at Robinson’s Jack Peters Field. Consequently, these components also led to the movement of Robinson football games to Plant’s Dad’s Stadium. During its bi-annual inspection, the Robinson stands were found to be so structurally unsound, the cause for alarm stemming from the faulty seating atop worrisome structures underneath that they were shut down immediately. News Channel 8 reporter Candace McCowan, in her investigative interview with Stephen Hegarty, a representative of the Hillsborough County School District, said fan until could not enter the bleachers until the district was ensured that they were secure. The closing of the stands right before football season upset some South Tampa community members. “We will have the first ‘home game’ of our senior year at Plant’s stadium, we will not be able to cheer on our home field in our own stands, and that stinks”, Alexis Jeffries, Robinson senior said. Along with the emotional aspect of losing their home field for the first game, Robinson will also see a loss in rev-
enue. “We will not make any money at our concession stand, nor will we make any money from parking”, said Mrs. Jacqueline Ferris, a mother of a Robinson student. A Tribune staffer also pointed out that along with the moving of games to Plant, Robinson would also have to make unexpected travel arrangements for the team, band, and cheerleaders. The fact that Robinson’s games will be held at Plant leaves some students eager for the upcoming season. “I am happy, because it is better for them, since their fans will be in safe stands”, Jake Fruhmorgan, Varsity Football player, said. “I am excited to see all my Robinson friends during their games here at Plant”, Maddie Robinson, Freshman, said. Even more so, the annual Plant vs. Robinson game, which was scheduled to be held at Robinson, will be held at Plant this year. “I am excited because it gives Plant the home field advantage which is amazing”, McKenzie Kennedy, Senior, said. Robinson is working hard to get its football games back home. Although its Sept. fifth game against Plant will be held at Dad’s Stadium, according to tbo.com, Robinson has a bid out for repair work, hoping to have its stands open by its second home game on Sept. 19th.
PO’P Lanae Fluellen
Due to their unsafe seating, the Robinson bleachers have been shut down by Hillsborough county School District. Robinson football games will be played nearby this season, at Plant’s Dad’s Stadium.
FHSAA creates new helmet law Emily Greiwe Copy Editor Because of increased number of concussions, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) has announced a new rule regarding helmets and girls lacrosse. “Beginning with the 2015 season, all female lacrosse players must wear helmets as a precautionary against head injuries.” Though the declaration states that girls will be required to wear helmets in the upcoming season, it specifies neither the type of helmet or specifications that players would expect from such a forward rule. The first published rule of its kind in the nation has left players and coaches completely in the dark. Coaches and players all over the state are in an outrage over the new helmet rules and their discontinuity with existing national rules.” To be honest, i completely hated it and was against it.” Hannah Schultz, junior, said regarding her initial reaction. This new mandate goes against the code designated by the US Lacrosse Association, which currently allows but does not require soft headgear. After the June 10th meeting and proposal, US Lacrosse has called coaches in Florida to action, requesting that they contact FHSAA board members and request they reconsider. According to a survey from the Sports
and Fitness Industry Association, Lacrosse is the fastest growing high school sport. More than 170,000 students are estimated to participate in America;more than 158 percent increase from 2008. But with more people getting involved in the high speed sport, the number of injuries is also sky-rocketing. More than 22 percent of injuries in Girls Lacrosse are attributed to concussions, as published by The American Journal of Sports. I think if we are going to have to wear helmets,” Megan Delmissier, junior said “We might as well play by the boys rules.” Girls lacrosse doesn’t involve nearly the same level of physical contact as boys lacrosse ; “full body” contact is forbidden. But dangerous impacts with other players, sticks, the ball, and the ground still occur often. 60 percent of concussions in girls occurred when they were struck by the ball, while 75 percent of concussions in boys are attributed to direct physical contact. In a press release by FHSAA.org, Executive Director Dr. Roger Dearing said, “For FHSAA, nothing – is more important than the safety of our student-athletes. Even though the rules of girls lacrosse are intended to keep it safe, it remains a highly competitive sport and we must do everything we can to make it as safe as possible for the girls proudly representing their schools.”
September 2014
18 • Sports
Bridging the gap:
Athletes work to fill holes left behind by 2014 senior class. Morgan Robinson Online Content Editor
Redskins’ name starts racial dilemma Robby Killette Online Editor-in-Cheif One of the big topics going around the sports world recently has been the about the Redskins and if it’s an acceptable team name. Recently debates have started again on if the team should be able to keep the Redskin mascot or if it’s too degrading and racist. On June 18, 2014 the Trademark and Trial appeal board of the United States Patent and Trademark office considered the name “Disparaging the Native Americans” and voted to cancel the Washington Redskins federal trademark registration. The original revolt started after the team routed the Denver Broncos 42-10 in Super Bowl XXII in 1988. There was objection, letters written to the franchise owner Jack Kent Cook, and boycotts of Redskins merchandise. The outcry for change continued once again in 1992 during the teams Super Bowl match-up against the Buffalo Bills. Then 21 years passed and people again started protesting at the Redskins game, which helped eventually turned this into one of the most debated topics in the country. I don’t understand why so many people get irritated by a name of a football team, there not personally calling anyone out or harming anyone. Eventually the franchise to was moved Washington to become the Washington Redskins in 1937 and it hasn’t changed since. Why change something that has been the same for some 77 years. The NFL would be changed and the legacy of the Washington Redskins would be tarnished forever. I completely agree with NFL legend Mike Ditka who said “It’s been the name of the team since the beginning of football. It has nothing to do with something that happened lately, or something that somebody dreamed up. This was the name, period. Leave it alone. These people are silly, asinine, actually, in my opinion.” and “It’s so much [expletive] it’s incredible.” There are other sports team mascots in Florida that created similar controversy. In 2005, there were protest against Florida State University’s mascot the Seminoles. The Redskins’ Head Coach Jay Gruden’s almater, Chamberlain High who’s mascot is the Cheifs could also create problems in Hillsborough County.
With each new year comes an influx of fresh talent for Plant athletics. Each freshman class brings promise and excitement for future success. However, with that excitement also comes a great sense of loss as teams are left without vital players each year as each graduation strips teams of vital components that were relied on so heavily in previous competition. This year, Plant’s swim, football, and soccer teams are already sensing the gaps that have been left behind by last year’s senior athletes. “We lost a lot of great seniors like Kyle Kimura, Ally Donahue, and Carter Flynn, but we still have a very strong team and some amazing freshmen. We have an exciting season ahead of us and basically we’re going to win a lot,” Alanna Gonzalez, senior swimmer, said of the team’s prospects for the 2014 season. The boys’ soccer team is also looking to put in some work this year now that a number of their top
players have moved on. “The seniors were definitely a big asset last year but we still have many players that can step up and make our team great. There is much room to improve and do well this year we just need to put in the work. This year we will be without many great players such as Cole Dominguez, Zach Thompson, and Barrett LaVielle,” Seth Rinkevich, senior, said of his team’s next steps. A major point of focus for the school as well as the community this year is the boys’ football team. After so many seniors left and signed with college teams after last season, there is great anticipation for this year’s team to step up and carry out the same level of success and talent that is expected of these high school students. “Last year’s team definitely turned over a new leaf for us. Making it all the way to the semifinals was a big accomplishment and we hope to build off that this year, but we are definitely going to miss our seniors, especially explosive players like Buda Jackson, Andrew Beck, and Bernard Rogers.
We will also miss the leadership of players like Cam winter and Ronald Young,” Luke McFadden, senior captain and wide receiver, said of this year’s varsity football team. Following the first preseason game Friday, fans certainly were not disappointed with the 21-17 win against Armwood High School. “Even though we lost a lot of talented seniors we also had a lot of upcoming seniors and juniors that are really talented. I’m so excited to start this season off with all our fans and can’t wait to cheer on our players on the field,” Emma Haney, senior fan said of her expectations for her senior year in the student section. It’s no secret that Plant has a standard of excellence to uphold both on and off the field and the upcoming year is going to be no different. Fans and players alike have no doubts that the 2014-2015 Plant athletes possess the same drive and sheer talent that this school is used to seeing and are don’t expect to be disappointed come game time.
PO’P Morgan Robinson
Top left: Cameron Davidson, senior, prepares to enter the pool Bottom left: Luke McFadden takes on a defender at the game against Armwood Right: Alex Weinstein defends a ball carrier from Steinbrenner
September 2014
20 •Online
What's POPin' Online Football season revives panther pride
Courtesy of Caroline Miller
Caroline Miller, senior, and Rachel Hudek , senior, cheer for Plant in Lowndes, GA. Plant lost 20-14.
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PO’P Haley Babbitt
Players watch their teammates as they prepare to enter the game against Armwood. Plant shocked Armwood and won 21-17.
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The seniors go wild during the PO’P Armwood Haley game. Babbit The student section had signs, painted up and cheered the team to victory
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