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Robinson High School 6311 S. Lois Ave., Tampa, FL 33616
Volume 58, issue 3 |february, 2018
news
Whats inside • Find out why physics students are frustrated with their class
pg 2
opinion
• See what staffers think about Valentine’s Day
sports
By Lillian Martin News Editor
• Take a look at a photo gallery of boys basketball and read about the cheer team’s recent success
pg 4
feature
pg 6
• Check out some of the biggest events of 2017
A&E
pg 5
• Read the movie review on Darkest Hour
pg 8
Struggling with Addiction? Find more information on how to receive help by using Snapchat to scan the QR code below.
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Addiction. Secrets. Misconceptions. E-cigarettes have become increasingly popular, and users don’t know the consequences.
everal years ago, smoking cigarettes was a huge trend among high school students. Fast forward to modern day, and the unofficially labeled “cancer stick” is now considered taboo, but it didn’t leave without something new taking its place; the e-cigarette. The use of the e-cigarettes, JUUL’s and PHIX’s, have become increasingly popular throughout the country. Seeing kids blow out clouds of smoke in the hallways has become a widespread new normal, and more and more students are finding themselves addicted to the nicotine associated with them. “I started Juuling socially around friends and stuff, but then I started doing it more when I was home. Now it’s kind of just a constant thing, like I need to have it,” Jessica* (’18) said. “I know it’s probably not great for me, but it’s better than smoking cigarettes.” E-cigarette companies claim that they are an alternative to smoking cigarettes. They are seen to be healthier, cleaner, and generally better than the traditional cigarette. They are now the most commonly used form of tobacco by youth in the U.S., however according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), they aren’t all they’re cut out to be. A recent study done by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine concluded that e-cigarettes are safer than cigarettes, however this doesn’t necessarily mean that they are safe overall. Another study, conducted by the UNC school of medicine, found that not only do e-cigarettes trigger the same immune responses that normal cigarettes do; they spur unique immune responses, too. There are no long term studies on their effects on the body, but based on the studies done within recent years, they are still extremely harmful and seemingly addictive. Nonetheless, many users fail to realize that. “We know that the vapor from e-cigarettes is harmful because it contains harmful ingredients, including nicotine,” an article on the CDC website read. “Nicotine exposure during adolescence can cause addiction and can harm the developing brain.” A large sum of students believe
that the use of an e-cigarette is virtually harmless. They don’t know about the risks associated, presumably because of the little research done on them thus far. “I mean; I don’t think they’re really that harmful. I’m addicted to the nicotine now but it’s safe for my body, I think,” Ryan*(‘19) said. “I have to do it a lot throughout the day. Sometimes I’ll go through a whole pod in one day. That’s just life now.” The amount of nicotine in one JUUL pod is equivalent to about one whole pack of cigarettes. They also contain harmful chemicals and heavy metals according to an article published by NBC news, and inhalation of these substances causes inflammation within the lungs. Users going through several pods per week are at a serious risk for addiction, and at a high risk for smoking cigarettes or using other cancer causing, tobacco-related products later in life, according to a recent article published by the New York Times. Many students found themselves vaping merely because everyone else was doing it, maybe at a party or other social events. Escalation of the usage was quick though, and now, most categorize it as something they need in their life. Just as many teens can’t leave the house without their phone, some now cannot leave the house without their e-cigarette. “I use my JUUL all
day, every day. I get anxious when I don’t have it on me. It’s not even fun to do it anymore. It started as something I just picked up on because all of my friends were doing it, and now it’s basically a necessity,” said Maggie* (‘19). “I tried quitting, but it was hard. I’ll quit eventually.” Hillsborough County Schools has a strict tobacco/smoke free policy, which includes the use of e-cigarettes. However, students still bring their e-cigarettes to school with them, and seem to find various ways to use them throughout the day. They aren’t too concerned with getting caught. “Juuling at school is easy to get away with, and I think that’s why so many of us do it,” Jamie* (‘20) said. “I can do it in class without my teachers knowing. Passing is easy too, nobody notices through the crowds.” Many teachers aren’t fully aware of what JUUL’s and PHIX’s even are, as they aren’t extremely noticeable. Some even compare the looks of them to USB drives. With over 1,600 students on campus, it can prove difficult to spot the ones blowing out clouds of smoke. “I think teachers should be more aware, but it’s hard sometimes,” Christopher Pettit, assistant principal of Robinson said. “There’s so much going on in a day, and we have to weigh out the issues and priorities.” There have been four tobacco/smoke related referrals from Robinson alone as of Dec. 22, 2017, and while that number may not seem big, it’s certainly higher than the zero tobacco/smoke related referrals Robinson had during the 2016-2017 school year. “Anytime students are told they can’t have something, naturally they’re going to try it,” Pettit said. “The whole vaping thing, it’s not safe. It’s not healthy.” So, how long is the vaping trend going to last, especially around Robinson’s students? That’s a hard question to answer, as many students gave different answers. Some say they think it’ll last only a few more months, others say years. The general consensus however, was that it’s going to be hard for the trend to die as long as kids stay addicted. “I don’t think it’s going away anytime soon. Most of my friends juul, and even a ton of my college friends do it too. Its huge,” Brian* (‘18) said. “So many people are addicted to the nicotine now, so it’s kind of going to be hard for it to just blow away.” * Names have been changed to protect our sources.
02 KNIGHT WRITERS | News |Febuary, 2018
NEWS
District Plans New Addition To Robinson C
A new parking lot and 12 new classrooms are projected to be added to Robinson by the 2019-20 school year.
By Hayle Short Managing Editor
ars circle looking for spots, traffic piles up, and students are getting frustrated as they become late to class. Administration sprints across the parking lot to tell students why they are parking incorrectly and need to leave. Any student at Robinson is aware of the drama that fills the student parking lot every morning. But next year, all this could change. “Robinson High school has been approved for a construction project that will add twelve classrooms to the campus, as well as a brand new parking lot. We are well underway in those phases,” Principal Robert Bhoolai said. “I have the blueprints in my office already, so we are waiting on the final approvals from the engineers and things like that for all the paperwork. And we will be good to go.” According to the five-year facilities work plan, a financial plan outlying the budget for schools spanning the next five years, over $9 million has been
h. short Cars crowd up in the student parking lot, with some students trying to park, and others getting dropped off.
allotted to Robinson for the construction. However, many students are skeptical that the building will be completed on time, as rumors of construction have been circulating for years. “I don’t think it’s going to happen. I feel like they are going to use the money for something else,” Kim Huynh (‘19)
Beads and Pirates Galore Take a look at one of tampas longest running traditions. All Photos Taken By Stori Pardee Contributer
The famous Gasparilla boat floats on the water, making its way around the bay.
Theatre Preps for SPring Musical S
Families wave to the parade floats, indicating they want to be thrown beads.
People line up on Bayshore Boulevard, watching the pirate filled parade.
Hands are flown up in the air as children and adults alike try to collect as many beads as possible.
said. “Like they built the blue tarp thing at lunch, which we really didn’t need. I won’t believe it until I see it.” According to Bhoolai, the project should be ready for the start of the 2019-2020 school year, leaving juniors and seniors in the dust. However, the 12 classroom addition could not have come
at a better time. As Tampa continues to grow as a city, so does the population at Robinson. “We feel [the overpopulation], but not where it’s unbearable,” Assistant Principal Nikki Lockett said. “We have tried to make some accommodations with extra seating for the cafeteria with the shade structure with outdoor seating, that has helped to make it not feel as overcapacity [sic] as it is.” Robinson, due to the size of the building and amount of room, has a limited number of students that are supposed to attend. “We are well over the 1599 limit,” Lockett said. Nevertheless, most students are excited about the idea of a new addition at Robinson. “I’m super excited for this awesome new lot,” Jess Vidovich (‘20) said. “I’ll be ready to drive soon, so it’s nice that a bright and shiny new lot will be waiting for me and others.”
By Mackenzie Hatton Staff Writer
pring musical season is approaching, and Robinson’s theater troupe is putting on Rent. Originally, Rent the Musical is a story about struggling, impoverished young artists who are trying to chase their dreams and live their own lives. They face troubles such as drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, gender identity, and love. Since it does have mature themes, the troupe is allowed to use the school edition to put the play on for the school. “I’m really excited to put this on because the kids love it and and so do the people who know musical theater,” Maureen Pelamati, theater teacher at Robinson, said. “A lot of musicals that have come out since then were definitely influenced by Rent. The music is just phenomenal.” Besides the fact that it is popular, one of the reasons the troupe is doing Rent is because there is finally a school edition available. “It is very edgy so we’re going to take it to the edge,” Pelamati said. “But we’re still going to make it a good clean show that everyone can enjoy.” Lyndsie Rastetter (‘19), the Assistant Director for the play, was also enthusiastic to hear that the troupe was putting on Rent. “It’s a really big musical,” Rastetter said. “When people think of theater, they think of
Rent.”
j. whitaker Theatre members Kat Scott (‘19) and Orlea Mattson (‘18) hold hands as they start to prepare for the spring musical. This years musical, Rent, is set to premiere in March.
She is ready for a musical that has a cause and a true meaning, as is Kat Scott (‘19) who plays Maureen, one of the main characters of the musical. “I am excited for the representation Rent has as a show and just the awareness it will bring,” Scott said. Opening night is March 1 and there are four more dates to go and see the show: March 2, 7, 8 and 9. Ticket prices haven’t been confirmed yet, but theater students will be selling tickets in advance.
Trending on rhstoday.com Mini dance Marathon By Amelia Foster Staff Writer “Strong legs run so that weak legs may walk.” When Strong Legs service club was founded in 2011 to give back to Shriners Hospital, that was its motto. Visit rhstoday.com to read this story.
Gasparilla needs to be more Relay for Life hosts By Alanna Felton inclusive Survivor Breakfast A&E Editor If one were to examine the history books closely enough, examples of female pirates who dominated their eras abound. Visit rhstoday.com to read this story.
By Nicole Perdigon Staff Writer
On Feb. 10, The American Cancer Society will host a Relay for Life Survivor Breakfast at Hyde Park Presbyterian Church to celebrate those who have overcome cancer. Visit rhstoday.com to read this story.
fEBUARY, 2018 | News | KNIGHT WRITERS 03
no teacher turnout
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he science department at Robinson High School has been going through some struggles this year due to the loss of multiple physics teachers. The physics class started the year with teacher Sadije Redsovick who resigned and was replaced by David Clark. Clark left just before winter break and the class had a substitute up until Thursday, Jan. 18 when George Mabry was assigned as a temporary teacher for two days. Mabry has been filling in for IB biology teacher Constance Whitman, who has been on maternity leave since the spring of 2017. However, Whitman recently announced that she will not be returning to Robinson for unsaid reasons. Because administration expected Whitman to return to work, Mabry’s substitution contract for the IB biology class will expire this February. Administration was previously considering him for the physics position after Whitman returned. Now, Mabry is one of many applicants for the biology position. If he is not offered the job, then administration would consider him to take over as the new physics teacher, as intended by the original plan. “We really enjoy him as a teacher,” said Jennifer Rosage, Assistant Principal of Curriculum. “I know that kids that had him for physics just for two days thought he was great… So, we definitely want to keep him and make sure he stays in Hillsborough County.” While Mabry is a certified teacher, he has no experience teaching physics, which is why he is more serious about seeking the biology positon. However, he understands the desperation for a physics teacher after running the class for only two days. “Most of [the students] seemed pretty happy to be getting a new teacher,” Mabry said. “Some of the other
Marines have some competition
news
By Morgan Brazier Staff Writer
students seemed less confident that a teacher would stay because they have gone through a lot of teachers.” Students feel like they are being left out of the conversation and with no word of a replacement plan, they can’t help but lose hope. “I feel as if the administration needs to do a better job at communicating with those who take the class,” physics student Jada Flanegan (’18) said. “We find information from others. I do not have faith in the administration due to their lack of communication.” Either way, Mabry has high chances of getting a full time job at Robinson for the remainder of the year. “If I do go [to teach a class], I’ll be staying until the end of the year,” Mabry said.
m. brazier George Mabry, who has been the fill in teacher for Constance Whitman, teaches a class. He is being considered for a physics position at Robinson. “Most of the students seemed pretty happy to be getting a new teacher,” Mabry said.
Four members of Robinson’s staff recently underwent marine training.
By Natalia McCalla Staff Writer and so were our Robinson teachers. he United States is seen as “Everything you do is the best military force in part of a larger unit,” Bhoolai the world; therefore all military said. “As an educator, you can training is a challenge. Marine implement that perspective training is known to be one of back at work because that’s the most physical, mental and what’s we do here everyday emotionally challenging boot at Robinson. We are all art of camp. Robinson’s Principal one big team.” Robert Bhoolai and teachers courtesy of b. seal The military is not the Kailyn Mormon, Brenda Seal Robinson teachers Kailyn Mormon, Shawn Taylor, same job as teaching, but they and Shawn Taylor recently and Brenda Seal, and Principal Robert Bhoolai, do share a common mindset headed off to South Carolina pose for a picture. to work as one to make their for four days, three nights, to went home with sore bodies, but teams goal come true. experience the struggles to become they left their training session with a marine of the U.S military. “I witnessed phenomenal knowledge and a few new aspects “Our 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. days character development through of understanding what it means to were filled with activities ranging the U.S. Marine Corps’ Core be a marine. from a visit to the FA-18 training Values of Honor, Courage, and “What I learned is it’s a lot of facility, to commitment courses, Commitment,” Seal said. “My hard work, a lot of dedication. to team building exercises, to the appreciation and gratitude They spend a lot of time breaking gas chamber, to rifles, to mess hall for our military branches you down so you’re not as lunches with new recruits, to drill grew exponentially and I left individualistic, you’re more of a instructors shouting,” Seal said. this amazing experience reflecting team player.” said Bhoolai. The unforgettable experience on many characteristics including The weight of the military is left faculty members in shock with dedication, respect, value, not one man or one branch, it’s on the amount of work and effort our integrity, challenge, integrity, everyone who is a part of it. The marines go through in order to physical strength, high standards, marines are trained to be team, be prepared for their jobs. They determination, and pride.”
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Thank you
Robinson High School Foundation for funding RHStoday and Knight Writers.
GET LOUD! T
By Andrew McMillan Staff Writer
he gym is paraded with purple streamers, shirts and posters. Hundreds of students fill the gym in complete silence. But when Robinson’s basketball team scores their ninth point, the bleachers erupt with cheers and hope for the future. In its fourth year now, the annual Break the Silence game, which is now known as “Get Loud”, continues to raise awareness against domestic violence, partnering with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and The Spring. The ninth point signifies that every nine seconds, a woman in the U.S. is domestically abused or beaten. Katie Cassedy (‘16) founded the event in 2015, and passed it down to her sister, Carolina Cassedy (‘18) and Tapley Borucke (‘18), who have focused on spreading the event around the Tampa area. “Domestic violence is such a large issue,” Carolina Cassedy said. “I think my sister would be super proud of me with all the hard work I have put in to making her project so successful. Last year, the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay received a $25,000 grant when Katie was honored with the Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero Award. The funds are going towards expanding the event
to three other high schools this year: Hillsborough High School, Plant High School and Wiregrass Ranch High School. “It’s really exciting to be fulfilling our commitment to The Crisis Center in spreading the event to the other schools,” Co-head of this year’s game Tapley Borucke (‘18) said. “We made a handbook over the summer to make it easier for other schools to replicate our event and it’s great to see that in action.” But, because of the event’s extension across the county, it has had to change names due to trademarking reasons. Although at the end of the night attendees will still “break the silence,” the new title is “Get Loud!”. Although the game is stretching its limits to new schools, that doesn’t take away the Robinson aspect. “It creates a positive impact on the team because not only do we learn about domestic violence,” guard Quinton Lane (‘19) said. “But we also get the chance to play in front of a huge crowd, which brings a crazy atmosphere. Get Loud! is this Friday, Feb. 2, at 8 p.m. against Freedom. The seniors will be honored at halftime and shirts will be thrown out during the fourth quarter of the girls game, which starts at 6 p.m.
s. verdisco Students celebrate as the boys basketball team scores their ninth point in the annual Get Loud basketball game for domestic abuse awarness in February, 2017.
BUY A
YEAR BOOK
YeArBookforever.com
04 KNIGHT WRITERS | Opinion|Febuary, 2018
opinion
Editors Letter
The letter Is a lie
By Anna Thomas Editor-In-Chief
Organizations promise to enrich your college application, but staffer Morgan Brazier says it isn't worth it. By Morgan Brazier Staff Writer
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few weeks ago I came home to find a silver and royal blue, official-looking envelope awaiting me on the dining room table. Curious, I opened it and was intrigued when I saw that it was from The National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists and it said I had “been selected to serve as a Delegate” at a congress of “future science and technology leaders”. According to the letter, attending the congress would “enrich your academic profile” on college applications. Excited to have been selected, I informed my mother of the new opportunity. To my surprise, she was not very enthusiastic. After researching this “academy of future scientists and technologists” that sent the packet, we discovered that my mother was right to be suspicious. We found an article in the Los Angeles Times that quotes college admissions officers who confirmed that programs like this aren’t very impressive and often don’t better the chances for college admission.I found that, in
addition to being rather ineffective, this “highly selective” congress would cost between $885 and $1,785. This wasn’t the first time I had seen something like this either. Just a day before this packet arrived, I received a letter asking me to attend a seminar for college prep. After researching, my mother and I determined that was misleading as well. So, how did these organizations get my information in the first place? According to the article in the Los Angeles Times, it all starts when a student takes a standardized test and decides to mark in their address and grade point average, they don’t realize some colleges partnered with The National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists, obtain their information. These colleges then pass the information on to companies they are partnered with. The companies that run these expensive and virtually useless programs then send out seemingly official packets to teens, like myself, hoping they can convince them to pay for “exclusive” summer programs. The letter and supporting material was
convincing and even though it didn’t blatantly lie about the benefits of the program, I still found it misleading. While there is some legitimacy to these programs, I don’t believe they are worth that much money. I was disappointed to find I wasn’t sought out by a fancy college program that would really help me, but I was even more upset that there are companies making money off of impressionable young teenagers and their families. I think the only reason I didn’t buy into the scam was due to my mother’s suspicion of the packet. Unfortunately, not everyone knows to be wary of things like this which is how these companies make their money. As far as I’m concerned, it’s unfair for these organizations to promise to give “secrets of success” and imply they can give students a leg up when it seems like all they can really do is charge a thousand dollars to waste three days of your summer.
Put The “i” In “Valentine” Is Valentine’s Day sweet or bitter? Staffer Nicole Perdigon gives her take on the holiday.
By Nicole Perdigon Staff Writer
A
s people in relationships scatter to get Valentine’s gifts for their loved ones, the single people are scattering to find someone to spend the day with. However, if they’re like me, they are just getting their friends gifts while they watch the happy couples of the world. Some may know that the holiday celebrates Saint Valentine, but why? Why is this saint so memorable as opposed to others? When I went searching for the answer, I found legends and myths of Saint Valentine and the things he did that are worth celebrating. According to legend, there was more than one saint by the name of Valentine. One story claims him to be a
The Knight Writers newspaper is published by the seventh period journalism II-V class at Robinson High School.
Editor-In-Chief Anna Thomas
Managing Editors
Macy McClintock Hayle Short
priest that performed secret marriages and another story says he sent a letter to the love of his life before he died and he allegedly signed it “from your Valentine”. With the origins of Valentine’s Day shrouded in mystery, this day seems like its only point is to be used by marketers to exploit consumers in order to make money. According to “Valentine’s Day by the numbers...”, an article published by ABC News, Valentine’s Day rakes in nearly $18.2 billion every year. It seems like the holiday has no point other than to shower your partner and loved ones in chocolate and flower petals, which I personally think you
News Editor
Lillian Martin
Features Editor Ashlea Daniels
Opinion Editor
Cilicia Anderson
A&E Editor
Alanna Felton
Staff
should be doing everyday anyway. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t really enjoy Valentine’s Day. This might be because of my fifteenyear tradition of being alone or because the only person to ever get me something is my mom. To me, the day feels more like Single Awareness Day rather than a day of celebration for your certain someone. Despite my beliefs, I see the appeal of this special day. It is full of festive decorations that are pleasing to the eye, and not to mention enough candy to last you more than you need. It could be enjoyable to many, just maybe not to the loners out there.
Abigail Meyer Amelia Foster Andrew Mcmillan Athena Crews Brooke Volpi Cassidy Williams Emersyn Brown Jules Whitaker Macey Hatton Mackenzie Hatton Madison Lowe Morgan Brazier Natalia Mccalla
n. perdigon Stores around the country are stocking their aisles with candy, cards, and goodies all just to rack in millions of dollars.
Nathalie Monroy Nicole Perdigon Paul Jennewein Tahj Phillips
Publications Adviser Nancy Oben
Principal Robert Bhoolai
Robinson High School 6311 S. Lois Ave
Tampa, FL 33616 Phone: 813-272-3006 Fax: 813-272-3014 School hours: 7:33 a.m. to 3 p.m. Population 1640 Students 150 Staff
Mission Statement
The role and goal of all RHS Media is to inform, interpret and entertain their viewers through accurate and factual reports,
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couple of weeks ago, News Editor Lillian Martin came up to me with a story idea she had on the teenage use of e-cigarettes. Honestly, I didn’t immediately understand the angle or significance of the story. And now it’s on the front page of the third issue of the KnightWriters Newspaper. Lillian pushed for the story, and for good reason. Not only did her work turn out in the favor of our publication, but it taught me to step back from micromanaging the staff and to let these talented journalists do what I know they are capable of. And Lillian, a peer that I admire wholeheartedly, proved herself once again. The growth in the staff has been phenomenal; from the experienced veterans like Lillian, to the newest transfers on staff. This group of journalists will achieve more than the publication has ever done so before, long after I have left. There’s nothing easy about covering the hard-hitting topics like vaping or sexism, but the staff writers have taken on every challenge and have shown more bravery than I ever could. I have always believed that journalism is more important than it’s known to be. Reporters don’t just write to have it written, they write to have it read. These reporters write. So, I encourage you to be their reader.
and be accurate, fair and impartial in its coverage of issues that affect the school community. The staff of RHS Media will strive to report all issues in a legal, objective, accurate and ethical manner, according to the Society for Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics
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fEBURARY, 2018 | fEATURE | KNIGHT WRITERS 05
2017 At a Glance
2017 was an eventful year. Take a look back at some of its most noted moments.
Feature
By Anna Thomas and Tahj Phillips Editor-In-Chief and Staff Writer
One in a Brazilian By Ashlea Danielas Feature Editor
Jan. 20 Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.
Jan. 21
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Millions of people around the globe participate in the Women’s March.
Feb. 5 New England Patriots won against the Atlanta Falcons in the Superbowl. the new york times
Mar. 30
SpaceX tests its first orbital class rocket.
May 22 A terrorist attack at Manchester, England kills 22 and injures over 500 at an Ariana Grande concert.
cnn
June 1
The U.S. decides to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement.
Aug. 21 The Great American Solar Eclipse passes over the continental U.S., passing from the Pacific to the Atlantic. the guardian
Aug. 25-30
Hurricane Harvey strikes Texas as a Category 4 hurricane, marking the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. nasa
Sept. 6-10 Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 hurricane, hits the Caribbean Islands and rolls into Florida. nasa
Nov. 3 The iPhone X is released.
Oct. 1 Stephen Paddock opens fire into a crowd in Las Vegas, claiming 58 lives and injuring 546 more.
Nov. 27 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce their royal engagement. nbc news
Dec. 14 Disney acquires the majority of 20th Century and 21st Century Fox film studios for $66 billion.
aterina Brandani (‘19) was a lot, kiss a lot, here it’s [not like having one of the biggest days that],” Brandani said. of her life, but she was prepared Being the new kid is hard and to settle. Being the 19th person to being in a completely different choose the country that she would culture is even more difficult, but go to for her exchange program, Brandani has found ways to make she never thought that she’d get the the adjustment easier. chance to go to the United States. “We don’t change classes [in There was only one spot, and still Brazil] so we have the same one more girl to choose before classmates for the whole school her; but when the other girl chose year. Here, you have different Taiwan, Brandani started crying. classmates every single period so Brandani may be far from it’s a little harder to make friends home, but she’s found her place than it is in Brazil,” Brandani said. in the city. At 16 years old, “Being a part of a club really helps Brandani is us to make friends. participating I’m part of the in a youth exchange You know that you’re going Interact Club, which program sponsored to [meet] people that you is a part of Rotary, by Rotary, a and I made some will take [with you] for friends there. It’s foundation that aims the rest of your life, even good to be involved to create lasting change in the world. though you don’t talk in things so I can She’s from San Paul, make friends.” anymore. the largest city in Brandani’s South America, and family is not despite the similar setting of the new to exchanges; a large part of city, there are some differences her family is involved in Rotary from her home like the season and and have gone on exchanges relationships. themselves. Her godfather did “In Brazil we have a stereotype an exchange in Minnesota and that everyone is warm, [they] hug her cousins went to Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania, but her experience with the program has broadened her horizons and shown her the benefits of participating in exchange programs. “It’s been a wonderful experience. I have a sister, and I want my sister to be involved because it’s wonderful,” Brandani said. “The people that you meet, the new culture that you learn, the host family that [takes you in]... you know that you’re going to [meet] people that you’re going to take [with you] for the rest of your life, a. thomas even though you don’t talk to Caterina Brandani (‘19) sits and laughs with her them anymore.” new friends during lunch.
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bbc news
HUMANS OF RHS
Students around robinson share details about themselves you may not know from just seeing them in the halls.
Anais Pain ('18) “I moved to the U.S. from north France a year and a half ago. It really changed my life because we were moving away from my dads family, but I have really started to enjoy living here. It is such an amazing experience for my family and I, especially for my three sisters being able to grow up here. If I had the choice to stay here or go back to France, I would definitely stay here.”
Samuel Sawney ('18) “In my four years of high school, I’ve learned a lot, especially to become my own self. By that, I mean to do what you enjoy even though people might be criticizing or judging you while doing it. I’ve also learned to do what makes you happy because at the end of the day, it is your life to live and if someone is going to prevent you from doing something, you’re letting that person dictate your life.”
By Abigail Meyer Staff Writer
06 KNIGHT WRITERS | sports|Febuary, 2018
SPORTS All Photos Taken By Anna Thomas, Editor-In-Chief
Battling Through The Season Take a look at the boys basketball photo gallery for a peek at their season.
Senior point guard John Garrett flies through the air in his attempt to contest a shot. Garrett was named captain for the 2017-18 season.
Above: Forward Chistopher Rolack (‘19) fights through the defense for a layup in the game against Jefferson on Jan. 26. Below: Point Guard Cameron Lockridge (‘19) cheers on his teammates.
Forward Jovani Saturno (‘19) pauses for a breath during a free throw in a game against Jefferson. Saturno averages 3.1 points per game as a Guard Quinton Lane (‘19) slows 33% field goal shooter in his first year down for a free throw in the 53-50 on the varsity team. win against Jefferson at home.
Jumping To States By Cilicia Anderson Opinion Editor
“The season started off shaky, but towards the end we really turned things around and came together as one unit. I’m looking to improve on my ball handling to bring more to the team. I hope to keep getting faster and stronger, so in my games my team can rely on me to do the little things, like rebound and defend tougher people.”
-Jovani Saturno (‘19)
The Robinson cheer team places high at Regional Finals and looks forward to the next level of competition.
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m. mcclintock Captain Hannah Duncan (‘18) smiles at the judges during the cheer team’s tumbling routine at Robinson.
obinson cheerleaders went up against quite a few schools in their regional competition Saturday, Jan 27 at Plant City High School. Despite some rocky parts in their performance, they managed to place 5th, earning them a spot in the Semi-Finals, February 8. The Knights put in a lot of practice to perfect their routine and continue to make corrections in preparation for their remaining competition. “For the past few weeks we’ve been practicing everyday to be ready for states,” Alexis Smith (‘19) said. “Our hopes going forward is to make our routine a little harder to give us a chance to go to State Finals.” When the cheerleaders took their positions on the floor, facing a large audience and a panel of judges, their faces held confident smiles. If there was any worry or anxiousness in their hearts, the crowd couldn’t pick up on it. “Everyone was nervous because it’s a big competition and we didn’t want to mess up, but at the same time we knew we could do it because we did it so many times at practice so we were also excited,” Avriel James (‘20) said. “The expectations were to go on stage, kill it, and be happy with whatever place we got because we did our best and we went out there and believed we could do it.” During their routine, there were a couple of shaky
parts that left the audience on their toes. Although the majority of the performance went smoothly, there is still some parts that need to perfected so that the whole routine goes as planned and wins them a spot at the State Finals. “Our routine didn’t really go as expected,” Smith (‘19) said. “We dropped a few stunts which wasn’t what we were hoping for. As a team we have this problem of doing things perfect in practice but messing up in competition.” Captain Alexandra Takagishi (‘19) is confident that the team will be able to pull through in time for the big competition coming up and that they can work out the kinks and place high. The amount of hard work the team is producing is apparent, even with a few stumbles, they were still able to earn a spot at the Semi-Finals competition. “For practice we are working on making the routine more difficult and cleaning up certain sections that we had scored low in order to score higher than we did at regionals,” Takagishi (‘19) said. “I think we should do well at semi-finals as long as we don’t get too over-confident and just perform to the best of our ability. If we only worry about our own job we should be fine and hopefully make it to finals.”
Star Showcase
Star Showcase is the newest addition to Knight Writers, introducing the "hot shots" of Robinson athletics. Each issue will feature a few standout athletes.
m. mcclintock
John Garrett (‘18)
Sophie Bailey ('19)
John Garrett, a senior and captain of the varisty boys basketball team, is averaging 12.9 points per game and is a 37% three point shooter. Garrett had five three pointers in both games against Jesuit on Dec. 8 and Jan. 12. “My sophomore year, I couldn’t even shoot,” Garrett said. “Every summer, I go to the gym every single day. I shoot at least 500 shots every day. That’s how I got my shot.”
Sophie Bailey is a junior captain and starting defensive player for the girls varisty soccer team.“Soccer is skill, but it’s also work ethic and passion,” Bailey said. “I have pushed myself to work so hard because I play for my other players and for my coaches.” Not only is Bailey a leader on the field, but she is also a serious student, maintaing a perfect 4.0 GPA. k. wadulack
Staying On Track? By Andrew McMillan Staff Writer
fEBURARY, 2018 | sports | KNIGHT WRITERS 07
A champion and a leader W
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hen some people run to workout, they may feel like it never ends. As a captain of the cross country team and former member of the long-distance track team, I can attest to the fact that there truly is no stopping point. Each summer, the cross country team runs over 400 miles to prepare for their fall season, where it’s the three-mile distance that counts. But as soon as the running shoes are put away, they pull out their track spikes and get ready for the shorter distances. The transition between cross country and track takes a lot of grit from the runners, but it’s a transition that needs to happen, for both mental and physical reasons. The cross country side of running is all about patience; you have a much longer distance to make up for mistakes than you would on the track. But during the spring season, that changes. A runner in the 800 meter event has no time to play catch up. It’s a two-minute run versus a 15-minute run. One mistake and it’s over. That’s why the off-theclock work is so important, because of the vast difference between the two sports. Some people may consider long-distance track and cross country to be similar, but in reality, they aren’t. Cross country is more of a test of mentality, while the long-distance track events test durability, as it becomes more of a long sprint than a run. However, there are a few similarities between the two: both sports are equally as competitive and require unlimited amounts of dedication. It’s a fast-paced change of seasons, meaning there is never an “off-season.” And although this is the case for many sports, running is different because of the sharp shift in pace from cross country to track. This year, I’ve replaced my track spikes with baseball cleats and my previous 800 meter run has become a 60 feet sprint. Yes, I understand what runners truly go through, but feel that everyone else should too.
By Nicole Perdigon Staff Writer
hen you think of wrestling, you may just think of guys rolling around in a ball of sweat and singlets. But for JaQuan Jackson (‘18), a co-captain of the wrestling team, it is much more; for him wrestling is an experience that he loves. The Live Greco Invitational Tournament was held on Jan. 27 and, for Jackson, this tournament was special as it allowed him to grow and see a glimpse into what state finals will be like. After placing first at the tournament, Jackson was awarded with a wrestling belt equating to a first place trophy. He brought the belt to school the following Monday with pride to show off his accomplishment. “I brought [the belt] to school because I’m trying to start a tradition among the wrestling team,” Jackson said. “...when we win the Live Greco belt, we would bring the belt to school to parade [it] around with us,” Jackson said. Jackson went into the match properly prepared to get good results. “My plan going in was to pin the first few people as fast as possible as to not waste as much energy... and win by whatever means and by doing my own style,” Jackson said. Head wrestling coach Tomas Montero believes that Jackson is much more than just a star
SPORTS Wrestler JaQuan Jackson (‘18) brings home a belt from Live Greco Tournament.
wrestler, but that the team would be left in good hands if Jackson were left to lead. “He works really hard... on and off the mat,” Montero sadi. “He is a great young man, does great in class... great in home life... great everywhere he goes... and [he] knows how to learn from his mistakes.” Teammate and Co-Captain Devin “DJ” Jandura (‘19) agrees with Montero’s views on Jackson. “JaQuan does exactly what he needs to do to be a leader,” Jandura said. “He sets an example and is motivational.” Even if the team doesn’t always win, they have a good time and work to learn from their mistakes. “We don’t take loses,” Montero said. “We take learning opportunities.” And Jackson, through success and failure, has taken Montero’s words to heart by learning from his mistakes and developing his strategies for what works for him. Jackson’s success hasn’t come easily. He has been working to improve his skills since he began his wrestling career in middle school. “[He is] more mature as a wrestler and as a person,” Montero said “ [He has] become a lot stronger and has more technique. He has gotten to know how to control a match and is aware of where the match is... point wise and time wise.” According to Montero, Jackson is capable of moving forward to win county individual
Knights go pro
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Steelers.
courtesy of j. jackson JaQuan Jackson (‘18) poses with his belt after he placed first at the Live Greco Invitational Tournament.
SAVE THE DATE
The tackle and flag football teams participated in a pro bowl exibition. By Macy McClintock and Anna Thomas managing Editor and Editor-In-Chief The boys football team, along handshake with Hall of with 14 other teams from all Famer Derrick Brooks and around Florida, participated in a a conversation with Jaguars wide skills challenge in the morning, receiver Malik Jackson take place covering basics from sprints to within five minutes of each other. tackles. Then add in pictures with quarAfter watching the showcase, terback Russell Wilson, advice the girls headed over to the main from Tennessee Titans tight end field, filled with NFL players who Delanie Walker and autographs were being interviewed by reportfrom Pittsburgh Steelers wide reers and signing autographs, to play ceiver Antonio Brown and Dallas a short scrimmage against Miami Cowboys center Travis Frederick, Edison, who the Knights beat and the stage is set for the Robin28-6 in the 2017 FHSAA 1A State son tackle and flag football team’s Finals. The Robinson girls were behind-the-scenes 2018 Pro Bowl assisted by Walker, who coached experience. Both teams were asked to from the sideline for most of the participate in this year’s Pro Bowl game, besides when he sprinted on Weekend, held at Disney’s Wide the field to argue multiple calls. World of Sports on Saturday, Jan. “His excitement level made 27. the girls more excited, it was fun,” “One of my goals for this season head flag football coach Joshua is to make sure that we do as many Saunders said. “The NFL had high things together that aren’t all school administrators from all practice or lifting weights,” head around the country, and to see that football coach Craig Everhart said. high school girls are able to play “This was a great bonding experiflag football in high schools has a ence and built a good foundation chance to allow that to expand.” for us.” Both teams were then invited back on Sunday for the actual Pro Bowl, when the AFC beat the NFC 24-23 and Walker was named MVP with two touchdowns. “It’s pretty much a once in a lifetime thing,” Flag football captain Lauren King (‘18), who shared multiple conversations with Walker, j. whitaker said. “I’m honored to Flag football receiver, Bella Dolce (‘21), getting her shirt autographed by LeVeon Bell, who plays for the Pittsburgh be a part of that.”
championships and districts. “It’s just steady improvement,” Montero said. He and Jackson are confident that with continuous hard work, the rest of the season will be a success.
Feb. 5
State Cheer Competition @ UF Girls Basketball Districts @ Robinson
Feb. 6
Girls Soccer Regional Quarterfinals VS. Osceola @ Robinson
Feb. 7
Boys Basketball @ Sickles Girls Basketball District Finals @ Robinson
Feb. 9
Boys Basketball @ Brandon
Feb. 9-10
Wrestling County Championship @ Wharton
Feb. 13
Boys Basketball District -Semifinals @ Jefferson
Feb. 15
Boys Basketball District -Finals @ Jefferson
Feb. 17
District Wrestling @ Chamberlain
Feb. 19
Track Meet @ Robinson
Feb. 20
Baseball/Softball @ Plant
Feb. 21
LAX @ Wharton
08 KNIGHT WRITERS | A&E|Febuary, 2018
review
A&E
The Darkest Hour Captures Churchill’s Legacy
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the Golden Globe and a SAG award, Oldman is the clear favorite to take the Oscar for Best Actor. Gary Oldman’s performance, along with Joe Wright’s film making and an interesting story make Darkest Hour a very entertaining history lesson.
The perfect superbowl party W
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By Emersyn Brown Staff Writer
j. whitaker Fresh Kitchen’s four bowl with its delicious, unique ingredients.
ith Super Bowl Sunday right around the corner, there will be the never ending pressure to throw an epic watch party for you and all your friends. Now, let’s be honest, we never really know what you need and what people will want from you, so here’s just a couple ideas in order to slay your Super Bowl watch party. Serving food can be tricky as you have to be careful what you put out. Don’t try and make a four course meal or you’ll miss the game, but certainly don’t only put out chips and dip. Let those creative juices flow and get artsy. A fun way to make the food perfect for the occasion is to have it themed around the two teams playing. Change the color of batter for pigs in a blanket, or, if you have wings, change the color of the sauce. When you get to dessert, don’t be scared. You can change anything and everything. If you have cupcakes, make the icing the color of your favorite team. Or change the batter color of vanilla cupcakes, My personal favorite option is cookies. Put M&M’s on those bad boys that match the team you’re rooting for. Your location and set-up is just as important as your food. Get the biggest T.V. you have and put that in the main part of the house. This is the place everyone will congregate, so make sure you have enough
space in there. If you’re planning on having teens and adults over, try and give the teens another room to watch the game
By Brooke Volpi Staff Writer
rom cute lunch Snapchats, to foodie Instagram posts, to anything in between, Fresh Kitchen dominates social media. For those unfamiliar, Fresh Kitchen is a healthy and delicious eatery that boasts meals with no gluten, no sugar, and hormone and antibiotic free proteins. Its dedication to quality and fresh ingredients in addition to its trendy branding makes Fresh so perfect for social media that restaurant patrons find it difficult not to share. I took a trip to Fresh Kitchen’s new South Howard location to see if the restaraunt lived up to its online hype. I arrived at the restaurant and was immediately taken by its bright pink door. As soon as I stepped into the luncheonette, the bright and modern decor made me an instant fan. The atmosphere was very light
By Paul Jennewein Staff Writer
n a world that seems devoid of noble leadership, director Joe Wright’s new film, Darkest Hour, provides an acute nostalgia for a leader who stood alone against great odds for the values that he held true. With an artistic style, a wordy, thought-provoking script, and a talented cast, Darkest Hour is without a doubt the finest Winston Churchill portrayal ever to be wrestled to the screen. The plot follows four weeks in May of 1940, in which Churchill (Gary Oldman) succeeds Neville Chamberlain (Ronald Pickup) as Prime Minister, delivers three of the greatest speeches of all time, and shapes his legacy, going from political and military flop to heroic national icon. The driving force behind the whole film is Gary Oldman’s captivating performance as the British Bulldog himself. With a skip in his step and a twinkle in his eye, Oldman’s Churchill is remarkably disparate from the sulky grump that actors before him have portrayed. After winning
Eat fresh... Kitchen and natural- there was even a wall made of turf! The menu made ordering easy with signs on the walls. The customer is given a choice between a four bowl, a six bowl, or a kid’s bowl. The customer is given eight bases, five veggies, seven proteins, and five sauces to choose from, giving the customer approximately 1,400 possible options. (Yes, I did the math.) There is also an assortment of freshly-made juices, each with more exotic ingredients than the last. To say that the food impressed me would be an understatement. I got the four bowl, which contained sweet potato noodles, brown rice, parmesan broccoli, and grilled citrus chicken. Each element of the lunch was better than the last- the chicken was bursting with flavor, the broccoli had the perfect mix of juice and crunch, the rice was cooked to perfection, and the sweeet potato noodles were so uniquely delicious that I’m having a hard time describing it here. I will admit that I had my reservations about the sweet potato noodles, but after being encouraged to try them by a friend, I can say confidently that they were the star of the dish. The one drawback of Fresh Kitchen would be the price. My meal rounded out at $10, which, for a high scool student, seems a little extreme. The freshly made juices that I mentioned before were priced at $6.00 a pop, which is even crazier! However, I understand that with fresher ingredients comes a higher price. Overall, Fresh Kitchen is a delicious and healthy fast food alternative, and while I wouldn’t recommend it for everyday eating out due to its steep price tag, it is definitely a treat to enjoy every once and a while.
going Manic for mania By Amelia Foster Staff Writer
in. It will make the space seem less crowded and give the teens the privacy they probably want. When it comes to making the space seem less crowded, make sure that you don’t have any unnecessary things in the room. Also, knowing the number of people who are coming ahead of time is crucial because that will determine how much seating you need. It would be tragic if you don’t have enough chairs for everyone coming. Your watch party will also take a major hit if you forget the drinks and ice. Serve a wide variety of beverages. Having enough beverages is key if your party is going to survive the night. Having these simple things taken care of will ensure that when you finally throw that epic watch party, you will kill it. So go have fun!
Tom Brady throws a pass during the 2009 football season. Photo by Keith Allison via Flickr Public Domain.
building excitement. Then, the song immediately dropped back into lower all Out Boy has been around since notes again, restarting the build-up. While the early 2000s and their sound has the song is unlike anything I’ve heard from changed a lot over the years- from Chicago Fall Out Boy, but its lyrics still hold the grunge to an intoxicating alternative that same arrogant feeling found in all of their you can’t help but sing other songs. along to. This trend has A song that is continued with their almost as confusing This whole album varies seventh studio album, as it’s title, “Stay in artistic style, going Mania, which dropped Frosty Royal Milk January 18th, sounds from dancing around the Tea”, starts out with extremely different from room all alone to thinking heavy drums and anything that they have guitar as the singer done before. about your life at 2 am. complains about “Young and Menace”, how the world has the first single from the changed so much. album, dropped on April 27th. The song This song sounds like it could have come started out softly, sounding as if the lead off of one of their older albums as it is way singer was whispering. Listening to it felt less electronic than others from Mania. almost intimate, and then the electronic For “Wilson (Expensive Mistakes)”, it chorus starts to crescendo, is an almost happy song, but melancholy lyrics betray the upbeat instrumentals. The song is about someone who just wants to leave everything behind and to be with someone they love. This whole album varies in artistic style, going from dancing around the room all alone to thinking about your life at 2 am. In classic Fall Out Boy style, none of the song titles make any sense, and the album leaves you feeling like you just got off a roller coaster, almost breathless and dizzy but with a desire to repeat the experience. I spent three years waiting for this album’s release, and I am excited to spend the next three years listening to it on repeat.
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