How to Spend Your Day at the Florida
By ASHLYN MILLER, CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Str wberry Festival
The Florida Strawberry Festival, held from Feb. 27 to March 9 2025, lived up to its reputation as a must-visit event in Plant City, Florida. It was a fun mix of food, entertainment, and local culture that I was excited to experience firsthand. With the festival only being around for a few weeks, you have to make your visit count.
One of the highlights for me was St. Clement’s “Build Your Own Shortcake” booth. For just $6 per person, you get to choose between gluten-free cake or angel cake, and then spoon out my own homemade whipped cream and fresh strawberries. I liked how I could customize it exactly how I wanted, and that it was considerably cheap. Despite a line that wrapped around the building, I was in and out of this experience in 15 minutes. I advise to waste your time trying to get other shortcakes, go straight to St. Clement’s.
The live music was another standout. While I didn’t see the headliners, I did catch several smaller artists performing, and I thought that was a really cool part of the festival.
There was a mix of indie rock, folk, and a few other genres, and the performances were intimate and engaging. It was refreshing to see some up-and-coming talent in such a relaxed, community-focused environment. The music really added to the overall atmosphere and kept the energy high throughout the day. So, don’t try to go for big name artists unless you are a massive fan. Walking around enjoying local bands and performers is just as fun.
I also decided to try the ride wristband, which cost $20 per person. While some of the rides were fun, I didn’t feel like the wristband was worth the price. It felt like every ride had a re-packaged replica a couple of steps away, so there is really only a few different rides. The only ride I really enjoyed was the giant Ferris wheel, which offered incredible views of the festival grounds. I’d suggest carefully considering whether the wristband is right for you. Unless you are going with younger siblings or kids, I say spend your $20 elsewhere.
That said, the crowds on Saturday evening were overwhelming. I found it hard to navigate through certain areas, especially with the long lines for food and rides. I wasn’t able to attend on a weekday, but I imagine it would have been a much more relaxing experience with fewer crowds, allowing me to enjoy everything the festival had to offer without feeling rushed or cramped.
Overall, the Florida Strawberry Festival 2025 was a great
Above: A father-daughter duo enjoy a carosel at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Photo by A. Miller
Above, Right: A family in strawberry-centric outfits pose for a picture with Strawberry Festival mascots. Photo by A. Miller
Right: The biggest ferris wheel at the Strawberry Festival, giving a great view of the festivities from above.
Photo by A. Miller
Right, Center: Andrew Bartholomay (‘25) making his own strawberry shortcake at the St. Clement’s booth of the Strawberry Festival. “In my opinion, you need to mash all the ingridients together to get an even flavour in every bite,” Bartholomay said. Photo by A. Miller
High GPAs and Bright Futures
The Valedictorians and Salutatorians for the class of 2025 have been announced BY:
WINTER CARJABAL, NEWS EDITOR
With the approach of the end of school year and graduation for seniors the Valedictorians and Salutatorians of the class of 2025 were announced on Friday, Feb. 21, during a celebratory breakfast presented in the Knight’s Tavern for the top ten highest-scoring students of each academic track, traditional and IB.
To Raksha Dharani (‘25), the IB Salutatorian, academics have never been about excelling for the sake of a good grade; it’s about the value of the learning experience.
“I wouldn’t say becoming the Salutatorian was my main goal,” Dharani said. “It was more of the sense of curiosity and the passion that I had to learn more, and the hunger that I had to learn more about [different] subjects.”
Dharani plans to become a neurological oncologist while continuing to pursue her interests in calligraphy and neuroscience.
“My parents have always taught me the importance of not just chasing the grade,” Dharani said. “It’s more about what you take out of any experience, not just in the academic field, but also outside of school; it’s really important not to think about the outcome, but rather the experience you are having.”
It’s the opposite, however, for Traditional Valedictorian Adeline Cloutier (‘25).
“My parents instilled the belief in me that school comes first before anything else,” Cloutier said. “So even though I’m a big swimmer and I’m big into sports, you know, school always came first. [...] I would say it was definitely worth the effort.”
Cloutier plans to study biology and pre-med at the University of North Carolina.
“If you know you want to be Valedictorian,” Cloutier said, “keep putting yourself out there and keep pushing to be in the hardest classes that you could possibly be in.”
There’s one thing, Dharani said, that she believes is crucial not just to academic success, but in life.
“It’s really important to recognize your passion and your curiosity, but it’s also really important to know the driving force behind that, be it your parents or your future goals,” Dharani said. “Really understanding what drives your curiosity is the most important. When you know that key factor, it’s really easy for you to achieve the things that you want to do, and achieve the goals that you want in life.
[...] It’s not just academic, but really any experience you partake in; it’s important to not think about what you’re going to get out of it, but rather the experience. If you have the curiosity, just focus on what makes you happy.”
Robinson Orchestra’s Musical Mastery
A service to repair, replace and restore
By CARSON COULON, STAFF WRITER
Bows glide across the shining maple wood as fingers delicately bounce from string to string. Sounds are heard. Music is felt. This was Robinson Orchestra’s 2025 Music Performance Assessment.
The Music Performance Assessment (MPA) is an evaluation of an orchestra’s musical excellence on three musical pieces and sightreading. Judges rank the performance on a scale from Superior (the highest), Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor. This year, MPA was hosted here at the R. Groups from all over the county arrived at Robinson High School from Wednesday, Feb. 26 through Friday, Feb. 28.
Robinson’s Beginner Orchestra kicked off the event with the very first performance of the year–and they kicked it off amazingly. The orchestra earned straight superiors across all categories of music and demonstrated musical mastery with their pieces.
Mrs. Howard, the orchestra director, was pleased with her students’ performance.
“My kids played really, really, really well,” she said. She also complimented the advanced orchestra, claiming that they “played the best they’ve ever played.”
“I think our performance went really well,” Farrah Murray (‘28), a bassist in the first orchestra, said. “A lot of people were nervous, including myself, but we all love music so when we started playing we didn’t feel as nervous because it was fun. Mrs. Howard said before we played the songs to just have fun, and that music should be enjoyable.”
Robinson’s Advanced Orchestra performed the next day–again, kicking off the day concerts just as phenomenally as their counterpart. They received a fantastic overall superior and a perfect sight-reading score, showcasing Robinson’s musical talent.
Sophie Bajohr (‘27), the Orchestra’s Vice President and violinist, was happy with the performance.
“I’m really proud of all the hard work everyone put in,” Bajohr said. “My favorite part of orchestra is being able to perform with my friends and hearing how all the different sections come together to create a powerful sound,” and this definitely happened.
Connect
“Project Pan” Should be the Norm
There’s never a need for 10 products in slightly different shades
AYAN NALLAMSHETTY RAKSHA
With Tampa Connect
A service to repair, replace and restore
By CARSON COULON, STAFF WRITER
Maintenance issues such as potholes, askew stop signs, water leaks and other faulty infrastructure are unfortunately very common in Tampa.
Hundreds of street utilities have become ineffective, especially after the damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Street signs facing the wrong way and draping tree branches are just a couple of issues facing our community. However, there is a solution to this matter, Tampa Connect.
Tampa Connect is a website and app that allows citizens to report infrastructure damage concerns quickly and easily. With just five simple steps, this process can repair or replace a plethora of utilities.
The main page of the website includes categories of service requests. There are many suggested requests and a section with broad topics that, when clicked, bring up subtopics. There is also a search bar that can find a request.
Once you select the needed request, a box will pop up and present the option to upload a photo of the issue. This step is optional.
The next step is to pinpoint a location on the map where the issue is located. A pin drop or the search bar can be used to locate a specific area.
The third step is to select the nature of the request. A question asking for a description of the issue will follow. Additional information can be included, but it is not required.
The fourth step is to enter your name and email, and the fifth and final step is to review the information you have provided and submit. It’s as simple as that.
City workers will be at the site within a certain
BY: RYAN ROLLE, WEBSITE MANAGER
Every time I go to Sephora with my friends, I end up with at least one new product that I’m so excited to go home and try. But buying full size makeup items constantly and never actually finishing them is more than just a waste of money, it’s overconsumption and I’m tired of it being normalized in the makeup community. The pan project is the process of getting down to the pan of your makeup products in order to not waste and save money, also known as “hitting the pan” in your products.
“When you buy something, you get the instant gratification of the purchase. Then you use a product until you finish, mark it as being empty or panned, and celebrate with others in the community, “because they know that that takes consistency, hard work, and discipline.” Vogue says.
Personally, this has been something I have been meaning to start this for a while.
As high schoolers, it’s important to test out what you like and figure out what suits you. But that doesn’t excuse trying new products every time a trending brand launches. I admit it’s harder to not buy many things when it comes to lip colors, blushes and other products that come in many fun pigments, but the rewarding feel of getting the most of your product rivals the feeling of opening a fresh bottle of makeup. Riya Madhavi (‘26), a makeup enthusiast, is starting the Pan Project this year and it’s been going good so far.
“I wanted to be more mindful of my own consumption of products and also want to save money by keeping myself in check,” Madhavi states.
time frame to resolve the issue. Street and stop signs are typically fixed within a couple of hours, while potholes are usually fixed within a few days. An estimated repair time will be provided after a submission.
Since the application’s release, thousands of reports have been proposed.
“It was launched in November of 2023 and has received over 57,000 requests since inception,”
Crystal Clark, a City of Tampa employee, said. “Over 55,000 service requests have been closed as of February 2025.”
Reporting damage isn’t the only means of Tampa Connect. Citizens can also use this resource to ask questions regarding if the police can attend a community event or the closing down of a neighborhood street. Stopping and starting water service is another item that citizens can request from the city.
“The tampa.gov website has a ton of information for citizens so we always recommend consulting the website first, but citizens should use Tampa Connect to report non-emergency issues and requests for city services. The city’s call centers are still available for those that prefer calling the city rather than submitting a request online or through the mobile application,” Clark said.
Change in a community isn’t always going to be made in a fast way. Problems will most likely not be resolved if the city is unaware. Luckily, Tampa Connect enables citizens to act on the issues themselves. A straightforward, few minute process with some clicks from a phone can lead to a massive positive change in our community.
From what I know there are no downsides to this project, and I think that when you really use up your products, you can gain appreciation for them instead of tearing through new products faster than brands can launch them. In our Robinson community, I think it would help everyone to be able to save money for college and the future instead of feeling pressured to buy every new product that comes out.
for our next issue.
With our staff excited for the beginning of spring season comes the end of winter sports with all four sports having an overall successful season. There are many opinions on sports as well as an in depth review of the annual Strawberry Festival.
I think that part of this with 30 new
We hope you enjoy this issue and can spot a familiar face or two with the many photos from our staff as this is the last issue that we will be managing.
We are very proud to have had the opportunity to take on the challenge that is Robinson Newspaper and can’t wait to see what the new editorial staff will bring.
try makes thousands of teenagers eager to go try them all. But as usual, we shouldn’t copy the behavior of influencers, and the average person cannot and shouldn’t live that kind of lifestyle. One example that comes to mind is Mikayla Nogueira, an influencer who often does giveaways with 50+ products that nobody needs. These types of giveaways are so unnecessary, nobody needs 10 new lipsticks or bronzers. It makes more sense to fully enjoy your products, and it makes it much more special when you get to go out and buy new things.
When Preference Becomes a Problem
The
deabte over student’s choice of teachers
By SOPHIE LE, OPINION EDITOR
Each year on open house, every student scrambles to get their schedule of all their new classes and teachers. Some teachers for classes are chosen, while others are picked through the luck of the draw. Students cross their fingers in hope that they get the laid back teacher, or whatever they believe is the better option. However, when they get the teacher they wished not to get: what do they do?
Some students accept the teacher they were assigned, but others find ways to get out of their bad luck. This raises the question: Should students be able to choose their teachers and to what extent?
Editors-in-Chief
Those who advocate for teacher choice may see the importance of improved learning outcomes of students who speak up to become placed in their preferred learning styles. As well as students feeling more comfortable with teachers they know and trust. In addition, teachers may feel a sense of accountability to change their learning structure based on students’ leaving their class and allowing them to see flaws in their teaching.
While I believe educational freedom is important, the risk of unrestricted choice triumphs. First, with class sizes, popular teachers will become overcrowded with students choosing the
I believe that Student’s control over teachers can improve their learning system but risk an unfair advantage and undermines educational fairness.
“easier” teacher purely for grades. This is a violation of academic fairness and can give some students advantages over others. Students may choose teachers based off personal bias which is unethical and does not subtract from their learning. As well as a decline in teacher authority which could reduce accountability in students’ learning.
I believe the polarity of these options risk horrible outcomes. Instead, I suggest a balanced system of limited flexibility of students switching teacher unless a valid reason. This criteria must be clear and strict with valid evidence to support the reasoning. A classroom’s goals should be for creating an environment for success, not just where students can feel the most comfortable.
Ashlyn Miller
Yesenia Rosario
News Editor Winter Carbajal
Features Editor Anika Sanka
Opinion Editor Sophie Le
A&E Editor Grace Shafer
Multimedia Editor Coleton Rone
Fun Coordinators
Annabelle Bulger
Malia Rodriguez
Website Manager Ryan Rolle
Lead Illustrator Janiece Mitchner
Webster
Joey Treviño
Jasmyn Mitchner Staff
Carson Coulon
Kieran McIntosh
Julian Thompson
Aliyah Shuman
Brianna Nieves
Sadie Scheu
Garret Senzon
Liam Eichberg
MyNejia Milsaps
Alysha Klingman
Mutchler
Mercedes Pepple
by J. Mitchner
The Valedictorians and Salutatorians for the class of 2025. Photos via. Cady Studios
Farrah Murray (‘28) plays the bass prior to the performance. Photo by C.Coulon
The chill breeze has settled and the sun has come out for sunny Florida days which means it’s time
Reading into March: Five Books for Reflection and Escape
5 books to read or reread before exiting March
By WAREESHA FARAD, STAFF WRITER
As we approach the transition into Spring, it’s the perfect time to dive into a selection of books that span various genres, emotions and eras. These five novels offer are diverse in plot and setting, but a common theme runs through all of the stories: the dark interplay between desire, choice and consequence.
Babel by R.F. Kuang:
In Babel, R.F. Kuang’s speculative historical novel, language is more than just a means of communication; it is a tool of power, control and rebellion. Set in 1830s Oxford, the book follows Robin Swift, a young scholar recruited by the prestigious Translation Institute to study and harness the magical power of language. As Robin delves deeper into this system, he begins to realize the brutal impact of the colonial enterprise, which exploits non-Western languages and cultures for the benefit of the empire. Kuang’s novel brings readers to question the ethical underpinnings of our modern world.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky: Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a tender yet heartbreaking coming-of-age story that explores the tumultuous teenage years with raw honesty. The protagonist, Charlie, is an introverted high school freshman who navigates the complexities of friendship, family and self-identity while dealing with deep personal trauma. At its core, the novel is about the pain and beauty of growing up and the profound impact of human connection.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo: Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows takes readers into the dark and gritty world of the Grishaverse, where a group of outcasts comes together to pull off a heist that could change their lives forever.
This action-packed fantasy novel introduces Kaz Brekker and his band of misfits—each with their own troubled pasts and moral dilemmas. Bardugo masterfully explores themes of morality, trust and betrayal, asking whether anyone can truly be defined by their actions or if everyone is simply shaped by circumstance. The novel reminds us of the complexity of human nature, where even the most flawed individuals can demonstrate moments of unexpected kindness and bravery.
Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid: Ava Reid reimagines the famous Shakespearean character of Lady Macbeth, offering a fresh and darkly psychological perspective on the ambitions and regrets that drive her. This retelling centers on Lady Macbeth’s internal struggle as she wrestles with her ambition, guilt and desire for power. Reid’s take transforms Lady Macbeth into a figure of both empathy and menace, exploring the consequences of unchecked ambition.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde: Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray remains a classic exploration of vanity, morality and the consequences of living a hedonistic lifestyle. The story follows Dorian Gray, a young man of extraordinary beauty who, under the influence of the decadent Lord Henry, embarks on a life of indulgence and excess. As Dorian’s portrait ages and bears the marks of his corrupt soul, he remains physically untouched by time or sin. Wilde’s novel is a chilling meditation on the destructive power of vanity and the pursuit of pleasure, showing how one’s inner life can be irrevocably scarred even when outward appearances remain unspoiled.
Taken together, these five novels explore a shared theme of the tension between personal desires and the societal, moral and psychological consequences of acting upon them. Each book showcases the ways in which our desires can shape and sometimes warp who we are
She’s Back, With Magic
Lady Gaga is back with another hit that has us all hypnotized By
ANNABELLE BULGER, FUN COORDINATOR
We all know and love her, and she has yet to fully disappoint us. On Feb. 3, Lady Gaga released the biggest look into her upcoming album “Mayhem” with the single “Abracadabra.” Hooking us in with bold visuals and nostalgic 2000s recession pop, Gaga looks like she’s going to reaffirm her position as one of the greatest and most authentic female pop stars in the industry.
The visuals of the music are a huge callback to Gaga’s roots in avant-garde, dark dancefloor pop with the fashion being the star of the show. The theme: dance... or die. In a sterile black room, Gaga engages in a dance battle with another version of herself. One version wears a lacy white catsuit, complete with eerie white makeup and lace cape to finalize the swan-like, yet unsettling appearance which the similarly clad backup dancers’ match. However, my favorite look is her red look. The whole outfit is bumpy red latex, but the highlight in my opinion is the gigantic wide-brimmed hat. These visuals throughout the video are classic while still showing Gaga’s progress as an artist persona and musician.
Speaking of Gaga going back to her roots, the music itself is very reminiscent of her early music in the 2000s. The beat is very catchy and has all the calling cards of a classic club song; it’s established at the beginning of the music video that the point of the song is to “dance or die.”
Many have talked about 2025 seeming similar to the early recession of 2008 and 2009, and while our generation was just being during that period, it seems Gaga picked up on that and decided we needed the fun, recession pop as well.
“Abracadabra” is the second song that Gaga has released, the first being “Die with a Smile” featuring Bruno Mars, from her upcoming album “Mayhem.” I’m sure most of you are as familiar with “Die with a Smile” as you are with “Abracadabra” and the songs couldn’t be more different. If the two peeks into the album are a heartfelt ballad about how being by the person you love would be enough for you to die happy and a dark, club dance song, one can only imagine how this album will live up to its name. “Mayhem” comes out March 7 and I have incredibly high expectations for this chaotic album.
How To Properly Spend Your Spring Break
A time for doing everything you couldn’t when you were younger because you didn’t have a car.
By GRACE SHAFER, A&E EDITOR
As assignments pile up, hours of sleep plummet, and the incredibly validating Canvas sleeping panda travels further and further away from ever being possible, it’s hard to maintain any sense of academic hope. But keep in mind, after the academic tempest, a rainbow appears—and that rainbow is spring break.
Quarters 3 and 4 are no joke, so it’s important to remember to utilize Spring Break to its fullest extent. This looks very different for different people. Whether you’re a burn your homework the day school ends type of person, or a can’t do anything until you finish your work break kind of person, here is a list of all the ways EVERYONE should be spending their spring break this year.
1. Put that phone away.
Please, do not stop reading by the title of this paragraph, if anything, it’s good you’re reading... even if it’s just this sentence and not that phone! Phones are the all-time killers of successful school breaks. At first, you’ll say you need to binge that one show you weren’t able to because of all that homework you had, but one episode of Gossip Girl will turn into 3 seasons in a minute, and you know it. Many a time, I have gone into breaks with this same mentality, and in turn, mourning all the lost minutes I spent scraping the bottom of the YouTube barrel (including Mr. Beast) instead of receiving literal sunlight. You need to quite literally touch grass, ride your bike, walk around your neighborhood,d and discover new people and things you didn’t know. I have always envied the people who said they had the out-all-day, only inside for dinner, neighborhood gang-type childhoods and then I remember I’m still young and able to do these things.
Obviously, it won’t be “The Sandlot”, but you’re never too old to go out and explore, even if that’s now by car and not a bike.
2. Purchase tickets to a waterpark
Speaking of childhood regrets, I regret every day as a child not spent in a waterpark. Waterparks are basically the greatest places on Earth because they combine two world wonders: amusement parks and lazy rivers. I used to go to Adventure Island here in Tampa all the time, and I miss everything about it. The drop chambers, duo rafts, racing slides, awkwardly adjusting your bathing suit in publicall of it. And with all these wonderful activities that make up these parks, can’t remember a single time anyone has ever asked me to go to one. Have waterparks become irrelevant? My goal this spring break is to change that and invite everyone I know to come with me and drift down an endless pool while talking about anything but school.
3. Go camping
Now, I don’t care if you’re not an outdoors person, camping is for anything that lives and breathes, including the critters that may crawl into your tent in the middle of the night. You don’t have to sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor—there’s no shame in how you choose to camp. “Glamping” is still better than staying home in the same environment every day. You don’t have to leave that far from home, you could go to any nearby state park. Walking around unfamiliar places and seeing new things is vital, and camping does just that. It’s extremely cheap and involves s’mores—what more could you ask for?
Oscars 2025: A Reminder to Attend the Theaters
“Long live independent film”
By GRACE SHAFER, A&E EDITOR
If for some reason you have been living under a rock for the past week, or just don’t care about movies much, here is a hopefully interesting review/summary of the 97th academy awards that will keep even the movie-hating lowlifes entertained.
Conan O’Brien Wasn’t Funny:
Conan O’Brien is a funny man who, on an ordinary day, would get a chuckle or two out of me. However, he should never, ever step foot on the Oscars stage again. I know the host of the show is almost always the easiest target, but O’Brien’s sheer dullness needs to be discussed.
Certain bits definitely hit their mark—such as his opener, where he birthed himself out of Demi Moore’s back in homage to “The Substance”, one of the night’s nominees, or his incredibly random and hilarious fight with Adam Sandler over his choice of attire. But beyond that, I found myself wanting to change the channel— only to remember I couldn’t because there were still two hours left, and the ginger guy was still spouting unfunny jokes at me.
Kieran Culkin Being Him:
As always, they started the night with the Best Actor category, in which the Academy honored Kieran Culkin with a win for “A Real Pain”. To me, this was a no-
brainer, considering his astonishing performance as the extremely extroverted and charismatic cousin who is later revealed to have attempted an overdose. The movie’s heavy subject matter was juxtaposed with his hilarious acceptance speech, in which he joked about convincing his wife to have another child now that he had won an Oscar.
Anora Winning It All:
While I thought and hoped “A Real Pain” would win Best Original Screenplay for Jesse Eisenberg’s genius, another film took its place—and I’m not too upset about it. “Anora” claimed the crown, and this was just the beginning, as it went on to win five Oscars by the end of the night. Director of the film, Sean Baker, made history by becoming only the second person ever to win four Oscars in a single night for the same film, a record previously achieved by Walt Disney in 1954.
What was so surprising about this avalanche of victory for Baker was how outright strange “Anora” was. According to the history of the Oscars and the tendency of the academy to select the most largely public-appealing films, Anora was the ugly duckling if it stayed ugly and was merited for its ugliness instead of turning it into something it’s not. “Anora” is a romantic comedy-drama about a Brooklyn sex worker who impulsively marries
2025 Spring Fashion Forecast
4. Go on as many picnics as possible
Picnics are a great way to spend your free time as they can be as cheap or as expensive as you want, and are very versatile in nature. You can make a picnic out of any kind of food, you could have a bunch of sweet treats that you and your friends hand-made, or you could have some pub subs and chips. The food isn’t important, it’s more about the location and the friends you bring along with you. Try to find a scenic park with a lake, or maybe just a pretty tree in your neighborhood, picnics are easy and fun, and a great time waster for spring break.
5. Go to any market in your area
Markets are a fun and Instagram-worthy way to spend your days over break. There are plenty of markets in Tampa, and while a lot of them are more aligned with the Sunday morning variety, you can also find plenty of unique craft or night markets all around the city, especially if you’re down for a drive to St. Pete. If you are interested in hand-crafted goods, clothing, food, or just being able to walk around with your friends and appreciate the pretty booths, then going to a market might just be the way you should spend your break.
Make sure you do SOMETHING before spring break ends. The seven days are shorter than they appear, and you don’t want to go back to school having done nothing. Treat yourself right this break and try to do more than just relax at home, you owe it to yourself.
a Russian oligarch’s son. When the news reaches Russia, his parents come to New York, determined to annul the marriage. It’s not the usual best picture film, but no one’s complaining.
A driving force for the success of this movie was the outstanding performance of Mikey Madison, the actress portraying the film’s protagonist. Being just 25, Madison joined an elite group of actors who have won an Academy Award before the age of 30 through her win. If you don’t already love her, Madison honored the sex worker community in her incredibly graceful speech, saying, “I will continue to support and be an ally,” adding that meeting women from the community was a highlight of the experience. She is an emblem of hope for aspiring actresses and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
All of the pre-Oscar fears of the flashier movies of 2024 such as “Wicked”, “Emilia Perez” and “A Complete Unknown” winning were put to rest time and time again as “Anora” took it all. This was especially such an incredible feat considering Baker is a Renaissance Man for his movies and does everything, even the editing, which is another category he won for. After securing these two wins, Baker went on to receive both best director and best picture, a sentence many directors dream to say about themselves.
Baker ended the night by saying, “This film was made on the blood, sweat and tears of incredible indie artists -- and long live independent film.” Here is an example of an “indie film” reaching marvel movie numbers, and that is why the win was so powerful.
Adrien Brody Needs to Wrap It Up:
From tossing his gum to his wife as he ran up to accept his Best Actor for the movie “The Brutalist” win to his five-minute speech, not many were pleased by Brody’s presence at the award show. Aside from his appearances in Wes Anderson films, I don’t care much about him, which is why I think people claiming to have “always hated him” are probably lying, since he’s not a huge Hollywood figure. Still, I think he should have shortened his speech and maybe given his wife some hand sanitizer afterward.
2024 Was A Year of Wonderfully Weird Movies:
Anora wasn’t the only movie to push boundaries and viewer expectations in 2024. Films such as “The Substance”, “A Different Man” and my personal favorite movie of the year, “Challengers” are all examples of the great strangeness within the film industry in 2024.
In her acceptance speech, “Anora” crew member Samantha Quan
said, “We made this with very little money, but all of our hearts. To all the dreamers and young filmmakers out there, tell the stories you want to tell. Tell the stories that move you. I promise you; you will never regret it.” She’s right—movies should be made because people have stories to tell, not because of money. I hope this continues to be the narrative for 2025 films,
What is the fashion weather looking like for this season?
By SOPHIE LE, OPINION EDITOR
2024 was all about not following the status quo. Maximalist, original and focus on unique pieces was on everyone’s minds. Last year, I scrolled countless hours on Pinterest to acquire what I believed to be the top crazes: lace, cheetah print, chunky-jewelry, hyper-femininity, and personalized bags. While these pieces were all the rave last year, we all know things change fast. So as your beloved fashion weatherman, this is what I see in this years’ spring fashion forecast.
My forecast: I believe this year will be all about being chic and elegant, but still individualistic.
Monochrome
The thing about wearing the same color throughout is that it always looks put together. Whether this is dressed up through a classy top and skirt or dressed down in a sweat set, this outfit seems very thoughtful even with low effort. Rocking an all white or all black outfit has been my recent go-to.
Polka dots
Every year we need a print to overuse. This year believe it will be polka dots. This print is undoubtedly timeless and stylish. While this was a trend last year, I can foresee it to become even bigger as it is much more low-key than the cheetah print frenzy of 2024.
Boho
One big style that has been popular recently is rock chic. Highlighting different textures, the vibe is all about suede, ruffles, lace, studs and fringe. This isn’t the first time we saw these trends though, Boho style was first popular in the 60s-70s but made its comeback 20 years later in the 90s- early 2000s. With our current obsession with retro, it’s not a surprise it has come back for a second time 20 years later. Our favorite 90s model Kate moss has been a rather iconic inspiration for this stylish, but carefree spunk. Brands such as Isabel Marrant, Zadig and
Voltaire are perfect places to shop for this aesthetic.
High Heels
Continuing with the elegant trend, the new going out shoe are the infamous high heel. We saw last year that the ballerina flat was popular for more casual occasions, however I am seeing more and more people wear high heels with informal attire. As someone who owns one pair of heels and blows the dust off of them for my yearly occasion of needing them, this is one trend that may be an adjustment. However, the simple heel can dress up a rather simple outfit to a new level of class which intrigues me to try it.
Just like the annual forecast, fashion comes in waves. While I believe these pieces may be worth wearing this year, I recommend looking through your closet or your parents’ closet for an item that may be trendy now. The coolest pieces are those that are uniquely yours.
What is the fashion weather looking like for this season?
Photos of Sophie Le (‘26) sporting different spring ensembles. Photos by S. Le
An Oscar trophy, recived by every Oscar winner.
Photo via. Getty Images
Robinson’s New Guidance Counselor Morgan Reinhart Is Here To Help
Reinhart shares her goals and advice for the IB program.
By: ANIKA SANKA, FEATURES EDITOR
If there’s anything the IB program has been needing, it’s a guidance counselor. Guidance counselors are vital for a student’s college process assisting them with recommendation letters, the Common App, transcripts and career choices. IB’s previous guidance counselor, Leslie Morter, left last December leaving many seniors in need of assistance and juniors confused about the college application process in general. Although our IB coordinator, Erin Quinn, did her best to fill some of the duties of the guidance counselor; Robinson is incredibly happy (and relieved!) to welcome our new IB guidance counselor, Morgan Reinhart.
Reinhart moved to Florida in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, following an unexpected opportunity to relocate with her cousins. She had always dreamed of living in Florida but thought it would happen much later in life. Once she moved, more of her family, including her grandparents, mother and four of her five brothers, also relocated to Florida.
“When visiting Florida, I just fell in love with it and the sunshine. Moving to Florida was a dream of mine since probably high school, one that I never thought would probably happen until retirement, but the pieces just kind of fell into place and it all aligned,” Reinhart said.
Reinhart hails from New Jersey, where she earned her master’s degree in school counseling. Initially unsure about her career
path, she began substitute teaching at a high school and discovered a passion for working withstudents. While she originally considered teaching, she ultimately decided to pursue counseling. She has been a school counselor for five years, primarily at the elementary level, and is now transitioning to working with high school students.
“To be honest I was not 100% sure about what I was going to do, then I started substitute teaching in a high school and just fell in love with working with students. The connection with the kids is really what makes that job,” Reinhart said. “Even on the hardest, most stressful days, they always made it worth it. So I loved it. I love working with kids, but I was ready for something different and something closer to home.”
Although this is her first time working with the IB program, she is eager to learn and provide strong support to students. She recognizes the rigor of the IB curriculum and plans to rely on experienced faculty and past counselors to help guide her in the role. Reinhart acknowledges the numerous challenges students face, including academic stress, extracurricular commitments and college applications.
To assist with this, she intends to implement a structured approach, breaking down tasks into manageable steps and encouraging students to seek guidance when needed. She also is holding one-on-one meetings with
Vet Tech Is On A Roll(o)
Robinson vet tech is getting rowdy with three rambunctious additions
By: ANNABELLE BULGER, FUN COORDINATOR
Vet tech may be simply an elective, but Ms. Perez helps teach kids how to handle animals of all kinds and how to best care for them through interactions and exams. While the range has been limited to bunnies and guinea pigs, vet tech has started getting some extralong helpers.
A litter of three Dachshund puppies, two boys and a girl, came to Robinson for the first time last month to explore, socialize and get their dreaded nail clippings. After a vet student’s family had the litter, they volunteered the three of them to come to class for socialization.
Their names are Canella, Blackjack and Rolo. They are all from the same litter, and Mr. Batista adopted one of them,” Perez said.
At the moment, the whole litter comes to school once a month or so for their nail clippings and the vet tech students’ lessons. The students can learn subjects that they usually can’t with smaller animals— including restraining, potty training, vaccine management and more.
“They’re learning to clip nails, they’re learning how to handle and restrain properly, how to do an exam, leash training and of course potty training,” Perez said.
With the introduction of these puppies, the question of bringing other animals in comes up as well. While the class is making moves to have the capacity to start bringing in more animals by getting more crates, leashes and filing cabinets to keep paperwork in, having multiple adorable balls of fluff running around Robinson is still far off.
“Once we get the proper facilities, we are
rising seniors starting in March to discuss their goals.
“That’s always the key in the beginning is really just building those relationships and learning the role and immersing myself as much as I can to be the best support for you guys. There will be times when the answer to the question is ‘I don’t know but let me find out’ and I will do my best to help,” Reinhart said.
Additionally, Reinhart advocates the benefits of having an open mindset when dealing with external pressures.
“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Failures, mistakes, rejections are all sadly going to happen. But it’s all part of life. Sometimes you need to look at that big picture and not waste too much energy and time on the factors you can’t control when there’s so much greatness out there,” Reinhart said.
Although the traditional guidance counselor can be seen as primarily a scheduler, Reinhart treats her role as much more.
“I don’t want to be only seen as the scheduler or the letter of recommendation writer, I want you guys to think of me as a counselor first, and then help with college second. Support your well-being because that’s key. We’re people first, so I want to be there to support you guys as humans and your emotional well-being as well,” Reinhart
said.
Along with providing her own services, Reinhart emphasized the importance of a support system in the IB program.
“And I think the real important thing to remember is yes, it’s stressful, it can be a lot, but you are not going through it alone. You have a whole school of people who support you. You’re in this program for a reason, because you’re capable, because you can juggle all this, but you have to lean on supports,” Reinhart said. “Even as adults, we have to lean on other people for support. So if you need to cry, if you need to talk, you need to scream. My door is open. Come on down. And take advantage, OK?”
Eva Nguyen, The Unfiltered Influencer
Nguyen takes a authentic approach to being an influencer
By: ANIKA SANKA, FEATURES EDITOR
looking to open. These puppies are all from the same litter, so we don’t have to worry about viruses like parvo or kennel cough. We’re trying to protect them because they are only at home or here, and since they’re all from the same litter we know they wouldn’t get something. We are working on filing and managing intake forms, and then we’re working on how to keep the records up to date so that way we always have things on record,” Perez said.
These extra-long canine additions to our vet tech program not only brighten students’ days but also provide them with new opportunities to learn hands-on techniques from animals that will apply outside of the class. With time and effort, hopefully, even more furry friends will start making their rounds here to Robinson.
In a world where social media influencers often present a picture-perfect image, Eva Nguyen (25’) breaks the mold. As a student and beauty content creator she has built a dedicated following of 140.3 thousand on TikTok, not by following trends, but by staying unapologetically herself.
What started as a casual pastime quickly turned into a platform for self-expression
“At first, I just made the account for fun,” Nguyen said. “Then I started doing makeup, getting ready and talking. Eventually, brands reached out, and I started doing collaborations.”
to content creation is refreshingly laid-back. She doesn’t plan posts in advance, instead relying on spontaneity. Her feed is a mix
I was just being my true self,” Nguyen said. “Now, I do have to kind of filter what I say because of the following I’ve gained.”
Still, she refuses to compromise her integrity. If a brand’s collaboration guidelines feel too restrictive or require her to be dishonest, she declines the offer
However, unlike many influencers, she avoids a rigid stream of paid promotions, preferring to maintain her creative freedom.
Nguyen’s approach
of beauty tutorials, fashion content and funny glimpses into her life. Ironically, her most viral video wasn’t a carefully scripted video— it was a clip of her mom eating, that unexpectedly racked up millions of views. Despite her success, Nguyen understands the pressures that come with a growing audience.
“When I first started,
Looking ahead, Nguyen sees her influencer experience as more than just a phase. With interests in marketing and business, she views her time on social media as practice toward future career opportunities. Her advice to aspiring influencers?
“Be different. If you’re not, you won’t stand out,” Nguyen sai With her candid approach and lighthearted content, Nguyen stands out from the traditional influencer stereotype.
Nguyen’s TikTok page featuring her most recent videos. Photo By A. Sanka
Vet-tech teacher Amanda Perez cuddling 3 new additions to the program. Photo by A. Bulger