RHS Knight Writers Vol. 61 Issue 3 | March 2021 by Knight Writers

www.rhstoday.com | @robinsonknights

Robinson High School 6311 S. Lois Ave., Tampa, FL 33616

Volume 61, Issue 3 | March, 2021

WHAT’S INSIDE

OPINION

NEWS

COVID-19 vaccine eligibility opens up to PG 2 teachers

The Curtain Rises Again For Troupe 2660

By: Zoe Thaxton and Anna Woodward Staff Writer and Editor-in-Chief

Despite cancelled shows and messy livestreams, the show goes on for Robinson’s theatre program

Why student groups must be held accountable

FEATURES

Get to know the class of 2021 National Merit Finalists

SPORTS

PG 3

One Knight’s journey to a D1 team

PG 4

A&E

PG 6

PG 8

A look at one of Tampa’s newest up and coming stores

SAVE THE DATE

MARCH 12 Students released for Spring Break

MARCH 22 Students return

from Spring Break

MARCH 26

End of third quarter

APRIL 2

Non-student day (Good Friday)

From left to right: Lucy Frank (‘22), Elias Fermin (‘21), Charles Davidson (‘21), Peyton Heckman (‘23) and Jaden Fernandez (‘23) practice blocking and lines for a scene of Legally Blonde. Despite recording Legally Blonde in a movie format, Troupe 2660 still holds rehearsals as if they were performing live. Photo by Z. Thaxton

n Jan. 13, Robinson’s theatre Troupe 2660 was almost completely prepared for their first show since COVID-19 started. Broadway Knights, a variety show, was set to perform the following night. They had followed all safety protocols possible to keep the actors and audience members safe, from wearing masks during the performance to specific blocking and social distancing the audience. The preparations were cut short when Troupe 2660 was abruptly told that their show was moved online. “It was heartbreaking,” IB vice president of the troupe Elena Peden (‘22) said. “We had been waiting so long to do a show [since] our show last year got cancelled. We normally would’ve done two shows by the time we had done Broadway Knights, and we were so excited to finally do a show, to finally interact with an audience and put all our hard work out on display for other people to see.” At the last minute, everything needed to change. The show needed to be live-streamed. They needed to inform those who had bought tickets that the show was on Zoom. Because of the untimely circumstances, the Troupe didn’t have the proper audio and visual equipment. “You could barely see anyone’s faces. You could barely hear them. It just did not work,” Peden said. Theatre programs and athletics are under

different leadership, with the former’s guidelines coming from the district and the latter’s coming from the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). Because of this difference, the district cannot regulate

“You can’t recreate a kid’s senior year, you can’t recreate the sound of applause, you just can’t. It’s lost opportunities, lost experience... hey, at least we’re better off than some people, at least we still get to go to school, and at least we still get to perform, even if it’s just for us. And we will be performing,” - Maureen Pelamati

performing arts and athletics in the same manner. In Broadway Knights’ case, it was an order from the district that caused the shift, above Robinson administration’s control. Although the Troupe was prepared to follow all guidelines, the show was moved online due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases on campus. “The worst part is the theatre kids are not allowed to have a show with their parents in the audience, yet in the gym that same weekend

2020-2021 SNO

Distinguished Site

there’s a basketball game, there’s parents in the stands, they’re wrestling...these athletics, they don’t even have to wear masks,” Theatre director Maureen Pelamati said. “Our kids, we have to wear masks, we’re not allowed to share microphones, we have to jump through all these incredible hoops that the sports teams don’t have to jump through.” Just last month, HCPS released new guidelines: indoor performances are now permitted, with another strict set of guidelines. Performances are limited to 25% capacity, with patrons seated apart unless from the same family unit. Masks are required, and food and drink is prohibited to ensure that masks stay on. Intermissions are prohibited to limit audience movement throughout the venue. Depending on the size of the venue and performance type, capacity can range from 119 for a three hour musical to 277 for a one hour performance, assuming the CDCrecommended six feet distance can remain. Behind the scenes, students are still prohibited from sharing equipment, screened for temperature and symptoms before entering the theater and required to wear a face covering among other precautions. Despite the altered guidelines, performers are still unsure whether to jump back in without hesitation. Continued on page 2...

2 | News

Despite cancelled shows and messy livestreams, the show goes on for Robinson’s theatre program From page one... “[Referring to the new guidelines] Do I believe them [HCPS]? Do I think that maybe sure, they’re gonna say that and then a week before the show they’re gonna say ‘no you have to go outdoors or virtual’ because I don’t trust them,” Pelamati said. “I’ve lost all confidence in the district’s ability to lead us, quite honestly, for this and so many other reasons.” Instead of a livestream, Troupe 2260 will perform their spring musical, Legally Blonde, as a recorded movie, which will later premiere in the auditorium. While these methods bring a creative solution to Troupe 2660’s frustrations, they ultimately lack the excitement that motivated many to become involved: to perform, live and without retakes.

“It’s a good experience for everybody in the fact that we’re learning a lot, and performing for the camera is a lot different than performing onstage. We don’t have to have the big crew and all the set changes...it’s different and from an educational standpoint, it is educational,” Pelamati said. “We’re learning how to do things in a new and different way, because we have had to do nothing but adapt and adjust all year long just to do what we love, which is perform theatre.” Legally Blonde will be the Troupe’s last official performance for the semester. After the curtains fall, they won’t perform until the following school year. There is potential for a senior showcase, but that will be up to the students. As for now, Troupe 2660 will continue to adapt, and persevere to perform.

Vaccine Availability Opens Up For Teachers

Biden extends COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to teachers nationwide By: Amelia Foster Print Managing Editor resident Joe Biden announced on March 2 that he intends to open COVID-19 vaccinations to teachers and those who work in childcare nationwide, using the federal government’s pharmacy program with the aim being to have the first dose for all teachers by the end of March. CVS was the first major pharmacy to pledge to honor Biden’s goals, and started offering appointments to teachers. The plan was released a day before Florida’s Executive Order Number 21-47 went into effect, stating that school employees over the age of 50 are now eligible to receive vaccines in Florida. As of March 3, CVS remains the only major pharmacy in Florida to have changed its rules to fit Biden’s announcement, as other pharmacies such as Publix and Walgreens are following DeSantis’ stricter eligibility requirements for distribution of the vaccine. Although teachers technically qualify, the actual act of booking the appointment is a barrier. For vaccination centers like Publix, registration starts at 7 a.m. during the school week and the waiting line to book an appointment can last for hours, extending into the school day when teachers can no longer book an appointment. The Hillsborough County MyVaccine website allows teachers to pre-register, but states that the elderly and health care personnel are still being prioritized before all others. “The pandemic has ruined this school year. From school events like pep rallies, sports, dances, Grad Bash, theater and band performances, to even simple daily things like lunch and class, it’s hamstrung everything,” SGA sponsor Thomas Dusold said. As of March 3, Robinson has had 62 COVID-19 cases, of which 19 have been employees. Due to contact tracing and COVID-19 safety procedures, students and teachers alike are routinely sent away from the classroom and back to eLearning for two weeks, disrupting plans. “It’s removed that human touch. You don’t have those

A COVID-19 vaccine ready to be administered at a Pubilx pharmacy, where vaccination appointments are being accepted for teachers over 50. Photo by A. Foster

accidental moments,” Jennell Peteranecz, an IB English teacher, said. “I miss those. I don’t have those with [eLearners] the connections that really deepen us and our understanding of one another... that’s gone.” One Robinson teacher, Sarah Sanford, has spent the 2020-2021 school year on extended leave due to her daughter being part of a high-risk group. Sanford didn’t qualify to teach fully eLearning, and so her original plan was to return to school when the Hillsborough County COVID-19 positivity rate dropped below five percent; the last time the county positivity rate was below five percent was May 31, 2020. “Honestly, I feel like politics have resulted in a huge loss of life. We have better technology than at any other time in history, and we as a country can’t get organized enough to get this vaccine out in a timely fashion? It’s very frustrating,” Sanford said. There are six weeks in-between the date of the first dose and the date that the vaccine goes into full-effect. If Biden’s administration succeeds in its goal for all teachers to have received their first dose by the end of March, then teachers will only be protected against the virus for the last three weeks of the school year.

Talent Show Preview

By: Ella Wertz News and Features Editor

Tri-M Music Honor Society is hosting their annual talent show

obinson’s Tri-M Music Honor Society will be hosting their annual talent show on Thursday, April 1 at 6:30 pm. Every year, the shows features the many talented students and faculty members that walk the halls of Robinson. However, this year, like many school activities, the talent show will run a bit differently. Due to COVID-19 regulations, the talent show will be held outside in the courtyard. Any talent is welcome. To audition to be a part of the talent show, students must submit a video submission by March 11 to the QR code to the right. In order to audition, students must be in high school and at least one member of their act must attend RHS. If selected to participate in the talent show, the dress rehearsal will be in person on March 29 at 3:00 pm. There will be a cash prize for winners.

During the 2018 Talent Show, David Navas (‘20), band student and talent show performer, sings a song by Little Mix. Photo by A. Meyer

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WE HAVE ISSUES.

Why You Should Go Out Of State For College

Opinion | 3

Editor’s Letter

By: Olivia Godinez Opinion Editor ts around that time of year when seniors are making their final Going out of state enables students to gain more independence from decisions on where they want to go for college. Creating the pros vs. parents and family. Being an out-of-state student allows you to get on cons list, thinking about what’s farthest away and your feet and fend for yourself faster. what’s closest. One of the hardest questions to answer By leaving your home state for college, you are is: should I go out of state? To that, I say yes. pushed into independence and are able to grow and Of course, going out of state for college is a difficult mature at a more rapid rate. I know it can sound decision to make, and it is not an accessible choice scary, but you learn to be more professional and for many students. If going out of state isn’t an option successful before your peers–that’s something to hold for you, don’t sweat it! There are plenty of good over their heads at the five year reunion. opportunities and reasons to stay within your state of By leaving your own state, you have a better chance residency rather than going out of state. But, if you’re of meeting new people. At an in-state school, you considering out of state, here is your extra push to go. have a higher chance of going to school with the Moving out of your hometown for college kids you grew up with, which may be a pro or a con offers students many academic, career and social depending on your view. If you want a chance to meet opportunities. By broadening your college search to new people, going out of state is a great opportunity schools outside of your area, you open yourself up for you. to more academic programs and scholarships. Why You’re also able to explore different parts of put all your eggs in one basket? By looking at out of yourself you’ve never been able to before. Many state schools, you also find more career options for people struggle to be the same person everyone Graphic of a recent graduate confused on yourself. thinks they are all throughout high school. College is where to go. Graphic by O. Godinez Maybe FSU doesn’t have the program you want, a great way to grow and be the person you want to be and USF’s options aren’t for you; but Northwestern wherever you go, but going out of state allows you to University in Illinois is one of the top schools for Journalism in the adjust to your new self more thoroughly. country. Why change your life path when you could just change where Going out of state is a big jump for many people, but if you think you live? Moving away also allows you to see different parts of the world you’re ready... go for it! and experience diversity you may not be accustomed to.

By: Anna Woodward Editor-in-Chief

Editorial: Don’t Turn Off The Comments

Comic by Pim Kruthun

The phrase “face the music” proves to be a timeless necessity for student groups By: Robinson Journalism Staff

tudent groups represent the school, whether or not they’re directly affiliated. As a student, there’s a standard to maintain, and that includes holding yourself accountable. There are easy ways to smother confrontation, and frankly, it’s too easy. Nowadays, the simple click of a button silences opposition but often sends a bigger message: knowledge that the post’s content is wrong. A recent South Tampa student newspaper posted a photo of students celebrating at a basketball game, opening the floor for other student groups to do the same. It sounds harmless until you look at the photo subjects and realize that they all pulled down their masks to scream. Even among those who kept their masks on, they still wore it incorrectly. It’s no longer a heart-warming photo of the community; it’s embarrassing. When students began commenting, wondering why it was appropriate to post this, comments were turned off. That’s not handling a situation maturely; it’s running. So what if you don’t have the same platform as Kylie Jenner or the New York Times? You’re still responsible. Especially in journalism, objectivity is key. That also means being considerate and facing the facts. Obviously, not everyone follows CDC guidelines, but why unnecessarily paint your school and

The Knight Writers newspaper is published by the first period journalism II-IV class at Robinson High School. Editor-in-Chief Anna Woodward Print Managing Editor Amelia Foster Online Managing Edtior Jennifer Le

ay I just say that this issue has been so fun to work on, despite the seriousness of some of its coverage. This issue has taught us balance, nodding to the light-hearted journalism of writing reviews and the mature writing style necessary to cover widespread community issues. This was the first time that I directly wrote the front page story (along with Zoe). The subtle pressure of being the first thing readers see was there, but bringing light to an issue that those around us were eager to finally talk about was a reward all in its own. We covered some pretty fiery subjects; to some extent, you could call them controversial. I wonder when, or even if, we’ll get backlash. But life isn’t always positive, and neither is journalism. What matters is expression, and confronting what otherwise might be too anxious to talk about.

Staffer demonstrates turning off the Instagram comments. Photo by J. Le

student body in a bad light? A simple statement directly acknowledging the situation would’ve been appropriate, not silencing the students that called you out. Do better. Whether it’s purposeful or not, actions like these condone ignorant behaviors. Just because everyone knows that many students don’t follow CDC guidelines doesn’t mean that it has to be advertised. You can make the argument that photos like these are authentic; they’re candid, so why should it matter? It’s still tone-deaf. If you can’t handle the anticipated backlash, don’t post. If you post, leave the comments on. At the bare minimum, be consistent. We know that we’re not perfect; after all, no one is. But at the end of the day, it’s better to acknowledge your mistakes and learn from them instead of ignoring what’s bound to come to light sooner or later. If you want to do something, say it with your chest, and don’t back out when it catches up to you. The comments might be off, but people don’t forget.

News & Features Editor Ella Wertz Opinion Edtior Olivia Godinez Sports Editor Hanna Malone A&E Editor Meena Vasquez

Staff Ethan Adair Sarai Cochran Samuel Elliott Pimpaka Kruthun Zoe Thaxton Publications Adviser Nancy Oben Principal Robert Bhoolai

Read This Opinion on RHSToday.com You aren’t a bad person for consuming from “problematic” companies

Mission Statement The role and goal of RHS newspaper is to inform, interpret and entertain their viewers through accurae and factual reports, and be accurate, fair and impartial in its coverage of issues that affect the school community. The staff will strive to report all issues in a legal, objective, accurate and ethical manner, according to the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics.

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4 | Features

SHEA GREENBERG

ANNIKA CRUZ Q: How did you prepare for the PSAT and National Merit competition? A: “I used Khan Academy a lot since preparation was mostly about memorizing the exam itself more than anything. Since we’d taken the PSAT from eighth to 10th grade, I could also assess my strengths and weaknesses. Since I knew I struggled in the reading section, for example, I just drilled that in Khan [Academy], but I also recognized that I naturally improve every year, so I knew not to overdo my studying too.” Q: Were you surprised you made it this far? Did you ever think you would make it? A: “The cutoff score for Floridian semifinalists in the years prior has usually been higher, so I didn’t think I’d even become a semifinalist. I knew I had a fighting chance, but actually becoming a semifinalist, then a finalist, was just super exciting since I’d been stressing about this for years.” Q: What was your reaction to finding out you were a finalist? A: : Most semifinalists become finalists, so I wasn’t too surprised, but I was so relieved when I found out. When I became a semifinalist, though, I felt like I’d faint.” Q: What are you plans for the future? A: “I’m planning to major in mathematics and minor in computer science in college. I don’t know what school I’m attending yet, but it doesn’t really matter to me as long as I get into college. Also waiting to just get out of IB once and for all.”

Q: How did you prepare for the PSAT and National Merit competition? A: “Prior to the test our English teacher, Mrs. Difederico, had us do a ton of practice for grammar and reading through Khan Academy. For the math section I didn’t really have to study because I’d already learned everything I needed to know.” Q: Were you surprised you made it this far? Did you ever think you would make it? A: “I’ve always been a good standardized test-taker, so I can’t say I’m surprised. Becoming a National Merit finalist has been a goal of mine for a while.” Q: What was your reaction to finding out you were a finalist? A: “I was really excited! I figured that I would become a finalist because most people that become semifinalists are finalists, but still, it was great news.” Q: What are you plans for the future? A: “I’m not sure where I’ll end up attending college, but wherever I end up I plan on majoring in applied math.”

TREY GOULD Q: Were you surprised you made it this far? Did you ever think you would make it? A: “To prepare for the test, I reviewed some of my old PSATs and tried to focus on understanding the areas I had trouble with. I also did a lot of Khan Academy practice. The key isn’t to do a ton, like three or four hours, the night before, but just to do like 30 minutes every other day, like learning a language or instrument almost.” Q: What was your reaction to finding out you were a finalist? A: “I kinda had a feeling that I was able to make it if I really focused and studied more, but it was hard to find the motivation. I just barely made the index, I think if I scored any lower I might not have made it, but I think with all the scholarship opportunities, I would definitely encourage others to put in the effort.” Q: What was your reaction to finding out you were a finalist? A: “I was really really happy. I was really proud of myself, but also thankful to my family and friends who helped encourage me to go for it.”

Q: What are your plans for the future? A: “I am planning on going to USF and hopefully eventually studying medicine. It’s a lot of school, and very expensive at a lot of places, so I’m happy to put some of the prize money to that goal.”

Meet Robinson’s 2021 SHOTA KONNO

National Me

Q: How did you prepare for the PSAT and National Merit competition? A: “With extracurriculars such as lacrosse and orchestra I had no time to get help from a tutor for any of the standardized tests I took; instead, I capitalized on the free Khan Academy practices in order to familiarize myself with the test, reviewed math concepts that had previously slipped my mind and took a practice test the weekend before. I also timed myself through the Khan practices because the quizzes had an automatic timer.” Q: Were you surprised you made it this far? Did you ever think you would make it? A: “I definitely doubted myself initially; my selection index number was at the cutoff for the selection cutoff from the previous year. I felt that my chances were 50/50 and could go either way. I always held myself up to a high standard and believed that the hard work I put in would be reflected in my results, but I would accept whatever outcome resulted.” Q: What was your reaction to finding out you were a finalist? A: “...I felt both excited and relieved. I actually received the letter the day before the school announcement, but the rush of pride and enthusiasm never subsided. I can still remember hearing the finalist names from the past three years, and if anything, I felt even more proud of my peers who accomplished such a feat.” Q: What are you plans for the future? A: “Regarding my college plans, I aspire to study environmental engineering to solve the ongoing climate crisis and contribute to sustainable living, clean air and clean water. Of course, my career path could change, but whatever I end up as, I hope to pursue my passions.”

MAYA RAZDAN

Q: How did you prepare for the PSAT and National Merit competition? A: “I took some practice PSATs to prepare.” Q: Were you surprised you made it this far? Did you ever think you would make it? A: “Yeah, a little. But considering that most semifinalists become finalists, I thought that I had a decent chance of making it.” Q: What was your reaction to finding out you were a finalist? A: “I felt grateful that my efforts paid off.” Q: What are you plans for the future? A: “I’m currently undecided. I want to see where I get in before I decide.”

ANGELINA KRINOS

Q: How did you prepare for the PSAT and National Merit competition? A: “As for preparation, cramming isn’t necessary. The PSAT tests fundamental math and language skills, so the most important thing is paying attention in your baseline algebra and English classes. Reading for pleasure can help enormously on the reading comprehension section. And, of course, Khan Academy.” Q: Were you surprised you made it this far? Did you ever think you would make it? A: “Honestly, when taking the PSAT, I wasn’t thinking much about National Merit, only on answering the questions correctly. It was only afterward that I started to think – and sometimes worry – about the scholarship process. That being said, I’m more of a person of action, so I was busy with a lot of other activities and projects during junior year. In a way I was surprised, if only because I’d distracted myself so effectively that I forgot to anguish about National Merit. For sophomores who have yet to take the test, please don’t worry yourself to death – it’s one standardized test that you take on a single morning, so don’t rip your hair out speculating about your score and the qualifying index.” Q: What was your reaction to finding out you were a finalist? A: “Relief. There was a small, irrational part of my brain that insisted I’d somehow filled out the application wrong, so I was relieved to know that wasn’t the case. Also, gratitude. Administrators and counselors also go through a lot to get us to Finalist standing, as they have to fill out recommendations and submit various paperwork. So, it’s cliché, but I was helped a lot along the way, and will always appreciate that fact.” Q: What are you plans for the future? A: “I’m still undecided about where to attend college, but regardless of what I choose, I’m planning to put the prize money towards my tuition. I intend to major in mechanical engineering and materials science and engineering, with a specific focus on sustainable energy science and technology. Though I’ve dabbled in it in high school, professional scientific research is my long-term goal. I have lots of plans in mind, so I’m always thankful for opportunities and scholarships that might help me achieve my aspirations.”

Features | 5

BRENNAN HINSON

Q: How did you prepare for the SAT and ACT tests? A: “Really, I just did the Khan Academy practice that was assigned in my English class. I also took a few extra tests to prepare and went over a couple math problems in order to make sure I had all the simple formulas down.”

Q: Were you surprised to have made it this far? Did you ever think you would make it? A:“I honestly wasn’t really surprised; I was pretty confident I was strong enough to perform well.” Q: How will you use the prize money? What are your plans for the future?

KATIE KEMP Q: How did you prepare for the PSAT and National Merit competition? A: “I prepared by taking practice tests every weekend for like a couple months maybe. Leading up to the tests I also did practice on Khan Academy and in the SAT books I had.” Q: Were you surprised you made it this far? Did you ever think you would make it? A: “I never really thought about National Merit until after I took the PSAT junior year, so I guess I never thought about making it. As for being surprised, it was the result of a lot of hard work and dedication, which in itself suggested I would perform well; so I guess I wasn’t that surprised.” Q: What was your reaction to finding out you were a finalist? A: “I was excited when I found out, but I was more excited when finding out about my status as a semifinalist to be honest. I had also just gotten accepted into my dream school [University of Chicago] earlier that day, so it was a bit overshadowed by that.”

A: “To be honest, I am not sure where I’m going to end up yet. The scholarship money should go a long way with my tuition if I end up out of state, but as of now I’m still awaiting acceptances.”

OLIVIA ROBERTS Q: How did you prepare for the PSAT and National Merit competition? A: “I practiced with Khan [Academy] and did the work Mrs. Difederico assigned, but honestly I didn’t stress about it too much. I got a 1460 which advanced me to semifinalist standing and then had to complete the rest of the application to become a finalist.” Q: Were you surprised you made it this far? Did you ever think you would make it? A: “I was definitely pleasantly surprised at first, but I had done a lot of research so I felt confident my scores would be within the range.” Q: What was your reaction to finding out you were a finalist? A: “I was very excited to find out that I was a finalist and was very grateful for the opportunities this could present.”

JOHN WEACHTER Q: How did you prepare for the SAT and ACT tests? A: “For math, I had a tutor for a couple months and I tried to do an hour of Khan Academy practice a day leading up to the exam. For reading, I just read a bunch. I’ve found that the more I read, the more I understand. The grammar comes easier too.” Q: Were you surprised you made it this far? Did you ever think you would make it? A: “I was surprised that I did so well on the PSAT. But I knew that my SAT score matched my PSAT score, so I wasn’t surprised by the finalist news.” Q: What was your reaction to finding out you were a finalist? A: “I was excited. It was definitely good news.” Q: What are you plans for the future? A: “I applied to 14 schools and have heard back from one so far (FSU). The National Merit scholarship itself isn’t very much, but the individual schools often offer much more because I’m [a] National Merit [finalist]. FSU offered me a full ride and honors college because of National Merit. Other schools may offer less, but it definitely helps.”

By: Hanna Malone Sports Editor

erit Finalists ROHAN JOSHI

Q: How did you prepare for the PSAT and National Merit competition? A: “The day before the test, I did Khan Academy questions on topics I did not remember like geometry. Also, in English class, for a few weeks before the test, we were assigned grammar work in Khan Academy and reading passages which were also helpful for review. Right before, I just made sure to have snacks, water, pencils and a calculator.” Q: Were you surprised you made it this far? Did you ever think you would make it? A: “I am extremely happy and surprised to have made it to the finalist standing. I did not think I would make semifinalist because I did not make a long term study plan for the test or use a prep book. But I would recommend that those preparing for any standardized test do make a study plan or use extra materials because this would have helped me with timing and recognizing question types. Overall, just finding what works for you and being consistent is the best plan.” Q: What was your reaction to finding out you were a finalist? A: “Of course the one day they announce the finalists was the one day I arrived to school late so I missed the announcement and I had a math test to take so I was super confused to why everyone was congratulating me. After class when I had time to process the news, I was extremely excited that the hard work I had put into my classes and into the

application had paid off.” Q: What are you plans for the future? A: “Hopefully, if I am fortunate enough to receive a National Merit scholarship, I will apply the money to attend a university to continue my studies. I am not sure where I will attend college yet, but I plan to major in biomedical engineering because innovation, engineering, medicine and the natural sciences have always intrigued me.”

LEVY TRUONG

Q: How did you prepare for the PSAT and National Merit competition? A: “To prep for the test, I mainly took practice SAT tests on Khan Academy. I knew the reading section was more difficult for me so I focused on those sections more.” Q: Were you surprised you made it this far? Did you ever think you would make it? A: “Yeah I would say that I was surprised for sure! I didn’t think I did that well after I took the PSAT because of the math section. My score ended up being on the edge of the qualifying score so I wasn’t sure if I’d get it. Luckily the qualifying score dropped this year due to COVID so I ended up getting semifinalist. As for finalist, I heard that most people who filled out the application got it, so I just filled mine out and hoped for the best.” Q: What was your reaction to finding out you were a finalist? A: “I wasn’t too shocked because I had heard that a lot of semifinalists become finalists but I definitely felt proud of myself that I got it!” Q: What are you plans for the future? A: “I don’t know where I’m going to college yet but if I get the prize money I plan on using it towards my tuition. Since I’m planning on majoring in biology, I can also use it for potential research opportunities in college.”

Zoe Thaxton Staff Writer Ella Wertz News and Features Editor

The National Merit Finalist Process

By: Sam Elliott Staff Writer he National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is a not-for-profit organization that hosts the National Merit Scholarship Program each year, with the intent of identifying and providing opportunities for promising youth in the United States of America. The program has been running since the mid-50’s, and generally proceeds as follows: High school students across the country take their PSAT/NMSQT during their junior year, and are automatically entered into the program, which ends in the fourth quarter of their following school year. Scores are automatically sent to the NMSC, who then calculates the some 50,000 highest scorers. These are then relayed back to the schools in Sept. of the following year, with the students being proclaimed as either commended students or semifinalists. Commended students, while not advancing in the competition, keep their titles and are often considered for unrelated scholarship opportunities, such as those from corporations or businesses. The remaining students, usually around 16,000, move on as semi-finalists, and are the highest scoring students in each state. Of this pool another distinction is made, delineating around 15,000 of those students as National Merit Finalists. The names of these students are relayed to the principal of their respective schools, and receive a certificate of merit for making it into this incredibly selective group. Finally, scholarships are awarded to Merit Scholar designees, chosen from the finalist group based on their achievements and accomplishments in their education and beyond, without regard to gender, race, or wealth. These students can receive anything of a selection of awards, including $2,500 scholarships from the NMSC itself, or corporate or college-sponsored scholarships from an affiliated third party.

6 | Sports

Softball Senior Night Ends With A Win For The Knights

Knights defeat Riverview Sharks 11-3 By: Anna Woodward Editor-in-Chief

amilies lined up on the field with teary eyes and smiling faces. The seniors grabbed their bouquets and joined them, laughing as their senior speeches were read. Within a few minutes, bats replaced bouquets as the team took to the field. The Robinson Lady Knights faced the Riverview Sharks on March 2, ultimately defeating them 11-3. Olivia Van Zandt (‘21) was the starting pitcher, quickly bringing the total to two outs shortly after the game began. But the Sharks managed to start the game strong, racking up two runs in the top of the first inning. In no time, Robinson made up for the lost points and tied the game after Alexis Lantrip (‘21) stepped up to bat. Her hit allowed the team to finish running the bases, setting a foundation for the rest of the game. “It felt amazing to have such a big hit my first at bat to give our team the lead,” Lantrip said. “I think it set the tone for our team.”

Box Score Riverview Robinson

1 2 3

2 0 0

3 0 3

For the next six innings, the Knights maintained a consistent lead as Riverview only managed to score one more run. Riley Onisawa (‘23) had the crowd cheering when she hit a home run that brought the score to 2-7. For a player whose freshman season was cut short, this was a memorable moment for Onisawa. “I never thought I would hit a home run last night,” Onisawa said. “I was making sure I at least got a good solid hit to win the game and score some runs... before the game I told Jordan Stephens...if I hit a home run it will be for my seniors.” Thanks to their lead, the Knights were able to end the game at the top of the seventh, leaving campus with an added win to their now 3-2 record. As their seasons intensifies, so will games throughout March against Middleton, Plant, Jefferson, Durant, Alonso and Chamberlain.

4 0 1

5 0 2

6 1 2

7 0 -

R 3 11

H 8 13

E 2 1

Kouhana Pousson (‘23) is cheered on by her teammates as she takes to the field. Photo by A. Woodward

For more photos of senior night, scan the QR code above

Riley Osinawa (‘23) carefully plans her next move as she runs to second base. Photo by A. Woodward

Playing For The Rivals

Robinson junior dishes out on playing for his school’s South Tampa rival By: Jennifer Le Online Managing Editor

hile Robinson offers a wide variety of sports, the choices don’t satisfy every student. For sports such as hockey, some Knights have chosen to step into enemy territory in order to play their sport. Prior to this school year, Robinson students have been able to join the hockey team at Plant High School, the Knights’ South Tampa rival. Plant had a mix of Tampa Prep, Hillsborough and Robinson High School students playing for their hockey team. This year, however, Plant has decided to cleanse themselves of the enemy by having Plant-students-only teams since hockey is growing a lot in the Tampa Bay area and have had too many students trying out for the team. Students who want to continue playing the sport had to find another school’s team. Jadyn Hyland (‘22) is a student at Robinson who played for Plant’s hockey team during his freshman year, but has since moved to Riverview High School’s team due to Plant’s purification. He has played hockey since he was 4-years-old and the only way he could play at a high school level was to try out for Plant’s team since Robinson doesn’t offer the sport. “When I was on the Plant team, it was definitely interesting because I was playing with guys that go to my rival school but on the ice, it was strictly hockey, so it didn’t really have an effect on me,” Hyland said. Robinson and Plant have had a long-time rivalry, usually surrounding football but the tension still remains for other events. A lot of the time, both sides like to parade their school pride in t-shirts and school merchandise, like the “Beat Plant” shirts and hoodies. Hyland, however, had two

teams he was representing. “I would wear my Plant Hockey t-shirt around school hoping that Robinson students would come to our games, but I would get comments like ‘you’ve got guts to wear that’ and ‘take that shirt off ’ from both students and teachers,” Hyland said. Now he’s playing for the Riverview Sharks in order to continue his high school hockey career. The rivalry has caused some awkward tension between Hyland and his peers, but his focus remains on hockey and as long as he can play, that’s all that really matters.

Hyland (left) also plays defense on the varsity lacrosse team at Robinson High School. Here, he is seen passing the ball downfield to a teammate, surpassing the block of an apposing team player from Wharton. Photo Courtesy of L. Swanson

Photo Courtesy of J. Hyland Hyland (left) in the Riverview Sharks’ uniform at a hockey game against Jesuit High School this past season.

Sports| 7

Preview: Flag Football Coming Back Strong With a versatile team this year’s season should be successful

By:Sarai Cochran Staff Writer

Photos by G. Hilton Left: The flag football girls cheer on their team from the sidelines. Right: Jaylen Stasio (‘22) runs with the ball during the pre-season classic game. Far Right: Seniors Meg Courtney and Sophia Guillermo grab the flag of the runner.

ast March, the COVID-19 outbreak shut down schools, simultaneously leading to the abrupt cancellation of Spring sports seasons. This year the team expected to play a full season COVID has caused the school to shut down before, and it especially effected the accomplished flag football team. Last year the flag football team earned their sponsorship with Nike and were 4-0, winning all 4 games. They had won three state championships in a role and were expected to go for a fourth. Their last game was March 12 before the season was cancelled due to COVID-19. “If the school shut down again and they allowed us to keep playing sports, then yes, we’d have things that we would be able to do,” Saunders said. “But my guess is that if they shut the entire school down they’re definitely not letting sports happen,” He states. “But that would be pretty devastating since spring sports were the only sports last year that got eliminated. Every sport this year -- fall went through it, winter went through it -- so to shut down now would be unexpected and devastating.” With the guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 still in effect, Coach Saunders has been actively trying to maneuver around the changes while still following the guidelines and regulations so the team and everyone else involved stays safe. “We tell them six feet, like we say it all the time.” Saunders explained. “One of the things we’ve been doing, is usually in practice we’re outside and the way Flag Football is it’s pretty spaced out anyway, but when you

High-Ranked Robinson Softball Player Commits To Alabama Centerfield player will play at the collegiate level come Fall By: Hanna Malone Sports Editor

ordan Stephens (‘21) has always loved softball. It has been a notable part of her life since she was eight years old. Her passion and drive are pushing factors to where she stands today: ranked nationally as the sixth outfield player and 15th overall. In addition to her high school softball career at Robinson, Stephens has also actively played on a club travel team called Tampa Mustang Eve. She recently made the premier team of the Tampa Mustangs Organization called Tampa Mustangs TJ, where they will travel to four different states this summer playing in national championships. With the experience and high ranking like the one in which Stephens holds comes an abundance of potential recruiters. In many cases, for softball, many colleges start seeking out and communicating with recruits during the athlete’s junior year. However, Stephens has been working on getting recruited since her freshman year. “I wasn’t on Alabama’s radar until November of my junior year, though,” Stephens said. “That’s when I first went to a camp and I fell in love with the school, the coaches, the program, everything. I knew walking out of there that it was the school I really wanted to go to.” When COVID-19 hit last spring, coaches and recruiters were unable to safely travel to watch games, so instead, they had to watch potential softball recruits online. Still, Stephens was able to keep in contact with the

Photo by G. Hilton

Trending on RHSToday.com Photo Gallery: Boys lacrosse lose to Wharton in a close game

By: Meena Vasquez A&E Editor On Feb. 22, the boys lacrosse team lost to Wharton with a score of 9-10. Their next home game is on March 11 against Alonso.

Photo Gallery: Baseball and softball fall short to Strawberry Crest By: Zoe Thaxton Staff Writer

Stephens signs her National Letter of Intent, officially committing to the University of Alabama. Photo Courtesy of J. Stephens

team through the summer, getting a phone call from the associate head coach and head coach within two weeks making an offer. “Two days later, I was on a Zoom meeting with my parents to confirm questions and everything, and that was it,” Stephens said. On Oct. 1, she verbally committed to the University of Alabama. On Nov. 15, Stephens officially committed, signing her National Letter of Intent. As of March 5. Alabama’s softball team is ranked third in the NCAA. “I’m extremely grateful and excited for this opportunity,” Stephens said. “It’s a dream come true, Roll Tide!” Stephens swings at a pitch during a game with her club team, the Tampa Mustangs. Photo Courtesy of J. Stephens

With a bouquet of roses in hand, Stephens takes the field for the traditional senior night ceremony. Photo by A. Woodward

send people for water they all just go and group together. So one of the things we do now to ensure their safety in following guidelines is we have them put their bags 6-8 feet away from each other so everybody goes back to their bag and now they’re standing by their bag and that’s a good distance apart.” There are a lot of new players this year that are entirely new to the sport or to the varsity team. The girls’ work together towards advancement by practicing, and they are looking forward to a successful season with their eyes set on a fourth State Championship title. “My goal for this season is to win states,” Sydney Stout (‘21), the quarterback, said. “Our main strength as a team is our versatility and depth in our line up. We have a ton of talented players at most positions and that will help us a lot.” Two of the biggest games the flag team is expected to play this season is the away game against Plant High School on March 31 and their senior night at home against Steinbrenner on April 12.

The Robinson baseball and softball teams both took on Strawberry Crest on Thursday, Feb. 18. Both teams ended the night with losses; the girls lost 2-1 and the boys lost 4-1.

The Super Bowl reflects poorly on Tampa By: Hanna Malone Sports Editor The Super Bowl, of course, was a celebration of significance that the entire city of Tampa took place in. The Buccaneers were the first team to ever play a Super Bowl at home, and they won. Responsible fans stayed home to watch the game, and celebrated in a socially distanced fashion with COVID-19’s continued prominence.

8 | A&E

Online Shopping Can’t Review: Avalon Exchange Has Compare To The Real Exchanged The Authentic Thrifting Thing Experience To Keep Up With The Trends The mall will always triumph over online shopping Avalon Exchange is trying too hard to appeal to a very trendy audience By: Ella Wertz News and Features Editor

valon Exchange opened a couple of months ago, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The “upscale” thrift store aims to select fun and unique pieces that will appeal to their general audiences. While I think the store offers a variety of interesting pieces, the store seems to be trying way too hard to appeal to the typical trendy teenager. This pursuit to desperately impress our generation seems to have taken some of the joy out of the beloved hobby of thrifting. Avalon is more similar to a consignment store than your typical thrift store. Their pieces have been sifted through thoroughly and employees select what they believe will sell and intrigue trendy shoppers. With this, the prices of clothing and accessories are higher, in comparison to thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army, which severely diminishes the monetary benefits for shopping second-hand. The atmosphere of the store is really aesthetically pleasing—once again, pushing towards appealing to trendy teenagers. The outside of the store is covered in cool murals which sets the vibe even before you walk in. Once you do walk in, there are endless rows of racks as far as the eye can see, which provides Avalon with that authentic thrift store feeling that seems to be missing in many other places. There are basic and contemporary pieces displayed around the store. There are light-up speakers playing a mix of pop and indie music. One of the back walls of the store is covered in purses, sunglasses, and socks. The check-out area is covered in incoming clothes and rings. The chaotic environment is almost overstimulating. However, there is an upside to their more structured take on a thrift store: the organization of the store. Typically, in my experience, the Goodwill and Salvation Army have little to no effective organization—Avalon differs completely from this. Every rack in the store

is labeled by type and size of clothing. As I sifted through the racks, there was not one item out of place, which is extremely impressive for any retail store. This organization definitely makes the thrifting process way more efficient; however, again, it takes away the authenticity of thrifting. Fitting in with Avalon’s attempt to appeal to a trendier audience, all of the employees are pretty young. The store is chocked full of employees, as well. While you are shopping, they’re sorting through new finds and organizing racks. However, even though the employees were strong in numbers, I felt like they had a pretty weak presence. None of the employees made an effort to approach me or even welcome any shoppers into the store during my time there. Additionally, I waited 15 minutes at the checkout counter before I was able to checkout. There was no one in line and there were two employees behind the counter and two employees standing at the counter behind me. Overall, their customer service was not impressive in the slightest. Avalon Exchange is the perfect spot for any trendy shopper. It is evident who is Avalon’s target audience— they appeal to them well in every aspect of the store. However, if you are looking for a more authentic thrifting experience, I would recommend the Goodwill bins or Salvation Army, even if pieces are a bit harder to find there because it preserves that thrift store charm.

IF YOU GO: Address: 2823 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL 33629 Hours: 11 A.M. to 7 P.M Monday-Saturday, 12 P.M to 6 P.M. Sunday Website: avalonexchange.com

The exterior of Avalon Exchange, located on MacDill Ave. Included with permission from Avalon Exchange

By: Sarai Cochran Staff Writer usually go to the mall at least once a month. The mall is a place I enjoy going to. I usually go to treat myself, just simply window shop, or go there to eat. Compared to online shopping, I prefer physically going to the mall rather than ordering things online. The mall has a bigger variety than online shopping. Sure, you can shop online in the comfort of your own bed but you have stores next to more stores with lots and lots of things to choose from. You can physically see the products you’re getting rather than not worrying if what you bought is the exact same when it’s mailed to you. When you shop online it may look nice and pretty but sometimes it’s way different than how you saw it in the pictures. Going to the mall, I see everything and I’m not catfished by an image. I also don’t have to worry about paying for shipping. Shipping can get pretty pricy for some items but there’s no need if I’m actually there. Sure, there are taxes but it’s not as much compared to the shipping prices. Plus, I love the mall food. If I’m at the mall around dinner time I’m getting the food there for dinner. You have the alternative of buying clothes and eating good food. I’m not as lazy when I go to the mall. It’s somewhere I go for a

few hours. If I want to go somewhere to kill time, I go to the mall and just

Illustration from Pixabay, Creative Commons

look around. Each time I go there’s something different and never the same things I see. You don’t even have to go to the mall to shop, you can also go there just to look at things. When I go to the mall with a few friends we don’t even buy anything, we walk around, catch up on our lives and have fun without spending any money. When going to the mall on the right day, there are some really good deals. Some days the mall is really empty so I usually find really cute products or clothes for a really low price. If a store is closing down and needs to get rid of the things in there, they will drop all the prices so customers can come and grab things. You usually don’t have that kind of leniency shopping online. Shopping online and going to the mall can be a hard choice to choose from for certain people but the mall just has more choices rather than shopping online.

They Should Have Always Left Britney Spears (And So Many More) Alone! Time and time again, society dehumanizes and ridicules so many famous women until they break

ack in 2007, at the height of media criticism towards pop star Britney Spears, a video titled “Leave Britney Alone!” was uploaded to Youtube. A man named Chris Crocker wept and demanded that everyone, especially the media, stopped Spears. Crocker became a laughing stock amongst the public, but it seems like he’s a prophet with hindsight. The recent Hulu documentary Framing Britney Spears shined a light onto the turmoil Spears is still suffering from. While the documentary mostly details the controlling conservatorship Spears’ father owns, it also raises awareness of the media’s power–especially for women. The documentary depicts so many instances of the media and the public mocking her at her lowest. Paparazzi captures her in tears as she tries to comfort her newborn, while talk show hosts talked about her breasts and sex life when she was only 17. Even game shows like “Family Feud” made her a laughing stock for having a mental breakdown after going through a divorce and losing custody of her children. Spears is unfortunately not the first woman to be attacked by journalists, paparazzi and talk show hosts. Anna Nicole Smith, Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston, Amanda Bynes, Janet Jackson and even royalty such as Princess Diana are a few examples of women being attacked at their lowest point. Being a woman and a celebrity automatically puts you in the spotlight and even the thought of A cut out of Britney Spears from her having a stable mentality is thrown out album ...Baby One More Time. the window by the public. Photo By Jive Records

By: Meena Vasquez A&E Editor

Even in the ‘80s and ‘90s, the media mocked famous pop star Whitney Houston. Furthermore, her cocaine addiction and death are still being used as a punch line for people to this day. What is so funny about a woman struggling with addiction and dying? Absolutely nothing! Even in death, she cannot rest peacefully because people want a few cheap laughs. There’s a double-standard because when men have a drug addiction, struggle with mental illnesses, or explore their sexuality they’re treated as human by the media. When Justin Timberlake exposed Janet Jackson’s breasts on national TV, but he never got any backlash like Jackson did. She was humiliated again and again not only on TV, but magazines made the mortifying event their cover photo. Jackson lost gigs, her position as a host for the Grammy’s one year, and deals she had just signed. So how come when women have sex, have a drug addiction, or have mental illnesses the public taunts and capture them at their lowest points? While men are praised for being sexually active, women have their privacy invaded by talkshow hosts. While men receive empathy and sympathy for struggling with drug addiction or mental illnesses, women’s breakdowns are made the cover photo for magazines. Why does society continue this endless cycle of women being tortured by the media? When a documentary of some sort is made, or the woman abruptly passes away is when everyone wants to apologize for their actions. It’s not enough. Give the same sympathy and empathy to women as you would with men. This constant cycle of tearing a woman down until they’ve been broken and only apologizing once the damage is done is sickening.