Knight Writers Vol. 63 Issue 2 | Dec. 2022

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Snow Much Fun at the Winter Sports Pep Rally

SGA organizes third pep rally of the school year.

By JUNO LE, CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Robinson High School had its third pep rally this year, this time with a working microphone.

On Dec. 2, ahead of a home boys and girls’ basketball game against Alonso and an away boys and girls’ soccer game against Gaither, the Student Government Association (SGA) put together the Winter Sports Pep Rally in the Robinson Auditorium, which had its air condi tioning fixed just in time for the event. Robin son’s sports include basketball, soccer, wrestling, competitive cheerleading and winterguard. M.C. Oscar Poland (’23) also gave a shoutout to Avery Hawker (’24) for being an All-American swim

mer and congratulated the swim team for their performance at States.

“Absolutely fantastic job done by the sound team, they did a good job juggling between the music and my commentary without any issues,” Poland said.

The Pep Rally included a few familiar games, with a bit of a holiday twist on them. Following the winter sports teams’ musical entry, a series of games went forth to involve members from the audience. There was a gift-wrapping race, during which partners hurried to wrap each other up in wrapping paper, tug-of-war with captains of the

winter sports, musical chairs to popular holiday songs, a Starlets relay race and even a teachers vs. students basketball game between Robinson teachers and members of the boys’ basketball team.

“We wanted to do something that was more interactive with the students,” Starlets co-Cap tain Petra De Jenzano (’23) said.

The pep rally featured performances from the competitive cheer team, with the routine they debuted at their competition two days prior, and the Kultural Dance Team. Students were also welcomed into the gym before the pep rally like

always by the RHS band.

A Robinson pep rally is not over until the traditional class chant. In the final moments of the school day, the compilation of RHS teacher judges narrowed it down to the freshmen and the seniors. Two rounds later and the seniors took their third class chant victory of the year.

Some of the freshmen left the pep rally feeling sour about the results.

“[The judges] just made us keep going until the seniors actually did it good,” Logan Cador ette (26) said.

(From left to right) Adriana Williams (‘23), Cami Sai (‘23), Gabby Toranzo (‘25), Jake Perkins (‘23), Jonah Irwin (‘23), Rian Tipnes (‘23) and George Daniel (‘23) tug on their end of the tug-of-war: winter sports edition game. Their side lost. Photo by I. Witte.

STEALING CHRISTMAS. Oscar Poland (‘23) cheers in the senior section during the class chant at the end of the pep rally. Photo by J. Le

LOSER’S WALK. Wilton Rollins (‘24) watches Jay Maurer (‘26) leave after Ayan Nallamshetty (‘25) took the only other chair during a round of musical chairs. Photo by I. Witte

WRAP IT UP. Adriana Williams (‘23) gets wrapped up in gift wrap by her partner Izzy Elridge (‘23) in the wrap race. The seniors were the first to be disqualified. Photo by J. Le

DEFENDING THE COURT. MJ Ward (‘25) guarding RHS AP of Curriculum Christopher Pettit in the students vs. teach ers basketball game. While they rule the school, the staff was no match against the basketball team. Photo by A. Stearns

GO KNIGHTS! Kameron Padgett (‘24) car ries Sela Teplin (‘23) on his shoulders during the cheer routine. Photo by J. Le

(Top) FREEZE! Roobielle Bien-Amie (‘24) (left) and Star Mendiola (‘25) pose in the KDC dance. Photo by A. Stearns

SWEET TASTE OF VICTORY. Amelia Kempton (‘24) (left) and Addison McDowell (‘24) celebrate a victory for the juniors after Wilton Rollins (‘24) won the musical chairs game. Photo by J. Le

Aurora Stukey (‘24) dances with the KDC. Photo by I. Witte

Florida Midterms Signal Democrat Defeat

Florida’s status as a swing state seems to have been swept away by the “red wave.”

By INGALLS WITTE, MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Florida, once a prominent swing state, has turned a deep red this election season. Florida’s midterm election re sults favored the Republican party heav ily, resulting in the re-election of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R.) and Sen. Marco Ru bio (R.), as well as Republican control of 20 seats in the U.S. House of Repre sentatives. This phenomenon, hailed as the “red wave” by notable GOP figures, swept the Sunshine State, despite the Republican party underperforming in other places in the country.

Florida has held the status of a swing state since the 2000 presidential election when George W. Bush (R.) narrowly beat Al Gore (D.) following monthslong recounts in the state. Even in more recent races, the margins of major Flor ida elections have remained slim. In the 2018 gubernatorial elections for Florida, DeSantis beat  Andrew Gillum (D.) by less than half a percentage point, with 13 counties in Florida voting blue.  Even in the 2020 presidential election, for mer President Donald Trump (R.) beat now-President Joe Biden (D.) by a mar gin of less than 5 percentage points, with 12 counties in Florida voting blue.

tive Democrat voters fell by more than 164,000 while the Republican party gained over 150,000 active voters.

The Democratic party also fell flat in key demographics, especially in young voters. NBC’s exit polls for the Florida midterms show that only 11% of voters aged 18-29 casted votes in the guberna torial election. This included students in Hillsborough County, with many not casting their ballot.

“I don’t have any strong political views, so didn’t vote,” Cassidy Chap man (‘23) said.

Registration also played a key role in preventing younger voters from having their voice heard.

“I registered in school but the voter card they gave me did not have the right name on it. I didn’t have time to get it changed,” Madison Waters (‘23) said.

However, these difficulties didn’t affect all students as some seniors still made it out to the polls.

“I voted by going to my assigned vot ing center before school,” Kelsi White (‘23) said. “I voted because as a young adult, I think it’s important to have our voices herd. It’s us who are going to be here in the future, so we should be advo cating for the society we want to live in.”

Holly Jolly Hits the Stage

All Troup 2660 Wants for Christmas is to go to States.

By SHAYLA McINTIRE, STAFF WITER & ZOE THAXTON, CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Underrepresentation of Minority Holidays in

Today’s Media

Christmas dominates holiday media at the expense of minority holidays.

By VIKRAM SAMBASIVAN, NEWS & FEATURES EDITOR

With the holiday season approaching, much of the media and general excitement is dedicated to wards Christmas whilst other holidays are pushed aside and almost forgotten.

Almost all movies relating to the holiday season have to do with Christmas (or a love story that seems to tie into the Christmas theme), events put on by the city are all Christmas-themed and even dec orations in public places all scream “Christmas.”

It’s as if the words “holidays” and “Christmas” have become synonymous in Western cul ture.

things; one such thing is cultural values. Under standing one’s culture has shown to be integral to creating relationships with one another.

According to Impactly, “Cultural aware ness promotes people to build suc cessful and professional relation ships in diverse backgrounds.”

Cassidy Chapman (‘23)

This was not the case in the most recent midterm elections, as Gov. De Santis was reelected within a margin of nearly 20 points. Incumbent Sen. Rubio also won with a large margin of double digits. With an increase in Republican votes, came a decrease in Democratic counties. Seven of them flipped in favor of the GOP, including historic Demo cratic strongholds.

The Democrat’s underperformance comes with an influx of Florida resi dents. With Trump calling the Sunshine State his home and DeSantis, a prom inent GOP figurehead as Governor, Florida drew in Republican masses. This includes older voters, who typically lean more right.With more people register ing to vote in Florida, Democrats are struggling to keep up.

According to data from Florida’s sec retary of state office, registered voters in creased by 200,000 between Sept. 2021 - Oct. 2022, making it over 14 million.

Despite this increase, the number of ac

Despite some support from younger voters, Democrats were unable to hold onto long standing blue counties such as Miami-Dade County, the largest coun ty in Florida and a historic democratic stronghold for nearly two decades.

The Democrats seem to have antici pated the lean to the right, as national democratic organizations and donors have all but abandoned Florida in terms of funds. It is reported the Democratic Governors Association only $685,000 this election cycle, in comparison to the $14 million given to Florida in the past two gubernatorial races.

Florida’s more recent trends angle it further right, which spells good news for Republicans. The Sunshine State’s role as a swing state may still be plau sible, but the 2024 elec tions will be the deciding factor.

With the holiday season approach ing, Theatre Troupe 2660 is set to per form their annual Winter Showcase on Dec. 15 and 16. The “All I Want for Christmas is to Go to States” show is a culmination of holiday-themed num bers (scenes, songs, etc.) but also Dis trict winning pieces to raise the funds to perform at the state competition in March.

“The holiday showcase was so great last year that we raised enough money to bring our troupe to states [and]... this year we hope to be able [to do the same],” Maddy Ruyle (‘23) said.

The performances won at Districts were a group number “Do the Necro nomicon,” Ruyle’s solo “Losing My Mind” from Follies and Jayden Fernan dez’s (‘23) “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” from Grease. Not only this, troop members chose their own perfor

mances for the showcase, with a range of songs like “Believe” by Josh Groban and “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey.

“For me, personally, I have been trying to find innovative approaches to different songs because I feel like we have all heard the same holiday songs a million different times and I want to make the show super fun for every one,” Troupe President Ava LeClair (‘23) said.

There’s hope for the audience to experience a holiday cheer-filled show with amazing performances. The troupe put in weeks’ worth of work to prepare, staying after school numerous times a week. Although practices and tech week can be stressful, members find ways to have fun and keep the hol iday spirit alive outside of rehearsals.

“We have this tradition in the troupe where every winter showcase we draw a card from a hat with a random Christ mas movie on it and then we have to do a five-minute rendition of it on the spot. It’s always chaotic but super fun,” LeClair said.

There’s excitement from the more experienced members for the under classmen and their experience with the show.

“I’m excited for everyone to see the new acts, especially the freshmen’s be cause this is their second performance this year. Also [I’m] excited because we’re raising money for states,” Fernan dez said.

The joy of the season is alive with Troupe 2660, to not only perform for the student body but also for the entire state.

According to Dr. Rehman Ab dulrehman, “Our society tends to perpetuate a standard in media, in policy and practice of organi zations, that critics often call the ‘white norm.’ In fact, researchers in the field of psychology have not ed that the “white norm” is a reality and has negative psychological con sequences to people of color, or people from cultural or religious groups that do not conform to the ‘white norm.’”

As the media tends to overrepre sent Christmas and “white norm” standards, this influences how we as a population perceive the world. It cre ates normality which tends to exclude minority cultures. Furthermore, not only are these minority cultures exclud ed, but they are unknown to most of the population.

“I feel like would know about a lot more cultures if it was given as much media as Christmas,” Orli Probasco (’24) said. “…I wouldn’t care to know much about Christi anity at all, but due to mainstream media [coverage] with the holiday of Christmas, it’s kind of forced me to learn about the reason for the holiday. If other holidays had the same spotlight the same thing would happen with them.”

This lack of understanding of minority cultures prevents us from understanding each other. A person is made up of many

Such underrepresentation of minority holidays, and therefore culture, in the media, leads to a lack of cultural awareness which doesn’t just affect in terpersonal relationships at the high school level, but even professional relation ships which students will build post-graduation.

The overrepresentation of Christmas in the media shapes one’s knowledge and understanding of the world. To provide a more balanced per spective of other cultures for future generations, more bal anced coverage of minority holidays could be portrayed in

“To have a balanced represen tation of holidays from different cultures, they could be depicted in children’s books, movies, shows, etc. Minorities could also be encouraged to speak out about their cultures more frequently and with a “louder” voice,” Ayan Nallamshetty (’25) said.

Similarly, Probasco too believes that increased media coverage of minority holidays will help provide a more bal anced perspective of other cultures.

Holiday Date Ideas

Madeline

Midterm Study Tips

(‘24)

By JADYN GRAYES, FUN COORDINATOR

It’s officially cuffing season, and the holi day spirit in the air provides so many ador able date night opportunities for couples or couples-to-be. These are a few holiday date ideas to woo that special person.

Christmas - themed Movie Night: Imag ine combining two of the most comforting things: cuddling and Christmas movies. Having a holiday movie marathon is the best way to bond with your significant oth er. Snuggling up with some popcorn while watching classics like “Home Alone” and “Elf” is a wonderful way to just relax in each other’s presence.

make your own gingerbread or buy a kit from your local grocery store. The best part about this date idea is getting to eat your creations after!

Take a drive to sightsee Christmas Lights This is a magical thing to experience with that special person. There are many known neighborhoods in Tampa that go all out for Christmas decorations. Taking a slow drive through the display to look at them creates a sentimental adventure to remember.

“Realistically that [the creation of a more balanced perspective] will never happen. Also realistically you won’t ever take away the publicity Christmas has from the media which is what “rep resents” society,” Probasco said. “The only way the future generations will have a more balanced representation is if the other holidays are also given the media Christmas and Easter have.”

Ice skating: This is a romantic date night for those who like to be active. Ice skate rent als are super affordable, and an activity to occupy the whole night. There are multiple ice-skating rinks around Tampa, one of the most popular being just fifteen minutes from Robinson.

Gingerbread house making:  This is a great creative idea for artistic couples. You could also turn it into a friendly competition of who makes the best house. You guys can

Bake holiday cookies: This activity is al ways fun for couples or even friends. You guys can make homemade cookies (clearly the best choice) or buy premade cookie dough to pop in the oven. You can then decorate them as different holiday symbols (my favorites being either tree or ornament cookies).

The holiday season is the best opportunity for romantic dates and bonding. The weeks nearing Christmas always speed by, and these date ideas will help you make the most of this special time. Make new memories with your loved ones and build your connection with the season, and each other.

Writers

Policies

For more information about the staff policies, follow this link https://knightwriters.org/about/ staff-policies/ Publication Memberships

By CHARLOTTE STONE, PRINT MANAGING EDITOR

Unfortunately, midterm season is approaching. It is a force that simply cannot be stopped, no mat ter how badly we want it to or how burnt out we may feel. However, it doesn’t have to be as painful and scary as it may seem... as long as you know how to study properly. So, here are some easy tips to help you survtive this exam season.

Tip 1: Motivation. Now I know getting motivated to actually start studying can seem like an impossible task, but there are ways to kickstart this process. You can start by getting together all the supplies that you will need to study. Grab your books, laptop, headphones, study guide, etc. and set them all out. Then, organize your notes and get everything ready for you to study. This process will help you organize your thoughts and hopefully kickstart some motivation.

Tip 2: Location Whatever you do, do NOT study in bed. This is an easy mistake to make. Your bed seems so comfortable and welcoming. You think it would be the perfect place to study, but you are wrong. You will immediately feel sleepy and lose all the motivation that you may have had. Instead, try heading to a cute coffee shop like

Buddy Brew, or head to your local Barnes and Noble. If you are surrounded by other productive people, sometimes their pro ductivity can inspire motivation in you.

Tip 3: Organiza tion This is more of a general tip to keep in mind throughout the school year. I cannot stress enough how im portant it is to stay organized. It is imperative that you keep your notes and assignments in order for when the semester comes to an end. If you do this successfully, studying will be a whole lot easier. You will be able to easily read through your notes and glance back at specific areas that you know need improvement.

Tip 4: Music. Create a nice, calming playlist to keep you entertained while studying without distracting you from the task at hand. Maybe this

means picking songs that don’t have lyrics, so you aren’t tempted to sing along, or maybe it means picking more relaxing, chill songs. For example, I wouldn’t recommend adding any heavy metal to your study playlist.

School is already stressful enough before throw ing exams into the mix. I hope these suggestions help to lighten the load and make studying a little easier this exam season.

Inflation and High Schoolers

By ASHLYN MILLER, STAFF WRITER

Without bills or a mortgage, working teens should be able to afford to make small purchases on their own. Coffee on the way to school or gas in their cars were things High Schoolers were able to enjoy without an issue. However, due to inflation, this is no longer feasible for most.

As of 2022, the inflation rate for the United States is 9.1%. For comparison, the inflation rate was 7.0% in 2021 and 1.3% in 2020.  In a post-covid world, major supply chain issues have led to higher food and oil costs due to transportation fees. In 2019, gas prices averaged around $2.50 a gallon. At the Wawa gas station on Gandy, a gallon of gas is currently $3.49...

Journalists.

Berg

wearing Christmas themed clothes to fulfill the Holiday theme of the Dec. 2, 2022 SGA Pep Rally. Photo by V. Sambasivan.

‘Tis the season for romance, so make the most of the spirit in the air with these holiday date night ideas.

Snuggling up and watching Christmas movies is the best way to relax with your s/o during the holidays. Photo by J. Grayes.

(From left to right) Ava LeClair (‘23), Payton Heckman (‘23), Ea Leonard (‘23), Leroy Chambers (‘23), Nadia Corrales (‘23), Serena Sebring (‘23), Aurora Stukey (‘24) posing on stage after the 2021 Holiday showcase. Courtesy of Troupe 2660.

“I don’t have any strong political views, so I didn’t vote.”

“[I’m] pretty excited for the Holiday Show case, though I’m a bit nervous. I’m looking forward to the number with all the people going to higher level comps—they’re all amazing and I can’t wait to see them.”

“I’m feeling very excited for the Holiday Showcase. I’m excited to see everyone’s performances and I’m excited about the performances I’m doing.”

Jules Narvarte (‘26)

Photo Courtesy of CADY.

Gerard Couture (‘26)

Photo Courtesy of CADY.

THOUGHTS FROM THE STAGE

Worst Christmas Gift Ever

By JANIECE MITCHNER, STAFF WRITER

Keep Your Nails On Trend

This Holiday Season

“Sleigh” the day with some cute holiday nails.

By KEIRRA McGOLDRICK, OPINION EDITOR

When thinking about some fashion choices you may make this time of year, you must not forget a simple detail that can make or break an outfit: your nails. Festively decorating your hand can not only make you feel amazing but also en hance anyone’s holiday cheer. However, in my opinion, there is a right and wrong way to do it. So, how should one get their nails done this time of year while staying on trend?

Before we get into the more fun stuff, let’s talk shape. In the past few years, the “coffin” shape of acrylic nails has been the most prominent, and for good reason too. Its classic, sleek style gives the person more creative freedom when it comes to designs and artwork.

More recently, however, the “almond” shape has come to show out and become possibly the most popular, giving the wearer a more trendy look. The almond shape’s soft, laid-back style would perhaps be a better fit for someone of a softer nature.

Now, of course, there are more than two shapes for acrylic nails, but personally, I think the coffin and almond are the best options in order to stay on trend.

Color, color and more color! Color

should be the first thing you think of before considering the de sign you want to go for. There are obviously the traditional Christmas colors or red and green which are always sol id options. Why not try to go outside the box though? Maybe try pink, gold or

It’s now time for the best design choices for the holidays. The de sign you choose to fit your holiday vibe is possibly the most crucial element in the nail journey. A simple colored French tip in a color like red, or even interchanging colors of red and green for a sense of both whimsi cality and sleek ness. You could also go for a sol id holiday-themed color on the majority of the nails, then add an accent nail of a fun design. Recently, the effect look of a sweater or plaid has been very on trend for a more simplistic feel to go as an ac cent nail.

No matter what you choose to do in regard to your nails, all that matters is what you feel great in. Choose what feels best for you, that’s what’s really on trend.

HO HO Hits for the Holidays

By ALLIE

The Cutest and Coziest Feminine Winter Essentials

Temperatures are dropping, so it’s time for a wardrobe update.

By FAITH ROWLAND, STAFF WRITER

As someone who grew up in Illinois, where winters dip into negative temperatures and frost covers anything outside, I can confidently say the clothing essentials are quite different when living in Florida. The barrier for what’s “cold” in Florida is quite high; residents can be seen shivering on a sixty-five-degree day. This doesn’t mean we Floridians don’t dress for the chilly temperatures! Here’s what’s trending this winter and what you can expect to see:

Fleece-Lined Tights

Fleece-Lined tights are a blessing to people that love wearing skirts in the cold weather. They’re traditional black tights, but the inside is cushioned in warm fleece that matches your skin tone. Not only are they easy to put on, but they’re also efficient at keeping you cozy and a great layering tool for skirts or dresses. You can easily find them on Amazon, Shein or other online clothing shops.

Leg Warmers

Another cozy staple, leg warmers are cute and super trendy right now. They come in almost any color and dif ferent styles and are a simple way to spice up any winter outfit. My favorites are the white or beige knitted pairs. Leg warmers can be styled over tights, leggings or just on yourself! I personally love styling them with Dr. Martens, which are also very wintery shoes. They can be easily found on Amazon or many mainstream clothing stores.

Cozy Sweaters

The biggest winter classic of them all: sweaters! They never go out of style, there are hundreds of different styles and they’re a sure way of keeping warm. I always wear oversized sweaters, which can be styled with any type of bottoms: jeans, tights, shorts, leggings and much more. Many have fun designs for the holidays or are made with

The 2022 Wishlist

A

By ALLIE BARTON, SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

fun materials. Plain-knitted sweaters are my favorite to wear with baggy pants. Sweaters can be found in almost every clothing brand, but my personal preferences are the ones you find in thrift stores.

Not only are these components stylish on their own, but they’re also cohesive altogether. An amazing go-to winter outfit for me always includes tights, a pencil skirt, a big comfy sweater, and leg warmers over Dr. Marten boots. Always cozy during the chilly weather and guaranteed to look great.

Crumbl Cookie has Me on a Cookie-Craze

They look amazing, but are Crumbl Cookies worth the hype?

By McKAYLE McGOLDRICK, STAFF WRITER & CECILIA CHENG, A&E EDITOR

The chances are if you are on social media, you’ve probably seen these massive cookies all over the place. Although the franchise started back in 2017, Crumbl Cookies have grown in popularity in the last year, with reviews all over social media about their unique selections. Recently, a new location opened up in South Tampa on Dale Mabry and has been packed since then, and they deserve it.

Now I do have to admit, I haven’t heard the nicest things about the store and the cookies themselves. Firstly, the store is mainly operated by teenagers, which did scare me a little. Not to mention, many of my friends have said that the company purposely underbakes their cookies, as well as adds extra eggs to them to keep the thick cookies extra moist. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to get sick from eating a cookie.

My first impression of the store itself was that very clean (since it was brand new) but super packed. However, I loved its welcoming environment. As soon as I walked in, I was a little startled by the very enthusiastic yelling of ‘Welcome to Crumbl!’ from every single employee at the same time. Other than that, I immediately noticed the option of the efficient self-order/ self-checkout feature where you can place your order and pay by yourself. This made the long line I walked into disappear pretty

quickly. After you order your cookie, your name is called out and your order is presented in a cute, simplistic pink box.

In my opinion, the presentation of the cookies was amazing. All of them looked super delicious and made my mouth water just looking at them. The price was also very reasonable, espe cially with how big the cookies are, with a six-pack being $15.78 before tax. I couldn’t even finish one whole cookie because of how filling they were, which is another plus on my list.

What makes Crumbl stand out from other bakeries is its flavor selection. There are always seven cookies for people to choose from, but they differ per week. Crumbl is constantly changing all its flavors, which keeps the people who enjoy their cookies hooked and constantly willing to try the new ones weekly. They do though, offer the pink sugar cookie and milk chocolate cookie every week, both being classic flavors that you definitely should try when you get a chance.

The options I had to choose from were mainly fall-themed, with cookies like apple and pumpkin pie. Of all the ones I tried, my favorite would have to be the Hazelnut Sea Salt. It tasted absolutely amazing and was filled with Nutella-like chocolate on the inside that melted in my mouth. I also tried the Lem

on-Blackberry cookie, which had purple creme cheese cream on top of a buttery cookie. Although it did get overwhelming after a few bits, I loved the hidden hints of lemon and citrus behind all the sweetness.

We all need a little sweetness in our lives at times. The store didn’t me and I had a great experience overall.

I would especially recommend any sweet tooth to give Crumbl a try. These cookies make the best dessert and are the perfect treat for you to share with your family any time of the year.

“Spirited”: An Original Telling of A Christmas

Carol

Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds take on a unique perspective on the classic Charles Dickens story

By PAYTON HECKMAN, STAFF WRITER

‘Tis the season, it’s gifting season. The holidays are near and it’s time to sit down and make the gift lists. Instead of spending hundreds on random items from the generated Am azon and Target wishlists, here is what is trending this year for teens, even young adults.

Personally, what I want for Christmas is a Dyson Airwrap. These have been trending for months due to the multiple parts that come with the Airwrap and the flawless, effortless look that comes with using this product. Although they are on the pricy side, with all my struggles maintaining my thick, curly hair, I feel this would be essential to ease this process. Another trending item this past year has been shoes. Shoes to fit the “vanilla girl” aesthetic, the iconic Tasman UGG slippers or the classic Ultra Mini UGGs. Another would be Birkenstocks’ “Boston Vegan Clogs.”

Clothing items that are a superb gift for anyone are classic basics for the closet. Good stores to buy basic tops from are SKIMS by Kim Kardashian, Urban Outfitters and Pacsun. PJ sets from Victoria’s Secret or Target or a matching ESSEN TIAL sweatsuit are nice cozy gifts as well

If a friend wants to start their fitness journey, an essential to this is a good water bottle such as Stanelys, Yetis, Hydro Flasks or an insulated water bottle. Another thing to throw in would be workout sets from either ALO, Lululemom, Gym shark or Target. For weights, buy the Bala Ankle Weights or Rouge Weights in general. To top their fitness start, buying them a one-year membership is a fun touch to add.

In the bag category, the Marc Jacobs tote bag is cute (a bit expensive), and a Lululemon fanny pack is trendy right now. Another bag for more practical use is any north face bookbag or messenger bag.

If needing a new tablet or phone, the new iPhone 14 or the new iPad (10th generation) are functional and durable products for the school year or even in the workplace. Buying any case for these products will point you toward Wildflower or Casetify for protective, safe, yet cute cases to accessorize your new device.

differ ent telling of the story, there aren’t many changes. The same lessons are taught, the same characters are shown, and the same perspectives are held. Despite its success, “A Christ mas Carol” has not been given much of a chance to evolve through the years, but “Spirited” takes up that challenge.

Directed by Sean Anders and written by both Anders and John Morris, “Spirited” takes a new approach to the original Dickens story. Starring Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds and having support from other big-name actors like Octavia Spencer and Tracy Morgan, the film was cer

tainly sparing no expense on the casting. However, as we all know, a loaded cast isn’t enough to save a film anymore and the interesting decision to make this movie a musical only served to continue to stack the odds against its suc cess. Yet, the clever writing and careful placement of jokes saved this film from a fate of redundancy and cliché.

The plot itself is incredibly unique and takes sever al strides away from the story that has been retold time and time again. To begin, rather than following an elderly haunted Scrooge, the film follows the Ghost of Christmas Past (Will Ferrell), who goes on a yearly mission to “re deem” the world’s rather unpleasant people, in the same way the spirits once did to old Ebenezer Scrooge. The team of spirits and their operation is also portrayed in a very ironic police-operation-esque style, which makes the film feel very fresh and original. Adding on, rather than a stingy old business owner, the spirits attempt to redeem a divisive corporation owner (Ryan Reynolds), who is determined to make the spirits’ operation run awry. Al though it strays from the source material a fair amount, “Spirited” stays true to the morals of the original story, as well as contains some extremely clever references to past films in places you would least expect.

As for the musical numbers, Ferrel and Reynolds are no Broadway singers. Despite this lack of natural vocal talent, however, the film’s post-production team was able to work with what they had, and the musical numbers were not unwelcome in the slightest. They were catchy, very cre ative and more often than not were actually quite funny. The heavy use of autotune was quite apparent, but consid ering the lighthearted context of the movie, it is quite easy to look past this and simply enjoy the show.

“Spirited” is not set to be an artistic masterpiece, but that is okay since that isn’t what it’s trying to be. The film is a funny, lighthearted show of Reynolds and Ferrel’s dy namic, a fresh take on a story that has been told the same way for decades, and a fun time for viewers. It may not be a timeless holiday classic, but it certainly is worth a watch this holiday season.

By VIKRAM SAMBASIVAN,

& FEATURES EDITOR

A profoundly innocent movie, “Slumberland” provides a refresh ing and childlike view on loss and the process of grieving. With an A-List cast: Flip (Jason Momoa), Nemo (Marlow Barkley) and Pe ter (Kyle Chandler)...

Midknight Snacks: Winter Wonderland

The Holidays are here! It’s time to decorate, celebrate, and spice the holidays up...

By CECILIA CHENG, A&E EDITOR

After two years, everybody’s fa vorite FBI agents are back. The first episode of “Criminal Minds” aired back in 2005, and it has since gained a loyal following among viewers of all ages. Following the conclusion of its fifteenth season...

A simple holiday, almond, set combining elements of red and the plaid design as the accent nail. Photo by K. McGoldrick

buying guide for the ideal gift for your friends and family.

Bags in the back of a car after a shopping trip. Photo by J. Le

Senior Staff Writer Desiray Hunter (’24) modeling a cute winter outfit. Photo by F. Rowland

Casetify MagSafe Compatible Ultra Impact Case. Photo from Casetify

New clothes are a musthave Christmas present.

Photo by C. Cheng

Birkenstock Women’s Boston Vegan Clogs.

Photo from Publiclands

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

BARTON, SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

While setting up your Christmas tree or driving around Tampa looking at lights, here is the perfect Christmas themed playlist for this holiday season.

Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” is a timeless holi day story that has managed to stay relevant through several generations. With adaptations in nearly every medium of media, the ghastly tale has proven itself to be a true holiday staple time and time again. However, in nearly every

The movie poster for “Spirited.” Photo from iMDb

Staff Writer McKayle McGoldrick (‘23) smiles with a Crumbl Milk Chocolate Chip cookie. Photo by C. Cheng

By WHITTALEY BOWDEN, SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Photos by C. Cheng and Courtsey of Jack Seiden

OPINION

Real v. Artificial Christmas Trees:

Decorating for the Christmas season is possibly the most exciting part of winter. Staff writers Ariana Smith and Yesenia Rosario battle is out over what type of Christmas tree is the best.

Real Christmas Trees Are the Way to Go

Real christmas trees are the only choice this winter season.

By YESENIA ROSARIO, STAFF WRITER

As the Christmas season approaches, there are more worries in the world than just gifting others, there’s also the debate about whether to get a fake Christmas tree or a real tree. I understand the argument between real or fake but there are more pros than cons when it comes to real trees.

When factoring in things like money, supporting local businesses, recycling, natural scent and creating nostalgic memories with family, it leans more into purchasing a real tree.

A great way to support your local businesses is going Christmas tree shopping. Here in Tampa, there are so many to choose from like Gallio Family Christmas Trees farm located on Manhattan. Buying from these small local businesses can support families who put in hard work in harvesting these trees instead of big corporations like The Home Depot or Lowe’s.

Purchasing a real tree is a pro when factoring in the cost difference. Rather than purchasing a fake tree which ranges from $50-$500 and never knowing what quality you’ll receive, you can put your trust into an inexpensive, real tree which ranges from $50 6ft trees to $150 9ft trees depending on where you shop.

Once your real tree is all settled in at home, you’ll start to notice the natural scent of the tree spread all throughout. Being hit with an array of winter scents is always a delightful, welcoming smell to have especially here in Florida as you don’t experience a proper winter season.

Some may disagree with purchasing real trees due to having to trash it, it’s reusability and pure laziness. I agree that if you’re not physically capable to get and put up a tree or even if you’re lazy, fake is the option. But artificial

trees are a lot pricier especially as the years go on, I’ve seen it myself in stores like Target or Walmart charging hundreds for an artificial tree that doesn’t come with lights or decorations.

Sadly, once Christmas time is over with you have to dispose of your tree which could never be easier. There are multiple ways to choose from. Personally, I have a bonfire and burn our tree to create a big warm fire, it’s a great way to spend time with family and friends this winter season. You can also just leave it out on your curb and the city will pick it up for you.

Christmas time is a time of traditions, family and friends so why not spend that time choosing a tree every year with your family and make it a fun tradition.

knightwriters.org exclusives...

Christmas is Overhyped

By

Midterms Are Mid

Artificial Christmas Trees Make the Holiday’s Easier

Enjoy artificial trees this holiday season without the hassle!

By ARIANA SMITH, STAFF WRITER

Christmas decorations are on most people’s minds as the holidays approach, especially the centerpiece of every home where Christmas lovers gather, the tree. It’s crucial to select the ideal tree for your home and personal taste when looking for the perfect tree. Artificial Christmas trees take the strain out of holiday decorations with their easy setup, cheerful colors and durable use.

Real Christmas trees are wonderful, but they also require a lot of upkeep. Choose a tree that will last the test of time rather than standing in line for an expensive tree that needs daily watering and brushing before wilting and turning brown. You’ll undoubtedly appreciate how minimal maintenance your fake tree is given the stress of planning the holidays and buying presents for your loved ones. An artificial tree spares you the time-consuming upkeep of your signature holiday decoration, but natural Christmas trees require you to clear up pine needles every day. And after the holidays, you won’t have to carry it to the end of the driveway or a nearby recycling program.

Make sure your décor represents your individual taste and aesthetic when looking for the appropriate Christmas tree. Mother Nature may not always provide the precise tree of your dreams, but getting an artificial tree allows you to personalize it to your preferences. With artificial trees, you can enjoy the splendor of a tree without sacrificing the natural beauty of one.

They come in a variety of sizes and heights, with each one being made with realistic-looking stems that can be adjusted for a lifelike effect and twisting pine needles that branch out in all directions to give you countless decorative and design options. With an artificial tree, you literally never run out of possibilities, whether you choose a sparsely branched tree or one that is simple and reminiscent of the Charlie Brown Christmas special. Additionally, you may purchase them already lit, decorated with pine cones, or covered with fake snow.

Numerous households have at least one or more curious four-legged friends who view the Christmas tree as their own personal toy or a tasty snack. Make this holiday season safer for your pets by using an artificial Christmas tree.

can cause gastrointestinal irritation if your pet eats them, and they can also cause a blockage or puncture in your dog or cat’s intestinal lining,”

The article continues to say that real Christmas trees “...are treated with preservatives, fertilizers, pesticides and even aspirin, which gets into the tree water around the trunk and can harm your furry friend if they try to drink it.”

Our beloved pets can react negatively to real trees, but by using a lifelike artificial tree, you can stop stressing. Get some peace of mind and start some new, re-imagined family traditions; enjoy the holiday without worry!

Real Christmas trees have a beautiful, woodsy scent that fills the house during the holiday season, which is why many people prefer them. However, there are various ways to make your tree smell natural, including diffusers, aroma machines, lighting candles, burning incense, adding scented pinecones, etc., for individuals who enjoy the convenience of artificial Christmas trees but yearn for the scent of real spruce, fir or pine trees. With natural elements complemented by store-bought scents, your artificial Christmas tree will smell just like the real thing without all the hassle.

When it rains, it pours, and with the upcoming expensive holidays, you’ll want to save every single dollar. Due to their cost-saving and long-term affordability, artificial Christmas trees

The IB Honor Code Does More Harm Than Good

By AARNA SAKLAAN, STAFF WRITER

The IB honor code should be able to provide some leniency to students. Creating an honest and fair environment is crucial to the success of not only the school but also the IB program. This is why it is necessary to have an honor code, but the one we currently have does not consider certain circumstances students may be put in.

When I first heard the code, I didn’t know what to think. It is great that students are held to a higher standard not only academically, but also socially. The IB program is international, and these standards apply to everyone in it. But the honor code can be overly harsh, and a slap in the face to a student who worked hard for their academic success, only to be thrown away at the slightest misstep.

The honor code was based on statistical logic and reasoning. While that may have worked for other workplace

environments, it is inaccurate to assume this would work with high school, with teenagers for whom friendship is one of the most important things.

Students will get penalized if they don’t come forward if they think or saw someone cheating—even if it is their friend.

“The expectation that they will do that [tell on another student], and risk bullying or anything else, I think that’s not fair.,” Caroline Hand, freshman Inquiry and English teacher, said.

For students, it’s a lose-lose situation. If they don’t tell, they might get penalized, but if they do tell, there are other social aspects that they would have to endure. That’s just not something to expect out of students.

Another problem is falsely being accused of cheating. Setting guidelines

is important, but if a student is falsely accused of cheating, they might lose their chance at the IB diploma. This is simply unfair and can be used in the wrong way. Especially because the IB course isn’t known for being easy, all the hours of hard work can be disregarded for an allegation.

Students shouldn’t have to be in constant fear of going up in front of a council because other people were pointing fingers— even though nothing happened.

Circumstances such as these are proof that the honor code has a flaw, which needs to be fixed. It has been proven that having an honor code is beneficial for students, as they get to know the exact lines and expectations of the school and program. But having a malfunctional honor code can be detrimental to students, which is not the mission of IB.

Opinions of RHS Students

“Other classes should be taken into consideration. Let’s be honest, you’ll get the work done anyway, but if it’s even a little bit plagiarized or copied from someone else when there’s tons of other work to do.”

Jake Abell (‘24)

“From the administration’s perspective, the IB honor code seems to work well, but for the students it can be very stressful to not be able to ask for per help.”

Sophia Wolfson (‘26)

RHS’s Soccer Sensation: Adriana Williams

Girls

soccer co-captain

talks

about how it all started and what’s in store for her future.

By CHELSEA RODRIGUEZ, SPORTS EDITOR

you’ve been playing the same sport for about 13 years now it becomes a huge part of who you are. It teaches you important les sons you can use on and off the field. Soccer has shown Williams how to step up and be a leader as well as the value of teamwork and discipline.

“It [soccer] has really just grown up with me as I’ve been going through the stages of life, middle school, high school and just really getting older,” Wil liams (‘23) said. “This year we’ve been working hard to bond and connect more as a team off the field and really just trust and communicate more.”

Williams’ passion for soccer started at the budding age of four when she joined an independent soccer club and gained an affinity for the sport.

When

key player, this year she has been averaging at least one goal per match.

“I’ve had to work hard at pushing myself but not to the point where I am exhausted but at a maintained limit where I am comfortable and can keep go ing,” Williams said.

To her friends, Williams is known for her high energy and light-hearted personality. But as amiable as she is off the field she is twice as assertive on the field. At practices, she can be found helping other teammates improve their skills and perfect ing her own moves while also leading them with a strong hand.

Williams has worked hard on the field to become the for midable force she now is. Having been on the team for four years now she has locked her title as a

games,” fellow co-captain Skyllar Erikson (‘23) said.

Williams has always been active when it comes to sports, when she’s not on the soccer field she can be found by a net work ing on her volleyball skills or on the football field practicing her flag plays. Even if soccer is where she started out when looking to the future Williams wishes to further her flag football career.

Sports Robinson Winter Premier

Athletes

Three RHS athletes to watch as they lead their teams and dominate their sport this season.

By CHELSEA RODRIGUEZ, SPORTS EDITOR

“Adri is an amazing play er who motivates others through her dedication and unwavering support even during challenging

“When I grow up, I actual ly want to play flag football, so in the future, flag football Olym pics 2028, hopefully,” Williams said. “I just really keep pushing myself because I don’t know where I’m going to end up, but I know where I want to be so I’m going to do my best to get to that point in my life.”

It’s nothing but net this season for girls’ basketball co-captain Bella Rodrigues (‘23). After finishing last sea son with the district champion title, the girls have been prepar ing for a memorable comeback this year. “We’ve been doing some skill development, like dribbling and shooting, but we also work on our plays, run ning, and offense,” Rodrigues said. So far this season Ro drigues has been keeping her head in the game and encour aging communication within the team. “Last season our team chemistry was good but we hadn’t really come together yet and worked well together to achieve our goals but this year

we’ve come together to focus on our shared goals instead of individual ones,” Rodrigues said. These girls are the ones to watch, clearly stated by their 4-1 winning streak. It is clear that our lady knights are aim ing to bring home yet another championship title.

Jake Perkins Perks Up the Soccer Team

Perkins begins his final season at the

R.

By VIKRAM SAMBASIVAN, NEWS & FEATURES EDITOR

With the soccer season coming into full swing once again, players are back on the field, ready to take names and win games. One of these players is Jake Perkins (’23), who is completing his last season at the R.

Being a skilled player and fan of the sport, Perkins has been playing soccer for over 10 years total, four of which were spent on the RHS soccer team.

“There is such a large amount of skill and variety in the game, and it’s always some thing new to discover,” Perkins said. “The most important thing for me is the passion. There is so much passion in the game and you can feel it when you play.”

Perkins’ zealous play has led him to a solid start this season, being named “Defen sive Player of the Game” on the Nov. 18 win against Alonso High School and earned him high praise from his teammates.

“He’s great [at] winning back the ball and maintaining possession,” Midfielder Jake Abel (’24) said.

However, this achievement has not come easily, as Perkins keeps a very intense practice schedule.

“For me I play on a club and the school soccer team, so we practice almost every day year-round,” Perkins said.

After graduation, while Perkins does plan on pursuing soccer at the college level as either a walk-on or on an inter-mural team, he wants to focus on developing some of his other interests as well.

“I really want to focus on a major in biochemical engineering and also developing my photography skills,” Perkins said.

Being a player on the soccer team is one thing, but Perkins is a true friend. Known by teammates as a fun guy to have around, he creates camaraderie and boosts morale, Per kins is an integral part of the team spirit.

“Jake is a fun guy to have on the team,” Abel said. “He brings a lot of joy and laugh ter as well as positivity to the team which will be missed [when he graduates].”

Wrestling is back at RHS

A glimpse at what’s to come from the wrestling team this year.

By CHELSEA RODRIGUEZ, SPORTS EDITOR

After an impressive season last year with them finishing 15-3, the wrestling team is back and bet ter than ever. They have spent this off-season work ing on their cardio, weightlifting and perfecting new moves taught by head coach Tomas Montero.

“We have been weight training in the weight room for one half of the week and wrestled the oth er half of the week, we’ve just been drilling and pre paring for the season I suppose,” wrestler Yanishel Abor (‘25) said.

The team’s first match will take place on Dec. 3 at Land O’ Lakes High School where then be participating in the Ben Richards tournament. In

As a senior, Perkins has a responsibility to not only be a part of the team, but to be a leader and a guide to the underclassmen. Ful filling his role as such a leader, Perkins leaves some advice for his younger teammates.

“Don’t give up. I was on the practice squad freshman year and I kept working at it until became a full-fledged starter on var sity,” Perkins said. “Do not give up because eventually, your hard work will pay off.”

He shoots and he scores. Fouryear basketball player and co-captain of the Knights boys’ team, Jonah Irwin (‘23) cannot wait to show everyone what the team is all about. This offseason Irwin has been working on improving his agility and awareness as well as the team’s on-court communi cation. “We want to be more together this year, more teambased: meaning we have to be better teammates to each oth er. I think the key though is being unselfish with the bas ketball,” Irwin said. With this year being his first year as a leader, due to his experience, Irwin hopes to provide insight to the rookies on the team and fresh ideas which will lead the

From the football field and straight to the mat, Jere miah Fernandez (‘23) is ready to take on wrestling. As the wrestling team’s first compe tition inches closer, potential captain Fernandez has worked harder than ever to get into shape with his team. “I can’t wait to see all my teammates show out and win especially since they put in all that work in the offseason,” Fernandez said. While at first Fernandez joined the team to improve his football skills he has grown a bit of enthusiasm for the sport and all the victories that are sure to come along with it. “I

team to victory. “Jonah is a se nior and [a] great experienced leader; he leads by example. He’s the hardest-working play er on the team. He’s depend able and provides the support that helps our team be success ful,” Head coach Smith said.

think to myself how people have trash-talked me season af ter season, and it’s just time to prove them wrong again” Fer nandez said.

dividual wrestling tournaments consist of about 16 teams each wrestler sorted into their weight class. Usually, they are double-elimination tournaments meaning the player has to lose two matches to be eliminated. If they don’t lose at all wrestlers are put into 4 or even 5 matches that day and if they ad vance these meets can easily take about two days.

Although wrestling is a very male-dominated sport the ladies on the RHS wrestling team don’t hold back. Just last season two players on the girls’ team were ranked within the top 20 high school female wrestlers in Florida: Tatiana Siayaz (‘23) coming in at #7 and Yanishel Abor at #18.

“This past season was good because I noticed a lot of improvement from sophomore year, I was disappointed at the end of the season because mine ended early from an injury,” Siayaz said. “I felt good about making it in the top 20 because was honestly so surprised.”

As of now, the team has officially started prac ticing for the season but they encourage new stu dents to come and join.

“People can still join and you can be as small as 60 pounds, you wrestle people within your own weight class,” Montero said. “We’re always learn ing new techniques, first starting out we teach you

everything from new moves to standing to walking onto the mat. Everybody can wrestle it’s just a mat ter of getting out there onto the mat and learning.”

A real Christmas tree fully decorated for this Christmas season with gifts surrounding it. Photo by Y. Rasario

An artificial Christmas tree decorated in frosty blue and white decorations. Photo by A. Smith

The Honor code needs to consider certain circumstances when it comes to student integrity.

JC THAXTON Once you start feeling the winter breeze and cold air rolling in, you know...

By CECILIA CHENG The holiday season comes along with one thing every high schooler hates: midterms...

Illustrations by K. McGoldrick

Photos by

Jasmyn Mitchner (‘26) Photos by C. Rodriguez Girls Soccer Team hug ging after winning a game. Isabella River (‘25) and Camille Sai (‘23) Adriana Williams (‘23)

Adriana

Photo by C. Rodriguez

Larissa Levy (‘25)

Sean Duss (‘23) Photos by S. Saenz Leyton Perkley (‘24) Robert Foley (‘25) Lukas Merrild (‘25) Tyler Curry (‘24)

Jake Perkins (‘23) “eats the W“ after winning a game. Photo by J. Thaxton

Marina Werkmeister (‘22) holding down Alonso’s team member. Photo by G. Hilton

Photo by C. Joseph

Photo by J. Le

Photo by M. Canino

By JUNO LE, CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & ZOE THAXTON, CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Meet the GingerbrEDITORS

Give a holiday hello to the editoral board of the Knight Writers- in a cute cookie form!

Illustrations by Ingalls Witte

By JUNO LE, CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

One of the Knight Writers staff’s favorite things to do is make a big deal out of every holiday. Which is why we find ourselves printing another holly jolly, newspaper. Take it as the calm before the storm that is dead week and finals.

RHS now rallies in winter sports, winter joy and winter fun, all while it’s still reaching up to a high of 80° by the afternoon. Issue 2 covers the progression of the winter season and what’s to come. Since winter sports are swinging, the staff has also profiled a few players from the winter season. I’m looking forward to the two weeks off (I think we all deserve a long break, this time with no threat of a hurricane). Inside this issue, you’ll find a few different ways to make the most of that time off.

I’ve been the Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper since basi cally the very end of my sophomore year. Now halfway through my senior year, the burnout, senioritis and shift in values have pushed me toward some change. I will from now until the end of the school year be sharing this position with the Knight Writers’ previous Online Managing Editor, Zoe Thaxton.

Two’s an interesting number. Number two, perceived as second-best or even first loser. But if there’s anything the holiday season likes to celebrate, it’s togetherness. After all, two is better than one. Issue 2, two Editors-in-Chief, two opposing opinions, two kinds of Christmas trees, two more weeks until winter break, two weeks off of school.

Festive Gingerbread Cookies

These gingerbread cookies are easy to make and can be cut into any shape you want!

By MALIA RODRIGUEZ, STAFF WRITER

In my opinion, there is nothing more festive than gingerbread. Whether it be cute cookies or a whole house, this holiday staple is surprisingly simple to make and only takes 1o minutes to bake.

Ingredients:

-1/2 cup of softened butter (unsalted)

-3/4 cup brown sugar

-1/3 cup dark molasses

-1 egg

-2 and 2/3 cup flour

-1 tsp. baking soda

-2 tsp. ginger

-A pinch of salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice

Directions:

1) Using the whisk attachment on a mixing stand (or just a regular whisk) mix the butter and sugar together for about five minutes.

2) Add in the molasses, egg, and a splash of water and mix.

3) In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients and slowly add to the wet ingredients while con tinuing to mix.

4) Chill the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour.

5) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

6) Roll out dough until thin (it will get slightly bigger when baking) and cut into shape with a cookie cutter or knife.

7) Place on a lined baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes or until the edges are crispy.

8) ALLOW TO COOL COMPLETELY. If you try to frost the cookies too early, the icing will melt.

9) Frost with any sort of icing, although I prefer to use royal icing because it dries and looks nice. A plus to this recipe is that it is strong enough that you can even make your own gingerbread house if you want to!

By ZOE THAXTON, CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: print! Also, the holi days… and exam season, but let’s focus on the good. Break is just around the corner and hopefully that motivates you through dead week and the coming exams.

This in itself feels odd for me to be writing. Bear with me, I’ve never written one of these before. For those who don’t recognize me, I’m Zoe, co-Editor-in-Chief of the Knight Writers. I will be working with Juno to run the newspaper and we will be sharing the position. I’m so grateful to accept the position and can’t wait to see where the staff will go from here.

It’s been a weird quarter to say the least. For myself, I’m fin ishing college applications and crossing my fingers I can get into dream schools. Life changing stuff in the making. I’m certain other seniors feel the same way.

The switch from Online Managing Editor to Co-Editor-inChief not even halfway through the year was extremely difficult, especially in this quarter. It was a lot and I didn’t know if I was capable. I’m so thankful for the wonderful staff. You all have been wonderful, and I cannot thank you enough for the support I’ve been given.

In general, I think there’s a weird vibe in the air, like some thing’s been off. Maybe it’s seasonal depression, maybe it’s some thing else. I don’t know what, but I do want to leave you with one final message. Remember to always lean on the people you’re close with. There are always people in your corner, rooting for you and wanting your success. Everything is always better when you’re not alone.

Holidays Knights and see you next year!

Happy

Co-Editor-In-Chief

Juno Le

Co-Editor-In-Chief Zoe Thaxton

Homemade gingerbread cookies. Photo by M. Rodriguez