The Legend Volume 19 Issue 4
February 2016
Timefor‘TheTalk’
Although students receive sexual education through biology classes, more time and information must be dedicated to the birds and the bees. Pg. 14
News Six Pillar Showcase pg 4 First Caucus pg 5
Features Get the Rebound pg 6 This is the Voice pg 9 Heritage Assembly pg 10
Lifestyle To DIY For pg 13 Welcome to Sex Ed pg 14 Signs They Like You pg 17
Opinions Sex Before Marriage pg 18 Same Old Shows pg 20 Men Can Get Raped pg 21
Sports Cheerleading Nationals pg 22 Superbowl 50 pg 23 Suncoast High School 1717 Avenue S Riviera Beach, Fl 33404
Editors
Contact Information Phone: 561-494-2651 Fax: 561-882-3443 Any opinions that are printed in “The Legend” are not necessarily the opinions of the adviser, administration, or the school district. Unsigned editorials reflect the opinions of the editorial board.
February2016
Staff Writers
Kristen Unico Kaylee Clemens Claudia Laukien Jordan Young Ameenah Rashid Yana Rankine Alexis August Traci Lowe
Co-Editor-in-Chief Co-Editor-in-Chief Design Editor Features Editor Lifestyle Editor News and Opinions Copy Editor Adviser
Mindjina Courage Asyjah Dudley Maria Fahmy Zanne Hanna Marisa Hart Monica Kramer Eda Kutsal
Austin Lent Alex Levine Jaylynn Lowery Alyssa Selimov Jimmie Smith Simrun Waghray Dayalis Zamora
News3
Six Pillar Showcase
The 8th Annual Career Showcase in December presented the incorporation of the Six Pillars. Over 90 panelists Kristen Unico attended the Annual Career Co-Editor-in-Chief
councelors. “My job entails building schools and providing a safe infrastructure for students. A good learning environment leads to students to succeed in the future,” Steve Backhus, Director of Maintenance and Plant Operations of the Palm Beach County School District said with regards to the Infrastructure and Growth Leadership Pillar. From the Six Pillar Career Showcase, students gained a greater sense of what they hope to pursue in the future. “My advice for students would be to be open to life and let yourself learn from your experiences. Take risks, but have realistic dreams and realistic expections,” Richard Radcliffe, Executive Director of the Palm Beach County League of Cities, said.
Showcase in December 2015. Unlike previous years, the panelists worked in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Six Pillars Strategic Plan and connected their careers with the project to inspire the students. The Six Pillars include Talent Supply and Education, Innovation and Economic Development, Infrastructure and Growth Leadership, Business Climate and Competitiveness, Civic and Governance System, and Quality of Life and Quality of Places. Throughout the day, two panelists spoke to the students about their career paths. Students asked the panelists questions about the connection between their careers and the Six Pillars. Panelists included entrepreneurs, directors of education, professors from Scripps Research Institute, engineers, and city
infrastructure and growth leadership. Richard Radcliffe and Steve Backhus from the Infrastructure and Growth Leadership Pillar inform students of their successful career paths. photos by Kristen Unico
New Instruments for the Environmental Sciences Department PCE Americas Inc. donated new measuring instruments to our Environmental Science Department. material donation this year as the instruments can be easily integrated into the science curriculums. Jutta Laukien also mentioned that the donation of “further instruments are in the works,” including a pH meter. The anemometer is used for measuring wind speed, and the weather station is used for measuring wind speed and direction, temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall. The CO2 meter, as the name suggests, measures CO2 quantities. The total monetary value of all three instruments combined is $1,247.
In the lab. Seniors Bryan Maroto and Jade Virgo analyze data for their garden projects in the lab. Photo courtesy of www.pce-instruments.com
The environmental sciences department received a weather station, anemometer, and CO2 meter from PCE Americas Inc. on December 12 after a meeting between Jutta Laukien, John Welter, and Ramona Harvey. They will be installed in the beginning of this year. Ms. Harvey, biology and environmental science teacher, already has several projects planned for her students involving the instruments. In fact, in these next 9 weeks, she plans on taking
her students outside to collect data from the weather station and the CO2 meter for a garden project. In an email conversation, Ms. Harvey also made it clear that the instruments will be available to any students who would like to use them for Extended Essays and similar assignments. Jutta Laukien, manager of PCE’s American office, explained, “The owners of PCE feel very passionate about the work which is done at Suncoast, and they have donated in the past privately to the Suncoast Foundation.” PCE opted for a
Photos by Erykah Graham
Claudia Laukien Design Editor
In the field. Senior Bryan Maroto collecting date behind building three for his project.
From top to bottom: the weather station, the anemometer, and the CO2 meter.
February2016
News4
Outlawing the Hoverboard Countries around the world have been creating laws in order to regulate the use of hoverboards. In the last few months, Marisa Hart new laws and regulations Staff Writer
have been created in order to regulate two things: who can ride hoverboards and where people can ride them. Hoverboards, two wheel self balancing vehicles which became popular in the last half of 2015, have been banned or strictly regulated in different places throughout the world. In the United States, California and New York City have created laws regulating the use of hoverboards. According to the New York Times, in California, riders must be at least 16 and wear a helmet in order to legally ride them. New York City has completely banned the use of hoverboards within the city and if someone violates this rule more than once, they are subject to fines, as reported by CNN. According to
BBC, it is illegal to use hoverboards on public sidewalks and roads in the UK and violators will receive a fee. Also major
photos courtesy of: flickr.com
US airlines, such as Delta and American Airlines, have banned hoverboards from
Dugout
being brought onto their airplanes, even as a carry ons, as reported by USA Today. These laws were created in order to prevent accidents concerning hoverboard riders and large motor vehicles on the roads. International Business Times reported the first death caused by a hoverboard in Britain when the rider, 15 year old Nawaf Al-Tuwayan, fell off his hoverboard and collided with a bus. Also there have been reports of hoverboards unexpectedly catching fire, hence why airlines do not want them aboard airplanes. At a local level, the use of hoverboards have been banned from being used anywhere on Palm Beach School District property. Also, any hoverboards brought to Suncoast High School will be confiscated by administration and would have to be picked up by a parent.
r Strikeout ?
With all of the plans sorted for the new stadium in West Palm Beach, will it boost Florida’s income? Jimmie Smith The Astros and Nationals planned to build Staff Writer their own training facility in West Palm Beach.
State Department of Economic Opportunity this month, but they thought they would have had it sooner. The controversy rose up last year because “I’ve even asked [county staff] ‘What’s the hold up?’’’ County taxpayer money is being used in the project. However, the Administrator Verdenia Baker said. Houston Astros and Washington Nationals were determined Governor Rick Scott proposed incentives for the preservations to get this deal through. The teams paid about $76 million of of the spring training facilities last year. The reason for the the $144.1 million, while the county taxpayers paid the other abundance of spring training facilities in Florida is because the half. They even agreed to make their stadium a shelter for the weather during the spring is more tolerable than most states. homeless during the off-seasons of baseball. Taxpayers did not like funding for recreational places like these, The teams already agreed to pay $67 million overall in though this stadium may help bring in more income for the annual installments over 30 years. The state of Florida. total costs, including debt services, is “The new stadium is a good thing County staff had expressed concern expected to be $232.9 million before the for South Florida, because it will... that “the magnitude of overruns” could cost increase. The rest of the debt service cause the Astros and Nationals to cut will be paid with $116 million from a boost our economy.” corners on areas of the spring training county hotel tax and $50 million from Jack Virden complex accessed by the public as the state. The team, however, previously opposed to areas and improvements had budget issues as the cost increased over time. Giles Kibbe, used by the teams, according to a county memo. general counsel for the Astros said, “It’s not something we’re But, the memo stated The teams paid about $76 million of excited about, but we want this place to be something the county the $144.1 million, while the county taxpayers paid the other is proud of and is good for both teams, so it is costing us a little half. County officials are satisfied that based on county design extra.” standards “and the detailed information already in hand,” the Though Floridians do not have a high interest in baseball, “integrity of the public use improvements” will be maintained. fans of the Nationals and the Astros would be enticed to come The stadium was originally located between Haverhill Road down here and visit, ”The new stadium is a good thing for and Military Trail, but it was moved to a formal landfill south of South Florida, because it will attract more tourist and boost our 45th Street. As of now, construction has started and the deal has economy,” Sophomore Jack Virden said. been closed. The stadium will be completed by 2017. County officials are confident they will get the letter from the photo courtesy: static.pexels.com Source: mypalmbeachpost.com
News5
campaigning FORTHE THE caucus campaigning FOR caucus Democrat and Republican presidential candidates continue to campaign after the Iowa Caucus. February 1 marks the Alex Levine official start of the primary Staff Writer
and caucus season with the Republican and Democratic Iowa Caucuses. Despite the national media’s focus on Donald Trump, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas beat the businessman by four percentage points in most major polls, where he has around a 28% rating that has grown rapidly over the past month. Marco Rubio - the Florida Senator - polled in third and exceeded expectations greatly with 23% voter support, portraying himself as the establishment candidate that can win. Donald Trump managed to land a narrow second place finish in the Iowa Caucus in front of Marco Rubio, polling at around 25%, but his campaign experienced its first bump in the road in a state where he was expected to win last week. The remainder of the Republican field follows in order of their poll ratings, with all
polling between 4% and 0%: Jeb Bush, Rand Paul, Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina, John Kasich, and Rick Santorum. Hillary Clinton narrowly achieved victory among the Democratic field in polling for the Iowa Caucus, with support near 49.8%. For much of Caucus night the race was too narrow to call, with Bernie Sanders landing, in the
“I think that this election will be one of the most important in U.S. history.” Mr. Burgos end, with 49.6% support. In comparison to the strong showings of both Clinton and Sanders, though,, Martin O’Malley, who received less than 1% in polling, suspended his campaign on Caucus night. While the Iowa Caucus is often regarded as an important win for
U nder
the
politicians, historically it has had only a minimal effect on the outcome of the general election. Both John McCain and Mitt Romney were losers in the Iowa Caucus, before securing their party’s nomination in 2008 and 2012, respectively. Similarly, both Michael Dukakis and Bill Clinton lost the Iowa Caucus by wide margins before securing their party’s nomination in 1988 and 1992. Though the Iowa Caucus is often a shot in the arm for campaigns that helps them navigate the remainder of the primary season, it is not always a definite factor. Following February 1, the next stop on the road to the White House will be New Hampshire for its first in the nation February 9 primary, polling for which polls show Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump with significant leads among each of their respective parties.
Gun Photo courtesy of: npr.com
All eyes were on President Obama as he issued a series of executive actions on gun control. Emotions ran high Eda Kutsal Tuesday, January 5 during Staff Writer
CNN’s town hall meeting with President Obama as he discussed his choice to take executive action to limit gun violence. The White House is looking towards expanding background checks for gun buyers. The proposal clarifies that individuals “in the business of selling firearms” register as licensed gun dealers, which would supposedly narrow down the so-called “gun show loophole,” which exempts most small gun sellers from keeping formal sales records. According to an October Gallup poll, 86 percent of Americans support the idea of laws that would require universal background checks for gun buyers. However, Americans are divided on whether a regulation as such would reduce the number of mass shootings in the country. In addition to comprehensive background checks, President Obama’s executive actions also call for increases
in mental health treatment. The administration is proposing a 500 million dollar investment to increase public access to mental health care. This action coincides with the Social Security Administration’s rulemaking process to include information in the background check system about beneficiaries who are prohibited from possessing a firearm for mental health reasons. “I think President Obama’s executive action on gun control is a very good idea because he is not banning all guns, but rather making it harder for people to illegally obtain guns,” says Sophomore Abdullah Ali. While President Obama is adamant to suppress the growing gun violence in the United States through background checks, he has also widened the spectrum by bringing gun safety technology to the table. He has directed the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security to conduct and sponsor research into gun safety technology.
“If we have the technology to unlock your phone without the right fingerprint, why can’t we do the same for our guns?” Obama said Tuesday. “If a child can’t open up a bottle of aspirin, we should make sure that they can’t pull the trigger on a gun.” As of right now, skepticism among U.S. citizens about the effectiveness of the executive actions is widespread. According to CNN, “Almost 6 in 10 say these measures will not be effective in reducing the number of gun-related deaths in the United States. That sentiment is particularly strong among gun owners, 75 percent of whom say they doubt the changes will reduce gun deaths.” But dissatisfaction with Obama’s handling of gun laws remains much larger than satisfaction. In another CNN poll, 38 percent say the President has gone too far in changing the nation’s gun laws, and another 30 percent say he just has not gone far enough. photo courtesy of: flickr.com
February2016
Humans of
Suncoast
Get the Rebound
Students showed their school spirit during the four dress up days of rebound week, the homecoming of basketball. Rebound week is the week at the end of the basketball Maria Fahmy season. During rebound week, students dressed up for the Austin Lent different themed days. The heated basketball tournament of Staff Writers the week came to a close on Friday, and students enjoyed a
spirit-filled pep rally at the end of the day.
Ball is Life
Azwad Rahman (12) What is one thing that is unique about you? “I have a very nice gift. I can virtually eat anything and everything and still not gain a single pound. I get so angry when someone calls me skinny because I work day and night to gain weight without any results. Well, at least my chances of getting a heart attack are low... thank God.”
Rebound week started off on Tuesday with Ball is Life day. Students wore basketball jerseys for their favorite teams. Some of the teams represented were Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, and Orlando Magic.
Ends in -er
On Thursday, the students had endless choices for “End in -er Day.” With so many options to choose from, very few students wore the same outfit. Students were able to express themselves and show their creativity on that day. For example, some dressed up as their favorite teachers. getcha head in the game Sarah Abraham dresses as the referee for the basketball tournament.
Ball is Life Essence Madison, Matt Lambertson and Lindsey Whall wear their favorite jerseys.
Greek vs Geek
Wednesday was Greek vs Geek Day, where the student body was divided along the lines of cool and nerdy. Half the school dressed up as fraternity and sorority members, and the other half dressed up as academic enthusiasts.
Green and Gold
Friday was Green and Gold Out, where the students wore their class t-shirts. At the pep rally the students played the final game of the basketball tournament. The winning team then played a game with the teachers and lost. There was also a human foosball game featuring the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams. photo (bottom right) courtesy of: Andrea Granados photos by: Simrun Waghray
Geeks vs Greeks Angie Amado, Nabil Chowdhury and Anjali Ramsahai get their geek on.
Greeks rule Davis Kelley, Mr Jay Lowe, and Taylor Reed choose to be on the Greek side for the day.
Austen Gordon (12) When was the last time that you did something for the first time? “I watched the Iowa Caucus the other day. I have never been interested in politics, but I wanted to know who would have the most delegates for the Democratic Party. Even though Hillary Clinton barely got more delegatres, I still hope she wins the candidacy in August. I’m with her!”
squad up Emma Reitzell, Natalie Nguyen, Jolene Loreno, and Ryan Gusikoff dress up on “-er day” in different creative costumes.
charger pride Alex Sanderson, and Andrea Granados show their school spirit on Green and Gold day
Features7
Leavinga Legacy
After eight years as principal, Dr. Linda Cartlidge will retire on February 26. The sound of the bell rings, the school Kristen Unico day begins, and the John Maxwell quote Co-Editor-in-Chief of the day from Dr. Linda Cartlidge is heard: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” After eight years of leadership, our principal Dr. Linda Cartlidge will retire on February 26. Before her time as a principal, Cartlidge started her years of experience in education as a teacher in Oregon. “I taught in Oregon for 13 years. I loved teaching; I never thought I’d leave the classroom, but my administrator at the time thought I should consider leadership positions in administration, so I started working on getting my Masters for a liberal studies degree. After I got my degree, I moved to Florida,” Cartlidge said. Cartlidge began her education career in Florida at Palm Beach Gardens High School as a teacher and drama coach for two years. While she was teaching, Cartlidge worked towards getting certified in leadership and got a specialist degree at Nova University. “I actually wanted to be working at the district office, and I never really wanted to be an assistant principal or a principal. I was a marketing specialist for the magnet schools in Palm Beach County, and Suncoast was one of the schools I marketed for when nobody wanted to come here. My son at the same time came to Suncoast when it became a magnet school in ‘89, and he was part of the first class in MSE,” Cartlidge mentioned. In addition to being a marketing specialist in the district office, Cartlidge worked in curriculum and staff development. She ran a grant office and also worked on school improvement. After her time working in the district office, Cartlidge began thinking of different future goals. “My daughter was headed to college, and I started to miss the school atmosphere and the students, so then I decided I wanted to become a principal. I had three degrees in leadership, and I wanted to be a principal, but I was never a principal or an assistant principal, so people doubted me and didn’t think I could to it,” Cartlidge said. After a long three years, Cartlidge finally got an interview to be principal. “The program never said that you have to be an assistant principal to be a principal, so the program wasn’t accurate. I stood up for the right thing and fought for my position. I met with the superintendent to fix the problem with the program, but at the same time, I actually did get an interview. I told the superintendent about that interview, and I ended up getting the job at Pine Grove Elementary School in Delray Beach,” Cartlidge added. After two years at Pine Grove Elementary, Cartlidge became
the principal of Lake Park Elementary School, where the school ranking went from a C to an A. Cartlidge then became the principal of West Riviera Elementary School. After making Pine Grove and West Riviera turn around schools, she then became the principal of Suncoast in 2008. With all of her former accomplishments as principal of previous schools, Cartlidge says that her greatest accomplishment at our school is providing opportunities for the students and making a mainly focused academic school a fun place for students to have a great and well-rounded high school experience. “Nothing makes me happier than seeing how people have found a way for themselves to find their passions here and put them into the right place that we as a unit stand for, and to see that climate and that culture be as powerful as it is today. It makes me think great things about what Suncoast might be in the future because of the sense of pride people have to be here,” she said. Looking back, Cartlidge is overall extremely proud of what the students do at our school and providing opportunities for them has made her feel like she can live a life of significance. As she moves forwards in her new chapter of her life, Cartlidge has a few plans in store for her in the future. “After the day I officially retire, I am going to New Zealand for three weeks with my daughter where we’ll be paragliding, cycling, white water rafting, taking helicopter rides, and hiking. When I return, I’ll be spending time in Colorado this summer, where I’ll be remodeling my condo. I’ll be spending time with my grandkids too, who live in Jupiter. I’ll be spending more time playing sports, like tennis, golf, paddle boarding, biking, skiing, and yoga,” she added. Although she is retiring from Suncoast, Cartlidge still plans to work after her adventures in New Zealand. “I’ll continue to be working for IB. I’m training other principals and administrators of the IB program. I’m also a professor at NOVA online, and I’ll be taking a year off of teaching leadership classes at FAU. I’ll still continue to learn and grow and give back. It’s just a different phase in life, but I definitely won’t be sitting around,” Cartlidge said. As Dr. Linda Cartlidge moves forward in her life, she wants students and teachers to know what she has learned through her experiences and has a word of advice for all of us. “You can get anything and be anything you want to be, and the only person that limits you is yourself. Sometimes you have to pay the price, sometimes you have to work harder at something, but if you really want it, you can get it. Always work on your preparedness for the opportunity when it comes your way and for you to be able to recognize the opportunity when it comes to you. It is February 26, the sound of the final school bell rings, and the quote we will always want Dr. Linda Cartlidge to remember is once a Charger, always a Charger. photo by Kristen Unico
Features8
To All State and Beyond
Florida’s best musicians will go through a rigorous audition process to join a presitgious honor choir. Dayalis Zamora The voices of hundreds are heard throughout the halls of the building as students shuffle in. Staff Writer
contain questions pertaining to rhythm, identifying musical notes, and recognizing key vocabulary words. The hearts of every choir student are racing “Not everyone even tries out because of the hard process; only in anticipation for the tests and trials to come, the moments in the best choose to do it because you do have to pay, but if you’re which they will sing in unison to achieve a Superior. dedicated, it’s worth a try.” The best of Suncoast’s chorus is “The judges will take us into a voyaging to All State to sing amongst room where we’ll do sight reading the best of choral students in middle and sight singing, and they judge and high schools all over the state of us on that based on Superior Florida. Judged in several categories, and so on,” Sophomore Darin the chorus students who choose Goldstein said. to audition will sing a selection of Sight reading and sight singing songs previously prepared and will are abilities taught in the chorus read music on the spot, in the hopes class, where the choir learns how of joining the prestigious musical to read notes and mirror the group. sound. The chorus students will “All State is an honor choir that be critiqued on how well they can you have to actually pass a test to get correctly reciprocate the keys, in, a musicianship test; it’s very hard pitch, meter, and duration of the and only the best musicians in the It is not just singers. All State includes more positions than just for choir singers; songs, and must pass ten out of musicians of all kinds are encouraged to audition and are welcome. state of Florida can get into. But once the 40 measures. they pass the test, they have to take one more test to make sure When asked about how prepared he felt for the audition, they actually know their music before they actually perform it. Goldstein said, “This is my first year doing All State in Suncoast, Then they go to Tampa, where everyone meets, they rehearse, but I’ve done it a couple times in middle school, so I know how and then they perform,” Sophomore Jose Hernandez said. it is and I feel comfortable.” The musicians must also undergo a written test; the exercises Photo courtesy: Pixels
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February2016
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Features9
This is Everything you think you know about “The Voice” might not be what happens behind the camera. Zanne Hanna Talent competitons like “The Voice” like to Staff Writer hide the fact that they are primarily outcomes
congratulated me, told me the guidelines of the callback, and I was on my way out of that dreaded room and into the more of reality TV. Often, viewers do not realize pleasant “Yes room” where I scheduled a callback appointment. that there are handfuls of producers standing behind every Every moment after the first yes that day was surreal. Crowds camera take, cropping scenes for a final cut of each show, and of people clapped when they saw the Red card I was holding most importantly, casting the types of artists that they want to that signaled a callback, I met one of the chief producers for represent the show. How do I know? Though my knowledge the show, and I met some of my favorite contestants from the is limited, it does extend into the realm of the show’s callback past season. They gave me advice about how long the process auditions. really is and that some of them had to go to multiple open call There are two ways audition for the show. My approach and auditions before making the show. the considerably more orthodox approach was to attend an I took that into consideration when I returned to Houston for open call audition at one of the four given cities, which involved my callback. Truthfully, callbacks are just as fast-paced as the waiting in lines for centuries until I went into a room with one open calls. They were held at Sugar Hill Studios, a more private producer and nine other singers to sing for thirty seconds of my venue. The guidelines for callbacks required me to prepare three life. The second way to audition for the show involves producers songs to a track or to a guitar, to fill out an entire questionnaire searching for artists nationally to compete, or so it seems. I and sign a contract, and to dress to impress because I was to be learned that many people who appear on the show have talent filmed. agents that contact the producers, and After waiting for about twenty minutes these people pretty much get to skip long in a small room in the studio, my name waiting lines of torture and go straight to was called, and the inevitable butterflies callbacks. in my stomach began to sting like wasps. Nevertheless, I knew this before I I practiced intensely for the three days stepped out of my taxi cab and into the in between my open calls and callbacks. waiting line that stretched entirely around Though I prepared Adele’s “Rolling in the the Minute Maid Stadium in Houston, Deep,” Alanis Morissette’s “Hand in my Texas. With my mom next to me holding Pocket,” and The Rolling Stones’ “Wild all of my audition information and birth Horses,” I only got to sing the first half of certificate in a flimsy yellow folder, I the first two songs. The room I sang in was thought to be hopeful about the outcome small but glowing like recording studios of the open call, but not too hopeful as to red card. Contestants recieve a red card when they get a callback. always do, and there were speakers, a crush my spirit if I did not get a callback that practically 10,000 microphone, and about six producers all on their laptops. They other people were fighting for. explained that they were taking notes while I sang as if it were The butterflies in my stomach really kicked in when I stood a blind audition. in front of the room in which I, with nine other singers, some I felt really confident about my performance, and the of them minors like me and others older, would confront our producers seemed to be really invested in it too. Perhaps it was short-term destiny. The girl in front of me told me that it was their approach to making a contestant feel better after they do her third time attending open calls, and the rest of the group not make it to the next round, which is exactly what happened was either silent, singing to themselves, or using humor to to me. They gave me some advice, and I kept a good attitude break the tension. leaving the studio and really through the rest of the day, mostly When we finally got into the room, one young female because I knew that Ariana Grande and Bob Dylan would not producer was sitting at a desk with a laptop and a binder, and make the show either, since they cannot enunciate their words she wore a relatively pleasant smile. I sat in the first seat while enough. she broke down how the process was going to work. Everyone Truthfully, I am not bitter about this minuscule defeat. I do was extremely supportive for each performer, which I felt good realize, however, the true elements of a reality TV show like the about when she finally called my name. I sang “Holding Out for Voice. The producers are way more important than the actual a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler, and I cannot thank myself enough for judges because they are the initial eyes and ears of the show. choosing that song to get me past the first extremely difficult The contracts that contestants sign basically state that the round of auditions. producers own me until the season is over. It is worth noting After everyone was finished, she thanked us for coming, she that signing the contracts and composing a sob story is not asked a country singer and me to stay behind (the moment acknowledged until one makes it past callbacks, which is okay at which my heart truly jumped), and everyone else left. because my “sob story” was incredibly lacking. Photo by: Zanne Hanna Once the producer finished talking to the country singer, she Photo Courtesy of: Wikipedia
February2016
know your roots
Features10
showtime. Senior Faith Lee stands alongside Seniors Arshi Chowdury, Esther Zhan, and Deborah Thomas in their singing and dancing Korean Pop performance.
Seniors Apoorva Ravichandran and Faith Lee share their experiences in our annual Heritage Assembly.
Moments before Kristen Unico Co-Editor-in-Chief the curtains open, the
conversations anticipating the show come to a hush. The spotlight beams on the committee heads to the left of the stage: “Welcome to our annual Heritage Assembly.” Our annual cultural celebration features new countries and performances that includes a Great Britain Ballet Performance, a United States poem, and a fashion show that represents traditional clothing from the different countries. For some students, like Senior Apoorva Ravichandran, performing in the Heritage Assembly experience is nothing new, but for newcomers like Senior Faith Lee, the journey towards the performance is all new. Ravichandran is representing India with up to 60 other students, whereas Lee is representing Korea with four other students. “Arshi [Chowdhury], who is the KPOP club president, asked me to be a part of her group since I am Korean, and I was happy to do it. And since it is my last year here, and since I’m a senior, I wanted to do something I haven’t done, something that was out of my comfort zone,” Lee said. Ravichandran’s experience for the Heritage Assembly began in her freshman year, and now she is a committee head for the show. Her background for performing is also rooted in her 12 years of training in classical Indian dance. “I’ve been helping with the teaching process with our dance. It’s difficult because most people do the Heritage Assembly to be a part of something fun, but most of them don’t know how to dance. It’s stressful, but I like sharing what I know about dance with other people. Sharing what you know is a fun thing so do, especially when people are willing to learn,” Ravichandran said. The two minute performances of each continent seem seamless, but the work that goes into the experience of the Heritage Assembly is unknown to most. Hard work for the performances begin with a week long audition process. Once cuts are made, countless practices to final show proceed.
February2016
represent. Seniors Apoorva Ravichandran and Krishna Bellam represent India in their performance.
“We practiced t w o weeks straight for auditions. We stayed after school and went over the songs. I remember my group and I ended up getting sick all at the same time before auditions, so that was difficult to deal with,” Lee said. “After auditions, we were told to change our music. We have three dances this year, and it ended up running over time. We had to change our music selection and our choreography. So teaching became even more stressful, especially with such a small time frame. Every weekend now, we’ve been practicing for four hours,” Ravichandran added. On the day of the show, many of the students involved anticipate possible mishaps such as costume tears, no playing of music, or improper stage directions behind the curtain. “We have a committee dedicated to Heritage planning. They keep checklists of everything; they stay backstage, make sure that the upcoming groups are ready to perform and that everyone in the dressing room is in the proper clothing. The tech people are always so helpful throughout the process too. They’re a big part of making everything flow smoothly, whether it be with costume help or lighting help. Despite the difference in experience with performance between Ravichandran and Lee, the two seniors agree that partaking in the Heritage Assembly is an opportunity that is worth all the hard work and practice. “The Heritage Assembly will help you open up and step out of your comfort zone. It’ll honestly be really amazing that after all those months of practicing you can say that you did it,” Lee said. “You get such a big experience. It brings you a lot closer to the people you do it with. You end up doing so much together, and it’s just such a fun thing to do. Being a part of the Heritage Assembly is honestly one of my most memorable experiences of all my years in high school,” Ravichandran added. photos by Kristen Unico
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February2016
Lifestyle12
Another DAY Another DIY What to do on Valentine’s Day if you don’t know what to do Ameenah Rashid Lifestyle Editor
1. Make these easy Red Velvet Truffles
Looking Ahead: Most Anticipated Movies of 2016
With upcoming movie releases from Marvel, Warner Bros., Pixar, and more, 2016 is sure to match the box office success of Hollywood in 2015.
Austin Lent Staff Writer
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Henry Cavill and Amy Adams reprise their roles as Superman and Lois Lane, respectively, in this follow up to 2013’s “Man of Steel,” while Ben Affleck joins the cast as Batman. The movie’s plot follows Batman’s attack on Superman and the rise
of another threat to the future and safety of humans. Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and other characters from DC Comics will appear. Release Date: March 25
Finding Dory
1. Bake red velvet cake mix 2. Mix it with cream cheese frosting, and make two inch balls 3. Refrigerate for at least one hour 4. Melt white chocolate and dip the balls in, and let it refrigerate for two hours 5. Drizzle with melted milk chocolate photo and recipe courtesy of omgchocolatedesserts.com
2. The next day, buy a lot of candy at a fraction of the price
This sequel to Pixar’s hit film “Finding Nemo” will surely entertain fans of all ages. Ellen Degeneres will reprise her role as Dory, a loveable fish with severe amnesia who is searching for information about her past and family. Pixar has produced many other staple animated family films, such as “Toy Story” and “The Incredibles,” and “Finding Dory” will be no exception. Release Date: June 17
Passengers
Starring two of the most popular actors in Hollywood, Jennifer Lawrence of “The Hunger Games” and Chris Pratt of “Jurassic World,” “Passengers” is going to be one of the biggest sci-fi movies of the year. Little is known about the movie’s plot, but there has been buzz about the pay gap of the stars. Lawrence’s team has requested that she be paid $20 million, double that of the pay of Pratt. Release Date: photo source: December 21 wikipedia.org
photo courtesy of flickr.com
February2016
photo source: flickr.com
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Set in the world of Harry
Potter, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is based on the novel of the same title by fictional writer Newt Scamander. The movie centers around Scamander’s (Eddie Redmayne) search for these animals in New York. Fans and critics alike are eager to see what the future will hold for Harry Potter. Release Date: November 18
Suicide Squad
Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, and Cara Delevingne as Deadshot, the Joker, Harley Quinn, and Enchantress, respectively, come together to form the Suicide Squad, a group of antiheroes working for the government to shorten their prison terms. Also joining the allstar cast is Emmy award-winning actress Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, the government leader of the group. Release Date: August 5
To DIYfor
Valentine’s Day Edition
Lifestyle13
Get prepared for Valentine’s Day with these quick and easy chocolate recipes!
Chocolate Lips commons.wikimedia.org
Piping bag.
Lay foil down.
Materials: - Chocolate melts (pink or red) - Straws or sticks - Plastic sealable bags or piping bag - Aluminum foil or parchment paper - Knife
Melt chocolate melts.
4. Take a knife and smooth out chocolate, and let the lips sit and harden Finished product.
www.theidearoom.net
1. Lay down foil, melt chocolates and put into the plastic bags. 2. Cut the corner of plastic bags to spread chocolate in the shape of lips. 3. Stick on your straw and cover with chocolate. Outline lips with another color if wanted .
http://www.craftsy.com/
commons.wikimedia.org
Jaylynn Lowery Make quick and inexpensive Valentine’s Day chocolate lips for any of your loved ones. With these few easy-to-follow steps, you will have gifts ready for everyone with time to spare. Staff Writer
The MUG cake Alyssa Selimov Not sure what special thing you should do for your significant other this Valentine's day? The answer is Staff Writer simple, bake! Food is the way to anyone’s heart, and with this simple recipe you can make whomever you are trying to woo a special, personal cake in less than ten minutes.
Materials: - 1/4th cup of flour - 2 tbspns unsweetened cocoa butter - 3 tbspns granulated sugar - A pinch of salt - 1 small egg - 3 tablespoons coconut milk (or any other milk) - 3 tablespoons of coconut oil melted - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - .5 - 1 ounces of semi sweet chocolate - 1 tablespoon brewed coffee
Tips:
A simple trick to check if it is cooked is to use a toothpick to poke a hole in the cake. When you take the toothpick out check to see if any batter stuck to the toothpick, and if it comes out clean, then the cake is ready to eat!
http://www.flikcr.com/
The cake 1. Lightly grease a microwave safe cup with cooking spray. 2. Mix the first four ingredients together in the cup using a fork as the whisk. 3. Add the egg, milk, coconut oil, and vanilla extract to the mug and mix thoroughly. 4. Break up the chocolate and then place it in the middle of the mug. 5. Pour the coffee on top. 6. Bake for 1:45 minutes in the microwave.
Voila! A simple mug cake for that special someone. Source: .halfbakedharvest.com/single-lady-5-minute-gooey-molten-chocolate-mug-cake/
February2016
Lifestyle14
Welcometo
SEX-ED Let’s talk about sex, baby.
Kaylee Clemens Jordan Young Co-Editor-in-Chief Features Editor It all starts with that first permission slip, the one that your parents sign with either a look of hesitation or of grateful relief (relief at the fact that they can now skip an extremely awkward hour with you and an American Girl puberty guide). Starting in the fifth grade, we are berated with information about sex, STDs, and the many forms of contraception (abstinence as the most effective, of course!), but as we enter the blissful time that is adolescence, the truth about sex can become muddled, misinterpreted, and downright misinformed. We often think we know exactly how our bodies work, but when it comes to sex, there is a lot of information that just does not make it onto the Human Growth and Development PowerPoint.
don’t shame the pill
1/2 of all American women use birth control
More than half of American women use birth control pills for reasons other than just pregnancy prevention. This means admitting to taking that tabooed pill does not imply that a woman is sexuallly active, so the shaming needs to stop. There is no reason as to why women should be harassed for the decisions they make with their body, especially if their decisions are done in the name of stopping painful period cramps.
In a perfect world, we would all be able to walk through dark alleys in the middle of the night without the slighest fear of what lies in the shadows. However, this world is far from perfect, and we have to protect ourselves from potential sexual assault. So here are some...
February2016
abstinence is your best friend, but condoms work, too
meet HPV: the new common cold
Condoms are 98 percent effective
So many people fear HIV that they overlook the lurking threat of Human Papilloma Virus. There is a 75 percent chance that the person we are in a relationship with has or will have a genital HPV infection, which causes 90 percent of all anal or cervical cancers. HPV is becoming as common as a cold.
Abstinence is always recommended as a the safest way to avoid pregnancy and STDs 100 percent of the time. If that is not an option that works for you 100 percent of the time, condoms are the next best thing with 98 percent effectiveness in avoiding pregnancy and STDs. If you fall for condom myths like “wearing two makes it extra effective,” it may lead to you becoming that unlucky 2 percent. So, buyer beware!
tips for
SAFE
1.
Learn how to defend yourself whether it is with a taser, pepper spray, or the good oldfashioned jab to the eyes, throat, or groin.
Lifestyle15
whotoTALKto
sex knows no gender roles 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV
it’s HIV, not the flu. Roughly nine million Americans identify as STDs LGBTQ
believe in same-sex marriage, too
2.
If you are a guy trusting that your girlfriend is on birth control, or a girl expecting your man to have the condoms, you need rethink what has been previously taught about gender roles. No one is responsible for contraception but you. Do not allow someone else to control whether or not you have a child or get an STD If you are going to participate, you need to protect yourself!
Although, the spread of STDs is serious, they are not as easily passed as the flu. There is no justification for ostracizing someone with HIV/AIDS; you will not contract it from being around them, sharing clothes, food, or even kissing them. HIV/AIDS spreads through blood, milk, and bodily fluids that come from any genitalia.
It is safe to say that Sexual Education is centered around teaching safe sex for heterosexual youth, but STDs do not care about sexuality! Just because homosexual sex cannot result in pregnancy, does not mean there is no concern for STDs. Engaging in all forms of sex can lead to STDs because the same fluid that spread them are present.
Never leave a drink unattended. If it is out of sight, you are out of your mind. That is a roofie waiting to happen.
3.
The conversation will always be awkward, but it is better to be safe than to be sorry. Here are some resources for any questions you may have about sex, relationships, STDs, or pregnancy.
Planned Parenthood National Hotline 800-230-PLAN (7526) School Guidance Counselor Do not worry: It is their job to listen to you Gynecologist You do not have to feel embarassed around your doctor; they probably have heard your same questions 1000 times Parents *Gasp* Contrary to what you might believe, your parents have your best interests at heart. You should always talk to them when you need help (and since you are alive, they definitely know how things work)
Do not dilly dally. Those five seconds that you take to find your keys are exactly what a predator needs. February2016
Lifestyle16
“Making a Murderer ”
Exclusively On
Inconsistencies in the American Justice System cost innocent Steve Avery 18 years of his life. The success Monica Kramer of Netflix’s new Staff Writer
documentary series, “Making a Murderer,” took the world by surprise. It was released on Netflix on December 18 and instantly became a hit. Netflix is known for creating its own shows; however, this one is unlike any other on television. “Making a Murderer” was created by film producers, Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos, who followed the story for almost ten years before the documentary was finalized. This original series followed the life of Steve Avery, who was wrongly convicted of sexual assault and spent 18 years in a prison in Wisconsin. Avery was freed after DNA evidence revealed his clear innocence. After his release, he insisted on legislation reforms as well as suing the local courts for corruption. However, during all this chaos, he became a person
of interest for a murder investigation. The show exemplified a man’s experience of prosecutorial misconduct, tampering with evidence, and witness intimidation. ”Making a Murderer,” though, has been subject to controversy regarding it leaving out many crucial facts about the trial and the investigation. The show also highlights the many flaws in our state and local level justice systems. The story was set in dreary Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, where Steve Avery was harrassed and framed by local police officials. The Netflix series kept everyone wanting more, and it is a great show for binge watching. The documentary was very well executed and showed the most essential and interesting details. “Making a Murderer” was also successful in portraying all sides to the story, as the show interviewed Steve Avery’s family members, local police officers,
prosecutors, and the District Attorney General. It became an instant success and added a new element to Netflix’s previous original series. I am not one to watch documentaries; normally I prefer popular sitcoms and reruns of old shows, but this one was different. Immediately, the show grabs you with a complex story that is like no other on cable (or Netflix, for that matter). The storyline, while odd and at times disturbing, is compelling as one watches the aftermath of the case. The use of real life situations and actual characters without scene reenactment adds to the heightened emotion. Everything about the series feels real, and viewers can actually sympathize with Avery, despite only seeing glimpses of his life on screen. I highly recommend the documentary to anyone interested in experiencing the rollercoaster of emotions alongside Steve Avery. photo souce: wikimedia.com
Valentine’s Day Drinks at Starbucks Starbucks created new Valentine’s Day themed Frappucinos based on most the popular drinks. Monica Kramer Staff Writer
Valentine Frappucino
In this exciting new pink frappucino, one is overwhemled with flavors. It captures everyone’s favorite Valentine’s Day treats, including strawberry and raspberry syrup, and delicious vanilla flavoring.
Java Berry Frappucino
This frappucino is a take on the customer favorite java chip while including rasperry infused whipped cream, and other Valentine’s Day inspired toppings.
February2016
Love Bean Frappucino
The Love Bean frappucino is a take on the orinigal Vanilla Bean Frappucino while also including raspberry infused whipped cream and delicious chocolate curls.
photos source: flickr.com
can I get that fried? Jordan Young Features Editor
friedoreos
Fried mac and cheese = crispy triangles of magic. The pasta on the inside was actually courtesy of a box of Kraft Easy Mac and Cheese, but the buttery shell of fried heaven turned this treat into a five-star meal with the perfect ratio of noodles to cheese.
Signs They Like You... Alyssa Selimov Staff writter
The South Florida Fair is famous for its out-of-the-ordinary delicacies, most of which are deep fried.
friedmac&cheese
Oreos + deep fryer + powdered sugar = wow. This sugary delight was suprisingly gooey and unsurprisingly delicious. The cookie melted into a warm mixture of chocolate and cream filling surrounded by a crisp, yet chewy dough.
*Suncoast edition*
Lifestyle17
friedtwinkie
The mother of all things fried, this classic guilty pleasure was an amazing spin on the traditional Hostess snack. The melted filling and surrounding dough made for a dessert caught somwhere in between a doughnut and a vanilla pudding cup.
Ever wonder if that person you like feels the same way? Just pay attention to their actions.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
They answer your midnight text to tell you about the homework that is due tomorrow They offer to carry your excessively large pile of textbooks
They give you a hoodie to cover up in front of Ms. Blumner
They drive all the way to your house, 3 cities away, just to give you classwork that you missed
. They teach you all of the calculator shortcuts They miss work to tutor you so you can raise that A to an A+ You guys carpool together, even though he or she drives 40 minutes just to get you.
But you know it is love when: They go to Harvard instead of yale so you guys can go to school together. Photo by wikipedia
February2016 Photo by wikipedia
Opinions18
Open your
eyes
It’s a
Bumpy Road
Teenage pregnancy is more complex than it seems to be. Asyjah Dudley Becoming pregnant as a teenager is often perceived to be Staff Writer a consequence of sexually active teengaers being careless
Nice guys don’t have to finish last. Alexis August “Nice guys finish last” is Copy Editor the favorite line of a guy who
didn’t get the girl he wanted. On Twitter you see videos of guys ranting about how girls don’t like them because they are too nice and how they always go for guys who treat them badly and if they just gave the “nice guys” a chance they could give them the world. Sometimes people need to face reality and accept that the person just wasn’t interested. Maybe they are not attracted to you. Even if she was flirting with you, this does not mean she wants to date you. It’s very possible she could have just been bored and leading you on for fun (we all saw the #wastehistime2016 posts). Or maybe there is someone else she is more interested in. I’m not saying it’s only girls that can be heartless and just playing you. The same goes for guys; boys love to string girls on. Believe me you are probably not the only girl he is texting and sending that “hey” *smirky face emoji* snapchat to. (Just a side note if a guy has your number and is only snapchatting you and not texting you, he’s probably bad news). On the other hand, these damaged guys do have a point. Sometimes girls are just attracted to guys who don’t treat them right. Plain and simple. There is no rhyme or reason for it; perhaps it’s the “bad boy” aspect of it all. Some girls tend to go after guys they know are not the nicest just because they are physically attracted to them, maybe naively thinking they can they change them. You are not going to change them and there is definitely someone out there who will treat you better; the way you deserve to be treated. No relationship should be one-sided, this goes for guys and girls, you should not put in all the effort. To find this person that treats you right, you may have to look somewhere you would never think to look or somewhere you don’t expect. There’s always something better out there; you just have to broaden your horizons.
February2016
when taking precautions. From shows such as Sixteen and Pregnant or Teen Mom, it is not difficult to form stereotypical ideologies about teen pregnancy. ideologies that look down upon teenage parents by portraying them as ignorant teenagers who did not have their lives together. Shows such as the aforementioned emphasize the drama that teen parents go through for the gratification of channel ratings while profiting on these teenager’s “misfortune.” Teen pregnancy may not be as glamorous or as difficult as the lives of those on reality television series, but it is a reality that millions of teens around the world face. Not all teen moms are careless teenagers; some are caught in this predicament through rape, molestation, arranged marriages, and by choice. Yet, when thinking about teen pregnancy, what typically comes to mind are young and naive teenage girls. Of course teen moms are young, but their age is nothing compared to the hardships that they go through. Some hardships include custody battles, balancing school and pregnancy,judgement from others, or even loneliness. Teenage parents suffer from these consequences from day to day but still people view them as immature and foolish children who made a huge mistake. I myself, believe it or not, am a product of a teenage pregnancy. Yet, despite the hardships my mother went through, I have never heard her complain once about the pregnancy. Or even heard her mention any personal drama she went through as a student who spent her entire senior year pregnant, Without a doubt, it must have been difficult for her to make it through high school and college with a baby but, similar to other teenage mothers, she persevered and made something of herself. She refused to become another statistic and never settled for anything less than greatness for herself and for her children at such a young age. A trait that she acquired from being a teen mom and defying the odds that many set against her from the beginning. It is quite sad to realize that stories such as these are often overlooked and are given to those who focus more on the negative aspect of a situation. Meaning, the women depicted on reality shows such as Sixteen and Pregnant or Teen Mom, have nothing (except maybe contracts) standing in their way of becoming something greater than reality stars. They instead choose for their lives to be shown on reality television, and have allowed themselves to succumb to the endless stereotypes that teen mothers face on a day to day basis. Teenage pregnancy should not hinder one from achieving what they want from life. In fact, it should give one hope to be better for their unborn child. Although this may not be true for every teen parent, some view adoption or abortion as the right way to go and ultimately it is their decision. It is ultimately up to them to choose what they want to make of themselves not what others feel like they should settle for doing. Regardless, whether it be by choice or accident, teenage pregnancy should not be overlooked or stigmatized. No one truly knows the circumstance that causes the pregnancy to occur besides the mother and father; it remains up to them if they want to go in details. Even though the parents or parent are teenagers that does not disregard the fact that an innocent life is born from it. A baby that could be the next doctor or reality star or have parents that would become the next big hollywood actors or stars. Becoming a teenage parent does not mean their lives are over. Various celebrities such as Lebron James, Sofia Vergara, and Lil Wayne, were teenage parents who despite their obvious obstacles created a better life for themselves and more importantly, their children. photo source: plannedparenthood.org
Opinions19
To Wait or Not to Wait Not everyone chooses to lose their virginity before marriage; is that so wrong? Simrun Waghray Sex is a special way to show Staff Writer
someone that you truly love and care about them. The main controversy with sex is deciding when it is the right time to lose your virginity. Although a majority of Americans do not wait until marriage for their “first time,” it does not imply that waiting until marriage is the wrong decision. Waiting for the right person ensures fewer regrets and makes the moment more special for you and your partner. “I feel like you should wait after marriage to engage in any sexual activity. First, it gives you emotions and feelings that you might not be ready to be engaged in. You might be too intimate with somebody that you don’t know and you’re not willing to spend the rest of your life with, you can’t take that back,” Junior Pierre Ghobrial said. On the other hand, not waiting until marriage allows you to have more
experience and feel less rushed to get married. Due to the edicts of several religions, people believe that in order to be able to have sex, they must get married. In order to follow this belief,
Seven in ten sexually experienced teens say they wish they had waited until they were older to have sex. Source: http://www.safeteens.org
many young marriages take place and end up in divorce, because they do not actually love their partner. In order to avoid these complications, a vast
number of people believe that there is no need to wait until marriage to have sex. “I don’t think you should wait ‘til marriage to have sex, but I do think you should wait until you find someone very special; someone that wouldn’t harm you. But you shouldn’t be having sex with everyone,” Senior Nick Palomba said. Although not waiting until marriage for sex is the modern decision, there is nothing wrong with wanting to wait. If you find a special person, you should love them enough to be able to wait until you are comfortable with that person. Why waste something special on someone you might not truly love? While deciding whether or not to wait until marriage is completely your own decision; do not let peer pressure control your decision. Sex is special and should not be wasted on someone who is insignificant in your life. Do not waste your virginity on the wrong person.
Reversing the Roles If it is acceptable for guys to make the first move, then why is it not acceptable for girls? All the Maria Fahmy bravery left Staff Writer
her body the minute she saw him. She forgot all the encouraging words her friends had drilled in her mind, and she felt like she was about to pass out. She had felt unstoppable when she decided she would do it, but now that it was actually happening she felt sick. She glanced at her friends one last time and saw that they were all smiling at her and giving her encouraging thumbs up before she walked up to her crush and asked him out to the Winter Formal. Being a girl used to mean that you were powerless, that you sat around waiting for guys to ask you out or even notice you. Today, however, many are pushing for gender
equality and sharing of the power, not just politically but socially as well. Although we have come a long way from where we began - now that women can vote, serve in the army or simply ask a guy out on a date - we still have a long way to go. In today’s society, a girl asking a guy out is not as opposed as it once was, thus making it unnecessary to have a special occasion where girls are told to ask guys out. The Sadie Hawkins dance is a great way to encourage and push females to make the first move; nevertheless, having a Sadie Hawkins
dance makes it abnormal for girls to ask guys in any other situation. “I endorse the whole idea of ‘women power’ and all that is affiliated with a Sadie Hawkins dance, but I feel as though the best way to support equality between guys and girls is to not specify the type of dance that it is because, either way, some guys will ask girls and some girls will ask guys,” Sophomore Claudia Cabral said. While the United States is progressing towards economic and political equality, we are still stuck on the idea of gender roles. People who do not
have a problem accepting that women should have an equal chance of being hired or being in power, still find it difficult to see females as their social equals. As much as the idea of a Sadie Hawkins dance inspired many people to fight for more equality, it might be holding us back now. I think that this dance might be having an opposite effect on feminism at this point. Instead of making it normal for girls to ask guys, it provides a special occasion when it is acceptable for the reverse in the roles, insinuating that it is not acceptable for other occasions like prom, homecoming, or a Saturday night movie. Do not be afraid to cross gender boundaries. photo by: Maria Fahmy
February2016
Opinions20
LGBT
MISCONCEPTIONS There are still daily misconceptions circling around the LGBTQA+ community, and intend to settle some. Yana Rankine News and Opinions Editor
1 2 3 4 5 6
I’m So Sick of That
Same Old Show
It is time for these television programs to face judgment. Mindjina Courage Staff Writer
Who is the guy/girl in the relationship? Assuming this is said to a samesex couple, this question crumbles in on itself. A same-sex couple is dating someone of the same sex, neither person will embody the opposite gender in this relationship, unless they are genderfluid or identify with another gender.
Gay marriage is wrong! God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and STEVE! We are all made from sexual reproduction. Each human being is made from an egg and a sperm. In this religious context, Adam and Eve was created to increase the population. This statement is assuming one’s purpose in being a relationship is to reproduce. Aside from that, dressing in different fabrics called for punishment, too, yet you do not see stones being thrown.
Being gay is a choice.
Yes, because someone would definitely purposely chose a path of constant oppression. Next please.
I can’t believe same-sex marriage is legal! I’m moving to Canada. Advocating against same-sex marriage is like you telling the waiter that you do not want the person next to you to have red velvet cake because you don’t like redvelvet cake (tumblr.com). (Oh, and news flash: Canada has legalized same-sex marriage for over a decade now. Maybe try Germany?)
He/she is only in the relationship for attention.
For attention of their partner, yes. Otherwise, the only attention gained from this comment, is the one you are purposely drawing for yourself. Congratulations.
There are only two genders! This is a tricky one. Most people are led to believe the term ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ are interchangeable- but they are not. Sex refers to who one is biologically. Gender refers to what they identify with, whether that is male, female, genderfluid or agender.
February2016
Supernatural
First Broadcast: 2005 Number of Seasons: 11
Waste of Time
The first seasons were action packed, but as the show progressed, the storyline became too repetitive. Many fans complain that Sam and Dean, the two main characters on the show, have become too similar due to a lack of plot development.
Family Guy
First Broadcast: 1999 Number of Seasons: 14
Waste of Time
This show makes fun of religion, mental disabilities, homosexuality and racial stereotypes. It promotes violence and its offensive plotlines encourage teens to be self conscious about their differences. There are other humorous shows you can watch that do not use dark comedy.
The Maury Povich Show First Broadcast: 1991 Number of Seasons: 22
Waste of Time
This show is disguised as a “helpful” production that helps women find the fathers of their illegitimate children. The real intent of the show is revealed whenever Maury allows obnoxious people to come on and embarrass themselves. Scenes of people acting foolishly are advertised in order to catch the attention of viewers.
Grey’s Anatomy
First Broadcast: 2005 Number of Seasons: 12
Worth Watching
With every season, viewers become more addicted to this top rated show’s dramatic plot lines. Their 12th season had an average of 8.6 million viewers per episode which is a steady increase from their first season, which had an average of 6.4 million viewers an episode.
Law and Order SVU
First Broadcast: 1999 Number of Seasons: 17
Worth Watching
This detective drama brings awareness to the controversies surrounding sexually-based offenses. Even though this show can be serious at times, it knows how (and when) to keep it light. A few laughs are added to the production without downplaying the seriousness of rape and abuse.
Sesame Street
First Broadcast: 1969 Number of Seasons: 45
Worth Watching
This family friendly program educates young children and provides laughs for people of all ages. “The Recontact Study,” published by Daniel Anderson, found that children age three to five who watched Sesame Street at a young age had a more advanced vocabulary in high school.
Opinions21
Men Can Get Raped When a twelve-year-old boy is raped, the issues of gender roles and sexual assault are questioned. In a calm, family Dayalis Zamora neighborhood, a Staff Writer twelve-year-old boy
Photo courtesy: Pinterest
was on his way to go fishing when he was lured into a wooded area by a man on Monday, January 5. Naked, the boy ran screaming from the woods. He had been sexually molested by a man. The crime posed the question to many Americans why we usually hear more stories of women being molested by men, but never any other combination. In 2016, when gender equality is on the rise and stereotypical gender roles are being rivaled, this particular situation is the embodiment of these issues. According to a study from the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention, one in five women and one in 71 men in the United States are raped; however, we must take into consideration the stories that are not mentioned, the stories that are not told, mostly by men. The Huffington Post has stated that an approximate 54 percent of rapes go unreported in the United States as the victim feels threatened about the repercussions of recounting their stories to officials, or
perhaps about what others might say about the victim. Based on the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ National Crime Victimization Survey, five to 14 percent of men in the United States are sexually molested, and the number skyrockets in the military from eight to 37 percent. In our society, men are taught to be tough and are expected to be the ones always seeking pleasure. The possibility that a man could be raped by a woman or a man is seen as rare by many Americans -- not because it does not occur, but because the men who are raped smoothly shake it off as being a “stud” or simply never share their story for fear of being seen as weak. Both men and women suffer the repercussions of rape: post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and a sense of shame that he or she was not able to prevent the rape from occurring. Women are often asked what they were wearing to have been raped, or what they were doing at the time. Girls are taught to not draw attention to themselves and are sometimes not depicted as the victim, but as a girl who should have been taking better care of herself. Men are asked if they were aroused at the time of the rape, or if they demonstrated any sort of action
that would lead the perpetrator to mistake the action as consent. We should not teach children how to prevent rape, but instead lay a more focused foundation on what is the definition of consent. At a young age, children should know that rape is wrong. Instead of asking questions that would make the victim feel as if he or she were to blame, we should train our attention on the rapists. According to the Huffington Post, approximately 97 percent of perpetrators are not caught and imprisoned -- a high number based on the number of rapes that occur in the United States every year for both men and women. The public must be informed and educated on the definition of consent (hint: it is a solid yes), not taught to believe that a particular manner of dressing or acting will lead to bad company. The time for “boys will be boys” is gone, and so is fabricating excuses for why the rape occurred. Rape is rape. If you or anyone you know is a sexual assault victim, do not hesitate to call the Palm Beach County 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 866-891-7273
Photo courtesy: Flickr
February2016
Sports22
Time to Cheer for the Cheerleaders... Our competition cheerleading team will be competing for the first time in UCA’s National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando on February 6 and 7. Claudia Laukien Having qualified at Regionals in Tampa Design Editor on December 5th, the
competition cheerleading team will be heading to Orlando to compete in the Universal Cheerleading Association’s (UCA) National High School Cheerleading Championship (NHSCC) on February 6th and 7th. The NHSCC is the most prestigious cheerleading competition in the country, and it will be nationally televised on both ESPN and ESPN2. The girls are competing as a superlarge, non-tumbling varsity team. They will have to perform a one minute cheer that involves stunts and props to lead the crowd and a one and a half minute music section that involves stunts, jumps, dances, and a pyramid. The girls practice
February2016
up to three hours every day after school in the cafeteria, where they set up the mats themselves. Kristy Strickland, the team’s coach, said, “I feel like the team is really prepared…I think that their work
“As long as we perform to the best of our ability, we’ll be satisfied. Tiffany Canate ethic has proven to be what’s needed to get them prepared.” Unfortunately, there have been some setbacks. Portions of the cheer routine have been completely changed at the
last minute, forcing the girls to work extra hard to learn new routines. There have been several injuries, including a dislocated shoulder, and even an absence due to appendicitis. However, in r e f e r e n c e to these setbacks, Senior cheerleader Tiffany Canate remains confident, explaining that the team “has been able to come back from all of them.” Of course, with the excitement comes some nervousness; the girls, however, are focused and determined. Thinking about the NHSCC, Canate stated, “I think our main goal is just having fun and doing the best that we can do at nationals, and seeing how we do from there.” Photo by: Claudia Laukien
Sports23
The Golden Game Super Bowl 50 is set to be the most extravagant game yet in the long history of the NFL. On January 15, 1967, the Kansas City Chiefs played the Green Bay Packers in the first game of its kind, Super Bowl I. That day, roughly 50 years back, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a 94,000 fan stadium, played host to a measly 61,000, who witnessed a blowout 35-10 win by the Packers and a halftime show highlighting by the University of Arizona Marching Band. The next Super Bowl was not much better. Another blowout by the Green Bay Packers, this time over the Oakland Raiders, was only interrupted when a glitch in CBS’s broadcast shut down feed of the game to most of the country. With feed restored by the end of the second quarter, viewers were treated to a half time show starring the Grambling State University Marching Band. Only by the third Super Bowl did the game take the name “Super Bowl;” up to that point it had been called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. Over the last 50 years, the Super
Alex Levine Staff Writer
Bowl has slowly grown. Great coaches and great players have made great teams: Dan Marino, Don Shula, and the Miami Dolphins, Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers, Jimmie Johnson and the Dallas Cowboys, Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers. Even today some of the greats of NFL history are playing just like Terry Bradshaw and Jerry Rice once did; Peyton Manning holds the NFL record for career passing yards and career touchdowns, along with 14 other records that make him a shoo in to the Hall of Fame. Tom Brady has guided the Patriots to four Super Bowl wins in the past 15 years. Aaron Rodgers was last year’s NFL MVP, beating out the likes of Tom Brady and Russell Wilson, even though his Green Bay Packers missed the Super Bowl in a NFC Conference Championship loss to Wilson’s Seahawks. This is how the Super Bowl grew to be what it is today; through the greats of the game. Fast forward 50 years from that first Super Bowl and Super Bowl
The Carolina Panthers, are now 17-1, and will be entering Super Bowl 50 on the back of a 49-15 dominating victory over the Arizona Cardinals. With a sole road loss at the Atlanta Falcons, the Panthers are a secure favorite to win the Super Bowl. Led by star quarterback Cam Newton, and with a strong running and pass game, highlighted by star receiver Greg Olsen, the Panther’s offense is expected to outshine Denver’s. Matched with this is the second best defense in the country, only behind the Broncos’, which helped to decimate the Cardinal’s offense in the NFC Championship, forcing seven turnovers. Image courtesy of steelers.com
Image courtesy of houstontexans.com
50 is expected to have an American viewing audience of more than 115 million. Dubbed the “Golden Super Bowl,” Super Bowl 50 will be played in Golden State California at the stadium of the San Francisco 49ers, named after miners of the California Gold Rush, for the game’s 50th, or “golden” anniversary. Advertisers and fans will have to shell over a good amount of gold, too, with the price for a 30 second slot of advertising time beginning at $5 million and seats for the game starting at $3,500, with booth seats in the tens of thousands range. The game’s developers have not skimped on any of its details, though; a multiple act halftime show is confirmed to headline the rock group Coldplay, with appearances by Beyoncé and Bruno Mars. As for the teams, in addition to the traditional Vince Lombardi trophy the winning Super Bowl team is normally given, the winner of Super Bowl 50 will be given an 18 carat gold plated number “50” designed by Tiffany & Co. Super Bowl 50, no matter what the scoreline is, will certainly be golden.
The Denver Broncos entered the Playoffs the number one seed in the AFC after a surprise Patriots loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 17 of NFL play. Now, with a healthy Peyton Manning, the best defense in the nation, and coming off a home win to the Patriots, who were favored by up to 70% before the game, Denver, entering the playoffs with a 15% chance of winning Super Bowl 50, appears ready for whatever comes their way. Though their offense is somewhat lacking in comparison to Carolina, Peyton Manning has proved he has the ability to hold his offense to high standards. Image courtesy of azcardinals.com
Image courtesy of panthers.com
February2016
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