Suncoast Community High School
AWARENESS
THE RISE IN MENTAL HEALTH CASES IS MAKING AWARENESS INCREASINGLY IMPERATIVE. pages 12-13
Volume 23 Issue 2|NOVEMBER 2019
THE STAFF
ABOUT US
Adviser Traci Lowe “The Legend” is a news magazine Editor-in-Chief Kenjela Mullings produced entirely by Suncoast Managing Editor Samirah Abellard students from all grade levels. Business Manager Yashna We publish six issues per year, 3 Chowdhury each semester. Any opinions that News Editor Jessy Aramouni are printed in “The Legend” are Lifestyle Editor Diana Devine not necessarily the opinions of Features Editor Samirah Abellard the adviser, administration, or the Opinion Editor Sophie Karbstein school district. Unsigned editorials Sports Editor Jack Swank reflect the opinions of the editorial Design Editor Zarin Ismail board. Copy Editors Alex Skolnick, Shivani Shah Do You Have A Business? Website Manager Kevin Yang Social Media Manager Diana Advertise with us! Stop by room 3-117 Devine, Zarin Ismail or check out our website for more Staff Writers Artchard Jacquet, information. Adrianna Estrada, Lauren Brensel, Jacki Eckstein, Grace Sergent, Maya Calderon, Ashley Labbe, Skyler Elkin, Valentina Jaramillo, Cedrick Charles
Stay Connected With Us!
Follow Us On Instagram: @shsthelegend Add Us On Snapchat: @shsthelegend Tweet Us on Twitter: @TheLegendStaff Check Out Our Website: shsthelegend.com
CONT
NEWS
Florida Blue Key
4 5
Protests in Haiti
6
Andrew’s Law
7
Fall Festival
LIFESTYLE
The Rat Pack
17
Guide to College
18
Streaming Services 19
OPINION
8 Paperless Classrooms 9 Private Socials 10 Program Preparation
College Apps
11
SPORTS
Worst Nightmare
21
The Legend Athlete 22 Senior Night
FEATURE
Mind Over Matter
Tik-Tok Star
12 14
23
TENTS Liliana Sisto
Madame President
15 16
4 News Zarin Ismail Design Editor
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n Oct. 30, the Fall Festival took place at Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School. The event takes place every October for children at Bethune as a celebration of the fall season, comprising of multiple booths and activities for families to enjoy. Over 200 members of the National Honor Society (NHS) volunteered at the event, bringing in candies, crafts and pumpkins for the children to take home. Katrina Granger, principal of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School, was present throughout the entire event and found this year’s event to be a success. “This year’s festival was outstanding — organized, well attended and facilitated by a dependable group of Suncoast students,” Granger said. The service from NHS members for the event was effective due to NHS sponsor Kara Macsuga’s efforts of assigning volunteers to activities at the event. Granger added, “A tremendous thank you to Mrs. Macsuga. She really made the event a huge success by overseeing the volunteers and assigning them to the various stations.” The NHS members managed booths such as Arts and
FALL TO THE BEAT. Bethune kids and NHS members dance together at the center of the festival.
GATHER AROUND. NHS members smile for a photo.
photos courtesy of: Cristina Piland
Crafts, Relay Racing, Hula Hooping, Fishing, Face Painting and more. Senior NHS president Brandon Wisnicki enjoyed seeing Suncoast students engage with the Bethune students. “It’s a beautiful thing to see the current students inspiring the next generation of Chargers,” Wisnicki said. Wisnicki, who was apart of NHS in the 2018-2019 academic year, found the event to be “extremely successful.” For the last two years, NHS members managed the event, and with growing involvement, the members have the opportunity to get creative and thoughtful about making every festival better than the next. This year, the event had complimentary food and refreshments for families from food trucks. There were two trucks, the Kona Ice food truck and the Christ Fellowship food truck, provided with the help of Bethune administrator Sherrita Cromwell and NHS Service Project Committee members Landon Perez and Emily Briceno. Fall Festival will take place again in October 2020, and is open for help from all Suncoast students. To get involved in next year’s event, contact Macsuga in room 3-101.
FLORIDA BLUE KEY
5 News
For some Tournament Attendees, their experience may be overwhelming, Yet rewarding. Cedrick Charles Staff Writer
I
t was 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31. Walking into the Reitz Student Union for the first time and seeing different faces in suits in an environment bigger than they have ever experienced was overwhelming. For juniors Eryse and Eryonne White, the start to a new realm of activities had just begun. The Florida Blue Key Speech and Debate tournament is hosted at the University of Florida for high school students across the country. It took place from Nov. 1 to Nov. 3, 2019. At this tournament, students are able to choose from many events that they wish to participate in. Whether it be a debate or speech event, students are able to showcase their talent and hardwork through the event of their choice. “My sister and I do Duo Interpretation, which is a two person event that takes a script from a book, play, or any other published work and takes that script and interpret it into the way that we want to. By doing different movements and using different voices, we are able to bring the script to life,” Eryse White said. Preparing for these Speech and Debate tournaments takes a lot of work. For instance, if one is planning on doing a debate event, they must do extensive research on their topic in order to create a cohesive argument. For speech events, one must find a script, cut the script to fit the time limit, and memorize the script as well. “In order to prepare, I kept practicing my speaking parts and matched my facial expressions to the emotion being portrayed through the script. Also, I am always thinking of ways to make our
blocking more intricate. That’s how our piece evolves over the time we are preparing for it,” Eryonne White said. For Eryonne and Eryse, the Florida Blue Key (FBK) tournament was their first national tournament, but for many of the other team members, this year’s FBK is their second year participating. “Coming to Blue Key for the second time, I think my experience was a good one. It was a great experience with my team, we’re really like our own family. I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world,” junior Emily Ayala said. When participating in these national tournaments, students experienced a lot of self growth as long as ways to make their pieces and arguments better than before. “Going to this tournament taught me to be more confident and even though I didn’t advance to outrounds, you just have to pick yourself up and try again to succeed,” Eryonne White said. Although they were not able to advance to further rounds, Eryse and Eryonne were happy with what they were able to achieve. “Being a quarterfinalist felt good because it was my first. It felt very refreshing and made me feel very confident to compete at other national tournaments,” Eryse White said. Going to the FBK tournament set the precedent for many other national tournaments for Eryonne and Eryse White. “I think that if we keep trying hard and giving debate our all this year, then we can achieve anything we want,” Eryse White said.
A WIN. Sophomore Jayna Manohalal placed sixth at the Florida Blue Key tournament.
THE GREAT LADY DEBATERS. The three duo groups on day one of the tournament.
SMELL OF SUCCESS. The duo groups on day three of the tournament. PHOTOS BY: CEDRICK CHARLES
6 News
PROTESTS IN HAITI Policemen and other protestors have gathered to protest in Haiti.
Adrianna Estrada Staff Writer
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ecently, hundreds of Haitian policemen from Haiti’s National Police Force (PNH), have gathered on the streets of Haiti’s capital to protest against their working conditions, leading to two civilians dead in the midst of the protests. They walk together dressed in regular civilian clothing, holding signs and chanting to express the need in bettering their daily working and living conditions. The first victim was shot during a protest demanding that President Jovenel Moise resign from office. One of the main complaints of these protestors is that they have not been paid in several months, but are still called into active duty. Antigovernment activists have also taken the streets along with government officials asking for better law enforcement salaries. Daily protests in Port-au-Prince and other cities have shut down the transportation link between cities, as well as closed down schools and halted local businesses. At least 18 people have died in clashes with police and other types of violence. More than half the Haitian population lives on less than $2.40 a month, which is why so many have gathered to protest on the streets. “To me it is obvious: The president, particularly, doesn’t govern anything at all right now,” former Prime Minister and past governor of Haiti’s Central Bank Fritz Jean said, according to The New York Times. “In fact, we are in a state of vacancy right now.” A fuel shortage in mid-September was the last straw for the residents of Haiti. Inflation and a lack of safe drinking water added fuel to the fire. As Haitian citizens blocked roads and highways, food scarcity increased among residents, causing citizens to resort to looting businesses and setting random fires on the streets, as they continue their protests. Pictures of the protests capture hundreds of citizens marching together down the streets of Port-auPrince. The makeshift barricades can be seen in these images, as well as the many fires lit along the streets. One image captures JeanMarie Féthière, a senator, firing a gun into the air outside of the parliament. Citizens can be seen fleeing from the senator as he fired.
“I have a lot of family that lives in Haiti. My mom is always talking about what my cousins and my other family is going through. Sending old clothes and canned goods is something that we have to do to help them,” junior Kelsea Frederic said. Frederic with several family members in Haiti expressed how she is helping her family in Haiti. She has packed old clothes
Senator Jean-Marie Féthière firing a gun outside the parliment. Photo source bbc.com
that do not fit her anymore and several cans of food to send to her cousins in Haiti, since businesses have either been looted or shut down, making it hard for families to get everyday items during this crisis. The United Nations as well has expressed to protestors and authorities to “refrain from violence” during this time. Anthony Maingot, a professor Emeritus of Sociology and Anthropology at Florida International University, described the situation as dire. According to The Washington Post, the United States government has limited their public comments on the protests, because the U.S supports Moise’s presidency. He has yet to speak out about the issues being presented to him on the streets of Haiti.
7 News
ANDREW’S LAW PASSED IN FLORIDA SENATE The act of hazing is now punishable up to a third-degree felony.
Grace Sergent Staff Writer
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n Oct. 1, Senate Bill 1080, otherwise known as “Andrew’s Law,” took effect on college campuses across the state of Florida. The bill expanded upon previous Florida legislation, strengthening a legal code that was already considered one of the strongest stances in the nation against hazing. Hazing is the practice of forcing prospective fraternity or sorority members, referred to as pledges, to undergo often humiliating and physically strenuous activities in order to join and become a brother or sister of the organization. In recent years, hazing, and Greek life in general, have come under public scrutiny after several high-profile cases of pledges dying while being hazed. Andrew’s Law, named after Andrew Coffey, a Florida State University student who died while undergoing a hazing ritual in 2017, allows prosecutors to charge students involved with planning or participating in a hazing event that results in serious injury or death with a third-degree felony, even if they were not present at the scene. However, students who call medical services will be granted immunity and cannot be charged with any crime. The inclusion of a third-degree felony charge in the law, which carries with it up to five years in prison and $5,000 fine, is a stepup from other laws across the US, where a misdemeanor is commonly the highest charge a defendant can be given. In Florida, a misdemeanor can only be punished with a maximum of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Lawmakers hope that Andrew’s Law and the immunity it grants for students who call the emergency services will decrease the number of fatalities associated with hazing.
By providing immunity, students who would otherwise be scared to report are instead encouraged to, and the emergency services can provide care for the victims sooner. However, others view the third-degree felony charge as too harsh. They argue that some of the students might not have known what the outcome of their fraternity party would be, and it is not fair to give them a black mark on their criminal record for what could be chalked up to adolescent stupidity. On the other hand, the deaths caused by hazing are still happening, and something needs to be done to prevent them. For Suncoast senior Marina Yrinakatz, Andrew’s Law made her feel secure in entering college next year. “I’ve heard horror stories of these teenagers dying due to hazing, and it’s just sickening. I mean, I’m not a parent, but I think about my little brother, and the culture he’s growing up in...it just scares me personally and so having this new law does make me feel better,” Yrinakatz said. Fellow Suncoast senior Nicole Ambrosino agreed that the law made her feel safer, but had mixed feelings on the punishments the law doles out. “It depends on how severe [the hazing] is,” Ambrosino stated. “When [the victims are] injured, I do think that they should have some sort of consequence, but I don’t think it should be a felony. I don’t know if it should ruin their entire life just for something they did in college.” On the topic of the future of fraternities and sororities in Florida colleges, Yrinakatz, who stated that she had no plans to join one when in college, remained neutral. “There are pros and cons to joining a fraternity or a sorority,” Yrinakatz said. “I feel when you get into... the true meaning
of joining a sorority and a fraternity, as, like, creating your brothers and sisters kind of environment so you have people to bond with and keep forever...The true meaning of it would be fine, but when you start getting into the hazing activities...it’s not okay.” The futures of fraternities and sororities may yet still be in jeopardy, but the future of hazing is not. With Andrew’s Law, Florida has shown that they are unwilling to back down and let the topic rest, and will continue to oppose hazing on college campuses until the death toll stops climbing.
FAST FACTS •
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• •
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36% of college students say they would not report a hazing primarily because “there’s no one to tell” and 27% feel that “adults won’t handle it right.” More than 250,000 students experienced some sort of hazing to join a college athletic team. 67% agree that a significant part of initiation is humiliation. 46% believe that the most important thing is to keep the code of silence. 40% report that a coach or club advisor was aware of the hazing. 22% report that the coach or advisor was involved in the hazing.
*Data assembled by Dr. Susan Lipkins via the site “InsideHazing.com”.
8 Column
PROGRAM PREPARATION Schedule: 1
More planning is needed for Suncoast’s programs.
Lauren Brensel & Samirah Abellard Staff Writer & Managing Editor (Design)
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hile Suncoast is known for its excellent sense of community and its ability to guide students to a brighter future, 3 there are many students that switch or even fail out of their respective 4 programs. Whether this be freshman 5 dropping out of the difficulties that the Math, Science and Engineering (MSE) program proposes or current 6 seniors accidentally failing out of the International 7 Baccalaureate (IB) program, Suncoast arguably holds some of the most challenging curriculums in the county. 8 Taking this into consideration, our students need the most preparation they can receive before joining these 9 programs to reduce the stress levels and exit rate of our school as a whole. While Suncoast holds a couple of orientations before school starts in which incoming freshmen learn about the programs, our students need more of these days before and throughout the early months of freshman year to truly decide for themselves if a certain program is the right fit for them. Simply learning about a program and experiencing it are two different things. Students need days in which they follow a full schedule of traditional IB, Computer Science (CS), MSE, or Innovative Interactive Technology (IIT) classes. Program Coordinator June Hunt agrees. “Some students are able to transition from middle school to high school without any problems. But there are some students who may require a little support. They made need a little more help establishing balance and organizational skills,” Hunt said. This transition does not even take into account the difficult programs Suncoast Goals: has to offer. 4 receive 5the most 6 2 in particular 3 1 IB students would benefit from more preparation. This is partially due to the short amount of time in which the program takes place. Suncoast students who fall under the IB program do not take IB specific classes until junior year and usually do not know what to expect. This leads many to cope with unnecessary stress that could have easily been prevented. Take Kian Soltani, for example. As a junior IB CS student, Soltani has already begun working on his Calculus Internal Assessment in addition to his CS required assignments. “I don’t see myself dropping from IB but at the same time, 2
Notes:
Due: I would have really appreciated it if I knew about all of the internal and external assessments that IB students must complete beforehand,” Soltani said. “ I just wish someone would have told me before I was just thrown into all of these classes with not much guidance.” Another student struggling with the difficulties of their program is Steven Cadima, a junior in the IB program. Cadima began his experience at Suncoast in the MSE program. After struggling with his Precalculus class, Cadima then entered IB only to discover that this path would be just as demanding. “The exams in all of my IB classes, along with research papers, are extremely stressful considering I did not know any of the IB requirements before joining,” Cadima said. “I didn’t even know about the extended essay until a month after junior year when Ms. Edgar came to one of my classes.” Cadima is referring to Maria Edgar, the IB Coordinator, who visited IB Literature classes throughout Suncoast to register students for the IB exams in May. The stress that both Cadima and Soltani have expressed will always be there, whether they had preparation for their programs or not. However, more preparation allows all students to fully understand the difficulties of their programs before entering. It is the stress for students like Soltani, Cadima and so many more that creates just one reason why we need more program preparation. Another would be to reduce the stress of the staff itself. Teachers and guidance counselors spend an incredible amount of time dealing with students who need to switch or drop out of their programs. With more preparation, though, these students are not as likely to exit from their programs, allowing staff members to use this time in a more efficient manner. While more orientation days would take more effort and planning for administration, the Charger family would benefit in the long run from more program preparation. Whether it be the reduction in stress for students and faculty, or the decrease in the exit rate among Suncoast as a whole, a little more program knowledge could never hurt us.
PAPERLESS CLASSROOMS More classrooms are going paperless for numerous reasons. Jack Swank Sports Editor
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rom forest fires in the Amazon to the mass amounts of trash floating in our oceans, it is no surprise that environmental concerns are one of today’s norms. Trees provide many benefits for the environment like the reduction of erosion, production of oxygen and the storage of carbon dioxide. Because trees make paper, millions have been cut down in order to fuel the insatiable paper supply needed for schools. As a result of the current environmental concerns, many schools and classes have moved to a more digital solution. Many classrooms have gone digital through the use of Google Classroom and other Google applications. However, they have their own set of issues. Many teachers have been known to assign homework last minute. Students are put into a “fight or flight” response, so they can choose to either cram in this last minute homework and risk the possibility of staying up late or enjoy the rest of their afternoon and get a good amount of sleep while failing the assignment. Senior Julien Morgan said, “I have skipped out on homework because it was assigned last minute.” This could have been avoided if the teacher had assigned the homework in person during the previous class. Teachers
should give at least two days for their students to complete their homework, if they felt it was absolutely necessary to assign something with no warning via Google Classroom. Also, not all students have twenty-four-seven access to electronic devices due to economic and parental conditions that arise in a diverse school. There are also many classes that have not reduced the use of paper or use paper almost exclusively. A huge example is math classes, which are unavoidable because students are required to show work and cheating would be difficult to detect on computers. Scantron tests are also used in many classes and tests in general use paper as well. Although many of our classrooms use paper, there are systems of recycling that are in place at school in order to give used paper new life and save many trees. The aim of paperless classrooms is to go paper-free in order to increase efficiency, and to also save the environment. The implementation of technology to reduce the use of paper may seem like a satisfactory solution, but may create more problems than solutions for students.
• 18.27 million tonnes of paper and paperboard are put in the landfill - EPA • “Paper constitutes over a third of all litter” - Sciencing • As of 2015, 67 percent of paper and paperboard Were recycled - EPA
10 Opinion
THIS IS NOT A SPAM The importance of spam accounts.
Samirah Abellard Managing Editor/ Features Editor
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hen most people think of spam, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the place where unwanted emails go or the pink and slimy goop that comes out of a tin can. However, those kinds of spam will not be discussed anywhere in this article. A spam page or a spam account, according to Protect Young Eyes, is “an account [used by teens] specifically for sharing their more personal, unpolished, rough pictures with their inner circle.” The popularity of spam accounts rose after a 2017 Instagram update that allowed users to simultaneously switch between multiple accounts without having to log out of one to access another. As a result of this update, teens created spam accounts under false identities and named them after their favorite characters or memes. What is a spam account? A spam account is typically a private account where users share content that they would not necessarily share on their personal accounts. Spam accounts may also be connected to one’s personal account, but they usually have fewer followers than a personal account. These accounts usually have content that is just for laughs and they may also contain things that are sensitive to others. Although most spam pages are used to provide comedic relief for those running the accounts and those who follow the pages, they can be crucial to teens because they relieve society’s pressures of perfection. Senior Angela Lopez stated, “I have a spam account because I feel like some things are just so random, that they wouldn’t fit in my personal account.” Society tells teens that they should act a certain way and it also tells them what they should look like and what interests they should have. However, spam accounts allow users to post content without censorship.
Should there be any concerns regarding spam/ private accounts? Some parents show concerns about what their children post online, but most spam and private accounts are created for the sole purpose of only allowing a select group of people to view the content shared on them. Parents have their concerns, but some of the concerns about spam accounts and private pages also come from the teens themselves. Concern arises from the fact that although accounts may be ‘private’ nothing on the internet as private as it seems. For example, in recent years some students applying to prestigious schools have had their acceptances rescinded as a result of their behaviors and actions on private accounts. In a 2019 investigation, 10 Harvard applicants had their admissions revoked due to their participation in a private group that made jokes about abusing children, the Holocaust and members of racial groups. As seen with this example, it is evident what should be shared and what should not. Certain content posted on spam accounts is questionable and despite the concerns that they may give rise to, they are important because they provide safe spaces for teens and allow teens to be themselves without having to fear judgment from others.
@Daquan is a popular spam account on Instagram with more than 13 million followers
Most Spam accounts used by teens today are on Instagram, Twitter where they are known as rant accounts, and Snapchat. Users on Snapchat can make private stories where they can share stories with a select group of people.
11 Opinion
College App Dilemma$ The cost of college before you even get in.
Valentina Jaramillo Staff Writer
hop.com
Photo by gators
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to college costs money, whether it is ordering your transcripts, buying the applications, or sending SAT and ACT scores. “Sending my ACT score was super expensive because colleges require you to pay to send every individual score[…]” Shamash said. “I paid $300 to send my applications to 10 schools.” “I applied to 15 schools and applications cost between 30 and 80 dollars, I had to pay most of them myself, but I got many fee waivers that helped reduce the price,” senior William Rider said. Fee waivers are the most efficient way to make the application process more affordable. You must apply to see if you are eligible to get one to use it. “It’s expensive but worth it, I already received my first acceptance letter which was the best feeling ever,” ners.co
Rider said. Former senior class president and Suncoast alumni Fabrice Lamour now attends the University of Central Florida and recalls his application process. “I spent so much time and money on college apps, and there were some schools that accepted me, like New York University, that were too expensive for me to attend,” he said, “but it was all worth it because I enjoy every minute here at UCF.” Despite the impending stress that comes with the college application process, it helps to know that many students feel the same way and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel -- receiving those acceptance letters. Wishing this year’s seniors luck on their applications, and remember, not to procrastinate and get those fee waivers. egefa by coll Photo
dsports.com Photo by weregoo
work matters and can finally be flaunted. However, because these applications are due in the middle of the school year, some students are having trouble scheduling time for school work and their college applications. “As an IB student, this is the most stressed I have ever been,” senior Emily Espinosa said. “My IB workload is overwhelmingly heavy which leaves me minimal time to work on my college apps.” There is a consensus among Suncoast seniors that this time of the year is the most difficult, and the constant deadlines from teachers turns into procrastinating college applications, which leads to stress. “I think teachers should take into consideration that seniors are overloaded with college things, and they should allot time for us to focus on these applications that ultimately decide our future,” Espinosa said. Because college applications are so important, they have
put loads of stress and nerves on seniors. Some have even procrastinated due to fear of the idea of growing up and going to college on their own. Not only are applications stressful, but extremely costly as well. Everything that has to do with applying
ban lgsand
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or seniors, it is college application time! Most Florida schools’ application deadlines are in November, such as the University of Florida and Florida State University, so most seniors are in the process of checking, editing or filling out their applications. These applications, which will determine students’ futures, come with a high level of strain, both financially and mentally. It is obvious that college applications equal stress. “I’ve been working on my applications since the beginning of summer and I’m still not quite finished yet, they’re extremely nerve wracking to fill out,” senior Liel Shamash said. Completing applications is a long, tedious process where you have to account for everything you have accomplished throughout your high school career, where all your hard
The most expensive univerisities in the United States according to Buisness Insider.com
12 Features
OVER
The rise in mental health cases is making awareness increasingly imperative. Kenjela Mullings Editor-in-Chief
C
acophonous sounds radiated through the courtyard as students filed their way through the big green gates. Rows of cheerleaders with glistening smiles enthusiastically shook their green and yellow pompoms. The frivolous banging of drums and crashing cymbals resonated, rattling the young girl’s brain with force. Everyone was looking at her. Every bang, crash and cheer was tugging at her brain, fighting for equal attention. She was at her breaking point. Cuffing her ears, she darted into the auditorium, where the noises finally disappeared. The rattling subsided and her brain was free again. For some people, loud noises and excitement may evoke a sense of thrill and happiness, but for individuals with anxiety, this might not always be the case. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders tend to affect approximately “25.1% of children between 13-18.” Alongside this, 18.1 percent of adults in the United States are said to be affected by some type of anxiety disorder every year. When taking this into perspective, one can see how society from all angles is widely impacted by anxiety and its effects. Although anxiety is a common mental health disorder, it is not the only prevalent mental health condition into which society has been exposed. Lizzo. Kid Cudi. Demetrius Harmon. J.K. Rowling. All notable names within modern society with equally notable appearances, yet behind their name and position, battle with debilitating internal thoughts and emotions. Mental health has impacted an innumerable amount of individuals from past to present. The extent to which mental health issues impact lives vary, but major contributors lie within a multitude of misconstrued circumstances. Marie Urbina, Suncoast High School’s newest Mental Health Counselor, discusses the ins and outs of mental health at Suncoast, where students can seek help if needed, and how the Suncoast body can work together to improve mental health schoolwide.
but that is not always the case. In fact, detecting an individual who may be suffering from a mental health disorder may not be as apparent as these disorders range in their severity. For individuals suffering from severe and chronic disorders, it is important to know that they are just as capable, they just require more support. If an individual is not suffering from a severe and chronic disorder, but from something less severe, they are just as high functioning and may only need services for shorter amounts of time. Sometimes students believe individuals who suffer from mental health seek a therapist because they have no one else to discuss their issues with. This does not tell the whole story. Students and adults may not feel comfortable discussing a very personal issue with peers and rely on an adult who can provide that sense of support and comfort. In adolescence it is especially normal to want some distance from parents, so students may want to talk to an adult who is unrelated. Additionally, individuals may also need support from a mental health professional to build social skills, which could later branch into their future support system. Help is often overlooked and taken for granted so students should learn that there is no shame in getting help from accessible resources in and out of school.
How do you think societal stigmas are impacting our understanding of mental health? In some cases, societal stigmas are both positively and negatively impacting student’s understanding of mental health. With the influx of shows, such as Netflix’s Thirteen Reasons Why, and HBO’s Euphoria, depicting mental health on the big screen, many students are becoming exposed to the dangers and essence of mental health. In some instances, these depictions influence students to get help, while others begin to perceive it as commonplace. As a society, America has witnessed the need for better access to mental health services and prevention after the increase in global mass shootings. The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Broward County, set the precedents for What are some common misconceptions about mental health? the Florida Public Safety Act that pushed for not only school Often times, individuals with mental health illnesses are safety, but also the improvement of mental health access. automatically labeled as incapable of performing everyday tasks, According to the Florida Department of Education, 170 schools
13 Features in Palm Beach County were assigned School Behavioral Health Professionals in the 2019-2020 fiscal years. Additionally, the district even increased the number of full-time Psychologists present within Palm Beach Schools by nearly 45 percent. With new legislation addressing the mental health crises, comes greater public awareness. Students should become aware that mental health can be treated and that services are available both in and out of school. Explain the steps you go through in identifying students who are having trouble with mental health. Usually, teachers and/or parents are the first individuals to spot students with mental health issues. At Suncoast, they can make a referral to Ms. Andrea Smith or the counseling department. Students may also come to Smith directly to request services. Once alerted, she will conduct an initial screening with the student to see if they would benefit from the school’s counseling services. After parental consent is received, Smith can continue getting to know the student better and provide one-on-one service for as long as they need.
available to help students all throughout the week. “My office is located in Counseling Services 1-118. I am here [from] 7:15[AM]-3:15[PM] Monday through Fridays. I am available to see students during lunch as well,” Smith disclosed. Accessing a mental health professional through the school is not the only option; in fact, students can talk with parents or guardians to receive additional services outside the school environment. Services range from the NAMI of Palm Beach County to St. Mary’s Institute for Mental Health. All of these services ensure that both children and adults within Palm Beach County receive the proper care and support they need. It is important to know that peers and staff can also have a huge impact on someone’s mental health. As a school, stepping up and looking after each other in times of distress can be beneficial. Spreading positivity and lending an ear to someone who may need it may be a small step for society, but a major leap for the school community. Not everyone can deal with these issues by themselves, but with a strong school support system, awareness efforts and overall togetherness, positive changes can occur.
How can you find a mental health professional to help? Fortunately, reinforcements within schools nationwide have made it easier for students to access mental health professionals and get the help they need. Smith, for example, is
of children between are affected by an anxiety disorder.
49.4 %
50.6 %
According to the West Palm Beach Mental Health Coalition, just over half of children aged 8-15 received mental health services in the previous year.
14 Features 14 Features
THE RISE OF A TIK TOK STAR Junior Shannon Meloy goes internet viral.
Jacki Eckstein Staff Writer
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ike every other night, junior Shannon Meloy, was scrolling through the social media app, Tik Tok. She came upon a video of another teen painting their friends calculator cases and she decided to give it a try and upload a few videos. Overnight, her videos took off unexpectedly and now Meloy has almost two hundred thousand followers on her account. Alongside her calculator videos, Meloy began taking items from her teacher, David Hale, without him knowing and returning them painted. These videos gained millions of views and accounts began reposting her videos on other social media platforms. However, instead of the love and praise she was receiving on Tik Tok, she began receiving hate. People criticized both Meloy and Hale saying she was a disrespectful student and he was a poor teacher for letting her vandalize his property. “I try not to let anything get to me; mainly because I know they aren’t right at all. If Mr. Hale considered it vandalism, I would have never taken it in the first place,” Meloy said. While she ignores the hate, Meloy’s parents did not approve. They were not fully supportive of her videos because of the attention they brought to her name. Her parents were initially worried about what colleges would think when they saw the videos and the hate that came alongside it. Eventually her parents began to embrace it just as much as her peers at school. Her friends do not treat her any differently but they do ask her to paint their things. “I think personal expression is really important so to be able to see Shannon through her art work is really unique,” said junior Melissa Dominguez. At this point, Meloy has painted around 50 calculators and is beginning to paint not only students belongings but teachers are also requesting that she paints their things. Despite school taking up a lot of her time, Meloy does not want to stop painting. “I really like what I’m doing and creating, so I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon,” Meloy said.
15 Features
SKETCHING HER OWN STORY SOPHOMORE Lilliana Sisto navigates her way through the art world.
Alex Skolnick Copy Editor
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uthor Thomas Merton once said, “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” Although Suncoast High School is known mostly for its academics, the arts have always been a popular choice among students. Liliana Sisto, a sophomore and an accomplished artist at Suncoast, is the embodiment of Merton’s words. Spending over an hour a day on her work, Sisto has received numerous awards and has been influenced by the work of others. “Art has made me have a different outlook on things, so when I look at something, I look at the art and the meaning behind it,” Sisto said. Sisto became more structured in her work while majoring in Visual Arts at Bak Middle School of the Arts. After years of building up her portfolio, Sisto uses her art to impact the lives of others. “My art has caused people to think about other styles and to think about what you can do with art,” Sisto said. Additionally, her hard work has paid off tremendously. She has won various awards for her work, including first and second-place in the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition. Not only has Sisto’s art influenced the lives of others, but she herself has been affected by her work. “Art has allowed me to take things that I see and make them realistic with a part of me in it,” Sisto said. “My art expresses something really structured, which I can relate to myself. I can carry myself through my art.” By opening herself up to the world of art, Sisto has let art change her life tremendously.
Illustrations By: Liliana Sisto
16 Features
Madame President
Senior Kaitlynn Adams balances the rigor of SGA presidency and the IB Program. Ashley Labbe Staff Writer
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earing the news that she was announced the Suncoast Sophomore Class President for the 2017-18 school year (SY), senior Kaitlynn Adams was ecstatic that her tireless campaigning efforts from the end of her freshman year had paid off. In this moment, Adams felt that she was prepared for any challenges she would face and the opportunities she would have to impact the sophomore class. Although winning the presidency was a major accomplishment at the time, the role was only a stepping stone to her current position as president of the Student Government Association (SGA) her senior year. Adams had always been inspired by the idea that she had the ability to make students’ ideas become a reality. For the 2019-20 SY, one of her main goals was to make homecoming week more interactive with activities at lunch and hanging extravagant decorations in the hallways. With her dedication to SGA, and her leadership positions at Suncoast, Adams has spent countless hours committed solely to SGA all while balancing the rigor of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. “I spend approximately 10 hours each week on a regular basis devoted to SGA. For Homecoming Week, I spend approximately 10 hours a day, which is 70 hours a week. For Homecoming Week, I am thinking about something every second that I’m awake, planning and organizing the events and festivities for the next day,” Adams said. Adams feels that it is often difficult to prioritize and divide her time. She believes that she often has so much planned for SGA that it leaves little time for her IB assignments. “Often times I feel like I am being pulled from opposite ends with dividing my time,” Adams continued, “My biggest challenge is that I care so much about SGA that I wish I could devote my life just to SGA, but I still have to keep myself grounded in my
Pictured above from left to right: Dakota Brisco, Daniela Salcedo, Emily Lampi, Kaitlynn Adams, Victoria DeAlba, Brooke Barberi Photo by: Monica Russell
education to a tee to receive my IB diploma.” With the amount of hours Adams spends on SGA, it has been her personal goal to improve the strategies she utilizes to balance her time on SGA, and the deadlines and courses of the IB program. She has tried utilizing new tactics to allow her to prioritize tasks between SGA and IB in a specific time frame. “I started making to-do lists in which I categorize my tasks as immediate and important, immediate unimportant, not immediate and important, and not immediate and unimportant. I’ve also found that color-coordinating things keeps me more organized and using an agenda is very helpful,” Adams said. Being in a rigorous program, while being the SGA President has taught Adams impactful lessons of time management, which will reside with her in the future as not only a college student, but even further in her future. “I feel that being in SGA has definitely prepared me for the many challenges of life ahead of me, allowing me to know how to handle stressful situations. I think being involved with SGA while in high school has also prepared me for the career path I would like to take in politics,” Adams said. As Suncoast Senior Class President, Brooke Barberi has had the opportunity to work with Adams for SGA projects. She feels honored to have worked with Adams as she sees that she cares so much about SGA. “Kaitlynn is not just participating in SGA to build her resume or to receive a sash for graduation, she takes it so seriously and is so passionate about it,” Barberi said. Adams’ passion is what sets her apart from other previous Suncoast class presidents. Her dedication to SGA is what allows her to create beneficial changes for the student body while balancing her academics.
Pictured above from left to right: Cedrick Charles, Brook Barberi, Kaitlynn Adams, Victoria DeAlba, Maya Calderon Photo by: Brandon Lee
THE RAT PACK Mr. Hanson’s new “students” that will enhance everyone’s learning experience. Diana Devine Social Media Manager and Lifestyle Editor
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any students say that Brian Hanson’s IB Psychology class has some challenging coursework. In September of 2019, though, students were surprised with some new additions to the curriculum: RATS! Mr. Hanson welcomed two pet rats to the classroom to enhance the learning experiences of students taking the course. “A lot of the studies that we read in this class are done on rats due to their neural similarities with humans,” Hanson said, “I thought that being able to do the experiments in real life would make the students’ learning experience interactive.” When Hanson’s students saw the cage in the classroom for the first time, they were filled with anticipation for the rat’s arrival. Little did they know, they would be surprised with, not one, but two class pets! “Having class pets is super cool. Especially ones that are as cute as the rats,” senior Liel Shamash said. Hanson plans on doing in class experiments with the rats using his Skinner Box (pellet dispenser) and home-made rat maze. “These types of experiments will help students become more familiar with the psychology studies and the concepts that we learn about in the course,” Hanson said. Hanson was not shy with the rats either. He let students hold the rats as long as they handled them with care. By doing so, the rats became more comfortable in the classroom environment and warmed up to the students. Students have taken it upon themselves to have a naming competition on Mr. Hanson’s board. Fun names like “Ratney Spears” and “PlayBoiRatty” appeared on the board, but the winning names of the rats were “Kodak Rat” and “6ix 9ine.” One of the most important jobs in having a class pet, however, is maintenance. Students volunteer to pitch in and help clean the
Photos by: Diana Devine
rat cage weekly. They are tasked with wiping down the ramps, the bottom of the cage, and refilling the cage with litter. Senior Camila Caba said, “While it was a dirty job, a pair of gloves and some Kleenex wipes helped me through it. I also got some CAS hours which was a plus!” The rave about Mr. Hanson’s rats is only rising with students posing for photos and playing around with the new class pets. While some students were scared away from the rats at first, many have started to become more comfortable with being in a learning environment with the little animals. The rats will bring new, fun learning experiences and teach many students in the realm of psychology in the future. Who knew that two little rats would have such a large effect on students?
18 Lifestyle
MINI GUIDE TO SCHOOL
Students at Suncoast have no clue how the road to college begins.
Artchard Jacquet Staff Writer
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raduating high school students are usually at a point of convergence from adolescence to adulthood, meaning they have more freedom and independence than ever before. In those moments of students having their freedom, they may believe the fun of independence lasts forever. This leads them to forget about important steps that are essential to be taken to move on from high school. Entering high school as freshmen may be a dramatic change to their lifestyle. Most students did not have to try as hard in middle school to achieve at the same level. The most common reaction to this sudden change of difficulty is for those students to try less and focus on having more fun. By doing this, they begin to create horrible habits of procrastination, which will migrate with them on their journey to college. The difference between a successful and an unsuccessful student is usually the “I’ll do it later” mindset. Procrastination destroys many opportunities for better test grades leading to better GPAs and ultimately a better-looking resume. Students have
Photo Source: Google Photos
to remember that everything they do matters, regardless of difficulty. Although grades may be important, they are not essential to advance in the future. Some major benefits are the extracurricular activities students participate in. Participating in different activities and finding a niche not only benefits students by seeming diverse to a college, but it can also lead students towards their desired career. Apart from activities, volunteer hours are also desired by colleges. Not only does this show diversity, but if these hours are gained from respected places of work, they can show how culturally and environmentally connected a student is to their community. Uniquely, the most essential skill needed to be successful on your road to college is communication. Without the ability to communicate, a student’s chances of ending up where they want will not be high. They will be forced into a major and/ or profession that they will not enjoy. Learning how to ask questions and taking notes on the experiences of others will benefit students in ways they would not believe.
19 Lifestyle
comparing streaming services The amount of television subscription services available is quickly increasing.
Sophie Karbstein Staff Writer
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ince the concept of television subscription services burst onto the scene with the advent of Netflix in the late 90s, the number of competing companies vying for this lucrative market has only grown. Currently, there are more Netflix subscribers in the United States than cable subscribers. This success has only spurred other entertainment enterprises to launch their own versions, so that consumers today have several choices of television subscriptions, each of which varies. Because Netflix sparked this revolution, it is often known as the “granddaddy” of streaming services. Its hegemony in the area is indisputable: it has cornered 68 percent of the US market, which is more than all the other services combined, and the second place service is nowhere near it. Netflix has a broad catalog of content, from established favorites it pulls from other networks and high-quality Netflix Originals to random and obscure films and shows. But other services are starting to catch on. The Walt Disney Company launched Disney Plus in November, which features all classic Disney movies, Pixar films, the movies in the Marvel and X-Men cinematic universes, the Star Wars franchise, all 30 seasons of “The Simpsons”, National Geographic documentaries, Disney television shows, and original content based on these fan favorites. Disney will pull these popular programs off of Netflix in order to install them on Disney Plus. Furthermore, Peacock, which is the name of NBC’s new streaming company that launches in April 2020, will pull beloved comedy television shows like “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation” off of Netflix to add them onto their new service. “Friends” will be pulled off of Netflix as well in January 2020, but will be added to HBO’s new service, HBO Max, which also offers a
new “Gossip Girl” spinoff and “Big Little Lies” in addition to its already successful “Game of Thrones” and “Euphoria”. Two already established streaming services are also attempting to catch up to Netflix. Amazon Prime Video has a growing collection of both original content and films and movies from other networks. It also offers films and television shows for rent or purchase, much like iTunes. Amazon Prime’s original television content has won much praise, with shows like “Fleabag” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” being nominated for and winning several Emmy awards in the past. Hulu, which is now owned by the Walt Disney Company, has emphasized its television content since its founding. It has thousands of episodes of television shows from major networks, although Hulu originals are not consistently highquality. It has, however, produced a handful of award-winning shows like “Handmaid’s Tale” and also offers popular titles such as “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, “Bob’s Burgers”, and “Killing Eve.” Pricewise, Apple TV Plus is dominating. Their service is $4.99 per month without ads and works for up to six screens concurrently. Moreover, customers who purchase a new Apple product receive a year of free Apple TV Plus. Peacock will be free, but with ads. On the opposite side of the price spectrum, HBO Max will be $14.99 per month when it launches. Netflix has multiple price options: its most basic plan, at $8.99 per month, only supports SD streaming. Its most popular plan includes HD and is $12.99 per month, and the most expensive plan, at $15.99 per month, includes ultra HD capabilities but only for at most four concurrent streams. With so many options for streaming services today, consumers like Suncoast students may even have to subscribe to multiple platforms to get the content that they want.
21 Sports
AN ATHLETE’S WORST NIGHTMARE The struggles team captains tackle when faced with serious injuries. Maya Calderon Staff Writer
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times a week for two months and two times a week for four more would take a toll on anyone. After the surgery occurs, patients have to wear a full leg cast for two weeks, which ultimately prohibits them from getting up out of bed or off the couch on their own. Meaning whenever Armbruster or Marquez wanted to get up to get water or go to the bathroom, they needed help every step of the way. Armbruster said, “It’s honestly kind of embarrassing when your mom has to walk you to the bathroom or help you up off the couch, but that’s how it was right after my surgery”. Although tearing your ACL is a very serious and painful injury, it results in many life lessons. Having something you love so dearly taken away from you in an instant with no control over the matter leads a person to become much more grateful for what they have when they have it. Also, taking a much unwanted break from your passion only leads you to come back stronger, with more ambition and drive to succeed. Marquez said, “Although I wish I never tore my ACL, I honestly feel like after I recover fully I’ll be ten times better than I was before. Not being able to play the game for so long has taught me a lot about myself and made me realize how passionate I truly am about the game.”
Photo by: Skyler Elkin
s Senior Varsity Lacrosse Captain Austin Armbruster ran up the field catching a pass from goalie Shane Friedman, trying to “fake out” the defenders up against him, he heard a pop and instantly fell to the ground. This was the start of one of the most painful injuries and recovery processes an athlete could endure. After numerous doctor appointments and diagnoses Armbruster finally got the news that he tore his Anterior Cruciate Ligament, better known as his ACL. This injury is unfortunately common among many young athletes, causing the need for surgery and months of extensive physical therapy. Although this injury may sound like a simple tear of one of the many muscles in the knee, it eliminates many everyday tasks. Things that were once a daily function, like walking or driving, become impossible to do. Armbruster said, “One of the most frustrating things when I first got hurt was not being able to drive myself to school or walk normally to any of my classes.” On top of these struggles, Armbruster also was announced as team captain only a week before the accident happened. He was forced to sit on the sidelines every game for his entire junior year posed many difficulties. Having played lacrosse since the age of seven, not being able to play for a whole season would be hard for any devoted athlete. Armbruster said, “I did everything I could to be involved with the team because I missed the sport so much. I went to every game, every practice so I was like the captain from the sidelines, but it’s really hard to do that when you’re not in the game playing with them”. Being that this injury is so common, Varsity Flag Football Captain Marlee Marquez has also suffered the same pain. Falling during the last seconds of the final game of the regular season, her career as quarterback was over for the rest of the year. Like Armbruster, Marquez has been dedicated to her sport for as long as she can remember. Thanks to her dad being a dedicated football fan as well as player, Marquez had been exposed to the game as a young child. Being apart of a club team outside of school as well as being a vital part of the school team, all Marquez knew was football. Marquez said, “I still remember the first time I played football with my dad. I honestly just grew up with the game around me, whether it be on the TV at home or spending weekends at the field with my family, football was something I always had and not being able to play really messed me up”. The recovery for this injury is an extensive process. Having to go through a major surgery to then go to physical therapy three
Photo by: Ortho Bullet
22 Sports
THE LEGEND ATHLETE Jessy Aramouni News
Kassidie Williams’ Basketball Journey.
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ass the ball! Adrenaline rushes through her body. She looks around to see where her opponents are. She stops, shoots and scores! Suncoast Varsity Basketball Captain Kassidie Williams began her journey in the sixth grade when given an inspiring speech from her coach, Jamie Thyng, affirming there was something unique he saw in her; something he had not seen in all his years of coaching girls, and the crowd saw it as well during her games. Her path towards success with her first travel team, the Wellington Wolves, was in 2017 when she was offseason from school. In travel teams, the competition was higher and tougher. There were also college coaches analyzing each player and their skills. Being part of this travel team taught her to be a recruitable player, but one of the biggest attributes she learned was discipline. Her season with Suncoast taught her to improve her three-point shots, passing and leadership. As a result, it taught her patience since she was playing with girls with different experience levels. Consequently, this is where her leadership skills came to function and permitted her to guide her teammates towards efficient play. She then received the position of Team Captain at the end of her junior season. “She’s a leader, smart, fun to be around, coach on the floor, very kind and patience with other players, that’s why she was chosen as captain,” Ladies Basketball Coach, Chelsie Wiley said.
As Williams began to experience the rigorous classes that the Math, Science and Engineering (MSE) program consisted of during her freshman year, she struggled to maintain her grades at a sufficient level. She was not allowed to continue participating in her travel team due to her parents expectations of school. She decided to take her parents advice to prioritize her academics and took a year off from her travel team. During her sophomore year, however, once she had efficient grades, she was allowed to return with her travel team. When she returned, she worked 10 times harder to recover the major step back of missing a year with the Wellington Wolves. “This was a major setback for me in the recruitment process because during that time, it was the beginning of when college scouts start their recruitment process,” Williams said. Once her coaches from the Wellington Wolves recognized her dedication, they believed she deserved the leadership role of being the Captain of the Wolves. This position allowed her to focus on each individual skill and help her team advance to win her tournaments. “Being part of the Wellington Wolves definitely helped be guide my schools team. I always look out for my teammates, also making it fun for them,” said Williams. This leadership role came hand in hand with her accomplishments during her season with Suncoast and her role as a captain in school. Once she applied the leadership skills she learned with the travel team, it was easier for her to guide her team from Suncoast. It also allowed her to be awarded the “Female Athlete of the Year” award during the Junior assembly during her 2018-2019 season.
“It doesn’t matter what pace you go, as long as you don’t stop trying.” - Kassidie Williams Player Profile: • Class: 2020 • Position: Point Guard • Height: 5’5
• Schools interested in her: Grinnell College, Sarah Lawrence College, University of West Florida and Clayton State University.
23 Sports
THE Shining FINAL CHAPTER bright on senior night.
Skyler Elkin Staff Writer
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or the seniors on the football team, this would be the last Friday where they take the field. As the last game of the season was fast approaching, the seniors were beginning to look back on the last four years and what it would mean when the whistle blew for the last time. While senior night is a celebration of what the seniors have accomplished throughout their time on the team, most of them were not looking forward to that night as it was a painful reminder that this was the end of their high school career. A lot of the players were very dependent upon football as a means of escaping their everyday struggles with school as well as life in general. For a lot of these players, football was a way that they were able to overcome a lot of the diversity and hardships they faced. Senior captain Tyler Lewis said, “I wasn’t looking forward to the game because it means that everything we have worked for was coming to an end. It’s a huge part of who I am and I’m not ready to let it go yet.” As the team prepared for their eventual 21-7 win over West Boca High, emotions were running high as the severity of it all was setting in. Football created a family-like environment for the players as well as friendships that would last a lifetime. It opened the door to a world of opportunities that will help the players for years to come. Senior captain Aaron Adams said, “I am so grateful for what football has gotten me. Without my team and coaches, I would never have received the offers I did and I never would have committed to play for the Army.” Coach James Clark said, “Suncoast is truly a special place because of the people who give their time to make this program the best it can be.” For those who are not playing at the collegiate level, this was not only their last high school game but their last game ever. Despite not committing to play, football holds a special place in the players hearts, especially four- year varsity player Paul McCue. McCue said, “I only joined the team as a way to pass the time and stay fit for soccer but it became much more to me. I grew to love it and although it just ended, I already miss it.” Though senior night was mainly focused around the team, the cheerleaders and band had their senior night as well. When the football season ends, so does theirs, so for a lot of them it was the last time that they would be cheering and playing for the team. The cheerleaders’ season ends when football does, so for the senior cheerleaders who are not doing competitive cheerleading, their days as a cheerleader are over. Senior Cheerleading captain Jaden Bartick said, “This team has allowed me to form friendships that will last a lifetime, and I will never forget the memories that came with it.” in
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