Suncoast Community High School
Volume 23 Issue 3|January 2020
Fairness
The truth behind racial disparities in school Discipline rates. pages 12-14
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 Devine Advertise with us! Stop by room 3-117 Staff Writers Artchard Jacquet, or check out our website for more Adrianna Estrada, Lauren Brensel, information. 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
Suncoast: A History
4
LIFESTYLE Decade Wrapped
18
School’s Out, Juuls Out 5
New Look to Art
19
Chaos Erupts
Study Tips
20
6
OPINION A Lack in Language Fixing Stereotypes #Removed Right to Potty
SPORTS
8 An Ascetic Discipline 21 9 Charger’s Basketball 22 10 The Legend Athlete 23 11
FEATURE
Race Behind the Rates
Seeing in A Different Light
12 15 16
TENTS Jones’s Perseverance Once a Charger
17
I
SUNCOAST: A HISTORY A story of how Suncoast’s programs came to be.
Samirah Abellard Managing Editor and Features Editor “In the late 1980s, the Riviera Beach High School was on the verge of closing. Like the neighborhood, the student body was mostly black. But the education quality was considered so shoddy that many black families did not want to send their children there. They had a choice: Under a federal desegregation order, the school district allowed black students to leave a school where they were the majority for one where they were the minority.” This excerpt was taken from, “The Powerful Pull of Suncoast’s IB Magnet” a 2005 article written by Nirvi Shah- a staff writer for the Palm Beach Post. This led to the establishment of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Suncoast in January of 1989 as a way to improve the quality of the school and as a way to increase the size of its student body. However, parents originally pulled their students out of the school due to the school’s troubled racial history. Schools in the county were segregated until a final ruling was issued in July of 1973 mandating the integration of all schools. Following this decision, Suncoast, then known as Riviera Beach High School, merged with the all-black John F. Kennedy High School and was renamed to Suncoast Community High School. The enrollment of white students in 1970 was 70 percent while the enrollment of black students was 30 percent*. Then in 1983, the school was nearly 50 percent
white and 50 percent black. In 1987, the enrollment of black students rose to about 90 percent, but the percentage of white students at the school declined*. “[There were] seven to eight [students] in a class… you couldn’t get anybody to come here because of the prejudice,” AP English Literature teacher David Hale who has been teaching at Suncoast for 35 years said. Despite the growing number of black students at the school, the quality of education at the school declined to the point that parents were afraid to send their children to the school. In 1987, Suncoast, for example, had 17 advanced classes while Palm Beach Gardens had 97*. “There were 17 African Americans and they were the lowest reading [students] in the school… and I made [the class] into an AP Literature class,” Hale said. Because of the school’s decline in education, parents of white students filed a complaint with the Federal Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights and alleged that their children received an inferior education compared to students at other schools. Following the investigation, the school board and the then-Assistant Superintendent Joseph Orr decided to make Suncoast a magnet school as a way to increase the percentage of white students, and thus the IB program was established along with a computer science program, a math program and an
interdisciplinary program. Admission to these programs was highly selective with students having to meet certain standardized testing requirements in order to enroll in the school. Students, for example, had to score in the 85 percentile on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT)*, but some students could not meet these requirements, so the district let in students whose averages fell below standards. This tactic was also used as a way to balance race at the school, but the admissions requirements have since changed and are no longer as selective. Now, for example, students who applied for the IB program needed a minimum of a 3.0-grade point average (GPA) to be eligible for admission. Students who applied for the MSE program needed a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and an A or B average in Algebra I, II and Geometry. Students who applied for the Computer Science (CS) program needed a minimum 3.0 GPA and had to have completed Algebra I and Geometry honors with at least a B semester average. Students can also combine the IB program with either the CS program or the Math Science and Engineering (MSE) program and the CS program can be combined with the MSE program as well. There are no eligibility requirements for the Innovative, Interactive Technology (IIT) program. *Statistics taken from “The Powerful Pull of Suncoast’s IB by Nirvi Shah
Photo Source: Gainesville.com
4 News
5 News
SCHOOL’S OUT, JUULS OUT
The school district has finally taken action against the juuling epidemic.
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Samirah Abellard Managing Editor and Features Editor he Palm Beach County School District is among several other school districts nationwide that made the decision to take action against the popular e-cigarette company, JUUL. The school district filed the lawsuit on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, and demanded compensation because of the “direct and consequential economic injuries as a result of dealing with the JUUL epidemic” in schools across the district. The complaint accused JUUL of marketing its products towards teens and because of this marketing, some schools in the district revised their schools’ code of conduct, and other schools were forced to create night classes for students who were suspended because of vaping and juuling in school. The number of teens caught juuling in schools has risen and the CDC also stated that “the number of middle and high school students using e-cigarettes rose from 3.6 million in 2018 to 5.3 million in 2019 [nationwide].” The suit is countered claims made by the JUUL company, which stated in the past that e-cigarette use is safer than traditional cigarettes as the levels of nicotine in the products are lower than those of cigarettes. However, the Juul contained 5 percent nicotine and due to its concentration, can lead to addiction. According to the National Center for Health Research, “The amount of nicotine in one Juul pod is equivalent to a pack of cigarettes” and teens often use one Juul pod per sitting and can become exposed to unsafe levels of nicotine that can have adverse health effects in the long run. Juuls not only contain nicotine, but they also contain products such as flavorings, glycerol and benzoic acid, which according to the Center for Disease Control, may cause abdominal pain, coughs and nausea if exposure to a Juul is constant. “Once
you get hooked [to a juul] you can’t let it go and you constantly think about it, even if the buzz only lasts for a minute,” Penelo Watson* stated. However, scientists are still uncertain about the true effects the prolonged use of a juul may have on one’s body and lungs. Created in 2015, the Juul was originally marketed as a product to help adults stop tobacco use; however, the company’s marketing campaigns stated otherwise. For example, JUUL has marketed its products on social media outlets, which are predominantly used by teens and it has also advertised its products in magazines such as Vice magazine, which claimed that it is the “#1 youth media company.” Hashtags for the Juul have also been created by the company such as #JUUL and #vaporized, which are also predominantly marketed for youth according to the complaint. Passed in 1998, the Master Agreement Settlement forbade cigarette manufacturers from advertising tobacco products to youth and indirectly or directly targeting people as well. However, JUUL Labs, Inc is not subject to the Master Settlement Agreement,” and therefore not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, the School District of Palm Beach County stated. “The lawsuit would be of no cost to the school district and if they receive a settlement from Juul Labs, Inc, then 75 percent of it will go to the school district while the other 25 percent would be for the law firms representing the district.,” according to the Boca Raton Tribune.
*name changed for anonymity
What is inside a juul?
Flavoring (the percentage is unkown) Nicotine (5%) and benzoic acid (2.5%)
Glycerin (60%) and propylene glycol (30%)
*Statistics taken from QZ.com
*More than one in four teens juul in highschool according to the CDC
6 News
CHAOS ERUPTS in HONG KONG The months-long fight for democracy is far from over.
Grace Sergent Staff Writer
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ov. 17, 2019. Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Hundreds of students had barricaded themselves inside the university. Outside the campus, members of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) threatened to fire live ammunition if the protestors would not peacefully exit the premises. The protestors refused to comply. They used make-shift roadblocks and home-made Molotov Cocktails to ward off police interference. The HKPF responded with rubber bullets and sponge bombs. Hospitals plastered grey tape on their windows and doors so they could continue to treat patients under a barrage of police tear gas. Those still in Poly U were treated on gym floor mats, having been doused by water cannons during the cold November night. By morning, the HKPF had breached the main entrance and were able to make some arrests before they were driven out by the students yet again. That was only one encounter in the months-long Hong Kong protests.
BACKGROUND Hong Kong has been in relative chaos since March of 2019, when the government proposed what soon became known as the Extradition Bill. Under the bill’s provisions, Hong Kong would be able to surrender fugitives to countries whom they had no formal extradition treaty with, most notably China and Taiwan. The bill’s proposal caused an immense domestic and international backlash, as many people feared that the bill would open Hong Kong’s legal system to Chinese influence. While Hong Kong may be part of the Chinese state, it is not ruled by the Chinese government. Hong Kong has its own democratic government and legal system, as stipulated when Britain passed ownership of the peninsula back into Chinese hands in 1997. Most Hong Kong residents view themselves as separate from Mainland China and are highly critical of interference from the Communist Party of China. When the Extradition Bill was proposed, many viewed it as another attempt by pro-Beijing
politicians to place more of Hong Kong under Chinese control and allow China to extradite its own political dissenters from the area.
THE PROTESTS
The protests started small: a number of sit-ins and peaceful marches, organized by pro-democracy groups, to advocate for the withdrawal of the bill from the legislative process. They gained more traction when supportive lawmakers stalled the bill, and in response, the Hong Kong government organized a second reading of the bill, bypassing committee scrutiny. On June 12, hundreds of thousands of protestors surrounded the complex where the bill was to be read. The protestors’ presence stopped the bill reading, and the government deployed riot police to disperse the crowd. The police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the protestors, many of whom were defenseless. Far from deterring the protestors, the attack only bolstered their cause. Spurred on by their characterization as a “riot” by police commissioner Stephen Lo, the protestors solidified their demands: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Protestors face off the police with bamboo sticks on Aug, 25. Photo by AP News
Complete withdrawal of the Extradition Bill from the legislative process. Retraction of the “riot” characterization Release and exoneration of arrested protesters. Establishment of an independent commission of inquiry into police conduct and use of force during the protests. Resignation of Carrie Lam (the chief executive of Hong Kong) and the implementation of universal suffrage for legislative council elections and for the election of the chief executive.
7 News
A protestor is detained by the police . Photo By: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters
ESCALATION
On August 5, the protestors announced one of their largest demonstrations yet - a general strike. An estimated 350,000 Hong Kong workers answered the call, and over 200 flights had to be canceled. This was the beginning of various travel restrictions that have grounded Hong Kong citizens and tourists since the Summer. As student Christan Fan stated, “There’s no way in or out [of the city].” Over the following week, violence erupted between protestors and the police. A female activist’s eye ruptured when hit by bean bag rounds fired by the HKPF, and a crowd of protestors were pelted with pepper ball rounds at close range. In response to the violence, a three-day sit-in was held at the Hong Kong International Airport. During the sit-in, protestors assaulted two men whom they accused of being undercover police officers. They were, in actuality, innocents. On Aug. 31, thousands of protesters marched in the streets of Hong Kong Island following the arrests of many high-profile pro-democracy activists the day before. By nightfall, the police had deployed a special tactical squad to deal with the protestors. The squad proceeded to beat and pepper-spray commuters inside the Prince Edward train station. After the squad’s assault, protestors accused the operation of causing the deaths of some commuters, though the police denied their claims. On Oct. 1, the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, protests reached a fever-pitch. A protestor was shot in the chest when he approached an officer armed with a pipe, the first such usage of live rounds of ammunition since the start of the protestors. On Oct. 23, the Extradition Bill was officially withdrawn from the legislative process. The protestors did not surrender. During the month of November, protestors took their fight to universities in response to the death of student Alex Chow. Chow was found unconscious after police fired tear gas at a demonstration in a housing estate, and died after two unsuccessful brain surgeries. Activists blamed his death on the police, claiming that their interference delayed Chow’s ambulance from reaching the hospital in time. The police denied
any responsibility in Chow’s death. Several universities across Hong Kong were occupied by protestors, most notably the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The weeks-long occupation of PolyU, alone, led to over 1,000 arrests, even of those who the police offered immunity for their surrender. By the end of November, the universities had been cleared of protestors. However, activists have shown no signs of stopping their demonstrations, and are still holding out for the rest of their demands to be answered.
IMPACT The protests have thrown Hong Kong into an increasingly dire situation of economic and societal instability. Commerce and investment are falling to some of the lowest numbers of the decade, and travel warnings have been issued by several countries. The rift between the people and the government is mourned as irreparable, even if all the protesters’ demands are met. The people of Hong Kong are also separating into hostile political camps. Moderates and pro-Beijing citizens say that the protesters have brought fear and violence to the country, while the protesters argue that their actions are worth it for longterm political reform. “This riot, recently, has been such a negative impact[…]” Suncoast student Christal Fan, who visited Hong Kong during summer break, stated. “Even though [the Extradition Bill] was thrown away, the citizens are still rioting and causing chaos throughout the whole city and community. The citizens, now, are even scared to go out in the streets.” “Over the summer, I did go to Hong Kong[…],” Fan further explained. “The rioting wasn’t as bad as it is now but I kept away from certain cities...I want to go back but I just know its very unsafe because I do have family members there.” The full impact of the Hong Kong protests, both domestically and internationally, has yet to be fully explored as the world waits for the city to decide its fate.
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A LACK IN LANGUAGE
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Does the American educational system lack good foreign language programs? Sophie Karbstein Opinion Editor
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n the United States, only 20 percent of primary and secondary school students study a foreign language. Between 2013 and 2016, US colleges shut down 651 foreign language programs, and enrollment in college-level foreign language classes dropped by a whopping nine percent. These developments suggest that learning a foreign language is becoming less important, and that multilingualism is a less valuable skill in modern society. Evidence, however, points to the contrary. Multiple studies compiled by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages spanning from 1963 to 2005 demonstrate that people who can speak another language perform higher on standardized tests, including the SAT and ACT. These studies also show that there are positive correlations between foreign language learning and the ability to hypothesize in science, develop the ability to read and think creatively. People who know more than one language also have access to more jobs. Research from the think tank New American Economy shows that US employers are increasingly seeking bilingual workers for jobs of all skill levels. In fact, the demand for bilingual employees almost doubled between 2010 and 2015. Despite numerous reasons otherwise, why are foreign language programs in the US declining? It is mostly due to the fact that funds for language education are in short supply. The trend of colleges ending their foreign language programs is a result of increasing focus on scientific and mathematical fields of study. These departments are generally considered more relevant or important, receiving donations from the technology sector and funding from the government. Meanwhile, funding to the Foreign Language Assistance Program and Title VI language
education grants have been cut. An even larger issue for primary school foreign language education, though, is a lack of qualified teachers. Studies conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology show that it is easiest to reach fluency in a language when children begin learning one before age 10. After adolescence, the ability to learn a language declines. In the US, however, most students start taking foreign language classes in middle and high school. By this stage, the prime window for language learning is over. On the other hand, according to the European Commission, foreign language study in Europe typically begins between the ages of six and nine, well within the threshold. In European countries, 92 percent of students are learning a foreign language in school, mostly due to mandates that make language learning compulsory. In over 20 European countries, study of a second foreign language is also required. More than any other foreign language, these European students are learning English. Many people cite the growing dominance of English throughout the world as evidence that there is no real need to learn a foreign language. While English is the most spoken language in the world, according to the British Council, 75 percent of the world population still does not speak it. At Suncoast, all students are required to take two years of foreign language instruction, and students in the International Baccalaureate program must do so for all four years. These regulations, while unusually progressive for American schools, are still not enough. Taking cues from Europe, foreign language education should be increasingly funded and mandated to begin in elementary schools, with high schoolers being able to choose whether or not they want to continue.
FIXING STEREOTYPOS Minorities are challenged by the misconceptions made about them. Zarin Ismail Design Editor
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inorities face misconceptions about their identities daily, precipitated by social constructs in the social strata. From these widespread misconceptions, minorities have been classified to be on the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum for generations, overpowered by the majority. Many minorities’ long histories of being treated as inferior produced a number of stereotypes, isolating people of different races by determining how little they have or how much they lack as a group. Every minority carries their own burdensome stereotype, a stereotype that often affects how they live life and what they can access. Asians, in particular, both in the East and Southeast, are often generalized as nerds, invested in their education and only relying on their academic abilities. At first, being called smart may seem to be a good thing, but many times, people imply that their intelligence is the only thing they have. Popular media tends to show Asians exclusively in this “nerdy” light, perpetuating this stereotype instead of allowing Asians to show their dynamic talents and personalities like any other human being. This “good” impression of Asians’ intelligence can force them to try harder to fit the stereotype, rather than breaking through it. There is a norm in Asian culture for parents to force their children to strive and be at the top in their school and having perfect grades. Once an Asian student reveals that they do not fit this Asian norm, not only does the public see them differently, but even their fellow Asian peers. “[These misconceptions] often make
me feel that I am inadequate because I don’t live up to those expectations all the time and often compare myself to others, negatively affecting my self-esteem,” junior and Chinese-American Christina Chen said. Stereotypes towards black people follow a similar strategy of stereotyping, with painting the black experience too broadly. Film and television typically depict black people as angry and aggressive. The entertainment industry commonly uses themes of violence in films and shows garnered toward black audiences, leaving a negative impression on those unfamiliar with the black community and suggesting to them that all blacks possess such qualities. A popular franchise in the silver screen, Tyler Perry’s Madea, portrays protagonist Madea Simmons as an aggressive black woman. Perry’s momentous collection of films with the
than substantial, which is wrong. Instead of adding in the same onedimensional characters to our films, therefore furthering a tradition of trivializing minority experiences, there needs to be more characters and stories that show these groups’ other sides. Sophomore Brandee Jones, who has been called “angry” for simply stating her opinions, said, “Stereotypes will persist because most people aren't even aware of them having that view of black people since it’s so normalized in media.” Jones suggests that raising awareness of stereotyping by explicitly mentioning the effects of misconceptions on minorities in the media will bring change. Chen says that stereotyping “can be managed,” but cannot be solved. Chen continued, “The important part is becoming better people to recognize that we have been unfair, since eliminating unfairness before it h a p p e n s is unrealistic.” Jones and Chen have ata from: rom: The Ame American Advertising vertising Federa Federatio tion’s (AAF) Mosaic aic CCenter for Multiculltura turalism contrasting perspectives, Madea character may contribute toward but ultimately, both are correct. the generalization black women as angry Generalizations are deeply rooted in and temperamental. human nature; humans naturally discern However, the films do touch on other one individual to represent a whole important aspects of life most relevant to mass, so it is not easy to find a solution the black community, which is family. This to a fault in human nature. The best way suggests that while no film can be perfect to combat stereotypes is to diversify and could still add to stereotypical thinking, our media and our experiences with if it tries to paint minority experiences minority groups. more diversely, then that effort can Instead of defaulting to stereotypes to combat the negative consequences of explain a person’s behavior or appearance, people should take a careful, dynamic look these stereotypes. The “angry” stereotype however, can at each other as human beings. If there lead people to undermine black people’s is a more sincere, thoughtful approach opinions; their passion is mistaken to how people view one another, then for aggression, and people perceive stereotypes could be a thing of the past their thoughts as more emotional and something that will not affect how we
of 500 African-American and Caucasian women ages 18-24 say that the media portrays African-american women as "argumentative."
#REMOVED
Instagram has removed “likes” on posts and it is impacting teens more than expected.
Photo by Diana Devine
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Diana Devine Social Media Manager and Lifestyle Editor nstagram is one of the most popular social media platforms among teens today. At Suncoast, students are constantly using their Instagram to connect with their friends and meet new people. In the past, users have been able to post photos of things ranging from selfies to their favorite memes. In September 2019, however, Instagram made a change to the app that impacted its users in a big way. For the purpose of experimentation, Instagram has removed the ability to view the number of likes that a person has received on a post for a portion of their users. Now, only some profiles can observe likes. While Instagram has received backlash from some of the more popular users, dubbed “social media influencers,” arguing that it will hurt their platform, this change is much larger than Instagram fame.
For teenage girls, social media can have a huge effect on their self esteem during such formative years of their lives. Instagram “models” and celebrities set an example for what young girls think that they should live up to. In a new generation of social media, girls are being taught that their worth is based on a number of likes, which is very unhealthy for an adolescent’s confidence. “I feel like there has always been girls that only care about how many likes their posts will get,” junior Mallory Reale said, “Some people will even delete posts that don’t get ‘enough’ likes.” By removing likes, Instagram has unintentionally begun to put a halt to the “like=worth” culture. Young girls who are just starting out on the platform are less worried about how many likes they get in comparison to others, and teenagers who have been on the platform for a while are
now learning to let go of the pressure of getting “enough” likes. “I am pretty new to Instagram and I think that removing likes was really smart. All my friends were always so focused on how many likes they got and it kept me from making an account for a long time,” senior Liel Shamash said, “It makes the app one of my favorite ways to connect with my friends now and we don’t care about likes anymore.” Because users can only see how many likes their own posts receive, rather than others, it eliminates the act of labelling a person by the number of likes that they receive. It allows girls and boys to have more freedom in what they want to post and releases them from the weight that a like number can have on a teen’s self esteem. Removing likes is a step in the right direction in making social media a less toxic community for young students.
11 Opinion
Fight for Your Right to Potty The freedom to go is determined by the day.
Skyler Elkin Staff Writer
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ith the start of the 2019-20 school year, Suncoast has been subject to a lot of changes. For instance, the locked restrooms, have been an adjustment for the students. In the past, restrooms remained unlocked throughout the entirety of the day. This allowed students to use the restroom closest to their classroom, lessening the amount of time they needed to be out of class. Senior Marlee Marquez said, “I liked having the ability to go where I want because then I wouldn’t have to walk so far to go to the restroom. I don’t like missing class, especially an important class like history.” After lunch, many of the restrooms are locked, so students are forced to use the middle restrooms in the hallway. This is of an inconvenience for the students who have classes that are at the end of the halls. The new assistant principal Attallah
McLawrence said that it is all about “safety, we need to make sure we have a way to maintain a safe environment.” The safety of the students has been made a number one priority in recent years due to the increase in school shootings, but the locked restrooms are not always locked. The restrooms are supposed to be locked in time for last period, but there are times when this is not the case. Sophomore Guilianna Johnston said, “Sometimes, when I go to the restroom I forget that they are supposed to lock the restrooms but then realize that there are times when they don’t.” If the main reason why the restrooms are locked is for safety, then the restrooms need to be locked everyday. The concern for safety has been put first, but it is hard to have a safe environment with the inconsistent access to some of the restrooms. The need for safer schools is very high, but locking the restrooms sometimes may not be the best way to achieve this.
RACE 12 Features
BEHIND
The truth behind the racial disparities in school dISCIPLINE rATES. Cedrick Charles Staff Writer & Kenjela Mullings Editor-in-Chief
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hat is going to happen to me?” “Will colleges look at me differently?” The young girl’s mind raced with fear and anticipation, as she awaited a notice that would forever impact her reputation at school. Her name suddenly blasted through the intercom speakers as the main office summoned her down for what seemed to be the final decision. Indifferent looks filled the room, as the faculty board reached their verdict. “You have been placed on a 3-day suspension.” Those three words, 3-day suspension, echoed throughout her mind, as she wondered whether or not the skin on her body influenced the decision. Disciplinary actions have always been a major factor in school systems worldwide. According to Assistant Principal Aaron Keevey,“ Social and
technological advancements have made it easier for students to break school regulations and protocol.” This results in a staggering amount of lost learning time and inadvertently gives rise to greater student behavioral issues, which is supported by data from Anya Kamenetz of NPR. According to the data below, these consequences happen more often with black students, even as early as preschool. As we carefully investigate the causes for these disciplinary actions, we must also look at the apparent racial disparities in punishments. Maria Danilova of AP News states that in 2015-2016, “Black boys [nationally] represented 8 percent of all enrolled students, but accounted for 25 percent of suspensions and 23 percent of expulsions. Black girls made up 8 percent of all students but accounted for 14 percent of suspensions and 10 percent of expulsions. By comparison, white boys made up 25
percent of all students and 24 percent of those who got suspended. White girls represented 24 percent of all students and 8 percent of those suspended.” It has been proven that students of different races have faced harsher punishments and experienced implicit acts of discrimination. According to The New York Post, “African American middle and high school boys were more likely seen as troublemakers and their misbehavior more severe, than Caucausion counterparts for exactly the same behavior, researchers found.” So what kind of actions would compel schools to issue such punishments? It all lies in the severity of the action and the conditions of each punishment. It is stated that the “higher-level” disciplinary actions include suspensions and expulsions. The National Clearinghouse on Supportive School Suspension states that suspension is the removal
suncoast High school IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION RaTES mixed 2.6%
ASIAN 2.6% HISPANIC 33%
white 33%
BLACK 33%
HISPANIC 24%
SY 2018
white 13%
BLACK 58%
Hispanic Black White Mixed Asians American Indian
SY 2019
13 Features
the
RATES
of a student from a regular educational setting for breaking school policies. There are two types of suspensions: in-school suspension (ISS) and outof-school suspension (OSS). In-school refers to the temporary removal of a student from the classroom under school supervision, while out-of-school refers to the student being removed from the school grounds. Whether an individual is suspended or expelled depends on the severity of the action they have committed. The Palm Beach County School District’s Student Code of Conduct states that disciplinary actions range from level one to level four. Level one actions are typically menial, involving referrals or simple lunch detention, but level three and four behaviors, such as drug distribution, drug usage and fighting may result in suspensions and expulsion referrals. Over the past years, Suncoast
High School has faced a handful of disciplinary disruptions. In the 2019 school year alone, a total of 38 students were given In-School Suspension one or more times during the school year, with 86 percent of them being African American and Hispanic, and the remaining 14 percent Caucasian. In this same year, an additional 70* students received an Out-of-school suspension with nearly 88 percent of them being African American, Asian, and Hispanic, and the remaining 12 percent Caucasian. The trend is also seen within the 2018 school year, where minority students were nearly 75 percent of ISS and OSS receivers. Although the details and circumstances of each individual is not directly disclosed, the data shows that there are some significant shortcomings when it comes to race. In a study conducted by the education think tank LKMco, “85 principals and
assistant principals took part in an experiment involving hypothetical problems, where a student who was misbehaving in class was referred to them by a teacher. The names were randomized to signal different ethnic backgrounds, using names that respondents in previous research has typically deemed “white” or “black,” such as “Greg” and “Darnell.” The study concluded that both principals and assistant principals “rated the same misbehavior by black students as more severe” than that of the white students. As a result, the black students were given more days of suspension on average. In 2018, a group of four Caucasian boys on the Suncoast campus held up the Nazi salute during the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony. Many students witnessed the event and brought it to the administration’s attention. Despite the nature of the boys’ actions (and the fear it caused the school community), the
suncoast High school OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSION RaTES ASIAN 8.3%
ASIAN 1.4% HISPANIC 33%
white 25% BLACK 33%
SY 2018
American INDIAN 2.9%
white HISPANIC 13% 19% BLACK 63%
mixed 1.4%
*STUDENTS MAY HAVE ENTERED SUNCOAST WITH PREVIOUS DISCIPLINARY INFRACTIONS.
SY 2019
14 14Features Features
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the administration’s response. “I think that the situation should have been treated more seriously than it actually was. I’m not sure if he got any punishment from it but the fact that he thought it was funny to joke about wasn’t ok. I think that the school needs to take this kind of stuff more seriously and, for a place that prides itself on diversity, actually work more on the respect of its students,” Senior Sara Kessel said. Black students are expelled and suspended from schools more often than their white counterparts, and these disparities are growing.
Similar to the previous infraction, this student expressed his frustrations inappropriately, however, his punishment was far worse. Joseph Berry, an African American, admittedly made an inappropriate twitter post. This instance occurred before the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, and was soon resurfaced by another student, which led to his expulsion from the school. “I felt guilt for not being more wise with my words and the trace I was leaving on social media. It was still really hard to hear that I wouldn’t be able to
I think that the school needs to take this kind of stuff more seriously and, for a place that prides itself on diversity, actually work more on the respect of its students,”
return to a school I had spent my entire middle school career working towards. While being ashamed that this would now be how people remembered me, I was still hurt that the school was taking such drastic action for my first disciplinary infraction. It was hard to deal with as those who know me know that my words were not meant to be taken literally. But, as time went on I was able to understand why administration took that route,” Berry said. These are two similar levels of misconduct both perceived as threats against the school community by students, yet two vastly different disciplinary approaches from administration. Although he was not a part of the Suncoast faculty at the time the two incidents occured, Assessment
~Senior Sara Kessel Coordinator Ernest Anderson said, “There’s no easy answer because of the hate crime connotation that goes with the Nazi salute. Immediately, we would want to investigate the circumstances. As a hate crime related incident, it could be a very high severity, so we would want to first investigate exactly what happened, where did it occur, what were the circumstances, what was the impact, and then apply that information to the student code of conduct. Our main priorities are students’ safety and the integrity of the learning environment.” According to the New York Post, studies have shown that the schoolto-prison pipeline affects African American students more than that of their caucasian counterparts, which can be seen in the racial disparities of school
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administration responded by punishing only one of the four boys. “All that we were told for legal reasons I suppose, was that the students would be receiving the equivalent of a trial with some members of admin and that their membership in NHS would be reconsidered. Through all of the frustration we faced, even one of the girls who spoke out about what happened being accused of slander by the parents of one of the boys, only one boy was removed from NHS,” Alum Mae Baltz explained. Students who witnessed the salute were appalled and disgusted with the action and
disciplinary rates. Researchers claim that this pipeline will be maintained by the use of school zero-tolerance policies, which is not issued equally amongst students. In an article on school-toprison pipeline, Dr. Nicki Lisa Cole states that “having a zero tolerance policy means that a school has zero tolerance for any kind of misbehavior or violation of school rules, no matter how minor, unintentional, or subjectively defined it may be.” The results of this punishment could lead to lifetime consequences such as falling behind in reading, poor graduation rates, not attending college, which could lead to incarceration. Fair punishments that are based on student actions and not complexion is a small step to developing effective policies and practices within school discipline.
15 Features
Seeing in a different light Every student sees the world differently - literally.
Alex Skolnick Copy Editor
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olor is a property of light seen by people. Although colors appear a certain way for most people, about 4.5 percent of the world’s population sees them differently. This select group of people suffer from different forms of colorblindness. Conditions like Protanopia prevent people from seeing versions of the color red. Other conditions cause reduced sensitivities to colors, like Tritanomoly, which is extremely rare and causes a reduced sensitivity to the color blue. Being colorblind can affect someone’s daily life minimally or tremendously. Their inability to tell the difference between colors can make it hard to describe their surroundings and can potentially put them in danger. When one is unable to see traffic lights clearly, automobile accidents are inevitable. Color blindness can also affect someone’s work at school. Junior Christain Cabeza has difficulty telling the difference between reds and greens. “We were filling out maps in Mrs. Sunset’s class last year,” Cabeza said, “and two of the colors were red and green. It was pretty challenging for me, but it turned out fine.”
Junior Lauren Page* suffers from a condition known as Deuteranopia, which is the inability to distinguish red from green. “My Deuteranopia isn’t that severe, so I can [sometimes] see tints of red and green,” Page said. “[Also], the shades of the colors are usually lighter or darker, so I can tell the difference between them anyway.” Color blindness is a genetic disorder caused by the lack of response in the color-sensitive cone cells in the eye, so those who are affected typically have parents who are either carriers of the gene or affected, too. “One of my older brothers is colorblind as well. Also, I think either my grandfather or his father was colorblind,” Cabeza said. Because color blindness is genetic, there is no cure for it. Fortunately, contact lenses and glasses are available with filters to help combat color deficiencies. The filters counteract the color deficiencies in the eyes, allowing people who suffer from these conditions to see color in a world that previously lacked it. These glasses can cost anywhere from $250 to $450—a small price to pay for color.
16 Features
JONES’s PERSEVERANCE Maria Jones’s battle with Portal Vein Thrombosis. Ashley Labbe Staff Writer Design by Diana Devine Lifestyle Editor and Social Media Manager
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n what seemed like a normal visit to the doctor’s office, getting a blood test done for her sports physical at the age of 10, senior Maria Jones was told devastating news. She was informed by doctors that the amount of white blood cells and platelets in her body were very low. Ultimately, the doctors were stumped in the treatment of the condition at the time, unable to formulate a diagnosis. After two years of testing, ultrasounds, biopsies and a Computed Tomography scan, Jones was diagnosed with Portal Vein Thrombosis. With this condition, the portal vein from the spleen to the liver is affected. Thrombosis prevents blood from flowing through, causing the spleen to grow to a size larger than normal. “At age eleven, a doctor at the University of Miami Hospital told my parents that in order to treat my condition, we needed to contact a specialist at the Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, Illinois for surgery,” Jones said. In Chicago, Jones underwent two surgeries in 48 hours. The first surgery was the Rex Shunt procedure, which restores blood flow in the portal vein as treatment for Jones’ condition. The second was a procedure to remove a blood clot in the vein that was between Jones’ liver and spleen. “After I had the surgery, I went to Chicago to visit my surgeon every three months. As time progressed and I recovered, my checkups became less frequent, and I only needed to see the surgeon every
six months and now only once a year,” Jones said. Throughout her medical journey, Jones was restricted in various physical activities and sports, which caused her to pause soccer and flag football at one point. This was very upsetting as her love for soccer and flag football were immeasurable and something that could never be replaced. Sports were difficult to let go of for a while, affecting her mental health and happiness. “At first I doubted that I would be playing soccer the way I used to play because I felt that emotionally this condition was stopping me from reaching my potential,” Jones said. Jones’ experiences have allowed her to become courageous and optimistic over time, learning the importance of hope at a very young age. After being treated through her surgery, Maria is able to live a typical teenage life, engaging in the sports she loves, such as flag football and soccer. As Jones’s mother Daniela Jones was able to guide her daughter though the diagnosis and treatment of her condition every step of the way, M. Jones remembered the joyous feeling of a mother being able to watch her child recover, resume and excel in her normal activities like soccer again. “I was so happy to see Maria enjoying playing soccer because it is her passion and what she loves. She never gave up on what she wanted,” D. Jones said.
Maria Jones with her mother at a young age.
Maria Jones in the Lurie Children’s hospital before her Rex Shunt procedure.
Maria Jones playing soccer Photos By: Maria Jones
17 Features
ONCE A CHARGER, ALWAYS A CHARGER Brett Stubbs shares his most passionate thoughts about teaching. Lauren Brensel & Jack Swank Staff Writer & Sports Editor (Design) other. Then he asked who wanted to be teachers. He went on to say if we all go on to these supposedly better careers who will be left to teach the next generation, who will be there to teach our kids. That resonated with me. Teaching is one of the most important careers that someone can take, and unfortunately, somewhere along the way teachers were stripped of the respect and trust that should be given to them. I hope that our students see how impactful a teacher can be and go on to support them later in their life,” Stubbs said. Stubbs works every day to provide the best education possible for his students because he believes in the merits that Suncoast has to offer. “Being a Suncoast student is a point of pride and has inspired students to do their best in all areas,” Stubbs said. His admirable work ethic does not go unnoticed, though. Junior Aidan Timmins said that there are a couple of reasons as to why Stubbs has made his IB Environmental class so enjoyable. “Mr. Stubbs has just the right personality that makes learning both fun and educational. I feel really comfortable asking questions and I know that because of his previous IB experience, I’m in really good hands in his class,” Timmins said. Whether it is as a student or teacher, Stubbs has excelled in all paths of life, by showing that working hard as a Suncoast Charger really does pay off. Ultimately, though, Stubbs does not put in the extra mile for himself; he does it for his students.
Stubbs as a freshmen student.
Photos by Lauren Brensel
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t appeared to be just another day at Suncoast High School for Brett Stubbs. He would drive the same route to get to campus, drink the same early morning coffee, and feel the same anticipation he always had before a new school day. However, this school day would be one vastly different from all the others. Today, he would walk into those giant green gates with an entirely different purpose. Stubbs, a chemistry and International Baccalaureate Environmental Science teacher, like many other instructors on campus, was once a Suncoast Charger. He was enrolled in the IB program and graduated with his diploma in 2007. Returning to Suncoast in 2012, he recalled seeing his old teachers at his new place of profession as a surreal experience. “I have always admired teachers and the work they do; and to have them as colleagues is a great learning experience. They don’t view me as a student but rather a peer,” Stubbs said. Stubbs strongly believes that the relationship between a student and their teacher is an extremely important one that can be life-altering. As he recounts his most cherished memory with an instructor, Stubbs enforces the fact that teachers are some of the most amazing and inspirational people that we might ever meet. “I had a history teacher here, Mr. Walton, who one day surveyed our class about who wanted to be doctors and who wanted to be lawyers, with most of the class raising their hand for one of the
Stubbs’ current teacher photo.
18 Lifestyle Lifestyle
THE DECADE WRAPPED
The new decade has arrived, so take a moment to reminisce the past 10 years.
Valentina Jaramillo Staff Writer
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ith another decade under its belt, the world welcomes the 20s with open arms. The 2010s have been heavily packed with monumental moments that have transformed society. From great political movements to iconic pop culture trends, this decade holds milestones that will forever be remembered in history.
2010
-The app Instagram was launched. -The first iPad was released. -The Affordable Care Act was signed into law.
2011
-The messaging app Snapchat was launched. -Rebecca Black’s song “Friday” comes out. -The last Harry Potter book, “Harry potter and the Deathly Hallows” was released.
2012
-“Gangnam Style” became the most watched video on Youtube. -In December, everyone thought the world was going to end. -The Summer Olympics were held in London. -Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by George Zimmerman
2013
-“The Harlem Shake” was an internet sensation and trend. -People became musical geniuses with Anna Kendrick’s “Cup Song.” which became a trend -Everyone had the song “What Does the Fox Say?” stuck in their heads and racked up 200 million views on Youtube.
2014
-People everywhere were doing the “ice bucket challenge” to raise money for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) research. -The infamous Malaysian Airplane disappeared where 227 passangers went missing. -The most iconic selfie was taken at the Oscars with host Ellen Degeneres, Jennifer Lawrence, Bradly Cooper and Meryl Streep.
2015
-First racially diverse emojis by Apple. -Same sex marriage was made legal in the US. -People had heated arguments over the white and gold or black and blue dress.
2016
-The video app Vine shut down. -Leonardo Dicaprio won his first Oscar. -A new president , Donald Trump, was voted into office. -The app TikTok was created.
2017
-Women’s March in Washington D.C occured on January 21. -The first total solar eclipse since 1918 took place. -#Metoo movement was backed by women around the world.
2018
-Beyonce headlines for Coachella, making her the first black woman to do so. -Students led a March for Our Lives demonstration to protest gun violence. -“Black Panther,” “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Incredibles 2” topped the box office.
2019
-An egg became the most-liked picture on instagram with over five million likes. -President Trump was impeached. -The song “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X holds the number one spot on the charts for 19 weeks.
19 Lifestyle
NEW LOOK TO ART
Tips to improve your art style and tips to begin drawing. Adrianna Estrada Staff Writer
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s social media usage starts to increase, more artists are using it as their platform to share their art to billions of people every day. As more art starts to pop up on social media, more people have been interested in starting to become an artist, or improving in their already existing art style. Whether it be traditional art, or digital art, here are some tips to help people get started on an art journey. Many traditional artists want to dive into the world of digital art, but do not know where to start. A good way to start digital art is to buy an iPad or tablet. Though, digital drawings can be done on a regular smartphone, some artists prefer to have a lot of surface area to work on their delicate art work. Once getting a preferred device to draw on, there are a couple apps that can help kickstart a journey on the digital art work. One of these apps is Adobe Draw, which is free to use and download. Adobe Draw is a simple app with a lot of different features to help create different pieces of artwork. “For my digital drawings I like to use Adobe Draw on my iPad, it’s easy to use and I like the end results when I’m done with my artwork,” junior Susan Casto-Shell said. Adobe Draw has some default brushes that include the basic round brush, basic taper brush, basic flat brush, basic chisel brush and the basic terminal brush. Each brush has settings that can be manipulated to change the roundness, angle, taper and size. It also includes a color wheel where one can choose the exact color they want and manipulate how light or dark they actually want the color to be. One option that the app does not provide is a blending tool, but this can be worked around by using their opacity tool. By changing the opacity of the brush, a smooth blend can be created by adding low opacity layers on top of each other to get a nice smooth blend on digital drawings. Adobe also has features like layers and preset shapes to help with drawings too. The app is straightforward and helps start a digital art journey. Some people get discouraged when starting traditional art because they feel as if they are not improving as quickly as they want to. One tip for traditional art is to be patient, it is going to take time to improve artwork. Patience will help to advance
one’s artwork, rushing your artwork will most likely leave a person wishing that they took more time focusing on the small details of the piece. “There are many good tips for traditional art, like placing a piece of scrap paper under your drawing hand to prevent the artwork for smudging everywhere,” Castro-Schell said. There are many ways to improve artwork or to just start drawing in general. For beginners, artwork may not look like that of artists of five or more years, but with patience, the artwork will be something that can be shared with the world through social media or other means. Do not be discouraged by other artwork, let it inspire people and help others improve on their own artwork.
Fan art of Twitch streamer, BruceDropEmOff. Art by: Adrianna Estrada
20 Lifestyle
STUDYING
Help boost your grades with these helpful study tips.
Jack Swank Staff Writer
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hether you have a perfect 4.0 GPA or are currently struggling with grades, these studying tips can help make studying easier and more enjoyable. Although some of these tips may seem obvious, it never hurts to reinforce these positive points. For more study tips make sure to check out www.princetonreview.com.
Study In A Comfortable Place Studying in a place where you are comfortable can really increase the effectiveness of a study session. Most would say that studying in a quiet environment is the best option, but everyone is different, and some people work best with background noise or music.
Use Quizlet Quizlet is a great resource that uses virtual flash cards and has additional features like the learn, write, spell and test study options. Many teachers and/or classmates have Quizlets that you can use to study for an upcoming assessment.
Set Reminders Whether they are on a phone or planner, reminders can keep thoughts organized and can be used as a list, so you do not waste time. Reminders can also help you remember assignments you have due.
Use Acronyms or Phrases Just like the acronym “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally,” also known as “PEMDAS,” acronyms and phrases can aid in memorization and usually give a simple solution to a complex concept.
Stay After School Although it is time spent out of your day, staying after school for a class can help improve grades. It also shows teachers that you are making the extra effort in their class.
Turn Off Social Media Social media can pose as an obstacle to studying by being a distraction and also causing procrastination. There are apps that can lock out your social media for a set amount of time if you can not find the will to do it yourself.
Watch Informative Videos Sometimes a concept is not explained as well as it could have been in class. One solution to this issue is watching informative videos to clarify unexplained concepts. Also, some people are better at learning visually.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help Asking for help at times can be hard, but by asking for help from those who already know the concept(s), you can save time and effort that would be used to find the answer yourself.
Practice Makes Permanence Repetition can help in the remembering of formulas, processes and definitions, but practice can also be permanent so make sure that you are studying the correct things.
Take A Break Taking a break can help you work more efficiently because it can help clear your mind from stressful situations. It can also give you a new view on whatever you are working on. Photo source: iconfinder.
21 Sports
AN ASCETIC DISCIPLINE A SPIRITUAL EXERCISE THAT ALL SUNCOAST STUDENTS COULD PRACTICE. Kevin Yang Website Manager
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f all the things people would remind you to do, you would never stop to think they would remind you to, “Don’t forget to breathe.” This, along with all the difficult body positions, hard stances, the breathing techniques, are all encapsulated into an ancient discipline originating from ancient India: Yoga. At first glance, yoga looks peculiar, unconventional, and undisciplined, but what lies deep down within this practice is an enlightenment encompassing not just your physical body, but your spiritual body as well. Yoga is not something as simple as stretching, but also not something as hard as pilates, or playing an instrument, or trying to figure out how to do calculus, it is rather a routine set of meditation and breathing exercises focused on creation of mental clarity and calmness. The stereotype that yoga seems to be practiced only by elders is entirely wrong. Athletes from a wide range of sports all now practice yoga in order to
become more flexible, more agile and more dynamic. “Yoga is something you can do at every level, whether it acts as a destressor, helps build physical fitness, plays in calisthenics, creates strength, all that if done properly, will prevent the risk of injury in everyday activities or intense workouts,” English teacher and yogi (person who
“Practicing yoga has improved my emotional and physical health since the exercises can be both relaxing and physically demanding. Being a senior in the IB program can be very difficult, so it’s [...] nice to have yoga as an outlet for reducing anxieties about school and clearing my head,” senior Coco Plascenia said. Due to the high stress level at Suncoast, seniors Plascenia, Cecilia Perla and Ruby "Yoga creates a mind and body connection. Funfrock introduced a Yoga club that now is more than popular. Everyday at We spend so much time academic-wise, lunch, tons of students come out just hyperventilating. yoga allows us to to participate in the large variety of breathe so we can do everything with poses that relaxes their psychological and physical embodiment. clear and focused attention." The benefits of yoga are vastly - Michele Lackovic seen throughout the world. People practice yoga in order to achieve practices yoga) Michele Lackovic said. clarity, and though it seems underrated, Suncoast is known for the rigorous people are now expanding the practice and demanding academic workload. throughout all ages. The exercises may Students spend much of their time look odd, but the benefits are certain focused on academics to the point to be relieving and mind opening. where stress becomes inevitable.
22 Sports
CHARGER’S BASKETBALL Everything basketball- related: from the team’s schedule to their recent wins. Artchard Jacquet Staff Writer
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he Chargers played in the PBCHOOPS (Palm Beach County Hoops) preseason tournament t h i s y e a r. In their first game, they lost due to their slow start and lack of energy. From this loss, they quickly regrouped and faced another tough challenge the next day. With the newfound fuel, they ended victorious over Atlantic High School with the score of 80-67. The new and improved Suncoast Chargers of the 2019-20 season were looking to take the state over. Led by starting point guard Samuel Rolle, the Chargers gained their first win of the official season over Olympic Heights 86-60. A long-fought battle began with a hot start from Rolle hitting 2 threes in a row from the start. “I started off hot hitting threes, the heights started to lock in on me and I began to distribute the ball to my teammates who got wide-open shots and layups. I also was the focal point on defense getting many steals and charges,” Rolle said. Unfortunately, in the Chargers’ second game against the Jupiter Jaguars, they suffered a loss. Despite Rolle being injured early, the team continued to show maximum effort to keep up. Junior Evan Stinson displayed this effort. Rising to the task, he led his team in points, scoring 21 in total, which is nearly half the team’s points. The game ended 61-52 in an upset for the Chargers. “Jupiter was a very tough team I had to rebound a lot to make sure we were not out-rebounded. Everyone has their roles, I
just played mine and played hard trying to keep us close in the game,” Stinson said. Chargers faced another tough challenge against Park Vista High School. Junior starting guard, Ethan Barnes, played a huge part in keeping the team in check. Ultimately the team came out slow defense wise and missed out on many steals that could have been converted to a pivotal change. Despite their efforts to bring the deficit down, the Chargers suffered a loss 60 - 70 in a win for Park Vista. “I feel like we played good, but there were a few things I have seen that we could’ve done better in to get the win against them. But team-wise our rotation on defense was slow and there were steals we could have had but didn’t get,” Barnes explained. The take from viewers of the recent games is mainly excitement. Even though the Chargers have been facing challenging opponents, there are many games to look forward to. All are promising and thrilling games that pave the path to winning states. “Our motto is defense and we want to stop people from scoring and wear people down. Students should come to watch the rest of our season because we are exciting to watch overall. We are hype and have a play style that pleases the crowd,” Rolle said. Photos By Zuri Romeo
Suncoast Chargers Boys Basketball Schedule Date 1/3 1/4 1/8 1/10 1/11 1/16 1/17 - 1/18 1/20 1/23 1/25 1/29 1/31 2/5 2/6 2/12 & 2/14 2/20 2/25 2/28
Opponent Location
Palatka(Charger Classic) Martin County Lake Worth Pine Crest Sagemont Santaluces MLK Shootout MLK Tournament Of Champions Dwyer St. Petersburg Boynton PB Lakes Atlantic(Senior Night) Cardinal Newman District Playoff Regional Quarterfinal Refional Semi-Final Region Final
Home Home Away Away Away Away Away Away Away Home Home Home Home Away Away TBA TBA TBA
Time 7pm 7pm 6/730pm 5pm 430pm 6/730pm TBA TBA 6/730 530/7 6/730 6/730 6/7 530/7 TBA 7pm 7pm 7pm
THE LEGEND ATHLETE Jessy Aramouni News Editor
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Fuentes’s Soccer Experience.
enior Jordy Fuentes was not always the sociable skilled athlete as he is now. He started off as a young boy playing soccer with his cousins in the streets of San Martin, Colombia for his own amusement. His passion for soccer grew stronger once he moved to the United States and began to play with kids in his school. They encouraged him to join the Palm Beach Gardens (PBG) Predators Recreational Soccer team during his eighthgrade year. He knew that Colombia was recognized for soccer and being a huge part of their culture, and he wanted to keep the tradition flowing within him. “I wanted to continue the tradition of playing soccer to represent my country. We are extremely passionate about soccer, it’s a lifestyle,” Fuentes said. As Fuentes continued with the PBG Predators during 2016-2019, he learned how important communication with his teammates was, on and off the field. During the games, he noticed that if he or his teammate were open, he would call out for the ball or call out to pass the ball to his open teammate. “Communication is extremely important when we are playing. We call out who’s open or who needs to go on defense, and if we don’t have communication we’re all blind on the field,” Fuentes said. Fuentes used to have difficulty trying to fit in with the boys on his travel team because he was shy. It was his first time playing with kids in competitive soccer and he felt out of place. He feared it would be difficult to become close with his teammates because of his lack of experience, but once he showed them all the skills and tricks he had been practicing throughout his childhood, they all knew he was going to fit in perfectly and they all worked as one.
“I used to be shy and scared. I wouldn’t fit in with the kids on the team because that was my first time playing competitive soccer and I never did that before,” Fuentes said. Once he began high school, he decided he wanted to try out for the Varsity Soccer team in order to prove to himself that he was a skilled player. He knew if he did not make the varsity team, he needed to train twice as hard to reach his goal. Coach Richard Harr, the Junior Varsity Coach for the Boys Soccer team believed Fuentes needed to build on his stamina and footwork with the ball in order to be prepared for the Varsity games. Harr willingly allowed him to train and perfect his flaws with him on the Junior Varsity Boys Soccer team during his freshman year. “He always had the talent for Varsity but needed to sharpen his form and be more serious on the field, which is common in freshmen,” Harr said. After training with Harr for a year, and his additional practices with PGA Predators throughout his freshman year, Coach James Evans, coach for the Boys Varsity Soccer, believed Fuentes qualified to have a spot on the varsity team. He has been on varsity since his sophomore year. ”Jordy is a player with enormous potential and a daft touch on the ball that is insurmountable and unmatched by his peers. He is vociferous and disciplined and has the ability to unite his teammates,” Evans said. Now as Fuentes continues playing soccer during his senior year, he began to think about his future in college. He shared he would like to play in-state and if he is unable to play for a Florida college, he will definitely continue playing with family and friends.
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