The Timber Creek Tribune Volume XI INSIDE
HATS OFF TO SENIORS PG.6-7
May 2015
Wolves unite for cancer awareness
SET the nipples free pg. 8 Brittany Crary
Best friends enjoy once in a lifetime ride pg. 4
Survivors, caretakers, and volunteers gathered around the track to participate in Relay for Life, raising money and promoting cancer awareness on May 1. Tents surrounded the area, sold food, and played movies and games. The event recognized cancer survivors and victims, also offering support to those affected by the disease. The night started with applauding those on the committee, and one lap dedicated for cancer survivors.
While those raising awareness walked their laps, children played intense football and soccer games. At 9 p.m. the lights shut down, marking the time to pay respects to those who have passed. Luminaries spelled out "H-O-P-E" in the bleachers, and the crowd engaged in a moment of silence. Among the survivors was Treasurer Audrey Kimmel. Diagnosed with breast cancer on last August, she turned to Relay for Life. "I had so much support. Everyone rallied around me. I didn't feel worthy and
that really touched my heart with everything they did," said Kimmel. Key Club, Hispanic Honors Society, Beta, National Honor Society (NHS), and other clubs set up tents to raise money for the cause. "Relay for Life made me realize that people know about cancer, and want to make a change and do something about it," said junior Aleksandria Emmanuel. Relay For Life East Orange topped $62,000 as of May 8, 2015, with donations still accumulating.
Student Body oFFICERS 2015-2016 Rabeea Summer Rehman
Alex & Sierra with andy grammar pg.10
President:Laura Lozano
index fEATURES PG. 2-3 sPORTS PG. 4-5 HATS OFF TO SENIORS PG. 6-7 OPINION/EDITORIAL PG. 8-9 ENTERAINMENT PG. 10-11 BLOGS PG. 12
Secretary:Yaritza Montalvo
Vice President; Paula Campo
Treasure : Elizabeth Lang
PG. 2
features
Job-hunters: how to land the right job “It took at least fivefollow-ups before the interview.”
“I made sure that I looked presentable...”
“Now that I have this job, I am time efficient.”
Senior Lenisha Young PHOTO/Andrea Rivera
Andrea Rivera and Kilani Sierra Desperate to get the job, you await patiently at home after filling out a 5-minute application several days ago. Your thoughts hold you captive: “Will I get called back? Why would they pick me? Don’t other people have more experience?” But reality is, if you are simply sitting there, you are at the wrong place. Don’t slack on the job search Assume that you will not hear back from the location you recently applied to—keep applying to other job openings elsewhere. Be confident, but not comfortable. Job searching expert Alison Doyle stated in her article 15 Quick Tips That Will Help You Get Hired Fast that, “…most job seekers are rejected by over 15 employers before landing a job.” It is more favorable to have nu-
merous job offers to choose from than to have none. Do you what you know Your job search should focus on your qualifications. For example, most minors struggle due to lack of work experience. However, most teens have performed plenty of community service. With that being said, if you volunteered at a pet shelter, apply for a job that involves animals; if you volunteered at an elementary school, apply for a job that involves children. Consider whatever experience that developed skills essential in the workplace you seek. Don’t underestimate the power of following-up Let’s face it—reality is that you are not the only individual job-hunting. According to professor and corporate recruiting strategist Dr. John Sullivan, each corporate job opening receives on
average of 250 applications, therefore your resume will face a lot of competition. Show interest by following-up. “It took at least five follow-ups before the interview,” said senior Lenisha Young. The interview portion of the job application process is very crucial. In order to have a successful interview experience, one should keep some important information in mind. Dress like you want it It’s plain and simple—if your persona wants it in the inside, it should reflect it on the outside. “I made sure I looked presentable because the way you look is actually like the way you present yourself at the job,” said Young, who works for Taco Bell. There is a demand for professionalism in the workplace, and employers need to make sure whomever they hire portrays such.
Be honest Sometimes “embellishing” or lying on a job application seems like a good idea, but when it comes to the interview, it is not. If you lied on the application, your interviewer will know for sure once the interview is conducted. Lying is not a positive way to start a work relationship. Keep eye contact to show your interest Good communication skills are key to any job. To display such skills, you should give the interviewer a firm handshake and keep eye contact. Demonstrating professionalism and dedication will surely prove to be a good first impression.
Continued at www.tctribune.com
Rev up your revolution: summer health tips
Cristina Toppin As the temperature increases, and students flock to Florida’s coast to relish the favorable weather, teens start to look at the mirror with mangled expressions. Most Americans once again yearn to obtain a perfect “beachbody,” after months of ignoring their New Years’ resolution to get fit. Food chains and restaurants increasingly promote their low-calorie, healthier meal options, as the country revitalizes its health craze from the beginning of the year. Starbucks announced on Mar. 31 new, Greek yogurt-based food items, as a part of its partnership with Dannon. In select Starbucks locations, customers can order a customizable strawberry, mango, and veggie-based “sweet greens” Evolution Fresh smoothie. One of the ingredients customers can add to their smoothies is kale, a leafy green which is renowned for its multiple nutritional benefits and its trendiness to be con-
sumed in juice. Teens often resort to unhealthy and dangerous methods to either lose weight or tone their physiques, especially as summer draws closer. Such behaviors can result in the development of eating disorders and greatly affect one’s condition in the long-term. Here are a few safe, fun, and easy tips you can follow to work towards your ideal, swimsuit-ready body. Rise, shine, and eat Try your hardest to not skip breakfast. Wake up earlier if needed, or perform your morning routine quicker. According to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, “Studies show that breakfast can be important in maintaining a healthy body weight.” Those who skip breakfast are more likely to consume and crave high fat and sugar foods later in the day, contributing to an unhealthy diet. Omitting from eating breakfast is a habit teens often develop due to its inconvenience; while rushing to ar-
rive to school on time, students have limited time to gather or cook wholesome items. In order to avoid opting to purchase candy at school or binge later in the day, wake up earlier, plan your breakfast ahead, and purchase more portable food items (apples, bananas, yogurt, protein bars, etc.). Two snacks a day wards hunger away The significance of eating five small meals daily on weight loss is greatly debated amongst members of the health world. While five meals sounds like an excess amount of food, such a diet consists of three, appropriately-portioned meals with two calorically-reasonable snacks. Teens generally make the grave mistake of fasting to drop their number on the scale quickly, straying away from snacking. Whether or not following this meal plan helps individuals drop the pounds, adequate snacking satisfies hunger and prevents overeating, while ensuring that individuals do not consume less than their
daily recommended amount of calories. Pump weights with peers Instead of meeting with friends at fast-food joints or a movie theater, gorging on candy as you remain seated for over an hour, schedule “workout dates.” Visit your local gym with a pal and spot each other, or check your local civic center or YMCA for available fitness classes, such as Zumba and yoga. It is more beneficial to your health and fitness goals to exercise with company and then eat at a restaurant, ensuring that you receive your daily recommended amount of physical activity. Following these basic tips can help you obtain the motivation needed to build your ideal physique and self-confidence. The roads to achieving a balanced, active lifestyle are always in your lane— now move full speed ahead.
PG. 3
features
Floridians get a taste of Italy
Lauren Johansen
This year consisted of a flip-flop of students across the globe. The Latin program hosted an exchange student program with Italian high school students from Verona, Italy. The Florida students were in Italy Mar. 15-29, spending two weeks exploring the country’s culture, education system, and famous historical landmarks. A few weeks prior to their departure the Italian students arrived in Florida to stay with their host family and visit Orlando’s major tourist attractions. Sophomore Allyson Hettenbach said that hosting her exchange student, Letizia, prior to her own journey over-seas made living over there easier, since she already knew the person she’d live with. Freshman Caitlin Galloway stated, “Once I met the rest of the family, it was awkward at first but- then I warmed up.” Galloway and her sister, junior Samantha Galloway, travelled to Italy together, and sharing exchange students Sofia and Carolatta. While in Italy, the exchange program took students on field trips, such as these; Venice, Lake Garda, the city of Verona, and other historical sites like the Vatican.
PHOTO/Lauren Johansen The Colosseum Ampitheatre in Rome, Italy is one of the sights the exchange students visited.
One of the main events the exchange students got to experience was attending an Italian school. School in Italy was a culture shock to the Florida students because it had many differences. Caitlin Galloway explained, “Italians not only had school Monday through
Friday but also on Saturdays.” Samantha Galloway observed the old age of the schools, which had holes in the ceiling, causing the students to have to move classrooms (because the ceilings could fall down). Italian students do not switch classrooms like students
do here in America; teachers travel to different classes while the students stay in one room. Being exposed to new cultures in the native country shows how other high school students live and go to school around the world.
Essentially, graduating teenagers, whom of which are least likely to have cars, can efficiently utilize Uber to travel, commute, visit friends, and run errands. This easily accessible service can liberate teens and provide them access to far reaching places. Ultimately, it could help teenagers achieve their aspirations and become highly proactive- safely and efficiently. Uber is desirously comfortable and equally efficient. Best of all, it costs cheaper than the traditional taxi. At 75 cents per mile, Uber can take anyone almost anywhere- plus, the first ride is free. The only downside to this is that cash is not accepted. Credit card is required, though transactions can be easily made through the mobile application. Uber has rapidly made a name for itself by transforming the realm of instantly accessible transportation. The new company has exhibited versatility by expanding their product line to multiple forms of transportation, depending on what kind of experience the customer wants. For instance, Uber services include UberX, Uber
Taxi, Uber Black, Uber SUV, and Uber Luxury. These services range from a standard Uber vehicle that will simply transport one (basic Uber), to a more spacious vehicle that can hold up to six customers (Uber SUV), to a luxurious sedan that will assure a comfortable and smooth ride (Uber Luxury). This variety of services exemplifies Uber’s flexibility and its craving to satiate the needs of the modern traveling consumers. An interview with senior David Lopez upheld the fact that Uber provides, “A clean, comfortable service.” It was also mentioned that Uber is worth recommending to others, since it is “easy to use and convenient”, according to Brianna Spencer, 18. The company’s sole purpose is to meet the needs of the people while delivering quality experiences. It even allows consumers to choose their driver through the app, by providing personal information and some background details about each driver that is readily available.
Uber becomes ‘Über’ popular
Alberto Maradiaga Living in the era of instant gratification, individuals do not want to wait in the hot sun, repeatedly attempting to spot and waive down a taxi; especially, if taxis are about as common as snowfall in Florida. Thankfully though, a new and efficient compa-
ny was launched in 2009 that revolutionized the way people could get around. Uber- a rapidly expanding, global company- seamlessly connects passengers to drivers through a mobile transportation app that any individual can download for free, within seconds, and at a simple touch of a button.
Continued at www.tctribune.com
Pg. 4
sports
are athletes supposed to be role models? Todd Akroyd: Many young people view professional athletes and other celebrities as role models; they feel they know their favorite player or artist better than anyone. They follow them on social media, watch everything they perform in, and believe they know the star. What most do not know is how fake most stars are. Only few people know the genuine person behind the jersey or costume— and it is not the fans. A role model is not just a person that one wishes to achieve the same level of success as, but a person one sees as a good human being. Few truly know what celebrity athletes or musicians do in their private lives. How can anyone truly tell who someone is based
on what they are allowed to see? Bill Cosby is a perfect example, as well as Tiger Woods and OJ Simpson. These people were revered, yet nobody knew what they were truly like in their personal lives. Celebrities do not have the responsibility of being a role model for anyone. Just because society sees them as such, does not mean their obligated to act as role models. As retired NBA star Charles Barkely once said: “I am not a role model. I am not paid to be a role model. Parents should be role models. Just because I dunk a basketball, doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.”
Christian Simmons: Athletes are, and always will be, role models. Whenever someone is put in a position where they are looked up to by others, they have to consider the way they act. I am not saying that every pro athlete must donate their salary to charity, or go to church five times a week, but there has to be a certain set of standards. Millions of kids look up to athletes-millions. That gives athletes an enormous amount of power and influence. Children will always strive to live up to the standards set by those they look up to, and if a bad example is set, then they will imitate it. Obviously, it is not an athelte’s job to raise America’s kids, as Charles Bar-
kley portrays it. But that is not what it means to be a role model. Being a role model is about being aware that you are a public figure and that other people will change their behavior based on how you act. It is understandable that many athletes may not want to believe they are role models. Some people really do not like the idea that others are watching them, and potentially imitating them. However, that is just the way it is. Charles Barkley and athletes like him may want to believe that they are not role models, or that they have not impacted this country’s youth, but they have. No matter what athletes say or how they act, the next generation is always watching.
bestfriends enjoy once-in-a-lifetime ride
PHOTO/ Adia Field-Ridley
Todd Akroyd Once again, the Lady Wolves lacrosse team is among Florida’s best women’s LAX programs in 2015. They feature an offensive trio with All-American senior Leighton Yenor, who has scored over 500 career points, senior Haleigh Brooks, who has over 400 career points and was an Academic All-American herself, and Sabrina Guererro, an underrated four-year starter that comes through in the clutch. Tuesday Apr. 21, the ladies took on Lake Highland Prep in the regional semi-finals in a battle of experience versus youth. Headlined by an incredible eighth grader, who is considered one of the best young players in the country, Lake Highland had only one senior. They had not been playing together for long, and their inexperience showed down the stretch. Despite having an 8-5 lead late in the second half, the Highlanders could not contain the dynamic offense any longer. In the match’s final
minutes, the Wolves’ seniors took over. Yenor and Guererro scored the last four goals of the game, winning 9-8. It was a clutch performance of the ultimate kind, a signature moment during a regional playoff game amidst their dynasty-- a moment they will never forget. Particularly Guererro, who scored the game-winning goal with just 45 seconds remaining. “I was so focused during the shot, and I was just trying to keep myself mentally strong so that I could execute. After the game, I guess I just shed all of the stoic-ness, and all of the emotion just hit me like a wall,” said Guererro. Before the go-ahead goal by Guererro, the Highlanders called a timeout to discuss their strategy. Lady Wolves defensive general, senior Mariana Hernandez, took the opportunity to fire the team up. “I was trying to encourage the girls, saying: ‘this was our field; our game.’ We needed to keep our momentum going,” said Hernandez.
“I just think that when the rest of the team sees how bad the seniors want it, they begin to want it just as bad. In the huddles, when we’re all contributing, it really shows our focus and determination. No matter how nervous we’re feeling, we still show that we’re a united force,” said Guererro. When the game clock hit zero, the ladies’ bench went into a frenzy and sprinted onto the field in celebration. They were one of the final eight girls lacrosse teams standing in Florida. It was an amazing team victory for the seven seniors— Guererro, Yenor, Hernandez, Carol Avena, Rachel Lacy, Brooks, and Dana Derequito— that showed how having a strong bond with teammates can help on the field. “Chemistry is so important to the way we play. You can have the most talent on a team, but without good chemistry you won’t work well together on the field,” said Guerrero. Playing together for years has brought them extremely close, con-
stantly playing pranks on one another and bonding off the field. They love each other like family, and plan on remaining friends through college. “We’ll all come back during college to help underclassmen in the summer,” said Lacy. Lacy will play college lacrosse at the University of Tampa, Brooks will play at Mercer University, Yenor, at powerhouse Northwestern University. The others will go onto their own respective universities and help coach youth lacrosse. They say spreading women’s LAX and making youth participation higher is something they strive towards. The Lady Wolves lacrosse program is one of the best. They have four-peated as district champs, and are striving for state championship appearances every season. The seniors finished their season losing the regional championship to Olympia High School. It was a tough ending to a magical 2015 season, but the girls are looking to the future.
sports
Wolves claim first district title since 2009
Pg. 5 TIMBER CREEK’S 2014-2015 COLLEGE SIGNINGS
Joey Arce Baseball FAU
PHOTO/Todd Akroyd The team after the championship win with team manager and biggest fan, Max Holub (far right).
Todd Akroyd The boys volleyball team entered Friday, May 1. with a 22-4 record. They were coming off a 3-0 district semi-final victory over Freedom High School and could practically taste a district championship. They were one win away for the third straight season, and only Cypress Creek High School stood in their way. “Winning the district title would be a great achievement for this year’s team. We have accomplished a lot this year. We just need to talk and limit our mistakes to beat Cypress Creek,” said senior Andy Lopez. The Wolves started the first set strong, taking an early double digit lead. It led to an easy 25-14 victory. In the second set, the Bears fired back and took an early lead of their own. Down by six, coach Cameron Stevens became openly frustrated with his team making unforced errors and called a timeout.
The Wolves were able to fire back and force Cypress Creek call a timeout of their own throughout the set, but the Bears knew how important it was to not fall behind two sets to none. They were able to eventually close the set out 25-20 and tie the match up 1-1. “They were a scrappy team,” said Stevens after the match. But the Bears scrappiness would only carry them so far. The Wolves easily won the third set 25-14 as seniors Jassiem Obie and Kyle McPherson, as well as junior Michael MacGillivary, dominated the net up front. The three finished the match with a total of 34 kills. The fourth set was similar to the second, with the Bears scrappiness on full display. They gave the Wolves a run for their money and were desperately volleying in the final points to force a fifth set. However, they came up short and
the Wolves’ talent ultimately finished the job, winning 25-22. The team was district champions for the first time since their immaculate 2009 state championship season. After losing the district championship in 2013 and 2014, the Wolves finally got to lift the district title trophy. “It means so much to these kids and they deserve it,” said Stevens. Tuesday, May 5. they had a rematch with volleyball powerhouse Lyman High School in the state playin match. After losing to Lymann just two weeks before to drop their record to 20-4, they were able to upset the Greyhounds for a15-12 win in a dramatic fifth set. The boys are now eyeing a state championship. They will take on Columbus High School in the state semi-finals Friday, May 8 in South Florida. It will be the biggest match for Wolves volleyball since 2009.
Womick wows Wolves’ Class of 2015
Todd Akroyd
It is not always easy being a high school athlete. There are constant practices, the pressures of wearing a Wolves jersey, and lots of travel for tournaments in other cities. High school athletes are on a constant grind to be the best player they can possibly be. Senior Tyler Womick makes it look easy. He played three different sports this school year, and has played volleyball and football throughout his high school career. “I picked up soccer because my best friends were on the team. It was something to do,” said Womick. “Something to do” for Womick consisted of hours upon hours practicing a sport he joined, just to be with his friends. He is not the typical high school athlete. Most athletes complain about how sports and training takes away from their social life or affects their grades. However, he goes from making highlight reel catches as a wideout in the fall, to using the same hands to play goalie in the winter, to then leading the volleyball team in the spring. He does not seem to mind the busy schedule. “Sports is what I love. I enjoy every
second of it,” said Womick. Womick is a machine that rarely sleeps. He finds a way to complete his school work, along with continuously showing up on the court and field. He is spoken about with high regards on and off the field by classmates and coaches. “He has been a major part of the volleyball team this year. He plays 100 percent every game. He’s a great kid that we’ve been lucky to have these four years. I’d consider him one of the best volleyball players in Central Florida, so we’re really going to miss him next year,” said coach Cameron Stevens. Womick, known for being a competitive athlete, was voted Most Athletic for the class of 2015’s senior superlatives. Despite having the opportunity, Womick says he will not play college sports, although college intramurals, such as flag football, is something he is interested in. He is not, however, interested in coaching. Womick plans to dive into the business world after graduating college and compete an entirely new way. If he is as superb at being a stockbroker as he is at saving volleyballs
(Womick broke the all-time Wolves record for digs in a season with games still remaining in the regular season), he will probably become a millionaire. “In every sport he plays he is always the hardest working player on the court or field. He is one of those people that can pick up anything and naturally do it well,” said volleyball teammate senior Tyler Howell. Womick has been a model student-athlete for the Wolves the entirety of his high school career. He continues to lead the volleyball team towards a possible state championship. At 24-4, they are undefeated in district play, losing only twice to the best team in Florida— Dr. Phillips High School. On May 5, the team captain led them to an incredible upset over volleyball powerhouse Lyman High School in the play-in game for states. The team will travel south to take on Columbus High School on Friday, May 8. Regardless of what happens in the volleyball playoffs, Womick has led a spectacular run for volleyball this spring. He leaves every ounce of emotion on the court. He is more than deserving of Class of 2015’s most athletic.
Andrew Perez Baseball USF Davey Savetman Baseball Missouri Valley University D’Quan Matthews Baseball Bethune Cookman Isaiah Arana Baseball Thomas College Rachel Lacy Lacrosse University of Tampa Haleigh Brooks Lacrosse Mercer University Leighton Yenor Lacrosse Northwestern University Carrie Lawrence Soccer University of South Carolina Sierra Garcia Soccer Methodist University Angelica Santos Soccer Methodist University Alexis Vasquez Soccer Lynn University Victoria Pernia Soccer Brevard College Mia Olson Softball FAU Kaitlyn Packard Softball Ave Maria University Taylor Vahle Softball Furman University Jacques Patrick Football FSU
Ashley Rodriguez Basketball Lenior-Rhyne University Sarah Gordon Rowing UCF Diego Veras Soccer Erskine University Kara Peters Volleyball Grace University
If you see any of these college signees around campus, congratulate them on their success.
6
Hats off t
A look back...
PHOTO/ Andrea Rivera “...My favorite memories have been meeting my fiiends and really bonding with them. I really love them all, and hope our relationships continue to grow.” -Michael Nazareth
Mrs. Magee’s seniors read exerpts from Shakespeare’s plays for a flash-
Rewind
PHOTO/ Andrea Rivera “Performing at Disney’s Candlelight Processional with the school’s choir. We got to hang out backstage at Epcot, meet choir kids from different schools... and perform in front of hundreds of people. It’s definitely something I’ll remember forever.”- Gabriel Hernandez
PHOTO/ Andrea Rivera “I didn’t know most of the eight other people in my Advanced writing class last year on the first day of school, and my favorite memory is of the last day in that class-- we all cried.”- Lorina Morton
PHOTOS/ Andrea Rivera
to Seniors
7
Sayonara, seniors! Lauren Johansen
PHOTO/ Andrea Rivera PHOTO/ Andrea Rivera
From left to right: Alberto Maradiaga, Andrea Rivera, Todd Akroyd, Kilani Sierra, Christian Simmons.
-mob in various English classes.
Fast-Forward
y they call h w ’s t a h t , y ver read u’re ready, o y “No one is e ll i t it a w if you rcia it a leap, and it forever.”- Maribel Ga a wa you’re gonn (grade 12)
“I’m ex cit that’s e ed because it’s ver hap pened.” the best thing 12) -Lizzy M ai (grad e
The Tribune staff is extremley sad to see our seniors go. The staff is proud of all that they have accomplished during their time as Tribune writers who are moving on to bigger and better things.
Kilani Sierra: Was a page editor for the tribune staff and was a staff member for one year. After high school she plans to move to New York to go to college there and study screen writing. Her favorite high school memory Andrea Rivera: Was the staff pho- was Grad Bash also; she loved spendtographer and was a staff member for ing time with her favorite high school just her senior year. After high school friends. she plans to go to college and majoring in Deaf education and attend Valencia We will miss you tribune staff of 2015. for two years, to then transfer to UNF. Seniors best articles of the year: Rivera’s favorite high school memo- Over the course of the year the seniors ries are developing a creative side to have written great articles, here is a list writing and leading a prayer circle ev- of their personal best. ery morning. “It was a very rewarding Andrea Rivera: The best piece she experience,” she said. wrote was a review of Andy GramTodd Akroyd: Was on the tribune mer’s new album, titled “Grammer staff for two years and was the Editor loses his way ‘back home’.” in Chief for his senior year. After high school, he plans to attend college and Todd Akroyd: His best article was major in journalism at Washington about the NBA and Kobe Bryant vs. State college. His favorite high school Tim Duncan. “Kobe vs. Duncan: which memory was the New England Patriots is the player of his generation?” winning the super bowl his senior year. Christian Simmons: The best artiChristian Simmons: Was a sports cle he wrote was “Gun laws must be blogger and page editor and was only changed.” This decribed the irrational a member of the staff for one year. His gun laws in his opinion. plans after high school are to attend Alberto Maradiaga: His favorite arUCF and study journalism. Simmons’ ticle this year that he wrote was “Halfavorite high school memory was also lucinogens are back”, this is about the grad bash, the senior field trip to Unimodern theroputic applications of psyversal. chotropic substances. Alberto Maradiaga: Was a staff Kilani Sierra: The best piece Sierra writer on the Tribune and moved into wrote this year was a feature about the our staff halfway through the year drama show Elektra. “Elektra gets reand was a great addition. After high venge at districts”. school, he plans to attend UCF to study psychology. His favorite high school Thanks for all your hard work sememory was his psychology class his niors! senior year.
opinion and editorial
Pg. 8
Movement to free the nipples Brittany Crary
Nipples have been sweeping their way across the nation, as female activists and celebrities stand up against the sexualization of the female breast. The Free the Nipple Campaign takes a stand against oppression and censorship of female nipples around the world. According to the campaign website, it is illegal for a woman to be topless in 35 states in the United States, even when breastfeeding. In less tolerant states like Louisiana, an exposed nipple can cost the punished female three years of jail time and cause $2,500 in fines. New York City legalized public
toplessness in 1922, and until recently, the New York Police Deparment (NYPD) continued to arrest women. With the campaign making its way around the world, many speculations arise with its outcome. I grew up in a world where, as a female, I was told to not expose my body for self-protection. I feel that the sexualization of women has caused multiple issues like this to arise. The film “Free the Nipple” directed by Lina Eaco, released Dec. 12, 2014, jumpstarted the campaign and took the internet by storm. The film follows a group of women walking through
NYC topless, protesting the archaic censorship laws of the United States. I am not in agreement with women walking around topless every day; I still believe women should have class. However, a woman should also be able to breast feed her child in public or tan topless at the beach without being arrested or having a man believe that she is an easy conquest. While I do not entirely agree with the extent of the campaign, I feel it has a solid purpose and has the potential to be extremely successful. Many famous graffiti artist and celebrities such as Miley Cyrus, Liv
Tyler, and Lena Dunham, Jennifer Lopez, Chelsea Handler, Rihanna, among many other, have shown support. The campaign has received a lot of backlash on social media with men, and even woman, outraged that another woman would want the freedom of being topless in public. The bottom line is, if a women feels the need to be topless in public then she should have the right to be, just as a man does. Breast are breast and the female body is something that shouldn’t always be covered because a man finds it a “distraction.”
PHOTO/ Andrea Rivera
debate over the renaissance of feminism
Tatum Swanson
By strict definition, feminism is the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men, according to Webster’s dictionary. Anti-feminism, quite simply, is the opposite. For many years, feminism and anti-feminism movements had caused debate in all aspects of modern-day society. Many celebrities such as Amy Poehler, Lena Dunham, and Emma Watson have all publicly claimed themselves as feminists. Other celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Anne Hathaway believe in the primary ideals, but not directly associate themselves as a feminist. Emma Watson, a United Nations (UN) Women Goodwill Ambassador, discussed the “HeForShe” campaign and women’s rights at a UN conference last September. “I am from Britain and think it is right that as a woman I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decision-mak-
ing of my country. I think it is right that socially I am afforded the same respect as men,” Watson said. “But sadly I can say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights.” Abortion is a controversial discussion revolving around a woman’s ability to choose. Due to these heated debates, it in turn brings up the topic of women’s rights and feminism as a whole. Since the recent rise of feminism, there have been numerous misconceptions towards the women associated with the movement and its ideals. Most notably, critics have claimed that feminists hate men, disapprove of stay-at-home mothers, and other incorrect assumptions. When it comes down to it, the feminist movement is a desire for free choice and equality for women--not men-bashing or condemning hardworking mothers. It is a desire that all women around the globe have the ability to make decisions and have the same social status as men. Dunham, an actress known for her role in the television show “Girls,” stated, “The idea of be-
“But sadly I can say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights.” - Emma Watson
ing a feminist - so many women have come to this idea of it being anti-male and not able to connect with the opposite sex. But what feminism is about is equality and human rights.” In Watson’s UN speech, she advises that the movement itself is not what is important, but the idea and ambition behind it. Whether associated with the feminist movement or not, I would assume it is easily agreeable that all women from all parts of the world should have the
same rights socially, politically, and economically as men. The twentieth-century renaissance of feminism has created a spark in women (and men) about the issue of women’s rights. Despite how difficult the goal of worldwide equality for females may seem, and with the push for women’s rights, this is a lively debate that is surely to last until both genders are completely equal all across the globe.
opinion and editorial
Pg. 9
Police Shootings getting out of control
Christian Simmons On Apr. 7, in North Charleston, South Carolina, an altercation occurred between police officer Michael Slager and African American Walter Scott. According to The New York Times, Slager reported that he had shot and killed Scott after he stole the officer’s taser. There was no reason not to believe Slager’s story, until a stunning video of the event surfaced. In the video, Scott is seen sprinting away from Slager, who quickly takes out his firearm, shooting and killing him as he runs away. The worst part of the situation is that the shooting of an unarmed man running away from an officer is not even the video’s most startling part. Shortly after killing Scott, Slager walks up to the body and drops his taser near Scott’s hand. Slager then reported that he had
DRAWING/ Alberto Maradiaga feared for his life. This would typically be a horrifying incident, if not for the fact that it now seems to be a common occurrence for police officers to gun down unarmed, nonviolent citizens: Michael Brown, an unarmed black teen, was gunned down by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. Eric Garner, a black man being apprehended for illegally selling cigarettes, was put in a chokehold by an officer and died during his arrest, while being heard saying “I can’t breathe.” In Albuquerque, a homeless man was shot and killed by police officers after he turned to run away from them when told to get on the ground. In Dallas, police arrived at a house after a mother asked for help getting her son to the hospital. Her son, a mentally ill man, walked to the
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doorway holding a screwdriver. The officers demanded that he drop the screwdriver and, when he did not after five seconds, they shot and killed him as his mother is heard crying and screaming in the background. In Cleveland, a 12-year-old boy was walking in a park with a fake gun. A patrol car pulled up next to him and, within two seconds, the boy was shot and killed. All of these incidents occurred within the last two years. How many more innocent, unarmed people are going to be killed over nothing at all before this issue can be resolved? First of all, not all police officers are bad. The vast majority of them are good people who do their job well and protect the community. However, when the number of incidents where officers are killing unarmed people is this high, something needs to change. One solution that has been getting a lot of attention is requiring officers to wear body cameras. This would prevent more situations like the Ferguson shooting, where there were no witnesses, from happening. While this solution looks good on paper, it has not done enough. Both the Albuquerque homeless man’s death and the Dallas man’s death were captured on body cams worn by officers. Training strategies also need to be considered. Police officers shoot to kill – why wouldn’t they? This is what they are taught to do. But, when you have officers who are wired to use their firearms at the first sign of dan-
ger, then you wind up with countless cases of avoidable deaths. In the United Kingdom, police officers do not even carry firearms. Why are American officers taught to rely so heavily on their weapon, as if it is their only excuse for having authority? Above all other things that could be changed, however, there is nothing more important than the race issue. In almost every case listed above, a black male was killed by a white officer. According to the New York Times, in many police departments, the average percent of officers who are white is 30 percentage points higher than the community that the department oversees. If the police force was more diversified, there would be less race issues – and less meaningless deaths. For a long time, police officers have used their guns when they did not need to, and killed people who should have lived. This issue was swept under the rug for a long time, but now, everyone knows. According to USA Today, the most-read news story of 2014 was the Ferguson shooting and the grand jury’s decision. This issue is different from other popular debate topics. This is not the abortion debate, which is heavily influenced by religion, or the firearms debate, which is a constitutional issue. This is something easily fixable, and no one should be opposed to that. If police violence or misuse of firearms happens this frequently all over the country, then be prepared for when the next incident is in your backyard.
Pg. 10
Entertainment and Reviews
Bieber Toast: A review of the latest Comedy Central Roast
Alex & Sierra come ‘back home’ and bring Grammer with them
Todd Akroyd On Mar. 30, Comedy Central aired its annual “Comedy Central Roast,” taking the opportunity to crack some fun at singer Justin Bieber. It was a major success, especially among teens and 20-somethings. A few of the pop star’s favorite celebrities were roasters, including rappers Snoop Dogg and Ludacris, as well as retired NBA center Shaquille O’Neal. Comedian Kevin Hart was the “Roast Master,” leading the way. The Roasts are famous for being hilariously inappropriate and racy. They are for a mature audience that is able to handle a joke. They have been criticized for being in bad-taste and more vulgar than funny. However, a lot of truly great comedians love the Roasts and have participated as roasters, roastees, or roast masters. Celebrities like Charlie Sheen, Pamela Anderson, Donald Trump, and David Hasselhoff have all been roastees. Comedians such as Seth MacFarlane, Lisa Lampenilli, Kathy Griffin, Katt Williams, Jimmy Kimmel, and Seth Rogen have all been roastmasters. Other comedians like Greg Giraldo, Carrot Top, and Jeff Foxworthy have been invited to burn fellow ‘celebs. There is always big names, and it’s always a “can’t miss” on T.V. The “Roast of Bieber” also featured comedians Pete Davidson, Jeff Ross, Hannibal Buress, Chris D’Elia, and Natasha Leggero. Ross and Leggero are frequent roasters, appearing most recently on the “Roast of James Franco”. These two killed on stage (as usual), making me laugh the hardest. They don’t hold back—targeting everyone, fair or not. In the eyes of many, TV personality Martha Stewart stole the show. Her sweet, grandmotherly persona made for a hilarious delivery of dirty jokes and harsh comments. She almost broke Twitter with her prison story about shanking O’Neal’s mother. There were plenty of lines about Bieber’s ex-girlfriend, Selena Gomez, for everyone to laugh at as well. Bieber’s new rumored girlfriend Kendall Jenner seemed to enjoy them, considering that she was smiling every time they showed her off-screen (which the camera men annoyingly did about nine to ten times). Of course, Bieber himself loved all of them, also taking a shot at Gomez towards the end. Will Farrell made a surprise appearance as Ron Burgundy from the Anchorman movies, and liberated Bieber by sarcastically pointing out how innocent and misunderstood he is. He made comments like: “I’ve always encouraged people to stay classy, and what’s more classy than hanging out with Floyd Mayweather. Would I love to see ‘Biebs spending time with Oscar Pistorious? Of course I would, but that day will come.” Farrell’s appearance as Burgundy was the perfect way to wrap up the show and leave fans talking about it after. I certainly wasn’t planning on seeing a favorite movie character on the Roast.
After eagerly writing about the man that has sold over 100,000 albums and played sold-out venues nationwide, and creepily obsessing over the X Factor-winning duo with the melodramatic songs that have stolen America’s heart, I was able to meet them—sort of. On Sunday, Mar. 8, singers Andy Grammer and Alex (Kinsey) & Sierra (Deaton) performed live at The Beacham, located in Downtown Orlando. These three, along with enthusiastic American pop singer-songwriter Rachel Platten and South Dakota male band Paradise Fears, have been on tour since Feb. 24, starting at the Market in Seattle and finishing at Los Angeles’ House of Blues, Grammer’s hometown. However, Orlando was left wanting more. As I entered The Beacham’s doors, I saw the way the stage was set-up and knew right away: this was going to be a breathtaking presentation. I ran to the absolute front, staying only inches away from where the artists would be performing. Platten opened up the show with her newest record, “Fight Song,” used in the Christmas episode of the Pretty Little Liars’ fifth season, being her best performance. After Platten poured out her most profound emotions on stage, Paradise Fears took over. Transitions were tremendously lengthy, which was particularly irritating for a female like me that had never attended a concert before. Paradise Fears, whom I honestly had not heard of before, gave a decent performance— which I mostly owe to their energetic souls and staggering guitarists (that’s it). However, the moment arrived at last—Alex & Sierra revealed themselves on the platform. Kinsey and Deaton, sunshine-state natives and former UCF students, met at a Florida beach while they were in high school. As Deaton walked down the beach, she saw Kinsey sitting on the back of his truck with his guitar, singing “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz. After two years of being in a relationship, the couple competed in the X Factor. A year after receiving the exciting news of winning a $1-million Sony
Continued at www.tctribune.com
Andy Grammer and his band takes a selfie with his enthusiastic fans before closing the performance at The Beacham.
Andrea Rivera
recording contract, they teamed up with other artists, such as the magnificent Grammer, to go on their first tour: Two Good Guys and a Girl tour 2015. This heartwarming couple gave the most flawless performance a first-time concert attendee could ever ask for. With down-to-earth personalities and charismatic stares into each other’s eyes, Alex & Sierra sang most of their new album’s songs, such as the disheartened “Bumper Cars,” the corky “Just Kids” (my favorite), and the jazzy “All for You.” Joking around on stage and interacting with the audience, the paramours left gaiety after their candid performance—mostly due to the fact that they were both back home. Although I felt dejected for a second or two once they exited, seeing ‘the Grammer’ come on stage made up for it all. With a big smile on his face, Grammer appeared with his lively band members. From the instant he set foot on that floor, he set the place on fire. Going back to some of his first and utmost hits, such as “Keep Your Head Up” and “Fine by Me,” he had the previously-numb crowd singing along and raising their hands (myself included). He also played “The Pocket” from his first album and several other songs from his most recent album, such as “Back Home,” “Holding Out,” “Kiss You Slow,” and “Remind You.” It was the humorous yet romantic “Forever,” however, that thoroughly succeeded in portraying his charismatic persona, as he began by saying before his song: “Girls who take too long to get ready: I wrote a song about you.” Overall, every musician and singer gifted attendees with a rewarding experience that cannot be forgotten. Not to mention that as Grammer was about to exit, he threw his last guitar pick, and guess who caught it? (Technically my darling, but I’ll say it was me.) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars The performances were flawless, genuine, and interactive. Although transitions between performers were lengthy (reasonably), and standing for hours can get draining, it was worth it all.
Entertainment and Reviews
PG. 11
‘Wizard of Oz’ takes the Stage
Toto, Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion at the Wizard of Oz musical.
Kilani Sierra This year’s musical production by the drama department was the iconic “Wizard of Oz.” Being a fan of the original 1934 film adaptation of “Wizard of Oz” with Judy Garland as Dorothy, I had high hopes that the drama department would do the story justice. The last musical I’ve seen from the department was “Legally Blonde” two years ago. That performance was astonishing, so I had no doubt that the thespians could pull it off. The show opened with a gray house backdrop that had all characters dressed in gray-toned clothing, to signify the black and white setting of Kansas used in the 1934 film. The role of Dorothy’s canine companion, Toto, was uniquely played as a puppet, with junior Jeannelle Campos controlling the puppet while also displaying facial expressions and mannerisms that the dog possessed. The overall setting of Kansas, I feel, was true to the time period and the mood. In the opening setting, the performance of “Over the Rainbow,” performed by the senior lead actress
Kassidy Pierce as Dorothy, was done beautifully. Also, in the opening scene Dorothy was upset with her friends who do not assist her in rescuing Toto. She scolded them for not having brains, a heart, or courage. These characters reemerge in Oz as the characters of Tin Man played by senior Amalie Meer, Scarecrow played by senior Jean Carlos Campos, and Cowardly Lion played by junior Ben Stecker. The setup of this idea in the beginning of the story was blatant and worked for the progression of the play. What made the musical stand out the most were the lighting and props. In the transition scene between Kansas and Oz, the use of hand shadows and streamers created the illusion of a twister. Green light upon one actress’ face was also used to signify the Wicked Witch of the West. When the story line finally reaches Oz, the colors of costumes and props were remarkably vibrant. Many of the Munchkins were actually played by children. As Dorothy makes her way through Oz,
she meets with the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. All three had a wide vocal range and gave a great performance that was true to their character. The Wicked Witch, played by junior Abbigail Bryson, also had a performance that was true to character, with her piercing laugh and wicked attitude. The “Wizard of Oz” was a phenomenal show to watch. The use of intricate props and lighting really brought out the essence of Oz, for instance, the Wicked Witche’s broom as a rolling ladder and the poppies and trees as umbrellas, especially with the Wizard as a glow-in-the-dark face of tubes. The musical, in my opinion, was an overall success. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars The acting, intricate props, and costumes, made the musical a colorful experience. The only setback was the mic issues, which happened a couple of times during the performance. Each actor committed to their character and gave a performance that provided the audience with the full experience of the story.
The mark of masked crusaders: superheroes’ survival in Tinseltown Cristina Toppin
Extraordinary beings donning civilian clothes, persistently combating the world’s evil forces, have generated fascination amongst the masses since their creation. Superheroes capture the American public’s adoration through numerous ways—whether it is through comic books, video games, merchandise, etc. Although not every individual is an Avenger aficionado, flicks centered on superheroes and their corresponding worlds manage to shatter box-office records yearly. As individuals, ranging from avid fans to amateur movie-goers, anticipate the upcoming release (May 1) of “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” I cannot help but ponder: will Hollywood forever produce such films? Last year ushered in Marvel’s sci-fi dark horse, “Guardians of the Galaxy,” (generating approximately $94.3m its opening weekend) and a well-received sequel, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” ($95m). Hollywood juggernauts, “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Ant-Man,” lead this year’s superhero season, stirring Marvel fans with the release of their teaser trailers last Oct. 2014 and Jan. 2015.
Perhaps their integration of family-friendly comedy, computer-generated imagery (CGI), and energetic battles provides a perfect, money-making formula. These components immerse viewers into a multi-faceted realm that brings its complex characters to life—hence the name “Marvel Universe.” However, how many of these flicks, chockfull of explosions and abnormally attractive casts, can audiences tolerate? Personally, my capacity for these extraordinary beings that vehemently eliminate crime (or police officers on steroids) will never reach its maximum. Whether it is DC Entertainment, which produced “The Dark Knight” Trilogy, or Marvel Studios, with its trademark red and white logo, I welcome all superhero flicks with the same anticipation. Even if audiences grow tired of their virtuous vigilantes and vindictive villains, Hollywood is obviously not ready to put these beloved characters to rest.
Blogs
PG. 12
The Girls Bathroom
The Sideline
an opinion on opinions
can kevin durant save the magic?
Emily Torres
In today’s media, there are multiple controversial movements going on. Feminism, the freeing of nipples, police brutality: all serious topics that generate a wide variety of views, eventually leading to endless arguments. However, whether I think the sky is green while someone else sees blue, it is all based on perspective. Maybe that someone has a total vision problem- or maybe I am the one with the problem. Either way this is my reality, and although one sees the world differently than I do, it doesn’t make either of us wrong. It just means that our opinions don’t matter.
However, while there are opinions that lead to ridiculous bickering, there are also those that lead to great things. Besides, Anne Frank once said, “People can tell you to keep your mouth shut, but that doesn’t stop you from having your own opinion.” And when you think about it, it is because of people that do not keep their mouth shut that there is so much progress made in this world.
Influential individuals such as Martin Luther King, Malala Yousafzai, and Edith Windsor are people who opened up and voiced their opinions- and not just for themselves, they stood to support thousands of others who were under their same circumstances, bringing See, if opinions really did matter, awareness to their cause. then George Zimmerman (a man who The truth is, opinions only matter murdered innocent teenager Trayvon when they are for the betterment of Martin) wouldn’t be alive right now. other people, not just so one could Singer Justin Bieber would have been prove themselves right. However, in deported; One Direction wouldn’t be a my opinion the sky is still green and band- our world would be so different. you are still wrong. Sorry. Let’s face it, if one is going to say what they want, then one is going to hear what they don’t want.
Christian Simmons
The Orlando Magic just finished up one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory. While many thought (including myself) that Orlando had a chance to make the playoffs, or at least improve substantially, the team sputtered to a 25-57 finish, good enough for the fifth worst record in the league. It’s not a fun time to be a Magic fan. However, this past week offered a small ray of hope for the Magic: The Oklahoma City Thunder fired head coach Scott Brooks. So why does a team in the opposite conference firing a good (but-not-great) coach hold any relevance to Orlando? Because it could be the key to signing Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant in 2016. I swear I’m not crazy. Seriously. This could absolutely happen. Before you write me off, let’s go through a hypothetical (but realistic) scenario for the next year or so of the NBA:
fired Brooks, the only coach that has led the Thunder to success. - The Magic hire Brooks. - The Thunder don’t improve much through free agency, and hire an inexperienced coach to take the reins. - The Magic win a top-three pick in the draft, selecting Karl-Anthony Towns. They sign meaningful veteran additions in free agency. - Oklahoma City has a rough transitional season. The team doesn’t respond to the new coach, and lack of chemistry sinks the season. The Thunder make the playoffs as a low seed. - Brooks and the Magic make great progress, as the team begins to form a concrete style of play. Orlando makes the playoffs as an eighth seed. - Durant is seriously considering leaving the Thunder. He soon gets a call from his old coach… Continued at www.tctribune.com ...
- Durant is upset that the Thunder
The Timber Creek Tribune over the years....
Farewell To Print, Hello Digital Rabeea Summer Rehman
After 14 long years, the TC Tribune bids farewell to their print newspaper for good. Limited advertising sales and low student enrollment led to the complete adjournment of newspaper. Starting from the next year, the staff will be developing a digital edition of the paper under the guidance of -------. Most students are unaware that the school does not fund the Tribune. Because of this, staff writers are able to write any article of their choice without any authoritarian influence from the school. But because of the low funding from advertisements, Newspaper is officially off of the elective class roster for the upcoming year. Even professional newspapers are struggling to pay for print cost because a majority of readers use television and social media to acquire major news stories. In recent years, professional newspaper bankruptcy and cutbacks have risen tremendously, leading to the elimination of
journalism jobs. TC students who wish to seek a Journalistic career are now hindered of improving their writing skills and will be more interactive with the coputer software that is crucial for the newspaper. Being a part of the staff involves an extensive amount of work on improving on their interviewing skills, working with the computer software, and gaining experience with designing a page. With the deferral of newspaper, students will no longer have the opportunity to advance in these skills. Now that the Newspaper has been deleted out of the elective course list, journalism students who would like to continue with journalism have the option go to yearbook. Whether or not the school newspaper will ever be issued again is questionable, but until then, the staff decisively bids farewell to the TC Tribune.
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