The Lariat, November 2018 by The Lariat

Issue II, November 2018

Issue V, May 2018

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A portion of The Lariat staff members hold the awards the publication won at the Florida Scholastic Press Association (FPSA) District Seven Convention. Staff members pictured: Genna Nordling, Ryan Merard, Arielle Kraus, Sasheen Joseph, Cassie Hartmann, Joseph Sturgeon, Alexandra Sansone, Julia Safrin, Emma Franz, Abbie Tuschman and our adviser, Fallan Patterson.

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STAFF LIST: Print Editor-in-Chief

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LETTER FROM the EDITOR

Dear reader, This issue of The Lariat was intended to have a theme of “Awareness.” However, Online Editor-in-Chief because of competition deadlines, a new staff and an election on the way, the editorial board decided to push our deadline back so we could cover the Abbie Tuschman midterm elections and focus specifically on politcal awareness. News is meant Managing Editor to be unbiased, so the reader can form their own opinion on the topic at hand, Alexandra Sansone but, more often than not, this isn’t the case. Many news outlets have mutated into news entertainment rather than continuing to supply the audience with “real General Editors news.” The Lariat encourages you to draw your information from unbiased and Annabelle Rosa credible sources, listen to the opinions of others from multiple viewpoints and Elena Valdez with this information, form your own opinion. Genna Nordling

Sports Editors Olivia Lewis Hailey Brown

Staff Writers

Joseph Sturgeon Emma Huerta Victoria Martin Sasheen Joseph Arielle Kraus Sofia Mendez Karen Suros Ryan Merard Isabella Marcon Sabrina Wong Emma Franz Julia Safrin

Sports Writers

Hannah Eubanks Kyleigh Sprigle Kayla Gates

Photographers

Cassie Hartmann Carly Cuoco Kayla Florenco Alexa Jaspan

Illustrator

Colin Camblin

Adviser

Fallan Patterson

Enjoy the issue, Genna Nordling Print Editor-in-Chief

TABLE of CONTENTS

ON the COVER To fit the theme of the importance of political awareness, Print Editor-in-Chief Genna Nordling created the cover of this issue to represent the growing problem of partisanship in our country. Nordling and The Lariat encourage people to inform themselves on all aspects of an issue before forming an opinion.

NEWS

A sea of red and blue

THE RESULTS OF THE 2018 MIDTERM ELECTION

Photo by Genna Nordling Millions of Florida law, an automatic individuals waited in line recount is done when on Tuesday, November 6, the race difference is 2018, to cast their votes less than 0.5 percent. in the midterm elections. “I am disappointed Individuals voted for with the results of federal, state and local offices as well “IT WAS GREAT TO as amendments BE A PART OF THE to their state’s constitution. 2018 ELECTION. In the state of Florida, the AMERICA NEEDED most important races were for A CHANGE IN governor and the U.S. Senate, POLITICAL LEADERS as the state of THAT WOULD Florida is divided when it comes to LISTEN TO YOUNG political parties. Republican Ron ADULTS” DeSantis won the position of -ELIZABETH CHERY governor over Democrat Andrew FIRST TIME VOTER Gillum by roughly 34,000 votes or 0.4 percent. A recount will be the election because held for governor due to I thought Gillum and the closeness of the votes. Nelson would win,” Democrat Bill Nelson has sophomore Sarah Mumby agreed to a recount for said. “The results of this the position in the U.S. election have inspired Senate against Republican me to vote in the future.” Rick Scott. According to The U.S. Senate

remains Republicandominated with a simple majority of 51 Republican Senators. Not all of the election results have been announced, however, the Republicans already have the amount needed to maintain their hold of the Senate. The Democrats dominated the House with at least 225 Democratic representatives surpassing the 218 needed to take control. As of now, 197 Republicans were elected into the House. “It is a good thing that the Republicans won the Senate,” sophomore Kayden McGonigal said. “They will now be able to elect more judges.” The voter turnout in the midterms far outnumbered that of previous years. According to CBS, approximately 113 million people cast their vote in this election. Young voters also made their voices heard in the midterm elections. Whether it was the influence of celebrities, March for Our Lives or

their own desires, voters in both high school and college headed to the polls in mass numbers in an attempt to make a difference. “It was great to be a part of the 2018 election,” senior Elizabeth Chery said. “America needed a change in political leaders that would listen to young adults. There is also a bit more balance with the House and Senate.” Many constitutional amendments were voted upon in the Florida election. This included allowing former felons to vote with a few limitations, ending greyhound racing and providing benefits to family members of first responders and the military. Out of the 12 amendments proposed on the ballot, 11 passed. The results of the elections brought more diversity to government positions across the United States, according to CNN. Two Native American women, Democrats Sharice Davids and Deb

Haaland, and two Muslim women, Democrats Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, were elected to Congress. Jared Polis, the newly elected governor of Colorado, will be the country’s first openly gay man to serve this position. Across the United States, there were many close races with some results not decided yet. With votes still being counted, the official results should be announced within the coming weeks. “Despite the unfortunate victories and many cases of voter suppression, the huge voter turnout, the close campaigns from Gillum and Beto and the flipping of the House all give me hope that with a new generation of voters, we’ll soon have a more progressive government,” senior Ashwin Mathi said.

BY ARIELLE KRAUS

NEWS

Hands in for the Harvest Drive

PUTTING ON THE HARVEST DRIVE TAKES A LOT OF WORK Photo by Kayla Florenco

Disclaimer: Key Club sponsor Fallan Patterson is also the adviser of The Lariat. Some of the characteristics that indicate the beginning of autumn are pumpkin-scented candles, apple picking, leaves changing colors and the smell of candy corn. However, for students and faculty at CCHS, one event that signals the start of every fall season is the annual Harvest Drive. This year, “Spread Kindness Through Harvest” was the theme for the project, and items were collected from October 1 through November 7 in personalization classes. The Harvest Drive is a program that circulates throughout all of Broward County. More than 180 private and public schools participate in the event yearly. Non-perishable items and toiletries are collected in boxes and are distributed to over 2,300 families in the area who are in need of the food and products. These families are provided with a week’s worth of groceries, and they are given enough supplies to cook a complete Thanksgiving meal. Gently used clothing, shoes, toys, books and household items are also available free of charge for more than 500 of the families in crisis. Distribution of the boxes takes place at 14 Broward

County middle and high schools. Every year, endless hours of hard work are put into the Harvest Drive at CCHS. Key Club, the main club in charge of organizing the project, coordinates events and helps to get the word out about collecting the canned and boxed goods. “We made posters at [one of our meetings] that had all the information [about the Harvest Drive] to put around campus,” Key Club President Gabriela Carbone said. “We also [passed] out flyers in the morning and afternoon in the car loop area and we [talked about it] in personalization classes.” Each study hall class received a box that was used to hold all of the donated products. Students also had the opportunity to participate in a box-decorating contest by working together with classmates to embellish the box following the theme. Once all of the boxes are submitted, the judges chose a winner and that class received a doughnut party. This year, Jill Smitherman’s study hall class won the contest. Key Club and Interact Club also held all-day fundraisers outside of the Publix in the

Countryside Shops plaza. A booth was set up by both the entrance and exit of the store, and the students who volunteered at this food drive tried to get customers to donate any extra purchased cans or items on their way out. “[The Publix fundraisers] are full days of hard work but it’s all worth it to know you’re helping to feed families on Thanksgiving,” Carbone said. After the final day of collecting products, Key Club dedicated an after-school meeting to help Interact, along with a few other clubs, sort all the items into correlating boxes. The donations were separated and placed with similar goods that would be found in the same category. “Last year, the meeting took over an hour and a half even with so many members helping out,” Key Club Membership Chair Leah Applebaum said. “It was a lot of work trying to figure out where each donated item belonged, but in the end, it was for a really great cause.” After the boxes were completely packed, they were transported to Western High School, the distribution center for CCHS. At Western,

the food is directly handed to the families in need. “There are a lot of hours that go into this [the Harvest Drive],” Key Club sponsor Fallan Patterson said. “I spent [one of] my planning hours organizing the collection boxes for all our study hall teachers and ensuring their delivery. But I wouldn’t be able to complete these tasks without the dedication of my students and colleagues.” Aside from Key Club, Best Buddies and Interact Club were also involved in collecting cans and contributing to the program. The Harvest Drive at CCHS is an event as well as a part of a greater organization that requires many helping hands from multiple clubs and the entire student body. Through dedication and hard work, students and faculty can help the local communities who are struggling to provide for themselves and their families. This volunteer-driven program allows participants to return a sense of kindness to those in need. Check thelariatonline.com for updates on The Harvest Drive.

BY SABRINA WONG

NEWS

The Hobin Garden

STUDENTS, STAFF AND FRIENDS GATHER TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF THE RECENTLY DEPARTED CCHS TEACHER Disclaimer: Fallan Patterson is also the adviser of The Lariat.

Photos by Genna Nordling

The slight breeze blowing through the CCHS courtyard didn’t help the chills filling everyone in attendance as they choked back tears during each performance at the Hobin Memorial Garden. Glitter makeup and fairy lights strewn into tutus were observed among the crowd of people who came back to school at 7 that evening to celebrate the life of the energetic CCHS teacher Nicole Hobin. An effort to embody the spirit that was Hobin was clearly shown. Unicorns, being the late teacher’s spirit animal and favorite creature, became a sort of theme of the night. Many of the speeches referenced her almost uncanny resemblance to the magical animal. CCHS English teacher and close friend of Hobin, Wendy Schauben, mentioned her “talking in her Hobin way” with a type of “unwavering almost annoying optimism” that seemed to parallel her own. Everyone was given the chance to speak up at the podium in front of the garden. Anyone wanting to share the effect Hobin had on their lives was able to and many seized the opportunity. Steve Franzone, the adviser of Interact, spoke of how her influence will be carried on though she is gone. “I know that because of how many people she touched, a part of her will be spread out into the world through all of you,” Franzone said. Interact President Lauren Nassi gave a brief history of the garden. Originally built to provide a peaceful place for students after the tragic events at Marjory

Stoneman Douglas High School last February, the garden lacked an official name since its construction. Then, when the news of Hobin’s passing spread, it was decided that the garden would be dedicated to and named after her. At this point, there had been many laughs caused by a disruptive Bluetooth speaker that would reconnect and play an energetic song in the most somber of moments. But it didn’t seem to truly bother the crowd as it was such a Hobin thing to do– just keep on laughing. Though the speaker may have disrupted senior Sofia Valdez, who had been speaking at the time, the weight of her speech resonated with the crowd as she shared Hobin’s influence on her life. “She was more of my friend than my teacher,” Valdez said. “I’m going to graduate for her, I am going to college for her, I am going to medical school for her, I am going to show that her loud and colorful spirit lives on.” After the open floor of speeches closed, students and staff roamed the garden while viewing pictures of Hobin clipped along the fence, which was lined with artificial candles. Once the garden had been viewed, the group migrated over to the jacaranda tree taking root in the courtyard for one final speech. The tree, donated and dedicated in Hobin’s honor, is symbolic of how she wished to be reincarnated once she passed. She spoke of her dream of being a tree, something that was somewhat achieved on the CCHS campus. English teacher and close friend of Hobin, Fallan Patterson, closed the ceremony with a final tear-jerking speech. As Patterson referenced how she always captivated a room with her “high pitched voice and a wide smile,” along with the Hobin appeal– her ability to get what she wanted with just a grin– the crowd listened on in respectful silence. “This jacaranda tree may be skinny and awkward now but when it matures and blooms, it will embody all the best parts of Ms. Hobin,” Patterson said. A moment of silence was held before everyone moved to place their candles along the base of the tree. Then, they stood there in a silence interrupted only by murmurs of comfort and sniffles, no one wanting to be the first to leave the circle. After about five minutes, it was announced that the ceremony was over and everyone was free to stay or leave as they wished. The crowd still stayed unmoving. “It was really important for us to do this,” junior Natalie Doherty said. “It helps to bring awareness to how much she meant to us and how she is still here in spirit.”

BY ALEXANDRA SANSONE

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EDITORIAL

Too ignorant, too naive, TEENS ARE NOT TOO TO HAVE A too young YOUNG POLITICAL OPINION

During such a polarizing time in politics, everybody has something to say and teens are no exception. While some may think that teens are too young to form any kind of political opinion, they actually aren’t and it’s important that they do. Even though the majority of teens can’t vote, the decisions made in politics today will affect their future. It’s important for teens to inform themselves from reliable, unbiased sources and to develop their political views. When their time comes to hit the polls, it’s necessary for teens to have their own political ideology and to understand how that corresponds with the ballot. Nobody is ever too young to have an opinion; teens are old enough to be aware of the political climate and formulate their own thoughts about it. Just because they’re young, it doesn’t mean that teens are naive or ignorant. Teens should be able

Last year, a week after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, CCHS students walked out to express their opinions on gun control.

to express themselves when it comes to politics and not be afraid to take their views to the polls when they’re old enough. After all, they are the future. Voting is both a right and a privilege, and no one should let it go to waste. Many groups of people fought to have the right to vote in the U.S. and, because of this, voting shouldn’t be taken for granted. It’s crucial for teens to know that they have a voice and, even if they can’t vote yet, they are still capable of making a change. Their age shouldn’t deter them from getting involved, especially considering the power they wield. But it seems that a majority of teens today don’t recognize their potential to create an impact.

According to Tufts University, the voter turnout of 18- to 29-yearolds in the recent 2018 midterm elections was 31 percent, while the 2014 midterm elections had a 21 percent youth voter turnout. Politics are not a topic reserved for middle-aged adults. Having an opinion on the surrounding world as an adolescent matters because it’s destined to affect people. There isn’t an age requirement for political and civic engagement, which can be as simple as just informing oneself– something that every responsible citizen should do. Teenagers are the future– if they are prohibited from being able to speak their point of view, then the future looks bleak. The only way the country is going to progress is if people take action and participate in their government, and that includes having any kind of political view or opinion. Teens should not be turned away from political conversations because Photos by Genna Nordling it’s an “adult” topic. Age only defines a person’s youth– not their intelligence, awareness or maturity. Teens should have an opinion on the matters that can have a large impact on their future and on the country that they will soon be running. The younger that teens express themselves, the better

trained and equipped they will be to voice their views further down the road. By getting involved as teens, the young adults of the future will be able to learn and benefit from their past experiences. Teens also bring in a unique point of view to the discussion on politics. As young members of society, they have a fresh perspective and can bring new ideas and concepts to the table. By getting teens involved in politics, legislators can better make decisions for the young generation. Teens are not naive or ignorant because of their age. Teens’ political opinions are not invalid or ill-informed because they’re teens and “don’t know anything.” For teens of today, having technology at their fingertips makes it much easier to get informed. If anything, teens that refuse to put this technology to good use should be looked down upon, rather than the teens that use this quick access to information to form a political opinion. The cliché that age is just a number holds true. Teens hold a tremendous amount of political power. The older generations need to welcome teens’ views to add different perspectives to political discussions and debates, rather than discouraging them from fighting for the future that they will soon be leading.

BY JULIA SAFRIN

Unpopular Opinion:

ROLLING BACKPACKS DON’T DESERVE THE HATE It’s no secret that rolling backpacks are an unwelcome sight at Cooper City High School, seemingly disliked by both students and administration. However, these bags offer various benefits for those in unique situations and often receive more resentment than they deserve. Excessively heavy backpacks have become an increasing problem in today’s society. According to KidsHealth, doctors and physical therapists recommend that kids carry no more than 10 to 15 percent of their body weight in their bags, but many carry a lot more than that. A lack of lockers emphasizes this issue in many schools. Stopping at a specific location between every class has become impractical for larger campuses. Consequently, students are forced to carry around numerous textbooks and folders all day long. According to Australian politician Luke Simpkins, children are at risk of irreversible health conditions because they are carrying such heavy loads, with increasing reports of spinal abnormalities and scoliosis in Britain and Ireland. One of the many benefits of utilizing a rolling backpack is that they are better for one’s health. The average shoulder bag can cause issues such as neck and back pain if worn improperly. This could be prevented by taking the load off one’s back and putting it into a rolling backpack. The county discourages the use of these bags for obvious reasons. Safety and convenience are major concerns when it comes to walking through crowded areas. Rolling backpacks are kicked around and tripped over on campus. The many benefits can be overshadowed by the amount of backlash rolling backpacks receive from the student body. Most are unable to see the clear benefits associated with these bags. Students often see a rolling backpack as an obstruction when navigating the busy hallways. Opponents also point to the numerous staircases within Cooper City High School, an obstacle almost impossible to avoid on a daily basis. Ultimately, hate is placed upon people who have no other choice. This is the case for freshman Maya Metsch, who started bringing a rolling backpack to school this year. Metsch was diagnosed with scoliosis and underwent surgery this summer to correct the damage to her spine. During her recovery, she isn’t allowed to carry weight, especially on her back. Unable to use a traditional bag, Metsch turned to a rolling backpack. However, the lack of acceptance among her peers proves to be a daily struggle. “It’s annoying because people trip over your bag,” Metsch said. “People aren’t patient with rolling backpacks, and I know that from experience.” While students are quick to judge rolling backpacks, this is most likely due to a lack of understanding on their part. If everyone was more aware of their specific uses, students owning them might feel more comfortable and ready to use them. Whether it’s for medical purposes or just to reap the benefits of the bag, a student’s use of a rolling backpack should not be criticized. Rolling backpacks are extremely helpful for those preventing or healing from an injury, despite their drawbacks. It is crucial that students become more open-minded about the issues others face, and the actions they must take as a result.

BY KAYLA GATES

OPINION 9

To speak or not to speak

CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS SHOULD BE DISCUSSED AT SCHOOL There’s no sugarcoating the situations in our world today. In spite of all of the positives, society can still be deemed chaotic in many respects. Every day, new issues– immigration, equality, gun control, et cetera– seem to be on the rise, while previous ones are still present in the midst of dragged out debates. Although such controversial topics prove relevant in the world, school teachers and administrators tend to have restrictions on which of these topics they can discuss with their students, but this should not be the case. Controversial topics should be brought up in schools because of the stark implications these conversations can bring. They would educate students, producing active citizens of the future and consequently improving the discussions of these issues. But these conversations would also teach students important skills they can apply to other problems in their lives. Creating an engagement between students and widescale topics is crucial to knocking down the barriers between the classroom environment and reality. Students’ connection to current events– no matter their controversy– represents that the classroom is, in actuality, not separated from important events in society. This proves to benefit the entire classroom since students can bring any issues concerning them to the table in this open-minded setting. Because of how

significant these modernday issues are to society as a whole, students often obtain a glimpse of these issues– either because they have simply heard of them on television or the internet, or because they have been directly affected by them. As a result of the widespread discussion of these topics, inaccurate information can often be shared with young people. But in a classroom setting, teachers are careful with the information they provide to students and try to present the issues at hand in an unbiased way. Int ro du c i ng important topics to youth in the neutral setting of a classroom gives them the opportunity to absorb critical information and make their own well-formed opinions. By adequately exposing students to significant issues, they can become more aware of the society that they will soon be a part of. While also educating the students, providing this type of education in the classroom helps to defuse tensions surrounding the topics by encouraging conversations about them. The students can take the information taught to them in class and apply it to what is occurring in the real world, while adding their own thoughts and perspectives. Promoting the discussion of these issues within classrooms facilitates the formation of knowledgeable and active citizens. As young adults, students would have the foundational information about impactful issues and would be able to make their own decisions about them. B r i n g i n g controversial but relevant issues to the classroom

will familiarize students with current events from a young age and make them more inspired to make a difference in the future. Students will be more inclined to fulfill their civic duty of taking action if they are taught in the classroom that their voices can and will be heard. In the future, they may even be the ones inciting change surrounding the issues. Discussing difficult topics in classrooms not only helps to educate students on the circumstances of the given topic, but also helps students develop skills that they can use in other aspects of their lives. For instance, this discussion of controversial issues helps students form their own opinions and perspectives, while also showing them how to accept others’ points of view. Now, as well as in the future, students can apply these new skills to day-to-day interactions, aiding in the successful exchange of ideas. T e a c h i n g controversial, yet highly relevant information in classrooms can have significant implications for students and their futures. Having these meaningful discussions can better students’ social skills, involvement as citizens and comprehension of the issues at hand. Teachers shouldn’t be restricted from bringing these issues to students and letting them share their different perspectives with each other; it will make a lasting difference on students and society.

BY EMMA HUERTA

OPINION

Diversity matters BUT MARVEL AND DC ARE NOT DOING IT RIGHT Bruce Wayne, Tony Stark, Peter Parker. These are the first names that come to mind when superheroes and comic book franchises are mentioned. All of these characters have several things in common: they all share the same gender, sexual orientation and race. When it comes to A-list superheroes in Marvel and DC Comics, coming up with a solid list of characters that are female, queer or colored isn’t the easiest task. Surely, there’s Wonder Woman, Black Panther and Cyborg, but these are just big-name characters that happen to be members of underrepresented groups. For every Black Widow there is in Marvel Comics, there’s roughly 10 characters that can all be played by Zac Efron or Leonardo DiCaprio. Marvel and DC both have a history of racism and sexism in some of their publications. For example, in DC’s “America’s Greatest Comics #2,” readers can see Shazam (formerly Captain Marvel) walking into his residence to be greeted by his very own slave– stereotyped with an abnormally large mouth and speaking ebonics. In addition to this, DC’s “Brave and Bold” #78 included two powerful superheroines, Wonder Woman and Batgirl–

fighting each other for Batman’s love and attention. It’s because of this that for the past few years, Marvel and DC Comics have been emphasizing a need to represent minority groups in their publications. For example, in 2011, Marvel Comics created Miles Morales, a biracial Spider-Man who has a movie set to release in December 2018. They also introduced character Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel in 2013, a MuslimAmerican teenage girl from New Jersey that has the ability to shapeshift. For any avid comic reader that’s a minority, this is great news: they’re finally getting more characters they can identify with. The problem is that these new characters are only being created to meet diversity quotas and aren’t really genuine, sometimes resulting in mediocre storylines and writing. Not only this, but a lot of these characters are just spin-offs of already popular characters, and aren’t really original. In the ‘90s, a small comic company (which became a DC subsidiary) decided to take representation into their own hands. Founded by the late Dwayne McDuffie, creator of fan-favorite “Static,” and the more obscure “Icon and Rocket,” Milestone Media created

an entire universe of characters that represented racial minorities and females alike. Despite incredible storylines, DC unfortunately pulled the plug on Milestone Media in 1997, likely due to low sales. “I'm much more interested in dealing with the stuff that's going on now: more green characters with their own monthlies than black characters, a criminal lack of people of color in writing and editorial positions on mainstream books,” McDuffie said. “The last time I tried to write about that stuff in a mainstream book, my story was bounced (by the same people who asked me to write about it, mind you), and my editors wanted to replace it with clichés from 20 years ago.” Milestone Media was the epitome of how diversity in comic books should be done: carefully written and articulate storylines by writers who actually show fidelity in the characters they’re writing stories about. Diversity quotas don’t make for great art, it is passion that does. And if comic companies think sacrificing creativity only to meet diversity quotas is okay, then why create these characters at all?

BY JOSEPH STURGEON

All photos comply with fair use standards.

CENTERSPREAD

INFORMING YOUR OPINION Why cable news is bad for your bias “What you see on the internet isn’t always true.” It is easy to form an opinion based on a shocking statistic you see on Facebook. But who is to say that the information spread throughout social media is factual or reliable in any way? While this era of technology makes it easy enough to fact check, it’s still much easier to just reshare a post. Very few want to

conduct research to back up their claims with sources. And that is when people’s seemingly harmless opinions can become dangerous. In addition to the increasingly popular “news outlet” known as Twitter, millions of people turn to cable news stations like CNN and Fox News as their primary news source. But not even those stations should not be trusted as reliable on their own.

Cable news stations do not present true unbiased news; they present information for their audience. CNN has a more liberal audience while Fox News has a more conservative one– and their content reflects that. While catering to their separate audiences, these cable news channels lose credibility, as they often put on a spectacle rather than report unbiased news.

And as a result, cable news has “essentially become the ESPN of politics,” as Vox has pointed out. Similar to the sports channel, their content features countdowns, dramatic music and screaming matches. Vox also points out that CNN and Fox News mimic entertainment shows rather than serious unbiased news. In fact, President of CNN Worldwide, Jeff Zucker, admitted this in an interview

CENTERSPREAD 13 with the New York Times– at one point stating that some panelists are simply “characters in a drama.” “The idea that politics is sport is undeniable,” Zucker said. “We understood that and approach it that way.” This approach definitely makes the news more interesting to watch. However, it has become increasingly clear that reactions to zealous claims and the drama of onair fights in the “news world” have taken priority over facts. Cable news stations’

focus has become less about ensuring factual information is reported and more about who is popular among viewers or riles up the audience, bringing in more viewers. It is certainly easy to get caught up in the heated arguments, arguing along the opinion panelists on your TV, but it is important to acknowledge exactly what they are doing– debating, not informing. Forming a political ideology based on an opinion panel is, unfortunately,

becoming the norm. Those opinion panels can be viewed more like rants than as informational segments. They don’t give full context in order for someone to truly form their own opinion based on their own beliefs. But it should be acknowledged that using cable news as a singular informant is not the way to actually stay informed. S i m p l y watching an opinion

panel on candidates for governor doesn’t properly inform someone to decide who to vote for, as they are not being informed on their history or plans for office but, rather, other people’s perceptions of them. The sad reality is that one can receive betterresearched and betterpresented information from a satire comedian than from cable news “reporters.” At the end of the day, if cable news is a part of your diet– you need to go on a diet. .

BY ALEXANDRA SANSONE

FEATURES

Let's get political

GRANT GOLIN IS ON THE PATH TO WORKING IN D.C. Photos courtesy of Grant Golin

I’m sitting outside of the CCHS cafeteria with junior Grant Golin, beginning to ask about his current involvement in politics. He interrupts me– a new email has landed in his inbox. It’s the quote for the cost of the Town Hall For Our Lives, which he’s been planning for the past few weeks. His eyes widen and he excitedly babbles to his peers about the magnitude of the event. After a few moments, he turns back to me and warns that he might have to make a phone call. The interview resumes. As one listens to Golin talk about the groundbreaking work he plans to do through political rallies and legislation, it’s easy to forget that he’s not some hotshot politician. At least, not yet. While most students at CCHS know him as the Student Government Association (SGA) secretary or as a classmate that loves participating in discussions, Golin is creating a storm outside of school. And he’s doing it alongside elected representatives and the leaders of the March For Our Lives (MFOL). After the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas (MSD) High School in February 2018, many politicians began to recognize the importance of listening to students voices. As student advocates like Emma Gonzalez and Cameron Kasky made headlines, it became apparent that teenagers had something to contribute to the conversations about their own lives and safety. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the representative for Florida’s 23rd congressional district, reached out to high schools in Broward County to create a student round table for gun violence prevention. After Principal Doll was informed of the opportunity, she spoke to Golin about it. “[Wasserman Schultz] and I have grown very close with one another,” Golin said. “I support the causes that she stands for. She supports gun violence prevention which of course is most pertinent this year.” Now, Golin has been on the student

round table for almost nine months and he has become one of the senior volunteers for Wasserman Schultz’s campaign. In the early weeks of October, Golin spent several hours each day planning the Town Hall For Our Lives in Boca Raton, which aimed to promote the message of MFOL ahead of the midterm elections. The event included the discussion of school safety and security, gun reform, mental health, mass shootings and the importance of voting on November 6. “The town hall meeting was absolutely amazing,” Golin said. “Having Senator Chris Murphy, Congressman Ted Deutch, the Mayor of Parkland and so many others there was truly meaningful to discuss what’s next in the fight to end gun violence. Organizing this over the last several months and being on the panel for the town hall along with my colleagues from the March For Our Lives and peers from Stoneman Douglas was extraordinary and I’m proud that it all played out so well.” But even after the excitement of the town hall and the midterm elections, the student round table isn’t taking a break. Soon, members will begin drafting their own bills on gun violence prevention. With the help of Wasserman Schultz, as well as her congressional and legislative staff, the students hope to eventually have one of the bills introduced in the House of Representatives. But Golin’s political action won’t stop in high school. After graduating from CCHS in 2020, Golin hopes to attend Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and major in political science, while also interning for Wasserman Schultz. Then, he hopes to move back to South Florida and eventually run for Congress. While some high schoolers may be hesitant to dream big, Golin’s not shy about sharing his ambitious goals with his friends. “Grant has been fascinated with politics and has wanted to get into public service since I’ve known him,” Golin’s friend

Above:

Grant Golin (third from the right) discusses the March For Our Lives movement, gun reform, school safety and more at the Town Hall For Our Lives event he planned. Simone Goldberg said. “He has always said his ultimate goal is to end up in Congress and then the White House. Over the last few months, Grant has been working with amazing people who can help him reach his goals. He puts 110 percent effort into all he does and I have no doubt in my mind that will carry him where he wants to go.” Even as he dedicates countless hours to MFOL, the student round table and Wasserman Schultz’s campaign, his parents encourage Golin’s political action and involvement. “We are so proud of Grant and support him in everything he does,” Golin’s mother Shaynee Golin said. “The work he does with March For Our Lives and Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz is truly remarkable.” The political climate in the U.S. is divided, and it’s unclear as to how the next few decades in America will play out. But even as news headlines and election results brew uncertainty, there’s one thing that Cowboys can be sure of. Our remaining years at Cooper City High certainly won’t be the last time we hear Golin’s name. See the entire story on thelariatonline.com.

BY ABBIE TUSCHMAN

Band is crazy

THE SOUND OF PRIDE IS HECTIC, BUT WORTH IT IN THE END CCHS has a variety of large clubs, one of the most prominent being the Sound Of Pride (SOP). SOP is Cooper’s resident student orchestra that was seen– and heard– at the annual pep rally held during homecoming week, performing a circus-themed show with the performers’ faces covered in black and white paint. The band was invited to perform at the 2018 London New Year’s Day Parade in 2015, and has won a plethora of awards, which can be seen as plaques hanging on the walls of the band room or in the form of roughly a dozen trophies. More than just shiny decorations, the awards can be seen as recognition of SOP’s hard work and dedication. Obviously, earning and maintaining the status of

a respected and acclaimed band wasn’t easy for SOP, and is the result of hours of practice by the roughly 120 members of the band, who have to balance academic work and band practice. “We have two rehearsals from 5 - 9 p.m. every week, and several [weeks] where we have practice on Saturdays too,” junior Christopher Santana said. “It’s certainly possible to balance band and school, but it requires planning because it sucks to get home after practice and do homework.” Being that CCHS is generally an academically competitive school, it makes sense that a fair percentage of SOP members take several AP classes and have rigorous

Photo by Alexa Jaspan

Above: The flute section

plays their part in the SOP’s performance at the homecoming pep rally.

schedules. For many members, balancing SOP and schoolwork, both of which demand several hours of a student’s time, isn’t the easiest of tasks. “It’s the worst. I schedule everything around band, even my family,” senior Andrea Garza said. “Around three-quarters of my summer is devoted to 9-to-9 band camps, and my school days are scheduled based on if I have band or if I have it after school. It’s one or the other. It’s a lot of work and it’s really stressful, but performing and going to the competitions and doing what I love makes it all worth it.” While being a relatively accomplished band, SOP has had their fair share of hiccups over the years. There’s a running joke among senior members: “fourfor-four.” That refers to the fact that the SOP has had to replace a band director every year up until this school year. Danielle Singer, SOP’s current band director, is the first in the past three school years to retain her position as SOP’s band director for the current senior class.

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“After already being through two band directors, we really didn’t know what was going to happen,” Garza said. “But then we got Ms. Singer and so there was always this joke going around the band called ‘four-for-four’, meaning, if she leaves, then we’ll have a fourth band director. There was a lot of stress among the band because we really didn’t have any consistency, and it was really stressful. But [the situation] definitely improved, and I’m really happy we went through it.” As well as inside jokes that only an SOP member would understand, members of SOP also hold traditions, such as a song they sing before competitions they call “Band Song.” “‘Band Song’ is this really old tradition that we have. It’s this song that we sing before competitions, and it’s supposed to symbolize how we’re all family and how we’ve all been through things together and how we’re going to accomplish everything together,” Garza said. “We sing it together. It’s led by our band captain. Usually, all the seniors start crying during it just because it means so much to us, and when you sing it, it just invokes a lot of emotion within the band.” The members of SOP are all very close, and the members often refer to the band as a family. With there being over 100 members, conflicts occur, but according to SOP members, they typically don’t last that long. “We’re very close and community-oriented. We volunteer for a lot of parades and stuff,” junior Hunter Held said. “Because we spend so much time together, and know how hard it is to balance school and band, we understand each other, and that helps a lot.” Currently, SOP is preparing for competitions for this upcoming year, and is maintaining the chemistry they’ve formed over the years. They recently won first in their class at Flanagan High School’s annual Falcon Sound Invitational. The band hopes to uphold the same competitiveness they harbored at that time, and continue to hold the status as a criticallyacclaimed high school orchestra.

BY JOSEPH STURGEON