WHAT’S INSIDE:
How CCHS responded to the recent shooting at FLL
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Learn all about one CCHS student’s upcoming fashion line.
See what The Lariat really has to say about The Angry Birds Movie and other hit flicks of 2016 page 20
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Newspaper of Cooper City High School, 9401 Stirling Road | ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2017
THE SENIORITIS EPIDEMIC & why school still matters.
LAST YEAR
46% ... which is more than
of the Class of 2016 missed more than ten days of school during the fourth quarter.
2X
the absentee rate for last year’s juniors
PROVING THAT SENIORITIS PLAYS A ROLE IN STUDENT ABSENCES. Illustration by Karina Blodnieks
BY KARINA BLODNIEKS Editor-in-Chief Standing on the cusp between the two semesters, it’s high time for seniors to start dropping like Mayflies. It is the ailment of all ailments - the one sickness that can keep any senior home three days a week with no symptoms except a case of unrepentant truancy. It’s senioritis season, because with applications sent, acceptances in hand, or plans in place, it’s hard to resist the nagging urge to not really try that hard. “Senioritis is definitely real,” Senior Benjamin Goldstein said. “So far this year has felt like one giant personalization period: you’re technically supposed to do stuff, but why bother?” This thought process is compelling, but make no mistake: whatever institution of higher learning a student commits to will be keeping tabs. With mid-year and final transcripts due, private college admissions advisor Christine VanDeVelde says that “a college’s acceptance is conditional on completing the senior year at the same level of performance as when the student was admitted.” Obviously, prospective students shouldn’t be penalized for a single letter-grade drop in one class, but an overall “significant” GPA drop could be a red flag to colleges. The technicalities vary between schools, so before diving headfirst into the senioritis comfort blanket, students should be very aware of the rescinding policies of
their reach schools, not just their safe schools. “If the college sees that a student has dropped out of a class that they intended to take, or received poor grades in their senior coursework, they run the risk of the college rescinding their acceptance decision,” CCHS BRACE Advisor Christine Siwek said. “There have been instances where students were moving into their dorm and were actually sent home because their final transcript showed the damage that senioritis can cause.” If the student is still pulling off high grades without putting much effort in, however, the student should be aware that the foundational concepts learned in high school are critical to continued success in college. Basic principles taught in high school will be built upon, and students lacking the information may be at a disadvantage. For instance, if a student enters a program for engineering, but tuned out their entire second semester of AP Calculus, that student may not have the same level of know-how that their well-learned peers will. But even for seniors who aren’t planning to attend an institution of higher education, the courses high school offers are an important part of the educational journey. Valuable knowledge and skills are disseminated in all years of high school, and being a senior does not preclude one from continuing to nourish their minds.
“Even though being a senior is fun and we tend to slack off toward the end of the year, it’s important to stay focused and learn as much as we can,” Senior Chad Shillito said. “As Nelson Mandela once said, ‘education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’” Even without intrinsic motivation, walking the stage at graduation still requires that seniors successfully complete all of their required credits, so failing to pass a course such as English 4 could be the difference between graduating and the alternative. In any class with more than a couple of seniors, the potential for disruption is high. When students don’t care, it seems to have a ripple effect, bringing more and more students down with the sinking ship. However, hope for disillusioned students and frustrated instructors is not lost. “Conferencing with my seniors has been helpful and is solving the issue,” AP Research teacher Lisa Jones said. All in all, seniors must collectively decide to put their best foot forward and continue to emphasize their education. Without doing so, many seniors, their classmates, and their teachers may face academic consequences.
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Table of Contents
page 14 News
Reactions to the FLL shooting..........4 Martin Luther King Jr. Day................5 Drama’s Little Shop of Horrors.........6 Welcoming President Trump............6 Miss Cooper City pageant...............7
Opinions
The pros and cons of gap years.......9 New Years resolutions....................10 Unpopular Opinions.......................11
Features
Mr. Mauntler...................................12 Kia del Solar....................................14 Lior White.......................................16 Natalie Mendoza............................18
Entertainment
2016 entertainment recap..............20
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page 22
Sports
Soccer recaps................................22 Wrestling “Battle at the Bay”.........22 Basketball recap.............................23
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Letter from the Editors Funny enough, despite journalists’ collective eye for unity, the inconsistency in design for each issue of the Lariat this year is intentional. We know that we lost our sea legs for a while, and we’re in the process of rebuilding. We’re trying to put together an image for the paper, and we’re learning alongside our readers. We hope that you all bear the rough with us. This issue in our notoriously large features section, we host thinkers, creators, and innovators. These students (and, interestingly, one teacher) have taken their ideas and put them into action, whether it’s through film, photography, debate or fashion. They embody the very things that the Lariat is trying to promote. We are a staff of word artists simply trying to be heard, seen, listened to. We try to stay on the modern-yet-professional side of newspapers, donning a quasi-newsmagazine layout on newsprint, lots of human interest pieces, and, perhaps most importantly, a sense of passion. We think it’s okay to be weird, outspoken, and a little annoying. Most of the time, we are all of those things (both as a staff and as a paper. Have you seen those newsprints littered across campus?). First off, we’d like to extend a sincere thank you to our advisor, Ms. Callaway. She deals with the late submissions, bad ideas, and noisy hours in our classroom, and I am sure I’m speaking for the entire staff when I say she is one of a kind. Her jokes, smile, and occasionally stern lectures are an integral part of the engine that keeps us moving. We’d also like to thank Ms. Doll, for continuing to believe in our publication; Mr. Grozan, for always answering weird questions about journalism laws; Mrs. Jones, for instilling a sense of community; and Ms. Patterson, for continuing to show us that journalism is real. I’d like to personally thank the editorial staff for sticking with me through late-night edits and late, late deadlines. Our entire print team gave up some of their winter break to make this issue possible. Our staff, as well, continues to amaze me with their wellwritten articles and their bubbling personalities that never fail to keep me smiling. We hope you enjoy this issue.
Advisor Cailyn Callaway Editor-in-Chief Karina Blodnieks Managing Editor, Print Kendyl Counts Editors, Print Lindsey Hannah Skyler Jones-Boxwell Managing Editor, Online Kyle Nelson Editors, Online Noah Castagna Darian Sablon Sports Editor Mark Brent Business Manager Taylor Goldman Staff Writers Cassidy Nowosad Christina Fluegel Daniel Rakower Nuha Islam Sabrine Brismeur Savannah Keyser Sophia Wengier Tamarah Wallace Zachary Perrotta Sports Writers Brandon Bermudez Ethan Muncan Hannah Eubanks Olivia Lewis Photographers Benjamin Milgram Saige Griffin Opinions voiced in this publication belong to the authors and/or staff, and in no way reflect the ideas and goals of CCHS or the School Board of Broward County.
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After five people were killed close to home, CCHS reacts. An exploration of how the shooting at Fort Lauderdale International Airport affected the student body. BY SABRINE BRISMEUR Staff Writer Note: We understand this is a potentially sensitive topic for many students at CCHS. As such, we have chosen to include this because we feel it adds to a necessary discourse. However, we urge readers to take caution in choosing to read this piece. After an eight-hour flight from Alaska to Florida, 26 year old Esteban Santiago was in no hurry to pick up his personal belongings at the luggage claim and get home. Instead, he brought his only checked baggage to the airport bathroom a small bag holding a semi automatic 9 mm handgun and ammunition inside - loaded it with bullets, and walked out ready to open fire. The January 6 Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport (FLL) shooting that left five dead and six injured has rocked the South Florida community, a chilling reminder that tragedy can occur in unassuming locations. Students at Cooper City High School expressed their shock at the incident, with many well-traveled students shaken by the closeness of the attack. The Fort-Lauderdale airport is the nearest airport to Cooper City, and a popular point for international destinations. “It’s incredibly scary that it happened so close to home,” Junior Casey Chapter said. “Things like this have happened too much in recent years, but you never think it will happen locally. I never did until this shooting happened. It doesn’t quite become as real to you until it happens right here.” Esteban Santiago, a New Jersey native and Iraq War veteran, opened fire at a Terminal 2 baggage claim at FLL after a Delta flight from Anchorage, Alaska. The weapon he used in the deadly rampage had been legally checked as his only luggage, along with two separated magazines of ammunition. Despite being apprehended and taken into custody a mere eighty seconds after the first shot, the panic remained for hours. Senior Kia Del Solar was on the runway when Santiago opened fire, describing the experience as “surreal.” “We passed Terminal 2 on our way to go check in,” she said. “Everything was pretty normal until we got on the plane. After being on the runway for ten minutes, I saw two helicopters flying above the airport. I thought it was a bit odd, but then ambulances and security cars started racing towards the airport.” With the travelers secured inside the plane, the pilot made an announcement to the passengers about the incident that
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had occurred just inside the airport. “[The passengers] were completely in shock,” Del Solar said. “A lot of them turned on their screens to get more information and some got up to talk to the flight attendants. Many of the people around me also called their relatives or friends to confirm that they were safe.”
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I felt really scared because I recognized where they were. I’ve been in that baggage claim. It was surreal. Del Solar’s flight was delayed an hour; it was the last one to leave FLL before the airport was shut down until five the next morning. “Originally I couldn’t believe it,” she added. “You never really expect these tragedies to happen to you or your close ones.” Reports of the shooting began gaining traction on social media midday as news outlets released information about an active shooter, inciting mass panic in
the airport and resulting in thousands of travelers scrambling for safety. Images of people fleeing on foot along the tarmac, arms raised in surrender, circulated around the internet. Twenty-thousand bags were left without owners as travelers dropped their personal belongings and ran for what they believed was their lives. As news of the incident was made clear, students took to social media to express their horror. “Just found out about the airport shooting & thinking about how I was just there yesterday scares me. Praying that everyone is safe,” Sophomore Alexa Pichardo wrote on Twitter. Junior Melany Rivera, whose mother works at FLL but was not working on Friday, followed the updates live on television with her family. “When I saw the news unroll on TV, my heart dropped,” Rivera said. “We were watching it live, and suddenly everyone started running across the tarmac... I felt so horrified that something so terrible happened so close to home and at a place many people in our area go to so frequently.” Fort Lauderdale had not a moment of silence on Friday, where agencies from counties all over Broward sent hundreds of officers in patrol cars, helicopters, and ambulances to respond to the crisis. Multiple SWAT teams arrived to assist in gaining control of the situation, as well as several K-9 officers. Mark Brent, a parent of a Cooper City High School student and a member of the Davie SWAT team, was on duty at the time of the shooting and helped search and secure the parking garages, as well as the airport terminals for any other suspects. “The atmosphere was crazy. It’s the only word for it,” Brent said. “It looked like a wasteland - it was obvious that large amounts of people left in a hurry and in a panic. Personal items were scattered everywhere, restaurant tables were turned over, food everywhere. It was just crazy.” Released airport surveillance videos showed the moment Santiago began firing at the baggage claim. The BSO officer responsible for leaking it is currently under suspension with pay following allegations that they filmed the video with their camera phone and sold the video to TMZ. “I saw the [TMZ] video and I felt really scared because I recognized where
they were,” said Junior Ryan Sullivan. “I’ve been in that baggage claim. It was surreal.” Mental illness seems to have characterized the shooting instead of terrorism. Gunman Santiago turned himself into the Anchorage FBI last November, complaining about “hearing voices” and being forced by the CIA to join the Islamic State and watch videos of them training. Though he stated he had no intentions of harming anyone, authorities referred him to a local psychiatric facility, where he was ultimately released after a few days. His family members said that Santiago had not been the same since returning from his tour of Iraq, especially since having seen a bomb explode next to two of his friends. The FBI closed their case on Santiago after an assessment, and his gun was returned to him in early December after having been confiscated during the FBI’s evaluation. Less than two months after the incident, five people lay dead at the hands of a mentally disturbed gunman. Though the incident has reopened conflict over U.S. gun control policies, specifically in airports, the fact remains that Santiago checked his weapon legally and followed all TSA procedures. The general consensus, however, remains that mentally-unstable individuals should not be allowed to own guns. Senior Jesse Klauber pointed out the importance of policy enforcement, finding a problem with the mental illness aspect more than anything. “The fact that an individual who had shown signs of mental instability, regardless of his military past, was allowed to carry a firearm on a plane displays a failure to enforce gun control policy,” he said. Santiago was charged on three counts and could face the death penalty if convicted. He reportedly told authorities that he had scoped out the Fort-Lauderdale airport purposely and planned the attack. Why he chose FLL, a smaller destination airport and not a larger connecting one, is not yet known. Cooper City students are still reeling from the attack, and an airport once regarded as safe now has people on edge over the bloodshed. For the families of those dead, only answers can be offered now.
news Gradient. To show diversity and unity, a group of students band together to form a gradient of their arms. Photo by Tamarah Wallace.
When dreams become real.
How Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy lives on in the halls of Cooper City High School BY NUHA ISLAM Staff Writer
Dr. Martin Luther King once said that we all have to decide whether we will walk in the light of creative altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. Life’s most persistent and nagging question, he claimed, was “what are you doing for others?” In celebration of such a man who reminded us of our humanity, CCHS reflects on King’s timeless messages of love and acceptance, and how his words still resonate
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As an African American, January 17th is a time to reflect how far we’ve come regarding civil rights. with our community today. “King taught me about the power of unconditional love to fight injustice,” CCHS Sophomore Makani Kane said. “As an African American, January 17th is a time to reflect how far we’ve come regarding civil rights.” Martin Luther King Jr. was born in 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. As both a Baptist minister and civil-rights activist, King had an enormous impact on race relations in
the U.S. beginning in the mid-1950s. “King was America’s leader of racial justice and equality,” CCHS Math teacher Michelle Harding said. “He [was] a leader who dreamed of a color-blind society and lead a movement to help make it a reality.” Through his activism, he played a pivotal role in ending the legal segregation of African-Americans as well as the creation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, among several other honors. Today, we commemorate the universal and unconditional love, forgiveness, and nonviolence that he called for. “In Liberty City, there is a parade I always attend,” CCHS AP Government teacher Maria Rodriguez said. “I also make it a point to incorporate the topic into my curriculum.” The Liberty City parade is located in Miami on Northwest 54 Street. There are no admission fees and it is open to all that wish to attend to honor the fight that King stood for. “In my film classes, I’m showing the movie Selma,” CCHS Film teacher Mrs. Janessa Puig said. “I think it illustrates why civil rights were necessary.” Aside from a select few, most do not participate in activities in his honor. In fact, the day off serves as one of relaxation and spending time with family and friends. “He did a lot for us, but I don’t do anything special on the day off,” CCHS teacher Mr. Kevin Fair said. “Which may be strange, because I am a black U.S. history teacher, but I just take it as a day to sleep in.” Others share his sentiments. “I don’t know anyone, myself or others who go out of their way to celebrate MLK day,” AP U.S. History teacher Dwayne Dixon said. “However, that doesn’t mean I don’t value what he stood for. I am incredibly grateful for
all he has done for the community.” While it seems surprising that CCHS students and staff do not celebrate MLK day, Chemistry teacher Juanita Farmer thinks it’s a good thing. “Most of us here at Cooper don’t remember a time when modern civil rights were not in place, and take them as a given,” Farmer said. “In that regard, I’m glad no one has felt discrimination that intense. I can understand why many don’t really celebrate.” MLK used the power of words and acts of nonviolent resistance, such as protests, grassroots organizing, and civil disobedience to achieve seeminglyimpossible goals. “The holiday provides a unique opportunity to teach young people to fight evil, not people,” CCHS Guidance Counselor Theresa Sullivan said. “It gets us in the habit of asking ourselves, ‘what is the most peaceful way can resolve our issues?’, which is incredibly useful.” King later went on to lead similar campaigns against poverty and international conflict, always adhering to his principles that men and women everywhere, regardless of race or religion are equal members of the human family. “I’ve been learning about him since I was in elementary school,” CCHS Senior Ryan Caldwell said. “We take for granted what we have today, but really it’s all because of people like him taking initiative to make our country great.” January 17th is a day to reflect on nonviolent social change for some at CCHS. In a time when Americans feel disjointed, Dr. King’s message is one that rings especially true: tolerance, forgiveness and reconciliation are so desperately needed to unify America.
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President Trump’s image in Cooper City
Practice makes perfect. Drama students rehearse for their upcoming show. Photo by Ben Milgram
How CCHS responds to the upcoming inauguration BY TAMARAH WALLACE Staff Writer
Little Shop of Horrors to debut at CCHS
Thespians are in the works of preparing their upcoming musical BY DANIEL RAKOWER Staff Writer
Cooper City High School’s production of Little Shop of Horrors is opening for business soon. While the debut of the CCHS Thespians’ newest performance doesn’t come until April, the Thespians are preparing to tackle this ambitious play headfirst. “Students should be looking for a lot of fun and dark humor in this production,” Director and Advisor Shannon Brandt-Asciolla said. “The club is so excited, and we have a lot of treats in store.” This newest CCHS production is Little Shop of Horrors, based on the 1986 horror/ comedy musical classic. The play revolves around a young man named Seymour Krelboyne, whose life is suddenly changed as he finds a new type of plant, which he dubs Audrey II. His discovery of this curious flower invites an unprecedented amount of attention to his struggling flower shop, which he works in with Audrey, the namesake of the eccentric plant, and his boss, Mr. Mushnik. He then realizes that Audrey II is actually a carnivorous plant that feeds on human flesh (this is where the ‘horror’ part of ‘horror/comedy’ comes
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in), and he must keep its hunger satiated in order to keep it under control. “The whole show has a doo-wop era vibe,” Ensemble Member Annabelle Rosa said. This show differs from its predecessor, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, in some significant ways. The fall play was a simple play, written for the stage, while this is an ambitious production is based off a film. The most significant divergence from this year’s other thespian work is the addition of music. The most difficult thing about the production of this new play has been all the preparation that needs to go into it. From auditions and callbacks to renting scripts and getting choreographers, each step of this process requires care and dedication, in order to make a truly memorable final product. The show will be debut at Cooper City High School on April 6th at 7 PM, then additional shows will be the 7th at 7 PM, and the 8th at 2 PM and again at 7 PM. Be sure to come out and support the arts here at Cooper City High and be ready for a terribly good time.
The election of the century has drawn to a close and an unlikely underdog has now taken his place as the President of the United States of America. Donald J. Trump became president-elect in the wee hours of November 9th and just entered his time in the White House, as he was sworn in as President on January 20th, 2017 in Washington DC. “I stayed up until 1 AM to watch the election and as the hours winded down, I couldn’t believe the outcome,” Junior Talia Slann said. The 2016 presidential election was extremely close to say the least, with imperative swing states being in the state of “too close to call” for hours after polls closed across the country. However, it is clear that Secretary Hillary Clinton lacked support in key formerly Democratic states that would have won her the presidency. Trump outperformed even his own projections and won the vital states that Secretary Clinton lost. His unexpected last minute turnout has been likened to the vote for what has been coined the “Brexit,” or the British exit from the European Union (EU), across the pond earlier this year. Before the Brexit vote, most polls had predicted that Britain would stay in the EU, however, the mass flood of citizens who voted to leave was not counted by the early polls and the vote turned in favor of Exit- a similar unexpected outcome. Most polls, including that of CNN and FOX News, had projected Secretary Clinton to win the election, but according to CNN’s election night broadcast, Trump was able to successfully draw in a surge of white collar voters while Secretary Clinton did not entice the amount of minority votes she was expected to have. This election, from the start, has deeply divided the country and has prompted endless debate surrounding the new leader of the nation. In fact, support garnered for Secretary Clinton and/or dislike for Donald Trump facilitated the crash of Canada’s immigration website on election night. And after the results of the election were cast, protests against Trump began to take place. Across the nation, pro-Hillary and anti-Trump supporters advocated against his presidency by organizing both peaceful and violent protests. Now, many creative public figures have openly condemned the President, such a Meryl Streep at the Golden Globe
Awards on January 8th. Legendary musicians like Celine Dion and Elton John have declined the invitation to perform at his Inauguration. “I believe that this election is a product of the two-party system,” AP Psychology Teacher Steve Franzone said. “When you have two people running against one another it can be easier to tear down the other side rather than build yourself up. It also creates a divide between constituents when what we really need is to come together. It is hard to believe every issue that we are faced with in these times can be put into two categories without room for discussion or people working together.” At Cooper City High School, students and teachers have strong opinions about the country as well as the new President. “I think the Republican party is a legitimate party with legitimate values. However, I feel that Donald Trump does not embody the values of Americans as a whole,” Junior Stav Sharoni said. “He ignores the necessary existence of minorities in this country as well as issues like climate change that will affect prosperity.” On the other hand, there are students who have supported Trump throughout his campaign and are eagerly anticipating his presidency. “Trump was the only viable option for our country,” Senior Gaby Sanchez said. “While I understand that his rhetoric is a severe problem, his fiscal policies will help save this nation and truly make America great again.” Some students are waiting just as anxiously as the rest of the nation for Trump’s plan of action and are optimistic for the future. “I think that America wanted an outsider, someone who wasn’t a politician, as they wanted to throw a curveball at our current establishment,” Senior Logan Piper said. “I don’t know if Trump is the guy, [but] I guess we’ll just have to see.” Ultimately, after the Inauguration, the country as well as those at Cooper City High School are holding tight to witness his first actions as President of one of the most powerful nations in the world.
Lights, camera, pageant.
news
Cooper City hosts its first annual Miss Cooper City pageant BY KENDYL COUNTS Managing Editor, Print The brains of the operation. The Cooper City Town Hall is behind the planning for the upcoming pageant. Photo by Ben Milgram.
It’s time to break out those high heels, because the registration packets for the very first Miss Cooper City USA and Miss Cooper City Teen USA pageants have just been released on Cooper City’s official website. The pageant will be held on March 9th, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Cooper City High School Auditorium, but contestants are required to register by February 15, 2017. The competition consists of an interview, an evening gown category, a fitness wear category, and an optional talent category. Each category will be taken into equal consideration by the judges. Finalists will participate in the Cooper City Founder’s Day parade on March 11th, where the final crowning will take place at 4:00 p.m. on the main stage. “When I decided to add a pageant to the Cooper City Recreation Department Calendar of Events, I wanted to make sure that it would be a platform for women
where they could gain valuable experience and develop life skills, with endless possibilities for their future,” Recreation Program Specialist Felicia Trainor said. “I researched a multitude of pageant organizations to see which would be the best fit for Cooper City.” By choosing the Miss USA Organization, Trainor was ensured guidance and resources for putting the event together, as well as flexibility with the categories. Instead of the traditional swimsuit category, the competition will feature an activewear category to promote a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, the optional talent portion will encourage participation from everyone, even if they’re hesitant to break out into song. Though it’s the very first year that Cooper City will be hosting the Miss USA Organization, CCHS students agree that it’s never too late to start a new tradition. “I think that [having a pageant] is
really cool,” CCHS Senior Nicole Pardon said. “Cooper City has never done one before and all [of] the cities around us have, so why not?” Winning the pageant comes with more than just a tiara and a sash. The
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I anticipate the pageant experience to be one of a kind.
responsibilities of Miss Cooper City USA and Miss Teen Cooper City USA extend throughout the year, including attending Light Up Cooper City, Brunch with Santa, and Founder’s Day 2018. The winners will also move on to the Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen USA pageants, with their entrance fee covered by the city. The application fee for Miss Cooper City is $40 and can be entered by Cooper City residents ages 18 to 26, while the application fee for Miss Teen Cooper City is $30 and can be entered by Cooper City residents ages 14 to 18. A Little Miss Cooper City USA registration packet is expected to be released in January. “I anticipate the pageant experience to be one of a kind,” Trainor said. “I can’t wait to see our winner walk the Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen USA stage.”
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opinions
Taking a break.
Student perspectives on gap years. A much-needed breather or an inevitable setback? What a gap year can do. CCHS alum Parth Ahya chose to take a gap year to explore his options in life. In that time, he has started a not-for-profit organization, the Public Debate Initiative, and gotten a research internship at Harvard University. Photo courtesy of Sam Essig.
BY TAMARAH WALLACE Staff Writer
As caps descend from the air and the distinct melody of graduation begins, you realize that, for most students, one four year academic battle will soon be replaced by another. However, unlike previous years, you will not be sparring alongside them. Yes, you have just graduated from high school and no, you are not going to join them on their college endeavor - yet. As defined by the Cambridge Dictionary, a gap year is time taken between leaving high school and beginning university that is usually spent travelling or working. It is also distinctly European in that most American students have never heard of the term. Recently, however, gap years have slowly gained more traction in the United States, so much so that the first daughter, Malia
academics. One such institution, Harvard University, plainly states on their website their encouragement of “admitted students to defer enrollment for one year to travel, pursue a special project or activity, work, or spend time in another meaningful way.” They go on to say that the benefits of gap years definitely outweigh the detriments in that it fosters “increased maturity, greater ‘ownership’ of the student’s education, increased self-awareness, greater global awareness, fluency in a foreign language, and of course... self-confidence.” “I think it can be a great experience, as long as you’re able to do it financially and especially if you don’t feel ready for college right away,” CCHS Senior Ben Goldstein said. Even though gap years have garnered much support, there are some who pose obvious questions of concern and feel that with free time comes the ability to waste it. According to Emma Landers of Go Overseas, that
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They have a chance to be their own person and discover what they’re passionate about.
Obama, made the decision to defer from the distinguished Harvard University for her own sabbatical year. “I think that taking a gap year between high school and college could be very beneficial for students who are still unsure of what they want to do with their life,” CCHS Junior Jenee McPhail said. “They have a chance to be their own person and discover what they’re passionate about.” Gap years have a world of benefit as the overworked high-school graduate now has the option to explore the world outside of the school life they have led for the past 13 years. Many see it as a powerful learning experience- in fact, coveted institutes of higher learning are exceedingly supportive of the year-long break from
sentiment combined with the fact that when students go back to school, they will then be a year behind makes a strong case against gap years. And with the sheer expense of travel also furthering its impracticality, gap years are a huge decision that could easily negatively impact its participants. “It could cause some students to become unmotivated and they may end up not going back to school at all,” CCHS Junior Berlin Rodriguez said. However, with that said, the gains of gap years are exponentially beneficial and the definition of “gap year” could be altered to reflect the needs and abilities of the student. Instead of travelling, the graduate could simply do something just as eye opening and worthwhile with less of a price tag, such as begin an internship. The students could also take the sabbatical at another time, when their studies are more complete and they are more financially stable, like before graduate school. “I think I’d be more likely to do [a gap year] between undergraduate and graduate school,” Goldstein said. “I want to start college right away but I’d probably be ready for a break after four years.” Overall, gap years, though inconvenient for some, present intriguing advantages. Most importantly this time taken allows students to break free of familiarly structured school life and learn more about the world they live in, others, and themselves- knowledge that is overwhelmingly vital in the ever changing world we reside in today.
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The elusive New Years resolution Advice on how to keep up the new goals. BY LINDSEY HANNAH Print Editor The world seems to think that 2016 was a truly terrible year. Whether or not that applies to everyone, that is no reason not to strive for a fantastic 2017; setting a New Year’s resolution may be the perfect way to start. Resolutions have a bit of a stigma surrounding them in that they never actually work; gym memberships purchased in January are dropped in March, straight As dwindle to Bs and Cs after a matter of weeks, eight hours of sleep per night drop to five mere days later. According to research conducted by the University of Scranton, only about 8% of people achieve the goals they set at the start of the year. New Year’s resolutions are notoriously unfulfilled. Why is that, though? People set goals for themselves all the time, and those don’t seem to have the same kind of reputation for failure. So what’s the difference? Where’s the disconnect? It is possible that it is the magnitude of the promises made that cause them to break. With a regular
goal, falling off the wagon simply calls people to get back on it. With a New Year’s resolution, however, one mess up means an entire year’s record is tarnished. Furthermore, the idea of maintaining something for an entire year is daunting enough to scare anyone away. There are a few ways to resolve these key issues. For one thing, it is crucial to not let failures be too discouraging. One B should not resign someone to never getting another A; skipping the one day at the gym should not dissuade people from getting in shape; an all-nighter to study for an exam should not prevent students from trying for a full night’s sleep. Another way to increase the odds of sticking with a resolution is to make it achievable. It is better to increase goals in increments than to pick ones that are so ambitious that they seem unattainable. Conversely, once certain checkpoints are crossed, the goal can be set slightly higher. Reaching these milestones can serve as motivation to keep
going, eventually culminating in the achievement of the same goal that might have seemed too great to start with. Finally, it is crucial to have a plan. Reaching a lofty goal is like trying to eat an elephant. How is it done? One bite at a time. Try to lay out the steps as specifically as possible. Set schedules and make sure the necessary resources are accessible. Straight As don’t happen just because you wish for them. Make sure to set aside time to study, perhaps with a friend. Working with another person can improve accountability and make quitting less enticing. No matter what goals are set or how distant they may appear to be, it is important to remember that with the proper mindset, nearly anything is possible. Just remember to pace yourself and set reasonable goals. Even though setbacks are inevitable, sticking to a plan can still be of major assistance. Good luck, and happy New Year!
What do CCHS resolutions look like?
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I just want to produce better grades and improve upon my public speaking ability.
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Megan Hujber Junior
[My resolution is] to work harder in school and be a better person overall. Laila Vo Senior 10 | thelariatonline.com
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I generally don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions because I don’t see a real point in waiting [for the new year] to make a change you want to make in your life.
Madison Nissan Senior
opinions
Unpopular Opinions: 2016 wasn’t that bad
The Lariat column aimed at proposing opinions so unpopular, it’s basically social suicide. BY ZACHARY PERROTTA Staff Writer A year of outburst, outrage, and outlandishness; 2016 has been far from quiet and uneventful, but has it been anywhere close to productive? Even though the title may seem self explanatory, it’s pretty imperative that the meaning behind it be clearly defined. Starting with what this isn’t about: no, this has nothing to do with President Elect Trump or celebrities. Why? Well, opinions on the soon to be Commander in Chief are entirely subjective, just as opinions on the status of celebrities are not only subjective, but objectively unimportant to the quality of life for everyone in the world. Just as the aforementioned assertion implies, this is simply providing a short sample of the vast evidence available showing that 2016 has achieved, on a global scale, unmatched progress in both the advancement of human rights and the bolstering of stock markets. To elaborate and justify the foremost point, you need to look no further than the Human Rights Watch world report which was just released, reviewing the state of human rights progress in 2016. The Human Rights Watch organization, as explained by Meg Mszyco, an associate of their Disability Rights Division, developed policy recommendations that were promoted to national and local Indian government officials. Together with their local partners, isolation cells in state-run mental hospitals were torn down. This May, the National Commission for Women in India launched an investigation into the situation of women with disabilities in all 47 mental hospitals in the country, citing the 2014 variant of the report as the reason
for the investigation. The network’s advocacy and research had a real influence on bringing about policy change. On a macro impact scale, LGBT rights were deeply changed. “The Third Committee’s vote affirms that the right to be protected from violence and discrimination applies equally to LGBT people,” said Boris Dittrich, LGBT rights advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “It also respects the integrity of the Human Rights Council, as the UN’s top human rights body, to ensure that mechanisms are in place to protect rights not just in theory, but in practice.” Lastly, on the issues of women’s rights and the fight on abuse of government power, in late July, 2016, Human Rights Watch documented sexual abuse, including rape and exploitation, of 43 women and girls living in seven internally displaced persons camps. Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari released a statement through his spokesman that he has ordered an immediate investigation into the findings. Buhari, further, said in a tweet that he found the report “very distressing” and would not take the allegations lightly. In a positive step forward for these women and girls, he also tweeted that he will act decisively on the findings of the investigations. Human rights, however, were not the only factor in quality of life that was bolstered this year, in fact, the national and world economies made significant gains. The U.S. economy, according to the Washington Post is delivering some of the best employment and income gains of the past 40 years, boosting workers in a way that recalls the boom years of the 1980s and 1990s.
“The income for median households headed by someone 35 to 39 rose by 2.8 percent per year, on average, under Reagan and 2.5 percent, on average, under Clinton,” the post furthered. “In Obama’s first term, [however,] it fell to 1.4 percent. But since 2013, it has more than doubled, to 2.9 percent.” Most importantly, the housing market, the primary cause of the 2007 collapse, has experienced a recovery. For instance, the National Association of Realtors showed that existing home sales increased 3.5 percent from 2015 levels, and new single-family home sales increased 29.3 percent nationally. Housing starts, also, are projected to increase 17.2 percent, with single-family units increasing 23.2 percent and multi-family units up 6.5 percent. Median home prices for both existing and new homes are expected to increase a further 4.1 percent as a result of this year’s progress. Conclusively, to parallel the introductory explanation, none of this is to say that nothing has gone wrong in 2016. However, just as we experienced some unprecedented failures and harms, we are and continue to experience unprecedented successes that, in turn, lead to immense benefits received by not only the people of the U.S., but the world. So when you hear 2016, don’t take the glass half empty approach and sulk in the bad moments. Instead, recall the good ones and rejoice in the fact that you, more than likely, don’t face the magnitude of issues that the people of many nations face on a daily basis.
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features
Teaching from experience.
Following the amazing adventures of CCHS science teacher, Michael Mauntler. BY KENDYL COUNTS Managing Editor, Print
Trudging through the forest with his video camera in hand and his dog at his heels, it’s undeniable that CCHS AP Environmental and Marine Science teacher Michael Mauntler prefers fieldwork to busywork. Finding noteworthy observations in everything from bears and sharks to epiphytes on trees, Mr. Mauntler sets out to show his students that everything in nature has a story if they simply look through the right lens. Mr. Mauntler enjoyed a “stereotypical” childhood, spending much
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of his time outdoors. Though he took an interest in the ocean early on, the midwestern terrain that he grew up on lent itself more to rolling plains than crashing waves. “The one thing that I always really had a fascination with was the ocean, but growing up in Ohio, you don’t really have a lot of access to it,” Mr. Mauntler said. “I kind of had to wait.” Inspired by some of his high school teachers and determined to make a difference in the lives of students, he pursued
a degree in education at a small school in Ohio. It wasn’t until his graduation from college that Mr. Mauntler found his way back to his childhood interests, opening the door for environmental exploration alongside educational endeavors. After finishing his undergraduate studies he moved to Florida, where he worked at a marine lab in Sarasota. It was here, filming animals for the lab, that he was thrust unwittingly into the film industry. “[Studying film] was an accident,” Mr. Mauntler said. “I had never really done
Science in action. Here, Marine Science and AP Environmental Science teacher Michael Mauntler films a whale shark in Mexico, 2013. Photo courtesy of Mr. Mauntler
features anything with cameras, but because of my diving background they stuck a camera in my hands and said ‘here, go shoot.’ It was a really rough learning curve.” Though at first his shots were out of focus and his equipment was mismatched, Mr. Mauntler began to enjoy capturing underwater scenes to share with those above the surface. After buying a camera of his own, Mr. Mauntler started teaching at Cooper City High School and soon discovered that his job and his hobby went hand in hand. Taking advantage of Florida’s coastal ecosystems, he set out to prove to his students that the most effective learning often takes place beyond the four walls of a classroom. “I was teaching here and I was surprised by how many of my marine science students had never actually stuck their face in the water to see what was there,” Mr. Mauntler said. “So I put together a little underwater music video to show them.” After a period of teaching at Cooper City High School, Mr. Mauntler made the decision to apply to a graduate film school in New Zealand. But, instead of giving up his career in education, he was simply looking to broaden his horizons and expand his methods of teaching. With that in mind, he submitted his underwater music video as part of his application, and was accepted. “There’s nothing that makes me special in terms of being smarter than anybody else or being more talented than anybody else,” Mr. Mauntler said. “I just took a chance on applying to the film school in New Zealand, and I got in.” As part of the program, Mr. Mauntler produced a half hour documentary on one of his favorite animals - the sevengill shark. Given the elusive nature of the animals, the filming process was nothing short of an adventure. Guided by rumors and hearsay, Mr. Mauntler made the trek to the uninhabited southern part of the island where he convinced a couple of fishermen to bring him along on their boat. “When we finally got down there
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A lot of it is just waiting for the right moment, and that boat starts to get really small when you’re stuck on it for days.
Driving the Skiff. “The skiff to us was what a car is to most people,” Mr. Mauntler said. Here, he is photographed going to pick up the sound coordinator. Photo courtesy of Mr. Mauntler
it was really rough,” Mr. Mauntler said. “They dropped me off with my little row boat that I had rented and my camera gear. I saw all kinds of animals but I didn’t see any sharks.” Though it often seemed like the sharks simply didn’t want to be found, it was when time was running out that they finally appeared in the harbor by his school, of all places. From that encounter, the thesis film evolved to become a “juxtaposition between the town and the sharks,” where nature and man coexist in an unlikely symbiosis. New Zealand is often thought of as the quintessential representation of natural beauty, home to an abundance of wildlife and picturesque landscapes. For Mr. Mauntler, however, the most memorable quality of the country was the hospitality of its inhabitants. Fondly recalling the friendliness of the people he encountered and their willingness to open their homes to those in need, Mr. Mauntler admitted that he had far more culture shock coming back to the United States than he did leaving; however, soon he was back and ready to work on more film projects. After receiving the contact information of numerous producers, Mr. Mauntler reached out to all of them, ultimately procuring not a single response. Still without any offers, he decided to fly to London and meet with BBC producers in person, securing his first shoot on a show called Nature’s Most Amazing Events. Before long he was on his way to Alaska to capture footage of humpback whales for an episode entitled “The Great Feast.” Though the whales were not difficult to find, the search for the perfect sequence of their feeding habits lasted about a month. “In a lot of other films you can script and direct things, and if they aren’t perfect you can reshoot it several times,” Mr. Mauntler said. “But with wildlife, a lot of it is just waiting for the right moment, and that boat starts to get really small when you’re stuck on it for days.”
Fortress of the Bears. Mr. Mauntler captured this photo of a well-fed bear in Alaska, despite the lack of salmon in the area that winter. Photo courtesy of Mr. Mauntler
Coincidentally, that would not be his last extended stay on a boat in the frigid waters of Alaska. Mr. Mauntler’s next project, a documentary called “Fortress of the Bears,” would take him back to that same region during the coldest Alaskan summer in thirty five years. The opportunity to film the majestic mammals thrilled Mr. Mauntler, and the opportunity to watch a documentary filmed by their very own teacher continues to thrill his students each year. “I found the experience to be a unique one because it made me more [interested in] the documentary,” CCHS Junior Megan Hujber said. Though his documentaries are replete with shots of luscious greenery and lustrous waters, Mr. Mauntler admits that things don’t always look quite as perfect
behind the scenes. “It can be unpredictable,” Mr. Mauntler said. “At one point a very small pipe in the engine of our boat had a tiny hole in it, and we were leaking oil. For a while, the whole operation was held together by a zip tie and a piece of rubber.” However stressful it may be when the boat breaks down or the weather takes a turn for the worse, the times when things go right make all of the frustration worth it. “It’s really special to be out there, and it’s very sad because not a lot of people [get to] do that,” Mr. Mauntler said. “The best moments I would sum up as being part of something bigger than yourself.”
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features
Thinking out loud.
From her childhood accent to her crazy debate weekends in high school, learn the ins and outs of Senior Kia del Solar. BY TAMARAH WALLACE Staff Writer Up for debate. Del Solar explains her debates on the Kyoto Protocol, using her yellow legal pad as a guide. Photo by Karina Blodnieks
14 | thelariatonline.com
Her hand gently taps on the steering wheel, perfectly in tune with the classic rock melody undulating from the car’s speakers as she maneuvers down a tree-lined, winding road. Her mind wanders, gripped by the image of the harrowing, mountainous destination she had hiked the previous summer. She parks the car in front of the busy entrance and takes a step out of the vehicle. As she switches out her priceless vintage jacket for a blazer, a transformation occurs. A crisp suit registers and, as she straightens the garment and raises her head, so does a determined congresswoman. Cooper City High School senior Kia Del Solar-Patino was born in the bustling urban sprawl that is Lima, Peru and made her first move to America when she was only 5 years old. In the following years, she oscillated between Peru and the
United States, which proved problematic as the language and curriculum in both places differed drastically. Though challenging, the situation honed a quality in Del Solar that could be linked to her budding political success: drive. When the question of her accent was raised by her peers, Del Solar took it upon herself to thoroughly master the English language as well as the United States curriculum. “I had a Spanish accent until I was ten and that was a bit rough for me because it was always in my mind that I had an accent,” Del Solar explained. “[The accent] made me want to better my English speech skills and perfect my speech.” Her pursuit to master speech as well as Peru’s striking political climate were two important catalysts that sparked her interest in the world of politics and
the Cooper City High School Speech and Debate Team. “Peru has such an interesting political history,” Del Solar said. “I mean you’ve got everything: presidents working with terrorists, mass corruption, presidents resigning after stealing a lot of money, and [so on]. Discussions with my dad about these situations really piqued my interest in politics.” From there her love for politics only grew, prompting her to join CCHS’ debate team. Then, with the recommendation of her coach, Wendy Schauben, and some experienced peers, she decided to enter a category called congressional debate. In this category, students are placed in a congress chamber simulation and debate bills that would be discussed on the actual congress floor.
features “Participating in congress allows me to express my voice and makes me feel like I can make a change,” Del Solar said. “It is something that I have a passion for because I feel like I can be involved in the betterment of others’ lives.”
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It is something that I have a passion for because I feel like I can be involved in the betterment of others’ lives.
Del Solar’s various achievements have made her a formidable opponent, so much so that she earned the title of Vice President of Debate for CCHS’s speech and debate team. Her accomplishments include ranking first at Swamp Invitational at Everglades High School in her novice year and placing in every varsity tournament since in the most competitive district in the country. She also was a semifinalist at Florida Blue Key, a renowned national tournament held at the University of Florida, and at the University of California, Berkeley Invitational, at which she was one of only two Floridians. “Kia has a very laid back personality, but when she’s debating, it’s another story,” close friend and fellow debate team officer Emma Sheridan said. Stemming from her debate success, Del Solar has also volunteered for both the Hillary Clinton and Debbie Wasserman Schultz campaigns, where she has participated in a type of door to door campaigning called canvassing. Ultimately, Del Solar strives to volunteer in activities that help her towards her political goals, not just to fill the graduation requirement, and hopes to achieve a lasting impact on the future. “When I’m making bills or debating them, I always look at the impact because it’s either going to be harmful or beneficial and I want to make sure it benefits the future generations,” Del Solar
assured. Del Solar’s avid belief in enabling youth is exhibited in another set of extracurricular hobbies. As a Women of Tomorrow council member, Del Solar partakes in a mentorship program where teenage girls are taught the skills needed for success and are assigned a mentor to guide them. The club more specifically aims to expose these girls to different experiences so that they can determine what they want to do in the future. In order to further connect with America’s future, Del Solar coaches a girls under 8 division soccer team at the Cooper City Optimist. Having gained her athletic experience from playing soccer and her time on Cooper’s track and field team, Del Solar is a more than able coach. She played soccer for 3 years at the optimist and was a part of the team that won top 4 in the division last year. Del Solar’s athletic passion has manifested from her love of nature; having trekked through the exotic Amazon jungle and camped in the lush forests of the North American west, she is no novice to adventure. However, one of her greatest came in the form of a near-death experience.This past summer, as Del Solar attempted to make the 8-hour journey across the Andes mountains in Peru to reach the Amazon, tragedy almost struck at 4,800 meters above sea level. As she and her family ventured up the treacherous
roads of the Andes, the snow from the mountaintops fell from above, chilling the air to a frigid -22 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though they were aware that the windows should be slightly open in order to temper themselves to the thin air, they refrained because of the bitter cold. Upon reaching the quiet, isolated town of Ticlio, they decided to stop for a bathroom break. Once outside of the car, they quickly realized that the keys were locked inside and, simultaneously, began to become extremely dizzy from the high altitude’s thin air. However, after a 30 minute wait, three men thankfully arrived and offered their help. With a large rod with a hook attached, the men were able to force the window open and push the lock button, thus opening the vehicle “To this day, I don’t understand why the men had a large stick with a hook duct taped to it, but I am grateful that they did,” Del Solar joked. After that situation, the trip went on as planned and Del Solar and her family reached the Amazonian hiking trail without a hitch. So now, Kia Del Solar strides purposefully up the steps of the school, her confident smile bright. As she grips the door’s handle, she has a dreamlike vision. It is an image of her contentedly opening a much more elaborate door, one that she has only seen once before on a trip to Capitol Hill in Washington DC.
Body language is everything. Congressional debate takes on both speech and debate aspects in that presentation and logic are equally important, making it a difficult event for some. Photo by Karina Blodnieks.
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features
In style, in Cooper, in color.
Senior Lior Ayalon is about to release his debut fashion line under the name Lior White, proving that students, too, can cash in on their dreams. BY KYLE NELSON AND SAVANNAH KEYSER Managing Editor, Online / Staff Writer
EDITOR’S NOTE: The feature subject’s legal name is Lior Ayalon. At the subject’s request, we changed all mention of his name to Lior White. There’s a type of unity in diversity, and CCHS Senior Lior White has made it his mission to flaunt this in the coalition of colors that is his debut fashion line, Equipt Color. Many people know White to be at the center of social happenings, and many times leading them, but this wasn’t always the case. Throughout his middle school years he was very timid and he kept to himself much of the time. With the help of some key people, though, White soon found himself being pushed out of his shell and into the world. “I really became the social butterfly that I am today [in high school],” White said. As he entered freshman year, White was just as lost as any other ninth grader is. He began to find his way when his English teacher, Natalie Flaten, introduced him to the Student Government Association. His decision to join SGA was the push he needed to propel him into being the socially involved student he has grown into today. “Throughout [the] time, I have been fortunate enough to watch Lior grow from someone who tended to be reserved in his manner to a young man who has come into his own and has allowed himself to venture into the creative aspect of his personality,” Flaten said. “I have no doubt that Lior will fulfill his dreams as long as he continues to be audacious enough to pursue them.” Like most high schoolers, White experienced a lot of turbulence throughout his high school career. One of his lowest points was in his junior year. Between social and academic pressures, he was in
Fashion forward. When White sets out to talk fashion, everything about him is serious. His face lights up as he fixes his sleeve, his hair, fidgets his hands. Also featured in this image are his signature shoes, with sharpied phrases sprawled across them. Photo by Karina Blodnieks, logo design by Lior White. 16 | thelariatonline.com
features and out of the hospital for severe stomach pains caused by the amount of stress he was experiencing. White didn’t let any of this stop him. Now, in his senior year, White is on the SGA executive board, taking on an important leadership role in the Kindness Project. He is also a member of DECA and does graphic design for many of the clubs around CCHS. Most notably, however, White is also about to release his own clothing line. White has been known to break the social norms of someone his age, but with his fashion line, Equipt Color, he has taken it to an entirely new level. In the beginning of junior year, White started working towards creating a clothing magazine called Field Play, which basically focused on the youth and their influences. Throughout his process of creating the magazine, White began drifting from
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If you look at all my designs, like my shoes for example, it’s all words and phrases and written all over. They’re ugly, but they’re like a nice ugly. printing clothes on the pages to creating his own, called Equipt Color. “I was doing all this research on brands and influences,” White said. “I ended the magazine and it was just like the death of Field Play and the birth of Color.” To set his idea into motion, White had to overcome many obstacles outside of simply creating designs: he had to find designers willing to invest in his product and in order to do this, he had to take his ambition to the next level. White took the initiative and found an internship at a designer sunglass store called Specs in New York City where he would be able to fully immerse himself in the fashion world. “I would go with my cousin, who is actually producing her own clothing line, and she really taught me a lot of stuff,” White said. “We would look at hoodies and sweatshirts and knits and fabrics, and I would really catch an eye for them.” While living in New York over the summer, White was introduced to different fabrics and designs that would influence his collection. White found inspirations for his designs from Virgil Abloh, Kanye,
It’s vintage. White shoots the promotional videos for his line on an old VHS recorder he found in his garage. Photo by Karina Blodnieks.
and Alexander Wang - but White uses his clothes to exhibit his personality and who he is. A self proclaimed professional amateur, he says the beauty in his designs is the imperfect perfection. “I like the idea of being a professional amateur,” White said. “I’m really good at not being that good. If you look at all my designs, like my shoes for example, it’s all words and phrases and written all over. They’re ugly, but they’re like a nice ugly. The beauty within them is the crooked handwriting and the weird phrases and stuff like that.” Equipt Color’s Eye Play will first be showcased in the school fashion show, on February 23rd. Outside of being an aspiring fashion mogul, White does admit that he takes a lot of time to just be himself with his friends. Whether it’s weekends at the beach or study sessions on Tuesday afternoons, White is sure to be a good friend to those people he’s built a connection with. “He’s a great friend and is always looking out for me,” Senior Brogan Ness said. “He is very driven and puts his blood sweat and tears into his clothing line. He is very creative and I love all of the designs he makes.” As White ventures into this next step in his life and career, he hopes to find his footing in the New York City and Paris fashion industries, working with designers and spreading his influence all over the world. A very driven and focused person, he sets his goals high and achieves them, undoubtedly, White will not be giving up any time soon. “I feel like I could change the world, fashion-wise,” White said.
Sorting things out. White sorts through some blank items he has before they get turned into graphic sweatshirts. Photo by Karina Blodnieks.
$10 haircut with this coupon Monday-Sunday 9 A.M. - 7:30 P.M. Phone (954) 321-3344
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features
SPEAKING OUT Senior Natalie Mendoza finds her voice in photographs
EDITOR’S NOTE: The ideas expressed in this feature belong to the subject. They do not necessarily reflect that of the author, the Lariat staff, Cooper City High School, or the School Board of Broward County. BY KARINA BLODNIEKS Editor-in-Chief Natalie Mendoza sounds something like a character from a young adult novel. She’s bold, passionate, and champions a message that resounds nearly universally. But Mendoza isn’t a fictional character made in the image of Holden Caulfield, and unlike the female figures so often found in mainstream media, she’s not concerned with love or her image. Instead, the Cooper City High School Senior is simply trying to readjust her focus. “For someone who comes off as the typical angsty teenage girl, I’m really not,” Mendoza said. “I feel like I have a lot of clarity to me.” Mendoza has spent the last few years photographing everything she could find, from trees to Trump protests to tea time. She finds a sense of belonging behind the camera, capturing her version of the world to make sense of the obscure. “My art is my mode of expression,” Mendoza said. “It’s my voice.” This voice hasn’t always come easily, however. Like many adolescent girls, Mendoza spent a
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long time trying to figure out how exactly to speak in a world where so many can simply speak louder. “Growing up, I was always so conflicted with the fact that because I was a girl, I couldn’t do the same things as boys,” Mendoza said. “It was always very well-known. So the fact that I have a voice and that I can use it is something I’ve always taken advantage of.” Despite the pressures pushing against her, Mendoza has always kept her head high above water when it comes to stereotypes and false perceptions. From a young age, Mendoza has taken on her role as an activist. In fact, her older sister Alyssa Mendoza said that she’s been challenging convention for as long as she can remember. “I believe that growing up with Natalie taught my whole family about ourselves,” Alyssa Mendoza said. Now, however, Mendoza believes her voice is more imperative than ever, as she tries to stay vigilant regarding the president-elect. On November 9th, she came to school dressed in all-black, with “not my President”
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features Nighttime Lights In Mendoza’s featured photo, she was experimenting with the effects of shutter speed and movement on light photography. Photo by Natalie Mendoza.
I love that I can be who I am, and if other people like it or get it, that’s cool, but if they don’t, that’s cool, too.
Smiles to go around. Exploring the use of light and shadow, Mendoza created her own homemade light show to photograph her friends. Photo by Natalie Mendoza.
sharpied onto her arms and face. What many may see as an unnecessary act of liberal faithlessness, Mendoza sees as purposeful action aimed at upholding her beliefs. “I love being a woman, and I love Hillary Clinton,” Mendoza said. “I love the fact that I can scream it from the top of my lungs. I love the fact that it makes me just feel like this strong human, that I can embrace what being a woman is.” According to Mendoza, one of the best photography experiences she’s had was taking pictures at an anti-Trump protest in Bayfront, Miami. She travelled down with her best friend, Nicole Tjin a Djie, to contribute her
footprint to the march of hundreds of women who felt the same emblazoned sense of betrayal. Following suit with her political beliefs, her art seems to take to the motif of teenage power. Mendoza believes that every moment of adolescence is its own unique image. She loves photographing people, light, and color. She loves the fact that each photo she captures is simply an imprint of her life, left behind in art. “There are things universal about the human experience, too, like the first time you pick a flower and someone tells you it’s a weed, or the first time you ride your bike, or watch your siblings fall in love,” Mendoza
said. “I can take pictures of that and have my personal perception of it.” In likeness to her empowered idea of adolescence, Mendoza takes great pride in the connections she’s made to the people she loves. In particular, Mendoza refers to her relationship to Tjin a Djie as a moment of insight into her own psyche. “When you meet someone that you can just learn from without having to feel guarded, it teaches you a lot about yourself,” Mendoza said. Tjin a Djie reciprocates, expanding on the idea of Mendoza’s emboldened activism. “She gets me out of my comfort zone,” Tjin a Djie said.
“And not just in terms of us going places together, but she challenges me to think differently.” And indeed, Mendoza prides herself on the contrast between her thoughts and the mainstream. “I love myself,” Mendoza said. “I love the fact that I don’t care, and the fact that I don’t have to prove myself. I love that I can be who I am, and if other people like it or get it, that’s cool, but if they don’t, that’s cool, too.” As far as the future is concerned, Mendoza is as unsure as most graduating seniors, but she believes her self-reliance will take her where she needs to go. “I’m sure I’ll fail a lot and stumble across the way, but I
don’t think that it’ll be this A,B,C cut path that people have done,” Mendoza said. Her future, just like her photography, is something that is highly experimental. Regardless of where she goes, Mendoza is sure she will leave her impact on the world. As for now, however, Mendoza spends her time doing what she loves. “Every artist has a point in time where they have to make a decision who they’re doing their art for,” Mendoza said. “For me, it’s a cool thing I can do just for myself.”
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entertainment
2016 in Review
Dissecting the entertainment scene of our, uh, illustrious year. BY NOAH CASTAGNA Online Editor
Keep them entertained. These images are not ours, but reprinting them is protected by the Fair Use law.
MOVIES
The year shot off to a bang with the R-rated superhero flick, Deadpool, which became the second-highest grossing R-rated domestic film of all time, and the Disney animated film Zootopia, which scored critical praise for its clever writing and powerful allegorical messaging. Released shortly after, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice was the first major release movie featuring Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman together on the big screen. April gave audiences a chance to experience a movie like never before with Hardcore Henry, an action movie with a twist: the entire movie was shot as to be watched from the first-person perspective. Later that month Walt Disney Studios and Jon Favreau brought audiences
The Jungle Book, a live action feature that put the studio’s technological prowess on full display. May gave audiences the very last thing they wanted with The Angry Birds Movie, the first movie adaptation of a mobile game. Later into the year, war drama Hacksaw Ridge and sci-fi drama Arrival wowed critics and audiences, Hacksaw Ridge with its violently realistic action sequences and compelling true story, and Arrival with its impressive cast and endless twists and turns. Disney rounded out 2016 with Moana, the first princess film centered around Polynesian culture, and Rogue One, a Star Wars prequel detailing the events leading into Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, making for a thrilling conclusion to the movie season of 2016.
TELEVISION
2016 was a big year for television, with some major shows, including The X-Files, Black Mirror, Gilmore Girls, and Teletubbies, all making a return. As for show debuts, Shadowhunters, a Freeform adaptation of The Mortal Instruments series, dropped in January, alongside the CW superhero crossover show Legends of Tomorrow and the NBC dramedy You, Me and the Apocalypse. February saw the debut of The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, a resounding hit by all counts. As for streaming services in early 2016, Hulu brought to life Stephen King’s 11/22/63, a sci-fi thriller surrounding the Kennedy assassination, and Netflix brought the Tanner family back into American homes with Fuller House. AMC gave another gritty and graphic comic series a chance at live action success with the violent fantasy drama Preacher. Shortly after came the Netflix summer hit
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Stranger Things. Later in the year, ABC’s Designated Survivor and HBO’s Westworld delighted audiences and became surprise hits for their respective networks. Alongside them, Netflix released its third Netflix Marvel series, Luke Cage. Programs who entered syndication in 2016 include Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Major Crimes, Nashville, Last Man Standing, and Pawn Stars. New debuts and revivals aren’t all that impressed 2016 audiences, however, as shows like The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, and Silicon Valley continued to dominate in ratings and fervor, and follow up seasons of streaming hits like Daredevil and Bojack Horseman felt equally palpable success. Yet, there are still shows that are leaving us as we enter 2017. American Idol, MythBusters, Penny Dreadful, and yes, even Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, have all met an unfortunate demise. They will be remembered.
entertainment
GAMING
2016 was a rollercoaster of emotions for the gaming industry. Early on in the year, XCOM 2, Fire Emblem Fates, and Street Fighter V garnered notable attention, but didn’t gain any real kind of traction. The gaming season slogged onward, with Dark Souls III and Battleborn attracting some attention but again failing to pick up any major excitement or fervor. Older games like Team Fortress 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Rocket League seemed to hog the spotlight for most of the first quarter of 2016, with Uncharted 4: A Thief ’s End and Doom keeping audiences alive and enticed for more new releases, leading into the end of May. Gamers were anticipating he May 24th release of Blizzard’s Overwatch, a competitive team shooter that had gamers going crazy. Across all platforms worldwide players were picking up the game en masse, addicted to its fast gameplay and colorful cast of characters. While standard gaming audiences had found a release to cling to, more casual audiences had also stumbled upon their next new craze: Pokémon Go, which quickly became one of the most successful mobile apps of the year with more than 500 million downloads worldwide. Overwatch was still keeping fans excited
going into August, but the incredibly hyped No Man’s Sky loomed- the game promised players thousands of planets to explore and hundreds of creatures to discover. Upon release, however, the game failed in its delivery, with an experience most found incredibly hollow, bland, and grindy, especially accompanied by a $60 price tag. The year wasn’t lost, however: Titanfall 2 was a surprising improvement from its predecessor and Final Fantasy XV gave fans most of what they asked for. And while new releases disappointed and wowed anxious gamers, old games were finding themselves revisited for a newer generation of players; the BioShock series got a remaster and release as BioShock: The Collection, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare was remastered for release with Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, and Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow were released for the Nintendo 3DS systems in the lead up to the release of the franchise’s newest installments Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, which assuredly felt some of the earlier Pokémon Go craze in its release numbers. And thus, an exciting ride for the gaming season of 2016 comes to a close, with new classics amidst massive disappointments.
MUSIC
BY TAMARAH WALLACE Staff Writer
While most may say that 2016 was an interesting and sometimes deplorable addition to the history books, we can all agree that the year was home to a great selection of music. From pop and alternative to rap and R&B, artists showed us the sound of the future and left us with earworms that lasted months at a time. In order to commend these songs and take a trip down memory lane, below lies a list of the 10 most influential songs of the past year. Not listed in any particular order. “One Dance”- Drake With a Caribbean dancehall beat and the sly addition of melodic vocals by Kyla, this song instantly makes you want to dance as Drake explains his frustrating clubbing experience. “Panda”- Desiigner It is very hard to believe that this song was written about a white BMW X6 and its resemblance to a Panda but it’s true. However, the innovative rapping style and
catchy lyrics, rather than it’s purpose, was the catalyst for its easy shoot to the top of the charts. “Cake by the Ocean”- DNCE Even though it was released in late 2015, this song found success in the following year and left us all singing along to this upbeat party single. It was even the inspiration behind CCHS Senior Dawson Worley’s Halloween costume. “Starboy”- The Weeknd ft. Daft Punk The first song of the Weeknd’s album of the same name, “Starboy,” the Jamaican slang term for someone seen as cool or important, supplies the background behind a public figure that is the subject for the rest of the soundtrack. The song presents a futuristic, pop beat coupled with the Weeknd’s soft, hypnotic voice and speaks to the pressures of fame. “Lemonade” (Album)- Beyoncé Early this year, Queen B stunned with the release of her album as most of
her fans had no clue that she was working on it. It featured hits such as “Formation,” “Freedom,” and “Sorry” and spoke about issues in today’s world as well as Beyonce’s personal life. “Heathens”- Twenty One Pilots Released on the soundtrack of the 2016 summer blockbuster, Suicide Squad, this song’s haunting yet comforting melody allowed it to quickly become a worldwide favorite. “Work”- Rihanna ft. Drake This Caribbean inspired tune featured the most misheard lyrics of the year, however, that did not stop its dancehall beat from enticing anyone with ears to listen. “Down in the DM”- Yo Gotti ft. Nikki Minaj This song’s catchy lyrics were the source of constant Twitter jokes as people tried to “get down in those DMs,” or start a romantic conversation with someone on the popular social media site, Twitter.
“Pillow Talk”- Zayn It was one of the most anticipated singles of 2016, as lost One Directioners were curious to hear Zayn’s new solo sound. Evidently, he didn’t disappoint. With his inexplicable high notes as well as the sultry aura of the song, listeners were left satisfied with Zayn’s decision to leave the popular boy band. “Juju on that Beat”- Zay Hilfigerrr and Zayion McCall It was the dance craze that swept the nation and continues to inspire many online videos. This song’s electronic beat and quirky lyrics made it an easy dancing inspiration. HONORABLE MENTIONS: “Treat you better” by Shawn Mendez, “Don’t Let Me Down” by the Chainsmokers ft. Daya, “The Sound” by the 1975, “Work from Home” by Fifth Harmony, “Dangerous Woman” by Ariana Grande, and “Famous” by Kanye West.
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sports
Cowboys soccer takes on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Eagles
Battle it out. Senior Connor Jones wrestles with an opponent at the Battle of the Bay. Photo by Saige Griffin
BY HANNAH EUBANKS Sports Writer
CCHS wrestling competes in the Battle at the Bay BY MARK BRENT Sports Editor
On Saturday, January 14th, the Cooper City High School wrestling team participated in the prestigious Battle at the Bay tournament located at Cypress Bay High School. The tournament was filled with fierce competitors, as wrestlers from across the county competed. With over 12 teams competing in this tournament, certain Cowboys proved to beat the odds. Seniors and twin brothers Connor and Liam Jones both dominated their respective weight classes. Connor won the 152 pound weight class and Liam came in first in the 145 weight class. Junior Jacob Schwartz also did exceptionally well. He finished undefeated and came in first in his division. Kyle Thomspon and Nick Luna both finished the tournament with one loss each, and came in second in each of their divisions.
Although the Cowboys did have some individuals who dominated the competition, their efforts weren’t enough to secure a spot in the top three. “This season has been rough,” Senior Connor Jones said, “We’re coming off a team last year that consisted of 9 seniors, compared to a team this year [that]only has 3.” The Cowboys will continue to practice and get better for the remainder of the season, as they still have the County Invitational and District Tournament left to compete in. “We’re taking our beatings early this season,” Jones said. “But there’s still a lot of time to improve. When everyone else starts getting beat towards the end of the season, Cooper City starts working our way to the top.”
The Cooper City Cowboys boys varsity soccer team faced off against the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Eagles on Wednesday, January 11th. The Cowboys unfortunately lost their last game before districts, with a final score of 3-0. For the first half of the game, the Cowboys came out nervous, knowing the Eagles had yet to lose a game all year. Despite this, they still managed played well by not letting it get into their heads. Offensively, the Cowboys were unable to create any scoring opportunities.The Eagles scored their first goal off a deflection of the defense and because of the Eagles’ high pressure, they got the ball and shot it into the corner of the net. In the final 20 minutes of the first half, the Eagles scored again ending the half with a score of 2-0. “I believe we could have started the game off in a more aggressive manner,” Jacob Martin said, reflecting on the Cowboys’ performance in the game. To start the second half, the Cowboys were able to get one shot off by the striker, Jacob Martin, but it hit the goal post. Although he did not make it, this gave the Cowboys the adrenaline rush they needed for the rest of the game. Then the Eagles scored their third and final goal of the night. After this the Cowboys played very defensively, not allowing anything else in the back of their net. “To change the game we should have put more intensity in and been more precise with our passes,” Senior Miguel Gonzalez said. There was not much the Cowboys were able to do in this game, but they have high hopes heading into districts. These next games are especially important for the Cowboys, and that’s what their main focus is now on. “I feel confident about districts,” Gonzalez said. “I’m not worried.”
Lady Cowboys soccer ties with Marjory Stoneman Douglas BY BRANDON BERMUDEZ Sports Writer Two soccer teams that have a thirst to win showed heart, toughness, and skill on Wednesday January 11, when Cooper City High faced off against the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Eagles in a tight game until the end. In the first quarter, the Cowboys contained possession of the ball and were pressing hard to try and squeeze in a goal before the second quarter. Eventually, the Cowboys’ plan worked and after being in Douglas’s half for the majority of the quarter, Dominique Perron crossed the ball and Leslie De Leon scored the opening goal of the game, putting the Cowboys up 1-0. In the second quarter, neither team was
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dominating as both teams exchanged possessions and defense was tight on both sides. A lot of fouls were exchanged as both teams were very physical. The Eagles found a way to break through and even the score up, making it 1-1 at the half. To begin the second half, the Cowboys were passing the ball well and trying to get through the defense of the Eagles with good passes and runs. The Cowboys found a way to score after a nice pass from Leslie De Leon to Vikki Ramos to take the lead going into the fourth quarter 2-1. In the fourth quarter, wear and tear began to kick
in as multiple Cowboys midfielders had gotten injured. Douglas began to take advantage of the injuries playing the ball in the Cowboys’ half for the majority of the quarter which allowed Douglas to score again with 10 minutes left in the game. With not enough time left to counter that goal, the game finished in a 2-2 tie after a high level of competition by both the Cowboys and Eagles. As Districts approach nerves and intensity of training kicks in which makes big players want to make big plays. “I’m looking forward to winning big games and scoring goals in order to take our team as far as states,” Freshman Kimberly Slinkosky said.
sports
Boys soccer defeats the Nova Titans BY OLIVIA LEWIS Sports Writer
Play ball. Soccer and basketball photos are courtesy of Foxmar Image Flow.
On Tuesday, January 10th the Cooper City Cowboys faced off against the Nova Titans. It was the Cowboys’ senior night, making it a very important game for all of the seniors on the team. The Cowboys gave it their all and won the game 3-0. The game started off slow for the Cowboys, but they gave no opportunities to the Titans. The Cowboys picked up the pace and started to move the ball around Nova’s defense. Junior Tomas Upegui dribbled the ball down the sideline and crossed it to freshman Jacob Martin who shot the ball into the net, making the score 1-0. The Cowboys held the Titans and didn’t let them pass into their half. The Cowboys started off strong in the second quarter and didn’t let the Titans through their midfield. The Cowboys were pressuring the Titans’ defense extremely hard, and eventually succeeded. Senior Diego Mendoza was fouled inside the 18-yard box and received a penalty kick. He took a hard shot to the bottom right corner of the goal and made the score of the game 2-0. At half time, the parents and grandparents of the seniors lined up and locked arms with them. Each senior was walked down and a few words were said for them. Their families stood with tears in their eyes, watching their seniors play for the last time at Cooper City High School. These seniors include Diego Mendoza, Alonso Mendoza, William Upegui, Chris Hanley, Miguel Gonzalez, Eric Yeckes, Lucas Cusnir, and Hector Medina. “I just couldn’t believe that something that seemed so far away happened already,” Gonzalez said. In the third quarter, both of the teams started off slow and the ball was going back and forth between teams. The Cowboys held their line, but were unable to take any shots on goal. The Titans had no opportunities on goal. In the final twenty minutes of the game, the Cowboys let the Titans past their defensive line and they were able to score a goal, making the score 2-1. The Cowboys began to defend really well so that they could keep the Titans from scoring another goal. The Cowboys succeeded, and won the game 2-1, making a perfect end for the perfect night. “Senior night is an unforgettable experience and it is hard to believe that it was the last time I would be playing on the field,” Cusnir said.
Girls soccer wins big against Nova Titans BY ETHAN MUNCAN Sports Writer The Lady Cowboys’ soccer team faced up against Nova High School on senior night in a non-district game. With only a couple games left before playoffs, the girls hoped to continue their winning streak. At the beginning of the game, the Cowboys had full control over Nova and completed many passes until Leslie De Leon scored to make the game 1-0 early on. Nova couldn’t get past the Cowboys’ half or get any good shots on goal. Going into halftime, Cowboys forward Vikki Ramos scored two headers to make the game 3-0. At halftime, Cooper City’s seniors were walked out by their family members in attempt to honor their soccer careers. Saige Griffin, Samantha Stofsky, Katie Slinkosky, Heather Mcleod, Mia Malovic, Jemma Miller, and Stephanie Mendez all took part. “We performed well and came out with a win, although we could have capitalized more on the scoring opportunities,” Senior Jemma Miller said. “The team should focus on playing collectively as a unit and ensure that all scoring chances are taken full advantage of.” At the end of the game, Vikki Ramos scored her third goal to make the it 4-0. Cowboys continued to take shots and make scoring opportunities. Their defense didn’t let up any goals or let players past them. The game ended 4-0 with a shutout from the Cowboys. “The biggest moment of the game was Vikki Ramos’s amazing header after a cross from Saige,” Senior Katie Slinkosky said. “It is great that we have such a diverse team so it does not feel as if there is a “second string” or “third string” because almost all the players on our team bring amazing efforts to the game.”
Boys basketball competes against the Nova Titans BY MARK BRENT Sports Editor On Tuesday, January 10th, the Cooper City High School boys’ varsity basketball team played a nail-biting district game against the Nova Titans. Although the game came down to the wire, the Cowboys could not manage to come out on top, losing 66-53. In the first period, good defense was played on both sides of the ball. It was a back-and-fourth quarter due to the impressive three pointers from the Cowboys’ Christopher Allen. Nova’s plan from the start was to use their height to their advantage, and they proved this throughout the first quarter. At the end of the period, the Cowboys were down 15-11. “One thing we can improve on is our display of energy, which clearly makes a big difference in games,” Senior Guard Ricardo Nieves said. “Due to injury, we have had a number of people step up and lead games with tremendous stats.” After a quick pep-talk by Senior leaders Noah Peska and Ricardo Nieves, the Cowboys came out with fire. The second period was the turning point of the game. As #31 Griffith secured rebounds and the Cowboys played good defense, opportunities arose.
“We are doing good enough to be able to compete with anybody,” Nieves said. “The atmosphere is different, and we are growing great chemistry and confidence.” The Cowboys managed to score 17 points in the second period, as Nova was held only to 6 points, making the game 28-21 at halftime. Nova came out in the third period with vengeance. Nova center Shemar Bennett proved to be too much of an offensive force, managing a double-double by scoring 12 points and securing 12 rebounds for the Titans. Down by 5 points with less than 10 seconds remaining in the quarter, the Cowboys quickly dribbled up the court and hit a three pointer as the time expired. The quarter ended with a Nova lead of 42-40. The Cowboys seemed to fall apart in the fourth quarter. They were missing shots and giving up baskets to the Titans. Nova player Shemar Bennett sealed the game with a merciless dunk during the closing stages, and although the Cowboys gave it their all, they could not seem to make a comeback. The game ended with a score of 6653, and the Cowboys’ district record fell to 2-4.
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Senior breakfast. The Class of 2017 had their annual breakfast on January 19, 2017. Here, they took the senior panoramic and announced the winners of the senior superlatives. Photos by Sabrine Brismeur