The Lariat, February/March 2019

identity. i·den·ti·ty noun 1. what makes you, you

Issue IV, February 2019

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

STAFF LIST: Print Editor-in-Chief Genna Nordling

Online Editor-in-Chief

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Abbie Tuschman

Managing Editor

Alexandra Sansone

Head Editors

Annabelle Rosa Elena Valdez

Sports Editors Olivia Lewis Hailey Brown

TABLE of CONTENTS 17

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General Editors Joseph Sturgeon Arielle Kraus Sabrina Wong

Editorial Assistant Sasheen Joseph

ON the COVER

Staff Writers

Emma Huerta Victoria Martin Sofia Mendez Karen Suros Ryan Merard Isabella Marcon Emma Franz Julia Safrin

Sports Writers

Hannah Eubanks Kyleigh Sprigle Kayla Gates

Photographers

Cassie Hartmann Carly Cuoco Kayla Florenco Alexa Jaspan

Adviser

Fallan Patterson

After school on Wednesday, February 20, Print Editor-inChief Genna Nordling waited for the final bell to ring and all of the students of Cooper City High School to pour out of their classrooms to take a picture of Managing Editor Alexandra Sansone. While taking this photo, several students noticed the camera and decided to photobomb the cover photo. While we couldn’t use these photos for obvious reasons, the editorial board did not want them to go to waste, so now they live on the TOC page for your viewing pleasure.

All graphics and images not credited to The Lariat staff comply with fair use standards.

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NEWS

Live the farm life... without the farm DAVIE’S NEW U-PICK OFFERS ORGANIC FRUITS AND VEGETABLES There are many commonalities that can be found across all communities, such as houses, small neighborhoods and local businesses. Broward County seems to have something special within one of its towns: a farm.

While finding a farm might not be much of a surprise in Davie, this new addition to Broward stands out from the rest. This farm is a U-pick.

Named Family Farms, this new U-pick is located at 14950 SW 14th St. A U-pick farm is a place where people can come and pick their own fruits or vegetables for purchase. Within Family Farms, some of the fruits and vegetables that can be picked are kale, tomatoes, peppers and the staple fruit of the farm— strawberries.

Visitors can drive up a dirt road to reach the main parking area which goes one of two ways.

On one side of the farm, people can be seen picking different fruits and vegetables off of the numerous rows of plants which fill up most of the property. On the opposite side lies a small covered area in which people can grab their buckets to begin picking, or where customers come to weigh the goods they collected. The farm is strict when it comes to payment, as they only accept cash for their products.

“I think the U-pick is beneficial to the community because it’s a great way for families with children to have something fun and different to do,” visitor Mercy Espinosa said.

As the name “Family Farms” suggests, this U-pick is a popular place for families to spend the

day, as it has many activities to keep both adults and children occupied. Some might not think that picking their own fruits and vegetables is any fun, but Family Farms has a lot more than just the choice of produce. The farm also gives $5 hayrides to customers over 5 years old, while those under the age of 5 can ride for free. In addition to these activities, the farm also offers to grill some of the vegetables for the customers.

“I think it is good for families to come out and do stuff together,” frequent customer Darby Staub said. “It's better than being on social media … it allows for a family to be a family, instead of being separate.”

The farm is not just filled with fruit and vegetable plants, but it also has animals on the property. Chickens, a dog and a couple of cows can be found on the farm. The cows are fenced off, but the chickens and the dog are free to roam the area with the customers. Visitors are also allowed to interact and feed these animals roaming around which seems to be a big hit— especially with the younger children.

Even though this U-pick is almost brand new to the community of Davie, it is now considered one of the two U-pick farms left within the town. With the experiences and benefits that Family Farms offers, it seems as if the U-pick is going to be staying in the community for a while.

BY VICTORIA MARTIN

Photo by Alexa Jaspan

Photos courtesy of Tomoe Newman Above: Two-yearold Kaia Newman picks her own strawberries at the new U-pick in Davie, Family Farms.

Photo by Alexa Jaspan

Different perspectives

NEWS

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CCHS STUDENTS REVEAL THEIR THOUGHTS ON UF ADMISSIONS

The status which would determine many seniors’ futures was updated around 6 p.m. t h e on February 8, as the admission results from the University of Florida (UF) were released. Pathway UF is located in Gainesville, Florida and to Campus is consistently ranked among America’s top E n r o l l m e n t universities. It was founded over 160 years (PaCE) program. ago and has a current acceptance rate of about PaCE, which was launched in the spring of 2015, 42 percent. The school continues to be very is UF Online. Students who are accepted into well-known to students at CCHS, as well as this program must take virtual classes before transitioning to classes those in other Florida at the actual campus high schools. the following year.

“A CERTAIN SCHOOL Many students had Due to the been waiting for the SHOULD NEVER BE YOUR university having a night of UF decisions to limited amount of arrive since the minute EVERYTHING OR YOUR physical space to they submitted their accommodate everyone REASON TO SUCCEED; application in October who qualifies, PaCE still or November of 2018.

YOU CAN OBTAIN THAT allows freshmen to begin While seniors from all UF degree— just across the nation felt EDUCATION ANYWHERE. their online. The program anxious checking their gives students the YOU SHOULD KEEP status on the university’s opportunity to have website, the results led to YOUR MIND OPEN WHEN a flexible schedule, a multitude of opinions they will be among applicants.

ADMISSIONS COME OUT since focusing on studies Some left the status whenever and wherever AND TRY TO MOVE page that evening with a they wish to do so. smile on their face after ON TO THE NEXT STEP Florida resident receiving the news that PaCE students also they were fully accepted OF YOUR LIVES AS receive a 25 percent into UF. One student at CCHS that was fully SMOOTHLY AS POSSIBLE.” reduction in tuition and the majority of regular accepted, Kristina Smith, is extremely -KEVIN HUYNH student fees are not mandatory for them to involved in school with both academics SENIOR pay. In addition, they will still be learning from and extracurriculars. faculty who teach onShe has taken nine Advanced Placement (AP) classes throughout campus students and earning the same degree the course of high school and is also a member as those who attend classes on the UF campus.

“I am just really glad I still have the of various clubs. Aside from being the drum major of the Sound of Pride (SOP) and the opportunity to attend UF,” senior Aaron Blanco vice president of administration for National said. “I’m still allowed to live on campus and do Honor Society (NHS), Smith also takes part everything else a normal student can do, so it’s in Girl Scouts and teaches Sunday school. not so bad, and I’m actually really excited for it.”

Continuing along the acceptance pathway, “I feel very fortunate that my hard work for the last four years was recognized some seniors were given notice that they must and that one of my available options is to enroll in the summer term before moving into the attend a top 10 public university,” Smith said. fall term. This means that they will begin taking Others were also accepted, but only into classes prior to the start of a normal school year.

“At the beginning of the year, I was so excited to apply and eventually get accepted into UF,” senior K e v y n Huynh said. “ Ho w e v e r, I soon realized that getting into UF wasn’t a make it or break it moment. A certain school should never be your everything or your reason to succeed; you can obtain that education anywhere. You should keep your mind open when admissions come out and try to move on to the next step of your lives as smoothly as possible.”

Despite the positive status updates for some CCHS students, even several of the seniors most predicted to be accepted were declined from UF. Hannah Ferguson, the president of Student Government Association (SGA), received feedback stating that the university is unable to offer her a spot in the incoming freshman class.

“I know they over-enrolled last year, so their acceptance pool was bound to be smaller,” Ferguson said. “Since top state universities like UF and Florida State University (FSU) receive a lot of Broward kids, it makes sense that they need to limit the amount of students they accept into their university.”

Besides being the top representative for SGA, Ferguson had a super score of 1410 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and is additionally in four AP courses at CCHS. She is also an active participant in multiple extracurricular activities, with some including NHS, National English Honor Society (NEHS) and varsity lacrosse.

“Of course they will all swear that they don’t go by quotas, but I believe they are trying to diversify their admissions pool more by accepting students that may not necessarily be the most qualified in terms of academics,” Ferguson said.

Following the night of February 8, it becomes clear how one quick refresh on a page can completely determine how one’s life after high school will play out. From the range of acceptances to declines, CCHS students have formed their own opinions on how they feel about this year’s UF admissions.

BY SABRINA WONG

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NEWS

See something, say something

BROWARD COUNTY HOSTS A DISTRICT-WIDE SCHOOL SAFETY TOWN HALL

Above: MSD parents of victims,Tony Montalto, Max Schachter and Fred Guttenberg waiting to speak at the Town Hall.

Photos by Arielle Kraus

Broward County educators, school board members, students, parents and citizens all gathered at J.P. Taravella High School on Monday, February 25 to attend a town hall regarding school safety.

Individuals who attended the event were given the opportunity to question and comment on safety within the school district.

The purpose of this event was to allow Broward County citizens’ voices to be heard.

Those attending the event wanted to become more aware of how the district is addressing the safety concerns from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas (MSD) High School shooting.

“The purpose of me attending this town hall meeting is to become better informed with the recent changes to some of the policies surrounding safety,” Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) educator Kevin Peters said. “As an educator in Broward County Public Schools, I think it’s really impactful that we keep abreast of the different changes so that our instructional and different practices around the campus can be in alignment to what the district’s expectations are.”

Metal detectors, locks, drills, single points of entry and security procedures and protocols were all topics of discussion.

All who attended had their own opinions on how the school board can ensure a safe learning environment for the students.

“I am looking for proactive laws, not reactive laws,” BCPS teacher and volunteer member of Moms Demand Action Tracy Merlin said. “I want to make sure that at this town hall tonight, they realize that [there are] things we can put into place … to keep our classrooms safe.”

Superintendent Robert W. Runcie attended the meeting and addressed the concerns of those who spoke. He worked alongside other board members to ensure that each speaker was able to receive a response when necessary.

Superintendent Runcie spoke about the three main topics the district focused on following the tragedy at MSD: the wellness of the families and communities, improving school safety and working to cooperate with numerous investigations.

“I support Superintendent Runcie because I think that,

considering the horrific circumstances, he has done a great job,” Wilton Manors Elementary School teacher and parent Gina Pineda said. “He’s in a situation where you really can’t win and I think that he’s doing all that he can, that’s humanly possible, to make our schools safe.”

Some educators who spoke at the town hall requested that the school board chooses not to arm teachers. They pleaded for board members to respond to their requests and state that teachers in this county will not be armed.

“We [the school board] do not support arming teachers or other instructional staff,” Superintendent Runcie said. “We believe that is not the answer.”

Parents from MSD spoke about their concerns and ways to keep schools safe. Members of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission attended the event to demand more answers from the district.

“I’m here today to get my questions answered as far as what the school board and the superintendent are doing to make our schools safe,” father of MSD victim Max Schachter said. “One

of the things that we learned was that the murderer had 124 different incidents of disciplinary action and he was never arrested.

So, I’m here to find out how we can prevent this from happening again and making sure that the people that were to blame for this and didn’t do their job are going to be held accountable.”

Although efforts are being made to secure schools, families of the victims are still trying to cope with the tremendous losses they have endured. Some attended the event and voiced their concerns.

“My question to you [the school board and Superintendent Runcie] is that I can tell my special needs son that I am safe in my school because he doesn’t feel safe and he thinks that I won’t come home like his dad didn’t come home,” MSD victim Chris Hixon’s wife Debbi Hixon said.

School safety was the priority of the meeting and was thoroughly discussed between the speakers and school board representatives.

The county is working in collaboration with all communities in an attempt to ensure that schools will be better secured.

BY ARIELLE KRAUS

Fashion, art and auctions CCHS

The Met Gala made its way back to CCHS for another year of art and creativity. Though the fashion show is the main reason for attendance, many didn’t know what else the night had to offer. The Met Gala showcased three clubs specifically: Art Club, the Fashion Design Team (FDT) and DECA. The doors opened first for the Met Gala pre-party, a place for attendees to enjoy themselves and chat before the fashion show began.

During the pre-party, DECA held its annual silent auction, and the Art Club displayed multiple pieces for those in attendance. Chorus also performed three pieces at 6:30 p.m., which was the official starting time of the pre-party.

“All the clubs that are participating within the Met Gala have merged to show their talents to the community,” DECA adviser Lauren Mandel said.

DECA’s silent auction is a huge fundraiser for the DECA club, helping to fund their state competition field trip. The group auctioned off baskets containing a variety of items ranging from taco essentials to pricey electronics. In order to win a basket, patrons were required to write down their name and their bid. Whoever was the last to place their bid by the end of the night received the respective basket.

The Art Club provided a few items for the silent auction as well.

Pairs of hand-painted shoes were put up for bid. One pair was dedicated to Nicole Hobin, a teacher CCHS lost at the beginning of this year.

Following the pre-party came the highly anticipated fashion show

NEWS 7

MET GALA

held in the auditorium. Around 7 p.m., the line for the show had already begun to form, filling with people excited to see their friends, children or clothing pieces on stage.

The theme of the show was Beauty in Nature. Everything crossing the stage could be tied back to nature in some way. The three categories within the fashion show were dedicated to the seasons: fall, winter and spring/summer.

The Art Club was also featured as they created the clothing pieces which were shown in the Living Art category. The Living Art pieces were based off of past artists and their work. Some of these pieces were placed into the season-based categories as well.

“I felt like I got to paint the dress in its own unique way while connecting to the painting ‘Renoir’s Flowers,’” Art Club member Fenix Lobo said. “This piece brings the essence of spring while others brought the feel of other seasons.”

There were two other clothing lines featured within the fashion show: the prom line and the Hobin line. The prom line was modeled

by CCHS seniors, setting out to provide their peers with prom inspiration. The Hobin line was filled with unicorns and summeresque outfits. The models of this line were not students, but teachers Fallan Patterson, Melissa Cabrera, Wendy Schauben and Mandel.

“The show went really great this year,” fashion instructor Linda Snider said. “I’m just so proud of my kids for experiencing new things.”

BY VICTORIA MARTIN

Photo by Carly Cuoco

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EDITORIAL

Hypocrisy for the sake of entertainment

H o l l y w o o d has its fair share of abominable celebrities.

Movie producers that perpetuate “casting couch” culture, actors that hoard child pornography and rappers that beat their girlfriends to a bloody pulp— you name it, the ole Tinseltown has it.

While some famous people have used their influence for good, others have used their celebrity status to take advantage of others. Through the years, as the media unveils the dark sides of beloved stars, household names like Bill Cosby or Kevin Spacey have been irrevocably linked with abuse and assault.

But despite discoveries of celebrities’ immoral behavior, fans continue to rally behind them. It can be difficult to renounce one’s love for a star and their work after a shocking headline makes celebrity news. Yet, the contributions that an artist or performer makes to their field do not excuse them from the unimaginable pain that they have caused others.

This might seem like common sense to

some. But even after the Lifetime documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly” brought scathing criticism against the singer, lifelong fans were still quick to defend the artist.

The six-episode series aired at the beginning of January 2019, ringing in the new year with a detailed history of the many sexual abuse allegations made against Kelly. Though the artist has consistently denied the allegations, the sheer number of women coming forward is compelling evidence of his guilt.

Although the documentary series certainly sparked new debates on social media, it wasn’t as if the world was shocked by Kelly’s alleged behavior. The singer has been scrutinized in the eye of the public before, but still continued to produce music.

In 1994, Kelly married the late singer Aaliyah when she was only 15 years old. In 2001, a sex tape of Kelly— who was in his mid-30s at the time— and a young teenage

girl was turned over to the Chicago police. And that’s just scratching the surface on the mounting evidence of Kelly’s predatory behavior.

In the wake of “Surviving R. Kelly,” some social media users have criticized other artists for denouncing Kelly’s actions. After watching the Lifetime series, rapper 6lack tweeted that Kelly was “beyond trash.”

While the tweet racked up more than 100,000 likes, it also garnered some harsh responses. “[6lack] thinks he’s big enough to disrespect the legendary [R. Kelly], that won’t be tolerated,” Twitter user StanleyNVegas wrote.

Legendary or not, fans should not make excuses for their abusive idols. The lasting impacts that a musician has on the industry aren’t erased because of the despicable acts they have committed.

But they don’t negate those horrors, either.

Stars, with all of their glitz and glamour, should not be exempt from basic standards of decency.

Kelly should serve as an example of the harm

STOP SEPARATING THE ART FROM THE ARTIST

that can be done when a celebrity’s perverse actions are swept under the rug. For years after his pedophilic and abusive tendencies were revealed, he continued to sell records and collaborate with other influential artists like Lady Gaga and Chance the Rapper.

As Kelly continued to garner success, he also continued to mentally, physically and sexually abuse women.

People are finally recognizing that Kelly’s contemptible history shouldn’t be ignored.

Artists are removing their

collaborations with Kelly from streaming services and his record label, RCA Records, dropped him after the release of the documentary series. Yet, according to Nielsen Music, Kelly’s streaming numbers have nearly doubled in the same time frame.

Consumers should send a message to the music, film and television industries that abusive celebrities will not be tolerated.

Character matters.

BY ABBIE TUSCHMAN

School selves vs. true selves

OPINION 9

FORFEITING HAPPINESS MAY OR MAY NOT BE THE ANSWER TO THE SUCCESS OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS The very nature of the high school student is to compromise their own desires in order to work toward maintaining an abnormally high GPA; the effects are often baffling.

The likelihood that any student will attend an Ivy League school is relatively slim. Not only is it incredibly difficult to get in, but many people don’t feel compelled to attend one. According to Ivy Coach, the average percentage of students accepted into various Ivy League schools (Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, UPenn, Princeton and Yale) is 7.06 percent of all those who apply. Harvard alone admits only 4.06 percent of all applicants.

As those terrifying statistics show, the competitive nature of the college application process is irrefutable. Even if you aren’t applying to one of these prestigious institutions, the reality is that nearly all colleges are competitive, often at the expense of students.

The requirements to get into any university are often taxing on students. In order to be qualified, students must be involved in various extracurricular activities, exhibit a rigorous course load and have numerous hours of community service logged. Students

toil away their entire high school career in order to get into a good college, with some even fixated on going out of state.

Students are no longer working toward their own personal goals and are instead trying to fit the mold required to be admitted to an adequate college. This begs the question as to whether or not people have two separate personalities: their school selves and their true selves.

“I think people focus on academics because they see their interests as hobbies or something to do as a pastime,” junior Rylee Berger said.

“Academics are valuable and a good thing to focus on. But I do think that our society/community has conditioned this generation to believe that academics are the only way to achieve success and financial stability. I think we are losing people who are incredibly talented in the arts or humanities to the idea that if something you enjoy isn’t science or math related, it won’t be something that you can pursue.”

Berger isn’t alone in this belief. As students completed their course selection cards for the next school year, many attempted to pack their schedules with Advanced Placement (AP),

Photo by Alexa Jaspan honors and the recently introduced Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) courses. Their intent seemed more skewed as they only discussed taking difficult courses for the sake of competing with classmates or cushioning their GPA. Statements like “I can’t take a regular class” and “but I can take the AP equivalent for more credits” could be overheard above the sea of eager students.

Students are no longer confident in themselves due to the nature of high school.

Over time, schooling has morphed into a rat race rather than a means of nurturing students’ minds.

Students have to cope with feeling inadequate or lacking confidence in their

true selves. While many tie their self-worth to class ranking and school involvement, others believe that school does not define who they are.

“Ever since I started high school, I realized that I had an opportunity to become friends with people who share the same passions [as] me, and that I can talk about what I truly believe in while other people share their ideas as well,” freshman Christina Caride said. “Although, the classes I’m taking are rigorous because I want to get a good education beyond high school. In my opinion, it’s [going to a good school] a small part [when it comes to defining who you are], and I don’t think it’s a necessary one. In my opinion, treating others

with respect and love is one of the biggest [parts] and also being kind.”

Unfortunately, many lose the opportunity to embrace what they love because of how society perceives education. It is ridiculous to assume that pressuring students to load their schedules with copious amounts of work will not have negative consequences (i.e. stress, anxiety, fear of inadequacy, etc.).

“The truth is, the whole class ranking system, PSAT scores, all of these things act as metrics for students to compare each other to, and it is not healthy,” sophomore Ander Diez said.

BY ANNABELLE ROSA

Astro

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OPINION

It's in the stars...

IT’S NOT ALL THAT BAD Think back to when human beings existed mainly as hunters and gatherers. No television, internet or even books to entertain them. Back then, looking up at the night sky and all its stars was about as amusing as it got. As people gazed above, they began to find meaning in the darkness and all those orbs that loomed overhead. This meaning manifested itself in the form of horoscopes and the zodiac. Today, zodiac signs and horoscopes— regardless of their validity— captivate a wide audience, entertaining the human race just as they did in ancient times.

In fact, astrology played a role in many belief systems centuries ago. According to Time, Ancient China, Sumeria, Babylon and Egypt all looked to the stars in one way or another.

It was in Ancient Greece that zodiac signs were organized into the 12 we know today: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.

NASA explains that the constellations are the stars that are seen from Earth as it rotates on its axis. Zodiac signs represent 12 of these constellations.

While it may be irrational to blame every single personality trait on something as trivial as a zodiac sign, basic generalities do no harm. There’s exceptions to every rule, but perhaps those born

under Scorpio are tougher than those born under, say, Cancer.

Zodiacs and horoscopes are also much more complex than some may think them to be. Every individual has their own natal chart that takes into consideration the position of the stars at the precise moment of their birth. It turns out that it is not only the date of birth that matters, but also the location and time. This information generates much more than the typical sun sign people are used to researching.

Additionally, each planet, star or house in that chart accounts for a different area of life. For instance, the planet Mars rules over willpower and the temptation to violence or wild activity, so the characteristics of one’s sign in Mars determines their behavior in that area. If more people understood the full extent of their zodiac sign, they would realize that astrology is not as phony as it appears.

On the not-so-rare occasion that there is truth to a horoscope, or when a zodiac happens to seem the perfect fit, there is a degree of gratification to which little can compare. It leads to a new interest in further exploring astrology. Eventually, one learns to take pride in their zodiac.

As ingenuine as they appear, there are trends in zodiac signs that show there may be some truth to them. For instance, statistics from the FBI show that some zodiac signs tend to be more dangerous than others.

Even if horoscopes are just fabricated nonsense, they are a

lot of fun to look at. Hundreds upon hundreds of articles, quizzes and blogs on the everexpansive internet are dedicated to predicting the future based on the 12 astrological signs. There is no use letting them go to waste, so why not take a gander at what they have to offer? Perhaps they are capable of surprising skeptics.

Many doubt the validity of astrology, with good reason. There is not sufficient evidence to back up astrology as a science, after all.

However, astrology proves time and time again to be a good source of entertainment. If nothing else,it leads to deeper questions in regards to personality. A little self-reflection never hurt anybody.

Then there are those that take it much too far. Zodiac signs and the compatibility between them alone are not worth ending relationships over. Taking it too far can leave a person lonely, with nothing but natal charts to provide them comfort. At the end of the day, it is best to make judgment calls based on a person’s character, which is shown through their actions and words. Still, if it just so happens that a Scorpio and a Taurus continually bump heads with each other, remember that the stars called it first.

At the end of the day, astrology and horoscopes can be a riveting escape for those open enough to give it a shot. Who really knows what secrets the stars hold if they never bother to explore them?

BY KAREN SUROS

logy

OPINIONS 11

IT SHOULDN’T DICTATE YOUR LIFE CHOICES According to my horoscope, I am a nervous, inconsistent and indecisive Gemini with curious and affectionate tendencies.

I don’t believe I’m alone in not letting the date on which I was born define my characteristics, but those who oppose my logic are not small in number by any means.

Now truth be told, I don’t have a large understanding of astrology.

Efforts to conduct a thorough search of what it is, how it works and where it originates from were seemingly fruitless; the end result being a slight understanding of the background that drives the phenomenon that is astrological signs in western culture.

It seems that what was once a tool utilized to predict the occurrence of seasons and celestial events is now recognized as a social media trend on Instagram and Twitter.

A search of #horoscope on Instagram brings up over one million posts.

Now, I sincerely doubt that behind all of these posts is an astrologist sharing their knowledge with the internet. Many are simply making lists of what they consider to be related to each sign; Aries are courageous and impulsive and Cancers are loyal but pessimistic. All of these are basic openended characteristics that

can be easily plugged into a quiz or text-post of sorts.

It seems that knowing someone’s birthday is the only requirement for telling them what outfit they should wear or what characteristics they possess.

But, even for those who do understand the signs and know the topic well enough to discuss it, the practice isn’t based on fact. However, this doesn’t seem to be deterring all of those who follow astrology almost religiously.

Astronomer and Director of Citizen Science at the NASA Space Science Education Consortium Sten Odenwald argues that, despite the lack of reality in astrology’s answers, people keep turning to it for something that is, in fact, real: self-selection.

Self-selection, a term for a psychological phenomenon, is used by Odenwald to describe human tendencies to search for other interpretations of what they wish to be true.

“People magnify the positives, they forget the negatives,” Odenwald said. “That’s just how we’re designed.”

The fact is, horoscopes are not backed by science.

The practice relies on factors that cannot be quantified. However, that’s not to say that there is any harm in following them.

Despite my personal belief that they are a fantastical fiction, I

occasionally find myself looking for the Gemini section of the posts that pop up on my timeline. I will admit that I chuckle at poorly composed memes that feature dramatic facial expressions meant to represent comical interactions between those of different signs. Even I can’t deny that they are a fun form of entertainment.

And, for many, horoscopes are just that: entertaining and nonsensical.

For those who enjoy following them, I send you my sincerest apologies.

This piece of text was not meant to target those who do believe, but instead to explain the opposition. Because, at the end of the day, this should not be a polarizing topic of conversation.

Some believe and follow, others don’t and occasionally laugh at the memes produced.

The only foreseeable problem could be when either side instructs the other on how to go about expressing their beliefs or even processing them.

This isn’t to say that I recommend making every life. It should not, however, be forced onto people. At the end of the day, whether someone chooses to follow astrology or not, is their choice and their choice alone.

BY ALEXANDRA SANSONE

...or not

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CENTERSPREAD

A timeline of the events since February 14, 2018

Photo by Genna Nordling

On February 14, 2018, Broward County Public Schools endured the unimaginable as tragedy struck Marjory Stoneman Douglas (MSD) High School in Parkland. From that day on, MSD students, parents and staff have worked tirelessly to make a difference, not only for our county, but for our country.

In only one year, these individuals have created organizations and movements that led to many changes.

March 14, 2018

February 17, 2018

On this day, activist Emma González gave her viral “We call BS” speech, which began the news coverage of many student activists.

March 9, 2018 The state of Florida raised the legal age to own a firearm to 21. This law came into place following the tragedy at MSD and was supported by Governor Rick Scott.

March 24, 2018

February 14, 2018

A tragedy occurred at MSD, resulting in the death of 14 students and three staff members. The Parkland community, as well as all of Broward County, was forever changed from this day forward.

Many students countywide were heavily impacted.

“I was at Western High School for the first softball game of the season when the umpire told us what had happened,” sophomore Ashley Rodriguez said. “I was very upset. It was all I could think about the entire bus ride home. I was worried about my friends that go to MSD and what could’ve happened to them.”

For the one month anniversary of the MSD shooting, many CCHS students gathered for a memorial in the courtyard.

Fourteen desks and three podiums were placed in a circle, each with a nametag of a victim and a rose. Students participated in 17 minutes of silence to honor the 17 individuals who lost their lives.

February 21, 2018

CCHS students hosted a walkout to protest gun violence in schools. Many individuals created posters and signs with expressions representing their beliefs. Some students gave powerful speeches and the event ended with a walk around the track.

“I participated in the walkout because I felt like I needed to be there for people who had lost their friends,” senior Kelly Buker said. “Douglas being so close to Cooper definitely hit the community hard because these were people we knew.”

Over 800,000 individuals gathered at a march in Washington, D.C., entitled “March for Our Lives,” to protest against gun violence. The march was organized by MSD students and featured many speakers and musicians. In addition to the march in Washington, D.C., many gathered at satellite marches in cities all over the world.

“I attended the ‘March For Our Lives’ in Parkland,” junior Grant Golin said. “The experience was incredibly awe-inspiring. For this tragedy to be in one of Cooper City’s sister cities, and for all of us to rise to the occasion and ask public servants to pass more strict federal and state gun laws to prevent massacres like the one at MSD from happening again anywhere in the U.S. was incredible.”

April 16, 2018

The Broadway community came together in Broward County to honor the Parkland community in an event entitled “From Broadway with Love.”

Broadway performers performed alongside MSD students at the BB&T Center.

“It was so powerful to see all these people that kids here idolize come and make sure the Parkland community knew they were loved and supported,” sophomore Rachel Goldberg said.

“They all sang powerful, hopeful songs, and never focused for a second on the negative. I think the most emotional part for me was when a girl from MSD sang the song ‘Life is Like a Rollercoaster.’ This was a poem by Alex Schachter [a victim of the shooting] that they made a song out of. This moment was extremely powerful and really moved the crowds.”

June 16, 2018

The March for Our Lives organization began their “Road to Change.” MSD student activists traveled to over 50 cities where they educated and encouraged the youth to vote.

August 15, 2018

Broward County students returned to school with new safety regulations in place. A code red policy was implemented, requiring schools to perform a code red drill once a month.

In addition, students are required to wear their ID badges and campuses are required to have a single point of entry.

“I don’t mind the code red drills, and while wearing an ID every day is annoying, I understand that it is for my safety and for others’ around me,” freshman Marek Covard said.

“It is a necessary change to make sure everyone is where they are supposed to be.”

April 20, 2018

CCHS students participated in National School Walkout Day on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine shooting. Students gathered to form a heart on the football field to show their support.

CENTERSPREAD 13

February 14, 2019

October 16, 2018

“Glimmer of Hope: How Tragedy Sparked a Movement” was published. This book, written by the students involved in March for Our Lives, details the movement started by the MSD students.

One year later, students of Broward County are asked to participate in service and show love on this day. The day is to be filled with nothing but love and giving back in memory of the 17 students and faculty that passed away.

November 6, 2018

The U.S. midterm elections were held.

Youth voter turnout increased dramatically and 31 percent of individuals ages 18 to 29 participated in the election.

December 18, 2018

President Trump officially placed a ban on bump stocks in the U.S. This ban will prevent owners of semi-automatic weapons from increasing how quickly the weapon can fire rounds.

January 2, 2019

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission— comprised of MSD parents, law officers, school board members and government officials— released their initial report which outlines the events leading up to and occurring on February 14, 2018. The 446-page report also memorializes the victims by including their photos and a paragraph describing them.

In light of a tragedy, the nation supported the Parkland community in making a change. However, this movement is not over and will continue to grow as students, parents, administrators, teachers and all individuals work toward making a difference in honor of the 17 victims who will never be forgotten.

Photos by The Lariat Photography

BY ARIELLE KRAUS

14

FEATURES

Controlling the cold

KAYLA KISSEL OVERCOMES HER ALLERGY TO THE COLD AND PURSUES HER DREAMS

Photo courtesy of Kayla Kissel

FEATURES 15

Allergies are a fairly common occurrence.

From peanut to pollen allergies, millions of people are affected. However, some other, rarer sensitivities have gone relatively unheard of.

This is the case with cold urticaria, an allergy characterized by an increased sensitivity to the cold, including cold water and weather. Symptoms include hives, redness, tightening of the throat and, in the most severe scenarios, anaphylactic shock which could potentially be fatal.

Sophomore Kayla Kissel is, according to Mayo Clinic, one of the 0.05 percent of people affected by the condition.

“My family found out about the condition when we went to the beach and I went in the cold water,” Kissel said. “I came out of the water covered in hives and with odd breathing patterns, like my throat was closing.”

The unfamiliar nature of cold urticaria makes it a bit difficult for people to genuinely acknowledge Kissel’s diagnosis, leaving her vulnerable to misconceptions and ignorance.

“To be honest, it’s a little embarrassing to have this disease or allergy because it’s so … bizarre that people often think it’s fake when it’s really not,” Kissel said. “They tend to argue with me that it’s just a way the skin reacts to cold. It’s hard to really show people what I’m talking about because it’s too painful to show and prove myself.”

Although Florida’s warm and tropical climate is relatively favorable for such an allergy, Kissel’s hypersensitivity still affects her to a certain degree, even in indoor air-conditioned environments.

“As of now it doesn’t affect me as much because I live in Florida, but I usually have to wear long sleeves to school,” Kissel said. “Sometimes classrooms, even set at like 68 [degrees], cause me to get hives.”

Despite the drastic effects of the condition, past and present experiences with it have helped Kissel learn significant life lessons, relating both to her allergy and to others’ possible situations as well.

“Kayla has had this condition for a while

now, and living in Florida has been easier on her, but it still does affect her breathing and skin, so we still try to be careful,” Kissel’s mother Lauren Kissel said. “The condition has made her a more cautious person, and more aware of other people’s conditions, and it possibly taught her not to judge people for anything they may have affecting them.”

Despite her condition, Kayla does not allow herself to succumb to the illness.

She participates in many extracurricular activities, including competitive dance, Cowboy Television (CTV) and Thespians.

Although her condition may bother her at times, she has grown to overcome it in order to pursue these interests to her fullest ability.

“Sometimes Kayla is in pain or irritated but she fights through it every day to do the things she loves,” Kissel’s friend sophomore Rachel Goldberg said. “She never lets [the condition] get in the way of her day-to-day life.”

Another aspiration of Kissel’s is to someday move out of Florida if her condition fades away over time. Although there is a high chance that she might maintain the allergy, there is also a possibility that it will go away.

“Due to this condition, I’m currently living in Florida, although I do have hopes of moving away to another state like New York— which is much colder— when I’m older,” Kissel said. “The condition can go away in 8 to 10 years in a little under half of the cases, so I’m hoping that it goes away for me.”

Kissel’s positive attitude toward something many would label a burden has also inspired those around her, as her radiant personality shows others that they too can overcome whatever obstacles they face.

“Kayla inspires me like crazy,” Goldberg said. “She works so hard and I’ve never once heard her complain about anything that has to do with her condition. She is so strong and may be in pain daily depending on the weather, but she perseveres and still does amazing things. I really admire her.”

BY EMMA HUERTA

16

FEATURES

Sk8r culture at CCHS Cliches are an inevitable part of high school. As one walks down the halls, it’s easy to point out who’s who and what group they most likely “belong” to.

Some of these traditional cliques, however, are easier to point out than others with distinct styles and attitudes evident from a mile away.

One of these groups is the quintessential skaters of the school. We see them walk around, carrying their skateboards and wearing old school Vans.

They keep to themselves and because of that, it’s easy for the non-skater to find it intriguing.

What’s intriguing is often imitated, and that has caused skater culture to be sold in every store. Thrasher, a skating company and popular magazine, is seen everywhere and on everything.

Vans, originally created for skating and BMX, are among the most popular shoes in the world as of 2018. People are willing to buy and even replicate what they are lacking— individuality.

“It’s really popular now with a lot of rappers being skaters and skate companies blowing up, like Thrasher and Supreme,” junior Christopher Placido said. “I would like to see more people try and skate.”

Posers do exist but, for the most part, no one really cares enough to pay attention to them.

“Some of them can be annoying,” junior Francisco Torres said. “But, for the most part, they don’t bother me.”

At CCHS, there is a relatively prominent skating community. So much so that administration has a room dedicated to keep boards in, so the skaters don’t have to carry them around all day. These skaters are found in every grade, all with different backgrounds and motives for enjoying the sport. Skating is a serious hobby for a select few students.

Sophomore Austin Schneider has loved skating ever since he found his brother’s old skateboard

WHO’S ON BOARD?

seven y e a r s ago.

He discovered skating to be fun and decided to stick with it.

“I love that s k a t e b o a r d i n g makes me happy when I’m sad,” Schneider said.

His love of skating has landed him on the Ramp 48 skatepark team, where he is sponsored by the park and encouraged to pursue a career in the sport. Island Water Sports surf and skate shop has also scouted him out after Schneider sent them an edit of his best tricks. The shop ended up liking what he can do and put him on their team as well.

“The people that work there [Ramp 48] have watched me skate for a long time,” Schneider said. “They liked the way I skate, so they put me on a team.”

He hopes to work in the scene and make a career for himself in skating, either through starting a brand or opening up his own shop.

Sophomore Kyle Cordon has also found an affinity for the sport. Although he has only been skating for about a year, he’s quickly become serious about it. He documents his progress through things like videos and pictures to watch his improvement, and noticeably, where he’s getting better.

“It’s something nobody can pick up and be naturally good at,” Cordon said. “For example, a 10-year-old kid that’s been skating since he was 5 can easily be better than a 20-year-old who has been skating for only a year.”

The sport is based on hard work and dedication, which makes it one of the most impressive. The intricate footwork and balance necessary to succeed in completing tricks such as kickflips, jumping

sets a n d trey flips can take years of practice.

“It’s a lot harder than it looks,” Cordon said.

Another dedicated skater is junior Dylan Comprosky, who began skating around age 9.

“I just started skating in my neighborhood,” Comprosky said.

“When I was a kid, I was fascinated by how well skaters could keep the board under their feet when they were riding and doing tricks.”

It’s more than a hobby for Comprosky, who hopes to open a skate shop or his own deck company in the future.

Just recently, he began offering skating lessons to kids wanting to learn. He advocates for anyone who is interested to give it a try.

“Practice makes perfect,” Comprosky said. “Anyone can do it, you just have to put the work in.”

Skating, much like its participants, is varied. Some view it as a more casual thing, not wanting to go pro or pursue it in the future.

“I only know around like 10 to 12 kids who really skate,” senior CJ Osceola said. “By really skate, I mean kids who are actually passionate about it other than it just being a pastime or something.”

The scene is male-dominated, but that doesn’t mean it’s off limits for anybody else. There is an evident gender gap, with far fewer females skating than males. The preconceived notion that skating

Photo courtesy of Dylan Comprosky for

is boys, not girls, means little to nothing.

Anyone can skate.

Sophomore Alexis Roushay has been skating since the seventh grade.

“I really hated riding my bike to school because of how big it was and how I had to lug it around everywhere,” Roushay said. “My best friend had one [a skateboard] so I got one and just found it nice to glide your way anywhere with a board.”

She found that she enjoyed everything about skating the more she did it.

“The riding and gliding from one place to another,” Roushay said. “From one push to another.”

Skating is a freedom, not bound by any rules and regulations of traditional sports. Hard work and dedication will get one further in the skating world than natural born talent and fate, which is a part of why it’s appealing— skating gives everyone a chance. All you really need is a board and a body.

BY ELENA VALDEZ

FEATURES

17

Going for the gold

GYMNAST TYLER FLOWERS TRAINS LIKE THERE’S NO TOMORROW Over 15 hours worth of sports practice usually doesn’t fall into a high schooler’s weekly schedule. But for sophomore Tyler Flowers, this tremendous time commitment is just a normal part of his routine.

As an all-star gymnast, Flowers began training at only 4 years old. He has stayed at one gym, Park Avenue Gymnastics, throughout his entire journey. Although the decision to start the sport was initially encouraged by his mother, he has developed a true passion for gymnastics as his skills continued to improve over the course of many years.

“I feel like my mom’s decision to put me in gymnastics has helped me to become the person I am,” Flowers said. “It has made me stronger both mentally and physically, and has built me to excel in any other sport that I want to participate in.”

Men’s gymnastics begins with levels four through seven, which consist of learning compulsory routines with little variety, depending on the athlete’s ability to perform “bonus skills.” These skills are often more difficult and trickier but may add more points to the performer’s overall score.

The following level group is composed of levels eight through 10. Instead of practicing a set routine, athletes in this category are given the freedom to create their own piece based on their skills. Currently, Flowers is a second-year level 10 gymnast.

“It takes much more to learn new skills now since the difficulty and complexity of them are much higher compared to the previous levels,” Flowers said.

Competition season in gymnastics usually takes place from December to May. The remaining months of the year are typically training season, where athletes acquire and practice new skills to compete with later on.

Flowers first began competing against other gymnasts when he

was at level four, around 9 years old.

“Before recently, I was never really fond of competitions because they were very stressful,” Flowers said. “However, I have learned to cope with that stress, and having more friends in the gymnastics world now also helps a lot as well.”

For the past three years, Flowers qualified to compete at the men’s national competitions. Each state is associated with a certain region, and gymnasts must compete with those in their own area before heading to nationals. Florida’s region includes six other states and around 30 gymnasts per level in each region make nationals every year.

Not only did Flowers qualify for nationals, but he also made it into finals all three years that he went. This means that he placed in about the top 20 level 10 gymnasts around the country.

“Making finals was a relief from the stress and actually competing in finals was an amazing feeling— one like no other,” Flowers said.

One of Flowers’ main goals for this year is to qualify for nationals for the fourth time and advance into finals once again.

But like all things, nothing good ever comes easy. All athletes, no matter what sport they play, are susceptible to facing obstacles at times. Blocks in the road are common for anyone who puts in hard work to achieve a goal.

“I’ve faced mental farts of skills that I already knew how to do and had to reteach myself,” Flowers said. “Being scared to try new skills is one of the biggest obstacles that I have to overcome. Also, having a nasty fall on a skill and then having to get back up and do it again can be very challenging and mentally defining.”

For Flowers, the family that he has built at the gym is what motivates him to keep going.

Gymnastics has given him the opportunity to create new friendships and grow close to his instructors in unimaginable ways.

“Doing gymnastics with [my closest

friends] is a blast, especially practicing in a gym where most of the coaches have known me since I was Photos courtesy of Tyler a toddler,” F l o w e r s Flowers said.

“It’s basically a family.”

Among his teammates, Flowers is known to be kind, persevering and committed. While he does face difficulties at times, he still pushes forward and helps others along the way.

“Even though Tyler is a couple years younger than me, it was very easy to establish our friendship when we were kids,” fivetime national champion William Gomez said. “He’s a bit crazy sometimes, but one of the nicest and most genuine guys I’ve ever met. We’ve pretty much grown up in the gym together, and have always pushed each other to get better even when we weren’t at our best.”

Although Flowers does not see gymnastics as his top priority in college, that doesn’t stop him from giving it his all for the time being. Those who know him can speak for his dedicated personality.

“Tyler is extremely hardworking and determined with everything he does,” level 10 gymnast Franco Peirano said. “I’m very glad I met him and am able to be on a team with him.”

Flowers is well on his way to succeeding in the gymnastics and academic world.

While the process may not be the easiest, it is with certainty that he will be able to handle anything life throws at him in the future.

BY SABRINA WONG

What is Goth?

18

ENTERTAINMENT

A misunderstood subculture

Black clothing and chains don’t make a person goth; it simply makes them trendy nowadays. The rise of internet trends and hopping on the latest bandwagon has left people labeling themselves as something without knowing exactly what that entails. Goth culture has existed for years and has slowly gained popularity with classically alternative interests being deemed “mainstream.”

Goth-esque culture dates back to ancient architecture and literature. During the late Middle Ages and Renaissance period in eastern and western Europe, buildings often showcased large stone structures, flying buttresses, intricate details and large arches.

These characteristics created a macabre, elusive setting, which earned it the title of “Gothic.”

Gothically designed churches were oftentimes the centerpieces of large cities, drawing attention to the aesthetic being presented. These heavily detailed cathedrals inspired creatives all the way into the early 1700s, when gothic literature began to emerge.

This new form of fiction was a mix of horror and romance, fixated on themes such as death, mutants, demons and madmen. Most notably are the works of Mary Shelley with her infamous tale of the “Modern Prometheus,” aka Frankenstein, and Bram Stoker’s cult classic “Dracula.”

As time progressed, people shifted their focus from reading to listening. Goth music as we know it began in the late 1970s and flourished in the early 1980s. Stemming from punk rock’s underground, far-frommainstream sound, goth music created a new, somber sound. Whereas punk was angry and pleaded for revolt alongside distorted guitars, goth music was more melancholic and focused on feelings of irrevocable sadness and the misery found within oneself.

Photo by Genna Nordling

With this peculiar sound came a peculiar look. Popular bands kick-started fashion trends and the world followed.

Clothing became darker and more distinct for the goth subculture. Previously “punk” accessories, such as fishnets and heavy eyeliner, became staples in gothic wardrobes. Selfproclaimed “goths” adorned themselves in cross necklaces, black skirts and big hair to express themselves amid this newfound trend.

Many claim the first “goth” to grace the music world was Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie and the Banshees. Both her sense of fashion and style of music aided in defining modern goth. Bands such as The Cure, Joy Division and Bauhaus also rose to fame with their similar sounds and looks.

Goth music advanced from the dark wave minor keys to a more industrial and, influenced by the trends of the 90s, grunge sound. Bands such as Type O Negative, Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids and HIM rose to fame. The visuals of the goth scene shifted as well to a more macabre, nearly grotesque aesthetic to correlate with the influence of industrial music.

Grim visuals and distorted sound moved the subculture forward to where it is today.

Music is exactly what the goth subculture is curated around. The distinct fashion and general interest in the morbid and melancholy characterize “goth.” It is not limited to a specific race or gender, despite the racial and genderbased supremacy still prevalent within the community today. Although it has increased drastically in popularity, it is important to remember where the subculture comes from and respect the roots of true goth trends.

BY ELENA VALDEZ

ENTERTAINMENT 19

Pandora,

In a generation where music is provided on streaming apps like Spotify, Pandora and Apple Music, it’s easier to listen to your favorite artist anywhere and at any time. Nowadays, digital downloads dominate the music industry leaving CD players essentially irrelevant. One can listen to their favorite tunes on their phone, laptop, TV and in their car with the power of streaming.

According to The Statistics Portal, Apple Music was the most popular music streaming service as of March 2018, with 49.5 million monthly listeners.

Spotify came in second, with 47.7 million monthly listeners and Pandora Radio in third, with 36.8 million monthly listeners.

Though most music streaming services are free to download, there is an option to pay a certain amount of money to unlock all the features

Spotify

of the app. For example, without Spotify Premium, users are only able to have six skips per hour, as opposed to unlimited skips. With Apple Music, if one does not pay for the full version, users are only able to listen to music that they themselves have uploaded or purchased. Premium subscriptions to Spotify, Apple Music and Pandora all cost $10 a month.

When it comes to the music library, Apple Music claims to have a collection of over 45 million songs. Spotify is reported to have over 35 million songs and Pandora has 30 million songs. Based on the numbers, Apple Music provides a more diverse selection of music.

Apple Music dominates the global reach out of these three apps, stretching their streaming services to 114 countries.

Spotify is only available in 60 countries and Pandora is extremely limited globally,

available only to the United States after they announced they would stop working in Australia and New Zealand in 2017. With there being 195 countries in the world, Apple Music has the highest reach of access, giving them an advantage in gaining more users.

One thing about Spotify and Apple Music that makes them stand out among other streaming services is their interaction with listeners. Both apps generate different playlists with unique themes that the services update regularly, such as a mix of the most popular songs on the sites at any given time. This gives users the chance to explore a wider range of music than what’s already in their playlists.

Something that Pandora does better than the others is it’s radio services.

Spotify and Apple Music both offer radio streaming, however, Pandora was built on the

or

Apple Music?

use of radio— hence why its radio system is more developed than the others’.

For example, with Spotify, users are only able to select one song to set the base for their radio station, while with Pandora, one is able to set as many songs as they want to give them the perfect radio station.

Pandora offers various radio stations that play never-ending music based on the listener's music taste. Along with the ability to create playlists, Pandora provides listeners with the option to listen to nonstop music for hours.

One area that Pandora still lacks in is providing content other than music. Pandora is very restricted when it comes to podcasts, meaning that users would most likely have to find another way to listen to their favorite show. Pandora does not provide any videos at all, so users would still have to stream their music

videos on YouTube. Spotify and Apple Music both have a wider library of podcasts, audiobooks and music videos. People can even learn languages on Spotify with the “Language Superstar” playlist.

With all of the streaming apps out in society today, Pandora, Spotify and Apple Music are the more popular ones available. Out of the three, Apple Music and Spotify provide the most well-rounded experience because they are not limited. These apps are more than just music, as they are diverse in the content they provide. With Pandora, its radio systems drive the app, giving the listener enjoyable music for as long as they want.

All three of these apps are great for streaming music, and each has special features that distinguish them from one another.

BY RYAN MERARD

20

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22

SPORTS

No-cut policies aren’t cutting it HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC PROGRAMS NEED TRYOUTS

Trying out for a sports team has become a customary practice in the lives of teen athletes.

Although an intense process, undergoing tryouts is crucial to a student’s development as an athlete and a young adult, especially when experienced in a high school setting.

Like most schools, Cooper City High holds tryouts for the majority of its sports teams. The process provides coaches with the opportunity to gain insight on their potential players, assessing their talent and ability to be a team player. Tryouts allow schools to build the strongest teams with the most deserving players.

However, there has been a recent trend among high schools in adopting a no-cut policy. This approach allows any student interested in playing a sport to make a team without undergoing a formal evaluation.

Many athletic organizations point to the system’s benefits toward students. Not only does a lack of tryouts encourage more participation in physical activities, but it eliminates negative experiences usually associated with evaluations. Failing to make a team can foster feelings of disappointment and rejection among young athletes.

However, this is the wrong approach when preparing students for life beyond high school.

While athletes may experience temporary benefits in a high school setting, these policies differ sharply from those of the real world.

The National Federation of State High School Associations describes tryouts as “the necessary evil.” While acknowledging the difficulty and emotional impact making cuts can have, the organization understands its importance in the development of students.

When schools fail to cut players from a

Photo by Cassie Hartmann

team, the sport loses its competitive aspect.

Athletes don’t have to work hard for a spot on a team, as they are already guaranteed one. While students in these positions may experience a boost of confidence, the feeling comes at the expense of a strong work ethic and competitive nature.

Additionally, no-cut policies create problems for the schools themselves. One issue comes with the quality of athletic programs. No-cut policies have been known to deteriorate a school’s competitive atmosphere.

While teams are gaining more players, the talent level has been known to decrease as well.

Institutions that have adopted no-cut policies are unable to provide the competitive experience associated with high school athletics. For instance, Hudson High School in Massachusetts, who originally promoted these policies, has since returned to cutting players.

The Boston Globe reported that students, coaches and parents pushed for cuts in certain sports, believing that the process would

make the school’s teams more competitive.

Further, a lack of funding has pushed many schools away from this policy. With no limit on the size of a team, budgets would have to be adjusted to support a large amount of players. Schools adopting nocut policies might have to add additional teams, which costs money many don’t have.

In fact, The Atlantic found that schools spend an average of $1,300 on each individual athlete. Without tryouts, which would allow coaches to cut down on the size of their teams, schools would be paying more for players with little impact on the success of the program.

Tryouts are a vital aspect of high school athletic programs. Formally evaluating and cutting players has substantial benefits for student athletes and schools alike. When considering whether to implement nocut policies, schools should consider the importance of producing a competitive atmosphere both on and off the field.

BY KAYLA GATES

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