The Newspaper of Cooper City High School | Issue I, September 2017
y ar e e y l K o o ur sch t is
yo n e c e n a m nh e l l e i w v l nt
o de u v t s e n I n activ
a g n i m co e b w Ho The design of school is simple: students enter in order to learn and, immediately thereafter, return home where they will continue their studies with various homework assignments. However, with the progression of the current school system, slowly but surely clubs and sports have come to be a common after-school pastime. Whether or not these activities are beneficial has become a question of relevance in recent years. Involvement is the key phrase in any of these endeavors. The term in itself is meant to define an engagement with an activity and or situation. Characteristics often include a sense of satisfaction in oneself and an ability to creatively express ideas as a result of the fact that these activities allow the individual to pursue their beliefs. According to the U.S. Census, 57% of children ages 6 to 17 participate in at least one after-school activity. Teachers
and diligent students preach its necessity, while others find it unnecessary. In truth, involvement can prove to be quite beneficial. Among the students of Cooper City High School, there are many who advocate the necessity of being involved in the school system. Whether they are the thespians or the football team, they all play a large part in the school’s identity. Rachel De-Paz is the founder of the club “Tips for Tails” and is attempting to bring to life an Israeli advocacy club. What can be taken away from her strides in the realm of after-school programs is the importance of involvement in personal development as well as its significance in regards to the greater community. “Being active makes us into better people,” De-Paz said.“It allows us to grow and develop a sort of sense of self.” Similarly, involvement has given other students a sense of belonging. Junior Amanda Mulvaney is an active member in the LGBT
club, National Honor Society (NHS), National English Honors Society (NEHS), Navy Junior Reserve Training Corps (NJROTC) and Key Club. “Each club [has] impacted me in different ways, whether it be learning to accept myself fully through the LGBT club or learning that small acts of service go a long way from my experiences in Key Club,” Mulvaney said. Junior Abbas Jaffer is the co-founder of CCHS’s Video Game Club, something which has proven contradictory to traditional club values by bringing a far more interesting piece to the table. “The reason for starting the club was rather simple,” Jaffer said. “Our group of friends wanted a place to play video games and chill out.” Admittedly, this is a club targeted at students who simply want a place to relax after the seemingly endless school day. Some may argue that after school activities such as this detract from a student’s prior commitments, however, it is worth noting that these activities
BY ANNABELLE ROSA Staff Writer
provide students with other important necessities, such as the previously mentioned break from the turbulence of high school and a sense of belonging that is otherwise nonexistent in the classroom. Involvement is a means of satisfaction for the weary soul of the average high school student, allowing students to express themselves in a productive and meaningful manner by giving them the opportunity to entertain their fascinations. Whether your passions are met within a club, a sports team or even a committee, immersing yourself within these activities is not only beneficial for instances of the now, but also for future circumstances. The high school education system is meant to be a framework for the “real world,” and being active within clubs and sports alike is a means of providing yourself with that particular benefit. Participation is certainly optional but entirely worthwhile as it provides a multitude of benefits. It cultivates a sense of belonging that is unique, and that is why it is an essential part to a successful high school experience. In short, involvement is not only necessary, but a fantastic means for youth to explore a variety of paths.
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NEWS
Table of Contents
Cooper incorporates Canvas..........................................................4 New IOC Policies...........................................................................................4 Hurricane Harvey ...........................................................................5 Cooper is gaga for wawa...............................................................5
OPINION
Use study hall for college admissions............................................6 Movies are better alone.................................................................6 School Uniforms.........................................................................................7
FEATURES
Field trips are beneficial to high school students.......................8-9 Joie Meyer: travels back to China................................................10 Alex Porras: a star in the arts........................................................11
ENTERTAINMENT
Taylor Swift: What did she do?.....................................................12 Quiz: What Taylor are you?..........................................................12 Season in Review: Game of Thrones............................................13 War of Worlds: comparison of the Deathnote universe...............13
SPORTS
Volleyball .....................................................................................14 Swimming.....................................................................................14 Football........................................................................................15
Bolay, a chef-innovated “Build your own Bol” restaurant, welcomes Cooper City High School students and their families! Power up for an awesome school season by eating fresh and living bold
A Letter from the editors
Welcome
to
another
issue
of
the
Lariat!
Allow us to introduce ourselves. We are The Lariat’s new editors in chief, a pair of seniors who are astonished that someone is actually letting us run a newspaper entirely by ourselves. Have you ever read the book “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus”? Yeah, it’s a bit like that. There is something about becoming a senior that forces you to relive the previous three years as you pass the final one away. Since we joined the staff as sophomores, the two of us have grown from quiet, insecure staff writers into a dynamic duo. We’ve been through a lot together, from collapsing in the hallway after our interviews for managing editor to dancing across the same floor when we made the final cut for editors in chief. This is the first issue that we will be producing together, but the last first issue that we will be a part of. As with each back to school issue, the content that you will soon read has its origins in the heat of the summer. Though it can be difficult to piece together a cohesive publication without meeting face to face, we commend our staff for making the best of the situation, as they always do. Throughout the production of this issue we have been working to shape the publication in a way that suits the 20172018 school year, a lengthy process that involves resolve, quick learning and a whole lot of winging it. We would thus like to invoke the help of the entire student body as we embark on this journey. Please feel free to send us feedback, article suggestions, editorials - anything. We would absolutely love to hear from you, even if it’s only in 140 characters. Whether our words are read directly off a tangible piece of paper or on a cell-phone screen, it is still the work of our deeply dedicated staff. They are the most wonderful, hard working, creative people that we know, and without them you would be sitting down to a stack of blank pages rather than a body of insightful, eclectic and brilliant work. We would like to extend our utmost gratitude to our advisor, Ms. Callaway. From the noisy days in the classroom with our entire staff arguing over whether a hotdog is a sandwich to the silent afternoons with just the three of us working eagerly, she is always there to give us an ego boost, or light a fire beneath us - whichever is needed. We also want to thank Ms. Doll for her infinite supply of support and cowboy pride. Her commitment to this school and the passions of its students is admirable, and we are grateful for her belief in our success. We would especially like to acknowledge our managing editor Sabrine Brismeur, who is always there when needed, even at 3 a.m. when you just need a pat on the back and some words of encouragement. A fantastic writer, photographer and organizational guru, she has been an incredible asset to this staff. Finally, we would like to thank our unbelievably devoted layout and design team, Genna Nordling and Elena Valdez. In spite of their lack of experience, they have more than proven themselves to be talented and capable, and are a pleasure to work with. We simply cannot wait to see what they come up with next. Though school has only just begun, we know all too well that it will be over in the blink of an eye. With that, we encourage each of you to appreciate the present moment while it lasts. When it comes time for you to look back, a copy of The Lariat will be ready and waiting. We hope you enjoy. Kendyl Counts and Kyle Nelson thelariatonline.com
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NEWS
Cooper incorporates Canvas BY SOPHIA WENGIER General Editor
Photo by Ryan Sullivan This school year, Cooper City High School is changing the way students access information by introducing single sign on and adopting Canvas, a learning management system, for all teacher websites in order to give students a uniform experience throughout their classes. Single sign on (SSO), is used by many universities and school systems to make it easier for students to reach websites and information that they need. It saves students from having to memorize a username and password for every website they may need to use for school. “I love that with single sign on I don’t need to keep logging in to different sites,” senior Zoe Alfonso said. “It’s so much easier now that I have
access to everything I need after logging in once.” This year, Broward County has launched single sign on for all public schools. The goal was to give students an easy way to access online educational tools by providing a single platform for these websites. Broward SSO has gateways to websites widely used by Cooper City High School students such as Pinnacle, Canvas, Naviance, and Khan Academy. It also includes websites for students who are looking for extra help with a certain subject. These websites include Vocabulary.com and Math Nation. To access Broward SSO, students can go to broward.identitynow.com and sign in with their student ID and password. From there, they can
click on whichever site they want to reach and the website will open without requesting a sign on. From single sign on, students can access Canvas, a learning management program that was launched in 2011 and is used by universities, school districts, and institutions around the world. It is designed to organize digital resources and tools such as files, discussions, and assignments by concentrating them into a single location. It also allows students to access test and quizzes, check due dates, and submit homework. Canvas is available both as a website and a mobile app in order to fully bring learning into the technology driven 21st century. “I personally find Canvas really useful,” sophomore Jenna Hack said. “I can easily access information for all of my classes without the mess and clutter of papers in my bag.” Beginning this August, all teacher websites have been moved to Canvas so that students can view assignments and information for all their classes in one place. In the past, teachers have used a variety of programs such as blackboard or google classroom, along with their Cooper City High teacher websites. In order to standardize student’s learning experience, Cooper City High School has eliminated teacher websites and required that all online information be moved to Canvas. To go to a teacher’s website, students just need to click on Canvas and then select the course that they are looking for. Canvas includes many tools for teachers as well. It provides teachers with a variety of tools to integrate teaching and technology for a new generation of students. Cooper City High School teachers are working to implement Canvas into their lesson plans and classrooms to improve student’s overall learning experience. “The benefits of Canvas for teachers are that I can pretty much put anything online that I want to put online including tests, quizzes, worksheets and homework,” math teacher Michelle Harding said. “It gives me less to grade manually” In spite of the confusion that accompanies change, the students and teachers of Cooper City High School are adapting to improve the quality of everyone’s high school learning experience.
New year, new IOC policies BY SABRINE BRISMEUR Managing Editor Cooper City High School’s clubs, honor societies and publications have some new rules and regulations to follow for the 2017-2018 school year, after the first Inter-Organization Council (IOC) meeting of the year outlined some key changes. “We want to create a cohesive community with our club representatives,” Student Government Association (SGA) sponsor Natalie Flaten said. “So we’re definitely going to be enforcing some stricter policies. As a group, we want to know what’s going on so we can support each other. The whole idea of IOC is so we can make a community instead of just going through the motions.” The Inter-Organization Council, held on the third Wednesday of every month, is organized by the Student Government Association and is meant to oversee extracurricular activities. All fundraisers and project approvals must go through the council, where representatives vote on certain motions such as a club’s creation. This year, all clubs are required to send one representative to the meeting. This member cannot represent any other clubs, meaning no longer can one student represent four different organizations, a frequent
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occurrence in the past years. The decision was handed down by the district in order to encourage club cooperation. “We’re changing to accommodate to this new Broward County vision of having clubs at the forefront of the school,” Isabella Tocci, first vice president of SGA, said. Flaten added that the policy change should help with club-wide initiatives, where all IOC representatives work together to organize a large project. One such example was the Feeding Children Everywhere event, which packed 76,000 bags for low income families last year across dozens of CCHS clubs. Additionally, it is now mandatory that all representatives submit a monthly club report at the IOC meetings. All forms pertaining to club organization can be found, printed or filled out on the SGA website. As opposed to last year’s flat fee of $25 in dues for each club at the beginning of the year, a new policy states that clubs looking to contract SGA to create banners or use their supplies must transfer funds to SGA each time. Each banner now costs $5, and supplies such as paper cost $2 per roll. “Usually, the $25 dues were to cover everything clubs might need from us, but then some began to demand very intricate banners without having paid,” added Flaten. “It just got to be where their expectations
were unrealistic. Just to make it fair and equitable to everybody, we decided it would be on an as-needed basis.” While some of the policies are not necessarily new, they had not been enforced or taken heed of prior to this year. Besides discussion of the new approach to IOC meetings, school bookkeeper Kathy Marimon explained procedures for project approval and purchase order paperwork. After a school year of missed financial report deadlines from various clubs, SGA has begun to crack down on extracurricular organizations with a habit of late paperwork. “It’s much easier to keep track of things as they happen,” Marimon said. “Don’t wait until the last minute to fill out all your paperwork for the year.” Clubs looking to fundraise also received a visit from a sales representative of Big Chee$e Fundraising in Oakland Park. Those who purchase fundraising items such as chocolate-covered pretzel sticks, chips and cookies receive up to 50% profit, delivery at no cost and hassle-free returns. A 2% discount is also offered on all purchases for clubs who pay their bill within ten days. “We’re never going to leave you in a corner,” the representative said. “Though, you must always do your paperwork. It keeps everyone happy and everyone out of trouble.”
NEWS
Hurricane Harvey hits hard as Hurricane Irma looms in the Atlantic
BY NOAH CASTAGNA Head Editor
Category 4 Hurricane Harvey made landfall in the mainland United States on Friday, August 25, bringing with it a wave of flooding and destruction that rocked the nation to its core. As of the writing of this article, there are 50 confirmed deaths and a projected economic loss ranging from $81 to $108 billion. President Donald Trump met with his cabinet August 27 to discuss the storm and has stayed in contact with Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, having pledged national disaster relief during the preparation for impact. Over 8,800 federal staff members have been dispatched to Texas and Louisiana, bringing with them millions of meals and liters of water as well as critical supplies like generators. Coverage of the storm puts the 48inch rainfall and overwhelming catastrophe into perspective - the media has broadcasted images and videos of families standing atop the rooftop of homes swallowed by water, civilians zipping around in boats trying to help where they can and cars submerged in place along Houston streets. Brock Long, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has stressed the importance of wariness and cooperation between all levels of intervention through the storm and in its aftermath. “Emergency management is about partnership,” Long said in a statement on Sunday. “Our priorities are supporting states with search and rescue, mass care, disaster medical services, temporary power and
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life sustaining commodities.” The relief efforts have not been undertaken without controversy, however. Early footage showing a civilian mounting rescues with a boat sporting the Confederate flag has roused discourse, online scams have targeted those trying to support relief efforts and primetime preacher Joel Osteen felt the heat after he kept his Lakewood megachurch closed to civilian housing (due to internal damage and flooding) until coming under fire. “Our hearts break ABOVE: Rescue crews descend upon the flooded streets of Houston. as we see the damage and Photo complies with Fair Use standards for reprinting destruction in our city,” Osteen put out on Monday. “Lakewood’s doors are open the horizon that could directly affect South Florida; and we are receiving anyone who needs shelter.” Hurricane Irma is projected to barrel through the But ultimately the general consensus of the Caribbean and potentially impact the mainland nation walking away from Hurricane Harvey seems to United States late into the weekend, according be that the American spirit is strong; Americans of all to the National Hurricane Center. Though as of creeds have come together to help Texas through the Tuesday its path had not been confirmed, Floridians enduring crisis, be it in the civilians trying to save as have been encouraged to prepare for the worst. many people as they can in their personal boats, be “Disaster preparedness should be a it in the hearts of those reaching out with emotional priority for every Florida resident,” Florida or financial support or be it in the outpouring Governor Rick Scott tweeted out on Sunday. of emergency relief by all levels of government. For more information on how to assist the “Thank you to all of the great volunteers recovery efforts, visit https://txvoad.communityos. helping out with Hurricane Harvey relief in org/cms/node/104 for a list of FEMA-approved Texas,” President Trump tweeted out on Sunday. organizations to donate to or volunteer for. “[The] spirit of the people is incredible.” In the aftermath of Harvey, another storm looms on
Cooper City goes gaga over Wawa BY KENDYL COUNTS Print Editor in Chief With hoagies that rival Publix and coffee that contests Starbucks, Wawa stores made their way down the east coast and right into the Cowboys’ backyard this past summer. The chain made its highly anticipated Stirling Road debut on July 27. With promises of prizes for the first hundred customers, $1.99 gasoline and free coffee for ten days, Wawa’s clientele has filled the parking lot and moved onto a nearby gravel lot. A fast food restaurant, convenience store and gas station hybrid, the store was well-loved by many South Floridians yet accessible to few. The business, which is native to Pennsylvania, was originally a dairy farm and gets its name from the rural area in which it was conceived. Today, located primarily in New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia and Central Florida, prior visitation to the store by CCHS students was generally reserved for road trips. “At FSPA States in Orlando, I lived on Wawa,” junior Andrew Rothschild said. “It’s good to see them expanding to new areas and people. I personally loved it, and I hope everyone else will too.” Wawa is known for its varied menu and quick service - all within a convenient distance from the gas pump. Customers can place their order with just the tap of a screen and receive their warm quesadilla or frosty
“Flurricane” in mere minutes. Though it might not be an obvious choice, the gas station has quickly become a popular hangout for millennials thanks to the speedy preparation time and the minimization of face-to-face interaction. ““I love Wawa for so many reasons,” senior Gaby Garcia said. “Not only is it a gas station, but it’s like a mini cafe that’s so clean and organized with great customer service. You would never think a gas station would have good food, but they do.” Most Wawa stores are open 24 hours a day, and the Davie location is no exception. So whether it’s to go on a coffee run before the bell rings or a slushie search at midnight, the lights are just about always on. Though to many it seems like an act of kindness that Wawa rarely shuts its doors, the company engages in legitimate philanthropy as well. To round out its grand opening festivities, the store announced that it would be donating a portion of its hoagie sales to local food bank Feeding South Florida. Also getting involved in the action, another Wawa opened on the same day in Palm Beach, providing the same celebratory deals and donations as the Davie location. The chain appears to be continuing to migrate down south, as a Miami Herald article writes that Miami Gardens will be the host of a new Wawa off Northwest 27th Avenue and 183rd Street.
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OPINION
Study hall should be utilized for college admissions assistance EDITORIAL BOARD
As many of the Class of 2018’s seniors prepare for the arduous process of college applications and admission, one thing is clear: too many teenagers aren’t sure what they’re doing. Out of 2016’s graduates, nearly 70 percent of high school graduates enrolled in college or universities, according to Bureau of Labor statistics. Attaining a bachelor’s degree today, many say, is now equivalent to earning a high school diploma and just as necessary. With test scores, essay supplements, transcripts and recommendations to send, not to mention learning how to use application portals themselves, seniors can often feel lost and overwhelmed amidst the frenzy of the college season. One way this issue could be resolved is by offering Cooper City High School seniors college admission assistance classes during their personalization. Such an opportunity would look like this: once a week, seniors could leave their personalization class to attend college admission help classes in the college and career room. The classes would cover how to research universities, how to use various college application portals, how to write essays and how to find other college resources. The classes would span until the regular admission deadline, after which students could come in for moral support or help with navigating through the various paperwork needed after college acceptance, such as tax returns for financial aid packages. The school has already taken steps to accommodate the dominant role college now plays in the last two years of high school by encouraging teachers to allot time in class for SAT preparation on free practice websites such as Khan Academy. The BRACE office and Guidance are also available for student concerns and questions about future endeavors, and this year, CCHS has begun offering a course entitled Math for College Success to aid seniors in preparation for college entrance exams. But those students applying to selective universities realize the non-honors, non-AP class might make their application seem less competitive. Having the opportunity to learn about the admissions process in a class period that doesn’t count against GPA is undoubtedly attractive. Test scores, too, are also only one way of measuring a student’s application. Colleges are
increasingly turning to more holistic ways of application selection, valuing writing and storytelling skills in essays and letters of recommendation just as highly. English courses in school focus on academic writing, a stark contrast from the deeply personal and telling essays that colleges look for in an application. So, when a student who has been asked to write subjectively about themselves for the first time since grade school, it can be challenging. Due to the differences between entrance essays and the essays taught in English class, a class devoted to college essay style writing would benefit a large portion of the senior class. Students would be able to learn how to properly focus a college essay and write about the most compelling aspects of themselves. Such a course has the potential to distribute resources among students evenly. Education, as historical educator Horace Mann wrote, is the great equalizer. But in truth, while everyone has the capacity to learn, not everyone has the same resources. Some college coaching classes can cost up to $120 hourly and add up to thousands of dollars, and private schools offer special classes after school for test tutoring. Clearly, not everyone can afford these types of resources, and every public school has a socioeconomic gap in regards to its students - CCHS is no exception. Running optional college classes during a personalization period gives every student the opportunity to learn essential tips for applying to college and level the playing field. In the past decade, the number of applicants at the most competitive colleges has been increasing while acceptance rates have been dropping. In 2017, Brown University in Rhode Island received its largest number of applicants at 32,390 - with an acceptance rate of just 8.3 percent, the lowest it has ever been. As colleges become more selective, students who are looking to apply to four-year universities need to keep up with the pace - and offering optional college application classes during study hall periods is the perfect way to do that. Essentially, if CCHS were to give students the opportunity to take a course on college essay writing, it would expand on the already quality education provided by the school. Offering a class on college essay writing would benefit all students, especially those who cannot afford private tutoring. Giving all students equal access to crucial information on how to write college essays would level the playing field for all students—despite financial differences.
Photo by Sabrine Brismeur thelariatonline.com
Unpopular Opinions: Movies are better enjoyed alone
The Lariat column aimed at proposing opinions so unpopular, it’s basically social suicide. BY DARIAN SABLON Head Editor Humans are social creatures. People crave the company of others when doing social activities that are not meant to be done by a single person, like going out to a restaurant or visiting the mall. Going to the movies alone, for instance, isn’t something considered socially acceptable, and someone who does go to the movies alone is generally regarded as a loser. The reality is that going to the movies as a party of one is not as bad as people may think - in fact, there are numerous benefits to going alone that outweigh any potential drawbacks. In a study done by researchers Rebecca Ratner and Rebecca Hamilton, the majority of people refuse to go to activities like the movies alone, due to the fear that people will judge them in a negative light. This is a psychological phenomenon known as the spotlight effect. According to social psychologist Nathan Heflick, the spotlight effect refers to a tendency for a person think that people notice something about them more than they actually do. The reality is that people really don’t care; they likely have more important things to worry about than someone who decided to take a solo trip to watch a movie. Few people will think twice about an unaccompanied stranger when the Avengers are saving the world on the big screen. Going alone to the theater can also do wonders for the film-viewing experience. When people go with a friend or partner, especially as teenagers, they often don’t pay that much attention to the actual movie. This takes away from the whole spectacle that is a feature film. What most people take for granted is that movies have not been around for that long. The first “movie” was made in the early 1900s, and the very first movie theater was established in 1905. People during this time were completely enchanted with the phenomenon of movies, but nowadays, film often isn’t as appreciated. Instead, it’s common practice to bring people along to fill the two hours with chatter, and the film goes ignored. This isn’t to say that going alone to the movies is a must in order to enjoy it; going with someone else has the potential to enhance the experience. However, being solo can really aid viewers in appreciating it more than they would’ve otherwise. There’s also the fact that doing things alone can really help the mind. “Being by yourself…gives you the chance to clear your mind, focus and think more clearly; it’s an opportunity to revitalize your mind and body at the same time,” psychologist Sherrie Bourg Carter stated. Teenagers are expected to juggle a lot, whether it’s extracurriculars, classes, homework, jobs or hanging out with friends. In all that frenzy, we can easily become exhausted. Doing things alone, like going to the movies, can help relax the mind and give it a chance to breathe, creating a focus on personal needs. It’s time to realize that going to the movies and having fun does not necessarily mean bringing a number two. Sometimes, it can mean just sitting alone with a jumbo popcorn, soda and candy in hand, while enjoying the miraculous moving pictures that cost $10 a ticket.
OPINION 7
School Uniforms: The good, the bad, and the ugly BY KENDYL COUNTS Print Editor in Chief
“Be yourself ” is a classic piece of first day of school advice, bestowed upon students everywhere as they brace themselves for the unknown. Being immediately swallowed by a sea of navy polos, however, makes it difficult to stand out. Just another person sporting a button up, students may find it difficult to feel unique or authentic - but that doesn’t stop the numbers of schools mandating uniform attire from growing. In the 2013– 2014 school year the percentage of public schools that reported requiring students to wear uniforms was 20% - up from 12% in 1999-2000, as stated by the National Center for Education Statistics. But adopting these required garments may not be in the best interests of students, as it forces them to surrender their creativity in favor of conformity. Whether a student is using fashion to show off their favorite color, advertise a band they like or even assert their gender identity, it is an extension of their personality. School uniforms, on the other hand, can stifle students’ selfexpression. While elementary-age children may not have a personal sense of style that conflicts with their khaki shorts, high school students are old enough to have developed a strong sense of individuality. Teenagers are undergoing the complex process of figuring out who they are, and that often involves test-driving multiple personas until they find the one that fits. There are hormones behind the angst and rebellion, and attempting to fit it all into a prearranged outfit is like trying to score a hole in one with a bowling ball. One of the few things that teenagers can control is their style. Their parents might pay for their car and they might live in a cupboard under some stairs, but they can determine how they present themselves to the world. This gives them a sense of authority over their own existence, which can mitigate the feelings of constraint that might ultimately end in revolt. High school students are often expected to behave like adults. If students
are required to make decisions about how to spend their money, which courses to take and how they want to proceed with their futures, they are responsible enough to select clothing appropriate for school. Further, while plenty of jobs have coordinated garb, many others do not. Students should be learning from their high school experience, gaining an understanding of what types of clothing are appropriate in different situations. Uniforms can also be a source of insecurity for students who don’t feel confident in what they’re wearing. Adolescence is difficult enough, with its drama, hormones and standardized tests, so any opportunity to feel relaxed in one’s own skin should be capitalized on. According to Joshua I. Davis, an assistant professor of psychology at Barnard College, “when we put on certain clothes we might more readily take on a role and that can affect our basic abilities.” There is definitely a reason why wearing cozy sweatpants or a cheerful dress can salvage a bad day. If the wearer feels comfortable in their “armor,” it will be reflected in their mood and behavior. Granted, there are some advantages to school uniforms. For the laziest of students, school uniforms
Photos by Casey Chapter eliminate the need to put effort into a clothing ensemble. With no reason to spend time matching shirts to jeans to shoes at the crack of dawn, some people might even find themselves hitting snooze one extra time. One of the most cited advantages of adopting school uniforms is their function as an equalizer. With uniforms, no students are better-dressed than others. Looking like clones of one another, it’s much more difficult for potential bullies to find something to pick on, and students no longer feel the need to impress one another. While halting the bullying epidemic and heightening security are
TOP AND RIGHT: Students express personal opinions, beliefs and qualities through their clothing choices. both appealing, forcing students to look identical to one another is not the right way to go about correcting these extensive issues. Being different is what attracts friends and breeds success, encourages innovation and promotes progress. Therefore, in a world where “be yourself ” is constantly preached, students must be provided with the means to do so.
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CENTERSPREAD
Out and about
Field trips are beneficial to high school students BY SOPHIA WENGIER General Editor As students grow from long division and recess to calculus and college, the learning experience alters. An increased focus on testing and preparing for university puts playtime far into the background, making recess and building blocks disappear. These changes are fitting for those who are about to be thrown into the adult world, however, the important elements of hands-on learning have been lost through the years with the lack of out-of-classroom experience. High school field trips have become increasingly rare, yet can provide students with a unique learning experience that they can not obtain in a traditional classroom setting.
“I think the students that attend field trips find them very beneficial,” Principal Wendy Doll said. “I think that it’s an incredible enrichment activity for making that connection in the classroom and making it come alive.” While learning seemingly unimportant or abstract concepts in classes, such as math or science, it can be hard to understand why they are being taught, or exactly when they will be used in life after school. Of course, these subjects really do have practical and essential real world applications in a multitude of professions that high schoolers could find themselves pursuing. Still, despite the fact that students may be able to answer every question on their test, they often remain unsure of one thing: what’s the point? If high school students were given more opportunities to visit places in which math, science
and other subjects are being put to use, they may better understand the importance of school. Field trips to one of these places, such as a space center or wildlife reserve, can provide high school students with examples of the real world importance of subjects and information that they may have once thought useless. With a lack of field trips, the connection between the adult world and the classroom may be lost to mindless testing. Furthermore, field trips can help high schoolers make decisions about their future. For a student who is unsure of whether or not they want to seek a higher education or one who just doesn’t know where they’d like to go, a trip to a local college or university can make all the difference. College tours such as these can provide students with information that will help
TOP AND RIGHT: Mr. Mauntler’s AP Enviromental science students and Mrs.Coyne’s AP Biology students slog through the knee-deep waters of the Everglades swamp. BOTTOM: Students watch for wildlife aboard an airboat.
Photos courtesy of Mr. Mauntler thelariatonline.com
CENTERSPREAD 9 them with the application process and assist with deciding what kind of school they want to go to. Along with the information the students will receive, a walk around the campus provides students with a glimpse of what college life can be like, giving them a better understanding of what exactly they’re working towards. Alternatively, almost any field trip can help students decide what they want to major in or what area of study they want to go into. Hands-on experiences can spur one’s love for a subject more than classroom learning on its own ever could. Firsthand learning actually helps students perform better in the classroom. A study by the University of Chicago maintains that “students who physically experience scientific concepts understand them more deeply and score better on science tests.” This kind of essential hands-on learning can be achieved on field trips. Then, after gaining the scientific understanding provided by these trips, students can apply the knowledge to score better on college readiness tests such as the ACT. Field trips benefit high school teachers as well by allowing them to build on their curriculum with resources other than the textbook. Being able to provide students with hands on learning that connects to what is being taught in the classroom helps many teachers ensure success for their students. “I took my students on a field trip to the everglades,” science teacher Loretta Coyne said. “This was
beneficial because it built on the concepts and skills learned in class. They were able to do on hand work as well as be able to visually see the things we were talking about. This is something they weren’t able to do in a classroom lab setting.” Although one might make the argument that students should be getting these kinds of experiences on their own, this is simply not realistic for every family. High school field trips can give opportunities to financially struggling students who may not have the same abilities as others. Activities such as visiting the Everglades, Kennedy Space Center or going on local college tours are wonderful learning experiences that not everyone can experience on their own. By pooling money together from students and combining it with funding from the school, the cost of field trips can be a lot more affordable than going by oneself or with family. The money can also go towards providing a mode of transportation for students to get there. Whether it is because of working parents or financial issues, field trips can provide a more affordable and accessible way for students to have these experiences. “A lot of kids wouldn’t get to experience some of the things
they experience without those field trips,” Principal Doll said. “You just have to find the right field trip to fit what you’re trying to convey to the students in the classroom.” Despite the differences in learning needs from elementary to high school, field trips should remain consistent as they provide benefits for anyone in a learning environment, regardless of age. With their ability to provide a connection between school and the adult world and the endless opportunities for the future they present, field trips are essential and should become more prevalent in high school.
ABOVE: Students on the everglades field trip receive instruction before their hike through the swamp. BELOW: A student studies the soil composition of a handful of Earth in the Everglades marshes.
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10
FEATURES
An Ocean Away
Joie MeyerTravels Back to China 16 Years After Her Adoption BY KENDYL COUNTS Print Editor in Chief
To Joie Meyer, “China” had never been more than a word scrawled on her legal documents. Adopted from the world’s most populous country at just nine months old, Meyer has resided in America for as long as she can remember. It was not until this past summer, when she took a heritage tour funded by the Chinese government, that the word started to mean something. “Before my trip I just saw China as a name, and I didn’t really think much of it because I’ve been living in America all my life,” Meyer said. “After, there was a sense of pride in me, seeing China’s rich cultural history and everything that it has to offer.” Three days after she was born, Meyer’s birth parents wrapped her in a blanket and placed her in front of the city police station with nothing but a note disclosing her birthday. With poverty ravaging the town where Meyer was born and the One Child Policy firmly in place, forfeiting care of a child was not uncommon. After she was found, Meyer was placed in an orphanage, where she would remain until her adoption nine months later. “I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about the One Child Policy, like mothers burying their babies alive,” Meyer said. “It made me really grateful that my parents did decide to give me up for adoption for a better life, and that my mom adopted me.” Growing up in America, Chinese culture was never a large part of Meyer’s life. Though Meyer took up Chinese brush painting as a hobby in sixth grade, her expression of her Chinese ancestry remained limited to her delicate paintings of flowers and landscapes. This would prove to be an obstacle when attempting to connect with older generations, who Meyer says have historically been apprehensive toward the adoption and assimilation of Chinese children into western culture. “Sometimes older Chinese people will come up to me and start talking to me in Chinese, and I have to tell them that I don’t speak the language,” Meyer said. “In China, people spoke to me in Chinese and I got some dirty looks when I said
‘Sorry, I don’t understand’ in English.” Meyer’s family had been aware of the tour opportunity for some time, but they chose to wait until Joie and her
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Photo courtesy of Joie Meyer
two younger sisters (also adopted from China) were old enough to value the experience. When the time finally came, the girls packed up their suitcases and set out to rediscover their country of origin. After an exhausting 20-hour plane ride, Meyer and her family spent twelve days on a fast-paced tour around the country, sightseeing and traveling between provinces. Though she hadn’t known what to expect, Meyer was quickly taken with the majestic landmarks and traditions of her country of birth. Among the postcard perfect items on the agenda were Jiu-jitsu lessons, panda encounters and treks along the Great Wall of China. The tour also included glimpses into the daily lives of people living in China, featuring tea traditions and highly competitive games of chinese poker that diverged from popular tourist attractions. The most remarkable part of the visit for Meyer, however, was meeting people whose circumstances mirrored hers. Though she never felt out of place growing up in Cooper City, she did feel different - some of her friends were allAmerican with only distant ties to other countries, while her Chinese American friends often practiced customs and attended Chinese school. Meyer found herself somewhere in the middle. “It was cool to see that there were other people who were in the same situation as me,” Meyer said. “They were also adopted from China, and a lot of them also had single mothers.” Though the tour was a pleasant one, a major culture shock came for Meyer when she attempted to connect with friends back home by checking her Gmail and quickly discovered that it was blocked. Other Google applications such as Google Docs and Google Drive, as well as social media platforms like Instagram, were also inaccessible due to government censorship. “I guess I just never thought that here in America there was any sort of limit to getting information and other peoples’ opinions,” Meyer said. “There are a lot of things that the citizens here can’t do or have that I hadn’t thought about before in America.” Though the tour eventually came to an end, the differences it made to Meyer’s identity and outlook are irrevocable. Her ultimate takeaway? No country is perfect, and in spite of their flaws and rocky pasts, Meyer is grateful to have finally found harmony between her Chinese and American affiliations. “I definitely am not ashamed to say that I’m an adopted Chinese American,” Meyer said. “I’m proud that I get to be both.”
Alex Porras: A star in the arts BY JULIA WENGIER Staff Writer
A rifle flies, slicing the air, spinning exactly three times before falling perfectly back into Alex Porras’ hands. From there, Porras continues her color guard routine, shouting the counts out to the other guard members to keep everyone perfectly in sync until it’s time to go home. After a four hour long rehearsal, Porras arrives home to continue her work on Cooper City High’s yearbook. Writing additions to the yearbook like lengthy descriptions and features, Porras has gained the expertise necessary to edit those of other staff writers. An immense success in the two very different activities, Porras has dedicated her high school career to these strenuous but rewarding paths of art. Through leadership and dedication, junior Alex Porras thrives in the diverse activities Cooper City High School has to offer. For Porras, the Sound of Pride color guard and the yearbook, The Round Up, are two areas of both interest and success. Porras strives for greatness, whether it be in performing arts or journalistic arts, and helps to drive the team toward their goals. When it comes to color guard, Porras has been involved her entire high school career. She first learned of the group when attending the Sound of Pride’s annual “Encore!” end-of-year performance to see her brother perform. After a couple years of watching the color guard, Porras knew it was something she wanted to be a part of. “I was like ‘Who are they? They don’t play instruments! That looks easy,’” Porras said.“And then by eighth grade, I knew I was definitely going to do it.” Porras quickly learned that color guard was something that came naturally to her, a rare occasion considering the rigorous demands of the unique activity. Color guard involves spinning and tossing both flags and rifles to themed music, incorporating graceful dance steps; it isn’t surprising that it takes newcomers a while to get the hang of it. “I know when I first started, guard itself...came easy to me,” Porras said. “That’s how I got so good so quickly.” After her freshman year, Porras delved into guard leadership when she shadowed the guard captains as an officer. With the title of Communications Officer, Porras was in charge of ensuring that everyone in color guard remained informed about rehearsals, fundraisers, competitions and other events. This year Porras will be serving as of one of two guard co-captains, who act as the student leaders and representatives for everyone in color guard.
“There [are] a ton of formal responsibilities that come with being a leader in the Sound of Pride,” Porras said. “But then there is also the underlying fact that you
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But then there is also the underlying fact that you are now everybody’s mom and you have to take care of them, and it’s a lot of pressure.
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are now everybody’s mom and you have to take care of them, and it’s a lot of pressure.” The road to becoming such an important officer was not straightforward; many leaders face struggles and setbacks that ultimately send them in the right direction. For Porras, that meant a lack of confidence in herself as a freshman that was eventually defeated. “When Alex first entered color guard, she was quiet and she kept to herself, but she had such a talent for the art,” CCHS alumni and former guard captain Justine Russo said. “She started to gain her voice when she received a position her sophomore year as communications officer.” Starting her third year of guard, Porras has experience in the art and knows her way around it, unlocking the secrets to keeping the instructors happy or helping others to get the hang of it. She has an appreciation for it, despite how strenuous and time consuming it can be. “For me, [the hardest aspect of color guard was] trying to make friends without being scared of whether or not they were judging me, and just trying to make connections with people that I wanted to make connections with,” Porras said. “The whole team is really great, which is why on the first day I was like ‘These people are so nice, and so funny, and so cool and weird, and I love them.’” For newcomers to guard, the obvious obstacle is the physicality of the activity, and gaining the endurance to perform. For Porras, however, the physicality instantly clicked - it was the social aspect that took some adjusting to. After a couple years of growth and experience, Porras now has the confidence to not only be close with the group, but lead them as a captain towards a shared feeling of pride and family. “Any time I feel confident in my performance it feels really rewarding, because it just makes me feel good about myself,” Porras said. “And even if I mess up, just the fact that I would try to do something even though I fear I’m gonna
mess up...that’s very unlike the old me, and now I feel like a better person for that.” Porras has come out of her shell to lead not only in color guard, but as a member of The Round Up yearbook. As in guard, Porras started with a position in her sophomore year. The previous year, however, she was the only freshman in the class - a feat made possible by the experience she gained as an editor for the yearbook at Pioneer Middle School. “[Being an editor for Pioneer’s yearbook] helped me to figure out what it’s like to have full creative freedom with something, and just have all the responsibility to take it over and make it into something,” Porras said. As an underclassmen editor her sophomore year, Porras was in charge of all the portraits for underclassmen, as well as the creative content on those pages such as features. Morgan Malan, one of The Round Up’s editors in chief (as well as the Sound of Pride’s head drum major), noticed Porras’ knack for getting things done before being asked. This year, Porras received the position of co-managing editor as a junior, a new position in yearbook that Porras will set the standards for this upcoming school year. “She is an amazing guard captain on the field, and then she switches to yearbook and she gets along so well with everyone,” Malan said. “I don’t know what I would do without her because she is my right hand.” As for the management of color guard, yearbook and maintaining academic success with all honors and AP classes, Porras has learned
over time to leave any problems at the door. At guard, all she thinks about is guard; at yearbook, all she thinks about is yearbook. This leads to a somewhat stressfree experience with the duties she has to worry about at that current moment. Along with this, Porras has learned good leadership tactics from positions in guard and yearbook during sophomore year. “With both [guard and yearbook], I have to do a good job of leading by example before anything else, which I’ve learned this year,” Porras said, “If I’m horrible and I’m yelling at other people for being horrible, that’s kind of hypocritical.” As for the future, Porras has a split path before her. Her interest in journalism could lead her to a magazine staff, or her curiosity about psychology could be what she pursues. After just two years at CCHS, Porras transformed from an insecure, quiet freshman to an outgoing, talented leader in everything she does. With two major positions in color guard and yearbook this year, along with a schedule full of challenging classes, junior year will no doubt be challenging for Alex Porras. With her newfound certainty, however, Porras is leading both the color guard and yearbook to success.
Photo by Colin Camblin thelariatonline.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Taylor Swift: What did she do? BY ALEXANDRA SANSONE Staff Writer It has been almost three years since Taylor Swift released new music, her most recent collection of songs being from her Grammy award winning album “1989”. However, on August 18, Swift shook the entertainment industry with the release of her new single entitled “Look What You Made Me Do” off of her upcoming album “Reputation,” which has a scheduled release date of November 10. “Look What You Made Me Do” is very different from Swift’s past approach to songwriting. The tune features various layers of technologically generated sounds combined to form a new revenge anthem. The song continuously builds in intensity towards its apex when Swift utters shocking lyrics that left listeners questioning what to expect next. Shortly following the release of the new single, the music video premiered at the Video Music Awards, stirring up many theories as to some of the hidden meanings in the program. The video begins in a graveyard with the lens focusing on a tombstone engraved with “Here Lies Taylor Swift’s Reputation.” After viewing the entirety of the video many have come to the conclusion that the grave markings signify an end to Swift’s previous good girl image and an introduction to her edgy new look.
Cutting over to the next scene, Swift is seen bathing in a tub full of jewels that could be representing her fame and wealth. However, it was the single dollar bill amidst the tub of riches that caught some attention. The single dollar is thought to be a reference to Swift’s recent lawsuit where she sued a radio dj who groped her for a single dollar to prove the point that abuse, no matter what form, has consequences. O n e consistent motif throughout the video is the theme of snakes on Swift’s outfits and accessories, and even waiting on her in the throne room scene. This image is commonly interpreted as Swift being the queen of snakes, a nickname that was bestowed upon her via social media due to celebrity feuds and controversies and her reputation for publicly shaming those she believes have wronged her. While in Greek mythology snakes symbolize rebirth, in pop culture snakes are typically viewed
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as deceitful and conniving; therefore it could be possible that this could be her own view of her recently changed image. Another scene from the music video depicts Swift robbing a building. Upon closer inspection it can be seen that the building is entitled “Streaming Co.” which may be a reference to her past conflicts with Spotify. Until recently, Swift had removed her brand from the music streaming app citing payment issues and her support of independent artists. Not long before the release of “Look What You Made Me Do” all of her music was once again available for streaming from the app. The next location places Swift at the head of an army of women who resemble plastic dolls while a screen flashes with the word “Squad.” This mocks Swift’s iconic squad from her “Bad Blood” music video and the belief that the squad is completely manufactured and its members
I’m sorry, the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, ‘cause she’s dead!
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are fake, rallying around Swift for publicity. Following this message is another scene that again mocks some of the comments Swift has received about her former relationships. In the past speculation has occurred, questioning the authenticity of her relationships and accusing them of being publicity stunts. The music video once again mocks this notion by surrounding Swift with male dancers who are making phone calls and taking notes as if they were working for her, and wearing “I heart TS” shirts that resemble the one worn by former flame Tom Hiddleston back in 2016. One of the most prominent moments in the video is of Swift embracing her new style and stomping down prior versions of herself that relate to her old image. This symbolized Swift’s wish for a new look but can also be interpreted as her drive to constantly top herself and her past achievements. The video closes with the various versions of Swift bickering and alluding to past controversies she has been a part of over the years, such as her feud with Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West. Overall, the song is very catchy and will continue to make a splash for all who hear it. The video has many hidden meanings and was well orchestrated.
Quiz: Which Taylor Swift are you? BY TAYLOR GOLDMAN Business Manager
1.) What is your favorite Taylor Swift song? A.) Love Story B.) Red C.) Look What You Made Me Do 2.) Which color combination appeals to you the most? A.) Blue and green B.) Red and white C.) Black and purple 3.) What is your idea of a fun Friday night? A.) Chilling at home with friends writing songs and gossiping about boys! B.) Going out with your girlfriends and dancing the night away! C.) Making your presence known wherever you are, no matter who you’re with, at any time! 4.) If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would you go? A.) Nashville, Tennessee B.) New York City C.) Los Angeles 5.) It’s your bff’s party!! What are you wearing? A.) A dress and cowboys boots because being comfortable is always the answer! B.) Skinny jeans and a cute top; you would never disappoint when it comes to looking good! C.) Anything that makes a HUGE statement and stands out!
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6.) How would you handle a situation in which someone is being rude to you? A.) Let them say what they have to say, and remember it for the future. B.) Write songs about it and make sure they hear it one day. C.) Get revenge. 7.) Who is your favorite singer? A.) Tim McGraw B.) Demi Lovato C.) Miley Cyrus 8.) It’s open mic night at your favorite restaurant! What are you singing? A.) Anything country B.) A love song C.) Something with a good dance beat 9.) You are going out tonight, and you know you going to being taking lots of pictures. How is your hair looking? A.) Down and curly, curly, curly! B.) Straight and shiny C.) Different than how you normally where it. 10.) Is social media important to you? A.) What’s social media? B.) Duh!! It’s my life!! C.) I used to love it, but it’s not really my thing anymore. 11.) If you could have any pet, which one would you get? A.) A horse B.) A cat C.) A snake
Mostly As: The Sweet and Innocent Taylor! You are very chill and laid back just like the “2009 Taylor Swift.” Sometimes you can be shy, but you definitely still know how to speak your mind when necessary! Country music is one of your favorite types of music, and you have a soft spot for love. All you need is some paper, a pen, cowboy boots, a guitar, and you’re good to go! Mostly Bs: The Strong and Independent Taylor! Confidence is totally your thing. You have gone through some rough patches and bumps in the road, but you overcame all of them and came out stronger than you were before! You know how to put someone in their place if they hurt you, while still having fun and making sure they know you are better than them. Even after going through hard times, you know that love and happiness are still extremely important! Mostly Cs: The Wild and Rebellious Taylor! Not caring about what others think of you is definitely a trait you possess. You know how to make your mark and remain headstrong through it all! Expressing yourself is important to you, and you will show off who you are in your own creative and unique way. You like to be in control in certain situations, and you don’t let anybody get in your way.
ENTERTAINMENT
SEASON IN REVIEW BY TAMARAH WALLACE General Editor This article contains spoilers about “Game of Thrones” season seven. When the long-awaited premiere of the seventh season of the hit television series “Game of Thrones” was delayed for several months, fans across the world were devastated. Now that the shortest season in the show’s history has ended in an actual song of fire and ice, audiences generally believe that it was well worth the lengthy wait. While “Game of Thrones” has always been a whirlwind of unexpected casualties and engrossing moments that incite utter disbelief, this season takes those qualities and amps them up about 500 notches. Viewers were finally gifted with the scenes they had been craving since the end of season one, such as the satisfying demise of master manipulator Petyr Baelish. A few of the more novelty scenes that excited the show’s audience were Daenerys’ first steps in Dragonstone, Jon’s first interaction with a dragon, the Stark children’s return to Winterfell and even Cersei’s face at seeing a White Walker for the first time. Some of the most notable progressions include
the true identity of Jon Snow and his budding relationship with Daenerys Targaryen, the large army of White Walkers who have made significant headway in their march on Westeros and Cersei Lannister’s incessant, truce-breaking dishonesty. Towards the end of the season, it was also clearly noted that winter is no longer “coming” anymore, but that it is actually now within the Westerosi border. From the set design to the graphics, season seven was a visual masterpiece. Some sets were even reconfigured the day before shooting, such as the set in episode six where Jon and his team are saved by Daenerys and her dragons beyond the wall. The acting itself was also worthy of praise, as the characters were able to bring a level of intensity to the show that, coupled with the atmosphere, drew the viewer directly into the storyline. Actresses Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams succeeded in their roles as Sansa and Arya Stark in positions of power, roles for the two that had never been explored before. Their plausible portrayal made the filter sequences within the series feel vital to the overall piece. From season one to seven, “Game of Thrones” has been in a league of its own; both “Gossip Girl” fans and “House of Cards” experts, two
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extremely different sets of watchers, can enjoy the series equally in spite of their typical preferences. The producers have also excelled at keeping the magical entities from seeming childish, a common problem that has beaten the likes of “The Mortal Instruments” and “Percy Jackson,” whose visuals and plot were too underdeveloped to carry any considerable interest. From the cinematics to the content, the series continues its clever use of scenery to develop and maintain the complex plot, relying on its storyline and actors to consistently deliver jaw-dropping entertainment.
In Review: the parallels between the “Death Note” universe and its most recent installment BY ANNABELLE ROSA Staff Writer Anticipated by some and dreaded by others, the new “Death Note” movie came out on August 25, 2017, but was met with several negative responses, criticizing it as a complete departure from both the anime and the manga which preceded it. However, the movie was well constructed in the sense that it takes on a new identity of its own something which is needed for any adaptation that makes a cross from one platform to another. The premise of the film centers around a young man known as Light Turner, portrayed by Nat Wolff, an actor known for his roles in title films such as “Paper Towns” and “The Fault in Our Stars.” Wolf ’s character happens upon the infamous death note, a notebook which has the ability to end a person's life with a few strokes of a pen, and the death god, Ryuk, played by Willem Dafoe, who seems to be the keeper of the coveted “tool.” Wolff ’s character begins to seek vengeance against those he deems villainous, signing the killings off with the name “Kira,” meaning “killer” in Japanese. Wolff gains the attention of the police, specifically a detective who goes by the name L, played by Keith Stanfield. An interesting story unfolds from there, taking thrilling and unexpected turns. The two most impressive performances come from Wolff and Stanfield as they depict the two most important individuals within the storyline. Interestingly enough, it appeared as though the character development
of both of their characters, Light and L, were more cohesive and complex within the film than in the anime. Both Wolff and Stanfield provide performances that, accompanied with a more introspective dialogue, make the line between good and bad a lot more blurred. Within the anime, on the other
hand, the plot was what conveyed the confusion necessary for viewers to question their stance on who the true villain was. The videography was also well done, with
expertly executed camera angles and shots. The only things which stood out as somewhat cheesy were some of the prosthetics used for the gorrier death scenes. The best part of the film, in spite of its intriguing plot and convincing performances, was its score, which was incredibly effective at setting the scene for the haunting tale with its cool, new wave vibes. In the opening scene, for instance, the camera opens on Wolff covered in long sleeves and jotting down what appears to be answers to a math assignment, his earbuds blaring, his focus shifting from one thing to another. All sound is cut out of the scene except for the Australian Crawl’s song “Reckless,” which shakes viewers in a manner that lulls them into a false sense of security while still providing the promise of a slow corruption and perhaps crime. The soundtrack and the sound are brilliant and the most compelling aspect of the film besides the original storyline. The movie, though admittedly different from its predecessors, is actually worth viewing. In some ways it’s humorous, in others it’s serious, but ultimately it is a good movie to watch for entertainment’s sake on a Friday night. The movie deserves a 3.5 out of 6 stars for first successfully conveying an old story in a different manner and then for actually giving the characters more depth than they originally had. It is also worth noting that it gained the 0.5 for Nat Wolff ’s high pitched, almost pre-pubescent scream in response to seeing Defoe’s character for the first time. Check out “Death Note” on Netflix - it won’t be terribly boring.
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SPORTS
Eyes on the prize
Lady Cowboys start the season hoping to continue their streak BY BRANDON BERMUDEZ Sports Writer The Lady Cowboys started off their season with a bang as they travelled to Hollywood Hills High School to face the Spartans on Monday, August 28. After their successful season last year, during which they won the district championship, the team looked to carry their success into the new season and try to get their third straight district title. Now, the players hope to begin their new season with the same hunger to win and desire to exceed their district champion title by winning the state championship. The Lady Cowboys started out strong by winning the first set and setting the tone for the match. A few players that stood out were Alin Gurdikuan, who had six kills, Megan Hernandez, who had three kills and Katie Kaminsky, who had five service points and two kills. The Lady Cowboys took advantage of these big plays and were able to win the final sets to end the game at 3-1 and start their season 1-0 before heading to Orlando for a tournament. “I definitely think we have a really good chance of getting a third consecutive district championship,” senior Emily Miranda said. “We are all playing our best and working towards the same goal.” The Lady Cowboys went to face Lake Placid’s Green Dragons as their first game in the tournament, but lost two sets to zero. They then went on to face a team from Robertsdale, Alabama, in what was a
tighter game. However, the Lady Cowboys still fell short, losing two sets to one. Shortly after that game, the team faced Bedford, a team from Massachusetts, and turned things around by winning two sets to zero. Later that day, they tried to carry that momentum against Mortimer Jordan, another team from Alabama, but lost two sets to one. On Friday, they played against the Coppell Cowgirls, a team from Texas, and lost two sets to zero. Their final game of the tournament was against the Central Florida Christian Eagles, where the Lady Cowboys lost two sets to zero. Though the Lady Cowboys didn’t get the result they were looking for in the tournament, they reported that they would move on and use this as a learning experience for the season to come.
Photos by Hailey Brown
LEFT: Chloe Zacca and Kaitlyn Anthony prepare to send the ball back over the net. BOTTOM: The Lady Cowboys circle up for a pep talk.
Cooper City swim takes home another win BY HANNAH EUBANKS Sports Writer Parents, students and swimmers of Cooper City High School were ecstatic after the first swim meet of the year. On Wednesday, August 31, at South Broward High School, the Cowboys came out on top against South Broward and West Broward, with both the girls team and the boys team taking home first place. After training for two weeks, preparing and getting to know each other, the Cowboys showed up at the meet with a determined mindset of winning. As soon as the Cowboys hit the water for their first event, which was for both the boys and girls teams, they dominated the 200 medley relay race. The Cowboys started off the meet strong, quickly taking the lead. Although swimming might be an “individual” sport, the team still wins as one. This year, the Cooper City swimming and diving team welcomed many new members, many of whom are a part of club teams. With the more experienced swimmers, the team can
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work hard together in practice and better prepare for meets, pushing the team to overall success. “We now have two new divers on the team this year, which is a first,” junior Kathleen Golding said. “They really helped out the team by getting us those extra points and competition.” This meet against South Broward and West Broward was a powerful start to the Cowboy season, with many people already striving to do their best and reaching some of their best times. Kathleen Golding won every event she was in, and many of her teammates placed second and third. Along with Kathleen, Molly Golding had a time of 1:02 in the 100 freestyle race. The boys had a taste of victory as well, winning the 200 freestyle relay with a best time of 1:31. Remaining in a solid lead, the boys and girls once again placed first together, but this time in the 400 freestyle relay. “With such good races in the first meet, I’m looking forward
to the rest of this season and going even faster in the championships later this year,” senior Heath Brames said. With such a positive start to the new season, it is clear that bringing in new strengths and putting in hard work has already impacted the team and generated excitement among its
members. The team hopes to have many swimmers make it to states this year. Overall, this meet was a success for the Cowboys and seemed to give them an even better perspective of what they need to do in order to reach their goals.
SPORTS 15
Varsity football looks to gain footing as season progresses BY ETHAN MUNCAN Sports Writer
Photos by Thomas Emoff ABOVE: The offensive line prepares for the snap versus Cypress Bay’s defense TOP RIGHT: Junior Nathan Barnes fends of the defenseman as he makes his way down the field With full hearts and the hunger to win, the Cooper City Cowboys traveled to Cypress Bay High School on Monday, August 28 for their first game of the season. With a large turnout of fans for both the Lightning and the Cowboys, the intensity was high and kickoff was near. To start off the game, Cowboys senior Mark Brent returned the Cypress Bay kick to the 20 yard line to set up Cooper’s drive. Cooper City found their rhythm straight away, and began picking apart Cypress with multiple screen plays to receivers Kobe Simmons and Mark Brent. Cooper made their way to the 15 yard line where senior quarterback Michael Diliello threw a fade to Simmons, who made the game 6-0. Lucas Gross stepped up to take his first kick of the game and nailed it in, making the game 7-0 early in the first quarter. The same intensity was kept on defense for Cooper as defensive ends Mark Fontana and Landon Segarra made key tackles to stop Cypress. Cooper’s defensive plays led them to get the ball back at the end of the first quarter with plenty of time to score. Diliello threw a pinpoint play action pass right to receiver Mark Brent, who caught the ball and made the game 14-0 to end the first quarter, solidifying the Cowboy lead. At the start of the second quarter, both teams played a defensive game, and neither side was able to convert until about six minutes were left in the quarter. Cypress scored their first touchdown of the game with a run, making the game 14-7. The Cowboys responded straight away as Mark Brent picked off a pass and gave the Cowboys another chance to score. The Cowboys ran the ball many times with Arthur Brefil and targeted their receivers, but couldn’t find the endzone as they were stopped on fourth down. Just three plays into Cypress’s drive, what seemed to be a desperate lob throw was picked off once again by Cooper City’s Mark Brent and returned for 15 yards at the end of the quarter. The third quarter produced no plays or touchdowns until the very end, where Cypress converted on a threepoint field goal to make the it 14-10, putting the game into anyone’s reach.
“I felt the game went very well in the beginning,” senior Mark Brent said. “Cypress is a very well coached team and we fought until the very end. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the refs on our side, as they made two incorrect critical calls.” Midway through the final quarter, Cypress converted on a key fake punt to put them into field position for a touchdown. The Lightning threw up a bomb all the way to the five yard line, in what appeared to be a controversial catch. The Lightning convert on a catch in the end zone, making the game 17-14 -a drastic turn of events. The Cowboys kept their head up and continued to fight. Making their way all the way down to the 25 yard line, Lucas Gross nailed the three point conversion, once again making the game 17-17. Cypress made their way down the field in what would be the last drive of the game with key passes and runs that put them in position to win the game. On 4th and 12, the Lightning threw up a deep pass that was broken up by safety Josh Koploff but called back by the referee. Fans and coaches roared at the referee’s call, but the ball was given back to Cypress. A second chance, Lighting quarterback threw up another deep pass that converted into a touchdown and made the game 24-17 with two minutes left. The Cowboys seemed to give it everything they had in the end, with deep throws and solid runs from fullback Jonah Sanchez,but ultimately couldn’t find the endzone. The game ended Cypress 24 - Cooper 17. “In order to win a game, we have to finish it,” senior Landon Segarra said.“We have to be able to stay focused and hold our ground. We played well as a team, but [we] also have a lot to work on finishing a full game and not just playing half the game. As the season moves on, I think we’ll be able to play a full game and begin to dominate.” On Friday, September 1st, the Cowboys headed off to Lakeland to face up against the Dreadnaughts. The matchup was tough for the Cowboys and the Dreadnaughts ended up winning 54-7.
9.7.17, Vol le y b a l l - S out h Broward 9.8.17, Vol le y b a l l - S out h Pl ant at ion 9.9.17, Sw imming - NSU Inv it at iona l 9.9.17, Fo otb a l l - For t L auderd a le 9.11.17, Vol le y b a l l - Cypress B ay *D ates are subj e c t to change due to Hur r ic ane Ir ma thelariatonline.com