November/December 2015

LightningStrike Taking Miami-Dade by Storm

Dr. Michael M. Krop Sr. High • 1410 Countyline Road • Miami, Florida 33179

November/December 2015 • Issue 3 • Volume 18

L���’� W����es� W��� turo said. “I think they freed us in the sense that we knew what was going on so we could work on a solution with Lily.”

Through auditory and visual stimulation, Tenacio and his wife arranged their home to teach Lily traits other babies are born with.

They used flashlights and black and white images to create visual contrasts for Lily to develop these pathways.

Now 12 years-old, Lily does much more than just hear and see.

She uses a walker and communicates via an Eye Gaze device, an eye-operated communication system.

Like other girls, Lily is going into her third year as a Girl Scout, advancing ranks from a “brownie” to an active member in a junior troop. She continues her education in the fifth grade as a homebound student, where teachers and speech therapists go to her home. And, like all other people, she gets by with a little help from her friends.

“She has two amazing friends, Emma and Melody, who always include her and truly care about her,” Patricia said. “They have a exceptional friendship with her.”

The Tenacios realized that treatments are both too expensive and painful for many families.

Through Lily’s Wellness, they created a neurological educational support system, the “NESS” of the Wellness.

“I would say we are very solution-oriented people because at the

Mila Sicorsky feature editor With her headset shining in the early afternoon sun, Lily Tenacio pushed through the athletic track in her pink wheelchair wearing a pink shirt and pink sunglasses.

Over 250 people, including students and faculty also in pink “KEEP CALM AND WALK FOR LILY” shirts, joined Lily in the Lily’s Wellness Walk. Organized by eight seniors, the walk raised funds and awareness for Lily, the daughter of government and macroeconomics teacher Arturo Tenacio and his wife Patricia. The Tenacios started Lily’s Wellness, a non-profit organization that provides financial and emotional support for special-needs children and their families, in her honor.

“The second we heard about Lily’s Wellness, we just knew that there had to be something done,” senior Valerie Schraer, one of the event coordinators, said.

At two months old, Lily was diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy, a disease that affects the part of the brain that controls motor functions. She was born deaf, blind and insensate, or lacking physical sensation.

“Those first 48 hours after the diagnosis were hard, but at the same time they set a pace,” Ar-

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More inside: • Please recycle this newspaper (after reading) - page 4 • The power of clean - page 7 • Basketball season returns with high expectations - page 18

end of the day it’s going to improve the world for Lily and the kids of today and tomorrow,” Arturo said.

Besides Lily’s Wellness Walk, the Tenacio family hosts events and lectures every year to raise funds and awareness about brain function. With the money raised, they provide special therapies, equipment, dietary supplements and other provisions for a small number of families. Additionally, they provide emotional care through parent group meetings, phone consultations and home visits.

“Everyone is in a different stage of acceptance of their child’s disability,” Patricia said. “Some people are very depressed and hurting very much. Most people are very isolated.”

A crowd composed of mostly students drawn to the cause for different reasons raised $2,800 in Lily’s Wellness Walk.

“It’s personal because one of my family members has a disability so it really hits home for me,” sophomore Sofia Buteron said.

“Plus, Lily’s family appreciates us coming to support them.”

Freshman Emilio Tenacio, Lily’s brother, was also there. His energetic voice boomed from the speakers as he thanked students for supporting his sister.

“She’s my little princess, and I really give thanks for her,” Emilio said. “I wouldn’t want any other sister.”

1. FAMILY TIME : The Tenacio family gets ready for the Lily’s Wellness Walk which happened to be on the same week as Lily’s birthday. Over 250 students participated and over 2,800 dollars were raised.

2. I’M WALKING FOR : Senior Julian Santana, a participant in the walk, was one of many to fill out a reason for participating. By the end of the walk, three poster boards were filled with post-its wishing Lily and her family blessings.

3. WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER : Supporters of Lily’s Wellness including both students and faculty joined to walk one mile around the track.

4. REAL VOLUNTEERS WEAR PINK : Shirts for participants were distributed to every runner and walker. The pink shirts enabled participants to join together in solidarity in an effort to raise awareness for Cerebral Palsy.

MAYAN DERHY/ LIGHTNING STRIKE

How do you get to school? pages 10 -11

COURTESY OF MIKAELA MENDEZ AND DEBRA SIMMONS

PUTTING IN WORK: First year teacher Ashley Munzenberger uses her interactive teaching methods to lecture her students about the use of friction and chemistry. ESE teacher Philicia Ferguson always has a smile on her face.

Her outgoing personality enables her to connect with students.

Muzenberger, Ferguson awarded with ‘Teacher of the Year’ honors Ethan Curtis, sports editor Jacob Singer, managing editor

Whether it’s making tie-dye t-shirts to show the effects of chemistry or hanging up posters in the hallway to help students memorization about the periodic table, “The Firecracker” as the science department calls her, was awarded this year’s Rookie Teacher of the Year.

Munzenberger earned her Master’s degree in forensic science at FIU when she switched to a teaching major because she wanted to be an impact on the younger generation through teaching. She periodically substituted for teachers in the science department last year before taking a full time job in the fall.

“The first time I met her she was very enthusiastic and said that she would like to learn about what it takes to become a teacher,” David Buncher said.

“When she came in, we introduced her to all of the teachers and had a very open mind as what to expect.”

Munzenberger understands what it is like to be in the shoes of a student. She takes night classes at Miami-Dade for her education major.

“Depending on how you teach a subject, it can really change a person’s perspective,” Munzenberger said. “As a night student, I take a different approach -- I evaluate myself as a teacher and a student.”

While Munzenberger stresses academics, she believes that extra-curricular activities are important as well, which is why she became the sponsor of Girls Who Code.

“Developing more relationships with students and faculty while eventually being the head of the science departement, all remain my long term goals,” Munzenberger said. son was already a mother of two and a high school dropout.

In order to better herself and her family, she began working as an office clerk for Shadowlawn Elementary school and has continued to work throughout Miami-Dade County Public Schools for over 20 years.

Ferguson took the next step in her career as an educator when she received a degree in degree in Exceptional Student Education/ ESOL from Barry University in 2007. Since then, she has been working at Krop and now teaches 5 prep courses, co-chairs the ESE department and sponsors the SADD club.

In December, Ferguson will receiver her Master’s degree, which she hopes will enable her to advance her career and continue to help students.

“She’s had an amazing career,” Business Teacher Debra Simmons said. “The fact that she’s been able to accomplish what she has by overcoming such challenges just goes to show you that where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

News Page 2

Important Dates to Look Out For Dec. 15 : Club pictures Dec. 17 : Krop Talks (during both lunches) Dec. 18 : Winter Break!

TheThe Lightning Strike • September 2008 Lightning Strike • November/December 2015

From local to global: SAN BERNANDINO, CALIFORNIA : Two mass shooters entered San Bernardino Health Facilities for the physically and mentally handicapped on December 2. Fourteen were killed and more than seventeen were injured.

WASHINGTON D.C, U.S. : The House of Representatives passed new legislation disbanding the No Child Left Behind Act enacted by former President Bush. This new act is called Every Student Succeeds Act and it is focused on minority and underprivileged students.

CHENNAI, INDIA : Weeks of heavy downpour has caused mass flooding in one of India’s largest cities, cutting off transportation and electricity.

Army rescue teams have been sent to rescue inhabitants, unfortunately there has already been a number of casualties.

SHIMONOSEKI, JAPAN : The Japanese government endorsed a fleet of “research” ships to travel to the Atlantic authorized to kill over 330 Minke whales. The United Nations is taking action to stop the expedition, with countries like New Zealand and Australia fighting strongly against the fleet.

What’s going on around the world?

OMAR, SYRIA : This past week, the United Kingdom began air strikes in Eastern Syria for the first time in attempt to combat growing terrorism. The strikes are aimed towards an ISIS oilfield that is one of the largest and most profitable for terrorists.

CARACAS, VENEZUELA : This past week a presidential election in Venezuela resulted in a major loss for Hugo Chavez’s Socialist party. This is the first time in 17 years that “Chavismo” has lost an election, and the country hopes to turn around in a positive light. sources: CNN Miami Herald

Compiled by Megan Orlanski

Dec 25: Christmas Day

KROP TALKS

Dec 28 : SAT Registration Deadline

Jake Singer managing editor

Jan. 4: Come back to school Jan. 23 : SAT Testing

Feb. 6: ACT Testing Feb . 12 : Senior Breakfast

tops Compiled by Megan Orlanski

KROP’S

Nicholas Guillksen, Nicholas Biondolillo, Renato Ottolina, Chynna Pierce and William Holm all won first place for the Special Olympics Basketball Individual Skills Games Competition and will be moving on to the Area Games at the University of Miami January.

Compiled by Mikaela Mendez

New school sparks controversy

In 2012, Superintendent Alberto Carvahlo made a promise to increase school capacity in the area. Three years later, Carvahlo is adamant about keeping his promise, but this has not gone without concerns from the community.

On December 4, Carvalho presented a proposalfor a new satelite school on the Highland Oaks Middle School’s campus.

The new school will be modeled after the iPrep program, which uses a “blended learning” program that combines online instruction with an on-sight teacher who guides students, and forgoes conventional educational practices like bells and traditional classrooms. The school also requires juniors and seniors to

intern at places like hospitals and court houses.

Carvahlo believes that the success he has had with other choice programs will translate to the new school. After reproducing MAST academy and instituting iPrep programs throughout the county with much success, Carvahlo believes this area would benefit from a new choice school.

“The idea of replicating an iPrep type academy that is associated with Krop Senior High school that provides one additional option and provides relief within the same attendance boundary is a reality whose time has come,” Carvahlo said.

While Carvahlo is resolute that the new satellite school will benefit the community, some at the meeting felt differently.

Michael Gayosos, a parent of former Krop students believes

that building the school will cause problems in the area. “We can’t handle the traffic.” Gayosos said. “We really can’t handle whatever is going to happen with this construction.”

In response to this, the superintendent discussed the research and studies that will go into correcting any issues people may have. “My commitment to you is that part of the due diligence we will engage in will address every one of those issues,” Carvahlo said.

Senior Sara Eghtessadi is concerned that the academic requirements at the new school will alter the diversity at both Krop and the new school.

“I’m taking AP classes and in those classes there is a very small minority of students from a minority of races,” Eghtessadi said.

Carvahlo went back and forth with Eghtessadi for 15 minutes and addressed that as a hispanic, he has placed emphasis on diversity throuhgout his career.

He noted that when he became the superintendent in 2008, very few predominantly black schools offered AP classes, but he has since made certain that every school offers at least 5 AP classes.

Carvahlo insists that the new school will not in any way diminish the product at Krop, but will only act as another, beneficial option for those in the community.

“What I know is these days, if you change nothing, that is its death,” Carvahlo said. “I can promise that the best days of Krop are not behind us.”

Editors Note: Look for more indepth coverage of the new school in next month’s issue.

ACTIVITIES

Krop returns to ‘We The People’ contest after five years Corbin Boiles co-online editor “We The People” competition, one that tests students on their knowledge and understanding of how the Constitution works.

Krop has not competed in “We The People” since 2010, where it won at the district level.

According to Higgins, students hadn’t been interested in the content the contest uses. But, a new group of students in with a desire to work, she believes this year’s participants have what it takes to win at districts.

“The kids are ready for the challenge,” Higgins said.

The competition creates a better understanding of how our government works, giving students answers to questions like, “How is a bill passed?” and “What is a congressional committee?”

These concepts, Higgins said,

CORBIN BOILES/ THE LIGHTNING STRIKE

allow students to pull from their knowledge of American History and apply it towards their everyday lives, using this knowledge to help them in future classes such as AP U.S. Government.

Through these practices, senior Jake Shapiro has gained some more insight into the way the system runs.

“The Constitution is a lot more spread out than just the Bill of Rights, which is what

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT : Senior Claudel Fortunateo and junior Victor Perez make final preperations for their presentation for the ‘We The People’ competition scheduled for Dec. 9 at the James L. Knight Convention Center.

Higgins has trained her students for three months hoping to achieve the same success she’s had with her team in previous years.

people know, and it’s definitely interesting to see how ingrained in our culture it is when you don’t know a lot about it,” Shapiro said.

For “We The People,” the class splits up into groups of four, presenting a question in front of a panel of judges who quiz them on their knowledge of the topic.

Topics can range from questions on the role of the Constitution in Congress to the differences between the British and American

government, depending on the unit chosen by the group.

The contest also helps students with public speaking skills, something senior Chasidy Lewis will use for her future career.

“I want to be a lawyer in the future, so I think knowing that information will help me a lot in the process,” Lewis said. “Since we have to speak to judges, the practices train us to speak louder and clearer.”

The practice is similar to the competition, with groups of four preparing arguments to present in front of the panel of students acting as judges. Assigned a unit, the groups must work from three questions that the judges can test them.

The “We The People” competition is scheduled for Dec. 9th. After the event, results can be found at lightningstrikenews.com

News Page 3

The TheLightning LightningStrike Strike• •September November/December 2012 2015 FUNDRAISING

STAND hosts foosball fundraiser

Sebi Kuzak staff writer

STAND, an anti-genocide club at school, will be hosting a foosball tournament from Nov. 17 until Dec. 18 to raise money for the Sudanese refugees.

STAND is an interest club that meets the first and third Wednesday of every month in Dr. Fass’ room (2171). Club members spread awareness through PowerPoint presentations on the current issues going on in Darfur, a region in Sudan experiencing conflicts such as forced migration and starvation.

Co-president Alex Tarlow and

COURTESY OF ISAAC LEVI

FOOSBALL FOR A CHANGE : Teachers Kim Foreira and Philicia Ferguson challenge STAND members seniors Gabriel Shlain and Dean Nadler to a foosball match. To participate in the fundraiser, one must donate ten dollars to compete.

Alexis Sverdlik along with club sponsor Dr. Fass, came up with the idea for the foosball tournament as a

fun way to raise money and spread awareness.

“I feel that being involved with

STAND gives me the opportunity to spread awareness about the hardships that people endure on a regular basis in many regions of the world, such as Darfur, and raise funds to make their lives a bit easier to manage,” Sverdlik said.

The foosball tournament started on Nov.17, and included National Honors Society, Science Honors Society, Toastmasters, Octagon Service Club and Photography Club.

This is the first year STAND has conducted the foosball tournament as a fundraiser. Matches occur in Ms. Russel’s office during both lunches, and all participants in the tournament make a ten dollar donation. All funds

go to the Little Ripples foundation, which promotes education for women and children. In October, STAND sent 200 dollars that was gained from selling bracelets last year to the foundation. With that money Little Ripples was able to feed an entire school of refugee children for a whole day. The goal of the foosball tournament is to raise enough money to feed the school for a full week.

Through all its fundraisers, STAND hopes to raise a couple of thousand dollars this year to send to Little Ripples. More importantly though, they hope to continue to spread awareness on global issues, especially those in Darfur.

POLITICS

A new face for the Republicans 10 FACTS ABOUT MARCO RUBIO Alan Imar co-online editor

Florida’s junior Senator Marco Rubio has become a young new face in the clouded Republican candidate field. He rose drastically in the primary polls from four percent in September to a whopping seventeen percent in just the beginning of December.

Every four years, candidates flock to New Hampshire to vigorously campaign against each other. New Hampshire state law dictates that it must be the first primary election in the country.

Senator Rubio’s campaign is circled around a single message, that we live in “a new American century.”

Elise Viebeck, a national enterprise reporter for The Washington Post, explains that Rubio’s social media team is seeking to emphasize his energy and vigor compared to other candidates.

Among his many beliefs, Rubio plans to abolish Common Core, an educational initiative that aims to set high nationwide standards.

“Common Core has been used by the Obama administration to turn the Department of Education into a national school board,” Rubio’s

campaign platform says. “This effort to coerce states into adhering to national curriculum standards is not the best way to help our children attain the best education, and it must be stopped.”

He calls Common Core unconstitutional, and advocates for state and local mandated education. Rubio believes that local school districts need to offer more AP classes and vocational and career training.

During the Fox News debate in August, the Senator debated with former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, a supporter of the Common Core initiative. Rubio argued that if a student or parent disagrees with what is being taught in their local school, they can go to their school board and argue about it. On the other hand, with common core, it’s impossible to get real change.

Many, including Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, saw Marco Rubio as the clear victor of the Fox Business News and The Wall Street Journal debate.

“By every measure Marco Rubio won the debate and strengthened his position as a major contender,” Gingrich wrote on his Facebook page.

Contrary to many Republican presidential candidates, including frontrunner Donald Trump, Rubio is

opposed to deporting all of the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants and believes that there needs to be a reform in our immigration system.

“Criminals are going to be deported. People that haven’t been here very long are going to be deported.

People overstaying visas are going to be deported — that’s how you enforce immigration laws,” Rubio said in an interview on Fox News. “I actually think the American people are going to be very reasonable about how to deal with someone who’s been here for 15 years, is not otherwise violating the law, learns English, pays a fine, starts paying taxes and is employed.”

He plans to conduct background checks on all illegal immigrants. Rubio also believes in making our immigration system being merit-based instead of family oriented. He says that in order to have the best economy, the US needs to have the best talent. Therefore, Rubio believes in enlarging the amount of work visas from 65,000 to 110,000.

“He is one of the only candidates from the GOP capable of taking down Hillary,” senior Veronika Bondarenko said. “He is young, relatable and has good conservative policy ideas that’ll move us forward as a nation.”

Rubio was born in Miami to two parents who 1. Marco fled from Cuba. was baptized as a Mormon, but later converted to 2. He Catholicism. attended Tarkio College in Missouri on a football 3. He scholarship for a year. attended the University of Florida and received 4. He his B.S. in political science. the previous election, Mitt Romney was 5. During painted to be out of touch with the regular American because of his wealth. Rubio however, is still paying student loans and is ranked 83rd on the list of richest senators.

the side, he is a professor of political science at 6. On Florida International University. wife, Jeanette, is a former Miami Dolphins 7. His cheerleader. was the first Cuban-American Speaker of the 8. He Florida House of Representatives. first job was building cages for exotic birds for 9. His his brother-in-law’s business. announced his candidacy at the Freedom Tower 10. He in Downtown Miami.

NEWS BRIEF

iPic Theater Opens in Aventura

Say goodbye to the days where going to the movie theater meant uncomfortable seats with bland snacks and say hello to luxurious leather seats and fine dining.

The upscale movie theater chain, iPic, opened a theater in the Intercostal Mall location during the first week of December.

The theater provides moviegoers with an experience unlike any other. People are able to lounge in plush, reclining leather seats, with the option of receiving blankets and pillows as they watch a film.

Every seat is equipped with an iPad for viewers to use to instantly order food from their gourmet dining options. Food is delivered directly to the person to be enjoyed during the movie. Headed by chef Sherry Yard and mixologist Adam Seger, the in-house restaurant, Tanzy Express, will open in the next few months.

The theater offers the option of ‘Premium’ or ‘Premium Plus’ seating. ‘Premium Plus’ includes more comfortable seats with additional features such as greater food options with signature dishes and service-call buttons.!

One of the most advanced theaters in South Florida, the iPic theater is geared with 4K digital cinema technology, eight auditoriums with 50 to 90 seats and the ability for people to reserve seats online, in advance.

Weekday show times will cost between $12 and $18, while weekend show times will cost between $18 and $24.

Situated in a favorable location for locals and tourist alike, the iPic theater provides moviegoers with a unique, unparalleled cinema experience.

-Nathanial Manor

Editorial Page 4

The Lightning Strike • November/December 2015

SCHOOL LIFE

Please recycle this newspaper (after reading) IN MY OPINION michael katz

opinion editor

If everything we learned in school stuck to our brains like the gum on the North patio does to the floor, we’d all be geniuses.

Sadly, that’s not the case- but I think that’s worse for the custodians than it is for us students.

Most of us barely get to school on time for our reminder to “have a lightning day” and run out before Ms. Russell can tell us to “have a wonderful afternoon.” Yet head custodian Jesus Diaz gets here at four o’clock every morning to pressure wash the tar stains out of the floor and doesn’t leave until one in the afternoon.

We spend seven hours at school cramming information into our brains, and for half of one we cram food into our mouths.

Diaz is here for nine, and doesn’t learn anything except for our unparalleled ability to make a mess.

We complain about the pigsties we call bathrooms, the roaches in the halls or the flies in our classrooms. The mess may be our fault, but in the end it’s not our problem.

After we go to the bathroom, we go back to class. When we see a roach in the halls, we run away. And that’s a luxury we fail to appreciate, or even notice, because there are people in this school who spend their days - and nights - excavating the bathrooms hidden underneath the layers of paper towels and toilet paper - people who don’t have the luxury of running from roaches.

So next time you’re about to spit your

gum out on the floor or see how well you can aim with your eyes closed (guys, I’m talking to you), next time you’re about to throw that last piece of your sandwich on the floor, just know that there are people - real, live people - that spend their days scraping that gum until they can’t feel their

fingers anymore, mopping our bathrooms until they wish their noses would just fall off and picking up trash until their backs ache like our brains on June 5th. Every day.

Because of our trash.

Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

THE GUM CRISIS 280

sticks of gum chewed by the average person each year

11

calories burned by chewing gum for an hour

2164

hours you’d have to chew gum to burn the same number of calories as Diaz *if half of the student population litters one piece of gum per day

BY THE NUMBERS:

248,000

pieces of gum littered by students each year*

238

calories burned by pressure cleaning for an hour

100

hours spent pressure cleaning

by Jesus in the past month SOURCES: www.statisticbrain.com, Jesus Diaz

LETTERS Electives underrated in college admissions COURTESY OF LIKEM BONEY

THE LIGHTNING STRIKE An NSPA All-American publication Winner of George H. Gallup Award NSPA Pacemaker Finalist An FSPA All-Florida publication Like us on Facebook Visit us online at www.lightningstrikenews.com

MAYAN DERHY, Editor-in-Chief JACOB SINGER, Managing Editor MIKAELA MENDEZ News Editor MICHAEL KATZ Opinion Editor NICOLAS CHMIELEWSKI Spread Editor MILA SICORSKY Feature Editor SOPHIE MUCHNICK Entertainment Editor SHOSHANA SOMMER Lifestyle Editor SUN COAST PRINTER Printer

ETHAN CURTIS Sports Editor DZIDULA BONEY Copy Editor CORBIN BOILES Co-Online Editor ALAN IMAR Co-Online Editor NATHANIEL MANOR Business Manager MEGAN ORLANSKI Online Photo Editor MARY K. SULLIVAN Adviser

STAFF WRITERS KEVIN BAUERNFEIND, NAELA FOREAU, SEBASTIAN KUZAK, GAL MINTZ, ALEJANDRO PRESCHEL AD POLICY The Lightning Strike solicits advertising but reserves the right to reject any material deemed libelous, disruptive, obscene or otherwise inappropriate.

EDITORIAL POLICY The Lightning Strike is the student newspaper of Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School: 1410 Countyline Road, Miami, FL 33179; (305) 652-6808 Ext. 238. Opinions expressed in the editorial section do not reflect the viewpoints or official policies of the school. The Lightning Strike welcomes readers’ opinions on all topics. However, we will NOT print anonymous letters. Please keep letters under 150 words and saved to a computer if possible. The editor reserves the right to reject, edit and condense letters. All letters should be turned in to Room 2-233.

As you go on the websites of most American colleges, you’ll encounter the word “holistic” a plethora of times. Yet, while the word holistic means to consider and comprehend the parts of a whole, the college application and selection process is quite the opposite.

Instead of equally valuing personal qualities such as leadership and passion gained through the involvement in extracurricular activities, U.S colleges prioritize mundane numerical numbers as a means to represent the identity of a student.

Extracurricular activities, the only realistic means for students to apply the studies learned within school academics, are not being valued in the American collegiate education system. This lack of privatization leads to students who lean to base their identity on a GPA’s, percentiles, or SAT scores; numbers that statistics show correlate with economic income level.

So, while the student who is not involved and has a 4.0 GPA will get into a top tier school, the low income student who worked two jobs and was able to stay involved within her school and community will not be accepted on the mere merit that she does not meet these numbers.

In no way are GPA’s, standardized tests, or percentiles a weak way of seeing how a student will succeed

in a rigorous academic setting, but the entire college selection process should not be based merely on these numbers. Instead, it should rather transcend to a holistic decision, where all parts of a student are equally considered.

Elias Rosenfeld Grade 12

The power of giving We live fast-paced lifestyles.

Sometimes, it’s easy to forget to make time to help others, or how good helping others can feel.

This past summer, I went to Israel for a program called GIVE, where a group of kids and I spent the entire summer giving back to the community.

During one activity, we visited a nursing home where I met an extraordinary woman. Her name was Michal and she was 95 years old.

She spoke 4 different languages, had 25 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

As I got to know Michal, she told me that her children and grandchildren all live in New York and only visit occasionally.

As I was leaving, her caretaker told me that Michal gets awfully lonely, and that my visit had made her extremely happy.

We often forget how much of an impact we can have on the lives of others, but it feels really good when someone reminds you – you just have to get out there first.

Caroline Masia Grade 11

Opinion

The Lightning Strike • November/December 2015 ELECTIONS

Page 5

SOCIETY

Vote for the person, You don’t get a trophy for reading this not the party Millenials addicted to entitlement

IN MY OPINION sharup majumdar

guest writer

We live in a nation where we are told to gather the facts and make a sensible decision afterwards, but it seems that not a lot of people follow this rule when it comes to elections.

amounts to over 18 trillion.

Now, I understand that there are some voters who simply appreciate one party more than the other, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the candidate’s beliefs are in complete congruency with those of the party.

Bernie Sanders, for example, only chose to be in the Democratic Party because he knew he’d have less of a

People vote on an issue

based on their facts and their ideology, but they disregard both when they vote based on their political party’s position.”

People vote on an issue based on their facts and their ideology, or personal beliefs, but they disregard both when they vote based on their political party’s position, according to a Yale study.

As a result, we end up with presidents whose interests are not aligned with the country’s interests.

For example, when the United States invaded Iraq in 2003, the total war cost was above two trillion dollars, according to Reuters. This expense helped contribute to today’s national debt, which

chance in winning were he to have run as an Independent.

Another reason voters may vote impartially is because of race, gender, or religion of the candidate – but again, so long as their main interests align with those of the nation, the y would be as good of a leader, if not better, than any candidate which voters approve of.

With the 2016 election right around the corner, I think it’s high time that American citizens vote for a candidate who reflects one’s personal values, not for the values of the arty they claim to identify with.

IN MY OPINION jacob singer

managing editor

In a recent commercial for the Kia Sorento, a boy who won every football game is rewarded with the same participation trophy as everyone else in the league. His father, a role model for parents, peels off the participation plaque and writes “CHAMPS” on the trophy.

We live in a society that has become rooted in entitlement.

In the 21st century, everyone gets a trophy because everyone tried.

I know what you’re thinking, “Wait, why are participation trophies bad? Isn’t it good to have a high self-esteem?”

Yes, that is a somewhat valid point, but in our adult lives, these practices become disservices. Why will anyone work hard if reward comes without achievement? How can we learn to fend for ourselves and have responsibilities when we are being coddled by our parents?

In a survey conducted by the Reason-Rupe Poll, 51 percent of people ages 18-24 believe every child should get a trophy. In contrast, everyone else, from ages 25 and up, believes that only winners should get trophies, including 67 percent of those 65 and older.

These beliefs also correlate

with income level. Those with larger incomes believe more strongly that only winners should get trophies, whereas those with lower incomes believe everyone should get trophies. It makes sense that those who have not succeeded feel hard work isn’t necessary for reward. Hard work is crucial, and when our parents neglect to teach us that from an early age, it will hurt us in the long run.

Over 70 percent of Americans believe our generation is selfish and entitled and if that doesn’t surprise you, close to 60 percent of our millennials believe that they themselves fit that description. I am speaking for that group.

As a millennial I sleep in a room adorned with plaques, certificates and trophies celebrating my athletic participation because unfortunately I’ve never been the best athlete. I realize that’s okay because I love sports and the joy of playing them was enough of a reward.

A couple of my trophies were actually for winning and in turn, a lot more satisfying.

I now realize that the trophies praising my ability to exist were unnecessary and potentially harmful to my growth as a person. People look at us and think we are entitled, and they’re probably right. Maybe it’s time to take this criticism to heart and start working to succeed.

Quotes that ruin us You tried your

best and that’s what matters.”

There are no

such things as losers.”

Don’t worry,

what matters is that you had fun.”

You’re always

a winner in my book.”

It’s okay,

there’s always next time.”

They’re just

jealous of you.”

Compiled by: Jacob Singer, Michael Katz

POLITICS

Elecciones llevan Argentina a nuevos tiempos (Elections lead Argentina in a new direction) IN MY OPINION nicolas chmielewski

spread editor

La “presidenta” corrupta de Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, termina su segundo mandato el 10 de diciembre después de la regla de 12 años del Partido Peronista. Sin embargo, la búsqueda de un nuevo presidente puede resultar difícil ya que el proceso es más complejo que el de los Estados Unidos.

Las elecciones presidenciales de Argentina consisten de dos rondas.

En lugar de elegir el candidato más popular durante la primera vuelta de las elecciones el 25 de octubre, sólo dos de los seis candidatos progresaron a la segunda ronda.

Estos dos candidatos eran Mauricio Macri, del partido “Cambiemos”, y Daniel Scioli, del partido “Frente para la Victoria.” Macri está luchando por el cambio político en Argentina, mientras que Scioli hubiera definitivamente continuado los pasos de Cristina Kirchner. Debido a su lógica y la inteligencia, Macri

ha acumulado un amplio apoyo de la clase media. Sin embargo, la Argentina tiene un nivel tan alto de pobreza que los candidatos que atraen a la clase baja a menudo afirman victoria.

El 22 de noviembre, Mauricio Macri, el ex alcalde de Buenos Aires, fue elegido el próximo presidente de Argentina. Los que votaron en contra de él se preocupe que va a traer de vuelta a los años de crisis finánciales sólo porque la clase inferior recibe atención financiera del partido político actual, al igual que en el comunismo.

Aunque los próximos meses podrían ser difícil para muchos, a largo plazo, los cambios que propone Macri son para mejor. Una de sus promesas más reconocibles es haber restaurado el crecimiento en el país, tanto económica como socialmente.

Esto consistiría la infraestructura, los presupuestos detallados y un alcance más cerca a la finalización de la pobreza. Los cambios económicos se consisten de la reducción de la inflación y el equívoco del peso argentino con el dólar estadounidense.

Mientras trabajabo como alcalde

de Buenos Aires, Macri revolucionó el sistema de transporte bajo su jurisdicción, sin embargo, espera ampliar estos cambios en el resto del país.

Macri también planea en la difusión de la libertad dentro de Argentina. Planea anular una “Ley de Medios” que prohíbe el acceso a cierta información en línea y física.

Gracias a Macri, Argentina tiene la oportunidad de empezar de nuevo y convertirse en un modelo a seguir para otros países latinoamericanos. Si él mantiene su palabra y se deshace de la corrupción que asola el gobierno del país, la presencia de Mauricio Macri demostrará progresión revolucionaria para América del Sur.

Translation:

The corrupt ‘president’ of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, ends her second term on December 10 after the 12-year rule of the Peronist Party. The search for a new president may prove difficult, however, as the process is more complex than that of the United States.

Argentina’s presidential election consists of two rounds. Instead of choosing the most popular candidate

during the first round of elections on October 25th, only two of the six candidates progressed to the second round.

These two candidates were Mauricio Macri, of the party “Let’s Change”, and Daniel Scioli, of the party “Front for Victory.” Macri is fighting for political change in Argentina, while Scioli would have definitely continued Cristina Kirchner footsteps. Due to his logic and intelligence, Macri has amassed widespread support from the middle class. However, Argentina has such a high level of poverty that candidates who appeal to the lower class often claim victory.

On November 22, Mauricio Macri, the former mayor of Buenos Aires, was elected the next president of Argentina. Those who voted against him worry he will bring back the years of financial crisis only because the lower class receives financial care from the current political party, much like in communism.

Although the next few months might be rough for many, the long term changes Macri brings to the ta-

ble are for the better. One of his most recognizable promises is to have restored growth within the country, both economically and socially.

This would consist of infrastructure, comprehensive budgets and a closer reach into the finalization of poverty. Economic changes consist of lowering inflation and equivocating the Argentine Peso with the American Dollar.

While working as mayor of Buenos Aires, Macri revolutionized the transportation system under his jurisdiction, yet he hopes to expand these changes to the rest of the country.

Macri also plans on spreading freedom within Argentina. He plans on nullifying a current “Media Law” that prohibits people from accessing certain online and physical information.

Thanks to Macri, Argentina now has the chance to start again and become a role model for other Latin American countries. If he keeps his word and rids the corruption that plagues the country’s government, Mauricio Macri’s presence will demonstrate revolutionary progression for South America.

The Paris Attacks

As society becomes more and more desensitized to violence, it becomes increasingly important to dedicate time and awareness to sensitive matters. The Lightning Strike used its voice to emphasize the impact of the tragic attacks in Paris. The school, country and world were affected by the attacks and they should not go unnoticed.

Attacks in Paris more impactful than others

Islamophobia is not proper response to terrorist attacks

Jake Singer managing editor

Sophie Muchnick entertainment editor

Yes, the Lightning Strike dedicated an entire page to the attacks in Paris. Now, you may be thinking that there are plenty of terrorist attacks and no life is more important than another.

That is true, the attacks in France were not the first terrorist attacks for ISIS, nor will they be the last. In fact, I found that nearly 70 of the 298 terrorist attacks in 2015 were attributed to ISIS. But despite the extensive volume of terrorist activities perpetrated by ISIS that predate the attacks in France, the similarities and relationship we share with France makes it a lot easier to imagine a similar attack happening to us.

France is the epitome of everything we define as culturally important. We hold French food, music, architecture and art in such high esteem that the tragedies of November 13 are harder to ignore. But above all this, the greatest French contribution to American society is the Statue of Liberty.

The Statue of Liberty represents freedom, democracy, safety and security– values that both the French and Americans hold so dearly. These values, ever-present the way we behave, conduct business, grow up, learn and govern ourselves, were the same values that ISIS massacred on November 13.

When I look at France, I can picture a boy just like me who was scared for his life on that fateful November weekend. I see a boy who lives the typical teenage life, just like me. While I can’t speak for anyone else, I find it hard to identify with people who go through this in Mali, for instance, when the national literacy rate is 38.7 percent. But when something like this happens in France, a country that has known and befriended us since our birth, it makes sense that we take more notice.

After the attacks in France, I am certain we are at risk. I don’t remember 9/11, so this is the first time I have ever felt this threatened. A car-bombing in Baghdad does not make me frightful that my car will explode while driving to school, and a shooting in a small village outside of Khartoum does not prompt to buy a Kevlar vest, but the attacks in Paris make me more concerned for our country’s safety.

When CNN devotes 24/7 coverage to something, they do not deserve criticism for devoting less to something else. So because France’s values and history are so similar to ours, they deserve more attention. Some things matter more than others, and the fact that the attacks in France mattered more than other attacks does not mean that any life is more important than another. It’s just a concept everyone should accept.

Paris By the numbers 129

THE NUMBER OF DEATHS IN THE PARIS ATTACKS. THE ATTACKS ALSO LEFT ANOTHER 352 PEOPLE INJURED.

6

NUMBER OF DIFFERENT LOCATIONS THAT ATTACKS OCCURED AT IN PARIS ON NOVEMBER 13.

7

NUMBER OF TERRORISTS INVOLVED IN THE ATTACKS. THE LEAD OPPERATIVE WAS ABDELHAMID ABAAOUD

A few days ago, I heard something disturbing while a middle-aged Indian woman painfully threaded the hairs out from my eyebrows.

A hairdresser and her client were speaking of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and the client said, “We just have to get rid of those Muslim people. They cause too many problems.”

I was appalled. What did she mean by “those Muslim people?”

Was she speaking about the terrorists who killed all those people in Paris? Did she really think that all Muslim people were the cause of this horrific event? After thinking it over, I decided against joining the conversation – after all, she would continue believing this stereotypical idea whether I said something or not.

129 people dead. They were daughters, sons, sisters, brothers and friends. Were the murderers Muslim? Yes – but that does not mean that all Muslim people are terrorists. Just because someone is Muslim, does not mean they condone the actions of Muslim terrorists. I am Jewish, but that does not mean I believe in the actions of Jewish extremists.

So why is it okay to assume otherwise with Muslims?

The mainstream media that pops up on our Facebook and Twitter feeds is not an accurate representation of the real world. On December 2013, the national Liberation Front of Corsica terrorist group carried out simultaneous rocket attacks against police stations in two French cities. In Greece in late 2013, the left-wing militant popular revolutionary forces shot and killed two members of the right-wing political party, Golden Dawn and in Italy, the anarchist group FAI engaged in numerous terror attacks including mailing a bomb to a journalist. But you’ve probably never heard of these events, though – neither did I. But if Muslim extremists carried out these terrorist attacks, there is no doubt it would have ended up on your television screen or your Facebook and Twitter feed.

The media does not cover terror attacks the same way it does when they are committed by a terrorist who is Muslim. Our favorite Disney movies are the ones where the innocent child over comes the evil villain and lives happily ever after. In our case, the media portrays us, the Americans, as the innocent child trying to overcome ALL Muslim people instead of just Muslim terrorists. However, the story never seems to end, and happily ever after never seemed so far away.

Somehow, somewhere, the idea that ‘all Muslims are terrorists’ came about, and that is beyond false. Hate crimes against Muslims in the United States jumped after the September 11, 2001 attacks and remain elevated more than 13 years later.

To the women who made my eyebrow threading even more painful, I am sorry.

I’m sorry that you haven’t been exposed to the truth, and your ignorance is clouding your judgment and allows you to blatantly label and judge people based on one aspect of who they are, even though religion does NOT define a person. But I am sorrier to the families of those who were killed on November 13th in Paris. I am sorry you will never again see your friends and family. And finally, I am sorry that many Muslim people are discriminated against just for what they believe.

I know that nothing will change. I know that it’s too late for many people and their viewpoints will stay the same. I know that the media will continue to do what it does best. But I do hope that what I have to say will bring some to the realization that not all terrorists are Muslims, and all Muslims are not terrorists - they are actually a very small percent of those that actually are. Now, I’m not saying to ignore the dangers radical Islamists pose, I’m just saying to remember that stereotyping is what leads to the hate and hostility that we have enough of in this world.

Feature

The Lightning Strike • November/December 2015

Page 7

RETIREMENT

Sadly it’s Mr. Q’s ‘time to go’

As head of the Special Education department Manuel Quiroga retires on Dec. 15 students and faculty remember his contribution to the school.

Mayan Derhy editor-in-chief Most students know Special Education teacher Manuel Quiroga as the man who sells them their morning bagel, but Quiroga’s impact on Krop goes far beyond the bagel cart.

Quiroga always had an interest in mental disabilities and worked with special needs students for most of his teaching career, which is why he decided to open a special education department when he came to Krop 16 years ago. Quiroga built the program from the ground up, doing everything from organizing a new curriculum to getting supplies, including books and laptops.

The program, which initially had six students, grew to a class of 17 who bonded with Quiroga as both a mentor and a friend.

“He’s awesome,” sophomore Latrell Fussell, one of Quiroga’s students, said. “He’s the best teacher. He’s funny and nice to us.”

Quiroga not only founded the special education program 16

years ago but also started the Best Buddies club and the recycling program. At the time, the club was nationally called “Best Buddies for Kids with Mental Retardation,” a name that Mr. Q strongly opposed since he always felt uncomfortable with the word “retarded.” Quiroga and Jonathan Weiss, the student who helped start the club in Krop, called the organization and got approved to start the first Best Buddies chapter for students on the autism spectrum.

“I never felt my kids were mentally retarded,” Quiroga said. “They had intellectual disabilities, impairments, behavior problems and more, but that had nothing to do with how smart they were or not.”

The club started with just five people and grew into the diverse group of 100 people that it is today.

One of the main goals of Best Buddies is to spread awareness, and so Mr. Q constantly stresses that being retarded isn’t contagious, but the use of the word is. Quiroga tries his best to make the club inclusive of all students and not just those with

disabilities in an effort to make his students feel as normal they can.

“He treats the kids like they’re his own,” president of Best Buddies senior Juana Argiró said. “He’s so giving and selfless, and he puts everyone before himself. You can see how much it’s affected not just his students but everyone in the club.”

When Quiroga retires on Dec. 15, he will be leaving behind both students and staff members who have become very close to him, particularly Patricia Burley, who has worked with Quiroga for over 20 years and came to work with him again once he opened the Special Education program in Krop. Burley says that she doesn’t know what this school will do without him because the impact he made was so great, both with the programs he founded and with the students he has touched throughout the years.

“Working with these kids brought out the best in me,” Quiroga said. “I’ve developed some real friendships here, and I’m really going to miss the kids. It’s just my time to go.”

FACULTY

Menelas brings alternate style to chemistry classes Naela Foureau staff writer

It is out with the old and in with the new for the students in Room 02-250.

Coming from Iowa State University with a major in Pre-Pharmacy, a masters in Pathology and a PhD from Purdue University in environmental soil, chemistry teacher Dr. Bluncher Menelas has replaced former chemistry teacher Dr. John Trafton and is changing the way Krop’s honors and AP chemistry students learn.

“He gives us the opportunity to make mistakes,” sophomore Naomi Litwak said.

“He is more open to suggestion and uses different teaching methods than Trafton.”

Trafton showed Menelas how he ran his honors and AP classes after an interview with the administration. However, Menelas decided to alter some of Trafton’s methods by allowing students to ask unlimited questions--something Trafton had never done.

Menelas’s alternate style changes the classroom setup. Originally lessons were taught in front of the class and students were required to go to the back of the classroom

COURTESY OF MANUEL QUIROGA

HELPING THE BUDDIES: (top) Special Education teacher Manuel Quiroga assists senior Jadd El-Halabi on a computer assignment.

REMINISCING: (bottom) Manuel Quiroga (right) gets a visit from his former student and co-founder of the Best Buddies program Jonathan Weiss (left).

STUDENT LIFE

The Che

ting Game

Cheating has become a catand-mouse chase. Students create elaborate methods to sneak answers, while teachers develop their own techniques to beat students at their own game.

Calculator Trick

MEGAN ORLANSKI/ THE LIGHTNING STRIKE

IN WITH THE NEW: Chemistry teacher Dr. Bluncher Menelas teaches electron configuration to his Honors Chemistry students. Menelas replaced Dr. John Trafton, who retired on October 30.

to apply what they learned to mini white boards. To cut down distraction, Menelas keeps students at their desks to make sure the entire class is on the same page.

“My teaching is inquiry-based, and questions are unlimited.” Menelas said. “I want to let the students sort out misconceptions and have a hands-on learning experience.”

Menelas has been doing Saturday sessions to prepare all of his AP students for their AP exam. He plans to eventually set up study sessions for all of his students.

“He makes the learning experience more interesting,” junior Sarah Blake said. “The Saturday sessions for AP chemistry are especially helpful.”

Menelas plans to be at Krop for the long-run. But most of all, Menelas hopes to make an impact on his current and future students.

“The reason I decided to teach at a high school level is because of the impact I’ll be able to make here,” he said.

“When you have kids coming back to thank you for what you did for their life, nothing can beat that.”

Students place a note card on their calculator case, and during the exam casually peek at the pre written formulas to get that “A” in Statistics. With the advancement of calculators, students are now able to save and go back to information in their graphing calculator.

Water Bottle Method

Writing out the answers inside the water bottle label gives students an angle to discretely look at the answers during an exam.

Body Art Body art takes on a new meaning to students prior to an exam. Students write out answers and formulas on their arm and sneak a peek while it is concealed under their clothing.

I.D.Badge Method

Students use their ID’s as a platform to hide the answers that they wrote on a sticky note.

But don’t get too comfortable. Teachers have their methods for catching cheaters.

“The number one tip-off is when students speak to each other during exam,” social studies teacher Steven Groothuis said. “Number two is when students look around with their bodies turned, talk during the exam and keep looking at me.”

Cheating occurs in different ways, not just by having access to the answers.

“The main problem in math classes is that students get prior knowledge of the material from other classes,” mathematics teacher Deborah Stein said.

Social studies teacher Mary Lee has discovered a clever way to observe the entire class.

“During an exam I stare at the television screen, which gives me a reflection of the entire classroom,” Lee said.

“Sometimes, aggravated students will turn in an anonymous note to alert me of cheaters.”

With teachers and students in an endless chase, students will find new ways to cheat only for teachers to find new ways to catch them.

Feature Page 8

The Lightning Strike • November/December 2015

COMMUNITY SERVICE

The Thanksgiving drive Students assemble baskets worth a thousand smiles

Michael Katz opinion editor We live by numbers. Whether they’re SAT scores, GPAs or community service requirements, we’ve gotten so caught up in the numbers that we lose track of what they mean. Last year alone, we collected enough blood to perform over 1,200 transfusions and enough food to assemble over 50 Thanksgiving baskets. Just this year, Krop students have performed over 40,000 hours of community service. Here’s a closer look behind the numbers: Each year, students are asked to bring in canned goods for our school’s Thanksgiving drive in exchange for community service hours or the right to remain in a club, and each year, we obey. That’s why every Thanksgiving Activity Director Michelle Russell’s room becomes a mini-mart filled with hundreds of cans of green beans, assorted fruits, pre-cooked yams, cranberry sauce, turkey stuffing and everything in between.

We can see the mountains of food piled high in her office, but we often miss out on the best part — seeing the smiles on the faces of those that receive them.

“My family isn’t that big.

It’s just my mom, my sister and I,” Sue* said. “My mom works at Walgreens. It doesn’t pay much, but it’s what she has to do to provide for the family. We never really celebrated Thanksgiving with a big dinner until this year.”

But thanks to us, Sue had

STAND OUT STUDENT LIFE

Tatiana Matos—the girl that opened up our eyes Through surevys, Matos collects information on the effects that sleep deprivation has on memory for her AP Capstone project.

by Shoshana Sommer

MIKAELA MENDEZ / THE LIGHTNING STRIKE

GIVING BACK: Students assemble Thanksgiving baskets in Activity Director Michelle Russell’s room. They will be distributing them to families in need.

one more thing to be thankful for this Thanksgiving — a meal fit for a queen.

“When Ms. Russell asked me if I wanted a basket for my family, I told her to give it to the homeless—they need it more than me. But she said they were donating plenty of food to the homeless, so I brought a basket home,” she said. “This year we had so much food that we invited some of our more needy neighbors to our dinner. We were all so happy and grateful.”

Russell got in on the best part—seeing the smiles on their faces.

“You should have seen her mother’s face when she came to pick up the basket,” Russell said. “She was speechless.”

Thanks to our donations, Sue and another 50 families were able to celebrate this Thanks-

giving with full tables and fuller stomachs - and we still had over 50 boxes of canned goods to donate to Feeding South Florida. And it only took two cans of tuna from each of us.

But those two cans of tuna changed someone’s life. It gave them something we all too often take for granted—a meal to share with friends and family. Community service may be measured by numbers, but it’s about the experience. That’s why the public school system only requires one hour of community service for graduation – because if you spend an hour helping someone in need, not filing papers or dropping a book in a collection box, it’s impossible not to fall in love with it.

“It’s about giving,” Sue said. *Her name has been changed.

Junior Tatiana Matos has always been curious about how a person’s life experiences affect their cognitive abilities.

Last year Matos’ curiosity led her to conduct a research project on how art affects a student’s performance for her AP Capstone class. But this year Matos is especially excited about her research project that investigates to what exSHOSHANA SOMMER/ THE LIGHTNING STRIKE tent sleep deprivation affects RESEARCH: Junior Tatiana Matos long-term memory. participates in her AP Psychology “I know a lot of teenagers class that inspired her to condcut research on sleep and memory. are subject to lack of sleep, and they don’t know what they are doing to their brain by missing out on it, “ she said.

Through a survey Matos asked students how likely they were to doze off in different situations such as reading a book or hanging out with friends. Then students were shown a video with 15 words and 15 pictures. Two weeks later students were asked to write down what they remembered from the video. Matos will compare the correlation between how sleep-deprived students are to what they recalled.

Matos predicts that sleep deprivation affects long term memory.

According to her research, when people get sleep their brain restores cells, aiding the retention of memory. Without sleep the brain does not function to its fullest ability.

Through her research Matos hopes to inform teenagers on the dangers of not catching up on sleep. She also wishes to learn which parts of the brain affect memory and how they relate to sleep.

FACULTY

Diaz devotes thousands of hours The power of clean: Jesus deep-cleaning the school he opened in 1998 Naela Foureau staff writer

From the outside, Jesus Diaz may appear to others as carefree, but when he arrives on campus at around 4:30a.m. each day to open up the school, he has only one goal in mind: to make the school spotless.

As a teenager coming from Puerto Rico, Diaz was raised by a single father with ten other siblings who uprooted their lives and moved to New York City in 1967 in search of better opportunities two years after their mother died from childbirth.

Diaz began assisting custodians over the summer, and worked his way up from a seasonal custodian to a full-time head custodian in a New York school. He also held positions as a part-time mechanic and the superintendent of 52 family buildings before making his way to South Florida in the early 1990s, where he was one of the first custodians to work for the school in 1998.

After Diaz left Krop in 2006 to work at Highland Oaks and other Dade County public schools, he returned in 2015 determined to keep the school clean.

“When I opened the school up from scratch, all the bathrooms and classrooms were filthy,” he said. “I didn’t even want to come back after that.”

This dedication earned Diaz most of his 60 plaques including the “Call of Duty” plaque that hangs on the wall in front of the attendance office, an honor he’s especially proud of.

“Mr. Diaz has done so much for our school. He opened up the school and was our first head custodian,” assistant principal Daniel Ponkey said.

“He has definitely worked over a thousand hours since he has been at Krop.”

One of his most tedious tasks came in March when he spent 23 consecutive hours at school without sleep or food to apply red mulch to the trees so that the campus was more appealing. Diaz has also given up on the con-

PHOTO COURTESY OF JESUS DIAZ

SAYING GOODBYE: Head custodian Jesus Diaz holds his newborn sheep.

Diaz will leave his job at Krop to work more time at his family-run farm.

cept of “summer recess,” arriving at the break of dawn almost every day of the summer to remove furniture, wax floors and clean out the drains and gutters of classrooms, some of these being tasks that had not been done since he left Krop in 2006.

But being a custodian wasn’t always Jesus’s dream. As a child, he held

aspirations of be coming a police officer. So after his father’s death in 2002, he pursued a private investigating license in his dad’s honor. Diaz holds five licenses from the state of Florida,

including a business license which helped him operate a private investigation firm for three years.

He devoted “easily over one thousand hours” of his own time on weekdays and weekends to clean the school and scrape gum in the nine years he has worked for Krop. Diaz said he is waiting for a chance to take some time off so he can upkeep his farm and raise his farm animals.

“My sheep just had babies, but my sister is taking care of them now,” he said. “I’m waiting for a break so I can help out more.”

If he’s not on the farm, he’s writing a book about his life in working for the school system. Diaz is thinking of naming the book “Looking Forward.”

“Since I turned 50, I learned to take things one day at a time,” he said.

“Today is promised, but tomorrow isn’t. You have to live in the moment.”

** Editor’s Note: Diaz was offered the job he had been seeking with Miami-Dade Public Schools Athletic Custodial Department. He will be leaving to work there in January.

JOIN YOUR

TO JOIN THE PTSA FILL OUT A MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Applications can be found in the main office or on kropseniorhigh.org in the PTSA tab.

Page 10

The Lightning Strike • November/December 2015

Page 11

The Lightning Strike • November/December 2015

HOW DO YOU GET TO SCHOOL? Nurieli lives the #Jeeplife Mayan Derhy editor-in-chief

Mila Sicorsky feature editor

Ride like the wind

Rain, wind or shine, Keon Pierre rides his Hardrock Comp bike to school. Fast and furious when he first got it, his red and black bike now sports a flat tire.

“In the beginning of the school year it was pretty cold and windy, so with a flat tire it was a lot harder to ride,” he said.

While it takes Pierre ten minutes to get to school on a normal day,

strong winds mean 13 to 14 minute bike rides.

But weather isn’t the only antagonist that comes with biking to school.

One time, a distracted driver veered onto the sidewalk and was foot away from hitting Pierre.

“It’s a lot more work and effort than sitting in a car,” he said. “It’s more fun than walking home.”

Skateboarding with no bounds

Walking: the new therapy Kevin Bauernfeind staff witter

Nearly every day of the week, sophomore Nicolas Poj walks home from school and burns almost 500 calories, the same amount of calories in an Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar Classic with 1 tablespoon of Horsey sauce. Although for some people the thought of walking to school can be hateful and unbearable, Nicolas Poj sees it as a great

convenience. “Walking is like a form of therapy for me,” said Poj. “It’s a great form of exercise, and it’s always nice to take a breath outside after a long day of school.”

Even when the weather isn’t so nice, Poj will always be propelled to walk and enjoy his experience with nature. “At least I got to walk a few miles,” says Poj.

At eight years old, most kids dream of getting a new Barbie doll or the latest video game, but senior Ariel Nurieli dreamt of getting a Jeep ¬ a dream he lives every morning when he rolls into school in his 1998 moss green Jeep TJ Sahara.

“Ever since I was eight, it was all I talked about,” Nurieli said, “so when I got my license, my parents knew exactly what to get me.”

With a grandpa who worked as a mechanic and a dad who loved cars, it was natural for Nurieli to grow up tinkering with engine parts. For years, he worked with his dad taking apart anything he could, from bikes to car parts. He learned to put the pieces together again and decided he would one day fix up an old car, and none other than a Jeep TJ. “I’ve always liked the feel of old cars, especially Jeeps,” Nurieli said. “I love the idea of adventure and conceptualizing that I can go anywhere. ” Nurieli spent every break he could since freshman year working at the clothing store “Elan” to earn money to fix up his Jeep. He says that each penny he earned went into car parts, from a new intake system and a 3.25-inch lift to plastic doors. He eventually earned enough money to help his parents pay for half of his Jeep. No matter how difficult, Nurieli took on the challenge of installing the parts he bought himself.

“You learn by failing,” Nurieli said. “You do it, break a part, have your dad yell at you, then the mechanic tells you it’s expensive so you decide to do it yourself and then you finally do it right.”

But driving an old car has its down sides. The TJ gets around 15 miles per gallon, a little over half the gas mileage of an average car. One of the main problems is that his car doesn’t drive straight and shakes when he passes 75 miles an hour. Neither does the car handle rain well. His windshield wipers don’t shut off and he has even drifted in full circles on the highway. And there’s a bug problem. Nurieli spent a day at a park but left his top down. When he came back, a colony of ants awaited him. Everyday driving his Jeep is a new challenge.

“As much as people say they want my car, most of them wouldn’t be able to deal with it,” Nurieli said.

After a year of struggles, Nurieli decided to sell his Jeep. He started to advertise but when the first person called with an offer, he realized that he couldn’t get himself to sell it.

“I told myself that I’m tired of stick shift,” Nurieli said. “I told myself I realized I’d be bored if I didn’t have all that stuff, and that it wouldn’t be my car.”

Mila Sicorsky feature editor

Streets are limited to lanes for cars, bikes and pedestrians.

So every morning sophomore Sean Manson creates one for his skateboard.

Since his parents don’t have time to drive him in the morning, Manson skateboards to and from school. Although he says it is fun, he admits his self-made lanes can be dangerous.

“A lot of people jaywalk, including me,” he said. “I was doing that, and a car going full speed almost hit me.”

Mikaela Mendez news editor

Taking the bus four too many years

College applications and finding a ride to and from school are a few problems upperclassmen face during their final years of high school. But perhaps the hardest part is being one of the few who must take the same yellow cheese bus for four years.

But riding the bus comes with benefits such as saving gas, never being late to school and talking with friends before you arrive to school.

Junior Tamar Yaniv, who has taken the bus since her freshmen year, says its an opportunity to hang out with friends or review for a test she has first period.

“I wake up at 5:35 A.M. to catch the bus at 6:15. I can’t remember one time I was late,” Yaniv said. “But, my friends who drive to school have to wait in the long line to enter the student parking lot, the bus has the V.I.P express lane.”

Though it has advantages, taking the bus isn’t as good as it seems in high school movies. Seniors Gaston Israilewich and Andres Rosero have had their fair share of unfortunate events.

Israilewich wakes up at 6 A.M. to catch his bus at 6:35. After seven hours of hard work at school, he returns home on the bus by 3p.m.

From freshmen to senior year, Israilewich said that sometimes bus changes were made, and he couldn’t hear it over the students in his sixth period class. Or a bus wouldn’t show so students would have to take another one home. Some days he had to wait anywhere from two to three hours after-school for a ride home.

“The worst part about taking the bus is realizing there are days where the bus driver won’t be there on time,” Israilewich said. “I hate going through seven hours of school and getting home later than four.”

Not being able to stay after school for extra-

curricular activities can also take a toll on a student’s personal life.

On top of other disadvantages, Rosero, who has taken the bus since his freshmen year, finally realized the effect of not having one after school activity or club on his resume.

“I used to wake up at 5 A.M. to catch the bus and would fall asleep in my first and second period during my freshmen and sophomore year,” Rosero said. “Even though I volunteered at my church from sophomore to senior year, compared to everybody else I felt like I could’ve been more involved.”

For students who would like to be involved in after-school activities such as a club or sport but take the bus home, there are solutions, like asking another student for a ride home after the meeting or practice is over.

Entertainment Page 12

MUSIC FESTIVALS

More than just beaches

Miami is home to some of the most popular music festivals in the nation Alejandro Preschel staff writer

Miami is a city known primarily for its diverse population, lovely weather and charisma. These characteristics make Miami the perfect place to host music festivals. Increasingly popular music festivals are not only beneficial for the hosts and performers, but for the city of Miami.

Among many festivals, Ultra Music festival is perhaps the most popular. Although Ultra resides in other cities all over the world, Miami is its prime venue. In 2012, a record-breaking 155,000 people attended. Ultra is held in Bayfront Park in downtown Miami every March and lasts a whole weekend. The event is so popular that presale tickets sell within seconds after being posted.

Alex Omes and Russell Faibisch founded the music festival in 1999 and named it after Depeche Mode’s 1997 Album “Ultra.” Initially, Ultra initially lasted one day, but as it got more popular, Ultra became a two day event.

Although it is not as well-known as Ultra, the Life in Color Music Festival proves how prominent and successful the music festival industry has become in Miami. The EDM Event Company began as a series of lavish house parties hosted by four FSU students. As the parties became

spread editor

Hollywood filmmakers uncreatively follow structured formulas for plots and scripts which manipulate audiences and result in millions of dollars in the box office. They reuse storylines because viewers will constantly be open the screenings and concepts of the films.

For example, how many times do you remember watching a movie about that one guy who works his hardest for a girl way out of his league. Against all odds, they get together, then break up, and finally end up realizing they can’t live without each other. Movies like 10 Things I Hate About You, What Happens in Vegas, and The Wedding Ringer follow this plot while having each gained at least 50 million dollars in the box office.

Filmmakers are so precise that they actually have a mathematical technique for these narratives.

There have been studies that examined audience attention spans and suspense levels throughout films. Researchers at the University of Texas originated a pattern

Corbin’s Critique In the Heart of the Sea

COURTESY OF LIFEINCOLOR.COM

LIFE IN COLOR: A Miami crowd goes wild at Life in Color. The next festival will take place on Jan. 16.

more popular, the founders planned events as business partners, calling themselves “Committee Entertainment.”

The four founders soon dropped out of college to pursue their venture. After they registered the trademarks for the informal party series and fraternity and sorority tradition DayGlow, known for the throwing of non-toxic paints among attendees, Committee Entertainment established their theme and eventually called themselves “Life in Color.”

By 2013, Life in Color was touring in over 25 countries and was headlining popular DJs such as Afrojack and Benny Benassi.

But not every music festival in

Miami inhabits EDM fans and wild teenagers. With a quieter audience, the Miami International Jazz Fest hosts yearly concerts that not only display the talents of professional jazz musicians, but also those of local music students. The Miami International Jazz Fest is not just a jazz concert– it is an opportunity for young musicians to be exposed to the realities of the music business.

As people from all parts of the world continue to attend them, Miami music festivals have become increasingly integrated into the city’s culture. Whether it’s at Life in Color, Ultra or the Miami International Jazz Fest, partygoers and music lovers keep the industry afloat.

Hollywood movies stick to clichés nicolas chmielewski

MOVIES

Corbin Boiles co-online editor

MOVIES

IN MY OPINION

The Lightning Strike • November/December 2015

during the 1990s through the studied attentive durations of subjects.

The scientists then adapted the measurements of their attention spans into wave forms using a mathematical technique known as the Fourier transform.

Filmmakers today use this inquiry to measure shot lengths as the same mathematical pattern that describes the human attention span.

As a result, we tend to see repeated, overused plots, which continue to lack original thought.

Although details differentiate these movies, they are mostly comprised of flat characters, unrelated subplots and oversimplified settings.

Some of the films with the strongest appeal to clichés are animated and super-hero films. Pixar Animation Studios, for example, has made 15 movies arguably have the same plot. They use different morals, yet Pixar films generally present two characters that dislike each other, and yet against all odds must work together to overcome a goal. In the end, they both work things out and discover friendship.

This includes Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Up and Inside Out. The Marvel Universe also uses clear

objectives that the protagonists must reach which enable the audience to understand more easily.

For instance, The Avengers (2012) must capture Loki and put an end to alien army. The broader plot is very similar to The Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), Iron Man and other Marvel films. Supplementary elements include the protagonist’s attraction to female roles who never seem to change personalities or behavior around the hero.

Yet not all cliché films are bad.

For example Philomena, Silver Linings Playbook and Good Will Hunting all use clichés in a way where the filmmakers are able to creatively use camera techniques, audio and dialogue to their advantage. Therefore they stand out from others. It’s fast money. The plots are all there; the filmmakers just have to change the characters, settings and adjacent goals throughout the movie.

They are surely enjoyable to watch at times, but it’s a much better experience to sit inside a theater watching an original, innovative movie wherein the filmmakers worked their finest in distributing a well told story.

In the Heart of the Sea, based off the book of the same name, tells the harrowing tale of the sinking of the Essex, a story that inspired Herman Menville’s 1851 novel, Moby Dick (the movie isn’t based off of Moby Dick itself, even though the author is a character. Yes, it’s confusing). Starring Chris Hemsworth, Brendan Gleeson and Benjamin Walker, there is one word that can capture the essence of the film: enjoyable.

The film is told through a conversation between Thomas Nickerson (Brendan Gleeson plays the old man; Tom Holland is the younger version) and Menville (Ben Winshaw).

The acting is riveting, and gives the viewer some sense of the horror his crew went through.

That terror is fully realized when we meet Owen Chase (Hemsworth), first mate of the Essex under Captain Pollard (Walker). It’s hard to imagine the God of Thunder playing a whaler, but Hemsworth brings a confidence to the role that I don’t think could’ve been replicated by another (even if his attempt at an American accent falters along the way). Even after the Essex sinks and the crew is confined to row boats, Hemsworth brings the gravitas required to lift this movie out from its computer-generated imagery (CGI) dependence and add the sense of practical thrill.

But this same dependence dampens the movie from becoming the best it can be.

Different shots throughout the film look cheap, with one sequence in a storm that makes you wonder if director Ron Howard (Apollo 13, Rush) had a TV budget to work with. It gets even worse when a rather dramatic scene

involving the massive whale becomes hard to see, with lens flare almost as blinding as the sunrise. It made the movie feel as though it had bad budget management, especially when you compare it to some fantastic visual sequences later on.

Where the film excels is its ability to deliver strong messages through its action sequences. One in particular involves Chase killing a whale.

While whaling is currently a controversial topic, the prac-

tice was rampant throughout the 1800s as industries relied on whale oil. Yet during this intense sequence, the film is able to effectively present the moral dilemmas these characters deal with. Through the blood-stained faces of the rowers, we see that this isn’t something they want to do – it’s their job, a job they have to do to make money and go home.

Adapting this tale was always going to be hard due to the intense nature of the story, For instance, this movie doesn’t shy away from cannibalism. But, with enough great performances from the cast and outstanding imagery to counteract its drawbacks, In The Heart of the Sea is a great movie on the horizon. There she blows!

Rating: 3/4

The Lightning Strike • November/December 2015

Entertainment Page 13

MUSIC

Old music makes a comeback Nathaniel Manor business manager

While artists such as Fetty Wap and Miley Cyrus dominate today’s music scene, some of our favorite pleated leather-wearing rockstars are reemerging from the pits of hairspray and black eyeliner.

Although we may never hear an Aerosmith song on Y100, the classic rock of the 60’s and 70’s and the hair metal of the 80’s are making a comeback. In the past decade, these artists reunited, released new albums and gone back on tour.

Music experts credit this rise of past rock genres to nostalgia.

According to William McKeen, a former professor of music at the University of Florida, it’s all about connecting people with some memory of a happy time in their life.

Since 2012, bands such as the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, and U2 have reunited for sold-out, world tours. In 2010, Roger Waters reinvented the revolutionary Pink Floyd album, creating the third most successful tour in history, ‘The Wall’.

COURTESY OF LIKEM BONEY

Within this past year, the 80’s hair metal genre saw a spike in demand for spandex and studded boots. Van Halen, Dokken, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, AC/DC and KISS are all currently on tour, formulating quite a motley crew.

Speaking of which, Mötley Crüe is on their final tour as well, and will perform their last show together in

Los Angeles to celebrate 35 years together on New Year’s Eve. Although the artists’ fan base mainly consists of our parents’ and even grandparents’ generation, today’s youth is starting to appreciate older music because of its deep impact.

“I hate today’s music, it’s God awful,” senior Nataly Wittels said.

EXPRESSION

Art: subjective not objective

“Looking back at the messages of classic rock music, you hear these artists expressing their feelings and sharing life stories, unlike today’s vulgar-filled lyrics.”

The lack of true instrumentation and increased use of auto-tune and computer engineered beats is another reason why many are shying away from modern music. “So much of today’s music is made on a computer without real instruments, just for the money,” freshman Jonah Muchnick said. “It loses its meaning and makes the music sound like trash.”

Music used to have meaning but seems to have lost its way, leading certain students to revert to older types of rock music to get through troubled times or reminiscing of the past.

“Classic rock was the music I grew up on, which made me love music today,” junior Anthony Flores said. His parents played classic rock music for him as a child, regardless of the generational gap. He accredits his love of music and involvement in the Tri-M program to classic rock, as well.

Slower and more in depth rock songs, called rock ballads, speak

to people in despair, especially after a break-up. “Rock music lifted my spirits through my parents’ divorce,” Muchnick said. “Those artists give their heart to the music and I needed that through my rough times.”

Often times in the past, rock music and lyrics molded the lives of people. “During college I had a history professor who was into Bob Dylan,” social studies teacher Erick Hafter said. “I would often go to his house with other students and we would analyze the state of American society through the use of certain Bob Dylan lyrics.

That truly influenced me in what I would end up doing, studying and teaching history.”

Looking at others’ experiences with rock music can clearly lead to the reasons of the resurgence of a genre. As our generation continues to grow, older rock genres will not fade away, but the opposite may occur.

So for all of you Dead Heads, Beatlemaniacs, Wholigans, Crüeheads, and any other fan base names out there, go and rock out to your favorite oldies, because Rock ’n Roll is here to stay.

SCHOOL SHOWS

Alejandro Preschel staff writer Most people deem modern art as meaningless, repulsive or enigmatic. Some even refuse to call it art. But, modern art is more than what it seems. If you look at the way humanity has developed throughout the centuries, the arrival of modern art makes perfect sense.

Things have changed since the creation of the Mona Lisa.

More importance has been placed on freedom of expression, and people have become more open minded.

500 years ago, people were condemned and cast out for being different. But slowly, humans have gained the freedom to express themselves and to be different, which has been shown through the transgression of art.

Classical paintings typically depict a scene or a person in vivid detail. The artists spent painstaking hours perfecting shadows, faces and texture.

On the other hand, characteristics of modern compositions are limitless. Unlike classical artists who had to follow certain styles,patterns of light and form, artists today follow their hearts.

Their art reflects personal feelings and thoughts, which is why, in some cases, modern art can be so bizarre and difficult to understand.

Unlike traditional art, modern art is characterized by abstract visuals. According to the founder of

SHOSH IS GETTING ME A Tri-M takes the stage PICTURE :D COURTESY OF ANTHONY FLORES

TRI-M PERFORMANCE: Junior Anthony Flores performs Home by Michael Buble at this yaers Tri-M performance. Flores performed alongside Nadav Marianowsky who played the piano.

COURTESY OF ARTBASEL.COM

ART BASEL: Over 230 of the world’s leading galleries of Modern and contemporary art show 20th - 21st century artworks at Art Basel. Visitors are presented all sorts of artwork created by more tha 4,000 artists.

analytical psychology, Carl Jung, abstraction is a thinking process that involves four mutually exclusive psychological functions: sensation, intuition, feeling and thinking. When the brain encounters an abstraction, it is free to do what it does best. It is given the opportunity to think.

Abstract concepts and concrete concepts, stimulate different parts of the brain. Looking at Raphael’s “Wedding of the Virgin”, the brain will react differently than when shown a more abstract visual such as Edvard Munch’s “The Scream.” In an abstraction, concrete elements are left undefined.

Therefore, an effective understanding of the abstract requires intuition and the ability to look beyond the physicality of an object.

The origins of modern art trace back to the 19th century

when a group known as the “Impressionists” protested against the French “Academie des-Beaux arts.” The Impressionists believed in aesthetic realism. They believed that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

For those who believe that art should follow a universal standard, think again. Art can’t be measured objectively.

Art Basel Miami for example, is an art show that displays modern art.

Each show in Art Basel Miami has participating galleries, exhibition sectors, artworks and parallel programming produced in collaboration with Miami’s local institutions. Art Basel is a great place to actually see the progression of art.

It displays art that is new, while still exhibiting classics and traditional styles.

Megan Orlanski staff writer

The spotlight was on at TriM’s Fall Fest, a showcase of both magnet and non-magnet musical students in the auditorium on November 23rd. The Fest included twenty two diverse acts ranging from solos to multi-instrument compositions.

Senior Keleque Smith, co-president of Tri-M, also known as music honor society, said that the showcase allowed hidden talents to shine and proved that students don’t need a label to tell them that they’re good enough to perform.

“Besides some minor technical issues, the show was great, Tri-M has some really talented singers.” said sophomore Emily Palmeiro who attended the show.

Co-President, junior Sara Blake said that a lot of practicing both inside and outside the auditorium to prepare for the

show, as well as multiple auditions to make sure performers were practicing their pieces.

Performers like sophomore Ruth Kim spent time after school perfecting their pieces, although Kim admits she didn’t have to work on her piece, a piano composition titled Gentle Rains, too much since she was already familiar with it.

The Fall Fest is one of three annual shows put on by Tri-M and are student run, meaning that club officers are in charge of stage directions, deciding who will be in the show and making sure club members sell tickets “It’s a big responsibility, but when the show comes together in the end it’s all worth it.”

Blake said.

The show welcomes anyone who is musically inclined to participate as long as they audition, so you may see an unexpected rising star at Tri-M’s next show.

Lifestyle Page 15

The Lightning Strike • November/December 2015 HEALTH

ADVISE

Harsh effects of sleeping Life Hacks near your cell phone School edition Shoshana Sommer lifestyle editor Almost every night I am guilty of falling asleep while scrolling through social media with my phone by my side.

Smartphones can be useful at night to send a text, check the time, set an alarm, or use as a flash light but people have become so attached to their cell phones that they even sleep with them under their pillow.

A study from Stanford University found that 75 percent of the 200 students surveyed slept with their cell phones next to them on a nightstand or under their pillow.

This on call status reflects the obligation and anxious need to be constantly connected. Although sleeping near a cell phone gives people the comfort that they won’t miss a text or a notification on twitter, it does come with harsh effects.

Cell phones use electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range. By sleeping with a phone nearby people increase their exposure to radiation. According to the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer calls the radiation “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”

School can be stressful but, don’t let it get to you. Let these school life hacks help ease the stress of a long school day.

1. Take Cornell type notes

COURTESY OF MIKAELA MENDEZ

The radiation can also prevent people from experiencing optimal sleep cycles. Smartphones affect deep sleep, which leaves less time for blood flow to be directed to your muscles. Therefore in the morning, people who sleep next to their phone experience lack of concentration.

Cell phones give off a “blue light” which can inhibit the production of the sleep inducing hormone melatonin and disrupt our circadian rhythms, or biological clock.

Dr. Charles Czeisler, a professor of sleep medicine at Harvard

University, explains that light stimulates cells in the retina, the area at the back of the eye that transmits messages to the brain.

The blue light emits wavelengths similar to daylight, which can make our bodies think its daytime, at any time.

It is suggested power down all electronics two hours before bedtime. By having a phone close by at night, you’re subconsciously saying you wish to attend to that phone. So, the best option to combat these harsh affects is to turn off your phone and place it in another room while you slumber.

5 Holiday gifts $10 or less This holiday season you’re covered with these five trendy and inexpensive presents sure to satisfy anyone on your gift list.

Make Your Own Ugly Christmas Socks: The set includes a pair of festive socks and an assortment of embellishments including ribbons and jingle bells. This gift lets the one you love express themselves while getting a pair of socks, what’s not to love?

Target $9.99

Wreck-it-Journal: Looking for an adventurous gift? The wreck-it-journal is a perfect present. The journal comes with short prompts for you to follow such as, make a handprint on this page or stick candy wrappers to another page. By the time you complete the journal you will have some amazing memories to go along with it!

Walmart $8.47

Taking notes are a part every school day. Often my notes were messy and near impossible to study from. After asking all my teachers for a better way, my teacher introduced me to Cornell notes. Taking Cornell notes helped me study, retain information and raised my grades. It can help you too. Cornell notes are a method of note taking that splits your paper in three parts. First step, ¼ of the way up draw a horizontal line across your paper.

You will use it for a summary of your notes. Then draw a vertical line 2.5 inches away from the left margin. Use the large space for your notes and the left margin for the titles.

2. Use apps like StayFocusd and Mindful Browsing

When you sit down for a study session you promise yourself to be productive. An hour later you have updated your status on facebook, went on a twitter rant and updated your snapchat story. You didn’t study, that’s why I use apps like StayFocusd and Mindful Browsing.These apps help you stay on track and don’t let you wander on the internet. You chose the websites you want to block like Facebook or Youtube and then specify how long to block them. The apps also allows a specific amount of free time so you are not flooded with work.

3. Listen to classical music while studying

Not all music helps you study. You may like listening to Drake’s new album while studying, but it won’t help your retention. Music with high tempo and lyrics have the same effect. But classical music is different. Studies

by Wichita State University concludes that listening to classical music puts students at a heightened emotional state, in turn making them retain more information. Pop music has the opposite effect. So the next time you prepare for a study session, put on some Beethoven or Mozart instead of Taylor Swift.

4. Avoid studying in the same place

Studying in the same place also hinders your retention.

Personally, I always change location. If I stay in one place I get distracted. According to an experiment by the University of South Florida, moving your study location helps improve your retention. No need to go across the city, moving to a different room in your home will do the trick.

Sugar Cactus Grow Kit: This year, send your loved one the gift of knowledge with this mad scientist, do it yourself sugar crystal kit. The set comes with a sugar solution and a paper structure for the crystals to grow on in the formation of a cactus.

Urban Outfitters $10

Life n’ Soul Portable Speaker: Jam out this holiday season with this wireless speaker ready to play your favorite songs during the holiday season. Whether you give the speaker to a rock and roll fan or a connoisseur of classic music your loved one is sure to jam out this season.

Walmart $10

5. Eat apples as an alternative to coffee

Color Drip Candle Set: For all of you who have an artsy friend or family member, these candles are the ideal gift. The white candles are embedded with colored wax so as they melt they form a rainbow of colors.

Urban Outfitters $4.00 -Megan Orlanski

Every morning I would drink coffee, but later in the day my actions resulted in a sugar crash. After trying to find an alternative to coffee, I found eating apples can do the trick. Apple contains fructose, a natural sugar which helps you wake up naturally. Any sugar filled fruit is a healthy way to get energy without the negative effect of a crash.

-Kevin Bauernfeind

Lifestyle Page 16

LOCAL

The Lightning Strike • November/ December

Orthorexia spreads Just Miami among teens things HEALTH

Mikaela Mendez news editor

There are some things that we “Miami people” do that seem completely normal in our everyday lives.

However, it’s not like that in the rest of Florida, or even the rest of America.

Yellow light means speed up: To the rest of Florida, when a yellow light appears, cars immediately slow down and prepare to stop for the red light, but not always in Miami.

“Yes, I admit it.” junior Paulo Morejon said. “Whenever I’m driving and see a yellow light, I can’t help but speed up. The lights are so long and I have things to do, places to be.”

7 P.M. means get into the shower at 8 P.M.: Better late than never seems to be the norm for us south Floridians.

“I’m in a group chat that we always make plans in,” junior Martin Rajshmir said. “I know that when a time is set, it usually means to show up about 45 minutes to an hour later. It’s just how it is.”

Hoodies in 90 degree weather: Why do people north of Miami get the privilege of wearing hoodies all the time? For us, just because it’s not cold doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be able to wear hoodies, too.

“I don’t care how hot it is,” junior Paulina Kalantarov said. “I love wearing hoodies because I feel comfortable, even though I’m always sweating.”

Bro, getty, it’s lit: “Bro” should mean brother, “it’s lit” should mean something is lit up or on fire, and “getty”, well getty doesn’t really have an actual meaning.

“It’s funny but some of these words come out like second nature,” sophomore Ilan Hech said. “I say lit whenever something is cool or fun, bro to just about anyone I’m trying to get attention from, and getty whenever there’s a fun place to go with my friends.”

-Sophie Muchnick

Senior name changes Like a Quinceanera, changing your facebook name as a senior is a rite of passage. Not only do seniors change their names so their past won’t be found by college admission councelors, but it also symbolizes a last hoorah before entering the real world.

Virginia Profeta: West Virginia Valentina Tafurt: Val N Tuna Salad

Hannah Moss: Hannah Mosstana Alexis Goihman: Lexi GoinHam Tamar Smuel: Tamaro Land

Julieta Rakover: Juliet Thedogsout Ilana Gucovschi: HappyLana SadLana Compiled by Mayan Derhy

S

PHILANTHROPY

Non-profit charities worthy of donating to this holiday season Dzidula Boney copy editor This is the season of giving, yet 36 percent of consumers plan to buy themselves a gift. Although more attention is paid to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this year let us continue Giving Tuesday which falls on Dec. 1st to kick off the holiday season.

Environment:

If you love nature, then check out the charity American Forests. They advocate for the protection and expansion of our forests by planting trees and restoring forest ecosystems and are the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the country. Since 1990, they have planted a total of 45 million trees. Ways to donate include a $25 “Gift Membership” or a separate donation with a $5 minimum,For more information, vistit http://www.americanforests.org/.

Animals:

Salomon Levy: Red SaloCup

Ian Halle: DeckThe Halles

When we were younger, our parents refused to buy us happy meals from McDonalds because they claimed nutrient rich foods would make us grow “healthy and strong.” Today, when new cold-pressed juice places and organic restaurants pop up faster than smoothies can be made, orthorexia is rising among young adults.

Unlike more well-known eating with disorders such as anorexia nervosa where people don’t eat, orthorexia is an obsession with healthy food that involves emotional factors and has become psychologically and physically unhealthy. It starts out as an innocent attempt to eat healthy and backfires to those with the disease becoming fixated on food quality and purity.

Jourdan Younger, better known by her blog alias “The Blonde Vegan,” is a popular

body is dieting or eating nothing but healthy foods it does not mean they are orthorexic.

Dieting and eating healthy foods is one thing—becoming obsessed with eating nothing but salads and juice cleanses is a problem.

According to The Washington Post, most doctors don’t recognize orthorexia as an official diagnosis. In fact, many psychiatrists believe that what ocial media is fuelsome call orthorexia ing the desire with is really a form of teens to look perfect anorexia nervosa or obsessive compulsive unatural body goals. disorder (OCD).Studies have found that the symptoms of oric she weighed 101 pounds, thorexia overlap those of anstopped menstruating and her orexia and OCD. Regardless, orthorexia is hair started falling out.

Orthorexia should be taken a problem in our society that seriously. It is most popular mostly affects teens and young among young adults due to the adults. If a person you know obsession with social media has a fixed obsession with eatand the need to look like the ing healthy foods you might people with “Insta-bodies.” suggest they talk to their docSocial media is fueling the tors to see if they have ordesire in teens to look perfect thorexia and what they can do to put balance back in their life with unattainable body goals.

But, just because some- through their diet. blogger with over 70,000 followers and suffers from orthorexia. On the Today Show, she explains what began as an attempt to eat healthier morphed into an unhealthy regimen of food restrictions.

Younger would eat an 800 calorie diet consisting of juice cleanses and daily exercise.

After a year of being orthorex-

The Fort-Lauderdale based Humane Society of Broward County provides shelter, aid and adoption opportunity of animals. This non-profit uses every dollar they receive in donations towards the animals in

their shelter. With the money the raise the Humane Society can provide programs like “Yappy Hour,” where companies can have their employees interact with adoptable animals while the employees enjoy free drinks and light snacks. Programs like “Yappy Hour” are used to encourage adoptions. For more information and to adopt, visit http://humanebroward.com/.

Humanitarian:

With a mission to make sure no child is alone, the Adopt America Network (AAN) has helped place over 4,100 foster children in loving and permanent homes since 1983. About 90 cents out of every dollar is invested into programs like their family pre-adoption training and adoption awareness activities/events to help the parents and children adjust. To donate and learn more, visit http://www.adoptamericanetwork.org/.

Health:

Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) or MSF-USA deliver emergency medical aid wherever people are affected by disaster or epidemic. A total of 88.7 percent of every dollar goes towards their health programs and the

remaining 11.3 percent goes towards fundraising and general management. If you want to remain updated, sign up for the Partner Program. Find out more on http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/.

International:

Inspired by the Good Samaritan story, Samaritan’s Gift is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization that helps those who have been victims of war and crises since 1970. This organization understands the importance of being response ready and has an International Crisis Response unit, pre-positioned supplies and other quick response systems in countries such as Cambodia and Northern Iraq. For donation information, go to http://www. samaritanspurse.org/.

From local to international, charities have been established to help those less fortunate and to preserve our world for the next generations. Evolving from the likes of English poor laws (1601), charities are engrained in our society. Whether a hardcore environmentalist or a soft-hearted animal lover, there are over 1.5 million non-profit charities in the United States to donate to.

Uncle Jake wants YOU to know that the Lightning Strike has entered the 21st Century! Visit LightningStrikeNews. com to check out the school’s online coverage of everything you want and need to know!

Sports Page 18

tops

KROP’S SPORTS

The school is 10th overall in the 8A region for academic champion but the only school in South Florida to be in the top 10.

Junior Jason Girardi has received baseball interest letters from Division I schools and a scholarship from a small Divison II school.

The girls volleyball team reached the semi-finals of the regional championship after winning the district championship.

The boys bowling team is 7th in the state as academic champions for boys bowling with a team GPA of 3.536.

The boys swim team is 7th in the state as academic champions for boys swimming with a team GPA of 3.444.

The boys golf team is 10th in the state as academic champions for boys golf with a team GPA of 3.542.

The girls golf team is 11th in the state as academic champions for girls golf with a team GPA of 3.710.

The girls cross country team is 13th in the state as academic champions for girls cross country with a team GPA of 3.602.

The girls swim team is 14th in the state as academic champions for girls swimming with a team GPA of 3.432.

The boys cross country team is 18th in the state as academic champions for boys cross country with a team GPA of 3.309.

The girls bowling team is 20th in the state as academic champions for girls bowling with a team GPA of 3.437.

Compiled by Ethan Curtis

The Lightning Strike • November/December 2015

EXPECTATIONS

Basketball team starts season with high expectations Ethan Curtis sports editor After a surprising season last year that included a run at a district title, the boys basketball team is hungry for more.

Last season, the Lightning pulled off an 18-6 record after posing a 3-17 record two years ago. The change in wins and losses can be credited to second year coach Chris Garcia and the reemergence of the team’s current seniors who are returning from injury and projected to unleash their talent.

Students who followed basketball last season may have been surprised, but those who played their hearts out every game are not.

“Last year we knew what we were capable of and we actually came up short,” senior Felipe Souza said.”We had an outstanding team last year and we could have went further in the playoffs.”

This season, the team is playing with a chip on its shoulder determined to go farther than last. Practice intensity levels are at an all time high while the team has grown closer after playing together for a year.

Play after play, everyone is on the same page. Every basket is a team effort -- running back on defense, hustling to get loose balls -- it’s all there.

“We have to play as a team and go hard in everything we do because it will all translate onto the court,” senior Karl Jeanty said.

The Lightning have gotten off to a strong start. During the first five games, they have outscored opponents 335-285 and have a record of 4-1.

Jeanty may have as much skill as anyone on the court and shows it as he has currently been a stat sheet stuffer. He is averaging 20.4 points 10 assists and four rebounds, which are all team highs.

“As much as stats matter, the better we do as a team, the better of a chance we have to play at the best level,” Jeanty said.

This year’s goals include making a deep run into the postseason and getting to the district championship after reaching semis last season, and possibly even farther.

“Our goal as a team is win the district championship, win regionals, and then make it to states,” Souza said. “Once we get there, anything can happen.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FOXMAR

TOUGH SHOT: Senior Karl Jeanty goes up for a tough shot fading away from the basket in a win against the Carol City Chiefs.

NEW BEGINNINGS

Track team welcomes new sprinter coach Current track head coach recruits new sprinter coach from North Miami Dzidula Boney copy editor The boys and girls of the Track and Field sprinters find themselves with a new coach at the helm. With over 20 years of track experience, coach Charles Whiting believes he can build on the success of the sprinters.

Whiting grew up in Manatee county in Palmetto, Florida and started his track career as a freshman at Palmetto Senior. He still runs and competes with Masters athletics - a sports class for veteran athletes in track and field, road running and cross country.

Last year, the boys 4 x 400 meter sprint was one of their best events. Former students Nicholas Khouri, Robert Henderson and Justin Georges and current senior Tyler Allen made it to the April district competition with a time of 3 minutes and 26 seconds. Whiting hopes to improve on success that the team had last

year.

Enlisted by head coach Danac Lebrun, Whiting was North Miami’s track coach. In his new position, he hopes to correct the mechanics of running form and stride while emphasizing the importance of good running shoes to help increase speed of the sprinters. With a learning environment, his goal is go to states and another shot team title at districts. He wants to train smarter, not harder.

“As a coach, I enjoy watching my athletes improve and learn to be better students,” Whiting said.

Sophomore Maryann Jadotte believes that Whiting has already made the team more efficient by targeting strength and endurance.

“The exercises we do really help those [like me] who have been injured before,” Jadotte said. “We are not only focusing on insane running throughout practice.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF ETHAN CURTIS

MEASURING: Coach Charles Whiting coaches the sprinters on the Ives Estate football field measuring the distance that the sprinters will be running for practice.

Sports

The Lightning Strike • November/December 2015

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ACCOMPLISHMENT

Davis finishes swim career with third straight states appearance Sebastian Kuzak staff writer

Senior Che Davis capped off his memorable swimming career with a pair of top ten finishes at states.

On Saturday November 14th, Davis swam the final swim meet of his high school career. He finished ninth in 100 meter freestyle and seventh in fifty meter freestyle, both career bests. 2015 is the third consecutive year Davis qualified to state championships and the first time he recorded a top ten finish. Previously, his highest finish at a swim meet was 11th in the fifty meter freestyle in 2014.

“It feels great to end my career the way I did,” Davis said. “Finishing top ten in both of my events at states is something I never imagined. I can safely say that I continue to progress steadily and am yet to reach my true potential.”

Despite not finishing

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHE DAVIS

IN ACTION: Senior Che Davis shows off his freestyle stroke at the state championship in which he finished ninth and seventh in 100 meter freestyle and 50 meter freestyle respectively.

first, Davis improved every year he participated. His finish in states is a testament to the hard work he put in over a four-year career. Davis, who began swimming only one year before high school, owes his decision to swim to his grandmother who told

him he had a “swimmer’s body” and should swim competitively. Davis took her advice and was able to flourish into the swimmer he is today.

Much of Davis’s life now revolves around swimming on almost a daily basis. He

practices six times a week for two hours and wakes up as early as six on weekends.

In addition, he works out his core and does weight training to improve his strength.

His core work out has five exercises that each take 45 seconds and he rests for 15 seconds and then progresses to the next exercise ensuring that he keeps his body moving throughout the workout. These routines include squats and planks with the use of a medicine ball.

Davis plans to swim in college despite not receiving any scholarship offers to this date. Still, Davis believes he will be given an opportunity to swim at the collegiate level. His ultimate goal is to participate in the 2020 Olympics, but he knows he is far from reaching his goal.

“I understand how hard I am going to have to work, but if I put my mind to it, I know that I can accomplish my dream,” Davis said.

Che Davis

BY THE NUMBERS

3

THE NUMBER OF YEARS DAVIS MADE IT TO STATES.

12

THE NUMBER OF HOURS A WEEK DAVIS SWIMS

21

THE NUMBER OF MINUTES THAT IT TAKES DAVIS TO DO HIS CIRCUIT WORKOUTS PER DAY.

6

THE AMOUNT OF WORKOUTS THAT DAVIS DOES EVERY DAY. Compiled by Sebastian Kuzak

OPINION

‘Concussion’ gives me a headache Movie about the impact of concussions on football antagonizes football fans, disparages beloved game IN MY OPINION jacob singer

managing editor

Concussion comes out on December 25th. In the weeks before its release, the movie has stirred up quite the controversy.

As an avid football fan, I want to help protect the sanctity of the game, which is exactly why I am urging those reading this not to see the movie.

Concussion is a movie about Dr. Bennet Omalu’s discovery of the brain damage that playing football causes. Football and neuroscience – not exactly the best combination to spice up romance on a date night. So if you’re thinking about taking your significant other to see Concussion, you might be better off “Netflix and Chilling” at home and saving some money too.

Now if you are deciding whether or not to see this mov-

ie at another time, I must warn you the reviews have not been great. Andrew Barker of Variety, one of the few reputable critics to have critiqued the movie so far, said “a cliched, confused script lets the film down.”

The film also clearly has an agenda to push. The filmmak-

way to become informed.

If you’re interested in learning more about concussions, I recommend you research the issue objectively by examining all sides and parties’ information equally.

Football has been one of the most important pieces of American culture, society and values. Many of the people who have contributed to the growth of America in the 20th and 21st centuries, including presidents, have grown up playing football. Many people will tell you that football has helped them become the person they are today. The Super Bowl is one of the most treasured days of the year for millions of people and the Monday after should arguably be a national holiday. Football has become a billion dollar industry that has single-handedly changed the lives of a group of people who saw the game as their only way to make it out of destitute conditions.

The game that John Heisman

Football and neuro-

science – not exactly the best combination to spice up romance on a date night. ers are interested in making Omalu the protagonist and the NFL the antagonist. It unfairly characterizes the NFL as the villain even though the league has gone to great lengths to search for a solution to the problem. There is no doubt the concussion issue is important, and everyone involved in football should be aware of concussions for their own safety and the safety of others – but watching the movie is not the

and Walter Camp helped create, the game that Vince Lombardi pushed onto the main stage of American life, the game that has meant so much to me throughout my life is being threatened

by this movie. In protest of what this movie is attempting to do to my biggest passion in life, I will not see the movie, and for the sake of the game I hold so dearly, I hope you don’t either.

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