September/October 2016 by Lightning Strike

Lightning Lig gghtnin htningStrike Taking Miami-Dade by Storm

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

Naela Foureau opinion editor For the ﬁrst time in seven years, Krop is no longer an “A” school. Students, faculty and parents alike were taken aback after learning Krop has decreased by two letter grades over the summer, going from an “A” to a “C.” However, this didn’t come as a surprise to everyone. In spite of strong communi-

ty opposition to the provision, Senate Bill 1642 was passed in May 2014. This bill provides for a new rubric that includes the element of “learning gains” as part of school grade evaluation.These learning gains consider the two Florida Standards Assessment English Language Assessment (FSAELA) tests, as well as Algebra I, geometry and Algebra II endof-course exam (EOC) scores. The rubric also ﬁnds those who score in the lowest 25

percentile to assess whether or not their score has improved from their previous test scores. The new formula penalizes schools whose performances neither improved nor worsened. Krop was one of those schools. “Before January of last year learning gains were irrelevant because all the school beneﬁted from was the kid who scored a 3 or higher,” Assistant Principal Humberto Brito said. “Now teachers have to do two things: Get students to pass

September 2016 • Issue 1 • Volume 19

the test and show that the students who failed still learned more than they did last year.” The earlier rubric only considered six categories: FSAELA scores, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies EOC scores, graduation rate and acceleration success (AP, IB dual enrollment or industry certiﬁcation exam scores.) Now learning gains take up four new categories; FSAELA total learning gains for all scores, FSA-ELA total learning gains for the lowest-scoring 25 percent, mathematics EOC total learning gains for all math scores and mathematics EOC total learning gains for the lowest-scoring 25 percent. “Now instead of those total points being divided by six, those total points are now divided by 10, which is going to make your end number smaller,” Brito said. “It’s not that hard to see why the scores dropped. If we would’ve applied the numbers of those six categories and divided them by six as the old scale would, I am positive that Krop would’ve

gotten an “A” again this year.” Several teachers have voiced concerns with the new criteria, including history teacher Eric Hafter. Hafter believes changing the criteria in the middle of the school year is unfair to teachers who have to change their curriculum. He says that Krop’s lower grade will subsequently hurt the surrounding community. “That’s like changing the rules of a sports match during halftime,” Hafter said. “People tend to go to higher graderanked schools, our new grade will cause students to leave and property values to go down.” Although Brito agrees that Krop’s new grade may hurt the community and school funding, he still thinks the change was necessary. “I think it’s a good change. Professionals should be held accountable for everyone they affect, not just the higher scoring students,” he said. “I believe that if you’re a good teacher, you should get all your kids to learn something and not ignore your low-scoring kids.”

HEALTH

Zika virus brings changes in South Florida Nathaniel Manor, feature editor Jonah Muchnick, business manager American citizens feared that the Zika virus would come close to home, and for South Floridians, Zika has arrived. According to the CDC, Zika is not life-threatening to most. But the threat it poses to unborn children is terrifying. Zika has been linked to microcephaly, a medical condition that inhibits development, resulting in an abnormally small head. While most Zika symptoms resemble that of a bad flu, its connection to microcephaly makes it dangerous for pregnant women. Since scientists don’t know how long the virus can last in an infected person’s system, officials at the CDC cannot determine whether it is safe for women who were previously infected to become pregnant later, although they

say it is unlikely that Zika will have a lasting effect. In Miami-Dade, public schools took steps in August to prevent the spread of Zika among students. Schools in or around Zika zones made long sleeved uniforms available to students and sprayed campuses with pesticides. For Krop students, the effects of Zika arrived for this month’s OneBlood Blood Drive. For the first time in the drive’s history, OneBlood required all donors to submit a parental consent form allowing the organization to declare their blood Zika-free and further research the virus to find a cure using their donated blood. “Tubes are taken at the end of the donation to test for diseases,” Activities Director Michelle Russell said. “Zika is now included in the test, which has never been a worry for the staff.”

We need everyone in our community to ‘Drain and Cover’ so that we can prevent mosquito breeding and protect residents from the bites and diseases they may carry.” –Alina T. Hudak, Solid Waste Management While OneBlood has always required donors to turn in a parental consent form, a new Zika consent form is necessary for a student to donate blood this school year. Without it, the organization doesn’t allow participants give blood, regardless of other completed forms. Unlike other forms, which only need to be submitted once a year, the Zika form has to be turned in every time a student wants to donate blood.

The Zika zones in Wynwood and Miami Beach were sprayed to kill Zika-infected mosquitoes before they hatch. The CDC has already lifted the warning for pregnant women in Wynwood, but still advises caution. Consequences of the spray are unknown, however, and in South Carolina the same pesticide was used and resulted in the deaths of millions of honey bees. According to EPA, the

pesticide Naled poses no threat to humans and little threat to wildlife. The Florida Health Department stated that the best way to prevent mosquito bites is to drain mosquito-attracting water from things like garbage cans and flower pots, and to cover skin with long sleeved clothing. “We need everyone in our community to ‘Drain and Cover’ so that we can prevent mosquito breeding and protect residents from the bites and diseases they may carry,” Department of Solid Waste Management Director Alina T. Hudak said in an interview with CNN. Another important way to prevent Zika contraction is to practice safe sex and to cover up any open wounds. As with any illness, if you think you may have Zika, see a doctor and get tested.

TWO SIDES TO ONE MIND

The perfect gift for every occasion!

More inside:

• To get into Columbia, go to Costa Rica- page 5 • Twins brings SL experience to Krop- page 7 • Rock vs. Rave- page 12 • Little sleep causes lots of problems- page 15 • Lebrun named new A.D.- page 18

• Let your choice be heard- page 5 • 10 things about Dr. David Buncher- page 8 • Harry Potter returns- page 13 • Soaring EpiPen prices- page 16 • More than just a player- page 19

Pages 10 - 11

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News

Page 2 Compiled by Mikaela Mendez

tops KROP’S

Seniors Brian Plotnik, Benjamin Manley, Ashley Rodriguez (at AAA) and Matthew Block (at AAA) are National Merit Semi-Finalists. Seniors Jordan Gottlieb, Michael Katz, Lucas Nudel, Uriel Ostrowicz and Jacob Singer are National Merit State Commended Scholars. Senior Caitlen Mackenzie recieved an early acceptance into the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York City after a successful “preaudition.” Senior Sara Blake has been invited to two all-paid visits to Williams College and Emory University. Freshman Ethan Levy was among top 2% of competitors in the Broadcom MASTERS competition. Junior Christina James recieved 4th place for Original Oratory in the Flying L Tournament in Ft. Lauderdale. Sophomores Jacqueline Hatch and Jordan Singer recieved 5th Place for DUO Interpretation in the Flying L Tournament in Ft. Lauderdale. Public Forum Teams of Tomas Korn and Nathaniel Manor, Lara Soysal and Dylan Hopen as well as Daniel Nash and Jacob Gale almost broke to be placed at a record of three wins and one loss in the Flying L Tournament in Ft. Lauderdale. Compiled by Mila Sicorsky

The Lightning StrikeStrike • September The Lightning • September 2008 2016

From local to global:

What’s going on around the world?

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The National Museum of African American History and Culture opened on Sept. 24. The opening was attended by civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis, former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton as well as Chief Justice John Roberts.

MIAMI, FLORIDA: Pedro Rodriguez, 36, wanted for theft of a naked Donald Trump statue, turned himself in on Sept. 23. He refuses to tell the police its location.

BURLINGTON, WASHINGTON: Arcan Cetin, 20, held in the killing of five people at Washington State Mall will be arraigned Monday. Cetin is facing five counts of first-degree murder and will appear in Skagit County District Court.

MONROVIA, LIBERIA: The Ebola crisis that hit two years ago prompted UNICEF to call artist Leslie Lumeh to develop posters on how the public could protect themselves. His posters went far beyond Liberia to Guinea as well as Sierra to help raise awareness.

BANGKOK, THAILAND: Thai police arrested three men--including two Americans--after human body parts were found in a freezer during a raid on an alleged passport forgery operation. The men were charged with hiding a dead body and possessing a weapon without permission and fake passports, but charges can change as the investigation continues.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA: Eight firefighters were killed in a warehouse fire on Sept. 22. The men were trying to prevent 30 cylinders of household gas from explosion. The bodies of the firefighters were found on Friday morning. sources: CNN The Miami Herald

Compiled by Mercedes Hipolito

POLITICS

Great Britain to leave EU in “Brexit” vote Mila Sicorsky news editor

As of this summer, water won’t be the only barrier separating Great Britain from the rest of Europe. In a 52-48 referendum, British citizens voted to leave the European Union (EU) on Jun. 23. According to British Broadcasting Company, over 30 million people, or 71.8% of the British population, voted on Brexit, a combination of the words “Britain” and “exit.” Brexit’s been a hot topic in British politics since Great Britain was ﬁrst accepted into the European Economic Community, the EU’s precursor, in 1973. Although the previous referendum was held in 1975, British politicians

attempted in 1983 and 1997 to reevaluate the nation’s role in European affairs. Since Britain’s decision to leave the EU is unprecedented, economists say it’s difﬁcult to know what the future will hold for Great Britain, Europe and the rest of the world. Still, some speculate that a post-Brexit Great Britain will crumble apart from a lack of unity. Others suggest a domino effect, where Britain’s decision brings other nations to exit the EU. But Brexit also had its immediate consequences. The value of the pound, or British currency, dropped to a level unseen in over 30 years. David Cameron, the prime minister who called the referendum, resigned two days after the

“Leave” campaign won. After 19 days with no leader, and when all other candidates withdrew from the race, Theresa May was appointed British prime minister. Great Britain owes its Brexit decision to Brits angry about the state of their nation. Many frowned upon the EU’s control of immigration from Middle Eastern countries, like Syria and Afghanistan. They pointed to governmental assistance provided to these refugees and recent ISIS attacks as examples of immigration-gone-wrong. Others complained of the rising inﬂuence the upper class, or top 1%, had on the rest of the British population. “Leave” campaigners urged Brits that this elitist class

stemmed from the EU’s governing body. But evidence suggests that some Brexit voters didn’t exactly understand what they voted for. According to the Washington Post, Google searches in Great Britain of “what happens if we leave the EU” more than tripled only eight hours after votes were cast. Worse yet, “what is the EU” stands as the second-most searched question after the referendum. “Bregret,” regret over having voted for “Leave”, took its toll on several voters. “Even though I voted to leave, this morning I woke up and I just — the reality did actually hit me,” one voter said to ITV News. “If I’d had the opportunity to vote again, it would be to stay.”

REMEMBRANCE

Companies hold run to remember fallen 9/11 ﬁreﬁghters

Zachary Weinberger staff writer

As a tribute to the fallen 9/11 firefighters that risked their lives fifteen years ago, Runner’s Depot and Split Second Timing teamed up to host a 3.1 mile “Fire Hero 5k Run.” Runner’s Depot has hosted this affair every year since the World Trade Center tragedy. It took place on the second Sunday in September in Hollywood Beach where over 900 runners supported the cause. Other companies, like Trader Joe’s, Orange Theory and Arm Pocket also sponsored the occasion. Runners ranging from seven to eighty-four years old ran the distance. Firefighters and soldiers also ran, but with their full gear on. A patriotic group of five ran the whole

race with the American flag on their shoulders. Volunteers from JROTC included 12 cadets and their Battalion Commander junior Pawin Wiittyayanukorn. The members made sure racers were kept hydrated once they passed the finish line. “Overall I thought the event was amazing because of the amount of people that came on a Sunday morning to support the cause,” Wittyayanukorn said. Members of Krop’s “Shape up with Schiffy” program also made an appearance. Physical Education teacher Caron Schiffman, who has gone to the “Fire Hero 5k Run” before, knows the importance of the run. “9/11 was a horrific event, and the money raised goes to the families of the fallen firefighters,” said Schiffman.

ZACHARY WEINBERGER / THE LIGHTNING STRIKE

RUNNING FOR A CAUSE: (From left to right) Chris Mills, Mike Korir and Martin KIllian, winners of the 3.1 mile “Fire Hero 5k Run”, pose for a picture. Runner’s Depot and Split Second Timing teamed up on Sep. 11 to host a run remembering fallen 9/11 ﬁreﬁghters.

She goes to the event each year because her cousin’s husband was a ﬁreﬁghter at Ground Zero; fortunately, he’s alive, but he still remembers the day he saw the Twin Towers fall.

At the end of the occasion, runners were awarded with trophies and prizes. The top three runners overall came in with times ranging from 16 to 18 minutes.

News Page 3

TheLightning LightningStrike Strike• •September September2012 2016 The RENOVATIONS

Aventura Mall to undergo renovations

Hilly Yehoshua staff writer

The Aventura Mall is undergoing its third major renovation since its opening in 1983. The 315,000 square foot expansion will make it the second largest mall in America. In 1997, the mall doubled in size, and in 2007 it added Nordstrom and a three-level wing of high-end shops. The third renovation is set to be completed by 2017. Currently the Aventura Mall is 2.7 million square feet and receives nearly 30 million visitors each year. It has yearly gross sales of over 1.4 billion dollars, and the sales are continuously expanding. In 2014 Turnberry an-

nounced that the Aventura Mall plans to include a new multilevel parking garage, high-end shops and restaurants, a rooftop terrace, plus a VIP concierge area and a new food court. The latest construction is a result of high competition. In Brickell, a 500,000 square foot open air shopping center is opening this fall. The Bal Harbour Shops are growing, and the Miami Worldcenter Mall and Lincoln Road shops are under renovations as well. Since the renovation requires over 200 million dollars to complete, mall owners sought out lenders to expand the budget. JP Morgan Chase Bank, which provided a mortgage of $213.5 million to fund the expansion, is the

lead lender. The renovation, which began on 19501 Biscayne Boulevard, has brought congestion in the area because there are lane closures and detours between Northeast 196th Street and Northeast 213th Street. The renovations will bring more sales tax dollars to the community, along with more tourists. Sophomore Alex Abreu, a frequent mall visitor, has already felt the growth of traffic. “There’s a lot of traffic in that area,” Abreu said. “There’s not a lot of parking because they’ve controlled most of that parking space.” With these expansions, the mall will add a larger parking garage, limiting the congestion in that area.

SUMMER PROGRAMS

Student journalists attend “Free Spirit” conference Michael Katz editor-in-chief I’ve heard people tell me that journalism is dead more times than I’ve heard Mr. Roddy tell my classmates that we’re not getting into college. But when I stepped foot off my plane and hopped into a shiny, black Cadillac Escalade on my way to the DC Central Holiday Inn for the 17th annual Al Neuharth Free Spirit Conference -- an all-expenses-paid, weeklong conference where one high school senior from each state (and one from D.C.) hear from some of the world’s most famous journalists -- I knew they (and Mr. Roddy) were wrong. I knew it even more when I heard it from the mouths of the famous moderator Chuck Todd after sitting in on a live taping of NBC’s Meet the Press, and from Susan Goldberg, editor-in-chief of National Geographic, during a panel discussion about the future

of journalism. But the convention was much more than a bunch of famous people trying to convince 51 student journalists that journalism would still be a job when we get out of college. From 6 a.m. to almost 11 p.m. every day, we ran around D.C. in business attire, attending workshops on social media tools like Facebook Live and Periscope and how they can be used by journalists, hearing Pulitzer prize winners’ rise to fame, seeing some of D.C.’s most iconic sites and eating so many of the endless, exquisite fruit tarts and cannolis catered by Wolfgang Puck’s that I had to buy a new suit on my return. We heard what it was like to investigate Gerald Sandusky, the beloved Pennsylvania State football coach who sexually abused over 50 children from Sara Ganim, the same reporter who uncovered the scandal. We heard what it was like to be the press secretary for Bill

Clinton-- before and after news of his scandal had spread -- from that very press secretary, Mike McCurry. And we heard about the determination, ambition and generosity of the man who made our presence at the conference possible -- Al Neuharth, founder of USA Today, The Freedom Forum and the Newseum. Even though he wasn’t at the conference, his presence could still be felt through the legacy he has endowed to the attending “free spirits.” But if I took one thing from this year’s convention, it was that journalism is far from dead. Not newspapers, but journalism -many confuse the two. Any paper boy’ll tell you that their days are numbered, any street vendor’ll tell you that newspapers are taking their last stand--but that doesn’t mean journalism is dead. It’s simply evolving. Print newspapers may not exist for much longer, but people will always want to hear a good story.

NEWS BRIEFS PTSA funds new campus additions

ARIEL HARTZY/ LIGHTNING STRIKE

CANOPY: Students sit under the new canopy on the south pavilion, which was added by PTSA. In addition to the canopy, PTSA also added water fountains and new toilet paper dispensers.

This year, several steps have been taken to improve the school’s facilities and grounds. Additions made this summer have already proved beneﬁcial to the campus. The PTSA installed water fountains that make it easy to ﬁll water bottles and help people stay hydrated. “We felt it would help reduce the use of plastic water bottles, helping the environment as well,” PTSA president Tara Solomiany said. The PTSA hopes to add one in each hallway and in the

athletic area this year. New fountains can be found in the language arts hallway, social studies hallway and the main downstairs hallway in the second building. Another area the PTSA focused on was the comfort of students during lunch. The new sun shades cost approximately $30,000 including installation. Money was raised through donations to the PTSA and fundraisers throughout the year, especially the PTSA Annual Gala. “We saw many students eating lunch on the ﬂoor so they could be in covered areas closer to the building.” Tara Solomiany said. “The idea was to provide shade and sun protection for students in the morning, during lunch and after school.” The bathrooms have also received an upgrade--new toilet paper dispensers in each stall, which hold larger rolls and are a higher quality material. The small amount of toilet paper available in each stall proved an issue last year when, by the end of the day, half of the girl stalls would run out and students would have to for some in the next stall.

-Alexis Sanford

SGA plans Broadway-themed Homecoming

Extravagant, luxurious and elegant are just a few words SGA officers used to describe this year’s homecoming theme. The 1986 musical The Phantom of the Opera is the inspiration behind the upcoming theme. Senior Tyra Fairley has already begun planning her outfit. “I’m going to wear more bold makeup,” Fairley said. “When I think of Broadway I think of glitter and glam--nothing conservative.” Each Spirit Week day will revolve around a different Broadway play. Hakuna Matata Monday will be about The Lion King; Tuesday will honor Jersey Boys and Dreamgirls, where students can dress up with their squad as a band or musical group. “You’re The One I Want” Wednesday is a tribute to Grease, where students are expected to dress as either a “Greaser” or a “Soc.” Thursday is Hamilton Day where students can remember their founding father by wearing red, white and blue. On Friday, students can wear their class colors in honor of the 1961 musical West Side Story, which is about a turf war between rival gangs in Manhattan. For junior Maria Sanchez, the Homecoming dance brings a new experience and culture shock. “I’m going this year with my friend who is a senior,” Sanchez said. “I don’t know anything about homecoming because we don’t have it in Israel, so it’ll be interesting.” “Vegas Nights”, last year’s flashy theme, attracted students with its vibrancy and luxury. Activities Director Michelle Russell is working to ensure that this year’s dance will have just as high an attendance rate as last year’s.

-Tamia Streeter

Obama considers veto of 9/11 bill The ﬁrst veto override of President Obama’s presidency may occur after a likely veto of a 9/11 bill, which passed through both chambers of Congress. Texas Gov. John Cornyn (R) and New York Gov. Chuck Schumer (D) wrote the bill, which would encourage 9/11 victims’ families to sue Saudi Arabia if found responsible for the attack. Out of the 19 terrorists, 15 were Saudi. Though the bill has passed through Congress, Obama has already vetoed ten pieces of the legislation. Obama’s actions have caused bipartisan support for the override from Schumer and Cornyn. The measure worries the White House because it could make the country vulnerable in other court systems around the world. The difference between the White House and lawmakers supporting the bill reﬂects worry of the victims’ families of the attack and a bipartisan group of lawmakers that Saudi Arabia held responsibility for the attacks. The Saudi government has opposed the legislation. **The Senate and House of Representatives ovverode the veto on Sept. 28 in 97-1 and 348-77 votes, respectively.

-Mercedes Hipolito

Editorial Page 4

The Lightning Strike • September 2016

EDUCATION

More than just your teacher

Teachers have lives and feelings that extend beyond their classrooms IN MY OPINION naela foureau

opinion editor

Mentor, disciplinarian, educator, manager, guidance counselor, mediator, motivator, event coordinator, evaluator and oftentimes, babysitter. These are some of the many hats a teacher wears in the classroom. And those hats don’t come off at 2:20. Unlike several jobs, a teacher’s typical workday begins long before they clock in, their work schedules often surpassing the seven-hour school day to grade schoolwork, sponsor clubs, tutor and aid struggling students. With pay equivalent to most publicservice jobs, teachers don’t get the credit as they deserve for their time and effort. According to investopedia.com, the average American teacher makes about the same as a toll-booth attendant and trash collector. But becoming a teacher requires certiﬁcation and completion of a four-year university education, something those jobs don’t request. English teacher Elton Lewis acquired an education far beyond those four years. With a doctorate in English, he said his experience helps him empathize with students struggling with coursework. “Sometimes you understand the struggle of the student who says they really “can’t understand” because everyone who has pursued that level of education has had that conversation with

KEVIN BAUERNFEIND / THE LIGHTNING STRIKE

TRADING LAUGHS: English teacher Elton Lewis, Junior Kimberly Mettelus and her friends share jokes inbetween classes. Dr. Lewis maintains close relationships with all of his students.

their professor before,” Lewis said. Lewis also uses his experience to establish relationships with his students and gain insight on thier personalities and reasons behind some of their behaviors. He goes as far as attending their athletic events and even giving them advice on their fantasy football teams. “I give them alot of “sleepers,” or players you can add to your lineup that people don’t usually know about,” he said. “It saves them alot of time because they don’t have search through hundreds of players to ﬁnd those individuals. I already did it for them.” Lewis even attended a student’s church concert to hear her sing in the choir. Being a former choir singer, he was excited to see her perform and shine outside of the classroom.

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

MICHAEL KATZ, Editor-in-Chief SOPHIE MUCHNICK, Print Managing Editor JACOB SINGER, Online Managing Editor ETHAN CURTIS MILA SICORSKY Sports Editor News Editor MEGAN ORLANSKI NAELA FOUREAU Lifestyle Editor Opinion Editor KEVIN BAUERNFEIND NICOLAS CHMIELEWSKI Spread Editor Online Video Editor ALAN IMAR NATHANIEL MANOR Feature Editor Online Editor MARY K. SULLIVAN CORBIN BOLIES Entertainment Editor Adviser SUN COAST PRINTER Printer STAFF WRITERS FEDERICO WALDMAN, MERCEDES HIPOLITO, JONAH MUCHNICK, ARIEL HARTZY, LIKEM BONEY, HANNAH BREGMAN, HILLY YEHOSHUA, ALEXIS SANFORD, TAMIA STREETER, KEVIN BAUERNFEIND, TIFFANY SCHRAM, ZACHARY WEINBERGER 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.

“With all human beings, you want to feel that people have a vested interest on who you are as a person,” Lewis said. Law teacher Connie Higgins is aware of her somewhat negative reputation among some students. She says most of the students spreading those rumors are ones she’s never had before. But most students don’t know the story behind why Higgins began teaching. “My younger brother started skipping class in middle school. He would buy a pack of cigarettes and beer and drink it right in front of school. It was a cry for help,” Higgins said. “Soon skipping turned into stealing, and when police contacted his school to question him, his teacher didn’t even notice he was absent,” she said. From that point forward, Higgins was

determined to make a difference. Once she discovered a student’s suicide note was being passed among his peers. After working all Labor Day to locate and notify the student’s guardian, proper action was taken to prevent the student from harming himself. Eventually, she established a relationship with the student that she would never forget. “He was a kid who had some problems and nobody noticed him as a person,” Higgins said. “I helped him realize that he was a a good person that deserved to live and just needed something to be passionate about in life.” On the last day of school, Higgins found a new note from the student, scribbled in sharpie behind one of her desks. The note read: “Music is the only thing I’m good at. Ms. Higgins has helped me realize that it’s okay to chase dreams, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Thank you, Ms. Higgins.” While it is true that some teachers may come off as unrelenting and inﬂexible, we sometimes judge our teachers too harshly. We forget that they dedicate their nights to planning every minute we take for granted of the 55 they have with us. We forget that they will pass up outings with their friends and dinner with their family to attend our concerts and solve our personal issues because they care about us. We forget that they can become tired, impatient and frustrated, just like us. We forget that teachers are human.

LETTERS Land of the free costs black lives “Strange fruit hangin’ from the poplar trees.” Derived from Billie Holiday’s song “Strange Fruit,” this line refers to the KKK lynching African Americans back in the 1900s. A similar form of violence still exists today, except the murderers wear badges. After decades of living through institutionalized oppression, the black community decided to speak up by creating the inspiring movement #blacklivesmatter in solidarity with those killed as a result of police brutality, with the mission of dissolving systemic racism in America. #Blacklivesmatter was created after Trayvon Martin’s murder in 2012. Police brutality against black people has skyrocketed since then, black people being three times more likely to die at the hands of ofﬁcers than any other race. This should not be accepted on the supposed “land of the free,” and this movement only brings awareness to this and other kinds of systemic abuse black people endure. It does not invalidate other races. Aya Takidin Grade 11

Uniform policy needs amending During my freshman year, Krop required uniforms for the ﬁrst time. When I decided to question one of our vice principals as to why the uniform policy was so demanding, I was told that if I didn’t like it, I “should’ve gone to the meetings to vote on it,” meetings that I never knew about. Discouraged, I approached student government with this issue and the idea that my peers would side with me. I explained that as adolescents going through a pivotal stage in our lives, we should be able to express our creativity and individuality without so many restrictions. They replied: “You can express yourself after 2:20.” We spend approximately 5,152 hours in this institution. Our lives are consumed by school. As students, our opinions are often overlooked. Administration’s mission should be making students’ four years of high school the most substantial years possible. Instead, they focus on sending us to CSI for uniform violations. Vanessa Martinez Grade 12

Opinion Page 5

The Lightning Strike • September 2016 COMMUNITY SERVICE

To get into Columbia, go to Costa Rica College admissions officers don’t take community service trips seriously IN MY OPINION michael katz

editor-in-chief

It seems like the only thing more demanding than parents these days are colleges. They want it all -- SAT scores, GPA’s, clubs, athletics, AP classes, community service and a mind-blowing essay... or two, or three, or four. “When I got a pamphlet about spending a week in Costa Rica doing community service, I was ready to start packing,” senior Katie Bailey said. “It looked like a week in paradise. I hadn’t done too much community service, and I was under a lot of pressure to do some before my senior year. But the program costs $3,000, so I didn’t go -- I guess it was more of a vacation than a service trip.”

With a market that keeps growing, thousands of programs offer mission trips to Tanzania, Nepal, Thailand, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Italy -- even the Galapagos. The trips can cost over $10,000 and range from three days to several months, offering students a quick way to earn all the service hours their resumes need. It’s like the fast food community service, with an added beneﬁt of seeing one of the world’s wonders. But the trips sound more like an exotic vacation than mission trips, with program descriptions like “Community Service, Cultural Immersion, Explore, Language Curriculum, Rainforest Hike, Snorkel, Spanish Language, Surf, Swim, and Whitewater Raft.” Thousands of students ﬂock to these trips each summer, coming home after spending a week rebuilding a village’s rotting library just to write a college-application essay about their experience.

LIKEM BONEY

But college admissions ofﬁcers see right through it. When they’re not too busy being jealous of our exotic “community service” excursions, they’re busy laughing at how pretentious we sound. Ángel Pérez, admissions ofﬁ-

VOTING

Let your choice be heard

Millenials should have a larger presence in the elections IN MY OPINION megan orlanski

megan orlanski

health & science editor

Every four years people wait in line yearing to reach the device sitting behind its doors. No, the device is not the newest iPhone, rather it is the ballot cast machine lying inside your local polling station. But like the drop in Apple’s stocks, voter turnout has also faced a downfall, with only 20 percent of young adults showing up to the polls this past decade. According to the United States Census of 2012, only 60 percent of 219 million eligible voters are actually voting. That may sound like a lot, but almost half of America is skipping out on their civic duty. We are forever grateful for the people who introduced this commitment of universal suffrage to us. From the Revolutionary War in the 18th century to the Women’s Suffrage Movement in the 20th century, voting has played a pivotal role in the demands of our population. In the 2000 election between former president George W. Bush and opposing candidate Al Gore, the final results came down to the state of Florida. Bush led by a negligible 537 vote majority, which accounted for 0.01 percent of the total votes. If Florida had gotten a mere eight more Democratic votes per district, Al Gore would have been the 43rd president of the United States. It’s crucial to recognize that as a swing state, Florida also has a huge amount of electoral col-

lege votes, 29 to be exact. This can make or break an election. On top of that, any candidate in the general election can either win or lose by a 1 percent margin or less. So do not skip out on the polls, because your vote does make a difference. If you are not a fan of either candidate this election season, try to make an impact on your local legislature. Get to know the commissioners, district attorneys and judges so you can decide who will best represent you. If you are too young to vote, you can still make an impact. I am spending these last few months before the elections making phone calls and going door to door getting people registered to vote. If becoming a volunteer sounds like stretch, you can preregister to vote as early as sixteen

years old. Start voting as soon as you can and take advantage of the liberties this nation has to offer. A strong focus on young voters may sound absurd, but databases and voting statistics pay attention to this demographic because the young generation ultimately decides what happens to the future of this nation. The United States is commonly referred to as a land of opportunity, because each citizen is given the right to make such an impactful decision for our nation. Each vote is an opportunity, so make sure to take advantage of yours this November. Whether it’s a vote in the general or local election, whether you visit the polls or vote by mail or whether you are a registered Democrat or Republican, let your choice be heard.

MILLENIAL VOTING BY THE NUMBERS: 8

votes would’ve changed the results of the 2000 election

31%

60%

of 219 million eligible voters are voting in the polls.

20%

of the electorate consists of millenial voters

of voters ages 18-24 voted in the last decade.

Compiled by Megan Orlanski and Naela Foureau

Sources: US Census Bureau, Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement

cer for Trinity College in Hartford, told New York Times reporter Frank Bruni, that running joke in admissions is the mission trip to Costa Rica to save the rain forest. But who’s to blame - the students participating in these trips or

colleges that expect so much from their applicants? Either way, the trips are a bad investment for anyone looking to get some quick community service or inspiration for an essay. So before you travel to another hemisphere to do some community service, make sure you check your neighborhood ﬁrst. Opportunities for community service are all around us. Like Ghana and Thailand and Guatemala, there is poverty in Miami -- you don’t even have to look farther than our own school. But don’t foget to take time for yourself, either. If a vacation is what you need, then take one. “Summer break is called break for a reason,” Activities Director Michelle Russell said. “Human beings cannot work 24/7 for years on end without a break. In order to truly serve others to the best of your ability, you need to be rested - physically, emotionally, and mentally.”

LABELS

Retire the r-word Use other words to describe your friends IN MY OPINION sophie muchnick print managing editor

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Since elementary school, this quote has circled around our classrooms and stripped the power away from the bullies on the playground who called us “stupid” or “cry babies.” We were invincible to their hateful words because like the quote says, their words couldn’t hurt us. But deep down, we all know that words do hurt. Many people believe calling someone or something “retarded” is acceptable to do-- especially when it’s a joke. But little do they know how derogatory these statements are towards people with special needs. The Special Olympics created the “R-word Campaign” to raise awareness that these words do hurt. With 649,105 online pledges and the slogan “Spread the word to end the word,” the website www.r-word.org lets people share their stories. The term “mental retardation” was previously used by doctors and psychologists for decades to categorize those with below average intelligence and difficulty with daily activities. But having difficulties with one task does not mean they can’t excel at others. To re-

duce stigma, these individuals are now referred to as “people with intellectual disabilities.” In 2015, the U.S. government joined the movement. After ten-year-old Down Syndrome patient Rosa Marcellino was constantly referred to as “retarded,” her family contacted local lawmakers. That same year, lawmakers passed a law that required all federal health, education and labor policy documents to substitute “mental retardation” with “intellectual disabilities.” The r-word ban became so popular that it was adopted by Maryland, Marcellino’s home state. Over the summer I worked with special needs children at Camp Giborim. This was one of the best summers of my life and the connections I made with these kids will remain with me. Never once did I think of them as “retarded” or anything less than I. Yes, they have to try harder at certain things that come easy to me, but they are so much more than a label or term that is used to describe things as stupid. The next time you find yourself saying “that’s retarded,” stop. The change should start with you. It may be just a word doesn’t personally affect you, but to others it is a belittling term that hurts beyond belief. Instead of using the r-word, use alternatives-try “that’s so annoying, stupid, foolish, ignorant, idiotic, irritating, bothersome or obnoxious” – the list goes on.

Calendar Page 6

MONDAY

October WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

Teacher Planning Day

Bowling game at 7:00 p.m. in Hialeah Gardens

JV football game at 3:30 p.m. at NMB

Underclassmen pictures in the gym

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

United Way Day rally in the gym @1;30

18 Chocolate Cupcake Day

THURSDAY

Cap & gown sales today and tomorrow during lunch

Teacher Planning Day

College fair at 6:00 p.m. in the gym

Senior Panoramic Picture today

International Statistics Day

FRIDAY

7 Silver Knight applications due

Football game at 3:30 p.pm in Hialeah Gardens

21 National Reptile Awareness Day

Homecoming Week: 24-28

The Lightning Strike • September 2016

“You’re the one “Hakuna Matata” Jersey Boys/Dream Girls squad twin that I want” Grease (animal print) Wednesday Tuesday Monday

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ARIEL HARTZY / THE LIGHTNING STRIKE

FUN FORENSICS: Ashley Munzenberger laughs with her Forensic Science studnets. Munzenberger opened both the club and class this year to spark interest in forensics by inspiring her students.

Munzenberger inroduces Forensic Science class, club COURTESY OF ELIZA MORTON

CONNECTING: Eliza Morton (right), communicates in sign language with her friends Catherine O’Brien (left) and Marina Iodice (center). They met at Camp Gallaudet, where the Mortons found their passion for American Sign Language.

our body language conﬂicts with our words, listeners will typically pay more attention to our nonverbal cues. Last year Eliza and Stephanie competed in the Verizon App Challenge to invent an app that beneﬁts the community. Their idea focused to assist the deaf community in communciation with the hearing community. The app can translate ASL, and other languages from around the world. The group won “Best in State” for their idea. This inspired them to create a school club. With more than 50 students interested the new ASL club, they hosted

their ﬁrst meeting on Monday, Sep. 19. About 211,000 deaf individuals live in Florida, according to a study done by Gallaudet University. It is important for students to be able to not only communicate with the deaf community, but understand their lifestyle as well. Being able to at least say a few words in ASL would allow hearing and deaf Americans to communicate better and break the language barrier. “We hope to spread awareness about the deaf community and deaf culture, and teach students American Sign Language,” Eliza Morton said.

Alexis Sanford staff writer It’s known that forensic science is one of the fastest growing ﬁelds in science. Now, thanks to science teacher Ashley Munzenberger, it’s being offered as both a class and club this year. When she heard her students were interested in forensics, Munzenberger, a second year science teacher and last year’s Rookie Teacher of the Year, made it her goal to teach students what forensic science: a combination of biology, physics and chemistry. “Forensics is when you take all the information that you learned and apply it to society, law and everyday life,” Munzenberger said. Munzenberger moved to Miami when she graduated college with a dream of going into fo-

rensics. At Florida International University (FIU), she realized that teaching was her passion. In her ﬁrst year of teaching at Krop, she received clearance to start a forensics club the following year. “When I was enrolled in the FIU program, I realized that I loved forensic science and science in general,” Munzenberger said. “But I could never see myself working in a lab 24/7, 365 days a year with no socialization.” This year, the class is only available to sophomores, but is packed with 35 students. The club differs from the class, which has more research assignments and analysis questions. The club allows anyone in any grade with an interest in forensics to join, and Munzenberger hopes to open the forensics class to all grades in upcoming years.

Feature

Page 8

The Lightning Strike • September 2016

TRAVEL

Soysal sisters, Guvenli experience Turkish coup Jonah Muchnick business manager When most Krop students heard of the military coup in Turkey over the summer, it seemed far away, but for three Krop students, it was as close as it could get. Juniors Alara Guvenli and Lara Soysal, and sophomore Hera Soysal were in Turkey during the time of the attempted military coup d’etat. According to CNN, on Jul. 15, 2016, a faction within the Turkish Armed Forces, called the Peace at Home Council, attempted a coup d’etat in Turkey against state institutions, including, but not limited to, the Turkish government. This group attempted to take control of key places, but was ultimately defeated by forces

that remained loyal to the state. The night of the coup, junior Alara Guvenli was eating dinner with her family in a Turkish restaurant when she found out what was happening and hurried to the safety of her home. “We were all really scared because we didn’t know what was going on or where the forces were going to attack,” Guvenli said, “We were in Bodrum and apparently the President had ﬂed near there a few days earlier, so we didn’t know if we our area would be targeted next.” While she wasn’t directly near the action on the night of the coup, the following day, a group of protesters blocked the road and surrounded her car. Despite this summer’s events, Guvenli still plans on travelling to

Turkey next summer. “Even now, there are protests outside my aunt’s apartment every night,” she said. “But there is no way I would give up going back to Turkey because of a little danger.” Sisters Lara and Hera Soysal were also in Bodrum on the night of the coup. “At ﬁrst I didn’t know what was going on,” junior Lara Soysal said. “Everyone was talking so fast that I couldn’t understand them and it was scary.” When she ﬁnally understood the situation, her fears subsided. “They were trying to make a statement, but they weren’t really targeting civilians.” sophomore Hera Soysal said, “I don’t think I was ever that scared for my life.” Both Soysal sisters agree that the coup has had strong negative

ARIEL HARTZY / THE LIGHTNING STRIKE

AFTERMATH: Hera Soysal writes an essay for her English II Honors class. She was one of the three students in Turkey at the time of the coup d’etat.

effects on the country. “Turkey has a tourism-based economy, and the coup has really affected the amount of tourists that go there.” Hera said. “If you go to any shopping plazas or malls they are nearly empty because people

fear crowded places now, even airports.” Lara said. In spite of their experiences, both sisters agree that the fear of a danger threat like this reocurring wouldn’t stop them from visiting the country they love.

CLUBS

Four additional interest clubs offered to students Zachary Weinberger staff writer

Clubs build character, form friendships and allow students to get involved. Now, Krop will offer four new interest clubs for students. Philosophy Club Run by junior Eli Navarro, Philosophy Club will meet on second and third Thursdays, and give members new outlooks on life. It will meet in room 2233 in Ms. Sullivan’s class. “I want to give people the opportunity to realize the signiﬁcance of all aspects of life,” Navarro said. He started the club because he thinks philosophy is important and engaging, and feels it beneﬁts everyone, regardless of background

or interests. Members will discuss interesting philosophical topics in hopes to draw out orignial ideas to share. Forensic Science Club For those interested in criminal investigation, Forensic Science is the club to join. “It was created to encourage involvement in science,” sophomore president Olivia Warsing said. They will discuss topics of forensics and partake in activities such as ﬁngerprinting, solving murders and crime scenes. The club meets every second and fourth Wednesday in Ms. Munzenberger’s class in room 2242. American Sign Language Club The twin sister team of Eliza and Stephanie Morton started a

KEVIN BAUERNFEIND / THE LIGHTNING STRIKE

VOGUE: Club Sponsor Julie Shaker teaches the Fashion Club about styles of fabric. The club is among four of the new interest clubs at Krop this year.

club for people to learn American Sign Language (ASL). The twins learned sign over the summer and want to share their interest throughout Krop. “In the club we plan to discuss topics such as deaf culture, sign

language, aspects of the deaf community and learning the language,” said junior Eliza Morton. They also plan to have guest speakers on the topics. The club will meet on ﬁrst and third Mondays in Ms. Navarro’s

class in room 2260. Fashion Club For the fashion gurus out there, Fashion Club is the ﬁnal new addition to Krop, led by its president Gabriella Dunaevschi. “The idea is to be able to give others the ability to make something out of nothing,” Dunaevschi said. Her plans for the club are to teach members to sew and make designs come to life. She hopes to have a fashion show with members’ designs at the end of the year. The club will meet in Ms. Shaker’s class in room 3103 on every ﬁrst and third Monday. As with all clubs, its what you make of them as everyone of all grades are encouraged to join and make a difference within them.

10 Things About Dr. David Buncher 6. Exercise

1. Hometown

Because of his passion for exercise, Buncher wakes up at 4 A.M. every day to jog. His family put a big emphasis on exercise when he was growing up, leading to his love of sports and exercise. Both him and his wife work out religiously – they even met at the gym.

Buncher was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and attended the University of Pittsburgh for his undergraduate and Master’s degree.

2. Direction

While completing his Ph.D., he was required to teach for a year and was invited to do so in Miami. He began teaching at North Maimi Beach Senior High School and decided to stay here permanently. He knew he wanted to be a teacher ever since he walked into the classroom on his first day.

7. Benefit of the doubt

Buncher believes that every student has the ability to learn, no matter who they are. He always looks for the best in everyone, especially his students

3. Rock on

8. “I’m an expert in...”

He used to play guitar in a band he formed with his coteachers called Equilibrium. They played cover songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s, along with some originals. At the time, Buncher had hair down his back, but cut it off becuase he was being profiled too often.

Through his years of schooling and teaching experience, Buncher’s expertise is in research and chemistry, but you’ll hear him say he’s mastered quite an array of skills.

9. PhatBoi Dr. B

4. Krop OGs

Buncher is among eight of the teachers who have been at Krop since its opening in 1998. In total, he’s been teaching for 35 years.

5. School spirit

He is the prized writer of Krop’s official Alma Mater, ‘Our Black and Silver.’

Buncher’s biggest fear is not being able to exercise enough and becoming overweight.

10. Thanks for the memories NATHANIEL MANOR / THE LIGHTNING STRIKE

DEDICATION: David Buncher helps an AP Capstone Research student develop their research project. Buncher started teaching AP Research last year.

His most fond memory is when he was at the top of Santorini, Greece with his wife, looking over the Mediterranean Sea. Compiled by Nathaniel Manor

Feature

Page 9

The Lightning Strike • September 2016

New teachers, new faces

We know what you’re thinking: who are these new people roaming the halls? Loaded with passion and enthusiasm, these 11 new teachers are ready to take on the year. Compiled by Nathaniel Manor, Sophie Muchnick and Corbin Bolies

Experience: 4 years How they began teaching: “I always wanted to go into elementary and special education ﬁelds.” Favorite thing about Krop: Lindner loves all of the student activities and active participation in the school. Experience: 4 years How they got into teaching: “I wanted to leave my corporate position and work with students on a daily basis.” Favorite thing about Krop: Enjoys the environment and wouldn’t want to work at any another school.

Experience: 10 years How they got into teaching: “I always wanted to give back to the community.” Favorite thing about Krop: Navarro loves the school spirit and the clubs she sponsors. Experience: 10 years How they got into teaching: “I always loved social studies and wanted to give kids the opportunities I never had.” Favorite thing about Krop: Loves her connection with her students and staff. Experience: 41 years How they got into teaching: “I wanted students to realize the importance of bilingualism in this day and age.” Favorite thing about Krop: The staff feels like a family to him, as he felt very welcomed.

Experience: 8 years How they got into teaching: “I wanted to pursue mypassion in mathematics and have more time with my family.” Favorite thing about Krop: Loves the diversity of the school; has a map of students’ ethnic locations. Experience: 15 years How they got into teaching: “I wanted to make learning fun for students so they can enjoy coming to school.” Favorite thing about Krop: She loves teaching the students and ﬁnds the staff very friendly.

Experience: 12 years of teaching How they got into teaching: Math tutoring was a prerequisite, ended up majoring in Math instead Favorite thing about Krop: seeing students that they’re ready to learn.

Experience: 24 years How they got into teaching: Went into English due to her loves of books and authors Favorite thing about Krop: Being the club sponsor of the Class of 2020.

Page 10

The Lightning Strike • September 2016

TWO SIDES T

Our system makes sure no one is “left” behind

Dozing off in a math or art class can say more about s searchers have seen a connection between type of inter or right hemispheres of the brain. Although recent stu more analytical and logical than their “right-brained” ri wondered in which hemisp

When CAP advisor Robert Roddy spoke to college admission officers about selection processes, they told him that they stress enrollment in academic and news editor AP mila sicorsky courses over art classes. Roddy was not surprised. For this reason, schools should stick to a left-brained education system-- one that prioritizes logical and analytical reasoning courses, like AP Statistics and AP Chemistry, over art classes, which appeal to “right-brained” students. According to Denise Pope, a senior lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, students with an AP course load are more likely to get into colleges than those who stick to taking art classes throughout high school. In order to maximize college acceptance rates, students like senior Chase Feldman abide by existing standards emphasizing logical and analytical reasoning. “I mean, if the system isn’t broken, don’t fix it,” he said. “Krop is helping students get into college at a 96 percent rate-- nothing is wrong then.” Guidance counselors across the country urge students to switch out of art classes and into academic ones, like AP math and science courses. Education Week reports that from 2014 to 2015 the number of students in AP Physics doubled, and participation in AP Computer Science rose 25 percent that same year. Besides CollegeBoard, the company that makes AP courses, Common Core also emphasizes higher-level academic courses. On its website, the organization states that its standards ensure that students are prepared for the rigor to come in college. Their standards lead schools to allocate more money to these academic classes at the expense of art classes. “Right-brainers” argue that this allocation drops enrollment in art classes. But while art courses don’t fall under the core of the Common Core umbrella, they are still offered. Test prep and admissions blog VeritasPrep claims that when students take AP courses, it shows admissions officers that they’re not afraid of a challenge. In fact, it proves that these students are up to take the most rigorous courses available at their schools. Still, schools understand that student preferences vary, and some people may want to express their artistic selves throughout the school day. In an attempt to cater to them, the state requires students to complete at least one art credit to graduate. Senior Delanie Ludmir likes the credit requirements at Krop. “I think it’s fine how it is because in that one art credit, a student might realize that he or she actually wants to take more classes and is actually interested in it,” she said. “I like [the amount of academic requirements] too because it pushes me to take challenging courses.”

IN MY OPINION

The Lightning Strike • September 2016

TO ONE MIND

Page 11

someone than just their sleeping times. For years, rerests and lateralization, or dominance of either the left udies may prove otherwise, “left-brained” people are ivals, who are more creative and artistic. If you’ve ever phere you fall, read below.

It’s “right” to think outside of the box A growing number of students are pressured to take more academic and AP classes each year while vocational and artistic electives slowly fade out of existence. Such emphasis favors the left-brain theory that states left-brain staff writer thinkers use analytical, sequential means to process information. likem boney Over 30 percent of high school students took an AP exam in 2013, up 15 percent from 2003, according to collegeboard.org. “We are systematically alienating people from their talents and, therefore, from the whole process of education,” creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson said in a Ted Talk about the disappearance of creativity in public schools. In his view, education is only half complete when it focuses on half the brain. Magnet art teacher Ernesto Montes believes that the left-brain courses inundate the school system at an early age. “Kids have been taught to see art as therapeutic or supplementary,” he said. “This view of art is very narrow.” Despite advice from counselors, many students stick with their passions – they join Magnet programs, which specialize in dance, chorus, band/orchestra, theatre and the visual fine arts or take electives that emphasize creativity. However, they are told that a linear, left-brained course load is what it takes to get into a good college. Their artistic passions are often overshadowed by efforts to succeed in rigorous science, math, history and language arts classes. While some students choose to switch to academic classes, others stand their ground. Choral Magnet senior Samantha Williams prioritizes art over her AP classes. “We should all be devoted to what we are talented in,” she said. This year, she filled both of her elective slots with Magnet classes. Senior and president of the creative writing club Aaron Abeid has similar sentiments. While he is not in magnet, Abeid switched out of AP Physics to focus on his creative writing class. “Art is good for discovery and perspective. Creative writing offers a voice and an opportunity for straightforward expression,” he said. The fine arts have been long undermined in schools to promote academic, or more specifically, STEM classes. Students who take STEM classes are looked on as top students, while those who go the artistic route are generally “non-academic.” But this is a biased view. As both an AP student and a member of the instrumental music magnet, I feel that this system is unfair. I see the side of those who feel the need to take loads of AP classes and join all the honor societies. They have bought into the left-brain, logical way of thinking as the path to educational to success. I have experienced the moments where talented kids don’t feel like they measure up because they chose an art class art instead of science. But part of being rightbrained is the ability to think visually and processes information in an intuitive, simultaneous way. To be in touch with this way of thinking is to be among the world’s great inventors. The arts should be reinforced in school to achieve a right-brain integrated school system. In my experience, students who can apply their creativity to a fine art or writing are more open to learning new things. For example, orchestra member Sarita Vargas said she had a much easier time learning new subjects and sports after learning to play a new instrument. If the point of education is to teach students new things, then encouraging creativity and right-brain thinking makes students more receptive to learning them.

IN MY OPINION

Drawings courtesy of Hilly Yehoshua and Sophie Muchnick

Entertainment Page 12

The Lightning Strike • September 2016

MUSIC

Rock concerts vs. raves IN MY

OPINION nathanial manor

feature editor

For most Krop students, Rock N’ Roll is an outdated, oddball music genre that should have stayed in the 60s, 70s or 80s and has no place on Y100. Don’t even think about taking away their Kanye or Flume! While ravers and teens continue to put down rock concerts and the genre as a whole, most are unaware of what a rock concert actually is. Despite the fact that you’ll never hear AC/DC or KISS on a typical Top 40 radio station, bands like these, unlike most raves, consistently sell out shows faster than your average trip to Chipotle. Take the world-famous EDM rave, Ultra Music Festival, which sold 90 percent of its 165,000 available tickets within three months of release last May, according to LiveNation. At the other end of the spectrum, the highly-anticipated classic rock festival Desert Trip sold 100 percent of its 198,000 tickets within two hours of release, according to Goldenvoice. Rock N’ Roll - 1, Raves - 0. “The energy at a rock concert is incomparable to that of a rave,” senior Paula Domingues said. “The atmosphere is more genuine since you’re surrounded by such a diverse and mature age group as you hear actual instruments being played, unlike raves.”

When we go through loss, we grieve. We go through a process where we let our emotions get the better of us; it’s what makes us human. Demolition is a film where a man loses his wife in a car crash and, to cope with his loss, he vents his frustration in complaint letters to a vending machine company. It is this grief that sells the movie, as it allows you to experience the man’s journey from start to finish. Demolition centers around Davis Mitchell (Jake Gyllenhall), an investment banker in New York. It isn’t Gyllenhall’s best role, but he plays it to full effect. The film follows him as he deals with his wife’s death, something that happens in a variety of ways. He fiCorbin nds solace in a customer service representative, Karen Moreno Bolies (Naomi Watts), the woman who reads his letters. The movie’s entertainment editor premise seems to point to a romance, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Instead, the supporting characters play a part in Davis’ journey. We witness his stages of grief, from his attempts to continue his daily life to the intentional “demolition” of what that life once Oh, “The Dressmaker.” ly, characters such as the was. interactions with hiscross-dressing late wife’s father (Chris(Hugo CooWithThrough a confusing narrative sheriff per) and Karen’s sonfirst (Judah Lewis), Chris, you the transition structure in the twoWeaving) andseeformer friend Davis to from the moment wife dies the weeks and thirdsgoes of the film and a plot his Gertrude Prattto (Sarah Snook) months later. Initsa world where movies like to to complement play up deathWinsas the that shifts throughout, manage one maymoment dismiss this much film focus let. on Even Liam Hemsworth, climactic without its aftereffects, Demolias a puzzling afterthought. who plays Winslet’s love intion shows us the path, not the However, the saving grace of terest despite a 16-year age endgame. “The lies in itsto its difference between actors, TheDressmaker” film owes its strengths script. When you athe movie foproduction, turning it from a manages to pull his weight, cuses on death, it’s easy to write the characters as, well, characters. mess into a fond memory. though in a lesser sense than Their feelings and motivations are written to suit the story, with The film centers around the others. In one scene, you the humanity suffering as (Kate a result. What works with is Myrtle “Tilly” Dunnage can almost feel Demolition the differthat these characters aren’t characters; huWinslet), who returns to just her written ence as between the they’re two, with mans. scenesinbetween Chris, youcoming believeoff thatasthese homeIn village 1950s toDavis care and Hemsworth not are people talking, not ones for an theamateur. screen. fortwo heractual ill-yet-hilarious mothmuchmade moreupthan er Unfortunately, (Judy Davis).theHowever, film’s weakestBesides point isthe itsacting, ending.Margot While terrible accusations we do see progress her there past come infrom Davis, is no back to haunt her, payoff to his journey. forcing the aspiring In one specific mondressmaker to deal tage, you are lead to with her childhood believe Davis she left that behind. seemingly reverts We go into the back his the life befilm towith asfore his wife’s sumption thatdeath. this is what see This could we’ll have been – it is not what explained throughwea get at scene, the end. simple butThe the structure of the film movie mistakenly jumps from characdecides to take the ter to character for easy way out. This much of it, with no leads to confusion breathing room for and weaktheultimately story to brethe. ens message. Evenitswhen the plot Despite it these stabilizes, takes number of turns flaaws, Demolition resultimportant in everyisthatan thingfrom random film. It captures the deaths to margravity of acorrupt topic suchWilson as griefand andMarion deliversBoyce’s it in a riages. These shifts, while joint costume design strengthhuman way, something many films seem to forget to do. It they don’t make the story en the film to a great degree, isn’t the best film you may see this year, but it may be the fall flat, put the audience in especially one set in the most personal. an odd position. One is lucky 1950s. With every character

Corbin’s Critique The Dressmaker

LIKEM BONEY

But the energy isn’t the only difference. What’s almost nonexistent at a rock concert is one of the most prominent factors at a rave – hard drugs. Raves are infamous as a drug-induced environment. In fact, deaths at EDM raves have been on the rise the past few years. In 2013 alone, seven ravers died at EDM festivals from drug-related causes, and 35 were trampled to death. Of course, there’s drugs at most concerts – remember Woodstock in the 60s? Well, neither do they. It’s almost a given that festivals are drug-ridden and somewhat dangerous, but seems pretty evident in Miami’s beloved Ultra Music Festival and others like it, when compared to rock concerts. Despite the danger that raves pose, they remain one of the most popular music outings for teens today as rock concerts take a back seat to the Avicii’s and Chainsmokers’ of the world. Students may say

that rock concerts are full of people in their 40s or 50s, yet raves are full of teens. Now it’s time for you to say “Those bands are so old and no one cares about them anymore.” In reality, the average number of classic rock listeners has been on the rise for almost a decade. According to MindShare CEO Christof Baron, there has been a growth of 12.01 million listeners to classic rock radio stations in the United States since 2008. As beauty is in the eye of the beholder, music is in the ear of the beholder. Whether you like rocking out to “Livin’ On A Prayer” or raving to “Show Me Love,” music is meant to make people happy and bring them together. So while rock concerts and raves both have their pros and cons, take the time to expand your Spotify playlists beyond songs from only the past three years. At least your parents will thank you.

ACTIVITIES

Groups offer students out-of-school learning experience Nicolas Chmielewski spread editor

School doesn’t provide courses for all of our interests, but there are communities outside of school that have workshops and other great learning experiences to offer. Below are four in Miami. Villain Theater Improv Comedy is difﬁcult to learn. However, through a series of four courses at the Villain Theater, you can learn how to perform comedy through improv. The workshop helps improve your active listening and object work in group improvisations. This helps strengthen your acting skills and comedic timing. You can take a test drive course on Saturdays for only $5. Learn more about their classes and shows at http://www.villaintheater.com/. Miami-Dade Score Everyone wants money. At Miami Dade Score, you can learn to start a business and use money wisely through the weekly classes on creating an effective website for your business, running a restaurant, and constructing a business plan. Visit them at http://miamidade.score.org/ or http://broward.score.org/ I Am Elite Krav Maga

MOVIES

COURTESY OF FILMGATE VIA FACEBOOK

FILM IN MIAMI: An audience watches a short ﬁlm at the I’m Not Gonna Move to L.A. (NOLA) ﬁlm festival. The festival, run by Filmgate Miami, is one of many that the organization does.

Krav Maga is a self defense system developed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and is used by countless law enforcement, military and special forces around the world. The “I Am Elite Krav Maga” self defense school focuses on simple and effective control in contact combat. At the school, you learn how to target the most vulnerable points of an attacker’s body, use nearby objects as defensive weapons and shift quickly from defense to attack. It is a great way to get in shape and learn about self-discipline. Visit them at http:// www.iamelitekm.com/ Filmgate Miami The ﬁlm community in Mi-

ami is small, but organizations like Filmgate are working to expand it. Every week, Filmgate Miami organizes workshops, film screenings or gatherings. Here, filmmakers come together to learn about how to budget their films, entertainment law and the art of pitching. The community consists of producers, directors, actors and captivated citizens of all ages. Find out more about their courses at http://www.filmgate.miami/ Going to workshops opens you up to subjects that you might be interested in. These courses teach you valuable life lessons, help find your passion and network with people of similar interests.

if they remember Winslet’s character’s name by the time the credits roll. But Winslet really drives the film. In a strong performance, her humorous interactions with Davis are marvelous. Clunky scenes are elevated with their acting, particularly in one scene where Tilly tries to bathe her mother. The chemistry between them allows the mother-daughter relationship to come off as relatable, further proving why Winslet and Davis are standouts in their craft. This extends to the supporting characters. In each scene with Winslet’s Til-

that comes into Tilly’s hometurned-workshop, we see another new creation, transforming the women into entirely different people and, even more, different characters. Even David Hirschfelder’s score helps enhance each scene for the maximum emotional impact, though its repetitive nature does begin to wear as the film goes on. “The Dressmaker” is an imperfect film hiding behind the illusion of a perfect one. Yet, despite its flawed plot, the acting, costumes and music throughout the movie raise it to the standard of a must-see motion picture.

Rating:

Entertainment Page 13

The Lightning Strike • September 2016 BOOKS

“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” captures message of “Potter” stories, but fails to further explore the wizarding world Hannah Bregman staff writer

The Harry Potter story has continued in an unusual way. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the eighth story in the Harry Potter saga, originated as a two-part play whose script was published as a book. But it is not as magical as its predecessors. Unlike past novels that constantly evolved the wizarding world, Cursed Child reads more like a fan ﬁction, stuck on the same characters and events. Cursed Child premiered at the Palace Theatre in London’s West End. The creation of the story was possible through collaboration between three people: J.K. Rowling, the author of the ﬁrst seven Harry

Potter stories, Jack Thorne, who wrote the play’s script, and John Tiffany, the play’s director. While all three contributed ideas, it was Thorne who actually penned the script. The story picks up where Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows left off, 19 years into the future after the Battle of Hogwarts. The main focus is on Harry Potter’s son Albus and his bond with Draco Malfoy’s son Scorpius, who both have to struggle with the legacies their parents left behind. The story visits familiar characters such as Hermione, Ron and Ginny. The script format, consisting of only dialogue and stage directions, could never be the same as Rowling’s original stories. Op-

posed to reading a book, there are no descriptive settings or a fully imagined world to pull you in and keep you engaged. The story’s script alone is not enough to keep the reader’s interest peaked. Cursed Child fails to explore Rowling’s Harry Potter universe any further. This story uses previous knowledge from the original seven books with nothing new for know-it-all fans. In the end, it feels like a predictable Harry Potter story left re-visiting the same characters and events fans already know. For Potter fans who have been wanting to revisit the wizarding universe again, Cursed Child seems like a privilege. But Thorne squishes too many of the iconic events and characters from

TELEVISION

Check out these Netflix shows

the past seven books into this one story. Readers may feel as though the use of Polyjuice Potion and the Time-Turner, which allowed the characters to break into the Ministry of Magic and revisit the Triwizard Tournament, were unnecessarily forced into the story only to appease devoted fans. The one redeeming factor of Cursed Child is that Thorne understands Rowling’s underlying themes, such as love, friendship and loneliness, and conveys them cleverly in his story. If you are seeking an easy read with a trip down memory lane, Cursed Child might be right for you. For Harry Potter fans looking to delve deeper into the Harry Potter universe, they might ﬁnd themselves disappointed.

TAKEN FROM AMAZON

THE BOY LIVES AGAIN: The cover of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The story centers on Harry’s son, Albus, and his time-travelling adventures with Scorpius Malfoy. The play premiered on London’s West End on July 31, Harry Potter’s birthday.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Kevin Bauernfeind online video editor COURTESY OF THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

When high schoolers are stressed over tests or just need a break, Netﬂix is the way to go. So here are four new shows coming in September and October to help distract you from stress.

GOOGLE GLASS 2.0: Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegal wears Snapchat Spectacles. They will be available in fall 2016.

Snapchat Spectacles let users record video without their phones

Easy

An eight-episode anthology comedy show, Easy follows a cast making their way through complicated love, sex and technology ﬁlled world. Each episode will have a unique cast and story. Some more notable cast members are: Orlando Bloom (Pirates of The Caribbean) and Dave Franco (21 Jump Street). It is written, directed and produced by Joe Swanberg, an indie ﬁlmmaker. The show premieres Sept. 23.

Haters Back Off

A comedy series created by Colleen Ballinger, a popular Youtuber and brother Christopher Ballinger, Haters Back Off is based on Colleen Ballinger’s internet personality “Miranda Sings,” an untalented wannabe star and her quest to become famous. The show will explain the origins and evolution of Sings as a character and her stories along the way. Directed by Andrew Gaynord. The show premieres on Oct. 14.

Luke Cage

This Marvel TV show follows the superhero Luke Cage (Mike Colter), a former convict with su-

Michael Katz editor-in-chief

LIKEM BONEY

perhuman strength and unbreakable skin, who uses his abilities to ﬁght crime through the streets of Harlem. This show succeeds the other critically acclaimed Marvel show Jessica Jones and Daredevil. Produced by Cheo Hodari Coker, the show will have 13 episodes and will premiere Sept. 30.

Black Mirror

The third season of the hit anthology series premiers Oct. 21. It will follow the same antholgical format of the previous two seasons. The series takes on dark and satirical themes dealing with the consequences of new technology, and includes casts members Jon Hamm, James Norton and Michael Kelly. It is produced by Zeppotron, a production company based out of the United Kingdom, and written by Charlie Brooker.

Other Shows

If you’re looking for some classic favorites, these shows will be sure to satisfy your interests. Narcos, a biographical crime thriller about the Medellín Cartel and their leader, drug lord Pablo Escobar. The shows follow Escobar’s criminal exploits and story. Orange Is the New Black, a dramedy about Piper Chapman and her life in a women’s federal prison. Chef’s Table, is a documentary series following the world renowned chef David Gelb. Each episode proﬁles his experiences. These four shows should keep the average high school student entertained for the months to come. Remember, it never hurts to watch just one more episode.

The popular social media app Snapchat, after updating its name to Snap Inc., unveiled a pair of camera-equipped sunglasses on Sept. 24. The glasses, dubbed “Spectacles,” will soon be on sale for $129, and will allow Snapchat’s 150 million users shoot videos to upload to the app and send to friends. The shades will come in 3 colors: black, teal and coral, and have a ring of LED lights on the front of the device that ﬂash to indicate it’s recording. The glasses look like cheap

Udi Manor

sunglasses you’d buy at a souvenir shop or a stand on the beach, but that’s with a purpose. They’re meant to be “toys,” as CEO Evan Spielberg called them – not casual sunglasses. As tech reporter Richard Nieva said for CNET, “They’re so unassuming people might forget to get offended.” The last tech-glasses released to the public, Google Glass, were an absolute catastrophe. But Snapchat’s young user population – it reaches 41 percent of all 18 to 34-year-olds in the United States every day –

brightens the prospects of its Spectacles project.

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Fun & Games Page 14

The Lightning Strike â&#x20AC;¢ September 2016

Elections Word Seach OFFICIALS SPEECHES DEMOCRAT PARTY TALL ELECTION PLATFORM THIRD PARTY ELECTORATE WINNER CONGRESS MAJORITY REPRESENT CONSTITUTION MAYOR REPUBLICAN COUNT MINORITY SENATOR DELGATE

Connect the Dots

TIC

ABSENTEE INDEPENDENT PRIMARY BALLOT ISSUES PROMISES CAMPAIGN LOBBYIST REDISTRICTING CANDIDATE LOSER REFERENDUM GERRYMANDER POPULAR VOTE INCUMBENT PRESIDENT POLITICAL VOTING BOOTH FRONT RUNNER POLL

Dots and Boxes

Rules: Players take turns joining two horizontally or vertically adjacent dots by a line. A player that completes the fourth side of a square (a box) colors that box and must play again. When all boxes have been colored, the game ends and the player who has colored more boxes wins. Tip: Each player should use different colored pens.

The Lightning Strike • September 2016

Health & Science

Page 15

MENTAL HEALTH

Little sleep causes lots of problems Ariel Hartzy staff writer Waking up on Monday mornings is never easy and neither is keeping yourself from zoning out all day. You may think that a couple hours of sleep and some coffee is enough, but it is not. Until the 1950’s, people took sleep for granted, but according to Harvard Medical School, studies reveal that sleep deprivation can contribute to memory problems, hallucinations, impaired brain activity and moodiness. Sleep deprivation impairs brain networks that control motor functions and behaviors in the body. Almost all parts of the brain are affected when sleep is lost, including the temporal lobe of the cerebral cortex, which processes language. This may leads to slurred speech and

difﬁculty remembering words or phrases. When comparing a healthy brain with a sleep-deprived brain, scientists are able to see a severe reduction in blood ﬂow, meaning the brain does not receive the nutrients it needs. A Warwick Medical School study has discovered when this occurs, the risk of trouble focusing greatly increases. Lack of sleep comes with health risks but can also affect educational performance. “On days when I have too much homework and tests, I will go to sleep at 2:00 am and wake up at 5:00 am to study more,” sophomore Ava Buchwald said. But studies have proven that those who stay up late studying and forgo sleep do poorly on tests compared to those who are well rested. Lack of sleep has irreversible effects on the brain. The

University of Pennsylvania conducted studies that showed how extended periods of sleeplessness lead to irreversible brain damage. The study proved that staying up for long periods kill neurons in the brain. It was found that around a 25%-30% loss of neurons occurred after continuous sleep loss, along with an increase in oxidative stress, which prevents communication between neurons in the brain. Staying up late or waking up early to ﬁnish an assignment that is due the next day may help you get an A, but at a price. Teens need at least nine hours of sleep each day to develope properly. When this requirement is not met consistently, mood, behavior, cognitive abilities, and academic performance are all affected. Sleep is necessary for maintaining a healthy brain, especially for developing teens.

CLIMATE

- ADVICE

5 Foods...

to help you sleep better With students focusing on class work, extracurricular activities, family and friends, sleep can sometimes be their last priority. Although teens ages 14 to 17 should get eight to ten hours of sleep, a study done by the National Sleep Foundation found that only 15 percent of teens reported getting eight and a half hours of sleep on school nights. Students looking to sleep faster and restfully should eat these foods:

Chamomile Tea

This plant based Tea is ﬁlled with apigenin, a compound that binds to receptors in the brain to make you sleepy. Chamomile can also ease symptoms of anxiety, which makes it the perfect drink for before that big math exam.

Salmon

DHA, the main Omega-three fat in Salmon can help you sleep better and longer. The more DHA you eat, the more melatonin, a hormone that maintains your sleep cycle, you produce. Salmon is also high in protein which will keep your body full throughout the night.

Kiwi

Kiwi before bed can help you fall asleep faster. Kiwi’s high amount of serotonin, a feel good-neurotransmitter, aids melatonin in regulating your body’s sleep cycle. Furthermore, a study by Taipei Medical University found that two kiwifruit an hour before bedtime could provide you with an extra hour of sleep.

Walnuts

COURTESY OF STEPHEN COHEN

UNDERWATER CRISIS: Graﬁtti in the prominent Miami Beach neighboorhood outlines the effects of climate change. Global warming is proven to impact the state of Florida heavily in the upcoming years.

High tide nears Miami’s homes Jacob Singer online managing editor In August, residents of the Icon Condominium in South Beach woke up to graffiti on the abandoned building across from them that read, “YOUR MILLION DOLLAR HOUSES WILL SOON BE UNDERWATER.” Alarming graffiti like this sometimes coincides with an unlikely apocalyptic rapture prophecy from the neighborhood crazy, but in this case, the grim message refers to an all too real sea level rise. Along with the sea levels in Miami Beach, the money spent to solve the problem also continues to rise. In September 2015, a “King Tide” reached a Miami Beach record height of 2.2 feet above sea level that saw pedestrians up to their knees in water and fish swimming in the streets. The city is expected to

spend between 400 and 500 million dollars to combat the rising waters in the next six years. According to the World Resources Institute, by 2060, the sea level in Miami Beach is expected to rise by nearly two feet. With this rise in MiamiDade County, $16.7 billion of property and 134 miles of roads would be at risk. Currently, nearly 50,000 people live less than two feet above sea level. But despite the worries, there are still those conﬁdent that the city will prevail. Stephen Cohen, a South Beach resident and Miami Beach City Commissioner hopeful, is one of those people. “I believe technology will outpace the sea level rise, and we as a city will adapt,” Cohen said. Cohen’s conﬁdence stems from the emphasis and money that the city is placing on the issue. Miami Beach is pledging nearly half a billion dollars

to build 80 pump stations, add five feet to the seawall and raise the roads. While Cohen is confident that the pumps and seawalls will help fix the problem, real estate buyers are not. Cohen, who is involved in the industry himself, has said that the sea level concerns certainly have not helped business. “Everyone is scaring each other, which is deterring people from buying property in a great area,” Cohen said. Miami Beach Mayor Phillip Levine believes his city will overcome these challenging obstacles. By fortifying the city’s barriers, increasing its resilience and focusing on how society can prevent climate change, Levine believes that Miami Beach will be around for years to come. “Instead of wallowing in fear, we need to work together in order to save our city,” Cohen said.

These tree nuts are a good source of tryptophan, a sleep inducing amino acid that helps make serotonin and melatonin. According to a study by the University of Texas Health Science Center, 1 gram of walnuts contains about 2.5 to 4.5 milligrams of serotonin. Only one gram of serotonin is needed to prompt your body to sleep.

Almonds

These middle eastern nuts are rich in magnesium, a mineral made for quality sleep. A study in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine found that low magnesium levels result in inefﬁcient sleep.

Milk and Cereal

According to the National Sleep Foundation, the carbohydrates in the cereal and the calcium from the milk can act as a sedative. Stick to low sugars at night to avoid the stimulant effects of the sweetener. Quality sleep will improve your mood, memory, and even physical health and with these foods you will achieve just that. Compiled byTamia Streeter

Health & Science Page 16

NEWS

The Lightning Strike • September 2016 NUTRITION

Mylan’s EpiPen raises Frozen yogurt is not a healthy price signiﬁcantly alternative Hannah Bregman staff writer Mylan’s EpiPen can save the lives of those with severe allergic reactions. But a twopack comes with a new list price of over $600. Ever since Mylan acquired the EpiPen from its previous company, the price for a twopack has slowly increased from around $100 in 2007 to more than $600 dollars today, according to Truven Health Analytics. In a CNBC interview, Mylan CEO, Heather Bresch, blames the out-of-control cost of the Epipens on the “four to five hands” that handle the product in its journey from Mylan to the consumer. Bresch says that Mylan receives only $274 with the rest going to insurance companies and pharmacies. EpiPens treat anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can become life-threatening. The pens contain the active

ingredient epinephrine, a hormone which quickly opens airways for people experiencing anaphylaxis. Some of the common triggers of severe allergic reactions are food, such as peanuts, insect bites, latex and various medicines. Consumers are outraged over the price hike, believing the latest price jump is again the result of greedy drug manufacturers. They have signed petitions and voiced their opinions through protests on social media. People prone to anaphylaxis must carry multiple packs of the medicine in case of emergencies. Doses must be replaced each year upon its expiration date, whether it was used or not. In response to the public outcry, Mylan currently offers $300 savings cards per prescription of a two-pack of Epipens, to help offset costs. Mylan also says it will release a generic drug in a few weeks with a list price of $300.

Freshman Jason Olofsen is severely allergic to hazelnuts and worried how the increase would affect his family. “I have only used it two or three times in my life,” Olofsen said, referring to an epinephrine auto injector, although he always keeps a two-pack on him in case of emergencies. He was able to get a brand called Adrenaclick through a different company that was covered by his mother’s insurance. Currently, Adrenaclick and its generic, Epinephrine Injection, USP auto-injector, are the only other alternatives to Epipen. Adrenaclick offers the same auto injection medicines at the same doses as Epipen while its method of administration is different and it’s cost more affordable. Not many insurances cover Adrenaclick. Consumers in need of this life saving medicine are not left with many affordable options.

Libby Szlaifer staff writer “Frozen yogurt has less calories, less sugar, and less carbohydrates,” junior Joie Fernandez said. This is a claim that frozen yogurt enthusiasts say, and it is proven by nutritional statistics given by frozen yogurt shops. After all, frozen yogurt was intended to be a low-calorie, low-fat alternative to ice cream. But people tend to load this tasty treat with toppings that are dense with calorie, making it less healthy. As a Pinkberry employee, I see customers who choose lowfat options, and do not take quantity into consideration. One pint of Ben & Jerry’s vanilla ice cream has 520 calories, while a pint of vanillaflavored frozen yogurt has 568 calories. When customers

add “healthy” toppings, like half a cup of granola on the side (226 calories), the calorie intake only increases. Attractive posters promoting frozen yogurt as a low-caloric treat, try to convince customers that it is a healthy choice to eat frozen yogurt regularly. “It is a misconception due to the advertisements these establishments make in order to get customers,” Local nutritionist Iris Baker said. In addition, many frozen yogurts contain multiple hard-topronounce chemicals l i k e s o dium citrate, and disodium LIKEM BONEY phosphate. If customers want to be truly healthy, they should consider what they eat; like any other high calorie treat, frozen yogurt should be consumed sparingly.

MENTAL HEALTH

For a peaceful mind, meditate Tiffany Schram staff writer Meditation is a state of profound, deep peace that occurs when the mind is calm and silent, yet the mind is alert. Meditation helps us under-

helps to calm the busy mind, and can prepare for more profound meditation. Focus on your breath, let your thoughts settle, and connect with your inner self. People search for happiness in their life. Little do they know the missing ingredient to their empty happiness is a peaceful mind. It’s

Meditation can train

your brain. Like training for a sport, you must train for peace of mind.”

stand our own mind. We can learn how to transform it from negative to positive, from disturbed to peaceful, from unhappy to happy. An chaotic mind causes many problems and suffering; meditation is the key to solve this unpleasantness and create a positive and peaceful mind. Everyone is able to mediate. All it takes is dedication and the right mindset. For beginners, meditation of the breath is suggested as a ﬁrst practice. This initial practice

that simple; if you have a peace of mind, your mind is happy, and if your mind is happy then you are happy. Meditation does not require chanting, crystals, or being a monk. One can meditate while doing a day’s labors, while another can be very far from meditation while sitting in a lotus posture on the top of a mountain. But with practice, anyone can achieve a meditative state. Meditation can train your brain. Like training for a sport, you

must train for peace of mind. One research study shows that meditation causes physical changes in the brain. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin have worked with Tibetan monks to show that these transcendent experiences, caused by reﬂection and rumination, cause intense activity in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. This means that longtime practitioners of meditation show increased energy in that area, which is not present in beginners. The study proves that it is possible to train the brain through routine practice of meditation and truly reach different emotional and mental states. The area of the brain that feels the greatest effects of meditation is one that’s associated with happiness and positive feelings. This ties in well with other research and centuries of anecdotal evidence that say meditation helps relax us, release pent up stress, and makes us feel more at peace. Find your most comfortable environment, relax, turn off the world around you and focus on something that you ﬁnd relaxing. Let yourself enter a state of overwhelming calmness. Meditation might just be what you’ve been waiting for.

MEDITATIONBY THE NUMBERS: 75% of insomniacs who started a daily meditation program were able to fall asleep within 20 minutes of going to bed, on average, it should take the healthy person between 15 to 20 minutes to sleep Meditation is known to improve learning capabilities, and enhances confidence and creativity. Meditation in students has also shown signs of decreasing conflicts amongst students, improve test scores and overall grades 44% of adults and people ages 8 to 17 report that their stress levels have increased over the past five years according to a study done by Harris Interactive. 60% of anxiety prone people showed marked improvements in anxiety levels after 6-9 months of meditation. Thickness of the artery walls decreased which effectively lowers the risk of heart attack or stroke by 8% to 15%. People who use meditation and relaxation techniques may be physiologically younger by 12 to 15 years Compiled by Tiffany Schram

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Sports Page 18

The Lightning Strike • September 2016

FACULTY

Lebrun named new athletic director Ethan Curtis sports editor

Ex track and field coach Danac Lebrun was promoted this year as the new athletic director. His success as a coach speaks for itself, taking the team and individual athletes to district and state championships, but it’s how students look up to him off the fields that can give them reason to do their best. “I’m hoping to bring athletic bonds to all athletic programs to bring Krop back on top,” Lebrun said. What gave Lebrun a leg up among other candidates for the position is his character and relationship with

students, coaches and other faculty members. “He’s very personable and approachable,” Principal Allison Harley said. Lebrun plans to be more available to student-athletes who need their coaches but can’t reach. This is because many coaches must also teach their classes. He understands this from his experience as a teacher-coach. As time consuming as the athletic program, Lebrun still looks out for those students who need that little extra push, especially when it concerns their eligibility status. “He is someone willing to go the extra mile and do a little work for [the students] and make sure kids are eligi-

ble and participating,” Harley said of the athletic director. Coming from an academic background, Lebrun sees the whole picture and understands coaches must nurture student-athletes by dealing with the demands of both academics and sports. “He has the ability to think globally about the needs of the students, the school and the coaches,” Harley said. “I think he’s going to get stronger as he learns the job.” With his main goal to put Krop back on the map as a top athletic school, Lebrun feels it begins with him. “It starts with me being that little bridge and bringing everyone together,” Lebrun said.

ETHAN CURTIS / THE LIGHTNING STRIKE

HARD AT WORK: New athletic director Danac Lebrun clears students’ medical insurance to ensure that they can play their desired sport. Lebrun hopes to be the piece that puts Krop athletics back on top.

LOCAL SPORTS

Miami introduces new professional soccer team Federico Waldman staff writer Since the idea came about for a professional soccer team in Miami three years ago, numerous people and organizations have attempted to open the club -- now, it’s here. People in the Miami area have taken the startup of the club seriously since Italian World Champion Alessandro Nesta was appointed manager of the new club, Miami FC. Students who play on the school team and for local clubs are excited because Miami FC offers a professional team nearby. “Now that a professional soccer team has opened so close and has a manager with so much experience, it opened

TAKEN FROM SOCCER STADIUM DIGEST

NEW BEGINNINGS: Miami FC foward Dario Cvitanchi crosses the ball in the team’s home opener of the season. In this game, over 10,000 people came to support their new home team. With growing popularity and increasing talent, the club hopes to achieve future success.

up the way that I see my future as a soccer player,” sophomore Benjamin Boushira said.

Miami FC has yet to start a youth academy, but plans to set one up in the coming seasons as

its demand grows for young and interested players. “I’ve always wanted to play

for a professional academy and since the closest one is in Orlando, I didn’t see it happening,” freshman Tomas Fiure said. Students who play for their high school team also tend to play for domestic clubs. A youth academy can bring a new flair because of the constant possibility of a Miami FC scout watching local high school games. Miami FC home games and practices take place in the FIU stadium at University Park. They hope to upgrade to a larger arena as the club expands. The club finished last during the spring season, but as the team grew in popularity over the summer, they acquired players that have helped them succeed as they currently stand in the top five.

COACHES

Girls’ volleyball coach pushes players to the limit Libby Szlaifer staff writer Coaches have the responsibility to not only monitor players during practices and games, but teach them fair play as well. One coach, however, pushed her players until some quit. For five members of the Krop volleyball team, personal issues with the former coach Cheyenne Savage posed for problems on and off the courts. Players chose to quit the team because Savage would condition the team during practice rather than playing volleyball, which affected

their overall performance in their game. She also blocked

lowed to attend club meetings such as National Honors Soci-

We went to Mr. Ponkey

about issues with the coach because she believed that if things were not done her way, we should be off the team. We joined the team after [Savage] left because we realized we shouldn’t let strop us from playing the sport we love.” –NICOLE LEW, junior

players from extra-curricular activities. Players were not al-

ety and Class of 2018. “The standards she set

forth were really geared more towards college level, and we’re not college,” assistant principal Daniel Ponkey said. “She was a great coach, really knowledgeable, former player herself, but it just wasn’t working out.” The athletics program made it their goal to find a solution to the problem. “We’ve had a lot of turnover with coaching, and our top priority is always going to be giving our kids the best coach possible, whatever that may be,” Ponkey said. Savage was relieved of her position and the boys’ volleyball coach, “Cuba” Guedez, now coaches the girl’s team.

“He has run a Miami-Dade county public high school volleyball program before,” Ponkey said, “so he’s knowledgeable of the high school world, and we are very comfortable with him taking over.” The five members that quit the team rejoined as soon as the coach left the school. “We went to Mr. Ponkey about issues with coach because she believed that if things were not done her way, we should be off the team,” junior Nicole Lew said. “We joined the team again after [Savage] left because we realized we shouldn’t let her stop us from playing the sport we love.”

Sports

The Lightning Strike • September 2016

Page 19

REMEMBRANCE

More than just a player

The sports world lost more than the next great pitcher, it lost a player who played every second of his career with heart and passion like no other. Jacob Singer online managing editor As a lifelong sports fan, I’ve grown up admiring athletes for their amazing talents that glue me to my couch for hours at a time. But I forget that even with the ability to throw a 100 mile per hour fastball or dunk a basketball from the free throw line, professional athletes are human. At the Lightning Strike, we don’t usually cover professional sports. Our job is to cover the sports at Krop and with 30 teams, we have our hands full. Memories fade as time goes by, but that’s why we have journalism. At its essence, journalism is the means by which we are able to keep memories alive, and, unfortunately, that need arose on Sept. 25. I came to the cruel realization that Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez was human when he died in a tragic boating accident. I had to read the news a few times before my brain processed the information, and when I finally understood what I read, I still didn’t believe it. In 2012, the Marlins opened a new stadium in the heart of Little Havana. But, things got off to a rocky start when Marlin’s manager Ozzie Guillen said, “I love Fidel Castro.” The Cuban popula-

tion neighboring the stadium was up in arms, and if the Marlins wanted to keep their fan base intact, they needed change. Guillen was fired, and in 2013, a Cuban rookie pitcher was generating a bit of buzz. His name was Jose Fernandez. Fernandez wasn’t your run of the mill ballplayer. He was a star. Bursting on to the scene in 2013, Fernandez provided a glimmer of hope for an abysmal Marlins team near the bottom of the standings. But to the Marlins’ Cuban fans, Fernandez was a godsend. Fernandez’s joy and passion for the game made them love the team that they were protesting just a year earlier. When Fernandez was 14, his mother decided to defect from Cuba to Florida. The “Wet foot, dry foot” policy enables Cubans to stay in the U.S. if they make it to land, but if they are caught in the water, they are sent back and must serve time in Cuban prison. Fernandez and his mother were caught in the water three times. On their fourth try, Fernandez’s mother fell out of the boat and was swept into the sea. Without hesitating, Fernandez jumped in to save her. Ultimately, Fernandez and his mother made it ashore, and he was playing little league baseball nine days later. What the people closest to Fernandez say they’ll remem-

ber most about him aren’t his strikeouts. They’ll remember his million dollar smile and the joy he had for every day of his life. They’ll remember how happy he was when his grandmother defected from Cuba and was able to see him pitch for the first time. They’ll remember a young man who meant as much to Miami’s Cubans as cortaditos do. On the day after Fernandez’s death, the Marlins played a game, which I decided to attend. The tribute to Fernandez began when every Marlins player took the field wearing Fernandez’s number 16, the last time any Marlin would wear the number. Then a single trumpeter played a solemn and bone-chilling rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” But one moment made me appreciate the power of sports like I had never seen before. When Dee Gordon, Fernandez’s teammate and close friend, stepped up to the plate to take the Marlins’ first at bat since the pitcher’s passing, there was something noticeably different about his stance. Instead of standing to the left of the plate like he usually does, he took the first pitch from the right to honor Fernandez. Gordon then did the unexpected. For the first time all season, he hit a homerun. While rounding the bases, tears fell from Gordon’s eyes

ETHAN CURTIS / THE LIGHTNING STRIKE

COMMEMORATION: The Miami Marlins created a vigil outside the stadium’s main entrance where the public could pay their respects to the fallen pitcher with ﬂowers, signs and other forms of commermoration. Even with his death, Jose Fernandez’s legacy will live on forever.

as fans cheered for him and for the loving memory of his friend and teammate. It was a scene usually reserved for the most cliché movies, but as a real moment, this was pure poetry. While this article will hopefully preserve the memory of a great man that is gone too soon, it

simply cannot compete with the tribute that Gordon gave. We can learn a lot from Jose Fernandez. He got more from his brief 24 years than most do in a full lifetime. Everyone needs to cherish and love every day that is lived because if our deified athletes aren’t invincible, nobody is.

OPINION

Sitting for the wrong purpose

The national anthem represents our military and we should all stand during that time to respect them IN MY OPINION ethan curtis

sports editor

It’s second nature for most people to stand during the national anthem and pay respect to the military. At least one would think. On August 26th, San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Colin Kaepernick was spotted sitting during the national anthem of a preseason game. Kaepernick is already one of the most questionable players in the game because of his failure to live up to his $114 million contract he signed in June of 2014. He defended his action by saying he wouldn’t “show

pride in a ﬂag for a country that oppresses people of color.” NFL rules do not state that a player is required to stand

twitter page. But with comments like “you are stupid and ungrateful” and “[you] should back to Africa to play football,” the

It’s a big deal for a public

ﬁgure as big as Kaepernick to be so outspoken on his views, which is why he’s also received some support, but there are other ways he could’ve gone about it. Sitting during the national anthem is not one of them.” for the national anthem, but that didn’t stop people from turning on Kaepernick and writing racist comments on his

public is just proving Kaepernick’s point. Why Kaepernick is conducting these actions is under-

stood, but many people feel that the national anthem is a time to honor the military. We pay our respects to those who served to protect the freedom that our country holds. It’s a big deal for a public ﬁgure as big as Kaepernick to be so outspoken on his views, which is why he’s also received some support, but there other ways he could’ve gone about it. Sitting during the national anthem is not one of them. Kaepernick said he would continue to sit during the national anthem until he feels change has been made. He continues this action as he has not stood up for any his team’s games this season. Since the incident, numerous people have gone on

record saying they support what Kaepernick is doing like President Barack Obama who says that “he’s exercising his constitutional right to make a statement.” Kaepernick has not only started a movement around the NFL with teammate Eric Reid and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane sitting during the national anthem, but also around the entire sports world as U.S. Women’s Soccer player Megan Rapinoe knelt during the national anthem before a game in what she called a “little nod to Kapernick.” Since the season started, several players throughout the league have taken a knee during the national anthem showing their support for Kaepernick and his movement.

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The Lightning Strike â&#x20AC;˘ September 2016