Volume 53 Issue 2

LION’STALE OVIEDO HIGH SCHOOL

ISSUE 2

ePathways open new avenues for learning page 4

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features

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TV show causes more students to enroll in ASL.

12

diversions

crazy fandom.

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18

sports Football players prepare for college recruiting.

23

02

( news sports )

THE LION’S TALE

|

NOVEMBER 12, 2012

Artists exhibit at Great Day

THE SCOOP

On Nov. 10, Oviedo students displayed about 100 art pieces at Great Day in the

Learning Goals: To pass Marzano

place for her piece “Hands,” a graphite drawing. Senior Thomas Carpenter received second place for “Humpty as Pushed” in ceramic sculpture. Seniors Carolyn Cook, Sara Leimbach, Buck Mussatto, and junior Shannon Kennedy received honorable mentions.

New millage tax passes

Ma

On Nov. 6, the School Board gained permission to levy a potential property tax increase of up to one millage, or one/onethousandths of a property’s value.

In the future, the amount of tax increase can vary, depending on what the School Board decides is necessary to help school funding.

The money from the tax increase will go to attract and retain teachers ,reserve schools’ music, arts and athletic programs, help career and job training courses for students, purchase state-of-the-art computers for testing and learning, and repair and maintain aging schools and buses.

The money is intended to keep the district’s “A” grading, which can also increase the property values of homes. The vote passed 56 percent to 43 percent.

Kudos to All-State students Seniors Jordan Alexander and Dani Hugh Sam made All-State chorus after auditioning on Oct. 22. Alexander, a member of Horizons, sings bass and Hugh Sam, a member Bel Cantos, sings alto.

Winter play now in production On Dec. 14, 15, and 16, the drama department will be performing A Midsummer’s Night Dream by William Shakespeare. The show is about Greek gods and goddesses, and the plot revolves around a love triangle involving four main characters.

Because so many students auditioned, the play will be performed by two separate casts, one cast taking one performance and the other taking two.

o n a rz

illustration/ WESLEY WYNNE

County phases in Marzano learning model

by Clara Shine

S

ophomore Laurel Ardner slowly raises four

“

Techniques that are used routinely become meaningless.

Kathy Savage

”

“I

will

say

photo/ALLISON OWEN

READING AROUND. Thespians practice their lines for the upcoming winter play.The Thespians rehearse every week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

claras@thelionstale.com

NOVEMBER 12, 2012 | news | THE LION’S TALE 03

Election by the numbers

A nation divided

Electoral Vote

270 Number of

votes needed to Mixed feelings surface over win election re-election of President Obama 332 Barack Obama Mitt Romney 206 T

by Rachel Lo

hough senior Jordan Ingalsbe had to wait in line for two and a half hours for early voting, she made the most of that time by having a pizza party with her fellow Romney supporters.

“When I went to vote, I was with my family. I

about the future, particularly because of his future plans.

“I don’t really have high hopes for the future, being in college the next four years, possibly in the military. I don’t know if I’m going to like the direction this country is going in, as far as being in the military but I can’t see into the future; we can only speculate right now,” Early said.

Despite voting for Romney, Early respects Obama as president.

“I feel like people are overreacting a little bit.

Going and committing suicide, I think, is a little

my decision and I felt like I had done my civic duty and helped the country,” Ingalsbe said.

Ingalsbe turned 18 on Nov. 1, but she knew that she supported Mitt Romney before then, mainly because she felt he could improve the nation’s economy. When Romney lost the election, Ingalsbe became worried about Obama’s next term.

“It’s a nice break now that [the election] is bill, but then again the Congress can go back and put it through with 2/3 over, but I actually vote—if they can get it look forward to seeing I’m really looking forward to the how Obama [handles] next two years of no campaigning I don’t necessarily agree the country in the next with Obama, but he’s our four years. I feel like and not seeing political ads. president and you have to he won, but America respect that. And I don’t Caroline Cook,12 lost. I just hope he does believe at all that he’s good because I want intentionally doing wrong. what’s best for the country. I hope that he doesn’t I think that he is doing what in his mind is the best [screw up], I hope that it works out, but I don’t have high hopes. You can call me pessimistic, I guess,” he could be doing. I don’t necessarily agree with everything he does, but he’s doing what he thinks is Ingalsbe said.

In contrast to Ingalsbe, senior Caroline Cook, the best for the country,” Early said.

Cook feels relief now that the election is over. who voted for President Obama, looks forward to “I’m really looking forward to the next two the future. years of no campaigning and not seeing political “I think [Obama] has another four years to do something great. I have a lot of hope forward. I ads. I just feel like everyone should get along and think economically we will recover. And it might focus more on the positives than the negatives.” I not even be within the next four years, but I think think we [Democrats and Republicans] can coexist in harmony—I believe that completely,” Cook said.

Obama’s setting us up for success,” Cook said. rachell@thelionstale.com Like Ingalsbe, senior Lawson Early worries

“

Wisconsin

Colorado Battleground States

50.4% Percentage of popular votes won by Obama

48.0% Percentage of

”

Ohio

Nevada Iowa

Popular Vote

illustration/BARACKOBAMA.NET

Obama Fast Facts: -Does a wicked Mick Jagger impression -Phone number in 1982 was 212-4102857, but it’s no longer in service -Obama is currently 51 years old.

-Barack means “One who is blessed” -Nickname when young was Barry info/COURTESY OF FYDA.ORG

popular votes received

by Romney

Youth Vote

60% Barack Obama 36% Mitt Romney Ages 18-25

info/COURTESTY OF YESMITTROMENY.BLOGSPOT.COM

Battleground States Origins

Battle ground states, or swing states, are states in which there is no overwhelming support for either political party. Therefore, the electoral Virginia vote isn’t guaranteed for either party until the end of the election. These states include Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Nevada, Colorado, North Carolina, North Carolina Virginia, and Wisconsin. They are major targets for both parties because the votes of the states are important in deciding which party gets the most electoral votes. Decided states are known as safe-states because Florida the party preferred there can safely rely on the state’s vote. illustration/WESLEYWYNNE

04 THE LION’S TALE

| news | NOVEMBER 12, 2012

Students receive alternate forms of education through

ePathways What is it? A way of providing opportunities for

by Rachel Lo

L

ast year, senior Tommy Anderson woke up at 7:15 am every weekday. Although school starts at that time, Anderson did not have to go to class until second period, because he took an online course in place of his Anderson’s online classes, as well as his dual enrollment classes, signal the beginnings of ePathways. “ePathways is a way of providing opportunities for our students via

“

school. The board members, the educators and myself, we’ve talked about what we need to do to make sure that everyone knows about our ‘A’ schools and that we are competitive,” At the high school level, ePathways allows for online classes and dual enrollment, two ways of learning that students such as Anderson have been doing for years.

“Having an online class for my

electronic offering in till like 7, 7:15. and providing more When people are opportunities for Principal Robert Lundquist our students outside be getting up. Sleep of the school days,” is very important.

Principal Robert The majority of the Lundquist said. time, dual enrollment and FLVS would help The “e” in ePathways stands for me catch up on sleep,” Anderson said.

The newest aspect of ePathways provides

”

alternatives to a traditional high school education.

“What we are struggling with as a district is making sure that our education system is set up for what you need right now in 2012. What we are looking at with high schools is much more

of a nontraditional class schedule would be a third to ninth period school day, in which students do not start school until third period and stay for two additional periods after seventh period.

high school of the very near future being much student press interview.

students and teachers. For instance, teachers that have children could see their kids off to school at 9 a.m and begin work at 9:30.

in elementary, middle, and high schools. At the elementary school level, students would be allowed to take more advanced courses if that suited their needs. For instance, a third grader

activities, and/or a lot of homework could sleep in, and could be more awake in class.

“So a student could come to school third to ninth period and that teacher would anymore, it helps the teacher, and it helps the

option of taking online classes if courses that they’re interested in are not offered at the school.

Additionally, middle school students with

until 10 o’clock at night and you do your

in scheduling is one part of ePathways,”

in terms of the schedule, and we’re doing this

scheduling may include taking evening classes at, say, 6:30 to 8:30 only two to three times a weeks. Art classes could gain from this kind of scheduling by spending less time on setting up supplies and cleaning up, and working.

Dual Enrollment Hundreds of students every year

at UCF and love the Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday class schedule. [ePathways] opens up opportunities for students to work at different times of the day, to participate in classes in chunked periods of time rather than one class right of the day, what really sticks with all kids,” Gibbs said. scheduling.

“Our consumer sciences, food preparation classes, they may meet on a Saturday morning for the number of hours you would meet during the week, if students wanted to do that. Maybe even having a satellite class in which you invite students from other schools that students attend after the day, for classes they don’t have at their schools. We’re still nontraditional and after the school day times. We’re very interested in it,” Lundquist said.

The only class in Seminole County currently scheduled outside of a regular school day is an art class at Winter Springs High.

“Currently at OHS, there are not any classes that are being offered at a nontraditional time. We hope to implement classes, either an eighth period type thing or morning or night or even Saturday morning, primarily focusing on those courses that would be of

AP Classes

Vocational Classes

design, ROTC, yearbook, newspaper,” Lundquist said.

Seminole County, along with OHS, is still in the process of fully implementing ePathways.

“The problem [is] making it attractive so that you want to get out of the traditional day. We asked some teachers last year to go out and ask about nontraditional classes. One of the reasons is there are so many students who have commitment after

FLVS

o’clock [a.m] comes around too soon. So to

would be allowed to take some virtual school classes in place of regular periods.

Seminole County Public Schools is facing more competition than ever. Your parents have chosen Seminole County Publics Schools. They could’ve chosen a private school, a charter school, home

The potential of scheduling classes like college courses interests AP Art History teacher Didi Gibbs.

Different options expand student opportunities throughtout high school

[Another] problem is transportation—around half of the students are not of driving age yet,” Lundquist said. scheduling will come to OHS. “We have put the word out there to all teachers to submit ideas, so that once we have ideas, we can put the process right now of doing that. The variables and potential of ePathways [are] enormous,” Lundquist said.

rachell@thelionstale.com

NOVEMBER 12, 2012 | advertisements | THE LION’S TALE 05

(opinion sports ) Time to look at OUR WORD MERIT PAY

06 THE LION’S TALE

| NOVEMBER 12, 2012

“The only medicine for suf fering, crime, and all the other woes of ma nkind, is wisdom.”

- Thomas Huxley

Change evaluations to include after hours instruction

S

tudents arrive into classrooms, laughing loudly and talking brazenly. Their discussions end abruptly, however, when they notice an administrator sitting in the back of the classroom, iPad in hand, glancing critically around the room.

In May of 2012, the Marzano-based teacher evaluation system was implemented into all Florida schools. The CEO of Marzano Research Laboratory, Robert Marzano, created the Marzano Teacher Evaluation, a program designed to evaluate how teachers run classrooms and to help teachers develop into highly effective instructors plus increase student learning.

Administrators observe classrooms for one period and are expected to know everything about that teacher and how their students will turn out at the end of the year. In 2014, the evaluation teachers receive based on the Marzano system is expected to translate into merit pay for teachers.

We at the Lion’s Tale believe that the present Marzano evaluation system cannot uniformly measure a teacher’s worth.

For starters, teachers cannot be judged solely on one period.

Teachers have bad days, just like everyone else, and 50 minutes cannot accurately measure their entire teaching year.

In these 50 minutes, administrators pull out their iPads and evaluate teachers based on a scale called the Marzano Teacher Evaluation Scale. This program, made up of a set of 41 scales, provides a description of the strategies and behaviors expected in the classroom. These include providing clear learning goals and tracking and celebrating success, which place all the emphasis of teaching in the classroom only.

The evaluation system does not take into account the many after school hours some teachers put into student instruction and we believe that a lot of learning occurs after the bells rings at 2:20.

For example, the Marching Lion Band spends an average of 10 hours after school a week between practices, games, and competitions. Needless to say, band director Dennis Line spends more time at school preparing for these extra activities and even

more time executing those plans with students on John Courier Field and in the band room.

That instruction time deserves attention and possible rewards.

If the Marzano evaluation correlates with teacher salary, there needs to be an evaluative category for teachers who produce plays, direct the band, or put on dance performances, to name a few.

Essentially, the Marzano system does not allow for an evaluation category based on time spent after the regular school day.

We suggest that those teachers be allowed to submit portfolio evidence of their after school activities and the accomplishments related to those activities and that that portfolio be considered when awarding merit pay to teachers.

Basically, the evaluation system needs to be altered to acknowledge the many hours teachers spend after school and the tremendous success extracurricular teachers achieve. activities after school connect more solidly with the educational process and are more likely to graduate. changes, teachers will have little incentive to continue dedicating themselves to after hours practices or performances.

If Saturday after Saturday and night after night, a teacher works with students only to see merit pay based on test scores and a one-time classroom observation, he could wonder why he should continue working so hard.

The eventual losers in this equation are the students.

The Marzano Teacher Evaluations may be ideal for the cookie cutter classroom, but it can’t be applied to every situation.

Maybe it’ll work for elementary schools that have fewer after school clubs, but the standard Marzano evaluation at the high school level does not now even acknowledge instruction outside the tradition school day.

The Lion’s Tale believes this has to change.

LION’STALE OVIEDO HIGH SCHOOL

Editor-In-Chief Rachel Lo News Editor Katie Day

Opinion Editor Cloe-Marie Mora Features Editor Sarah Tripp Diversions Editor Trevor Khan Sports Editor Andy Bosley Advertising Editor Drake Dickerson Web Editors Justin Mang Alexis Sherwood Jessi Whitacre

Photo Editor Allison Owen Photographers Rochelle Gaertner Alexx Hartdegen Staff Artists Suzanne Gaertner Wesley Wynne Staff Reporters Harry Allen Leah Bagwell Aaron Cheddie Keith Clowney Jyllian Hancock Sienna Marshall

Lauren May Ellen McCormack Chris Moskal Tanner Mowery Laura Purdy Clara Shine Keenan Smith Carlos Suarez Lyndsey Taylor Hannah Thigpen Alex White Faculty Adviser Deb Jepson

illustration/SUZANNE GAERTNER

OPINION? room 05-020 or via email to the writers of the stories check out our new website www.thelionstale.com Scan this QR code on your mobile device to go directly to the online website ISSUE 2

Admin Adviser Drew Morgan Principal Robert Lundquist Oviedo High School

Population:

Mission Statement

Distribution

Advertising Policy

The Lion’s Tale is the student newspaper of Oviedo High School, located in Oviedo, Florida. Our mission is to provide news, feature stories, editorials and opinions relevant to our readers while upholding the highest professional and ethical standards. The Lion’s Tale follows copy standards outlined in the Associated Press Stylebook, 42nd Edition, published in 2007 by the Associated Press, and is a member of the CSPA, NSPA, and FSPA.

2500 copies of The Lion’s Tale are distributed free to all students and staff at Oviedo High School.

Subscriber information is available upon request.

The Lion’s Tale reserves the right to refuse advertisements. The full advertising policy of The Lion’s

Reader Contributions

Online

Letters to the Editor are accepted and may be sent by post, e-mail, or dropped off in Room 5-020. The Lion’s Tale does not accept guest columns, and reserves the right to edit letters to the Editor. Full policy is available on request.

The Lion’s Tale is accessible at thelionstale.com.

is available upon request.

The views of the staff do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, staff, or faculty of Oviedo High School.

NOVEMBER 12, 2012 | opinion | THE LION’S TALE 07

Stand out or stand down CLOE MORA

R

OPINION EDITOR

ecently, my sister and I got into a little argument; nothing much, just a bit of a spat, really.

She claimed that because I hated geometry, and she liked it and was good at it, she was left-brained and I was right-brained. (I’m just guessing the sides; I can’t remember which was which.)

My refute was that in my AP Psychology class, we had taken part in a self-testing activity showing that actually the majority of the class was right-brained and only I and two others in the class were left-brained. (Again, just guessing. All I can remember is that it was the opposite of what my sister stated.)

My sister then proudly countered that most of her friends hated geometry and she was the only one who liked it, and that therefore meant that I was “right-brained” like everyone else and she was “left-brained,” making her different from the majority.

It got me thinking, because situations such as this one crop up fairly often and I always come to the same conclusion- people are just dying to be special, unique, different; to stand out of the crowd in a good way, a way that will grant them positive attention (or just any attention, really).

And I think this is because we as humans constantly are longing to be longed for. We all have a deep, practically subconscious desire to be noticed and to be cared about. We want to matter.

We have a need inside of us for someone, anyone, to think that we are special.

I suppose this is all a bit deep, considering it sprouted from an argument about geometry…

But if you think about it, and are truly honest with yourself, I think you’ll see what I mean.

First contention (debate class for the win!)- from loners to teacher’s pets to the social butterflies, from the favored to the least favored sibling, from the hardest worker to the person who is the definition of laziness, we all are trying to be even just the slightest bit different.

Sometimes we go about it all wrong. We try to be different by being the same “different” that lands other people attention (for example: dying hair, dressing “hipster,” and so on and so forth).

Thus we lose any plausibility in our so-called ‘originality’. Other times, we resort to things that are just weird, such as people who share enthralling details of their grand lives such as “I’ve broken my leg three times!” or “My hair (It’s

natural, I swear) is like the most unique shade of black that I’ve ever seen!” and other strange… anomalies.

Please don’t misunderstand me. It’s great that you’re different and special, but don’t shove it down your poor friends’ gullets.

I’m willing to bet at least a handful of you are thinking that you couldn’t care less about what other people think, and that you’re indifferent to the opinions of others, et cetera. That’s not true.

It’s in our nature, woven into the very fabric of our being, to need the attention of others, to at least be noticed. It’s truly unnatural for humans to be otherwise.

Others of you may be in a different area of De Nile, believing that the attention-grabbing schemes are legitimate situations. And that’s fine.

I just feel that maybe we should just take a step back and evaluate what we’re doing, because to be honest, at times our attempts to branch out simply make us look ridiculous.

I suppose what I am getting at is that we should all be a little more patient with others and a little less wrapped up in our selves. That’s what it boils down to, really.

If we paid just a little more attention to others and found time to care, then maybe we all wouldn’t be so weird about getting other peoples’ attention, and our seemingly insatiable need to be needed might not be so bad.

cloem@thelionstale.com

Columnist disgusted by lack of clothing

I

go out and break dress code in the most ridiculous ways possible.

While I did enjoy the ideas created for the homecoming spirit days, I don’t enjoy the lack of creativity (or clothes) that some displayed.

For the most part, twin day and tacky tourist day were pretty clean, but oddly enough the cruise

FEATURES EDITOR

Facebook friends say nothing about who you are

I

have 332 “friends” on Facebook. What are the instant conclusions that you draw about my personality? Is it that I must be a loser because I have less than a thousand friends on Facebook? Or is it that I never go on Facebook so I must be an anti-social freak?

Actually, the real reason is that I go through my friend list every once and a while and delete the people I don’t like or haven’t talked to in years. (No offense to anybody who I’ve deleted. We’ve obviously went our separate ways.)

But what really does the amount of “friends” you have, or the amount of “likes” you get on your status, or even the amount of followers you have on Tumblr really say about a person?

Nothing. It says nothing. We’re so engrossed in other people’s lives that pictures of what the blonde chick in your English class had for dinner. I have a feeling that all of this nonsense is distorting our view of real friendship.

Real friends are the ones who stick with you though the thick and thin, and even when you’re in a bad mood and there for you in the end. (Cliché, I know.

But it’s true.)

Because I’m in band, I spend a lot of time with some of my closest friends. Band class every day, six hours of rehearsal time

TREVOR KHAN DIVERSIONS EDITOR

should just start to bring a blanket to school, not to keep myself warm but to cover up some of the girls of our school.

Typically, I don’t even notice a dress code violation. But, when homecoming spirit week rolled around, my eyes were sadly drawn to all things that shouldn’t be seen on a regular basis.

I can remember the days when all a girl had to do to get a guy’s attention was have the 64 pack of Crayola crayons (preferably with the built-in sharpener), but instead, now it’s parading around in the saddest scraps of clothes found in the $2 bin at Goodwill.

I don’t understand this total need to wear strapless tops or shorts so short it looks like you’ve

SARAH TRIPP

photo illustration/ROCHELLE GAERTNER

COVERING UP. Senior Trevor Khan wraps senior Katie Day in a blanket. day and sailor day were not.

Come Wednesday morning, many senior girls enough fabric”. jumped into skimpy skirts, tight half- shirts and Even back in the ‘90’s, women resorted to the plopped some circular, black mouse ears on their least amount necessary for the camera. Just look at head and called themselves Disney characters. I’m the way Christina Applegate dressed on the sitcom sorry, but I certainly remember Minnie Mouse as “Married With Children”, in literally everything being, I don’t know, a children’s character?

Is it so hard for you to just keep it all under of the trend and moved on to actual clothing. wraps for a little while? I know that some of your Two of the main parts about this trampy new trend forming nation-wide that I’m just so annoyed down a risqué path, but I don’t think it’s necessary by is the lack of respect: the respect of the students to follow in the footsteps of women who can’t for themselves and the respect of the parents who even handle the task of fully dressing themselves. actually encourage their young girls to go out and It’s upsetting to watch a woman be ranked in social status by their more inappropriate actions.

Of course parents, I’m not saying it’s I think there is just a secret temptress necessary to wrap your daughters in Eskimo competition that is going on somewhere, because clothes every morning. I do understand that it’s Florida and we’re generally A hot state.

It doesn’t help that we’re surrounded by However, what’s not so hot is the behavior advertisements featuring Kim Kardashian, Nicki being displayed by the teens of our small town.

Minaj or Snooki. We should just compile a list of trevork@thelionstale.com

football games, ten hours on Saturdays for competitions. Needless to say, I’ve gotten to know them pretty well.

I can safely say that they are true friends. They have seen me at some of my lowest points, and at some of my highest points, and we share a lot of great memories, and not so great memories. I know that they’ll always be there for me when I need them because I can trust that they won’t abandon me. There’s no reason to spend my time stressing about impressing them because they’ve already seen what I look like at 3 a.m. after spending 20 hours with them at state competition.

The moment when you have to think about impressing your friends, you have to step back and reevaluate your friendship and your priorities. If they were really your friends, they would accept you for simply who you are.

saraht@thelionstale.com

08

THE LION’S TALE

ALEXX HARTDEGEN

| opinion | NOVEMBER 12, 2012

PHOTOGRAPHER

I dream of BBQ ribs

A

s long as I can remember, meat has always been a rather hefty of my diet.

Breakfast consisted of sausage and

and dinner was mainly burgers and ribs. appealing to my appetite.

One day, while I was waiting for lunch at a friend’s house, I learned of a strange new concept: vegetarianism. Her mom presented her a plate entirely lacking in meat.

She explained she was going to become a vegetarian, which meant that she wouldn’t eat My eight-year old brain couldn’t fathom the thought of giving up the most heavenlytasting substance known to man. I thought she had completely lost it. There was no way was I going to allow someone I cared about to throw away something so amazing. I harshly argued against her decision.

Eventually our bickering ended in a bet to see if I could make it at least two months without eating meat. Challenge accepted.

My fridge was soon stocked with vegetarian food products.

Long story short, I didn’t even last a full month. While veggie ribs were quite yummy, they weren’t at all satisfying. Smoked BBQ ribs were my downfall.

Over the years now, many people have decided to become a vegetarian and that’s okay with me. It’s their choice, but what really bothers me is the looks I get from random people when I whip out a hamburger or a meatloaf. Personally, I think tofu is disgusting, as are most veggie based products, but I don’t evil eye those that consume them.

Even more annoying than the angry sneers I get from some vegetarians are the lectures that follow. Yes, I understand farmers kill the animals to make the meat. Yes, I am aware that the animals are locked up in crates. No, I don’t support animal abuse. No, nothing is wrong with me. Now, let me enjoy my food in peace.

I believe in eating whatever I please, and I believe in meat. I also believe in being able to eat freely without any hassle or angry stares from vegetarians. It’s not that I have anything against them, but vegetarianism just isn’t my lifestyle.

While my friends are dining on delicacies of salads and tofu products, I can proudly hold up my hamburger and say “Carnivore and proud!”

alexh@thelionstale.com

JUST ROLL AWAY. Senior Tanner Mowery prepares to throw a rolly backpack off of a balcony, a symbol of his boiling fury.

photo illustration/ROCHELLE GAERTNER

I SEE THEM ROLLIN’...I HATIN’

Columnist spouts frustration over rolly backpacks

TANNER MOWERY

T

STAFF REPORTER

hey’re large.

They’re dangerous.

They have wheels.

Say hello, my friends, to the wheeled backpack.

Many may know this seemingly complex and fairly rare specimen by another name.

Perhaps you and your friends, while in casual conversation, refer to it as a rolly or a wheely backpack – both of which are appropriate due to its… well, appearance. I, however, very adamantly call them an extremely large and unneeded pain in my I-can’t-say-that.

Why? That’s all I want to know. In all of my years at Oviedo, I’ve had the blessing of only running into a few of these horrid creatures (all of those occurrences, by the way, ending in either severe bruising or chipped teeth,)

but for some reason, this year, I see them everywhere.

And I mean everywhere.

When walking to class, in the Commons, under my desk and in my locker. I honestly don’t know where they’re coming from.

There must have been a sale at Target over the summer that I missed or something.

90% off all wheeled backpacks. Seriously, take them. Please.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to put anyone on blast here. If you have reason to have a backpack-mobile, then this doesn’t really concern you.

I understand that some people have problems with their backs and spines and stuff, and not having to carry a large pack on their back really helps them with that. Or doesn’t make the problem any worse, at least.

But it’s the ones that have no real reason – no true cause to their unending madness – that irk me. I don’t know what it is about them that make me want to vomit so badly.

Perhaps it’s the way they get dragged up the stairs, viscously jabbing their elbows into each innocent concrete step as they slowly go up. Or maybe it’s the way they try to casually stroll through the uncut grass and dirt, as if they were made for that.

And by the way, they weren’t.

Oddly enough, when I was younger (probably nine or ten years old,) I wanted a wheeled backpack. Really badly, actually.

So badly that I saved up all my money from Christmas or Hanukkah or my birthday or something and bought one from Sports Authority.

We were the best of friends for a while, there. We went to each class together, humming as we walked through the hallways.

I was never rude about it, either.

I kept him at a very close distance to me, unlike some people. In fact, he was so close, that other people didn’t even realize that he had wheels.

They probably just thought I had tied him around my waist or something with those cool Velcro straps (that’s a whole other story.)

But then he died.

I don’t remember when it happened exactly, or what order the wheels fell off in, but it happened. And so I moved on back to backpacks with straps. I guess I never really got over his death.

Maybe that’s why I hate wheeled backpacks so much.

Probably not.

tannerm@thelionstale.com

NOVEMBER 12, 2012 | opinion | THE LION’S TALE 09

THE GREAT DEBATE:

PRO CLOE-MARIE MORA

OPINION EDITOR

Foreign language may be tedious but rewarding

A

s some of you may know, it is suggested for students to take two years of a foreign language in high school. This suggestion is something of a hassle for many students, to say the least. However, whether they like it or not, taking the elective really does teach students at least some of the language, and it is imperative that American students learn more than just the English language.

According to a2huron.org, only 7% of the world’s people speak English as their native language but 90% of all Americans cannot understand any language other than English. Clearly, English is not all we need to know—we need to be able to understand and be understood on a broader scale.

The best way to learn another language, according to Gregorio then repeating and speaking the language. Having taken both Spanish and French in high school, I have sat through many a class where the teacher states a phrase over and over, and the students repeat back the phrase over and over. Tedious though it may seem, it is the most effective way to learn another language.

Contrary to popular belief, the suggested two years are not students’ spare class periods. There’s actually a reason behind these “ridiculous” standards.

Two years may seem like a long time to students, or it may seem very short indeed. It all depends on the point of view—for most colleges and businesses, two years are nothing more than a weekend in the course of a lifetime. For students like you and me, this means that we are going to have to try a little harder to impress the college The language requirements in school are a pain, I’ll admit. In the long run, however, it truly pays off. Myriads of people have reaped

Should foreign languages be required to get into a college or university?

Oui, je pense que les langues étran gères devraient êtr e tenus.

CON KEENAN SMITH

STAFF REPORTER

Foreign language classes unnecessary to students

I

believe that colleges should not require two and three years of a foreign language in high school because it is an unnecessary As a student of Spanish I, II, and currently III, I have spent

spend so much time focused on something that seems to yield little

s e Y % 31

69%

No

of honors and AP courses.

Is it even possible to learn a foreign language in the short years of high school? What’s the use?

According to Dr. Stephen Krashen, professor emeritus of linguistics at the University of Southern California, who has developed the Monitor model, language competence is only advanced when language is subconsciously acquired and that conscious learning cannot be used as a source of spontaneous language production. Basically, if a foreign language is to be learned effectively, incessant drilling, chanting and memorizing is not the way to do so.

When students leave a foreign language classroom after only 48 minutes a day, they are not likely to think about what they have learned until they rush through homework in the bleary hours of cessity, and through constant use and the short amount of time most high school students spending zooming through material is simply not enough to learn a language.

There’s a better way to learn a foreign language that doesn’t involve the classroom. Studying abroad and being around people who This is why some Europeans know multiple languages. Not because to other foreign language-speaking countries.

One class period a day is simply not enough time for students to really soak in the language. Students that learn a foreign language

able to understand and somewhat speak more than one language, the probability of landing the job skyrockets. This is because being somewhat able to speak and understand more than one language

language because there are relatively few multi lingual speakers in the US. Take a language such as French. According to www.cia.gov, only .49 percent of people in America speak French as a language at

applicants.

the speaker to put their language into practical use would be slim.

Furthermore, learning a high school foreign language class is not as valuable as other course options. One of the reasons we moved to seven period days was to accommodate more electives. If students were not required to take a foreign language, more time could be devoted to core or vocational classes.

merits, and bilingualism is a very important one. If students can speak and understand even rudimentary bits of another language, they can be sent to study abroad with greater ease. It makes a very good impression to be able to claim knowledge of another language.

On another scale, learning another language in school is helpful for the not-so-near future as well. In this constantly modernizing and fast-paced world, people are travelling more and more, both in and out of the country. Learning another language is a tremendous help when desperately inquiring to the natives, “Which way to le toilet please?”

No m que o e gusta! N o ser r tro idiom creo equir a ten id g la un iver s o para e a que idad. ntrar a

umpteenth time listening to your teacher drone on and on may seem monotonous and pointless. However, you truly are learning, and it you throughout your life, without a doubt.

cloem@thelionstale.com

Poll taken November 8, 2012 out of 100 students

multi-level course that provides knowledge in an assortment of job markets, like biochemistry, forensic science and pharmacy—jobs that will be in demand in the near future. In contrast, foreign languages provide limited job opportunities, besides some translation positions; with the rise in programs like Google Translate and voice recognition software, even these jobs are losing their usefulness. learning one in high school outweigh the pros. The time and effort put into striving for these requirements are unfruitful and I hope to see their removal.

keenans@thelionstale.com

10

THE LION’S TALE

| advertisments | NOVEMBER 12, 2012

(features sports )

|

11

Planning a Prom

by Alex White

Support the

T

o her classmates, senior Natalie Hudson is an ordinary student, but to her special needs students she’s a friendly caretaker and helping hand. Hudson is creating a prom for special needs students.

“I volunteer a lot with the special needs, and I love dancing, and so the students invited me to a dance. I work with a girl Allison, and she is probably the inspiration to my project.

We have ASL together and she has special needs and she always talks about how every month, there is a dance on Friday night,” Hudson said.

According to ciccparenting.org, children with special needs may have autism, Down syndrome, emotional disturbance, epilepsy, or learning disabilities.

Hearing Allison talk about her dance, Hudson decided to create one of her own because she knew that the kids would enjoy it. She wants to make this prom as similar to a traditional prom as possible.

“It will be fancy and decorated. They are going to be dressed nice, because their dances are usually casual.” Hudson said.

Hudson received help from ESE teacher Johnna Denny, the sponsor for the Junior Optimist Club.

“This is a new club on campus that helps students with disabilities. The regular students buddy up with them and together they plan and organize events with the students,” Denny said.

Denny thought that the prom was a great idea for a senior project, and so she and the Junior Optimists wanted to help.

“We’ve coordinated different committees for [Hudson] to get volunteers. We have a decorations committee, an invitations committee, and a committee that’s collecting dresses and formal wear. I will also be helping her get some food venders for the catering,” Denny said.

Denny wants the special needs students to experience what all the other students do while they’re in high school.

“I will benefit from them enjoying themselves and having a great time,” Denny said.

Two Facebook pages were made to get people involved and informed about the prom. The Night of Excellence Prom page explains everything people in the community need to know to get involved with donations, decorations, and other important aspects of the prom.

:

:

:

SHOW IT OFF. Senior Natalie Hudson displays her collection of donations for the special needs prom.

“This page is to organize everything 24 hours, there were 1600 likes and over 50 because people want to help and I want to tell people were talking to me in the area. Places them how they can help in an easy way. I’m like Winter Springs, Winter Park, Casselberry, going to tell everyone the ways they can help and around Lake Howell, people want to on my Facebook page,” Hudson said. donate things,“ Hudson said.

There is also a prom dress drive Facebook Hudson has had the prom idea since page. the end of summer. It started to take action “The prom dress drive goes with the Night a couple of months ago and will happen of Excellence. It’s on December 14th at Riverside from 7 p.m. to collect dresses so to 9 p.m. As the prom I can donate them nears, Hudson wonders for my project,” about the possible Hudson said. reactions of the special Hudson is trying needs students. to get as many Natalie Hudson, ‘13 “At first I was donations as she can really nervous. I didn’t to make the prom know what they would free of charge for think about it. After the students.

“People are also donating gifts for the going to the dances, I knew that they would have so much fun. I’ve talked to their parents raffle we are going to have,” Hudson said.

Hudson decided she would try to get Ellen already when I went to their dances, and DeGeneres to come and experience the prom they’re totally supportive. It’s just going to be for herself. She then posted a message on a great time and I’m hoping they’re just going to love it,” Hudson said.

Ellen’s Facebook page hoping to get noticed.

Out of all the students she works with, “Even if Ellen never replies, and I don’t think she will, so many people from my Hudson feels closest to Allison.

“She’s the one that told me about how comment on her page have been helping. In

“

”

much she loves the dances. She’s just great.

All of them are so accepting and I feel like they’re all my best friends. I just love every one of them and they don’t judge,” Hudson said.

At first, Hudson felt overwhelmed with the amount of planning and preparation needed to make the prom a success.

“I realized how many people want to help and how I can divvy [the work] out to everybody. It’s changing other people too, not just the students that are going to be at the prom. It’s helping other people and giving them opportunities to help. I’m going to feel really good when it goes into action and everyone’s going to love it,” Hudson said.

Hudson feels like it is not very common to see many people wanting to help with special needs kids and this prom will be giving them a chance to be around people that will interact with them.

“Our prom is a different scene and [the special needs kids] are all going to be together.

It’s going to be a great time for them to all feel welcome and together with their friends and everyone they know,” Hudson said.

alexw@thelionstale.com

12

THE LION’S TALE

| features | NOVEMBER 12, 2012

THE RISE OF

Increasing interest in American Sign Language drives rise in enrollment

all photos/OWEN, HARTDEGEN

by Sienna Marshall

T

he silence is deafening. So much can be

Rising numbers

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The circle moves one

I think American Sign Language is really fun because it’s a unique skill and it’s different from all other languages at OHS because you don’t use your voice.

Jennifer Persampiere, ‘16

”

“

photo/ROCHELLE GAERTNER

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER. Sophomores Lauren Kellis and Brooke Roberson silently converse through American Sign Language.

The rising number of

Learn the

LANGUAGE

A

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Unique skills

Bingham said.

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siennam@thelionstale.com

NOVEMBER 12, 2012 | features | THE LION’S TALE 13

The Right

Yourself to be

Teens come out to family and friends

illustration/WESLEY WYNNE

by Jyllian Hancock

tell her again,” Kent said. enior Kyle Borden looks down at the ground Kent’s family still doesn’t know that she is a and laughs as he recalls the time his parents lesbian, but she has been in a relationship with a girl found out that he was gay. for about four months. “[My boyfriend] and I were sitting in a car with “[My girlfriend] still comes over and stays the the engine off. A cop comes up and knocks on the night and hangs out. My mom just thinks that she is window and questions what we’re doing. So, I told like my best friend,” Kent said. him it was my boyfriend. When they drove me While Kent’s family doesn’t know that she is a home, they sort of told my mom that I was gay,” lesbian, all her friends do. She has been out to her Borden said. friends for three years.

Borden’s mom was, “When I turn 18, I The only people I felt judged to his surprise, okay with plan on telling my mom by were ignorant jocks. the fact that he was in a again. At that point she Kyle Borden, ‘13 relationship with another can’t really get mad or male, as were his friends. anything. I can legally do “All my friends were really okay with it. The whatever I want,” Kent said. only people I felt judged by were ignorant jocks.

Some of Kent’s female friends were shocked Other than that I didn’t really care what people when she came out. thought,” Borden said.

“Some of those girls were like ‘Ew, you’re gay.’

Although Borden’s friends and family supported They got all freaked out and thought me coming out his homosexuality, not all parents accept their child to them was me saying that I had some sort of crush being gay. Sophomore Samantha Kent* had a on them,” Kent said. different experience from Borden’s when she came While there are lesbians and gays, some out. people, like senior Hannah Biemiller, are bisexual.

“I told my mom a while ago that I was a lesbian. Bisexuality is when you are attracted to both genders.

I didn’t think she would act the way she did. She got “I still like guys. I’m just more attracted and mad and kind of didn’t accept it. So, a few weeks later I told her that I wasn’t,” Kent said when I was 13 and I was with her on and off for Kent came out to her mom because she didn’t about six years,” Biemiller said. want to hide such a largeand important part of her Biemiller’s friends and parents were initially life. shocked when she told them that she was bisexual.

“When my mom got mad, I had no choice but “My friends were surprised, actually. I always to take it back and keep it a secret. I don’t regret dressed really girly and always did my makeup coming out but I think I should wait until I’m 18 to and when I came out, they never even expected it. I

S

“

”

never exactly told my mom. At the time, my parents would just pick up my phone and go through my texts whenever they wanted. I happened to be talking about how some girl was hot. They were mad, but they never really approached me about it again,” Biemiller said.

Biemiller’s parents now know that she is dating a girl, who she has been with for almost a year.

“I told them and they just had to deal with it. They don’t talk about it really. They know and that’s all that matters,” Biemiller said.

Biemiller questioned her bisexuality for a few months.

“I found my friend hot and I was confused by it. I told my other friend and she was telling me I was bisexual,” Biemiller said.

Borden, on the other hand, knew he was gay

How many people in Florida support gay marriage?

YES 43%

“It was actually pretty awkward. I met him in anime club, of all places. He came up to me and introduced himself by signing his name. I thought it was weird but really cute and I just knew right then that I was gay,” Borden said.

Borden urges gays, lesbians, or bisexuals to come out, no matter what others may think.

“Regardless of if your friends and family will accept it or not, be yourself. If they truly care, they will get over it,” Borden said. *Name withheld

jyllianh@thelionstale.com

UNSURE

10%

NO 47% info/COURTESY OF DOMESTICPARTNERSHIPFLORIDA.COM

STEM

| news | NOVEMBER 12, 2012

1

9 7 72 3 6 4 1

8

8

STEM is a government program designed to teach the next generation of America about the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. STEM prepares students for successful careers in our ----,technology-dependent society. STEM is a --culmination of math and science, an

Degree of Education

6

Av

5

5

2

THE LION’S TALE

4

14

of the parts.”

Bioscience program

by Rachel Lo

Top STEM jobs by base salary

Health specialties teacher $85,270

teaches courses in dentistry, medicine, therapy, etc.

Environmental engineer

$78,740

engineers processes to better the environment

Medical scientist

$76,700

studies and diagnoses disease

$77,560

Civil engineer

designs and maintains roads, bridges, and other large-scale structures

$75,660

Computer network architect

designs complete framework of an organization’s network info/COURTESY OF CDE.CA.GOV

S

enior Jarred Budnovich prepares to do ge electrophoresis, using a 1000 micro-lite pipet and an electrophoresis chambe tools that he is already well-acquainted wit thanks to his three years of experience in OHS’ Bioscience Program of Emphasis. “[The bioscience program] gives student an in-depth look at basically biological science that have to do with technology. You get hands on with the labs, and I learn easier that way, Senior Jarred Budnovich said.

The Bioscience program started in the 2010 2011 school year. Chemistry teacher Kath Savage, biology teacher PJ Kreahling, an chemistry teacher Amy Demins teach cours levels I, II, and III of the program, respectively

somebody else on the board wanted to hav some sort of bioscience program at a schoo They actually approached Oviedo High Schoo because of our location. We’re close to the 417 to get to Lake Nona, we’re close to Hagerty, clos to UCF, and Hagerty is starting a modeling an simulation program. We didn’t have a program

teachers, they wanted somebody who was eithe biology or chemistry,” Kreahling said.

To fund the program, OHS received a $75,00 loan from the school board and a $100,000 gran from the state. The money is mainly used to bu technology and supplies for the bioscience lab such as pipets, electrophoresis chambers, PCR

When the bioscience teachers ordered a ge doc for the lab, they came in contact with D Robert Borgon, a professor at the UCF Burnet School of Biomedical Sciences.

“It’s really funny because the gel doc tha we had, they were getting the same one a UCF and the guy that actually installed it a UCF was talking to [Dr. Borgon] about Ovied

NOVEMBER 12, 2012 | news | THE LION’S TALE 15

verage salaries of STEM versus non-STEM jobs based on level of education

High School Diploma or less

STEM Non-STEM

$24.82 $15.55

Some College or Associates’ degree

$26.63 $19.02 $35.81

Bachelor’s Deg ree

$28.27 $40.69 $36.22

Graduate’s Degree

0

10

20

30

40

50

Average Hourly Earnings info/COURTESY OF ESA.DOC.GOV

Summer STEM programs to attend Program: Student Science Training Program (SSTP) Where: University of Florida How long: 7 weeks For who: Rising juniors and seniors Cost: $3,500 (partial to full scholarships available) Program highlights: Work on a lab experiment with a UF professor to write a research paper photo/COURTESY OF CPET Hour lectures four times a week from different UF science professors UNDER THE MICROSCOPE. Senior Rachel Seminars twice a week on on a science experiment with Dr. Marta Wayne studying students’ choice of topic (e.g. cancer, received a full scholarship to SSTP in 2012 with the help plasma materials, environmental of bioscience teacher Amy Demins. issues) Receive two dual enrollment credits Stay in UF dorms with two to three roommates Go to for more information

m provides opportunities for STEM careers

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High School, who recently just got the same equipment. And [Dr. Borgon] was so impressed that that was going to be in a high school,

upcoming careers in those departments, whether it’d be biomedical engineering or just laboratory jobs. I would like to go into biomedical engineering or some sort of environmental or chemical engineering, and I think that the class has given me a better look on what that might be like,” Svetics said.

According to Kreahling, the bioscience classes prepare students for careers in a STEM

he actually emailed me. He offered to help us, and we took him up on that offer. He’s helped us with a lot of things,” Kreahling said.

In May of 2012, students of the Bioscience Club went to UCF for a lab taught by Dr. Borgon.

“He appreciates the school’s Bioscience most high school students don’t normally program because he knows that our kids would receive. eventually go to UCF at the Burnett School.

“Obviously, bioscience is in the science So [Dr. Borgon] wants to expose kids to his program by helping us with our program,” with calculations, and a lot of the technology.

Kreahling said.

It’s top-notch technology that they’re going to Budnovich be using in bioscience believes that Bioscience class and There are a lot of upcoming university level. So club gives students [students of the program] careers in those depar tments, are being exposed opportunities normal science classes, such whether it’d be biomedical to the technology. as biology, don’t engineering or just laboratory They’re required to do have. calculations as far as jobs.

“Those labs determining solutions at UCF gave us a and concentrations, Christian Svetics, ‘13 college view on how and then of course the labs work there, what their laboratories the DNA and protein look like and how procedures work in college. technology,” Kreahling said.

It was a very educational opportunity. And Svetics encourages other students to join the program. and it should be just like UCF, if not better,” Budnovich said.

Senior Christian Svetics, one of 13 of Bioscience III], not a lot of kids entered it, students of Bioscience III, also appreciates the and I feel like the more kids that enter into the Bioscience program. program, the more we can expand upon the “I like how it gives us a chance to get [a program and get more funding and it would be feel of] in-depth careers in biotechnology and even better,” Svetics said. biological sciences today. There are a lot of rachell@thelionstale.com

“

”

Program: National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine Where: John Hopkins University, University of Maryland, Howard University How long: 2 and a half weeks For who: High school students Cost: $5,000 Program highlights: Meet esteemed scientists, such as Dr. Hameed Kahn, founder of the Human Genome Project Participate in gross anatomy labs and autopsies Attend medical school classes and talk to medical doctors Work in simulation labs (e.g. look in ears, deliver babies, etc.) to diagnose patients Receive three dual enrollment credits Learn more about science and the

.

photo/COURTESY OF CIARA NOWAK

SAVE A LIFE.

Senior Ciara Nowak inserts a theistic tube into a dummy patient to attach a ventilator or a “bag” in order to help the patient breath. Nowak attended the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine during the summers of her junior and senior year.

. . . . .

Go to nylf.org for more information

Program: Engineering Innovation Where: John Hopkins University How long: 1 month For who: High school students Cost: $4,000 Program highlights: Run material tests on lab equipment, like tensile strength and Euler buckling load Find solutions to ethical and marketing problems Attend engineering courses and work with other highly dedicated students Create small-scale versions of reallife engineering feats Receive three dual enrollment credits

. . . . .

Go to

photo/COURTESY OF PRANSHU BHARDWAJ

I’M WITH THE BANNER.

Junior Pranshu Bhardwaj attended the Engineering Innovation program.

for more information

16

THE LION’S TALE

NOVEMBER 12, 2012

Junior invents pediatric footwear to help diabetic patients

by Ellen McCormack

J

unior Dylan Miller fixates his attention on perfecting the design as he and his father strive to create a mechanism to transform the lives of victims with diabetes and foot complications. In October of 2011, Miller worked 48 hours nonstop to perfect the idea that originated with his father, a device that relieves pain caused by diabetes and other foot complications by decreasing the pressure on the foot.

“My dad’s inspiration for the device was from a lady he knew with an ulcer on her foot, which is very hard to relieve pain from,” Miller said.

Miller’s father maintains a family business that creates orthotic and prosthetic appliances to aid people with diabetes and foot problems.

“He went to school for orthotics and prosthetics and with the help of the doctor he works with they were able to invent it to relieve pain,” Miller said.

Miller’s brother and cousin work with Miller at his dad’s practice. Miller has a part-time job building the device for his father.

“I work depending on when we’re busy. Sometimes we [my brother, my cousin, and I] work and sometimes we won’t.

I usually work after school and sometimes on the weekend,” Miller said.

Miller carves the basic shape of his device which is covered in an

According to Miller, the mechanism designed by Miller’s father is similar in appearance to a walking cast. The device is composed of AliPlast and Trilam, materials used for padding and cushioning, and plastic. The price of the device ranges anywhere between $400 and $1000, depending on the material used.

“The device comes up a little above the ankle. The front and heel of the device is open so there is no pressure on it,” Miller said.

The actual construction requires several complex steps.

“First you have to cast the patient. Then you pour the cast using modifying clay. Then you sculpt it into looking exactly like the leg. Then you use AliPlast and Trilam,” Miller said.

“Then you heat up plastic and place it over the mold which makes the brace. Then you shape it up and put the straps on it.”

The benefit of using this mechanism over similar ones is its ability for the wound to heal quicker, enabling patients to walk better.

“The air pocket on the device keeps everything from touching the ulcer on the leg or the foot. The device has comfortable padding-like orthotics. The pain can also come from foot-related diseases. The device is mostly for older

Miller slices open the heel of the device. This is done so there is no pressure placed on it.

all photos/ROCHELLE GAERTENER

Dylan Miller cuts a piece for his prosthetic leg.

people,” Miller said.

Inventing such a complex and efficient device was a challenging process for Miller.

“The hardest part was trying to find a way to relieve the pain on the heel. It [the device] alleviates the pain by not letting anything touch the heel, so the ulcer is able to get better every time you walk,” Miller said.

After he completed inventing and building the device, Miller felt driven toward greatness and success.

“I can do whatever I put my mind to,” Miller said.

ellenm@thelionstale.com

Miller surrounds himself with many pain reliever molds. These are made to relieve pain on the heel.

THE LION’S TALE

| features | NOVEMBER 12, 2012

Diver Striver Achiever

Junior Daniel Hernandez accepted a dare to

sports ) ///////////(DIDYOUKNOW?

Hannah Bryan

17

riding motorcycles and ATVs when

Junior RJ Patrizz went indoor sky diving.

Junior Caralyn Boese met both Amber and Gary from the TV show, ‘Teen Mom’.

Sophomore Peter Bial rode a camel in Malasia.

Sophomore Allison Moss fell on a set of stairs, landed on sheet rock and received a mild concussion.

Junior Rachel Beltran has dyed her hair at least 60 times in her life.

Senior Ariel Coogan lived in the

photo/RACHEL LO

Senior goes public after years of home school

by Alexis Sherwood

S

enior Hannah Bryan gathers her school supplies and puts them in her backpack, as

the fact that she will no longer be able to sleep in like she used to.

She prays that she doesn’t get lost or look out of place.

Bryan wonders how long it will take for people to warm up to her. Making friends tends to not be an easy task for her, since she contains a shy factor in her personality. making new friends, and becoming the weird

more people on the team and decided that would something completely new and actually getting fail,” Bryan said.

alexiss@thelionstale.com

bubble to the surface. Bryan knows she is not friends.

While Bryan walks through the front doors

injuries, she decided to end her gymnastics career. Because Bryan used to be so dedicated to gymnastics, she wanted to join a sport like it in

embarrassing.

Bryan began home schooling because she was

Editor’s Note

One by One features a selected student, whose story is told in only 300 words.

Senior Natalie Hudson is a black belt in Karate.

Seniors Meaghan, Matthew, and Mario Caselli are triplets.

Eduardo Torrech went cliff diving (also known as ‘Tombstoning‘) in Puerto Rico.

Sophomore Sarah Brickeen, sang with the Pittsburgh Symphony.

Junior Fred Mayer hunts with deer hounds which is the least used method of hunting in Florida.

Ian & Paige: by Suzanne Gaertner

suzanneg@thelionstale.com

18

(diversions sport s )

THE LION’S TALE

| NOVEMBER 12, 2012

3 all photos/ALLISON OWEN

1. CRAZY FOR QUIDDITCH. Junior Tyler Garretson and Senior Gavin Ahlers go for a goal while Sophomore Skylar Silva defends..

2. NIMBUS TWO THOUSAND. Silva goalpost

1

2

3. READY SET GO. Garretson gets in position before the game starts.

Fans bring life to movie favorite P

osters. Backpacks. Handmade t-shirts.

Character-themed parties. Welcome to the ever-expanding world of crazy fandoms.

From Potterheads to Tributes, fandoms are miscellaneously-sized groups of people that come together and celebrate what they believe to be the most well-written book or the best-acted movie or even the most enjoyable band. Because the admiration for the thing in which they are fanning over often leads to obsession, these groups have earned themselves the questionably abhorrent nickname of “crazy fandoms.”

Crazy fandoms can be found everywhere, from the United States to Europe. And if you look hard enough, even at Oviedo High School.

The Quidditch Team, brought together two years ago by a group of interested students and one fascinated teacher, is a key example.

World History teacher Mrs. Gastoff has been around and taken the duty of being the Quidditch Team’s club sponsor since the very beginning.

“I’ve been around since the club’s been a club,” she said. created by Harry Potter author J.K Rowling, has recently made an appearance in the real world, with over 200 colleges in the United States having recognized teams.

“We started the club last year because we wanted to live out the books we had been reading since we were little,” Senior Collin Hill said.

“It gave us a fun way to hang out and play a

high energy high contact sport,” he said.

The club attracted fans from all over. “[Most had] already read the books and could talk about the Potter history. They knew which houses they wanted to be in, and would it over and over until they got which house they wanted,” Gastoff said.

It wasn’t just Potterheads that showed up, either. “[The students were] not obsessive, but excited,” Gastoff said.

This brings up the question of whether or not Quidditch Club is, then, an example of a crazy fandom. Meeting in room 8-026 on irregular days every week, the club has drawn in both fans and newly produced fans.

Hill doesn’t really know what makes a Potterhead a Potterhead.

“I guess just anyone who puts any amount of their time really analyzing the literature and not settling for just reading the series. You know?

Like, people who love it to the point where they’ll sit there for days obsessing over it,” he said.

On the contrary, Junior Maria Bacci believes that you don’t have to be part of a crazy fandom to be a fan of the book.

“I think you can be a fan or part of a fandom without being crazy,” she said.

“I would consider myself a Potterhead or Pottermore or whatever they’re called. Not really obsessed, but appreciative,” she said.

tannerm@thelionstale.com

Quidditch for Muggles

by Tanner Mowery

Snitch photo/COURTESY OF FLICKR.COM

Bludger

photo/COURTESY OF DREAMPUNK.ME

EQUIPMENT Used to score goals through hoops Fly around trying to knock players off brooms Most important ball in the game PLAYERS teammates. 3 on each team Guards the goal posts.

1 at a time Uses a baseball-like bat to knock Bludgers at other team Catches Snitch POINTS 10 points 150 points

photo/COURTESY OF ICOLLECTOR.COM

NOVEMBER 12, 2010 | diviersions | THE LION’S TALE

19

The One Page Low-down Youtube Videos

Hot vs. Not

Hot

by Chris Moskal

Epic Rap Battles of History: Doc Brown vs. Doctor Who

Not t $PXCPZ Yet another funny video from ERB, this time involving two of Dr. Who and Doc Brown from Back to the Future. The actors both perform exceptionally well as usual, and the costumes are perfect. Their lyrics are always clever and witty, almost certain to make fans laugh.

t Flannels t 'V[[Z CPPUT t Vans t ,OJU 4XFBUFST t #FBOJFT GPS men)

CPPUT t 4IPSU TIPSUT CPPUZ TIPSUT

t -PX DVU TIJSUT

Things you don’t have To Worry about

by Sienna Marshall

Remember This?

by Alexx Hartdegen Bop It! Spin it! Pull it!

Twist it! Flick it! Released in 1996, Bop It is a hand held audio game equipped with twistable cranks, pullable handles, spinnable wheels, toggle switches and a cool announcer voice. Since 1996, there have been several newly released versions of the game including, Bop it Extreme, Bratz Bop it, and Bop it Blast.

The game requires its player to commands issued by the game or they lose and have to start all over again. In the early to mid2000s, Bop It rose to the top of market in children’s games.

Getting a date for homecoming Finding a pirate costumes school Voldemort Lion’s Tale is coming out

QUICK REVIEW

How I Eat Candy

Looking For Alaska John Green

Top DVD

by Harry Allen

by Harry Allen

TWIZZLERS How I eat Twizzlers isn’t the normal just bite and chew, but I tear each strand until they are all separate and eat each one by one.

There are many ways to eat a Twizzler. You could fold them up and eat them in a bunch, eat them with chopsticks,eat them with your feet,start at the middle and eat outwards or you could go for a classic knife and fork style.

by Hannah Thigpen A touching story about care free friends, until one moment changes their life forever.

The Circle K

by Lauren Purdy The Circle K; some people may call it ghetto, some people may call it ratchet, but I call it (step aside, Disney) the happiest place on Earth. The Circle K is a convenience store that sells everything and anything that you would expect from a gas station but at wonderfully low Circle K that makes it so unbelievable superior to other convenience stores, and that is the 74 cent Polar Pop’s. A Polar Pop is just a fountain soda, similar to the ones you would buy from McDonalds or the Racetrac. However, at the Circle K you can buy any size soda from 12 to 44 ounces for 74 cents. Any size. Any soda.

Any day. The Circle K is the place to be for the avid soda lover, or bargain hunter.

Happy Feelings

by Sienna Marshall shopping? Did you ever think it was in your head?

Well, this may not be an illusion after all. New research in The Journal of Consumer Research shows that shopping may, in fact, be good for your own self-esteem. Research also suggests that purchasing items more appealing to the eye opens a customer’s mind to other choices and points of views. A study done by Claudia Townsend, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Miami School of Business, tested how certain customers felt after buying one of two different types of lamps.

Customers who bought the more appealing lamp had a higher self image and more viewpoints than those who bought the other lamp, even though the lamp didn’t function correctly. With that being said, let’s get shopping for some stunning items. After all, it improves your mental health.

all photos/COURTESY OF PUBLICITY SITES

Abraham Lincoln: I’m Not A Fan Vampire Hunter (2012) Of That 105 min Rated R

by Harry Allen

Recently Disney bought the rights to Lucas Films along with all the rights to the Star Wars franchise.

This in itself isn’t bad. Who wouldn’t want more Star Wars rides at Disney? The part I’m not a fan of is they are thinking about making more movies. This may not be a bad decision but the worst part is trying to carry on a legendary movies. What would a new director do that won’t spoil the original movies? So for those reasons, I am not a fan of Disney buying out Lucas Films.

How to Art

by Lauren Purdy From sewing Cosplay costumes to sketching graphite masterpieces, senior Dani Hugh Sam is what you might call artistically inclined. Hugh Sam has been interested in art since her sophomore year. Before that she thought that she thought that photo/ALLISON OWEN art was lame. After spending two years learning with Tanya Letzo, her opinions have completely changed. Thanks to Letzo, Hugh Sam has realized that she wants to attend VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) which is Letzo’s alama mater. At VCU, Hugh Sam is planning to study medical illustration, which is drawing medical diagrams and renderings for biocommunications and for textbooks. Basically, getting paid to draw is perfect for an art freak like Dani.

Discovering vampires are real at a young age, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President, sets out to destroy the vampire race with a fellow vampire hunter, Henry.

How Not To Procrastinate

by Sienna Marshall

While you may be able to accomplish more work with a deadline over your head, it might be easier to stop putting off an assignment to hang with friends, play on games or even with that new Barbie doll you just bought.

This may seem impossible to stop procrastinating but here are some tips.

Remove anything distracting from the place you have decided to do your work.

Put reminders everywhere of when your deadline is.

When you have free time double check to see if you can do anything to get ahead of your workload.

Break your work load up into sections and reward each part.

Try and study with a partner to make sure you stay on task.

20

THE LION’S TALE

| diverions | NOVEMBER 12, 2012

Black Friday

SURVIVAL GUIDE

by Alexis Sherwood

Dress warm and camp out at popular stores

Sign up for mailing lists or emails about black Friday sales

o

o

o

Check out ads in papers o o

o

Look for early bird shopping discounts

SHOP FAST o

o

Ask for gift receipts

o

o

Shop online

o

o o

lar stores

GET THERE EARLY o o

OUT AT SOME STORES

when they open

it

DON’T GET TRAMPLED o o o

Print off coupons o

items alexiss@thelionstale.com

////Reviewed NOVEMBER 12, 2012 | diversions | THE LION’S TALE 21

Music, movies, books & more

VERY GOOD

OUTSTANDING

QUICK REVIEW

Music From Another Dimension!

Aerosmith Hard Rock

GOOD

RUBBISH

AWFUL

Red Taylor Swift Pop

by Alexx Hartdegen

Hard Rock legend Aerosmith released its 15th studio album Music from Another Dimension. Upon listening to this album, I thought that the members of Aerosmith would have decided to modernize their sound and that track I heard proved my theory wrong. Other tracks feature artists such as Carrie Underwood and even Johnny Depp. The vocals from Steven Tyler are phenomenal and sound as if time hasn’t passed since “The Bad Boys from Boston”

alexxh@thelionstale.com

QUICK REVIEW

18 Months Calvin Harris Synth Pop

byTrevor Khan

18 Months is another album of mixed sounds that people pass as music under a new genre called “dubstep”. The album does hold two or three gems, but the musical composition seems far too repetitive and pointless to even pass as music. I’m afraid to say that Calvin Harris is just a man with a mix-board who holds the knowledge of repetition and alliteration and I fear that it might be a while until he strikes gold the way he has hoped.

trevork@thelionstale.com

Check out Youtube sensation April Lockhart here!

Swift releases best album of year

by Hannah Thigpen

T

aylor Swift has done it again. Her fourth studio album Red is a melodically genius masterpiece. Since her debut album six years ago, the sixteen year-old singer-songwriter from Pennsylvania with a guitar and a dream has Red has some of the best lyrics she’s ever written.

“Come Back..Be Here” is one of my absolute favorites on the entire album. Awkward moment when this song describes my life. She puts so much emotion into every verse, chorus and bridge.

This song describes the feeling of wanting someone so far out of your reach and the only thing you want is for them to simply be there with you. These heartfelt lyrics really draw you in with every word spoken and appeal to the emotional aspect of a person because almost

anyone can relate to the lyrics. It’s one of those songs you won’t really like unless you can relate yourself to it, but once you do, it kills.

“All Too Well” showcases a semi-toxic love affair from start to heartbreaking end, with beautifully tragic moments in between. This song should come with a bucket for my tears; it literally puts me on a roller coaster of emotions every time I listen to it. This is one of the best songs she’s ever written.

“Everything has Changed”, a duet with Ed Sheeran, had me holding high expectations for the release of this song, and these two never disappoint. This song displays lyrical brilliance. kind gestures, or even the simple thought of you and the person together.

“I Knew You Were Trouble” is a song no one

I was a little hesitant on listening to this song.

It wasn’t the Taylor Swift I was used to, in a sundress and cowboy boots, singing about burning her ex-boyfriend’s picture. Instead, Swift combined country and dubstep and made it into a masterpiece.

The song basically states you knew the relationship was going to crash, burn, and hit a wall from the moment you saw the person, but you went down the treacherous slope anyway. In the end, you only have yourself to blame.

This is one of the best albums to come out albums in all aspects. She is really showing she can master any genre.

Admit it, even if you don’t like Taylor Swift, you kind of like her.

hannaht@thelionstale.com

UPCOMING CONCERTS Silversun Pickups Wiz Khalifa Cher Lloyd Monday, December 3 Sunday, November Friday, November 30 Hard Rock Live 18 UCF Arena 8:00 PM House Of Blues 7:30 PM 6:30 PM Sum 41 2 Chainz Saturday, December 8 Sunday, November 25 House Of Blues The Plaza Theatre 9:00 PM 7:30 PM all photos/COURTESY OF PUBLICITY SITES

22

THE LION’S TALE

REUNITED AT LAST.

| diversions | NOVEMBER 12, 2012

Adam Ewing (Jim

ON THE HUNT. A cannibal (Hugh Grant)

TEMPTATION OF MAN. The devil (Hugo

A SCORN GLANCE.

pursues his tribe’s enemies.

Weaving) appears before Zachry in the forest,

the Hotel Manager (Hanks) watches over his building.

Cloud Atlas opens minds of audiences everywhere

by Chris Moskal

B

e warned, if you seek movies solely for the purpose of lighthearted entertainment, and come to movies to relax, you probably won’t enjoy Cloud Atlas.

It spans six different story lines, with a three hour long runtime. Many viewers could be discouraged as these story lines are entwined in six different time periods, and you have to keep watching to understand their connections. Casual

A FEARFUL EMBRACE. Tribe

missed.

chief Zachry (Tom Hanks) holds his daughter for protection in the year 2321.

Tom Hanks

That being said, I loved the movie. It has the kind of ambition and scope I wish every movie had.

Like a puzzle, it challenges the viewer and forces him or her to truly think about its message.

The actors in the movie play different roles in each story line, changing races, gender, and voice so perfectly you sometimes can’t tell who the actor is. This is the best use of makeup I’ve ever seen in Halle Berry as a 1930s white British The plot follows six different people starting from the year 1849 and ending in 2321. The events are interconnected, and events that happen in one time carry over and affect the characters in the next time period.

Karma and reincarnation are very prominent themes as those who do evil in the past remain that way in their future lives.

The message is ultimately one of hope, but at the same time, human cruelty is shown as being something that will never escape us.

It sounds very confusing to somebody unprepared, and it could be, but I came in expecting complexity and had an open mind about it. I understood the main themes but little details will go

chrism@thelionstale.com all photos/COURTESY OF PUBLICITY SITES

NOVEMBER 12, 2012 | advertisements | THE LION’S TALE 23

(sports sports )

24 THE LION’S TALE

| NOVEMBER 12, 2012

Aj’s Top 3 College Choices

by Lyndsey Taylor

Senior Running back won’t stop at three offers

F

Coney’s life and he doesn’t want to give it up anytime soon. Stopping after high school just won’t be satisfying enough for him.

With offers from the University of Massachusetts, Gardner-Webb University and the University of Memphis, he looks forward to his future.

“I like making new friends and interacting with new people and football is a great way to do that. I can’t stop now. I want to keep excelling and put my talents to work,” Coney said.

Coney knew that he couldn’t postpone getting colleges to recognize him until the last minute. He didn’t want other players to get the upper hand.

“I started [preparing for college recruitment] as soon as possible. You have to be proactive so I jumped in and gave it my all. I had a camp over the summer called Coney Camp. Fifteen to 20 players came and we just got better and better,” Coney said.

Although Coney started working towards getting offers as soon as he started playing varsity football, he hasn’t committed to a college yet.

“I need some time to explore my options.

It [isn’t] something that you can rush. This is a huge decision that will affect my life for forever.

I want a big college where I can meet a lot of interesting people with a good surrounding area and a good academic background,” Coney said.

Coney worked very hard to get his offers from colleges by practicing every day, having a positive attitude, and showing colleges the

3. Bowling Green University For the 2012 season, Aj has 64 rushing yards with a total of one touch down and averaging 9.14 yards per carry.

get to my head. I have to keep working. I know that I can’t get cocky. That will ruin everything I’ve been working for.” Coney said.

Senior considers multiple college offers

F

rom tossing a football around as a little kid up to playing high school football with the big boys, tight end Brian Griggs loves football and this is why he wants to continue his football career in college.

“I have wanted to play beyond high school since I started playing football. It has just always been a dream of mine. I love having it in my life and feeling like I am part of a team,” Griggs said

1. Appalachian State University 2. The University of Memphis 3. The University of Mississippi

be recognized as a player. He goes to different camps, works out and makes a good highlight

For the 2012 season, Brian has 164 yards with a total of 11 receptions and an average of 14.91 yards per reception.

“I go to colleges like Memphis and Mississippi and talk to the coaches. Sometimes they are just people trying to get to know me,” Griggs said

Green lands college offer as sophomore

A

2. The University of Memphis

University of Massachusetts came through, he couldn’t contain his excitement.

Brian’s Top 3 College Choices

lthough he’s only a sophomore, running back Jurell Green loves playing football so much that, for him, stopping after high school isn’t an option.

“I can’t even imagine my life without football. Playing for a college is something I’ve wanted to do since I was a little kid. For me, stopping any time soon just isn’t enough,” Green said.

The University of Louisville offered to take Green on their team when he graduates, which is a rare occurrence for a sophomore. Most players on the team are given offers as seniors.

“It’s pretty rare because not many sophomores play varsity football. Most of the team is made up of juniors and seniors. I think I’m lucky to be playing on our high school team and even luckier to already have an offer,” Green said.

1. Arkansas State University

Green guesses that when Louisville saw his playing style, they also saw a special quality in him that they couldn’t pass up.

“I think that they liked my style of running and my ability to make people miss when they try to tackle me,” Green said.

Green tries to remain calm when he talks to college coaches.

“I try not to get nervous and I try to be myself because they want someone who can communicate with the team. They don’t want someone who is quiet,” Green said Green thanks his coaches and teammates for his success. Without them, he doesn’t know where he would be.

“They tell me to keep doing what I’m doing, to keep up the hard work. They support me and push me to be even better, “Green said.

lyndseyt@thelionstale.com

The University of Memphis, Florida Atlantic University, and Appalachian State University have offered Griggs a position on their team.

Something about Griggs impresses college coaches.

“It’s pretty rewarding to know that colleges want me on their team and that they think I’m offer [from Memphis] but I was excited at the same time,” he said Griggs always tries to push himself and be the best player possible.

“I just get up and do it. I go to practice and I have a good attitude. I try to always be positive and do what my coaches tell me to do. I know that I can’t achieve anything without hard work and a good attitude,” Griggs said.

Jurell’s Top 3 College Choices

1. Oregon State University 2. The University of Central Florida 3. The University of Florida For the 2012 season, Jurell has 1290 rushing yards with a total of 17 touch downs and averaging 7.33 yards per rush.

all photos/ALLISONOWEN

NOVEMBER 12, 2012 | sports | THE LION’S TALE 25

Riders have passion for getting dirty

Illustration/WESLEY WYNNE

Brooke Corn, ‘16

Freshman says key to good mudding is not getting stuck

by Andy Bosley

F

Want to go mudding?

reshman Brooke Corn revs her engine as 5A mud ranch.

Here are a few tips to get you started!

1. Know your vehicle. Four wheel drive will be a necessity, as well as making sure you have some type of snorkel on your car, so the 2. Get proper tires. Traction is a very important,and is largely

com.

3. Know your angles. You will need to get to know the approach angle (the angle an obstacle can have and the front of your car can still clear), departure angle (the same principle, but with the bumper and wheels), and breakover angle (the angle of between your wheels and the middle of the

Corn said.

said.

things will help you keep from andyb@thelionstale.com

26

THE LION’S TALE

| sports | NOVEMBER 12, 2012

ON YOUR MARK. Senior Louise Ruud

Stroke Speed

by Andy Bosley

A

s sophomore Lauren Betancourt takes the block and waits for the starting horn, the adrenaline starts to course through her veins. When the horn sounds, she plunges head first into the icy pool attempting to take the gold in her race.

“I came in ninth in the 50 meter freestyle in the morning with a time of 24.56 seconds, which qualified me for the finals in the afternoon and in 100 meter backstroke I came in 17th with a time of 1 minute flat,” Betancourt said.

According to Betancourt, it is a long road to states with a lot of benchmarks in between.

“To get to states you have to place top eight to get to regions, then at regions you are only guaranteed to go to states if you make top two,” Betancourt said that if you don’t make top two, the four districts times are combined and if you have one of the top eight times in one of the regions, you get to go to states.

“I got second or third in districts and our school won districts.

That means that all of the swimmers points earned [the higher you place the more points you earn] so between all of the points our girls swimmers won and all of the points the girls diving team won, our school had the most points,” Betancourt said.

According to Betancourt, a few nights before districts she carb-

SEASON STATS Year round swimmers swim about 2,500,000 yards or 1420 miles annualy.

Average high school swimmers burn about 650 calories an hour.

Freestyle is considered the fastest stroke for 99 percent of swimmers.

Virtually every Olympic swimmer pees in the pool. info/COURTESY OF LYSWIMMING.ORG info/COURTESY OF HUFFINGTONPOST.COM

loaded and at practice she did some days of hard work and a few recoveries just to practice diving and get in the water a little bit.

Whether it is practice,a normal meet, or states, swimming takes a lot of dedication and is a way of life, not just a sport or hobby, Betancourt said.

“Swimming is fun. It is fun to be part of a team. You spend so much time together between training every day and all of the competitions on the weekends. You become really close to all of your teammates. And it is a good way to make friends and when you are racing, you just get a rush of adrenaline when you are in the pool you see some girl catching up to you. It is a feeling I have never had anywhere else,” Betancout said.

andyb@thelionstale.com

all photos/ALLISON OWEN

MAKING THE MARK.

High school golfer reminisces over past season

by Keenan Smith

S

enior Andrew Blatnik’s is jolted out of his sleep by the phone alarm ringing next to his bed. It’s still hours before the sun comes up, but he is motivated to begin his day, driven by his passion for one thing: golf, and his future in the game.

“On a weekday just for practice, I go to the gym at 5 o clock in the morning, and then I’ll go to school and then after school I go directly to the golf course and I’ll probably practice for four hours,” Blatnik said.

His self-motivation pushes him to work hard in the gym and practice to be a better player. ”I might play nine holes, I might putt on the putting green, it all just depends on what I really need for an upcoming tournament,” Blatnik said.

Blatnik got serious about golf when he saw a family friend play the game when he lived in Virginia.

“Well, one of my mom’s friends played, and we are so close, it’s like family. About four years ago I started playing. I went up to a course one day and I’ve been hooked ever since,” Blatnik said.

the year I would have said that I would love to go and play for college, but I think my goals have changed a little bit. Because ever since visiting FSU and talking, playing golf and being a part of the game itself, and developing the game, I think I’d rather develop the game. That’s just the kind of person I am. I’d rather see other people play, than play the game myself.”

Blatnik would like to get his degree in PGA Golf Management, a four to 5 year degree, that would give him education in skills to be successful in the golf industry.

“A part of being a manager of golf, and being a head professional is helping other people get better. So especially on the golf team this year, I’ve seen people, Trevor, Chris, Sean, they all got way better in their games, and the way they handle themselves during tournaments, and I’d like to think that the experience that I had helping them, helped develop the game, and that’s mostly why I’d like to do it.”

a quick bio

TEE-IT-UP.

Recently he moved from Virginia when his father got a job for the Golf Channel.

“Well, my step dad is an editor for television, and he does stuff for the golf channel, and he does a lot of freelancing so it’s mostly his job, but also I want to go to school in Florida. It’s a cool opportunity to meet people. Hopefully, I will be able to meet Jack Nicklaus at an upcoming golf tournament. ” Since moving, Blatnik joined the Oviedo High School golf team. He plays in tournaments and practicing with the team.

“Practicing with Andrew is really fun. He always plays games and makes it challenging.

His overall demeanor and leadership is a big help to the team,” teammate Brandon White said.

Having a freshmen heavy team may be considered a weakness to some, but Coach Jason Foss looks back on the strong golf season of six and three, and is pleased with the outcome. “ You know the older guys kind of stepped up and kind of showed the way, and it turned out to be a pretty good season. Andrew Blatnik was a key player to have on the team.”

When playing golf, Blatnik has his own

“I like to go after it. If there’s a shot that I think I can hit, I’ll go after it. Where some people may play it safe I get aggressive. Sometimes it pays off and sometimes it doesn’t, but I try and take every opportunity that I can.”

Although Blatnik enjoys competitive golf, he plans on taking a different approach, one that will involve golf as a career.

“It’s interesting, because at the beginning of

keenans@thelionstale.com

Jack Nicklaus Known as “The Golden Bear”, his name is synonymous with golf and he is considered to be one of the greatest golfers of all time.

Born in 1940 in the city of Columbus, Ohio, he turned professional golfer in 1961 and went on to win 73 PGA tournaments and 18 major PGA championships, more than any other golfer in the history of the sport.

NOVEMBER 12, 2012 | sports | THE LION’S TALE 27

Roar Board

//////

On Feb. 2, the boys varsity basketball team took on East River High School and won 74-63. The team is currently holding a record with 12 wins and eight losses. The boys moved on into districts on Feb. 8 with a game against Lake Howell High School. The boys walked out with a 73-72 victory. The boys made a comeback after being down by 12 points, two minutes before the end of the game. The boys moved on to play Winter Springs High School on Feb. 10.

ANDY BOSLEY

PUMP

IT

UP.

The varsity football team storms out on Oct. 12 before their game against East River High School.

SPORTS EDITOR

True athletes don’t win by cheating

I

f you’re not cheating, you’re not trying. Sports teams have coined terms such as this for years, along with It’s not illegal if the referee does not see it.

Well, I believe that the ethics of sports are match up to cheating and paying players for their

photo/ROCHELLE GAERTNER

Football ends season

Slowpitch players in high spirits

The football team scored their four th districtict championship in a row. They won the district by beating Lake Howell, Edgewater, Oak Ridge, and Winter Springs. The night they beat Oak Ridge they clinched the district title but by beating Winter Springs they have a perfect 4-0 district record.

They will play their first round playoff game here, at home on Nov. 16 against Leesburg. They will continue on through four rounds of games. The finals will be in Orlando at the Citrus Bowl. To prepare for the playoffs they are continuing their regular practice schedule.

“Our season has gone well. We have a few guys with some injuries but they should be full strength for the playoffs.

We are 9-1 right now. Our kids have played really well in some tough games the last few weeks and have shown a lot of character during those games,” Coach Wes Allen said.

Girls bowling takes districts Girls bowling competed for the district title on October 29. “We worked really hard as a team to get as far as we did,” sophmore Monica Butcher said

On the sidelines...

called names or hit illegally because my team is

After practicing every Monday through Thursday on their

to get psyched for the big game, but it can get to

team had a good season. “We were decent. We showed up to play our hearts out at every game. We’re keeping out spirits high and are not giving up hope. I look forward to playing every day,” sophomore Kailey Kubisch said

Oviedo pride is not by the words you say but the

Girls soccer off to good start Girls soccer has played three games so far. They played Lake Brantley with a win 2-0, Lyman with a win 3-0, and Seminole with a tie 2-2.

Kershner for hall of fame Former basketball Coach Ed Kershner has been nominated to represent Florida in the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame. He is three-time state Coach of the Year and was named one of the Top 10 Florida Coaches of All Time by the Orlando Sentinel. Out of his total 40 seasons he coached 16 at Oviedo with a 343-119 mark.

Last year the basketball team went to the state championship.

With

It is not illegal if the referee does not see it or If you’re not cheating you’re not trying people to go and want to win so badly that they would not let anything get in their way, not a penalty, not a yellow card, not even ejection from parent bribes a player to intentionally injure USA Today a youth Pop has been accused with bounty charges and many other unethical acts including encouraging 10 and

Sammie Forsberg

1. What would your ideal pet be?

A parrot because it will just chill on my shoulder and I can feed it crackers.

I believe that the fact of the matter is that sports were created for athletes to have a fun way to exercise and to build a brotherhood with your

2. What is your dream car?

My red 1996 Ford Pick up truck. It’s perfect.

3. Who is your rolemodel?

My mom because she’s been through a lot to protect me and herself. She doesn’t realize how thankful I am for her.

4. Where do you want to live when you are older?

A ranch in North Carolina.

5. Would you rather go your whole life without dinner or dessert?

Without dinner because you can’t get rid of dessert.

is Practice makes perfect

photo/ALLISON OWEN

PUMPING THE IRON.

Senior Sammie Forsberg performs a clean and jerk with an Olympic size bar (45 lbs.) and two ten pound bumpers equaling a total of 65 lbs.

We should just play our respective sports with Oviedo pride because practice does make perfect.

andyb@thelionstale.com

28

THE LION’S TALE

| features | NOVEMBER 12, 2012

photo/ALLISON OWEN

SWORD FIGHTING SHANANINGINS. Sophmores Jackie Powers and Allison Moss play a game of

photo/ROCHELLE GAERTNER

RIDIN’ WITH ROYALTY. Sophomores Issac Morales Tara

photo/ROCHELLE GAERTNER

DISNEY DAY. Seniors Merrick Ghali, dressed photo/COURTESY OF LEONARD’S STUDIO

THIS MAGIC MOMENT. Homecoming King Nick Maggio and Homecoming

up as Mr. Frederiksen from Up, and Tommy Anderson as Hercules, dressed up as Disney characters for Cruise day.

photo/ROCHELLE GAERTNER

PINCH OF PIXIE DUST. Junior Sara Konecny and senior Tinka

king and queen.

Homecoming week brings magical moments

by Trevor Khan

S

aturday, October 27.The lights lower and senior Nick Maggio takes his date, senior Jenny Karpinski, by the hand and

dance as Homecoming King and Homecoming Queen.

“I was surprised but very excited when I was elected on the homecoming court,” Karpinski said.

“There were so many great people on the

tacky tourist day, the cruise ship day and the The dance was held in the Commons and the amphitheater.

“The dance went very well I thought. I liked how nicely the commons was decorated and how there were hats on the tables,” Maggio said.

Homecoming queen.

“Nick and I have been dating since prom, so

out I was so excited and it was even more the court too.” photo/ROCHELLE GAERTNER

dance was S.S Oviedo. will always remember.” we have had! The dress up days such as the

trevork@thelionstale.com

SAILING TO FRANCE.