Issue 54 Issue 5 by The Lion's Tale

pg. 3

LION’STALE

NEWS.

The month

Photo’s Of

Debate qualifies for national competition in photos

Senior Daniel Hernandez, senior Brandon Crittendon, and freshman Niyati Shah will be attending the national CFL tournament in Chicago along with their coach, Bryan Singer. After winning state finals, the debate club will be compete on May 23 -25. This is the first time OHS teams made nationals and the second year debate members have entered competitions. They’ll be competing with over 4,000 other teams in various categories. This three-day tournament held at the Hilton Towers in Chicago, Illinois is hosted by The National Catholic Forensics League. They’ll be competing with over 4,000 other teams in various

categories. In order to attend this event the club is trying to raise $4,000 dollars in order to pay the expenses for the trip. Shah will be competing in original oratory with a 10 minute piece on Rosa Parks while Hernandez and Crittendon who are partners are competing in public forum. “I am very proud of these students and I am awed by the amount of time and effort that they have put into debate. It is an honor for OHS to represented at this national event.,” said Deborah Jepson, debate instructor. The students have one month to prepare.

The Month

Thespians dominate state competition with superiors Two state critics choice awards landed in the arms of senior Cassidy Hopkins for her monologues and sophomore Cassie Lackey for her costume designs. Judges praised performances by Simonds & Co. who appeared in “When I Grow Up” from the musical Matilda with a superior. Performers included Morgan Simonds, Alyssa Eri, Imani Lucas, Katie Masterson, Karla Orellano, Jacquelynn Powers, Elliana Rogers, Elizabeth Tammi, and Danielle Torres.

Pridemore & Co. earned superiors for performing an ensemble acting scene from Hazelwood Junior High with actos Bailey Pridemore, Rachel Beltran, Imani Lucas, Katie Masterson, and Bailey Stevens. The small group musical, “Been a Long Day,” from “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”, rated superior and performers include Hunter Greer, Danielle Torres, and Kendal Young. Drama Instructor Nolan Carey oversaw the productions.

REACH FOR THE SKY. Sam Goldstien examines

the WWI styled airplanes made by AP World History Classes in Karlin Gastoff’s room.

WRITTEN BY CAMILLA AND SABRINA OMAR

The Get to know TUXEDOS Jacket lapels are covered in satin material.

Tuxedo shirts are pleated in the front and can be worn with cufflinks or othger similar accessories.

Shiny patent leather shoes only. Tuxedo pants feature a satin stripe doing down the outerside of the leg.

INFO FROM DIFFIN.COM

Naidu clarifies dress code

Assistant principal Felicia Naidu clears up dress code policy rumors. “Our dress code policy is found on pages nine and ten of the school planner, and if you read the introduction to the dress code policy it states-” “To assist parents and students in making appropriate fashion and grooming decisions for school. The school board has established the following minimal guidelines for the parents and dress of students-” “I know the students may think that I am the one who created this wonderful dress code policy. However, our school board has created the policy and I am just the enforcer of those rules and policies.” The School Board may be considering changes but none have been made yet.

STAYING CLASSY. Senior Cody Christian tests the

camera and lighting to make sure they’re ready for the next day of shooting WROR-TV.

Prom tickets on sale

Date: Sat. April 12 Place: Gaylord Palms Theme: “A Night from Coast to Coast”. Tickets are being sold during both lunches at $70. The week before prom, the price will rise to $80. Note: Tickets will not be sold at the door. New Feature: Lawn Party beginning at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be available and there will be an opportunity to take photos. Time: 7:15 p.m.- 11 p.m.

Emily Deler accepts senior Tyree Owen’s prom invite.

FLIPPING TO THE END. Albert Northup practices

his acrobatics on the greens after school.

PHOTOS BY MILES MINER

NEWS.

Inside the skipping policy were home because you were sick or something Beginning in mid-January an administration they tell you to bring it back with a parent team headed by Dean William Schult put into signature and you won’t have to serve Wednesday school. So anyone can just have their parent sign action a new plan to discipline skippers. “Nothing’s changed about the policy. What’s it and then you aren’t in trouble anymore.” However, biology teacher Christine Clark changing is the enforcement,” said Schult. “We had a problem with a lot of students missing a supports the new change. “The nineth graders don’t know how to work lot of classes unnessarily, and it was showing up in discipline. We could look out at the campus the system. I think it’s really the seniors doing it, but I think it’s during classes and see working,” said too many kids out of Clark. “At least Nothing’s changed about the class at one time.” the list is getting Every day after policy. What’s changing is the shorter. It’s a lot school, Schult makes enforcement. of work for the a list of students who Dean William Schult administration in missed one or two charge of it, but periods during the day and sends the list to teachers. The students on as the students realize they mean business the the list get sent down to discipline and receive students will stop.” Junior Emily Marte finds the new method a Wednesday school unless they can offer a note doesn’t work and only disrupts the learning from either a teacher or their parents. Junior Kelci Wilson does not like the change. environment. “I don’t think the new method is helping. It’s “I think it’s really ineffective, first of all,” pointless,” said Marte. “I think people are going said Wilson. “When I go to the discipline office to get my skipping note I am in turn missing to skip no matter what. Obviously they know another class, so like when I went to get my they could get caught if they skip and punished note for first period I missed my second period for it so I don’t think it’s helping at all because and had to do the notes for my math class on they don’t care if that happens. “Also, if people want to skip I don’t know my own from blackboard and had to attempt to understand them without my teacher teaching it why teachers and administrators are going out of their way to stop it instead of focusing because I wasn’t there. “Also, if you tell the discipline office that you on other issues. That’s the student’s future that

WRITTEN BY CLARA SHINE

Get the numbers

62,000 students skip every day.

Students who skip more than 10 days are 20% less likely to get a diploma, and

25% less likely to enter higher education.

Number of absenses by period on February 26 (senior lunch day) 2nd: 124

1st: 132 611 :ts1

they’re ruining. My teacher is getting really mad about them interrupting the whole class to bring students down while she’s trying to teach a lesson. I know a lot of teachers don’t like it.” Teachers get into the debate as well. “I have had students skip. Some I have caught and I am sure some I have not. I cannot say whether it has lessened now or not,” said AP Italian teacher Marzia Vitali. “I am hoping so, although those that skip usually keep doing it for whatever reason they have...not liking the class, teacher, already failing, etc.” Overall, Wilson believes students should be in charge of whether they want to continue to skip or not. “Obviously I want them to take it away. I completely understand where they’re trying to go with it and that people need to be in school but we’re on our way to becoming ‘adults’ and some people are even 18, it’s time to kind of make decisions for ourselves, and if one day I think I need to sleep in through first period because it will keep me more awake for the rest of day then I should be able to do that,” said Wilson. “It is really on my own head the decisions I make and how they will affect me. If they want to make it better I suggest they just come on the news or something and explain the extent of all this. There are just a lot of rumors going around about who is running this and when you will/ won’t get in trouble for something and they need to just tell us everything.”

Number of absenses by period on March 3 1st: 116 1st: 116

2nd: 102

3rd: 107

3rd: 103

4th: 102

4th: 106

5th: 536*

5th: 101

6th: 106

INFO COURTESY THE NEWYORK TIMES INFO COURTESY INDEPENDENT.CO.UK INFO COURTESY SCHOOLSOFTHOUGHT.BLOGS.CNN.COM

7th: 106

*Senior Lunch

7th: 112

6th: 99

NEWS. 4

UP FOR A VOTE

POT LEGAL? Oviedo Drug Store owner waits at the counter for incoming customers with doctor’s prescriptions. If medical marijuana is approved, patients will obtain the drug at pharmacies like this.

Florida voters to decide fate of medical marijuana in Nov. election

WRITTEN BY BRANDON WHITE PHOTO BY ALEX BROWNING

Marijuana, pot, Mary Jane, dank, green, dope, so its inevitable going to come to all states.” grass, ganja, Jupiter’s beard, weed, etc., call it If sixty percent of Floridians vote yes, Florida what you like, voters will give medical marijuana becomes the first southern state to legalize a thumbs up or a thumbs down in Nov. medicinal marijuana, joining 20 other states. A petition signed by 680,000 people to put “Given the most recent tendencies of Florida medical marijuana on the ballot. A challenge sent to vote blue,” said Shepherd. “I believe that it it to the Florida Supreme Court who voted 4 to will pass. Also, I have heard radio commercials 3 allowing the amendment included in the Nov. promoting the benefits of medicinal marijuana election. such as the ones by “ M e d i c a l Morgan and Morgan. marijuana usage Given the most recent tendencies It’s also becoming would allow you of Florida to vote blue, I believe it more accepted.” to use marijuana will pass. Last year Senior Nathaniel Shepherd for pain mediation Q u i n n i p i a c and other medical University Polling issues,” said AP Institute found that Government teacher Daniel Cowgill. 82 percent of people in Florida support this Senior Hannah Procell’s mother understands amendment. the benefits that would come from this amendment “I don’t think a medicinal marijuana bill will passing. pass because Florida is full of conservative older “My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer people,” said senior Michael Benson. when I was 13 years old and she went through Florida Republican leaders are against the law chemotherapy and had really bad symptoms that passing including GOP consultant Rick Wilson went along with cancer treatment and marijuana and a wing of the Republican Party especially helps these things,” said Procell. evangelicals and “tough on crime” conservatives. According to Reuters.com, the Florida Nationally they won abortion, but lost gay Supreme Court approved the amendment to marriage. Medicinal marijuana will become be on the ballot after attorney general Pam the “hill they die on,” according to the Orlando Bondi, Republican, challenged the clarity of the Sentinel. amendment. Former Governor Charlie Crist who is “I think it is interesting when you think about projected to oppose Governor Scott in November this: Republicans who are all about state’s rights favors the passage of this amendment, according issues tend to be the ones most anti-marijuana to Reuters.com. but, in this instance when Obama’s trying to give “I’m going to vote for it and it’s the right thing them a state’s rights issue, it’s interesting to hear to do,” Crist said. the dichotomous argument against generally what Dissenters argue that the amendment’s they want,” said Cowgill. description of a medical condition is too vague Senior Nathaniel Shepherd explains the and consumers will take advantage of the benefits of medical marijuana. situation. “It has proved to have the potential to help “You see people in California have those people especially when its diagnosed right,” said prescription pads they just walk in and prescribe Shepherd. “Plus a bunch of other states have had themselves something,” said Procell. “But I think it legalized for both medical and recreational uses that the buzz will blow over and people will abuse

it at first and say “oh yeah I have sleeplessness I have pain I don’t have an appetite” and they will get a prescription pretty easily so yes it will definitely be abused but at the same time it will teach us to figure out how to regulate it better.” Morgan argues that the bill will require a doctor to write a medical note and have a legitimate medical condition for it or symptoms, according to an Orlando Sentinel article. He promises Floridians that Florida will not become another California where the system will be taken advantage of or abused. “I think that as it becomes more legal and accepted,” said AP Macroeconomics teacher Alan Musante. “A certain number of people are going to abuse it, and that will hurt their lives and drive up health care costs. They will be less productive at work and I fear that it would cause more traffic accidents because it would impair drivers.” According to Drugpolicy.org 20 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medicinal marijuana for qualifying patients under state law, but it’s still illegal under federal law. Why doesn’t the DEA rip through every state and shut down all of the dispensionaries? “When Obama took office one of the things he stated in order to deal with some of the inequities in our justice system was the persecution of minorities for marijuana possession,” said Cowgill. “It was one of the issues he told the DEA to stop pursuing or arresting people for marijuana.” Procell jokes about a widespread belief that marijuana is a gateway drug. “There was once a joke I heard that says marijuana is not a gateway drug its a drive thru that leads to fries and a cheeseburger and chicken nuggets. I get it, but it does lead to other things,” said Procell.

An Interview With John Morgan WRITTEN BY BRENDAN McCOY An office assistant escorts me to a corner office on the 16th floor, and raps lightly on the door before opening it. The door swings open, and standing there to meet me is one of the most powerful men in Florida and the face of the movement to legalize medical marijuana- attorney John Morgan. “Most people are compassionate, and they know the truth now- that it works,” he said. According to Morgan, there are some unlikely allies that have been made as well, in this fight for compassion including conservative Republicans and Libertarians. “This is not a political issue. This is a medical issue. “You can be a right-wing nutjob with MS. You can be a Tea Party crazy with ALS [Lou Gehrig’s diease]. You can be a left-wing lunatic with cancer. When you get that sick, you don’t think about anything but getting better.” The big pharmaceutical lobby doesn’t worry him either. “People have been so fed up with these companies for so long, that this is now the anti-pharmaceutical movement we’re seeing. “[These companies] know it works, but they can’t get it to work reliably in a pill form, the way it works in the inhaled form or the edible form” Despite opposition, Morgan has no doubts that the drive to legalize medical marijuana will be successful, even with the political polarization on the issue.

NEWS. 5

AIR TESTING APPLIES TO MATH/ENGLISH

MORE RIGOUROUS STANDARDS

The same classes that take reading and math FCAT now will take the AIR based tests next year.

G WITH WHATS CHANGIN

SUNSHINE STATE TESTING?

EOCS FOR ALL All classes not evaluated by the new AIR tests will be tested with EOCs. This applies to all other classes, including fine arts and AP classes.

FLORIDA PAYS LESS

The cost per test and cost per student have been decreased, significantly lowering the overall cost for the school districts.

FCAT IS OUT, AIR IS IN

AIR is an online testing company that Florida chose to create the new untitled evaluation. The new AIR-instituted test will cost $220 million over six years. This is less than the current model.

Q&A

Dr. Michael Blasewitz fills in the blanks regarding next year’s tests

Q: What percentage of a student’s

A: This is a huge challenge. At this

classes take the exam?

grade is each exam?

point it appears that they will be

A: Semester classes will take the

A: 30%

incorporated into the course itself

exams at the conclusion of the

Q: Will performance and elective

much like a unit test or a nine weeks

course. (December/May)

classes have EOCs?

test is.

Q: Are there any electives being

A: They will also have exams.

Q: Will all classes have an EOC?

eliminated due to lack of EOCs?

A:This is for only those subjects not

A: Some courses are being renamed

choice?

connected to a state assessment

for district –wide consistency but at

A: That is dependent upon the

such as the AIR or the state provided

this point none are being eliminated.

exam.

EOC exams.

Students will be asked to create graphs, interact with test content and write and respond in different ways than on traditional tests. New question types will assess students higherorder thinking skills .

scantron/multiple

Some will be created as

computer based tests and some will

When

have options for teachers such as

implemented?

scantrons.

A:They

Q: How will the county deal with

implementation

giving so many tests at the end

school year.

of the year?

will

are

How/when

they

scheduled

for

the

will

2014-15 semester

Dr. Michael Blasewitz, Director of Secondary Education for Seminole County Schools

Teacher Evaluations lCurrently, teachers are being evaluated through the Value Added Model, or VAM. lVAM combines student nine-week exam scores with administrative observations. lAfter this year, teacher’s VAM will be based on EOCs, unless their class falls under the AIR testing which will become the VAM for those teachers. lThe grading scale for evaluations is being determined by the state of Florida.

Calling ALL voters Marijuana on Nov. ballot Tale urges ‘Yes’ vote Pain, agony and stress can all be relieved through the use medical marijuana as a FDA-approved drugs. For these reasons, we at the Lion’s Tale endorse passage of the amendment to legalize medical majrijuana. In 1999, a study found at least some benefit for smoked marijuana in stimulating appetite, particularly in AIDS-related wasting syndrome, and in combating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, severe pain, and some forms of spasticity according to w w w. m a y o c l i n i c p r o c e e d i n g s . org. An article in webmd.com confirmed these benefits, and doctors in states where the drug is legal may prescribe medical marijuana to treat symptoms or illnesses such as muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis, nausea from cancer chemotherapy, poor appetite and weight loss caused by chronic illness (such as HIV or nerve pain), seizure disorders, and Crohn’s disease. The first medical use of marijuana was thought to originate in Central Asia and later spread to China and India, according to mayoclinicproceedings.org. Between 2000 and 1400 BC, the drug travelled across the Middle East, and entered Europe where people explored the drug’s wide range of uses. Now, the legalization of medical marijuana is working its way across the United States, one state at a time. Laws established in 20 states and the District of Columbia permit the use of marijuana for medical reasons, and Colorado and Washington have legalized recreational marijuana, according to the Huffington Post. At least a dozen more states are predicted to legalize medical marijuana in coming years, as researchers

and studies find increasing benefits for the use of medical marijuana. People oppose the legalization of marijuana because they suspect it will trigger a rise in crime. A recent study by the University of Texas in Dallas on the correlation of legal marijuana and crime rates examined legalization’s effect on crimes such as homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and auto theft. The lead author of the study Robert Morris stated, “After controlling for a host of known factors related to changes in crime rates -- we accounted for factors such as poverty, employment, education, even per capita beer sales, among other things - we found no evidence of increases in any of these crimes for states after legalizing marijuana for medical use. In fact, for some forms of violence -- homicide and assault - we found partial support for declines after the passing of this legislation.” Although the legalization of marijuana for medical use is still a new development, the detrimental effects do not outweight the positive, at least at this time. The medical benefits provided have been proven by many studies over the years, and as new studies appear, it is apparent that legalizing medical marijuana doesn’t negatively impact communities where the use of the drug is legal. We at The Lion’s Tale support the legalization of medical marijuana as another step in the always progressing technology of medicine. Where this may lead in terms of increasing or decreasing illegal drug use is not determined, but so far the benefits of medical marijuana are undeniable.

OUR WORD

News Editor Clara Shine Opinion Editor Amyliz Rodriguez

Co-Editors Keenan Smith Alex White Layout Editor Allison Owen

Features Editors Kassandra Saliba Chris Moskal Sports Editor Lyndsey Taylor Advertising Editor Daniel Hernandez

Photographers Miles Miner Tierney Salzmann Staff Artists Harry Allen Catherine Griffith Lauren Hight Staff Reporters Alex Browning Sterling Corum Stephanie Corrigan Alexis Diblanda Bridgette Holland Jaimie Landers Brendan McCoy Cloe-Marie Mora

Camilla Omar Sabrina Omar Nicholas Rodriguez Colton Weisent Brandon White Faculty Adviser Deborah Jepson Admin Adviser Drew Morgan Principal Robert Lundquist

OVIEDO HIGH SCHOOL • 601 KING STREET • OVIEDO, FL • APRIL 8, 2014 • VOLUME 58 • ISSUE 5

OPINION. 7

Why are video games so addictive? EDMOND JORDAN “They’re addictive because of the things you can do that you couldn’t safely do in real life.” SARA ALVAREZ “Because there’s no real responsibilities in a virtual reality like there are in the real world.” NICOLE STANDRIDGE “The amount of excitement that people can get from playing them.” SHEARRANE WILLIAMS “They’re addicting because they’re usually competitive, which makes you want to be the best at it.”

Oviedo High School 601 King Street Oviedo, FL 32765 Phone: 407-3204199 Fax: 407-320-4213 Population: 2096 Students 28 Staff members

PHOTOS BY MILES MINER

“Run! The test monster is coming!” ILLUSTRATION BY HARRY ALLEN Mission Statement 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, FSPA. Distribution 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. Reader Contributions 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. Advertising Policy The Lion’s Tale reserves the right to refuse advertisements. The full advertising policy of The Lion’s Tale is on file in Room 5-020 and is available upon request.

OPINION.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Student disputes Trans* column

PHOTO BY ALEX BROWNING LIONS VS. HUSKIES. This mural at Firehouse Subs in Oviedo illustrates the rivalry between Hagerty and Oviedo High School.

A Lion in Sheep’s Clothing

Columnist experiences high school life at Hagerty through exchange From the first second I walked on the campus of Paul J. Hagerty High School, I felt people staring at co-editor me, questioning ALEX WHITE why I was there. I decided to visit a school that offered such a schedule. I was also curious what it would be like to attend a brand new school. I gaged at the sight of my rival schools excessive use of blue wall paint and matching tile flooring. It really made me miss home, OHS. I started to question why I had accepted this assignment. The few friends I had at HHS gathered in a circle, waiting for the bell to ring. When the ‘bell’ finally rang I thought it was broken because it sounded like a suffocating bee. I jumped,

completely frightened, and assumed that the school was going into lockdown. I later realized we had not. The specific day that I arrived at Hagerty I was to go to a first, third, fifth, and seventh period block period. The first block period, Honors English, lasted hours on end. I sat impatiently and fidgeted with my eyes constantly staring at the minute hand on the black and white clock while others remained busy througout the class. My hands and feet shook even after the hour mark of the block period. I was beyond ready for the period to be over. During a break, I ran into a foe. Passing her in the hallway she stared me down. Her black heinous eyes shooting at me like a laser. I could see the anger swelling in her pupils. So I decided to follow her to her next class, only to see how she would react to such a creepy gesture. At any chance she got, her head would turn almost 360 degrees like an owl to get a glimpse HAGERTY VS OVIEDO Founded 2005 Founded 1932 Block Scheduling Traditional seven period schedule Lacking Mayor’s Sports Cup Holding Mayor’s Sports Cup No Pick First round pick for NFL-Blake Bortles

of me. ‘I’m still here’. I assured her. That caught her off guard and her face reddened. Students around me extolled their love for the block system and could not comprehend as to why I would enjoy a traditional system. Friends of mine would explain how it is easier to deal with homework when you don’t visit a class daily. They would be given homework, but also be given two days to complete it. The environment at Hagerty is not much different than Oviedo, even though there are differences. These things include no AR testing, pre-placement of lockers, and the obvious, block schedule. As the day went on, I got used to the school and the people around me. I began to think that Hagerty proved itself to be a great school and lovely place to attend. When my first and last day at HHS was ending I hadn’t wanted it to be over just yet. The next day I would go back to Oviedo and everything I knew. I would go back to the familiar classmates, classrooms, but most of all, the pride and satisfaction of being a Lion and to that, I didn’t mind.

One of the perks to having a highly regarded school newspaper is that you can expect quality articles that serve a purpose and that are backed up with facts and logic. So you can imagine my discontent when I found an article that was biased to the point of irrationality. Regardless of what you’re writing, there’s always a purpose. Opinion articles are meant to persuade. If the reader is left feeling isolated and/or annoyed with the article, then the author did not do his or her job. Unfortunately, this is exactly the response I had after reading “Time to take action to recognize the rights of transgender teens”. Completely ignoring my personal opinion on the matter, the article came across as more of a “pity plea” than a persuasive article. I’ve found myself scoffing at articles on topics that I actually feel really strongly about simply because of the way they were written. If a writer wants to convince a person to feel a different way, she should use facts and reason, not personal biases or appeals to pity. In addition to the article coming off as a complaint, it failed at making its point. I say this because after rereading the article several times, I still have yet to figure out the overall purpose. The author makes no effort to explain what transgender is, other than it’s “different from sexual orientation”. We’re informed of suicidal thoughts in elementary school children, but there’s no solution offered or any further information on the matter, other than it’s “definitely not okay”. Readers are left with no new information, insight, or motivation to change their mindset at all. It just reads like another teenaged complaint. Furthermore, the telling of the “Californianon-gender-specific-bathroom” ordeal is unilateral. The author mentions how spending “a little bit more money to make gender neutral bathrooms” is a minor thing that can be really helpful, but then neglects to inform the audience of California’s actual situation. Not only are their bathrooms gender neutral, but students are also allowed to pick which locker rooms they use based on the gender they identify with. A student’s choice of bathroom or locker room in no way reflects one’s femininity or masculinity, but rather one’s biological sex. Problems faced by the minority don’t change the impacts on everyone else. In California, there are already complaints from parents who “feel uncomfortable with their daughters showering next to boys”. The separation is not blatant discrimination, but rather a precaution. There’s no way to verify if a boy walking into a girls’ locker room is actually transgender or just trying to invade privacy. I have friends that agree with the author’s standpoint and I have friends that disagree. However, we all came to a consensus that if you’re going to write on such a touchy topic, it’s essential to persuade through hard evidence and not merely by a list of fears and grievances. - Name withheld by request

OPINION.

HEAD EAD 9

Is getting inked worth the trouble?

Significance of tattoos makes them worth any risks WRITTEN BY BRENDAN McCOY

Tattoos bring pain and can’t be erased. But they also can be deeply meaningful, much more than simply ink sitting on the dermis layer of the skin. Tattooing is an art form that has been a part of human culture for at least 4,000 years, according to Joann Fletcher of the University of York in England. The stigma against tattooing began in the 1800s when sailors added unique tattoos to their bodies so that if they died at sea, their bodies could be identified. Today, people use tattoos to visually express themselves and the reasons for having them are extensive. Some commemorate life and death, others communicate a philosophy or feeling, and some are simply decoration. The stigma of tattoos still exists, with thirty percent of employers saying they make an employee less likely to receive a promotion in the workplace if they were sporting their tattoos. However, many experts and tattoo artists themselves believe this has been helped by shows like LA Ink which had 2.9 million people watching the first episode. The celebrity culture also sets an example with everyone from Adele to Jay-Z sporting ink.

• • • •

Body art not worth potential consequences WRITTEN BY ALEXIS DIBLANDA

How safe tattoos are is often brought up by people debating the issue, and years of research by the FDA and the Mayo clinic have found no statistically significant evidence linking the inks used to skin cancer. Also, while bloodborne illnesses are common with prison tattoos, there are no reported cases of HIV or Hepatitis C transmission through regulated and permitted tattoo parlors. Pew Research Center study showed that the industry generates $1.65 billion in revenue each year. Tattoos also contribute to the larger economy, not to mention the 21,000 tattoo parlors in the United States that employ thousands more artists and other personnel. This quote from “Moby Dick” describes the value of tattoos well: “And this tattooing... had written out on his body a complete theory of the heavens and the earth, and a mystical treatise on the art of attaining truth; ...and these mysteries were therefore destined in the end to moulder away with the living parchment whereon they were inscribed.” The younger generation accepts tattooing as an expression of personal freedom.

Be picky about the parlor

Go to a parlor with a reputation for safety. Follow their instructions to reduce risk of infection.

Take extra care with inspirational sayings

A single mistake takes away the meaning. “It’s get better” isn’t quite the same as “It gets better”

What is a worthwhile price to pay for beauty? Waking up an hour earlier every morning? Spending an endless amount of money to keep up with the latest styles? Risking serious infection and other complications? Although tattoos can be beautiful examples of body art that mean a lot the person, the pain and potential complications outweigh the benefits. Besides the initial pain, getting a tattoo may result in allergic reactions to ingredients in the pigment and skin infections. Blood borne diseases, including HIV and hepatitis can be contracted from unsanitary needles. Tattoos may also cause swelling or burning in the tattooed area during MRI exam and interfere with the quality of the image. Research has also shown that tattoo ink can migrate to lymph nodes. From there it can travel to other areas of the body. The permanent nature of tattoos also leads to problems. Vividly colored designs may fade or the pigments that were injected too deep may spread causing the image to blur. Dissatisfaction can result from these and other tattoo mishaps. Changes in the body over time are inevitable. As the skin stretches and wrinkles, tattoos will stretch and wrinkle with it, making the design unrecognizable. The popular styles in the world of tattoos change rapidly, leaving regretfully tattooed people

•

Think about the cost

•

Design challenge

Double check spelling and grammar Be sure of the meanings and spelling of words and symbols. The last thing you need is a tatoo that reads, “Your next”.

• Location, location, location When picking where the tattoo will go, consider whether you want it exposed or not. Older people do judge you based on ink.

A tattoo that’s bigger and more colorful costs more. Check before you commit. If the money runs out, the tatoo artist stops coloring.

Remember that the artist who means so much to you, may not seem so significant in the future. Do you want “Miley Cyrus” on your chest forever?

Avoid politics

While you may be wild about Sarah Palin today, she might not look so good on your forearm in 2020.

with their out of style ink. Removing tattoos takes lots of time, often requiring repeat visits every several weeks, and costs anywhere from several hundred to thousands of dollars. Laser tattoo removal is often more painful than getting a tattoo in the first place. Even after all that effort, scars or remnants of the tattoo may remain. Laser tattoo removal, the most common kind, can also be painful. The FDA hasn’t approved any tattoo pigments for injection under the skin. Tattoo inks contain a wide variety of ingredients that vary between colors and brands. According to the FDA website, many tattoo pigments use industrial-grade colors suitable for printers ink or automobile paint. Little is known about the effects of tattoo ink on the body. Even though society accepts tattoos more now than ever before, stereotypes against tattooed individuals remain. According to www. shrm.org, fifty percent of people without tattoos think people who have them are more rebellious. Some employers fear tattooed employees reflect negatively on the company image or negatively impact relations with clients. Getting tattooed is a major decision with potentially devastating consequences that can last a lifetime. Some call tattoos art and a great form of self-expression, and they make a good point. But do we really need to get ink injected under our skin to show the world who we are?

•

Test of time

Be absolutely certain the tatoo will stand the test of time. Will anyone even know what “Gangnam Style” means when they read it on your inner arm in the future? Or “Harlem Shake.”

• Best avoided list Patrick Swayze as a centaur wearing a bowtie A face on your face Anything involving a swastika Names of boyfriends or girlfriends

FEATURES.

ADDICTED

WRITTEN BY AMYLIZ RODRIGUEZ

Teens resort to video games to relieve stress

GETTING HOOKED

“I find myself getting really aggravated It’s 3:30 p.m. on a away precious class time. when I’m interrupted while playing a game. Monday and senior Madi Slage “[Technology distracts from work in the I yell at my family and then when they take turns on her television. On the classroom.] A very strict and super-observant it away from me, I feel like, at first, my screen appears Mass Effect, Slage’s teacher can keep it from happening, but even world is ending and I have to do anything favorite video game as she begins to the student’s addictive desire to use his or I can in order to see the game, hear the play. her hand-held technological device is a game-essentially play the game as soon as This is just another day in Slage’s life. distraction,” Starling said. Games that capture interest possible. But after a few hours or so I realize For most adolescents, playing games “Much of [students] mental energy and where to play them that I don’t need the game and that I can live whether it be on a computer, a gaming must go into ways in which they can without it,” Rodriguez said. console, or a handheld device is just a regular communicate about some probably less When asked she could ever imagine part of the day. However one in ten youth than profound topic ‘out there’ instead of life without video games, Rodriguez gave a become are classified as pathological gamers, understanding the world inside the classroom. simple answer. allowing games to interfere with their personal In many cases a student’s use of their “I think I can [live without games]. It’s relationships or the pursuit of their goals. personal technological device violates the not like it’s vital to my lifespan even though it According to psychologist Kristi DeName, time-honored sacred space of the classroom, feels like it. But a world without video games there has been research and speculation a place where people ponder the world while would probably be better to be honest. Yes, we regarding videogaming and how it can be a being temporarily walled off from it, thereby have better hand-eye coordination, but we source of addiction. DeName states that the understanding it better when they return to it.” would be able to focus on the more release of dopamine desensitize the individual, Rodriguez, once a straight “A” student, important aspects of life,” allowing the student to seek more of the finds that as her addiction increases, her GPA Rodriguez said. addictive source. decreases. Having this addiction “I like to have a wide selection of games “Having this addiction sucks because I sucks because I know I because I easily get bored and due to these know I have to do the work-yet I don’t want have to do the work-yet excessive attention shifts, I’ll play for hours to. I would rather just play my games and relax I don’t want to. I would on end if I don’t have any prior engagements,” and forget everything else because I’m already rather just play my games Slage said. at school for seven hours. Why should I have to and relax and forget Unlike substance abuse, the biological everything else because bring that work home?” Rodriguez said. aspect of video game addiction is uncertain. I’m already at school for On the other hand, Slage says that putting However, experts find that gamers develop seven hours. Why should aside homework for games came easy for her. But an emotional attachment to characters as I have to bring that work that’s all changed. they take the role of a fictional character and home? “I used to play video games instead of doing interact with others in a virtual world. my homework all the time. I mean sometimes Sophomore Elena Rodriguez “Games like Castlevania, Fallout and you just need a break from all the school work Mass Effect eat up nearly all of my time you get bombarded with. Now, though, my time because each story enthralls me. I can’t pull management has greatly improved and now I my eyes away for even a moment because I have more responsibilities. But over the summer, constantly crave more,” Slage said. you couldn’t get me out of the house. I spent the Sophomore Elena Rodriguez immerses entire month of June just playing video games,” herself in her video games as well. Slage said. “I play a lot of video games with interesting stories. Kingdom Hearts, Comments and Concerns Batman: The Arkham series, Dead Space, Not only are teachers concerned for the and Final Fantasy all have intense stories progression of their students, but parents are and sometimes it gets to the point where I concerned for their children as well. play it for a long time and I actually feel like Mother of three, Lillian Bennett sees I am the character I’m playing. I get really symptoms of gaming addiction growing among attached to these characters, I feel like I her children. feel what they feel and sometimes it takes “At times I feel as though I live in a house up so much of my time that I forget about of robots. My kids come home and they’re on school,” Rodriguez says. their phones texting or playing the latest app like

World of Warcraft

Call of Duty

Grand Theft Auto

Flappy Bird or Candy Crush,” Bennett said. “When [my kids] play games on their Advanced Placement phones or gaming console for so long it becomes English Literature teacher irritating- they disconnect. I remember asking Roy Starling believes my son if he had done his homework since he that advancements in was playing his PlayStation4 for so long and he technology are taking responded in a surprising way. He snapped at me, saying that if he wanted to do his homework he would. That’s when I knew his compulsion had become too overbearing.” Rodriguez admits that gaming affects her behavior at times as well, but that it’s slowly becoming more manageable.

Differing Opinions

Fifa World Cup

FEATURES. 11

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

52 Pokemon out of 719 total are considered to be legendary Pokemon. Presidents Bill Clinton and Harry Truman both considered professional careers in music. The insane Roman emperor Caligula once declared war on the god Neptune. He ordered his armies to stab the ocean with their swords. Benjamin Franklin had 17 children.

Teen finds the divine in math WRITTEN BY NICHOLAS RODRIGUEZ ILLUSTRATION BY KASSANDRA SALIBA

David Ridgeway sits in his chair. He shifts in his chair and his eyes glimmer. He sits in his chair and he leans forward. He says, “Mathematics is a reflection of God.” He leans in his chair. His eyes glimmer and his lips pucker and he smiles his knowing smile. He says, “God is mathematical. Mathematics is an image of God.” For senior David Ridgeway, mathematics isn’t dull. It isn’t dull or “boring”. It’s alive. It’s alive and breathing and radiating vitality. It’s alive and breathing and is God which is life. Mathematics, for Ridgeway, isn’t just a quadratic function. It isn’t just the area of a square or the circumference of a circle. It’s more and it radiates more and it spills over because math, for Ridgeway, is brim full with

life and God and meaning. He says, “Mathematics provides a better picture of God. Algebra, geometry, trigonometry are intertwined in many ways. It gives you a better picture of God.” Ridgeway mutters sometimes. He mutters and mumbles and it’s hard sometimes for you to hear him. He stays quiet in his other classes. But he has his equations. and his quadratic function and his areas and circumferences. Mathematics, for David, is a language. A medium for expression, a medium by which David can know, and see, what others can’t. He says, “Mathematics is spoken, but it’s not a language. Not in the sense that it’s spoken. It’s more a language in the sense that it conveys. Conveys thoughts, ideas, realities.” Ridgeway mumbles sometimes. He mumbles and he mutters. But he writes his equations on his white lined papers, and

The Grades That Once Controlled Me by: Lauren Hight

derives functions and the essence of God. He mumbles sometimes. But what he does say transcends language. Transcends appearance and reality and all notions of conventional normalities. What he does say, is God, God in abstract, manifest in white lined papers, in quadratic functions, in the area of the square and the circumference of a circle.

Editor’s Note

One by One features a selected student chosen at random whose story is told in only 300 words.

The largest species of jellyfish is the Lion’s Mane jellfyish. Its tentacles can reach over 120 feet long. Four U.S. Presidents have won the Nobel Peace Prize: Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama.

Soviet Union dictator Joseph Stalin’s real name was Ioseb Besarionis dze Jughashvili. The word Stalin means “Man of Steel”. Five actors have been nominated for the Academy Award more than ten times: Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn, Laurence Olivier, Jack Nicholson, and Meryl Streep.

Born with an abnormally large head, doctors thought Albert Einstein might be mentally disadvantaged. INFO COURTESTY OF CS.CMU.EDU

FEATURES. 12

THROUGH

PUS M A C O HER

THE

Y EAR S . . highschool - present

Robert

PHOTO COURTESY OF THINKINGFAN.COM

To My Students...

Seminole Baseball Team

1969 Lundquist

After 40 years I say a heart felt good-bye! As I clear my files and reminisce, one common denominator rings loud and clear that my sole purpose is and was to help you! The teachers and staff have exhausted all of their energy to provide you the best possible environment to achieve, grow as a person, have fun, and win! In my eighteen years at “Dear Oviedo” you have risen above the rest and laid the indelible foundation that we are the home of Champions and Scholars!

1968

As our Alma Mater permeates our heart and soul “Through the years we all remember OHS”, you will reflect on the good times of spring breaks, spending time at the beach, senior lunches, and the wonderful days when everything seemed to go perfectly. The tests, homework, senior project, SATS, AP exams are probably or will be an afterthought of your high school years. The memories will be your friends, mentors, the people who made you laugh and the ones who lifted your spirit. These people you will remember throughout your life.

1968

Lundquist and Teammate

As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” My dear friends go forth with the love, peace and happiness that you will make a difference in our world! God Bless and Have a great life! Sincerely, Your Principal

1969 Seminole Football Team

ist

dqu Lun

1981 Seminole Baseball Team

Lundquist

1996

Lundquist says

WRITTEN BY ALEX WHITE

tudents dressed in bright orange garments scream and chant as Principal Robert W. Lundquist leads a pep rally, his voice rippling through the black microphone. “Who wants the spirit stick?” screams Lundquist. After 18 years leading pep rallies to planning curriculum, Lundquist remains positive that he will miss OHS. “I have a lot of mixed emotions about leaving. I realize personally that after 40 years in education it’s time for me to open the next chapter of my life which are my retirement years. I’m going to miss many things. Mostly the kids and relationships I’ve built with the staff and faculty,” Lundquist said. Lundquist announced his retirement at the first faculty meeting after winter break and plans on leaving the school in June. Plans are in the works to hire his replacement. “Hopefully the new principal will take Oviedo High School into an even better place. It’s been a quiet reaction so far. I have not wanted much fanfare or pomp and circumstance. I don’t need that and I don’t want that. It’s my desire to just quietly move into the sunset,” Lundquist said. Media specialist Carol Coulon-Woods believes that Lundquist is ambivalent about retiring. “It may be a good time to leave but in your heart it’s hard to leave, because he’s leaving behind so many people that love him. And it really is hard to move on,” Woods said. “It gives me a pit in my stomach. I don’t think about it. I just pretend he’s not leaving. The day he walks out the door is going to be heartbreaking.” Appointed principal in 1996, Lundquist learned early about the demands of the job. “I don’t know that I knew what I was getting myself into 18 years ago but I quickly realized that I had a huge target as principal. Everybody wanted a piece of me as far as requests. It can be overwhelming if you allow it to be and completely consuming of your life,” Lundquist said. But over the course of the years, Lundquist‘s support of academics and sports paid off. “We’ve already had four state champions

1996 Lundquist with players and coaches of the Oviedo Basketball Team

this ye cumula merit s a cumu rate on “Just th earned high sch Ple he does “Th the acco a better “W it contin product based o Ass OHS be lead Se “I think it is. H in place County place is here an people we’ll be positive To Lundqu campus “No making is in the in this b a good decision it is tha So attentio “Hi in the s inspirat comes t needs fi

1996 Lundquist and former Principal Wayne Epps

t W. Lundquist

FEATURES. 13

good-bye after 40 years in education

as Mr. Lundquist is. I also hope that the new principal will really make everyone feel welcome, which is what Mr. Lundquist has done all these years and I’m really grateful.” Guidance director Nicola Williams believes none parallel Lundquist’s involvement with the school, students and staff. “The thing about Mr. Lundquist is that he really does love his students and he has a heart for kids and he understands the business side of the school that has to be taken care of,” Williams said. “He’s always keeping in mind what’s best for the kids here. He loves these kids. He goes to seemingly every event, and he’s just always there. There are schools where they never see their principal. He’s always in the Commons for lunch. I feel like whoever comes in they would have to have that heart for kids, and not be the kind of principal that sits back behind closed doors in their office and you never see them.” Lundquist’s leading motivation lies with the students. “I get up every day wanting to say something nice to every student I come in contact with. My goal is to learn a new name every day. When you have a student population of 2350, it’s virtually impossible to learn every name. But when I learn more and more, that’s motivation to me,” Lundquist said. “You would be surprised how that interaction motivates students when they know that the principal knows their name. The more recognitions that I can give, gives me the motivation to do more and more and more.” Senior Elana Goldstein is involved with chorus and enjoys the satisfaction of having her principal there to cheer her on. “Whenever we had a chorus concert, he would always come in and tell us we did a good job. He told us he appreciated the great singing we did and that it gave him goose bumps,” Goldstein said. “I’m glad to have a principal that puts so much into the students and really participates in school and also out of school.” One of Lundquist’s greatest memories of Oviedo High School remains as the relationship he has created with students and staff. “For the past 18 years it’s been a small city every

1998 Lundquist and students

day with the family we have with our faculty and student body. To see that growth makes me sad to leave,” Lundquist said. As the year draws to a close, Lundquist hatches plans for his retirement years. “I’m going to enjoy life. I’ve had a few hurdles but so far I’m in pretty good health so hopefully I’ll be able to enjoy those things that I enjoy doing. I enjoy golfing and fishing. I anticipate traveling with my wife and I want to build things around the house. I want to garden and have flowers.” “I couldn’t think of anything better then to eat my own vegetables and watch the flowers grow. I’m a Florida Gator so when the sky is orange and blue at sunset you know it’s been a good day,” Lundquist said. “I want to see the world. Enjoy my grandchildren , my wife, and my kids. Spend as much time with all those that I love more. I want to get up when I want to get up and go to bed when I want to go to bed.” “Some people say that they can’t ever stop working but to me life is like chapters. You start out as an infant and then go to grade school, and then high school years and then college then develop a career and experience challenges. I have been through all of those chapters and have not experienced the retirement chapter and I think I’m ready for it. It will be quite challenging for me to fill up those hours of the day that I need to fill up with activity because I’ve been so busy for 40 years. Hopefully I’m going to enjoy life to it’s fullest for the remaining years I have on this earth.” Although it can be overwhelming, Lundquist also finds being principal rewarding and an honor. “For me to stand with the students at graduation each year as their principal, it truly has been an honor and again I’m blessed that I am in this position. As far as my profession has gone I would not do it any differently if I had to do it all over again. The gratification I’ve received from working with high school aged students has been fantastic and overwhelming. “The older I get the more sentimental I get about it. Being here at OHS and having the experience of working with this community over the years has been quite fulfilling. What a wonderful place this is.”

2004 Lundquist, Gerald Cassanova, and Robin Duvall

PHOTO BY ALLISON OWEN

ear. Our top ten students have almost a ative average of 4.6. We have three national scholars. We have almost 300 students with ulative average of 4.0, and a 70 percent pass n advancement placement,” Lundquist said. he achievements that Oviedo High School has over the years are unsurpassed by any public chool in the state of Florida.” eased with this year’s progress, Lundquist says sn’t think this year could have gone any better. he A grade, all these state championships, all olades our students are achieving. Couldn’t be r year, knock on wood,” Lundquist said. We have a few more weeks to go so let’s hope inues in a positive direction. We have a very tive senior class and I always judge my years on their productivity.” sistant principal Drew Morgan notes that became the high school to carry the torch and eminole County crediting Lundquist. k he’s worked hard to get the school to where He’s worked hard to put policies and people e to continue being the flagship of Seminole y,” Morgan said. “I really believe that this s better off now than it was when he first got nd I think with the policies, procedures, and that he’s brought to the school community, e able to see the school continue to grow in a e light.” create an optimistic school environment, uist described the factors that contribute to s achievements. o matter what the decision is that you’re g you have to communicate in a way in which e best interest of the student. That’s how it is business. Good communication to me is being listener and making sure that you base your ns upon how other people interpret whatever at you’re trying to decide,” Lundquist said. ophomore Elizabeth Tammi appreciates the on Lundquist pays students. is tremendous efforts to be kind to everyone school has really shown and he is been a real tion,” Tammi said. “I hope that whoever to be our principal next year puts the students’ first, tries to be just as dedicated, and involved

2010 Lundquist former Superintendent Voogel and H.S. principals

2012 Lundquist and students

////Reviewed

FEATURES.

Music, movies, books & more

QUICK REVIEW

House of Cards Drama T.V. show

SUPERLATIVE

ADMIRABLE

ADEQUATE

ATROCIOUS

Because the Internet

Childish Gambino

Hip Hop

WRITTEN BY BRANDON WHITE If you wish to understand how our government is actually run, I highly recommend the Netflix original series House of Cards. The main character Frank Underwood’s southern charm and humor outweigh his power-hungry Macbethian actions, and makes me want to be him. His Shakespearian element is further emphasized by his many soliloquies into the camera. The show releases all 13 episodes at one time on Netflix and is bred to be binge watched. The star Kevin Spacey makes an amazing politician and villain. After all the awful things he does I still revere his character.

QUICK REVIEW The Grand Budapest Hotel

Comedy/Drama Movie WRITTEN BY CHRIS MOSKAL

The actor who played Voldemort in the Harry Potter movies would probably not be your first choice for the lead role in a comedy film. But Ralph Fiennes’ performance in Wes Anderson’s new film The Grand Budapest Hotel as the concierge M. Gustave will shock his fans. He’s spectacular and Gustave might be the funniest character in any Anderson movie. The story takes place in a fictional European country in the 1930s, and follows the apprenticeship of refugee Zero Moustafa under Gustave.

World of Disapointment Online role-playing

Bethseda Game Studios WRITTEN BY DANIEL HERNANDEZ The upcoming Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is a new Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) to be soon released to the public. However, anyone excited for this release should prepare for udder disappointment. Similar to other online multiplayer games, the Elder Scrolls Online fails to offer diversity

Hip Hop album delivers deeper meaning WRITTEN BY BRENDAN McCOY

“Ain’t nobody sicker and my Fisker, “vroom, vroom,” yo /Ain’t nobody- (Fiskers don’t make noise when they start up...just so you know.)” Clever and humorous lines like this is one of many reasons why Because the Internet is one of the best rap albums I’ve recently listened to. Donald Glover a.k.a. Childish Gambino worked as a writer for the show 30 Rock and had a major role on the show Community prior to focusing on stand-up comedy and his rap career. This album, his second studio album, was actually recorded at Miami Heat center Chris Bosh’s mansion in Los Angeles. There are also numerous collaborations on the album, and in creating and improving a character that you make. The Elder Scrolls Online does offer beautiful scenery and endless areas to explore. This MMORPG faces many of the same challenges as other online games have faced, and fails to rise to the occasion. Previous games of this series, such as Skyrim, have allowed for players to gain abilities in an nearly endless variety of skills. Elder Scrolls Online lacks this basic creativity,

Gambino even had help with the title, which he got from Indie rock artist Beck, as he stated in an interview. “Because of the internet I’m here, because of the internet we’re all here,” said Gambino. “It’s the language of earth. Everyone keeps saying by this or that year, Mandarin or Spanish will be the most dominant language, but the internet is already a language we are all connected to; even my dad can understand the meme format. But the thing is, there are no rules, which is also the awesome thing.” In the album, Gambino creates a neoAvant Garde sound using musical styles on the tracks that are unconventional for the rap genre. These include sound bytes from a range of sources, from the Little Mermaid to

random men screaming, and even unusual promotional events within the tangible and virtual worlds, all tying into the central theme of the interconnectedness of the digital age. One such promotion is the release of a screenplay to accompany the album. Even the cover of this album is unusual, with a .GIF file as the cover that moves, showing Gambino’s face blurring. On CD copies of the album, 3-D printing recreates the effect of the .GIF. Overall, Because the Internet keeps the listener interested beyond the superficial aspect. Through the unusual promotion, cover, and music, the album isn’t another lame gimmick. Because the Internet delivers a message about the modern world, the people who live in it, and the way they connect and interact.

allowing for character to only gain abilities into four different ways. Overlooking this drawback, ESO still lacks any real sense of excitement. While the idea of getting to explore a world with other human players may seem exciting, the thought gets annoying fairly quickly. With so many people running across the screen, there is hardly any fear of being killed or beaten by an enemy because someone is always there to jump

in for you. On top of that, this game allows for all leveling to be gained on a “last hit” basis, meaning that even if you have spent hours fighting a monster, whoever walks by and kills it can take all the credit. The only advantage this game holds in respects to others is graphics and a well-known series title. With its extreme lack of gameplay intensity, this game is likely to lose any popularity it currently has quickly and just become another failed online game of the past.

FEATURES. 16

Portrait of Genius and Madness

Illuminating art documentary both hilarious and insightful WRITTEN BY CHRIS MOSKAL PHOTO COURTESY OF IMDB.COM

Who would have thought that watching paint dry would be so fascinating? I had told my parents ahead of time that I was going to choose this movie to review for the school newspaper when we went to see the film. They both said that I should choose something popular that average high school student would go see and that no one would be interested in an art documentary. Neither of them have any knowledge about art. After the film when we were walking out, my dad said to me, “That was fantastic. You should definitely review that.” The documentary, Tim’s Vermeer, is about a rich inventor named Tim Jenison, who is completely obsessed with the idea of recreating a Johannes Vermeer painting. He believes that the 17th century Dutch master painter used optical devices to create photorealistic detail in his works, and decides to test his hypothesis by attempting to exactly replicate Vermeer’s painting, The Music Lesson. To get such phenomenal detail in his work, Jenison is convinced that Vermeer used special optical lenses to reflect an image onto the canvas. He would create a scene in his studio that he wanted to paint using models and objects and then used a lens to reflect the image into a mirror. The mirror would then reflect that image onto the canvas, allowing the artist to just paint over it, recreating every detail perfectly.

Art Film to Watch: Pollock

The actor Ed Harris realized he looked very similar to abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock after reading the biography Jackson Pollock: An American Saga. Making a film about his life became Harris’ dream project, and after ten years he directed and starred in the 2000 film Pollock. The movie chronicles Pollock’s life and turbulent relationship with his wife, the abstract expressionist painter Lee Krasner (Marcia Gay Harden, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the film). If you want to learn more about the artist whose painting Number 19 sold at an auction last year for $58,363,750, this is an excellent place to start.

To achieve his vision, Tim Jenison goes about the project like a hilarious mad scientist. He refuses to use any technology Vermeer wouldn’t have had access to when he painted The Music Lesson, so he builds his own studio to recreate the painting’s scene exactly. Jenison even goes so far as to make his own 17th century chair and makes his own paints based on the materials used in that era. Oh yeah, and he also learned the Dutch language beforehand. The process of recreating the painting’s scene- not the actual painting- takes Jenison 213 days. Painting The Music Lesson takes 130 days. Jenison started the Vermeer project in 2008, completing it after five years. The famous magician/comedy duo Penn and Teller respectively produced and directed the film. Both are great friends with Jenison and Penn adds amusing, insightful commentary throughout. Of the documentaries I’ve seen, I think Tim’s Vermeer became my favorite. In just 80 minutes you will be greatly entertained, fascinated, inspired to learn more about art. Some people would dismiss the prospect of seeing an art documentary because they aren’t artists or don’t know anything about art. What makes Jenison’s triumph even more impressive is because he isn’t an artist either.

HHHH

Vermeer Trivia Vermeer has only 34 paintings attributed to him today. His wife had 15 children, four of whom died as infants. Unlike most artists of his era, Vermeer never taught apprentices. Salvador Dali admired Vermeer and painted him as the subject of his painting The Ghost of Vermeer of Delft Which Can Be Used As a Table. It’s currently located in the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida.

FEATURES.

ATTED UP

MILLENIALS INCREASINGLY EMBRACE INK

In 1897

23%

75%

WOMEN HAVE TATTOOS

OF AMERICAN SOCIETY

WOMEN WERE TATTOOED, USUALLY IN PLACES COVERED BY CLOTHING

WHEN RECEIVING A TATTOO, YOUR SKIN IS PRICKED BETWEEN

50 AND 3,000

19%

TIMES PER MINUTE BY A NEEDLE IN THE TATTOO MACHINE

OF MEN DO

INFO FROM NYTIMES.COM

OUR BODIES, OUR INK AUTHOR MARGOT MIFFLIN WILL SOON PUBLISH A BOOK RELATING TO TATTOOING.

called “BODIES OF SUBVERSION: A SECRET HISTORY OF WOMEN AND TATTOO”

INFO FROM NYTIMES.COM

69%

OF TATTOO REMOVAL REQUESTS CAME FROM WOMEN

INFO FROM NYTIMES.COM

AVOID UNDERGROUND TATTOO PARTIES

YOU MAY THINK YOU’RE GETTING A REASONABLE TATTOO BUT YOU ARE AT HIGH RISH OF DISEASE. THESE CLUBS ARE ILLEGAL AND UNSAFE INFO FROM TATTOO.ABOUT.COM

1961 TO 1997 FROM

IT WAS ILLEGAL TO GET A TATTOO IN

NYC

INFO FROM RANDOMHISTORY.COM

INFO FROM SMITHSONIAN.COM

INCH COST BETWEEN

$50

and

$100

INFO FROM RANDOMHISTORY.COM

Senior Jessica Whitacre # of Tattoos: 3

Shining star-a name senior Jessica Whitacre will always remember because that’s what her Grandmother Laurie used to call her. During the last Christmas holiday she got to spend with her grandmother, Whitacre got three stars tatooed on her back, colored pink for breast cancer awareness.The three stars represent her grandmother, grandfather, and herself. Music played a huge part in Whitacre’s elementary years. As a kid she moved around a lot. Being insecure about the way she looked and not being very athletic weighed down on her. Then she joined a children’s choir that helped her find her place. To celebrate, Whitacre inked a black treble clef on her lower back to symbolize the music that helped shape who she is today.

Senior Chassity Baker # of Tattoos: 2 INFO FROM HOWSTUFFWORKS.COM

THE FIRST TATTOO WAS CARBON DATED TO BE 5,200 YEARS OLD TATTOOS UNDER AN

AMERICANS SPEND APPROXIMALEY

$1.65 billion on tattoos annually INFO FROM RANDOMHISTORY.COM

Senior Chassity Baker’s Aunt Cathy and Uncle Fonzell were murdered when she was just thirteen. These two adults, once her support system, played a huge part shaping who she is today “I felt like the world ended. I didn’t know who to turn to or trust; I couldn’t leave my house without being afraid,” Baker said. Two years ago, Chassity got the word ‘faith’ with angel wings tattooed on the left part of her chest to remind herself that she has to keep living no matter how hard situations are. The tattoo allows her to be able to express herself without saying anything.

Senior Rachel Beltran # of Tattoos: 5

The colors yellow and black fill in the outline of a sunflower drawn on Rachel Beltran’s back. The flower represents her Grandmother who passed away three years ago. This tattoo symbolizes how her Grandmother always brought positivity and beauty into her life. A scripted quote “Never Lose Your Strength” runs across her upper thigh reminding her to never let her own insecurities get to her. Beltran believe these tattoo show that she is able to rise above all of her problems and that no matter what happens nothing can stand in her way.

Junior Mackenzie Patterson # of Tattoos: 1

The cross symbolizes faith, hope, life, and healing and the points on a cross represent self, nature, and wisdom according to junior Mackenzie Patterson. Patterson tattooed the words “Think Positive” with the‘T’ elongated to form a cross. This tattoo is to remember her Grandmother who committed suicide.

FEATURES.

The One Page Low-down 19

Flappy Cat

Compare & Contrast

WRITTEN BY ALEX WHITE Removing Flappy Bird from the App Store just doesn’t seem to be enough to kill this resilient bird. The game appears to be living on in a series of unrelenting knock-offs that are hitting the App Store each day. With this new app, the bird’s natural enemy has been brought into the mix: Flappy Cat. This app includes a cat leaping through pillars on a pirate ship over a green sea. The object of the game is for the kitty to reach its food. While the game runs its course, you try and collect four pirate flags: yellow, green, red, and black. Each increases in difficulty as you collect them. The cat is dressed in a pirate’s hat and a cape.

Fashion Trend of the Season Pastel Grunge Has Sprung WRITTEN BY CATHY GRIFFITH Spring is just around the corner and pastels are in. Pastel Grunge that is! Get ready for pastels, muted hair colors, funky jewelry and chunky shoes. You don’t have to buy an entirely new wardrobe, but you will need several pieces to make this fashion trend complete. Clothing: Button up blouses, sweaters, maxi skirts, dip-dyed shorts, leopard print and pastel colored clothing. Be sure to add a few pieces of funky jewelry, too. Shoes: Leather boots with studs or spikes and platformed shoes. Hair: Black, bleach blonde (almost white) or pastel colored voluminous hair. The bigger the better. To style it, try straightening, curling, braiding and accessorizing with skull clips or bows. Makeup: Stick to lighter colors for the eye shadow and face concealer. Use thick eyeliner on bare eyes with white on the bottom. Try thick mascara or fake lashes. Enhance with dark colored lipstick. Nude lipstick works too.

ILLUSTRATION BY CATHY GRIFFITH

SUDOKU

Pixar vs. Dreamworks

WHAT GRINDS MY GEARS

GUYS

WRITTEN BY CHRIS MOSKAL

Pick Up Lines

CATEGORY February 3, 1986

WRITTEN BY STEPHANIE CORRIGAN

There have been many instances of human rights disasters throughout history, and although it has been shown that it only takes one to speak up, many fail to do so. I cannot sit by and watch others suffer. Indifference condones injustice; proactivity combats it. People underestimate the likelihood of horrifying human rights violations occurring today. Therefore it was appalling to learn that such abuses are happening here and now, in our own backyard. In my journalism course last year, my teacher read several news articles to the class about the Florida School for Boys in Marianna, FL. I was stunned and angered to hear about the atrocities going on. The troubled boys that attended the school were beaten

27, including 7 Best Animated Feature

Year Founded Academy Award Wins

October 12, 1995 15, with 1 win for Best Animated Feature

Wins $8.5 billion worldwide

Total Box Office Gross

$11 billion worldwide

WINNER: Pixar

Haiku Reviews Bad Words

WRITTEN BY CHRIS MOSKAL A tale of honor. Teaches sportsmanlike conduct. Parents, take your kids!

and mistreated, so much so that many unmarked graves were found on the property. The most shocking part was that the school didn’t actually close its doors until June 30, 2011. Every life has worth. You don’t have to look far to see basic human dignity being trampled upon. Human trafficking, genocide, and child armies all proliferate the world yet not enough is being done. Maybe some people think that there is nothing they can do to make a difference. It doesn’t matter if you can’t do everything; just make sure you do something.

WRITTEN BY DANIEL HERNANDEZ For all you yearning fellas out there still looking for a date, now is not the time to give up hope. Try using any of these ten pick-up lines and you’re sure to get a smile* out of any girl: 1. I don’t know if you know this, but you look a lot like my next girlfriend. 2. You’re like a dictionary... you add meaning to my life. 3. I’m sine squared theta; you’re cosine squared theta. Together we are one. 4. If I were a stop light, I’d turn red every time you passed by, just so I could stare at you a bit longer. 5. I thought happiness started with an H. Why does mine start with U? 6. Are you a camera? Because every time I see you, you make me smile. 7. People call me John, but you can call me Tonight. 8. Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again. 9. Of all the beautiful curves on your body, your smile is my favorite. 10. Hershey’s makes millions of kisses a day. All I’m asking for is one from you. *Smiles not guaranteed.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PUBLICITY SITES

memorable Magic Tree Video of the Month RememberThe House books supplied the of the 1990’s and 2000’s Neil DeGrasse Tyson-March This? kids with wonder and history WRITTEN BY BRANDON WHITE

WRITTEN BY ALEX BROWNING

lessons. Written by Mary Pope Osborne, the books started with Dinosaurs Before Dark published on July 28, 1992. Jack and Annie’s latest adventure sent them to Egypt to meet Florence Nightingale in the book High Time for Heroes, published Jan. 7, 2014. Some people see these books seem childish but others see it as full of life lessons.

GUIDE

10 on The Colbert Report

To promote his new show Cosmos, Neil DeGrasse Tyson decided to go on Colbert. Tyson is the most frequent guest of the Colbert Report appearing as a guest on the show 10 times. Cosmos is a great show and Tyson is an amazing storyteller and incredibly smart in addition to being funny.

So Not Hot WRITTEN BY AMY RODRIGUEZ

1) Saggy pants 2) Shoulder pads 3) Thongs with tights or yoga pants 4) See-through crop tops 5) Wearing too much makeup 6) Not dressing for body type

SPORTS. 20

Water Polo

Blood in the water

Fun Facts The goal keeper wears the cap with the number

The kick that water polo players do is called the“Egg beater”. It allows them to move easily in the pool without swimming.

Water polo players talk about the hidden side of the sport OVER HERE. Senior Diego Orbegoso passes the ball to a teammate during a game against Lake Howell on March 5th.

PHOTO BY MILES MINER WRITTEN BY LYNDSEY TAYLOR

Apologies mean nothing to Senior Shannon Kennedy. To prove it she put a rule in place- no more saying sorry at practice. “If you are saying sorry, you are showing a weak side. You have to be aggressive and you have to fight. The girls on the other team aren’t going to apologize. They aren’t going to care. I know they aren’t going to care because I don’t care. I will beat up on a girl,” Kennedy said. Kennedy thinks that water polo might be the most difficult sport of all. “I think water polo is probably the hardest sport because the refs only see what is happening above the water. Under water you could be getting punched in the stomach or drowned and people could have their hands in your suit. It’s kind of ridiculous,” Kennedy said. Senior Austin Kleeb agrees that there is a more violent side beneath the surface. “Anything under the water is fair game. I have torn my shoulder in games as well as broken other peoples’ noses,” Kleeb said. Water polo involves fighting- a wrestling under water of sorts. “I’m in one of the hardest positions, which is set or the one in the middle that everyone is trying to get the ball to. The person that is defending me is usually the best person on the other team so I’m pretty much in a wrestling match the whole entire game with this one person. It’s very tiring,” Kennedy said. Kennedy feels that aggression is key in water polo. “You have to be aggressive in order to play the sport. You can’t be dainty and expect to win. The best teams out there are strong and huge. There are teams in Miami that the kids have legs the size of tree trunks and you’re up against that.”

Junior Audra Duffy knows that she must be aggressive in order to defend herself against the unrelenting girls from the opposing teams. “I have been kicked with two feet in the chest and throat. These girls get mean; they will grab your suit and pull you under trying to drown you. One girl actually punched me. It gets even worse when you are double- teamed and two people are keeping you from getting the ball,” Duffy said. Although this violence sometimes results in injuries, Duffy thinks that it is essential to the game of water polo. “This contact is a vital part of the sport. It is hard to get used to people grabbing you but it’s just a part of the game,” Duffy said. Both junior Landon Klopftenstein and Kleeb enjoy the intense physical contact. “I think it’s great. Full contact sports are so much fun,” Klopftenstein said. “For me, it is a good release for stress and anger,” Kleeb said. There are some advantages to this violence. It can wear out the opponent, give the players a better chance of scoring, and increase the chances of a player from the opposing team getting ejected. “If the best player on the other team gets kicked out of a game for violence, it gives us an advantage. We can get more goals and win the game,” Kennedy said. Along with these advantages, however, come disadvantages. Injuries. “The violence can cause season-ending injuries which make moving on in the post season harder,” Duffy said. There are some precautions in place as of now to prevent players from getting too seriously injured. “They do nail checks before hand to check

on it.

how long your nails are to make sure that you can’t rip someone’s skin off. I don’t think they are doing a very good job though, because I keep getting scratches. ” Kennedy said. Kennedy feels that there are no other preventative measures that can be taken. “I don’t think there is anything else you can do. If you add pads we wouldn’t be able to swim. It’s just something that can’t be avoided. If you get mad at a girl you are going to dig your nails into her as hard as you can and try to drown her,” Kennedy said. In the end, violence and injuries go hand in hand with water polo. Kennedy has come to accept this fact and it’s one of the reasons she enjoys the sport. “It’s just you in your suit, you have to man up and play,” Kennedy said.

Musician Sean Paul is a former member of Jamaica’s national water polo team. Women’s water polo became an Olympic sport at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games after political protests from the Australian women’s team.

INFO COURTESY OF http://www.collegiatewaterpolo.org

THE STRUGGLE. Senior Stephanie Gaertner blocks a Hagerty player during their game on March 28.

PHOTOS BY RYAN HELLIESEN-GRAY

Living Junior finds hobby and possible career in BMX WRITTEN BY JAIMIE LANDERS

FLY HIGH. Junior Keaton Aspuru practices with friends at Merritt Island Skatepark.

Junior Keaton Aspuru patiently waited, healed, and then decided to take up BMX, even after two broken ankles that ended his motocross career. BMX is the sport consisting of stunt riding on bikes, and a sport Aspuru dedicates his time to. Hoping to sign a pro contract within a year, Aspuru remains flexible to what is in store for the future. “Right now I am supposed to sign my pro contract next year, and if I sign that, I’ll see what goes from there,” Aspuru said. “I’m going to try to go to college because I don’t want to get hurt and not have anything to fall back on. If all goes well, it’s looking like I can make a career out of it.” Aspuru believes that riding is well worth the risk of getting hurt. “The most challenging part is definitely dealing with injuries,” Aspuru said. “After a while you know you’re going to get hurt but you build up the confidence to ride. It’s definitely worth it. BMX has taught me not to give up so easily.” Aspuru explained that he had never originally planned to ride BMX. His passion at first was dedicated to

SPORTS. 21

ride

motocross, but a severe injury prevented him from racing dirt bikes again. “I started motocross and I raced for a couple of teams. I got in a bad accident and broke both my ankles so I couldn’t shift gears anymore,” Aspuru said. “While I was in a cast, I still wanted to do something. My friend had a BMX bike so I just started riding the BMX bike as a joke but once I got my cast off I still couldn’t ride dirt bikes so that was the closest thing.” Aspuru confessed that his family objected to BMX. “At first, my parents didn’t really support BMX that much. They rather me be in team sports, but I just didn’t want to do that,” Aspuru said. Even with little support in the beginning, Aspuru remains committed to BMX and his commitment opened the door to greater opportunities. “I began riding in contests and I did well in them. Some people filmed videos for me and that’s when I started getting sponsored. Now, my sponsors are emmittbmx.com, Lagoon Crew, Spy Sunglasses, and just recently Life Proof Phone Cases. Now that I’ve accomplished a lot in BMX I’ve been in magazines. Some magazines are FatBMX, Dig and Ride BMX,” said Aspuru.

Other opportunities have allowed Aspuru to travel all over the world. “I went to Jamaica for a shop that started biking and holding bike stuff and they wanted to help the scene out so MTbmx.com flew me out and a couple of other kids and we did a demo for the people down there,” Aspuru said. “I went to Germany with a teammate and watched him compete in Simple Session. It’s almost like the Olympics. It’s where everyone comes and rides. It’s international.” Regardless of the added pressure and stress from contests and sponsors, as well as time spent traveling, Aspuru remains devoted. “It started off as just fun. It’s the same thing as football or basketball. If you’re good enough you can get paid for it. Now that sponsors came, I get paid for it. I still try to think of it as more of a hobby and just for fun because that’s why I started doing it,” Aspuru said. He remains excited to continue his journey. “You meet tons of people because of all the places you travel,” Aspuru said. “It gets cool because almost everywhere you go you still know at least one person there. I have more fun doing this more than anything.”

How to: Tuck No Hander 1. After leaving the lip (end of the ramp) and before the bike levels out tuck the handle bars and squeeze the seat between your knees. 2. Extend your arms forward after tucking the handle bars (as pictured). 3. Level out and return hands to handle bars before landing. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KEATON ASPURU

LY HIGH. Junior Keaton Aspuru practicing with friends at Merritt Island Skatepark.

THE SKY IS THE LIMIT. Junior Keaton Aspuru performs at Orlando Skatepark.

SPORTS. 22

NEW APPROACH. SAME RESULTS

Baseball team finds success in pitching and defense WRITTEN BY STERLING CORUM PHOTO BY ALEX BROWNING

BATTER UP. Senior John Tatum prepares to hit as the pitcher begins his windup and the ball approaches. The fans watch on the edge of their seats, ready for the smack of the ball meeting the bat at game against East Ridge on March 11. With their hard work, the team has acheived a record of 12 wins, 6 losses so far this season.

A change in focus. A brand new team. Coach Harold Hitt inherited a varsity team with nine pitchers and lots of fresh faces. “We lost 12 very good seniors from last year’s team that made the regional final. Our team hasn’t really exhibited a whole lot of anxiety or pressure involved with trying to live up to last year’s standards,” Coach Harold Hitt said. With the same district record as last year of 6 to 2, the team is succeeding without the help of last year’s seniors. “Four of our wins have been shutouts, so one of the key things that we’re getting this year is great pitching and good defense, and in high school baseball that’s the name of the game,” Hitt said. Although the team lacks seniors, they remain a solid group. The juniors on the team find motivation and support from their coaches as well as seniors. “They respect us a lot as players. It’s a lot of mutual respect. The pressure isn’t necessarily bad. It’s good pressure. You want to feel pressure from your coaches,” junior Ryan Nurge said. Coach Hitt said the team’s defense and pitching are crucially important to their success as a team this year. “With the loss of our senior class last year who averaged nine runs a game, our offense this year is

The Lineup with 2014 statistics

a lot different so our pitching and defense have to be our critical area this year, and so far they have stepped up,” Hitt said. Senior Bradley Landers agrees that they’re basically a whole new team. Although full of fresh faces, the team is not afraid of their opponents or stressed about their performance as a team. “You can’t play baseball afraid. There are no teams that we’re afraid of necessarily. We know there are a lot of good competitors this year that we play and we just have to rise to the challenge and play better than them,” Nurge said. Nurge recalls playing Oviedo’s opponent, Apopka, back in his Little League days. “I think my favorite game so far has been against Apopka because Oviedo and Apopka have been really competitive since I was little. Beating them was really great. They’ve always been our rivals since we were really little,” said Nurge. Nurge is aware of the challenges ahead of the team but hopes to be a powerful opponent in the state finals. “We just work hard every day we know that every day we have to get better in order to be a force to be reckoned with at states,” said Nurge.

Coach Harold Hitt 5 seasons at Oviedo

Deacon Liput games played: 13 times at bat: 42 hits: 17

John Tatum games played: 13 times at bat: 42 hits: 13

Ryan Anderson games played: 13 times at bat: 34 hits: 9

Austin Parker games played: 13 times at bat: 35 hits: 5

Nick Logan games played: 18 pitched games: 7 strikeouts: 12

ROAR BOARD

SPORTS. 23

The voice of OHS sports

TWEET OF THE MONTH: @MattMullins5 Huge shout out to my boy @adam_lager4 on the game winner, and another one to @PeterBial on the game winning save! 8 RETWEETS 21 FAVORITES

INSTAGRAM OF THE MONTH:

jordan_jahosky

PHOTOS BY VIVIAN ACEVEDO

TEAM PHOTO SHOOT. Girls Varsity Lacrosse team poses for team picture on the John Courier Field.

Lacrosse player ineligible for play WRITTEN BY COLTON WEISENT

After transferring mid-year from Bishop Moore, sophomore Gabby Parzygnat arrived at OHS hoping to join the girls lacrosse team. Parzygnat was notified that she would be ineligible for play prior to her transfer to Oviedo from Bishop Moore. The FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) declared Parzygnat ineligible with the suspicion that her transfer from Bishop Moore was a recruitment violation. The FHSAA rule of ineligibilty states that Parzygnat can’t play in any lacrosse game, due to her prior contact with an Oviedo associated summer lacrosse team. Parzygnat said, “It was soon decided that we were going to appeal.” The appeal process, according to Parzygnat, was long, and difficult. During the process, Parzygnat did not become isolated from the team because even though she was specifically prevented from playing in a game, she was not prevented from practicing with the team. Eventually, Parzygnat took her case to the FHSAA Office of Appeals in Ocala where she stated her case to a board of 12 members.

Shane Miller

BASEBALL

season ends 4/24 PHOTO BY ALEX BROWNING

The meeting, which totaled a little over 30 minutes, consisted of questions and answers from both sides. “During the meeting my family, Coach Waisanen and myself spent 20 minutes telling our side, and then for 10 minutes, the Board asked us questions about possible recruitment,” said Parzygnat Moments after the meeting the board came to a decision regarding the appeal. In the end the FHSAA’s ruling effectively nullified any chance of game time for Parzygnat this season. This does not stop Parzygnat. She is still able to make almost every practice and attend every game. The time away from playing in games allows Parzygnat to make strides towards bettering her game for the next season, when she can finally put the ruling and the appeal process behind her.

Kylie Dunmire

LACROSSE

season ends 4/18 PHOTO BY TIERNEY SALZMANN

125 likes STAR ATHLETE: Carlos Maffuz

Q: What do you do before a game? A: First we pray. Then we set up our minds to play like a team. Q: What was your basketball goal this year? A: To win the State Championships. Q: What’s your favorite food? A: Pasta Q: What was your best momment? A: When I got the two free throws to win the last game. Q: Describe yourself in one word. A: Leader Q:When you aren’t playing basketball, what are you doing? A: Sleeping and eating. Mostly taking naps.

Quandarius Watkins

TRACK

season ends 5/3 PHOTO BY ALEX BROWNING

Hristo Shimerov

WATER POLO season ends 4/25

PHOTO BY MILES MINER

FEATURES. 24

Cosplay

Students take being a fan to new level

um b en by th

$7,000

Cost of a 20 by 20 advertising booth

$190

Largest expense for a celebrity photo-op The Walking Dead

Ayana Perez claims she still had an amazing time being creative. “It’s like you get to be a superstar for a day, and that doesn’t happen very often when you’re me. It’s nice to be appreciated for all that hard work,” Perez said. “I really enjoy seeing other people dress up and create looks.” Perez’s costume for the MegaCon conventoin was Frodo from the Hobbit. “I’m kind of Hobbitish in stature, so there’s not a whole lot I’d have to change about myself to be Frodo,” Perez said. “It’s good because I can feel confident wearing this. You won’t see people like me dressed like Wonder Woman or Starfire. I’m just glad I can find my place and be appreciated.” Acceptance to Perez is a big part of the Cosplay world. “Cosplay means a good time. It means friendship, and it means hard work, and it means acceptance among your peers,” Perez said. “You’re not a weirdo there. You’re actually cool for once.”

gaC

Eighty thousand cosplayers and junior Allison Himmer showed up March 21 at the MegaCon Convention held in the Orlando Convention Center eager to see and be seen. After all, Himmer designed and made her own Poison Ivy costume. “The crafting of it all is intriguing. What you do to put the costume together and the art that goes into it is my favorite part,” Himmer said. Cosplay is the art of dressing up as a character from a movie, book, or T.V. show. The most prominently featured characters include those from Japanese anime. Himmer enjoys making her own costumes and learned how to sew from her aunt. Now this has become one of her main hobbies. Sophomore Cassie Lackey finds joy in cosplay as well. She finds it to be a great outlet, a way to let loose and act silly for a while. “I usually buy my shirts and other clothes at Goodwill because I don’t have any patience at all to sew. My friends have more time to work on them than me, so their’s are way more extravagant and amazing, but we still have just as much fun anyway,” Lackey said. Shocked by the amout of people who attended the convention, senior

WRITTEN BY ALEX WHITE

ers

March 21-23, 2014

AYANA PEREZ PHOTO BY ALEX WHITE

80,000+

MegaCon 2014 attendants

$15-$40

Price range of celebrity autographs

$70

$30

Cost of a 3 day MegaCon ticket

Cost of a single day admission to MegaCon

15-30

Minutes one should arrive prior to a photo-op

PHOTO BY LAUREN HIGHT POISON IVY. Junior Allison Himmer showcases her Poison Ivy costume from Batman. “I chose this character because my best friend dressed up as Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy’s bestfriend,” Himmer said.

2/10/15

PHOTOS BY CATHY GRIFFITH FOUR COSPLAYERS. Cosplayers take a group photo at the 2014 Orlando MegaCon Convention. Junior Allison Himmer, a convention attendant Jon Doe, junior Lauren Hight, and senior Ayana Perez walk around the floor.

ON GUARD. Junior Sarah Johnson crouches in a pose as Armin Arlert from Attack on Titan. She carries an array of weapons to add to her disguise. A look of fear covers her face.

Next upcoming date of a MegaCon convention in Orlando

INFO FROM MEGACON.COM