Upcoming midterm elections loom PAGE 3
FEATURES
SPORTS
PAGE 14
PAGE 18
Students worry about straw use
Equestrians compete in local competitions
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LION’S 2 TALE EDITION
NEWS
OVIEDO HIGH SCHOOL • 601 KING STREET • OVIEDO, FL • 32765 OCTOBER 24, 2018 • VOLUME 59 • OVIEDOJOURNALISM.COM
HOMECOMING: AROUND THE WORLD
STORY BY GILLIAN LANDWEHR This year’s Homecoming theme, Around the World, highlights all of the different places and opportunities this world has to offer. Similar to the theme, students choose a multitude of different ways to participate in the Homecoming season, from proposals to bringing friends from other schools, from going to another school’s Homecoming to just not going at all.
CONTINUES ON PAGE 7
2 | NEWS | THE LION’S TALE | OCTOBER 24, 2018
the Scoop
Basketball teams sell old jerseys for funds PHOTO BY GILLIAN LANDWEHR STORY BY ETHAN JEWELL The varsity basketball team has purchased new jerseys and given their old jerseys to the junior varsity and freshman teams, so varsity basketball coach Jason Vallery is selling the old ones. “The purpose is to raise money for the new jerseys,” Vallery said. “And to also create some fanfare for our upcoming season.” The varsity team got new jerseys because all the team’s jerseys have become older and worn out, so Vallery decided it was time for new ones. “Basically, varsity is getting new jerseys and everybody else is getting hand-medowns, but they are a little bit newer than the ones they played in last year,” Vallery said. So far, sales for the older jerseys are going well, according to Vallery. A total of 35 had been sold as of Oct. 17. With about another month and a half until Oviedo’s first home game against Lake Howell, Vallery is hoping to be able to sell more jerseys to increase team spirit. Students can purchase an authentic Oviedo basketball jersey for $10 in room 8-005.
SUPPORTING BASKETBALL TEAM. Head basketball coach Jason Vallery sells an authentic basketball jersey to senior Daniela Zini.
Classroom temps uneven STORY BY ABBIE WYDRA Air conditioners are every Floridian’s best friend. However, a malfunction can become a worst enemy. At Oviedo High School, most classrooms vary in temperature, and both teachers and students notice this. “I have a few classes that are always freezing cold and one that is always really hot,” said junior Alex Fil. Students can be sweating in one room and shivering in the next. Some teachers realize how their cold rooms can affect their students. “I keep jackets in my class for the students that need them,” said chemistry teacher Scott Waisanen. “They are welcome to use the jackets if they need to.” Administration keeps up with the maintenance workers to make sure that the air conditioning machines are working properly. Administration also gets continuous feedback from the teachers at OHS. “They can’t be in 130 classrooms all the time, so we give them feedback so they know,” Waisanen said.
the Month in Photos
PHOTO BY GILLIAN LANDWEHR
BRAINS AROUND SCHOOL. AP Psychology teacher Zachary Densberger and his students draw brains all over campus.
PHOTO BY OWEN FRANCIS
PINKTOBER PUFFS. The Student Government Association decorated the Commons with pink puffs for Pinktober, which supports breast cancer research.
Beta Club zombie event fundraiser delayed STORY BY OWEN FRANCIS It’s not just a game of capture the flag. Beta Club’s Zombie Crawl is a fundraiser that supports Relay for Life. Originally scheduled for Oct. 27, the event will now likely be in January. “By participating, students are helping people in need of money to get cured,” said Beta member junior Delaney Fose. “We will also be selling shirts and snacks that are zombie-themed.” Beta adviser Deb Shea said they wanted to do something different than the generic 5K run. They got the idea from an event at the national convention last summer. “The creative juices have continued to flow,” Shea said. “We had wanted to do it last year, but time just slipped away and it never transpired.”
PHOTO BY KEVIN WAINSCOTT
POK-A-TOK PLAYERS. Teacher Scott Wainscott and his 7th period World History class play a ball game while learning about the WHAP tribe.
PHOTO BY CHRISTINA YORK
PINKTOBER DOOR DECORATIONS. Interior Design teacher Janice Latimer won the pink door contest on Oct. 5.
FRONT PAGE DESIGN BY GILLIAN LANDWEHR
DESIGN BY KATHLEEN YORK
OCTOBER 24, 2018 | THE LION’S TALE | NEWS | 3
Candidates focus on issues in midterms STORY BY PATRICK COSTELLO Voters in Florida and across the nation will vote for government representatives in the midterm elections on Nov. 6. Seats are up for election in municipal governments, the Florida State House, the Florida State Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Voters will also elect a governor, attorney general and U.S. Senator. Floridians will vote on several amendments to the state Constitution plus multiple hot-button issues such as education funding, gun control and environmental policy. Education funding Florida has consistently ranked average to belowaverage compared to all states in teacher pay, educational quality, achievement and per-student spending, and candidates have made education funding a top priority in their platforms. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, the Democratic incumbent in Florida’s 7th Congressional District, which covers all of Seminole County and northern Orange County, has emphasized support for the Head Start program and other early childhood education initiatives. “Some kids are going home to parents who really don’t get involved in education, so funding for all of education is important, certainly early childhood education,” said AP Government teacher John Howell. The Republican nominee for governor, Ron DeSantis, has campaigned on eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic spending in the Florida Department of Education in order to increase spending in classrooms. “We should [increase educational funding], because teachers are very underpaid for what they do for us, and a lot of schools, even though it might not seem like it at Oviedo, do have problems with funding, especially in Florida,” said senior Faye Landers. Andrew Gillum, the Democratic nominee for governor, has proposed a one-billion-dollar investment in public schools and an increased focus on vocational training. “I think the option for vocational training should always be provided because there are people who want to take those career paths,” said senior Nathaly Pajaro. “I think it could be improved, as in supplies for those programs, but I don’t think they really need to be expanded further.” Gun control Legislation on gun control has become a key issue since the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Feb. 2018 took the lives of 17 students and faculty. Governor Rick Scott, who is running against incumbent Bill Nelson to represent Florida in the US Senate, signed into law the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act shortly after the shooting. The bill raised the minimum age to buy a firearm in Florida from 18 to 21 and provided funding for mental health assistance in schools. However, some people think greater measures should be taken to prevent mass shootings. “I don’t think we’ve done enough to try to keep guns out of the hands of the wrong people,” Howell said. “We’re not doing enough to try to figure out how we stop these
Andrew Gillum (D)
Liberal
Lee Mangold (D) Election: State Representative Main policy: More funding for public schools
STUDENT VOTING
19.1%
Stephanie Murphy Election: House Representative Main policy: Supporting small businesses
Bill Nelson (D)
of Florida’s voters were between 18-29 years old
Youth voters
majority minority make up a
of the electorate but a
of voters
40%
of eligible voters actually vote
INFOCOURTESYPEWRESEARCH.ORG
MEET THE CANDIDATES Mike Miller (R)
Davis Smith(R)
Election: House Election: Representative State RepreMain policy: Balancsentative ing state budget Main policy: Attract high-wage jobs
Rick Scott (R)
Election: Senator Main policy: Create more high-skilled jobs
PHOTOCOURTESYCANDIDATES’CAMPAIGNWEBSITES DESIGN BY SAADHANA SRIDHARAN
LET’S TALK ABOUT
Election: Senator Main policy: More disaster-preparedness funding
INFOCOURTESYCANDIDATES’CAMPAIGN WEBSITES
Ron DeSantis (R)
Election: Governor Main policy: Cutback illegal immigration
Conservative
Election: Governor Main policy: Expanding healthcare coverage
shootings from occurring.” Pajaro doesn’t think all guns sales need to be prevented. “I do think we should make it higher, the standards for those who do purchase guns,” Pajaro said. Gillum has made gun control policies a central point of his campaign, calling for such actions as a ban on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines. Environmental policy Environmental issues have come to the forefront of many key races in Florida’s midterm elections. Chief among them is the “red tide” algae bloom, affecting the Gulf Coast and parts of the Atlantic coast. The red tide is an annual occurrence, but the current one began last November, making it one of the longest in recent history. The bloom has hurt marine life as well as the state’s tourism industry, to the degree that Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in August. Some people blame Scott for the crisis because he cut funding for Florida’s water management agencies and reduced environmental regulations. Others believe focus on future prevention efforts is more important. “I think it’s irresponsible just to blame the governor for something that’s contributed to by all the population of the human race,” Pajaro said. According to Landers, prevention and cleanup are equally important. “We need to have more systems in place for preventing the algae blooms from happening, but at the same time, we have to have really reliable cleanup methods,” Landers said. Nelson has pummeled Scott with criticism over his handling of the algae bloom in television ads. Finding a response to these attacks could be critical for Scott’s senate aspirations. Student voters The Democratic Party hopes to gain a majority in the House of Representatives, and to do that, they’ll rely on strong voter turnout, especially from young people. Led by survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy, high schoolers and college students throughout the nation have show increased interest in political discussion and activism, participating in protests and demonstrations that call for more gun control legislation. Physics and AP Computer Science teacher Art Woodruff, who has a unique insight into politics as the city commissioner for District 1 in Sanford, believes that it’s important for young voters to be informed. “It [my role as commissioner] is a lot easier when people are paying attention and being informed rather than jumping to conclusions,” Woodruff said. Howell believes it’s crucial that students vote, no matter what their political affiliation is. “I encourage them to vote,” Howell said. “I tell them I don’t care who they vote for, how they vote, but get out and make sure their voice is heard, because young people tend not to vote.”
4 | OPINION | THE LION’S TALE | OCTOBER 24, 2018
Growth reduces smalltown charm The Oviedo-Geneva-Chuluota area has, historically, been rural. These cities have had small populations until just recently. All three cities have now experienced urban sprawl--too much of it. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Oviedo contains 40,785 people. With the large increase of residents, the city has sought expansion to accompany all of its inhabitants. As a result, Oviedo has undergone many developments that will better support its growing population. Developments like Oviedo on the Park have been added in the past few years. Oviedo on the Park consists of shops, restaurants, housing and a park with a stage. This area was once a natural area with lots of trees and greenery. Downtown Oviedo is another example of urbanization within the city of Oviedo. The streets are no longer one-way, and the roads have been expanded to better support the influx of traffic traveling through the area. In order to get the space for this road reconstruction, an Oviedo staple, the Townhouse, had to be relocated down the street. In Chuluota, a new Publix has recently
been added. Before the Publix was built, this property was filled with trees. The trees had to be cut down in order for the development to be constrcted. With all the construction and renovations to support more humans in Oviedo, even the famous Oviedo chickens may soon no longer have homes. At The Lion’s Tale, we believe the urbanization of these areas has become too excessive. Yes, most of these developments are being added to support the growing population of Seminole County. Yes, these new additions are nice to have and benefit our population, but they take away the charm of these quaint cities. Take Geneva and Chuluota, for example. These are two cities that have always been known for their rural charm. In the past, people moved to these cities to escape the large, urban cities. They wanted a retreat in a smaller, rural area. With the developments of these cities, that dream is no longer a reality. While change is good, we prefer the old city of Oviedo.
OUR WORD
IN YOUR FACE
Do you think Oviedo is expanding too quickly? Freshman Madeline Maceachern
Oviedo is populating fast. Everyone is building a bunch of neighborhoods and apartments, and people are wanting to move here. There is also an increase in traffic and it makes everything very hectic.
Sophomore Jaiden Aviles
I don’t think Oviedo is expanding too quickly, I just think that a lot of new buisnesses are starting to see the potential in it. It will start growing, but not as much as other cities or towns.
Junior Mykayla Brinkman
I do think that Oviedo is expanding way too fast and buildings are being built too quickly, and they are cutting down too many trees to replace with neighborhoods and apartments.
Senior Aidan Clifford
I don’t really think Oviedo is growing too quickly, just because there are a lot of empty lots and buildings and there is enough room for everybody.
PHOTOS BY BRENDEN GRAVES
CITY OF OVIEDO POPULATION =5,000
30,753
in 2007
40,785
in 2017
ILLUSTRATION BY SOPHIA BLOOM
Editors-in-Chief Bryn Garick Gillian Landwehr News Editor Saadhana Sridharan
Opinion Editor Joyce Ng
Business Manager Julian Rios
Features Editors Tessa Kowalski Vani Thupili
Artist Sophia Bloom
Reporters Entertainment Editor Penelope Banks Abbie Wydra Patrick Costello Conor Duncan Sports Editor Owen Francis Nevada Cullen Brendan Graves Justina Nielsen Online Editors Christina York K. Penuel Kathleen York Emma Yost
Contributors Ethan Jewell Abbie Kautzman Kait Peterson Faculty Adviser Elise T. Carlson Admin Adviser Drew Morgan Principal Joseph Trybus
Oviedo High School 601 King Street Oviedo, FL 32765 P: 407-320-4199 F: 407-320-4213 Population: 2480 students 20 newspaper staff members
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 and FSPA. Distribution 1400 copies of The Lion’s Tale are distributed free to all students and staff at Oviedo High School. Subscriber information is available on OviedoJournalism.com. Reader Contributions Letters to the Editor are accepted and may be sent by post, e-mail or
OVIEDO HIGH SCHOOL • 601 KING STREET • OVIEDO, FL • OCTOBER 24, 2018 • VOLUME 59 • EDITION 2
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 OviedoJournalism.com. Advertising Policy The Lion’s Tale reserves the right to refuse advertisements. The full advertising policy of The Lion’s Tale is available on OviedoJournalism.com. OVIEDOJOURNALISM.COM
DESIGN BY BRENDEN GRAVES
OCTOBER 24, 2018 | THE LION’S TALE | OPINION | 5
reporter
online editor
Disney’s Star Wars decisions good, bad
High school relationships don’t last
EMMA YOST
CONOR DUNCAN
Star Wars has been a household name in science fiction since 1977. Its innovative CGI graphics and compelling storylines have captivated fans for generations. The new trilogy of movies, which first hit theaters in 2015, have shattered box office records left and right, with The Force Awakens pulling in over $2 billion worldwide. While some of the more casual fans of the series seem to be content with these movies, a much larger portion of the more devout fan base are upset with the new movies, which were made under the control of Disney. Before Disney took control of the franchise in 2012, Star Wars content was under a broad umbrella known as “the expanded universe.” This included all of the comics, novels, movies, video games and anything else related to Star Wars, all approved by George Lucas. When Disney bought the rights to Star Wars, they basically threw out everything but the six original/prequel films, plus “The Clone Wars” series that had run on Cartoon Network for six seasons, and started from scratch. This angered the more religious members of the fan base because, in throwing away what has come to be dubbed as “legends” material, Disney had thrown away a huge portion of an alreadyestablished timeline that many fans (including myself) already knew and loved. Disney’s involvement in the franchise hasn’t been all bad, though. This past summer, Disney announced that they will be airing the final season of “The Clone Wars” on their exclusive streaming service, which will be available in 2019. As a huge fan and a kid who grew up watching the show, I was ecstatic to hear this news. Disney also created two stand-alone films centered around the Star Wars universe. Rogue One and Solo pulled multiple story arcs and characters out of the all-but-forgotten legends timeline. Furthermore, the upcoming “Episode 9” will be the last film in the Skywalker saga, which is the main timeline. This means that after this episode, Disney will shift focus to more stand-alone movies like Rogue One and Solo. As an underwhelmed fan of the new saga, this is good news to me, because that leaves the possibility of Disney revisiting and making more films and series based on the legends timeline-at least in a certain capacity. Whether you love or hate the new films, it is no doubt that Disney has done a lot for the franchise. DESIGN BY PENELOPE BANKS
ILLUSTRATION BY SOPHIA BLOOM
Comparing physical education, then and now
reporter
JUSTINA NIELSEN
Many students today have found their way into the world of video games. This has taken them out of sports and physical activities. In previous decades, people would meet up and go play games in the park or fields. In the 1950s, they had no electronics, and they were always outside doing their own thing or with friends. According to CBS News, over 90 percent of high school students back then participated in a physical activities or sport. This is because they went out and played games like football, kickball and baseball. They were not lying around the house on a device. People frequently had to walk to get to places, which gave them more exercise. Students had good grades because they didn’t have phones in class and had fewer distractions from homework. Today, most people stay in the house doing nothing but watching television and using computers. Only 45 percent of students participate in outdoor activities or sports today, according to kff.org. Social interaction numbers have dropped since electronics have come out. Today, we do not understand the importance of going outside and playing a physical game. Such activity and interaction teaches us to stay healthy and to know how to properly
communicate, as in not be closed off. Kids today just hop in a car and go, and when they get there they just sit around on their phone. Children today, who are always on tablets, will lack communication skills and won’t be able to talk to others. I did an experiment to see how many of my friends stay at home sitting around more than doing a physical sport or game. Eighty percent of them do physical activities. I’m pretty sure my friends’ numbers are way different than the ones if I asked the entire school, since we are all very active. Plus, my friends and I have a rule that, when we go out to the mall or to a restaurant, the only time we can use our phones is when we need to text family/ friends for an emergency or if we need to check the time. I bowl for our school and I have an issue with being more focused in the game than classwork. Over time I learned that I needed to keep my grades up to stay on the team’s top eight. Back then, I did play video games, but I made sure to make time for my grades and bowling. After I entered high school I found no time for video games, but I made more time for bowling and homework. Part of the problem is that there isn’t always enough time in the day for both work and relaxation, like games. If teachers let students know more in advance about homework, we would have more time to plan, and students’ grades will go up if they are willing to contribute to the work. Beyond that, I think that electronic companies need to dial back with new electronics. Too many students are drawn in by the fun games and have forgotten that physical activity can help them in the future more that games can. This is why physical activities and sports are more important for students today.
In high school movies, we often see the perfect couple get their happily-everafter by the end of the school year. This seems great and all, but in reality, Troy and Gabriella break up after graduation. My parents met in high school and have been together ever since, but their case is a rare one, considering that only 14% of adult couples met in high school, according to brandongaille.com. It doesn’t mean that dating in high school is pointless: it can be fun. It gives you a chance to find out a little more about who you really are. Most of my friends dream of their perfect guy or girl, but chances are that the person they want isn’t someone they’ll find in high school. I have witnessed relationships lasting as long as two days to two years. It also seems that the dramatic aspect of dating attracts some lessmature romantics who date purely for attention, making the whole thing so entertaining to them--so it really does depend on the person. If the other person doesn’t take the relationship seriously, it won’t last. Dating depends on how well you know yourself. Just like in friendships, you have be able to understand yourself and know exactly what you want out of a relationship to reach that goal. People who have little self-confidence often look for the affirmation they need in a romantic relationship, but that’s not the solution. I know plenty of people who tell themselves “Once I have boyfriend/ girlfriend, I will feel better about myself,” and it never works out. A relationship with that sort of mentality won’t be a stable or healthy one, and it will eventually die out. Everyone feels insecure at times, especially in high school, when everything seems to revolve around what other people think. In adolescence, everyone is trying to figure out who they are and what they like. Dating usually doesn’t work out for long as those personality aspects develop. If you want to be in a relationship during high school, take a step back and think about it. To make a relationship meaningful, you have be able to love yourself, because if you don’t know how to love yourself, how can you love someone else? Yes, Troy and Gabriella break up after school ends, but they probably found someone even better later on, so if a current relationship ends, don’t sweat it.
6 | OPINION | THE LION’S TALE | OCTOBER 24, 2018
HEAD to HEAD reporter
PENELOPE BANKS
Viral “mukbang” videos present risky activities
YouTube: the billion-dollar platform to which many people from the younger generation have turned to share their lives, give life hacks and more. One of the most trending video types has been mukbangs. The term “mukbang” comes from Korea and may also be known as “binge-eaters.” A mukbang is an online “broadcast” in which the individual eats large amounts of food and talks about life. These videos have gone viral throughout the YouTube community and many people in Korea have made this a profession, earning up to $9000 a month. I think the videos have gone viral so quickly because, as a viewer, you feel like you’re there with them. Some YouTubers have based their channels off mukbangs alongside ASMR videos, or “autonomous sensory meridian response” videos, which focus on sounds. Personally, I have never really liked the sounds of certain ASMR videos because I find it quite uncomftorable. The sounds include slurping, chewing and crunching. Studies have shown that people may watch these videos not only for the “entertainment” aspect, but also because they may come off as comforting. The interactions in most Korean mukbangs are not very lively, and the hosts do not seem to engage with their audiences much, but focus on eating the food. When I watch “Americanized” mukbangs, they tend to make me laugh more, especially if the person is comedic. But what do these “shows” really mean? The thought of being able to sit, eat whatever you want, and get paid for it sounds ideal to most people, but there are some health risks to the activity, since most people consume more than 9000 calories on one mukbang. Because of this, the hosts’ health may be at risk. Many sources have mentioned that a majority of the people who participate in this activity have gained large amounts of weight. Sometimes, as I’m watching Trisha Paytas’ videos I wonder if she ever stresses about the health issues she could run into. I mean, eating Domino’s, McDonald’s and Taco Bell every day is dangerous. Many creators do not work out to burn off the extra calories or to balance the unhealthy choices. These health risks could be crucial to many viewers because they might see this binge-eating as a “normal” thing. Though mukbangs are fun, entertaining and provide high view counts for many YouTubers, they may cause more harm than good.
SHOULD STRAWS STILL BE USED?
Straws offer good drinking experience, necessary for some STORY BY NEVADA CULLEN Once you’re seated at a restaurant, and the server greets you, the first question is always what you would like to drink. You order a water, a soda or even some apple juice for the little kids. When the drink comes, you eagerly grab it and take a big sip through your straw without much thought. Now, imagine a world without those plastic drinking straws. Although they may be overlooked at times, they are so common that it is difficult to imagine their absence. Plastic straws have become one of the main focal points of a global movement against plastic waste. According to the United Nations, more than eight million tons of plastic waste are introduced to the ocean each year, which is harmful to marine life and humans. Straws, however, are a relatively miniscule part of the problem. According to an article about banning plastic straws, published by the Global News, only four percent of the plastic trash in the ocean is made up by straws. The elimination of plastic straws is unnecessary, because it would only be a small step of a much larger problem. Chelsea Rochman, an assistant professor at the University of Toronto, labeled straws as “low-hanging fruit” in the Global News. Banning plastic straws is an easy change that would have little effect on solving the overall issue. Before deciding whether or not restricting plastic drinking straws is a good idea, one must consider the unintended consequences of doing so. Some people with disabilities or other limitations are unable to drink without a straw. In addition, metal straws could potentially cause injury if they are too hot, and it may be too difficult for such people to wash reusable straws, according to Global News. Biodegradable straws may seem like a viable substitute, but they don’t hold the same quality as their plastic counterparts. They often break down before they are used. Paper straws can also get soggy and are unpleasant to use. Plastic straws are practical, essential to the disabled and can even be a lot of fun. Crazy straws that twist and turn never fail to bring excitement and joy to the hearts of children and adults. The necessity of plastic straws outweigh their effects on the environment. Although the plastic waste issue is an important one to fix, plastic straws are not an ideal place to start, unless an optimal alternative option is discovered.
Straws have negative environmental impact on world, should stop use STORY BY VANI THUPILI Straws are a reminder of our childhood. Of sipping lemonade on a hot, simmering hot day. Of stirring rich chocolate milk before bedtime. Straws make us sentimental. But we don’t realize the impact of straws on the global environment today. Straws don’t fill up a significant mass of the landfills around the world, but they have proven to be more harmful than most other plastic waste. On average, people in America sip out of more than 500 million straws a day, according to the U.S. National Park Service. Of the four percent of landfills that plastic straws occupy, they play a detrimental role in marine life. Straws are on the list of top 10 things found during beach cleanups, which taints the nostaligc idea of beach days. Straws are lightweight, so they easily blow away from landfills to the ocean, much like plastic bags. They aren’t biodegradable, meaning they don’t ever degrade into organic molecules that can be reused in the ecosystem, but instead they remain in plastic form, and just break down into tinier and tinier pieces of the same damaging plastic. These small particles of plastic integrate into the ecosystem, especially in marine life. The small particles get absorbed and digested into marine animals, such as fish, sharks, and coral. They interrupt the bodily process of these organisms, preventing them from performing the necessary functions to survive. A sea turtle off the coast of Costa Rica was found with a piece of straw blocking the its nostril. Cases like these spark controversy among the environmentalists and marine conservationalists, causing them to move into action. The general public has recognized the harmful effects of plastic straws in the environment and have petitioned to remove plastic straws from major companies, such as Starbucks, Hilton, American Airlines and SeaWorld. An environmentally conservative alternative is to use metal straws. They can be reused over and over again to minimize the waste from using plastic straws. We know the harmful effects of plastic on our environment; now, we must move against them.
Stats on straws Straws & Stripes, LLC This comany is know for making plastic straws. They make over 500 million a day Around 1.6 straws are used per person a day. INFOCOURTESYFLORIDADRINKINGSTRAWS.COM
PHOTO BY PEXEL.COM DESIGN BY JUSTINA NIELSEN
OCTOBER 24, 2018 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | 7
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Non-students welcome at dance PHOTO BY BRENDEN GRAVES
NON-OVIEDO STUDENTS. The guest form that allows people from other school to be able to go to the dance.
STORY BY BRENDEN GRAVES Homecoming takes place at the beginning of every year in high school. Many students see the event as the perfect place to spend time with friends, but some students have friends from another school that they would like to invite. Oviedo High School (OHS) allows students to bring guests from other schools. Student Government Association (SGA) sponsor Heather DeLong said that there is a specific process, that allows non-Oviedo students to come to the homecoming. “We create a guest form,” DeLong said. “The guest form goes from OHS to the student and their school. Their school fills it out, then the school sends it back OHS. It comes to me, then the OHS student can buy their HOCO tickets in the Commons. So essentially, it is just one piece of paper that is signed and filled out by a few administrators, and then you can have a guest come.” Though it is a simple process, students must follow the due date, which is Oct. 31st. Senior Cassidy Gillis, a
member of SGA, explained why the deadline is important. “We prepare by making sure about people who are bringing guests because we have a limited guest number,” Gillis said. “And we make sure they’re notified with the info they need. Due dates are very important and, if missed, then the guest won’t be allowed to go to the event.” Freshman Nicholas Zeid asked someone from a different school to attend the OHS Homecoming with him. It’s a way to show the entertaining atmosphere at homecoming while having a great time with friends. “I asked her because I like her and all,” Zeid said. “But I would also like her to see my environment at school and show her what it means to me. It gives me a chance to show her what Oviedo High School is truly all about.” Freshman Brianna Bibona asked her best friend, who attends Hagerty High School, to come to Homecoming at OHS. “The process is not that bad,” Bibona said. “All I had to do was get the form and fill out my name and information and then give it to her, and her school takes care of the rest.”
HOCO proposals show creativity PHOTO BY ALEXANDRA WAGAHOFF STORY BY TESSA KOWALSKI Homecoming proposals have become more popular over the year--and they add onto the image of the perfect Homecoming in the eyes of many teenage girls. Getting asked to the Homecoming dance via sign can make a girl’s day because it brings excitement into a highschooler’s life, according to junior girl Alexandra Wagahoff, whose boyfriend asked her to Homecoming. “The boy I’m going with is my boyfriend,” Wagahoff said. “Getting asked was exciting. It was implied that we were going together, but it’s still fun to get asked.” Wagahoff’s boyfriend, senior Ethan Lux, asked her to homecoming with a sign that said, “Wanna know somefin? You’re pretty jawsome! Homecoming?” “I went up to her door with the poster and a shark stuffed animal,” Lux said. “I came up with the idea myself. I felt pretty happy when I asked her, I’m really excited to go.”
Lux was very confident about his Homecoming proposal to Wagahoff. “I wasn’t nervous when I asked her because I knew she would say ‘yes,’” Lux said. “She said ‘yes’ because I came up with a cool poster.” Confidence is key when asking a girl to Homecoming, according to senior Connor Mah. He was very confident when he asked his girlfriend to Homecoming. “I wasn’t nervous at all, I felt really confident about it because I feel really comfortable around her,” Mah said. “So it felt pretty easy to ask her.” Mah’s poster was also related to animals. “The poster was zoo-themed because we went to the zoo,” Mah said. “I came up with the idea on my own and my sister helped me a little bit.” When Senior Jayden Alderman was asked to homecoming was completely surprised. “I wasn’t really expecting it,” Alderman said. “He kind of just turned me around without me even knowing.”
SHE SAID YES. Junior Alexandra Wagahoff said yes when her boyfriend Ethan Lux asked her to homecoming.
Not all students attend dance PHOTO BY PEXEL.COM STORY BY JUSTINA NIELSEN
OTHER ACTIVITIES. Some students do other activities instead of going to homecoming.Some hangout with friends or can’t go because of sports. DESIGN BY TESSA KOWALSKI
Homecoming is around the corner and students are deciding whether they will attend the Homecoming dance. Some students had already made plans for the day, while others plan to relax at home. “I bought concert tickets before I heard when the date was, and that’s the same night, so I can’t go,” said freshman Clare Colley. For some students, Homecoming conflicts with sports games. “I would go to Homecoming if I didn’t have the lacrosse game,” said sophomore Sydney Dean. “Last year I had a lot of fun and I just think that it brings people together.” Though she really liked the event, she cannot attend this year. “I have a lacrosse tournament that happens to fall on the day of homecoming,” Dean said. “I’m kind of mad about it, but whatever.”
Other students miss out on the information about the event. “I didn’t go last year because there wasn’t a lot of news on it,” said sophomore Izabella Ryan. “I didn’t hear a lot going on, and I think that was mainly because of the hurricane. Everything was kind of pushed back, and then I didn’t hear of where it was going to be or what was going on” Some students need a night to take a break from school buildings and surroundings. “Since I am at school all the time, I am just going to take some personal me time,” said junior Shauna Rodgers. “Chill, probably hang out with friends, some family time... I don’t get that a lot.” Others want to just have a day to themselves or with family and friends. “I am not attending Homecoming because I would rather go to Halloween Horror Nights,” said freshman Gabrielle Hernandez. “I can be out longer with friends because it lasts longer than Homecoming.”
8 | FEATURES | THE LION’S TALE | OCTOBER 24, 2018
Same teacher, new experiences
BONDING OVER TIME. Senior Michelle Vernikos reminisces with teacher Alicia Pope on her high school years. PHOTO BY ELIZABETH MCDONALD STORY BY JOYCE NG High school is filled with coming-of-age stories, through stress, successes, and failures that both students and teachers go through, hand-in-hand. Teachers have guided many students to grow and achieve great things. Photography and yearbook teacher Alicia Pope has helped senior Michelle Vernikos all throughout high school. Vernikos had Pope for all four years of high school. She met Pope in Photo 1 during freshman year and learned all about photography. “With the knowledge and experience I gained in that class, I realized my passion for photography,” Vernikos said. Throughout that year, Pope recognized Vernikos’ passion and talent and encouraged her to join the yearbook staff. “I knew she would be excellent, I had her in Photo and she was a really strong photographer,” said Pope. Vernikos joined the yearbook sophomore year and discovered a whole new project. According to Vernikos, yearbook is an intense class that isn’t necessarily one of the “regular” classes, but Pope is ready to help students tackle the learning curve. “If I need help with anything, she’s always there, and having her as my yearbook adviser has helped me gain knowledge about so much involving photography and design,” Vernikos said. Although being involved with the yearbook for multiple years and editions may have been stressful, Vernikos finds it great.
“I never dreaded completing work or going to yearbook because the staff was basically one big family and it was fun,” Vernikos said. Pope is highly involved with The Oviedian yearbook and its staff. “I am a facilitator, I have to keep everyone on task and remind them of the rules of journalism,” said Pope. Having Pope as a constant presence in Vernikos’ high school life has been a significant benefit to her, not only as a yearbook staffer but also as a photographer. “With her help, I’ve been able to enter photos into art shows and have even taken home a ribbon with one,” Vernikos said. Now that she understands yearbook, Vernikos has gained new responsibilities. “My first year of yearbook was probably the most stressful just because I was learning the ropes around what made a good photo for the book,” Vernikos said. “I can still say the same for my last year, as one of the Editors in Chief, my duties have changed from taking photos to having a leadership position as the head photographer.” Vernikos is able to bring not only herself but others to success, able to help produce a high-quality product. “Even with a change of duties, with Pope’s guidance I know that no matter how stressed or clueless I may feel at times, I’ll be able to get through it and help my fellow staffers on finishing the book,” Venikos said. All in all, she has no regrets on taking Pope’s classes. “Having Miss Pope all four years has been awesome,” Vernikos said. DESIGN BY JOYCE NG
OCTOBER 24, 2018 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | 9
fAST five Kevin Mathews
Five teachers who have been at Oviedo High School the longest
Barbra Kelly AP Calculus teacher Kelly has been working at OHS for 25 years.
Anna Hollis-Childress Physical education teacher Hollis-Childress has been working at OHS for 26 years.
Personal fitness teacher Mathews has been working at OHS for 33 years.
DESIGN BY OWEN FRANCIS
Kathy Savage Bioscience teacher Savage has been working at OHS for 25 years.
Alicia Pope Yearbook and photography teacher Pope has been working at OHS for 30 years.
PHOTOS BY OVIEDIAN YEARBOOK
10 | FEATURES | THE LION’S TALE | OCTOBER 24, 2018
GROWING PAINS Sanford 3,233/mi2
Casselberry 5,904/mi2
2,590/mi2-3,070/mi2
1,160/mi2-1,640/mi2
2,110/mi2-2,590/mi2
680/mi2-1,160/mi2
1,640/mi2-2,110/mi2
DESIGN BY BRYN GARICK
Population Density: the number of people living in each unit of area, such as square mile
geneva 98/mi2
OCTOBER 24, 2018 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | 11
Expanding population spurs development As City of Oviedo, Seminole County implement plans to create high-density areas, rural zones lose ground
a
Oviedo 4,447/mi2
STORY BY SAADHANA SRIDHARAN Oviedo’s small-town, family-friendly atmosphere has been revered for years. The historical landmarks that dot the landscape are a defining feature. “The Townhouse Restaurant and the Lawton House are just things I think of when I think Oviedo,” said senior Kelsey Cheney. Brian Beute, president of the Save Rural Seminole organization, said that Seminole County, of which Oviedo is a part, has always been a family-oriented place. “The Little Big Econ forest is a place where many local residents have fond memories,” Beute said. “It’s a place where you can go with your families.” To Beute, the Oviedo-Chuluota-Geneva area has a different atmosphere than other cities in the Orlando area. “When I moved from urban Winter Park to a ranch on Chuluota a while back, I was just really struck by how calm it was,” Beute said. “This is a way of life that is completely different from the city life.” AP Human Geography teacher Kimberly McKernan said the atmosphere appeals to her as well. “I know that many of my students live in neighborhoods that are often crowded,” McKernan said. “They don’t have a lot of yard space. But on my farm, it’s so much calmer. There’s room for my kids to play and grow.” Yet, McKernan has seen changes over the years. “I remember when I was younger, Oviedo was a really small local town,” McKernan said. “Disney was there, of course, but Oviedo had still been [very] rural.” Once, that was true of Orlando as well. Before the theme parks and skyscrapers, Orlando was a
homey small town of the 20th century. It was another Oviedo. Fast forward approximately 50 years to today, and the city of Orlando is a bustling city that 72 million people visit annually, with a population of over 277,000 people. Yet, Oviedo has remained--for the most part--a small town. However, that is changing. City plans for growth Developments such as the Oviedo on the Park project, the Stonehill Plaza project, and renovation of the streets in the historic downtown area seem to signal Oviedo and its leaders are ready to take the big leap into city life. According to the City of Oviedo, “the diversification of the local economy,” is a key goal of these changes. Since 2003, the City of Oviedo has had plans to develop a new downtown area on 674 acres of land. The city council and mayor originally approved the plan in 2008, but a financial recession pushed the construction back to 2011. The first new buildings started to take shape and open in 2014 along Mitchell Hammock Road. Yet all this may come at a cost, according to Beute. “All Seminole County residents benefit by setting aside an area within its county for less density and increased preservation for the purpose of recreation,” Beute said. Certain rules have set aside such spaces. “The Home Rule Amendment designates a rural boundary along Geneva and Chuluota,” Beute said. “A rural boundary creates a rural area [that] is considered less dense in people and construction. The area outside the rural boundary allows for higher-density development.” This means that developers have traditionally not been allowed to urbanize that region. However, this amendment can be overridden by the local county commissions, according to Beute. Much like the Seminole County rural boundary, Oviedo has a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) boundary, which designates much of the town for
Seminole County Population Growth
Chuluota 259/mi2
new developments that are of a higher density and expands upon “mixed-use” development. Plans prepared by the Oviedo CRA show a wealth of changes completed and planned. “There are definitely more people in Oviedo now,” Cheney said. Change throughout county These changes haven’t just been occurring in Oviedo; they are being echoed around Seminole County as an influx of new residents settle in. Catie Sacks, the Heritage Park development manager in Sanford, said the goal is to provide people with opportunities. “Heritage Park seeks to offer new housing, shopping and dining opportunities for people to live and work in downtown Sanford,” Sacks said. “This project hopes to bring the community together and offer something for everyone to enjoy.” Even in Orlando, there are stadium renovations and a renewed interest in local businesses. Other projects, such as a new housing development proposed in the River Cross area, have announced plans to create neighborhoods in the rural boundary area of Seminole County. The Save Rural Seminole organization has begun a legal battle with the River Cross developers over how the land can be used. This controversy has brought the conversation about urbanization to the forefront of conversations. “I don’t really like how all the forests and preserves are disappearing, but at the same time, it’s kind of nice to have more stores and restaurants,” Cheney said. As a new resident of Chuluota and an employee at the Publix store in Chuluota, senior Jonas Allen has a complex attitude towards the gradual urbanization. “All of the urbanization is for a reason-to benefit the population,” Allen said. “But at the same time, I think we shouldn’t be doing too much.”
City of Oviedo Population Growth
INFOCOURTESYSTATISTICALATLAS.COM,WORLDPOPULATIONREVIEW.COM,MERRIAM-WEBSTER.COM
12 | FEATURES | THE LION’S TALE | OCTOBER 24, 2018
Vape use rises among teens STORY BY BRYN GARICK *NAME WITHHELD UPON REQUEST
Vaping is the act of inhaling vapor into one’s lungs through the use of an electronic cigarette. According to the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, 13.2 percent of teens used vapes, compared to 8.8 percent who used traditional cigarettes. “The discipline office has seen a significant rise in the amount of students that have been caught vaping on campus,” said dean Jason Maitland. “The most common device used is a Juul.” The most popular perception as to why people begin to vape is peer pressure. “Most people vape for the common reasons our previous generations smoked cigarettes,” said sophomore Bruce Whensworth.* “Some do it to socialize, some do it to relax.” AP Psychology teacher Zach Densberger agrees that conformity probably plays a role in why teenagers vape. “I’ve always said that teenagers are pack animals,” Densberger said. “If certain leaders go off in certain directions, then others will follow.” According to Whensworth, vaping is a social activity. “It isn’t uncommon for people to bring them to hangouts, parties or even school,” Whensworth said. “For now, I do it in social settings more than by myself.” Senior Reggie Ro* agrees that part of his vape use is to fit in and have fun. “They’re more to have fun than anything,” Ro said. “They’re more for social situations because it gives me
more confidence.” Sophomore Jake Perks* vapes to relax. “School is stressful and students need something to calm them down,” Perks said. “I don’t want to stop, because it calms me.” Junior Cassie Smith* said vaping gives her something to fall back on when school gets stressful. “It’s an immediate calming feeling,” Smith said. “Nicotine itself inhibits activity in the parts of the brain that are responsible for anger and stress.” According to Densberger, teenagers’ curiosity also probably plays a role in their habits. “There’s a huge element of teenagers being curious and willing to experiment with different things, whether it be drugs or experimenting with playing a sport or joining a club—that’s what they do,” Densberger said. “So it’s a combination of open-mindedness, monitoring the way the winds blow and what everyone else is doing.” Freshman Stacy Shell* started vaping due to her curiosity. “I hit someone’s vape and realized it was a lot better and healthier than doing most drugs,” Shell said. Fear of health risks Senior Parker Fox* was curious, too, but he ultimately decided against trying it, due to the risks. “I had the curiosity to try it when I was younger,” Fox said. “I knew it wasn’t safe; it was morally not right as well. Even though a lot of people say that vaping is safer than other cigarettes, I see it as another formation of it, and safer doesn’t always mean it’s safe.” Fear of the health risks also prevents Diana Ward* from vaping. “There are multiple reasons for why I
don’t vape, but mainly, I don’t vape because I’m too paranoid about my health,” Ward said. “I’ve seen what smoking and vaping do to a person’s health. Personally, looking at the results of vaping, its negatives greatly outweigh any potential positives.” Junior Kristen Young* credits the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program with providing information about how drugs can hurt one’s future. “In elementary school, the whole ‘don’t do drugs’ thing partially influenced me,” Young said. “I don’t want to hurt my brain, and I want to go to a good college. I don’t think drugs are good to do.” Freshman Julie Jones* believes that age is a factor. “It’s really bad for your health, I think we’re too young,” Jones said. “If you’re like an adult, do whatever you want, but at this age you shouldn’t be doing it.” According to Sophomore Anne Peters,* the risks just aren’t worth the buzz. “It causes water lung and popcorn lung,” Peters said. “The health risks are a little scary just because we don’t know enough about vaping.” As for those who do vape, Densberger said that teenagers tend to believe they aren’t at risk of certain things. “Teenagers often go through a period of time where they feel like the things that hurt other people won’t hurt them,” Densberger said. “It could be that their brains aren’t completely formed and they don’t look through the possibilities of doing something risky and come to the conclusions that an adult would. It’s more often a teenager would look at a risky behavior and come to the conclusion that ‘it’s not likely to happen to me.’” Whensworth has fears outside of health that concern him.
STUDENT POLL How often do you vape?
The nicotine content of
only ONCE
20%
1 Juul pod is equivalent to
20 cigarettes.
DAILY 13% couple times a week
10%
out of
100
Oct. 18
“It is illegal for anyone under 18 to have E-Cigs, I could get caught and get in serious trouble with my parents, work, and school,” Whensworth said. Senior Adam Thomas* has watched his family battle addiction and tries to avoid that outcome. “My father was addicted to opioids, so was my uncle,” Thomas said. “Two of my uncles died from it. Everything I touch isn’t addictive, but I’ve seen it affect other people and addiction is the main problem.” Smith thinks that, despite knowing of health problems, she will continue to vape. “I do know of the brain development risks, but I believe the reason in which teens Juul or vape should be more looked into, because if someone is seeking nicotine for purposes other than to look cool, they won’t care about the risk,” Smith said. Freshman Todd Johnson* believes that he avoids risk by vaping without nicotine. “I mean I heard you can get cancer, but everyone knows that,” Johnson said. “I get it without nicotine, so I don’t risk that.” Densberger said that brain development causes students to overlook risks and focus on rewards. “It’s the same reason behind why you can’t drive at 12,” Densberger said. “We’ve come to the conclusion you’re more mature to drive at 16. But at the same time, you don’t send those same kids out into the world and say, ‘You’re on your own, good luck,’ because their brains aren’t mature enough yet to handle all the things that could happen to them.”
“e-cigarette use increases risk of ever using combustible tabacco cigarettes among youth and young adults.” -National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
NEVER 57%
1.7 million
high school students used e-cigarettes in the last 30 days
INFOCOURTESTYCNN.COM
DESIGN BY JOYCE NG
OCTOBER 24, 2018 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | 13
What’s YOUR Favorite Holiday?
Halloween
OHS ENTRPRENEUR. Junior Josh Knoerzer was in the KITH store in New York.
Junior opens business buying, selling sneakers PHOTOS BY JOSH KNOERZER STORY BY PENELOPE BANKS Junior Josh Knoerzer has developed his own business selling shoes and other luxury items. Knoezer started selling shoes in the seventh grade. When he found a pair of rare basketball sneakers, Knoezer decided to put them up for sale and made a decent profit. This was his inspiration to create the company. “I eventually want to open a sneaker/ streetwear store in downtown Miami or Orlando because all the stores like that are in New York or Los Angeles,” Knoerzer said. “I want to bring the culture to places that don’t really know what it is because it could inspire someone.” After his first sale, Knoezer realized that selling shoes was something he would like to pursue long term. “I definitely understand business a lot more than most people my age,” Knoerzer said. “It was a hidden passion at first because I didn’t know I liked shoes so much.” Knoerzer strives to purchase limited-
DESIGN BY EMMA YOST
Christmas Freshman Claire Colley
Thanksgiving Junior Shauna Rodgers
Christmas Senior Amelia Vasquez
4th of July THE SHOE WALL. Junior Josh Knoerzer has a shoe wall present in his room.
Teacher Holly Primc
ILLUSTRATION BY SOPHIA BLOOM
Now Go Study
edition shoes because of their uniqueness. “I guess it has to be some [shoes] are so limited and not everybody has them,” Knoerzer said. “So when you get a pair that nobody has, it’s like a ticket feeling.” Knoerzer would not share how he got the shoes, but he did share some pointers. “For anyone who wants to do this, it’s really simple,” Knoerzer said. “Just go online to Adidas, or when Yeezy drops you go, and get in the waiting room. Then if they select you, you get placed in the purchase room, and get your shoes there.” According to Knoerzer, it has been difficult for him to get started in this industry. “It is very hard to get started with this because some people have been doing this way longer than me,” Knoerzer said. “They have way more connections; connections have to be one of the hardest things to get.” Knoerzer said that commitment, persistence, and drive are the keys to his success as an entrepreneur. “I look for steals everyday to see if I can find a pair of shoes I can flip,” Knoerzer said. “Reselling shoes and streetwear, in general, has helped me with my negotiating and my people skills,”
Wait, what??
Sophomore Alessandra Dunoyer
14 | FEATURES | THE LION’S TALE | OCTOBER 24, 2018
THE LAST STRAW
Concer ns rise over environmental impact of plastic straws STORY BY GILLIAN LANDWEHR The straw movement is a movement aimed at reducing the use of plastics, specifically plastic straws, in terms of environmental health. Senior Sydney Mills believes plastic straws aren’t a necessity. “I feel our world uses plastic straws excessively,” Mills said. “I believe that plastic straws pile up in landfills. Also, with the large amount of littering that happens in our country, the plastic straws affect our animals, especially marine wildlife.” AP Environmental Science teacher Benjamin Hogue said there are environmental effects from the use of plastics. “Since the 1970s, all of the plastics we create are created from fossil fuels, so the more we create and use them, the more greenhouse gases are emitted into the environment,” Hogue said. “The new foreign plastics we use also don’t degrade as readily as most natural materials do, so anything made with modern plastics stays in the environment for thousands of years or forever. “ The plastics used today are single-use and create lots of plastic waste. “For instance, straws and plastic bottles-we don’t reuse them, they are made of thin plastic and are used once and then thrown away,” Hogue said. Mills makes an effort to reduce the use of plastic straws. “I have a pack of reusable straws that I got off Amazon, which I use often,” Mills said. Senior Victor Um doesn’t use plastic straws. “I personally don’t use plastic straws, I usually just drink straight out of the cup,” Um said. “Any plastic waste I do use or the others around me use, I definitely reinforce recycling so that they aren’t disposed of in the wrong way.” Mills also believes it is easy for everybody to reduce the use of plastic.
“At restaurants, people can decline straws, as they aren’t really needed when you’re sitting down and not moving,” Mills said. “You can reduce the amount of drinks you get from drive-thrus and instead bring drinks from home. Invest in a reusable cup and it will save you money in the long run.” Though some people suggest reusable metal straws as an alternative to plastic, junior Natalie Livingstone disagrees. “Metal straws are even worse because it takes a lot of energy, coal, time, people power, and pollution to get the materials to make metal straws,” Livingstone said. Impact of movements Hogue believes the environmental movements are important to teach the population of their wrongdoings. “They educate the public that we are having a negative impact on the environment,” Hogue said. “We are using too many materials, we are throwing them away and a lot of them are ending up in landfills and in the ocean, which further impacts the different biota that live there. These movements are a great starting point, but the straw movement alone won’t save the world.” Livingstone thinks the plastic straw movement began with the people’s concern for wildlife. “I think people saw a video of a sea turtle with a straw in its nose and people started getting worried and then more research has been done, and they saw that the use of plastic straws is bad for the environment,” Livingstone said. Junior Teagan Byerly believes the straw movement is just a fad. “I think the straw movement is going to be one of those things where everybody wants change, but it will eventually die out,” Byerly said. Corporate change Starbucks recently created a new lid that doesn’t require a straw. “Most of our trash comes from corporations and companies producing
large-scale goods,” Hogue said. “Most of the benefits that we should try and move towards is forcing companies to reduce their amounts of waste, so that’s the good thing about Starbucks--they are recognizing that they, as a corporation, can do a lot more than just individuals can. “ Mills believes the strawless lid will help reduce the amount of plastic waste. “Starbucks is always super busy, and many people go multiple times a day, so they used to use a lot of plastic straws, so by introducing the straw-less lid, they dramatically reduced the amount of plastic ending up in the trash,” Mills said. “The lid is also recyclable, which is good for the environment too--it’s just up to the people to actually put it in the recycling bin.” Um believes that Starbucks is making a good start, but said it isn’t enough to really impact the current issue. “Unless Starbucks actually changes their whole production away from plastic waste, they aren’t making a huge difference,” Um said. “But they definitely are reducing the amount of plastic waste they produce from straws.” Livingstone believes more companies could get behind this movement, too. “Starbucks has reusable cups that can be used without a straw that other companies could also use to help,” Livingstone said. Mills agrees that more companies could follow Starbucks’ footsteps. “I think it will definitely make some other companies think about their environmental impact,” Mills said. “I’m not sure if other companies will actually follow suit--I don’t see fast-food companies changing anything, and they are some of the biggest contributors to the plastic-straw problem.” Mills has noticed that more companies have become conscious of the straw movement. “My work, Rock N Brews, has stopped giving straws to customers unless they ask for one,” Mills said.
Are you concerned about the environmental impact of straws?
79% Yes
21% No
POLLOF100STUDENTS OCT.23
Plastic use, by the numbers
390 Million
The market research firm Freedonia Group estimates that Americans use 390 million straws everyday.
1 Million
79 %
One million seabirds die each year from ingesting plastic.
28,000
Plastic straws aren’t biodegradable, and take 200 years just to decompose.
Starbucks plans to eliminate plastic straws from all of its 28,000 plus worldwide locations by 2020.
200
of plastic waste ends up in landfills or the natural world.
More than 15 major US cities have banned plastic straws, including Seattle, Washington, and Miami Beach, Florida.
15
INFOCOURTESYGETGREENNOW.COM,BBCNEWS.COM,FASTCOMPANY.COM
DESIGN BY PATRICK COSTELLO
Reviewed
16 | ENTERTAINMENT | THE LION’S TALE | OCTOBER 24, 2018
Goosebumps 2 Movie
STORY BY O.FRANCIS We all loved reading Goosebumps when we were kids, and this movie is spot-on with all of the scenes. It really draws you to the movie. Goosebumps 2 starts off slow but ends up really funny, including a talking doll that turns the mom into a doll and brings all the town’s Halloween decorations to life. All in all, the movie is worth your time. Slappy was the highlight of the movie with his funny jokes and his unique powers, plus how he would torture the bullys. This movie was not as good as the first, but still is new and exciting.
In The Heights Musical STORY BY JOYCE NG In The Heights takes place at a corner bodega, where it is light and sweet with three generations of music. Created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also wrote Hamilton, the characters experience change, hopes, dreams and conflicts with family traditions, finding their passions through song and love. The soundtrack, made of hip-hop, salsa, merengue and soul, helps bring the drama to life, making it catchy and memorable. The musical has been recognized for the 2008 Tony Awards as Best Musical, Best Score, Choreography, and Dance.
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing Book STORY BY SAADHANA SRIDHARAN Warning: don’t read this book if you don’t like open-ended questions and cliffhangers. That being said, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is an absolutely remarkable book. It reminds me of the movie Arrival, as both deal with the prospect of making first contact with an alien species. The concept is--quite literally--out of this world. As a science fiction novel, the book
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JULIAN RIOS
Halloween Horror Nights frightens guests in exciting ways STORY BY JULIAN RIOS It’s that time of year again, a time of witches and warlocks, monsters and creatures of the dark. Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) kicks off its 28th year of frightening the pants off Central Florida. This year’s theme takes form with the frightening parts of the 1980s, including a special house based on the “Stranger Things” Netflix show. HHN 28 offers a grand total of 10 houses this year, with name-brand houses including Halloween, Trick r’ Treat, Poltergeist, Blumhouse and the most popular, Stranger Things. Universal also offers original houses such as Carnival Graveyard: Rust in Pieces, Seeds of Extinction, Dead Exposure: Patient Zero, Slaughter Sinema and Scary Tales: Deadly Ever explores how aliens might test humans’ knowledge. If you’re studying for a chemistry quiz, this book could help you finally memorize what the atomic mass of gold is. As much as An Absolutely Remarkable Thing deals with science, it also deals with the prospect of sudden fame and its accompanying questions. How do you react when you suddenly go viral? How do you craft your media presence? What do you want to put out into the world?
After. I thoroughly enjoyed Seeds of Extinction the most. The story is that a meteor struck the earth, making plants revolt and take over the world. The scares are amazingly masked in an environment full of greenery. Another feature that made this house special was the immersiveness of it all. In the beginning, guests are hit with a wave of humidity and water dropping from the ceiling. It also includes a tilted floor and extremely dim lighting. HHN also offers the scare zones. This year’s scare zones include Revenge of Chucky, The Harvest, Killer Clowns From Outer Space, Twisted Tradition and Vamp ’85: New Year’s Eve. I enjoyed the Killer Clowns scare zone the best due to its wacky and goofy
demeanor. Mostly, that scare zone is a photo spot, but it is still fun to walk through. Another scare zone that stands out is Vamp ’85. The story follows a gang of vampires taking over a New Year’s Eve party in 1985. This zone is complete with a TV reporter, famous 80s icons and rock and roll. Overall, the Halloween Horror Nights experience goes above and beyond this year, taking the meaning of fear to a new level. This year is definitely better than previous years, and hopefully Universal continues to excel in the coming years.
Hank Green’s own fame has contributed to April May’s journey in this field, as his videos on YouTube were among the first to garner millions of views. His subsequent launch of companies and organizations such as VidCon and DFTBA have made him a creator with a platform that reaches out to millions of people. This personal experience seems to shine in the book. However, April May is not the most likable protagonist. In fact, as the story progresses, she serves to make more and more mistakes; just as she seems to start learning from her faults, she makes an even bigger one.
Yet, it’s this failure that adds to her humanity. It is moments like these that make April May a brilliant character. Her social relationships also evolve, as her character is juxtaposed with that of her friends’. As April May evolves into something of a celebrity, her preoccupation with public perception also changes and becomes a focal point. This creates a rich story filled with details from the science world, the social world, even the geopolitical world. Even with all of these lenses, the novel somehow doesn’t feel crowded. Rather, it makes the reader appreciate the complexity of the events. All in all, it’s a great book that will infuriate you at the end.
Wednesday-Sunday until November 3 $60- $80
DESIGN BY ABBIE WYDRA
One-Page Low-Down
OCTOBER 24, 2018 | THE LION’S TALE | ENTERTAINMENT | 17
App Review: Viridi STORY BY SOPHIA BLOOM
Viridi is earth-shatteringly boring. The thing is, it’s supposed to be. It boasts being mindful and relaxing, though there’s nothing about it that makes me want to actively stay logged into the app for more than ten seconds. You water your virtual succulent cacti every other day or so, and that’s about it. The graphics are clean and visually appealing, and the music is calming, but there’s nothing too captivating about Viridi. There’s a feature that allows you to “sing” to your plants by zooming in on one and tapping on it for a while. It doesn’t require you to actually sing into your phone or play any mini-games, so there’s really no point in it. You can read small profiles of each plant you can care for in the game, which is somewhat informative, and unfortunately, probably the most
interesting part of the app. At the end of the day, Viridi exists for the sole purpose of letting the user space out and do nothing. I do understand how people can benefit from a bit of relaxation, but there are more fulfilling ways to relax than staring blankly at a screen full of pixelated succulents. Taking naps, meditating, spending time with friends and caring for real plants can satisfy the need to refresh oneself. When I log into Viridi, I don’t feel at peace; watering the virtual cacti just seems pointless.
Album Review: Tha Carter V STORY BY KATHLEEN YORK Lil Wayne released a new album called Tha Carter V. Wayne was on a seven-year hiatus from his iconic series Tha Carters, and finally dropped a new Carters album that took five years to make. There are many well-known artists featured in the album, such as Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg and XXXTENTACION. All the artists featured in the album bring a new outlook to all the songs they are involved in, making it unique. There are a total of 23 songs in Tha Carter V. The album includes a song titled “I Love You Dwayne,” where Lil Wayne’s late mom, Jacida Carter, is speaking about her love for her son, as well as her excitement for his album to come out. Ranker ranked “Mona
Lisa” (feat. Kendrick Lamar) the number-one song of the album, and “I Love You Dwayne” at the very bottom. I agree with Ranker, since one of my favorites is also “Mona Lisa,” and my least favorite is “I Love You Dwayne.” A fan-favorite from Tha Carter V is “Don’t Cry,” which features the late XXXTENTACION. “Don’t Cry” brings out an emotional side to many, as it is a sad song that touches many of his fans.
Lil Wayne was once considered the best rapper alive, and many people are interested to see if he still is. My sister and I blast his album in the car any chance we get since it was released, and we absolutely love it. Lil Wayne has such a diverse range of songs mixed with other catchy tunes, such as chill rap and other subgenres of rap. His album will show fans whether he’s still worthy of the title “best rapper alive.” Tha Carter V is an absolutely amazing album. It is definitely one my favorite releases of 2018. I hope to hear more music from Lil Wayne in the future. Wayne’s music drew me in immediately and showed me a different side of music I never knew before. Tha Carter V is definitely a five-star review from me.
Local Review: Steak N’ Roll
DESIGN BY SOPHIA BLOOM
go there again. My friends didn’t seem to find it as good as I did, but you don’t know until you try. I knew this was going to be a fun thing to review because I got to go out and try new things. It wasn’t crowded at all, there was absolutely no line, and it was great. The workers were extremely kind and easy to talk to, which made me like it even more. I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes meat dishes, and anyone who is open to trying new foods.
INTERVIEWED BY SOPHIA BLOOM
Visual Artist
Junior Jordan Hadley Q: When did you first get into art? Jordan: Around middle school or fifth grade. Q: What is your favorite medium to use in your art? Jordan: I really like Copic markers and pens. Q: Are there any particular subjects you enjoy drawing? Jordan: Landscapes and architecture and animals are fun to do. Q: When you draw, are you inspired by things that you see outside? Are there any particular places you go to for inspiration? Jordan: I just walk around and explore, broaden my horizons. Sometimes if I see something I like, I’ll take a picture, and it might end up in something I draw. Q: Has taking art classes helped you improve your technique as an artist? Jordan: Yes, it has. I would say that, before taking art, I was a very sloppy artist, and less technical. I would always do line drawings and I wouldn’t have any technique. I would wing it, and would always linger into that. That’s always going to be the case, which is okay with me, but there’s a kind of growth from doing it more often. Q: Are there any particular projects you’re looking forward to that you have ideas for? Jordan: In AP Art, we have to do a concentration, and my concentration’s theme is religion, so I’m really excited to study that and hopefully portray it as accurately as I can in my art.
PHOTO BY SOPHIA BLOOM
Up and Coming Event PHOTO BY STEAK N’ ROLL
STORY BY CHRISTINA YORK Steak N’ Roll is the newest food addition to the Oviedo Mall. It serves many different foods such as sandwiches, wraps and bowls. It allows you to create your own dish just the way you prefer, which is always a plus when it comes to hunger, especially since it’s made from scratch with nice wholesome ingredients. I went to Steak N’ Roll just the other day with a couple of friends. We all got our food pretty fast and didn’t have to wait around for it. It was fresh and delicious. I wasn’t expecting much other than any other ordinary food, but it was actually pretty good, and I would definitely
SOUL OF AN ARTIST
OHS Theatre presents The Uninvited At Gerald Cassanova Auditorim Ticket Pricing: Students: $7 Adults: $10
Dates Nov. 8 and 9 7:00 p.m. November 10 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
18 | SPORTS | THE LION’S TALE | OCTOBER 24, 2018
sports editor
NEVADA CULLEN
Roughing the passer penalty needs change College and professional football fans love to yell at their televisions. This year, however, professional football fans are yelling much more than those who watch college games. Referees have always caused controversy with their calls, but this season, it has gotten out of hand in the National Football League (NFL). The outrage began in the first week, when Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns was flagged for roughing the passer on what looked like a legal tackle. The penalty led to a first down for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who then went on to tie the game, robbing Cleveland of a win. Worse, this is not the only instance in which a roughing the passer penalty has cost a team the game. Only a week later, Clay Matthews of the Green Bay Packers hit Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings hard, but legally, and the ball was intercepted. That would have meant a Green Bay victory, but Matthews was penalized for roughing the passer as well. Minnesota later scored a touchdown, and the game ironically ended in a tie, just like the one from the week before. Matthews especially has been hit hard by the roughing the passer penalty, with three called against him through the first three weeks. The final straw came when Miami Dolphins defensive end William Hayes tore his ACL when he tried to stop himself from putting his body weight on Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr during a sack. The the harsh reality of the NFL’s changes to the roughing the passer rule is that the league is protecting quarterbacks at the expense of defensive players. This needs to stop. It is just as important to protect other players on the defensive side of the ball. If safety of all players is important to the NFL, then the roughing the passer penalty needs change now. THE BLITZ With Britton Daniel in attendance on senior night, the Oviedo football team was able to secure a district championship with an emotional, crazy comeback win over Lake Brantley. Oviedo will host a playoff game for the first time since 2014 when they lost to Apopka. Oviedo girls’ volleyball team won a district championship on Oct. 18 with an impressive victory over Lyman in three straight sets.
LOCKED IN. Senior runners Ali and Trevor Hollis compete in the Windermere Invitational on Oct. 6. Senior bowler Emma Miksa practices with her team at the Oviedo Bowling Center. Both teams are working to repeat as state championships.
TBOWLING, A R CROSS G ECOUNTRY T I TEAMS N EYE S ISTATE G TITLES HT PHOTOS BY LEONARD’S PHOTOGRAPHY, S.WAISANEN STORY BY N.CULLEN & B.GRAVES Whether it is addressed or goes unspoken, the goal of each varsity sports team each season is a state championship. Last year, the Oviedo girls’ bowling team and boys’ cross country team were able to capture those state titles. This year, both teams have seen continued success and appear poised to repeat as state champions. In addition, their counterparts of the opposite gender have also had successful seasons thus far. Bowling The Oviedo girls’ bowling team has become a statewide powerhouse, having won back-to-back state titles. A state championship this year would mean four titles in school history, and three in a row. “It makes us the target and puts a lot of weight on our shoulders,” said bowling coach Pat Costello. “They surprised me last year, winning after losing two key seniors. We are working hard to achieve their goal of a three-peat.” Despite the fact that the team’s two seniors graduated, now-senior girls’ bowler Amelia Vasquez said that the team has retained the same chemistry and dynamic. The team is prepared for the playoffs. “We know that we have a target on our backs,” Vasquez said. “We’ve won for the past two years and we have a really good coach.” Costello is a former U.S. Open champion, and was named the 2018 Girls Sports Coach of the Year by the Orlando Sentinel. She led the girls to a state championship last year, and challenged the boys to match that success this year. “I asked them if they were getting tired
of the girls always getting all the attention,” Costello said. “They decided it was their turn, so they have put in the time and hard work. Both teams really compete against each other during practices and matches.” Junior boys’ bowler Jacob Ramos said that the girls’ team inspires them to win, and that the teams challenge each other and pick each other up. “It’s a good way to push them, to motivate them,” said junior girls’ bowler Shauna Rodgers. “As far as level goes, we’re right there hand-in-hand with each other. Being able to push the guys as much as they push us is good, it brings that friendly competition. It helps get us towards our goals.” Both teams sit at a perfect 16-0, each having won a conference championship in their victories over Lake Brantley on Oct. 17. They have worked hard to remain unbeaten, coming to school every Tuesday and Thursday at six o’clock in the morning to work out as a team, plus build stamina and discipline in preparation for the playoffs. “With winning the titles that we’ve won now and the records that we’ve set, everyone’s out to come get us,” Ramos said. “We put aside [the pressure] and we just do our thing when it comes down to the alley and the lanes.” Being undefeated is a new experience for the boys’ team, but the girls are very familiar with it. Senior girls’ bowlers Vasquez and Emma Miksa finished their regular season high school bowling careers at 64-0. The girls’ team has not lost a regular season match in four years. “We have teams that do their best to distract us and mock us,” Rodgers said. “We just stick together, we do what we know how to do, we practice, we work hard, we motivate each other and we just push
each other to do the best that we can and focus on our goal.” Cross Country The boys’ cross country team won the 2017 state championship. They hope to repeat the win again this year and take home two championships in a row. Junior Kayamo Galloway said that the team has grown accustomed to pressure. “The pressure is a facade if it’s real,” Galloway said. “We are used to this, or at least everyone in the top seven is. [Mamush] and I have won states ever since eighth-grade year and Trinity Prep. So we are used to people wanting to come and get us.” According to Galloway, the team lost four seniors last year, but the team is still strong. “We are pushing it and working hard, and as long as we push each other, then we will do fine,” Galloway said. Galloway has been determined to win his entire high school career, along with his brother. Senior Angel Vicioso ran in last year’s championship and is one of the top runners on the team. “Winning this title for me and as a team would be huge,” Vicioso said. “We went into this as underdogs, and we lost a lot of talent that we had last year. Last year we had so many contributors that helped us win the state championship.” According to Vicioso, each teammate will have to contribute a lot this year to make it back to the state championship. Vicioso is under more pressure than ever since becoming the team’s captain, and is finding ways to push the team to succeed. “We have our goals,” Vicioso said. “We just need to exucute those goals and we definitely can win the championship.”
DESIGN BY NEVADA CULLEN
OCTOBER 24, 2018 | THE LION’S TALE | SPORTS | 19
ROARBOARD
For more, head to
OviedoJournalism.com
Student equestrians compete locally PHOTO BY MACKENZI SAKHLEH STORY BY VANI THUPILI
RIDING WITH JOY. Junior Mackenzi Sakhleh prepares for a competition in Central Florida.
SPORTS IN REVIEW: A PHOTO FINISH
Riding horses has been a regal art form that has progressed through the ages. “I chose riding because I’ve always had a passion for horses and love the speed and adrenaline,” said junior Mykayla Brinkman. During competitions, equestrians and their horses show off their talent and their love for the sport. “My first few shows were stressful because I had to get used to the routine and I was nervous during my classes,” said junior Mackenzi Sakhleh. “After getting more show experience, it’s not as scary as before.” Common competition organizations include the Greater Orlando Hunter Jumpers Association, Horse Shows in the Park and the Interscholastic Equestrians Association (IEA). According to Sakhleh, the IEA is designed differently than the other competitions. The IEA judges the equestrian’s talent guiding a horse rather than the horse and the rider together.
Equestrians either ride their own horses, lease a horse or rotate through their barn horses during practices and competitions. “I don’t own my own horse because they’re very expensive,” Brinkman said. “I think it definitely makes a difference as far as how well they move and look.” The price for horses ranges from the low thousands to over $100,000, depending on the breed, lineage and experience of the horse. Senior Paige Mulac bought a young horse. “My trainer and I had to teach him how to go, but it was worth it because we saved a lot of money and it made us have a stronger relationship,” Mulac said. A special bond is formed between the horse and rider through hours of practicing, according to Mulac. “It’s important that there is mutual trust between the horse and the rider,” Mulac said. These competitors have won multiple awards at different competitions by demonstrating their skill and talents. “It helps me get out of my head for an hour or two and just focus on riding,” Brinkman said. “It’s an escape from stress.”
Star Athlete: Daniel McNamara INTERVIEWED BY CONOR DUNCAN
DIVE INTO IT. Freshman Ryan Reynolds dives into the pool to swim the 100 butterfly.
ATTACK THE LANE. Junior Kayamo Galloway dribbles the ball down the court during a scrimmage.
UP AT BAT. Junior Nate Treat prepares to hit the ball during a game against Hagerty. PHOTOS BY VANI THUPILI & ABBIE KAUTZMAN DESIGN BY CONOR DUNCAN
Daniel McNamara is a senior wide receiver for Oviedo’s varsity football team. He is among the team leaders in receptions and recpetion yards. He is also been clutch for the team, making plays when it counts most in important games. McNamara caught the gamewinning touchdown pass in a key, comefrom-behind district win at Lake Mary. The win, along with the team’s winning season, have been an unexpected surprise. He has helped lead the Lions to their first district championship since 2014. Q: How long have you been on the football team here at Oviedo? A: This is my fourth season with the Lions, but I’ve played football since the eighth grade. Q: What is your favorite part about playing football? A: I love the atmosphere, I love Friday nights and seeing my friends and family come and support what I do. Q: How did it feel to catch a gamewinning touchdown? A. It felt amazing, honestly. The crowd got really into it and my teammates got really excited. It was great. Q: Are you planning on playing football in college? A: I don’t think so. I’m just going to go to college, I love the sport, though. Q: What has it been like to be a part of Oviedo football for four years? A: It has been such an honor. I’ve made so many close friends from football and I love being a part of such a closeknit team.
20 | FEATURES | THE LION’S TALE | OCTOBER 24, 2018
City of
STORY BY KAIT PETERSON The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade brings entertainment to millions of citizens all over the nation each year. The parade involves unique balloons, floats and lineups of entertainment—including Oviedo High School’s varsity cheer leading squad--for the 91st annual parade. “Lake Brantley High School went last year and the coach said what a wonderful experience it was,” said varsity cheer leading coach Courtney Boucher. Not many people get to participate in the parade because there are thousands of teams all over the nation that apply for the event. Only a few very skilled teams get selected to perform. “There is a selection process, so you apply and then from there, they pick a certain number, and then you have to submit a video showing your skills, tumbling and everything,” said senior Olivia Sala. “From there, they pick, and it’s really rare for them to pick us.” Sophomore Gracie Pennington said it will be a totally new experience. “There’s definitely a lot more people involved, but we’re not really competing against anyone,” Pennington said. “But it’s going to be televised, so I’m sure we will be a lot more nervous than we should.” Stress aside, the varsity girls are really excited for the experience, according to
Dreams
senior Sarah Cox. “It’s definitely going to be different,” Cox said. “We’re just going to have fun and perform, competition is more stressful than that.” Getting ready for such a big event—and city—takes a lot of money. “We had a lot of fundraisers going on, like the money has already been raised and sent in, but we had a ton of fundraisers to help prepare for it,” said sophomore Emily Howe. It takes close to $3000 per girl to go to the city and participate. Additionally, Boucher was concerned about the trip because it falls on a holiday weekend. “It’s a holiday that’s built around family and I’m kind of about being with family at that time,” Boucher said. “A lot of parents are coming, and I think it’s a once-in-alifetime opportunity.” This is not only the first time the team is going to the Macy’s Parade, but it is also a first time for many of them to experience New York City. “I’m really excited because we’re going to a Broadway show and stuff and we’re going to all the attractions, so I think that’s really exciting,” Cox said. Boucher said it is a unique experience. “It’s definitely something to put on college applications,” Boucher said. “Very few people in the world can say they were in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
The parade will air on Nov. 22 at 9:00am on NBC.
Aug. 24, 2018
Aug. 19, 2018
Oct. 19, 2018
Sept. 7, 2018
PHOTOS BY ABBIE KAUTZMAN
Nov. 22, 2018
DESIGN BY VANI THUPILI