The Lion's Tale - Volume 57 Issue 4 - Oviedo High School

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LION’STALE

OVIEDO HIGH SCHOOL • 601 KING STREET • OVIEDO, FL • 32765 • FEBURARY 10, 2017 • VOLUME 57 • ISSUE 4

The Perfect Type of Literature

PG 10

POETIC CULTURE GAINS POPULARITY IN MODERN DAY

03

CRITERIA FOR SENIOR PROJECT CHANGES

15

UNIQUE FITNESS ENDEAVORS INSPIRE ATHLETES

20

SPORTS TEAMS TRIUMPH ON FIELDS

2 | NEWS | THE LION’S TALE | FEBRUARY 10, 2017

The month in photos

The

Photo’s Of

The Month

Athletes sign with acclaimed colleges for specialties WRITTEN BY NIYATI SHAH Twelve athletes signed with colleges in the state of Florida on Feb. 1, binding them to a college career in sports.

“Being signed releases the stress for this next upcoming season,” said senior Dylan Droke, who signed with Lake Sumter State College (LSSC) for baseball.

“LSSC showed an interest in me and it feels good going to a place where you know you’ll get playing time.”

Droke plans on playing catcher on the college team, and is working hard during the final high school season to prepare for the team.

In August, senior Maddie Kruse emailed the coach at Baylor University for an opportunity to cheer for their team.

“There are 45 people on the team,” Kruse said. “The top 28 compete. They are a tumbling team, which is cheer and gymnastics put together. The skills for college are more complex than high school.”

Senior Madison Floyd committed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Anapolis, MD, for swimming.

“The Naval Academy has an amazing education and great opportunities for after college,” Floyd said. “I love being on a team and experiencing the competition of college sports. My specialty is sprint, fly, and free.”

Senior Savannah Brennan is also swimming in college. She will be with the Panthers of the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT).

“When narrowing my college search down to schools with developed programs in the biological sciences, FIT was a standout,” Brennan said. “The fact that the school

PHOTO BY DOUG CHIODINI Seniors represent OHS as they sign to attend colleges to play sports with skills learned from Oviedo sports.

SIGNS OF SUCCESS.

had a swim team that I would be competitive on made it all the more appealing. I am very happy with my choice and feel that it is the best suited for me academically and athletically.”

Brennan looks forward to swimming breaststroke and distance freestyle, as she claims to be better at long distance than sprinting.

“When I went on my official visit to the school, I was able to see how connected the group of swimmers was to one another and their coach,” Brennan said. “It was incredible to see their interactions at a meet they were hosting, cheering each other on and acting as one big, happy family.”

PHOTO BY FERN SILVA

CUPCAKE WEDNESDAY.

Senior Christian Abrahams chooses a cupcake from the large variety in the Commons. Cupcakes are available on the third Wednesday of every month.

New Secretary of Education brings questions forward WRITTEN BY GILLIAN LANDWEHR Betsey DeVos, a Republican with little experience in public education, was confirmed as the nation’s Education Secretary on Feb. 7.

With votes 50-50, Vice President Mike Pence was called to break the tie. With Pence’s vote, DeVos won the title.

However, DeVos has only had experience with private schools. Neither DeVos, nor her children or grandchildren, have ever attended a public school.

The fact that DeVos has only been involved in one-half of the school system is causing many people to worry.

“Someone with virtually no experience in this field shouldn’t be given so much influence over the people whose lives are affected by every potential judgment,” said sophomore Daniela Zini.

“DeVos has never been to public schools or taken out a loan,” said junior Emma Gill. “She wants to run our public education system, yet has no first-hand experience.

She also wants to put taxpayer money towards private education rather than public, which would make our already struggling education system even worse.”

AP French teacher Victoria Huffman disagrees with a statement DeVos made.

“She has stated that public school teachers get paid too much money as it is,” Huffman said. “I can tell you that most teachers can’t pay their mortgage with their salary, but yet they spend countless hours at school, working with kids, tutoring, even being a shoulder to cry on, and she doesn’t see that. She has no idea how a public school runs, so she’s going to be overseeing changes that will be

detrimental to schools and students, and she won’t even see the outcome.”

Huffman also disagrees with DeVos plans regarding charter schools “First, she stated that charter schools do not need to be held to the same standards as public schools,” Huffman said. “She has also stated that education should be to ‘advance God’s kingdom,’ which is a violation of our cardinal rule, separation of church and state.

In a question and answer session, DeVos stated that she doesn’t know the laws and regulations that pertain to IDEA, which is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. “That is a huge red flag,” Huffman said. “Anyone involved in education knows these acronyms. She also stated she was not committed to maintaining Title 1 money to low-income schools.”

Huffman is disappointed in how the vote turned out.

“What really upsets me is that this vote was not about party affiliation,” Huffman said. “People from across the nation, involved in public schools and not involved in public schools, called their senators and voiced their concerns, stated that she shouldn’t be voted in, and Republicans voted her in, just because she has donated money to the Republican party. That’s what upsets me the most. This makes her a lobbyist, and nothing more.”

Despite the negativity, Huffman hopes that, in the end, all will be well.

“I’m going to hold out hope though, that teachers stay and keep on fighting the good fight, which is to take care of our students and help them become better, so that this doesn’t happen again,” Huffman said.

PHOTO BY FERN SILVA

BIOSCIENCE OFF CAMPUS. BioScience takes

a trip to the University of Florida to visit their labs and learn about what it takes to make a career out of BioScience.

PHOTO BY NIYATI SHAH

BEHIND THE CAMERA. Seniors Carrie-Lynn Gross and Kadi Tao get ready to film a news segment to air for the student body on Oviedo’s award-winning news, WROR-TV.

FRONT PAGE DESIGN BY OLIVIA BASTONE

DESIGN BY EMILY VERNIKOS

Senior Project Shift

FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | THE LION’S TALE | NEWS | 3

Standard-level English 4 classes receive new Senior Project requirements WRITTEN BY NATHAN HADDAD

Many activities and events have become synonymous with senior year-prom and graduation, to name a few--but Oviedo High School has a unique one, Senior Project, which will undergo changes next year.

“The main change next year is that we are differentiating between the honors-level students and the standard-level students,” Finnegan said. “The honors students will continue to do senior project in pretty much the way it’s been done in years past, whereas the standard students will no longer have the full senior project.”

This change has led to concern about rising seniors being disincentivized from taking honors english.

“Students trying to ‘get out of’ taking honors English, and thereby trying to get around the Senior Project, are doing themselves a disservice,” Finnegan said.

“The project is something they get to choose in an area that each student is interested in, so they are really missing an opportunity to explore something big, like a career choice before they settle on a major in college, or a hobby they’ve always wanted to explore that could really offer them significant benefits.”

The modification is a result of the analysis of a long-term study of the Senior Project.

DESIGN BY NATHAN HADDAD

“After looking for years at the Senior Finnegan said. “It’s not that we don’t want Project, a lot of what we’re asking students them in there, but they tend to struggle, and to do seems to be honors-level work, so it if they’re going to struggle there then they needs to be a project for the honors-level probably should have done the project.” students who are earning half a credit extra Junior Genesis Martinez believes for it,” Finnegan said.

Senior Project might push students away Standard level students will be from honors courses. completing a different form of the project.

“I think it would deter me from taking “It’s career-based in nature, being honors,” Martinez said. “I’ve heard that much more focused on school activities,” Senior Project is really difficult and timeFinnegan said. “We still want the standard consuming, especially if you start late and kids to get the experience of a large project, procrastinate, which I do. So that’s my so they will do a biggest concern project third quarter, going into Senior but it’s going to be Project, if I were to a career-based do it.” project.”

Junior Quinn Finnegan said Iverson also has Of the 584 seniors in that, although similar concerns as the 2016 - 2017 class, expectations will Martinez, but sees differ, the activities the intent behind 384 are in honors and skills gained Senior Project as or standard English will be similar. being positive.

“We’ll bring “I think the idea 4 and participated experts in, they’ll behind it is really in Senior Project. do research still, good, but I struggle they’ll have a final with procrastination product that they’ll and getting do,” Finnegan said. overwhelmed with Finnegan believes that the changes will school; it’s a lot,” Iverson said. “It has its positively impact English courses across pros and cons.” the board.

Finnegan stated that she doesn’t expect “We tend to have very full AP classes to see too many students dropping from with kids that shouldn’t be in there,” honors to standard.

Project Numbers

“I don’t think it’ll happen in a huge way because a lot of the parents will want their kids to remain in an honors-level course because they’ve been in honors courses for so long, some on a college track,” Finnegan said. “In that case, you want to be in an honors English class to finish your senior year.”

Junior Jacob Furnas was not discouraged from signing up for honorslevel English senior year because of Senior Project. He views it as a positive aspect of the course.

“I decided to take English honors because I think Senior Project is something fun to do to finish off my high school career,” Furnas said. “I can do something I’ve been putting off, or something for my community.”

Finnegan ultimately believes the changes to Senior Project will benefit the students that need it the most.

“For the standard kids, it can be more of a struggle because many of them have not had a project like this ever before, and when they get hit with it senior year it can be a shock,” Finnegan said. “I think we’re helping them to become more successful by still providing them a large project that they have to complete, but it’s now something that might be much more beneficial in the long run, something that allows them to explore careers in a way that’ll be helpful to them in the future.”

4 | NEWS | THE LION’S TALE | FEBRUARY 10, 2017

GRANTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING A+ money helps teachers enact improvements in classrooms PHOTOS BY FERN SILVA WRITTEN BY ABBIE WYDRA

LESSONS OF UNCERTAINTY. (above) Seniors Anthony Thelwell and Arthur Dawson enjoy the high-top table while reading. (right) Junior Patrick Lynch lounges in a webbed chair.

Heads down or eyelids drooping, students doze off during long lectures. Many teachers, however, are combating these sleepy sessions with the help of grant money from the School Advisory Council (SAC).

AP Language and Composition teacher Shayna Hron applied for a grant for art supplies so students could understand and identify the numerous examples of symbolism in Edgar Allen Poe’s short story “Masque of the Red Death.” In a previous year, she received a grant to create crime scene boxes.

“Kids could break them down and analyze them piece by piece, and they get the sense of analysis, how pieces add up to the big picture,” Hron said.

The grants not only help the teachers with expenses, but can also make a big impact on a student’s learning experience.

“I have students from seven years ago that come back and they are like, ‘Oh my god, I remember that activity, it was so amazing,’ and that’s how I know it’s the right thing to do,” Hron said.

The students also enjoy the more hands-on activities that the grant funding provides.

“I think interactive activities also help students to pay attention more because, a lot of times, if we take notes in class then everyone is zoning out, but with an interactive activity it forces everyone to pay attention and do their part,” said junior Kristin Cline.

The grant funding process starts with teachers submitting a form, which includes what items they would like or need for their classrooms. The teachers also have to list why they would like the item and how the item will improve their students’ learning experience.

Exceptional Student Education (ESE) teacher Melissa Adams has noticed how much of an impact her grant has had on students. Adams’ grant consisted of fidget toys for her students, which help them focus more and also act as a reward for when the students have been productive.

“These items have already proven to be beneficial to the student learning experience,” Adams said. “Students report being able to better focus on the activity by having something to fidget with. They will also work harder in order to earn some time with one of the items as a reward.”

Some teachers asked for feedback from their students to figure out what would be beneficial, like reading teacher Michelle Millard.

“I listened to my students, and what I heard was that they needed the ability to move around or have more comfortable seating,” Millard said.

Millard then applied for funding for furniture that was different than the regular school desk.

“We have four bean bag chairs,

23 grants total were approved to 23 different teachers in the 20162017 school year.

The 2016-2017 school year included a grand total of $8,856.98 in grant funding.

One grants includes a subscription to a program called ZipGrade allows teachers to grade multiple choice quizzes/exams instantly using a smartphone or tablet

a high top table with stools and fidget bands on a few of our desk chairs,” Millard said.

Within a few weeks, Millard saw an impact.

“The new seating allows students to make strategic decisions about where they can sit to be successful,” Millard said. “Every day, the students are choosing different spaces depending on the task and what they need.”

Senior Hector Sanchez appreciates the new furniture.

“They made me feel more comfortable and I actually do pay attention in class now,” Sanchez said. “It also makes it an easier environment to learn in.”

Teachers submit grant applications for the items they think will benefit their students. Then, the SAC reviews the forms. The SAC members consist of the principal, parents, teachers, students and community members who support the school’s continuous improvement.

Assistant principal Jason McDonald is on the SAC and stated that grant requests must improve the school in some way.

“The SAC approves all grants that are tied to the School Improvement Plan (SIP),” McDonald said. “All schools have a SIP that details the annual goals of the school (e.g., improve communications with families, increase Algebra 1 EOC scores, improve safety of school, etc.) and how the school will achieve those goals.”

There is a $500 cap for each grant, unless two or more teachers apply for a grant together. The grants are funded by money that the school receives for being an A-rated school, which is referred to as A+ money.

Each year, the teachers and SAC vote on how to spend the A+ money; for several years, 2 percent of the total money has been set aside for classroom grants.

A small portion of the funds also come from FTE funding, which is tied to the number of students at the school.

For art analysis, AP Art History was granted monies for posters to display greater detail Biology teachers were granted money to purchase skulls for lessons on evolution DESIGN BY ABBIE WYDRA & NIYATI SHAH

6 | OPINION | THE LION’S TALE | FEBRUARY 10, 2017

PURSUIT OF INEQUALITY ERADICATION

Freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are all aspects of our lives as Americans, which we are both entitled to and take pride in.

These rights allow we citizens to hold office, vote and tread our own destinies, allowing for perfect harmony, as long as everything is what it seems.

Yet, most of the time, that is not the case.

Women all around the world face discrimination in political, economic, and social aspects of our society, which damages both women and their status in society.

We, The Lion’s Tale, believe firmly that the oppression these women battle is both unjust and unethical.

This is an endless battle that has been fought through the ages, from the time of women’s suffrage to presentday matters.

Although some advances, such as the 19th Amendment, which allows women the right to vote, have been made, there are still aspects of society that are lagging, such as abortion, the wage gap, and gender equality.

The mere fact that these issues are still happening in the world, let alone our nation, is troubling.

We’re in the 21st century, where we’re embracing differences, as seen in trans-inclusion or our opposition to racial discrimination, yet we’re still oppressing

a demographic that has been a part of all societies since the dawn of time.

With rallies, marches and advances on social media, the feminist movement is trying to wake the sleeping giant-our society--to an awareness of these damaging issues.

Although the feminist movement is making progress to better women, many times it becomes hard when these women stand firmly and voice their opinions only to be put back down in the same hole they came from.

Publications around the nation have taken a stand against oppression of all genders, and as one of the foremost high school publications in the nation, we stand as a platform to voice opinions.

When basic humanist rights are taken from us, it is our obligation to stand up and fight for what is ours.

Many people let harmful stereotyping of the movement disarm their understanding of feminism, thus creating the degrading backlash the movment receives.

We urge people to inform themselves, get the facts, and truly understand the meanings of such movements before judging them based solely on what others say.

Movements in the past, such as the civil rights movement, have proven that with small steps, amazing heights are achieved.

IN YOUR FACE

Is feminism still relevant in 2017?

Quinn Inverson, 11

“Without feminism, everything would be onesided, one gender, one everything.”

Leeanne Figueroa, 11

“Since there are parts of the world where there is still inequality, we kind of owe it to everyone that experiences that inequality.”

Lena Head, 10

“Feminism is still relevant in 2017 because women still have to fight for their right for pro choice.”

OUR WORD

Genesis Martinez, 11

“It shouldn’t be as radical, but yes, I do believe feminism is important in today’s society.”

PHOTOS BY OLIVIA BASTONE

“We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.”

-Malala Yousafzai ILLUSTRATION BY CONNER QUINLAN Online Manager Doug Chiodini Business Manager Makaila Cowart Tech Manager Trey Hargis Editors-In-Chief Nathan Haddad Niyati Shah Print Managers Paige Simpson Faiz Uddin

Photographers Olivia Bastone Fern Silva Artists Geovanna OllivierreWilliams Alex Sayavong

Reporters Stacia Ahlers Pamela Chapman Connor Compton Nevada Cullen Bryn Garick Danielle Griffiths Gillian Landwehr Jesica Litton Aaron Nedlan Julian Rios John Speer Saadhana Sridharan Emily Vernikos Jessica White Abigail Wydra Christina York

Designers Declan McCoy Joyce Ng Conner Quinlan Faculty Adviser Elise T Carlson Admin Adviser Tanya Cameron Principal Joseph Trybus

Oviedo High School 601 King Street Oviedo, FL 32765 P: 407-320-4199 F: 407-320-4213 Population: 2530 students 29 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 1800 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.

OVIEDO HIGH SCHOOL • 601 KING STREET • OVIEDO, FL • FEBRUARY 10, 2017 • VOLUME 57 • ISSUE 4

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.

OVIEDOJOURNALISM.COM

DESIGN BY CONNER QUINLAN

FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | THE LION’S TALE | OPINION | 7

staff writer

STACIA AHLERS

State of exhaustion unstable, unsustainable

ILLUSTRATION BY GEOVANNA OLLIVIERRE-WILLIAMS

Black History Month becoming more relevant over time

staff writer

CONNOR COMPTON Black History Month: a time to reflect on the past struggles that have led to the current state of African American rights.

Yet, this year, the month seems more like a time to connect the “back then” to the “now.”

In the past, Black History Month was full of tributes to historical figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks. Whereas, now, we are highlighting what the black community is currently doing, with movements such as the Black Lives Matter movement, which parallel the Montgomery marches of the ‘60s.

We should recognize the fact that Harriet Tubman will appear on the $20 bill in 2030. She will be not only the first woman to be on our currency, but also the first African American to be on our currency.

Instead, we are discriminating against each other for no reason, regardless of skin color. Recent rises in racial discrimination span across everyone, from adults to teenagers.

DESIGN BY OLIVIA BASTONE

We should be rising up and stepping away from discrimination and helping one another.

Instead, day by day, African Americans experience hate, from verbal abuse to people spray painting racial slurs on the sides of buildings.

We should be free to make our own opinions as a new generation. We should look for influence from people who set a precedent for nonviolent protests.

Instead, we are tainted with influence from the past. We are blurting vile comments out or conducting acts of violence, committing heinous crimes in the name of some organization.

We should find ways for organizations to promote their agendas in safe and productive ways. In the wake of the Civil Rights movements of the 1960s, when there was an issue, the true heroes of the community emerged. Even though many were different, they united to support a greater cause, to achieve freedom through a peaceful manner. When Rosa Parks sat in a seat and was then asked to move by a white man, she didn’t break out in violence.

Instead, it seems that even peaceful organizations in today’s world have a shady way of promoting their agendas, whether through violence or other means.

Now, if someone told another person to get out of their seat, more than likely the person would get up and start a fight, right on the bus.

We should understand what the people of the past understood, something that is overlooked in today’s society: chivalry. Committing acts of violence not only demonizes a cause, plus, it’s not as

effective as peaceful protest. Protesters who are nonviolent with their actions are seen as the heroes because they supported their cause without lifting a finger to harm anyone or anything.

Instead, we see riots and road blockades, injuries and property damage.

We should be helping each other achieve our goals. Ella Fitzgerald, one of the most esteemed jazz artists of her time, was denied the privilege to perform at the nightclubs in Hollywood due to the fact that she was black. But Marilyn Monroe stepped in and called the nightclubs and persuaded them to let Fitzgerald play.

Instead, during Beyonce’s Formation world tour in 2016, when she came to Tampa, some police officers refused to accompany her to her concert as security.

Regardless of the situation or skin color, the police’s duty to the people is to protect and serve, even if the people they’re serving might not agree with their actions.

We should be celebrating groundbreaking achievements, such as those highlighted by the movie Hidden Figures, a movie about three black women rising above oppression and showing that black women can make a difference in history--no matter what the year.

During Black History Month of 2017, we must take time to reflect and really appreciate what the African American community has done for modern day America.

We should honor those who fought hard to obtain their rights and, if they were alive today, question whether they would be happy if they could walk the earth again and see all the hate and discrimination that’s going on today.

Exhaustion is the enemy of high school students.

Before high school, I was a book worm and education fanatic. But in ninth grade, for the first time in my life, I fell asleep reading an AP Human Geography textbook. The amount of work and volunteering teenagers are required to do to become successful students is immense and difficult.

How does a school system that wakes teenagers up at six in the morning, keeps them out with clubs and sports until four at night and then piles on endless amounts of homework expect people to remain fully functional, healthy and happy?

A student consumed by his drive for good grades is also required to be involved in clubs like National Honor Society and Beta in order to contest with others. An athlete obsessed by her yearning to succeed professionally in her sport is required to retain a minimum grade point average.

High school teenagers have a plethora of work and activities they have to do, and not enough time to finish it by its due date, even if they drug themselves up on energy drinks. I spent my freshman and sophomore years sleep deprived to the point that I was actually hurting my body; I didn’t value my health over the grades that I wanted—grades which were unattainable if I had taken time to sleep and to make myself happy. When my dad asks me on Sunday nights, after I’ve worked for 12 hours on each weekend day, “Is your homework done?” I dejectedly reply, “It’s never done.”

My little sister came into my room crying last night because she missed me.

The sister with whom I live in the same house misses her older sister because I’m never there for her. After all of my time is given to high school, my energy and ability to invest in my family is lost.

For three years, I’ve neglected and unappreciated my home life, and not because I want to but because, if I give them even an hour, another assignment will be left undone.

I have often talked to my teachers about an educational triangle which I believe exists. At the top point lie family and friends, at the bottom left corner lie the responsibilities of being in school, and the bottom right corner holds time for sleeping.

Yet, you can only pick one.

The exhaustion that students face through the countless hours they devote to homework is extremely unhealthy. It wears students down to the bone and ruins their appreciation for school.

8 | OPINION | THE LION’S TALE | FEBRUARY 10, 2017

online manager

DOUG CHIODINI

Puns add humor to stressful living With the stresses of school mounting, I needed an escape. The endless hours of homework and nonexistent hours of sleep had my thoughts split between what I needed to accomplish and what I wanted to do. To overcome this, I turned to my unconventional passion: puns.

Yes, I know they’re corny. However, as I allow my inner wit to shine through, I emerge from my husk of stress and responsibility. Whenever I receive criticism, I can shed it off as worthless, knowing I was satisfied with my work.

Whenever I receive compliments, I merely reply with, “Aw, shucks!” and carry on with my day. Through my corny jokes, I can create an extraordinary pop in my otherwise ordinary life.

This brightening of days and raising of morale eggs me on, inspiring me to continue my academic success even as school boils up harder than expected, rather than going over easy like it did freshman year (and in middle school).

Even with my love for learning, my freshman year was a struggle.

Having come from a private school, knowing nobody, I was isolated and alone. I yearned for my middle-school days,with laughter and good times all around. Initially, I tried to conform to the high school atmosphere. Not only did I fail, but I was miserable. When I finally embraced my outgoing self is when I realized that’s what makes high school so special: having a blend of personalities. I would not be pun-ished for my flaws, but my flaws would be embraced by my peers.

As I worked towards my senior year, I began to enjoy school more and more.

I built bonds using my personality and made lifelong friends. I started further immersing myself not only in my classes, but in the Oviedo atmosphere as a whole. I would be lion to say school bored me before then; I love learning.

Be it physics, statistics, calculus, or government, I find subjecting myself to new knowledge an exhilarating, thrilling experience. Even so, it was more fun with friends at my side.

Through embracing the social, scholastic and athletic challenges of high school, I learned my lesson: be myself.

People will like me for me, and those that don’t aren’t worth my time. As I prepare to extend my academic career in college, I know that in the face of essays and research papers, I will be able to follow the write path for me.

ILLUSTRATION BY ALEX SAYAVONG

Donuts reflect human traits

staff reporter

NEVADA CULLEN You are what you eat: a common phrase used by many, but with a hidden meaning. As humans, we each have our own qualities and ideas about life.

No one person is the same as the next.

This variation can be represented in many colorful and delicious ways. One such analogy relating to the aspects of humans is to compare us to donuts.

When you start to think in-depth about something as simple as someone’s name, you begin to realize how different we are from each other.

Each name has its own origin and meaning. My name is Nevada because my parents were married in Las Vegas.

Names can be very common, or onein-a-million, and everywhere in between.

Most donuts are named very specifically, but a select few are named based on their origin. The Boston cream donut is the state donut of Massachusetts

and very popular across America. It’s a common donut with a specific origin.

We share more similarities with donuts, far more in-depth than our names. The different colors and flavors of donuts go hand-in-hand with the varying personalities we display as individuals.

Pretend you just walked into Donut King, the fantastic donut shop on Howell Branch Road. The first thing you see is the colorful array of delectable donuts, a treat to your eyes and your tastebuds.

You can have the regular glazed donut, the go-to, as it always satisfies, just like that one friend that always knows what to do to cheer you up.

Maybe you want to spice it up and choose a Nutter Butter donut, unique and delicious in its own kind of way. It reminds you of that one guy that can always make you laugh and enjoy the moment.

If you’re always overjoyed, only a strawberry frosted donut with sprinkles can match that feeling of pure happiness.

Donuts have more to them than just what they taste like or what color they are, just like people are more complex than what they may seem at first glance.

Not all donuts are the same shape or size. Donut holes are petite but pack a punch as strong as a regular-sized donut. People small in stature are just as powerful as those that may seem bigger than them.

Apple fritter donuts, a sweet specialty, are not the least bit round.

No two humans have the exact same physical appearance, and donuts are no different in their various sizes, shapes and colors.

As individuals, we would not be complete without our own ideals, morals and other beliefs. Some donuts include a jelly or cream filling that is essential to the completed donut.

Apple-filled donuts are full of goodness. They are symbolic of growth and love among people, as a common goal among many is to help others.

These people are caring, giving, and selfless.

The marble chocolate-filled donut from Donut King is rich, with a savory chocolate filling. It is reminiscent of the driven people in this world that seek money and power.

Fresh donuts are the best donuts, but certain ones can be even better under different conditions. These conditions can match up with how someone is currently feeling.

If you’re feeling mellow, a fresh red velvet cake donut has a relaxing taste that correlates with tranquility. Leave it to a cooled chocolate cake donut to help you eat your sadness away. Any warm donut will make you feel even warmer inside.

Donuts come in all sorts of flavors, shapes and sizes. There are so many variations among them that make them special--just like humans.

We are all unique in our own ways.

We are all individuals. We are living, breathing, walking, talking donuts.

DESIGN BY SAADHANA SRIDHARAN

HEAD to HEAD

FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | THE LION’S TALE | OPINION | 9

Should information be free access or filtered?

Unrestricted access to news is a human right WRITTEN BY JESICA LITTON News is portrayed in different forms and can be perceived in many different ways. Many news stations and magazines filter their news based upon what their main audience reacts to best. Since MSNBC is liberal, and Fox news is conservative, they filter news to best support their views, and knock down the opposite party’s views.

No one likes to hear something sugarcoated, but that’s exactly what’s happening with news nowadays.

Everybody grows up with basic needs, such as food, water and shelter. However, no one acknowledges that as humans, we also need a source of complete, correct information. To be informed is to be prepared, and to be prepared means to be successful.

When news is filtered, people’s minds seem altered. They believe everything they see and hear, especially from what look like credible sources. Living in a society where everyone believes what is heard--before being shown physical proof--is scary.

People are so gullible because so many organizations that share news with the world restate things in a much different way than what was meant.

During interviews, the reporter, or the editor, will only include what sounds the best, even if that means they stray away from the whole point that the speaker was trying to make.

As students grow older, the brain understands many more concepts.

When the news is filtered, it is like taking someone’s thought processes and changing it around because someone else has determined that they should believe in what the rest of the world believes in.

It is not just news stations or papers that twist words, but people as well. Conformists aim for everyone to believe and want the same things because it’s “normal,” and they don’t believe that people should have individualism.

Without free news, everyone would be told the same thing, taught to believe all the same traditions, but people deserve to be different, and they also deserve free news.

Currently, world conflicts are at every corner, but we don’t know why, or what’s truly going on because the world is insensitive to reality. Society has reached a point where people now believe that everything needs to be filtered to keep people calm and collected, but what happens when the truth comes out?

Most people would probably agree that they would rather be told the truth than a lie. So if something is being kept out of a story to protect people, isn’t that technically telling a little lie to people? If the whole story isn’t being given then it really isn’t correct information.

If Americans knew all the details of how Germany got the idea of concentration camps from the U.S., they more than likely would have a different view on their home country. Textbooks, depending on where you’re located, have different accounts of the same event.

Humans will believe just about anything; that’s why news shouldn’t be filtered. If news is constantly revised and reworded, it can take on an entirely new meaning.

As people who acquire natural human rights, free, unfiltered news should be one of our rights. You should never be in the darkness of your own shadow, as one would say.

Restricting news protects from lies, viruses WRITTEN BY BRYN GARICK Information is everywhere, readily available to everyone for anything they could want to accomplish with it. However, this nonstop availability of information is not the best for people.

Restricting media would help to cut down on fake news stories. According to Pew Research Center, 66 percent of people reported getting fake news reports in 2016.

Fake news stories are stories created to spread incorrect information to the public, usually on issues such as celebrities and politics. Fake news sources such as Huzlers, Celebtricity, Empire News and The Boston Tribune are created with the intent of spreading false and potentially dangerous information.

False information creates disruption and issues among readers and society.

False news stories can create problems in the entertainment industry, as well as the government and politics of our world. If information given to people was censored, it would limit the number of false stories spread to the public. This would stop the spread of lies throughout the internet.

If all news sources and media were censored, it would limit the amount of nonsense information. There would be a lot less information to sort through when trying to find the real story. As information is now, it is too readily available and in many different places.

The censorship of information would allow for the full story to be accessed quickly and accurately. This would help people to be fully aware of the story before forming opinions and taking sides. In turn,

this would cause less of an issue between groups of people who are unaware of the entire story.

When media is uncensored, it allows young children to see anything and everything in they desire. This material can include that of violence or explicit language, as well as other inappropriate things parents may not want their children to witness. When children have access to uncensored media, they are able to view and obtain information of the tragedies of this world, which parents then have to explain in order to help their child understand, often before they have the mental ability to actually comprehend. This can create awkward situations for families.

Inappropriate viewing, however, is not only an issue for young children.

According to Pew Research Center, 39 percent of parents of teenagers put blocks on the internet. Parental blocks can cause distrust between parent and child, which can cause problems within the family. If information and media was automatically restricted or censored, it would limit parental blocks and therefore allow for a more trusting relationship between parents and children.

The internet being accessed by everyone, for any purpose, allows for viruses to damage computers and other technology. Viruses can potentially destroy all saved data on computers and destroy internal components by overheating.

Many viruses infect a computer by gaining access to passwords and other information once a user clicks onto a site.

By limiting websites that people have free access to, users will become protected from potentially harmful stories and viruses.

Facebook

VIEWS OF THE NEWS

SHOULD MEDIA BE CENSORED? Based on a poll of 130 OHS students

YES

37%

NO

DESIGN BY NIYATI SHAH & JESICA LITTON

Other sources 2016 election

26%

Biased speech 24%

Based on a poll of 130 OHS students

Snapchat

63%

Twitter

THE ORIGIN OF FAKE NEWS

30%

2% 5% 13%

10 | FEATURES | THE LION’S TALE | FEBRUARY 10, 2017

Poetry in Motion

Poetry advances into spotlight PHOTO BY NIYATI SHAH

WRITTEN BY DANIELLE GRIFFITHS Heart beating fast with rage, anger and sadness, a student unloads onto a page, word after word, line after line, stanza after stanza. Each word sprawls itself out messily as if the handwriting is meant to convey the frustration.

According to William Wordsworth, “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility. Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.”

“In poetry, a writer’s ability to be able to describe how they feel about someone else is fascinating,” said junior Areli Rodriguez.

“Being able to read all these different ways of the same feeling is really nice, because sometimes we don’t get to experience that feeling ourselves or know how to express the feelings we have.”

In creating--and even performing-his own poetry for his Senior Project, senior Nick Santos expressed the same feelings and emotions as Rodriquez and Wordsworth.

“The project consisted of me sitting at home and writing poetry about my life and my troubles,” Santos said. “I gain my inspiration from everything I do, but usually it’s about my social problems and encounters.”

After completion, Santos sought evaluation from his mentor to make edits for his poetry, which consisted of blank verses and sonnets.

“After I edited my poems, I looked up establishments that hosted open mic events for poetry, and I found this place called Austin’s Coffee, where I performed twice,” Santos said.

In his junior year, Santos first became inspired to write poetry when he wrote a blank verse, which he titled “Prisoner of Love,” about his personal love life.

“When it came to discussing what to do for Senior Project during the end of junior year, I saw poetry as an option, and I decided that was what I wanted to do,”

Santos said.

Santos expressed his difficulty with pushing his boundaries by allowing the words to spontaneously flow out of him, rather than stay cooped up in his comfort zone.

“I decided to recite it in front of an audience and see if I had enough confidence to stand in front of people and basically spill my emotions out with my voice, instead of just on pen and paper,” Santos said.

People often enjoy creating poetry because it allows them to express themselves, and it is also able to give readers something to put themselves into, according to junior Mallory Reynolds.

“People want to be able to relate to poetry because it’s an outlet,” Reynolds said. “Sometimes when people are lonely or sad they can feel good knowing other people are going through the same things that they are.”

These feelings of the common man have been expressed in poetry since the Romanticism time period, according to AP Language and Composition teacher Shayna Hron.

“Romantic Poetry truly began in the late 1700s, starting with Coleridge, Wordsworth, Goethe, Shelley, Keats, to name a few,” Hron said. “These poets birthed a new artistic style as a reaction to the more rigid structure of the preceding era, the Age of Reason.”

Each of the original creators of Romanticism incorporated similar attributes within their poetry.

“Focus on the Individual, the Awe of Nature, Interest in the Common Man, Strong Emotions, and The Imagination,” Hron said. “Romantic poetry made its way to America and can be seen in the amazing works of Walt Whitman and Edgar Allen Poe.” Although specific features were included in Romanticism, poetry today is still expressed quite similarly.

“Poetry is the same in every era; it is all about expressing one’s emotions

and one’s conceptualization of the world around them; it is simply the method in which it is delivered that changes,” Hron said. “Today, poetry comes to us more as music. Music is just lyrical poetry, and it is just as relevant now as it was back then.”

The idea that poetry has been on the rise is an interesting concept since it seems to date all the way back to the 18th century B.C. with the epic poem, Epic of Gilgamesh, according bookstellyouwhy.com.

“I think poetry has increased recently because of social media,” Reynolds said.

“More people can express themselves and get their poems out there by sharing with other people.”

It seems to be a constant trend that social media has facilitated this rise of poetry.

“There’s been such a rise of poetry on social media,” Rodriguez said. “There is a book that came out recently called Milk and Honey that a lot of people got into because they heard about it on social media.”

Social media promotes others to feel comfortable with sharing themselves with the world.

“People have started to believe that what they have to say matters, and people are starting to feel like they should just go for it, that they should do whatever makes them happy or whatever feels right for them without fearing the judgment of others,” Rodriguez said.

DESIGN BY DANIELLE GRIFFITHS

FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | 11

Cultural diversity recognized through students’ adaptation “I think that American people are more open and are more into small talk,” America: the home of many people Savkovic said. “They are a lot more of many colors, whether white, black, friendly, I have to admit.”

Hispanic, or Asian. Students from other Mannerisms are not the only parts of the world become united. difference.

Junior Vesna Savkovic, a German “I noticed is that there are just so many exchange student who is currently staying different people and races compared to with a host family, is getting a first-hand Germany,” Savkovic said. experience of the American culture.

Because there are many different “I’m staying with a host races in the United States, family,” Savkovic said. “I Savkovic finds that there is didn’t even know where I also a lot of racism and 9% black 3% was going. The agency discrimination. m just found a family “I was afraid of 17% Hispanic i x ed 2% Asi and put me here. I’m people judging an glad it was Florida.” me for being Not only is German because OHS Savkovic adapting of the rough history to someone else’s between the U.S. home, but she is also from the world wars,” adapting to another Savkovic said. “I’m 69% white country’s school, very lucky and thankful which is a culture shock to be accepted and for her. treated nicely.”

“In the beginning it was Although things didn’t go kind of funny,” Savkovic said. “When as smoothly for sophomore Anawe had lunch, I sat by myself at a table Paula Dovali, who is from Mexico, she that was free. I realized that everyone didn’t let the discrimination define who had their own groups and tables here, so she was. people were looking at me thinking, ‘What “I was made fun of for my accent so are you doing here?’ I also felt that more I listened to BBC Radio to fix it,” Dovali people say sorry or thank you, which is said. “Now I have a perfect accent.” really nice. I really like that.”

Being discriminated against isn’t Simple greetings, like saying good the only misunderstanding people like morning, took her by surprise.

Savkovic and Dovali can face. Sophomore

WRITTEN BY JOYCE NG

INFOCOURTESYPUBLICSCHOOLREVIEW.COM

DESIGN BY JOYCE NG

Lauren Puig shares her story behind the concealed truth of being Cuban.

“I do face discrimination sometimes when I am with my dad, by people of other ethnicities from the Caribbean,” Puig said. “I have been told by my dad to hide my heritage when talking to other people of Hispanic ethnicities because not everyone likes ‘Cubans.’”

Puig believes that, in order for people of different ethnicities to feel welcome,

the stigmas surrounding them must be broken down. However, due to these many different races, many people are also very interested in the different cultures.

At the end of the day, the enormous amount of diversity is what defines the United States, says Savkovic.

“There’re so many different people and races,” Savkovic said. “I think that’s what makes Oviedo very interesting here. That’s one of the reasons why I love it here.”

Explore the Chinese New Year Date:

January 28th, 2017 (Follows the lunar calendar)

Foods:

Nian gao (rice cake) Luo buo gao (turnip cake) Tang yuan (sweet rice balls w/ filling) Fish head soup

Events:

Red pocket money Lantern festivals Dragon dances Dragon boat races Cleaning & Decorating

12 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | FEBRUARY 10, 2017

HOWTOSPOTFAKENEWS 1

ALWAYS CHECK THE URL

FAKE NEWS SITES WILL ATTEMPT TO LOOK AS LEGITMATE AS POSSIBLE AT A GLANCE. ALWAYS LOOK TO SEE IF THE NEWS SITE YOU ARE READING FROM HAS A ‘.co’ OR ‘.website’ AT THE END. IF SO, THE SITE IS PROBABLY FAKE.

GO BEYOND HEADLINES

FAKE NEWS STORIES WILL REEL YOU IN WITH “CLICKBAIT” HEADLINES. TEST THEM. READ THE QUOTES IN THE STORY--AND WHO SAID THEM. THIS IS A CLEAR INDICATOR OF FAKE NEWS.

3

2

CONSIDER POSSIBLE BIAS

A MAJORITY OF FAKE NEWS IS PROPAGANDA AGAINST A CERTAIN PERSON, ORGANIZATION, COMPANY, ETC. ALWAYS CONSIDER IF THE SOURCE HAS ANY BIAS TOWARDS THE NEWS IT IS SPREADING.

USE FACT CHECKER SITES

FACTCHECK.ORG IS AN APPROVED FACT CHECKING WEBSITE. FACT CHECKERS HELP ELIMINATE FALSE NEWS IMMEDIATELY. JUST “ASK FACTCHECK” AND FIND THE REAL NEWS.

5

FAKE

4

REALLY THINK ABOUT IT

DOES THIS STORY SEEM LIKE IT COULD BE TRUE? IS THIS STORY TRYING TO MAKE ME THINK A CERTAIN WAY? HOW DOES IT MAKE ME FEEL? COULD THIS STORY EVEN BE POSSIBLE?

The Fake News Times DONALD TRUMP IS A CYBORG Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui blaborr oviderum Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui blaborr oviderum Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui blaborr oviderum Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad Makaila Cowart is amazing and beautiful cillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui blaborr oviderum Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui blaborr oviderum Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui blaborr oviderum Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui blaborr oviderum Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui blaborr oviderum Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui blaborr oviderum Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui blaborr oviderum Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui blaborr oviderum Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui blaborr oviderum Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui blaborr oviderum Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad Makaila Cowart is amazing and beautiful cillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui blaborr oviderum Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui blaborr oviderum Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui blaborr oviderum Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui blaborr oviderum Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere eum facest, simillat il et ex eosam velibeature veris dolorep erumqui blaborr oviderum Nullorum faccum quideni hillorum si cus voluptatias as ad moditis essi omnimin tibeatem aut incillecatur minvel et quam quaessi aliquid endant rere

Fake news intrudes on WRITTEN BY JESSICA WHITE

“Donald Trump is a cyborg,” and, according to Info Wars, lizard people are slowly infiltrating us.

Fake news is pervasive in our connected world. Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, along with traditional news sources such as CNN, MSNBC and Fox News, offer a spectrum of stories and viewpoints along their lines of ”defining” what is “news,” what is ”true” and what is “not.”

During his presidential run, Donald Trump and his expert spokespeople (Kellyanne Conway, Rudy Guiliani, etc.) continually labeled news as “fake news” to discredit the substance and the publishers. Fake news accomplishes its goal of confusing the public and deflecting from the issue.

Fake news itself has become a topic for discussion. According to The Guardian, fake news is defined as news, devoid of proof, that is purposefully published or leaked, by an author or source that knows it to be untrue.

Younger generations get fooled easily by the false information being spread across various social media websites.

English II teacher Jessica Canul noticed student’s skewed views.

“Fake news really affects the kids during this generation because they read things on social media, mostly Facebook and Twitter, and they usually take it at face value,” Canul said. “They don’t go and research to see if the information is true or not, or if the source is a credible source.

These rumors get spread very easily and you hear outlandish things.”

The motives for creating fake news vary from seeking a political edge to simply attempting to get more clicks (ad

revenue).

The recent fake Twitter account created by someone who wanted to c the school for a day.

Freshman Emma Warrner said multiple people in her first period did come to school that day.

“A lot of people can be misinformed make wrong decisions that can be hu to not just them, but to other peop Warrner said. “They missed crucial t for their education.”

The additional wrinkle that has b added to the fake news A lot of peole ca concept is in using the term make wrong dec as a defense hurtful to not jus mechanism people. when, in some

Freshma cases, the news is not fake.

Senior Kadi Tao states how f media affects politics and how it chan the voters’ views of the preside candidates.

“The election process is all about media influencing the voters views,” said. “With social media being preva in the election, the president ial oppone are able to create this fake persona w appeals to the voters. The media reports small situations, but makes th sound worse than they actually are.”

It is important to have reliable, v sources of information that can verify d Wikileaks has created a culture in w Wikileaks gets information, processes validates it, and then releases it to public via the internet.

Students can easily fall into the of fake news while researching topics writing a paper. Sophomore Amber Mu

FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | 13

SEARCH

PEOPLE NEWS RELEVANCE for

BUT THEY LOOK TO THE

WRONG SOURCES -HAROLD HOLZER-

N 41

%

%

%

D 19

R:Republican D:Democratic N:Neutral

MISLEADING

IN 2016

IN SCHOOL OUR

Freshman Sean McCarthy finds it difficult to distinguish real from fake news.

“Fake news is more prevalent nowadays with social media,” McCarthy said. “There are a lot of blurred lines between real and fake news. Stories that seem real have biased opinions in them, giving the reader poor information.”

Sophomore Owen Aaron also has trouble with news on social media.

“It’s so easy to say something and put it on Facebook,” Aaron said.

“This contributes to the spread of false information. I would tell people that are entering the social media sphere to be careful and not believe in everything.”

Even without fake news making an appearance on social media all around the world, false information could still be spread through conversations.

“If fake news was filtered through and diminished, the spread of false information would still not cease to exist,” Tao said. “People would continue to change certain components of a story to make it sound more appealing to the society, and gossiping would never stop.”

Google is trying to fix, or at least decrease, the issue of fake news, so they are proposing filtering through websites and getting rid of certain websites.

According to surroundtable.com, Google is working on tweaking the top stories Algorithm to filter out the fake news.

In an interview with Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai, he states that “there should just be no situation in which fake news gets distributed,” according to surroundtable.com. He added that Google would “make our algorithms better,” to make sure to “drive news towards more trusted sources.”

40

has trouble distinguishing real news from was false news.

“When I search for information for a close paper, it is really hard to tell whether the that source is reliable or not, and it usually d not takes time to check if the author is credible or not,” Murray said. ”I wish that fake news and would stop corrupting websites, bringing urtful false information to light.”

The biggest challenge is eliminating ple,” time fake news is to corral the multitude of information sources.

“When I am trying to tell if the source been is credible or not, I go to the an be misinformed and author’s page and see if he/she cisions that can be has any previous st them, but to other background knowledge of the an Emma Warrner topic,” Murray said.

Twenty years ago, a few “information false nges providers,” such as the Associated Press ential and Reuters, sourced most news, and others would release information to all t the news providers. They were considered Tao extremely reliable sources of information. alent Today, information and news can be ents sourced from a seemingly infinite supply which of cell phone owners.

Fake news has become more apparent also hem in this modernized society due to the availability of individualized websites, valid where opinion stories can be published.

“This generation has changed so data. which much even since I was little,” Canul said. and “Previously, there were no outlets for the people to share individual views, including no social media reports and blogs. Now trap there is an overflow of personal opinions s for that society takes to heart, and that leads urray to false reports being spread.”

R

n students’ everyday lives

59%

OF CONTENT PUBLISHED ON FACEBOOK BY POLITICAL PAGES WAS FALSE OR

ON FEBRUARY 9, 2017, A POTENTIAL STUDENT

IMPERSONATED A C O M M U N I C AT I O N S O F F I C E R ON TWITTER SAYING THAT SCHOOL WAS CLOSING ON FEBRUARY 10, 2017 D U E T O T H R E AT S O F V I O L E N C E .

@SCPSINFO

IS THE VERIFIED ACCOUNT

NOT @SCPSINFORMATION

THINKB E FOR EY OUC L I C K

ABOUT 60% OF AMERICANS G E T T H E I R I N F O R M AT I O N F R O M S O C I A L M E D I A

S H A R E R E S P O N S I B LY

AND DON’T CONTRIBUTE TO FAKE NEWS. INFOCOURTESYVOX.COM,BUZZFEEDNEWS

DESIGN BY MAKAILA COWART

14 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | FEBURARY 10, 2017

Feminism plays role in contemporary social discussions WRITTEN BY PAIGE SIMPSON EXTENDED COVERAGE AT OVIEDOJOURNALISM.COM

With marches, movies and rallies, the feminist movement has seen a resurgence in popularity in the past few years; feminists work to promote the rights of women and others who’ve been oppressed.

Senior Kameela Noah, who hopes to one day promote feminism in a wider sector, has been drawn to feminist ideas her whole life.

“Even as a little girl, I was always interested in gender equality; however, it wasn’t until ninth grade that I called myself a feminist,” Noah said. “I believe strongly in social, economic and political gender equality across the world.”

Noah said that the goal of the movement is to stand up for others.

“To me, being a feminist means supporting women’s rights to make choices that impact their lives, regardless of whether I agree with them,” Noah said.

Feminists challenge many issues, such as the wage gap, abortion and gender equality, areas where feminists see oppression and inequality based on gender.

“I became aware of issues in our society like the wage gap, expectations for women to be a housewife and never go above a man in a job field,” said junior Olivia Turnbull. “It’s the 21st century--women aren’t supposed to be held to those standards anymore, we’re supposed to be equal in every single way.”

Most of these topics have been addressed by

legislation, where unequal representation plays a role in discrimination, according to Noah.

“The governmental bodies in the U.S. are disproportionately male; only 21% of the Senate is female, yet this large body of men is responsible for passing legislation that affects the lives of women,” Noah said.

“Governmental bodies affect the choices women can make about their bodies, health care, education, and economic status; having women representatives reflects the need women have to ensure their rights are protected [and] helps promote feminism and defend its goals.”

Feminism, and people who identify as feminist, often receives backlash from people who state that feminists are playing the victim card, that feminists hate men or that feminism is based solely on women.

Junior Lauren Gipson disapproves of the modern feminist movement for a variety of reasons.

“I strongly disagree with today’s feminist movement,” Gipson said. “Issues such as the wage gap have been disproven countless times. If women want to earn more, then [they] need to assert [themselves] more in the workplace.”

Noah believes these stigmas of feminists have been plastered upon the movement to tear apart the moral fundamentals that the movement has worked to promote.

“I think that ignorance and lack of education breeds harmful stigmas. Some believe that feminists hate men, despite the fact that feminism aims for gender equality across sexes and identities.,” Noah said. “It’s important to educate both women and men alike what feminism means, and why gender equality is vital to the progression of a society.”

Contrary to Noah’s, Gipson believes these stereotypes come from within the movement itself, rather than outside influence.

“The stigmas around feminism today have been entirely driven by the feminists themselves,” Gipson said. “Firstand second-wave feminist movements have been more understandable, but this third-wave feminism is completely irrelevant in terms of advancements of women’s rights. We have made the strides in the past and currently have equal

[rights], which could even be argued [as] more rights than men.”

Noah recognizes that much progress has been accomplished, despite counterargumentative views.

“Due to the tireless efforts of early feminists, like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, women have significantly progressed in American society,” Noah said. “Women have the right to vote, are protected from workplace discrimination, and have a greater opportunity to pursue higher education.”

Gipson stated that women in America should help women in other countries, where there are still oppressive demographics, rather than focus on nonexistant problems in America.

“Feminists need to focus more on the advancements of rights for countries outside the United States, like the Middle East and China where women are actually oppressed,” Gipson said.

Noah and Turnbull feel that there is still a fight for feminism and that it will continue until radical change is brought about.

“There’re a lot of organizations working against feminism right now; feminism is not just the advancement of women, it’s about the advancement of all people of society,” Turnbull said. “There has been a lot of progress despite all of the negative things happening in our society right now, like how we have a male Covergirl, that’s advancement of the feminist movement, stuff like transinclusive bathrooms and destroying gender inequalities are also; there’s a lot of good, [although] small, but it’s going to get there.”

STILL RELEVANT? DESIGN BY GILLIAN LANDWEHR

FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | 15

WORKING OUT PROBLEMS

Students find favorite activities to pursue fitness, stay healthy country team and really got into running.”

Senior Kailey Davis looks for new and Working out can become a part of a unusual sports to keep her going.

“I’ve rock climbed competitively for like person’s lifestyle, but for those trying to make fitness a part of their daily lives, three and a half years,” Davis said. “So I say that’s pretty unique, especially being in some find problems in staying persistent.

Those who live a lifestyle centered on Florida. Just recently I started boxing, so fitness have been working out for a couple that’s kind of new.”

Many people want to get fit, but some years.

“I’ve always been active since find that the time required for workouts can elementary school, playing sports: become difficult.

“I’m not lazy, but with school and such, basketball, flag football, and various things working out like that,” said junior is difficult Ethan Fields. because it Like Fields, I like to think of it as like an hour of takes up a sophomore Emma TV that I could be watching, but I’m lot of my Stewart found a sport exercising. free time she enjoys, which

Senior Kailey Davis that I could makes working out be studying, easy for her.

“I enjoyed swimming at a young age or spending times with my friends,” said and just worked at it until I got better,” junior Katelan Cline.

The time-consuming struggle of Stewart said.

However, for Fields, finding the sport working out tends to stop people from partaking in the activity. Davis stated that that he most enjoyed was a difficult task.

“I actually broke my arm during she found a mental trick to keeping herself basketball season,” Fields said. “So, to fit.

“It takes up a good bit of my free time, condition, I just ran long distance, and I ended up liking that so much that over but I like to think of it as like an hour of summer I conditioned with the cross- TV that I could be watching, but I’m

WRITTEN BY BRYN GARICK

DESIGN BY BRYN GARICK

exercising,” Davis said.

Students simply find it hard to get started into the act of working out.

“The hardest thing is just starting, lots of people’s biggest hurdle is just getting out the door and do it,” Fields said. “But once you’re out there the workout is not that hard to complete.”

Junior Juan Esteban said working out has helped him with problems in his life.

“I started working out in seventh grade because I was being bullied a lot, and I just wanted to become stronger and bigger so I would stop being put down,” Esteban said.

According to Fields, working out can be a stress relief.

“Working out is an outlet because it’s nice to go for a run and put in headphones and just listen to music, I feel very in tune with the environment around me,” Fields said.

Coach C. Lowe thinks that despite the difficulty of working out, students should continue to partake in activity, as it has many benefits.

“It helps prevent disease, it keeps your blood pressure low,” Lowe said. “It releases positive endorphins, which help uplift your mood, and it gives you an overall sense of well-being and accomplishment.”

STAYING ACTIVE THE AVERAGE AMERICAN CAN BENCH PRESS 64-135 POUNDS 56 PERCENT OF PEOPLE KNOW THE FIVE CORES OF SWIMMING

ONE OUT OF 200 PEOPLE HAVE RUN A MARATHON THE AVERAGE BOXING MATCH CONSISTS OF 3 ROUNDS OF 2-3 MINUTES INFOCOURTESYOFLIVESTRONG.COM

16 | FEATURES | THE LION’S TALE | FEBRUARY 10, 2017 CAMPUS HERO

CAMPUS HERO

CAMPUS HERO

CAMPUS HERO

CAMPUS HERO

From tough schools to Oviedo, counselor brings kindness

PHOTO BY FERN SILVA

GUIDING FUTURE CHOICES. Counselor Lauren Vosburg studies student schedules to ensure accuracy for the 2017-2018 school year.

WRITTEN BY STACIA AHLERS With a black and orange Oviedo lanyard around her neck, counselor Lauren Vosburg fits right into the Lion family.

Though Vosburg is the newest addition to the guidance department, she brings a varied background in counseling.

Vosburg worked in a juvenile prison for one year and at an elementary school in Sanford for five years. She said that, while both jobs were rewarding, they were also

CLUB FEATURE

extremely challenging.

“It just got a little exhausting after a while,” Vosburg said. “I loved the kids, it’s just, after a certain point, their circumstances get to you, because you do so much for them and then they go right back to what they were doing [before].”

According to Vosburg, since the kids at Sanford were younger, and most came from families with low socioeconomics (83% of the students received free and reduced lunch), education was not a

CLUB FEATURE

primary concern like it is at Oviedo.

“Most of the students went to school mainly because they got fed two meals a day,” Vosburg said.

Vosburg pressed herself for five years in that position, trying to make it better for the students. Coming to Oviedo has been refreshing and a complete change in perspective, according to Vosburg, but she doesn’t regret her time before Oviedo.

“Working with reluctant students gave me good opportunities to come here and work with kids who are going through a tough time, [and] to be emotionally stronger [in general],” Vosburg said. “Prior experience made [me] a more well-rounded counselor.”

Vosburg serves students with the last names of Scrafton to Z, alphabetically. She is extremely amiable and easy to talk to, according to junior Lydia Stehle.

“She is a great guidance counselor and is so sweet,” Stehle said. “She keeps me on track with college planning and gives amazing advice on what classes I should take.”

Vosburg stated she has found her place.

“I’ve always loved high school, but I met with my guidance counselor twice my entire time,” Vosburg said. “I didn’t even know who she was until I was a senior, and that was only because I needed a transcript.”

This early experience later drove Vosburg to want to make a difference as a guidance counselor and help not only direct students to success, but also help ensure that they know someone is there for them.

“I was fortunate enough to know what

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I was doing, but I just thought of everyone else who maybe didn’t,” Vosburg said.

Being a guidance counselor at a high school is not as easy as it may look, though.

“There really is no down time,” Vosburg said.

The year ends with creating and organizing hundreds of schedules, then begins with revising all of the schedule changes.

“I made probably 400 schedule changes at the beginning of the year,” Vosburg said.

That time frame slides right into credit checks with seniors, followed by juniors’ credit checks, then sophomores and freshmen. Then the credit checks restart and counselors meet with seniors once more.

“There’s just never a gap, there’s never a slow moment,” Vosburg said. “My last job was a different pace, but it was just as busy, just with different things. This is busy in getting kids prepped for college and recommendation letters, and making sure they’re passing all their classes. My last job was making sure they didn’t tear up their teacher’s classrooms , that they were cared for, that they knew they had a safe place to come to. The demands are different, but I feel like the intensity’s the same.”

Vosburg said that she is very happy to be part of Oviedo’s guidance team.

“It is exhausting and there are constantly things going on, changes being made and students in crisis, but I am very much enjoying the opportunity I have to be here, [to] help the students I can and bolster the students that need it,” Vosburg said.

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New club strives to assist North Korean refugees WRITTEN BY SAADHANA SRIDHARAN There’s a new, unique club this year: The Liberty in North Korea club.

Sophomore Victor Um began the club in an effort to fundraise for North Korean refugee resettlement.

“We fundraise, we volunteer, we do a [variety] of things,” Um said.

Because of the seclusion and state of isolation of the country of North Korea, not much information is known to outsiders, according to sophomore Riley Hartlief, a member of the club.

“One of the major end goals of this club is to educate about North Korea to students, because this topic is not really well talked about,” Hartlief said.

Most students are aware of the recent appearance of nuclear launches on the news, yet most are not aware of the daily lifestyles of North Koreans, according to Um and Hartlief.

Um first thought of starting this club when a friend at Timber Creek High School told him about it.

“I thought, okay, this is cool, I’m down,” Um said.

The path to creating this club was more difficult than usual, however.

“Normally, you would just go to the school, turn in a club creation form, and if you are approved by the board--and if you’ve got a sponsor and everything--you’re [golden],” Um said. “But for me, I also had to get approved by the organization.”

The overarching organization is Liberty in North Korea (LiNK), of which the club is a high school branch.

LiNK rescues and resettle refugees, according to their

website.

“We have made it our mission to come alongside the North Korean people and act in the most effective way possible to help them accelerate positive change so that they can gain the conditions and freedoms to pursue their hopes, dreams, talents and potential to the full, and achieve their liberty,” said the website, www.libertyinnorthkorea. org.

LiNK has rescued and resettled over 500 North Koreans since 2010 with its AllForOne campaign. It is similar to a KickStarter or Gofundme campaign, in which viewers donate any sum of money to help rescue a refugee, with $3,000 needed to rescue and resettle each person in need.

According to the organization, resettled refugees send millions of dollars back to their families inside North Korea through illicit networks each year. This money fuels the marketization of the country, which helps to open up North Korea’s economy.

Also, refugees often manage to re-establish contact with those still inside and sharing information and truths about the outside world that undermine the regime’s control.

The club--which just recently met for the first time-- was approved by both LiNK and the school after nearly a year.

Hartlief found out about the North Korea club last year, while Um was waiting for approval from LiNK. “The idea that I would be helping out, and [interacting] with people I know after school [made me want to join this activity],” Hartlief said.

Um hopes that the meetings will spark discussion about the different liberties, freedoms, and governments around the world.

PHOTO BY OLIVIA BASTONE

AIMING TO ASSIST. Sophomore Victor Um presents information about North Korea to club members like sophomore Alyssa Simpson.

DESIGN BY CONNOR QUINLAN

////Reviewed

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FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | THE LION’S TALE | ENTERTAINMENT | 17

SUPERLATIVE

Quick Review

A Series of Unfortunate Events

TV Show

ADMIRABLE

ADEQUATE

Gravity Rush 2 Game

GRIM

ATROCIOUS

REVIEWED BY FAIZ UDDIN

I have no idea what to say. “A Series of Unfortunate Events” is not my kind of show. I found this show to be really boring, absolutely bland.

When “A Series of Unfortunate Events” came out on Netflix, I gave it a shot and tried it out. When it started, the narrator was telling me not to watch it.

The show is about siblings who lost their parents and the man who is trying to get their inheritance. After the 100th time he said not to watch it, I gave in to temptation and listened to what he said and stopped watching.

Ruta Sepetys Author

REVIEWED BY STACIA AHLERS

Ruta Sepetys is a LithuanianAmerican author who has been publishing historical fiction since 2011.

Sepetys’ work is intriguing because she specifically chooses unfamiliar events in history that are similar to globally recognized tragedies, then cleverly removes people’s ignorance regarding history through a fun fictional story that takes place during the event.

Sepetys is a New York Times Bestseller, and has won much praise and recognition for her work, which is unique and definitely worth reading.

MORE: OVIEDOJOURNALISM.COM

The Giver Play REVIEWED BY NIYATI SHAH Packed with emotion, intelligence, and humor, The Giver surpasses all expectations. With passion in their voices, main characters Jonas (junior Danny Sanchez) and the Giver (senior Alex Petty) interact seamlessly in this friendship built off of trust, love and fear of society.

The set design consists of bookshelves, to represent the Giver’s

REVIEWED BY AARON NEDLAN As a returning player to the series, I had very high expectations for Gravity Rush 2. The first game in the series was a masterpiece and I was curious about what they could do to improve such a genius idea. This game does not fail to impress with its remarkable game-play, artwork and soundtrack.

Gravity Rush 2 has some of the most vibrant color seen in recent video game history. It does not aim to be dark and gloomy, but instead sticks with a lighter and jollier theme. The artwork in this game is also not like the others: characters are very 3-D and it almost replicates a painting or drawing.

The strongest element in this game has to be its sound track, though; every area has its own theme of music, and that theme depicts the area perfectly. The soundtrack allows for a simple run-in with foes to feel like an epic battle, and really adds to the tension. The instruments used

humble abode, and rocking chairs, to represent Jonas’s home.

Every feeling the Giver transmits to Jonas has a color to it--for example, when Jonas feels the sun for the first time, the background glows with a warm orange.

In addition to the setting, the score behind every scene of The Giver is absolutely beautiful. Intense moments are accompanied by a cascade of chords, and the actors get caught up in a moment of passion, and the audience’s hairs rise,

DESIGN BY FAIZ UDDIN & GILLIAN LANDWEHR

in this masterpiece are played beautifully and without error, which really adds a good feeling, whether it’s happy, tense, or serious.

The game-play in Gravity Rush 2 is nearly flawless. It’s the same combat system as in the first Gravity Rush but with minor twists, such as skill trees that allow for upgrades to power up the main character towards your preferred play style.

With all of these additions in the combat system, there are more combat options and multiple fighting styles with which you can tackle your foes.

The camera angle was also executed well. Throughout my entire play-through, I only ran into about five camera angles that seemed off and should be fixed in order to get the full experience out of the game.

The characters in Gravity Rush 2 are very strong and their feelings progress throughout the story. I was originally concerned that only the main character and her partner would grow, but every person that you run into has potential to grow.

and everyone dares not exhale. Such is The Giver play. Incredibly poignant.

Absolutely engaging.

The costumes are a reflection of the dystopian society the original book portrays, and the message is of a world void of emotion and memories of

the past.

Although a bit faster-paced than the book form of The Giver, the play definitely exhibits every characteristic of the book.

The dialogue between characters, the settings, the conflicts and the resolutions

Unlike most games in this generation, you can get emotionally invested in characters. Each and every one has a story of his or her own, and it’s your job to uncover it.

The amount of content is quite a handful. Besides the main story, the game includes side quests, challenges and collectibles, which take a significant amount of time to complete and collect.

Most side quests are also unique, meaning there are very few duplicate missions, which furthers the gaming experience of Gravity Rush 2.

This phenomenal game takes a good 50-60 hours for full completion, which shows it really is worth the money.

If you enjoy a single-player game with countless hours of unique quests and great overall progression, then Gravity Rush 2 is for you.

This game earns a five out of five for its extremely dynamic characters, near-flawless game-play and beautifully orchestrated soundtrack.

pay homage to the genius of Lois Lowry.

I really hope the Oviedo drama department puts on a play of the sequel Lowry wrote after The Giver. Gathering Blue portrays a similar (but obviously different) dystopian future that places a young woman as the protagonist.

It would be interesting to see how creatively our Thespians would act out a sequel after such a groundbreaking performance in The Giver.

I highly recommend you grab a bag of popcorn and a friend to go watch The Giver. You will not be disappointed.

Feb. 17 @ 7 p.m.

Feb. 18 @ 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

18 | ENTERTAINMENT | THE LION’S TALE | FEBRUARY 10, 2017

Music connects individuals’ personalities

PHOTO BY OLIVIA BASTONE WRITTEN BY OLIVIA BASTONE Treading the halls of building 12 with her white headphones in, junior Francesca La Madrid vibes to artists like Tame Impala and Frank Ocean. Even though this provides comfort for her, she would much rather be listening to music live or with her friends.

The connections made over music can be stronger than the ones made by oneself, according to a study by UC Berkeley.

“Music is a universal language that brings us together,” said junior Ethan Fields. “I see it as an extension of culture.”

By passing music from neighbor to neighbor, “people affiliate musical taste with holding certain values,” according to the study. Humans are naturally drawn to those who cherish the same lyrics and who get a rush of adrenaline when they see their favorite artist live.

“Everyone is at a concert for the same purpose,” Fields said. “That is something that unites us together, unlike politics or religion,” The bond that is created in the pit of a show isn’t solely physical either; it’s chemical. A study done by NCBI proved that through singing to performed music, “participants resulted in greater positive emotion” due to an endorphin rush.

“You get into another world, in the music world,” La Madrid said. “You get into the song with all the people around you, there’s a huge energy.”

Fields said that energy can be found whether you’re in the audience or actually playing the music, as well.

“I feel the energy, especially in the live music setting,” Fields said. “If I’m playing with someone, you can see it in their eyes, they have ‘the look.’”

That “look,” which describes being one with the music, can be the gateway to an improved outlook on life and creates a positive learning state, according to a study

by Johns Hopkins.

“Music reflects on the experiences we’re going through,” La Madrid said.

PHOTOS BY FERN SILVA

Science Center hosts huge tech showoff WRITTEN BY FERN SILVA Otronicon is a local event that has occurred every year since 2006, right in the Orlando Science Center. Each year, the people of Otronicon show off new and advancing technology to the people of Florida.

With a huge variety of showcases, Otronicon boasted such booths like military and medical simulators, robots, virtual-reality experiences, gamedeveloper showcases, STEM-career workshops and even a “game jam” where participants had 30 hours to create a game from scratch.

This year’s Otronicon, which ran from Jan. 13-16, presented speakers such as Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, a Launch Director for NASA’s Ground Systems; Michelle Gaudette and Dr. Ludgate, who talked about future trends in technology-

able to tilt and move to positions that the artist or designers require.

Disney was able to show off a first glimpse of their newest addition to their parks: Pandora, based off the movie Avatar. Along with the showcase of Pandora, Disney displayed its technological history, stretching all the way back to the first inklings of tech within the confines of Disney.

Lockheed Martin, having arguably one of the most technical sections of the show, brought their multiple VR showcases of realistic military training simulators. Ranging from flight simulators for helicopters to fighter jets to tactical shooters, they highlighted the importance of team-based tactics and cooperative nature within a squad.

Overall, my experience at Otronicon was something unforgettable, and I will definitely attend next year.

Disney will open Pandora World in Summer 2017

By 2020, 3D printings revenue will have surpassed $20 billion

By 2018, the VR Market revenue will increase by 11% INFOCOURTESYFROMSTATISTA.COM

Up-And-Coming: Gaming

For Honor

related careers; Mike Ambinder, a Senior Experimental Psychologist at Valve Software and many more.

Attendees had the opportunity to personally meet and talk to these figures, to learn from them and get a sense of the field they wish to enter.

At the booths themselves, visitors explored a diverse array of things, spanning from the newest pieces in Virtual Reality Technology (VR) to those of indie game developers and local artists, all trying to get their name out to the world.

Aside from the local indie developers and artists, Otronicon was a host to big corporations and schools. Microsoft, Disney, Lockheed Martin and Electronic Arts all were stationed at large booths.

Microsoft showed off its newest iteration of the Surface series, the Surface Studio, a large All-in-One PC designed for those in the creative industry, that will be

Released on Valentine’s day, For Honor is a Hack-And-Slash muliplayer focused game based on fast-paced combat and a fluid fighting system.

With 16 characters to play, three factions to pick and fight for, and more to come from the future add-ons to the game, the possibilities are endless.

Up-And-Coming: Events

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Harry Potter Concert February 18-19

Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend

February 23-26 DESIGN BY FERN SILVA

FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | THE LION’S TALE | ENTERTAINMENT | 19

One Page Low-down App Review: Disney Tsum Tsum REVIEWED BY DANIELLE GRIFFITHS TsumTsum, the little plush toys and mini figurines, line aisles of many stores worldwide, but little do most people know, there’s also an extremely addictive app game based on these extremely cute toys.

Immediately in the game, the player is given a box to open, and out pops Mickey Mouse!

Next, a tutorial explains how to play the game: by connecting three or more of the same characters together, which is how to save points to get to the most exciting part, purchasing more of these Disney characters.

Once players save up enough points, they will be able to get surprise boxes which contain characters from movies such as Star Wars, Toy Story, Frozen or even any of the Marvel movies.

These guys are then used in the game with

special skills, like fever time, which allows players to double their points.

The game is super-addictive, but once a player’s out of turns, he has to wait for 10 minutes to play again.

Even though waiting 10 minutes to play seems like an inconvenience, it gives the player downtime to complete other aspects of life while waiting for the ablility to play once again. If this requirement weren’t there, it could be problematic.

Tsum Tsum is an enticing game that is nearly impossible to put down.

Album Review: Awaken, My Love!

REVIEWED BY G.LANDWEHR Childish Gambino released his much-awaited album, Awaken, My Love! on Dec. 3, 2016.

In this new album, Childish Gambino ditches his past rap style for a new funk/gospel/ worship/blues/jazz mixture.

One thing that I really like about Childish Gambino is that he makes his music so unique, and it stands out.

Even when he performed in a rap style in the past, his music was different than traditional rap music. This album especially expresses this unique style by not incorporating any rap into the songs.

The album itself is very relaxed. Songs like “Redbone,” “Baby Boy” and “Me and Your Mama” are some of the most chill songs on the album.

Overall, the songs are very simple, with little touches added.

In the background of most of the songs, a gospel-type choir is backing up Gambino’s vocals, creating a clean-cut harmony.

One song that really caught my attention is called “Stand Tall.” Childish Gambino himself sings in this song, which is something that you don’t find very often in his music.

Not only is his singing something that stands out, but the lyrics are not like traditional rap songs about love, money,

drugs, women, etc. The lyrics are meaningful and inspiring, and the song is about believing in yourself and your dreams.

Because this album isn’t rap, the level of explicit language has reduced. The only explicit songs on the album are “California,” “Redbone” and “Terrified.” These explicit songs aren’t-in-your face and obnoxious like other songs.

If explicit songs don’t bother you, then I think this album is appropriate to listen to whenever. If you’re just hanging out with some friends, stressed out and need to relax, or in the car, this album is great for any occasion.

Overall, I really enjoyed this album. I enjoy Childish Gambino’s new sound because I’ve never really listened to this type of music before. I will definitely purchase this album and continue to listen to it.

Local Review: Pappy’s Patch REVIEWED BY NIYATI SHAH

DESIGN BY BRYN GARICK

PHOTO BY NIYATI SHAH

Toddlers, teenagers and adults alike would enjoy the local, rural specialty of Pappy’s Patch.

With strawberries in full season, the patch offers endless rows of fresh produce to every fan. In addition to allowing you to pick your own strawberries, the patch offers fresh honey for an extra pop of sweetness.

Recruit your cousins, your friends, your spouses for this relatively affordable but incredibly enjoyable experience. At $3 a pound, the strawberries are perfect for this coming spring weather. Blend up a strawberry smoothie, dip a few in Nutella, slice them on ice cream or create your own homemade strawberry jelly.

The opportunities for Pappy’s Patch are endless! Go get your harvest today!

SOUL OF AN ARTIST Photography Senior Isaiah Pineda INTERVIEWED BY FAIZ UDDIN Q: How did you discover your talent in photography?

A: My family has always thought I had a good eye to take pictures- on vacation or my little sister’s birthdayand my teachers used to tell me I had artistic skills.

Q: What are your favorite topics to shoot?

A: Sports (basketball, lacrosse, football, soccer), landscapes, portraits depending on person, and senior portraits for friends.

Q: Describe the work you currently do in the field.

A: Senior portraits, sports for yearbook, drone videos, freelance shooting, and friends who pay me.

Q: What are some awards that you have won in photography?

A: Heathrow Art Festival Q: How do you continue to build your skills in this art field?

A: By finding more challenging subjects to photograph, experimenting with new techniques and equipment.

Q: What are come challenges that you have faced in this field?

A: I’ve learned how to use layers and create posters.

Q: How did you overcome these challenges?

A: By stringing videos from drone shooting and manipulating color and lighting.

Q: How do you imagine using your talents in your future plans?

A: Just shoot for a hobby or as a side job.

20 | SPORTS | THE LION’S TALE | FEBRUARY 10, 2017 DEFENDING THEIR LEGACY. Senior Myana Strickland and sophomore McKenzie Smith double team Lake Howell’s ball handler on Jan. 23 at the RWL Gym.

NINTH IN NATION. The Elite dance team placed ninth in the nation for hip hop at Disney’s Wide World of Sports on Feb. 6.

Sports teams achieve greatness Athletes battle highs, lows to achieve dream of reaching top WRITTEN BY PAIGE SIMPSON

From soccer to basketball to even water polo, Oviedo’s athletic teams have experienced a recent surge in seasonal success.

With Lady Lions’ basketball player junior Anna Tayge scoring 1,000 points, to the dance team placing 9th in the nation, teams have had many reasons to celebrate.

Through highs and lows, the Lady Lions girls basketball team has battled many rivalries to achieve their winning record of 22-5 and their overall season goal, according to team captain senior Kamilla Rosasco.

“This season has been very successful because we have reached our goal of becoming district champions,” Rosasco said.

Rosasco attributes her team’s success to two supporting factors.

“I believe that the coach’s determined attitude and the team’s perseverance allowed us to overcome any obstacle that stood in our way,” Rosasco said.

As with basketball, girls’ soccer coach Scott Waisanen puts his persistent attitude into play as he

strives to make his team State champions year after year.

Waisanen stated that his secret is staying in the right mindset and creating a balance between work and play.

“We focus on one game at a time and put our energy into that solely because we have to be prepared to play our best every game,” Waisanen said.

Mixing up practices is also key, according to Waisanen.

“I try to vary our practices to make them fun and not monotonous,” Waisanen said. “If practices are both fun and challenging, the players get the most out [of it] in preparing for each game. Playing at that level consistently day after day is difficult, but this group of girls has thrived on it and welcomes it as a challenge.”

Waisanen said the reason behind their true success lies within the players on the field.

“The talent of the our players and their willingness to work hard and play as a team [leads to success],” Waisanen said. “They believe in each other and want to play hard for one another; they are truly a team.”

CHARGE OF CHAMPIONS. Senior Camille Copperthite charges the goal against Bishop Moore on Jan. 10 at the John Courier Field.

DANCE WITH POWER. The varsity dance team competes in jazz at Disney’s Wide World of Sports for the national championship.

PHOTOS BY ANGELA FUTATO, FERN SILVA, OLIVIA BASTONE

DESIGN BY PAIGE SIMPSON

FEBRUARY 10, 2017 | THE LION’S TALE | ENTERTAINMENT | 21

PRO BOWL SHAKES ORLANDO NFL all-star game affects Central Florida, future of NFL

PHOTO BY NATHAN HADDAD ORLANDO OPENS DOORS. Football fans from around the world gather to watch the National Football League’s best players play in the Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Jan. 29.

WRITTEN BY NEVADA CULLEN Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida: the site of the National Football League’s 2017 all-star game. On a rainy night in late January, fans looked on in disbelief. A full quarter had gone by, and not one of the teams had managed to put points on the board. Football families all across the country were shocked by the competitiveness and fire that each team’s defense displayed.

The National Football League (NFL) holds their Pro Bowl, a competition of the league’s best players, one week before the Super Bowl every year. 2017 has been a monumental year for the game.

For the first time since 2010, the Pro Bowl was hosted by a Florida sports stadium.

The game had never been held in Orlando until this year’s game.

“Orlando is not really known for football,” said Oviedo football coach Garrett Turner. “It was good to have the world’s best athletes come to Orlando and be the focus for the weekend.”

Although it has never been known as

DESIGN BY NEVADA CULLEN

a football city before, this generation of with the stadium selling out. Many locals football fans will all remember Orlando were present at the AFC’s narrow victory as the city that changed the Pro Bowl. over the NFC, including many Oviedo A return to the old format of the game, students and parents. in which the two conferences (AFC and Their level of interest in this year’s NFC) face off, reignited the classic rivalry game was clear, as some have already in which the level of competitiveness purchased their tickets for next year’s surpassed that of several playoff games.

Pro Bowl. It has quickly become a very “The Pro Bowl over the past five years popular event among Central Florida used to be like two-hand touch football,” residents, even though it has only been in said sophomore Orlando for one Bryan McGrogan. year. Now that Unless you lived in Hawaii, you weren’t “It wasn’t the fans know going to buy a plane ticket to go watch entertaining at all, how interesting a joke football game. Since they made so no one wanted this game has it more of a game, they’ve had more to go to it. Plus, it become, the people trying to buy tickets. was in Hawaii, so 2018 Pro Bowl Sophomore Bryan McGrogan unless you lived has a chance in Hawaii, you to sell out in a weren’t going to heartbeat. buy a plane ticket “If the Pro to go watch a joke football game. Since Bowl stays in Orlando for around five they made it more of a game, they’ve had years and then moves around the country, more people trying to buy tickets.” then that would be very beneficial to our There were indeed many tickets community,” McGrogan said. “Orlando sold for the Pro Bowl. The NFL offered already has a good foundation based standing-room only tickets in compliance on theme parks and such, and now the

Pro Bowl just makes our area that much better.”

The game had a very large impact on local businesses, and Oviedo could be more directly affected by future Pro Bowls.

Restaurants, radio stations and other businesses with roots in Oviedo may be more invested during the event and attract more customers.

“Before and after the game you could go get food,” said sophomore Caleb German. “There were local companies there selling food, which helped to support the community economically.”

The NFL Pro Bowl created many favorable effects on the people and companies around Oviedo. Continuing to hold the game in Orlando will have major effects on this growing community. No matter where the Pro Bowl is headed, citizens of Central Florida are currently grateful for its influences.

“I think the Pro Bowl brought a lot of attention to the city,” Turner said. “It bought positive energy in wake of the 2016 year, helped a lot of businesses in the area, and was very beneficial to charities.”

22 | SPORTS | THE LION’S TALE | FEBRUARY 10, 2017

editor-in-chief

NATHAN HADDAD

Super Bowl caps off alltime great sports year Twenty-one minutes to go, up 25 points, with a 99.8 percent chance to win.

Then Tom Brady happened.

After three hours of one-sided football, Super Bowl 51 went from a blowout to arguably the greatest Super Bowl in NFL history. New England’s second-half rally to do the impossible and win the Super Bowl capped what has been an unbelievably great year of sports.

Over the last 365 days, sports fans have been treated to the greatest stretch of championship games in sports history, with iconic championship games in the NFL, NBA, MLB, CFB and CBB. In addition to Super Bowl 51 featuring the largest comeback in Super Bowl history (Patriots coming back down 25 points), it was also the first Super Bowl to ever reach overtime. In addition, Tom Brady became the first quarterback to ever win 5 championships/4 Super Bowl MVP awards, and Bill Belichick became the first head coach to ever win 5 Super Bowls.

The NBA rivaled this Super Bowl in its historic nature last summer when the Cleveland Cavaliers won their first NBA championship, in a Game 7 that went down to the final minute, with the Cavs rallying back from a 3-1 deficit to win it all against the greatest regular-season team of all time, the 73-9 Golden State Warriors.

Baseball has their own claim to history with this past World Series, as the Chicago Cubs broke the longest championship drought in sports history, winning their first World Series in 108 years this past year in a game 7 that went to extra innings.

Professional sports treated us to a remarkable year, but college sports also gave us some unbelievable finishes.

In last year’s college basketball championship game, Villanova upset number one seed UNC on a buzzerbeating three pointer. College football also gave us an upset, as number two Clemson rallied back from a large fourth quarter deficit to upset number one Alabama on a game-winning touchdown with one second remaining in the fourth quarter.

As we await the next set of championship games, beginning with March Madness this spring and the NBA Finals this summer, we can only hope this next calendar year can produce a fraction of the iconic moments we witnessed over this past year.

THE BLITZ The New England Patriots open the 2017 NFL season (unsuprisingly) as Super Bowl favorites as they look to repeat as champions.

RIGHT HAND MAN. Senior Thomas Pasquale catches the ball at practice on Feb. 3 at the Oviedo Aquatic Center.

MAKING A SPLASH

Cooperation between water polo teams fuels success PHOTO BY DOUG CHIODINI WRITTEN BY DOUG CHIODINI For the boys’ water polo team, this is a season of high expectations. For the girls’ team, this is a season of growth.

Together, they push each other to become the best players they can be.

Their unique practice situation, where they practice together as one team rather than being separated by gender, provides more opportunities to strengthen their skills.

“You have more bodies in the water so you can run scrimmages against each other,” said junior Nico Rodriguez.

“Otherwise, you wouldn’t have enough people to do it…and I think it makes it a little more fun.”

That sentiment is shared between both teams, as they build off each other’s strengths and weaknesses, using each other as a guideline for improvement. “[The boys] make us so much better,” said senior Bailey Bohrer. “We all work well together. We’re very close with the boys’ team; they’re very close with us.

We just enjoy everyone’s company and want everybody to get better as a unit.”

As the teams continue to practice together, their bond outside the pool grows alongside their skill-sets.

Senior John Kim said having a good things that happened, the bad strong bond affects the team’s play. things, and we come together and say “Last year, our team was really how can we play better as a unit.” close,” Kim said. “We all knew each Coach Liam Mason also sees other. We went to meals after games, how the teams build off each others’ team meals at someone’s house. We strengths. knew how to pass to each other well, “The girls’ team has some great they knew what we were expecting, outside shots,” Mason said. “The guys’ they knew who team has was good at some great After the game, we talk about the what position breakaway good things that happened, the bad so we could plays and things, and we come together and switch out if rotation say how can we play better as a unit. we needed it, tactics. Both Senior Bailey Bohrer they knew who teams get could shoot far, to see the shoot close, all those things. This year positive aspects of each other.”

I’m hoping we get close as a team and According to Bohrer, without Mason, have as tight of a bond as last season.” the teams would be less integrated and The chemistry between the boys’ and wouldn’t be able to build off each other girls’ teams extends beyond practice as much as they do now. His dedication to game days, where it allows them to to providing a nurturing environment learn from each other’s mistakes and to has earned him the respect of his improve upon them. players.

Bohrer stated that analyzing the “Mason’s the best,” Bohrer said. “He teams’ differences helps improve pushes us to be our best. He’ll yell at overall performance. us and say ‘You guys stink!’ but it’s all “Watching the boys helps us out out of love. He does it so we can be a so much because they’re fast-paced better team in the end. He’s a great guy, players and we need to learn to be like he makes us so much better, he gives that,” Bohrer said. “Normally, girls play us good drills, pushes us so hard to do first in our games, then we watch the our best and I couldn’t ask for a better boys. After the game, we talk about the coach.”

DESIGN BY DOUG CHIODINI

ROAR BOARD

FEBRUARY 10, 2016 | THE LION’S TALE | SPORTS | 23

Check out scores and game reviews at

INSTAGRAM OF THE MONTH:

@kenz.s

TWEET OF THE MONTH: Lady Lions Soccer @oviedoGsoccer

Feb. 3

We are STATE FINAL FOUR bound with a 3-0 win against FPC! State semis will be played next Friday! #GoLions 48 RETWEETS 159 LIKES

PHOTO BY KATRINA VOORHEES

GRACE AND GLORY. Junior Aleena Voorhees competes with varsity Winter Guard at Dr. Phillips High School on Jan. 28.

136 likes

Winter Guard brings together ranges of grades WRITTEN BY E. VERNIKOS

Dancing, spinning rifles and sabers, winter guard is an inclusive sport that brings individuals together.

Unlike color guard, winter guard is performed indoors, usually in gymnasiums or indoor arenas.

Freshman Alexis Granville joined the sport after watching a performance in elementary school.

“I was first introduced to Winter Guard in 4th grade; I loved it,” Granville said. “The teamwork is amazing, we all depend on each other to triumph.”

Their performances make use of recorded music rather than a live band or orchestra. Each year, the theme, which includes music and choreography, changes.

“The varsity team honors the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting [in their performance],” Granville said. “It is also a tribute to any loved ones, or people who have passed away.”

Sophomore Autumn Hall,

STAR ATHLETE: ANNA TAGYE

who is in the position of flag, appreciates the tie to the recent event.

“It’s kind of like a goodbye to someone we’ve lost,” Hall said.

Hall has enjoyed this past semester of competing with her team.

“I will really miss it,” Hall said.

“It’s a great opportunity and a wonderful group, and coaches that will support you every way possible. I definitely call them family.”

Sophomore Paige Stapelton enjoyed performing for an audience during the show.

“I chose to do winter guard because of the passion I have for performing in front of a crowd,” Stapelton said.

The first performance for JV was Jan. 28, located at Dr. Phillips High School.

As with any sport, there’s stress.

“The biggest challenge for me would be the time commitment,” Stapelton said. “I spend 10 hours a week practicing. At times I really dread going to practice, but missing a practice would hold back the team.”

PHOTO BY FERN SILVA

Q: When did you realize you had broken the 1,000 point mark?

A: My coach called a timeout, and everyone started cheering and got excited, and then they announced it [over the loudspeaker].

Q: What was going through your head when they announced your milestone?

A: I was just thinking about how crazy it was.

I couldn’t stop smiling.

Q: What have you done to make yourself a better shooter?

A: My coaches always remind me to keep shooting, so I practice it constantly.

Q: Who do you look up to?

A: I look up to my dad. He introduced me to the game and taught me everything I know.

Q: Who is your favorite high school to play against?

A: My favorite high school to play against is Winter Springs because they’re our biggest competitors and it’s always a close game.

Q: Have you ever made a game-winning shot or buzzer-beater?

A: It wasn’t at the buzzer, but with about five seconds left; I made a layup to win the game at Winter Springs last year.

Q: What are your expectations for this season, and your final one next year?

A: My expectations for this season are to win districts, and for next season to do the same.

PHOTO BY FERN SILVA

PHOTO BY OLIVIA BASTONE

PHOTO BY OLIVIA BASTONE

READY FOR BATTLE. Junior Scotty Reeves warms up before practice to get ready for the upcoming season on Feb. 1 at Mikler Field.

FOLLOW THROUGH. Senior Erin Mikalsen finishes her shot in a game against Bishop Moore on Jan. 10 at John Courier Field.

CARRYING THE LOAD. Senior Jacob Framson dribbles the ball down the field in a game against Winter Springs on Jan. 12 at John Courier Field.

BASEBALL

GIRLS’ SOCCER

BOYS’ SOCCER

DESIGN BY NEVADA CULLEN

24 | NEWS | THE LION’S TALE | FEBRUARY 10, 2017

dent, new i s e r p w e e ra N

Americans respond to Trump’s initial actions as president WRITTEN BY S.SRIDHARAN Donald Trump, controversial media and business mogul, was inaugurated on Jan. 20 as the 45th President of the United States.

Many Americans had strong reactions to his presidency, such as junior Janitza Frias, who supported Hillary Clinton. “[When I heard Trump won, I felt] anxious,” Frias said. “It’s like, you hear all this bad stuff, like his stance on immigration, gay marriage, abortion, Obamacare. I think it would endanger all the major minority rights that people fought so hard for.”

Junior Christina May,* who also supported Clinton, stated that she can’t believe Trump won the election.

“As much as I lean towards liberal policies and beliefs, if it had been a Republican with a political background and a plan, and someone qualified to do this, I wouldn’t have minded,” May said. “It’s just the fact that he’s so unqualified, and has zero political experience, that scares me.”

Others, like AP Seminar teacher Anthony Harrison, who stated that he is registered as an independent, reacted less strongly.

“I wasn’t necessarily devastated--like many people were--or upset,” Harrison said. “I know there were people crying, but I’ve been around enough [to know] that there isn’t going to be a candidate who will ruin the world that quickly.”

Sophomore Ruth Tufts, who considers herself a Republican, believes Trump’s

impact will be minimal.

“I personally think it’s sort of stupid,” “I supported neither party, because Tufts said. “I mean, they’re getting their I didn’t think either was ready for the point across; however, Trump’s not going presidency,” Tufts said. “But I don’t think to change for them.”

Trump will change that much in America. It Harrison also said he does not think the probably won’t affect me, so I don’t really protests will change Trump. care.”

“If people protest to raise awareness of a Protests reveal opinions certain issue, or get a reaction out of people Protesters took to the streets from in power, then I understand that,” Harrison election day through the inauguration to said. “Protests can be really powerful, but I show their disagreement with many of don’t think Trump will change.”

Trump’s campaign promises, some of Impact on society debatable which he has already turned into executive Smith also said that, with a new actions, including attempting a ban on president, he fears a social collapse within travelers from seven predominantly Muslim the country, but hopes to be proven wrong. countries.

Although Tufts doesn’t believe the new “I do think protesting is necessary, and presidency will have any effect on her life, if they weren’t out there, protesting, we many other students on campus have wouldn’t be aware of just how opposed more resolute opinions about the Trump Donald Trump administration’s is,” May said. plans and If he has bad ideas, then there are “The physical policies. enough people in Congress who are act of protesting S i n c e going to tell him, ‘No, you can’t do will not change assuming office, that, that’s a bad idea.’ anything at this Donald Trump Teacher Anthony Harrison point, but it will has chosen do some good new people for by making the country aware of just how Education Secretary, Attorney General, much we don’t like this.” and the Supreme Court, positions that can At the same time, other Americans feel influence wide sectors of the nation along that the protests are unsuccessful, such as our southern border. junior Christopher Smith.* Harrison hopes that Trump will do “This will solve nothing,” Smith said. “No appropriate work for the country. amount of whining or rioting will change the “I think he has shown us who he is and result; the time for that has passed.” his skills, and how he wants to change Tufts stated that the protests will our country,” Harrison said. “I don’t think accomplish nothing. he’s evil, I think he’s a little ignorant on

certain issues, but that’s because of his [background and upbringing]. There’s a lot of things I’m ignorant about, too.”

Though Trump’s positions may be very specific, he has also shown that he can adapt, as shown by his recent support of NATO. “Any elected official makes a lot of promises, but don’t carry them all out,” Harrison said. “Trump’s not going to keep all of his promises. I think he’s going to try to do his best for the country.”

Harrison hopes Trump succeeds with doing his best.

“I don’t think everybody wants that, though,” Harrison said. “Some people might be rooting for him to fail, which I don’t really understand. The wall be probably be attempted, but I don’t know if it will work.”

According to Harrison, Trump can’t act alone with the structure of the government.

“That’s the good thing about America; he’s not king of the country,” Harrison said.

“He has to get approval from Congress, and bills have to be passed and there are checks and balances, so I’m not that worried about [the new policies].

Because of this, Harrison believes things will work out.

“If he has bad ideas, then there are enough people in Congress who are going to tell him, ‘No, you can’t do that, that’s a bad idea,’ and it won’t happen. And the president doesn’t have as much power as many people think.” *NAMES WITHHELD UPON REQUEST

DESIGN BY DECLAN MCCOY