The Lion's Tale - Volume 56 Issue 3

LION’STALE

OVIEDO HIGH SCHOOL • 601 KING STREET • OVIEDO, FL • 32765 • DECEMBER 4, 2015 • VOLUME 56 • ISSUE 3

g n i k a h s d l r o w e is th ? e m t s u j t i s i or

PG 10

STUDENTS WEIGH PROS AND CONS

04

BAND REMINICES ON SUCCESSFUL SEASON

09

MINORITY STUDENTS OPT FOR LESS CHALLENGING CLASS LOAD

18

OF COFFEE

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM ADJUSTS TO NEW COACH

2 | THE LION’S TALE | NEWS | DECEMBER 4, 2015

The month in photos

The

Photo’s Of

The Month

Oviedo Medical Center expands services WRITTEN BY MEGAN GHERSI Construction crews dig and build on the corner of SR 426 and Red Bug Lake Rd. According to Oviedomedicalcenter. com, the Oviedo ER will be expanded to 22 beds and will become the Oviedo Medical Center Emergency Department.

This upgraded center will have 24/7 emergency care and 64 beds overall. The hospital expansion is underway to serve the growing Oviedo population.

Services will include medical and surgical inpatient units, intensive care, medical cardiology, telemetry (recording the readings and transmission), cardiac catheterization, inpatient and outpatient surgery, women’s services (including labor and delivery), cardiopulmonary services, comprehensive diagnostic imaging, and physical, occupational and speech therapy.

According to CEO Kenneth Donahey, 40,000 square feet of medical offices will be added. The campus is also expected to promote the economy by adding 200 jobs, each with a salary of $28,000.

The center is expected to open in 2017.

Choir prepares for Candlelight recital

REHEARSING AWAY. OHS choir practices for Disney’s Candlelight Processional.

WRITTEN BY DANIELLE GRIFFITHS Candles, music, and the Oviedo Choir are all a part of the annual Candlelight Processional.

When the news that Oviedo’s choir would be performing in Candlelight, they were ecstatic, according to sophomore Haley Butterfield.

“It was extremely exciting!” Butterfield said.

“Our entire class screamed and jumped out of our seats.

It has been two years since we were chosen to be an anchor choir for Candlelight, so it gave us a lot of energy and motivation to work hard for the performances.”

At the Candlelight Processional, celebrity narrators tell the story of Christmas, along with the Disney Orchestra and an auditioned mass choir. This year, the Oviedo choir auditioned by submitting a recording of Disney’s version of “What Child is This?” and they were accepted.

The choir practices every week on Monday and Thursday to prepare for Candlelight. Choir director William Schult gave the students the music for their parts so that they can practice at home.

PHOTO BY ANSLEY BABCOCK PHOTO COURTESY ORLANDOSENTINEL

CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY. A computergenerated layout shows the extent of expansion.

BOAST FOR BAND. Band performs at the Florida Marching Band Coalition.

Reflections on Paris Attack WRITTEN BY NIYATI SHAH The Islamic State (ISIS) created a series of attacks in Paris, France, which killed 129 and injured 352 civilians, on Friday, Nov. 13.

According to CNN, an international arrest warrant was declared for Salah Abdeslam’s arrest, the suspect for the attack.

Sophomore Kailey Davis, who grew up in France, was shocked at the news.

“It was really scary, it didn’t seem real,” Davis said. “My mom was getting news alerts on her phone, so that’s how we heard about it. Fortunately, none of our friends were in the area of attack.”

Davis believes the attacks caused widespread wariness.

“There will always be some people who become hostile because of their fear, but I assume it will be more suspicion than hostility,” Davis said.

Yet, she believes in France’s resilience.

“Paris is such a melting pot that it will hopefully bounce back soon, but it takes time to recover from attacks like this one,” Davis said.

On Nov. 23, France’s president Francois Hollande began a campaign to convince other world leaders to join France in the war against ISIS. France has begun air-strikes and bombing raids on Iraqi and Syrian cities.

“I think it’s up to the country, and they can decide which measures need to be taken in order to protect not just their country, but the rest of the world, from having the same thing happen to them,” Davis said.

After the chaos of the Friday shooting, artist Jean Julien created this graphic, “Peace for Paris,” at midnight, and posted it on Instagram and Twitter. Within a few hours, the illustration went viral.

PHOTO BY ALEX BROWNING A GRAVE DECISION. Seniors Maxx Turner and Christopher Wilks judge models of funeral rituals in different cultures in Humanities I.

PHOTO BY ALEX BROWNING

CAREFULLY CUTTING. Seniors Sarah Harrison and Abby Harper dissect a cat in anatomy class.

DECEMBER 4, 2015 | THE LION’S TALE | NEWS | 3

O T E CAR

?

L A E CONC ncern extent of co n o ti s e u ences q er consequ d teachers n id a s n ts o n c e , d ia tu d S l me cy on socia about priva

ILLUSTRATIONS BY B&G OLLIVIERRE-WILLIAMS

WRITTEN BY NIYATI SHAH Typing away at her five-inch phone screen, abbreviating as much as she possibly can into the 140 character limit, freshman Laura Hidalgo tweets a comment in reaction to a friend’s post.

Although not necessarily a derogatory comment, her remarks will be leave an indelible mark on her profile on social media.

“It is better to think twice before you post something because you will never get it back,” Hidalgo said. “It is always out there.”

English III teacher Paul Brown agrees.

“One of the major and inherent issues with social media is that it is instant and, more than likely, it is permanent,” Brown said. “If I post something on Facebook and then I remove it, people have seen it. Some people have spread it, tagged it, screen-shotted. It is there forever. Even though I removed it.”

Recently, Snapchat updated its terms and conditions, clarifying that it had the ability to reuse photos submitted to the social media platform’s “Live Story” feature.

However, the consequences of this policy are sometimes overlooked.

“Screen shots and forwards of messages remain entirely possible— and likely—making the ‘privacy’ of one’s messages largely up to the grace of addressees,” said law professor Jessica Silbey from Northeastern University.

According to AP Language teacher Shayna Hron, our generation’s privacy is at stake.

“I don’t think today’s teenagers care about their privacy at all,” Hron said. “I think that students need to be so careful with what they post. They really don’t have

that concern. The number of students that I have that have friends on these social media networks who they have never have met--that needs to change.”

Senior Christian Ramsey agreed.

“I think most people, because of the lack of knowledge that they have, could care less about their privacy and don’t realize the impact of what could happen if their things were leaked out,” Ramsey said.

Digital profiling, or the development of an identity based on one’s social media use, serves a certain purpose, claims Hron. “[Social media] is a money-maker-pure and simple,” she said. “Things like Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook-everyone has some sort of social media platform and because of this, it is a free way to do marketing.”

Brown cites another purpose: racial profiling.

“When we have people who will call someone some kind of racial epithet, or when we have some group that may be using what they feel as the right way to live or do something as the only way, and that you should do what I’m doing because I think it’s right,” Brown said. “I think that is where we get into trouble as well. Social media, I think, the intent is most of the time positive, but we do have definitely those outliers that are sometimes more than memorable because of the negativity that people inherently gravitate to.”

Assessing the nature of one’s social media usage is necessary, especially for the future, claims Ramsey.

“When you go to the college, you speak to, say, the president of the college,” Ramsey said. “Would the things you put

on social media be something you want to show the president of that college? I think that colleges have the right to be able to look at all of the different things that are on your social media.”

Brown recalls an incident where social media had jeopardized an athlete’s success.

“I am a former college coach who recruited very well,” Brown said. “One of the ways in which I recruited was to look at social media use because there was a young lady who I recruited, who, on twitter and facebook, the language she used toward people, toward her family, toward current athletes and coaches--that language was unacceptable for anyone coming in our program. She was the number one athlete in her event in the country. Number one-- we didn’t want her.”

Hron emphasizes tailoring social media to college needs.

“They need to be so careful, especially because this is the technology age,” Hron said. “Future employers, future colleges go and check their social media sites to see what [applicants] are like. It is really hindering a student’s ability to be successful. I know that my dad, who works for UCF, 100% when they are looking for scholarship candidates, they go on, they check to see what the students are doing, and when they see things that don’t make the person look in a positive light, they will not give that person a scholarship.”

Oviedo’s athletic programs also monitor participant character online.

“Because I am a football player, my football coach looks at social media,” Ramsey said. “Which is, I think, a good thing--it keeps players out of trouble. We keep in mind that coach does monitor

it. If they say something bad, they might rethink whether or not to put that on social media.”

To some, the media platform is advantageous.

“I think social media is a double-edged sword,” Brown said. “It has many positive purposes that it can serve. For example, what recently happened with the Missouri Football team. The University of Missouri’s president had allowed some things to go on or didn’t treat things completely fairly from the Missouri players and the President of the Legion of Black Students, went on a hunger strike until the president would resign.”

Brown sees the resounding impact of the incident.

“When you have social media that is used as a platform to send those kinds of messages out, it is so much more impactful,” Brown said. “It gives people who, at one point in our history, had no voice really. Now they have much more of a voice, much more of a following, much more of a movement that they can start.”

Hron also recognizes globalizing.

“It is super beneficial,” Hron said.

“Absolutely. This is how people connect. I have students that are like ‘Oh yeah, I have got good friends in China and England.’ It is just a way for the world to connect. It is a global connection.”

Brown imparts a piece of advice to all users.

“I think one great rule of thumb is ‘if my parent were over my shoulder watching me type this, would they agree with me sending it or would they agree with me posting it,” Brown said. “Would they agree with me forwarding this picture to people?

You have got to think about it.”

A Look At the Digits

Marketing through Social Media

52%

of all marketers found a customer through Facebook in 2013

87%

54%

of small businesses say social media helps their business more leads via inbound marketing than outbound marketing

Private or Not? 64% of teens with Twitter accounts say that their tweets are public, while 24% say their tweets are private.

Percentage (ages 14-17)

34%

of marketers have used Twitter to generate leads

What do Teenagers Share?

1 in 4 teen social media Name

Birthday

*BASED ON TWITTER USERS (N=632) *COURTESY OF PEWRESEARCH

Location

Relationship Email Status

users say that they post fake information to help protect their privacy

6/10 teen Facebook users set profiles to private

4 | THE LION’S TALE | NEWS | DECEMBER 4, 2015

MAKING A STATEMENT OHS band finishes season with pompous flair PHOTO BY ANSLEY BABCOCK WRITTEN BY ANSLEY BABCOCK The Oviedo Marching Lions and Color guard perform to their best ability for 8-9 minutes every Friday night football game and competition they attend.

This year’s show, The Iron Horse, is a bluesy, fast-paced show about the progression of a train being built, with challenging jazz-style songs.

“We’re always trying to think of something new and refreshing each year,” said Dennis Line, band director and AP Music Theory teacher.

Senior Aaron Byington, who plays in the drum line, described the theme vividly.

“I think that the music really conveys the theme of trains very well,” said Byington. “It is very brash at times, but there are also some very beautiful moments. I think that really coincides with the history of trains and technological innovation.”

The band and colorguard’s hard work has paid off, as they performed at the Florida Marching Band Coalition state competition in St. Petersberg. Oviedo is one out of 90 bands from the entire state that competed.

“Being at states was definitely a unique experience because you get to play in a venue that your normally don’t play at,” Byington said. “All of the lights, and the screens, and all the people cheering for the ten minutes that you have spent hundreds of hours on--that is one of the best feelings in the world.”

The practices began over the summer.

“Band camp is a rigorous activity, it involves being out in the sun for hours at a time and the turf field can get up to 130 degrees during the summer,” said sophomore Leeann Figueroa.

The band and color guard practice proper technique for marching forwards and backwards, where to move on the

field, playing and memorizing music to prolonged the band’s marching season prepare for state. by three weeks. The three weeks pushed “Not only are you learning how to the band to perform their best show of move your feet at a tempo, in our case the season.

176 beats per minute, but you’re also The band and colorguard were scored having to play an instrument which on music (ensemble & individual), how requires you to use your lungs a lot more the theme of the show was executed, than what you would basically do in technique, visuals, percussion and color running,” Line said. guard.

The band members also learn and The band received some of their play various short peppy songs, known highest scores this marching season at as “stand tunes.” Popular favorites state. include “Sweet Caroline,” “Uptown Funk,” Oviedo received an overall score of the Game of Thrones theme song, and 83.80 out of 100. The band placed 10th numerous other songs that help pump in the 5A class, which is band with more up the crowd at football games and pep than 81 wind instruments. Also, the band rallies. won best percussion in the 5A class.

Collaboration between peers was a “It’s a lot of work. You have to put a major factor in the band’s success. lot of time into it, you can’t just join band “We have a lot of good team to waste time, you really have to get chemistry,” Byington said. “Inside drum into it or otherwise it’s not going to be line, we hang out together all of the as fun as it could be. Band is quite fun, time, doing sectional practicing. My best especially competitions, because we’re friends are my section-mates, the people like a family,” said sophomore Courtney playing next to me. It really lets us come Kreusch. together and Byington play better.” defines the “Initially we purpose of We all work together and we all love decided that performing. each other. Band is like a family. we weren’t “Every time Junior Cora Hite going to go, I go to states, just take a the purpose for year off, relax the band is just a little bit, kind to go out there of regroup,” said assistant band director and play the hardest,” Byington said.

Marc Kolodinsky. “It’s a young band, so “It needs to be the best show. In past we are trying to just work on basics and years, that hasn’t always been the case. just overall good sound production.”

This year, we never peaked during the Kolodinsky believed the band had season. The utmost point was at states. more potential, and was surprised at the As a senior, Byington will always result of the production. remember his musical years.

“Then we went to our first competition “Band has been the thing that I have and scored really well,” Kolodinsky said. done,” Byington said. “It will be hard “At the end of that weekend we were one to imagine not having practices every of the top two or three in the state. So we Tuesday and Thursday, not playing for decided that since what we were doing pep rallies. This is what I have done and was successful enough to bring it to that I am happy that this is the mark I have next level.” left.”

Going to the state competition

ENSEMBLE MUSIC the united performance of an entire group

16.4

18.3

GE MUSIC AVERAGE

20

the general effect of the performance

ENSEMBLE VISUAL

16.9

visual effect of formations and choreography

92

20

PERCUSSION

100

COLOR GUARD interprets band music via synchronized movement of wands

84

20

100

instruments played with mallets

73

100

FINAL SCORE

EXPLORING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

AMONG TEENS We believe abusive relationships are a huge issue that takes place in the lives of high schoolers, and should be given more awareness.

Ideas about high school dating include prom, movie dates, and two young people having a great time.

But what people may not realize is that 33% of adolescents in America are victim to sexual, physical, verbal or emotional dating abuse. This statistic (and several startling others) provided

by DoSomething.org, prove how big an issue domestic violence is for high schools across the country.

According to the same website, roughly 1.5 million high school boys and girls in the U.S. admit to being physically harmed in the last year by someone with whom they are romantically involved.

One in three young people will be in an abusive or unhealthy relationship, and in the U.S., 25% of high school girls have been abused physically or sexually.

This is bad, but worse is that only 1/3 of the teens who were involved in an abusive relationship confided in someone about the violence.

We believe that because domestic violence affects so many high school students, this is an issue that should be spoken about - without stigmatization more often.

Those abused at a young age may deal with lifelong effects, and therefore should get the help they need as soon

as the abuse starts.

According to loveisrespect.org, violent relationships in adolescence can have serious ramifications because they put the victims at a higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior and further domestic violence. In addition, half of youth who have been victims of both dating violence and rape attempt suicide.

Yet it is the lack of understanding that youth face when explaining their problems at home that causes a lack of help. Eighty-one percent of parents believe teen dating violence is not an issue, or admit they don’t know if it’s an issue, and a majority of parents (58%) could not correctly identify all the warning signs of abuse.

High schoolers across the country should be given resources for this issue at school, especially if their needs cannot be properly addressed at home.

Students should be able to confide in their teachers, friends, and school faculty if they are being abused, and be given immediate help.

If students would like to receive help confidentially, the number for the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800500-1119, and students can also text “loveis” to 22522 talk to a specialist from loveisrespect.org.

Ultimately, we believe that those in need of assistance because they are being abused should have their school be a safe place where they may seek help - without fear.

DECEMBER 4, 2015 | THE LION’S TALE | OPINION | 5

IN YOUR FACE

How do you think we can eliminate domestic abuse among teens?

Joon Yang, 12

“We should have a better way of reporting it to others and to allow those who get abuse to open more.”

Jazmine Amin, 11 “We should speak about our domestic abuse problems and not keep it to ourselves.”

Nia Ayers, 9 “If you start seeing signs of domestic abuse, you should start saying and speaking out to your parents or someone you trust.”

OUR WORD

Taybor Grindrod, 12

“I think we need to make it easier for people to speak out anonymously so that they don’t feel like they are going to get themselves in trouble. But, at the same time, they have an outlet to go to.”

PHOTOS BY NIYATI SHAH

For more information regarding the dangers of domestic abuse, visit HelpGuide.org. This organization aims to guide mental health and well being.

ILLUSTRATION BY GEOVANNA OLLIVIERE-WILLIAMS Design Editor Alex Damis Opinion Editor Hannah Gibilisco Features Editor Alexis DiBlanda Editor-In-Chief Alex White Co-Editors Nathan Haddad Niyati Shah

Entertainment Editor Faiz Uddin Sports Editor Douglas Chiodini

Advertising Editor Makaila Cowart Photographers Alex Browning Delaney Robb India Pantin Staff Artist Bria OllivierreWilliams Staff Reporters Krislynn Keeton Declan McCoy Ansley Babcock Yaritza Calvert Connor Compton

Sterling Corum Bryn Garick Megan Ghersi Danielle Griffiths Gillian Landwehr Jesica Litton Skylar McNellis Conner Quinlan Fernand Silva Paige Simpson Anna Tagye Jessica White Faculty Adviser Elise T Carlson

Principal Joseph Trybus Oviedo High School 601 King Street Oviedo, FL 32765 Phone: 407-3204199 Fax: 407-320-4213 Population: 2474 Students 31 Staff members

Admin Adviser Drew Morgan

OVIEDO HIGH SCHOOL • 601 KING STREET • OVIEDO, FL • DECEMBER 4, 2015 • VOLUME 56 • ISSUE 3

Mission Statement The Lion’s Tale is the student newspaper of Oviedo High School, located in Oviedo, Florida.

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

CSPA, NSPA, FSPA. Distribution 2100 copies of The Lion’s Tale are distributed free to all students and staff at Oviedo High School.

Subscriber information is available upon request.

Reader Contributions Letters to the Editor are accepted and may be sent by post, e-mail, or dropped off in Room 5-020.

The Lion’s Tale does not accept guest columns,

and reserves the right to edit letters to the Editor.

Full policy is available on request.

Advertising Policy The Lion’s Tale reserves the right to refuse advertisements. The full advertising policy of The Lion’s Tale is on file in Room 5-020 and is available upon request.

6 | THE LION’S TALE | OPINION | DECEMBER 4, 2015

staff writer KRISLYNN KEETON

Yes, women in America are oppressed I was in my doctor’s waiting room, barely listening to the news, when I heard something that sparked my interest.

‘Women in America and how they claim oppression!’ was the headline.

So, I listened in just enough to hear the news reporter go on and on about how women in America don’t face any “real” problems and that people overseas face far more problems than women in America ever will.

For a second, I was really angry.

I understand the insane amounts of oppression and struggle that women overseas face, I really do, but that in no way means that women in America don’t face any struggles due to their gender.

Oppression is not a competition.

Suffering isn’t something that is given to one country and not to another; it is shared. Oppression exists everywhere.

Women face sexism on a daily basis everywhere - not just overseas.

But I really began thinking about the people (especially women) overseas and how horrible they have it.

Everybody likes to pretend to care so much about “women struggling overseas,” but I haven’t heard anybody actually advocate for the thousands of women being tortured daily just for being female, unless women’s rights in America are brought up.

Rape culture has been a topic that has been discussed frequently lately.

According to rccmsc.org, out of every five women, one has been raped or sexually assaulted at some point in her life.

That number is incredibly high and speaking out about rape and sexual abuse in America shouldn’t be shut down just because others have it worse.

Rape and sexual assault are recurring problems and speaking out can help reduce the victim counts.

Sexual education is important. And saying “oh, but the women overseas….” doesn’t help those one in five women feeling shame and guilt for being sexually assaulted. It doesn’t help the women suffering overseas, either.

Using the suffering of women overseas as a prop to invalidate other victims doesn’t do anything at all.

In fact, it makes sexual assault victims in America feel more shame than they already do.

Do something, like donate to charities dedicated to helping overseas women, rather than complaining.

ILLUSTRATION BY BRIA-OLLIVIERRE WILLIAMS

Internal turmoil causes daily struggles

staff writer JESICA LITTON I’ll hit her at any moment now.

Make the fire flow through her veins like a raging river and confine her to the darkest areas in her mind.

She feels it coming and the fight begins: “It’s not me, and therefore I cannot control it…But I need to, I cannot keep living like this. I am destroying myself...”

This is the first attack of the day.

My pillow is stained with my freeflowing tears, and it contains the sounds of my screams.

I clutch the pillow in hand and form myself into a quivering ball.

I feel my body give up and lose the fight, and sleep drags me down.

I’ve had my fun torturing her today; now to bring the smile.

Manipulate her parents and her friends, having them believe that sweet little forced smile.

Let her find that laugh she has been keeping far down under her burdened soul.

She should begin to feel very light, as the weight of the world leaves her shoulders. And then the sweet release will begin….

Sitting on the couch I begin to laugh, to feel like myself again.

My mom comments that she loves it when I smile, when I’m happy.

I can hear my dad’s sigh of relief, for

now there will be no more screams or sounds of punches echoing through the wall. We are all on a happy level.

She sees them stare at her, she feels their eyes crawl over every inch of her body.

She can hear the silent whispers of the people and my created thoughts.

They tell her she’s ugly, she’s too fat, and she isn’t nor will she ever be good enough to fit into society.

They tell her that the man across the room is giving her those looks because of what she wears, making her feel like ripping him apart for the words he hasn’t said.

I’ll make her feel like they are all against her, even though they are perfect strangers.

I hate being in this store. I hate being around these people.

I can feel them judging me. Just wanting to get away, I hide myself in the aisles of the store.

I just keep telling myself, ignore them.

No one is around you that matters, push it away.

“I don’t want to be angry, I don’t want to feel like this anymore.”

I don’t even know these people, and yet I just want to despise them at first glance.

I want to key their cars every time they look at me, and I want to scream and yell, and cry.

I just want to cry.

As she leaves the store, she feels her chest loosen, and her posture straighten.

The smile returns, and the pain leaves the bottom of her soul.

She gives the old man a smile.

She forgets the pain and she sings to herself.

And I won’t say that I don’t enjoy seeing her upset, but there is something about when shes happy and she sings sweet little songs to herself.

She even makes me feel giddy.

I can see how these strangers feel the warmth of her smile, just as I am enjoy the hidden pain under her happiness.

I love seeing the old men that come in here for their regular coffee and donuts.

Then there are the women that bring their children to pick out their favorite pieces of candy.

These people seem happy, and they smile at me.

They hold the door as I leave and they hold small talk with me.

These people are kind; they aren’t like those who judge me.

They make me feel happy. I don’t feel the anxiety anymore, and I just wish that this could last forever.

But every dream, no matter how small or big must come to an end.

These types of situations happen almost every day.

They can last for hours or minutes, and they are completely uncontrolled.

Every day it is something new.

I will never be able to predict my behavior or how I will be able to handle the day.

Maybe I will be happy, or I might have frequent mood changes.

It all depends on the voice inside of me.

It tells me things to anger me or to make me smile.

It depends on how fast or how slow the voice pumps the blood through my veins.

It all depends on everything but me.

DECEMBER 4, 2015 | THE LION’S TALE | OPINION | 7 =

Staff Writer

CONNOR COMPTON

Columnist feels masculinity is not defined by style In today’s society we often have

Christians offended by Starbucks’ red cup ILLUSTRATION BY BRIA-OLLIVIERRE WILLIAMS

Opinion Editor HANNAH GIBILISCO Christians stomping their feet in protest--like toddlers--over the new Starbucks coffee holiday cup need to brew a fresh batch of reality.

Angrily typing away on social media and screaming “blasphemy!” from atop their pretentious soapboxes, Christians have portrayed themselves as oversensitive--yet again.

One’s intellectual capacity must be quite low to be offended by a piece of cardboard.

For those who are mature enough not to have noticed such a minuscule change, Starbucks unveiled a new look to their infamous “Christmas” cup.

Formerly, the cup was adorned with snowflakes, Christmas trees, and reindeer, amongst other holiday symbols.

God forbid (pun intended) that Starbucks change the design to a solid red color!

Oh, the horror!

Now, Christians everywhere are claiming that the people who run Starbucks are waging a “War on Christmas.”

Between fits of laughter upon hearing

of this holiday season’s World War III, I had time to reflect upon the sheer stupidity of it all.

Adults, full grown adults, are getting their Bibles in a bunch over a “War on Christmas.”

A War. On…Christmas.

I don’t think any of them are reflecting upon how blatantly stupid they sound.

Believe it or not, not everyone in America has to celebrate Christmas.

America has always been a melting pot of different cultures and ideologies.

It’s simply illogical to only represent one religious holiday for a non-religious company.

The last time I checked, snowflakes and snowmen are not mentioned in the Bible.

Therefore, how would depriving the cup of those symbols be offensive?

Making a neutral, red, holiday cup is not a statement against Christianity.

It is not a subliminal message being forced by atheists. It does not pertain to your precious beliefs.

Because, quite frankly, the world does not revolve around your religion.

Shocking, I know.

I, a 17-year-old girl, should not have to shove logic into the minds of fullgrown adults.

I am completely confident in my religious beliefs.

Therefore, I do not get defensive when people oppose them.

To those offended by the Starbucks cup: I hope that you, too, will someday be mature enough to be confident in your religion.

Anyhow, the first thing one will notice upon walking into any given Starbucks is the ambient Christmas music playing through the loud speakers.

In addition, the Advent calendars and assorted holiday treats adorning the shelves are peculiar to have in an institution which is “anti-holiday.”

Starbucks is not a religious entity; therefore, it is not associated with the precious Christian church. Starbucks is not called “St. Jude’s Lutheran Coffee Shop” for a reason.

If, per say, Starbucks did succumb to the immature cries of those offended and revert back to the sacred Christmas design, it would be deliberately ignoring the other religious holidays in December.

Nobody hears Jewish people making a scene over the cup being red and not blue (the color associated with Jewish holidays).

Spreading one’s distaste for the cup is actually giving Starbucks more revenue.

Public relations is public relations.

Any sort of word-of-mouth pertaining to the Starbucks name is highly beneficial to their sales.

The cup’s change is so minimal that it is appalling that it is drawing so much attention.

Last year’s cup was merely an outline of subtle Christmas trees on the same exact red background that is stirring up so much controversy this year.

Christmas is a time full of appreciating the good things in one’s life.

The people offended should be thinking about the millions of starving children that will go hungry this holiday season, rather than obsessing over the color of their five-dollar peppermint latte’s cup.

If your beliefs are really the universal truth, a chunk of cylindrical cardboard should not make you insecure.

If you don’t like the cup, don’t buy it.

cookie-cutter examples of how we are supposed to act and what we’re supposed to look like. In the male culture, the main word that creates the conflict of styles is “masculinity.”

The dictionary definition of masculine is “having qualities or appearance traditionally associated with men, especially strength and aggressiveness.”

But in today’s culture, we have morphed this definition to be more of a standard for men’s looks rather than a descriptive term for the actual trait.

This has impacted me personally in everyday life.

I dress more femininely than most boys, but still bring masculine traits to the way I dress.

Because of this, I get judged and looked at differently than most boys. In all reality, I believe that people are just people and we each embrace who we are, rather than what people think we should be.

Recently Japanese makeup company Shiseido created a commercial in which they used the power of makeup to turn men into beautiful women.

They also created a commercial that was advertising the male line of the makeup, but the man looked like a male not a female. It goes to show you can be whoever you want to be, just embrace you self and coexist.

There are things that some men do today that are viewed as “girly” but it is normal in today’s society.

For example, football players often take ballet to help them with balance and fluid movements. But in the past that would be viewed as not acceptable, and the people that participated in the practice would be called gay or homosexual.

In schools today I feel that everyone is judged based on appearance rather than persona.

But, times are slowly changing.

Certain prints or colors that normally would be associated with girls are popular throughout the guy trends, like floral prints and pink. Just 50 years ago, if a boy walked in with a floral patterned button-up, many would call him a girl and he would get made fun of.

But now, left and right, you see floral print everything for males, from shirts to shoes to backpacks; people are starting to accept that its ok to be different.

HEAD to HEAD

8 | THE LION’S TALE | OPINION | DECEMBER 4, 2015

Should electronic cigarettes be allowed on campus?

Allowing electronic cigarettes on campus is lunacy Students’ personal rights should be upheld at all costs WRITTEN BY NATHAN HADDAD The idea of allowing e-cigs on campus is absurd. I wholeheartedly disagree not only with the idea of them being allowed on campus, but with the idea that minors should have electronic cigarettes at all.

Appetizing flavors, celebrity endorsements, and a pleasing aestheticall are ways electronic cigarette companies lure the impressionable young teen into the seemingly harmless activity of vaping.

Many young people fall for the trap, but seem to forget that those are the same methods cigarette companies used to draw in customers in the early 1950s.

As shown by the massive health crisis caused by cigarette use which has profound effects to this day, as smokers suffer from cancer or innocent people die from secondhand smoke - we cannot make the mistake of allowing such a harmful substance available for our youths’ consumption again.

What many teens don’t know is just how bad e-cigs are for health. Once they peer through the vapor, they’ll soon realize that the only things lungs should take in its oxygen.

According to studies done by the Food + Drugs Administration, researchers found that in addition to the highly addictive and dangerous substance nicotine, toxic chemicals such as carcinogens (which are known cancer-causers) are found in electronic cigarettes.

Two of the top chemicals found in e-cigs were formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is the substance used to preserve human bodies during embalming, and acetaldehyde is used to produce perfumes, plus preserve fish and fruit.

Sound like chemicals humans want to go anywhere near, much less inhale?

These harmful chemicals should not be anywhere near young people, but unfortunately the seductive packaging of an innocent-looking e-cig lures in people, and they soon become addicted.

If teens were educated about just how dangerous electronic cigarettes are, then I believe their use would drop drastically.

A common argument is that e-cigs are better for young people than cigarettes, but “better than bad” doesn’t equal “good.” Electronic cigarettes, regardless of what they replace, should not be in the hands of students.

Since electronic cigarettes themselves are a terrible health hazard, who in their right mind would allow these things on a school campus?

Schools are supposed to look out for the well-being of their students and protect them, something that would be violated with e-cigs on campus.

Even if a student is 18 or older and is legally allowed to have an e-cig, that doesn’t mean it should be brought onto campus.

The distraction caused by electronic cigarettes on campus would be immense and detract from learning.

Adults can purchase firearms, but we don’t see anyone with their guns around campus. Why? Because it’s unsafe, and that’s the same principle that should be used to keep e-cigs off campus.

WRITTEN BY FAIZ UDDIN Ever since the e-cigarette (or e-vapor) appeared, there has been uproar about the control and usage for minors and adolescents.

Schools such as Oviedo High School have prohibited the use and position of e-cigs. The e-cigs aren’t that harmful and it is way better than smoking tobacco. There has been no in-depth research that e-cigs are not safe to use.

Would people rather have students smoking tobacco, which can lead to lung cancer and other harmful effects to the body, or would they rather have students smoking water vapor (juice)?

According to WebMD, people are questioning whether the e-cigs are starting a new generation of bad nicotine habits. The use of nicotine is not harmful, but helpful, for most people.

Nicotine gives users a buzzed feeling.

It is in normal cigarettes and is an option in the e-cig’s juice, where it does not contain the deadly chemicals of a normal cigarette.

Not only are e-cigs not harmful, they’re actually helpful for current tobacco users. This alternative helps cigarette smokers quit their smoking habits.

According to Quitnow, propylene glycol (an organic compound that is an odorless but possesses a faintly sweet taste) is considered safe for oral consumption; there are health risks that come from smoking e-cigs for years on a daily basis.

“E-cigs are a better alternative,” says Michael Siegel, MD, MPH a professor at Boston University’s School of Public

Health.

They are a better alterative for abusers or for people who just want to have fun with life (on standard level of course).

Allowing students to smoke on campus is not a big deal. Those who oppose this notion have nothing to fight about because it does not affect everyone, since e-cigs would have designated use areas.

Even if the school decides to continue to prohibit use of e-cigs, the possession of e-cigs should not lead to expulsion or suspension. That person may just be waiting to use it after school, or on his way to work.

And if found that he/she was caught in the act of smoking on school premises, that person may have broken a rule but could have been disciplined in a manner that our parents need to be called and have our education deducted by a suspension. In fact, no action should be taken. We all have our personal rights and those should be upheld.

If a person is of age 18 or older, he or she is legally able to have e-cigs in their possession. It should not matter if they brought it on campus as long as it does not harm others, which it wont.

The uproars and debates have no use, and people could remain clam and set some kind of standard on the usage of e-cigs. Students who use e-cigs should be able to smoke safely within school grounds without disciplinary actions.

As long as the juice in the e-cigs doesn’t contain nicotine, and doesn’t affect their schoolwork then smoking at school shouldn’t be banned.

THE TRUTH ABOUT CIGARETTE USE

1 IN 10

ADULT DEATHS CAN BE

23 X13

ATTRIBUTED TO SMOKING TOBACCO

X

GREATER RISK OF LUNG CANCER IN MEN

INFOCOURTESYOFE-CIGARETTEFORUM

GREATER RISK OF LUNG CANCER IN WOMEN

5

55%

OF PEOPLE ARE EXPOSED TO SECOND-HAND SMOKE AT HOME

MILLION DEATHS ARE CAUSED BY SMOKING TOBACCO EACH YEAR

65%

OF PEOPLE ARE EXPOSED TO SECOND-HAND SMOKE IN PUBLIC

BREAKDOWN OF USE

BY ETHNICITY:

9.6%

13.3%

19.8%

36.4%

21.4%

N N IC AN N AN IA CAN CA N IC CA SI S I R I A I A R A R E IAN AF ER E SP UC I M M M A A IND H A A C

DECEMBER 4, 2015 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | 9

Minority students discuss their participation at school WRITTEN BY STERLING CORUM

S

eventy-one percent of the student population at Oviedo High School is white.

To some, this may seem like a shocking figure about the so-called diversity of Oviedo, but the reality is that it is a campus dominated by a majority of people who are not part of a minority ethnic group.

This representation is reflected in the enrollment of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, as well. Twenty-nine percent of students represent minorities, and the percentage of these students enrolled in these kind of courses is even smaller.

Encouraging minority students to become more involved by registering for more challenging classes is an important part to maintaining a diverse and welcoming high school environment.

“It’s not about increasing minority student enrollment in AP classes just for the sake of more diversity in the advanced courses,” School Administration Manager Jason McDonald said. “It’s just that there are qualified minority students, as evidenced by high PSAT scores, that are still not enrolling in AP classes for whatever reason.”

More often than not, students can be qualified for the rigorous conditions of AP classes, but overall be unaware of their potential.

“Students deemed to have AP potential, based on scores from the PSAT that have a 60 percent higher chance of being successful in certain AP courses,” McDonald saud.

Students at Oviedo receive letters

about their AP Potential, but students still do not always know what that means for them. More discussions need to take place between students and school staff about the students’ abilities to perform well in advanced courses.

“Minority students are capable, I know plenty of other students who take standard classes instead of honors but really shouldn’t,” junior Myana Strickland said. “I myself take a few standard and a few AP classes, just so I don’t get overwhelmed, but I think the bigger problem is that minority students are just getting discouraged.”

The representation of minority students in standard classes offers a different perspective.

“In my AP classes I can look around and see a room dominated by white students, and in my standard classes, it’s sort of the opposite effect. A lot more minorities are there,” Strickland said.

Teachers and students alike notice this imbalance across campus.

“I see potential in some of my standard students, both minority and white students, for taking honors level classes,” precalculus teacher Lauren Fedi said. “In my standard class, there is an 8-21 ratio of minority to white students, and in my honors there is an 8-31 ratio.”

These statistics aren’t due to any lack of effort from students, claims McDonald, but when there is an absence of communication between parents, students and faculty about the capabilities of a student, there is less motivation to enroll in more rigorous courses even though students are qualified.

Oviedo High School Demographics Races by which students identify: 16%

2%

7%

Hispanic

Asian

Black

3%

0.5%

Two or more races

American Indian/ Alaskan Native

0.5%

Percentage

71%

White

Race

Hawaiian Native/ Pacific Islander

SILENT N

10 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | DECEMBER 4, 2015

Students reveal their past experie WRITTEN BY ALEX WHITE

Sitting in a white-walled bedroom, filled with only a bed and a ticking analog clock, junior Sophie Anderson* dreams of the day her mother returns her belongings, so she can feel like a normal kid again.

Since elementary school, Anderson and her four younger siblings have suffered through verbal abuse from their mother. During her freshman year of high school, her mother stripped them of their belongings, claiming they didn’t deserve them.

“All she left us with was a bed and a clock,” Anderson said. “It was super dehumanizing to feel like we weren’t worthy of our possessions. I felt like a slave.

I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere or talk to anyone. I was isolated and the only interaction I had was my mom telling me I was an awful person that didn’t deserve nice things. She gave our stuff back after a whole month.”

Anderson was strongly affected by her mother’s words, and remains affected today.

“All the things she told me I would believe and tell to myself,” Anderson said. “It took me a long time to realize that I’m not the person she says I am. She can be nice sometimes but that makes it all the more frustrating. It lets me see that she could be a real mom if she wanted to, but she just doesn’t, she wants to be mean.”

To be liberated from her mother’s presence, Anderson attempted to change her custody situation. After several court hearings, Anderson was unsuccessful. She remains living with her mother today.

Anderson reflects on her relationship with her mother.

“She’s my mom and I’m going to love her, but I just need space. I can forgive her, I just won’t forget what she’s done to me,” Anderson said. “I want to be empowered by this situation and I want to help other people. I don’t want my story to be a sob story for others; I want it to be fuel for the fire. I want to be the person to help stop emotional abuse.”

Senior Katie O’Sullivan* also experienced abuse from her parent.

“I suffered through a lot of physical abuse from my dad when I was younger,” O’Sullivan said. “It was really bad in elementary school but

PHYSICAL ABUSE

EMOTIONAL ABUSE

Physical abuse is defined as the use of physical force that may result in bodily injury, physical pain, or impairment.

Emotional abuse is defined as the infliction of anguish, pain, or distress through verbal acts.

ILLUSTRATION BY DECLAN MCCOY

SEXUAL ABUSE Sexual abuse is defined as non-consensual sexual contact of any kind.

got better in middle school. My freshman year of high school it got bad again because he started a new business and that caused a lot of stress. He abused my siblings, mother, and I to release his stress.”

O’Sullivan reflects on her personality now after being subjected to physical abuse.

“It’s definitely made me more vulnerable. Its something I can’t control so it brings a lot of weakness in me as well as depression,” O’Sullivan said. “But at the end of the day, it has made me stronger because I’ve learned to stand up for myself. I am a much stronger individual and I now realize what he does to me isn’t right and what he says to me isn’t true.”

The moment that remains freshest in O’Sullivan’s mind is also the most traumatizing to her.

“Freshman year I was trying on Homecoming dresses when my mom and I got into an argument over something stupid,” O’Sullivan said. “My dad works at home so when he hears us fighting it sets him off. He came out of his office and got very physical. He pushed me to the ground, dragged me into I want to be th my room, and continued abusing me from there.” stop emotional a O’Sullivan feels as if Junior Sophie Ande she must hide her abusive relationship with her father from those around her.

“I try to hide it as much as possible,” O’Sullivan said. “No one, not even my close friends know. It’s hard to hide though, and I’m the type of person that I don’t like when people know what’s going on or bothering me. When I go to school or see my friends, I have to put on a fake smile, when in reality, nothing is okay.”

“But I want to be vulnerable, and I want to talk about it,” O’Sullivan said. “I want to cry about it to my friends, but I can’t say anything because that would put my dad and entire family at risk.”

Junior Haley Scott has dealt with an abusive romantic relationship rather than a parental one.

“I started dating this girl and she seemed energetic and really nice, but then it got to be too much,” Scott said. “She started Face-Timing me at all hours of the day and got mad when I wouldn’t pick up. She would tell me I was a bad girlfriend and she could do better.”

“When I would pick up, she would have panic attacks and she was always angry at me or something else,” Scott said. “At one point in the relationship, she

WHAT IS DO

do·mes·tic vi·o·len

noun - Violent or aggress typically involving the vio

If you are being domestically abu contact the Florida Domestic Vio Hotline number to get help

NO MORE

DECEMBER 4, 2015 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | 11

ences with abusive relationships

turned on me and I felt like I was in a position to alleviate some of her pain or stress, which just ended up stressing me out.”

Like Anderson, Scott can’t bring herself to hate her abuser.

“Despite all she did to me, I still don’t hate her, I probably should, but I don’t,” Scott said.

Scott feels that her relationship altered her forever.

She now analyzes her self-esteem.

“Subjecting myself to this terrible relationship makes me wonder about who I am,” Scott said. “If I’m letting someone hurt me this much and affect me this much, I must not think much about myself. It makes me think I’m not strong enough to leave or recognize that I’m in a toxic situation.”

Abuse can be short-lived, but can still leave a large impact.

As a victim of sexual abuse from one of her close friends, sophomore Jamie Rivera* still thinks back regularly to the night of the attack.

“I was at my friend’s house and everyone was he person to help just casually hanging out. abuse Later on towards midnight we all started to settle erson down and get ready for bed. I was sitting on a bed with the boy who raped me, watching TV, and I didn’t think in a million years that he would do anything to me,” Rivera said. “I laid down next to him because I trusted him. Shortly after, he kept trying to kiss me and I kept telling him I didn’t want it so he pushed me into the bed and got on top of me, telling me that I would enjoy it. He pulled my shirt over my head and I kept trying to push him off of me.”

Rivera tried to escape.

“But in that situation, you can’t fight it off and you can’t push them off, no matter how much strength you have,” Rivera said. “When he got on top of me, I froze. He put all of his force on me and my body felt numb, there was nothing I could do to get free from him.”

It wasn’t until a month after the incident that Rivera felt comfortable enough to tell anyone about it, but it caused more distress.

“I lost every one of my friends over it,” Rivera said.

“Even my own father told me it was my fault that I got raped. People think I made the incident up for

attention, but I couldn’t make up something so horrible.”

Her friends’ reactions scarred her almost as much as the incident itself did.

“So many people will tell you it’s your fault that you start to believe it,” Rivera said. “You can only fight people’s words for so long before it becomes embedded in you. When something like this happens to you, people just don’t look at you the same. I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone in this world.”

Also a victim of emotional abuse from her boyfriend, senior Amanda Rooker* feels abusive relationships need to be brought more into the light.

“Abusive relationships are something that aren’t talked about enough,” Rooker said. “It’s not always physically, it can be verbal as well.

Being in an abusive relationship effected me in ways that aren’t as obvious as one would think.”

After the break-up, Rooker found ways to cope with the pain of her previous abusive relationship.

“I felt like I had to find someone to fill the void of not having a boyfriend anymore,” Rooker said. “I felt so low that I needed to be with all these people to make me feel accepted and wanted. But doing this just made me feel worse because I know that these people didn’t care about me and definitely didn’t respect me.”

From being with her past boyfriend, Rooker finds the relationship altered her immensely, causing the effects to be long-term.

“After being in an abusive relationship, building up the trust and confidence to be comfortable with someone takes a long time,” Rooker said. “I felt terrible about myself after it ended. It’s not something you can just get over. I still have a while to go before I move on.

You don’t ever forget but you can move on from what happened eventually.” *Names withheld upon request

OMESTIC ABUSE?

nce

sive behavior within the home, olent abuse of a spouse or partner.

used, please olence

1-800-500-1119

25% OF ALL MEN ARE DOMESTICALLY

ABUSED

33% OF ALL WOMEN ARE DOMESTICALLY

ABUSED

INFOCOURTESYOFNCADV.ORG

12 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | DECEMBER 4, 2015 CAMPUS HERO

CAMPUS HERO

CAMPUS HERO

CAMPUS HERO

CAMPUS HERO

Family tradition drives lifelong career WRITTEN BY JESSICA WHITE

She wakes up at 4 a.m. and gets ready for a long day of picking up students, dropping them off at school, then picking them back up at school to take them home. She manages to do all of this on schedule.

Martha Hill of bus 154 has been in the driving business for 36 years, and 30 of those years have been with Oviedo High. She isn’t the first bus driver in the family, either: her grandfather was involved with the business as well, driving for Oviedo and Pedi high.

Hill reflects upon her career as she plans for her upcoming retirement.

“First of all, I won’t miss getting up at 4 o’clock in the morning to pick up the students, but I will miss my friends and some of my special students that I love very much and make my day,” Hill said.

She has gone through several routes and has taken hundreds of students to school, so she has many memories of past students.

“There are some that I have been driving for seven years,” Hill said. “A couple of them, I drove their moms or dads to school also.”

She knows that the students depend on her, and all of the bus drivers, to get to school safe and sound. Hill knows that her job is important.

“The kids, they make my job to where every day is different and never a dull moment,” Hill said. “If it were not

CLUB FEATURE

for bus drivers, students would not get to school.”

There are many routes per driver, the time schedule is hectic and having to getting from one place to another can be stressful, according to Hill.

“Time is a major issue with us, we have to be on time to our bus stops, but traffic can make a great difference in that,” Hill said.

Being on a tight schedule also means that drivers don’t have a lot of time between routes, but Hill manages to relax and do her own activities.

“I stay at our compound in Sanford sometimes, shop, or have lunch with friends,” Hill said.

Though some days are stressful, she feels appreciated by the students she drives, and she loves her job and her kids.

“They tell me every day they love me,” Hill said. “They bring flowers, gifts, cards. I feel like they are my own children.”

Sophomore Emily Lightner loves and appreciates Hill’s dedication to the job and how she gets festive for the holidays.

“Hill loves to get in spirit for the holidays, and she likes to sing over the intercom,” Lightner said. “She’s really stylish and she makes sure she never hits a cat, and she loves her students.”

“The one thing I can say about my job is that there is never a dull moment,” Hill said. “You have to like the kids to do

CLUB FEATURE

PHOTO BY DELANEY ROBB

BUS LINEAGE CONTINUES. Respected bus driver Martha Hill poses for a picture with her new bus. Hill has been a bus driver for 36 years. it, and I miss every single student that rides my bus.”

She has had so many good memories and experiences with all of her students that she is going to miss the job when she retires on April 29.

CLUB FEATURE

CLUB FEATURE

CLUB FEATURE

Italian Club provides sense of culture, history WRITTEN BY SKYLAR MCNELLIS

PHOTO BY SKYLAR MCNELLIS MAKING SWEETS. Italian Club members senior Jordan Galik, senior Alandra Maring and junior Sydney Betancourt bake cake pops to fundraise for future events. The club sells desserts throughout the year.

“It really feels good to walk down the halls of Oviedo and have students I don’t remember, but know who I am,” Hill said. “Driving a bus has its ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade jobs with anyone.”

Considering that AP Italian teacher Marzia Vitali is the only Italian teacher in the whole school, she has a lot on her plate. Her plate doesn’t consist of spaghetti and meatballs, it’s actually made up of teaching her students (who she calls “wonder puppies”) and devoting most of her time to the Italian Club.

The Italian Club has numerous activities it completes, but all have some sort of Italian twist. Almost all of the students in the Italian Club individually give their time to help out, and have fun in the process.

“We make Christmas baskets for the kids or something nice for the homeless, and we add to the food pantry for our students, and also try to figure out if anyone has certain needs we can help with,” Vitali said.

“So there’s a lot of different things that we do.”

The club also has its rewards, according to Vitali, as the members have days where they watch a movie in Italian and eat pizza, or even learn how to cook and bake different Italian foods, such as cookies or pasta.

The group also goes to Italy for spring break to tour and explore the curiosities in famous cities, including the ancient city of Rome. This city is especially fun for Vitali because it’s her home.

The Italian Club has gone through some attendance shifts over the years, which have been somewhat of a difficult change, according to Vitali.

“It’s harder to keep people involved and actually

doing things, because you know sixty people will show up to the first meeting, and then it seems like the same twenty people always come and actually work on things,” Vitali said.

Though the club has adjusted to the students throughout its lifetime, it continues to have a presence around school. Famous for its sweet and scrumptious Cake Pops, the baked goods are changed for each season, with different types of cake flavors and icings.

Many of the students agree that the activities are exciting, and the club is fascinating to be in.

“It’s not really learning facts, it’s more enjoying the culture,” said freshman Alex Russell.

The club’s co-presidents, senior Jordan Galik and senior Alandra Maring, enjoy their time with the club.

“Italian Club makes me more immersed into how their culture is, and also correlates to the class,” Maring said.

Maring also hopes to go Italy for college.

One of the things that sets the Italian Club apart from the rest of the clubs is its spice of authentic and original heritage.

“I think a lot of them [the students] are in the club or taking Italian because they’re either Italian or their parents’ ancestry is,” Vitali said. “So most of them already have a tie to it already, and there’s just so many cool things about Italy and everything else. There’s so much of it to talk about, and I think anything Italian just has a draw for people.”

BUT FIRST, COFFEE DECEMBER 4, 2015 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | 13

STUDENTS IDENTIFY THE ROLE

CAFFEINE PLAYS IN THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES WRITTEN BY CONNER QUINLAN

Sophomore Kyle North wakes up tired, washed out, and with one thing on his mind - coffee.

“It’s not just a desire, it’s a necessity,” North said. “Coffee speeds me up, and keeps me up, it helps me get more work done.”

North identifies that coffee can have negative health effects.

“I think if anything, you should limit yourself because of the sugar content,” North said.

“Caffeine can be a very addicting thing,” North said.

According to a study conducted by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee, moderate caffeine intake helps to improve alertness and attention, improving a student’s ability to stay awake to finish schoolwork.

Sophomore Courtney Kreusch believes she needs coffee in her everyday life.

“In my fifth period chemistry class, I have a hard time staying awake, and my grades have suffered due to lack of coffee,” Kreusch said.

Senior Hazelyn Cates, a triathlon runner, uses caffeine to enhance her energy levels during training.

“They make gels that have caffeine in them,” Cates said. “As long as I get caffeine before my race starts, I

perform better.”

Cates found a difference in her overall energy level without coffee.

“I went a week without coffee, it was the week of my race,” Cates said.

“During these weeks we’re supposed to stop drinking coffee. I felt deprived of caffeine more on race day, and that was really hard for me,” Cates said.

“Instead of coffee, my team drank an alternative that had no caffeine, and I could really feel how dependent I am on caffeine,” Cates said.

Although drinking coffee proves beneficial for Cates, she recognizes it’s not completely healthy.

“I know caffeine is not good for you, because it can become addictive,” Cates said.

“There are many healthier alternatives than drinking coffee. Just know that what caffeine drink you choose will affect you,” Cates said.

North recognizes the addictive qualities of coffee.

“There are a lot of studies that show you it’s addictive,” North said.

“All these studies conclude a similar thing: caffeine is addictive and can end up being harmful to your body, but students are so worried about passing AP and Honors classes that in the end, they think it may be worth drinking it.”

Some students find there are dangers associated with caffeine

withdrawal.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology, symptoms of withdrawal, including headache, drowsiness and decreased alertness, occur 12-24 hours after abstinence.

“I know withdrawal from coffee is real, and there are symptoms. Some people just can’t function without caffeine,” said senior Christa Yates.

Senior Octavia Mercedes’ energy level varies throughout the day due to coffee.

“For the first few periods [of school], I would feel awake,” said Mercedes, who has a form of caffeine every morning. “But, after that, there is a point where I am going to crash and have no energy. [Caffeine] has a good and a bad effect.”

Cates believes coffee’s taste differs depending on where it’s from.

“The stuff that you buy [in drivethru’s] is mixed with so much other stuff that you don’t really get the same coffee flavor,” Cates said.

“So, when people say they like coffee, the question is do you like the frappe type or the real type?”

Regardless of the effects, Cates needs coffee.

“I drink only one really strong cup in the morning,” Cates said. “But coffee is my lifeline, it’s how I function.”

Coffee statistics for males and females Women Men

1.5 1.7

Cups Cups Considering all the U.S. population, men drink more coffee than women, on average.

Espresso

100 mg

Brewed

80-135 mg

Instant

65-100 mg

Decaf 3-4 mg On average, these amounts of caffeine can be expected in a single cup of coffee. That is about 7 fluid ounces, or a single shot of espresso.

INFOCOURTESYOFNATIONALCOFFEEASSOCIATION

DECEMBER 4, 2015 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | 15

E-cigarettes help break ! bad habits despite possibility of risks

WARNING

1. The health impacts of e-cigarettes have not been fully studied. Unknowns

WRITTEN BY ALEXIS DIBLANDA

With flavors ranging from tropical fruits to caramel, with names like Snake Oil and Mother’s Milk, e-cigarettes provide a wide variety of flavors. However, the numerous flavors aren’t the only reason e-cigarettes appeal to students.

“I knew a lot of kids that used to smoke cigarettes, and being around that I got mine [e-cigarette] and then all my friends wanted to get it to stay healthier,” said junior Jonathan Price.* “I felt it was a lot better than actually smoking cigarettes.”

Sophomore Bryse Angel also started using e-cigarettes to quit smoking. He has managed to ditch nicotine all together.

“E-cigs have a better taste,” Angel said. “If you want, you can get more nicotine, but I don’t use nicotine anymore.”

Sophomore Jake Dawson knows that cigarettes contain harmful ingredients.

“Cigarettes have thousands of chemicals,” Dawson said. “They also put salt peter in them to make them burn faster, which makes you smoke more.”

However, Dawson sees e-cigarettes as far less risky.

“Electronic cigarettes aren’t as dangerous,” Dawson said. “They only use vegetable oil and propylene glycol, which are only two chemicals with a source of nicotine.

There have been studies to say it’s not as bad for you. It’s just a stimulant like caffeine.”

Price believes that e-cigarettes should remain legal because of their potential to help people break the smoking habit.

“I heard that they are trying to ban the big e-cigarettes for personal people and whatnot, and I think they should

just continue it,” Price said. “They started it as a safe way to quit smoking and they shouldn’t get rid of it. Some people it actually does help, besides the people who use just them for smoke tricks and stuff like that.”

According to AP World History teacher Karlin Gasthoff, attitudes towards smoking have changed drastically since she started teaching.

“As time went on the school became more and more heavy-handed,” Gasthoff said. “There was a smoking area, then there wasn’t a smoking area, then the teachers had to go out someplace far away from the buildings to smoke, but you could still smoke on campus, and then you couldn’t do that. You’d have to get in the car and leave.”

Gasthoff has also seen a shift from traditional cigarettes to e-cigs among her students.

“There was more smoking in the bathrooms, I think,” Gasthoff said. “You could smell it. But then the kids today, the little class that I spoke to, said that no way would they smoke, they didn’t want to smoke cigarettes.”

These negative attitudes towards smoking are yet another reason for e-cigarettes’ appeal.

“It was nice because I was able to use them inside and it didn’t make me smell, and it didn’t make other people get grossed out,” Dawson said.

Price believes that e-cigarettes will endure the test of time as a smoking cessation aid.

“I think as long as society lets people make and produce cigarettes, there will be an alternative,” Price said. “I don’t think e-cigarettes will be a thing for a lot longer for personal, in-the-open use, but I think it will continue.” *Name withheld by request

include: amount of nicotine or other potentially harmful chemicals, if there are any benefits from use, and if they serve as a gateway to tobacco products.

2. Only e-cigarettes that are marketed for therapeutic purposes are currently regulated by the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).

3. Toxic chemicals are formed as the e-liquid heats up.

INFOCOURTESYOFWEBMD.COM&FDA.GOV

ANATOMY OF AN ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE VAPORIZING CHAMBER

WHEN A USER INHALES, A SENSOR DETECTS AIRFLOW AND STARTS A PROCESS TO HEAT LIQUID FROM A REPLACEABLE CARTRIDGE SO IT VAPORIZES

INDICATOR LIGHT

SHOWS THAT CIGARETTE IS ACTIVATED

TIP OF E-CIGARETTE

BATTERY

AN ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE IS POWERED BY A SMALL RECHARGABLE BATTERY

ILLUSTRATION BY BRIA-OLLIVIERRE WILLIAMS INFOCOURTESYEANDT.THEIET.ORG

CARTRIDGE

THE CARTRIDGE CONTAINS PROPOLENE GLYCEROL, WATER, FLAVORING, AND VARYING LEVELS OF NICOTINE

////Reviewed QUICK REVIEWS

Skyfall

James Bond Movie

SUPERLATIVE

ADMIRABLE

Fallout 4

////

16 | THE LION’S TALE | ENTERTAINMENT | DECEMBER 4, 2015

ADEQUATE

by Bethesda Softworks

ATROCIOUS

ROLE PLAYING PlayStation 4, Xbox One & PC

REVIEWED BY FERNAND SILVA Great! But brings nothing new to the table.

With a lot of talk of Daniel Craig steppIngdown as the famous 007, the directors are tying up everything from the last few movies, featuring a great mix of humor, action, and romance, commonplace in the James Bond universe.

As the 23rd Bond movie in the series, it would be thought that the normal “formula” of the Bond films would start to get old. But with Spectre, you can tell there is a major difference hidden beneath it.

I Am Invincible Cassadee Pope Song

REVIEWED BY GILLIAN LANDWEHR Cassadee Pope, Winner of “The Voice,” released her new single, “I Am Invincible,” from her forthcoming album.

“I Am Invincible” is a motivational song.

The lyrics behind the song convey a story about a girl who has to deal with bullies.

The message from these lyrics, “Pain behind my eyes I turn into strength. Oh I will fight, I will survive,” shows that no matter what happens, you can rise above it.

I’m not the biggest fan of country, but I would look more into Pope’s music because she blends pop and country together.

Go Set a Watchman

by Harper Lee

Action-packed game exceeds expectations REVIEWED BY DECLAN MCCOY

Fallout 4 is the newest installment in Bethesda’s headline Fallout series and, to put it simply, I am enamored by it. It takes elements of their previous titles and improves on them. Things like real iron sights, better companions, and a whole new arsenal of guns including the all-new “laser musket.”

What really makes the game feel so different is how the focus of the gameplay has shifted from being more of a traditional RPG (Role-Playing Game) to more towards being RPS (Role-Playing Shooter), not unlike Borderlands in how you explore an expansive map shooting (or running from) anything that moves.

Another unique characteristic from its predecessors is how dynamic everything is. Random weather patterns, randomly generated loot, and the interactivity of NPC’s (computer players) gives an overall feel to the game that no other game has accomplished.

The way that everything from armor to guns to power armor can be customized,

Jean Louise Finch, who was referred to as “Scout” in the first installment, is now 26 years old.

She has returned to Maycomb, Alabama, from her dazzling life in New York City.

Book Her now crippled father, Atticus, now needs around-theclock care from his sister due to his arthritis, and Jean Louise REVIEWED BY HANNAH GIBILISCO feels entitled to be with her father during his struggle.

Go Set a Watchman, the sequel The story blossoms into to the renowned and beloved To Kill Scout finding herself once again a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, is a within the strong foundation of the wonderful end to a wonderful beginsmall town. ning.

However, her world is shaken upon

adds a new dimension to the game in terms of how powerful you can make your character. For instance, I took a wooden baseball bat, made it green, and then wrapped it in barbed wire.

Fallout 4 redefined the way players use their power armor. In the old games, power armor was really over-powered and it could just be worn like regular armor, albeit with a monumental increase to defense.

What’s different in Fallout 4 is, in order to be able to sprint, use V.A.T.S (Vault Assisted Targeting System), or use any of the functionalities of the power armor.

If you need a “fusion core,” an object that can be found throughout the world with relative eases, purchase it at various venders such as those in Diamond City.

To increase the power of power armor, there is the option to add mods to the armor. My personal favorite is the “stealth boy” mod for the chest piece and the jet pack mod for the leg pieces.

The 3 standard suits in the world are T-45, the first that’s obtainable which is

acquired through the course of the early story missions, the T-60 which I got after I joined the Brotherhood of Steel and did a few missions for them, the T-51 which can be found randomly across the world, and last, but certainly not least –the rarest/ coolest armor in Fallout 4—the X-01.

The pinnacle of power armor tech, The X-01 provides the most protection and looks insane.

Of all the things FO4 got right, there are a few things that could be better.

My least favorite aspect of the game is the settlement building. I think it’s a time consuming and pointless feature.

I wasted hours building up Sanctuary.

It has been completely useless aside from the shops that can be placed that I didn’t bother with at all. Touted as a major feature of FO4, the settlement feature adds nothing to the game I couldn’t live without.

Bethesda really outdid itself with this game and I hope to see more excellent work on their part, be it fallout or one of their possible Orange Box sequels.

finding racist flyers in the house where she grew up.

This causes her to reflect on the values embedded into her as a child.

A repetition of history occurs, as Atticus chooses to defend another black man in court.

Throughout the book, Jean Louise ponders upon the reasons for racism and how to rediscover the impact that the town had on her as a child.

I thought this book was a captivating read.

Although it cannot compare to the classic nature of To Kill a Mockingbird, it was a wonderful second installment.

I recommend this book to the readers who feel nostalgic for the fictional story that took place in Maycomb, Alabama.

It holds the same charm as the first book, but I found that it had a more mature flare.

Unlike the more childish tone exemplified in To Kill a Mockingbird, Go Set a Watchman is a memorable sequel that any lover of the classics will enjoy.

DECEMBER 4, 2015 | ENTERTAINMENT | THE LION’S TALE | 17

One Page Low-down

App Review WRITTEN BY NIYATI SHAH

Concerned about the March SAT? Look no farther than the student-friendly app issued recently by the CollegeBoard: Daily Practice for the New SAT. After the announcement of the establishment of the new SAT, the College Board revamped their antiquated SAT app to a much more modern and innovative design. Simply tap any one of the three subject areas (Critical Reading, Math, Writing) for archives on previous questions. If you have taken a new SAT practice test, you can snap a shot of the bubble sheet and the app will automatically score the exam, with the breakdowns of each composite score. For a personalized study session, tap the KhanAcademy icon to receive step by step tutorials on answering questions. Now go conquer the SAT!

Album Review:

REVIEWED BRYN GARICK

Over a year since their debut album, 5 Seconds of Summer released their second album on Oct. 23. The album, Sounds Good Feels Good, debuted at number one in ten countries and in the top ten in four countries.

The album contains a bit of every genre, ranging from rock to pop to alternative. There is a song for everyone: if you are into rock music you can listen to power anthem “Permanent Vacation” or if you like alternative music, “Outer Space” is a perfect song.

The album reveals influences of rock bands such as Nirvana, blink-182 and Green Day, bands 5 Seconds of Summer view as role models, as they’ve stated in interviews.

Songs on this album talk about things that really matter to teenagers in this generation, like depression and friend troubles.

The last lyric of the entire album is “you know it’s gonna get better,” featured in the song “Carry On.” This is a fitting way to end the album because it sums up the overall message of the album: no matter what is going on right now, no matter how difficult life is, hold on, because it’s going to get better.

5 Seconds of Summer wrote a stunning album filled with songs that promote an overall good message. They clearly kept their fans in mind while writing this album, something that sets good musicians apart from others.

SUDOKU

WHAT GRINDS MY GEARS WRITTEN BY S. MCNELLIS There are two types of people in this world: ones who are socially polite , and ones who are not. There is no in-between. People who are ignorant to kindness or positivity are just plain ridiculous. Children are supposed to be taught basic etiquette in their elementary school years. How some people all of a sudden “forget” to be polite is a real worldly wonder.

Polite is defined as, “having good manners toward others, as in behavior, speech, etc.” Now, it is obvious that there are different types of politeness, such as greetings and whatnot, and they vary in different cultures, but if person #1 is nice to person #2 , wouldn’t person #2 want to be nice in return?

One of the most common examples of social rudeness is having a normal conversation and someone is impolite. If someone asks another person how their day was, that person shouldn’t respond with “shut up.”

If someone has had an unpleasant day, it’s understandable, but they need to realize that they shouldn’t take it out on someone who is being kind.

Another thing that annoys the life out of me is when I am out in public at a store, and I politely hold the door open for someone, and they do not even give me a simple “thank you.”

Why is that so hard?

I know that some people have problems with one another, but if they had a positive attitude, they would know how to treat others respectfully.

I don’t think that politeness or social rudeness is based on an opinion or the situation. Communicating with others is important and being positive about it is even better. Politeness is about giving someone the respect that they deserve.

It’s really not hard to do such a simple task; be polite.

GUYS GUIDE TO FEMALES

Haiku Reviews

Once Upon A Time

WRITTEN BY FAIZ UDDIN

WRITTEN BY FAIZ UDDIN

Are you the square root of two? Because I feel irrational around you.

The dark swan rises Excalibur united The battle for light

Are you a carbon sample? Because I want to date you.

Short Stories WRITTEN BY YARITZA CALVERT We were getting ready for our rehearsal dinner and my heart was pounding. I was excited to see her come out of the bathroom, I guess it all just hit me at once how crazy this all was. I marrying the only person I ever wanted to marry. I couldn’t wait. She came out and asked, “Does this look okay?”

“Yes, you look beautiful.”

“I don’t know--I think it looks too tight.”

I just thought to myself, why doesn’t she like the way she looks? She is beautiful. Why can’t she see it? ‘”Are you sure I look good?”

“Yes, honey, you look beautiful.”

Will she ever know how beautiful she looks to me? How beautiful her long eyelashes look when she stares me in the eyes? And her beautiful hazel eyes accent her cute nose. No matter what she wears I still want to show off her beautiful body. Will she ever know how beautiful she looks in my eyes? Will she see how beautiful she is in her bikini? And how when I look at her, I look past the scars that cover her flesh and I fall in love with her beautiful heart, soul and personality?

I will love her no matter how hurt, confused, old she gets because she will always be beautiful to me.

THIS SHOULD BE A WORD WRITTEN BY ALEX WHITE

Snarfling

To eat quickly and greedily The young boy was snarfling all the food in pantry.

Verb

You must be a missing an electron, because I have my ion you.

Are you my phone charger? Because with you, I would die.

You are so hot, you denatured my enzymes.

Me without you is like a nerd without braces, a shoe without laces, a SentenceWithoutSpaces.

Do you like Harry Potter? Because I Adumbledore you.

I am falling for you faster than 9.8 m/s2.

Top Ten Disney Villains WRITTEN BY CONNER COMPTON

1. Maleficent 2. Ursula 3. Curella De Vil 4. Queen of Hearts 5. Scar 6. Dr. Filiacer 7. Mother Gothel 8. Madame Medusa 9. Jafar 10. Gaston

NEW C ACH,NEW SEAS N Girl’s basketball team adjusts to new assistant coach 18 | THE LION’S TALE | SPORTS | DECEMBER 4, 2015

ILLUSTRATION BY PAIGE SIMPSON

WRITTTEN BY DANIELLE GRIFFITHS The energy at the Seminole vs.

Oviedo game on Nov. 12, 2015, was exciting and fun, according to junior Myana Strickland. It’s a fresh season, and the new season has brought new coaches and players to the Varsity girl’s basketball team.

Assistant coach John Howell joined forces with head coach Bill Bronga and assistant coach Lauren Fedi to assist.

“When you’re a coach, to let other coaches come in and coach your team when you’re in charge, it’s hard for him [Bronga] to do for sure, because I’m the new guy on the block,” Howell said.

According to Bronga, he and Howell have known each other for a while.

“I have always repected what he thought of the game and how he approaches the game,” Bronga said. “I thought he would be a good addition of what we are trying to do with the team.”

Howell can hopefully help speed up the game, according to Bronga.

“What I’ve tried to do is change the

pace of play. I am a fast break coach and that was one of the things that he wanted me to do,” Howell said. “He wanted me to change the tempo of the game.”

The Varsity girls played against Lyman on Nov. 24, 2015, and the girls put up 60 points, which is high for a girl’s game, according to Howell.

“We sped up the game so that we had a chance to score more points; if not, you are always going to be in the thirty point games, and then you will always have the chance of losing. If you score more points, then you will give yourself a much better chance of winning the game,” Howell said.

According to Bronga, letting someone else coach can be good if it is a different style. He said that it isn’t good for the team to constantly hear the same person all of the time.

“I’ve tried to do what he wanted me to do without trying to put my stamp on it. I just want the girls to win, have fun, and be successful,” Howell said.

Coach Howell has been able to bring a new perspective to the teams

potential, according to Kamila Rosasco.

The season has started, and this addition to the coaching staff has affected the girls on Varsity.

“It is very different having a new assistant coach this year,” Strickland said. “He is very strict which helps with the mental focus of the team. I think that it has overall bettered the team.”

According to Strickland, Howell has brought the team closer together, and he has helped the team realize that girl’s basketball is very serious.

“I think that because he [Coach Howell] came on board that we are going to win a lot more games than what we originally would have,” Strickland said.

He’s been able to help out the team on the offensive side of things, according to Rosasco.

Another new addition to Varsity is a student who transferred from Freedom High School in Orange County.

Sophomore Hannah Holland has been playing basketball since she was in 6th grade.

“Everyone on the team was really welcoming, and if I have a problem or

need any help with anything then they are very welcoming and they help me get through it,” Holland said.

According to Holland, the team was really patient with helping her understand drills, and since she just joined the school, the team gave her the opportunity to make new friends. She has also been building her relationship with the coaches.

“With me being the new girl, it’s just different because I have to work on building relationships that the team has been for awhile now,” Holland said.

Strickland hopes that extensive amount of practice during the season will be worth it.

“I think [this season] is going to be really interesting. We have been practicing over summer, so we are trying to perfect our offense, and I think that is definitely going to help,” Strickland said.

The season began on Monday, Nov. 10, 2015, and the Lady Lions are 4-3 as of Dec.1, 2015.

“I feel that this season has started out strong, and that the team will improve as the season continues,” Rosasco said.

ROAR BOARD

DECEMBER 4, 2015 | THE LION’S TALE | SPORTS | 19

The voice of OHS sports STAR ATHLETE: IVAN SMITH

Q- Coming into the season, how did you prepare yourself to step into a leadership role?

A- I put a lot of work in during the offseason, trying to become a leader vocally and on the court.

Q- What did you do to improve your game during the offseason?

A- I was in the gym every day working on my offensive game. I’m a better, more consistent shooter now. Just scoring.

Q-What are your expectations for the year?

A- We’re going to win states.

Q- What do you think the team’s strength is this season?

A- Probably our competitive spirit.

Q- How has the team bonded over the year?

A- Slowly but surely we’re getting closer every day, working with each other better.

Q- How does that improved chemistry feed into your success?

A- We know what each other likes to do on the court because of that. We know where everybody’s supposed to be and how we’re supposed to play.

PHOTO BY INDIA PANTIN

TOSSIN’ IT. Senior Andrea Maskiell tosses the ball across the field after it goes out of bounds.

SOCCER

Girl’s soccer team strives toward state-championship

WRITTEN BY DOUG CHIODINI

It has been three years since Oviedo’s last state championship, but the girls soccer team is as hungry as ever. Blazing out to an astonishing 9-0 start to the season, this team may be primed to bring home another banner.

That goal is what keeps the team level headed though their successes.

“We have this goal at the end of the season that we want to win states,” said junior Carly Mitchell. “Even if we are winning a lot right now, we realize that we have to continually get better to prepare for the harder games towards the end of the season.”

While most schools have preseason activities to establish a team, head coach Scott Waisanen’s innovative method of using a club team as a springboard is paying dividends.

“Club soccer is an important piece of player development,” Waisanen said. “The girls continue improving by playing club soccer… We adapt and make our schedule around the tournaments when we know there will be a conflict.”

PHOTO BY FAIZ UDDIN EYES ON THE BALL. Junior Jacob Framson gazes intently at the player with the ball during a home game. He swiftly twists and turns his body to be on his toes if the ball comes his way.

MEN’S SOCCER

BOWLING

Player remains determined throughout entire season

PHOTO BY INDIA PANTIN

INSTAGRAM OF THE MONTH:

TWEET OF THE MONTH: Oviedo Girl’s Soccer @oviedoGsoccer

WRITTEN BY ANNA TAGYE

From the rolling of the ball to the crashing of the pins, bowlers experience the exciting thrill of victory with every turn at the lane.

Junior Katelyn Jones recently placed first at states. While she has taken her game to an elite level, her parents were the ones who introduced her to the sport she loves.

“They have been bowling for twenty years and recently stopped, I’ve just grown up around it and finally wanted to try it.” Jones said.

The first day in the tournament she played three games and won all three, qualifying her to continue in the winner’s bracket.

Katelyn went on to play another match where she lost the first game then tied the second, advancing on to do a ninth and tenth roll. This is when a player participates in the ninth and tenth frame only.

“We tied the ninth and tenth roll off which is almost unheard of because someone typically wins,” Jones said. Then continued on to win the next game by striking all four balls.

With two matches remaining, she won both to capture a coveted state title for herself and Oviedo.

PHOTO BY DOUG CHIODINI

BENHAYDEN24

Nov. 20

“Your girl’s varsity soccer team stays undefeated with a 3-2 win against Viera! #GoLions” 21 RETWEETS 26 FAVORITES

66 likes

ROARing Success BOY’S VARSITY SOCCER

BOY’S JUNIOR VARSITY SOCCER

November 2ndOviedo: 4 Lyman: 1

November 4thOviedo: 2 Hagerty: 2

October 29thOviedo: 1 Cypress Creek: 1

November 4thOviedo: 1 Hagerty: 1

November 9thOviedo: 3 Lake Mary: 2

November 11thOviedo: 2 Lake Brantley: 1 Overall Record- (3-4-2)

PHOTO BY ALEX BROWNING

BLOCKING THE TOSS. Senior Eliot Nasby, defended by junior Mani Jahani, prepares to throw the disc in a scrimmage at ultimate frisbee practice.

HERE COMES DRUMLINE. Senior Aaron Byington leads the drum line to the Commons on Nov. 13 in preparation for the football game at Mandarin High.

ULTIMATE FRISBEE

BAND

November 2ndOviedo: 2 Lyman: 1

November 9thOviedo: 2 Lake Mary: 2

November 16thOviedo: 7 Lake Howell: 2 Overall Record- (3-3-2)

*All Dec.38 *All records stats asasofofDec.

**Info Courtesy of Maxpreps.com

PHOTO BY INDIA PANTIN ANKLE BREAKER. Sophomore Devon Knaub blows past a Lake Mary defender on his way to the hoop on Nov. 24 at the Robert Lundquist Gymnasium.

BASKETBALL

Sebastian Landaeta, 10

HOUSEHOLD Y T I L I T S HO

Siblings reflect on competitive relationships with one another

Sika Kodzi, 10

20 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | DECEMBER 4, 2015

Jack Smith, 12 Harper Bolt, 12

Tavis Rucker, 12

Kristin Rucker, 12

Jake Starbuck, 9

Piper Bolt, 11

Justin Smith, 12

tellectual,” S. Landaeta said.

Though they have differences, freshman L. Landaeta still receives guidance from his brother.

“Sebastian’s showed me the ropes of high school like what to do and what not to do,” L. Landaeta said. “With my older brother it’s more like a tough love relationship. We joke around quite a bit and are constantly sarcastic.”

L. Landaeta gives insight on what it’s like to be the middle child.

“You have to deal with the younger sibling and you have to deal with the older sibling; it’s good and bad,” L. Landaeta said. “You have to share everything, and you get tired of that after a while.”

Senior Kristin Rucker, sister of senior Tavis Rucker, describes their situation.

“There’re always ups and downs, usually more downs because that’s just human nature,” K. Rucker said. “One minute you’re nice to each other, and the next minute you’re at each other’s throats.”

Like others, K. Rucker believes competition drives rivalries. “[Siblings] are trying to compete to be better than the other one, especially if they’re close in age,” K. Rucker said.

As the older brother, P. Kodzi believes he must look out for his sister, and help her through tough times.

“Nobody’s going to mess with my sister when I’m around; that’s how our parents have raised us, and they’ve taught me that I have to lead the way,” P. Kodzi said.

“I have to make sure that she’s doing the right things, and make sure people don’t mess with her.”

Though siblings have their share of trouble, they can also be great allies.

“They always have your back no matter what; they could hate you at one moment, but as soon as you need them, they are there for you,” K. Rucker said.

Luis Landaeta, 9

Having a sibling is like riding a rollercoaster, constantly going up and down.

Sophomore Sika Kodzi and her brother, senior Papaa Kodzi, both believe competition fuels their rivalry.

“We definitely want to one-up one another; you want to prove that you’re better, that you’re the favorite child,” P. Kodzi said.

“Even though we love each other, we want to be better than the other.”

Both siblings are dedicated track and cross country runners, adding more competition to their rivalry.

“He’s always in my face because we’re super competitive,” S. Kodzi said. “If he does really good at a meet while I didn’t do as good, he’ll rub it in, and visa versa. In general, he is just super bossy and cocky.”

S. Kodzi says that the trouble started early in childhood.

“Once when I was little, he told me that my parents were killer clowns, which induced my fear of clowns,” S. Kodzi said.

S. Kodzi believes constant togetherness of siblings sparks conflict. “[Siblings] are close to each other, see each other all the time, and are compared to their other sibling a lot,” S. Kodzi said.

“When we fight, I’m usually mad, mainly because I’m right most of the time.”

Sophomore Sebastian Landaeta, who has two younger brothers, has similar views as S. Kodzi’s.

“We grew up in the same household, and you kind of get sick of each other after a while,” S. Landeta said. “We get sick of each other because we always see each other, and if you’re completely opposite of your other sibling you get sick of them and you can’t put up with them anymore.”

S. Landaeta explains how freshman Luis Landaeta and he differ in their interests.

“I don’t get along with my brother, Luis, as well as I do with my younger brother,

Sarah Starbuck, 11 Papaa Kodzi, 12

ALL PHOTOS BY ALEX BROWNING Aiden, because Luis is different: he doesn’t like to do sports like me and he’s more inWRITTEN BY PAIGE SIMPSON