The Lion's Tale - Volume 51, Issue 3 by The Lion's Tale

( news sports ) Tanking economy takes toll on jobs

THE LION’S TALE

K2 gets kicked

Singers make state choir

The second round of Florida’s Tryouts for the All-State Choir was held on Nov. 13. Out of the six students from Oviedo that tried out, five made the All-State Choir: All-State Men’s Choir: Jordan Alexander (‘13), All-State Mixed Choir: Drew Freeburn (‘12) and Mo Casey (‘11), All-State Women’s Choir: Dana Rozier (‘11) and Claire Cook (‘11). These students perform Jan. 12-15 in Tampa for the Florida Music Education Association and Florida Vocal Association with the All-State Choir.

THE SCOOP

The Federal Government’s Drug Enforcement Administration made it illegal to possess any forms of synthetic marijuana such as “Spice” or “K2” for at least one year beginning Dec. 24 while they determine any harmful effects, and whether synthetic marijuana should be outlawed.

DECEMBER 17, 2010

The economy took a downturn during 2007.The recession resulted in the loss of jobs which affected sophomores Brandon Wilks, Max Garcia, Kim Thevenin, and senior Amy Welch.

Band rocks state The Florida Marching Band Coalition’s state wide competition occurred Nov. 20. Even in the preliminary round, where only the top five bands move on to finals, the Marching Lions earned fourth place with a score of 85.15, which provided them with a spot in the finals. In the finals round, the Marching Lions received fourth in the 5A class, and 6th overall with a score of 88.05.

Troupe takes trophies The Thespian district competition took place on the weekend of Nov. 20. In this competition Thespian Troupe 4564 received many awards. Awards include Best in Show Duet Scene, Ensemble Scene and Duet Musical, Critic’s Choice (highest award) for Ali Hartwig’s and April Sullivan’s duet musical, and Superior Awards for the following categories: Monologue, Duet Acting, Ensemble Acting, Solo Musical, Duet Musical, and Small Group Musical.

photo/ALICIA POPE

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. Junior Maxwell Moothart and sophomore Madison Flanders rehearse a scene from the play Almost, Maine.

by Jake Smith

caught up with the homeowners along with ophomore Brandon Wilks hangs up the declines in housing prices, making it nearly phone after speaking with his mother in impossible to refinance their homes. These factors New York. He reflects on how she sounded piled onto each other to make the end result an exhausted and expressed feelings of melancholy. increase in home foreclosure rates, stock markets “My dad got laid off from the Sanford airport. such as the DOW Jones, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 Now he’s unemployed. There were benefits from crashing in Oct. of 2008, and ultimately millions that job like paying less for airplane tickets. My of American citizens and banks in debt. mom works in New York because she can’t find Students also notice how the economy weighs a job down here,” Brandon Wilks said. “She used in on their love life. to be able to see us pretty often, but now that my “I can’t even take my girlfriend out on a date. dad’s unemployed she can’t fly down as much. We usually go to places like the bowling alley She seems to worry more about us since she or Buffalo Wild Wings, since they’re cheap. can’t see us enough and Now, I go on more dates We’ve really had to cut back feels like she’s away from with my family than my the family. She [my mom] since we’ve been so short on girlfriend,” sophomore always tells me about how Max Garcia said. “I money. she wants to be with us.” have no money. I don’t Amy Welch, ‘11 However, Wilks finds think she really cares, positives in his family’s current situation. but I do. Doing the same stuff is more boring.” “I see him [my dad] more often. He’s there However, Garcia sees a bright side to making for me more whenever I need to talk and he has decisions on a dating budget. more time to do family things,” Wilks said. “I feel that it makes choices easier because I The economy’s effect on his life inspires a don’t have much money to spend, so there aren’t desire for personal success. many choices of where to go,” Garcia said. “It makes me focus on my grades because I Senior Amy Welch also lives a life affected need to go to college and get a good job, so that by the economy. I don’t have to worry about a recession,” Wilks “My mom got hurt 10 years ago on the job. said. So, now we’re living off of her disability checks. The recession in 2007 dug a deep hole in My dad is a project manager and only gets work the economy that Americans are still trying to when there’s stuff to do, like building art exhibits. pull themselves up out of three years later. This He hasn’t gotten any work in over six months,” financial crisis was originally triggered by what Welch said. is known as the “bursting of the United States Welch personally experiences the hardships housing bubble.” Banks increasingly began of spending sparingly. giving out loans to potential home buyers in “We’ve really had to cut back since we’ve 2005, encouraging them by saying that they been so short on money. Usually we go school would be able to pay the loans back quickly, but shopping at the beginning of the year, but we never warning them of accruing interest rates. couldn’t this year. I really need new clothes, so Eventually the interest rates increased and I’ve gotta find a new way to get money to pay

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for them. I also have to pay off my $400 band account. Otherwise, I can’t get my credit for that class and graduate,” Welch said. Sophomore Kim Thevenin deals with a reduced budget as well. “I can’t go clothes shopping as much as I used to. I usually shop at Hollister, Forever 21, Abercrombie, just places in the Altamonte Mall. I went shopping like every two weeks or so. I usually spent over $30, but now I spend $30 or less. I’m kind of sad. I miss it,” Thevenin said. In a recent statement, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said, “Over the last week, our federal legislators have had an opportunity to extend Unemployment Insurance — a critically important program that brings immediate returns to our economy while helping Americans who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. But a lack of bipartisan support blocked the effort.” Solis continues by elaborating on the importance of this extension and the fact that approximately 2 million Americans will lose their unemployment insurance by the end of the year. “Millions more could join their ranks in the coming months. As a nation, we simply cannot let this come to pass,” she said. As people suffer at the hands of the economy and unemployment, hope still remains for some teens and their families. “We’re getting there,” Welch said

jakes@thelionstale.com

Economic Debate Go to page 11 to read a debate about extending Unemployment Insurance.

DECEMBER 17, 2010

news

THE LION’S TALE

SCIENTISTS AT WORK. (left) Junior Cayden Lawn and his mentors plant Eel Grass inside their test areia (right) Sophomore Shawnee Doling-Tye takes samples of her decomposing spinach.

all photos/HARRY TRABER

Science research class works to build projects by Harry Traber

ophomore Madison Greco sits with rapt attention during seventh period, looking at the monitor in front of her, reading the latest email from her mentor, a UCF professor of psychology. Greco is seeking help with her many tests directed towards freshmen. She hopes to find a correlation between working memory and freshman students’ math abilities. Greco, along with nine other students in the science research class, is preparing herself for the approaching science fair on Feb. 5, held at the Seminole Towne Center in Sanford. “When I was trying to get out of cooking, I was looking for an honors level class that had to do with science. I picked this class because it was interesting and an independently-motivated class, and I am up to the challenge,” Greco said. The first semester of the school year, students work almost exclusively on their science fair project, required for the class. Once in the class, students begin picking projects and searching for a mentor.

“It was hard finding a professor in the field of my science project. They were either too busy or too far away,” senior Thomes Goff said. Junior Cayden Lawn, however, entered the class and joined in on a pre-existing project with the mentor he worked with last year. The project involves the chemical composition of Lake Jesup and whether the addition of various grasses will alter the lake. “I like my mentor Tomas Calhoun, because we both like fishing, and while collecting samples we talk about it,” Lawn said. After finding a mentor, students send emails to their mentor to fine-tune their project ideas. During this time, students file forms to enter their projects in the science fair. These forms vary depending on risk level of the student’s project and whether or not their experiments test on human subjects or other vertebrates. The science fair board in charge of project admission goes over every detail of a submitted project to ensure absolute safety and quality of each project. They do not hesitate to send the admission forms back to a student, with

corrections to their project. “I wasn’t put down. I was just really happy when I was accepted. She [PJ Kreahling] told me it may take a few tries,” sophomore Shawnee Doling-Tye said. Students in the class work with a lot of passion towards their projects. “I genuinely love science. There are so many interesting discoveries yet to be made and I am excited to contribute to it,” junior Neel Patel said. Students experiment from the submission deadline of Oct. 1 to Jan. 15. For example, Lawn has been experimenting since early September. “I’ve got about four more sampling dates. We are just trying to collect enough data for comparisons,” Lawn said. After testing ends, the class begins to work at its hardest. Students prepare their projects for a formal presentation during an all day event to the judges of the fair. “It was nerve-wracking. The judges were intimidating because they know a lot more than me, and if I messed up I would be embarrassed.

After a few judges I got the hang of it,” Lawn said. Success at the county science fair can also give students an opportunity to compete at the Orlando Science Center Science Fair and the State Science Fair. All science fairs offer a variety of awards. “It was cool. I was excited about all of the prizes. I got to see all the first place projects in the region, and compete against them, but I did not take first,” Lawn said. After the science fair competitions finish, students of the class continue exploring other avenues of science. All the elements of the class are designed for pushing students forward, ensuring they have the best possible chance of finding success at the science fair and avoid causing students to lose interest in their projects. “I am just as excited to be testing and excited to be working on my project as when I first started. Each time I go out to work on my project it’s fun,” Lawn said.

harryt@thelionstale.com

Project profiles

Daniel Hammack ‘12

Project: writing a program for identifying the author of selected publications

Madison Greco ‘13

Carson Smith ‘14

Project: predicting math ability through working memory

Project: testing if antioxidants prevent mutilations when exposed to UV radiation

Ashley Sikes

‘13

Project: testing whether or not a person can improve their core balance through wii fit

Thomes Goff

‘11

Project: testing the effects of starvation on the protein C-Jun

THE LION’S TALE

| news | DECEMBER 17, 2010

Court ruling shuts down LimeWire by Brandon Koller

these days. We’d be screwed without them. Eventually it will be imeWire will be no more. The file-sharing software [make up] 90 percent [of our income],” Escalante said. company announced it would stop its operations at the LimeWire attempted to legitimize service with a digital year’s end. download store named “Spoon.” The service failed to launch, The court ruling, made by Judge Kimba Wood, aimed to correct however, when LimeWire Group, parent company of LimeWire, LimeWire’s illicit actions by shutting the service down and issued requested a year’s time to implement the store, leading record a cease and desist on all copyright-infringing downloads. labels to give up on the prospect. The ruling could force the company to pay millions of dollars Napster, like LimeWire, began with shaky legal standing, but in damages. in 2004 rose to its current incarnation as a music store with an Although LimeWire contributed to helping users download unlimited playlist. Napster currently charges $10 monthly or $50 unauthorized music files, owner of Kung Fu annually for access to its service. Records, Joe Escalante, believes LimeWire Even with these legal options, I don’t use LimeWire anymore isn’t the biggest issue with piracy. Escalante doubts that it is enough. because of the legal issues it’s “CD burning started it [piracy]. File“CD burning and file transfers from subject to. sharing is arguably beneficial to music more flash drives, etc. – that killed CD sales. Greg DuBois, ‘14 than CD burning,” Escalante said. “This is Download sales are nice, but they will the new landscape. Bands that are young never make up for how many CDs artists and new can make the landscape work for used to sell,” he said. them. As much as it’s a downer financially, at the moment, it’s also Escalante believes the motivation behind piracy is simple. an exciting time.” “It [piracy] is fun and yields great results!” Escalante said. Escalante is also the bassist for The Vandals, and host of the Not only do exploits prevent the court decision from being Barely Legal Radio Show (an entertainment law question-and- effective, but piracy options exist aplenty outside of a single service answer program aired in Orange County, California). like LimeWire. FrostWire, a similar program with less media Recently, the Recording Industry Association of America cited attention than LimeWire, aims to absorb LimeWire’s millions of declining sales figures – from $14.5 billion in 1999 to $7.7 billion users, and faces no current legal injunctions. in 2009 – as clear indications of the harm done by the LimeWire “There will always be another one [piracy method]. If people service. want to avoid paying for content, they will avoid it. However, “Music is being created but revenue is still in the tank. Maybe making it harder does have an impact. If it’s hard, only young only the best will be recorded, which has its advantages, too,” people will do it. Soccer moms will still throw three Katy Perry Escalante said. CDs in their carts if it’s easier than figuring out how to steal it,” Freshman and former LimeWire user Greg DuBois debates the Escalante said. importance of LimeWire in the RIAA’s statistics. Major effects on the music industry aren’t done developing, “I don’t use LimeWire anymore because of the legal issues it’s Escalante said. subject to. But because it’s just for my own use, I don’t feel like “It [piracy] makes it hard to justify spending a lot on future services like LimeWire should be illegal. There are plenty of record recordings, so less recording will be done. You have to get out there sales, and having to buy the thousands of songs I listen to would and play more shows. But what about older artists or songwriters be impossible. Even if I had the money, I don’t know that I’d buy that don’t tour, or can’t sell a t-shirt to senior citizens that like their them all. The rising prices on iTunes are probably accounting for music? There’s no way to replace their lost income,” he said. sales taken away by LimeWire,” DuBois said. With so many services available to the enterprising pirate, The digital download store run by Apple Inc., iTunes, increased Escalante sees only one real solution to it all. its prices in the past two years with varying effects. Although the “You can try all the clever packaging and incentives you want price change resulted in a net growth, record label Warner saw to get people to buy music, but in the end, the songs must be great,” their sales on the service plummet. However, Warner CEO Edgar Escalante said. “If they are great, money will find you. If the Bronfman, Jr. noted that some decrease in music sales stems from material is weak, you have an uphill struggle.” the recent economic recession. Editor’s Note: Escalante’s record label, Kung Fu Records, owes much more Interview with Escalante conducted via email. to the store. brandonk@thelionstale.com “iTunes is where 50 percent of our sales income comes from

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illustration/JORDAN BRANCH

BUY STEAL

Apple develops new technology to censor text message content by Jordan Branch

oon parents may be able to control what text messages their children can receive and to block what they deem inappropriate under a new Apple application soon to be on the market. The app blocks or reports suspect text messages to the designated administrator, potentially a parent. Apple patented the new technology capable of censoring iPhone user text messages. The company filed for the patent in 2008. The current number of iPhone users show that this new technology affects a large market. In 2009, Apple sold 24.89 million iPhones. As of February 2010, Apple controls 14.4 percent of the mobile market. Apple became the third largest cell phone company behind Nokia and RIM. News of this application left students wondering if it will jeopardize their overall mobile privacy. “It’s an invasion of privacy. You should be able to text

whatever you want. My parents wouldn’t use the application, but some parents that are strict might overuse it. What you text is your business, not anyone else’s. If the application came out and many parents were using it I think the iPhone would sell less,” sophomore Bryan Wofford said. Administrators can adjust the settings. The possibilities for restriction range from grade level to language limitations. The application may also serve to educate. For example, if a student needed to learn a specific language, they may be required to send a certain amount of texts in this language per week or cell phone privileges could be revoked. Spanish teacher Alida Eldrige believes that learning outside of school benefits students. “In general, learning outside of the classroom especially for a foreign language will benefit the student. Students are able to become fluent through utilizing the language outside of school,” Eldrige said. If a parent wants their student to use proper grammar while texting, the new app is capable of blocking slang from leaving the device.

Furthermore, when the administrator activates the anti-sexting feature, parents will be able to read any text messages flagged as sexually explicit through specific key words. Apple claims the application will pick up on abbreviated words better than other censors. The company believes past applications failed to block the content of text messages and instead blocked messages to certain phone numbers or emails. Teenagers claim they will still find a way around the technology with words that pass through the censors. “I have an iPhone and I am not concerned about the new application. Teenagers have been finding their way around rules for a long time. We will just find other words that the app cannot pick up. At the end of the day, teens will somehow trick the system,” junior Mateo Rosales said. The market waits to see how the newly patented application will work within the mobile device and meanwhile students find themselves concerned about a lack of privacy in the future.

jordanb@thelionstale.com

DECEMBER 17, 2010

news

THE LION’S TALE 05

New management for struggling mall Oviedo Marketplace businesses hopes to come back after months of few customers and declining sales. all photos/CARSON BAILEY

CHANGES ON HORIZON. Empty store fronts line the hallways of the Oviedo Marketplace. Urban Retail Properties plans to fill the empty space.

by Arianna Ray

reshman Alicia Winnie chats merrily with her friends as her feet trod down the familiar path of the Oviedo Marketplace. The mental list grows in her head as she considers her upcoming purchases. She halts suddenly, shock written across her face as she attempts to comprehend the fact that her favorite store is gone. “I used to go to F.Y.E all the time. I was really angry when it shut down. I would go there with my friends whenever we would get bored,” Winnie said. Recently, Winnie noticed a change in the overall condition of the Oviedo Marketplace. “The mall has been getting way worse. It used to be a cool place to go on Friday nights, but now it’s just lame. No one goes there anymore because all the stores are basically gone. It’s just dead,” Winnie said. To combat the decline, Urban Retail Properties, LLC, took over management of the Oviedo Marketplace on Nov. 1. “Urban Retail is one of the nation’s leading third-party real estate managers. The company provides consulting services for clients worldwide. Urban Retail was formed more than 37 years ago and manages a diverse portfolio of retail projects,” said Lisa Bell, senior vice president and director of marketing for Urban Retail Properties. Urban Retail Properties is a privately held company responsible for the day-to-day management, marketing, and leasing of the Oviedo Marketplace. Their record consists of over 40 shopping center renovations across the country. They have not yet formed any conclusive plans regarding

the mall. up the entrance. Overall, just a clean up and “Urban has only been involved with the maintenance to make a more positive impact on property since Nov.1. It will take us some time the public. The first thing you see is the first thing to put together a list of recommendations for you remember,” Fox said. ownership as to things we would like to put in Fox’s experience with the mall leads her to place to enhance the shopping center,” Bell said. urge on the new management. While their intentions for the Oviedo “From there, I hope they will make themselves Marketplace remain unknown, Urban Retail known to the merchants in the mall and help us Properties moves forward in the process of with additional advertising. I want them to be renovating the mall. really proactive. That will make other retailers “We have hired a new general manager, and want to come in and lease space here,” Fox said. he will start on Nov. 11. Part of his role will be Kimberly Diaz expresses a different point of to work with each discipline at Urban to identify view regarding the desired changes. opportunities to improve the shopping experience “They should definitely bring in more stores for local residents,” Bell that attract different said. kinds of people. I see The mall is basically dying. Urban Retail Properties more people from here There’s really nothing left to stays aware of the [Oviedo High School] do . challenges ahead. at the Altamonte Mall, Christian Svetics, ‘13 “As is the case with a more than at the Oviedo number of shopping centers Marketplace. It has a throughout the country, Oviedo Marketplace has million times better stores, like JC Penney. They some challenges, including finding new tenants also need to bring F.Y.E back,” Diaz said. for vacant spaces,” Bell said. “Urban brings to Winnie observes a similar trend involving the the table 37 years of experience in management mall. and leasing of shopping centers across the “No one shops there [at the Oviedo country. Our team has strong relationships with Marketplace] anymore. They haven’t been all of the national and regional retailers that getting much business. There are so many other we want to stay at Oviedo, or have joined the choices of places to shop,” Winnie said. “People center.” just kind of shop where they want to shop. I know Arlene Fox, manager of Carlton Cards at the I do. I usually go to the Altamonte Mall, mostly Oviedo Marketplace, offers some suggestions to Forever 21.” make the mall prosper. Fox explains the decline in the mall. “I want this new company to come clean up “It has definitely gotten worse. I think we the property. The outside property of the mall have an owner/operator company, being General especially. I believe that that’s already underway. Growth Properties, that became very lackadaisical Hopefully it will have a positive impact on the in handling this property. Nobody seemed to care community. I also think they need to clean about whether the stores succeeded,” Fox said.

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“We didn’t have an on-site manager for a number of years. We shared the same manager that the Altamonte Mall had. All his attention seemed to be diverted to that mall and getting good leasing in place over there. He was rarely on this property. In this aspect we were treated like the red-headed stepchild.” Winnie expresses a general nonchalance to the local mall. “I really couldn’t care less about it [the Oviedo Marketplace]. There are many other places to go. I would probably go there if they put in new stores, or even make the mall bigger. I would do that if I could. That place is small for a mall,” Winnie said. While Winnie usually shops elsewhere, she still finds a use for the Oviedo Marketplace. “[The worst thing they could do is] completely get rid of the mall. People go there if they need to get something quickly. If I forgot about someone’s birthday, I would just go to the dollar store there to get a card,” Winnie said. Sophomore Christian Svetics suggests different changes to be implemented. “The best thing they could do is make it more of a place for teenagers to hang out. Add more places for us to hang out, sit down, and have fun,” Svetics said. Hoping for the best for next year remains all that Fox can do as she waits for the holiday season to end. “We’re coming into holiday season so we’re going to see increased traffic. We’ll have to wait until after Christmas to see if they have good impact. It’ll take time. It didn’t get like this overnight so it won’t be fixed overnight,” Fox said.

ariannar@thelionstale.com

THE LION’S TALE

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DECEMBER 17, 2010

news

Students put the ‘A’ in FCAT by Arianna Ray

he speakers crackle overhead, cutting into lesson plans and discussions alike. Curious heads turn toward the source of the noise, wondering what the interruption so early in the school day could be about. Principal Robert Lundquist excitedly declares that the school earned an A grade for the 2009-2010 year. “It’s expected. We expect to get an A. Our students expect us to get an A. Our teachers expect us to get an A. I think it’s very important that we have that tradition of setting the bar very high and so we push you guys pretty hard to reach that bar. And although you may think that FCAT is minimal for you, it’s certainly the first step to PSAT, SAT, ACT, and the path to your hopes and dreams to get into one of the best colleges,” Lundquist said. Several different factors contribute to the grade of schools. Significant learning gains for lower quartile students comprise one part of the score as well as FCAT Reading and Math. Graduation rate overall and for at-risk students also make up a portion of the result. “I don’t think people realize how difficult that is. We’re dealing with ninth and tenth grade students who basically have been lower quartile their entire life. Obviously there’s a myriad of issues there in regard to what their deficiencies are,” Lundquist said. Media specialist Carol Coulon-Woods commends the students for their hard work. “[FCAT] reading is hard across the board. It’s really a killer. We’ve had a true emphasis on reading as well as math. You can’t get the A without them. We’ve really worked to have high expectations for our students. All the hard work of our students should be recognized,” CoulonWoods said. Precalculus teacher Verna Whaley gives credit to her fellow educators. “We have people like Tina Near, Betty Westhelle, Brenda Holmes, and Sue Brown. I kind of like to say that they are in the trenches. They have the kids that have to show improvement. If we don’t bring up the lower level, then we get a lower grade. My hat really goes off to those guys. They deserve the credit, not me,” Whaley said.

THE LION’S TALE 07

Core class discussion continues by Zoe Lyon-Goldman

photo/COURTESY OF CHRIS TAYLOR

HIGH GRADE, HIGH-FIVE. Principal Robert Lundquist and English teacher Sue Livingston share a high-five in the Media Center after the announcement of Oviedo High School’s A+ grade for the 2009-2010 school year.

Schools rated higher receive benefits from the state, including money often awarded to teachers as bonuses. Lundquist articulates a different type of advantage. “It gives us bragging rights for one year in our community. People shop schools. When they go to websites, and they see what the school grades are, they’ll say ‘Okay OHS A, A, A.’ It makes us very attractive as a recruiting tool. People do move into this part of the county. School grade is important for decisions like that,” Lundquist said. Lundquist emphasizes the importance of focusing on the goals ahead. “We cannot take for granted that we automatically earn an A. We celebrate the success of earning an A, but now its back to work. Our teachers knew that all along. Its back to work for them in preparing this year’s students for next year’s FCAT scores,” Lundquist said. “They’re already doing that. You know, we always learn. We want to make sure that we pay attention to other things. We need to make sure we’re preparing our students.” Coulon-Woods observes a trend concerning

Oviedo High School’s grades. “I went through all these School Accountability Reports for other high schools in Central Florida. I was curious about all the other schools and their grade history. We have the most A’s in all of Central Florida. Its really eye-opening. Its extraordinary,” Coulon-Woods said. School grades began to be administered 12 years ago. Out of those years, Oviedo earned A’s nine times, more than any other school in the surrounding counties. The next closest tally belongs to Winter Park High School and Professional and Technical High with eight A’s each. For now, Coulon-Woods offers praise to the students. “It’s really exciting to see Oviedo shine. It’s not just that we get an A this year, but look at all the history. You all ought to pat yourselves on the back. You did great. You really brought it home. For the moment, everyone needs to look at what we’ve done and be proud,” CoulonWoods said.

ariannar@thelionstale.com

tate Senator David Simmons, the Republican from Longwood, plans to file a bill redefining “core classes” which, if passed, could lead to some classes getting larger next year. According to Simmons, the only classes that should be capped are those classes required for graduation. Under the current class size amendment, classes such as foreign language, debate, journalism, and some AP classes are capped at 25 students. If Simmons’ proposed bill passes, those classes would no longer fall under the class size requirement. But many teachers currently teaching a core class have settled into their class size. “Legislatures need to consider that packing 30 kids into a classroom does a disservice to the student,” Spanish teacher Cindy Miericke said. Changing the core class guidelines means many subjects would revert to having their previous class sizes of 30 or more. Some teachers feel this would not help the progress already made because of the class size amendment. AP teacher Dr. Roy Starling said, “I believe any academic class held in a classroom should have no more than 25 students. It doesn’t matter what the subject matter is.” This year, Seminole County Public Schools hired over 144 teachers to meet the state requirements of the class size amendment and avoid large fines. The Oct. 15 report to the state found Seminole County schools 100 percent in compliance, and as such, no fines will be levied. However, Palm Beach County owes over 16 million dollars in fines for class size violations. Simmons wants to change the penalties levied against the schools as well.

zoel@thelionstale.com

(opinion sports ) |

THE LION’S TALE

DECEMBER 17, 2010

“ Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dar k to read.” - Groucho Marx

THE REALITY OF OUR WORD

RACISM

Let’s join together to guard against hurtful remarks

e’re lucky to attend a high school where administrators comments toward someone of a different race or nationality and teachers value student differences, where the and these comments can be viewed as offensive. Whether it’s writing something racist on the bathroom wall majority of students respect others and understand or making a comment in the hallways, people could be hurt. that racial infractions will lead to swift discipline action. We advise that if a student experiences a racist comment or When it comes to racism, our school and community has come a long way. In 1969, Oviedo High School opened on this feels bullied or witnesses a peer being bullied because of their ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender, the student site specifically to integrate the school system. The old high school resided on the grounds of Lawton should report the problem to a teacher, guidance counselor, or administrator. Elementary and was only open to white students. The administration has made it clear that the Seminole African-American students had to find their own transportation to Crooms High School in Sanford if they County School Board policies on hate crimes and bullying will be enforced. wanted to continue their education. If a student says something Because of Martin Luther negative about a peer, including a King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Gaining a positive understanding of racist or prejudice comment, the speech, Rosa Parks’ bus protest, different races and cultures in the teacher should take control of the Brown vs. Board of Education situation and report it. Supreme Court decision, and the world helps promote understanding African Americans aren’t passing of the federal civil rights among people. the only people who encounter laws, equality for all was finally racism. Hispanic people overhear enforced. According to Mintrel Martin, one of the first African- racial remarks directed toward them for speaking Spanish. American students to attend an integrated Oviedo High School, Muslim Americans are subject to anti-terrorist remarks ever since Sept. 11. the transition was difficult for some. Fortunately, students at Oviedo High have the privilege to He remembers teachers who displayed the Confederate flag take classes that study different cultures. This list of classes in their classrooms and he was once spit on in a dark hallway. “No black student would get above a C,” Martin said. “And includes world religions, AP Human Geography, world history, and humanities among others. no one expected black students to go to college.” Gaining a positive understanding of different races and Martin said that it was an unwritten rule that he could not cultures in the world, helps promote understanding among go into Sweetwater Park or into the Oviedo Drug Store. As the years passed, integration gained acceptance.Today people. Aside from all the other suggestions, the best one offered teachers no longer think in terms of limiting a student’s is to lead by example. When teachers are respectful and potential because of race, color or culture. As a society we no longer think in terms of separation. professional, they gain respect. This applies to students also. We must all guard against allowing thoughtless comments to Instead, we embrace a multicultural environment. A recent government report read on National Public Radio separate us. So if we all contribute to society as respectful and on December 14 showed that statistics support that we are less professional citizens, others should follow suit. segratated as a society than ever before. By following this philosophy, we have the potential to But problems still exist. Unfortunately, some students still direct jokes or even small lessen racial issues.

“

”

New censorship app eliminates profanities illustration/ WESLEY WYNNE

GOT AN OPINION? submit letters to Mrs. Jepson’s room 05-020 or via email to the writers of the stories www. facebook.com/thelionstale add us on Facebook where you can: -see photos not in the paper -post comments/discussions -see preview of the upcoming edition

CORRECTION In issue 2, page 6, there was an error on the amount of money raised by clubs for the turf. The correct information is the following: 1. Football ($49,558.25) 2. Band ($26,643.70) 3. NJROTC ($8,000.00) 4. Girls Lacrosse ($6,350.33) 5. Pop Warner ($5,160.00)

LION’STALE

OV I E D O H I G H SC H OO L • 601 KING S T R EET • OV IEDO, FL - DE C EM B ER 17, 2010 - VO L U M E 51• I SSUE 3

Editors-In-Chief

Features Editor

Advertising Editor

Carson Bailey Julia Thorncroft

Hallie Lavery

Amanda Ferguson

Diversion Editors

Copy Editor

Stephanie O’Sullivan

Angiee Carey Kaitlyn Loughlin

News Editor

Sports Editors

Jordan Branch

Lindsay Knox Janie Williams

Junior Editor

Opinion Editor

Nirvani Khan

Brandon Koller Jake Smith Staff Artists

Taylor Schwarz Wesley Wynne

Staff Reporters

Connor Bailey Leigha Bennett Daniel Condly Olivia Davila-Finch Andrea Dobo Jessica Flachner Carly Ford Hafsa Hussain

Zoe Lyon-Goldman Eric Mooney Arianna Ray Harry Traber Jessica Whitacre

Faculty Advisor

Deborah Jepson Admin Advisor

Anna McCarthy Oviedo High School

601 King Street Oviedo, FL 32765 Phone: 407-320-4050 Fax: 407-320-4213

Online

The Lion’s Tale is accesible through the OHS website. The Lion’s Tale reserves the right to refuse ads. The views of the staff do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, staff, or faculty of Oviedo High School.

DECEMBER 17, 2010

Family smoking history leaves impact on teacher, loved ones

inhaler each and every day plus I carry a rescue inhaler to use when needed. My son knows this so why did he start smoking, especially after my father died of a stroke directly related to smoking for 45 years? My mother was a different story. She started smoking during World War II at her job at the munitions plant in Centerville, Iowa. She drove a small tractor equipped to move large pallets of gun casings and went out for breaks DEB JEPSON ADVISOR with the other women who worked there. They offered her the occasional cigarette. I am celebrating this season. My thirty-year-old son quit smoking, one of the most difficult habits to break. Soon, she was hooked and when my father returned from He started smoking when he was 18, right out of high the war, also addicted due to the free cigarettes given to the school. As a member of the OHS swim team, he didn’t touch a soldiers, they smoked together: morning, noon and night. All my clothing in high school cigarette until he graduated. (Thank smelled of smoke. No dinner was you, Coach Rose.) CRUNCHING the NUMBERS completely finished without the I don’t know the exact date he started, but soon I noticed that requisite cigarette. She couldn’t Nonsmokers regularly exposed to his clothing smelled like smoke leave the house without the boost of secondhand smoke have double the risk a cigarette. and he had a few burn holes in the of heart disease. Therefore, about 50,000 Years passed. Thousands of upholstery of his car seat. When fatal heart attacks occur every year in I washed his clothes, sometimes dollars were spent on tobacco. In a forgotten lighter would end up her 60th year, her doctor found a nonsmokers. making banging noises in the dryer. blocked carotid artery. Time for SOURCE: http://www.getasthmahelp.org/tobacco.asp surgery. Off to University Hospital The kicker for me was the fact in Iowa City where they opened that I had always told him stories about how my mom and dad died at a young age because of her neck on both sides and scraped out the deposits put there smoking. How could he start? through years of smoking. My beautiful son Chris lit up a smoke more than 20 times a Once back home, she felt well enough to smoke again. By that time, my dad was two years away from dying. He smoked day. I just didn’t get it. When I was growing up I thought nothing about getting into now in the garage since he had told my mother that he had quit. a car in the winter with all the windows rolled up and breathing My father’s death at 62 was not that surprising, since by that time he had smoked over 300,000 cigarettes. an hour and a half of second-hand smoke while we traveled to Bonaparte, Iowa, to celebrate Thanksgiving with my aunt My mom’s heart, meanwhile, was growing large and flabby due to the work it had to do to get enough oxygen to her cells. or sitting in front of the TV watching Playhouse 90 while my parents smoked Pall Mall after Pall Mall. When smoke replaces oxygen in the lungs, the heart has to When I entered college, I started to suffer from my exposure pump more and more blood just to keep the cells alive. Her heart worked and worked and worked, until one day to this smoke. I found myself unable to breathe sometimes when it was very cold outside. Usually this would happen late it grew so dysfunctional that it quivered instead of beating and my mom died. The date was Feb. 14, 1987: Valentine’s Day. I at night as I was walking home from the library and I would go to bed attempting to sleep but my wheezing and gasping for air can’t celebrate it without thinking of her. kept me awake. So, you see why I’m celebrating this smokeless season. Thank you, son, for being strong enough to quit. Several years later, I would finally go to the doctor to discover that I had developed asthma. Today, I use a special

2 3 4

5 6

true/false

Smoking causes 90% of all lung cancer deaths in men and 80% of all lung cancer deaths in women.

true/false

Smoking causes cervical cancer and cancer in the uterus. One in every six deaths is a result from smoking cigarettes. Compared with nonsmokers, smoking is estimated to increase the risk of a stroke 6-8 times.

Smoking is associated with infertility and stillbirth.

true/false

Compared with nonsmokers, smoking increases the risk of men developing lung cancer by 20 times. Women who smoke have an increased risk for hip fracture than women who never smoked. An estimated 20% of all deaths from chronic obstructive lung disease are caused by smoking.

Answers: 1. T, 2. T, 3. F, 4. F, 5. T, 6. F, 7. T, 8. F

See how much YOU know about the effects of smoking

SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

THEDRUGTEST

deborahj@thelionstale.com

opinion

JESSICA FLACHNER

THE LION’S TALE

STAFF REPORTER

Prayers save life of young sibling

have realized the past couple of weeks that the students on our campus have been so caught up living in their ‘own little world’ that they have no concern or even the slightest idea of what is going on around them. The purpose of this column is to not only share the stories of some amazing students at Oviedo High School, but to open the eyes of ignorant and oblivious ones, who do not seem to understand that the world does not revolve around them, and that not every second of the day is about them and their drama filled lives. There are more important things happening. With that, I would very much enjoy telling you an incredible story about junior Krystal Rivera and her younger brother, Anthony, who is 10 years old. Anthony was born with a heart murmur and, according to the American Heart Association, is caused by defective heart valves. In some instances, the valve cannot open or close completely, causing blood to leak backward through the valve when it should be closed, causing the heart issue to occur. After a while, it seemed that Anthony’s heart murmur had healed, so checkups were not necessary except for about once a year. However, on a normal day as it seemed, a few weeks ago, Anthony caught a fever and was not feeling well. Krystal was sitting calmly in her room, keeping busy with AP homework, after teching for the talent show during Homecoming week, when her brother began breathing incorrectly. His family rushed him to the Emergency Room. He fell into a coma state, and after several tests, the doctors concluded that his heart murmur had reappeared and his body had shut down in order to stay alive. The coma lasted for about a week and the doctors gave him until that Friday at midnight to wake up, or they would have to prepare him for surgery the next morning. “[During this time] we were sort of in awe and shock,” Rivera said. “It was a still and very quiet time, which was odd because we’re such a vibrant, loud and comedic family.” Anthony did not wake up that night. At about eleven o’ clock that Saturday morning, the doctors came in and cleared the room to prepare him for surgery, but before so, Krystal asked the doctors for a moment alone. She sat by his bedside and prayed, harder than she ever had before.She told her baby brother that she loved him and kissed him on the forehead, not knowing whether or not she’d ever get the chance to say so again. The doctor knocked on the door to see if she was finished, and when she turned around, the monitor went off and Anthony woke up. “It was like a movie, except better, because I knew God had done a miracle,” Rivera says. After about two weeks of rest, Anthony was finally able to come home to his loving family on Nov. 11. “It made me a stronger person, and though it was rough, I know everything happens for a reason, and with that I have faith that when you believe, anything is possible,” Rivera said. These are the kinds of things that happen in life that are REAL. Things like this that make us realize that life is more than the “little bubble” we live in where everything revolves around us. The world is a bigger place than we tend to think. And when we finally recognize that, that’s when the ignorance and oblivion will fade.

jessicaf@thelionstale.com

THE LION’S TALE

| opinion | DECEMBER 17, 2010

It’s the most

CARSON BAILEY

CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Senior countsdown to college

n just 15 days, the New Year’s ball will drop in Times Square, welcoming the year 2011. A year I thought would never come. I’ve heard it from almost every adult, ‘high school flies by; enjoy every moment of it,’ but those words didn’t hit me until recently. Soon I will be leaving every friend I’ve made since the age of 10. Soon I will be leaving the house I’ve grown so much in. Soon I will be leaving the familiar roads of Red Bug Lake and Mitchell Hammock. Soon, my life will completely change. The reality of it all proves hard to take in. Change has been by my side for the past four years, helping me to realize who I am and what I love to do. Yet the changes coming shortly seem uncertain and scary at this point. Every day I log onto Facebook, I see statuses of friends who’ve received their acceptance letters to college, while my mind is still not made up. I know I want to attend a school with a graphic design degree, but where? What school? How will I decide? And then comes the panic mode, something that lingers in the near future for me. What if I don’t get accepted to college? Are my grades good enough? Will admission counselors like my portfolio? Life has reached its peak of crazy during senior year. Days get shorter and weekends are almost non existent. I question when I will find the time to submit those important money saving applications, commonly known as scholarships. On top of school work, newspaper, literary magazine, and my internship, the countdown to college began and truthfully, I’m not prepared. My focus for the past few months lay solely with the present, when it should have been split among present and future. The uncertain and scared feelings that sit at the pit of my stomach may soon become permanent if I don’t take time to plan my future. Therefore, I offer advice to all underclassmen who care about their future. I once sat in the freshman biology class of Mrs.Klemann and would neglect the nightly assignments of taking notes and writing vocab. Instead I would spend hours on the computer playing online video games. And as much fun as that was, those games didn’t help prepare me for college. You must prepare well in advance for the countdown to college. This is not as simple as moving from Indian Trails Middle School to Oviedo High School. The 12 years of your educational career will come to a close before you know it. Start thinking about colleges early and get yourself together. Make a schedule of daily events to help keep your life organized. And above all, enjoy your four years of high school. Because before you know it, high school will be a thing of your past.

carsonb@thelionstale.com

WONDERFUL time of the

YEAR

photo/CARSON BAILEY

JULIA THORNCROFT CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Columnist brings humor to holiday season

t’s now December, and you all know what that means. The holidays are back, and life couldn’t be any better. Christmas time is truly my favorite time of the year. Lights outline the gutters of every suburban home. Local radio stations play classic holiday songs. Overweight, Velcro shoe-sporting mothers line up at the nearest Target to buy their sons an Xbox 360. One of the best things about this time of year that surpasses all material obsession is the smell (1). Nothing is better than the scent of an evergreen tree in your living room. I do find it peculiar that we take a tree from outdoors and put it in our house at all (2). I know that it originated from Germany and has some Pagan connection, but I really don’t care (3). (1) Is that weird? I might just have a heightened sense of smell. Let’s go with that. (2) Maybe we should leave a sofa in the backyard as some sort of barter with Mother Nature. Or is that too extreme? (3) How typical of me to complain about my favorite thing of the holidays and play it off as if I don’t care. I’m a bigoted moron.

Despite the anticipation I have for this time of year, I do not associate religion with Christmas at all. I’m not celebrating Jesus’s birthday (4). I suppose I could go to church if I really wanted to, but I have a feeling that most people will follow my lead in watching A Christmas Story or How the Grinch Stole Christmas. (4) How am I supposed to celebrate his birthday anyways? Should I buy him a cake? Does he want an iTunes gift card? Most people don’t want iTunes cards because they just use LimeWire. What about a Target gift card? Everyone loves Target! I’m sure that most people feel that Christmas is about spending time with your loved ones and I feel exactly the same. For me, it’s about being with my family (5), shopping in the stores filled with Christmas songs (6), and watching all the television specials with my family and friends (7). (5) And presents. (6) More presents. (7) Did I mention presents? What can I say, I’m really superficial. Before I get any more hate mail, let me make this final statement about Christmas (and really, the significance of what I write every month): you don’t have to agree with me. If religion is important to you and you connect that with your holiday celebrations, then that is totally fine. Just because I hate the idea of spending my free time in a church doesn’t mean it’s a terrible place to be. The truth is, it doesn’t matter how you celebrate the holidays (8). The important thing is that you have a tradition of some sort, a

tradition that you love and look forward to every year. If that means you go bowling every Christmas with your family (9), then at least you have a unique tradition. (8) As long as what you’re doing is legal and safe, I suppose. Just don’t take that statement to extremities. (9) I have no idea why you would go bowling on Christmas, or even if the bowling lanes are open on that day. I can only imagine how unappetizing the cuisine at a bowling alley on Christmas day would be. “Do you want day-old curly fries with that?” But what truly is the best part of Christmas is mistletoe. Yes, mistletoe. It surpasses shopping, presents, scents, religion, and any other holiday-themed moment combined. I mean what could be more romantic than kissing your significant other under the mistletoe (10)? (10) I’m sure there are a myriad of things that are more romanitc than kissing someone under a branch in the freezing cold weather, so I suppose that question is useless. Some people even carry out the mistletoe tradition up until New Year’s Eve, another great celebration over winter break. My advice: don’t spend New Year’s Eve watching Ryan Seacrest as your entertainment. There’s better stuff on television than a spike-haired, frosted-tipped host interviewing Lady Gaga. Set off some fireworks, eat some s’mores, and enjoy your holidays (11). (11) That was a little more endearing than funny. For that, I apologize. I’ll try better next year.

juliat@thelionstale.com

$ DECEMBER 17, 2010

//// THE GREAT DEBATE:

PRO ARIANNA RAY

STAFF REPORTER

opinion

Should unemployment benefits be extended past 26 weeks?

f I could create a perfect world, little annoyances like, not having a job or money, wouldn’t exist. Everyone would do what they like, when they like, for whatever they like. Unfortunately, I don’t have supernatural powers, and we still have to deal with unemployment. The United States Department of Labor reports an unemployment rate of 9.8 percent, which affects over 15.1 million citizens across the country. These people aren’t just numbers. They’re living, breathing souls with real responsibilities to take care of themselves and those that are dependent upon them. No one wishes to have this burden forced upon them. Jobs provide money, which is needed to function in society. The only way many of these people can get by is through the Unemployment Insurance Program (UI). UI gives compensation for workers “who are unemployed through no fault of their own,” according to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation. The minimum weekly benefit amount rests at $32, with the maximum at $275. A claimant may receive regular benefits for as long as 26 weeks. Getting rid of UI would be detrimental to all of those who rely on it. Families would be forced to turn to their savings and eventually deplete it over time if a job cannot be found quickly enough. The sheer volume of expenses for daily life run high: insurance, mortgage, electric bills, water bills, and many other payments must be made each month. Many people rely on the extra funds UI offers to supplement the money they draw from their accounts. Simply doing away with the program would send people into debt and subsequently make our economy even worse than it already is. Why should we punish people for something which they have no control over? They do not choose to be unemployed, and would surely grab at any opportunity presented to them. I have never heard of a single person who would say, “No, don’t give me money. I’ve decided I don’t like it anymore.” We stand in the middle of recovery from a recession. This is not the time to be cutting money that directly benefits those citizens who are most affected by the current economic downturn. This type of thinking leads to families with no food on the table and no way to get it. In the worst situations, their homes are foreclosed because of their inability to pay the most fundamental of bills. Foreclosures lower the amount of new home construction and reduce jobs in the construction and real estate industry, sending our economy even further into its downward spiral. Reducing unemployment benefits does not influence people to find jobs. Many people assume the problem is that the unemployed lack the drive to find a job and simply live off the checks the government sends them. I could not disagree more. The scarcity of jobs coupled with the staggering unemployment rate all make it difficult to find employment. Blaming these people and saying that it is a lack of ambition reveals how little faith we have in our fellow citizens. They look. They try. They fail. They need all the help they can get.

ariannar@thelionstale.com

What do

YOU

think?

Unemployment: Should benefits be extended?

103 out of 150 students

said NO

Poll taken on 12/7/10

THE LION’S TALE

CON JORDAN BRANCH

NEWS EDITOR

hen the economy reached rock bottom, our government began rapidly dispensing unemployment across the nation. Today, according to the United States Department of Labor, 9.8 percent of Americans find themselves unemployed. According to Senator Tom Coburn, our government releases unemployment checks based on past pay for as long as 99 weeks depending on the state. The United States government allows citizens to collect unemployment for approximately two years while actively seeking job opportunities. The staggering figure of 9.8 percent continued to rise after Obama’s inauguration. To make up for not being able to halt the rising figure, Obama is pushing an extension of unemployment benefits. Currently, along with Obama, many Democrats plan to extend unemployment benefits even further. I firmly disagree with this costly idea. I believe in capitalism, because I believe in ambition. I believe that if the unemployed keep their ambition and maintain a steady effort to find work while submitting a plentiful amount of resumes something will come along. I would like to argue that for every unemployed individual at least one person finds their self in a miserable, dead-end job. They dread going to this job every morning, but still drum up enough pride for their work that they make an honest living every day. Hard times mean losing a comfortable lifestyle and settling for a job that falls below your qualification or level of expectations. Unemployment Insurance serves to financially assist the unemployed as they search for work and government intervention terminates as soon as possible. Currently, many Americans do not actively seek work but rely on the comfort of unemployment benefits. In a debt free economy, I would say they need the time off after being in the American work force. However, the United States national debt of $13 trillion cannot allow for this type of lazy money consumption. Whether or not participants begin receiving unemployment with the intentions of living off of it or settle into the comfort of a jobless lifestyle, the country simply cannot afford to fund it. Obama plans to put his best foot forward to extend unemployment benefits on the federal level, even longer than the current two years. Republicans argue that the federal deficit will not be able to support a $33 billion plan for unemployment extensions. I agree. In addition to the cost, I do not believe this insignificant extension of time will make any difference for an already hopeless and downtrodden member of the unemployed. If anything, I believe a decrease in the time frame to find new work will light a fire under some citizens who will see the end of unemployment benefits fast approaching and start a thorough search for work. Extending unemployment benefits will not benefit U.S. citizens. After two years, an extension will only allow them to live off of government funds for the duration of their payments. I do hope unemployment soon decreases and 9.8 percent of Americans once again find work.

jordanb@thelionstale.com

(features sports )

THE LION’S TALE

DECEMBER 17, 2010

Living the

veggie life

photos courtesy of/ROBERT ROSA

Pamela Condly, ‘13

Alex Perez, ‘12

Tiffany Jenau,’14

Vegetarians reject red meat for green lifestyle F by Hafsa Hussain

reshman Tiffany Jenau cracks open a copy of “Fast Food Nation,” unaware her lifestyle is about to change. 383 pages later, Jenau decides to become a vegetarian. “I saw ‘Fast Food Nation’ at the library and wanted to read it. I was disgusted. The way they treated the animals was horrible. It was an eyeopening experience,” Jenau said. “The people working at K.F.C. would whack chickens against the walls, if they weren’t dead, to kill them. I’m not a big animal rights activist, but I did feel bad for the animals. “Fast Food Nation”, written by Eric Schlosser and published in 2001, describes how fast food restaurants make their meat products and discusses how brutally they treat animals in the process of making their foods. “As soon as I was done reading the book, I stopped eating meat as of that moment. When I told my parents that I wanted to become a vegetarian, they thought that I was kidding. When my mom made meatloaf that night, I wouldn’t eat it, and they realized that I was serious. So, my mom hired a nutritionist to help me with making food choices,” Jenau said. Junior Allie Fernandez, a former vegetarian, shared a similar feeling when watching a video on slaughterhouses. “My brother was talking about a slaughterhouse video and I decided to watch it. It freaked me out. It was horrible,” Fernandez said. Fernandez says that the reason for her

becoming a vegetarian included the way they because he doesn’t like the taste of meat. “Since I was a little kid, the taste of meat has treated the animals. “They were showing scenes of how workers always bothered me. I’ve always thought it had a tortured animals. They would throw huge chunks weird texture to it,” Perez said. Perez doesn’t stand alone when it comes to of ice at pigs that were still alive. They had live cows on conveyor belts. It was just very scary,” the taste. “I’m a vegetarian because I never really ate Fernandez said. For sophomore Pamela Condly, the thought of that much meat when I was a kid. I never really liked the taste of it,” sophomore Megan Mullally consuming animals has always been unpleasant. said. “When I became Another common a vegetarian, it was Since I was a little kid the taste motive for becoming a more of a ‘I’ll try it,’ vegetarian is for health but it soon became a of meat has always bothered lifestyle. It made me me. I’ve always thought it had a benefits. “I feel like I’m healthy. feel like a cannibal weird texture to it. I eat what I’m supposed eating cute and cuddly Alex Perez, ‘12 to. I have a nutritionist; animals. I think of her name is Carol Mellen. them as friends, not She helps me with what I should and food,” Condly said. Condly, pleased with the outcome of her shouldn’t eat. She tells me how much protein I decision, encourages others to try this lifestyle should have that day and what proteins to eat, like black beans and nuts. She also advises me to change. “When I started, I felt a lot better about drink soy milk and cheese so I have a sufficient myself. I definitely encourage people to try it out. amount of vitamin C as well,” Jenau said. Although there are multiple benefits of not You’ll feel really good and healthy knowing that you’re eating more veggies and not animals. It’s eating meat, such as cleaner colons, lack of also very easy to do, you don’t have to make too proteins can result in serious illnesses. “The reason I’m no longer a vegetarian is many changes in your lifestyle,” Condly said. Though Fernandez and Condly both became because my doctor told me that my protein levels vegetarians because of animal rights, becoming were declining. I would get very sick from time a vegetarian doesn’t necessarily mean you’re to time. Gradually, I began eating meat to bring pro-PETA [People for the Ethical Treatment of my protein levels back up. I would still be a vegetarian if it weren’t for my protein levels,” Animals]. Junior Alex Perez became a vegetarian simply Fernandez said.

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Reshma Jirage, author of the article “Advantages and Disadvantages of Being Vegetarian,” states that disadvantages of being a vegetarian are the lack of proteins, vitamin B12, iron and zinc, which are mostly found in meat products. As long as you consume proper supplements for proteins, such as beans, and nuts and consult a doctor about your diet, the lack of meat shouldn’t affect your health. Jenau is grateful for the support given by her family and friends, which makes this lifestyle change easier for her to carry on with. “I’m the only vegetarian in my family. They are all really supportive of my decision. They try to make meals that I can eat, too. We also go to restaurants that have vegetarian dishes. My friends and their families have been supportive as well. Whenever I go over to their house and stay for dinner, they try to make something that I can eat, too. They make things easier for me,” Jenau said. Condly shares similar feelings about her experiences. “My family has been supportive. Our grocery list hasn’t really changed. We get all of the same things as before, except now we get more vegetarian foods. I’ve also met a lot of vegetarians at grocery stores, which has been pretty cool. Overall, I think it’s been a good experience,” Condly said.

hafsah @thelionstale.com

DECEMBER 17, 2010

features

THE LION’S TALE

Teens follow family legacy by learning how to fly planes by Andrea Dobo

s the plane taxies off the runway, and lifts up into the air, junior Michael Moorhead looks below to see miles of passing cars and the tops of buildings, all from the cockpit of a Cessna 172. “I try to fly as much as possible. I was always interested in planes before I found out it was a family legacy,” Moorhead said. At the age of 11, Moorhead flew his first plane, following the footsteps of his greatgrandmother, his grandfathers on both sides of the family tree, and his father. “I found out [about the family legacy] at age eight or nine. I would always play with matchbox planes instead of cars. The legacy just made me want to fly more,” Moorhead said. Moorhead’s great-grandmother, ‘Suga’, started flying with her son in Charleston, South Carolina. As Moorhead’s great-grandmother was driving her son to flying lessons, she decided to give them a try, too. Soon enough, they were taking flying lessons at the same time. “Suga was taking lessons, but she quit when she had to put the plane in a downward spin and then recover, without crashing,” Moorhead said. Moorhead flew his first plane in 2005 out of the Orlando Sanford International Airport. With the seat cranked up as high as it could go, Moorhead’s 30-minute Falcon Aviation flight began. “I remember not being able to see over the dashboard. I flew a Cessna 172, with a tail number 20996, and my instructor was Patrick Denton,” Moorhead said. Although they’re two different machines, a pilot’s license and driver’s license are similar in prerequisites. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows anyone at least the age of 16 to fly solo with a student pilot certificate. At age 17, one will be able to receive a pilot’s license. “Before getting your license you need to have a Class 1 Medical certificate. It’s like a

photo/DANIEL CONDLY

TIME FOR TAKEOFF. Junior Michael Moorhead checks the instruments of the plane, getting ready to take off.

physical, with peripherals, hearing and sight,” tango for T, and alpha for A,” Moorhead said. The ‘aviation lingo’ is used for anyone Moorhead said. For the eyesight requirements, a pilot must involved with aviation, the pilots and the air have a 20/20 vision or better without corrective traffic controllers. The full words make it lenses. Also, being able to tell color differences easier to understand letters that sound the same, like B, V, P and T. is neecessary, I was always interested in planes. I As often as he can, along with Moorhead flies out of checkups of would always play with matchbox distant vision the Orlando Executive planes instead of cars and near and Airport off the 408 going Michael Moorhead, ‘12 into downtown Orlando. far seeing. “If I have enough Along with the hearing and eye tests, a pilot must know money, I go whenever I can. It opens up a English, which is the national language of lot of travel options. Flying doesn’t hold as aviation. many restrictions, and it cuts off the worrying “Instead of letters you use full words, like of getting to the airport two hours early,”

“

”

Moorhead said. For senior Kodee Mann, owning a plane has already opened up travel opportunities. “We fly once every month. We’ve flown to North Carolina and Miami, and gone to the Keys,” Mann said. Mann’s father bought a plane three years ago, and has flown it as a hobby. Mann became interested in planes and took a training Discovery flight of her own. “I was nervous flying. Instead of all the computers like my dad’s plane, all there was were instruments,” Mann said A Discovery Flight is a lesson where a student can fly a plane with a FAA professional in the passenger seat. After completing a Discovery, you are able to start the process of receiving a pilot’s license. “I want to get my license, maybe after college. It’s hard to balance cheerleading and getting my license,” Mann said. Although there are benefits to flying, detrimental weather conditions interfere. “One of the scariest moments in a plane was probably as a passenger,” Moorhead said. “I flew in the same airport that the 1970 Marshall football team did when they crashed. As we turned the final run, the engines cut off, and then they went up again like we’re going back up,” Moorhead said. Moorhead was flying into Huntington TriState airport that is located in Kenova, West Virginia. Due to fog all around the runway, lights were barely visible. The runway markers passed by, marking down from 7,000 to 1,000, and towards the end of the runway. “I saw the markings pass by me, and then we stopped hard,” Moorhead said. Despite a near-death experience, Moorhead still enjoys flying. “I’ve thought of making it a career, but it’s going to be more of a pastime,” Moorhead said.

andread@thelionstale.com

Want to Fly?

Air Orlando Aviation, located at the Orlando Executive Airport for 25 years, offers classes to help anyone over the age of 17 acquire a pilot’s license. A staff of professional pilots work one-on-one to make sure you understand the basics of flying. A web-based schedule is used to guarantee an efficient use of time and to help keep lessons in balance with your schedule. According to the FAA, 40 hours of flight are needed to receive a pilot’s license. An average of six to eight lessons a week at Air Orlando for four to five months generally completes the required hours. Info from: http://www.flyairorlando.com/ For more information, call (407) 896-0721 or fill out the Fixed Wing Lessons Form at http://www.flyairorlando.com/form_airplane.php

photo/DANIEL CONDLY

CHECK THE PLANE. Moorhead inspects the outside of the Cessna 172 before getting in, guaranteeing safety while flying.

adopted his pets

THE LION’S TALE

| features | DECEMBER 17, 2010

more Sopho feifle P m Ada ‘The s n w o as who w Stig’, th blind bo born f. ea and d photo/COURTESY OF ADAM PFEIFLE

Absolutely

Adoptable

photo illustration/ CAREY, O’SULLIVAN

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Local pets find homes with new families by Angiee Carey

n 2008, about 4,387 pets were put up for adoption in Semnole County. However, only 2,047 were adopted. Junior Lindsey Tuppeny has first hand experience with rescued animals. “I would definitely encourage other people to rescue an animal,” Tuppeny said. “I work in a pet rescue and I have seen the horrible conditions. I think certain dogs need and want to be adopted.” Pet Rescue By Judy is a non-profit organization committed to the rescuing of animals in need. The organization began when Judy adopted and fell in love with a n old English Sheepdog that caught her eye. Eight more years down the road, Judy’s involvement in animal rescue grew into a passion and eventually an organization. “I used to be a director at a hotel,” Judy said. “From there I just made a lot of connections in the community and built up my business in 1992. I just love animals.” In most cases, these abandoned, helpless animals get adopted and go to good-hearted families. But does anyone ever wonder “what happens to the ones that don’t get

adopted?” “People are generally very kind. You do have jerks out there, of course, but we don’t find those type of people too often,” Karen DeLaPuente said. Karen DeLaPuente has worked at Judy’s pet rescue for quite a few years and has experience with the whole process. “We take in an average of about 2500 pets per year,” says DeLaPuente. “And as you may know, not every animal gets adopted. But we are a no kill shelter, so just about every animal lives. Unless it is suffering or sick, then there must be an exception.” Pet Rescue By Judy is also quite strict on the conditions that they allow animals to come and go with. “It’s very hard to take in a animal that isn’t current on its shots, because it can get the rest of the animals sick, too,” DeLaPuente said. “Florida has the highest rate of heartworm in dogs. Heartworm can kill any animal, and at times the cure is worse than the disease. It’s just too risky.” At Pet Rescue By Judy, the price of upkeep varies, depending on how many

animals are in the shelter. It takes about $9.75 to keep an animal in a shelter every day. “The economy has definitely affected the adoption rate here,” DeLaPuente said. “Even the donations are down. It’s really sad.” Judy’s pet rescue comes to the Oviedo Marketplace Mall every weekend for adoptions. They also work closely with students at the University of Central Florida. “We have a program at UCF where we bring puppies that the students can ‘rent’ for a couple of hours. For five dollars, they walk all around the campus,” Judy said. Both Tuppeny and freshman Ana Nogueira have saved animals in the past few of years. “I saved two German Sheperds. One just died recently, One was named Chico and the other Lucky,” Nogueria said. “We rescued Lucky from off our street. He would run away at times because he wasn’t used to having a family. But I think it was well worth the year that we had with him. I know he was able to live longer because

of us.” Nogueria and her family all did whatever they could to keep Lucky as healthy as possible. “Lucky would chase his tail a lot and lost weight because of it” Nogueria said. “I think Lucky was bound to die because of his stomach and liver problems. But I do believe that us taking him in, made it better for him.” Senior Christine Schuler not only has eight pets, but she also has rescued two of them. “Out of all the animals we have, we rescued two of our animals,” Schuler said. “ Coco had heartworms and was sick. Both of them just had nowhere else to go and we felt sorry for them.” Schuler encourages others around her to adopt and rescue animals just like she did. “I built such a great relationship with my dogs,” Schuler said “We had our lab mix, Sugar, for about 13 years. We also had our whimire mix, Coco, for 10 years. I will never forget those years.”

angieec@thelionstale.com

DECEMBER 17, 2010

features

THE LION’S TALE

Chorus member aims for opera career by Jessica Flachner

er voice echoes through the hallway of building one as she allows the song to flow from her lips, making it seem so easy and carefree to hit the highest notes, to fill the hall with such elegant noise and sound. Freshman opera singer Kendal Young has been singing her whole life. “[I’ve been singing] Since I was able to sit on my grandpa’s lap while he played guitar,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine my life without music.” Young became interested in opera music four years ago and then began taking private lessons once a week, doing all she can to improve. “They built my confidence.” Young said. “They gave me confidence in knowing that I can [sing opera].” After a while, opera became more than a hobby to Young. “The actual music of opera is so relaxing,” she said. She’s also been singing in the youth band at her church for a few months, University Carillon United Methodist Church, and sings in the second level school choir, Bravo “I sing so much,” she said. “I’ll sing Queen of the Night from the Magic Flute Musical while doing the dishes. I sing really whatever song is on my mind. I love The Magic Flute [Musical] because it’s incredibly hard to sing and I hope one day I can actually get it right,” Young said. “I love to challenge myself to a certain goal, and then see if I can make it.” In addition, Young’s family consistently

shows their support for her talent. “When I have a show, the whole family comes,” Young said. “My brothers, sisters, parents. They all come out to see me perform.” Her family cannot get enough of her performances. “When my dad is stressed out from work, he’ll ask me to come and sing to him in his office at home,” Young said. “He says my singing calms him down.” Young certainly sees herself attending college for music and making it a long-term career. “My dream school [to attend for college] is the Royal Irish Academy of Music,” she said. “It’s one of the top six music schools in the world.” According to the school’s website, The Royal Irish Academy of Music is “a home of musical excellence and dynamism, a place of teaching and learning which consistently achieves its objectives of transmitting and maintaining the highest standards of performance and appreciation in all musical disciplines.” “The school is hundreds of years old and is very focused on musicianship which is very important to me,” Young said. Young works very hard to achieve the experience needed to attend The Royal Irish Academy of Music. “I practice really hard and really work on my musicianship everyday,” Young said. “Plus, singing in front of people always helps to get over that fear.” While her life revolves around performing, there was a time when she wasn’t so confident. When she was younger, around seven

photo illustration/DOBO, LAVERY

BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO. Freshman chorus member Kendal Young started taking opera lessons four years ago. With support from her friends and family, she hopes for a career in singing.

or eight years old, Young had stage fright. “I had one solo in a show once, and when it came my turn to sing, I just froze,” she said. “When I finally got the words out, I accidently sang my friend’s part.” After that, she did not sing for years, but her parents convinced her to begin again. “My mom heard my singing in the shower

and encouraged me to try again,” Young said. Since then, Young’s life consists of opera and her struggle to improve. Except the occasional heavy metal breakdown. “I have two genres on my iPod,” Young said, “heavy metal and opera.”

jessicaf@thelionstale.com

Depression gives opportunity to learn from peers by Hallie Lavery

epression is a serious biological disease with no single cause. According to KnowMyDepression.com it is an interaction between genetic, biochemical, environmental, and psychosocial factors. “It’s more than just physical and emotional. It affects the people around you and leaves permanent marks,” said *junior James Smith. But what causes depression? According to mentalhealth.com, major depression usually runs in families. Otherwise, people who have low self-esteem are pessimistic, have constant stress, or a traumatic series of events are prone to depression. “For me it all began when I was expelled from school in ninth grade for bringing a knife. I’ve been bullied and verbally abused by other students since I was a kid, and I was sick of it. The knife was more for protection than hurting someone. When I was kicked out of school I transferred to Excel. [an alternative school for students that are expelled from public school] I made it through that year and promised I was never going through that hell again. After that I spiraled into depression,” Smith said. Depression isn’t always triggered by a traumatic event. Sometimes it is an underlying problem that goes unnoticed. “Whenever you’re alone and on facebook you see other people having fun, and hanging out with a lot of people. It doesn’t always make you feel the best,” junior Kyle Anderson said. Depression symptoms range from constant sadness to difficulty concentrating. “At first I started cutting with a razor. I also had thoughts of suicide and even tried to suffocate myself. I used to think I should just end it,” Smith said. Anderson had less physically harmful symptoms. “It [depression] makes you look at people differently. You

also question yourself a lot and wonder what people think. I’m not taking any medicine now because the side affects are bad for school,” Anderson said. Prominent depression medication include: Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox, Paxil, Lexapro, and Celexa. According to helpguide.org these medications are in the class of medication known as selective serotonin reputake inhibitors and are prescribed for people with depression. “I have a stimulant patch, antidepressants, and a mood stabilizer, for mood swings. The stimulant patch makes you think more rationally, but the side affects include itching and loss of appetite. I also see a therapist and a psychologist,” Smith said. Psychological therapy is a common and helpful route for diagnosing and treating depression according to psychologyinfo. com. “I see a psychologist once a month and a therapist on a more regular basis. Therapy is basically one on one counseling, but sometimes we have group therapy where I can interact with others,” Smith said. Anderson has a similar method of treatment. “I see a psychologist every two to three weeks. Sometimes it

helps. It depends on how the week went as a whole, and the people involved in my life,” Anderson said. Therapy isn’t the only coping method. Friends and family help too. “Friends are definitely a plus when going through depression. They are like a support group for me. They’ve backed me up 110 percent. My parents are always there for me, too. Even though we fight we always put it behind us and keep moving forward,” Smith said. For Smith, finding his niche helps get him through the hard times. “Church is a great thing for me. I was raised Christian and years back my family joined Northland Nondenominational Church. I have a support group there who can help and pray for me. I also work in the back booth at Hagerty doing the lighting. It’s great knowing I’m a part of something,” Smith said.

* names withheld

halliel@thelionstale.com

Do Social Networks affect popularity?

Social networking and the Internet can lead to social isolation and loneliness, resulting in depression. Even though online communities are made to stay connected the more time spent on them, the less time spent actually socializing in the real world. SOURCE: www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~stellal/Cons.html

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M S I C A R LINE? 16

THE LION’S TALE

| features | DECEMBER 17, 2010

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DECEMBER 17, 2010

features

THE LION’S TALE

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Human rights activist advises students to be leaders by Nirvani Khan

enior Bryan Fernandez* keeps a protective wall around himself, remembering the racial slurs that students at his old school once spat out at him. He says that he can never quite let his guard down after the past experiences he went through. “I have been called a towel-head, a sand monkey and a sp**. It never really caused much pain. I felt pity for them. Little did they know that I am a natural-born American citizen and just as American as they are, despite my origins,” Fernandez, who is Muslim and Hispanic, said. “Racism is the biggest threat to our society, an issue we need to come together to resolve.” Dr. Richard Lapchick, human rights activist, pioneer for racial equality, author and professor at UCF, believes that racism personally affects students on a regular basis. “I think that if you are a victim of racism, then the answer is obvious. You would be wondering, ‘What’s going to happen next?’ Will you be able to pursue your dreams? If you are the racist, then you will be carrying a heavy weight around in your heart,” Lapchick said. “Take the time to work on where your biases came from and seek information, get counsel, and broaden your relationships.” One aspect of racism is the inability of students to accept different languages. “During my freshman year, in one of my classes, whenever a group of Spanish kids would talk, some of the other students would make fun of them and tell them that this was America, so they had to speak English,” junior Adrianna Rivera said.“This instance really bothered me to watch because these Spanish kids couldn’t speak English. They didn’t know how to. They couldn’t even defend themselves.” ESOL teacher Magali Rodriguez-Ayala shares her thoughts of racism and prejudice. “It’s quite difficult because students often become resistant when I tell them what my name is. They think I can’t speak English and that I’m not prepared to teach the course. I’ve heard ‘What does she know? She’s not American.’ But I am an American-born with Puerto Rican parents. You can’t dwell on those things, they’ll poison you. This is my country, but I also have an affiliation for my parents’ country. I believe in being multicultural. Contact with other cultures is important. It teaches you that everyone is the same. I grade papers from the bottom up, so I don’t look at their

[the students’] names first. I’m a just person. The students get what to counteract it, I would tell him or her that he should say something, they deserve,” Rodriguez-Ayala said. maybe privately, to the person that made the comment,” Lapchick Although federal law helps to alleviate the pressures of racism, said. “If it is an actual racist act, I would go to authorities in the it still exists. school and report it and try to get some sort of action growing Freshman Naomi Johnson* said, “I was hanging out with some in the high school among the students to build coalitions against friends and this one kid randomly said ‘I’m sorry, Naomi, but I racism and sexism.” don’t date non-white people.’ I was astonished because it came out Different students have different solutions as to handling racist of nowhere. Nobody was even talking at that point in time.” jokes or racist remarks aimed towards them. Not all students have experienced racism in high school. “I look towards my spirituality and my art to help me overcome “I’ve never had anyone direct a racist the issue of racism. As I realized that their I look towards my spirtuality comment or attitude towards me at this harsh words were baseless, I saw how school,” sophomore Kimberly Thevenin truly weak they were. I use my art, my and my art to help overcome said. personality, and my faith to show how the issue of racism. But not all students have been so truly equal we are, how the idea ‘I am you Bryan Fernandez*, ‘11 fortunate. and you are me’ is so true when it comes Junior Sable Lee heard derogatory to these issues,” Fernandez said. remarks firsthand. To help Rivera overcome the problem of racism, she just “I was walking to my locker and a group of white people were remembers to stay true to herself. blocking the sidewalk. Politely, I said ‘Excuse me.’ They responded “I used to hate speaking Spanish in school. Now, I have by saying ‘N****** aren’t allowed here’ and would not move out matured. I know I am who I am. I can’t change who I am, so I of the way,” Lee said. might as well embrace it,” Rivera said. Racist remarks affect students, but some students are more Students are welcome to speak to a guidance counselor if they affected than others. are having issues with racism. “When another student is racist towards me, it upsets me, “I would talk to the students involved and I would see if we mostly because of the fact that people like Martin Luther King Jr. could have a discussion to build understanding of one another. If fought so hard to make African-Americans equal with everyone someone ignores what the guidance department is trying to do, I else, but some people can’t change their beliefs. It’s [racism is] would have to hand the issue over to the discipline department,” pretty ridiculous because whether they [racists] like it or not, we guidance counselor Marilyn Gunther said. are equal and that will never change,” junior Terrence Thevenin Senior Paola Castrillon advises her peers to try to shrug off the said. hurtful racial slurs. “Just try to shrug it off, keep your head held high, and show that Solutions racism doesn’t affect you. Once people see that you are unaffected, Experts agree that tolerance and cooperation can be taught. they’ll stop. Be proud of where you come from,” Castrillon said. “In 1992 and 1993, we started what became the largest program Lapchick says that racists can be taught how to change their in the country fighting racism and teaching conflict resolution skills. It was called ‘Project Teamwork’ and it was eventually ways. “If some of our youth have learned how to hate, you can teach called ‘America’s Most Successful Violence Protection Program,’ them how to love again. If they are waging war on one another, you Lapchick said. Lapchick believes students should be leaders when it comes to can give them the tools to make peace,” Lapchick said. dealing with racism.

“

“If a student hears a racist comment and it is a safe environment

”

*names withheld

nirvanik@thelionstale.com

THE LION’S TALE

| features | DECEMBER 17, 2010

Senior

Homecoming Court

John Boston and Kristina Bordulis

Ryan Baker and Lauren Leto

Scott Harvey and Amanda Lopez

Josh Bibiloni and Paris Kinsey

Zane Beard and Sadie Yanckello

Sean Moskal and Jordan Pugsley

Tim Walker and Chelsea Wildey

Kristina Bordulis serves as a positive role model by Wesley Wynne

omecoming queen Kristina Bordulis’ life is a frenetic mix of family, church, school activities, and friends. “I like planning events and it’s part of my personality to be very busy,” Bordulis said. “I am a people person and I like having a diverse group of friends. The more the merrier.” Bordulis’ friends were not surprised when she was crowned queen at halftime during the football game on Nov. 5. “She gets along with a lot of people,” said Kari Boggs, senior. “I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like her.” Boggs and Bordulis work together on the Oviedian Yearbook staff. Bordulis’ family helps her pursue many endeavors. “My parents make time for all my events and support me. They’re not strict, so it makes me become independent,” Bordulis said. Bordulis’ parents also have a big influence on her. “They are my biggest role models and they influence me in such a positive way by their decisions, optimistic attitude, and the way they handle situations,” Bordulis said. Furthermore, Bordulis’ parents inspired her by adopting two siblings from South Korea and Russia. “Later in life, I plan to adopt because it means a lot to me and I can’t imagine my life without my siblings,” Bordulis said. Bordulis says her many activities allow her to gain a lot of unique experiences and meet a lot of new people. She also plans on being involved in

events in the future. “This summer I’m planning and hoping to work in the special needs orphanages in China for two weeks,” Bordulis said. “When I went to Guatemala in middle school, I worked in orphanages and it was a life changing experience which made me want to have the same opportunity.” In addition to her homecoming title, Bordulis’ many activities include SGA, National Honors Society, the Principal’s Association Committee, Student Accreditation Committee, Science Honor Society, Epsilon Nu Gamma, and the Oviedian Yearbook. Other activities include Younglife, helping out at her church, dancing, and watching a group of children every Wednesday. Students with lots of extracurricular activities can find life stressful, but Bordulis manages to balance school with all of her activities. “I usually write everything down so I don’t forget to do anything,” said Bordulis. “It helps me be more organized. I like being involved, so being on top of my schedule is key.” Bordulis also is thinking about her future career. “I’m not sure yet, but maybe something in the medical field or public communications,” Bordulis said. But for now, Bordulis would like to try some new things, too, including skydiving and traveling around the world. “I’m going to try tennis and maybe track since I’ve already played lacrosse and danced,” Bordulis said.

wesleyw@thelionstale.com

all photos/AUSTIN TYSZKOWSKI

DECEMBER 17, 2010

features

Survivor

Q: What was Thomas Edison’s fear? A: Thomas Edison, inventor of the lightbulb, was afraid of the dark.

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

Award-winning poet Optimist

THE LION’S TALE

Thomas Edison afraid of the dark

Juan Cruz c

Q: Where are most newspapers of the world published? A: Almost half of the world’s newspapers are published in the United States and Canada.

Q: Where is it illegal to drink beer from a bucket? A: While in St. Louis, it is illegal to drink beer from a bucket while sitting on a curb.

Q: How many bricks are in the Empire State Building? A: Over 10 million bricks are in the Empire State Building!

photo/CARSON BAILEY

Cruel past fuels creative writer in poetry by Leigha Bennett

f Juan Cruz could be defined, it’d go something along these lines. Open ears and an open heart. Always optimistic. Never sad. He loves a good party. To categorize him by color, he’s a glowing happy yellow. Although he smiles every second he can, a dark and cruel past follows him. His parents’ addiction to drugs pushed him so far down, there was really nowhere to go but up. From the powder white winters spent in Pennsylvania to the long, hot Florida summers when he visited his aunt to escape the cold, to the moment he saw his life completely shatter right before his hazel eyes. From the months he watched his parents use toxins that most parents fear to even talk

about, to the days he stared in the mirror at the blotches given to him by his father. From the hours he spent cleaning the crisp dried blood off his broken, swollen nose while his father wiped the blood off his torn knuckles to the times he watched his stepfather mercilessly beat his mother, leaving her bloody and bruised. From when his father ran from the police, leaving to return to Puerto Rico. From the time he taught himself to put others’ needs in front of his own to the years he pushed himself through school to provide a better life for his sisters and brothers. To the final moment when he got the courage to get up and walk away from it all. Leaving a home full of abuse and drugs, leaving his parents, and leaving his entire childhood behind to live in Oviedo with his aunt so he can try to make a better life for him

and his family. Today, Cruz uses his past as inspiration for his poetry. He has recently won first place in the Oviedo High School PTSA Reflections poetry contest. Now, his poem will be sent on to future competition and will be judged on a county level. Juan hopes to keep writing, using Robert Frost’s style to influence his own. Juan Cruz, more than just the fun laughs he likes to share or the bright smiles he puts on his friends’ faces. He is a true survivor.

leighab@thelionstale.com

Editor’s Note One by One features a selected student, whose story is told in only 300 words. If you want to nominate someone for a feature, please email us, or stop by room 5-020.

Freshman Franny: by Taylor Schwartz

COMIC

Q: How many grooves does a quarter have? A: A quarter has 119 grooves on it’s edge.

Q: How many dreams does the average person have? A: The average person has about 1,460 dreams a year. Q: How fast does glass break? A: While glass breaks, the cracks move faster than 3,000 miles per hour.

*If you have questions that you would like The Lion’s Tale to answer please submit them to: dyk@thelionstale.com courtesy/www.strangefacts.com

(diversions sport s )

THE LION’S TALE

DECEMBER 17, 2010

Festive events bring

HOLIDAY SPIRIT by Stephanie O’Sullivan

Macy’s Holiday Parade

iss the Macy’s Day Parade in New York City on Thanksgiving? If so, be sure to visit Universal Studios for the Macy’s Holiday Parade featuring real floats and balloons from the parade in New York. The parade begins near Beetlejuice at dusk, and live marching bands and performers travel alongside the balloons. Then, head over to the new Holiday Village to sing along with live a cappella versions of popular holiday tunes and examine the works of local painters. On Dec. 11 and Dec. 18, Mannheim Steamroller will perform live on the Music Plaza stage.

Grinchmas

tart the day off by enjoying a buffet style breakfast with the Grinch and his friends at the Confisco Grille at Islands of Adventure. The character breakfast is offered on select dates for an additional $19.95 per person. Then head over to see “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss come to life in the live musical show “Grinchmas” on Soundstage 20, including six live songs performed by Who’s from Whoville and the Grinch himself. After the musical is over, walk around the Wonky Tree Lot to enjoy the holiday lights and decorations on the Who-trees, and even get a chance to take a picture with the Grinch. photo/STEPHANIE O’SULLIVAN

A COOL EXPERIENCE. 40 artists carved the Nativity scene at Gaylord Palms ICE that guests visit after walking through the scenes from “Twas the NIght Before Christmas”.

Gaylord Palms ICE Light Up UCF tep into the tent constantly set at a frigid 9 degrees Fahrenheit to walk around and experience the story of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” illustrated through ice carvings. The two million pounds of ice carvings span 18,000 square feet at the Gaylord Palms Resort. Aided by excerpts from the poem on the walls (also carved into ice), see the poem come alive through the colorful ice sculptures that depict everything from candy canes to children sleeping in beds. Take a break and slide down the dual 30-foot slides while walking through the sculptures. After the poem portion of the exhibit is finished, make time to look at the crystal-clear ice carvings of the Nativity scene before exiting the ice wonderland and shopping in the Christmas shop. To visit the ice wonderland from Monday until Thursday, the price is $21.99, and from Friday to Sunday, the price is $25.99. **Complimentary parka’s are provided by the resort to wear during the duration of the ICE experience.

ooking for a local attraction that is fun to do in the winter time? Try Light Up UCF for activities such as ice skating, movies, and decorating cookies. Holiday movies are shown on select nights at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. for free on a two-story tall movie screen outside the area on the lawn. Chairs are provided for guests, and guests are advised to bring along a blanket to snuggle under the stars in the cold temperatures. Other attractions include a Ferris wheel, a carousel, and the Holiday Santa Train. Ice skate to the tune of the Top 40 Hits on Orlando’s largest outdoor skating rink. While skating, take a break and slide down the Arctic Glide Ice Slide (for an additional $6.50). While at the event, walk around Santa’s Village to decorate a cookie at Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, or listen to the music performed by local bands on the Community Performance Stage.

stepho@thelionstale.com

Calling all volunteers Marine Toys for Tots Foundation

Help needy children from all around the United States by donating new, unwrapped toys to local campaign coordinators and make a child’s Christmas wish come true, while giving them a true miracle: hope. For more information, visit http://www.toysfortots.org/default.asp.

Helping Hands at Community Food and Outreach Center Can’t afford to buy charity gifts this season? This organization works with volunteers willing to put in manual labor as service to their communities. Work includes stocking and sorting food and clothes, or assisting with computers and special events. To find out about the next opportunity near you, go to http://www.communityfoodoutreach.org.

DECEMBER 17, 2010

diversions

THE LION’S TALE

photo/COURTESY OF ALICIA POPE

READY, SET, ACTION. Senior Tori Boutin (left) and junior Matt Plotts (right) perform in the OHS production of “Almost, Maine”. The backdrop of the last scene simulated a clear, starry night sky.

Senior treasures time with Young Company by Taylor Schwarz

enior Tori Boutin growled angrily as she portrayed Caliban in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” during the summer 2010 season of The Orlando Shakespeare Theater’s The Young Company (TYC); “You taught me language, and my profit on’t is I know how to curse. The red plague rid you, for learning me your language.” TYC allows students ranging from upcoming freshman through graduating seniors to take part in a four-week program during the summer, in which they receive training from professional Shakespeare Theater actors and perform in a production written by William Shakespeare. Taking part in the program helps tremendously with acting technique, and teaches students a lot. “I’ve done two TYC summer stock productions at the Shakespeare theater,” Boutin said. “It’s absolutely revolutionized my acting technique and opened me up to how many interpretations can be used for just one word.” Founded in 1991 by the educational branch of the Orlando Shakespeare Theater in partnership with UCF, TYC is seen by the professional instructors that facilitate it as more than an acting opportunity, also a means by which students express themselves in a positive manner. TYC welcomes everyone to get involved, even those without experience with their company before. Boutin got involved by becoming an usher at first, showing people to their seats and watching the show for free. Students partaking in TYC find joy in forming new friendships with other students that share similar interests, leading to lifelong bonds formed by Shakespearian Theater. Boutin takes pride in the fact that her dearest friends have all come from

“Shakespeare camp”. Anne Herring, the Orlando Shakespeare director of education, has annually instructed TYC students for six years, and continues to find the program rewarding. Being in the program also has benefits, such as making new friends and giving all participants a chance to be part of the production, and have their thoughts and opinions included, participants say. “I love the way the cast starts out strangers and ends up friends for life,” Herring said. “Also, I love how collaborative it is and enjoy considering everyone’s ideas.” Herring feels that, along with providing students with a creative outlet and lasting friendships, TYC instills skills and habits in students that follow them for the rest of their lives, on and off stage. For Boutin, being in the Shakespeare Theatre is hooking. “After being in my first play… It’s just a major addiction,” Boutin said. “I think it aids in self confidence,” Herring said. “It also gives them skills that they will utilize whether or not they pursue an acting career: being articulate, breath control, an ability to self critique, a willingness to listen to and consider others’ opinions and needs. In short, the ability to be a productive member of the team.” Boutin first developed a love for Shakespearian Theater upon first working with TYC, and this passion will carry on through her post-high school education. “Working with the Shakespeare Theater enlightened me on all theatrical prospects,” Boutin said. “I want to specialize in Shakespeare and classical theater while studying in Washington D.C.”

taylors@thelionstale.com

SHAKESPEARE where you would least expect him S

hakespeare’s work doesn’t just show up on stages; it shows up in modern cinema too. Below are some modern movie adaptations of Shakespearean plays that you might have heard of.

The Lion King

“The Lion King” is based off of Hamlet. Hamlet is portrayed as Simba, the son of Mufasa (King Hamlet) who was killed by his brother, Scar (Claudius). Simba, in the end, rids the lion kingdom of Scar and becomes king (In The Play, Hamlet killed his uncle).

Interested in performing? Auditions for The Young Company will begin in spring 2011. TYC rehearsals take place over three weeks during the summer. Call Anne Herring for an audition appointment and more information. 407-447-1700 ext. 208

West Side Story

“West Side Story” is based on Romeo and Juliet. Both plots begin with a fight between rivals (West Side Story with a fight between rival gangs, and Romeo and Juliet with a fight between the rival families’ servants). Both women confess to hating an arranged marriage, and in the end, everyone (in Romeo and Juliet, the families and in West Side Story, the gangs) unite in a funeral procession.

Ran

“Ran” is based on King Lear. In both stories, the leaders decide to split the kingdom between their three children. Also, in both stories, the youngest child points out their father’s fault and are banished for doing so.

Upcoming Productions • Chaps! A Jingle Jangle Christmas: Now - December 26, 2010 • A Midsummer Night’s Dream: January 1- March 19, 2011 • Pride and Prejudice: February 9 - March 20, 2011 • Charm: March 23 - April 17, 2011 *Visit www.OrlandoShakes.org for Ticket Prices

////Reviewed 22

THE LION’S TALE

| diversions | DECEMBER 17, 2010

Music, movies, books & more

VERY GOOD

OUTSTANDING

Danger Days My Chemical Romance Alternative Rock

I Am Not A Human Being Lil Wayne Hiphop/ Rap

My Kinda Party Jason Aldean Indie

by Angiee Carey

by Leigha Bennett

GOOD

by Taylor Schwarz

RUBBISH

All Star Weekend Suddenly Yours Pop

AWFUL

by Julia Thorncroft

il Wayne, known as “the best rapper alive”, seems to accomplish more when behind bars than he has in his whole music career. I Am Not A Human Being was released at digital retailers on his birthday Sept. 27 and two weeks prior to his release from jail on Oct.21. The album elaborates on his inner feelings throughout his jail sentence. The album unwraps with the popular song “Gonorrhea,” featuring his Canadian Birdman replacement, Drake, who is also featured in three other songs on this album. As you can hear throughout the whole album, Wayne transforms his rapping voice from a hoarse snarl to a giggling goblins’. It’s a catchy tone to his fans. Filled with excessive amounts of throwaway metaphors (“I’m so ahead of my time like dog years”), many may feel that Lil Wayne’s album is filled with pointless, heavy and violent rap. However, I Am Not A Human Being skyrocketed to the number one spot on the charts. Being in jail obviously didn’t put a restraint on Wayne’s media attack. The album is filled with upbeat hit songs, like “Right Above It” and “Bill Gates”, that you just can’t help but vibe to. Wayne feels no shame in putting out an album that’s overflowing with unfiltered humor and crazy freestyle. His album verifies the suspicions that ‘Weezy F. Baby’ is definitely not from this planet. After all, his album is called, “I Am Not A Human Being.” What’d you expect?

inally, Jason Aldean’s highly anticipated album, My Kinda Party, has hit shelves, hustling to an impressive No. 2 ranking on Billboard’s Country Albums. Although the songs are very upbeat and catchy, what caught me was to find out that half the songs on the album covers. “Dirt Road Anthem” sounded a bit too familiar, and the rap for Jason just seemed unusual. I figured out that it’s actually a cover, originally done by Colt Ford. My Kinda Party turned out to be a cover from Brantley Gilbert. I can understand one cover on an album, but two on an album named after one of the covers? A bit too much, I believe. It left me to wonder, has Hollywood finally begun to tighten its grip around the Georgia-raised singer? For the rest of the album, I enjoyed what the country-rock singer had to put out. “Don’t You Wanna Stay” featuring Kelly Clarkson touched my heart, just like “Fly Over States” and “Just Passing Through”. This album is full of those love songs that made Aldean famous. For fellow fans of Aldean, I highly recommend this album if you’re looking for more of the slow songs. But for the party songs, I was left with only two from this entire fifteen-track album. Ironically, both of those songs are covers. Is this foreshadowing that Jason is stuck to only producing love songs?

y Chemical Romance, following suit of David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust” and The Beatles’ “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” has created an alterego: “The Fabulous Killjoys”. Perfected vocals, the scream of the lead guitar, the deep throb of the bass; drinking in the fresh take on 80’s glam rock, I shamelessly headbanged while shredding on an air guitar. The romantic, adventurous, fun-loving rock opera is a far cry from the deep shades of blue pumped from the band known for its emo whine. “Bulletproof Heart” brings back fond memories of rock ballads blasted from the stereo on family road trips by my rock-loving parents. But a change of mood brings about “Destroya”, a number to be accompanied by tone-deaf screaming and fist pumping by the listener. Adrenaline-pumping rock cranks through the speakers, sometimes overpowering, but with enough skill and musicianship to keep the listener hooked. And just when it seems that The Fabulous Killjoys have run out of new tricks, “Planetary (GO!)” creates a desire to mindlessly dance to the upbeat tempo. Variety, precision, and good old mind-blowing rock n’ roll “The Fabulous Killjoys” bring it all to the table, and never seem to disappoint, which leads me to ask “My Chemical…who?”

lot can be assumed just by looking at the cover of Allstar Weekend’s album Suddenly Yours. First thoughts looking at this album cover compare these California boys to the Jonas Brothers. Four teenage boys standing on a beach with the wind blowing in their face, staring at the camera blankly in a failed attempt to look like an Abercrombie & Fitch model. The content of the Allstar Weekend’s music is as simple and unoriginal as their cover. Their music covers issues of the “average teenage boy”: love, staying out late, and trying to accomplish something in life. The second song off the album, “Hey Princess,” lead singer Zachary Porter sings, “Hey princess in a white dress, Chuck Taylors got me obsessed. Wanna see you, so when can we hang out?” It’s apparent their songwriting is a joke. Although it’s admirable that these boys took on the endeavor of writing their own songs, the music is as mockable as their ridiculous poses on the cover. Allstar Weekend’s music is undoubtedly directed toward the Hannah Montana-Disney Channel preteens. With weak lyrics, electro-glitz background, and pop-soaring choruses one can see how limited their audience demographic is. If you need some real teen angst, pick up some Ramones or Nirvana.

DOWNLOAD THIS >> Single

DOWNLOAD THIS >> It Ain’t Easy

DOWNLOAD THIS >> Na, Na, Na

juliat@thelionstale.com

angieec@thelionstale.com

leighab@thelionstale.com

taylors@thelionstale.com

Upcoming Concerts

Ke$ha Friday, Apr. 22 7:00 p.m. House of Blues

Erykah Badu Saturday Jan.15 8:00 p.m. UCF Arena

Clay Aiken Friday, Feb.11 8:00 p.m. Hard Rock Live

Chiddy Bang Friday, Dec. 17 7:00 p.m. Firestone Live

My Chemical Romance Wednesday, May 18 7:30 p.m. House of Blues

photos courtesy/PUBLICITY WEB SITES

DOWNLOAD THIS >> Dance Forever

DECEMBER 17, 2010

diversions

THE LION’S TALE

Revenue worldwide from ticket sales Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

$974,733,550 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

$878,643,482 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

$795,634,069 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

$895,921,036 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

$938,468,864

PROTECTIVE ENCHANTMENTS. After an exciting battle at the Ministry of Magic, Hermione recites “Protego Totalum,” a protective spell that creates a hidden boundary around the camp site of the tremendous trio so that an empty forest is all that appears to outsiders and passers by.

Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Film follows seventh Potter novel, impresses Lions Tale reviewer by Stephanie O’Sullivan

*Spoiler alert

’ll admit that as I waited in the line to buy my ticket for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One, I was still a bit mad at the producers for deciding to split the seventh installment of the series into two parts. Why would they tease Harry Potter fanatics with the first 24 chapters of the book, and then force us to wait another eight months to see the final chapters played out? The answer is simple: because they knew it would definitely be worth it. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One follows the famous trio, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, as they travel across the world trying to find objects called Horcruxes that lead to the destruction of Lord Voldemort. Tensions run high among the characters as they risk their lives on a daily basis, but the serious tone is interrupted by brief, humorous moments. The stress of finding these Horcruxes and destroying them before Lord Voldemort understands what the three teenagers are doing quickly strains the friendship that has grown since Year One, resulting in Ron’s abrupt departure from the quest. This film perfectly showcased Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint’s acting abilities, and followed the story line (written by J.K. Rowling) almost line by line. Of course, some events were changed or left out, as even David Yates can’t fit all 24 chapters into two and a half hours of fantastic cinematography. For example, Harry was supposed to spend his birthday at the Weasley’s house, not dodging Death Eaters, and the trio’s disguises while sneaking around the Ministry of Magic were supposed to last

until they escaped the building, instead of causing a huge scene in the middle of the place where Harry Potter is referred to as ‘Undesirable One’. These differences are tiny when compared to the whole movie, and don’t affect the plot too much. As a Harry Potter fan, I was pleased to hear lines directly from the book making appearances in the movie. I give major props to Yates for this and for the perfect locations used in the movie. Of course, I must congratulate the graphic designing team, who outdid themselves yet again. The best example of their work would have to be when six wizards drank Polyjuice Potion and their appearances morphed into identical versions of Harry Potter, which was part of a plot to trick the Death Eaters on the night of Harry Potter’s journey to the Burrow. I’ll admit that up until the time I saw the movie, I was the type of crazy fan that watched the movie trailer 20 times, reread the last book, and counted down the days until I would finally get to see “Part One of the epic finale”. But part of me was skeptical, I was worried that perhaps Yates had given me too much to expect with the teasing trailer, and was hoping that I wouldn’t be disappointed when I walked out of the movie theater. I shouldn’t have ever doubted Yates and his amazing team. The amount of detail that was included in the movie was incredible, the acting superb, and the urge of wanting to see part two has grown immeasurable amounts. Bring on part two, I’m eager and excited. July 15, 2011 can’t come soon enough for me now. stepho@thelionstale.com

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

$933,959,197 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

$125.1 Million

4 2

5 3

6 THE FINAL BATTLE. 1) Lord Voldemort raises up the Elder wand after taking it from Dumbledore’s grave. 2) Dobby saves the teenagers by taking them to Ron’s brother’s house, before dying. 3) Harry and Ginny share a kiss the morning of Ron’s brother’s wedding. 4) Ministers stand guard at the Ministry of Magic. 5) Hermione ponders an idea while her friends are in trouble. 6) In an effort to trick Death Eaters, six wizards heroically drank Polyjuice Potion to look like Harry Potter. photos/COURTESY http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com

THE LION’S TALE

| diversoins | DECEMBER 17, 2010

o t P U E K A W

S T A E B

compiled by Connor Bailey

Wake up in the morning feeling like P Diddy? Just as pop star Ke$ha wakes up feeling like her favorite male rapper, students and faculty start their day inspired by their favorite songs.

CREATE. UPLOAD. COMMENT. Do you write, create art, or perform? Then submit your work to Arts Unleashed literary magazine for your chance to be published.

Visit: ArtsUnleashed.net

Marcia Haskel: “I turn on the news when I first get up, but on my way to school I listen to 107.7, K92, 95.3, 98.9, 106.7 or 105.1. I am constantly changing channels. I like a variety of music and it depends on my mood.”

Haley Bolt, ‘12: “No Hands” by Waka Flaka Flame. “The song is catchy with a good beat. It reminds me of how much fun I had at homecoming with all my friends while dancing.”

Emmalie Mitchell, ’11: “Unity” by Trevor Hall. “It makes me feel happy and starts me off for a good day. I can’t listen to up-beat music while I’m getting ready because it is way too early to get my head bouncing.”

Tinka Tucker, ’13: “Undo It” by Carrie Underwood. “The song helps me relate to past experiences I’ve had with my friends. It’s a lot better than getting ready to nothing. It keeps me awake so I don’t fall asleep.”

Jackie Neff, ’11: “Instead of the irritating ring of my alarm clock, I like listening Jack Johnson’s voice as I wake up. It relaxes me as I start my stressful day. I don’t really have a specific song from him that I like listening to. I usually just have his album set to play on my iPod.”

Katy Borosky, ’14: “Waiting for the end” by Lincoln Park. “I like the words in the song because it has a good message. The sound of the guitars really wakes me up.”

(sports sports )

DECEMBER 17, 2010

THE LION’S TALE

Brotherly Love photo/C

Senior and freshman work to lead team to the top

R ONNO BAILEY

Blaine Rehrig, ‘11 by Lindsay Knox

ut of breath and dodging opponents while running down the field, senior Blaine Rehrig (19) looks to make a pass to his brother, freshman Tristan Rehrig (15). For all four years of his high school career, Blaine has been a member of the varsity soccer team. During his freshman year on the team, Blaine was picked as a starting player over many of the seniors. As an incoming freshman, Tristan expected to join his brother on varsity. “I had the feeling I would be on varsity,” Tristan said. “But I didn’t expect to be doing this good throughout the season.” On the field, Tristan plays forward striker. The striker is the player who is most responsible for scoring goals during the game. It is also known as the most painful position, because the defenders on the opposing team will do anything to stop you. In the first four games of the season, Tristan scored four goals, proving to be a tough competitor to opponents. “The biggest obstacle for me has been being the youngest player on the team,” Tristan said. “And also playing up top on my own for many games against four defenders who are older than me.” By the end of the season, Tristan hopes to score against every team and be named the top goal scorer of the team. “I expect to score more goals as the season continues,” Tristan said. “And my brother is in a position that will help me do that and bring our team to the top.” Even with the four-year age difference, the brothers enjoy being on the same team. “It was weird at first because I’ve only played indoor soccer with Tristan, which was years ago,” Blaine said. “But it’s good now, because he’s one of the best and I know I can count on him up to the top. I’ve got his back, he has mine.” Tristan agrees. “I like being on the team with Blaine because we already know how the other plays,” Tristan

Tristan Rehrig, ‘14

said. everyone on the team likes each other, so it’s Since the age of four, Blaine has participated fun,” Tristan said. “And also we have a good, in various soccer programs from club teams to strong team and are very likely to win games.” the high school soccer program. He plays central The players of the team may all get along, but midfielder, which means he is responsible for in practices, they don’t waste any time fooling safely passing the ball to fellow offenders and around before game days. slowing down the defenders before reaching the “We try our hardest in practice to learn last defensive line. everything needed to come out of the games with During his high school career, Blaine a win,” Tristan said. experienced three different coaches for the The boys practice together every day after varsity team. He knows this year’s coach is an school from 3:30-5:30 p.m. They go through improvement. different drills to improve their running, passing, “The new coach is really into it,” Blaine said. and shooting skills. They are often paired up “The last one didn’t care about the team.” together to work on these necessities to prepare Head Coach Ben Luker and Assistant Coach for games. Jack Luker work together with different coaching As a whole, the team is learning to help styles that help each other grow as bring the team to players and create the top. opportunities for one I had the feeling I would be on “Our coach is another to improve the varsity, but I didn’t expect to be pretty strict, but team. doing this good throughout the the assistant is “The best quality more lenient so we of the team would season. Tristan Rehrig, ‘14 have both sides to have to be just balance,” Blaine working together as said. a whole and getting During games and practices, the players the work done,” Tristan said. “From the defense, receive encouragement from their coach. in cleaning up the opposing team’s goal scoring “He encourages us to keep pushing harder opportunities, to the midfield where there is and harder,” Blaine said. “In that way he fully wonderful ball movement and vision, to the top supports us. The coach has taught us to keep our where I can score and put the ball in the back of heads up and never get down.” the net.” Along with a positive outlook on the new Both brothers look forward to finishing the coach, Blaine sees an improvement in the whole season strong. team compared to last year. “I plan to continue working and training hard “By far we are stronger,” Blaine said. “We and to finish all of my opportunities. Also to be actually look forward to playing this year, a leader out on the field,” Tristan said. “Just give including me, because my brother is on the 110 percent in every game or practice no matter team.” what the circumstances are and to never give Although Tristan is a freshman and was not a up.” member of last year’s team, he also believes the In his last year of high school soccer, Blaine team has made a strong comeback this season. hopes to keep growing with his team until the “It’s a totally different team,” Tristan said. end of the season. “They are way better and we’re all close.” “I want to keep everyone’s heads up no The boys look forward to game days just for matter what happens to us,” Blaine said. “I’m a the sake of getting to play together as a team. leader on the field.” lindsayk@thelionstale.com “We look forward to playing because

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photos/COURTESY OF CHRIS TAYLOR

FIGHTING FOR A WIN. Senior Blaine Rehrig (top) battles through two opponents to take control of the ball during a game against Lyman High School. Freshman Tristan Rehrig (bottom) retrieves the ball from the sidelines in an attempt to score against Lyman.

UPCOMING GAMES • @ Lake Howell 7 p.m. Dec. 16 • vs. Lake Mary 7 p.m. Jan. 11 • @ Seminole 7 p.m. Jan. 13

SEASON STATS vs. Winter Springs 3-1 vs. Lyman 3-4 vs. Lake Brantley 0-1 vs. Hagerty 2-2 vs. Lake Howell 0-3 vs. Lake Mary 1-1 vs. Seminole 1-1 vs. Winter Springs 2-6 vs. Lyman 1-2 vs. Lake Brantley 2-1 vs. Hagerty 3-1

26 THE LION’S TALE

| sports | DECEMBER 17, 2010

Mena jumps up, up, and away for ad S by Carly Ford

enior Michael Mena’s feet rest on the two handles of the pogo stick. He grabs the slender, vertical body of the stick with one hand and uses the other to propel his entire body into the air at a 90 degree angle. With this one action he is now completely horizontal, and airborne.Mena finishes off his favorite trick, the superman, and sticks the landing. “Superman is my favorite trick because of how far I have come with it. I started off hardly getting a foot under the pegs, but now I can extend completely and I think they look really cool.” Mena said. Pogoer Mena began practicing about four and a half years ago and what started out as a hobby has now gained recognition for him throughout the country. Recently Mena was given the opportunity to participate in a commercial in California for the major company Razor. Mena practiced on the set for several days before the shoot to prepare for the upcoming commercial and to familiarize himself with the upgraded pogo stick they would have him using from the summer before. “The commercial is for a pogo stick called the ‘Bogo’. I got the part because I was the main tester for the ‘Bogo’ during the summer of 2009. The new version is a lot smaller but it still has the same concept.” Mena said. The commercial shoot took place Nov. 7 and will air on Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and the Disney Channel sometime in April. “When I was acting in the commercial I was either pogoing on flat ground doing as much as I could with the child-size pogo stick, doing flips off of a platform onto a crash mat, or pogoing with a harness on so I could get five plus feet on a pogo stick that would normally get four inches maximum.” Mena said. Mena’s inspiration to begin pogo sticking began as a result of boredom. Mena said, “I started because it was a rainy day and I was looking around in my garage for something do. I found a pogo stick and just started doing little tricks.” Last year Mena participated in a contest called Pogopalooza which includes events such as the highest jump, most jumps per minute, and least jumps per minute. Mena was involved in the high jump, big air, and best trick sections of the competition. “I participated in one competition back in 2009, I didn’t win but I’m going back this summer to give it another shot.” Mena said As Mena continues to practice his hobby he’s now considering doing stunt shows to show off his abilities for a few years after college. “After college I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m thinking about street performing with other people just to see what it’s like.”

3 all photos/DANIEL CONDLY

JUMPIN’ JACK FLASH. 1. Senior Michael Mena practices his favorite jump, the Superman. 2. Mena works on perfecting the skills by doing the Stick Flip. Mena was the first person to do the Stick Flip. 3. Mena enjoys doing tricks on his pogo stick, such as the Wrap Around.

Mena said. Mena’s friends began a street performance group of their own. “My friends Fred Gryzbouski and Nick McClintock have a street performance called the ‘Stunt Double Circus’, which branched off from their old one called ‘The Pogo Dudes.’ They both make a living off of it.” Mena said. ‘Stunt Double Circus’ practices three times a week and incorporates other tricks besides pogoing so Mena would be too

far behind to join them but he is thinking about starting something similar to it with some of his friends. So for now pogoing remains a hobby for Mena, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be quitting anytime soon. “I enjoy pogoing because it’s really cool making tricks up that nobody has done before. And you don’t need ramps or anything to get height so you could do your biggest tricks anywhere,” Mena said.

K C A B LIP: how to do a backflip, according to Mena F

carlyf@thelionstale.com

OVER AND OVER. “First, get ready and lean back a litt.e Then throw your head back and jump. Make sure you look for the ground,” Mena said.

DECEMBER 17, 2010

sports

THE LION’S TALE

Meyer heads to Australia by Daniel Condly

photo/LEONARD’S STUDIO

DRIBBLE, DRIBBLE, KICK. Senior Katie O’Kennedy (14) dribbles the ball to the goal against Lake Mary High School while senior Morgan Cambell (4) and freshman Emily Krobyn (19) follow. The Lions won 2-0.

Injuries sideline key soccer players by Connor Bailey

ver the past three years, the Lady Lions’ soccer team compiled a record of 74-95, reaching the state playoffs each of the three years, but this year continuing the dynasty proves to be a challenge. Junior forward Sammy Elliot and senior defender Meagan Borger suffered injuries while playing in a Super Y National Soccer Tournament. “I tore my ACL while going into a slide tackle during warm-ups while playing with my club team in Tampa,” Elliot said. Borger also suffered her injury while playing in Tampa. “I was playing in a Super Y National Tournament and a Canadian player stepped on the top of my foot with her cleat stud. I kept playing on it, which made it even worse,” Borger said. The prognoses for the injuries are not positive. “I have to have surgery on my knee, hopefully Dec. 14, and then start physical therapy shortly after the surgery,” Elliot said. A long period of time off the sidelines applies to Borger as well, but she continues to rigorously rehabilitate her foot. “I go to the training room every day seventh period to ice or to receive stem treatment. Every night I ice it at home for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for about two to three hours,” Borger said. “I go back to the doctor in about two and a half weeks and wait until he clears me to play again. I don’t need a cast, so the doctor gave me a shoe and crutches because my injury just needs

time to heal on its own, no treatment can help short amount of time,” O’Kennedy said. Not being able to be on the field makes injury besides just staying off it.” Changes in the starting lineup occurred to time seem like an eternity for Borger. “Sitting on the bench is the worst thing I’ve compensate for the absences, adding another experienced. I hate watching my team struggle adversity to overcome. “Sammy and Meagan being injured means out on the field when there is nothing I can do to that their positions have to be filled by people help,” Borger said. “I’ve never been sidelined for that don’t normally play there. It changes our this long. It is by far my longest injury break.” Sammy is struggling with the extended injury team dynamics time as well. on the field. It’ll “I’ve had injuries before take some time Sitting on the bench is the and I’ve always come back. to get used to worst thing I’ve experienced. The doctor told me usually our new lineup,” Meagan Borger, ‘11 people are ready to play again senior midfielder in four to six months, but that C o l l e e n most do not come back in O’Kennedy said. Both Elliot and Borger bring different but four, it’s more like five or six,” Elliot said. “That pushes me to try and come back quicker. It’s crucial skills to the game. “Meagan is a force to be reckoned with in going to be a challenge, but that’s what motivates the back. She’s great at winning air balls and me and keeps me positive.” Positive feedback continues to come from the keeps us organized defensively. Sammy is great at possessing the ball and getting our offense in coaching staff. “They just keep telling us that adversity is rhythm,” O’Kennedy said. Freshman forward Emily Krobyn has been what makes us stronger individually and as a one of the younger players placed in the starting group, ‘Don’t stop when the going gets tough’,” O’Kennedy said. lineup. The Lady Lions currently hold a record “I feel a little pressure playing in place of Sammy and Meagan because they both mean a of 9-0-1, but talented opponents linger in the lot to the team. Without them, we need to step it future. The girls face 4A state champion Merritt up on offense and defense,” Krobyn said. O’Kennedy appreciates the maturity from the Island High School and three-time 2A state champion St. John’s Country Day to prepare for younger players. “Some of our younger players have really the district tournament. stepped up on the field. It’s hard to play against juniors and seniors when they’re only freshmen, they have had to mature on the field in a very connorb@thelionstale.com

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enior Ryan Meyer will celebrate the holidays “down under” as he heads for Australia to compete in the Goodwill Series. “I leave on Dec. 16 and will be there for 18 days. I feel very honored about representing our country,” Meyer said. For 26 years, the Goodwill Series has sent over 10,000 high school baseball players to overseas countries like Japan, China, Korea and Australia. From this opportunity, baseball players become more experienced, confident athletes by preparing them for the possible MLB draft. It isn’t easy to be chosen to play in the Goodwill Series tournament. “I was speechless and amazed when I found out I was chosen for the tournament,” Meyer said. “There are scouts that travel around the country to Ryan Meyer ‘11 look for players. It’s pretty difficult, because you are fighting for a spot against all the players in that age group around the country,” Meyer said. Meyer is excited to not only play baseball and compete, but also to experience Australia. ”I am excited to play baseball for the USA National team, to see different people, to see the scenery, and get the chance to see how they [people] live in Australia,” Meyer said. Meyer will be one of the main pitchers for the Chicago Cubs team, competing at the tournament. “I am a pitcher. My favorite aspect of playing this position is that you’re on the mound with everyone on the other team trying to beat you and you have to do everything just right to prove them wrong,” Meyer said. Meyer and his team will play 11 games against opposing teams from Australia, Japan and China. “The team should do very good. We have great pitching and a really strong offense,” Meyer said. To prepare for the tournament, Meyer tries to stay as fit as possible and to work out as much as he can. “To get in shape, I do a lot of running, resistance band workouts, shoulder blade exercises, and pitching drills,” Meyer said. However, baseball is as much a mental sport as it is a physical sport, according to Meyer. “You go through so many changes and how you handle those changes determines how well you play,” Meyer said. Baseball will remain part of Meyer’s life. “I committed to the University of Central Florida to play baseball when I was a sophomore. After high school, I plan to get drafted to the minor leagues. This competition has definitely given me the confidence I need to achieve my goal. Playing in the Goodwill Series will help me get drafted,” Meyer said. Meyer understands that baseball has opened up a lot of doors for him, and will always be his number one passion. “In the future, I hope to be the best person and the best player that I can be. Baseball has done a lot for me. My baseball wish is to play on TV and pitch for the Texas Rangers in the World Series in game seven,” Meyer said.

danielc@thelionstale.com

THE LION’S TALE

| sports | DECEMBER 17, 2010

photo/JANIE WILLIAMS

LEFT, RIGHT, AND CENTER. The OHS defensive line prepares to shut down the Hagerty High School offensive line during the Class 5A three-way tiebreaker game.

Lions reclaim district title W by Olivia Davila-Finch

photo/JANIE WILLIAMS

STRIP THE BALL. Senior Jake Redding (55) holds the game-winning football high in the air after stripping it from Winter Springs High School senior quarterback Garrett Etheridge. When the buzzer sounded to send the game into overtime, Redding took the ball from Etheridge and ran it in for a 20 yard touchdown. This touchdown allowed OHS to advance further into the district championships and face off against Hagerty.

eeks of practice. Months of long workouts. A whole season of teamwork and Friday night football games. And it all comes down to this. “It’s fantastic,” senior Jake Redding said. “It’s the first time in Oviedo history we’ve been [district champions] back to back, and it was awesome to be a part of the class that made it possible.” On Nov. 8, the Oviedo Lions, Hagerty Huskies, and Winter Springs Bears all played a tiebreaker game to determine the first and second place schools in the district league. Each team played one quarter of a game against each other. OHS played Winter Spring first, then Hagerty. In the first quarter against Winter Springs High School, the score was tied 0-0 until the last play with 6 seconds left in the game. When the clock stopped, Garrett Etheridge, the Winter Springs quarterback, had the ball and stopped when he heard the buzzer. However, the referee had not blown the whistle, meaning the play was still going. Redding took the ball from Etheridge, who thought the quarter was over. Redding then ran the ball, winning the game with a score of 6-0. “I just ran as fast as I could and did anything I could to score,” Redding said. With their win against Winter Springs, the Lions then moved to the second quarter against Hagerty. During the last 30 seconds, sophomore Blake McClain scored the final touchdown that finished the game off. OHS won the game 13-0. In the past eight years, OHS captured the district championship four times. This year is the first time in OHS history that the team has ever been district champs back to back. Florida is divided into 16 districts, four regions, and two sections. After all the district games have been played, the two schools with the best records take first and second place, and they

play the other districts in their region. OHS took first place this year, and Hagerty took second. Every time a school beats another school, they advance further. Eventually, there will be one winner in each of the four regions in Florida. The winners of the regions then play each other, the last two teams playing for their whole section of the state. The winner of the last game wins for the whole state. However, OHS has never advanced far into the playoffs. “In 1979, we got into the semifinals, but the last year we won a playoff game in Oviedo was 2003. It’s long overdue,” head football coach Wes Allen said. For the first time in seven years, Oviedo beat Osceola High School. Oviedo’s defense played strong. Junior Anthony Gonzalez, the running back, ran 93 yards in the second half of the game and carried 15 times. With an end score of 10-0, Oviedo advanced farther into the playoffs. “It was a good thing for our kids to win against them, we had to win this ball game to get Oviedo back on track,” Allen said. “Our defense played great all night.” On Nov. 26, Oviedo played in the semifinals against the undefeated Lakeland High School and lost 35-3. It was a past student of Oviedo, senior Steward Butler, who scored the touchdowns against OHS. “Our kids played real hard, and that’s all you can ask them to do. They showed a lot of class, I thought, in that environment,” Allen said. “You never want to see the season end.” Redding agrees. “I think the season went fairly well,” Redding said. “I just wish things had gone more our way, because if they had we would’ve had an undefeated season. But it was a blast, and a great way to go out as a senior.”

oliviad@thelionstale.com

DECEMBER 17, 2010

sports

THE LION’S TALE

photo/JANIE WILLIAMS

REACHING FOR VICTORY. Sophomore Emone Robinson (22) leaps for the ball, and attempts to continue the girl’s basketball winning streak against Hagerty High School.

Densberger pushes girls for victory Girl’s basketball comes together for win by Jessi Whitacre

oach Zack Densberger hopes to celebrate his 10 anniversary as girls basketball coach with a winning season, especially since the girls made it to the second round of districts last

year. With the team losing four games in a row and a temporary loss of one of their captains, senior shooting guard Kellan Register. After the team scored a win against Lyman High School, Register had a change of heart, coming back to play with the girls. “There’s four stages every sports team goes through. Stage one is Form. Two is Storm. Everybody’s testing boundaries. Three is Norm. The team finds ways to operate as a team. Four is Perform. You must go from stage one, to two, to three, or you’ll never get to four. We got hooked in stage two for weeks,” Densberger said. While Register was gone, junior Zoe Stapleton was named the new captain of the Lady Lions. “It was encouraging for me, because I felt like the coach was recognizing how hard I was working,” Stapleton said. Although many varsity players graduated last year, Densberger still expects a good season. “We have much young talent,” Densberger said. Their first win was against Lyman High School with a score of 44 to 41. The girls were excited about their accomplishment. “They did really good,” Register said, proud of her team’s performance on the game that became their first win of the season. “Everyone was so happy. Everyone was cheering. I thought I was dreaming at first,” said freshman Caralyn Boese, shooting

photo/COURTESY CHRIS TAYLOR

PEP TALK TIME. Senior Kellan Register (4) listens to strict instructions from Coach Zack Densberger about how to defeat Lake Brantley in hopes of improving their record.

guard and a starting player. “[It was] very exciting, knowing we could to it. As a team. Together,” Robinson said. With their turn around the team’s spirits soared. According to the team, practices are more fun and energetic, and everyone seems happier. “We trust each other more now,” Stapleton said. The team also managed to pull off another win against Hagerty High on Dec. 7 with a score of 57-44, continuing the tradition of never losing a game to Hagerty, and putting the team’s hours of practice per week to use. In addition to beating Hagerty, the team also beat Lake Howell’s basketball team for the first time in five years, winning by one point in the final seconds of the game. “That was amazing. We were tied for the last minute, but we got the shot in, in the last three seconds. They tried to shoot but they didn’t make it. When the buzzer went off, the girls who had been on varsity longest all started hugging,” Stapleton said. “[It was] gratifying. Very enjoyable. We were up, we were down. It didn’t look like we were going to win. We hung in there, we showed heart.” Densberger said. Losing a player was difficult for the team, said Robinson, but they coped well. “I told them the goal was to get better,” Densberger said. “It [losing a player] was hard. I felt like we just had to step up. It was disappointing. Now it’s great. We have another player that can help us with everything, and she’s supportive,” Boese said. “It was really tough [to lose a captain],” sophomore point

guard Emone Robinson said. “It brings the whole team down, but it’s great to have her back.” They still have a lot to work on though, and many girls have goals for the team that have yet to be met. “We have a young, experienced team, so getting everyone on the same page [is a goal],” Register said. In addition to her personal goal, Register wants the team to score better than a 500-point season. According to Stapleton, being on the team can be stressful, but most of the girls still describe being on the team as a positive experience. “It’s fun, though. We have a good group of girls,” Register said. Even through the rocky beginning, they’ve learned to take it as a lesson and use what they have learned and use it to their advantage to better the team. “Losing Register changed the team,” said Boese. “We learned to play together, work together, and make decisions as a team,” Robinson said. The biggest opponent for the Lady Lions this season is Lake Mary, the defending state champions, and Densberger wants the girls to do well. “Just execute the fundamentals of basketball,” Densberger said. “It’s a dogfight. Absolute dogfight about who’s going to get out of the district. The top two get out of the district.”

jessiw@thelionstale.com

THE LION’S TALE

| sports | DECEMBER 17, 2010

photo/ COURTESY OF PAIGE MOORHEAD

BACKSTROKE CHAMP. Paige Moorhead tags the wall in preparation for another lap around the pool.

Moorhead takes first at regional swim meet by Janie Williams

t begins with a splash of water, and a surge forward. A huge gulf of water surrounds her. For an hour and half in the morning and three hours at night, senior Paige Moorhead relentlessly trains in the pool to stay on top of her game. “To get ready for competition, I do some stroke work to work on my technique and I use a resistance chord to resist back and so I can work on my stroke count and speed. So, when I compete in the race it seems a lot easier,” Moorhead said. Clocking in at 57.65 seconds, Moorhead placed first at the regional championships for the 100 meter backstroke. Although Moorhead achieved her best recorded time at the regional finals, she did not place at states this year because of illness. Moorhead’s experience will not end in high school. “I have been swimming since fifth grade and all four years at Oviedo; I’ve swam for so long I couldn’t just stop right after high school. I picked East Carolina University over Florida State University because I felt the coaches and team were a better fit for me,” Moorhead said. She plans to attend ECU in Greenville, North Carolina on scholarship. She looks forward to this opportunity because many of her coaches are in the teaching field, Moorhead hopes they can mentor her and help her become a good teacher. In college, Moorhead wants to win a Conference USA title for at least one event. She also expects that ECU’s team will win the Conference USA in the next four years. She hopes to one day to travel to Montreal, and maybe even Asia for the Southeast Pacific Games. Moorhead made it clear that she knew she would not have these types of opportunities without swimming. “Some of the things I have learned

are responsibility and time management and how to be a team player. Even though swimming it isn’t a team sport, I couldn’t swim without my team’s support,” Moorhead said. Moorhead gives credit to all her teammates for their help and her coach Charlie Rose. Because of her experience at Oviedo, it was important for her to choose a college team that has good chemistry and positive coaches. “Charlie Rose, my coach, has seen me grow up in the sport and in life and has always been there no matter what. We all get tired of swimming sometimes but Angela Presley, Matt Curby and Cole Hensely know what I am going through, and they help and encourage me with who have always keep me motivated,” Moorhead said.

janiew@thelionstale.com

Swimming Exercises Shoulder pain is not uncommon in swimming, but you can prevent shoulder pain if you take certain precautions, such as exercising beforehand. One of the more common exercise swimmers use is known as the Rotator Cuff:

External Rotation Rotate the arm away from the body.

Internal Rotation Rotate the arm towards the body.

Shoulder Abduction Lift the arm away from away from the body so it is parallel with the ground. Info from: www.usaswimming.org

Roar Board

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DECEMBER 17, 2010

sports

THE LION’S TALE

LINDSAY KNOX SPORTS EDITOR

Senior athletes sign to college

O photos/JULIA THORNCROFT

CLEAN AND JERK. Seniors Chelsea Wildey and Lindsey Hummell and junior Jessica Amador work on their clean and jerks at practice, preparing for their next meet which is on Wed., Dec. 22 against Winter Springs High School.

Girls’ cross country places seventh

The girls’ cross country team wrapped up their season by placing seventh in the 3A division at the state meet. Sophomores Ciara Nowak, Danielle Turk, Nikki Huynh, Ryley McCallum and juniors Rachel Roberson, Dana Roberson, and Savanah Lacey all competed in the meet on Nov. 20. “We were champions at both the district meet and the regional meet, plus seventh is the best Oviedo girls has ever placed in the state meet,” R. Roberson said. In the week before the state championships, junior Natalie Shepherd, who had been training to go to states, became ill and was unable to go. Huynh stepped up, as the teams’ alternate.

Profit from trees goes to athletics

The Athletic Department sold 108 Christmas trees in three weekends. Although the Athletic Department runs the stand, the sports teams must contribute 12 hours of their time to work selling trees. The project has raised $10,000 for athletics. The intended use of the money is not known until Principal Robert Lundquist decides where the money is needed.

Quick wins at state championships

Freshman Amy Quick went to the state competition for bowling on Nov. 9-10. Quick placed 18 out of almost 200 girls. Although there is no national level for high school bowling Quick’s bowling season isn’t over, she will be attending a national competition with her club bowling team.

On the sidelines...

Basketball brought together late

Boys’ basketball got a delayed start, but Coach Ed Kershner has plans to bring the team together. “We have a lot of kids coming in late because of football,” Kershner said. Even with an ungrouped team, the boys still have a 3-2 record. “ I am optimistic about this team, because we just need to be put together and only practice time can do that,” Kershner said.

Wrestling competes in Ironman The wrestling team went to Ohio for the Walsh Ironman Competition. The Ironman is an invitational wrestling tournament held once a year. The team came in 18 out of 68 schools. The varsity team competed in the competiton. Seniors Joey Hefley, Lee Wildes, Carlos Martinez, Kurt Keebler, Michael Alper juniors Doug Vollaro, Geordan Speiller, Nick McLean, Tyler Metzler and sophomores Anthony Plaza, Jason Argall, and Corey Ray all participated in the competition on Dec. 9-12.Vollaro came in second in the 285 weight class and Speiller came in fifth in the 160 weight class. Now, with the Ironman in their past, the team has begun training for their next upcoming competition the House of Payne, a twoday long dual tournament on Dec. 17-18. After the House of Payne, the team will be working toward the Zac tournament. The team will practice over winter break to prepare for this competition.

With

Blaine Smith

1. Would you rather be stuck in a cage with a lion or swimming in Lake Jessup? Cage with a lion, so I could train him to sit and roll over, duh.

2. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? A megajuana chicken and cheese burrito with lettuce and queso on top, from Tijuana Flats.

3. If your friends described you in only three words, what would they be? Cocky, stud, Jewish.

4.Describe your dream girl.

She would be between 5’2-5’5, brunette, not too skinny, but not too thick, beautiful without make up. Will eat as much food as me, knows sports, and hates shopping.

5.Can you “Dougie”? Yes, just like John Wall.

photo/ COURTESY OF LUIS CRUZ

ONE ON ONE. Senior Blaine Smith (5) charges down the court with Winter Springs High School hot on his trail and searches for an open player to pass to.

n behalf of The Lion’s Tale, I would like to congratulate the six OHS sports team members who signed with various colleges on Wed. Dec. 8. The early signing day took place in the Robert W. Lundquist Gym in order to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of the players. Senior Paige Mathews signed her college softball career away to the State College of Florida. Senior Chelsea Wildey, who also plays softball, chose to sign with Florida Gulf Coast University. Wildey chose FGCU for a few reasons: the school is far enough from home that she can call it an escape, but it isn’t too far that she can’t return home if she needs to. The private oncampus beach was a deciding factor, also. Jackie Neff, a leading player of the girl’s volleyball team, signed with the University of Tampa. Neff has been on the varsity team all four years. At six foot tall and a top hitter on the team, Neff is hard to miss on the court. Top OHS swimmer Paige Moorhead received a scholarship to sign with East Carolina University. After debating between ECU and Florida State University, Moorhead decided on ECU because the team and coaches fit her style. Senior Ryan Meyer chose to stay local and signed with the University of Central Florida for baseball. Playing since the age of five, Meyer is now a pitcher for the OHS baseball team with an average pitching speed of 92mph. His consistent strikeouts and pitching style caught the eye of UCF scouts who came to watch him play at games. After playing baseball for 13 years, senior Connor Stanley will travel to Georgia State University to continue his baseball career. The college choice came easily for Stanley. He chose Georgia State because he has been given the opportunity to come in as a freshman starter above other players and be a part of their winning program. All these seniors have been recognized by colleges for their hard work and dedication in their sport. The Lion’s Tale congratulates these students for their rigorous involvement in our sports programs.

lindsayk@thelionstale.com

THE LION’S TALE

| features | DECEMBER 17, 2010

Showing

OFF

SING OUT LOUD. Seniors Tori Kidd, Dylan Mueller and Allison Poweski sing “Bonzorno, Madonna.” They are in the highest choir group, Horizons.

Showcase is an annual event hosted by all Fine Arts Department. The show continues with no breaks, except a 15minute intermission.

all photos/CARSON BAILEY

SING AND DANCE. (above) Junior Brielle Jones along with the Mane Attraction Varsity Dance Team performed a lyrical dance to the piece “Winter Song.” (right) Senior Michelle Batemen sings “Glitter and Be Gay” composed by Bernstein.

IRISH SONG. (below) Band Director Dennis Line tries to get the audience to sing along with “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” played by the Piccolos. (left) Senior Alicia Tripp and juniors Sidney Lalich, Dillon McBride, and Ed Miller play “A Little Irish Jig” while senior Colin Jaye performs an Irish jig on the stage behind them.