LION’STALE OVIEDO HIGH SCHOOL • 601 KING STREET • OVIEDO, FL • 32765 • MARCH 9, 2016 • VOLUME 56 • ISSUE 5
Super Charged 06
TEACHERS ENCOURAGE POLITICAL AWARENESS AMONG YOUTH
STUDENTS DISCUSS PROS AND CONS OF
SUPPLEMENTS
11
SENIORS REFLECT UPON EFFECTS OF LEAVING HOME
21
PG 15
OVIEDO SPORTS TEAMS GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITY
2 | NEWS | THE LION’S TALE | MARCH 9, 2016
in photos
The Artists exhibit work, Journalism launches talent in local show online counterpart WRITTEN BY ANSLEY BABCOCK WRITTEN BY NIYATI SHAH
The Lion’s Tale newspaper, WRORTV, and The Oviedian yearbook staff are working collaboratively to create an online counterpart for the school’s journalism programs. “We are combining the journalism groups on campus, and it is going to allow students to expand the coverage they are able to do,” said The Lion’s Tale newspaper adviser, Elise Carlson. “There will be faster turn-around for stories and it will be more useful for our readers.” Editor Nathan Haddad explains the new features of the online component. “The new online aspect of our publication allows us to broaden our reach and become a more diverse, instantaneous publication,” Haddad said. “It’s a great step forward to modernize our publication.” The staffs anticipate the arrival of stories and events onto the website. “I’m proud of where our journalism program has been, I’m proud of where it is now, and I’m really excited to see where it will go with the new online component,” said assistant principal Drew Morgan. Check out oviedojournalism.com!
Soccer coach wins award for excellence WRITTEN BY NIYATI SHAH
AP chemistry teacher Scott Waisanen led his team to the state championship, he excels in the chemistry classroom, and he has been named the Florida Dairy Farmers 2016 Coach of the Year. “It is a pretty prestigious award, it is a nice accolade to get,” Waisanen said. “The award has been around for around 24, 25 years. Sports writers and different media outlets vote on different athletes and coaches throughout the state.” Waisanen emerged as the winner from an elaborate series of rounds. “In soccer, we have 1A through 5A classifications, with a Coach of the Year for each classification and Athlete of the Year for each classification,” Waisanen said. One of his athletes also gained recognition. “Greywall was the 5A player of the year, for the whole state,” Waisanen said. “She was Miss Soccer for Florida. She took second and missed it by three points.” The competition for the award was fierce. “It is a nice honor, considering the coaches that were put in,” Waisanen said. “The last coach to win this award in our area was a coach at Lake Mary in 1998. Someone from girls soccer in Central Florida has not won it in almost 20 years.” However, Waisanen’s purpose behind coaching is not to win accolades. “You don’t get into coaching for awards; you go in because you love the sport,” Waisanen said. “And hopefully, you can have a little bit of success. The success our girls have gotten is amazing. They have worked hard for it, and I’m along with it for the ride.” Waisanen plans to continue his passion through the years. “They want to have me back, so I will be back,” Waisanen said.
The month
Sophomore Julia Wisdo, senior Zoe Block, and senior Alexa Valence all had their creations displayed at the Sanford Art Walk in early February. Visitors to the art show had the opportunity to vote for their favorite artwork. Participants could submit artwork such as paintings, drawings and photography. Block submitted entries to photography. One was of a shadow of Batman through a wine glass, with very dramatic lighting. Another entry was of a friend of Block’s, posing as a sea siren, with bubbles and a spacey vibe. The uniqueness of these pictures starts as small ideas and turns into creative pieces. “I’ll be in class and we could be talking about a book, and I’ll be like this could be a cool photo; or looking at other people working, and their perspective and experience,” Block said.
Photo’s Of
The Month
PHOTO BY NIYATI SHAH
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION.
The drama department rehearses for their recent show, “Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, the Wardrobe.”
Brain Bowl team scores at tournaments WRITTEN BY NIYATI SHAH
This past month, Oviedo’s Brain Bowl team competed in a series of tournaments across the county. The team captain, junior Romina Homayoun, placed 30 in the county, and junior Kai Juge placed in the top 20. Sponsor Matthew Guglielmello explains the basic mechanics behind the tournament. “A toss-up question is asked, and the first team to buzz in gets to answer the question,” Guglielmello said. “They then earn or lose points depending on whether they answer the question correctly. There are three rounds, where questions are worth five, 10, and 15 points, respectively. Each team starts with 100 points and the team with the most points by the end of the three rounds is the winner.” Junior John Kim expounds about the team’s chemistry. “Everyone contributes a lot to the team, and everyone has their own speciality,” Kim said. “Mr. G is good at sending a math person, a science person, and an English person up to the table.” Homayoun found that her school education helped in her performance. “I think, freshman year, I didn’t know much information,” Homayoun said. “But, as I went forward, the more subjects, like physics and chemistry, that I learned about, the easier the questions became.” Oviedo has a range of strong points. “Our strengths this year are in Biology, Physics, American History, and foreign language,” Gugliellmelo said. Homayoun agreed. “Everyone is good at something, but we all can really answer anything,” Homayoun said. “Our strong suit is the fact that we are able to have a lot of fun while we do it, and at the same time, we can succeed.” Although the season has ended, the team anticipates the arrival of incoming members. “We’ve had a great season, strengthening our bonds through teamwork, making memories while learning new things, excelling in a wide array of interesting subjects, and meeting other intelligent, good-spirited students,” Homayoun said. “Every year is a new adventure in Brain Bowl.”
PHOTO BY NIYATI SHAH SPEAK ABOUT SUCCESS. Senior Eliot Nasby greets principal Joe Trybus as he speaks at the Honor Roll Lunch. Nasby is ranked fifth in the senior class and will be majoring in biochemistry.
PHOTO BY ROMINA HOMAYOUN
TRIVIA TIME. Brain Bowl members pose outside a
tournament room at a local competition. Check out oviedojournalism.com for future coverage on this club and its activities.
MARCH 9, 2016 | THE LION’S TALE | NEWS | 3
Spring
Festival
Annual festival refreshes with spring appearance WRITTEN BY DANIELLE GRIFFITHS
Sitting down at the lunch table, sophomore Chloe Hampson exclaims to her friends that the annual carnival is coming back, but this year, in the spring. She chats excitedly and starts to make plans. The carnival experienced a change this year: it will take place in the spring. Head of the Athletic Booster Club April Abonado said she’s excited to see how the carnival pulls through this year, since previous years have experienced rainy weather. “Last year, we had about 250-300 people attend, but in the past, when the carnival has taken place in the spring, there have been about 400 to 500 attendees,’ Abonado said. The attendance is expected to go up due to this change. “I think the carnival being in the spring will be better because, during the winter, it gets too cold and people don’t go,” said freshman Cierra West.
Hampson is excited that the carnival is taking place in the spring instead of the winter because of the different attire that she can wear in the warmer season. Students who have attended the carnival previously are excited about its return. “The carnival was so much fun last year,” said sophomore Ashlyn Register. “Last year, I went after the game, with all of my friends, and we went on all of the rides.” There is a possibility the carnival is going to incorporate a new ride, according to Abonado. “I really enjoy going to hang out with friends and go on the rides together,” said freshman Emma Chapman. Key aspects of all carnivals are the many games. Abonado says that this year, Midway by S&T Magic Enterprises is trying to send a few new games. “Every time I play a carnival game, I get excited about trying to win,” said sophomore WiIliam Przystup. “I hope to
win a few goldfish from the games.” Another underrated aspect of the carnival is the food. “My favorite part about carnivals is the food,” Hampson said. “I really enjoy the hamburgers because they are really good and, most likely, so unhealthy.” Overall, the carnival affects the community of Oviedo, not just the school. “The carnival brings a sense of a small town back to our town,” Abonado said. “I wanted my kids to grow up and feel the same, so I think the carnival helps with that because it allows the elementary schools kids to look up to the high schoolers. They get to see the school and come on campus.” Chapman said that the carnival helps her get together with her friends outside of school; it also helped West transition from middle school to high school. “Being on campus makes you feel a little closer to the school,” West said. “Also, seeing the other high school students, and what it is like, helps.”
Where?
Oviedo High School 601 King Street
What?
Food, Games, Rides
When?
3/10/16-3/13/16 Thurs: 6-10 PM Fri: 6-11 PM Sat: 3-11 PM Sun: 1-9 PM
PRIMARY PIONEERS 4 | NEWS | THE LION’S TALE | MARCH 9, 2016
Teachers urge youth to be politically aware WRITTEN BY NATHAN HADDAD
“If you’re going to change the world, do it when you’re young; the only way you’re going to do that is through politics,” said United States history teacher James Baird. On March 15, the Presidential race comes to Florida for Florida’s primary voting, which will feature many first-time voters. “One of those responsibilities is to vote and to be an American citizen, you should,” Baird said. “It doesn’t matter who you vote for, just vote.” Baird believes political participation is vital among young people and encourages his students to be active citizens. “The role politics play in young people’s lives is all dependent on how much they want to be involved,” Baird said. “I’ve told my classes, actually in the last week or two, that if you want to change the world, do it when you’re young because when you get older, you seem to lose the ability or passion.” AP United States history teacher Jessica Jenkins underscores the importance young people will play in this upcoming election. “This time around, in this election especially, the young people could swing the vote,” Jenkins said. Jenkins cites examples from history that have shown the importance young voters can play in politics. “I’ve been showing my honors students all week, in the civil rights movement it was the youth who, by getting involved, made a difference,” Jenkins said. Jenkins also believes, like Baird, political participation among students is vital but doesn’t always happen. “Politics have a large impact on young people’s lives,” Jenkins said. “Unfortunately, they just don’t see those connections, and I think we have to do a better job as teachers to expose them to those connections.” First-time voter senior Serena McGann understands the importance of
the upcoming election. O’Brien, and Howard. “Politics really impact all of your life, “I know for sure I will not be voting for your higher life depends at little at least Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton, and I on what the government is like,” McGann will also not be voting for Donald Trump said. “If the person in power is passing either,” McGann said. policies like health care reform, it affects Regardless of who they’ll be voting for, the everyday lives of people. That’s the Baird believes voting to be an essential whole point.” part of American democracy. Sophomore Claire Dukstein already “I tell all my students, as Americans knows who she’s supporting. we often reference our rights, but very “I’m sixteen few people now and am going remember or to be voting in the understand their If you’re going to change the 2020 election, so I responsibilities,” world, do it when you’re young. think it’s important Baird said. “The Teacher James Baird to learn about founding fathers what’s going on,” gave us our Dukstein said. rights, and they “I support Bernie Sanders because, also gave us responsibilities.” although he’s maybe too left in some Jenkins agrees with Baird, and ways, I think he’s the best option out there believes politics are essential to young right now.” people and their futures. Dukstein sees the importance students “It’s very important for students to be play in elections. involved in the political process because “A lot of times people decide not to these issues are going to pertain to their vote because they don’t think it’ll do future,” Jenkins said. “That’s why I love anything, but it can come down to one teaching history, because it’s so related vote,” Dukstein said. “That person is to students’ everyday lives. Everything going to be the person that’s representing students do now is affected by politics, our country, so it’s important.” from the taxes they pay and will be paying, Junior Matt O’Brien falls on the other schooling and education and college. It end of the political spectrum. affects everything.” “I’ll be voting for Donald Trump Jenkins believes politics play such because I feel he’s a really good candidate a large role in students’ lives that they for the job and he’ll do a lot to help out should be more emphasized in the small businesses,” O’Brien said. curriculum. Senior Lindsey Howard agrees with “We do have government in our O’Brien. curriculum,” Jenkins said. “I think “I’ll be voting for Donald Trump American History definitely needs to be because, even though he says some two years because we just go over it so really bad things, he’ll help us get out of fast it’s sort of shoved down our throats. debt,” Howard said. Again, history is one of the most important Howard also agrees with Dukestein’s subjects. It affects everything you do.” assertion of the importance young people Both Jenkins and Baird try to play in politics. encourage political participation in their “It’s important that young people classes. are involved in politics because we will “I incorporate it a lot,” Jenkins said. “I determine what happens in our country try not to be biased and try to be openfor the next few years,” Duckstein said. minded and accept different opinions. I try McGann disagrees with Duckstein, to learn from other people and present all
FLORIDA PRIMARY POLLS
61% 30%
Hillary Clinton
Bernie Sanders
REPUBLICANS
DEMOCRATS
INFOCOURTESYOFREALCLEARPOLITICS.COM
FLORIDA PRIMARY HISTORY Florida has voted for the candidate who became President in 9 of the last 10 elections. Florida is split nearly 50/50 between Republican and Democrat voters.
42% 22%
Donald Trump
sides.” While politics may be important to some young people, junior Sarah Holton doesn’t feel that way. “I feel politics have a minimal impact on my life, because it doesn’t really affect me yet,” Holton said. “I don’t really like politics either because it ruins people” Holten’s vote will be influenced by her parents. “I’ll be voting because my parents want me to, and I support Ted Cruz because my parents are big-time supporters of him,” Holten said. McGann disagrees with Holten and feels politics are essential. “It’s important for young people to be involved in the political process because it’s your whole future,” McGann said. “If the country’s going to get messed up, even though it might not affect us as much as it might affect those who are older, or us in fifteen years from now, we’ll still be living in this country.” McGann believes that the decisions made now will have big impacts. “It affects your life in a lot of ways for a long time,” McGann said. Both Baird and Jenkins have advice for potential first time voters. “Do your research and homework,” Baird said. “Don’t let the thirty-second sound bite decide who you vote for, do thirty minutes of research, everything you need to know about a candidate is online.” Jenkins agrees with Baird’s advice. “Before young people go out and vote for the first time, I’d encourage them to not just believe what they see on the major news stations and on facebook and social media.,” Jenkins said. Jenkins encourages students to talk to people whose views differ from their own. “Be exposed to different ideas, that’s the best way to make a vote,” Jenkins said. Baird reminds students that their vote is their own. “Don’t take someone else’s word, make up your own mind,” Baird said.
Marco Rubio
17%
10%
Ted Cruz
John Kasich
Florida voted for Barack Obama in both 2008 and 2012, along with voting for George Bush in 2000 and 2004. INFOCOURTESYOF270TOWIN.COM
AP Capstone now offered MARCH 9, 2016 | THE LION’S TALE | NEWS | 5
Advanced Placement curriculum expands coursework into broader topics mandatory for all seniors who are not enrolled in AP English Language and Two mysterious classes appeared on Composition or AP English Literature. the 2016-2017 curriculum guide, with no Capstone, according to Finnegan, is more than a single paragraph to explain nothing like AP Capstone. their purpose. “With the regular Capstone, students AP Seminar and AP Research are have to present a 5-7 minute speech counterparts to a brand-new program: AP on their topic,” Finnegan said. “With AP Capstone. Capstone, it’s more like a 20 minute Future AP Research teacher Rachel presentation that they do with lots of Miracolo explains the recently unveiled visuals, research, and data.” options. AP classes traditionally award students “AP Capstone is two classes, AP with a college credit if the student passes Seminar and AP Research, that have been both the class and the AP exam. created to better prepare students for AP Capstone is no different, but the college-level coursework,” Miracolo said. college credit awarded depends upon the First, students take AP Seminar in 10th college the student attends. or 11th grade, as “AP Seminar a prerequisite to would count as a It’s geared towards teaching AP Research. debate class or a students to think a certain way. “AP Seminar communications is all based on class in college, Teacher Rachel Miracolo group-oriented depending on the research,” said college you go English teacher Kimberly Finnegan. to,” Miracolo said. “There’s something like a 40-page paper “It could count as an elective credit,” due at the end from all of the group Miracolo said. “AP Research could transfer members on their chosen topic.” over as an English credit, like you wouldn’t AP Research, on the other hand, is have to take freshman English at certain more individualized. colleges.” For 11 years, Oviedo High School has Although earning college credit in high made the senior project, or Capstone, school is a pragmatic feat, AP Capstone’s
WRITTEN BY HANNAH GIBILISCO
long-term reward outweighs the tangible one. Vocational training pertinent to the field the student is passionate about, as well as real-world college preparation, are granted. “A lot of it is being done in the sciences, like biomedical research, to do actual scientific research,” Finnegan said. Miracolo agrees. “AP Seminar and Research are geared towards teaching students to think a certain way--the way they’re going to need to think when they enter college,” Miracolo said. Although AP Capstone, according to Finnegan and Miracolo, is undoubtedly useful, it is only for those who can handle a challenge. “For the average student, [AP Capstone] is going to be intense, but it also will teach them skills that they will not be able to get anywhere else,” Finnegan said. “It teaches students to verify their findings with evidence.” “If you’re going into literary research, sociological research, or medical research, absolutely take these courses,” Finnegan said. AP Seminar begins next year; however, AP Research will be offered beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.
AP Capstone provides the opportunity for students to develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills.
• AP Seminar • AP Research
“AP Seminar is based on group-oriented research.”
- teacher Kimberly Finnegan
“AP Research can
transfer as an English credit.”
- teacher Rachel Miracolo
6 | NEWS | THE LION’S TALE | MARCH 9, 2016
What makes them different, and which one suits you?
Redesigned SAT, Redesigned Studying
SAT ACT
Aptitude Test
Are you really that smart?
Juniors assess the most recent version of college entrance exam WRITTEN BY NIYATI SHAH
Scribbling pencils, rows of bubble sheets, and a ticking clock are the attributes of the typical SAT testing room, according to the juniors who took the Redesigned SAT on March 2. Among the difficulties that the students faced while testing, time was the greatest obstacle. “The new SAT has five sections, whereas the old SAT had ten sections,” said junior Braden Cronin. “I liked the old SAT a lot better because we got more breaks, and it wasn’t just a test for the endurance of the mind. It felt like I was rushing through some of the sections.” Junior Ashley Zambrano agreed. “If you didn’t pace yourself, you would definitely fall behind,” Zambrano said. “There were more questions in a shorter amount of time.” AP Language teacher Kate Kammeraad, who proctored the exam, revealed the intent behind the time restraints. “Although it felt like that there wasn’t enough time for students, I think the point is that they are trying to identify the top performers, the cream of the crop, from the rest,” Kameraad said. “The top performers-the kids who are the smartest--are going to finish in the correct amount of time and they are going to be accurate. How quick of a reader are you? And, how quick are you at processing?” Junior Shalini Ramalingam encountered a dilemma in the math portion. “I like the old SAT better because the math was basically very easy; it was just geometry and algebra,” Ramalingam said. “But, in the new SAT, I saw a question with statistics, and the people who haven’t taken statistics aren’t going to know how to do this. There are a lot more advanced elements.” Cronin recollected previously learned math concepts for the exam. “The non-calculator math section was the most difficult because it was all stuff I have done so long ago,” Cronin said. “I recognized the content, but I didn’t remember every formula I needed, which made it difficult.” In terms of length, junior Kailey Davis found that the new SAT was less strenuous. “On the original SAT, it would switch between the math and reading,” Davis said. “On this one, everyone did reading at the same time and everyone did math at the same time. Depending on your testing style, that could be easier or harder for you. It seemed like a shorter test, maybe because everything was lumped together. But, it is still different because 55 minutes of math is really different from three separate 25-minute sections of math.” The removal of the penalty for incorrect answers was also a boost for test takers. “I think it is really beneficial that we don’t
2 components: Math Evidenced-Based Writing & Language
YOU ANSWERED Calculators are
NOT allowed on all sections
Score: 1600 sum of 2 sections
What is your opinion of the new sat?
How hard do you work in school? 4 components: Math English Reading Science Calculators ARE allowed on all sections
Score: 36 average of 4 sections
INFOCOURTESYOFCOLLEGEBOARD.ORG, ACT.ORG
What you think of it? WEdid ASKED
Evidenced Based Reading & Writing 1 2 3 4 5
Achievement Test
Math
12
12
23
22
21
29 4
KhanAcademy has videos & practice for all areas.
The creator of the test generated sample practice tests in a book.
12
10
Tips to Study
Poll of OHS juniors
11
Dates
1=Easy, 5=Difficult, n=78
Test Date
Normal Deadline Online Score Release
March 5
February 5
March 24
May 7
April 8
May 26
June 4
May 5
June 23
get points taken off for answering, because then we aren’t pressured to not answer if we don’t know the answer,” Ramalingam said. For junior Jake Margerum, mental fatigue impacted essay writing. “I didn’t really want to think about the essay too much, since it was all the way at the end,” Margerum said. Junior Jazmine Amin agreed. “After having to think about everything else, the essay was a challenge,” Amin said. “I feel like the essay at the beginning would have been better because your brain is fresh and ready to analyze. But, after math and reading, your brain is just fried.” Some aspects of the new SAT emulated other standardized tests. “In the reading sections, there were a lot more graphs than usual,” Davis said. “I assume that CollegeBoard is trying to get the test a little bit more like the ACT and is incorporating science into the passages.” Kammeraad drew parallels between the FSA and the Redesigned SAT. “Based on what I know, I thought the new SAT was very similar to the FSA test the ninth- and tenth-graders took last year,” Kammeraad said. “The editing and the type of writing the students had to do was very similar to the FSA.”
The exam was also similar to the AP Language exam. “It mirrored our AP Lang exam, as well,” Kammeraad said. “For me, it felt like a nice dry run for the AP Lang students.” Kammeraad pointed out that the Redesigned SAT aids in college preparation. “I thought the new SAT was very relevant in skills that you should be able to master by the time you walk out of high school,” Kammeraad said. “You should be able to read a text of varying difficulty-something that is archaic and something that is more modern and contemporary--be able to decipher at least the purpose of the text, and be able to find evidence.” To master the exam, Ramalingam offers crucial advice. “Time yourself,” Ramalingam said. “Practice with time. You have to help yourself and mentally prepare yourself for the time. You can’t go to anyone.” However, Ramalingam recommends taking the first SAT scores lightly, for more opportunities are in the near future. “I know that I have a lot more chances to take it and, usually, the first SAT isn’t the most serious,” Ramalingam said. “I am going to take these results with a grain of salt.”
Students should choose happiness
over money
Students in high school have the difficult task of balancing a wide assortment of extracurricular activities: keeping up good grades, playing sports, participating in extracurriculars, and working jobs. Students may participate in jobs for a variety of causes, whether for their own personal or family need for income, or to gain job experience. We as a staff at The Lion’s Tale believe that at this stage in your life, job experience is more valuable than high pay. Job experience while you’re young is vital, and it is important to get it in any way possible. Students may gain this important experience in a variety of ways through a variety of jobs. For instance, if a student wants a career that requires high people skills, working in a job where they will be interacting with people daily may benefit them greatly in their future. For example, a student may take a minimum wage job at a fast-food restaurant not for the pay, but rather to gain skills interacting with people on a regular basis and to create a level of comfort around strangers. Examples like this show that jobs at this age don’t have to be all about the money but, rather, for the intrinsic skills that you will gain while working. Some people are willing to make
lifestyle changes because the intrinsic rewards of following a passion or making a difference are more important than a high salary in an unenjoyable career. The ramifications of working long hours, seeing your family less, and sleeping little begins to sink in, and people start to realize that there’s more to life than money. In the end, people should pursue what they’re interested in, said Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. In many ways, achieving the right balance depends on one’s values, priorities, family obligations and spending habits. But according to a recent study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, there is “something of a magic number when it comes to income and happiness.” High school is a pivotal point in one’s life. It is a time when students develop some of their future decisions and career paths. We think that choosing happiness over a high-paying job is most important in order to live a satisfying life. Living life to the fullest extent while young, while also being able to acquire skills for later on in life, is the perfect balance for a job at this age Everyone needs to make the decision about what is most important to them-money or happiness?
MARCH 9, 2016 | THE LION’S TALE | OPINION | 7
IN YOUR FACE
Do you think students should go after their dream job or one with high pay? Racheal Coakley, 9
“Students should go with their dream jobs because it is something they actually want to do.”
Ebonie Thomas, 11
“Students should go with their dream job because they’ll end up being a lot happier in the long run.”
Liam Morrison, 9
“Students should go with high pay because they’ll have a higher success rate because not everyone gets their dream job.”
OUR WORD
Nearly 30% of people end up pursuing their dream job.
INFORCOURTESYOFTHEHUFFINGTONPOST.COM
Design Editor Alex Damis
Advertising Editor Makaila Cowart
Opinion Editor Hannah Gibilisco
Photographers Alex Browning Delaney Robb India Pantin
Features Editor Alexis DiBlanda Editor-In-Chief Alex White Co-Editors Nathan Haddad Niyati Shah
Entertainment Editor Faiz Uddin Sports Editor Douglas Chiodini
Staff Artist Bria OllivierreWilliams Staff Reporters Krislynn Keeton Declan McCoy Ansley Babcock Yaritza Calvert Connor Compton
Sterling Corum Bryn Garick Megan Ghersi Danielle Griffiths Gillian Landwehr Jesica Litton Conner Quinlan Fernand Silva Paige Simpson Anna Tagye Jessica White Faculty Adviser Elise T Carlson Admin Adviser Drew Morgan
OVIEDO HIGH SCHOOL • 601 KING STREET • OVIEDO, FL • MARCH 9, 2016 • VOLUME 56 • ISSUE 5
Principal Joseph Trybus Oviedo High School 601 King Street Oviedo, FL 32765 Phone: 407-3204199 Fax: 407-320-4213 Population: 2474 Students 31 Staff members
Karissa Holton, 11
“Students should go with high pay because the economy is bad and their dream job is probably not hiring.” PHOTOS BY DELANEY ROBB
ILLUSTRATION BY BRIA OLLIVIERE-WILLIAMS Mission Statement The Lion’s Tale is the student newspaper of Oviedo High School, located in Oviedo, Florida. Our mission is to provide news, feature stories, editorials and opinions relevant to our readers while upholding the highest professional and ethical standards. The Lion’s Tale follows copy standards outlined in the Associated Press Stylebook, 42nd Edition, published in 2007 by the Associated Press, and is a member of the
CSPA, NSPA, FSPA. Distribution 2100 copies of The Lion’s Tale are distributed free to all students and staff at Oviedo High School. Subscriber information is available upon request. Reader Contributions Letters to the Editor are accepted and may be sent by post, e-mail, or dropped off in Room 5-020. The Lion’s Tale does not accept guest columns,
and reserves the right to edit letters to the Editor. Full policy is available on request. Advertising Policy The Lion’s Tale reserves the right to refuse advertisements. The full advertising policy of The Lion’s Tale is on file in Room 5-020 and is available upon request.
8 | OPINION | THE LION’S TALE | MARCH 9, 2016
staff writer JESICA LITTON
Redefining opinions creates sense of uniqueness in teens
Teenager. The word that holds a thousand meanings. These meanings bring controversy and terror to the mind. Many people look to society for the meaning, but society loves to twist words, and give them terrible definitions. Society takes an abundance of words and distorts the meaning to such an extent that people let fear take over reality. That fear defines what their minds will accept. The word “teenager” has been thrown around for so many decades with so many various interpretations, that people cannot look past the bad when it outweighs the good by a large amount. Music, and other pieces of entertainment portray teenagers as terrible, unruly human beings. “Teenagers,” by My Chemical Romance, depicts teenagers as terrible monsters who scare the older and younger people around them. There are also shows such as 16 and Pregnant on MTV, depicting all teenage moms as low-lifes dating lowlifes. Upon witnessing these public images people allow their heads to be consumed by the terrible words and depictions. Instead of allowing themselves to be consumed in the thoughts or opinions of public figures, people should take the time to create their own. Looking to public images for a skewed characterization of the average teenager is absolutely abominable, for teenagers are far more diverse than one might think. As teens, we face the everyday struggle of being looked down upon. We are stuck in the middle of being too young and too old. We face the opinion that teens are terrible people whom have no respect for anyone, not even ourselves. I beg to differ: I carry myself with respect, and I will give anyone respect, unless it is unearned. Many kids, yes, may have a bad attitude, but there are others who are very respectful, wonderful human beings. But in the end, this must be a hopeless fight, for this has been this way for so many decades, why would it change now? Be the change others have wished to be. Be the cycle breaker. Show the world that instead of wanting to be out partying and gallivanting, most teens would prefer to be inside with a nice book, some coffee, or some Netflix and food. In the end, many teens just want to frolic around in their rooms, singing and dancing. They just want to take a breather from everyday life and be happy and simple, like an innocent child. Just try not to worry about what they say, just prove them wrong. Be the change you wish to be.
ILLUSTRATION BY BRIA-OLLIVIERRE WILLIAMS
High school competition is too much
staff writer MEGAN GHERSI
Why is it that students are more stressed now-a-days? According to NBC News, “Teens routinely say that their school-year stress levels are far higher than they think is healthy and their average reported stress exceeds that of adults, according to an annual survey published by the American Psychological Association.” The agency’s Stress in America survey found that 30 percent of teens reported feeling sad or depressed because of stress and 31 percent felt overwhelmed. Another 36 percent said that stress makes them tired and 23 percent said they’ve skipped meals because of it. On average, teens reported their stress level was 5.8 on 10-point scale, compared with 5.1 for adults.” It is ridiculous that teenagers have to stress about school as much as they are now, and that to get into good schools you have to have so much under your belt. They take as many AP classes as they can, join all the honor society clubs, and try and distinguish themselves, all to look good for colleges and to get scholarships to pay for that very selective and distinguished school that may or may not be the right match. Getting into college has turned into a game. Who is going to be wait-listed?
Who is going to make it to acceptance? Who fumbled and got rejected? Getting into college is what high school has become about for most students. They don’t take the time to find what they want to do in life, they spend time taking AP classes and getting their GPA as high as possible for scholarships and colleges. Angel Perez, the director of admissions at Pitzer College in California, said, “Our culture has created a system that makes students believe they must be at their best to get into an elite college. It’s affecting students in ways we don’t understand yet. We are very well aware of this.” In trying to get into college kids are turning into something they are not, something that doesn’t bode well for creativity. “In order to improve the world you have to challenge the world. If you are a high achiever you are going to do that, but if you are a perfectionist you won’t allow yourself to do that because you fear that the idea you come up with won’t be good enough,” said Kenneth Ginsburg, a pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and author of a book on adolescents and stress. Kids are not being allowed to be kids anymore. This isn’t good for students either. A little healthy competition isn’t bad, but when it doesn’t allow you to do things you want and really explore all the options and opportunities out there, it becomes restricting. When students are so worried about their GPA that they don’t take the time to relax and be themselves, all they become is burnt out. They don’t take the time to explore all the different things available in high school, and it doesn’t allow them to find what they really like. Instead of taking as many AP classes as they can, they should be taking AP classes that are important to them and
what they actually like doing. Instead of joining every club and honor society out there, they should join clubs and honor societies they like and will enjoy. High school should be about finding yourself and your passions, not about getting into a selective college. Teens should find a college that fits them and what they want to do. Not one that is selective and so it must be better. Colleges do specialize in certain things and while going to a distinguished college looks good it’s not for everyone. Everyone is different and that’s what we need to realize. It’s no wonder students are stressed, they are trying to fit into a mold that has been cast by unreasonable expectations. In trying to fit into the mold they stress themselves out and it stunts their growth as a person. Students are becoming only our grades or only our test scores and this is not acceptable. We need to make high school about finding out who you are and what you want to do in life, instead of a how good your grades are of what your scores say. Without that freedom to find yourself and style, we will never be brave enough to try other, new, exciting things. Students need freedom from that competition, at least to the extent that it is now. All it does is stress students out and leave them unable to really find themselves. Giving them that freedom from competition as it is now would allow teens to explore all the possibilities and try things they may never have thought of before. Doing that can really allow someone to be the best they can be at what they want to do, instead of being mediocre at what people expect you to be. Let teens be themselves, and not what they think others want them to be. High school is not a competition, and it needs to stop feeling like one.
MARCH 9, 2016 | THE LION’S TALE | OPINION | 9
staff writer
KRISLYNN KEETON
Growth is a necessity in life
Mental disorders impact all of life ILLUSTRATION BY BRIA-OLLIVIERRE WILLIAMS
staff writer
CONNER QUINLAN A person with a mental disorder has a much harder life than others, because the disorder doesn’t affect him in any way people can see from the outside. Society views these people as those who “did not grow up correctly,” when in all reality, it was a small event that caused these problems, as if a butterfly, flapping its wings, caused a wind that made a tornado and destroyed a town. The brain starts with a small problem that grows to cause massive problems. One of the main ways to deal with mental disorders is to have an outlet, whether for stress, depression, or any other emotions that are triggered by dealing with everyday life. These outlets are vital for a person to remain functional and mentally competent, and can come in a variety of activities. Outlets for most people are relaxing things, but some forms of outlets, like for those with OCD, are seen as crazy actions: a futile attempt to do something, like cover all windows and lights in a room so they can sleep better. Or a person with depression may play excessively violent games to take out any
rage or sadness that has built up inside. Parents only see these outlets as a distraction from everything, and sometimes they are right: a person uses them to escape reality, to try to be happy, but it can distract them from everything that the world calls important. That’s why it’s important to have multiple outlets that can help equally. I have struggled with ADD for the longest time, and many outlets I choose help me, like painting or video games. My parents think video games are a distraction, but I only play them on Friday afternoons, after I finish my homework, and the weekends; if I have a project, I only play them on Sunday. Its not like I’m binging them 48 hours straight, it’s at most six hours on a Sunday, if I have nothing better to do. These outlets are lifesavers to kids with disorders. If someone plugs these outlets, it can cause a person so much harm, even though it was meant to help. This is all because these people are different. Their minds work differently, and it is so hard for others to grasp these concepts. Sometimes, parents have a hard time understanding these outlets, because people don’t like to talk. Kids may have a hard time talking about their problems to their parents because they’re scared. They don’t know if it will change the way their parents see them, or if it will hurt their parents emotionally, or if their parents will put them on medications (which sometimes are not necessary) or go to a professional psychiatrist because they think their kid is insane. Parents sometimes deal with their
kids by saying “just slow down,” or “try to think positive,” because saying that is much easier than actually sitting down and dealing with the problem. It’s frustrating to the kids, because that’s all they hear and they think the parents are only contradicting them, disapproving of them. It shows that something they say repeatedly is unachievable, making kids shy and withdrawn. Kids fear all of this, when most of the time, parents will try to do what is best for their kids. The only problem is, parents can have a hard time understanding that having a mental disorder doesn’t just make a person lazy, or dumb, or slow--they see the world differently, in a way some “normal” people cannot comprehend. Those who have the hardest time are those who are only semi-affected by their disorders. These people have on/off attacks or their problem acts up temporarily. They have moments of clarity, to see all that they have lost, or done wrong, or how their actions are unacceptable, but all they can do is watch, because they cannot control it. The past is something they hate. No one should have to hate their past, because everything someone is, that makes them them, comes from what they have done. Sometimes, it’s best to let people do what they want to do, so that if you cannot help them, they can help themselves, because: We see the world differently. “It is not for me to judge another man’s life. I must judge, I must choose, I must spurn, purely for myself. For myself, alone.” ―Hermann Hesse
The thing about life is that it is constantly changing. So many people cling to unhealthy situations in fear of what happens when they let go. The universe (I like to think of the universe as a beautiful woman with a soft voice and motherly instincts) protects us and knows what she’s doing. Sometimes things we thought were good weren’t good at all. Letting go of all negative situations hurts, but if something is stopping your growth, it’s time to let it go. What has been dictating my life? I feel as though fear has been dictating my choices. Now my direction has changed to growth. I am relentlessly on a journey of self-growth. I stayed in friendships, relationships and situations that were negatively affecting me because I felt stuck between what is and what could happen. I have left the people in my life for no other reason than that I outgrew them. I do not need to justify that to anybody else. I outgrow people, and keeping them around when they stop my growth as a person is damaging. I am unapologetically changing my life. I’m not sorry for the choices I’ve made to become the person I am today. Things have been changing for me. I cut six inches off of my hair, I left virtually all of my old “friends,” and I changed some of my habits. And now I have reached a constant stage of inner peace and happiness. Our lives are flipped upside down and we are stuck in a period of pain. Almost everything is uncomfortable. We feel hurt, but the choice ultimately was a good one--like ripping off a bandaid. I am much happier now than I ever was in any situation I have been in. But the endings of the things don’t have to be terrible. Endings can be beautiful, too, but not in the fairytale sense where everybody gets what they want. I mean “fairytale” in the sense that even though you lost pieces of your life and you know nothing will ever be the same, it’s still beautiful that you experienced those things at all. What a blessing it was to be in the friendships, relationships and situations I’ve been in. Although they didn’t last forever and I ultimately outgrew them, they still taught me a lot about myself and my life and, for that, I am thankful. These are all painful transformations, but the universe will see my effort, smile to herself, and reward my life with new meaningful things. Things happen, they end, and that alone is beautiful.
HEAD to HEAD
10 | OPINION | THE LION’S TALE | MARCH 9, 2016
Are fitness supplements beneficial or detrimental to health?
Performance-enhancing drugs okay in moderation Supplement use diverts healthy development WRITTEN BY HANNAH GIBILISCO Performance-enhancing drugs, or PEDs, are classified as any drug taken, in this case, by an athlete or bodybuilder to considerably improve their athletic performance. People have used PEDs since the late 19th century with the intent to improve their athletic abilities. Currently, these drugs cause a huge controversial topic within the athletic community over whether or not the use of these drugs should be considered cheating the body out of developing properly. It is a collective conclusion amongst organized professional athletics that PEDs are in no way permitted during competition. According to NBC Sports, the National Football League, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, Major League Baseball, and the International Olympic Committee hold strict policies against the use of PEDs for their athletes. The use of these drugs is considered cheating and will not be tolerated for any athlete in any professional sport. However, when exercising individually and with no affiliation to a professional sport, PEDs, taken responsibly and under the right conditions, could be greatly beneficial to the human body. Physical advantages are innumerable. They include increased muscle definition and leanness, increased
muscle mass, increased strength, improved recovery rate, and increased aggressiveness. All are traits athletes in training aspire to possess, and PEDs provide them, according to an article written by Health Research Funding. The constant research and methods used by coaches, scientists and nutritionists provide athletes with several different healthy methods of improving their athletic performance. It is much like a strict high-protein and low-carb diet used by athletes everywhere. PEDs, when used in moderation and prescribed by a doctor, could be beneficial to an underperforming athlete. If you’re planning to become an athlete in a professional league, however, forget about using PEDs. It just won’t work. The consequences are far too grave and the benefits just don’t match up. Athletes should always remember that the use of any drug has extensive risks, and the abuse of those drugs could lead to addiction, irreversible body damage and even death. PEDs are okay with responsible moderation, but everyone should be mindful of what they put into their bodies. It is best to ensure that PED’s are beneficial for the purpose in which they’re being utilized. For anyone who contemplates using PEDs, they should use a dosage that is prescribed by a professional and, as always, use responsibly.
CAFFEINE COUNT
Many people have been taking supplements for their daily intake of nutrients. Instead of eating naturally grown fruits or vegetables, most people consume tiny pills that have all the protein, fibers and vitamins one needs to be strong and healthy. Athletes and even average people maintain their bodies through workouts, diets, and the use of supplements such as nutritious pills and protein shakes. Some athletes are pressured to cross the line in their training, and to become stronger by taking other types of supplements, such as steroids. They are doing this for the team, but they are also hurting themselves. Athletes are not the only people who take enhancing drugs and if a person is taking the drug if their upper body is often abnormally buffer than the lower part making the person look like they have chicken legs. There are many reasons for a person to take such things, like a boost in strength or a person who looks like a noodle trying to get attention. No matter what the case, everyone should know that drugs like steroids come at a cost. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, steroids have been associated with a wide range of adverse side effects, ranging from some physical deformations that are unattractive (such as breast development in men) or lifethreatening effects like heart attacks and liver cancer.
Some problems can be permanent if the person does not stop taking the drug. Such supplements cause irreversible changes in the production of hormones in the body. Effects include male-pattern baldness, shrinking of the testicles and reduced sperm production. Females who take steroids may end up with a masculine appearance, which includes body and breast size reduction and voice deepening. Some females even become bald in the scalp but hairy in other areas. The use of enhancing drugs can cause multiple problems in both males and females. Before people take the drug, they should consider the effects and ask themselves if it’s worth it. There is no positive outcome in taking steroids; you’re basically killing yourself slowly. If you think that taking steroids is cool, you’re wrong. Gaining the muscles you desire should come naturally by eating right and exercising every day. If you have time (and everyone does) you can get the results you want. Don’t cheat your way to the top in a way that can harm you to great extent. Take the time you to take care of yourself; don’t alter your body artificially but naturally. Steroids changes your development and you lose the sense of who you are, the drug has taken over you with some nasty side effects.
HOW CAFFEINE AFFECTS THE HUMAN BODY
ENERGY DRINKS VS. PRE-WORKOUTS
350 MG
WRITTEN BY FAIZ UDDIN
THE BRAIN
300 MG
Caffeine reaches your brain quickly and acts as a central nervous system stimulant. The most noticeable effect is alertness. It can help you feel more awake and less tired, so it’s a common ingredient in medications that treat drowsiness.
250 MG
THE HEART
A caffeine overdose may cause rapid or irregular heartbeat and breathing trouble. In rare cases, it can cause death due to convulsions or irregular heartbeat. If you have irregular heart rhythms, caffeine may make your heart work harder.
200 MG
150 MG
THE STOMACH
Caffeine raises the amount of acid in your stomach and may cause heartburn or upset stomach. It’s also a diuretic, triggering your body to get rid of water. That’s why it’s not a great thirst-quencher.
100 MG
THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS MUSCLE PHRAM PRE-WORKOUTS
GAT PRE-WORKOUTS
BPI PRE-WORKOUTS
ONE CUP COFFEE
MONSTER
RED BULL
50 MG
Caffeine travels within the bloodstream and crosses into the placenta. Since it is a stimulant, it can cause your baby’s heart rate and metabolism to increase. Too much caffeine can also cause slowed fetal growth and increase risk of miscarriage.
INFOCOURTESYOFHEALTHLINE.COM
MARCH 9, 2016 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | 11
MOVING
OUT PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ALEX BROWNING
Seniors leave family, enter adulthood with new homes WRITTEN BY FERNAND SILVA Moving out: it has a nice ring to it for seniors who are ready for the next step in life. For senior Richard Turner, leaving home after high school seems like the best option. “I want to experience life in a new way and to start over,” Turner said. “I want to take control of my life. It’s not my family’s, it’s not my friends’. I need to decide what I want for me, and I feel like moving out would help me do this.” Turner has made some plans for his life after high school. “After graduation I have to get a job,” Turner said. “I would probably work at a fast food service industry, because I plan on getting a certification on food handling.” Though he is excited about the opportunity, Turner realizes it is also a lot of responsibility. “It will be different without my family, and me having to provide for myself.” Turner said. “But at the same time, I want work on myself.” Brenden McCoy, a current freshman in college, feels that moving away from home was challenging.
“I think moving my things from my old house to new house was the hardest part.” McCoy said. Though there were challenged, McCoy was excited to move. “I had spent 18 years of my life getting ready to live on my own, and I was quite ready to move to the next stage in my life,” McCoy said. Physics teacher Chris Capp, who works in real estate, has given many students advice on moving out.
Sometimes you need to be thrown into a situation to learn from it. Teacher Chris Capp
“The hardest thing for the students to deal with when leaving home would be having to pay their own bills and to take care of themselves,” Capp said. Capp thinks it is a learning experience everyone needs. “Sometimes you just need to be thrown into a situation, in order to learn from it,” Capp said. “Unfortunately, in public schools, they don’t teach students how to provide for themselves.”
McCoy works to be able to take care of himself, but is not completely on his own. “I live in a dorm, so my parents pay room and board,” McCoy said. McCoy’s family supports him, but he also contributes. “They give me money for the things I need (and the things I don’t),” McCoy said. “But I also work to have money for extra things I need.” Capp provides further insight into the benefits of leaving home. “By moving out, students start to notice the true value of money, they also learn how to handle themselves, and how to take charge of their lives,” Capp said. But of course, moving out affects family relationships, as Turner predicts “It’d definitely be hard,” Turner said. “I think it would definitely be a new experience for me and my old family and friends. Mainly just because we all would have to grow to accept the new me, and the fact I wouldn’t be so close to them.” Nowadays, moving away doesn’t end a relationship, and Turner plans for that. “But, I don’t think it would really do much,” Turner said. “I know they mainly want to see me happy, and of course we would all stay in touch.”
CAN YOU CHECK THESE BOXES?
FIND AN AFFORDABLE
PLACE WITHIN YOUR BUDGET GET A PLACE CLOSE TO SCHOOL AND WORK BUY EVERYDAYHOUSEHOLD ITEMS AND FURNITURE
PACK ALL OF YOUR MOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS (SOCIAL SECURITY, ETC.) WISH YOUR FAMILY FAREWELL, THEN CHECK IN TO THE NEXT PHASE OF YOUR ADULT LIFE
12 | FEATURES | THE LION’S TALE | MARCH 9, 2016
lego to wo
Students don’t play in high school, use time to b WRITTEN BY PAIGE SIMPSON
police officer I did my Capstone project on law enforcement, clocking in over 52 hours of ride-alongs. I also know a lot of the cops in Oviedo, as well as the sheriff.
-Eduardo Acevedo, 12
Crea Continuing family legacy
Learning from challenges
Even though his job at Boston Market doesn’t apply to his desired medical major, junior Colin Kaercher believes his job will still help him in the future. “Personally, I think this job gives me leadership skills because I was told I can train for management if I wanted to,” Kaercher said. “This job is preparing me for my future, and it gives me good references.” Guidance secretary Angela Williford highlights the importance of learning time managament skills. “Once you’re at school all day and you have extracurricular activities afterwards, you have to be able to manage your time to be able to get everything done,” Williford said. Kaercher says his job has both ups and downs. “I like the people I work with, but the customers can be really annoying sometimes,” Kaercher said. “I just remind myself that I’m getting paid, so I need to try to make the best of it.” Instead of spending paychecks right off the bat, Kaercher saves his earnings. “I save about 75% of my paycheck each month,” Kaercher said. “That way, in case something goes wrong with my car or anything else, I have money to pay for it; I’m also saving up for college.” “They were looking for someone with an open schedule, and someone who could get to work easily; it’s convenient for me because I live a little more than two minutes away,” Kaercher said.
marine biologist I plan on majoring in marine biology and have been in bioscience since sophomore year.
-Ben Shirey, 11
Discovering new passion
Junior Kadi Tao found a love for TV production in her freshman year. “Initially I joined TV production freshman year because I was missing a sixth period, and I ended up enjoying it a lot, so I continued to take it,” Tao said. Tao believes TV production will prepare her for her future in film. “I do plan to go into the filming industry and this class is really showing me how to work with different kinds of people with different perspectives and personalities,” Tao said. According to guidance counselor Candice Goldman, elective courses help students explore new subjects. “Electives may also allow students to receive industry certifications, which would be helpful,” Goldman said. Tao’s favorite part of TV production is the way it allows her to show her creativity. “I’ve always been into writing and photography, and TV is a mash-up of them both,” Tao said. “I get to use my creativity in a positive way by pushing students to do good with their lives instead of going down a darker route.” Taking TV production made Tao see that she can plan for a creative career. “When I was younger I thought I was going to go into something having to do with science,” Tao said. “Going into TV made me realize that I’m actually a really creative person and I’d rather be creating things instead of dealing with science.”
Senior Ty Caccavello works for his father, who is the owner of Central Kitchen and Bath. Caccavello says his father has really pushed for him to ultimately take over the business. “He’s tried to help me follow in his footsteps by bringing me to work on busy days and letting me help clients,” Caccavello said. Caccavello says he will inherit his father’s business--if and when he’s ready. “It’s a great feeling to know that my dad trusts me to follow in his footsteps, and he doesn’t pressure me at all to learn everything,” Caccavello said. “I do like to learn about it, though, because I will be majoring in business management in college, so all the help I can get is great.” Williford believes jobs help students prepare for college. “College students are going to have to have some type of job, especially if they’re not able to get a full scholarship, because college is so expensive,” Williford said. “Colleges look for a well-rounded student: what you do for your community and any sports or clubs that you participate in high school.” Caccavello feels a sense of security from his father’s business. “Having his business as a backup plan does leave me a little room to breathe; I think that if I am able to go into the business and take over, I believe that it will help me in my later years, especially if I decide to do something else,” Caccavello said.
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MARCH 9, 2016 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | 13
ork
Politician I’m working a lot on my public speaking skills and keeping myself informed on today’s current events and aware of what’s happening in the world.
-sara costello, 11
build careers
racecar driver
I race go-karts and I have connections with modified cars. I plan on attending the Skip Barber racing school when I get my license.
-Kayla Thompson, 11
ating the future
ophomore Stone Mangum of Simplx, released the Evercool umbrella in late ust. started making the Evercool product anuary during my time in the Young epreneurs Academy,” Mangum said. “I ded to take my time to make sure all ieces were there.” Mangum found inspiration during his er’s baseball game. t was unbearably hot and we were r a canopy tent with no wind,” Mangum “I thought out loud, ’Someone should e something to cool people down at es!’ Multitudes of peoples’ hands shot aying that they’ll buy it.” Mangum believes his product will help excel in business. feel that I have an advantage because e experience with running a business,” gum said. “I can only get better and me more successful.” f a student is thinking about opening own business, through this experience udent would begin to learn about eting and sales,” Goldman said. Mangum hopes to expand his current uct and explore new ideas. want to grow from my flagship uct, Evercool, by extending to outdoor ation products,” Mangum said. ollege and Simplx both play a role in gum’s future. plan to major in engineering or get a ee in law, or possibly both,” Mangum “Right now it looks like I will become CEO of Simplx before and after college. cool will help me to be more attractive lleges.”
Equestrian I ride every day and I want to go to the HITS Show next January with my new horse.
-Paige Mulac, 9
Photographer I’ve taken three years of photography in high school, and I do research for different types of photography.
-Ronnie hubbard, 12
Military officer weightlifter I want to be a professional weightlifter because I really enjoy it. Training is mostly four times a week with rigorous exercises and a string diet.
-JosE rivera, 11
Currently, I’m enrolled in ROTC. It’s taught me valuable regiments and life skills that I’ll use in the Naval Academy.
-Gabrielle Shacoski, 10
14 | FEATURES | THE LION’S TALE | MARCH 9, 2016 CAMPUS HERO
CAMPUS HERO
CAMPUS HERO
CAMPUS HERO
CAMPUS HERO
WRITTEN BY CONNOR COMPTON
Janitor Cheryl Posley’s bright, vivid socks complement her positive personality as she mops the floors of building one. According to secretary Patti Blake, Posley is great to have around. “She is such a wonderful person: she never says no to any task and I love her socks,” Blake said. “I look forward to seeing each pair she wears the next day.” Security officer Bonnie Presley says Posley works very hard. “She works three jobs and takes care of her grandchildren,” Presley said. “I love to see her socks on a daily basis.” Posley says the iconic socks started as a gift from her grandchildren. “Then the ESE class gave me a pair for my birthday, and then Mrs. Westelle gave me a couple of pairs and it just grew into a fashion trend,” “I gave Ms. Posely two pairs of socks last year because she was awarded Employee of the Year,” Westelle said. “When she got the award, she began skipping, with the award in one hand and the socks in the other.” “Everybody compliments them,” Posley said. “I got the nick-name The Crazy Sock Lady, which is very cool. I love that people can identify me because of my socks. Even though they don’t know me, they still know who I am.” Posley has been working in the county for 20 years, the last four of which have been at OHS. “I have worked at Walker Elementary, Geneva Elementary, Hagerty High, and here,” Posely said. “I worked in food service for 18 years, then transferred to custodial. I like Oviedo the best because of its sense of community and overall happiness. Enjoying my life and loving everyone is what keeps me in a positive mood every day.” Posely is responsible for the front areas of the school.
CLUB FEATURE
CLUB FEATURE
“I clean the administration, building one and the cafeteria,” Posley said. “I enjoy working and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. It’s my happy place; I come to work every day excited to be here with the wonderful people.” The students are a main factor in why Posley loves her job. “I enjoy the kids, they’re amazing,” Posley said. “I feel like a mom because they will come to me if they want to talk about something, or if they have a problem. Kids tell me ‘thank you’ all the time and it warms my heart.” Posley has won two awards for her service. “I have received Employee of the Month and Employee of Year,” Posley said. “Receiving that was very cool. It felt like I won a million bucks. It’s so nice to be appreciated for what you do, and I do love it when people talk to me or say ‘hi.’” Posley reflects about what keeps her going during the hard times. “There is nothing that I don’t enjoy, but during the hard times I try to embrace everything and live every day for what it’s worth,” Posley said. “But if the students could pick up after themselves some more and try to be more tidy, it would make my job a little bit easier.” Regardless of the day, Posley’s spirit and socks show her positivity. “This job is my life I love the place I love the people I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
CLUB FEATURE
PHOTOS BY ALEX BROWNING
Janitor sports socks, happy attitude daily
CLUB FEATURE
Students discover friendship, understanding through Buddies WRITTEN BY GILLIAN LANDWEHR
PHOTO BY NIYATI SHAH
EXCEPTIONAL SUPPORT. During an after-school
meeting, ESE Para Pro Joscelyn Wildgen offers a special needs student assistance with a math problem and uses a whiteboard to show the question, helping him understand.
Meetings usually start with friendship updates, an online log where the buddies track what they have done together throughout the month or week. Best Buddies has been a club for two years and is sponsored by ESE teacher Johnna Denny. “Best Buddies is a nationwide club that pairs regular education students with students with special needs to do extracurricular activities,” Denny said. There are roughly 50 members, 25 regular ed students and 25 students with special needs. The members strive to maintain interactions between the buddies. “One of my main goals is to put the priorities of the buddies first before myself, and make sure they have a good time,” said junior Lauren Mah. “My goal is to give the kids with special needs a better understanding of what high school is and give them another friend through high school,” said junior Ben Thompson. “My main goal is to help others while helping myself, because becoming good friends with these buddies really changes your life and theirs; it really helps build you as a person,” said president Audrey Smith. Smith said she heard about the club last year. “I heard about it on the announcements, it was a new club last year and I thought it was a good way to invest my time by helping all sorts of people,” Smith said.
Students discuss things such as upcoming events during meetings. “We recently had a friendship ball at University of Central Florida (UCF) and that was a really big project,” said vice president Chandvi Asnani. “Now, we have a Best Buddies friendship walk coming up, which is on the 7th.” “We want to do a big fundraiser after spring break, so hopefully we will get some information out about that,” Denny said. “Basically we get as many people to come as we can to support the cause and donate so that people are more aware of Best Buddies,” Asnani said. Although the club has only been here for two years, there have been a few obstacles. “I mean, it’s always hard,” Smith said. “Some of the members have a hard time participating due to other activities, and some people’s parents aren’t able to take the students places. Some students just have certain health concerns, so that’s also hard to work with.” Thompson has also faced some minor problems. “Sometimes its hard to talk to my buddy outside of school and hang out with them, but other than that, it’s usually fine,” Thompson said. “I haven’t really faced any problems,” Asnani said. “It’s just sometimes hard when you have people who say that they want to be in Best Buddies, but then they don’t hang out with the person they are paired with. That makes it hard.”
ALL-NATURAL
MARCH 9, 2016 | THE LION’S TALE | FEATURES | 15
BODYBUILDING STUDENTS ANALYZE HEALTH DETRIMENTS FROM ARTIFICIAL SUPPLEMENTS WRITTEN BY ALEX WHITE Noticing improvement keeps senior Emily Holycross at the gym seven times a week. Holycross gives insight on using bodybuilding supplements. “The only supplement I really use is pre-workout,” Holycross said. “Preworkout gives you an extra boost of energy and is like drinking a Monster in the morning to wake up. Pre-workout energizes you so you wont tire out as fast and you will work harder. It allows you to get continuous energy even after doing heavy weight.” Although Holycross finds benefits from supplement use, she explains that there are also health detriments that can come from taking too many. “I think that some people take too many supplements and they take it too far,” Holycross said. “Especially when bodybuilders take a supplement to counteract another supplement, it’s too much for your body to handle and it’s really hurting you.” “If you take too many supplements, you’re basically shutting your own body down,” Holycross said. “It may boost you for a while, but there are really terrible long-term effects. Relying on artificial substances to see improvement will not help you in the long-run.” Senior Luke Stelling began working out when he started playing on a football team. “For a while I wasn’t able to play because I got a couple concussions
and the headaches were too painful to practice,” Stelling said. “But now I’m getting back into working out and I want to be a personal trainer and open up my own gym one day.” Stelling takes natural supplements, including protein drinks, amino acids and pre workout on some occasions. He also takes fish oils and multivitamins daily. Stelling also feels there are longterm detriments from taking unnatural substances. “Some kids just want to get big,” Stelling said. “Some guys take testosterone boosters, which is terrible considering we are already so high in testosterone at this age. Others take pills that protect your liver from certain unnatural supplements. Things like this can definitely have long term effects on your body and it’s just not worth it.” Progress from being all-natural is important to Stelling. “Seeing improvement keeps you really motivated and you realize that your hard work has paid off,” Stelling said. “Being natural and living a healthy lifestyle makes you feel amazing.” Junior Stephen Deleonardis finds great rewards from working out. The only two supplements Deleonaris regularly takes are protein drinks and amino acids. “It’s a great feeling to see your body change,” Deleonardis said. “You also make a lot of friends from going to the gym too. We all go together and encourage each other.”
WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS IN YOUR PRE-WORKOUT? CAFFEINE
Caffeine has repeatedly been shown to be an effective ergogenic aid (performance booster) in both endurance exercise and short bouts of maximal exercise (e.g., sprints).
BCAA’S
BCAA’s, a type of amino acid, are key when it comes to regulating protein metabolism, increasing protein synthesis, and suppressing protein breakdown.
LIFTING FOR GAINS. Junior Stephen Deleonardis participates in his
after school workout by lifting weights on the Rear Delt/Pec Fly machine at the Zoo. PHOTO BY ALEX WHITE
BETA-ALANINE
This is another ingredient that can help improve overall training volume, but it works by buffering hydrogen ions (H+), providing the ability to keep intensity up for longer periods of time.
CREATINE
Creatine helps saturate muscles with the substrate (energy source) needed to produce a fast, big energy pump required for those really big lifts. INFOCOURTESYOFBODYBUILDING.COM
16 | FEATURES | THE LION’S TALE | MARCH 9, 2016
Early Childhood Education program provides hands-on experiences ILLUSTRATION BY BRIA-OLLIVIERRE WILLIAMS WRITTEN BY ALEXIS DIBLANDA ESOL teacher Melisa Ayala-Cruz dropped her son off for his first day of preschool, but worry didn’t dominate her thoughts. This was no ordinary preschool: the teachers were high school students in Early Childhood Education (ECE) classes and Ayaya-Cruz worked in the same building. “It’s here at Oviedo High School, and I am a teacher here so I felt ‘ok, if there’s any emergency, I’m here in the building,’” Ayala-Cruz said. “I felt very comfortable, very secure, very upbeat. I think the boys were more nervous, because it was their first time out of the house, going into a social environment with other little kids.” After drop-off the preschoolers enter a structured environment overseen by the students in ECE classes. “They have a routine,” said sophomore Rachel Whitesell. “A bell rings and they do snack and they have calendar and we teach them the lesson plans. We do science, math, language arts, stuff like that.” The high school students are involved in the planning aspect of the preschool as well. “Every group of three has a group of six kids, and you each get a lesson,” said senior Julia Ewasko. “You can teach language, sensory, math, dramatic play, and it rotates every week to coordinate with the theme.” According to ECE teacher Brenda DiNardo, each of these groups will complete between 10 and 15 lessons. During weeks when they aren’t teaching, students complete other jobs around the preschool, such as creating bulletin boards, writing weekly newsletters, preparing snacks, and supervising lunch. However, before the high school students work with the preschoolers, they take the first of the four levels of ECE classes. “In level one, the students are just getting an introduction to child development and developmentally appropriate practices,” DiNardo said. “They do not work
with the preschool children, so it’s all kind of theory and getting them ready to work in the preschool.” Although Whitesell found the book learning useful, she believes that hands-on experience is essential to learning how to work with children. “It’s kind of like driving your car,” Whitesell said. “You have to drive it, you just can’t read about it.” For the level two, three and four students, working in the preschool involves more than just writing lessons. “In addition to teaching, the high school ‘teachers’ also choose one child to observe through the year,” DiNardo said. “They complete several different observations to track the child’s progress and participate in a parent/teacher conference at the end of the year.” Ewasko enjoys this chance to become close to the preschoolers. “I like choosing a child to observe and getting to know them closer than all the other children,” Ewasko said. “You definitely develop a bond with all the kids, but getting one, you get really close them and their family.” The strength of these bonds shows at the children’s preschool graduation. “At graduation two years ago, I had just met [my preschooler’s] mom for the first time, since she didn’t show up to the preschool much,” Ewasko said. “He came in for graduation and ran up and hugged me, and she was like ‘oh my goodness.’” However, working with preschool children has its challenges. “They can’t really express themselves and they cry a lot, so you just have to manage those situations and guide them through it,” Whitesell said. “If they’re crying I usually set them aside and comfort them, and if they are fighting over a toy you have to say to share.” Ayala-Cruz was surprised by how quickly her children adjusted to preschool and moved past the homesick phase. “It is hard the first couple of days because it’s new
PHOTO BY INDIA PANTIN
PUTTING PIECES TOGETHER. Sophomore Tiana Kassis works on a puzzle with one of the preschoolers.
to them, since they’ve been home and have to kind of adjust, but after the second day they just waved and said ‘bye mom,’ and they were fine,” Ayala-Cruz said. “I think it was harder on the parents, myself in particular, because I was thinking ‘this is going to be heartbreaking for them,’ but they are fine after the second day.” Ayala-Cruz remembers a welcoming environment and fun activities from her sons’ time at the preschool. “The students are awesome, they really care about other kids and I love their activities,” Ayala-Cruz said. “I used to come home with bunches of art stuff. They did a lot of science, a lot of math, so they developed those skills that they needed.” During preschool graduation, DiNardo saw just how much her high school students learned. “Last year I had a death in the family and I had to leave and it was preschool graduation,” Dinardo said. “It meant so much to me that my upper levels totally ran the whole show; that made me very proud of them, that they could do that on their own.”
Choose us for your prom corsages and boutonnieres!
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MARCH 9, 2016 | THE LION’S TALE | ENTERTAINMENT | 17
QUICK REVIEWS
The Magicians Syfy
TV Show
SUPERLATIVE
ADMIRABLE
ADEQUATE
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, the Wardrobe
ATROCIOUS
Play Review
REVIEWED BY FAIZ UDDIN The new television series “The Magicians” is available to watch on the Syfy channel. Enter the world of the magic arts and chaos. Get hooked to this magical show as you enter Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy. Everyone who’s anyone comes to this school to learn and master the art of magic, but magic always come with a cost. An unknown creature threatens the school, and only Quentin Coldwater and his friends have the power to stop it.
Lost Boy Ruth B Song
REVIEWED BY GILLIAN LANDWEHR Popular vine singer Ruth Berhe, also known as “Ruth B,” films short, six-second covers of her voice and her piano. She recently wrote and released an EP called The Intro. Featured on The Intro is her most popular song, “Lost Boy.” This song has been all over the Internet in video edits. Ruth B has brilliant vocals. Her voice is very smooth and calming. I Iike that her style is very simple and doesn’t have too many elements included. I enjoy this song and I look forward to new music.
SWMRS
Rock Band Concert
REVIEWED BY BRYN GARICK Back-booth is a bar in downtown Orlando, and Feb. 26 it hosted four bands: Sleeping Sons, CHRMNG, The Frights, and SWMRS. Sleeping Sons, who opened the show, are a local band situated in Orlando. Their set consisted of five
Performance creates unique atmosphere The production of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” was one-of-a-kind. The chilling scenery left the audience in awe, along with the mesmerizing lighting, which changed with the mood of each scene. Directed by drama teacher and Thespian Troupe 4564 sponsor Tim Carter, this play had the whole audience entertained, thanks to magnificent acting and enchanting settings. Lead roles starred sophomore Maddie Barker (Lucy), sophomore Danny Sanchez (Edmund), senior Morgan Simonds (Susan), senior Steven Morgan (Peter), senior Joey Kent (Aslan), sophomore Hailey Swope (White Witch), senior Ethan Smith (Fenris elf), junior Daniel Butterfield (Tumnus), and many more talented students.
The main characters had to have British accents, and I could hardly tell they were fake. They did a really wonderful job recreating the roles ant it was very believable. Transitions through scenes were fast and diligent, and the crew did a wonderful job setting up each scene. Lighting played a huge part in this play: red glowed during fight scenes, and blue froze the set when in Narnia. The techs dimmed the lights so I couldn’t see what was being changed. The lights in every scene made this play seem very magical. Another factor that contributed to the play was the dancers that were in some scenes. The dancing scenes intrigued the audience. The creative costumes that the actors and actresses where wearing made the beauty of play more realistic and entertaining, it also fit well with the characters they were portraying.
The actors were in character for the whole show, and if there were flaws, they covered them up to seem like there were none. I was never confused as to what was happening in the moment, and each scene was a delight to watch. The director did an efficient job casting for the play. The music was taken directly from the Narnia movie franchise, which made me feel like I was actually watching a movie. The music added an extra sense to the scene and, at times, in intensified the moment. The theater department did a wonderful job with “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Which, and The Wardrobe” and I can’t wait to see what they have for us next. Check out oviedojournalism.com for further coverage on the creation of the show
songs, all of which are featured on their new EP, The Chase, as well as a song called “Brave,” dedicated to their late friend. Drummer Scott Ellis was fantastic, breaking one of his drumsticks with his energy. The crowd took a couple songs to get excited, but seemed sad when the set ended. Next was CHRMNG, a small indie band, also from Florida. The lead singer confessed multiple times how nervous he was, since it was their first show. CHRMNG only had a couple songs to play because they formed in November and the songs haven’t been released
on a CD yet. The band member controlling the computer sound effects vaped throughout the entire performance and was later made fun of by Cole Becker of SWMRS, as he stated how “uncool” that was. A few songs before CHRMNG’s set ended, mosh pits began to occur and the lead singer urged them on. The first headlining act to perform was The Frights. Their music is indie, as well as old punk rock. Their set featured songs from their new album, but also some older hits from past albums, such as “Cold.” The Frights took the stage and immediately their energy livened the room. The energy
level of the band, mixed with their new music, made for an exciting hour. The last act to perform was SWMRS; their genre is rock and their act was more polished. SWMRS played almost every song from their debut album, Drive North, released earlier in February, as well as covering “Boys Don’t Cry,” originally by The Cure. Their energy and performance captivated the entire room as the audience was singing along and jumping on one another. There weren’t breaks between songs, so when they finished, the set seemed shorter than it really was. The indie and rock music fit the intimacy of the venue and made for a great couple of hours.
REVIEWED BYJESSICA WHITE
18 | ENTERTAINMENT | THE LION’S TALE | MARCH 9, 2016
Tom Clancy’s: The Division Game
by Ubisoft
The adventure begins REVIEWED BY FERN SILVA
PHOTO COURTESY FOXMOVIES.COM
Superhero busts ribs, bad guys REVIEWED BY DECLAN MCCOY
When I first heard about the impending release of Marvel’s Deadpool, my reaction was that of extreme elation. When I heard it was featuring Ryan Reynolds, I was quite nonplussed, to say the least, but I must say he did the movie the justice it deserved after being so long in the making. The first time Fox attempted to insert the merc with a mouth was X-Men Origins (2009), where they failed miserably, leaving fans of the sometimes-hero with a bad taste in their mouth. It resulted in fans calling for a true Deadpool film to satisfy their cravings, to which Fox responded in 2014 with leaked test footage of Ryan Reynolds once again becoming Deadpool, showcasing the Ultra Violent themes of Marvel’s first “R-rated” film to massive fan approval. The opening scene set the tone for the whole movie, opening up to a blitzkrieg of laughs just from the opening credits. Credits feature ‘An Overpaid Tool’ and the ‘Real Heroes’ of the film–the screen writers--and ‘God’s perfect idiot,’ Ryan Reynolds, from which it rapidly transitions to a high octane scene of him violently ending ‘baddies’ whilst spouting one-liners, all the while counting his bullets, to superb comedic effect. Throughout the opening credits alone, I doubt there was an entire minute where I wasn’t laughing so hard that I found it
difficult to breathe; at the same time, I was on the edge of my seat, watching the man in red skewer all those before him. Past the opening scene, the backstory moved a bit slow for my taste. It went all the way through what he did before donning his ‘red pajamas’ to how he met the female lead of the story. It showed their relationship up until he made the choice to become part of the Weapon X program, which would ultimately save him from the malignant cancers that spread throughout his body. I have to say, while there were still a few good jabs and chuckles scattered throughout the origins scene, it was not my favorite part of the movie. It was more about Wade Wilson and his backstory than it was about anything else. This backstory seems to fill in the need for a lovestory, giving guys a reason to tell their girls it was perfect for Valentine’s Day. In any case, it dragged on a bit much for me. It seems like every superhero movie has to have a scene displaying the early period of said superhero (e.g. Spiderman) going through how he chose his super moniker and his suit; this is where Deadpool shines. Anyone who has read the comics or played the game knows Deadpool habitually breaks the fourth wall, directly referring to the audience and creators, often with epithets.
Up-And-Coming: Books By Maeve Binchy
A Few of the Girls is a collection of the very best of Maeve Binchy’s short story writing, stories that were written over the years.
In this movie, he breaks through it like the Kool-Aid man, to uproarious laughter from the audience. In this film, the fourth wall gets so trampled that he breaks the fourth wall while breaking the fourth wall inside a flashback. You learn that he wears red “so bad guys can’t see me bleed,” and a variety of supporting characters are introduced, such as his comic-relief best friend Weasel. Also playing a key role are the two X-men, Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (seriously), at whom Deadpool cheekily breaks the fourth wall by saying, “It’s funny how I only ever see two of you. It’s almost like the studio couldn’t afford another X-Man!” True to the style of the rest of the movie, the writers even manage to bite their thumb at the well-established obligatory Stan Lee cameo. Instead of using him as a normal bystander, as is common with superhero movies, Deadpool has the gumption to do the unthinkable and make Lee’s character the DJ of a strip club. All in all, Deadpool is a cheeky jab at the super-cliche superhero genre. It combines raunchy, not-for-kids humor with intense ultra-violent fight scenes that, throughout the action, still manage to shoot one-liners as often as bullets. I have to say, while this was a truly superb piece of cinematic art, this movie is not for the faint of heart.
Set to be released in March, Tom Clancy’s The Division is created by Massive Studios and published by Ubisoft Studios. The game will be available on Xbox One, PS4, and PC. Similar to the previous title in the franchise, The Division will focus largely on multiplayer aspects, like forming squads with friends or random people online, as well as large Player vs. Player areas. The Divisionis set in a dystopian New York, after a strain of smallpox had swept through the nation and caused the entire government infrastructure to collapse. Your character is part of an organization called the “Strategic Homeland Division,” or the Division, for short. New York is in shambles, with four hostile factions that rule sections of the city. The four factions are the Rioters, Rikers, Cleaners, and Last Man Battalion. Another main focus of the game is character customization, allowing players to make their own characters, change their features, as well as pick and choose from many different cosmetic items. The Division gives players a wide assortment of tools for tackling situations. Within the game there is a large variety of weapons and weapon types, from sidearms to submachine guns, from assault rifles to shotguns to light machine guns. The game introduces the player to a large assortment of abilities that can be used to give the player a tactical advantage. These abilities range from a riot shield, a deployable turret, as well as a launchable sticky grenade. All abilities can have certain modifications that, when applied, can boost the abilities’ effects. Because of the large push of multiplayer aspects, the game can be somewhat boring if you play by yourself. When you play with friends, though, the game has endless possibilities.
Up-And-Coming: Events By Ethan Canin Milo Andret is born with a gift, but he doesn’t notice it. After going to U.C. Berkley, he learns of his mind and of a woman he loves.
Don’t miss out on the Oviedo High School Carnival
Check out choir’s spring 70s-themed show coming up next month
MARCH 9, 2016 | THE LION’S TALE | ENTERTAINMENT | 19
One Page Low-down
App Review: Phhhoto
WHAT GRINDS WRITTEN BY ANSLEY BABCOCK MY A new uprising form of social media, PHHHOTO, combines aspects of Instagram and Snapchat perfectly. The app allows users GEARS to post moving images or GIFs. The app takes several pictures over
a course of 5 seconds to create a moving image. WRITTEN BY C. COMPTON Users can post, comment, and like pictures in a format that is When people think of unclean similar to those used in many popular social media apps. However, places, they normally think of a unlike any other social media, there is party mode, where users can theme park or a doctor’s office. create groups to share pictures with, similar to Snapchat. But I dread every day when I Overall, PHHHOTO creates a multi-dimensional, inclusive have to use the restroom at a public experience for posting photos. PHHHOTO may be just another from place. The immoderacy of some of social media, but it shows a unique side of sharing things online. people is beyond my imagination. To publicly write foul things on walls and doors, or even mirrors, means that the person has no respect for anything. And sometimes people even take toilet paper and string it over everything. REVIEWED FAIZ UDDIN The fact is that some people don’t care and will do very stupid Flyleaf’s Memento Mori is the most things, like popping soap bags unique album of the band’s entire or putting fecal matter where it collection. There is special meaning in shouldn’t be. each song that holds value to the band. Honestly, the uncleanliness Just listening to the songs in their of men is disgusting. I know from album, Memento Mori, you won’t be able going into a restroom who it is safe to decipher the message. When listening to shake hands with and who I to or reading the lyrics, I was able to find should just wave at. meaning in their works. Another thing that comes to mind when I enter a restroom is One song in particular, “Circle,” talks about one of how awkward the atmosphere is. the lead singer’s ex-boyfriends committing suicide. After continually listening to the song I came to realize that it wasn’t For instance, you have a bunch of men using urinals. about an ex, but about Jesus. Most of them don’t even have Flyleaf dedicated most of their songs on this album to the dividers, so you’re trying not to their religion, mixed with their own love lives. With a powerful show yourself to the world while the voice, Lacey Sturm takes each word to the heart. Flyleaf is only thing blocking you is a threeknown as a Christian rock/pop band and was formed in Texas inch piece of ceramic. in 2002. I have listened to their other albums, and by far, It would make most people Memento Mori is their best. angry if they where put into that situation, and when they do go in Each of the songs is different from the others, but put together they tell a story. This was Flyleaf’s second published a stall, it’s like a scavenger hunt to find one that’s not disgusting, album released through A&M/Octone Records on Nov. 10, because most people do their 2009. The title of the album is a Latin phrase meaning “be business and leave, which is super mindful of death” or “remember you will die.” unsanitary. Vandalism is a big problem in the U.S. Most days, viewing a restroom seems more like looking at an art museum than a restroom. Drug use in bath rooms has increased over the recent years when ever I walk in to a restroom at a public place it smells more like a smoke shop than a bathroom. I feel that today, as a society, we are unclean, and if we don’t act soon, then diseases and famine will attack us.
Album Review: Memento Mori
SUDOKU
GUYS GUIDE TO FEMALES
Haiku Reviews
The Shannara Chronicles
WRITTEN BY JESICA LITTON
WRITTEN BY FAIZ UDDIN
Are you a magician? Because every time I look at you everyone else disappears.
Long lost history A magical adventure Battle between foes
Do you have a map? I’m getting lost in you eyes.
Short Stories WRITTEN BY YARITZA CALVERT It took me forever to admit he was emotionally abusive. The things he would say, the things he would do, the way he called me dumb or made fun of something I cared about, and the way he made my opinions sound irrational-he always put me down. I could never be happy with him, no matter how hard I tried. As the words came out of my mouth, I began to tear up, but I held the tears back and swallowed my pain. I knew what I did was for the best. The way he treated me and manipulated me is no way any girl should be treated. I almost felt bad for breaking up with him out of the blue, but I had felt that way for a while and my friends had been telling me that he was no good. I denied it for the longest time, until I realized he truly had no feelings for me; our relationship just wasn’t worth the emotional exhaustion anymore. It’s weird walking from class to class without him, and it makes me sad thinking about the plans we use to make for after school, realizing we’re not hanging out anymore. Those thoughts make me want to get back together with him, but I can’t. Not after all this. Now I need to focus on my friends: the most ignored, strongest, and longest relationships there are in high school. I feel like a giant weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I finally feel new again.
THIS SHOULD BE A WORD WRITTEN BY ALEX BROWNING
Swuzzy
When your so full that you start to wobble Bob was so swuzzy he could’nt walk right.
Verb
I’m not a photographer but I can picture you and I together. You’re so beautiful you made me forget my pickup line.
If you were a vegetable, you’d be a cute-cumber.
I want to live in your socks so I’m to be with you every step of the way. Can I take your picture to show all my friends that angels do exist? You shouldn’t wear makeup, it’s messing with perfection.
Top Ten Obscure Jobs WRITTEN BY HANNAH GIBILISCO
1. Puggle handler 2. Supercar test driver 3. Professional wingman 4. Smarthome programmer 5. Gold stacker 6. Professional Netflix tagger 7. Mermaid (Yes, mermaid.) 8. Lego Master Builder 9. White-Hat Hacker 10. Awards show seat-filler
MARCH 9, 2016 | THE LION’S TALE | SPORTS | 21
SPORTING TO SERVE Athletes’ commitment extends beyond field, into community WRITTEN BY DOUG CHIODINI The cheerleading team gives time. The Ultimate Frisbee team gives food. The basketball team gives funds. Together, these sports, along with many others at OHS, give back to the community. Before their missions commence, the teams must decide how to serve in their own way. For Ultimate Frisbee coach William Furiosi, past experience played a part in the creation of the upcoming student-faculty face-off. “While I was at UCF, my college team participated in many outreach involvement programs,” Furiosi said. “I wanted to continue that tradition with the high school team here, and I thought that it would be good to give back. The team is really looking for the school’s support and help.” The exhibition match, which will take place on Monday, March 14 at 7pm at the John Courier Field, will ask for non-perishable food for admission in lieu of money. The team will donate all proceeds to the OHS food pantry. Senior Nick Stephens recalls when the team first heard of the
event. “We got really excited,” Stephens said. “We just wanted a chance to beat the teachers, and do it for a really good cause at the same time.” While Ultimate Frisbee is a mere fledgling when it comes to service, the basketball team is well-versed in philanthropy, having coordinated the Hoops with a Heart event for the past 11 years. The team donates the proceeds to the Rob Graham Foundation and the V Foundation for cancer research. Although the players see it as another game, the impact on the community inspires the team to strive for success. “It kind of gets me inspired,” said sophomore William Przystup. “In other games we are playing for titles, which gets you hyped and everything, but at the same time you know you’re playing for a really good cause and you just want to keep it up.” While basketball and Ultimate raise money, the cheer team raises morale by devoting their time and pep to the community. From 5K races to barbecue blowouts, the cheerleaders brighten the lives of those they serve. “I think they really appreciate
it because we just volunteer and go hang out with them,” said junior Celina Smith. “Seeing the little kids’ reactions, it’s a lot of fun.” Despite being already cemented in the community, the basketball and cheer teams have branched out and extended their services in recent years. They have taken on new projects with the goal of improving life for those around them. For Przystup, his Eagle Scout project was a perfect way to help his team get involved. “We rebuilt a whole entire new gym for the [CrossLife] church down the street,” Przystup said. “We helped restore, rebuild the baskets, rebuild the floors; we got everything cleaned up.” With a plethora of athletes willing to give back, athletic director Zach Robertson feels that OHS and the community have a formidable relationship that is built to last. “It shows the community that sports teams around here are involved and have a vested interest in what happens in Oviedo,” Robertson said. “It just goes to show how entrenched OHS is in the community and how much they look to us for support.”
LEAVING THEIR MARK. (Top Right) Junior Chris Green defends junior Edward Berman during “Ultimate Showdown” prep. REFRESH, RECOVER, RESTORE. (Bottom Rght) Sophomore William Przystup and the Oviedo basketball team discuss their plan of attack for restoring the CrossLife church’s basketball court.
PHOTOS BY ALEX BROWNING
UNITE FOR THE FIGHT. (Above) OHS and Hagerty High cheerleaders join forces to support the annual Unite for the Fight football game and child cancer care and research on Sept. 11 at John Courier Field.
Baseball seeks backto-back state championships
22 | SPORTS | THE LION’S TALE | MARCH 9, 2016
WRITTEN BY STERLING CORUM
Since winning states last year, the varsity baseball team has high hopes for the 2016 season. For a large part of the off season, the team conditioned together in order to be in shape for the upcoming season. Junior Ben Thompson says that the conditioning is hard work, but the effort in order to receive another state title and reward their seniors is worth it. “We’d love to be back to back state champions for Oviedo High School and make our seniors proud,” Thompson said. The team is confident in their playing abilities as well. “I think we all worked hard to get a lot better over the summer and during the fall since our season ended last year,” Thompson said. The team has improved in many of their strengths in practices early on in the season and developed more skills as a group. “We know how to manufacture runs really well, and I think that’s our strong point,” said junior Nicholas Mott. “We play really well together and I don’t think we’re missing anything. We have a lot of potential and I think we can go pretty far.” Off-season conditioning is an integral component of being successful for the baseball team in the spring, and this year they worked almost non-stop. “Over the summer we had weight programs, open fields throughout year, and we had fall season which is a major part in the preparation for our spring season,” Thompson said. The team’s ability to recognize the support of their coaches is also key to their ability to win games. “They respect us a lot as players,” Mott
said. “And it’s a lot of mutual respect. The pressure isn’t necessarily bad, it’s good pressure. You want to feel pressure from your coaches.” Although pressure from coaches is an important part in winning games, so is the advice they can offer. “The coaches are really helpful as well,” Thompson said. “We have time to work with them one-on-one and ask them what they see, what we need help with. They point out a lot of little stuff we may not notice.” Despite the skills required to win games, Thompson believes that the real reason the team is so successful is their ability to cooperate and maintain strong friendships with one another. “We’re all very close and support each other really well as a team,” Thompson said. “There aren’t any outliers on it, we all get along. Everyone works together.” Although it is still early in the season, the district tournament for the team is not too far away; hopefully, it is followed by regional playoffs. “We have a lot of time to prepare for playoffs, and I think we’re headed in the right direction as far as the district tournament,” Mott said. Although hitting is a major skill for the team, there is always room for improvement when faced with stiff competition. “We just need to keep playing hard and consciously work to improve our hitting every day,” Thompson said. “Because ultimately, runs win games.” So the question prevails, can they do it again? “We just work hard every day,” Mott said. “We know that every day we have to get better in order to be a force to be reckoned with at states.”
Upcoming Baseball Games Tuesday 3/15: at 4:30 @ Olympia Wednesday 3/16: at 7:00 @ University (Orlando) Friday 3/18: at 7:00 vs University (Orlando) Monday 3/21: at 4:30 @ Edgewater
Varsity
Wednesday 3/23: at 7:00 @ Trinity Prep Wednesday 3/30: at 7:00 vs Winter Park Friday 4/1: at 7:00 @ Winter Park Tuesday 4/5: at 7:00 @ Lake Howell
PHOTOS BY ALEX BROWNING PITCHER PERFECT. Junior Eldrige Figueroa-Castro begins his pitching motion on the mound.
BATTER UP. Sophomore Scott Reeves steps up to the plate to face Lake Mary’s pitcher.
Junior Varsity
Wednesday 3/16: at 6:00 @ University Thursday 3/17: at 6:00 @ Lake Brantley Friday 3/18: at 4:00 @ University (Orlando)
Monday 3/28: at 6:00 vs Lake Howell Wednesday 3/30: at 4:00 vs Winter Park Friday 4/1: at 4:00 @ Winter Park
ROAR BOARD
MARCH 9, 2016 | THE LION’S TALE | SPORTS | 23
The voice of OHS sports STAR ATHLETE: EMILY SHEEHAN
Q- How did you improve your game over summer and during the offseason? A- I stepped up my game by playing in tournaments every weekend. Q- How is being the one seed different than being the two seed? A- Line one is more competitive, but at the same time it’s more fun because I know most of the girls since I’ve played them in tournaments before. Q- How has the team embraced you as their number one? A- The adjustment wasn’t all that hard since I’ve played with all these girls for years. Q- How has being the one affected you as a player? A- It’s definitely made me step up my game a little, but playing tougher matches has helped me improve. Q- What do you feel is the strongest aspect of your game? A- I guess keeping a positive attitude and being strong mentally is important in every sport and life.
PHOTO BY DELANEY ROBB
READY TO STRIKE. Junior Nick DiPietro winds up to shoot at goal on Feb. 26 at Dr. Phillips High School.
WORK HARD, PLAY HARD SET FOR SUCCESS Men’s lacrosse team’s bonds propel them to new heights WRITTEN BY ANNA TAGYE The men’s lacrosse team loves their sport, and work their hardest at every practice and game. From conditioning to scrimmages, the team pushes physical boundaries. “It’s a very physical sport so there is a lot of contact, and you have to be able to take it,” said sophomore Dominic Madling. “I love how fast the game is, and being able to play with some of your best friends,” Madling said. According to Madling, the team practices every day during the week, except for Sunday, and they work hard at every single one. “I first started playing football and saw other people playing lacrosse and thought it looked fun, so I picked up a stick and went from there,” Madling said. The team is close, even though their relationship isn’t perfect. “We are closer than others even though we do have some rough times but we are really close,” Madling said. According to Madling, the games are the team’s favorite aspect of the sport, but also the most challenging one.
PHOTO BY ALEX BROWNING MAKING A SPLASH. Senior Sebastian Hernandez prepares to make a pass against Timber Creek High School at the Oviedo Aquatic Center.
WATER POLO
Men’s varsity volleyball vies for state title this year WRITTEN BY DOUG CHIODINI Coming off a losing season, the Oviedo men’s volleyball team is shattering all expectations. At 4-0, they can credit their improvement and success to the work they put in over the summer and preseason. “[Over] summer we had open gyms,” said senior Kevin Pearre. “We had separated practices for each person so we could pass and hit and swing and stuff like that.” While that determination to improve has been paying dividends for the team thus far, the true source of success is seen in their improved leadership. “Last year we had two seniors, but this year we have three,” Pearre said. “We have all seniors are captains... We [seniors] are all very good and we are well-rounded.” Beating Lyman, a constant contender for districts and states, provided promise for the team’s postseason pursuits. “We’ve already beaten one of our top district competitors that won states two years ago, Lyman, so we are looking to win districts this year,” Pearre said. “Down the road we are looking to win states, [and] we have a very good shot.”
PHOTO BY INDIA PANTIN
INSTAGRAM OF THE MONTH:
PHOTO BY INDIA PANTIN
TWEET OF THE MONTH:
Mickey Kennedy @MICKEYKENNEDY
ollypatty
Mar. 9
Good luck to my girls and boys water polo team back home as they take on Winter Springs and Hagerty tonight. Go get em guys! 7 RETWEETS 18 FAVORITES
174 likes
ROARing Success- Winter Sport Wrap-Up VARSITY
Softball* Baseball Girls Lacrosse Mens Lacrosse Mens Volleyball*
(3-9) (8-3) (7-4) (4-6) (4-0)
PHOTO BY DELANEY ROBB
RISING UP. Junior David Maish jumps to set the ball at volleyball practice in the RWL gym.
LIFTS HIS SPIRITS. Sophomore Jackson Wydra maxes out on his clean pull at a weightlifting competition.
VOLLEYBALL
WEIGHT LIFTING
JUNIOR VARSITY
Softball (8-1-2) Baseball (5-4) Girls Lacrosse (3-7) Mens Volleyball* (1-1)
*All records as of Dec. 8
All stats as of Mar. 9 *Info Courtesy of Maxpreps.com
PHOTO BY LINDSEE HOWARD DRIVING THE PAINT. Junior Gabriella Williams converses with her team between innings at the OHS softball fields.
SOFTBALL
24 | ENTERTAINMENT | THE LION’S TALE | MARCH 9, 2016
Are you still watching? Continue Watching
Streaming encourages binge-watching WRITTEN BY JESSICA WHITE
Some viewers watch single episodes, while others admit to binge-watching (watching several episodes in a row). The iconic “Are you still watching?” screen prompts viewers to decide whether to stop or to indulge in a binge. There are differing opinions about Netflix; whether or not it is beneficial to society remains in question. Freshman Jonas Allen thinks that Netflix is good for high school students. “It saves people money, and it provides a break for students to just relax and pause from schoolwork if they are very stressed out,” Allen said. Netflix’s streaming website provides subscribers with countless numbers of movies and television shows to watch and re-watch, time and time again, changing the traditional method of TV viewing. Some say that it takes away valuable time from students and makes them distracted, like freshman Christina York. “I don’t think Netflix is good for our society because it cuts people off from the world, and when I start watching I can’t stop,” York said. “It can also affect peoples’ grades in school because they are focusing on the TV and not on their studies.” According to a March 2015 survey by TIVO, only 30% of respondents said
they saw binge-watching in a negative light, compared with 53% in 2013. Also, 92% of those surveyed said they have engaged in binge-watching at some point. Junior Kelsey Tatum thinks that binge-watching is a routine activity. “Once you start watching, you get pulled into the plot, and there are also full seasons available, so it is easier to get sucked into the show, and you can’t stop,” Tatum said. “I think that binge-watching is just something everyone does, it’s normal for high school students.” Many students binge-watch Netflix when they are not busy, but some put aside their work to watch it. Gifted biology teacher Emily Norris notes that bingewatching affects students’ schoolwork. “I watch Netflix when I am finished grading papers, but when students start to watch Netflix, they put their schoolwork aside and forget to complete it,” Norris said. “Students should limit the time spent watching Netflix and start focusing on their assignments.” Freshman Elizabeth Foote likes the old shows that are available for her to enjoy. “I like how I can watch old shows like ‘One Tree Hill,’ the ‘Vampire Diaries’ and ‘Pokémon,’” Foote said. “The whole season is available, which is very convenient.”
NETFLIX BY AGE PEOPLE AGES
55-64 ARE LESS THAN HALF AS LIKELY TO
PAY FOR OR USE
NETFLIX THAN THEIR TEEN COUNTERPARTS.
The streaming website also allows students to watch their favorite shows without any commercials. Freshman Lauren Viola takes advantage of this. “I love how it doesn’t have any commercials,” Viola said, “I can keep watching my favorite shows without any distractions.” Even though there is a large variety of movies and shows on Netflix, freshman Alena Aponte argues that its selection needs to get updated. “There are some shows that I like on Netflix, but there are so many shows that are not on Netflix, so if I am going to pay for television I want all of my favorite shows to be on there,” Aponte said. Junior Emily Sheehan states that there should be a larger variety of shows provided. “I enjoy watching Netflix, but sometimes I run out of shows to watch or there aren’t any interesting shows to watch,” Sheehan said. “They should add more shows that people are interested in.” Some criticize the fact that some shows’ contracts expire; then that show is no longer available to the subscribers. Freshman Jocelyn Abril states that it is unfair. “There are certain shows that I watch the whole season in one day,” Abril said. “But when I go back to watch the show a month later, the show is completely gone.”
Netflix The
Effect
of users
61%
binge-watch shows at least every few weeks
42.5
billion streaming hours were spent in 2015
329,400,000,000 gigabytes
of data pushed in the year 2015
40 million users O U T O F T H E U . S . TEENS,
AGES 16-24,
exist in the United States
65% USE NETFLIX. BUT FOR THOSE 55 OR OVER,
LESS THAN A QUARTER OF THE POPULATION
WATCH IT.
INFOCOURTESYOFSTATISTA.COM
130
countries have subscribers