PANTHER
the
V 60 N4
Miami Palmetto Senior High School
7460 SW 118 Street, Miami, FL 33156
Tuesday April 3, 2017
02 Contents
contents
05 06 NEWS
LIFE
Chronically Lonely What does this new epidemic say about our culture?
Palmetto Transfers A look into how transfer students cope with change.
11
19
Enough Is Enough Taking a look at our generation’s fight for survival.
Captain Qualities Palmetto’s top athletes reveal what makes them leaders.
25
FEATURE SPORTS OPINION
LETTERS Ed i t o r
Time For Action Thoughts and prayers are no longer enough.
*Letters submitted may be edited for length, grammar and clarity. Letters can be submitted to Room 911B or thepanthermpsh@gmail.com
Dear Editor,
Dear Editor,
Dear Editor,
The Bitcoin story was written very well. When people try to explain crypto currency to others it is either too simple or there is information missing. The article was balanced and did a great job of explaining not just Bitcoin, but all crypto currencies.
I feel like the story about contaminated colleges could have used a little more information, but over all it was well written. The little pictures were very informative and explained a lot of things. This is an important topic so it was good that you went over it.
I really like the article titled “Relationship traits obtained from sports.” I like how you go onto the ground to get your quotes, and that you take every opportunity you can to speak with every athlete. As an athlete, I believe this topic is very relatable.
SINCERELY,
SINCERELY,
SINCERELY,
andres garcia-ruiz (10)
Caitlin Drickler (10)
Omar Diaz (10)
On
Review 03
COVER
T
he shooting in Parkland on Feb. 14 shook the South Florida community. In the aftermath, high school students have led the charge to ensure campus safety. In this issue we examine how students, faculty and members of our Palmetto community have taken action.
Our cover photo depicts a poster from the in-school protest on Feb. 15. The “Enough is Enough” message encompasses the urgency of younger generations to take action against guns.
The coution tape accent throughout the contents illustrates the diminishing of safety in spaces we once recognized as safe. Students thoughts on in-school safety are displyed on page 16.
NEWS BRIEFS
P LOVES MSD
LOVE, SIMON
nuclear tensions
March 14 marked the one month anniversary of the devastating Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting that took place on Valentine’s Day. Since the shooting, schools both locally and nationwide have participated in walkouts in support of gun control, including Palmetto High. In remembrance of the tragedy, Palmetto senior Jarrett Hyder and principal Victoria Dobbs organized a 1 month nniversary walkout where students took a 17 minute moment of silence to honor the victims of the shooting. As 2500 Palmetto students and administrators gathered on the soccer field for the moment of silence, students stood side by side forming the phrase “P loves MSD.”
Love, Simon hit theaters in mid-March and instantly became a hit amongst on social media for its progressive plot line. The movie stars Katherine Langford of Thirteen Reasons Why fame and Nick Robinson of Everything, Everything, who plays a closeted teenage boy who is still closeted and struggles with telling his family. The story has been praised by the LGBTQ+ community for depicting a gay teenage romance that does not end in tragedy, an unusual fate for many queer characters in television and movies. While Black Panther remains in the number one spot, the queer love story opened to $11.5 million over the weekend of March 17, according to The Atlantic.
In the first couple weeks of March, headlines appeared about a future meeting happening between President Trump and North Korea’s supreme leader, Kim Jong-un. As the days have gone by, secret meetings have been held planning on getting the two leaders together to discuss North Korea putting an end to their nuclear weapons and threats against countries like the U.S. Negotiations have also surfaced about potentially releasing three Americans held in North Korea’s custody. According to both South Korea and Finland officials, U.S., North and South Korea and Finnish representatives plan on meeting on March 19 in Finland to talk about the denuclearization.
04 News
harvest boxes reap dissent
On Feb. 2018, President Trump announced a proposal that would replace food stamps with harvest boxes. Functioning like care packages, harvest boxes will contain food staples such as peanut butter, milk, canned foods, and other products that the Trump administration sees as an economic positive towards American farmers and manufacturers. Harvest boxes depend on the number of people in a household and their income. Those who receive monthly food stamps, pay with an EBT card, which is similar to a debit card but used strictly to buy approved foods and products, such as vitamins. “My family receives $500 a month in food stamps,” senior Samantha Cruz said. “Trump is trying to replace our EBT cards with a box just filled with limited food that we don’t even know if we would like.” According to the Trump administration, harvest boxes would enhance the integrity of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is a federal program that aids low-income individuals and families to expand their food budget to purchase healthy food. “Harvest boxes are a good way of decreasing the cost of the S.N.A.P program,” conservative sophomore Lucas Schwartz said. “As well as cutting down on waste, fraud and abuse by S.N.A.P participants who control what recipients can have with the government money.” People who receive over $90 a month in benefits would have half of it replaced with a harvest box. The administration also says that the new implementation would save over $129.2 billion following a 10 year program between fiscal year 2018 and 2019. “I have not gotten any notice; my mom has no clue about this either,” Cruz said. “It’s gonna be really sad when people actually realize what’s going on.”
S.N.A.P. recipients would still receive
60 percent
of their benefits in cash to spend at grocery stores The average S.N.A.P. benefit per person is about
$125 per month
Annette Gonzalez Multimedia Team
a.gonzalez01.thepanther@gmail.com
the new implementation would save over $129.2 billion between 2018 and 2019 INFOGRAPHIC BY GEMMA TORRAS INFORMATION COURTESY OF CENTER ON BUDGET AND POLICY PRIORITIES
News 05
america's lonely life E arly this year, Prime Minister of Britain, Theresa May, appointed a minister for loneliness to combat a growing problem of isolated people. According to research done by the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness, more than nine million people in Britain often or always feel lonely. May expressed that loneliness is a sad reality of contemporary life, saturated by technology. After announcing her decision to appoint a minister of loneliness, May received equal support and ridicule; but loneliness is no laughing matter. According to the Harvard Business Review, research on the health risks of poor social connections reveals that loneliness is associated with a reduction in lifespan similar to that caused by obesity or smoking fifteen cigarettes a day. It can also put people at greater risk of having medical conditions like depression, dementia, cardiovascular disease and anxiety. Despite the risks associated with loneliness, the rest of the world, America
included, has been slow to combat it. “Addressing loneliness should be a high priority for society,” Vivek Murthy, the 19th Surgeon General of the United States, said. “Loneliness and the chronic stress it generates are connected to many of the major issues that occupy the news headlines from the opioid epidemic to gun violence.” A survey from the American Osteopathic Association showed that 72% of Americans experience loneliness. Despite this, there has been nothing done by the government to try and combat this issue. “I hope that our government will step up to lead on understanding and addressing the loneliness. However, creating a more connected America will require all parts of society to be involved from schools and workplaces to hospitals and government,” Murthy said. Loneliness is a problem that can affect anybody. It is important that everybody can talktopeopletheyknowandimprove the social
connections that exist between them. “If we work together to reduce loneliness and increase social connection, we will strengthen the foundation on which our community and our country are built,” Murthy said. Whether loneliness is combated by the government or by the community, the epidemic plagues people all across the world and is beginning to receive more attention from national and international officials and organizations. “The reality is this: millions of people around the world are struggling with loneliness. It is up to each of us to do what we can in our families, workplaces, schools, and social organizations to rebuild the strong social connections that are the foundation of a healthy, strong society,” Murthy said. “You don’t need a medical degree to address loneliness. You only need the ability to be present, the willingness to listen, and a heart full of compassion.”
Garrett Livingston Opinion Editor
glivingston.hepanther@gmail.com
Loneliness reduces lifespan equivalent TO smoking
15 cigarettes a day
INFOGRAPHIC BY GEMMA TORRAS
72%
of Americans experience loneliness
INFOGRAPHIC INFORMATION COURTESY OF AMERICAN OSTEOPATHIC ASSOCIATION AND HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW
LIVING LIFE UNPLUGGED
FOLLOW OUR LIFE EDITOR CAMILA MYERS THROUGH HER SELF IMPOSED SOCIAL MEDIA CLEANSE
WEDNESDAY
TUESDAY
As my Tuesday comes to an end, I found day one of my social media cleanse to go just as anticipated. I still caught myself checking my phone every couple seconds expecting to see a Snapchat notification, or even an Instagram DM. But each time my phone lit up, following closely behind was the disappointment that this social media-less world was, in fact, a reality... my reality. Instead of scrolling through feeds, I put my thumbs to good use and focused on the games on my phone that I had so casually overlooked all this time. Soon I realized I was checking my phone less and less as I finally started to begin to settle into my uncommon circumstances.
I realized that the cause of my procrastination was never social media. It was simply my source of entertainment during my time of procrastination. As I got home from a full day of taking out my phone to *attempt* to take funny Snapchats, I did what I always do, and laid on my bed. Typically, I check all my social media until I finally get the energy to do my homework. But today was different. I decided that I would use this cleanse to my advantage and get started on homework right away. I sit here writing to you now at 11:48 p.m. to inform you that I did not in fact get started right away. Even though I still have not grown fully accustomed to my new lifestyle, I saw today that it could benefit me in ways I did not expect as it led to me a realization that those still blinded by the artificial light of their phone screens would have never had.
THURSDAY Turns out, it IS possible to go to sleep before 1:00 in the morning. Yesterday was the first time in a long time that I did not stay up to finish a conversation, only to realize there was no end in sight and figuring I would just regret it tomorrow. I realized that I was not more productive because I did not have social media to distract me while doing homework, it was because without social media, I went to sleep earlier and was not as tired while doing homework the next day. According to The Big Thing, studies show that social media activity was a more important factor in terms of feeling well rested than the time you go to bed or the total amount of sleep you get. t It seems as though the longer I go without social media, my awareness increases and I grow more enlightened than everyone else.
FRIDAY
I am not going to lie to you, I had a moment of weakness today and considered redownloading Snapchat. Just one second to check my streaks would not hurt. But my will power proved stronger than expected and I resisted. On day four, I noticed that a new addiction has arisen to take the place of my social media one. The app Seven Little Words. I cannot stop. I play at school, at the gym, during my homework time. There seems to be no end in sight to my addiction. It seems that with or without it, social media manages to keep me tied to phone all the time, whether it be because I am on social media, or searching my phone for any way to fill my time without it.
I am joking. I actually spent five days not worrying about posting on my story to make everyone think I am cooler than I actually am, or staring at pictures on Instagram wishing I looked like this girl, or had this girl’s body. According to Times, “Earlier this year, psychologists found robust crosscultural evidence linking social media use to body image concerns, dieting, body surveillance, a drive for thinness and self-objectification in adolescents.” It was a refreshing change to peel my eyes from the screen and wait for my eyes to adjust to the sun before I could take everything in around me. It opened my eyes to so much beauty that passes me by each day and feelings that can only be felt by living directly, whole hearted in the moment, with no technological attachment weighing me down.
Camila Myers Life Editor
c.myers.thepanther@gmail.com
Life 07
tourist traps
South Beach:
a guide to avoid tourist traps during spring break
north Beach:
When people think of Miami, South Beach is one of the first places that comes to mind. This well-known beach is sure to become packed with tourists, which makes the beach more crowded, loud, and overall less peaceful.
For a more relaxing time, head on up to North Beach, which runs from 63rd Street to 87th Terrace. While it lacks the shops that South Beach has, it is quieter and provides a tranquil beach experience.
OCEAN DRIVE:
sUNSET HARBOR:
Renowned Ocean Drive has restaurants and art deco buildings that attract tourists every day. However, the places along this street are known for their high prices, bad service and loud crowds.
Instead, try Sunset Harbor along Purdy Avenue and Sunset Harbor Drive, which is a walkable and trendy neighborhood that is full of shops and restaurants, but lacks the packs of tourists.
SEAQUARIUM:
lOGGERHEAD MARINE CENTER
Miami’s Seaquarium provides a large space for people to observe marine life. While the aquarium receives many visitors, this place does not treat its animals well since its shows have been shown to be abusive to the animals. They keep their tanks dirty, and on top of that all, the ticket prices are quite expensive.
The Loggerhead Marine Life Center on U.S. Highway 1 at Juno Beach will give tourists a much more educational experience. This conservatory and rehabilitation center for sea turtles lets visitors interact and learn about marine life.
ICE CREAM MUSEUM:
wynwood walls:
Since it opened in December, the Ice Cream Museum has been flooded with people looking to take “Instagram-worthy” pictures. For its last extension, the museum will be open from Feb. 27 to April 29. Tickets are $38 per person, an expensive price for the attraction.
For equally artistic photos, check out Wynwood. As you walk around the neighborhood, there are pieces of artwork on every corner. Also, admission to the urban graffiti gallery called Wynwood Walls is free.
versailles:
Rio cristal:
Versailles has deemed itself “The World’s Most Famous Cuban Restaurant,” which has been serving classic Cuban food since 1971. While it does have a history in Miami as being a gathering place for Cuban exiles in Miami, reviews have said that the restaurant is highly overrated since the food was mediocre and service was slow.
For a taste of more authentic Cuban food, try Rio Cristal on 9872 SW 40th St. This restaurant has been serving excellent food for four decades according to the countless online customer reviews.
Gemma Torras Design Editor
g.torras.thepanther@gmail.com
08 Life
From the moment that students step into high school, friend groups are already formed. Once people feel like they are part of a group, they tend to not stray far away from that group. This makes it difficult for newcomers to join Palmetto and the life of a transfer student comes with its fair share of obstacles. One of the toughest times for transfer students is the first day of school when friends are sharing stories about shared summer ventures leaving transfer students with the task of branching out. “The first day of school is definitely the hardest part,” junior transfer from Ransom Everglades High School Joseph Kravetz said. “Friend groups have already been established and it’s hard not to seem like that awkward new kid.” New transfer students at Palmetto will face the challenge of making a new schedule that will put them on the right path for graduation and the credit satisfaction needed to get there. Because different schools offer various classes for different grade levels, transfer credits and schedule building can prove to be very difficult for a new student. Picking classes is not even the most difficult part; for students coming from private schools, they must make up all of the standardized testing they have missed. “If a student is taking a class that is equivalent to Algebra I but not called Algebra I, they still have to take the Algebra I EOC,” Head of Student Services Ms. Pinero Trombly said. The student services department is placed in a sticky situation when creating schedules for new students. Counselors have to make sure that
all of the titles of classes lineup, and the difficulty of classes from different schools does not always match up with the difficulty of the class at Palmetto. “We have to honor the text on the transcript,” Trombly said. “We try our best to accommodate new students but the information on the transcript is what we have to go by.” Despite this, the student services department works with new students and tries its best to make the transition as smooth as possible. “My counselor helped me pick all of my classes and that day, I was able to attend all of those classes,” junior Andres Astudillo said. Despite the hassle that comes with moving to new school, transfer students do have some advantages. “At the beginning of the year, being less social can be better because it allows you to focus and pay closer attention to grades,” Kravetz said. Friend groups can be a determining factor in the performance of students in the classroom. According to the Huffington Post, students that have friends with good grades are more likely to get similar grades to their friends. “Palmetto has been a very welcoming place and teachers are always happy to accomodate students going through the transfer process,” Kravetz said.
Benjamin Spiegelman Sports Editor
b.spiegelman.thepanther@gmail.com
“MY COUNSELOR HELPED ME PICK ALL OF MY CLASSES AND THAT DAY, I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND ALL OF THOSE CLASSES,” ANDRES ASTUDILLO (11)
“THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IS DEFINITELY THE HARDEST PART,” Joseph Kravetz (11)
Life 09
less is more
LIVING WASTE FREE IN A WORLD OF CONSUMPTION The U.S. produces the most trash compared to any country in the world, According to the Environmental Protection Agency. Living waste free is the solution to changing that. According to the EPA, the average American produces approximately 4.4 pounds of trash per day, amounting to 1,606 pounds per year. In addition to this, the U.S. produces approximately 254 million tons of trash per year, which is enough to fill to 92,170 Olympic swimming pools. Furthermore, composting and recycling are simple ways to reduce waste and prevent 87.2 million tons of material from going in the trash per year, according to the EPA. Actions such as reusing a disposable container or replacing bottled water with a reusable water bottle, add up over time and reduce waste. “I recycle everything whether it’s by reusing it. For example if [I] buy a green tea or something I reuse the bottle until it really needs to be thrown away that way it’s not just a one time thing,” sophomore and active recycler Ashley Thompson said. “The forks you get at Chipotle or Chicken Kitchen could be washed and reused for your school lunches or stuff. I also don’t use plastic bottles or plastic bags at the grocery store.” A vital way to reduce waste is
to eliminate packaged items. This can be done by buying in bulk and making your own food. “I just very recently started to be waste free so I’ve been collecting my compost and with that I’ve learned to make broth out of it. I’ve started collecting jars and getting things out of the bulk section so like sugar, quinoa, lentils, rice all from bulk section. I’ve also been making my own food more, right now I’m actually making applesauce instead of buying it in a plastic container and avoiding the plastic bag in the produce section,” Palmetto graduate and current employee at People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, Aliana Turkel said. In addition to eliminating waste at home, students can bring reusable lunch bags instead of using plastic or paper bags to help produce less waste at school. “One of the biggest wastes I see at the school is paper, and I’m naturally trying to use less paper than I’ve used in the past but I feel like if there was a more concerted effort to go electronic it would have a better result because we are not all the way there yet,” biology teacher Ann Nelson said. In addition to reusing containers and eliminating disposable plastics, buying second hand clothes is something that is often forgotten in terms of
reducing waste production. “Buying second hand is so important in reducing waste. Like buying from a thrift store and repairing broken clothes. I just replaced two zippers on my pants,” Turkel said. Overall, a key point in living waste free it to take small steps rather than diving in at full speed. Like any lifestyle change, a helpful step is realizing the effect and how to change this. “Over the past few months I’ve been realizing what I’m throwing away and that I didn’t need to have it in the first place,” Turkel said. “The biggest thing I’ve read is that you can’t start all at once because you will throw away so many things and end up wasting more things by doing it that way.” While many may try to rush the process, the majority of blogs and websites suggest starting out slow in order to slowly adjust and adapt to this lifestyle. “Reusing old containers is something I’ve been doing and it’s a lot of small steps,” Turkel said. “My end goal is to produce little to no trash, the small steps I’ve been taking are leading me there.”
Olivia Solomon Staff Writer
o.solomon.thepanther@gmail.com
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Feature 11 On Feb. 14, 2018, a 19 year-old male killed 17 people with an AR-15 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, only 45 minutes away from Miami Palmetto Senior High. In the weeks following the shooting, the nation has seen one of the most tense debates in its history. Students, teachers, parents, and administration have raised questions about the safety of America’s schools and their concerns have been particularly strong here in South Florida, where this tragedy hit close to home. In the wake of a mass shooting, when we see images of suffering in our own community, when we feel frustrated with the deliberate pace of American politics, when we do not feel safe in the buildings we spend seven hours a day in, we must ask ourselves:
WHAT CAN WE DO?
12 Feature PREVENT
Questions from concerned students and parents have flooded school board and PTSA meetings,and district conferences. The administration at Palmetto has since taken extra precautions in safety procedures before proper security measures are reviewed and installed with the new buildings. Wearing identification cards, in order to identify students and faculty more easily, was one of the first actions implemented in assuring another layer of security. Since March 12, everyone must wear their IDs around their neck with a lanyard at all times. “There is going to be what seems like a steep consequence for not wearing [an ID] because we really need to set the tone right away,” Palmetto Principal Victoria Dobbs said. “Students that don’t have them on will go to CSI.” Other security measures taken include mandating that teachers lock their classroom doors, so they can avoid taking the extra step during a lockdown, and letting parents vote in April on whether or not Palmetto will implement a mandatory uniform policy that Dobbs hopes will foster a culture of discipline. “The biggest difference is this, when uniform got first put into the school it was always very casual, lenient [and had] lots of variations. This will not happen,” Dobbs said. “This will be polos and khakis.” Dobbs has also added more security on the perimeter of the school along with radios for P.E teachers so that they may easily contact administration if they spot any unusual activity on the field. “Three more sets of eyes that are out on the field and are usually out there and can keep an eye on 120th street, 77th avenue...if they see anything a little
Feature 13 different, they can call in our office, or our security can go out and check it,” Dobbs said. Parents and teachers criticized the inefficiency of code red drill protocols at the PTSA meeting. According to Dobbs, the district has already begun working on different procedures to follow in the event of an active shooter or breach in security. “There’s a difference between active shooter and code red,” Dobbs said. “Code red normally is that there is something in the area that may interfere with us. . . an active shooter code, that would be different. With that, you really have to look at the configuration of the classroom that you’re sitting in at that moment.” The administration’s changes are meant to add another layer of security for everyone on Palmetto’s campus. “We can’t live in fear but we need to be smart, we need to be aware,” Dobbs said. “See something, say something. You know when something’s off, you know whens somethings not right and someone doesn’t belong.”
LEGISLATE
The Florida legislature has largely ignored Pleas from MSD students for increased gun control, including a ban on assault rifles. The Florida House of Representatives voted on Feb. 20, six days after the shooting, against a motion to consider a ban on many semiautomatic weapons. The representative of District 115, which contains Palmetto’s campus, Michael Bileca, voted against the motion along with the majority and did not respond to our email. The Florida Legislature--while it did pass the Marjory Stoneman Douglas
High School Public Safety Act, which funds mental health training and crisis programs--struck down proposed amendments to the bill that would ban assault weapons and the sale and transfer of large-capacity magazines. The bill raises the minimum age at which residents can buy firearms from 18 to 21 and also allows local law enforcement to deputize trained school personnel to carry concealed firearms during school hours. Juan Fernandez, a Democratic candidate for Florida District 114, shared his beliefs regarding gun control and legislative action on a local level. “I’ve always been a proponent of extending the assault weapons ban,” Fernandez said. “I certainly think we should raise the age limits on gun ownership to 21, they should require waiting periods [and] comprehensive universal background screening.” Fernandez also mentions the need to revisit Florida’s rules and legislation permitting the legal carrying of concealed weapons in public. Applicants may be eligible for a gun license if they are at least 21 years old, reside in the U.S. with citizenship and show competency in using a firearm. “It’s a very low bar of entry to get a concealed weapon permit,” Fernandez said. In terms of limiting the number of guns sold annually, Fernandez looks to end the practice of hosting gun shows in public facilities. The Miami-Dade County Youth Fair has been a premiere location for these shows. “Right now we have 31 gun shows scheduled in Florida over the next 60 days or so and 95 percent of those gun shows happen on our Youth Fair grounds,” Fernandez said. “Twentyfive percent of all guns are sold at such
gun shows. Anyone over the age of 18 can buy whatever they want, it’s kind of the wild west in terms of gun sales and I think that’s a real threat to our local community.” Legislative action so far has been mostly concentrated within the state government. Attention brought to Florida’s relatively loose gun laws following the shooting pressured representatives, senators and Governor Scott to take action quickly. But our most local body of government within the Palmetto community, Student Council, has not been absent. At the body’s March 8 meeting, junior class treasurer Matthew Solomon proposed an amendment to the Student Council constitution that would create a “Safety Committee,” a semiindependent entity that would have three seats on the Student Council Senate. The proposal states that the committee’s primary function is “to report feedback to the Student Council, such as from the student body, the administration or the community, regarding potential actions that the Student Council can take...to encourage school safety.” Other functions include meeting independently to organize and approve protests and rallies regarding school safety that will occur on school grounds along with holding an annual forum where administration, students and others can discuss their ideas for improving school safety. “My main motivation was really the feeling that our school wasn’t doing enough,” Solomon said. Solomon’s concerns regarding school safety touch on issues like formerly lax security on campus and the school’s unenforced uniform policy. “No one is in a bubble from attacks like that,” Solomon said. “What worries
PHOTOS BY VIRGINIA BOONE
14 Feature me is that we’re not even doing the small things. We’re not even making use of the resources we have to protect against an attack like that... and that’s why I don’t feel safe.” Fernandez encourages students to make efforts and join with local representatives and their campaigns to further enhance their influence on solidifying change through legislative action. “We are actually reaching out to high schools in the district, like South Miami High school, to work with students there and get them focused on this issue,” Fernandez said. “We are really trying to keep it local where we think we can have a positive impact and some immediate change.”
COPE
MSD and MPSH have similar student population sizes, similar campus layouts and are located relatively close to each other, about an hour’s drive away. These factors made the tragedy that took place even more concerning to Palmetto students. Amanda Pinero-Trombly, the student services department chair and a studentcounselor, refers to the different stages of the coping process individuals go through when dealing with such tragedies. “Time doesn’t make things better, it’s what you do during that time that makes things better,” Pinero-Trombly said. During a time of loss and tragedy, people tend to look towards different activities to channel their energy in either positive or negative manners. “When we go through these life losses and experiences, most people are either going to become bitter or become better, and the hope is that they are going to learn from these experiences and that they are going to become better,” Pinero-Trombly said. “It’s almost like little wake-up calls throughout our life, and if anything, I think that’s what these events allow us to do during the coping and grieving process.” Administrators addressed student concerns at an open forum during lunch on March 15, regarding the accessibility of emotional and mental support in times of turmoil in students’ lives. “We’re here for the whole child,
Sometimes it doesn’t even have to be from a counselor. A lot of students confide in teachers or a friendship with a custodian or with a cafeteria worker or a security guard- someone that can help redirect them because gosh life is difficult and we’re not meant to go at it alone,” Pinero-Trombly said. “We’re a support system for you guys, we’re not just here for schedule changes.”
REMEMBER
developing the whole child which [includes] the social, emotional and the academic components,” Pinero-Trombly said. “We’re here to make sure that they have the skills and the foundation that they need and the support system they’re going to need to pull from in a time of crisis or in a time of need.” Besides dealing with students’ trauma, guidance counselors are often the first administrators to hear about students that plan to harm themselves or others. “If at any point a child or student or an adult is ever talking about hurting
“We’re a support system for you guys. We’re not just here for schedule changes.” A M A N D A P I N E R O -T R O M B LY (STUDENT SERVICES CHAIR)
themselves, hurting others or doing something illegal that is dangerous, [that] is something that we are going have to report,” Pinero-Trombly said. Palmetto’s counselors urge students and faculty members to discuss their emotional troubles in order to cope in a healthy and positive manner. “I want to continue to encourage all of the students to... seek guidance.
In the aftermath of the shooting, students have refused to let this tragedy become another atrocity swept under the rug in America. Along with MSD students spearheading the national campaign against gun violence, Palmetto students have kept the issue relevant in their own ways. Cecilia Campillo took action soon after she heard about what happened, writing “An open letter to Congress - from a terrified teen” on her blog Pepilla Magazine, just five days after the shooting. In the piece, she describes the terror she felt after watching coverage of the shooting and videos from inside the school and imagining the same event occurring in her own classroom. “It is not okay that I don’t feel safe at school,” Campillo writes. “It is one of the places I should feel the safest. It is even more upsetting that you [Congress] are doing nothing about it. All I hear are crickets in Congress.” The piece calls for greater access to mental health resources in schools as well as stricter gun control. She has written more posts about gun control for the blog, describing her own experience during the Feb. 21 walkout and expressing her distaste for the bill passed by the Florida Legislature allowing teachers to be deputized to carry weapons during school hours. “I was watching the news and I saw Emma Gonzalez,” Campillo said. “Once I saw her, it inspired me and she just kept saying anyone can start change so I was like ‘Alright girl, I’m going to join you and jump on the bandwagon.’” Protesting has been a popular way for students to express their views regarding gun control; Palmetto has seen two oncampus protests within a month of the shooting. During the Feb. 21 walkout,
protesters defied the administration’s wishes for a brief 15-minute protest at the Pawvillion and many left campus. To avoid the chaos of the first walkout, AP psychology teacher Gwendolyn Schoolar brought representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, the Florida Democratic Party and the activist group Dream Defenders to a March 7 meeting where they spoke to students about how to protest effectively, how to organize the March 14 protest and what they can do within the limits of the school. Besides protesting, students have many options when pushing for change. To educate teenagers about what is available to them, freshmen Nicole Markus and Anaïs Roatta formed the group Students Against Gun Violence. “I hope that most of the people at our school are able to join it, that most people in Miami-Dade can join,” Roatta said. “And that it becomes not just a couple kids in Evelyn Greer Park but 300 kids in an auditorium.” The group, which has no affiliation with Palmetto and is open to all students in Miami-Dade in eighth through
twelfth grade, offers community service hours to members that participate in events like voter registration drives and campaigns encouraging students to call their representatives. Officer positions are
“We are the future, we are in charge of what happens.” CECILIA CAMPILLO (12)
available to all non-senior members. Similarly, student activists all over Miami-Dade have been organizing acts of protest and political expression ever since the shooting. In an effort to inform people of the myriad of ways they can get involved in the county, the Instagram account @ neveragainmiami posts information about events that people can participate in as well as news updates regarding gun control.
“You usually hear about these things by ear or by people saying it in a classroom,” the owner of the account, who wishes to remain anonymous, said. “I wanted to create an account where everyone has a place to go to in case of updates or polls or events.” Followers send the account details about events they are planning or articles and information about gun legislation that the account then posts to get their messages across to the public. Regardless of how they do it, student activists all seem to share a common idea: it is important for students to lead the way to making change. “We are the future,” Campillo said. “We are in charge of what happens.”
Jack Cruz-Alvarez
Online Managing Editor
j.cruzalvarez.thepanther@gmail.com
Anastasiya Dudaryk Copy Editor
a.dudaryk.thepanther@gmail.com
16 Feature
guns AND
MPSH
OF 445 PALMETTO STUDENTS SURVEYED
65% OF STUDENTS BELIEVE SCHOOL SECURITY GUARDS
SHOULD NOT BE ARMED eighty-eight percent
68%
BELIEVE SCHOOL teachers
should not be armed do not feel
65% do not feel
confident
in the event of AN
ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION
SAFE
AT THIS
SCHOOL
23% want a
strict
uniform policy
guns ininamerica we own 42%
of the world’s
644 million
civilian-owned guns
1,607 mass shootings
have occurred since sandy hook INFOGRAPHIC BY MIA ZALDIVAR INFORMATION COURTESY OF CNN AND VOX
Baptist Hospital of Miami 8900 N Kendall Dr, Miami, FL 33176 Phone: (786) 596-1272
Sabrina Catalan-AD-business card size
18 Sports
PLAYING MONEYBALL LYANA STEELE
After 13 years of hard work, senior Lyana Steele’s dreams came true when she received a scholarship to play soccer for Valdosta State. Growing up, soccer was in her family blood. “My family got me into soccer,” Steele said. “Mostly my dad because he was always into soccer, so I basically had no choice.” In addition to playing in school, Steele has been on a travel team for six years, bringing a new team each year. “I haven’t been on the same team this entire time so I’ve had to get used to new girls and playing with new people and five coaches,” Steele said. “It’s hard, but I guess it has helped me in life because I learned how to be adaptable to new situations.” Stele entered the pool of consideration for a sports college scholarship with a questionnaire, listing anything and everything she wanted the college scouts to know, in addition to a highlight reel. “The [Valdosta State] coach saw my recruit questionnaire and looked at my videos and then he contacted me,” Steele said. “He just said, ‘I’d like to see you play,’ so then he came to one of my games and I guess from there he eventually liked me and then we set it up where I committed.” Steele’s dream has always been to go to college for soccer. “I didn’t want my soccer career to end so quickly with high school and I feel like it is a really big accomplishment because nobody in my family, even though we are very sports oriented, has ever played in college,“ Steele said. “I wanted to bring my family name to the college world.” Steele plans to pursue the soccer path in the future, hoping to enter the professional sports industry to continue her dream. “I felt relieved and happy that there was somebody out there that wanted me on their team,” Steele said. “Wow, I actually made it.” PHOTO BY NATALIE ASKOWITZ AND OLIVIA SOLOMON
TREY FLOWERS
As young Trey Flowers watched the Dolphins running back, Ricky Williams, race across the field, he knew that football was his passion. Flowers has been playing football since he was seven years old, both inside and outside of school. Earlier this year, Flowers received a total of ten offers with a scholarship to play football at each school. Flowers was presented with these opportunities when scouts came to the school and contacted him or coach Manasco. In the end, out of all of the offers he received, he ultimately decided to attend the University of Pennsylvania where he will be the team’s running back. “You have to commit to football 100 percent, not 50 not 75,” Flowers said. “You have to love it to play it.” Throughout his seven years of playing, the large amount of hours dedicated, in his eyes, have proven worth it. “The working out, the two-a-days, the late practices are all well worth it in the end,” Flowers said. “Also believe in your teammates, coaches, and most of all, yourself.” After college, Flowers plans on pursuing a career in football. College for him will not see the finale of his passion. However, Flowers will not take his opportunities for granted and continue to exemplify hard work and dedication. “Football means I get things that I’ve never imagined without it,” Flowers said. “Football is taking me places I’ve never been and I am very appreciative. I can’t wait to see what else is in store.”
Natalie Askowitz Copy Editor
n.askowitz.thepanther@gmail.com
Sports 19
WHAT ITteam TAKES captain TO BE No matter what sport, a captain has the role of leading their team. Captains of several Palmetto sports teams let The Panther know what their role as captain means to them.
Volleyball
Water Polo
You’re gonna need a sense of “pride and a willingness to lead
It’s required that not only do you have to get to know your team, but be able to unite them in times of hardship. It’s key to have that bond because the captain can make the team stronger.
the team, regardless of your age or position. The way you act will determine the attitude of the team expresses.
KOBY Rouviere
“ 11
Tennis The captaincy is a “responsibility that requires
someone to be dedicated and has an ability to unify the team, it takes a lot of organization and commitment, but in the end, all the extra work is worth it.
“ 11
SAMUEL STONE
“
“ Evan 12 Resendes
Soccer As a team captain you have “to take on many responsibilities and be organized so that you are you are effective in taking on different challenges.
“
AUDREY PAZ
12
Mia Zaldivar Design Editor
m.zaldivar.thepanther@gmail.com
PHOTOS BY OLIVIA SOLOMON
20 Sports
COMEBACK KIDS
When push comes to shove, even if that shove results in a torn ligament or fractured bone, athletes a t Miami Palmetto Senior High find a way to pick themselves off the ground and get back in the game. Recently, basketball player and junior Kenneth Hall needed to put his passion on hold after injuring his ACL and meniscus, which are crucial structures within the knee that support and stabilize the joints. “Last summer, in July, during a national tournament in Orlando, I contested a shot and on my way down I landed awkwardly,” Hall said. While Hall initially felt upset that he could not play the sport he loves due to his injury, he knew that he had to focus on his road to recovery. “This whole season while I was just watching, I was angry and sad because I couldn’t play with my friends and for my school,” he said. “But I follow all the protocols to ensure a prompt recovery. I have not ran, jumped or made any sudden moves that will stress my knee out. All of my workouts with my knee have been performed at therapy,
which I go to about two to three times a week.” With the support of others, Hall says his recovery
KIDS
continues to be a smooth process. “My teachers, family, friends and coaches have been there for me and give me motivation about making my return, saying things like ‘don’t be afraid to go back out there,’ and ‘if you play your heart out and not think about the injury, you’ll feel more comfortable,’” Hall said. “My girlfriend has been supportive of the entire process too by helping me stretch and coming with me to my therapy sessions to support me.” Since Hall underwent surgery, his doctor requires him to do therapy at the hospital until May. Afterwards, injured students, such as Hall, may visit athletic trainer Michele Benz. Passionate about assisting young athletes achieve their aspirations, Benz has been working as an athletic trainer at Palmetto since 1997. She says she loves the diversity at Palmetto and the continued support she receives from her colleagues in making the sports medicine program the best it can be. “The venue is great. I love working with younger athletes,” Benz said. “I work for them. I’m here for them. I treat them like VIPs, at the levels that they want to work at, like the pros where some of them want go.” Benz hopes to help as many people as possible by trying to keep them on the field even through treatment. “My main goal and mission is to get [athletes] back onto the field,” Benz said. “A lot of the time, people think that an athletic trainer, from the way we are schooled to think, requires an athlete not to participate until they are healed. When in reality, athletes are probably always going to play with something through their career; they’re going to have a strain or a sprain or something that they can probably push through if we modify how much activity they are doing. But my goal is to never have to pull them 100 percent out of participation.” Together at the athletic training
facility, Benz works with students on various treatments and rehabilitation processes to build them back up by managing the level of rigor they perform at to prevent their injury from worsening. Not seeking treatment is a common mistake Benz sees among young athletes, but the consequence can spiral as it did for lacrosse player and sophomore Victoria Negron. “I got my injury during preseason while I was at the YMCA on the treadmill doing sprints. I was running too hard and I got a stress fracture,” Negron said. “I didn’t go to the doctor right away because I thought it was just a cramp on my toe. The next day I went to the Y again and I did sprints again. It didn’t hurt while I was on the treadmill, but it hurt a lot after I was done running.” Benz stresses that when athletes suspect an injury, they should seek help right away to reduce the chances of that injury increasing into something much more serious. “If [athletes] try to play through an injury, they could be out for weeks,” Benz said. “So a really common injury can go from bad to worse very quickly and then really delay the athlete’s opportunity to come back for participation.” Still, Negron works with her lacrosse coach to help improve in other areas of the sport while she recovers, such as bettering her stick skills. “I learned that dedication takes a huge toll when it comes to sports,” Negron said. “It’s okay to push yourself, but not too hard because then you’ll end up with a boot.” Excited and optimistic, Hall and Negron are training and learning to take care of their bodies the right way. And when the next season of their sport rolls around, they plan to come back stronger than last time.
Sabrina Catalan Copy Editor
s.catalan.thepanther@gmail.com
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11/30/15
11/30/15 4/30/18
11/30/15
11/30/15 4/30/18
Opinion 23
Face Off NO
IS GENERATION Z NARCISSISTIC?
Generation Z’s utilization of social media platforms for activism and change reflects a population of empathetic and righteous humans, devoid of widespread narcissism. Narcissism, or one’s infatuation with oneself, is a phenomena that transcends generational gaps and is found (to varying degrees) in every person, no matter the amount of selfies one adds to their Snapchat story. Overgeneralizations disservice the already unique political awareness of this generation. As many Americans look most recently, for example, at the tragedy at Stoneman Douglas, they marvel at the eloquent and well-informed student survivors. The issue at hand in this case, gun control, has been at the forefront of discussion on Twitter and Facebook since the tragedy, giving Generation Z members a worldwide platform to express their beliefs. As tens of thousands of teenagers plan to march for political change, their perception among older generations should not be fallibly defined by the superficiality and narcissistic tendencies of Instagram royalty, Kylie Jenner. Narcissism equals self-absorption. Other generations criticizing Generation Z teenagers for sometimes caring a little bit more than themselves about their social media appearance is nonsensical because Generation Z often uses social media to rally for change greater than themselves . As our society progresses technologically, the idea of teenage insecurity shifts to handcrafted profiles that idealize one’s image, and narcissism doesn’t emphasize one’s want for a dosage of attention,however unimportant it is.
YES
A widespread epidemic of narcissism now plagues the age group succeeding millennials, currently coined “Generation Z.” In this case, narcissism is characterized by an excessive display of self-centeredness with focus on personal image, not to be confused with the alternate definition- a personality disorder, according to the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Jean Twenge, a Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, said in a 2014 ABC (Australian Broadcast Corporation) article that the difference between positive self esteem and narcissism is a lack of empathy towards others in the latter. The explosive popularity of social media has opened up a gateway of self-obsession, as the number of selfies posted seems infinite and desire for followers insatiable. According to ADWEEK, an American advertising publication, a whopping 1,000 selfies are posted to Instagram every 10 seconds. A 2017 AOL article stated that millennials will take over 25,000 selfies in their lifetime, and this number will only increase for Gen Z. Twenge collaborated with narcissism specialist Keith Campbell and used a system called the Narcissistic Personality Inventory to conduct research. When 15,000 American college students were subjected to this, Twenge and Campbell discovered that narcissism scores are significantly higher in the 2000s than previous years, like the 1980s and 1990s. The numbers say it all. The evidence proving Generation Z is narcissistic is clear through the online world it thrives in, as the generation strives for more likes per selfie and followers without fail. Gen Z represents a new era of self-absorption and egotistical mania.
Thomas Martinez
Allison Strasius
t.martinez.thepanther@gmail.com
a.strasius.thepanther@gmail.com
Online Editor
Staff writier
PHOTOS BY VIRGINIA BOONE AND CAMILA MYERS
24 Opinion
THE DOUBLE STANDARD
Male rape and sexual assault is often not taken seriously in society Gender stereotypes lead people to believe that men are incapable of being victims in sex crimes and that, if they claim they are, they are weak. But that is yet another falsehood courtesy of the patriarchy. Sexual assault allegations seem to be rocking modern society. Powerful men have been falling from their high ranking positions as people finally decide to listen to the voices of women crying out for justice. And while a few men have also come forward, their cries for justice among the rest are still stifled by a society that falsely labels men as too tough to ever endure sexual violence in the first place. Survivors of sexual assault know that the aftermath is an ordeal no matter the gender, but the challenges stemming from sexual assault, specifically the public conversations held as a society, are drastically different for each gender. The National Crime Victimization Survey conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics found that out of 40,000 households, 38 percent of incidences were against men. Although the majority of the statistic applies to women, a significant number still affects men. The female sexual predator is more common than gender norms would otherwise suggest. A recent analysis by the Bureau of Justice found that 46 percent of male victims named a female perpetrator. Among incarcerated men--or
boys--the same group did another analysis of a juvenile detention center and found 900,000 incidences of male sexual abuse reported, with 89 percent of boys reporting abuse by a female staff member. Cultural stereotypes lead people to falsely believe that female predators are far and few between, but that’s not the case. A team of researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles found that in 2010, 4.5 million men had reported sexual abuse and 79.2 percent of those cases were carried out by women.
One out of every ten rape victims are male. RAPE, ABUSE AND INCEST N AT I O N A L N E T W O R K
Men of the LGBT community often find themselves excluded from the #MeToo Movement. When Brandon Cook, a male survivor of rape, looked to find solidarity in the #MeToo Movement, he received a callous response instead. Based on the stereotypes from his history as a drug addict and his gender, people suggested he had his rape coming, and received comments suggesting that if he stopped playing the victim, he might be taken more seriously. His case is unfortunately, not unique in terms of a lack of acceptance from the #MeToo Movement. Of course there are exceptions.
Anthony Rapp, an actor who accused Kevin Spacey of sexual assault, explained to the hosts on “the Talk” how he found nothing but widespread support from the movement. Other than this, men are still conditioned to keep their pain to themselves. The patriarchy demands that men keep up the constant facade of strong and untouchable. So when men fall victim to sex crimes, it becomes extremely hard to speak out or show that they are more vulnerable than societal norms would allow. It is an endless cycle of toxic masculinity that manifests into harm for every man, woman and child in society. The same sexism that harms women, harms men. One-sided feminism that refuses to acknowledge that men are not just the perpetrators, but the victims of sex crimes as well, is not feminism at all. Women’s rights advocates are promoting the conversation that the shame female victims carry with them after sexual assault does not belong to them, now the same exchange needs to happen with men. The conversation about men does not have to shut down the conversation about women. Compassion is not a finite resource.
Allessandra Inzinna Feature Editor
a.inzinna.thepanther@gmail.com
Stop pretending take action...for real
Opinion 25
About a month ago, I walked into Starbucks on a normal Thursday afternoon. I ordered coffee, said hi to friends, sat down at a table. My gaze fell on the table next to us, and the woman sitting there asked if I needed the chair. I didn’t, but about thirty seconds later I found myself sitting across from her: a grandmother, former teacher and Parkland resident who lives just blocks away from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. She told me her story: about how she now uses Facebook as a platform to get community members to sign petitions for gun control, how exhausting it is listening to the constant bustle of media crews and helicopters, how proud she is of our generation riding buses to Tallahassee because her generation, she said, has failed to do something about it. We spent a good 45 minutes discussing Palmetto students’ efforts to evoke change - encouraging students to register to vote, sending a banner with welcome letters to the school from our student body - and friending each other on Facebook. I scrolled through the feeds of Parkland parents and the police department on her phone, browsing endless posts calling for action. She said she needed to take her granddaughter to karate. I thanked her for her time and help, and bless her heart, she said, “Thank you for talking to me.” I gave her a hug - one of those that transcends tenderness into a deeper form of empathy I haven’t felt in a long time - and when I looked at her, I saw a pair of tired eyes sunken in from the wear of emotional exhaustion. I went home, and I cried. What we have at hand here is an issue
that will not dissolve until our politicians pass the proper legislation to move toward lasting change. That starts with us. Already, slews of high school and college students have spoken at rallies, performed peaceful protests, written to Congress and, as we saw at the Town Hall meeting televised on CNN, spoken with frankness to Marco Rubio regarding inaction and the sleazy coercion of the NRA. But it’s going to take more than that. As so many people have noted, this seems like our Vietnam War protest, minus the flowers in our hair and peace-sign Volkswagens. I have heard the sentiment from some of my peers that voting is futile, and I heartily disagree. Registering to vote today will not grant us the power to immediately vote anyone out of Congress, but it will grant us the power to vote on legislation. Once they see that we are voting, they will understand the seriousness of our commitment, and subsequently, that we will be the first ones to vote them out of office. On February 28, I joined a group of about 30 students after school, where Dr. Jeffrey Solomon, a House of Representatives candidate, and other local community figures and teachers congregated in the Media Center to help us write letters to Congress. We received a healthy dose of legislation to read over, learned which bills are going through the House and Senate and singled out the Congresspeople who still stand by the NRA. And we wrote. If they continue to resist the gun control reform necessary to prevent senseless killing in buildings meant to foster intelligence, we will be the first ones to call them out. But we also need a healthy balance. The way I see it, huddling up in the Pawvillion
with signs - a second-lunch phenomenon that led to people throwing food and water, random signs with profanity that mocked the purpose of the event in disgusting disrespect, and students charging through the school gates to either skip school or walk to Coral Reef Senior High - proved ineffective. A 17-minute school-wide moment of silence in the school courtyard, however? One step closer towards peaceful protest. Spelling out “P [heart] MSD” on the school field with an aerial shot? Even better. Using 17 minutes to promote voter’s registration and letter-writing to Congress? Excellent. Making 17 new friends to make our peers, each and every one, feel more loved and accepted? These are long-term measures that will make a difference. As we mature into young adults, we must understand where we can singularly have our impact, and maximize on those efforts. School regulations on protests are not constraints or limitations on our first amendment rights; at our age, we just have different - and more effective - means of using those rights to our advantage. We can leave the 2nd-amendment rights debates to the professors and experts on Constitutionality while we form our own opinions - based on fact - in our heads. This issue has enjoyed far too much longevity, the monsters of the destruction too much screen time; it’s time we prove that our words will turn into action.
Marlowe Starling Editor in-Chief
m.starling.thepanther@gmail.com
Thoughts and prayers
Blame it on mental illness
Wait for change
Start taking action
A FAREWELL TO
Conformity in Fashion Fashion has long served as a form of self-expression. Today, when the idea of gender identity is so fluid, this expression may not always align with one’s corresponding gender stereotype. Though the fashion industry is historically responsible for spearheading more eclectic and boundary breaking trends, recent runways and style magazines are seeing increasing numbers of trends of the gender neutral variety. Notable designers such as Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci have notoriously incorporated unisex pieces into their collections, with men sporting silky skirts and traditionally feminine makeup and women modeling more masculine suits and short hairstyles. Gender nonconformity is nothing completely new in the fashion world, but in recent yearsthe modeling world
has broken through a much more rigid box: stereotypically thin models. Plus sized models such as Ashley Graham - who in 2017 became the first plus sized model to appear on the cover of Vogue and Sports Illustrated - have become household names and are consistently breaking barriers when it comes to beauty standards. Though runways still have a long way to go before they can claim to be inclusive and diverse when it comes to their models, this is definitely a huge step in the right direction. Despite the grand increase of gender neutrality on the runway, it is not as common to see these radical trends worn on the street. However, celebrities such as Jaden Smith and Harry Styles have found ways to incorporate both feminine and masculine items into their daily wardrobe - from painted nails and
floral suits to more toned down casual dresses and women’s coats. To understand why bidding farewell to conformity and embracing individuality in fashion is so important, we must note that these bold style statements have served as a channel for empowerment of individuals who do not feel that they fit in with the expectations set for their gender or body type. This movement has sparked the normalization of clothing choices that may allow transgender, non-binary and otherwise nonconforming people - who have long faced backlash for their lack of conformity - to openly dress in what makes them feel most comfortable.
Alexis Garcia-Ruiz Copy Editor
a.garciaruiz.thepanther@gmail.com
STAFF EDITORIAL NEVER AGAIN
Eighteen years following the mass shooting at Columbine High in Colorado, where 15 people were killed (including both of the perpetrators), and five years following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, where 27 teachers and students were killed, Parkland has left the world in complete horror again. The days following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas were filled with remorse, fear and anger. Remorse for the victims and their families, fear for the safety of students and anger for the lack of action in Congress and state
governments in pursuing a policy to ensure the end of such tragedies. The uncomfortable stammer of politicians has given power to the students. In the days following yet another tragedy in American history, students have gathered by the millions to voice their concerns. Hand in hand, we march towards a future that we can change. The silence of the White House has proven a catalyst for political action within our younger generation. No longer will we be subjected to the fear of firearms on our streets and the tragic memorials of lost victims. If anything even remotely positive
has arised from this most recent tragedy, it’s this: our generation of high school leaders will do everything in our power to never let this happen again. Unlike some previous administrations, the lack of federal action in this case has sparked an immense amount of energy in an age group that has seriously lacked in numbers in previous polls. Since Parkland, schools across the nations have hosted voter registration events where eligible students can register to vote, in an extra effort to increase voter turnout, especially in the upcoming midterm elections.
The Panther staff aims to inform fellow students and parents about school-wide, local, national, and international news. The Panther’s content aims to represent the student body. Editorials feature the opinions of staffers. Features of other students, teachers and clubs further promote the spirit, culture and personality of Miami Palmetto Senior High School.
Editor-in-Chief
MARLOWE STARLING
Print Editor-in-Chief
EDITORIAL POLICY
OLYMPIA RODRIGUEZ
The Panther is a monthly publication of Miami Palmetto Senior High located at 7460 SW 118th Street Miami, FL 33156, (305) 235-1360 ext. 2337. The views expressed are solely those of The Panther staff. Students who wish to respond to an article in this publication or discuss another issue may write letters to the editor and submit them to room 911B or e-mail us at thepanthermpsh@gmail.com. The Panther has professional membership in NSPA and CSPA. The Panther prints approximately 2,000 copies per issue for distribution. The Panther is distributed for free to all students in school. Please visit our paper online at thepalmettopanther.com.
Online Editor-in-Chief THOMAS MARTINEZ
Print Managing Editor BLAKE RUBENSTEIN
Online Managing Editor JACK CRUZ-ALVAREZ
Senior Copy Editor
BYLINE POLICY:
All creative work (such as illustrations, graphics, photos and writing) excluding staff editorials and staff member pictures will include byline credits.
Any errors in print will be acknowledged in the next print issue in a correction box. Any errors online will be acknowledged immediately. Errors include facts, figures, misquoting and name misspellings.
Business Manager Feature Editor
ALLESSANDRA INZINNA
News Editor
ADVERTISING POLICY:
BRIANNE GUANAGA
Ads will be designed by the advertiser and include all information the advertiser wants included. If the advertiser asks the staff to design the ad, the individual who sold the ad will design the ad or the business manager will. Ads will be approved by EICs, the Adviser and the business manager. If an ad produced is illegible, contains false information, or the advertiser does not like it, they will receive a free ad in the next issue. If you would like to advertise, please contact us.
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
Life Editor
CAMILA MEYERS
Sports Editor
BENJAMIN SPIEGELMAN
Opinion Editor
GARRETT LIVINGSTON
The School Board shall comply with all Federal Laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination and all requirements and regulations of the U.S. Department of Education. The Board will enforce its prohibition against discrimination/harassment based on sex, race, color, ethnic, or national origin, religion, marital status, disability, age, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, gender identification, social and family background, linguistic preference, pregnancy and any other basis prohibited by law. The Board shall maintain an educational and work environment free from all forms of discrimination/harassment, which includes Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX prohibits sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct such as unwelcome touching, graphic verbal comments, sexual jokes, slurs, gestures or pictures. All students, administrators, teachers, staff, and all other school personnel share responsibility for avoiding, discouraging, and reporting any form of prohibited discrimination or harassment against students by employees, other students and their parents or guardians, or third parties. This policy prohibits discrimination and harassment at all School District operations, programs, and activities on school property, or at another location if it occurs during an activity sponsored by the Board.
MORGAN ELMSLIE
KATHARINE HSIAO
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